Although the awkward incident of a new student meant for Hufflepuff being sorted into Slytherin caused quite a stir, it wasn't nearly enough to interrupt the Opening Feast.

Once everyone was seated and the meal had begun, Headmaster Dumbledore rose to give his traditional start-of-term speech:

"Welcome!" he called out, sweeping his eyes across the hall, making every young witch and wizard feel as if he'd looked at them directly.

Allen noticed that Dumbledore's gaze lingered just a bit longer on Annie, who had rejected the Slytherin table to sit with Hufflepuff.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! I have a few announcements to make.

First: All first-years should be aware that the Forbidden Forest is, as its name suggests, strictly off-limits to students.

Second: Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you that magic is not to be used in the corridors.

And finally, I am pleased to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, an adventuring wizard from the East, Professor Chen!"

"Chen? That's a strange name. Allen, have you ever heard of it?"

Marshall, who was sitting on Allen's other side, repeated the name in a very odd accent, making Allen desperately want to correct his pronunciation.

As Dumbledore's words finished echoing across the Great Hall, applause broke out from all directions. Although no one knew what this mysterious new professor's teaching ability would be like, his exotic background instantly captured everyone's imagination.

Especially after their recent exchange program, many students had grown curious about foreign magical traditions.

Once the applause quieted down, Dumbledore continued.

"Well then, it's getting late, and I'm sure you'll all want to be wide awake and clear-headed for your first classes tomorrow. Off to bed you go! Chop chop!"

With a twinkle in his eye, he sat down and turned to engage Professor Chen in conversation.

Around the hall, chairs scraped and clattered as students rose from their seats and streamed toward the two wide doors leading into the entrance hall.

Allen didn't rush out just yet. He took the chance to give Annie some final advice.

"If someone tries to pick on you, don't just stay quiet. You need to, "

"Hit them back!" Before Allen could even finish, Annie interrupted him cheerfully, leaving him at a complete loss for words.

He had actually meant to tell her to go find a professor.

But after a moment's pause, Allen had to admit… Annie's approach might be just as effective. Judging by his own assessment, all the first-years combined probably still wouldn't be able to take her down.

As for any potential trouble that might stir up? Allen wasn't the least bit worried.

Professor Snape might be stern and unapproachable, but he fiercely protected his Slytherins.

And no matter how unconventional Annie's behavior was… the Sorting Hat had made its decision, she was a Slytherin now.

And when it came to Slytherin House, strength reigned supreme. No matter how many of the first-years disliked her, they wouldn't dare disrespect someone who could flatten them on her own.

Besides, Annie was a pure-blooded witch who'd passed the Sorting Hat's assessment, unlike Allen, who'd joined Slytherin carrying the stigma of being "different."

••┈┈┈┈┈༓┈┈┈┈┈•••

By the next day at lunch, Allen realized all his concerns had been completely unnecessary.

At that moment, Annie was already surrounded by a lively group of junior Slytherins.

As she came skipping happily over to him, Allen noticed something strange, the entire crowd of Slytherin students sent him a unified glare full of… hostility?

Allen blinked in confusion.

Had these second-years gone so far as to expose their own embarrassing history just to fuel their hatred for him? What kind of madness was this?

But his answer came soon enough, from the quietly resentful gazes of a few Hufflepuff first-years.

It turned out that last night's welcome feast, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of the house-elves, had made sure everyone knew Allen's name.

The real reason? Simple.

Annie, the Slytherin first-year who clearly favored Hufflepuff, had absolutely shone in her morning classes. Her outstanding magical talent had earned Slytherin a total of twenty house points in just two lessons.

This display quickly won over the upper-year Slytherins who had previously decided to ignore or isolate her.

Rumor had it that Professor Snape had been grinning all through lunch.

So even though this little snake had her heart set on Hufflepuff, her talent and contribution were very real.

And just like that, all the dislike and envy aimed at Annie was redirected, straight toward Allen, the guy who had "tried to steal away a brilliant Slytherin."

Allen couldn't help but picture a herd of magical llamas trampling through his mind.

Seriously? It's only the first day and I've already managed to become this hated?

After reminding Annie not to overdo it, Allen brought her over to the table.

Only a few desserts remained, and with Allen's permission, Annie quickly piled her plate high.

But under his stern gaze, she reluctantly put half of it back, ever since her toothache, Allen had been strictly limiting her sweets.

Allen sighed and ate a few pastries himself, partly because he was still hungry, and partly to block out the accusing look from his Head of House, Professor Sprout.

Guess I'll swing by the kitchens later to grab something more filling…

As for the rest of the afternoon, there were no classes today, so what should he do?

"Big brother, can we go to the library this afternoon?" Annie tugged on his sleeve, eyes sparkling.

"I really want to see all those shelves full of magical books you talked about!"

That settled it. Allen's afternoon plans were now locked in: a trip to the library with Annie.

••┈┈┈┈┈༓┈┈┈┈┈•••

That night, in one of Hogwarts' many towers…

The door to the Hufflepuff common room creaked open.

This wasn't unusual, Hufflepuffs were known for their late-night snack runs, often sneaking off to ask the house-elves for something to eat.

But this figure didn't head toward the portrait that led to the kitchens.

Instead, after murmuring a quiet incantation, the figure seemed to melt into the shadows, disappearing completely.

Naturally, it was Allen.

Thanks to a certain ability he'd gained from the "Widowmaker," he could move through darkness as if he were wearing an Invisibility Cloak.

Combined with the stealth training he'd picked up from that master assassin's memory, Allen could now move through the silent castle without making a sound.

After navigating the ever-shifting staircases of Hogwarts, he soon arrived on the eighth floor.

Stopping in front of a tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by trolls, Allen paused.

It was here that he intended to solve the mystery that had plagued him all summer, the strange golden tablet he had retrieved from the vampire's corpse… and the secrets hidden within its ancient script.

==========

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