The First Day of Term

September 1, 1991—the first day of Hogwarts' new term.

Lin An Alvin left the Moon Base, changed into robes custom-made by Madam Malkin, picked up his familiar trunk, and stepped from a moonlit teleportation array into the Dark Forest.

He had originally planned to take the Hogwarts Express, relive memories of his student days, and observe the Child of Fate—Harry Potter.

But at the thought of the noisy children and meaningless small talk in the compartments, all interest vanished at once.

As his Apparition ended, Lin An hovered half a meter above the ground, his body held steady in midair.

The air was crisp and cold, and the forest was silent.

He raised his arms slightly, magic surging through his palms as he balanced himself in the air.

Years ago, Voldemort had achieved "Unsupported Flight" through his own magic, a sight that had astonished countless wizards.

Lin An was naturally no exception—geniuses never willingly fell behind.

Using the Levitation Charm as a framework and the Gravity Charm as its core, he derived an entirely new spell.

His flight now required no wand to guide it; it answered to will alone.

The night wind brushed past him, stirring his robes. A faint light glimmered in the distance, where a small figure waited among the trees.

It was Hogwarts' phantom—Professor Flitwick.

"Professor, it's been a long time." Lin An landed and gave a slight bow.

"My goodness, it really is you! Five years." Flitwick looked up, his face breaking into a smile.

Their embrace was brief but sincere.

"Where have you been all these years?"

"Everywhere, searching for answers," Lin An replied.

"Then I should be calling you Professor now." Flitwick smiled and shook his head. "But to me, you'll always be that Ravenclaw student who loved staying up late to write experimental notes."

As they talked, the two followed the stone path toward the castle.

Under the night sky, Hogwarts' silhouette grew ever more majestic, its spires appearing and disappearing amid the clouds.

Flitwick and Lin An had shared a deep bond.

A Ravenclaw, Lin An had once been Flitwick's prized student—clever, composed, and rational to an almost frightening degree.

Their unusual mentor-student bond had deepened through their research into dark magic.

That year, Lin An had sought out Flitwick and asked him to guide his research into dark magic.

Flitwick initially refused, but Lin An said, "Fear comes from ignorance. If we do not study darkness, we will never understand its structure." The words left Flitwick silent.

In the end, the professor agreed to supervise the research and laid down three rules:

Before every experiment, the Patronus Charm had to be cast to prove that reason had not been corrupted;

Every two weeks, they had to stop and rest, during which all contact with dark magic was forbidden;

All research findings had to be recorded, verified, and argued again. Nothing could be kept private.

Under these strict constraints, the two co-authored several defensive papers, which were accepted by the Dark Defense Alliance.

Lin An had still been a student then, yet his research earned him high-ranking membership.

Dumbledore had learned of the matter, but Flitwick defended him fiercely, allowing the research to continue.

Even after graduation, the works they had collaborated on were still regarded as models in defensive magic.

As they reached the castle gates, the stone arch opened on its own.

The Great Hall was brilliantly lit, candlelight drifting above the long tables.

At the teachers' table sat familiar faces in turn: Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, and the others.

Lin An was led to the high table. He exchanged a few pleasantries with the professors, his gaze casually sweeping every corner.

Five years away, and Hogwarts remained as it had been—its walls warm, its air carrying the scent of ancient magic.

As the night deepened, students entered one after another.

The first-years walked into the hall, anxious and excited, while the Sorting Hat was placed upon a stool.

The ancient hat cleared its throat and began to sing a new song.

"Let wisdom forge your wings, let courage be your blade; if loyalty's light endures, darkness shall at last be tamed..."

The melody was strange yet solemn. Lin An softly joined in, a trace of nostalgia on his face.

The Sorting Ceremony began.

The first to be called was Hannah Abbott.

Then another name rang out—"Susan Bones."

Lin An's gaze softened.

She was Amelia's niece, and therefore his cousin.

The hat was placed over the girl's head, and a whisper emerged:

"Outstanding talent, well-trained, stable magic within... Clearly, a powerful wizard stands behind you.

He taught you to think and to seek knowledge. Ravenclaw would be a fine choice.

But that obsession with earning recognition lets me see ambition and pride as well—Slytherin would suit you too.

Yet loyalty and diligence run deeper. Your efforts deserve respect—Hufflepuff!"

Applause filled the hall.

Lin An gave a slight nod, a smile at the corner of his lips.

The course of Fate had not changed. It still followed the path of the original story.

"Looks like the training wasn't enough," he murmured, his gaze darkening slightly.

The sorting continued.

When Harry Potter put on the Sorting Hat, the entire hall fell silent for several seconds.

A moment later, the hat shouted, "Gryffindor!"

Thunderous cheers echoed through the hall.

Dumbledore rose to applaud, more enthusiastically than any of the students.

Pride flashed in McGonagall's eyes, while Snape's expression was cold and grim.

At the far end of the high table, Professor Babbling noticed that Lin An was merely clapping slowly, his expression calm.

She turned to tease him. "Mr. Lin An doesn't seem very excited. Are you worried the Savior will steal the spotlight?"

"Perhaps."

Lin An smiled faintly, his tone even. "But the spotlight is insignificant. What truly matters is whether the Wizarding World can still accommodate new possibilities."

Babbling raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a challenge to prophecy."

"Prophecy is merely a hypothesis that has yet to be disproven."

As the words fell, ripples spread across the red wine in his cup.

Moonlight poured in through the windows, spilling over the silver platters on the high table, where light and shadow intertwined into cold patterns.

Lin An gazed at the moon.

Beyond that radiance, waiting quietly, were the Moon Base and the World Gate that had yet to fully open.

Hogwarts' lights were warm and familiar,

but deep within him, that flame—the obsession called "Truth"—still burned in silence.