Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter; all of it belongs to J.K. Rowling, and I'm just a high schooler in her Harry Potter era. But I do own the OCs. And English is not my first language, so please excuse any grammatical mistakes.

Do give me feedback and suggestions. It really will help! It's my first fanfiction, after all, but I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Chapter 2

The Thinking Cap

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, the Hogwarts Express began to slow. Sebastian and Hermione, now dressed in their school robes, peered out the window with anticipation.

"We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes," a voice echoed through the train. "Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately."

Sebastian felt a flutter of nervous excitement in his stomach. He glanced at Hermione, who was practically bouncing with energy.

"This is it," she whispered, her eyes shining.

The train came to a stop with a screech of the brakes. As they stepped onto the platform, the cool night air nipped at their faces. The platform was a sea of black robes as students milled about, their voices a cacophony of excitement and nervousness. Lanterns flickered, casting a warm glow over the sea of black-robed students.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" A booming voice called out over the crowd. Sebastian turned to see an enormous man with a wild tangle of hair and beard, holding a lantern high above the students' heads.

"C'mon, follow me — any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Sebastian and Hermione followed the giant man, along with the other first years, down a steep, narrow path. The darkness pressed in on them from both sides.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," the man called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

There was a collective "Oooooh!" as they rounded the bend.

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

"No more'n four to a boat!" the giant called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Sebastian and Hermione climbed into a boat, joined by Neville Longbottom and another boy with messy black hair and round glasses.

"Everyone in?" shouted the giant, who had a boat to himself. "Right then — FORWARD!"

The fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

Sebastian couldn't help but glance at the castle with a mixture of awe and trepidation. The Ravenwood legacy weighed heavily on his shoulders. 'Will they see me as just another Ravenwood?' he wondered, his thoughts briefly flickering to the ancient family crest engraved in the walls of his home. 'Or will I carve out something new, something of my own?'

As the boat glided across the lake, he stole a glance at the boy sitting across from him—Harry Potter, the famous Boy Who Lived. He was staring at the castle with wide, curious eyes, clearly just as overwhelmed as the rest of them.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" Sebastian said, breaking the silence.

Harry nodded, his gaze never leaving the towering spires. "Yeah... I've never seen anything like it."

Sebastian offered a small smile. "You get used to it... or so I've heard."

"Heads down!" yelled the giant as the first boats reached the cliff. They all bent their heads, and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

Then they climbed up a passageway in the rock after the giant's lamp, emerging at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of stone steps and gathered around the huge, oak front door.

"Everyone here?" the giant asked, raising a gigantic fist and knocking three times on the castle door.

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face, and Sebastian's first thought was that this was not someone to be crossed.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said the giant.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here."

She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big that you could have fit the whole of the Ravenwood mansion in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.

As they followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor, Sebastian could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right — the rest of the school must already be here. But Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses..."

Sebastian took a deep breath. The moment he had been preparing for was finally here. As Professor McGonagall continued her speech, he caught Hermione's eye. She gave him a small, nervous smile, which he returned. Whatever house they ended up in, he had a feeling this was the start of an incredible journey.

The Great Hall buzzed with anticipation, its enchanted ceiling a canvas of twinkling stars and floating candles. Sebastian stood among the throng of first-years, his posture perfect, betraying none of the nervous energy that crackled through the air around him.

Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-years. On top of the stool, she put a pointed wizard's hat - patched, frayed, and extremely dirty. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth - and the hat began to sing:

Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A hat smarter than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hat is sleek and tall.

For I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. Sebastian observed it all with keen interest, his mind already working to unravel the deeper meanings in the hat's words. As the sorting began, Sebastian waited patiently.

"Granger, Hermione!"

Hermione gave Sebastian one last look before stepping forward. She sat on the stool, and the Sorting Hat was placed on her head. There was a long pause, during which Hermione looked increasingly anxious, but finally, the hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!"

Hermione beamed with relief as she joined the Ravenclaw table, which welcomed her with polite applause.

"Potter, Harry!"

The hall fell into a hushed silence, broken only by excited whispers. Sebastian observed with keen interest as the famous Harry Potter sat beneath the hat, his knuckles white as he gripped the stool. After what seemed an eternity, the hat declared, "GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindor table's response was deafening. As Harry stumbled towards his new house, his face flushed with relief.

"Ravenwood, Sebastian!"

Finally, his turn arrived

Sebastian felt his heart leap into his throat as his name was called. The room seemed to quiet as he made his way to the stool, and all eyes were on him. He sat down, and the Sorting Hat was placed on his head, its fabric brushing lightly against his ears.

Everything around him seemed to fade, and then a voice—soft and ancient—whispered in his mind.

"Well, well… a Ravenwood. It has been some time since I've had one of your bloodlines beneath my brim. Quite the legacy you carry, young one."

Sebastian's breath hitched. He had been prepared for the Sorting Hat to assess his traits, but this felt more personal, more intense. "My bloodline… does it matter?"

"More than you might think," the hat replied, its tone contemplative. "But there is something else, something within you… a gift, though it is still vague, unformed."

Sebastian frowned. "A gift? What do you mean? I don't feel any different from anyone else."

"It is not something you will easily recognize," the hat said slowly. "But it is there, a potential yet to awaken. A rare ability, one that could lead you down many paths—some light, others dark."

Sebastian's thoughts immediately turned to his father. The pain of his loss, the bitterness he felt toward those responsible. "If I do have this gift… could it help me destroy the Dark Lord's followers? The Death Eaters—they killed my father. I will never forgive them. I want to make them pay."

The hat was silent for a moment, as if considering his words carefully. "Voldemort is a name that brings fear and pain… but revenge is a heavy burden, young Ravenwood. Power alone will not bring you peace."

"But weren't there others like me? Others who fought against him?"

"There have been many who stood against the darkness," the hat said, its voice filled with a kind of sadness. "But the fight is never simple, and the lines between light and dark can blur. Even those with the purest of intentions can be led astray."

Sebastian clenched his fists in his lap, frustrated by the hat's cryptic answers. "I won't be led astray. I just want to avenge my father. If there's power in me, then I'll use it to stop them. "

"You speak with conviction, but be careful, young one," the hat warned. "Voldemort was once a student here, not so different from yourself. His path was one of ambition, but it led to darkness and ruin. I see in you a desire for justice, but also a great anger. You must guard your heart carefully."

Sebastian swallowed hard, his mind racing. The mention of Voldemort's past unnerved him, but it also strengthened his resolve. "I will. I swear."

The hat seemed to sigh, a sound more felt than heard. "There is a place within these walls, created by Rowena herself. A room… meant for those who truly need it. In time, you may find it. Perhaps there, you will find the answers you seek."

Before Sebastian could ask more, the hat spoke aloud, its voice clear and decisive. "Better be... RAVENCLAW!"

The hat was lifted from his head, and Sebastian blinked, disoriented. The Ravenclaw table erupted in applause, but the words of the Sorting Hat lingered in his mind. He stood and walked over to join them, his thoughts churning.

As he took his seat beside Hermione, giving her a warm smile, he glanced around the Great Hall, the faces of his new housemates blurring together. The warning from the hat, the mention of his gift, the mysterious room—it all felt like the beginning of a puzzle he was only just starting to see. He had a mission, a purpose, but the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty.

But one thing was clear: he would not be swayed from his goal. Whatever this gift was, he would harness it. And whatever secrets Hogwarts held, he would uncover them. For his father, and for the future he intended to shape.

As the feast appeared on the golden plates, Sebastian found himself surrounded by curious Ravenclaws, all eager to meet the heir of their house's founder. He answered their questions politely but briefly, maintaining a careful distance.

As the feast drew to a close, Dumbledore stood up from his seat at the staff table. The Great Hall fell silent almost instantly as every student turned their attention to the headmaster, his presence commanding respect and attention.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore began, his voice warm and full of cheer. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Whether you are returning to these hallowed halls or joining us for the first time, I trust that you will find this year full of learning, growth, and, of course, a bit of adventure."

He smiled, his eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles. "Before we begin our term, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

There was a ripple of laughter through the hall, though Sebastian noted that some of the older students only smiled knowingly.

"Now, as always, I must remind you that the Forbidden Forest is, as its name suggests, forbidden to all students. A few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

Dumbledore's tone became a bit more serious as he continued, "Also, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you all that magic is not to be used in the corridors between classes, and there is a list of banned items posted in his office for those who are curious."

"And this year," Dumbledore said, his voice dropping to a more solemn tone, "I must make one further request. The third-floor corridor, on the right-hand side, is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to suffer a most painful death."

The hall fell silent, the students exchanging uneasy glances. Sebastian felt a shiver run down his spine at the headmaster's words.

"But now," Dumbledore added, his smile returning, "let us prepare for the exciting year ahead."

With a final nod, Dumbledore sat back down, and the hall filled with applause, though the warning about the third-floor corridor lingered in the back of Sebastian's mind.

After the Sorting Ceremony and the feast, the Ravenclaw first years gathered around their new Head of House, Professor Flitwick. The tiny professor beamed up at them, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Welcome to Ravenclaw, everyone!" he chirped, his voice as light and airy as his personality. "I hope you all enjoyed the feast?"

There were murmurs of agreement, and Sebastian found himself nodding along. The feast had been more than he could have imagined, but the weight of the Sorting Hat's words still pressed on his mind.

"Now, follow me closely," Professor Flitwick instructed, turning on his heel and leading them out of the Great Hall. The group of Ravenclaws followed him up staircases that seemed to shift and change with every step, down winding corridors, and past portraits that whispered and watched as they passed.

Finally, they reached a spiraling staircase leading up to a large, arched door with no handle or keyhole. A bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle's head was affixed to the center.

"This," Professor Flitwick announced, "is the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. To enter, you must answer the riddle posed by the eagle." He stepped aside and gestured for them to approach.

As the group gathered closer, the eagle's beak opened, and it spoke in a soft, melodic voice:

"What has roots that nobody sees,

Is taller than trees,

Up, up it goes,

And yet never grows?"

There was a moment of silence as the first years exchanged confused glances. Sebastian's mind raced, but before he could form an answer, Padma Patil, who he recognized, spoke up.

She confidently said, "A mountain."

The eagle's head nodded, and the door swung open to reveal the Ravenclaw common room.

The room was breathtaking. Circular in shape, it had high, arched windows that offered a stunning view of the night sky. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books, and in the center was a grand fireplace, its flames casting a warm, flickering light. Blue and bronze hangings adorned the room, and the ceiling was painted with stars, mirroring the heavens outside.

"This will be your home for the next seven years," Professor Flitwick said with a smile. "Feel free to explore, but remember: knowledge is the key to entering. The questions posed by the eagle are designed to make you think."

He clapped his hands, and the first years quieted down. "Now, a few rules. Curfew is at nine o'clock for first years. The library is open until eight in the evening. Do not attempt to access the Restricted Section without permission. And lastly, the common room is a place of study and quiet reflection. Respect your fellow students and keep noise to a minimum."

Sebastian listened intently, already feeling a sense of belonging. This was a place where he could thrive, where his curiosity would be rewarded.

"Your dormitories are up the stairs," Professor Flitwick continued. "Boys to the left, girls to the right. I suggest you all get some rest; it's been a long day, and tomorrow will be even longer."

Sebastian followed the other boys up the left staircase, his mind still buzzing. They entered a large, circular room with four-poster beds draped in blue and bronze. The windows here, too, offered a magnificent view of the night sky.

He looked around at his new roommates: Terry Boot, a studious-looking boy with a thoughtful expression; Anthony Goldstein, who was already pulling out a book from his trunk; and Michael Corner, who had a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Looks like we're all in this together," Terry said with a smile, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Michael added, flopping onto his bed. "Let's make the most of it, yeah?"

Sebastian nodded, offering a small smile in return. "Definitely."

The boys spent a few minutes unpacking and getting settled, but Sebastian's thoughts were elsewhere. As the others began to drift off to sleep, he found himself drawn to the window. The moonlight bathed the room in a silvery glow, and the stars outside seemed to beckon him.

Quietly, so as not to disturb his new friends, he slipped out of bed and made his way to the common room. The fire had died down to embers, and the room was silent. He climbed the spiral staircase that led to the top of Ravenclaw Tower.

At the top, he found a small balcony, open to the night air. He stepped out and was immediately struck by the beauty of the view. The Forbidden Forest loomed in the distance, dark and mysterious, while the grounds of Hogwarts stretched out beneath him, bathed in moonlight. The castle itself seemed to pulse with a quiet, ancient magic.

Sebastian leaned on the railing and looked up at the stars. His heart was heavy with thoughts of his father, and the anger that had been simmering inside him for so long began to rise again.

He whispered to the night, "I will find a way. I will make them pay for what they did."

He knew the path ahead would be difficult, filled with challenges and temptations. But as he stood there, bathed in the light of the stars, he felt a fierce determination settle over him. He would uncover the secrets of his gift, learn everything he could, and when the time came, he would avenge his father.

No matter what it takes.

Author notes:

Whew that's a long chapter...And a really long process as I wanted this one to be longer than the previous one. I've also have been sick throughout this week so... yeah

I hope you guys like this one please like and follow to support me.

Btw which scenario can make Voldemort more handsome? Bald Voldemort with a nose or Noseless Voldemort with hair?