Note: Another chapter of The Trickster, Harry's first foray into Hogwarts, started with next chapter as well. Constructive criticism is appreciated. Please, guys, inform me how I could have done it better.
The sorting lasted a little while longer, and then finally the redhead Weasley boy was the only one left to be sorted. The hat placed him in Gryffindor to the thunderous applause of the Gryffindor table, particularly from the ones with red hair. With the sorting finished, the headmaster Albus Dumbledore finally stood and beamed around the hall at the new students.
"Welcome!" he said. Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
"Thank you!"
As he sat back down the Slytherin students rolled their eyes, some even moaned audibly. The rest of the school seemed to appreciate what he said and laughed and clapped. Harry looked around confused.
Then, suddenly, wonderfully, the tables were magically overflowing with the best feast Harry had ever seen in his entire eleven years of life. It was almost too good to be true. Harry had never exactly been starved but he had never been allowed to eat as much as he wanted and he did not know the meaning of the feeling "full".
After eating until he felt satisfied, Harry finally turned his attention to the staff table. Apart from Professor McGonagall, Headmaster Dumbledore, and Hagrid, he didn't know anybody else.
Some other Slytherin first years tried to talk to him, and he politely responded, not in mood to continue, he started focusing around the Great Hall. After his Astral projection training, he found it easier to feel Magic, that seems to flow through this behemoth of a school.
After they had all eaten, Dumbledore stood and led the students in the school song. Finally, after what felt like eternity, Dumbledore gave a few last reminders, something about the forest being off limits and he mentioned some deadly corridor on the first floor but Harry was not paying any attention. Harry continued to ponder the magnificence of the school and ghosts that were introduced themselves after he had received them as they were led down to their dormitories by the sturdy Slytherin Prefect, Gemma Farley.
After some rounds of stairs to dungeons, they stopped in front of a very decrypt wall.
It was very unassuming, and not so distinct from other walls nearby, Gemma turned to them and explain to them the sign to look for and after a brief password of "Supremacy", all entered in Slytherin Common room.
It seems like a quite cozy place with many comfy couches and study areas. One thing that stood out among this was the number of snake sculptures that adorned the walls of the common room.
After a quick introduction to the Slytherin house and its rules, all first-years were let go to their dorm with instructions for the next morning gathering.
Student dorms were arranged together for all first years, but second year onward it was hierarchical, those who were top of the year will get exclusive rooms others will have to share. This was designed in a way to motivate students to understand the real world and get a real taste of it.
After this long day, Harry was quite exhausted. As soon as he got to the bed, after quickly going through his ablutions, He jumped in bed and was fast asleep after a quick 'Good Night' to Amina.
Amina has also situated herself to better defend Harry.
The next day Harry could hardly walk to class without attracting attention. He felt all the whispering students as he walked through the halls of the school. He could feel them glaring at his back and sometimes rudely pointing as well.
But Harry simply let it happen. He was quite excited for the first day of lectures.
After a quick but filling breakfast, he was guided to their first class of Transfiguration with Gryffindors. There were only two highlights of this class by the end of it. Ron Weasley and his friend were fashionably late to class and Professor McGonagall can transform into a cat.
But… what
If Wizard and Witches can turn themselves in animal form. How crazy was this?
But when he was waiting for class to begin, He was getting some odd feelings from the cat form of McGonagall.
After fabulous lunch and an extremely dour lesson with their head of house in potions, He was almost disenchanted by the potions as a field.
After classes, He enquired his way to the library. Harry stood in awe before the grand entrance of Hogwarts Library. The towering wooden doors loomed above him, adorned with intricate carvings of magical creatures and swirling spells. As he pushed the door open, a faint creak echoed through the air, welcoming him to the world of knowledge and wonder.
Upon entering, Harry found himself in a vast chamber filled from floor to ceiling with ancient tomes, delicate scrolls, and dusty spell books. The scent of aged parchment and magic filled the air, enticing him further into this treasure trove of information. Bookshelves stretched into the distance, twisting and winding like a labyrinth of mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Even Amina was fascinated by this whole experience.
After a quick chat with Madam Pince, He was settled on a table with books which can be helpful for homework. It took hardly a few minutes to complete homework then he wandered in the same section and found some books on Magic and its understanding.
He found the knowledge to be quite fascinating. As dinner was approaching, he quickly checked out the books and made his way to Great Hall.
After a week, Harry quickly found his routine and created a plan to cover the regular curriculum and do his research about Magic. And when he was sleeping at night. He started venturing to Hogwarts to explore its hidden secrets.
He continued exploring, passing through numerous corridors adorned with moving portraits, talking suits of Armor, and trick staircases that seemed to have a mind of their own. The castle is seemingly alive with its own personality.
With each turn, Harry encountered something new. But after exploring the dungeons and lower levels, Harry started looking out for a room where he can not only practice some of the spells he has learned so far but also plan for his other studies as well.
He found some abandoned classrooms for his purpose but they did not look appealing. The strangest thing that happened in his exploration was his encounter with Bloody Baron, the ghost of Slytherin House.
###Flashback###
"It has been a long time before I have seen a student projecting their Astral form."
As Harry heard this chilling voice echoing through the corridor. Goosebumps crawled up his arms, but he turned toward its source, unable to resist the allure of the unknown.
There he stood, bathed in an otherworldly glow – the Bloody Baron. He was a tall, imposing figure, dressed in tattered robes that seemed to blend with the darkness. His ghostly, pallid complexion and dark, empty eyes gave him an ethereal and foreboding appearance.
"Hello Sir Baron, how is it that you can see me?" Harry asked unsure and a little frightened at being caught by a Ghost of all things.
"Worry not child, like any form of magic It leaves its imprint in the world, Astral Projection is something in itself." The Baron paused; his ghostly features were contemplative. "This might provide you with insights and understandings beyond the scope of ordinary magic. However, remember that the astral plane is not without its own dangers. It is a realm where intentions and emotions hold great power. Be wary of what you seek, for the answers you find may not always be what you expect."
Harry absorbed the Baron's words, realizing that astral projection, like all magic, came with responsibility. "Thank you for sharing this knowledge with me," he said sincerely.
The Baron nodded, a sense of ancient wisdom emanating from him. "Remember, Harry Potter, the pursuit of knowledge is both a gift and a burden. Choose your path wisely, and let your heart guide you towards the light."
Harry looks thoughtful before the purpose of this nightly venture came clicking into his mind. "Sir, I am currently looking for a place where I can learn the magic and practice it. Because I think I will need it before long."
The Baron stopped in his track, and after some thinking, he slowly turned toward Harry.
"I may know a place that you are looking for… "Baron paused before focusing his eyes on Harry. "Why should I even help you?"
Harry thought contemplatively before answering. "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Not right now, but I will ask you for a favor in the future for this"
"Ok…"
"Come follow me…" Baron started leading Harry through the walls.
After following him for some time, Baron stopped in what felt like a hall that was as big as the whole of Dursleys house.
"This used to be a war room for students in older times, but it has fallen into dust and despair now. But if you are willing to clean this up and use it, it's up to you. Her walls have been enforced to withstand extreme magics as well."
With that, the Bloody Baron turned faded into the darkness once more, leaving Harry with a newfound room that looked like a warzone in itself. Desks and chairs were scattered haphazardly, as though they had been abandoned in haste. The blackboard at the front, once filled with intricate diagrams and incantations, now bore nothing but faded chalk marks.
In one corner, a display case stood, its glass slightly cracked. Within it lay remnants of magical creatures, once used for practical demonstrations of defense techniques. Harry's eyes lingered on the delicate dragon scale and the preserved fangs of a venomous snake, their once powerful aura now mere echoes of the past.
With newfound resolve, Harry decided to honor the past by breathing life back into the forgotten classroom. After familiarizing the room and its surrounding, he started tracing back this to the Slytherin common room.
###Flashback Ends###
Just a day after, Harry started looking out for the room that Baron has showed him and after following the steps, he reached the room. Harry pushed open the heavy oak doors of the War room, wincing as the rusted hinges groaned in protest. The room lay abandoned, gathering dust and secrets, and Harry couldn't resist the temptation to explore.