Audrey deeply regretted establishing a "good child" persona with Dumbledore. Of course, this persona wasn't really established by her; she had just gone along with Dumbledore's misunderstanding and reinforced that impression.
However, the obedient, good child now had to walk up, preparing to lead the school song.
She stood at the front, carefully reading the glittering golden school song lyrics that Dumbledore had conjured. After a moment's thought, she decided to sing the song to the melody of her "Thames Rhapsody."
This song was written and composed by Rick, a true original, but it was also extremely popular.
The melody and lyrics were mostly compatible; only a few places needed adjustment.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
...
...
We'll study hard until our brains rot!"
Sure enough, more than half the young wizards knew the melody to "Thames Rhapsody." This time, the school song chorus had a backbone. Even those singing wildly out of tune couldn't shake the power of the group.
However, George and Fred still sang it to the "Funeral March." Even though they also knew "Thames Rhapsody," they just wanted to cause trouble.
Audrey shot them an annoyed look. Using the bodily motions of her performance, she made a zipping motion at her lips.
The next moment, the Weasley twins' mouths were zipped shut, as if by a real zipper, unable to make another sound.
Dumbledore naturally saw this clearly. He chuckled, waved his hand, and the twins' mouths were free again.
They found this highly amusing and let out "gagaga" laughs, which were particularly abrupt in the chorus.
Audrey sighed and ignored them.
Fortunately, the song wasn't long. She just had to endure it, and it would be over.
But waiting on the platform for the twins to finish their "Funeral March" was really not a good experience.
She felt awkward all over again.
The twins, who should have been the center of attention, didn't seem to succeed. The vast majority of the young wizards' eyes were still glued to her.
Because as she sang, the Hogwarts ghosts all began to gather around her. She was now almost completely surrounded by pearly-white ghosts!
"Delightful magic," Nearly Headless Nick sighed. "This feels so comfortable!"
The Fat Friar nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Yes, this child makes me feel as if I'm alive again!"
The Bloody Baron floated silently behind Audrey, his empty eyes seeming to show a flicker of emotion. He announced proudly: "This is a child of our House!"
The Grey Lady wanted to get closer to Audrey, but she glanced at the Bloody Baron in disgust, stopped farther away, and frowned in annoyance.
The Grey Lady was Ravenclaw's resident ghost. Her real name was Helena Ravenclaw, the daughter of Lady Ravenclaw.
The reason she was called the Grey Lady was that in Great Britain, a ghost of a woman murdered for love, or unrequited love, was called a Grey Lady.
It had absolutely nothing to do with the Gray family.
And the one who killed her was the Bloody Baron.
...
Regardless, no matter how much the twins dragged out the tune, what had to end, had to end.
Dumbledore waved the ghosts away. "Ah, music," he wiped his eyes, as if the song had moved him deeply. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you go!"
He then looked at Audrey and mouthed silently: "Don't forget."
Audrey returned to the Slytherin table. The prefect, Gemma Farley, nodded at her, then said loudly: "First-years, follow me. Make sure you remember the path. We have no idiots in Slytherin, especially idiots who can't find their way back to their own common room!"
Following Gemma, Audrey and the first-years turned right from the marble staircase, passed through a maze of dark corridors, and arrived at a stone wall.
"This is the entrance to the Slytherin common room," Gemma said. "You must give the correct password to enter. Our password changes every two weeks and will be posted on the notice board in the common room, so you need to pay attention around that time."
"This is the current password. Please remember it," she enunciated a word clearly, "Pure-blood!"
As she spoke the password, a doorway began to emerge from the stone wall. A relief of a giant serpent appeared at the same time, forming an archway. It was exquisite and imposing.
"Come in, everyone!"
The young wizards filed in, arriving at the Slytherin common room.
Unlike the "decor" of the dungeons outside, the common room was decorated in a typical Gothic style. The entire space had a dark green tone, giving it the mysterious feeling of a sunken ship.
Gemma had the boys wait in the common room first, while she took the girls to their dormitory.
The dormitory hallway was a bit like a sewer, only much cleaner, without the slightest bad smell.
The young wizards' footsteps echoed "clang, clang" on the bronze corridor floor. Through the exquisite openwork on the floor, Audrey could see clear water flowing beneath their feet.
"Miss Astley," Gemma said with a smile, "You're starting as a fifth-year, so naturally you can't stay with the new students. But our fifth-year rooms are all full. So, with special permission from our Head of House, you will get a private room."
She said with some emotion: "This is almost the same treatment as us prefects."
Pushing open the door, Audrey's empty trunk was already in the room. Jinhu was fast asleep on the velvet-covered bed.
"Thank you, Prefect Farley."
"No, just call me Gemma. Maybe next year I'll have to give this prefect position to you, Audrey."
'Good grief. None of these Slytherin students are easy to deal with.'
From the beginning until now, Gemma Farley had hardly said a sentence without mentioning the "prefect." 'Is she trying to force me to state my position?'
Fortunately, Audrey had no desire for such power. She smiled: "Look at you, a position like prefect requires someone as capable as you, Gemma! I only know how to sing. I can't be a prefect. You don't need to worry."
Sure enough, Gemma Farley's expression showed her relief.
Audrey Astley herself might not even know how much influence she had in the wizarding world!
Know Gilderoy Lockhart?
That fellow famous throughout the British wizarding world for his smile and his novels.
Although Audrey wasn't physically present in the wizarding world, her influence was no less than Lockhart's!
No wonder Gemma Farley was worried. If Audrey wanted to compete with her for the fifth-year prefect position, she would have overwhelming support. Gemma wouldn't stand a chance!
Gemma smiled: "Then I won't disturb your rest, Audrey. I sincerely hope we can become friends."
"Aren't we already, Gemma?"
Audrey's face was beaming, and her beautiful face made even Gemma feel a bit dazed.
"It would be my honor! Remember to come and visit my room when you're free. Goodnight, Audrey!"
"Goodnight, Gemma!"
After seeing Gemma off, Audrey closed the door.
The room was large. Since she was the only occupant, there was only one large bed.
The room's decor was naturally based on Slytherin's green and silver, with various mystical trinkets adding to its charm.
Swish!
A-loud Apparition sound rang out.
Audrey turned her head and saw a familiar face.
"Momo!"
"Little Mistress," Momo's large eyes were like a bursting dam. "Momo has finally seen you again!"
"Oh, Momo, without you, these five years have been so hard!"
"It's all Momo's fault, all Momo's fault for not finding Little Mistress!"
Momo hadn't even had time to hit her own head before Audrey stopped her.
"Little Mistress is still so merciful!" Momo exclaimed. "And Little Mistress has gotten stronger! Just like a dragon!"
Momo lifted the corner of the pillowcase she wore and wiped her eyes vigorously. "I've said it all along, Little Mistress is the most amazing little witch!"
She puffed out her chest and said proudly, "In all of Hogwarts, there is no one more outstanding than Little Mistress!"
Audrey looked at her number one fangirl with amusement and asked, "Did Dumbledore send you to take me to the Headmaster's office?"
"Ah!" Momo jumped, her face full of panic. "Momo almost forgot!"
"Little Mistress, quick, hold my hand. Momo will take you there. Headmaster must be getting impatient!"
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]