Carriages, flanked by sculptures of winged boars, made their way through the gates. Mud splattered across the wide road as the wind buffeted a carriage carrying five passengers. Inside, Heinrich looked pale and ill, while Daphne was engrossed in a small pink notebook, seemingly studying. Malfoy, with a grin plastered on his face, was already plotting ways to humiliate Potter later. Astoria observed her sister with a blank expression; to the uninformed, it might appear she was delving into advanced magic, but in reality, it was just a recipe book she had acquired from an obscure source.
John, lifting his gaze to peer out the window, watched as the rain, driven by the strong wind, and the deep shadows of the trees were momentarily illuminated by flashes of lightning. As the carriage halted beside the stone steps leading to Hogwarts' oak gate, John was the first to step out, the rain mysteriously changing direction before it could touch him. The others followed, none wielding umbrellas, yet remaining untouched by the rain.
Their entrance into the hall silenced the students mid-conversation. The presence of this group, especially among the Slytherin students, was met with fiery gazes of admiration. Whispers filled the air, a mix of awe and envy.
"Look, John Wick. I wonder if I might have a word with him."
"Don't be foolish. Haven't you noticed who's with him? Daphne Greengrass, the undisputed beauty and brightest witch of Slytherin."
"Heinrich Edgar, hailing from a lineage second only to the Dark Lord's deputy."
"Draco Malfoy, the star player of the Slytherin Quidditch team. Despite not catching the Golden Snitch, his presence on the field is undeniable. My God, he's looking this way!"
The whispers, a blend of admiration and critique, initially flattered Malfoy until the mention of his Quidditch performance. His glare silenced the whispers, his pride wounded but his resolve to triumph on the field renewed.
Astoria, feeling out of place amidst the attention, was comforted by Daphne's reassuring grasp. The warmth of her sister's hand eased her discomfort, though her eyes couldn't help but drift back to the pink cookbook Daphne held so dearly.
Peeves, the poltergeist, lurking above with a water balloon at the ready, hesitated upon spotting John below. The balloon slipped from his grasp but was caught by John before it could make contact. Peeves, now hanging upside down, greeted John with a bow, to which John responded with a light-hearted inquiry about Peeves' hygiene. Peeves, embarrassed, quickly retreated.
The entrance of the professors, led by a furious Professor McGonagall, was met with a cascade of water balloons, leaving Harry and Hermione drenched and bewildered.
The atmosphere in the auditorium was charged, not with the usual twinkling stars, but with the ominous glow of lightning and the rumble of thunder. John, having exchanged nods with Cedric, sensed something amiss and discreetly exited the auditorium. His departure, though noted by many, was met with silence, his reputation as a mysterious figure fueling their imaginations.
John's intuition had led him to the secret chamber of the Society of Stars, triggered by an unknown magic. Upon arrival, he found the door's magical eye sealed shut. With a tap of his wand, he dispelled the Confusion Curse and entered the chamber, revealing the secrets it held within. Inside, everything appeared untouched, and upon entering, John cast a Supersensory Spell. The spell revealed that nothing in the secret room had been disturbed. He frowned, puzzled. "Who could have entered? The Stealing Curse was blocked by a Confusion Curse. This person must possess skills at a professorial level." After a moment's consideration, John realized the intruder's strength was exceptional, rivaling only his own within Hogwarts. This narrowed the suspects down to the professors.
"Professor Flitwick has the capability, should he find the room intriguing," John mused. However, he quickly dismissed the thought. Professor Flitwick, though powerful, was more likely to commend an ingenious use of magic than to engage in such clandestine activities. John's suspicion then shifted to Professor Snape, given his awareness of the Qunxing Club and his refusal to join last semester. Yet, the likelihood of Professor McGonagall being the intruder seemed slim, especially since John had just seen her in the auditorium.
"Never mind, there's been no harm done." Deciding not to dwell on the matter, John proceeded with his original plan. He took out a sapphire, and upon releasing it, the Philosopher's Stone floated in mid-air. Thirty-six beams of light from the dome enveloped the stone, which continued to ascend until it vanished into the dome's night sky, transforming into a radiant star.
"With the Philosopher's Stone's enhancement, the Qunxing Club's secret room has become a formidable magical siege weapon," John thought. The room, not initially designed for offensive purposes, could now amplify even the most basic attacks into powerful assaults with the stone's blessing.
After securing the room, John made his way to the auditorium, where the sorting ceremony was already underway. The Sorting Hat was recounting the history of Hogwarts and its founders to the anxious first-year students. John's entrance drew attention, particularly from the first-years who found him imposing.
Taking his seat, John's gaze briefly met with Professor Snape's, filled with inquiry, possibly about John's recent activities within the school. Then, his eyes locked with Dumbledore's intelligent blue ones. A polite nod was exchanged, marking a silent acknowledgment of an unspoken rift between them. Dumbledore sighed internally, questioning his judgment.
As Professor McGonagall began the sorting ceremony, she instructed the first-years on the process. "Stuart Ackley!" she called, and a trembling boy stepped forward, placing the hat on his head. "Ravenclaw!" announced the Sorting Hat, to which John observed with interest.
Another boy, Malcolm Bardock, was sorted into Slytherin and excitedly attempted to approach John's vicinity at the Slytherin table. However, the glares from other Slytherins halted him; it was well-known that proximity to John signified higher status and strength within the house, a privilege not yet afforded to newcomers. Bardock found himself seated next to a Slytherin boy who, with a serious demeanor, began to share some essential tips for navigating life in Slytherin House. "Firstly," the boy began, "if you ever see a dog roaming around the Slytherin common room, there's no need for alarm. It's just John Wick's dog." Bardock raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the peculiar mix of information being shared.
"Secondly," the boy continued, "should you fail to return before curfew, beware of the Night Demon. This creature is known to knock its victims unconscious, strip them of their clothes, and leave them in the auditorium, bizarrely using a knife and fork." Bardock's eyes widened at the absurdity of the warning, yet he listened intently, understanding the importance of these local customs and rules.
"Third, in Slytherin, duels can be formally requested to settle disputes. It's crucial to demonstrate your strength and resolve in front of witnesses. Otherwise, your defeated opponent might accuse you of underhanded tactics, such as drugging them." The boy rattled off several more advisories, each more bewildering than the last, leaving Bardock both amused and slightly dazed by the sheer volume of information.
As the last student was sorted into Hufflepuff, Professor Dumbledore stood and, with a warm smile, invited everyone to begin their meal. "Let's eat," he declared, and the hall erupted into the sound of chatter and clinking cutlery. John, who had been listening to the Slytherin boy's advice, started to eat but soon paused, his attention caught by Dumbledore's next announcement.
The headmaster's voice filled the hall with a tinge of regret as he informed the students that this year's House Cup Quidditch tournament would be canceled, in favor of preparing for a more significant event slated for October. The news was met with a mix of disappointment and curiosity among the students.
Suddenly, the doors of the auditorium burst open, drawing all eyes to the figure standing in the entrance. Leaning on a long cane and cloaked in a black travel garment, the man slowly removed his hood, revealing long, gray hair. It was none other than the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, the legendary Auror, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. His arrival filled the room with an air of anticipation and respect.
At that moment, a system notification chimed in John's head, signaling the beginning of a new challenge. [Ding, start Hogwarts stage quest 1, pass the fourth school year of the magic apprentice, quest reward, magic blood +3, random point +[-]] The quest seemed daunting, yet it promised to be the start of an unforgettable adventure.
_________
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