Seeing the enormous magical castle once again after months, Asterion couldn't help but compare it to how it was before the renovation following the attacks on Hogwarts. The castle had always been large, but now it was even bigger, resembling a giant mythical fortress atop a hill. Perhaps the hill itself had been enlarged to support the base of the enormous building.
At least five more towers had been erected around the castle, linking to the original ones. From these towers, Asterion felt an abnormal amount of magical energy. Obviously, they were not just simple towers meant for decoration or astrology classes. They were true magical defense weapons powered by the infinite energy of the Ley Lines.
Entering Hogwarts, Asterion noticed that the medieval armors were much larger and seemed to emanate a faint wave of magical energy. It seemed that not only the towers had been updated; the entire internal system had undergone a complete upgrade.
As it was still early, there were hardly any students in the corridors. The ones he saw were returning from missions and looked exhausted, apparently having stayed up all night.
Asterion greeted them with a nod and found the stairs. He descended to the lower floors and arrived in front of the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room. He said the password.
"Pureblood."
The door seemed alive with a silver serpent sliding over it and opening, revealing the elegant luxury of the Slytherin Common Room.
Nothing had changed; it looked the same as always—elegant, discreet, with a soft green light illuminating the room. His seat and Daphne's near the fireplaces were untouched and properly cleaned.
For some reason, he felt relaxed entering the Common Room. He could understand why, even after graduating from Hogwarts, people still called themselves members of their own house. This was a second home for many, almost like a refuge.
"Asty." Asterion didn't even have time to react to the sudden voice before he was embraced forcefully, his arms instinctively wrapping around her waist firmly.
"Daph." Asterion spoke gently to the blonde woman in his arms, holding her face with his left hand and claiming her lips.
Daphne surrendered completely to the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. For a woman in love, being away from her boyfriend was nothing short of torture.
Their lips met repeatedly, each kissing the other avidly, like drinking water after a long drought.
Pulling away, Asterion looked at his future wife and spoke playfully, "What a warm welcome."
Daphne simply surrendered completely to the kiss, intertwining her arms around his neck. For a woman in love, being away from her boyfriend was no different from torture.
Their lips met repeatedly, each kissing the other avidly, as if drinking water after a long drought.
Parting their lips, Asterion looked at his future wife and said playfully, "What a warm reception."
"If you like it, I'll greet you like this every time." Daphne laughed and spoke seductively, whispering in his ear.
"Mm-hmm~" Just as he was about to respond equally seductively, Asterion heard a fake cough coming from the stairs leading to the dormitories.
Looking to the side, he saw Tracey Davis, Theodore Nott, and Blaise Zabini looking provocatively at them.
"I know you want to do it right here, but a room would be more appropriate, Asty." Tracey spoke provocatively, arms folded, her eyes shrewdly falling on Asterion and Daphne with amusement.
"I'm glad to see you all are well." Asterion gestured for everyone to sit on the sofas. He himself sat in his seat.
But instead of sitting in their own seats, Daphne sat on Asterion's lap with her arm around his neck. One of Asterion's hands held her waist while the other rested on her thigh.
Ignoring the jealous look Tracey was giving her, Daphne asked what everyone wanted to know.
"So, is it true about the Tournament?"
Tracey, Theodore, and Blaise looked eagerly at Asterion.
"Yes, twelve magical schools from different parts of the world will gather at Hogwarts for the International Tournament of Magic and Witchcraft. It will be broadcast worldwide in real time." Asterion nodded, confirming the rumors, causing the three Slytherin members to gasp with excitement.
Just the thought of being famous worldwide almost made Theodore jump with excitement. Though calmer than his friend, Blaise couldn't hide his excitement behind his calm expression.
"Tell me we can enter the Tournament." Theodore asked, his voice trembling slightly with anticipation. Beside him, Tracey and Blaise also listened eagerly.
Asterion rolled his eyes at these two excited teenagers and replied calmly, "Although it's not official yet, four representatives will be elected from the four Hogwarts houses. Obviously, I won't be participating in the tournament as a contestant."
Upon hearing this, Theodore and Blaise looked at each other and saw the helplessness in each other's eyes. If an election were held, sixth and seventh-year students would definitely garner support from all of Slytherin, rather than second-year students like them. After all, it was the most obvious and safe choice aside from Asterion himself.
In an international competition held in their own country, the pressure was enormous to win; after all, they were at home. So, to play it safer, the veterans would definitely represent Slytherin in this competition. Making it impossible for Theodore, Blaise, and Tracey to participate.
Seeing the disappointed faces of all three, Asterion said nothing to comfort them. He himself didn't want to risk it in such an important event; after all, if England lost at home, it would be quite a blow to the still unstable reputation of the newly created Clock Tower.
"Who do you think will be elected in the other houses?" Seeing the subdued atmosphere, with a noble and intelligent air, Daphne changed the subject with a smile on her lips, subtly feeling her hands tighten on her waist and thigh.
She could tell Asterion was much more interested in her than before, making her realize that this distance over the months hadn't been entirely bad.
"Hufflepuff will be Cedric Diggory," Tracey said without hesitation in her voice. She bit her lip, recalling the handsome young man with brown hair. "Handsome, popular, and above all, powerful. Cedric practically screams protagonist in a book!"
Asterion's lips twitched hearing the name of the glittery vampire; he couldn't help but think of the boy's ultimate fate in the movies.
"Truly an isekai protagonist," Asterion thought with an amused smile on his lips.
"As for Ravenclaw, I have no idea, but for Gryffindor, I would say Rose Potter, but since she's a Special Grade Witch, she can't participate," Tracey continued, and everyone around agreed with her words.
It was completely impossible for Rose to participate in the competition; she herself was the embodiment of cheating.
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Next Chapter Second Volume: Chapter 112 – New Students (1), Chapter 113 – New Students (2), Chapter 114 – Ophelia (1), Chapter 115 – Ophelia (2), Chapter 116 – Doubts (1), Chapter 117 – Humbug (1), Chapter 118 - Ophelia's Mother (1), Chapter 119 - I Decided to Seduce Daphne (1), Chapter 120 - Arrival of the Twelve Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry (1), Chapter 121 - Arrival of the Twelve Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry (2), Chapter 122 - Arrival of the Twelve Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry (3), Chapter 123 - Arrival of the Twelve Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry (4), Chapter 124 - Conspiracy In Progress (1), Chapter 125 - Conspiracy In Progress (2), Chapter 126 - Ophelia, Narcissa And Andromeda (1), Chapter 127 - Ophelia, Narcissa And Andromeda (2), Chapter 128 - The Four Representatives of Hogwarts (1), Chapter 129 - The Four Representatives of Hogwarts (2), Chapter 130 - The Four Hogwarts Representatives (3), Chapter 131 - The First Trial (1).