Seeing Jack not immediately responding, Carl thought he was worried about not understanding the class content at all. So he explained with a smile, "Don't worry, the teachers are all aware of the Slytherin tradition. They just think we're very... fraternal? Okay, that adjective really sounds odd when applied to Slytherins."
Jack came around, shook his head slightly, and then explained, "I was just a bit spaced out, probably because I didn't sleep well last night. I think I'll definitely be waiting for you at the classroom door after the Spells class."
Just then, a commotion suddenly occurred outside the window. It seemed like some creatures were intruding, flapping their wings, flying towards their little masters. Unquestionably, they were owls.
"The first day of school, new students always receive things sent by their families," Carl said with a smile, unsurprised that most owls were flying towards those little kids still dripping with snot.
Quite a few Slytherins received items too, their proud little faces showing a touch of childlike innocence.
Was Jack looking forward to it? Not at all, especially after hearing his dad mention in a singsong tone, "Oh, son, when we send you our letter, it will certainly make a splash at Hogwarts. Yes, aside from our Ludwig family, no one uses eagles to send letters, which are much more dashing than owls."
Eagles? Okay, Jack had not yet seen one. According to his dad, that eagle lived in the attic of the manor.
While Jack was wondering about what species the eagle might be, laughter erupted from a group of students.
Jack craned his neck and quickly found the source of the laughter.
Neville Longbottom, the chubby wizard who looked very much like a Muggle. He was also a pureblood wizard but one that Slytherin least wished to acknowledge as one of their own.
"That's a Remembrall, ha, it's so funny!" One of the young wizards laughed so hard that he spilled his pumpkin juice.
"That's something my grandmother would use, oh, poor Longbottom." To tell the truth, Jack didn't hear any sense of pity in that statement.
The chubby boy was now red-faced, awkwardly holding the glass sphere, unsure whether he should be thankful for his grandma's thoughtfulness or resent her meddling.
The savior's owl was a snowy owl, purely white and quite charming. However, it apparently brought no letters, just ate some bread crumbs from Harry's plate, then returned to the school's owlery.
After lunch, Jack, followed by Draco, with Goyle and Crabbe trailing behind him, proceeded to the Spells classroom.
The Spells professor, Professor Flitwick, was remarkably small, almost having to stand on a pile of books to reach the podium.
Could he be a dwarf? That was a race in Jack's world known for its courage. They excelled in metalworking, loved to drink, and were reckless.
But dwarves weren't known for their magic, and Jack immediately dismissed his thought.
"New students, it's truly invigorating to see you all. What we're learning today is very simple: get acquainted with your wands. Take out your wands, and follow me – swing them!"
Despite his small stature, Professor Flitwick's voice was loud and passionate.
Jack, of course, did as instructed.
"Very good, most of you have very standard movements, which is the first step to successfully using magic. The second step, getting familiar with spells. Of course, I mean not to mispronounce the words. Do we have any students here for whom English is not their mother tongue?"
"Ludwig, he's from Germany!" A Slytherin student Jack didn't recognize pointed at him.
"Well, Mr. Ludwig, I know. I know your father; he's an outstanding wizard. Send him my regards," Professor Flitwick looked at Jack amiably.
"I will, Professor. As for the language, I think I won't have any problems," Jack assured. He wouldn't have an issue; back in the day, he had learned Common Tongue, Giant Language, Dragon Speech, Undead Tongue, and Elven.
Jack had once even considered becoming a languages teacher!
Professor Flitwick smiled and continued guiding the students to get familiar with their wands and the spells.
After class, Jack bid farewell to Draco and others, waiting for Carl at the classroom door.
Fortunately, Carl arrived soon, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Didn't wait too long, did you? I ran here; you know, the Magical Creatures Care class is by the Forbidden Forest, a bit far."
In fact, Jack didn't know; he was supposed to attend that class tomorrow, and it would be with Gryffindor.
Jack had specifically checked the schedule; apart from Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures, the upcoming Potions and Quidditch classes would also be with Gryffindor.
These two naturally rival houses truly caused the headmaster much worry, Jack thought.
"Not at all, I just got out of class too," Jack walked behind Carl.
It was clear the distant relative of the Black family was quite popular. Many people greeted him along the way.
"Carl, see you in the library tonight?" A blonde beauty approached them, boasting a figure that could knock men dead.
Carl glanced at Jack awkwardly. "Pepe, I think I'm still rushing to class. How about we talk at dinner?"
"Quite normal, isn't it?" Jack suddenly spoke up as they approached the classroom door.
"Oh, is it? Well, okay, Jack, you kids really are precocious. Pepe, indeed, is a good girl - I mean, she's hot. You'll understand when you're older. Merlin's beard, what am I even saying to you, let's just go inside!"
Jack discovered that the higher-year students' Defense Against the Dark Arts class was also with Gryffindor as he saw the red-haired prefect.
If Jack's memory served him right, his name was Percy Weasley.
"Good day, students. I see a few young faces; you must be from Slytherin. Excellent tradition," Professor Quirrell wrapped his neck in a large scarf.
According to Hogwarts's most mischievous twins, the Weasleys, the scarf also smelled strongly of garlic.
Reportedly, Professor Quirrell made it specifically to protect himself from vampire retaliation.
Jack was actually very curious about how this seemingly frail professor managed to escape an attack by vampires.
After all, vampires were high-level undead creatures.
Of course, a group of necromancers had fought over whether vampires or liches were the superior undead beings.
Since there is no contract, 120 chapters have been updated and posted on linktr.ee/freereadingus