Baron Shafiq

Chapter 4 Baron Shafiq

The following month was nothing short of fantastic for Avada.

With the help of his wand and the guidance of his textbooks, Avada's understanding and mastery of magic skyrocketed like a rocket. The magic that had once appeared chaotic and blurry in his eyes became clear and distinct as he learned the theory and compared it to his own experiences.

The entire world of magic had thrown its doors wide open to him.

In truth, he had already thoroughly explored the first-year magical curriculum during his years of ignorant fumbling, and even much of the material for higher years as well. He had simply lacked a systematic way to organize and categorize it; the Hogwarts textbooks were undoubtedly the perfect remedy for his situation.

As for his current strength...

"Protego."

With a flick of his wand, a transparent barrier radiating a pale blue glow appeared silently before him—generally, this was a spell that only fifth-year students could master, and even many incompetent adult wizards struggled to use it. Yet, relying on his memories from his past life and his Magic Sense, he had managed to figure this spell out on his own.

Beyond that, he could perform every charm and transfiguration spell recorded in the first-year textbooks silently and wandlessly.

Of course, using an incantation and a wand would make them even stronger.

However, he still had his weaknesses: for instance, the contents of Potions and Herbology were very slow to master because he lacked ready-made materials for reference, leaving him with no choice but to rely on rote memorization. The key issue was that his memory was quite average; he didn't have the "photographic memory" cheat enjoyed by other transmigrator protagonists...

"Well then, today is the day to officially head to Hogwarts!"

Suppressing the surging excitement in his heart, Avada picked up his luggage after saying goodbye to his friends and teachers at the orphanage and took a car to King's Cross Station.

Today was September 1, 1990, which meant he was one year older than that savior, Harry Potter. This meant his first school year should pass by peacefully without any extra trouble.

At the same time, it also meant more time and more sufficient preparation.

There were still a full five years until Voldemort's resurrection. As a transmigrator who knew all the plot points and settings and even had a cheat, how much could he accomplish in five years?

The diadem and the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement, the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets in the abandoned bathroom, the Gaunt Shack, Peter Pettigrew currently playing the role of a rat, the Locket under the carpet...

If nothing went wrong and he operated correctly, he was fully confident he could trap Voldemort in his "fountain" before he could even start!

And those who had passed away, those regrets—Lupin, Tonks, Snape, Dumbledore, Fred...

As well as the magical world left in ruins by Voldemort, and the countless sacrificed warriors and innocent victims—he could save them all!

While lost in thought, he realized he had already arrived between Platform Nine and Platform Ten.

"It should be there, that pillar closest to Platform Ten..." Avada took out his ticket for the Hogwarts Express and held it in his hand—according to Dumbledore's explanation, this was a certification that could temporarily open the entrance to the platform to prevent Muggles from accidentally wandering in.

But as he walked to the edge of the platform, preparing to enter, he noticed a family with red hair standing ahead. Several of them were carrying suitcases, and one was holding an owl.

He could have guessed who these people were with his eyes closed.

"Watch closely, Ron, I can only demonstrate this once."

"It's fine, George, if you don't teach him, I can demonstrate it again."

"After all, you'll be using this knowledge next year, so watch carefully and learn well."

"Take your ticket in your hand, hold your luggage tight, and then walk with an elegant stride..."

The one who was likely George took an exaggerated, flamenco-like step, strode into the pillar, and vanished.

"See that?" The remaining Fred patted the shoulder of the red-haired boy who was half a head shorter than him: "If you feel a bit nervous the first time you go in, you can also run forward like this..."

Amidst the sound of deliberate, quick pitter-patter footsteps, Fred also merged into the pillar with his luggage.

"..."

Avada, standing to the side, was very confused. He had never understood this part even when reading the books: why run if you're afraid of hitting the wall?

Are they worried they won't hit it hard enough?

Thus, after the entire Weasley family had gone in, he cautiously approached the pillar and poked it with his finger.

Hmm, no resistance; it was safe to enter.

Only then did he confidently step through. He watched as the scene before him shifted instantly: a vintage black-and-red steam train was coiled on the tracks, puffing out white steam. Beside it were countless wizards in black robes, new students who hadn't yet had the chance to change, and cats and owls weaving through the crowd.

The first few carriages were already packed with students. Some were leaning out of the windows talking to their families, some were messing around in their seats, others were older students who had been pent up all summer, waving their wands and casting magic recklessly, while some unlucky souls were buried in their desks, scribbling away. Avada squeezed through the crowd with difficulty and found an empty compartment near the back of the train. After stowing his luggage, he sat down, enjoying the peaceful environment while pulling out his Potions textbook to continue grinding away.

However, his peace didn't last long before it was broken.

"Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?"

As the compartment door slid open, a handsome face with light brown hair poked in, the voice soft and reserved.

"No, come in if you want to sit."

Avada shook his head, signaling for the person to enter.

The boy was about to step in when he caught a glimpse of the textbook in Avada's hand: "Ah, did I disturb you? My apologies."

"It doesn't matter, there will be plenty of time to study later anyway." Avada couldn't help but feel a bit of goodwill toward this person, so he replied with a smile.

"Thank you for your grace." The handsome little boy stepped into the compartment, sat down, and extended a hand toward Avada: "Baron Shafiq, it's a pleasure to travel with you."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Shafiq." Avada shook his hand: "You can call me K for now."

"Huh?"

Baron's brows furrowed slightly: "What does that mean?"

"Unfortunately." Avada sighed helplessly, suddenly feeling that the compensation from the Department of Mysteries had been too low: "Professor Dumbledore told me to try not to tell others my real name. As for what I should be called at school, I don't know yet."

So, what did Dumbledore change his name to on the student list? It couldn't really be "Mr. K," could it?

"Professor Dumbledore came to find you personally?!"

Baron looked at Avada with a strange expression, hesitating before asking, "Forgive my presumption, but your real name wouldn't happen to be 'Voldemort,' would it?"

"That's not quite it..."

Avada's face twitched, and just as he was about to deny it, he suddenly froze: "What did you just call him?!"

"Oh, perhaps I should refer to him as 'You-Know-Who' or the 'Dark Lord'?"

Baron let out a mocking snort: "The disgrace of Slytherin, a coward without a shred of honor—what right does he have to make others fear his name? Let alone now, even back when he was still alive and that name-curse was still in effect, the Shafiq Family wouldn't have bothered to avoid it in the slightest!"

"The Shafiq Family?" Avada raised an eyebrow: "The one from the Sacred Twenty-Eight?"

"Indeed."

Baron couldn't help but puff out his chest, then explained: "But don't get the wrong idea. Although the Shafiq Family is also pure-blood, we are the most authentic Slytherins, completely different from a lunatic like Voldemort!"

"Um..." Avada carefully chose his words, trying not to be offensive as he asked: "If I remember correctly, the... well, Voldemort, he was also from Slytherin, wasn't he?"

"That is precisely why I say he is the disgrace of Slytherin!"

Baron seemed somewhat angry: "The purpose of Salazar Slytherin founding the school was to protect wizards from persecution, to let them learn and live in safety and happiness! And Voldemort? What did he do? He threw the entire wizarding world into turmoil, making everyone fear for their lives!"

"And that dog... ahem, that despicable 'pure-blood supremacy' theory—the glory of pure-bloods comes from selflessly protecting wizards and the wizarding world, not from riding on their backs and lording over them!"

"What kind of Slytherin does he count as?"

Avada couldn't help but look at him sideways: according to this theory of his, it seemed like ninety percent of Slytherin House could be expelled.

"...Alright."

Baron ultimately couldn't withstand Avada's questioning gaze, turning his head away awkwardly, his face flushing slightly: "My father told me that the current Slytherin House has become a bit... tainted, but that is only because the glory of Slytherin in the past was so great that those who forgot their mission could lie in its protection without burden, becoming a bit arrogant and conceited!"

"If those fellows do anything out of line to you in the future, please allow me to apologize to you on their behalf in advance."

As he spoke, Baron suddenly lowered his head, tilted his body, and gave a shallow bow to Avada.

Avada was stunned; he hadn't expected Baron to go this far just to uphold the honor of Slytherin—he hadn't even been sorted yet!

"There's no need for this..." He reached out to steady Baron's shoulders, but was interrupted by a crisp voice:

"Excuse me, are there any empty seats here... eh, what are you two doing?"

Avada and Baron turned their heads in unison toward the door, seeing a beautiful Asian girl looking at them with curiosity.