At Slytherin

 |September 1, 1991| Hogwarts - Great Hall|

There was a small silence in the hall; only the new Muggle-born wizards and the second years, who were ignorant of the magical world's stories, applauded.

 For them, someone who looked like a spitting image of their dear Harry Potter, the hero who stopped Voldemort and was also going to be in the Slytherin house, was too much for their small minds.

As everyone was digesting what was happening, I descended from the chair, and by tapping my cane on the floor, I headed towards the Slytherin table. 

Their gazes pierced my skin on the way, and by clacking my cane on the floor, creating images of the surroundings through magical resonance, I tried to memorize the remaining faces, body shapes, and house affiliations of the people in the hall, instantly memorizing them. 

I may be blind, but I'm still awesome. 

I sat down next to a girl from my year, and a boy later sat down next to me.

There were 33 new students at Hogwarts this year: 10 in Slytherin, 7 in Hufflepuff, 7 in Ravenclaw, and 9 in Gryffindor. 

While Dumbledore was giving his speech, I felt a tap on my shoulder. The girl next to me gave me the impression of a cheerful and excited girl with an unrestrained side, which was quickly proven.

"Hey, can I ask you a question? I've always wondered how blind people can imagine the world if they've never seen it?"

"Tracey, what are you asking all of a sudden! And have some tact when you ask such things."

Her shocked friend interjected after Tracey's question, but I could feel that I had her attention too. 

With my best fake smile, I replied, "I'm sorry I don't have the answer. I wasn't blind until a certain curse, so I have memories of the world upon which my imagination can be based."

"Oh, you've been cursed too." I felt strange emotions from Tracey's friend. I sensed pity from her, which was hurtful but understandable. But I also felt sadness, almost melancholy, which was strange for someone I had just met.

"I see. I'm sorry for you. My name is Tracey Davis, and this is my friend Daphné Greengrass."

"I'm delighted to meet two lovely young ladies like you. I'm Lilian Potter, and may I, in turn, ask you a question?"

Embarrassment showed on their faces, and I don't want to boast yet, but the ritual of improvement I did on my birthday made me devilishly handsome.

"Um, how... how can you know if we're beautiful? You're blind, I remind you, so stop your charming act because it won't work."

"Daph, now it's you who lacks delicacy towards him, but yes, of course, what do you want to ask? If Daph already likes someone?"

This girl's personality is peculiar; it's a change from all these years alone with Nixie. "To answer both of you, I know because even though I'm blind, others are not. I saw how they straightened up when it was your turn for sorting. And I would like to ask if my brother Harry Potter is still looking at me right now."

Daphné, as I expected, fidgeted at my response, which was very amusing to feel, and Tracey looked towards Gryffindor, then quickly turned her head in my direction with a surprised posture. "Yes, he's still looking at you from the corner of his eye. Wait, did you say brother?"

The boy to my right, who was listening to us, also seemed surprised. His name was Blaise Zabini, I think.

"Yes, you're slow to understand anyway. I know I'm more handsome than him, but we are real twins and have the same last name; you must have noticed."

For nearly an hour, I got to know the two girls, and after a while, the boy who had been listening to us talk.

 It wasn't my first interaction with other people since I left the manor, but I felt a certain pleasure in talking to other humans, not that I was bored with Nixie, but it's something else.

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The heads of houses began to lead us to our respective houses. On the way, the head of Slytherin spoke to us about the pride of having pure blood flowing in our veins, how we were the greatest of houses, but also how the upper years would ensure to teach us to be a Slytherin if we tarnished the honor of Slytherin.

A walking pile of shit. Anyone can say that he's a generator of members for the Dark faction. I have learned more about politics and important history during the little time I spent outside, and I understood one thing.

The magical government of Britain is dangerously dysfunctional. I expected it a bit, it's different from Muggle ideologies since one man can do immense damage alone, but all three camps have twisted ideas.

The Dark camp/traditional faction is just a bunch of inbred idiots seeking tyranny and was under the rule of fear of that snake bastard.

The White camp/Dumbledore's faction does the most horrible thing a politician can do, which is to restrict knowledge or make it difficult to understand and monopolizes an entire market with alchemy.

And finally, the government and the Gray faction do absolutely nothing except stay in power.

All a bunch of useless wizards; wizards should be researchers at heart. Power is fucking knowledge, but right now, even Muggles seem to know more about the world than us. Nothing more frustrating.

After the presentation of the places and the sorting of rooms, I could finally rest, using a scanning trick with magic that weighed me both in magic and mentally.

As I lay on the bed waiting to meet my roommates, I heard Skotádi hooting in her cage. When I took her out, she immediately clung to my shoulder and rubbed against my cheek.

Skotádi, which means darkness in ancient Greek, was like her name—a black owl. She was supposed to be sold with her sister, but in one of my trance-like predictions, I understood that Harry would have his sister if I only took her.

The paths of destiny are really peculiar—me having the gift of Hecate's paths, and Harry being the champion of destiny itself. But I worry about the counterpart he must endure.

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It didn't take long for my roommate to arrive, but apparently, there was a mistake in the room assignments because Blaise should have been with me, and there was still a spot for the next new student. Instead, he was sent with Crabbe and Goyle. 

How do I know? Someone was complaining non-stop in front of me, with the most annoying expression I've ever seen! And coming from me, that's saying something.

"I swear I'll make my father have all these damn house-elves locked up. How can they confuse me with someone else and put me with another one of those Potter idiots?"

Okay, I've had enough. With my best fake smile, I said, "Shut up, Malfoy. I'm tired of hearing you whine about your father. How many years did he wipe your ass for you that now, the moment something doesn't go your way, you want him to help you? I thought pure-bloods had some dignity, but all I see from you is a kid who can't do anything on his own. Shut up and wait until tomorrow to ask to change rooms."

The spoiled rich kid stopped pacing around the room and took an outraged stance at what I said. "How dare you talk like that? You're just a blind boy, and you dare to speak up to me? You and the other Potter are nothing but failures. You'll see what I can do."

After hearing this jerk insult, me and my brother, I resonated my mana in the room to sense each of his movements. This idiot started to take out his wand and pointed it at me. But before he could cast a spell, I struck my cane on his dominant arm, making him drop his wand.

"Sword mastery training always works for me," I exclaimed proudly.

Mom always said that a person who is always smiling in any situation is the most incomprehensible but also the most sociable. So, I constantly maintain this cheerful demeanor, but this time, he really pissed me off.

"You're going to stop your crap, Malfoy. I don't care if you insult me or try to attack me, but know two things. A beginner wizard without a wand is useless in a fight, and as a second thing, if you touch a single hair on my brother using your father, I'll make sure to wonder where I buried you after seeing each part of your body sent flying one by one."

There's one thing I'm sure of—psychological attacks will always be more terrifying than physical attacks.

"Now, go to sleep. Tomorrow, I'll return your wand, and you'll switch dorms with Blaise."

With that said, I feel like tomorrow will be a long day.