Chapter 49: Pureblood Glory

"What danger?"

Cho Chang was the first to speak, cutting off Ian before he could respond.

"The Sorting Ceremony, of course."

The aloof girl scanned the three of them with a cold gaze.

"There's a special test at Hogwarts—one that determines where each student truly belongs."

Her golden hair shimmered under the lantern's glow as she spoke, her expression serious and resolute.

"My family warned me about it a few days ago. They called it a terrifying experience—one nobody wants to relive."

Her words carried a weight that made Cho frown.

"My father told me it would be an unforgettable moment. But… they wouldn't actually make us fight a dragon, would they?"

She widened her eyes, her tone edged with nervous disbelief.

Across from her, Aurora's head snapped up, her eyes gleaming.

She looked… excited.

"What's with that look?"

Cho stared at her, startled.

"She wants to fight the dragon," Ian said flatly.

Though he already knew the truth behind the Sorting, he could clearly see the spark of eagerness in Aurora's expression. Leaning slightly toward her, he lowered his voice.

"Think about it—every part of a dragon is insanely valuable. Do you really think the school would just let us have one for free?"

At that, Aurora's excitement instantly dimmed.

"..."

"..."

The two girls sitting opposite them exchanged glances, both equally baffled.

Was this what their generation had become?

That was a dragon they were talking about!

"Are you Muggle-born?" the blonde girl suddenly asked, her voice laced with disdain.

"Does it matter?" Aurora met her gaze with her striking heterochromatic eyes, her expression unreadable.

The blonde smirked.

"I thought so."

Her voice turned even colder, her gaze filled with quiet condescension.

"Otherwise, you wouldn't be saying such ridiculous things about fighting dragons."

Moments ago, she had merely been indifferent. Now, she spoke from a place of superiority.

Aurora, however, was unbothered. Instead, she made a calm observation:

"You sound like a Slytherin."

The blonde lifted her chin slightly, as if she had been given a compliment.

"Of course. Remember my name—Daphne Greengrass. My entire family has been in Slytherin. It's the most prestigious house at Hogwarts."

Her expression hardened with conviction.

"I will achieve far more than any of you ever could."

Her confidence wavered slightly, however, when she saw Ian pull a small metal box from his trunk.

"What are you doing?"

Daphne frowned.

"Oh, don't mind me. Please, continue. I'd love to hear more about Hogwarts. After all, I'm just a Muggle-born orphan."

Ian sighed dramatically as he pressed a button on the device.

Daphne's sneer deepened.

"Ah, a Mudblood."

Her voice dripped with contempt.

"People like you will never be sorted into Slytherin. That house is for the elite—true wizards of noble blood. At best, Hufflepuff might take pity on you."

It was clear that she held the same outdated views as many pureblood families.

Cho frowned, clearly uncomfortable.

"Greengrass, you shouldn't call our classmates that," she interjected.

Daphne scoffed.

"I'm just stating the truth. Unlike you, I don't pretend Muggle-borns are our equals."

Her fingers curled around her wand, shifting it subtly behind her back, as if afraid Ian or Aurora's mere presence might taint her.

Even Cho, usually diplomatic, looked annoyed now.

"That's just your opinion."

Daphne shrugged.

Aurora, meanwhile, had been listening quietly. Finally, she turned toward Ian.

He, in turn, had been watching her hand carefully, wondering if she was about to reach for her wand.

She sighed.

"You don't need to worry. I can tolerate this."

A faint trace of amusement flickered in her eyes.

"You're stronger than me, then," Ian muttered, shutting his little device and placing it back into his trunk.

With Daphne deliberately keeping her wand's light small and dim, Ian had to find his own way to illuminate their surroundings.

So, he simply pulled out his wand.

The Elder Wand.

"What are you doing?"

This time, Aurora's reaction was faster than Daphne's. She reached out, grabbing his wrist in alarm, her heterochromatic eyes flashing with rare unease.

Daphne, on the other hand, only smirked.

"Oh? Planning to duel?"

She eyed Ian's wand with blatant derision. Cho, sensing the tension, quickly tried to de-escalate the situation.

Ian, however, looked unimpressed.

"You're the one getting worked up. I have no interest in childish wand-waving games."

Daphne sniffed.

Unbothered, Ian simply flicked his wand.

"Lumos Maxima."

A brilliant burst of light exploded from the tip of his wand.

The white glow surged outward, engulfing their entire section of the lake in a dazzling radiance. All other sources of light paled in comparison—his spell alone illuminating half of the dark waters.

Across the other boats, startled voices rang out.

"What the—?!"

"Merlin's beard! That's the brightest Lumos I've ever seen!"

"I can't even cast Wingardium Leviosa yet!"

Even Hagrid, who had been leading the group, turned back with wide eyes.

"Blimey! What in the—?"

On their boat, Daphne flinched violently, throwing up an arm to shield her eyes.

"Impossible! A filthy Mudblood like you—!"

Ian leaned back against his seat, unconcerned.

"Nothing impossible about it. You just need to practice more."

Aurora, meanwhile, had turned her head away just in time, avoiding the blinding light entirely.

Cho, after adjusting to the brightness, stared at Ian in shock—not because of the light itself, but because of the sheer strength behind his magic.

"How do you have such powerful magical reserves?"

Ian grinned.

"The four founders personally blessed me when I arrived."

Cho rolled her eyes.

Daphne, however, remained silent. She clearly wanted to protest—but she wasn't stupid. No matter how much she despised Muggle-borns, she couldn't ignore what she had just witnessed.

"He must have cheated somehow…!"

Fuming, she turned her gaze toward Hogwarts, eager for the Sorting to begin.

The rest of the journey passed in tense silence.

Finally, their boats reached the other side of the lake.

"Everyone, follow me!"

Hagrid led them up the winding stone path toward the castle's towering entrance.

All around them, whispers filled the air.

"That huge Lumos spell—who cast it?"

"It must have been that handsome boy!"

"No way! My dad says Daphne Greengrass is incredibly talented!"

Daphne clenched her fists, her frustration mounting.

Then, as they reached the castle doors, something unexpected happened.

Instead of Professor McGonagall, a tall, hook-nosed man in black robes stood waiting.

"Professor Snape?" Hagrid blinked. "Why are you here?"

Snape sneered.

"Do you think I am incapable of welcoming first-years?"

Hagrid scratched his head but didn't argue, instead turning to leave.

Snape's cold gaze swept over the group, pausing briefly on Ian and Aurora before he finally spoke.

"If you don't want to be sent home before term even starts, keep your mouths shut and follow me."

Snape's cold gaze lingered on Ian and Aurora for a few seconds before he turned away.

Then, without further words, he issued his orders to the gathered first-years in his usual curt and intimidating manner.

Perhaps it was the oppressive aura surrounding him, or maybe it was the sheer authority in his voice—either way, not a single student dared to make a sound.

The atmosphere was thick with nervous tension.

Even Aurora, usually unfazed, seemed slightly uneasy—after all, she was still just a young girl.

Only Ian, having been "spoiled" by J.K. Rowling herself and already knowing exactly how the Sorting Ceremony worked, had the luxury of curiosity.

His gaze roamed the ancient corridors of Hogwarts, taking in every detail of the legendary castle.

The passage of time was etched into its walls.

Generations of students had walked these halls—learning, laughing, leaving their marks in ways both seen and unseen.

The stone walls were lined with torches, their flames flickering as they illuminated the path ahead. With each step deeper into the castle, the warmth of the fire gradually drove away the lingering chill from the lake.

Then—

Creak—

Snape pushed open the grand doors of the Great Hall.

A breathtaking sight unfolded before the young witches and wizards.

Thousands of candles floated in midair, casting a warm, golden glow that made the hall as bright as day.

Above them, banners representing the four Hogwarts houses swayed gently in the air, while the long dining tables shimmered under the candlelight—polished plates and goblets gleaming invitingly.

But the true masterpiece—the one sight that captured everyone's attention—was the enchanted ceiling.

The vast, velvet-black sky above them was dotted with countless twinkling stars, a perfect reflection of the real night sky outside.

It was just like the sky they had seen over the Black Lake.

"It's beautiful," Aurora murmured, gazing up in awe.

Ian followed her gaze.

"The ceiling has been enchanted with powerful magic to mirror the sky outside…"

But even as he spoke, something felt off.

Something was missing.

Then—

"Yes, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

Ah.

There it is.

Satisfied now that the atmosphere felt "just right," Ian turned his attention toward the high table at the front of the hall.

Dumbledore. McGonagall. Flitwick…

The professors sat in their seats, their expressions composed as they observed the new students.

Ian was intrigued by all of them.

But what truly caught his interest—

What drew his gaze more than anything else—

Was the unassuming, battered, four-legged stool at the front of the room.

And the old, tattered, pointy wizard's hat resting atop it.

The Sorting Hat.

A thousand years of history—

And it had witnessed it all.

So many stories had begun here.

And tonight—

Another would begin.