A heart-piercing curse upon first meeting?
Or perhaps a fiery demise?
The potential grim fates sent a shiver down Evan's spine as he strained to access the original host's memories.
Perhaps due to the disorienting nature of his transference, these memories seemed fragmented, deeply buried, and no matter how hard Evan racked his brain, they remained elusive.
"Damn, if only I could recall some more memories," Evan muttered to himself, feeling a headache brewing. He resolved that before the term's end, he must master the art of Legilimency and find a way to use the Pensieve in the Headmaster's office to sort through his scattered recollections. Otherwise, he was at serious risk of being exposed.
He didn't even know where his own home was...
For a transmigrant, he was in quite a predicament.
"Harry Potter!"
As Evan pondered how he might sneak into the Restricted Section to learn Legilimency, Professor McGonagall's commanding voice refocused everyone's attention on the Sorting Ceremony.
Not just Evan, but every young wizard and professor turned their eyes to the stage, echoing the moment Evan had stepped up. Yet, Evan's slight peculiarities paled next to the savior's prestige.
With the entry of a bespectacled, somewhat slight boy onto the stage, a wave of enthusiastic applause erupted below. The second-year Gryffindors clapped until their hands were red, eyes fixed on the boy's forehead, as if hoping to glimpse the iconic lightning-shaped scar.
"Harry Potter? Is she talking about that Harry Potter?"
"My mum says he defeated You-Know-Who when he was just a baby!"
"I really hope he gets sorted into Gryffindor!"
Evan joined in the applause, if only to avoid standing out at the Gryffindor table.
Of course, he felt Harry deserved the accolades; after all, the tragic childhood Harry endured stemmed from his parents' demise.
If Lily Potter hadn't sacrificed her life to cast a protective enchantment that drained Voldemort of his powers, the wizarding world would have faced untold casualties...
When Harry Potter was announced to join Gryffindor, the house table erupted in jubilation. The Weasley twins hugged each other excitedly, chanting, "Potter! We've got Potter!" In contrast, the applause from Slytherin was markedly subdued.
Particularly the Slytherin prefect at the front row, who looked rather displeased when the Sorting Hat declared Harry refused Slytherin.
Evan noted all of this with a light chuckle, aware that Harry's savior aura still shone brightly. He mused that once people realized Harry was just an ordinary wizard beyond the fame, they might not care as much.
Evan silently critiqued the situation, but catching Dumbledore's smile directed at Harry, suddenly felt the Slytherin prefect's concern was justified. With the Headmaster aiding the savior, Slytherin could kiss the House Cup goodbye for the next few terms, at least.
As Harry descended from the stage, Gryffindor's prefect Percy Weasley almost leaped forward to shake his hand the second Harry stepped down. Most people made room beside them, seemingly eager to chat with the savior.
Even George and Fred joined the throng, leaving Evan's side suddenly empty.
Evan, however, had no interest in joining the commotion. He was content to enjoy the feast before him, remarking inwardly that while British cuisine might be infamously bland, Hogwarts' offerings were surprisingly palatable—a credit perhaps to the house-elves, not the British wizards.
Evan felt someone's gaze upon him and looked up to meet Dumbledore's silver-blue eyes. Without showing any sign of intimidation, Evan gave the Headmaster a coy and shy smile before shoveling a large piece of cake into his mouth and swallowing it down in a few bites.
Perhaps it was Evan's foodie aura or just Dumbledore's fleeting curiosity, but after returning the smile, the greatest wizard of the age shifted his attention elsewhere.
After the Sorting Ceremony concluded, there was ample time for the young wizards to dine. Evan ate his fill until he couldn't take another bite, and only then did Dumbledore wave his wand to clear the remnants of the feast.
The food vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, a spectacle that no longer amazed the older students but still held wonder for Evan, witnessing such magic firsthand.
Dumbledore then stood up slowly, drawing the entire hall's attention to the podium.
"Ah, now that we are all sated, I shall speak a few more words. I have several start-of-term notices to announce."
Dumbledore's voice echoed throughout the hall, his gaze sweeping over the new students and then resting momentarily on the Weasley twins.
"First-years must note: The forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students. And I expect our older students to remember this as well."
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to remind you that magic should not be used between classes in the corridors."
"Trials for the Quidditch teams will take place in the second week..."
After reiterating the usual start-of-term rules, Dumbledore paused briefly before raising his tone once more.
"Lastly, I must warn you all that no one wishing to avoid a most painful death should enter the corridor on the right-hand side of the fourth floor!"
Evan couldn't help but critique Dumbledore's cryptic warning.
Merely stating the danger without providing further information or even explaining why it should be avoided created an air of mystery. How could any wizard brimming with curiosity resist?
As expected, Dumbledore's stern warning seemed to have little effect; some new students even chuckled dismissively, while the older ones appeared more serious.
Of course, this seriousness did not include the Weasley twins, who were already plotting something in whispers. Evan guessed they would likely explore the corridor that promised a gruesome demise, but not before Dumbledore had a word with them, or perhaps tasked Filch with keeping a close eye on them.
To prevent them from stirring up trouble...