Penelope glanced out the train window. Night had already fallen, and the mountains and forests shrouded in twilight looked as though they had been dyed a deep purple. The train gradually slowed down.
"I'm going back to my compartment to change into my robes. See you at the Sorting, Mr. Moriarty." Lilith waved at Moriarty, stood up, and left.
Penelope also took out her wizarding robes. Moriarty pulled Percy outside so Penelope could change first.
Five minutes later, the train came to a stop. The Little Wizards shoved and jostled one another as they poured through the doors and onto a dark, tiny platform.
Led by Rubeus Hagrid, the Little Wizards boarded boats in groups of four. Moriarty, Penelope, and Percy were among the last group.
Just as they were about to board, Lilith walked over.
She blinked mysteriously at Moriarty. "When I went back to change into my robes, I heard something.
Most Pure-blood families are delighted by your arrival, but you know how it is—wherever you go, there's always a small group that doesn't fit in. They're awkward and irritating.
So, Mr. Moriarty, you need to..."
"I need to remain vigilant at all times, is that it? I don't think I do." As though what Lilith had said did not exist, Moriarty merely glanced at her before looking away.
Moriarty's plans had always included dealing with Pure-blood families, whether it was family heads like Lucius Malfoy or Pure-blood Little Wizards at Hogwarts.
As the boat rowed across the lake, a massive Castle towering into the clouds came into Moriarty's view.
A warm current flowed through the Slytherin staff. Moriarty was certain he had not drawn upon any Magic Power, so it had to be a special connection between Hogwarts and the Slytherin staff.
For the staff, it was like returning home.
Moriarty immediately thought of several little secrets hidden within Hogwarts.
With the staff, perhaps he would not need much time to find those secret passages. Perhaps he would not even need Serpent Tongue to open the Chamber of Secrets.
Seeing Moriarty deep in thought, Percy took the initiative to start a conversation so things would not become awkward. "Legend says that first-years enter Hogwarts by crossing the lake in boats, four to a boat, to commemorate the Four Founders of Hogwarts..."
However, Percy's efforts bore no fruit. Lilith stood with her arms folded, studying Moriarty's profile with interest, while Penelope gazed at the Castle just as Moriarty did, her eyes full of longing.
The boats were not particularly fast, but the Little Wizards' winged hopes and fantasies made the time slip quietly away.
They crossed the lake, passed through a tunnel, reached the lawn, climbed the stone steps, and finally arrived before a huge oak door.
Rubeus Hagrid's task ended there. Perhaps there were quite a few Pure-bloods in this year's intake, because Moriarty heard many Little Wizards snort disdainfully as Rubeus Hagrid departed.
But before they could begin boasting, Professor McGonagall opened the doors and led the first-years inside.
They walked all the way to a small empty room at the far end. Professor McGonagall swept her stern gaze over the first-years, lingering on Moriarty for a moment longer. Moriarty was certain she had recognized him.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "The Welcome Feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first determine which House each of you will enter."
Professor McGonagall paused. Her glasses reflected the torchlight, making her appear both sacred and imposing.
"The four Houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own glorious history and has produced outstanding wizards."
Penelope now understood why Moriarty had drawn so much attention, but she was not very happy about it. She felt even farther away from Moriarty.
Professor McGonagall then explained the matter of earning points and the House Cup, leaving the first-years some time to straighten their appearance.
At that moment, more than twenty ghosts of Hogwarts—Bloody Baron, Lady Grey, Nearly Headless Nick, Fat Friar, and others—burst out through the room's walls.
Led by Bloody Baron, the ghosts drifted past the first-years as though searching for something. Nearly Headless Nick spotted Moriarty and let out a shriek. "Look, Barro, look! He looks exactly like Headmaster Salazar!"
"Nick, shut up. I can see that without you telling me." Bloody Baron roared roughly, but when he drifted in front of Moriarty, light filled his vacant eyes.
"Though it may be of no use, I still want to apologize to my teacher—your ancestor. This is the answer I reached after long consideration. Over the centuries, I have thought of many things. I cannot die with an open heart... I have too many attachments."
As Barro spoke, he looked at Lady Grey behind him and then at the students seated in the Great Hall. His gaze was heavy with pain and sorrow before he drifted away in a daze.
"Barro means no harm. He is simply deeply remorseful. He has always wanted to apologize to the four Headmasters; he failed their expectations." An ethereal voice sounded beside Moriarty's ear. Lady Grey said to him, "Ever since we learned you would come, Barro has been filled with grief. We often saw him blaming himself, though he brought all of this upon himself. No one forced him.
I should go as well. If possible, give Professor Salazar my regards."
Moriarty watched Lady Grey leave. There had been many reasons behind Barro's tragedy, and Lady Grey was one of them. However, he was in no position to judge matters of the heart. When Barro wished to speak, he could simply be a quiet listener.
The ghosts and Hogwarts had long become inseparable. They were worth Moriarty doing this for.
After Bloody Baron left, the ghosts began talking freely, and without exception, every topic concerned Moriarty. It was obvious they were all very happy.
Hufflepuff's Fat Friar came over and said to Moriarty, "Perhaps you find Barro a little strange, but us old fellows care about Hogwarts no less than Headmaster Dumbledore does.
In fact, it was not only Barro and Lady Grey. When we learned you would return, all of us behaved strangely to varying degrees.
Nick no longer cared about his unsevered head. Lady Grey became more talkative. Even Peeves—he locked himself in an empty classroom for three days and three nights before coming out."
Moriarty gave the kind ghost a brilliant smile. "I do not mind in the slightest. You know, Hogwarts is more than just a school to me."
"Ah, ah, yes. I knew we had not misjudged you," Fat Friar said. "The Sorting Hat is coming, so we must go. Lastly, though you will surely be sorted into Slytherin, I welcome you on behalf of Hufflepuff."
The ghosts began to leave. Nick shouted at the top of his lungs, "Gryffindor welcomes you too! Gryffindor welcomes Slytherin—ha ha, how marvelous!"
Professor McGonagall returned carrying a four-legged stool and the Sorting Hat. She placed the Sorting Hat atop the stool.
"Hey! Hey! Look over here, will you? I want to see Slytherin's descendant." The Sorting Hat stared at Moriarty and wriggled excitedly. "Salazar Slytherin put part of his thoughts into me, so I want you to put me on your head, all right? Young Mr. Slytherin."
"I understand how you feel, Hat. But that does not follow tradition." Professor McGonagall stopped the Sorting Hat from jumping onto Moriarty's head.
"Fine, fine, I should sing." The Sorting Hat muttered, then grew excited again. "You must listen carefully. I spent an entire year writing this new one."
Moriarty understood what it meant. This song had been written for him.
"Cold winds, hearthfires, snow-covered rooftops—the winter of the East.
The boy passed one long night after another, and days filled with dreams.
September sunlight shone through the wings of the Golden Snitch.
Monday's boy bore glory in his heart.
Tuesday's boy: Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus.
Wednesday's boy, the star of the feast.
Thursday's boy taught the baby who survived the great calamity.
Friday's boy, entwined by a giant serpent.
Saturday's boy broke prisons, racked his brain, faced Goblins, and laughed!
When Sunday came, the boy did not have to attend school. He crossed the seas and stirred the waves.
If time made the years endless, I would wish for an eighth day, a ninth day...
Then I could continue watching the boy's adventures.
The same goal bound the boy and magic together, just as my master and his three friends once shared the same goal when I was still a brand-new hat.
What friends in this world could be better than Gryffindor and Slytherin?
Even their weapons—the Sword of Gryffindor and the Slytherin staff—came to admire one another through duel after duel.
The Sword told me that the quill and the book had recorded a name, and then I met many old friends.
Stone Golem, little elves.
Armored Knight, Portrait Lady, stinking Peeves.
Staircases, secret passages, Forbidden Forest, Flying Broomstick...
I cannot stop their steps as they pursue their dreams, because every dream carries unwavering faith!
For more than nine hundred years, they have hoped more than once that the Slytherin who left would return...
Though I am destined to divide the first-years, I am not worried at all now.
The aged Slytherin left; the young Slytherin returned.
I know we will fight side by side.
I know we can do better.
I know the adventures of boys and girls will continue.
Now, let the Sorting begin!"
Before you continue