Double update, posting chapter 11 and chapter 12 at the same time, so sure you dont skip one of them.
Chapter 11 (~10500 words):
– Snape –
After the feast…
Severus Snape sat alone in his dimly lit office, a nearly empty bottle of Firewhisky resting precariously on the edge of his cluttered desk. His dark eyes were fixed on nothing in particular, glazed over with disbelief and shock. He took another long swig, savoring the burning sensation as the alcohol slid down his throat, trying to numb the chaotic whirl of emotions inside him.
All these years, he'd firmly believed the famous Harry Potter was James Potter's son—the physical embodiment of everything he loathed about his old rival. He had spent countless nights imagining James and Lily together, bitter jealousy and anger simmering in his heart.
Yet today, his reality had been violently shattered by Harry's unexpected confession in the Great Hall. Lily, sweet, beautiful Lily, had cheated on James. The legendary Harry Potter wasn't even James Potter's son at all...
Snape let out a bitter laugh, dark and humorless, echoing off the stone walls of his office. How ironic, how utterly devastating. He'd been so prepared to hate the boy, to see nothing but James's arrogance reflected in Harry's features.
But now…what was he supposed to do with this revelation?
He leaned forward, pressing his elbows against the rough surface of the desk, running shaking fingers through his greasy black hair. Images of Lily filled his mind—the vibrant emerald of her eyes, the captivating smile that always melted his heart, her infectious laughter. The thought that she'd betrayed James—a part of him—felt oddly satisfied.
His thoughts wandered reluctantly to Harry again, and Snape felt uncertainty. He supposed there was nothing he could do but see how Harry acted in his class. Whether the Boy-Who-Lived was a fool or not. Although, the 19 year old certainly didn't seem to have a problem with women.
That annoying trait honestly reminded Snape of Sirius Black…?
– Harry –
(R-18)
This part is in the PDF Version. If you don't care, then its just Harry getting "woken up" by Lyra and Lyna.
– Sona –
The first day of school...
Wasn't this house supposed to be for the academics and essentially the nerds of this magic school? Sona wondered with mild irritation.
Why, then, had three Ravenclaws already asked her out since the sorting feast? She huffed inwardly, barely suppressing her annoyance as she stared down at the trembling young man standing nervously before her. He was clearly an underclassman, probably around seventeen or eighteen, with messy brown hair and wide, hopeful eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses. He awkwardly held out a bouquet of conjured blue and silver roses, his cheeks flushed deep crimson.
"P-please, Miss Sitri," he stammered, his voice quivering as he struggled to maintain eye contact, "will you be my girlfriend?"
Sona forced herself not to roll her eyes openly. Instead, she arched an elegant eyebrow, her gaze sharp yet politely disinterested. "I'm sorry," she responded evenly, keeping her tone civil yet firm. "I'm not interested in dating right now. Besides, you're not exactly my type."
Nearby, her supposedly loyal queen Tsubaki covered her mouth with her hand, unsuccessfully hiding a soft laugh at Sona's predicament. Her violet eyes twinkled mischievously behind her glasses, clearly enjoying her master's discomfort far too much.
Just then, Tsubaki's amusement abruptly died when another student approached her from behind, clearing his throat nervously. "Excuse me, Miss Shinra," he began shyly, extending another bouquet of conjured roses toward her, his face even redder than the first boy's. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?"
Now it was Tsubaki's turn to sputter and flush in embarrassment, her composure slipping slightly. She glanced helplessly at Sona, who gave her a dry, triumphant smirk in return. "Sorry," Tsubaki managed to say diplomatically, regaining her composure with a small, polite smile. "I'm flattered, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now either."
The boy deflated visibly, his hopeful expression crumbling as he quickly turned and rushed away, trying not to let his tears show. Around them, other Ravenclaw students snickered quietly, amused by the constant attempts and predictable rejections.
Sona sighed softly, brushing back a strand of silky black hair behind her ear, feeling slightly guilty despite herself. The boys here were almost as relentless as the ones back in Kuoh. She glanced back at Tsubaki, who was now politely yet firmly rejecting another boy's stammering advances, her expression carefully neutral but her patience obviously wearing thin.
She preferred confident and handsome young men, watching the scene with detached amusement.
Her mind involuntarily drifted to a certain nephew of hers, whose face often surfaced in her thoughts. Yes, someone like Harry would be far more interesting and appealing.
However, she kept that particular thought strictly to herself, fully aware of the scandal it would cause if voiced aloud in a school full of humans. In the underworld, of course, no one would bat an eye. Then again, weren't a whole bunch of the purebloods in this school related to each other? Maybe she could be a bit more open in her affections for her dearest nephew then? She'd have to do some research first, she supposed...
And that mindset was definitely why she was put in Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor like she asked that dumb dirty hat! She wanted to be with her nephew Harry.
"How many more do you think we'll have to reject before they finally give up?" Tsubaki asked, moving closer once she'd managed to deter her latest admirer. Her voice held a hint of amusement mixed with exasperation.
Sona glanced around the common room, noting the curious, hopeful eyes still occasionally darting in their direction. "Hopefully not too many," she replied dryly, crossing her arms elegantly. "Although, knowing our luck, this might become a daily occurrence..."
Tsubaki sighed dramatically, adjusting her glasses with a delicate touch. "I don't know why I expected anything different, honestly..."
Just as Sona and Tsubaki were preparing to finally leave the Ravenclaw common room, eager to escape further embarrassing propositions, a soft, dreamy voice called out gently from behind them, catching Sona's attention. Curious, she turned gracefully to face the voice, finding herself eye-to-eye with a petite blonde girl she recognized from earlier. The girl's long, messy blonde hair framed a heart-shaped face that bore a faraway yet pleasant expression. Her silvery-blue eyes gazed at Sona serenely, as if seeing things others couldn't.
"Hello," the girl said in an airy, whimsical tone. "My name is Luna Lovegood. We haven't officially met. Would you two like some company? The castle can be quite confusing at first, and people often get lost."
Sona paused, evaluating the gentle sincerity in Luna's expression. Though she didn't really need help—her memory was practically perfect—there was something genuinely endearing about Luna's dreamy mannerisms that made her nod her consent. "That sounds nice," Sona replied warmly. "Thank you, Luna."
As Luna moved closer to join them, Sona's keen hearing picked up quiet, malicious whispers from several other students nearby. Words like "Looney Lovegood" drifted to her ears, making her frown deeply. Her pink eyes narrowed into a cold, displeased glare.
Bullying was completely unacceptable, especially in HER new house! She silently promised herself that she would address that issue firmly as soon as she could. No one would harass another student under her watch!
Tsubaki watched the exchange curiously, her expression shifting subtly as she caught the whispers as well, giving her master a knowing glance. Sona gave a small nod in return—yes, they would handle this together soon.
The trio began walking toward the exit, Luna easily falling into step beside them with a gentle sway to her stride, seemingly lost in her own pleasant thoughts. The common room's murmurs gradually faded behind them, replaced by the peaceful silence of the corridor outside.
Just as they reached the end of the hallway, Luna spoke again in that casual, dreamy tone, abruptly shattering the calm. "Have either of you kissed Harry yet?" she asked conversationally, as if asking about the weather.
Sona almost tripped over her own feet, her usually graceful stride faltering badly. She reached out instinctively to steady herself against the stone wall. Tsubaki's eyes widened slightly in surprise, glancing quickly to her.
Luna continued without missing a beat, her serene expression unchanged, entirely unaffected by the stunned reaction she'd caused. "He's a very nice kisser, you know. It was my first kiss with a boy, and it was lovely—quite gentle and warm."
Sona's cheeks warmed despite her efforts to remain composed, utterly taken aback by Luna's frank, open confession. "Y-you kissed Harry?" she asked, voice faltering slightly as she tried to regain her composure.
"Oh yes," Luna affirmed, her smile gentle and innocent. "Ginny and I used to practice kissing when we were younger, but Harry was my first real kiss. It's very different with a boy, don't you think? More exciting, somehow!"
Sona struggled to suppress the flush climbing rapidly up her neck.
"...Well, Harry certainly is quite popular, isn't he?" Tsubaki remarked lightly, shooting Sona a teasing look.
"He is," Luna agreed dreamily, nodding slowly. "Though I suppose he would have to be, with looks and charm like his. It makes sense many would want to kiss him. Have you thought about it, Sona...?"
Sona sputtered slightly, her usually composed demeanor briefly slipping as heat rushed to her cheeks. She shot a piercing glare toward Tsubaki, whose amused expression had broken into a broad, teasing grin.
"Tsubaki, control yourself," Sona said through gritted teeth, smoothing her uniform in an attempt to recover her dignity. Her queen merely nodded, still biting her lip to suppress further laughter.
Luna tilted her head curiously, apparently unaware of the discomfort she had caused. Her expression was serene, innocent even, as if asking about Sona's nephew had been the most natural question in the world.
Sona quickly cleared her throat and forced a polite smile. "Why don't we talk about something else?" she suggested firmly, meeting Luna's eyes with gentle insistence. "Tell us more about Hogwarts. What are your favorite classes?"
Luna brightened visibly at the change of topic, her silvery-blue eyes gleaming with quiet excitement. "Oh, I absolutely adore Care of Magical Creatures!" she began dreamily. "It's such a fascinating class. The magical creatures here have the most wonderful secrets, you know. They're often misunderstood, just like people..." Luna sounded a bit sadder when adding that part.
"That's an interesting way to look at it," Tsubaki chimed in, obviously trying to cheer the girl back up. "Are there particular creatures you especially enjoy working with?"
"Thestrals," Luna answered immediately, her voice gentle and reverent. "They appear rather intimidating at first, but they are truly beautiful once you get to know them. They have a kindness many people overlook because they seem scary! I love feeding them."
Sona nodded thoughtfully. "I'd love to see one someday," she admitted, genuinely curious. She didn't actually know that much about magical creatures not from the underworld. "What else do you do when you're not attending class?"
Luna smiled softly, her gaze turning dreamy again. "I enjoy wandering through the Forbidden Forest or exploring hidden parts of the castle. There's always something new to discover, some hidden secret or a forgotten corridor."
"You're quite brave, exploring by yourself," Tsubaki remarked.
Luna gave a quiet laugh, the sound melodic and calming. "Not brave exactly, just curious. Though I suppose bravery helps..."
They reached the Great Hall early, the enormous room quiet except for the soft hum of magic in the air and the gentle clinking of breakfast dishes appearing on the tables. Sona paused briefly in the doorway, her sharp eyes instinctively seeking out her nephew Harry. A small, involuntary smile formed on her lips when she found him sitting comfortably at the Gryffindor table, deeply engrossed in conversation with a pretty brunette whose frizzy hair fell messily around her shoulders.
There was something undeniably charming about the way he leaned closer, giving his companion his full attention.
"That's Hermione Granger," Luna informed her in that same dreamy voice, seeming to sense exactly who had caught Sona's attention.
Sona nodded thoughtfully, recalling how Harry had exchanged numerous letters with a girl named Hermione while they had been staying in the Underworld. The vivid image of him meticulously composing messages, his brow furrowed in concentration, suddenly felt far more significant now that she could see exactly who he'd been writing to. Hermione was attractive, intelligent, and by the look on her face, clearly very fond of Harry. Sona felt a strange flutter of something she refused to name, briefly clenching her delicate fists at her sides.
Luna glanced up at her with an innocent smile, clearly perceptive despite her whimsical demeanor. "It's perfectly alright to sit with him if you want, you know," she assured her gently. "At breakfast, you can sit anywhere you'd like. It's only dinner when we're required to stick strictly to our house tables."
"Thanks for letting me know, Luna," Sona replied gratefully, relieved by Luna's supportive nature. Taking a slow, steadying breath, she squared her shoulders and led Luna and Tsubaki across the polished stone floor toward Harry's table.
She hadn't made it halfway across the hall before Harry's head turned suddenly, as though he instinctively sensed her presence approaching. The bright, welcoming smile that immediately lit up his handsome face made her heart skip a beat. She felt her cheeks warm slightly and cursed herself silently for the blush she couldn't control. Damn him for being so effortlessly charming, she thought with fond irritation.
"Good morning, Harry," she greeted warmly, taking a seat directly across from him. She glanced briefly at Hermione, nodding politely in acknowledgment. "Hello, Hermione. I'm Sona Sitri, Harry's aunt."
Hermione looked startled for a moment, clearly surprised by the introduction. She quickly recovered though, a friendly smile crossing her lips. "Oh! It's lovely to finally meet you, Sona. Harry's mentioned you quite a bit."
"All good things, I hope," Sona teased, enjoying how Harry's cheeks reddened slightly in embarrassment.
"Mostly," Hermione replied with a playful glint in her eyes. "Although he did mention your intimidating chess skills."
"Chess is hardly intimidating," Sona laughed gently, feeling herself relaxing around the other girl. "Though, I suppose some might find my style a bit ruthless."
Harry chuckled quietly. "'Ruthless' is definitely the right word."
She had never let him win a game yet…
– Harry –
Sona settled down gracefully beside me, and Tsubaki slid in next to her. I couldn't deny the warmth and happiness I felt having her close. But still, I couldn't hide my confusion over why she had suddenly shown up at Hogwarts with me. I opened my mouth to ask, but before I could get a single word out, Sona raised her hand slightly, her eyes meeting mine with gentle understanding.
"I already know what you're going to ask, Harry," she said quietly.
Glancing around, she noticed Luna chatting comfortably with Hermione at the other end of the table. Hermione seemed to sense the need for privacy and kept Luna engaged.
With a small sigh, Sona began, "The truth is, things haven't been going well with my peerage for a very long time. Tsubaki is the only one who truly understood and supported me. I finally decided it was best for everyone if I took back my evil pieces and made them all human again. I even erased their memories of their time serving me and being devils."
She sounded upset, but determined.
I stared at her, completely shocked by her words. "Even Saji?" I asked carefully.
Sona's jaw tightened noticeably, and beside her, Tsubaki visibly cringed. "Especially Saji," Tsubaki murmured bitterly, her voice tight with anger.
That tone she used did not sound good. I leaned forward, curious yet slightly apprehensive. "What happened?"
Tsubaki glanced at Sona, silently seeking permission to explain. When Sona gave her a stiff nod, Tsubaki took a breath and continued grimly. "We went to Saji's house last, planning to maybe keep him in the peerage because he had a Sacred Gear, which was valuable. But when we arrived, he wasn't home yet, so we looked around a bit—and found his room." Her expression darkened further, her tone dripping with disgust. "His walls, every inch of them, were plastered with pictures of Sona. Private photos, Harry. Some of them were from inside her own bedroom, some from the locker rooms at school. Photos of her in her underwear, and even a few where she was topless. That bastard had been stalking her for months, sneaking cameras into private areas!"
My fists clenched tightly beneath the table, my blood boiling with rage at hearing that. I gritted my teeth, furious and disgusted. I should have beaten that creep's face in harder back when we fought in the Underworld!
Sona reached out, gently placing a calming hand on my arm, her fingers soft yet reassuring. "Harry, it's alright. I took care of it."
My anger lessened slightly under her touch, though it still simmered dangerously beneath the surface. "What exactly did you do?" I asked carefully, searching her eyes for answers.
A small, cold smile formed on Sona's lips. "I took care of it..."
I shivered slightly at Sona's chilling tone, deciding wisely not to push the matter any further.
Still, I couldn't help but smile genuinely at her, feeling relieved and honestly thrilled to have her here beside me at Hogwarts. "I really am happy you're here, Sona," I repeated softly.
She gave me a warm, the coldness in her pink eyes melting away entirely as she leaned slightly closer. "Me too, Harry. It's comforting being near you," she admitted quietly, causing a pleasant warmth to spread through my chest.
After a moment, curiosity struck me again. "So, is Rias going to be alright managing Kuoh all alone?"
At my question, Sona visibly cringed, clearly uncomfortable at the thought. "Honestly? Probably not," she sighed, shaking her head slightly in mild exasperation. "Rias is very sweet and genuinely cares deeply for those around her, but she's never exactly been the most responsible or organized person. Leaving her to handle everything on her own might end up in chaos." Her eyes clouded over slightly in worry, though she quickly continued, trying to reassure both herself and me. "But knowing her brother, he'll probably step in quickly. I'm sure he'll appoint another young devil heiress to co-manage the territory with her—someone like Seekvaira Agares or perhaps Ravel Phenex. Both are incredibly competent and disciplined."
I blinked blankly at her mention of unfamiliar names, my ignorance probably showing clearly on my face. "I have no clue who those two are, but I'll take your word for it," I said with a small shrug, giving her a playful grin. "Japan is literally on the other side of the world, after all. Whatever happens, it's not our problem..."
Sona chuckled lightly, "Indeed. It will be nice not having to clean up her messes for a few months..."
"Are you excited about your first day of classes here?" I asked her.
Her eyes instantly lit up, and an adorable, almost shy smile graced her lips. "Yes, very much so," she confessed excitedly. "There are so many fascinating things to learn here, completely different from the magic in the Underworld!"
"You really are a beautiful magical nerd," I teased gently, earning myself a playful smack on the arm from her and a suppressed giggle from Tsubaki beside her. "Though, unfortunately, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor don't share many core classes. But we'll still have Runes and Care of Magical Creatures together. And I'm sure we'll find plenty of excuses to spend time together outside class as well."
Sona smiled warmly at my promise, her pink eyes shining softly as they met mine. "I'll hold you to that," she whispered and touched my hand, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.
By this time, the Great Hall was filling up steadily as more students shuffled in, sleepily taking their places at their tables. Sona, Tsubaki, Hermione, Luna, and I settled comfortably, and ate our breakfast.
Sitting comfortably between Sona and Hermione, I was thoroughly enjoying breakfast.
I felt incredibly lucky.
Hermione eagerly discussed magical theory, while Sona added thoughtful insights. I had a feeling they shared similar interests.
I occasionally glanced around the Great Hall, amused by how many jealous looks I was receiving. After all, being squeezed between two stunningly beautiful and intelligent women was definitely turning this into an incredible morning.
Just as I was relaxing further, savoring my good fortune, I heard heavy, arrogant footsteps echoing behind me.
Jasmine, seated directly across the table, suddenly stiffened, her pretty face twisting in irritation.
Hermione and Sona turned simultaneously, their cheerful expressions fading quickly. I turned around as well, dread pooling in my gut at the unwelcome sight of Draco Malfoy approaching---the guy I took down in Diagon Alley when he was trying to assault Jasmine and her friends. He was flanked by his two hulking bodyguards whose names I neither cared nor bothered to recall.
My eyes immediately narrowed in suspicion when I saw Draco arrogantly clutching two large bouquets of red roses.
"Oh my Maou! Not again!" Sona groaned dramatically from beside me, sounding genuinely annoyed.
"....Several boys from Ravenclaw already tried to ask Sona and Tsubaki out this morning," Luna's dreamy voice drifted across the table. "It was very fun to watch them fail..."
Annoyance bubbled inside me at the thought of other guys trying to approach Sona, even though it hardly surprised me. She was beyond gorgeous and captivating—a complete package that would naturally attract attention.
Malfoy stopped dramatically in front of us, holding out the roses and raised his chin arrogantly. His voice carried clearly, filled with a nauseating confidence. "Hello, lovely ladies," Draco purred smugly, his eyes shining greedily as they roamed over both Sona and Tsubaki with barely concealed lust. "My name is Draco Malfoy, heir of House Malfoy! Might I have the honor of courting both of you? You'll find being a mistress of House Malfoy comes with numerous benefits—wealth, influence, and pleasure," he finished suggestively, waggling his eyebrows in an exaggerated manner.
An abrupt, shocked silence fell over the Great Hall. Every head turned, eyes wide, mouths agape, a collective gasp rising around us. Some students murmured in disbelief, others openly whispered their disappointment, assuming that Sona and Tsubaki might actually consider Draco's shameless offer simply because of his wealth and social status.
A few girls, particularly from Slytherin, hissed jealously under their breath, glaring venomously in our direction.
I seriously regretted not just killing that arrogant baby death eater when I had the chance a few days ago. At the time, I'd hesitated, unwilling to traumatize the girls I'd just rescued.
But now, seeing Draco's smug face as he kept babbling on like some entitled brat about making Sona and Tsubaki his mistresses, I felt pure rage boil inside me.
Draco seemed completely oblivious to the disgusted expressions on both Sona and Tsubaki's faces. He just kept droning on shamelessly, listing out the so-called 'perks' of being mistresses of House Malfoy. He bluntly demanded they be ready to warm his bed every single night, crudely emphasizing exactly what that would entail with a lecherous wink. He even had the nerve to casually declare that they would eventually be expected to carry his children—several 'spares,' as he obnoxiously put it—to secure the future prosperity of his damned family.
"But don't worry," Draco drawled smugly, a disgusting grin spreading across his pale, slimy face, "my mistresses will be very well taken care of, both in and out of the bedroom. Trust me, you'll soon be begging for more."
The crude insinuation was too much. Sona snapped. Behind her glasses, her beautiful pink eyes flashed with a dangerous fury, nearly glowing red with rage. I could feel the air around her turning suddenly frigid, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Draco, still oblivious to the threat before him, smirked arrogantly and opened his mouth again to spew more disgusting nonsense. But before another vile word could leave his lips, there was a sudden, sharp crack, and an enormous block of clear ice instantly enveloped him, freezing his stupid, sneering face mid-sentence. He stood there trapped, completely immobilized, eyes wide with shocked disbelief!
The nearby students leaped back, shrieking in panic and shock, while Fred and George exploded with laughter. "Malfoy makes a great popsicle!" Fred shouted gleefully.
"Looks like he finally found his calling!" George added with a wicked grin, clearly delighted at Draco's misfortune.
Draco's two brainless bodyguards began frantically pounding on the ice with their fists, futilely trying to free him. As if punching magic ice would break it.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes in disbelief, wondering if these idiots were even capable of basic magic...?
Beside me, Sona was still shaking slightly with restrained fury, her fists clenched tight enough to whiten her knuckles. Tsubaki, however, recovered quickly, clearly amused now that Draco had been literally silenced.
She gently clapped, smiling cheerfully at her king. "Congratulations, Mistress Sona," Tsubaki said sweetly, her voice rich with pride and a hint of playful teasing. "It looks like you've finally awakened your ability to control ice, just like your big sister Serafall! And all it took was an insufferable fool to push you over the edge!" She giggled softly, covering her mouth politely to hide more smirks.
Sona grabbed a muffin off the table and started chomping on it hard. She looked furious, but calm at the same time. "He can stay frozen till the bloody sun explodes," she muttered with a growl, her words muffled by the muffin. Her eyes cut sharp toward his frozen face, and I swear her glare alone could have cracked the block in half. She was still seething about the audacity of arrogant human boys, cursing under her breath about spoiled brats who thought women were toys.
I kept quiet, because honestly I agreed with her completely.
Then we all heard the slap of frantic footsteps rushing across the hall floor. I turned with the others and saw two figures cutting through the sea of gawking students. First was Professor McGonagall. Next to her stalked the tall, black‑cloaked man I'd noticed glaring holes into me during the feast last night. His hooked nose, greasy curtain of hair, and predatory frown made him look like a pissed‑off bat about to swoop down.
Hermione had already told me his name—Professor Snape—and right now he looked ready to hang someone by their guts for breakfast.
They stopped a few feet away, both staring at the giant block of ice with Draco's pale, shocked face stuck inside it. Snape's voice came out like venom. "What the hell happened here? Why is Malfoy entombed like a damned ice statue?"
That's when one of Draco's slab‑faced goons finally gave up trying to punch the block with his fat fists. Breathing heavy, red‑faced, he jabbed a thick finger straight at Sona like a little boy tattling. "She did it! I saw her! She froze him solid!"
The taller goon barked next, "She attacked Draco out of nowhere!" His sausage‑like finger jabbed toward Sona.
The Great Hall had gone quiet. Everyone's eyes locked on Sona.
Professor McGonagall's lips tightened. She stared at Sona with that heavy, disappointed glare that could make even grown men wilt. "Miss Sitri," she said, her voice crisp, controlled, and laced with anger. "Is this true? You are a transfer student, new to this castle, and yet you would attack a fellow Hogwarts student on your very first day?" The words dripped with disapproval, and for a brief moment, I thought even Sona's usual calm might falter.
But before Sona could open her mouth, Hermione burst in at my side. "That's not true at all, Professor!" she declared. "Sona didn't attack Draco! She never once raised her wand. You can ask anyone standing near us. They'll all say the same!"
My lips curled into a smug grin. Hermione was right. Sona froze Draco solid without so much as flicking her fingers, let alone her wand.
The bodyguards turned red, puffing up like fat balloons ready to pop. "That's not true!" the shorter one blurted, spit flying as he pointed with both hands now. "It was her! She did it!"
Snape's low growl cut across them like a whip. His eyes narrowed into dark slits, venom glistening in his tone. "Tell me," he sneered, "did either of you actually see her use a wand?"
The question hung heavy in the air. The two idiots shuffled on their feet, cheeks blotchy, before muttering a pathetic, "...no..."
Snape's lip curled in disgust, and he turned away, robes swishing dramatically as if the stupidity of their answer was beneath him. The students nearby whispered, their disbelief turning into snickers.
McGonagall, though, wasn't done. She pulled out her wand with a sharp flick. Her voice rang loud and clear. "Accio Sona Sitri's wand!" The command sliced through the room.
Silence followed. Nothing happened. No wand came flying through the air.
"Miss Sitri," she said slowly, "where is your wand?"
That was a good question. Did Sona even realize she was supposed to carry around a fake wand? Did Tsubaki? I glanced at both of them, searching their faces. And then I saw it—blank, frozen expressions.
They hadn't thought of it.
Sona, though, was sharp as hell and managed to spin a lie without even blinking. She lifted her chin, folded her hands neatly in front of her, and said in the calmest voice, "I must've left my wand in my dorm this morning. I didn't think I'd need it just for breakfast."
McGonagall exhaled hard through her nose. She rubbed her temple and muttered something about reckless behavior. "A witch must always have her wand, Miss Sitri. At all times. Even at breakfast. You cannot predict when danger may strike."
Sona gave a little fake smile, and answered, "I'll keep that in mind, ma'am." She was playing the game, but not actually apologizing.
McGonagall pursed her lips tight, then turned her attention back to Draco's frozen body. "Clearly, this must be the result of some prank spell gone wrong," she said sharply. "Perhaps some rune trap placed on the floor...?" Her gaze snapped suddenly to the Weasley twins, who were leaning back with smug little smirks plastered across their freckled faces. "Fred. George. Did you have anything to do with this?"
The twins instantly threw their hands high. "Not guilty!" Fred chirped.
"Utterly innocent, Professor," George added, grinning. "If we had done it, we would have made it a lot flashier. We would have planned a whole theme about it and everything!"
"Yeah," Fred snorted, "Malfoy's more like a popsicle right now. Or should we call him a Malfoy-sicle?"
"Maybe a Drake-sicle," George mused, tapping his chin.
"...We're still perfecting the terminology. I'm sure we'll figure something out," Fred finished.
The Great Hall rippled with laughter, muffled giggles spreading like fire. Even some of the other staff looked like they wanted to smirk.
McGonagall's face went so tight I thought she might pop a vein. "Minus five points to Gryffindor, for your lack of compassion for a fellow student..."
"Totally worth it," the twins muttered together, still smirking like devils. They even turned to give me and Sona proud thumbs-ups, like we were partners in crime.
Fred and George were practically bouncing in their seats, eyes glittering with mischief, desperate to know exactly how Sona had managed to freeze Draco like that. They kept leaning forward, whispering quick questions to each other, throwing glances at us like they were trying to figure out the trick.
I knew sooner or later we'd have to invent some half‑plausible lie—at least until I trusted them enough to share the truth. I was half‑devil, and Sona wasn't just some sharp transfer student, she was a devil heiress with more power than anyone in this castle could handle.
Professor Snape clearly wanted the mess gone before more chaos could break out. His black eyes swept the hall like knives before locking onto a pair of Slytherin students who looked half-competent compared to the rest. "You two. Now," he barked, his tone venomous.
They jumped like frightened rabbits. Their wands shook in sweaty hands as they levitated Draco's frozen, stiff body off the ground, shuffling awkwardly under the weight of the block.
Snape sneered, voice dripping with disdain. "Get him into the sun. Let him thaw before someone decides to carve their initials into him." A few nervous chuckles rippled through the hall at the biting remark, though everyone quickly looked away when Snape's glare turned their way.
I leaned closer to Sona, lowering my voice so only she could hear. "Is he going to suffocate in there…?" Sona just got here and I'd rather she not be tossed out for a murder on her first day.
She shook her head. "Unfortunately not, since my magical intent was only to cause him agony..." As opposed to death.
I turned toward Hermione with a grin, lowering my voice just enough that it sounded teasing but still loud enough for people nearby to catch pieces of it. "I'm impressed that you were able to lie to two professors like that on the spot!"
Hermione's cheeks flushed pink instantly, and she ducked her head a little, trying to hide it behind her frizzy hair. "Well, someone had to say something before they dragged your aunt off in chains," she muttered. Then she looked me in the eye, a little spark in her voice even though she was embarrassed. "But I really hope this doesn't become a habit, Harry. Knowing you though…" She gave a soft sigh, but the corners of her mouth curved up anyway. "…I suppose it will be one."
She was prepared to lie for me and my family anytime? What an amazing girlfriend!
Hermione leaned in close. Her lips pressed against my cheek, warm and deliberate, lingering just long enough to make my skin burn pleasantly.
The sounds that followed were giggles, whistles, and even a few bitter groans from girls sitting further down the table who clearly wished they were in her place.
On my other side, I felt Sona's delicate fingers tighten against my arm. It wasn't much—just a small squeeze—but the message was clear. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. Her face was calm, carefully composed, but her grip told the real story. There was a flicker of jealousy hidden under that practiced control, and honestly, that only made my stomach twist with excitement.
Suddenly, the whole hall seemed to forget Draco Malfoy even existed. The noise of shocked whispers was drowned out as a huge storm of wings filled the air. Dozens—no, hundreds—of owls poured through the enchanted windows, swooping down in a wild cloud of feathers and hoots. The sound was deafening, and a few girls squealed when talons scraped too close to their heads.
Students ducked as parchment and newspapers rained down onto the tables.
One of the larger tawny owls swooped low and dropped a rolled‑up copy of the Daily Prophet right into Hermione's lap. I leaned in to see.
THE BOY WHO LIED!
Breaking News! Harry Potter is not a Potter at all. Lily Potter cheated on James Potter. Full story inside!
A groan slipped out of me… Damn, this was already my second scandal in the paper. I'm sure my mother Serafall had gotten a copy as well already.
…
Hermione and I were standing outside the big oak door of our very first class of the year, one of the core ones, and of course it had to be Defense Against the Dark Arts with bloody Gilderoy Lockhart. I couldn't believe our luck. Out of all the professors we could've started with, we got the same idiot who fainted and pissed himself on the train like a scared child.
Honestly, I wished we could have kicked off the school year with anyone else, but life never gave me what I wanted.
At least my morning has been anything but boring so far. Especially with how it started with Lyra and Lyna!
Considering the whole school already knew by now that James Potter wasn't my father because it came out last night—by the time breakfast was over, the shock had dulled, and most of the students were already treating it like old news even if it was in today's paper.
Still, I could feel eyes on me everywhere I went, whispers trailing behind me in the corridors. Hermione held my hand firmly as we waited in the hall, her thumb brushing across my skin in quiet reassurance.
The Gryffindor girls nearby were busy either giggling behind their hands about us being the newest "it couple" in the castle or glaring daggers at Hermione with obvious jealousy. I wasn't blind to it. Hermione noticed too, her grip tightening on my hand like she was staking her claim. I smirked a little at that.
Then I glanced at the Gryffindor boys and almost stumbled from the shock. Every one of them was glaring at me like I'd pissed in their pumpkin juice. Their expressions were bitter, or downright loathing.
What the hell had I done to them?
They'd all been friendly enough last night in the common room, but now it looked like they wanted to hex me if they thought they could get away with it.
And then my eyes found Ron Weasley in the middle of the group. He wasn't glaring like the others. No—he was smirking. That smug little twist of his mouth said everything. Had he been talking shit about me all night, poisoning the others against me?
Was rat boy that fucking petty?
I kind of wished Ginny wasn't in the year below us, because she would've gone straight for her brother and smacked some sense into him. She wasn't the type to let Ron's bullshit slide. But instead, it was just Hermione and me stuck dealing with the tension outside that big oak door.
And it wasn't just Gryffindors waiting—we shared core classes with Slytherins too.
Funny thing was, a lot of them were missing. I figured they were probably still trying to thaw out Draco from Sona's ice magic. Good luck with that. Her spell was no joke, even if it had been an accident, it was fueled by raw devil magic.
None of those pampered brats had the power to break it. Best they could do was wait until it wore off naturally.
Two Slytherins who had shown up caught my eye. They peeled away from the wall and walked toward Hermione and me. Both were gorgeous—because of course they were. I was starting to notice a damn pattern, every supernatural girl I met looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine. The first girl had long blonde hair that literally shimmered, and sharp green eyes that studied me like she was measuring me up. Her posture screamed upper-class, every movement elegant and calculated. The other was shorter, with soft brunette hair and a curvier figure.
The blonde spoke first, her voice dripping with aristocratic polish. "Hello, I am Daphne Greengrass. It's an honor to finally meet the famous Boy-Who-Lived."
I groaned openly, dragging a hand down my face. Hermione spoke up sharply for me. "Harry hates that nickname," she said firmly. "Just call him by his name please."
Daphne blinked, then actually inclined her head slightly in apology. "My mistake. Harry, then."
The brunette leaned forward. "And I'm Tracey Davis, Daphne's best friend. Don't mind her stiff manners—she can't help sounding like she swallowed a silver spoon." She nudged Daphne playfully with her elbow.
I raised an eyebrow. "Alright… so why are you two talking to us? Doesn't look like you came over here to flirt."
Tracey chuckled, covering her mouth half-heartedly while Daphne rolled her eyes like she'd been expecting that question. "We came to apologize on behalf of our house. Not all Slytherins worship the ground Draco Malfoy walks on, or his father's gold."
Tracey snorted loudly, crossing her arms under her chest in a way that drew my eyes for a second. "Yeah, Malfoy's a douchebag asshole. Always has been, always will be. He struts around like the castle owes him something, and half the time I want to hex his smug face off. So, don't lump us all in with him!"
That made me blink. I wasn't expecting honesty out of two Slytherin girls, let alone them trashing Draco so openly. Hermione arched an eyebrow too, clearly curious where this was going.
Daphne explained in blunt detail that Draco represented the absolute worst side of Slytherin—entitled, arrogant, and stupid. She said she had been waiting years to watch him crash and burn, and the moment he got frozen stiff in front of the whole school, she figured his downfall had finally started. Her lips twitched with amusement, like she enjoyed the memory of him stuck in ice a little too much. Then she lifted her chin proudly and told me she wanted to take his place—not as a bratty king, but as the new queen of Slytherin. She said she wanted to make the house feared and respected again, turning it into something clever and honorable instead of a nest of spoiled idiots.
"Instead of spiteful and stupid," Tracey added with a laugh, clearly enjoying taking shots at Draco too. She crossed her arms under her chest, smirking, and leaned in closer like she wanted to be sure I heard every word. "You'd be surprised how many of us are sick of his voice. The prat acts like he's Salazar's gift to the world when really he's just a whiny little boy with too much money."
Daphne nodded and gave me a cool look. "It's too soon for us to be friends," she admitted, "but perhaps we could start as acquaintances. We can get to know each other better." Her tone shifted smug as she added, "I happen to be the second best student in our year academically, right behind your girlfriend Hermione." She said it with pride, like she wanted me to recognize her value. "So being friends with me wouldn't exactly be a bad move."
I leaned back slightly, my eyes flicking between the two of them. They were both gorgeous, confident, and clearly smart. Being friends with two more beautiful girls would never be a bad thing, but I wasn't ready to commit to anything yet. Hermione had poisoned me against Slytherin from day one, drilling it into my head that she'd never had a single good experience with anyone from that house. And I didn't like that. She was my girlfriend and no one was allowed to disrespect her.
And honestly, after dealing with Draco and his goons in Diagon Alley, I didn't trust the snakes either.
So I kept my tone neutral and said, "Maybe. I'll wait and see how you act."
Daphne's eyes narrowed a little, but she nodded. Tracey gave a small shrug, her smirk fading into something softer. "That's a start at least," they both agreed.
Hermione squeezed my hand, like she approved of me keeping my guard up.
Then, right on cue, the oak doors slammed open. Gilderoy Lockhart came striding out in the halls with his ridiculous blond curls shining like he'd drowned himself in hair gel, his pearly teeth flashing in what he probably thought was a dazzling smile. His arms stretched wide as he boomed, "Welcome to the first day of MY class!" His voice echoed dramatically through the hall, but his expression slipped when he noticed half the Slytherins weren't there. "Although…" his eyes scanned the room, disappointed, "…where are all the Slytherin students...?"
Everyone else filed into the classroom first. Just as I was about to step through the doorway, the man himself suddenly blocked my path, his fake smile twitching nervously at the corners.
"Harry—er," he stammered, his voice a touch too high, "you… you haven't told anyone about that little unpleasantness on the train, have you?" His eyes darted left and right like he was terrified someone might overhear.
I raised an eyebrow at him and shook my head. "Of course not, sir. Neither me nor any of the girls said a word to the staff."
He didn't need to know that Lupin had been right there to see the whole pathetic show anyway. So I'm pretty sure all the staff knew...
Lockhart's shoulders sagged in relief, his fake confidence sliding back into place as he plastered on a bright grin. "Good, good! Let's just keep that little hiccup between us, eh? I knew you were a good lad, Harry Potter."
"It's Harry Sitri, sir," I corrected him blandly.
"Oh—right you are, Harry," he said quickly, brushing it off like it didn't matter. He gestured dramatically toward the room. "Now, come in! I have big plans for this first class. Second years, they get Cornish Pixies—dangerous, noisy things. But you, my lucky fourth years…" He leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was letting me in on a secret. "…you're in for something extra special!"
I slipped into the classroom, already dreading whatever he thought "special" meant. Hermione had snagged us a seat near the middle, and I slid in beside her just in time to see Lockhart prance up to the front like he was on stage.
With a dramatic flourish, he yanked a dusty tarp off the iron cage set in the middle of the room. The sound of claws scraping against metal rang out, sharp and ugly. Inside was a squat, vicious-looking creature. Its skin was grayish and stretched tight over wiry muscles, its teeth sharp and yellow. A filthy red cap sat crookedly on its head, stained darker in spots that I was pretty sure were old blood. In one clawed hand it clutched a jagged, rusty cleaver, banging it against the bars like it was eager to sink it into flesh!
First of all, terrifying...
Second of all, Magic School is officially fucking awesome! What the hell was this little monster!? I leaned forwards.
A couple of girls gasped in fright.
"Behold!" Lockhart declared proudly, puffing out his chest. "The dangerous Red Cap! A truly deadly creature known to lurk in old battlefields, waiting for travelers to bleed so it may soak its hat in fresh blood!"
The red cap slammed its claws against the bars so hard the metal rattled! The ugly bastard bared its teeth, that rusty cleaver glinting as it hacked at the air. A few of the girls yelped and ducked back, chairs scraping loudly, but Lockhart only gave his trademark fake smile and waved his hand like it was nothing.
"Don't worry, everyone," he said smugly. "I made sure to lock the cage thoroughly with magic. This little chap won't be getting out." He puffed his chest, clearly proud of himself.
The creature snarled again, eyes glowing with hate.
Lockhart, of course, didn't notice. He launched into a ridiculous story. "Why, this reminds me of the time I was crossing an ancient battlefield, hunting a savage werewolf. Out of nowhere, I was set upon by twenty—yes, twenty!—of these bloodthirsty red-capped beasts. The clever little devils thought they had me surrounded, but I fought them all off valiantly!" He mimed swinging a sword, twirling dramatically at the front of the room.
I rolled my eyes. The only thing he'd fought was probably a mirror while practicing that dumb grin.
Hermione raised her hand, frowning nervously. Lockhart froze mid-swing, looking irritated that anyone dared interrupt his performance. "Yes, Miss Granger, what is it?"
Hermione pointed past him, her face pale. "The red cap got out of its cage, sir."
The room went dead quiet.
Lockhart stiffened, slowly turning his head. Sure enough, the red cap was standing right behind him, free as hell, its claws wrapped tight around that jagged cleaver. Its lips peeled back in a hateful snarl, eyes locked on him with murderous hunger.
For a second, Lockhart just stood there frozen.
Then the creature lunged with a scream, leaping straight onto him! Lockhart shrieked like a banshee, flailing as they crashed to the ground together. The red cap slashed down wildly, the rusty blade cutting the air inches from his face. Lockhart tried to block with his arms, squealing in panic as the two of them rolled across the floor like some pathetic brawl.
Chairs screeched as half the class scrambled back, gasps and shouts filling the room. The monster's snarls mixed with Lockhart's girlish screams, the whole scene so chaotic it almost felt unreal. His shiny blond curls got tangled, his fancy robes ripping as the red cap clawed at him again and again!
"SOMEBODY HELP ME!"
Damn… Magic school was fucking awesome!
XXX