After the Welcoming Feast end, Albus Dumbledore with Hogwarts professors started a meeting to discuss their impression about the new first years.
" I would like to express my gratitude for all of you, and hope for a good year. Now let's start. ", the official meeting was short. They were, for most, excited to get The Boy Who Lived and condemned Mikhael's aggressive tendency. The second subject was about new security measures on the third floor, they would have to discuss the details at a later time in private with the Headmaster. It was so important, the old wizard refused to give any information about the object current location, hidden in the school. The headmaster used his grandpa aura to end the meeting and asked the Slytherin head of house to stay behind.
" Please, Severus, reassure me you didn't notice anything strange about mister Jones ? ", the old wizard expression changed from his earlier meek face to a deeply worried frown. Or, it was a scheme to influence the ex death eater.
" Apart from his natural mind barrier and brutal retaliation against his twin brother, I saw nothing. ",
" Exactly Severus, this is concerning. I remember this boy. He was just a sad little child when I met his parents to put a ward on their house. He had so little magic, it is unexpected for him to attend Hogwarts. Not that I mind. It's just, I wouldn't have expected their death, years later after Voldemort's fall. I fear Severus, I fear for the future... ", the headmaster could have continued his preaching if the potion master interrupted him, wanting to rest for the night instead of listening to an old man rambling.
" Thanks to his brother, who didn't have any mind protection. Of course, it was for the greater good Albus. I will keep an eye on Mister Jones, have a goodnight headmaster. ", Severus felt even more annoyed to add a burden on his already taxing job of protecting James Potter pawn. He hated the boy's appearance, yet maybe a tiny bit of Lily was in him, like his eyes. He would have to wait, and hope, for his redemption.
The Slytherin Dungeon password was 'Blood Purity'. The prefect Gemma Farley presented the house ghost, The Bloody Baron to the newcomers. This ghost was what the school poltergeist feared. She explained the rules of the house since they were prejudiced to all be dark wizards. " There's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin. ", was what the other houses thought of them. So they had to show a united front outside and any inter conflict had to be resolved in the Slytherin Dungeon, outreach of prying eyes.
One advantage of this place was personal rooms. Mikhael felt relieved, he wouldn't have to share his space with a stranger. Still, he had to spend his education years with those arrogant gits. After the prefect left them to their own, Draco tried to hex him for being a muggle-born. Mikhael's training allowed him to avoid the spell and reacted by instinct. Still, the orphan had to control himself to not burn the whole area around him. Instead, Draco only got his wand hand burnt by a precise fire-making charm.
The blond wizard loyal gongs received black eyes when they stepped up to gang on Mikhael. His movements were fast and effective. The way he moved his wand and cast his magic was uncommon for a first-year. The most noteworthy feature was his fast decision and unobstructed will to cause harm. This calmed down the Slytherin. He wasn't an easy target.
The head of House had to bring the three first years to madam Pomfrey and gave Mikhael a week detention add to his previous fight sanction in the Great Hall. Still, the head of house didn't remove ant house point.
Mikhael could see how hard it would be, his life in this castle. Snape didn't listen to his part, nor question the witnesses. For this man, Draco was the victim and it was all that matter. Such favoritism would aggravate Draco's behavior, making it even more rotten. Next time, Mikhael would make it without witness and the one who messed with him would regret it a lot more than the current Malfoy.
The orphan entered his room. It was bigger than he expected with all the necessary, a neat and tidy king size bed. He unpacked his clothes from his trunk and started the evening workout Abigael forced him to follow. He created two dozen of fire orbs which rotated and floated while he did his push up. Within limited space, his control had to be more precise, but the heat wasn't a problem since he manipulated his fire to not be hot.
Fire was something he found easier to master. It was both fascinating and dreadful. He could change the temperature, color, size and form at will. Proprieties such as harmless fire to make light or semi harmless fire which burned anything but him and any other derivation was harder to master. He wondered if he trained in the right direction. He had to visit the library to be sure. He would find inspiration and work of great wizards.
Morning wasn't different from the orphanage. Mikhael left the dungeon before stretching in front of the lake. It was way bigger than his familiar pond and it seemed that a colossus squid waved at him. It was fascinating. How could, such a big squid survived and find sustenance in those cold water. He waved back, promising to come back later.
Running, sprinting, jumping and evading while his fire sphere followed and attacked him at random destroyed his surroundings. Since Abigael wasn't there to throw some rocks at him, he lacked a bit of control. To not be suspicious, Mikhael changed his fire color to transparent. Watchers would just suppose he used some levitating spell. He wasn't sure if it would work, but was happy with the result.
From time to time, he changed his training from defensive to aggressive. Obstacles caught on fire and it turned into ash in less than a second. His speed for casting became faster and the speed of the effect became closer to instantaneous. Following Abigael's reasoning, the orphan also trained in attacking different directions with multiple targets at the same time. His timing wasn't good, but he had time to sharpen his skill.
All these morning exercises were applying his wandless and wordless magic. Still, his wand was waving as a deceit to fool any onlooker. The less they knew, the better it was. He would train his wand magic in class and when he would have a better understanding of the normal wizard magic. He would later integrate his wand magic within his training when he had a full grasp over his wand strength and weakness.
Mikhael saw some upper years doing their own jogging around the large stadium, the Quidditch Pitch they called it. All wizards weren't as lazy as his comrades. Magic was great but it wasn't perfect. It allowed so many possibilities and in consequence the same amount of danger. Boundless way existed, but moving his own body was the easier way to avoid a curse. If the upper years with more experience trained their body, that meant he was on the right path to surpass himself. Yet, he wondered why they also brought broomstick. Increasing the weight for the jog to increase the intensity wasn't a bad idea, but it was a strange custom to use a broomstick for it.
Exhausted, Mikhael noticed his magical reserve had grown bigger since he left the orphanage. Here the magic concentration was superior to any place he visited before. His absorption rate became faster which developed his reserve at a better speed. Tasting such a great training condition, Mikhael would have to find a solution to agglomerate magic. Then, his Seven Oaks Forest would allow him to keep the same progression rhythm. Ward and runes might be possible, but those classes were only taught from the third year. It would be hard.
After a shower, Mikhael noticed his black hair reached his shoulder. He hadn't remarked it before, how long they became. To counter any future problem, he set them on horsetail while sitting on his house table. The food was majestic. So much and the quality was high level. If Samael was here, the fatty would gob as much as he could before exploding, abandoning his dream, the bread mountain. Now, the orphan could eat his fill without hunting nor using the money from his thievery. He whispered thanks for the meal and break bread into his pocket. The moment he ended his thanks, a mountain of new bread appeared on his plate. He didn't know what happened but heard some high pitch, happily yelled.
Did god finally answered his prayers. Why this one and not any other. The only difference was the place. So, maybe the castle magic could generate food. Mikhael tested his hypothesis while whispering different food name or drink. Those appeared without fault. He would have continued filling the table with untouched food if an upper Slytherin didn't beg him to stop it.
It was Hogwart house-elves who did the meal. Mikhael had to research about those creatures in the future. How could he be certain there wasn't any poison in his bread. This was dangerous. He wasn't so sure about filling his stomach anymore. He couldn't lower his vigilance even at mealtime. Making plan and countermeasures in his head, the orphan didn't see the amused face the headmaster wore when he kept summoning different food from the elves.
After getting his schedule, Mikhael asked for direction to his prefect who compelled to his demand, bringing with her all the siting Slytherin first year to McGonagall classroom. Draco didn't dare to look in his eyes. The blond boy scrubbed unconsciously his healed wrist, feeling the phantom pain. His father wasn't here to protect him and they shared the same house. Draco didn't feel secure at all. Mikhael's next attack could be very vicious and taken at any place. As long as he didn't bother the orphan, there wouldn't be another confrontation.
The other snakes stayed away from him, sitting in duo while a tabby cat observed them on the desk. Gryffindors students didn't lower their noise volume nor stop their conversation after entering the classroom. They behaved as if they own the place, feeling confident since it was their house head who taught this class. Harry and Ron were running through the stone halls to their class. They rushed in. In the class, the cat stayed still. They were the last to enter.
" Whew, amazing, can you imagine the look on old McGonagall's face if we were late ? ", the redhead looked at the empty places left. He and Harry move stopped when the cat jumped off the desk and turned into Professor McGonagall. Both boys were amazed. Mikhael noted the ability as interesting. Shape-shifting, was the inside also change to the animal counterpart or only resize to fit the new form. Could an injury be transferred from one form to the other or did it stay on the form that was received the wound.
" That was bloody brilliant. ", Ron blinked multiple times.
" Thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley. Maybe if I were to transfigure Mr. Potter and yourself into a pocketwatch, maybe one of you would be on time. ", McGonagall's stern look made the redhead flustered. It became redder when his friend explained that they got lost. The teacher mocked them with a map joke she seemed to be the only one appreciating.
The lesson started with theories on the subject and a warning.
" Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned. ", she gave each table wood matches they had to turn in needles, a basic exercise for beginners. His deskmate wasn't a Slytherin but Hermione. A bit happy to see her again, Mikhael felt betrayed when she accused him of the accident the day before and defended his brother who just charged at him when he was going to be sort. She ignored his event explanation and tried to do the exercise. He didn't know what Jacob told to his fellow Griffindor but it didn't paint him well. House unity was in higher regard for her. Such a shame, he thought she could be useful.
Focusing his will and magic turned the match in silver needle fast. He was the first to achieve it. Before anyone noticed it, he changed his needle back to a match stick. He tried again with his wand. He wasn't used to it but managed the transfiguration. Feeling proud of himself, Mikhael cast a glance over the other groups. His brother wasn't successful. It didn't surprise him, at school Jacob didn't put any effort since magic trick was all he needed to be forgiven by Olivia and Daniel.
Mikhael practiced his wand magic speed, changing back and forth the match into a needle with different metals, lengths, forms. When Hermione or the teacher watched over his work, he let it in the match stick appearance. He waited until the lesson last five minutes to show a degraded version of his silver needle, gaining ten points for his house. Hermione got five for being the official first one to modify her needle. She got another five for making the shape similar and metallic. Her bossy comment on how it has to be done wasn't well-received by her fellow Gryffindors, nor her smug face.
At potion class, Mikhael was paired with a blond girl, casting him a cold stare. Daphne Greengrass or the Icy Queen as Draco called her. It didn't bother him, she was like that with everyone except for a brown hair girl. Still, He was the house pariah. He wasn't accepted but didn't care as long as they didn't bother him. The students were chattering, sitting near steaming cauldrons. The door slammed open and Snape came rushing in.
" There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to enjoy the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few... ", he looked at Draco, who smiled.
" Who possesses the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death. ", Snape saw Harry, writing this down, in his view, not paying attention.
" Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not...pay...attention. ", Hermione nudged Harry in the ribs. He looked up.
" Mr. Potter. Our...new...celebrity. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood ? ", Hermione's hand skyrocketed. Harry shrugged. " You don't know ? Well, let's try again. Where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar ? ", Hermione's hand shot up again.
Harry struggled to not flee, " I don't know, Sir. ".
" And what is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfbane ? ", Snape continued. This Potter was his father's image. A stupid arrogant Griffindor who knew nothing. Nothing like his mother, Snape regretted.
" I don't know, Sir. ", Harry repeated, Mikhael checked the response in his book to confirm his own answers.
" Pity. Clearly, fame isn't everything, is it, Mr. Potter ? ", Snape removed points when Harry responded that Hermione could have the answer. Mikhael wrote down the solutions which matched his suppositions. He had read the full potion book before coming to Hogwarts and his memory didn't fail him.
When Neville cauldron exploded, the potion master removed another ten points to Potter because the later didn't help, trying to look better in comparison. Anger and disbelief were in the green eyes student. The potion class was finished but Potter blocked the passage to Snape desk. Mikhael didn't care about the wizard world savior and asked him to move away as he wanted to ask private questions to his house head since the lesson was finished.
Harry failed to hit Mikhael's shoulder, instead, he was the one sent on the ground. His physic was so weak. Draco laughed at the scene, imitating the fall to his minion while Ron threatened the black hair Slytherin. Not that he cared, he felt better when Snape increased his points taken from Grynffindor, reaching the thirty. At least, one teacher didn't favor the savior in this school.
The potion master wasn't disposed to help Mikhael with his potion making training. The orphan's plan for making money with potion had to rely on his room or an empty class since he was refused access to the potion lab. Another problem was the ingredients, he would have to find or pay them himself. A set back he would have to overcome.
After lunch, the Slytherin had flying practice with the Gryffindor students. Mikhael wasn't thrilled at the idea to share another class with the rash Gryffindors. House hostility apart, he couldn't bear their behaviors. At madam Hooch signal, his broom responded immediately, shaking a bit. Was his intent too strong on the magical tool. This could be the case as it stopped shaking when he loosened a bit of his destructive thoughts on the broom if it didn't respond to his order.
The feeling of real flight was great. The airflow and the freedom he felt. It was different from floating and changing direction with his telekinesis to get fruit in the forest. It wasn't as flexible nor couldn't reach this speed with this easiness. Like the wand, the broom was a tool to facilitate the flight. The runes composing the broom core allowed such magic.
Mikhael noticed the incident with Neville but didn't try to help him. The shy boy didn't talk to him at all for the day. Neville was surely, like Hermione supporting their house over their beginning friendship in the Hogwarts Express. Draco and Harry went in the air for the remembrall.
Not forgetting the previous incident, Mikhael used his telekinesis to make Harry fell after getting the object while descending. Since it wasn't too high when he reached Mikhael's magic range, the savior didn't break his wrist like Neville but was also mocked by the snake. 'Trying to push me down, never do it again.', thought the orphan.
Mikhael smirked further when Hermione reprimanded Harry for his disrespect toward the school rules. Mikhael's smile couldn't get wider when McGonagall grabbed the boy. Potter could be expelled as Draco said. Mikhael didn't feel guilty, the Potter fault was acting like an idiot at Malfoy taunt.
How could a weak boy like that, at less than two years old, defeat a dark lord whose reign of terror lasted over fifty years. It was a mystery. Potter parents should have done some unknown magic to protect their kid that kill the dark lord. Mikhael wouldn't make the same mistake to achieve his goal. He wouldn't underestimate his foes, and he would follow the example of the current leader of light, masking his intention behind the greater good.