"Mr. John Wick?" Slytherin was bracing themselves for humiliation, but an unexpected reversal occurred. Daphne, the beautiful blonde girl, was on the verge of slandering Dumbledore alongside Pansy when she was stopped in her tracks by the announcement. Malfoy nearly shattered his glass over Crabbe's head in disbelief as he turned to look at John.
Dumbledore continued, "Mr. John Wick, with his exceptional intuition and meticulous observation, uncovered the true identity of a certain individual, saved a unicorn in the Forbidden Forest, and went out of his way to rescue Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy at great personal risk."
"He bravely stepped in to save Harry Potter when he was in peril, vanquished the assailant, and protected Hogwarts."
"The spirit of self-sacrifice for the sake of a friend is truly commendable."
"For these reasons, I am awarding Slytherin an additional 80 points!"
The room was electrified with the announcement. John Wick had become Slytherin's hero, a stark contrast to the earlier commotion. Students from the other houses stared at John, seeing him in a new light for the first time since the school year began. The focus shifted to the defeat of the unnamed assailant, marking his second defeat since the rise of Harry Potter.
"Amazing!" Daphne cheered, sparking a wave of celebration throughout Slytherin. John was hoisted onto Malfoy's shoulders, his goblet of pumpkin juice trembling and spilling in his hand. Goyle and Crabbe led the charge, lifting John up as the Slytherin table erupted in celebration of their hero. No one dared to mention John's Muggle-born status; he had earned their respect and approval.
John accepted a goblet of pumpkin juice from Daphne and raised it high, capturing the attention of his fellow Slytherins. "To respect and eternal glory," he toasted.
"Respect and eternal glory!" the Slytherins echoed, their voices filled with pride and camaraderie.
Slytherin secured their seventh consecutive championship and were on track to win an eighth, potentially breaking Hogwarts' record. Dumbledore, seated at the head table, clapped his hands in approval, while Snape's usually stern expression softened into a smile.
Surrounded by the green and silver of Slytherin, the other houses also joined in the end-of-year banquet celebration. Among them, Ron confessed, "I don't know why, but losing to John doesn't feel that bad."
Hermione, who had worked tirelessly throughout the school year, felt a twinge of disappointment at not surpassing John, despite her efforts. Harry, upon learning that John had saved him, let go of any resentment, though Malfoy's smug expression still irked him. It was clear that Slytherin's victory was largely thanks to John's heroics.
John, experiencing pumpkin juice for the first time, noted the other students treating it like wine. He declined Malfoy's invitation for another drink when he spotted the Weasley twins sneaking into the Slytherin table, a wise decision as it turned out. The twins had spiked the pumpkin juice, leaving many Slytherins with wobbly legs. Malfoy swore revenge on the culprits, unaware that John knew the Weasley twins were responsible.
On the train home, John pondered over the Philosopher's Stone in his pocket. "Dumbledore didn't explicitly say I couldn't take it, did he?" he mused, feeling a bit guilty. The Stone was a coveted treasure, and now it was in his possession. Dumbledore's silence on the matter seemed like tacit approval.
As he said goodbye to his classmates, Ron extended an invitation to his home, and Hermione expressed her disappointment at coming in second to John, who had been informed by the system that he was the top student. Harry, dreading his return to the Dursleys, received an offer from John. "My house isn't far. If you ever want to come over and play, you're more than welcome." "You are always welcome," Harry thought, feeling a sense of belonging. He lived at number 4, just two doors down from John's house at number 6. This thought immediately lifted his spirits. Neville was carrying the cage that John had given him. Despite a few accidental mishaps, the cage proved to be quite practical.
As the Hogwarts Express began its journey, John heard a system prompt in his ear. [Ding, Hogwarts stage mission completed. Reward: Magic Blood +1, Any Skill Point +2]. Curious about the magic blood, John accessed the information. [Magic Blood: Consuming this will enhance your magical power. Note: Mixing with other blood types may produce unpredictable effects.]
"Mixed use?" John pondered. The reference to other blood types likely meant the blood of magical creatures. John had some dragon blood that he hadn't used yet. However, the idea seemed risky. "What if it causes unforeseen effects? I don't fancy being summoned by the Ministry of Magic for an unconventional tea because I experimented with strange substances at home."
"Never mind, I should head home first." It had been almost a year since John had been home, and he was feeling homesick.
The train pulled into King's Cross Station, and John disembarked. On platform nine and three-quarters, an elderly guard meticulously managed the flow of people through the magical partition, allowing only a few through at a time to avoid drawing undue attention.
John was warmly greeted by many, particularly by Slytherins and Gryffindors. Slytherins were proud of John, while Gryffindors joked that the Sorting Hat must be malfunctioning. He received a reception similar to Harry's, with both being constantly surrounded and greeted.
"I'll be off then," John said after exchanging pleasantries with a few younger students. He then walked through the partition wall, re-entering the Muggle world.
John's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wick, were waiting for him. Nearby stood Ginny Weasley and her mother, Mrs. Weasley. John recognized them immediately, especially after Ginny's enthusiastic reaction to seeing Harry, showcasing the undeniable influence of a fan girl.
"You must be John Wick, right?" Mrs. Weasley approached John, introduced by Ron. The parents of both families exchanged friendly greetings. The Grangers joined them, while the Dursleys kept their distance, wanting nothing to do with wizards.
Dudley Dursley, who was with his family, looked terrified upon seeing John. John offered him a reassuring smile and gestured towards Harry, indicating his protective stance. If Harry encountered any trouble, John was ready to intervene, reminiscent of past confrontations with Dudley.
Summer holidays were always a joyous time. However, Watson Wick noticed his son, John, seemed to be keeping to himself, spending most of his time in the basement.
"John, you've been at wizarding school for so long, haven't you learned any magic?" Watson asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
John looked at his father with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "As I've said before, little wizards aren't allowed to use magic in the Muggle world."
Seeing his father's persistent curiosity, John added, half-jokingly, "Do you want to see your son sent to Azkaban?"
Watson chuckled awkwardly, muttering, "Surely it's not that serious. Isn't there a law protecting minors in the wizarding world?"
John merely gave him a look that said he wouldn't appreciate further interruptions in his basement experiments. He was currently holding a vial of bright red liquid that resembled blood, with patterns that flowed like fire dragons across its surface – Magic Blood. John was deep in thought, figuring out how to best utilize it, his attention occasionally drifting to his wand.
_________
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