Chapter 97

As Alex and Hope, accompanied by their group, approached the common room of Horned Serpent, We soon reach an obsidian door. Ancient runes adorned the surface, worn smooth by the passage of centuries. The imposing archway carved from a single block of black volcanic rock, with constellations shimmering faintly on the obsidian.

Alex could sense the magic flowing through the door, he touched it and the stars pulsating in response to the touch of a hand on the runes.

John Maester, the head boy, spoke up, his voice echoing in the mystical space. "To unlock the portal, a student must not merely recognize the symbols or solve a hidden mathematical puzzle—the key varies with each passing hour."

Beside him, headgirl Lyra Mason added, "If you can't, place your hand on the door, and it will sense your arrival and open up." A curious student questioned, "How will it know we're from the same house?"

A confident smile played on John's lips as he explained, "The carvings during the ceremony link your identity to the house. Only you can enter. And thanks to Freya Mikaelson's update last year, not even Polyjuice users can pass through."

Eyes turned towards Alex and Hope, who exchanged a knowing glance. In a hushed exchange, Alex whispered, "Your father relentlessly badgered Aunt Freya to enhance the school's security."

Hope muttered under her breath, "Stupid, dad."

Hope hand traces the cool obsidian of the door. The constellations etched into the obsidian shimmer faintly. The stars seem to pulse with a faint inner light, responding to the touch of the hand on the runes.

.

Everyone eyes wandered towards Alex and Hope, while the latter felt embarrassed by the situation.But soon controlled herself, as Alex whispered"Your father pestered Aunt Freya to update the security of school."

Hope just muttering"Stupid, dad."

While Lyra started completing the puzzle given by door.

As the final piece of the puzzle clicks into place, the doorway cracks and air in the middle of the doorway seemed to fracture into a thousand shards that hung tinkling in space, solidifying into an ethereal doorway.

As all of them stepped inside the doorway, one after the another.Alex walked toward this wall and through it.Hope followed.

Stepping through the arch feels like entering the serpent's embrace, promising wisdom and secrets to those worthy.

The room itself is a spacious marvel, bathed in the soft glow of enchanted candles suspended from a domed ceiling adorned with constellations only those with keen minds can decipher. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves hold an ocean of tomes, whispering tales of forgotten lore and arcane discoveries. Comfortable armchairs nestled amidst the stacks invite students to delve into forbidden texts, while crackling fireplaces offer warmth for long nights spent.

The walls are adorned with intricate tapestries depicting not battles or triumphs, but scenes of scientific breakthroughs, magical innovations, and whispered theories on the very fabric of reality. These vibrant tapestries, woven with enchanted threads, change subtly, reflecting the latest advances made by Horned Serpent scholars.There were photos of many graduates on the wall and there achievements were noted.

As Alex and Hope scanned the room, they laid eyes on their respective family members. Kol's achievements in potions, Freya's mastery in charms, transfiguration, and crafting new artifacts, and Davina's expertise in defense against dark arts and herbology were showcased. Elijah's photos adorned the wall, proudly acknowledging his status as the wealthiest businessman.

Among the photos, Hope spotted her mother's image, captured in the act of assisting werewolves in creating their own community and establishing job opportunities. The memory flashed in her mind—Kol had played a pivotal role in werewolves getting there lives on track by creating the Lycan potion.Which allowed the werewolves to stay in human form even during the full moon, only downside was they will be physically weakened slightly.

Hope couldn't help but wonder about Remus Lupin, recalling her mother's muttered remarks about the man being quite the idiot.

It became apparent that Remus had turned down Hayley's option for a better life, likely influenced by Dumbledore's perspective on the Mikaelsons.

In her mind, Hope furrowed her brows, thinking, "The man will always blame the wolf, even when given a better option, he discarded it."

Having caught wind of Hope's thoughts, Alex mentally mused, "Well, he's about to lose any chance of a relationship with Harry now. After all, he's linked to Dumbledore, and Harry isn't naive enough to let him into his life after being ignored all these years."

Shaking away those thoughts, Alex turned his attention back to the photos and muttered, "It seems like all of them made their mark in the Harry Potter world."

Hope hummed and whispered, "Except for dad; he seems to like manipulating things behind the scenes, as he calls it."

Alex nodded, while attention was drawn to a familiar figure—President Seraphina Picquery, a memory from the Fantastic Beasts movie.

Alex and Hope immersed themselves in the enchanting surroundings of the common room, finding comfort beside the crackling fire.