9 A stunning revelation
[AN: I don't know why I keep releasing chapter. I should've stop by now. As I always say, "bear with my grammar." Also, some original characters had some conflicts with the timeline in wikia, so you will find some original characters appeared when they should appear earlier or after a certain date.]
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After that eventful feast, I arrived at the headmaster's office. Thanks to the scene earlier, I was summoned here by the headmaster.
It is in this right moment that I overheard the headmaster's discussion with several people of my placing in Slytherin. Now, I am feeling nervous.
Present in the room are the 4 head of each houses – Albus Dumbledore of Gryffindor, Horrace Slugghorn of Slytherin, Amellia Gwenneth of Ravenclaw, and Edna Vishawk of Hufflepuff. There is also professor Catelyn Allison and professor Guillermus Fawley.
They all greeted me with amiable expressions except the latter. Professor Dumbledore even has his perfect smile. He is without any concerns at all.
"Good evening professors, how are all of you?" I shyly greeted.
They cough as if I done something embarrassing.
"Mind your manners child. You're not to greet us like old peers." Guillermus Fawley reprimanded.
"Ehm… I am very sorry professor. I was nervous."
Professor Fawley is full of disdain as he took away his glance from me to look at the headmaster.
"You must understand, Headmaster, that these families honor the tradition with their life. They will not accept a mudblood in Slytherin's noble house." Professor Fawley insisted.
The headmaster signaled him to stop, he then glanced at me.
"We are fine, young Stanford." The headmaster amiably said, "As you already know, we are discussing the matter earlier. It has come to us that, you, being sorted in Slytherin will indeed generate troubles, for you and to the school. Though, it already did but if this matter will spread, knowing that there are families who are vehemently disagreeable, they will demand your expulsion."
[AN: Note that Dippet is extremely tolerant that he even turned a blind eye on Riddle as it was explained. But here, I want to make his character to possess conviction specially against the outside influence.]
Expulsion!
The hell!
For a small matter of me being placed in Slytherin, some families will vie for my expulsion!
[AN: If you'd notice... (according to some written account on wikia) most of powerful families murders people in coldblooded. I thought I am reading xianxia but with less brutality of course. Now, what's the ministry doing to uphold law and justice?]
"Then, I am okay if I get a place to another house. In fact, even before, I am hoping that I will be in Gryffindor." I said, hiding my contempt as much as I could.
"We are still discussing on what should be done." The headmaster said.
"So, will I get expelled?" I said gloomily.
"No. I assure you, nothing of that sort will happen."
"Headmaster, this matter will cause enmity from other Pureblood families! We must avoid stirring ire from these families. Considering that the dark forces are now looming over our country, we cannot give reasons for the enemy to gain foothold in this country by faulting us."
"The matter of Grindelwald recruiting wizards in England and reports of some pureblooded families inclined to support his cause is already known to us, professor. Some may have already succumb to his promises. It is only a matter of time before they openly announce their allegiance." Dumbledore revealed.
"Which is so happens to be why, I am forceful with my objection. Their reason must not come from us. We have an institution to protect."
"Just because these families have some discontent regarding this matter, does not mean we will assent to their wishes. Remember, we are an institution, we have our own principles and certainly, we will not abandon a child." Dumbledore made an argument.
"Your consideration is much appreciated, professor Fawley. However, what professor Dumbledore said is right. We, as an institution have our own principles. And I, as the headmaster, will always uphold it. That no matter who it is, be it a muggle, this institution will not discriminate them."
"If I may interrupt, headmaster." Professor Horrace Slugghorn politely interjected. "But, it is true that there's never been a muggleborn ever in Slytherin. Perhaps, the hat is wrong this time."
"HA! You old fools. Does your head been eaten by maggots already?" The sorting hat shouted, "When was I ever made a mistakes? How many of you have I placed in your respective houses? Have I ever been wrong? Let me tell you, I'm never wrong!"
"Ah… It's about time you make up for this misunderstanding. I was afraid you will not talk about it." The headmaster said to the hat.
"In your old stinky head. I simply enjoyed watching you squabble amongst yourself and see how muddleheaded you've become."
The hat spat insult from these respective men of wizarding world, but it seems, they never mind such insult and only raise an eyebrow.
"Then please care to explain why you made such decision." Professor Catelyn Allison said.
"You doubt it? You think I made a mistake?" It paused and it looked around. He snorted, "Hmmp! Fine, I will tell you why." Everyone nods in reply then the hat told them, "It is not the first time I placed a muggleborn in the house of Slytherin."
Such revelation had perked everyone's ears and they all exclaimed, "What?"
"Yes. Before this boy, there's another. His name is known to you all as Myrddin Wyllt, and the last of the Dragon Lords."
"What?" Everyone ones again exclaimed especially professor Guillermus Fawley.
"That's right. The very man whom every Slytherin admired after Salazar Slytherin is Merlin, who unbeknownst to everyone is a descendant of a no-maj, a muggleborn. Merlin's parents were ordinary farmers. When Salazar found him, he had taken the boy and taught him magic at a young age before he allowed him to study at Hogwarts."
"Why would he accept a muggleborn to be his direct apprentice?" Professor Guillermus Fawley asked.
"Exactly! Why would the mighty Salazar accept a muggleborn to be his direct apprentice when he could have find someone from some distinguished families." He paused before continuing his explanation, "When Salazar left Hogwarts, after his defeat by Godric hands, he traveled for 2 years until the day he meet our young Merlin. He saw how nature seems to favor this child, that, even without guidance of witchcraft, he was able to exercise some of it. He was such a prodigy, worthy to groom. It changed Salazar's opinion on muggles at some point. Alas, he still believes on his ideals that muggles are lesser. Thus, he fabricated Merlin's identity, telling everyone that he is from an ancient bloodline of dragons. This lie was accepted and his real identity was forgotten. No one questioned Merlin's identity as he has shown power capable of controlling dragons! Soon after that, he surpassed the 4 founder's. Salazar was even pleased harboring no ill will towards his apprentice and soon came to accept the no-maj. But he never returned home, to change his previous policies against muggles in Hogwarts until his death."
"Merlin's beard! Is that true?" Horrace Slugghorn asked.
"Of course it's true. It was Merlin himself who told me this whole story. It is also why he strongly protects the no-maj and established the Order of Merlin!"
"Is that so?"
"And this child right here is the same as Merlin. I see his potential not lesser than that of Merlin's!" The hat announced.
"Me… the same as Merlin?" I asked while pointing at myself.
"Yes… you heard me… you have every bit of Merlin."
"Will they accept me if we tell them?"
"I don't know about them, but I believed, it is more than enough reason to make you a Slytherin."
"If what the hat said is true, then Slytherin will welcome you, young Mr. Stanford." Horrace Slugghorn said.
"This is unbelievable…" Edna Vishawk said in disbelief.
"But this is a problem still. Grindelwald will use every possible reason to temp the pureblood families to join his cause. If only this happened before this mess, they might turn a blind eye, but now…" Amellia Gwenneth explained.
"Should we find someone from the pureblood to adopt him?" Edna Vishawk proposed.
"No, adoption won't change anything." Professor Guillermus Fawley said.
"Then how about we fabricate another lie. So we can protect this child and our school like how Salazar did to protect his reputation." Edna Vishawk made another suggestion.
"What lie?" Professor Catelyn Allison
"How about we tell the world, he has Merlin's blood on him?"
"It is not that simple. Everyone knew that any descendant of Merlin is doomed to die under Morgana's curse!" Horrace Slugghorn explained.
"Then how should we proceed? Announcing to the world that Merlin is also a muggleborn would make things even more complicated as it is. These families will simply accuse us of lying, and worse, accuse us of conniving with no-maj."
This time, the headmaster interceded, "For now, any information regarding this matter must be handled carefully. We will fabricate no lies and we will disown no one. We will follow our old traditions and doctrines. We will teach anyone regardless of blood and status, weather a muggle is placed in Slytherin. This is our dogma and we will carry it. We will not allow outside influence to our beloved institution."
"But Grindelwald…"
"Grindelwald's matter will be settled soon." Professor Dumbledore interjected.
"Yes professor Fawley. Dumbledore and I, had already made plans against Grindelwald. Our fight with Grindelwald is inevitable, but time is on our side. For now, handle the matter with young Mr. Stanford carefully. Do not let the outside know of it. We will divulge this matter one step at a time, including matters with Merlin's origin."
"If it is your final decision, headmaster, then I can only comply."
"Very well, since the matter is already decided. Let us go through with our personal matters. I bid everyone goodnight."
---
Soon we left the headmaster's office, but when I was about to make my way towards the Slytherin's common room, I was called by professor Dumbledore.
"Alfred…" He called, "Come with me in my office, I have something to give you."
"Yes professor."
We have a conversation as we walked along the corridor.
"How are you doing these past days?" He asked.
"These past days, I've been reading books and brewing basic potions like [diluted pox reagent] and [purple nose changing solution]."
"And what's your progress?"
"Easy as pie. It only took me an hour to brew each!" I proudly said.
"Easy? Haha… Right, those things are easy to brew. Back then, I too managed to brew it in an hour and fifth-teen. You are faster by 15 minutes than me huh."
"If only I have some more potion materials I probably have brewed some more. I probably would have made a lot of progress."
"Hm… Then I wish you luck in your potion studies. Ah, should I introduced you to professor Pomona Sprout? She can help you with some of the materials that you needed."
"Uhm… isn't it inappropriate? I mean, you're the head of Gryffindor and I am Slytherin. Shouldn't it be professor Slugghorn arrange the necessary introduction for me?"
"Oh, not at all. I have known Horrace for many years and I know he favors outstanding students and after what we learned in the headmaster's office, he now has his eyes on you. And besides, we don't compete of who takes who as his personal students, because it will not be beneficial to the person and the school. We simply provide guidance and help to the students in need. Either he introduced you to someone or I did, it doesn't matter. I simply want to help."
"Okay then."
Then we made it to the grand staircase. And woah! It really changes direction.
There was numerous living portrait that greeted us as we ascend.
"Professor, why are the staircases moving? Isn't it confusing for new students like me?"
"That's the idea. It is to confused any outsiders who come to spy in this castle. It is also had another reasons, it also leads to secret rooms. You'd be lucky to be able to find one, you should know, there are treasures hidden within those room."
"Are there dangers in finding those rooms?"
"Not at all… there are 'some' students who are lucky to find treasures in those rooms."
"Some?"
"Well, you see, it all depends on one's luck and wit. The room will test an individual and if they pass, they can safely come and go."
"Oh… is that so?"
"It is not like I'm telling you to search for one of these room though. Afterall, it depends on one's fate."
And we reached his office.
The room is nice and tidy illuminated by a single lamp. It has a big window which invites enough moonlight. There are several cabinets filled with books, trophies and other objects; and various living portraits hang on the wall.
"You must be wondering why you're here?"
"I've been thinking to ask you that professor."
"Well, a friend of mine had asked me to give this to you." He said as he handed me a long but thin black box.
"This is… my wand!" I exclaimed.
"Now, now… don't get excited. I must tell you, it has some restricting enchantment that Garrick and I painstakingly had set place."
"No wonder, it felt different. Not that I mind by the way…"
"It's for your own safety."
"I see, then I am more than happy to feel safe."
"Now, why don't you try it?"
"Alright. Here I go…" I said.
I held the wand and pointed it in a book within the chair.
[Wingardium Leviosa]
And BoOoOM!!!
