Chapter 22: The First Day of School
Inside the Headmaster's Office
After the secret duel that had taken place the night before in the Slytherin common room, Professor Snape made his way swiftly to the Headmaster's office. His robes billowed behind him as he pushed through the door without knocking—his face a mask of neutrality, though a storm of thoughts brewed beneath the surface.
Inside, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore sat in his high-backed chair, deep in thought. The soft ticking of the old enchanted clock and the fluttering of Fawkes' feathers were the only sounds in the otherwise silent office.
Dumbledore's gaze was fixed on the swirling patterns of light in a magical instrument resting on his desk. However, the sound of approaching footsteps pulled him from his reverie. Looking up through his half-moon spectacles, he saw the tall, dark figure of Severus Snape entering the room.
"Ah, Severus," Dumbledore said with a glint of mischief in his tone, "I take it the Slytherin house's... traditional welcoming event has come to a close?"
Snape's expression remained impassive. "Indeed," he replied dryly. "However, something unusual occurred this time. There is a student in my house who stands out—far more than any first-year I've seen, especially considering he is Muggle-born. Remarkably strong and surprisingly knowledgeable for someone his age."
Dumbledore's brows arched slightly in intrigue. "Ashton A.D. Willson," he murmured. "Yes, I've heard about him. Chosen by a unique phoenix—one never recorded before in any of our magical bestiaries. Minerva has spoken very highly of him."
The headmaster leaned back slightly, folding his fingers beneath his chin. "A brilliant boy. Already authored three books, both magical and non-magical, all before his twelfth birthday. Fascinating, isn't it?"
Snape frowned but said nothing.
"He poses no threat to Harry, if that's what you're worried about," Dumbledore added gently. "However, I would appreciate it if you kept a watchful eye on him. There's more to this child than meets the eye, and I wish to understand him better."
Snape raised a single eyebrow and scoffed. "Headmaster, I am the Head of Slytherin House and the Potions Master of this school. Forgive me, but I do not have the luxury of spending my time babysitting students simply because they've caught the curiosity of the headmaster."
With a final curt nod, Snape turned and swept out of the office, leaving Dumbledore to his thoughts once more.
The Next Morning – Slytherin Dormitory
As dawn broke over the castle, a soft golden light crept through the submerged windows of the Slytherin dormitory. Ashton slowly opened his eyes, stretching slightly as he pushed away his warm covers. Around him, the stone room was quiet and still.
He glanced around to find Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott still sleeping soundly in their beds. Theodore looked relatively unscathed, but Ashton remembered that Zabini and a few others had been hurt during the duel last night.
He assumed they had been taken to the Hospital Wing afterward, probably treated by Madam Pomfrey. Judging by the peaceful expressions on their faces, they seemed fine now.
Slipping out of bed quietly so as not to wake the others, Ashton dressed quickly in exercise gear and made his way outside. The air was crisp and fresh, and as he reached the Black Lake, he breathed in deeply, enjoying the stillness of the early morning.
Ashton began his workout routine with practiced ease. His physical condition was exceptional—far beyond what would be expected for someone his age. Years of disciplined training, combined with the natural enhancement his magic had brought, had refined his body to a level that could rival even some higher-year students. His muscles were lean but strong, and his stamina was extraordinary. Day by day, he felt himself growing stronger—not just magically, but physically too.
After more than an hour of intense exercise, he paused near the lake's edge, wiping the sweat from his brow. His gaze drifted toward a particular spot across the water—a strange and eerie location where he had once felt a deep, ominous presence. The feeling still lingered faintly in the air. It wasn't something he could explain, only sense.
He stood there for a moment longer, contemplating the unknown depths of the lake, before turning back toward the castle.
Exploring the Castle
After a refreshing bath, Ashton donned his Slytherin robes and decided to take a walk around the castle before breakfast. He had always been fascinated by Hogwarts, having read about it extensively in books and watched films that barely scratched the surface of the vast magical fortress.
Now, standing in its ancient halls, he wanted to see it all for himself. The movies and books only gave vague descriptions and showed select areas—never the whole of the castle. He wandered through long corridors, examined enchanted paintings, and peeked into empty classrooms, absorbing everything like a sponge.
There was something majestic about Hogwarts in the quiet of early morning. The way the sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, the whisper of ancient magic in the air—it all felt like something out of a dream.
Eventually, as students began to stir and the castle awakened with life, Ashton made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Breakfast in the Great Hall
The Great Hall was already buzzing with students by the time Ashton arrived. Long tables representing each of the four houses were filled with young witches and wizards enjoying a wide array of breakfast foods. Platters of toast, eggs, sausages, and pumpkin juice floated and refilled themselves at intervals.
As Ashton walked in, the atmosphere shifted subtly. Several Slytherin students turned to glance at him, and a hush fell over part of the table. Their expressions ranged from cautious curiosity to silent intimidation. Whispers died on tongues as he passed by.
The students from other houses noticed this sudden silence and exchange of glances. Their eyes followed Ashton as he sat down at the Slytherin table and began eating quietly, as though nothing was amiss.
Among the observers was a bushy-haired Gryffindor girl named Hermione Granger. From her seat at the Gryffindor table, she watched the interaction with keen eyes. She was all too familiar with being singled out—her Muggle-born status she had earned her similar treatment during her earlier school years in Muggle world
Part of her felt sorry for the boy. It seemed he was already becoming isolated within his own house. But then again, she reminded herself, he was a Slytherin—and Gryffindors didn't exactly go out of their way to comfort Slytherins.
So, despite the sympathy she felt, she turned her attention back to her food.
Ashton, for his part, seemed completely unaffected. He sat calmly, enjoying his meal, his eyes reflecting quiet confidence. He neither sought validation from those around him nor showed any sign of distress at their coldness. After all, he had faced much worse than stares and whispers.
Once he finished eating, he stood up, eyes shining with excitement. Today was the beginning of something new—his first day of magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Despite the tensions, despite the unknowns, Ashton couldn't wait to attend his first class. A new chapter of his journey had begun.
Author's Note:
i tryed a different writing style on my previous chapter. but the response wasn't that good so I am returning to my previous style.
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