A/N: Here is the next installment for this story as promised.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. But I do own a copy of Hogwarts Legacy and love it!
Chapter 5
Harrison took a deep breath as the Great Hall erupted into applause. He calmly stood up, his expression composed despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. Slytherin. The sorting hat had placed him in Slytherin, just as it had his supposed father, Tom Riddle. The weight of that legacy settled heavily on his shoulders, but he knew he had to play the part. Those who knew who he had become would be watching him...and those who didn't know of Tom Riddle or his connection to Voldemort would be judging him based on his supposed dirty blood.
As he made his way to the Slytherin table, Harrison noticed the curious glances and whispered conversations among his new housemates. He could feel their scrutiny, their attempts to gauge him, to assess whether he truly belonged among them. Slytherin was a house built on ambition, cunning, and pureblood lineage – traits that Harrison possessed, even if his bloodline was shrouded in mystery.
Taking a seat at the table, Harrison kept his posture straight and his expression neutral, giving off an air of confidence that he hoped would deter any further questioning. He knew he had to prove himself within Slytherin, to show that he was worthy of his place among them, despite the whispers that undoubtedly circulated about his suspicious heritage.
As the feast commenced and the tantalizing scent of food wafted through the Great Hall, Harrison found himself situated between Lucius Malfoy and the Lestrange brothers, Rabastan and Rodolphus. Avery, a fifth-year Slytherin, sat across from them, his gaze sharp and calculating as he surveyed the room.
Harrison observed his fellow Slytherins, noting the subtle alliances and rivalries that simmered beneath the surface. Slytherin House prized strength, cunning, and ambition above all else, and Harrison was determined to prove himself in the eyes of his peers.
"So, Riddle," Lucius drawled, his tone laced with thinly veiled curiosity. "What brings you to Slytherin?"
Harrison met Lucius's gaze head-on, his expression composed. "Ambition," he replied evenly. "I seek to excel in all aspects of wizardry and to make a name for myself."
Rabastan Lestrange raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his voice. "And what name might that be?" he asked, a hint of derision coloring his words.
Harrison bristled slightly at the challenge in Rabastan's tone but maintained his composure. "One that commands respect and fear, no doubt," he replied coolly.
Avery chuckled darkly, his lips twisting into a sly grin. "Respect is earned, Riddle," he said, his voice low. "And fear is a weapon wielded by those who are truly powerful."
Harrison nodded, inwardly steeling himself against the subtle hostility in Avery's words. He knew that not everyone in Slytherin would welcome him with open arms, but he was determined to prove his worth nonetheless.
The conversation continued in a tense atmosphere, with Harrison keenly aware of the underlying hostility from some of his fellow Slytherins. Lucius Malfoy's gaze bore into him, assessing his every word and gesture, while the Lestrange brothers exchanged meaningful glances that spoke volumes of their skepticism.
"So, Riddle," Lucius's voice dripped with thinly veiled disdain. "What exactly do you bring to Slytherin besides your name?"
Harrison met Lucius's challenge with a steely resolve, refusing to let the hostility faze him. "Power," he replied evenly, his voice carrying a quiet confidence. "The kind of power that commands respect and instills fear."
Rabastan Lestrange snorted derisively. "Talk is cheap, Riddle," he sneered. "Let's see if you can back up those lofty words with action."
Avery's eyes narrowed, a glint of amusement flickering in their depths. "Indeed," he said, his voice laced with skepticism. "Actions speak louder than words, after all."
Harrison's jaw tightened, but he maintained his composure. He knew that he needed to make a statement, to assert his dominance and prove his worth to his skeptical peers. With a subtle snap of his fingers, he performed a simple but impressive display of wandless magic, causing a small flame to ignite along his fingers, dancing from finger to finger like a snake. Lestrange stupidly reached for it and was surprised when the very cold fire tickled his skin, leaving frost in its wake.
The effect was subtle but undeniable, drawing looks of surprise from his companions as they watched in concealed awe and intrigue. Harrison allowed himself a small internal smirk of satisfaction, knowing that he had succeeded in capturing their attention and asserting his magical prowess.
As the feast drew to a close and the plates were cleared away, Harrison felt a renewed sense of confidence coursing through him. Despite the hostility and skepticism he faced, he was determined to prove himself worthy of his place in Slytherin – one magical power play at a time. And if anyone dared to deny him or challenge him? He would not hold back. He had changes to make afterall...he couldn't do so if he acted as anything other than the son of not only Tom Riddle...but Voldemort as well.
In the days that followed, Harrison threw himself into his studies, eager to excel in his classes and earn the respect of his professors and peers alike. He attended every lesson with diligence, absorbing knowledge like a sponge and applying himself wholeheartedly to his coursework. Despite his first foray into the magical world previously, Harrison found himself thriving in the academic environment of Hogwarts. A large change from when he had been Harry Potter.
However, it was in his interactions with his fellow Slytherins that Harrison faced his greatest challenges. Rumors and speculation about his lineage persisted, fueled by the lingering shadow of Tom Riddle, the most infamous Slytherin of all. Some of his housemates regarded him with suspicion, while others sought to curry favor with him, hoping to gain an ally in the possible heir of such a notorious figure. The small group of boys from that first feast also watched him, as if waiting for Harrison to somehow mess up or show weakness.
One of his earliest challenges came in the form of his first Transfiguration class with Professor McGonagall. Harrison entered the Transfiguration classroom with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. His eyes flickered to Professor McGonagall, whose stern countenance sent a ripple of unease through the room. Determined to make a good impression, he settled into a seat near the front, steeling himself for the challenges ahead.
As McGonagall began her lesson, her sharp gaze swept over the students, settling on Harrison with a scrutinizing intensity that made him straighten in his seat. Without preamble, she launched into the complexities of Transfiguration, her instructions coming at a rapid pace that left Harrison struggling to keep up.
Despite his best efforts, Harrison made a few missteps, eliciting a sharp reprimand from McGonagall. "Mr. Riddle, I expect better attention to detail from a student of Slytherin," she admonished, her tone cutting through the air like a whip.
Refusing to be deterred, Harrison squared his shoulders and met McGonagall's gaze head-on. "My apologies, Professor," he said smoothly, a hint of defiance underlying his words. "I'll be sure to rectify the mistake immediately."
His response earned him a raised eyebrow from McGonagall, but she said nothing further, acknowledging his determination to do better.
As the Transfiguration class progressed, Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze seemed to linger on Harrison more than the others. When she finally addressed him, her voice was as crisp as parchment.
"Mr. Riddle," she began, her tone demanding attention. "Can you tell me the principles behind human transfiguration?"
Harrison met her gaze evenly, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips. OF course she was singling him out...he was sure she knew who Tom Riddle had become at one point. Or maybe the student had given her a hard time? "Ah, human transfiguration," he mused, feigning thoughtfulness. "An advanced topic, Professor. Are you sure you want to delve into such complex material on the first day of class?"
McGonagall arched an eyebrow, unimpressed by Harrison's attempt at deflection. "I believe a student of your purported intellect should be capable of answering such a question," she replied, her tone implying a challenge.
Harrison's eyes seemed to twinkle with glee. "Very well, Professor," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Human transfiguration involves altering the physical form of a human being, typically by changing their appearance or features. However, it's a highly complex and delicate branch of magic, requiring precise incantations and a thorough understanding of anatomy."
McGonagall's expression softened slightly, acknowledging Harrison's knowledge of the subject. "Indeed," she conceded. "But do you know the limitations and risks associated with human transfiguration?"
Harrison's cool mask didn't falter as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms casually. "Of course, Professor," he replied, his tone tinged with amusement. "The risks include irreversible damage to the subject's physical or mental health, as well as the potential for the transfiguration to be unstable or incomplete. It's not a spell to be taken lightly."
McGonagall regarded Harrison with a mixture of surprise and begrudging respect. "Well, Mr. Riddle," she said, her tone conceding a hint of admiration. "It seems you're more knowledgeable than I gave you credit for."
Harrison merely inclined his head in acknowledgment, his smirk still firmly in place. "Thank you, Professor," he said smoothly. "I do pride myself on my intellect and academic achievements."
Throughout the remainder of the class, Harrison continued to engage actively in the discussion, asking insightful questions and making astute observations that impressed even McGonagall. Despite her initial skepticism, she couldn't deny that Harrison Riddle possessed a formidable intellect – one that would undoubtedly serve him well in the challenges that lay ahead. And Harrison felt his first goal was coming along nicely-to get the one teacher who favored Gryffindors to favor a slytherin instead. Anything to shake the foundation around him.
A/N: An update as promised! So sorry for the wait.