"Mr. Baron," John greeted, letting the Disillusionment Charm fade as he approached the Slytherin common room. Unlike most who would be embarrassed to be caught wandering at night, John was more intrigued by the presence of the Bloody Baron. The ghost, with his hollow eyes, gaunt face, and robes stained with silvery blood, gazed out into the night, lost in thought.
"It's you, the Slytherin who's been sneaking out," the Bloody Baron observed. Known for his terrifying appearance and the only entity capable of instilling fear in Peeves, the Baron's presence was formidable. The blood stains on his robes hinted at a tragic past, but John had no intention of unearthing old wounds.
The Baron seemed to be aware of someone's nocturnal escapades but hadn't identified the culprit until now. John nodded in acknowledgment, prompting a curious glance from the ghost. "Carrying a great sword on your back is quite unusual for a wizard," the Baron remarked, his tone laced with surprise.
"I believe in practicing to uphold Slytherin's honor," John replied, choosing his words carefully to avoid sounding too boastful.
The Baron shook his head, "You are diligent, but your spirit reminds me more of a..." He trailed off, the comparison to Gryffindor left unsaid. In life, the Baron had been a contemporary of Hogwarts' founders. His unrequited love for Helena Ravenclaw and the subsequent tragedy of her death led him to take his own life, filled with regret. He had known Godric Gryffindor, a man also passionate about swordsmanship and combat. Gryffindor had commissioned a goblin-made silver sword, a masterpiece that sparked envy and conflict. Despite the goblins' claims of theft, none dared to challenge Hogwarts for its return. In John, the Baron saw a reflection of Gryffindor's youthful vigor.
"Be wary of the dangers that lurk at night," the Baron finally said, breaking his long silence. John considered this warning, recalling Quirrell's suspicious activities from the Marauder's Map. The Baron, with his unique ability to become invisible, must have uncovered something alarming.
"I understand, Mr. Baron. I'll take care," John assured, grateful for the ghost's concern.
Back in his room, John eagerly unfolded the Marauder's Map, whispering, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." The map revealed Hogwarts in intricate detail, but Quirrell's movements caught John's eye. The professor was adept at avoiding detection, making his way towards the castle's outskirts.
"Where could he be going?" John pondered, aware that the map's scope was limited to Hogwarts. The Forbidden Forest seemed the most likely destination, a place teeming with magical creatures and dark secrets.
"Could the Baron have been warning me about Voldemort?" John mused, his sense of urgency intensifying. Though Voldemort's current reign of terror didn't match the widespread fear of his predecessor, his ruthlessness knew no bounds. John resolved to uncover Quirrell's intentions, prepared to face whatever dangers lay ahead in the shadows of the night. Voldemort has never claimed to be polite, righteous, or anything less than shameless. Casting a death curse on a baby wouldn't cause him the slightest bit of shame. As long as Voldemort maintains the demeanor befitting a Dark Lord, John believes he has nothing to fear at Hogwarts. "No, we must still strengthen our defenses," John thought, covering Tom's eyes with his large ears. He refused to rely solely on the uncertain predictions of prophecies. After all, Hogwarts wasn't unfamiliar with death.
---
On October 1st, during Charms class, the aroma of roasted pumpkin wafted through the hallway. The students, paired up, hung on every word Professor Flitwick said about the Levitation Charm. John noticed Goyle and Crabbe's Adam's apples bobbing, a clear sign of their anticipation. Malfoy, unfortunately paired with John, seemed perpetually on edge, as if he feared John might suddenly jab his wand into his eye.
Professor Flitwick, standing on a stack of books to elevate himself, directed the class with his high-pitched voice. "Remember, the subtle wrist movement is crucial!" he exclaimed. "Swipe and shake. The incantation is equally important. Don't forget Wizard Baluffeo..."
As the head of Ravenclaw and Charms professor, Flitwick's expertise was undeniable. He had a knack for breaking down spells into digestible pieces for his students. Rumor had it that in his youth, Flitwick was a dueling champion, showcasing his formidable skills.
After the professor outlined the key points, the students began to practice. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Malfoy's wand, dangerously close to John's face, failed to lift the feather on the table, leaving John exasperated. With a mix of patience and a hint of threat, John warned, "Malfoy, if you poke my hand again, I'll put my wand in your ear."
Malfoy stiffened at the words, his pure-blood pride preventing him from yielding. "Do what you want," he retorted, albeit begrudgingly.
"Sorry, but I really will," John replied with a shrug. He then elegantly took out his wand, aimed at the feather, and with a precise flick, said, "Wingardium Leviosa."
Under the watchful eyes of the class, the feather gracefully ascended. John guided it towards Professor Flitwick, where it landed softly in his hand. "Marvelous!" Flitwick exclaimed, his voice reaching an even higher pitch. "Observe Mr. Wick's elegant and flawless execution. Ten points to Slytherin!"
Hermione, confident in her abilities, had already mastered the spell for Gryffindor. However, being paired with Ron, she struggled with his erratic wand movements. Just as she was about to cast the spell correctly, John outperformed her. The sight of the perfectly controlled feather left Hermione feeling deflated, and Ron, unfortunately, became the target of her frustration.
After class, in the bustling corridor, Ron vented to Harry, "No wonder nobody can stand her. She's a nightmare." Hermione overheard this, her feelings of rejection turning into sorrow. Without waiting for John, she sought solitude to cry.
Harry, having recently changed his opinion of Hermione, thought Ron's words were too harsh. "I think she heard you," he said, noticing Hermione's distress.
Ron, confronted with Hermione's sad expression and battling his own pride, stubbornly replied, "So what? She must have noticed she doesn't have any friends."
"Ron, you shouldn't have said that," Harry chided.
With his friends' disapproval evident, Ron reluctantly conceded, muttering, "Well, actually, she does have friends. John is one of them..."
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge