The climax of the banquet began with Professor McGonagall's unexpected announcement: the cancellation of this year's final exams. The atmosphere was electric with excitement, but the mood shifted to one of warm welcome when Hagrid returned from the Ministry of Magic around 3:30. Harry, overjoyed to see him, rushed over to give him a firm hug.
"I'm not quite sure what happened. The head of the Auror office was surprisingly kind to me," Hagrid confessed, looking genuinely puzzled. Despite Lucius Malfoy's efforts to have him sent to Azkaban, the Auror office had not only refused to comply but had treated Hagrid with unexpected hospitality, making his stay more akin to a vacation than confinement.
"Rufus Scrimgeour even asked me to pass on his regards to Lord Johnny Silverhand, whoever that is," Hagrid added, causing Harry to perk up with curiosity.
"Johnny Silverhand? Who's that?" Harry inquired.
Taking a sip of his beer, Hagrid's face lit up with a nostalgic smile. "He's the proprietor of the Silver Hand store in Knockturn Alley. You wouldn't believe how popular his items are among the Aurors," he explained. Hagrid, a frequent visitor to Knockturn Alley for collecting materials, had come across the store, which offered items a cut above the rest in the alley. Even Mundungus Fletcher, known for his greed, worked there, always looking for an opportunity to lighten the pockets of the unwary.
"It seems Johnny Silverhand donated a batch of striker equipment to the Auror office. Perhaps there was a mix-up, and they thought I knew him personally," Hagrid mused, taking advantage of the misunderstanding to enjoy a few more glasses of beer, courtesy of a refill spell.
Harry stored the name Johnny Silverhand in his memory, sensing the importance. He shared this new information with Ron, who was busy devouring a chicken leg in each hand.
"Johnny Silverhand? Yeah, my dad mentioned him. Said he turned in a bunch of Dark Arts items to the Ministry, earning him a lot of respect," Ron managed to say between bites.
Indeed, Johnny Silverhand had made a strategic move by surrendering half of the dark magic items from Borgin and Burkes, thereby gaining the Ministry's favor. Even Cornelius Fudge had remarked that if more individuals in Knockturn Alley were as conscientious, there might well be two Diagon Alleys.
Despite never having seen him, the Ministry held Johnny Silverhand in high regard, a fact that intrigued Harry and his friends. However, Hermione, ever the voice of caution, reminded them of the dangers of Knockturn Alley, referencing Harry's near-miss with the old witch at the start of their first year.
"Please, Hermione, let's not revisit that," Harry pleaded, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as even Ron couldn't help but laugh.
"Both Hagrid and Mrs. Weasley warned us about the dangers of that place. Johnny Silverhand, being in Knockturn Alley, might well be a dark wizard," Hermione continued, her concern evident.
Meanwhile, John, feeling a sudden sneeze, wondered if someone was talking about him...
As April arrived, the mandrakes matured, leading to an unexpected task for Professor Snape: brewing a potion for Mrs. Norris, Filch's beloved cat. With the antidote administered, Mrs. Norris was soon back to her usual self, much to Filch's relief.
In preparation for Easter, Professor McGonagall introduced the third-year students to their elective courses: Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Divination, Muggle Studies, and Care of Magical Creatures. John, reviewing the options, felt drawn to Ancient Runes for its essential knowledge and Muggle Studies, given his past life as a Muggle and his understanding of Muggle society. John, always one step ahead, found himself intrigued by the prospect of protecting magical creatures. His interest was piqued further by the connection between these creatures and various alchemical sites. He delved into the study of Arithmancy, a complex field that explores the magical properties of numbers, requiring an extensive memory or the use of intricate diagrams for mastery. In contrast, Divination offered a variety of methods such as tea leaf reading, fire omens, crystal gazing, palmistry, tarot cards, astrology, and dream interpretation, relying more on innate talent than rigorous study. Professor McGonagall had once remarked on the subject's lack of precision, but John found himself captivated by all the classes offered and decided to enroll in them all, confident in his ability to excel in the exams despite any scheduling conflicts.
As Easter approached, John dedicated himself to accumulating points for Slytherin, outpacing his peers with an unmatched fervor, especially in Defense Against the Dark Arts. His exceptional performance earned him nearly automatic points from Professor Lockhart. This competitive spirit not only caught Gryffindor off guard, forcing them into a relentless pursuit of points, but also spurred on the other houses. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, not wanting to be left behind, joined the fray, much to the astonishment of the faculty. This unexpected surge in diligence led Dumbledore to contemplate the future of final exams at Hogwarts.
John's relentless pursuit of points and his habit of outshining Hermione in class caused some tension between them. Meanwhile, Daphne, whose secret had been uncovered by John, found herself avoiding him, torn between frustration and a sense of relief that he was too preoccupied with earning points to confront her about it.
In his exploration of the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets, John discovered a hidden entrance to the Forbidden Forest, bypassing the need for Harry's assistance. Inside the chamber, he found a room that seemed to have been preserved by magic, housing a collection of terrifying magical creatures preserved in liquid. The second floor served as an office, adorned with a golden candlestick and silverware engraved with spells, alongside a mysterious long box that had been left behind from the Slytherin era. The third floor resembled a restricted area, where John discovered a book on dark magic that particularly caught his interest, especially a section on blood curses. With a curious glint in his eye, he closed the book, pondering the secrets it held. The lack of an inheritance test in the Chamber of Secrets left him undeterred, his mind already racing with the possibilities of what he could learn from the ancient texts. The heir of Slytherin, Voldemort, was not known for his generosity. It was speculated that the only reason he hadn't taken the valuable books from the Chamber of Secrets was due to their inconvenient size for transport. This oversight proved to be a boon for John. Throughout the term, he frequented the Chamber of Secrets, his knowledge expanding rapidly. This newfound wisdom, however, slowed his performance in class, much to the relief of his classmates who had struggled to keep up with his exceptional academic prowess. Despite this, John's contributions to Slytherin's house points continued unabated.
By the time May arrived, Gryffindor house watched in dismay as Slytherin's points soared, closing the gap. The Slytherins, including Malfoy—who had recently seen his father, Lucius, removed from his position of influence—rejoiced, their spirits lifted by their house's resurgence. It was clear to all that Slytherin's turnaround was due to John's efforts.
Amidst the celebration, John remained focused. "We haven't secured our victory yet; we cannot afford to become complacent," he cautioned, his words cutting through the excitement. His reminder was a sobering one, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the house point system and the possibility of Gryffindor making a last-minute comeback.
His warning had the intended effect. The jubilant atmosphere among the Slytherins shifted to one of determination. They rallied together, united by a common goal, their spirits kindled with a newfound zeal. Slytherin house had transformed into a tightly knit community, their unity unshakeable and their resolve stronger than ever.
_________
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