The morning sun fell on the towers of Hogwarts, bathing its ancient stones in a golden glow. From the window of his office, Albus Dumbledore looked out over the grounds. The lake sparkled, thestrals flew over the Forbidden Forest, and house elves prepared for the grand welcome banquet.
But his thoughts were far from the castle.
In front of him, on his desk, was a mountain of documents. Security reports, letters from teachers, reports from the Ministry. The name Aurelian Gaunt appeared more often than he would have expected. Each letter contained both praise and warnings.
Dumbledore ran a finger thoughtfully around the rim of his teacup.
"The heir of Slytherin..." he murmured to himself, "and yet so different from what is believed of him."
The headmaster allowed himself a slight smile. He remembered perfectly what Flamel had told him during their meeting at the Hog's Head Inn.
"Sometimes I wonder if fate merely repeats its pieces or if it simply learns to play them better..." he whispered.
The portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black, hanging to his right, raised an eyebrow from its frame.
"Always so poetic, Albus. But if the boy really is a Gaunt, shouldn't you be a little more concerned?"
Dumbledore turned his head slightly, without losing his composure.
"Blood can inherit power, Phineas, but not its purpose. And Aurelian is the opposite of a classic Gaunt."
Phineas let out a dry laugh.
"Purpose? Bah. Young people with power are all the same, they just think the world owes them something."
"Perhaps," Albus conceded, "but he doesn't follow that pattern, that's what baffles me the most."
Silence fell over the office again, broken only by the ticking of the clock. Dumbledore rose slowly, walking toward the window. In the distance, he could see the dirt road connecting Hogsmeade to the castle. The Hogwarts Express would soon arrive with the students.
He thought of Harry Potter, who would return this year with even more curiosity. Neville Longbottom, a spark of courage beginning to awaken in him. And finally, he thought of Aurelian Gaunt, a name that was beginning to resonate even outside the castle, a young man who defied the rules of magic.
Dumbledore rested a hand on the desk, his expression calm, but his mind working like a veteran chess player facing a moving board.
"Last year was full of trials..." he murmured, "what surprises await us now?"
The portrait of Dilys Derwent interjected in a kind voice.
"And you, Albus, what role will you play this time?"
Dumbledore let out a sigh that was half laughter and half resignation.
"The same as always, dear Dilys. Observe, wait... and when the moment comes, move the right piece."
A ray of light illuminated his blue eyes, and for a moment, the headmaster of Hogwarts looked as young as the boy who once dreamed of changing the world alongside his old friends.
The clock struck nine. The train was about to arrive.
Dumbledore turned toward the door, his scarlet robe fluttering behind him.
"It's time to welcome our dear students," he said, and with a smile, he left his office.
The corridors of Hogwarts were bustling with activity. Cleaning spells glided across the ceilings, portraits whispered excitedly about the new school year, and house elves scurried by with trays full of food.
It was the day when everything at the school began again.
In the great hall, Professor McGonagall was supervising the final details with her usual efficiency. Every candle was aligned, every table was immaculate, and each house banner hung proudly above its place.
"Everything in order, Minerva?" said a honeyed voice behind her.
McGonagall turned slowly.
Gilderoy Lockhart was walking toward her with a smile so bright it rivaled the candlesticks on the walls. His sky-blue robe glowed with a faint sheen, and his blond hair was combed with almost unnatural precision.
"Professor Lockhart..." she replied in a neutral tone, "I didn't expect you to arrive so early."
"Punctuality is the first step toward perfection!" he said with a flash of teeth. "Besides, I couldn't miss the opportunity to see how Hogwarts prepares its famous banquet. It's... so inspiring."
McGonagall crossed her arms.
"I hope that inspiration is also reflected in your teaching, Professor. The Defense Against the Dark Arts position has not exactly had good luck in recent years."
Lockhart chuckled.
"Oh, don't worry, dear Minerva! My seven award-winning volumes are proof enough of my expertise in the field. Gilderoy Lockhart and the Baltic Fairy has been translated into more than eight languages."
"I'm sure that will help us deal with unforgivable curses," McGonagall replied coldly.
Before Lockhart could respond, the door opened and Severus Snape entered, his black robe flowing with the same sombre elegance as always. His gaze fell on Lockhart with a mixture of contempt and amusement.
"I see our new 'literary hero' has decided to honor us with his presence," Snape said, his voice low and sharp as a knife. "I hope his stories are as useful in class as they are in his autograph sessions."
Lockhart turned to him with a perfectly rehearsed smile.
"Professor Snape! I've read a lot about you. I've always been fascinated by your unorthodox approach to anti-poison potions... although I must say that on my travels in Egypt I learned much more effective techniques."
Snape raised an eyebrow, his gaze dripping with venom.
"I'm sure you did. After all, the Egyptians were experts at embalming their people. Perhaps you can practice with that."
McGonagall cleared her throat discreetly, though her lips trembled with amusement.
"Gentlemen, please. The banquet will begin shortly."
Snape turned away without another word, his robe fluttering like a living shadow. Lockhart, on the other hand, sighed theatrically before muttering.
"What an unsociable man. I'm sure he needs a signature from my books to cheer him up."
McGonagall watched him with a mixture of resignation and patience... a lot of patience.
"I beg you to remember that at Hogwarts we value knowledge, not self-promotion."
Lockhart smiled impassively.
"Of course, dear Minerva, knowledge is self-promotion. You just have to know how to tell it with style."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly wondering how long it would take Dumbledore to regret his decision.
The Hogwarts Express whistled loudly and a huge cloud of steam enveloped the Hogsmeade platform. The setting sun bathed the mountains in copper light.
Aurelian stepped off the train with a calm gait, followed by Hestia and Flora Carrow. Hestia wore an emerald green bow that contrasted with her hair, and Flora wore a scarf that enhanced her eyes.
The wind ruffled their hair, and together they seemed a perfect reflection of grace and elegance.
"I missed this place," said Hestia, breathing in the fresh air. "Although I'd rather not wake up early."
Flora let out a soft laugh, turning to Aurelian.
"What about you, Aurelian? Are you looking forward to the new school year?"
"No," he replied, looking up at the orange-tinged sky. "Every year, this castle brings something new to see... and I feel like this year will be no exception."
The twins shared a look, one that only they understood, then gently clung to his arms as they made their way to the carriages.
Amidst the bustle, Cedric Diggory greeted them with his usual smile.
"Aurelian!" he exclaimed, stepping forward from the group of Hufflepuff students. "Ready for another year?"
"More than ever," he replied, shaking his hand. "And you?"
"Ready," said Cedric with a confident smile. "Although I doubt I'll be able to beat you in Defense this year. Your reputation precedes you, Lord Gaunt."
"Reputation is a double-edged sword," Aurelian replied calmly. "It opens doors and closes others."
Cedric nodded, understanding. Hestia, who had been listening, made a slight playful comment.
"Aurelian, you're always so enigmatic."
Flora rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Don't say it like that's a bad thing."
Before Aurelian could respond, a cheerful voice interrupted the conversation.
"Hey, guys!" Fred Weasley shouted, running toward them with George at his side, both wearing mischievous expressions.
"Thanks to you, we lost the explosive candy bet," George added with feigned indignation. "You owe us a rematch."
Aurelian smiled.
"If it includes not destroying the fourth-floor hallway with your experiments again, I might accept."
The twins looked at each other, pretending to think.
"What if we promise that this time only half of it will explode?" Fred asked innocently.
Hestia put her hand to her forehead.
"I don't understand how you're still alive."
The group burst out laughing as they climbed into the carriages.
The thestrals snorted softly, eager to begin the journey to the castle. Aurelian could see them clearly. Their skeletal bodies and black wings reminded him of something he would never forget: the thin line between life and death.
As the carriages moved along the stone path, Hogwarts appeared on the horizon. Hestia rested her head on his shoulder and Flora intertwined her fingers with his.
While enjoying the ride, Aurelian observed the castle, feeling the pulse of magic vibrate through the air.
The carriage stopped at the gates.
Aurelian stepped down, gently helping the girls out. The sound of the lake and the murmur of the students enveloped him.
He closed his eyes for a moment and smiled.
"Welcome back, Aurelian," he whispered to himself.
The sound of footsteps and laughter filled the entrance hall of Hogwarts as the students began to cross the gates.
Torches cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, the atmosphere buzzing with that unique mixture of excitement and nostalgia that only the first day of school could bring.
Aurelian walked among the crowd. Hestia and Flora walked naturally beside him. Their hairs, as black as midnight, fell in soft waves over their shoulders, reflecting the fire of the torches with reddish glints.
Around them, several students stepped aside respectfully, while others watched with curiosity as the young lord returned to the castle.
"It seems they're watching you more than usual," Flora murmured amusedly.
"Maybe so," Aurelian replied with a slight smile.
Hestia let out a small laugh.
"I admit it doesn't bother me to be the center of attention... if it's with you."
Flora glanced at her sideways, amused, while Aurelian simply shook his head, already accustomed to her ways.
When the doors to the Great Hall opened, a wave of golden light enveloped them.
Thousands of candles floated beneath the enchanted ceiling, which displayed a clear, starry night sky. The long tables were set, overflowing with food.
Aurelian took his seat at the Slytherin table, with Hestia and Flora beside him.
A few seats away, Draco Malfoy watched him with a mixture of respect and caution, while Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass greeted him politely.
The young Gaunt responded with a slight nod.
At the other end of the hall, Cedric Diggory and the Weasley twins raised their glasses in his direction, to which Aurelian responded with a nod.
Friendships between houses were still rare... but he had never been an ordinary student.
The general murmur suddenly died away when Dumbledore entered the dining hall.
His wine-colored robes reflected the warm tones of the candles, his gaze as deep as time itself sweeping the room with serene calm. He climbed onto the central podium, followed by the professors.
McGonagall walked upright and precise, Snape wrapped in his usual gloomy aura followed closely behind, and behind them a resplendent man, smiling as if the whole world were about to applaud him. Gilderoy Lockhart.
The murmurs soon erupted. Some students recognized him instantly.
"He's the author of Travels with Vampires!" whispered a Ravenclaw girl.
"The one who caught the Mediterranean monster!" added a Hufflepuff student.
Lockhart smiled with delight, waving both hands as if he were at a public ceremony. He even cast a couple of magical flashes that lit up the ceiling, making his name shine in golden letters.
McGonagall rolled her eyes. Snape sighed with the exhaustion of someone who was already anticipating the new headache of the year.
Dumbledore raised a hand and silence immediately returned.
"Welcome, my dear students, to a new year at Hogwarts," he said in a warm voice. "Before we begin the banquet, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the renowned wizard and author, Gilderoy Lockhart."
Lockhart bowed exaggeratedly, his smile shining as if he had a permanent shine charm. The applause was mixed, some enthusiastic, some skeptical, and many more accompanied by resignation.
Aurelian watched the scene with interest.
It was not difficult for him to perceive the difference in people's magical power. As before, in Lockhart... he saw only a carefully constructed facade.
"He doesn't seem like someone capable of teaching us," Flora murmured softly.
"But we mustn't underestimate him," Aurelian replied, without looking away. "Phony people tend to survive longer than they should," he finished with a laugh.
When the selection of new students was complete, Dumbledore ended his speech with his classic words about unity and learning between houses, reminding the students that Hogwarts was their home and not just a school.
Aurelian relaxed his shoulders and enjoyed the aroma of pumpkin pie and lemon tea, which mingled with the murmur of hundreds of voices.
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