"I hope you can cherish this place and strive to become an exceptional and compassionate wizard," Gryffindor's essence conveyed, even as his form began to disintegrate into sawdust. John, witnessing this, inquired with a hint of sorrow, "Are you leaving?"
"My son, I have long passed, and what you see before you is merely a fragment of my soul," Gryffindor explained, his visage marked by a red beard emerging amidst the falling sawdust. He gazed at John with warmth and added, "In you, I see a bright future for the wizarding world. Your talents are immense."
"Thank you, Founder Gryffindor," John expressed his gratitude genuinely. Despite their brief acquaintance, Gryffindor's strength and magnanimity had left a profound impression on him. As Gryffindor's form neared complete dissipation, he suddenly cursed, "That blasted Sorting Hat! It must have been malfunctioning to place you in Slytherin!"
Had Gryffindor been alive, he might have considered dunking the Sorting Hat in water to cleanse it of any possible dust clogging its judgment. John, feeling a bit sheepish, didn't dwell much on the Sorting Hat's decision. After all, he was already a Slytherin and had accepted his fate.
Once Gryffindor vanished, the training ground transformed into a cozy room. John discovered a tome detailing Gryffindor's spellcasting techniques, akin to a treasure trove of knowledge. Among the finds was a manual on Gryffindor's Magic Swordsmanship, revealing the depth of skill required to master it. John, realizing the fortune of his victory, pocketed the book, eager to learn from it.
---
In the Great Hall, John hastily consumed his breakfast, still weary from the previous night's trials. On his way back then, he had narrowly escaped detection by his housemaster, thanks to a well-timed illusion spell.
Observing Neville's bruised face, John offered, "Neville, you should stand up for yourself." Neville's swollen cheeks were a clear testament to Malfoy's handiwork. "Thank you, John. I wish I could, but I'm not strong enough," Neville admitted.
John, seeing an opportunity, asked, "Do you want to become stronger? So strong that no one can bully you again." His earnestness convinced Neville to consider the proposition seriously.
"After class, meet me by the Whomping Willow," John instructed, leaving Neville with a parting thought, "You are far from mediocre, Neville. You simply haven't discovered your strength yet."
Throughout the day, Neville was preoccupied with John's words, his concentration wavering even during Professor Flitwick's class.
---
After the day's lessons, John, having effortlessly mastered a Transfiguration assignment, contemplated his next steps. Gryffindor's legacy had granted him additional skill points, but he decided to reserve them for the time being.
On his way to the Whomping Willow, John encountered Daphne. "Heading to Quidditch practice?" she inquired, her tone laced with curiosity. Daphne hinted at a significant development: Draco's father had donated a new batch of broomsticks to the Slytherin team, a fact that intrigued John but also reminded him of the task at hand. The Quidditch team had caught John's attention, especially after being praised for his flying skills in his first year. "You flew very well in the first grade; maybe you should try out," someone suggested. However, John expressed his lack of interest due to time constraints. He couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief upon hearing that Malfoy might resort to using his wealth to secure a position on the team. It seemed unnecessary to John; even without financial influence, Malfoy's flying skills were more than adequate for him to earn the Seeker position on merit alone. This situation underscored the pervasive influence of money, possibly allowing Malfoy to quickly secure a key role on the team.
When Daphne realized John wasn't interested in Quidditch, she shifted the conversation to the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. She had hoped for a competent instructor but was quickly disillusioned after attending Lockhart's class. "I told my mum, and she didn't believe it. It was too bad," Daphne lamented, with John nodding in agreement. Daphne whimsically suggested that John could serve as a substitute teacher, a notion he found amusing yet unrealistic.
After their conversation, John made his way to the Whomping Willow, where he encountered not Neville, whom he was expecting, but a young girl instead. She was curiously searching for something near the dangerous tree. John warned her about the Whomping Willow's violent tendencies, and she turned to him with a dreamy voice, introducing herself as Luna Lovegood while searching for a "horned snoring beast." John was taken aback by her eccentric appearance, marked by Ravenclaw robes, a necklace of butterbeer corks, and unusual earrings. Despite her oddities, John found her company pleasant.
John and Luna's conversation was interrupted when he noticed a secret path beneath the Whomping Willow, a discovery that piqued Luna's curiosity. John, aware of its destination to the Shrieking Shack thanks to the Marauder's Map, casually suggested it might lead to a haunted house. His exploration was cut short by Neville's arrival, out of breath and slightly embarrassed to see Luna there. John introduced Luna to Neville, who greeted her shyly.
With the introductions out of the way, John turned his attention back to the secret passage, but instead, he decided to focus on the task at hand. Smiling kindly at Neville, he said, "Then let's start the first training." The word "training" caught Neville off guard, but John reassured him, "Yes, it's to make you stronger." This marked the beginning of an unexpected but promising adventure for the trio. John took the lead, with Neville close behind, and Luna trailing behind them, drawn by her innate curiosity. As they approached the Whomping Willow, Neville cast a wary glance towards the dark entrance hidden at its base. Sensing his apprehension, John clapped a reassuring hand on his shoulder and said with a relaxed smile, "Don't worry, there won't be any ghosts. Well, unless Peeves has decided to make this his new home." The mere mention of Peeves caused Neville's unease to intensify.
Despite his reluctance, Neville found himself being gently nudged to take the lead into the tunnel, with John following closely behind. Luna, ever fascinated by the unknown, eagerly entered after them. The passage was shrouded in darkness, amplifying Neville's fear. It was clear he had forgotten to cast the Lumos charm in his nervous state. John, noticing this, reminded him gently.
After a few tense attempts, Neville successfully cast the spell, and the wand's light pierced the darkness. The illuminated path seemed to bolster his courage, and the trio proceeded with a bit more confidence.
_________
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