It Is an Honor to Stand Here Among You

The Room of Requirement had never been so lively.

A thousand years ago, Hogwarts had been founded as a fortress in the struggle against Muggles.

Salazar Slytherin had contributed his family's castle, and together with three like-minded friends, devoted himself to the cause. From then on, young witches and wizards throughout the United Kingdom had a place to grow.

The castle's countless secret passages, hidden chambers, and the Slytherin Dungeon all bore witness to that war.

A thousand years later, the blood and fire of those days had faded.

The Room of Requirement, once used to save lives, had gradually become a place where young witches and wizards dumped unwanted things.

Even when some clever students used it to study and train, only a handful gathered there at a time.

The Founders could never have imagined that one day, the flood of students gathering here would consist entirely of Muggle-borns.

They cheered the Crown Prince's name, just as wizards a thousand years ago had cheered for Hogwarts.

Allen stood on the platform, with Miss Sharp, Valentine, and Alger attending him at one side.

He spread his arms and bowed deeply, a hand over his heart. As he straightened, his long, slender hand swept through an elegant arc before settling smoothly at his side.

He took two steps back, stood behind the lectern, and pressed both hands downward.

Their faces flushed with excitement, the young witches and wizards gazed bright-eyed at the Crown Prince so close before them, shouting themselves hoarse.

Their applause was deafening and unending.

The blond Crown Prince smiled gently, offering a slight nod in every direction.

Miss Sharp glanced at Alger, and the older Gryffindor faithfully carried out her instruction.

He stepped forward and cast Sonorus on his throat. "Next, His Highness the Crown Prince will address you. Everyone, please keep order!"

The Gryffindor's expression was solemn, with not a trace of resentment at being made the bad cop.

The students slowly quieted, holding one another's hands as they watched Allen on the platform.

Allen smiled softly and gave Alger a slight nod. "Thank you, Alger!"

He stepped forward to stand before the lectern, and with a light flick of his wand, reproduced Sonorus with remarkable efficiency.

"Ladies and gentlemen! I am delighted to see you here in this magical world!"

The blond Crown Prince gazed at them with warmth and acceptance, spreading his arms as he said gently,

"We came to Hogwarts as young witches and wizards to learn how to control the power within our bodies, so that it would not hurt others, or ourselves."

"Magic... what an enchanting word. What child has never dreamed of it in a bedtime story? And we have been fortunate enough to become the young witches and wizards in those stories."

"And so we saw another face of this world."

Allen spoke softly, his famous eyes shining like stars.

"Before entering the magical world, you were full of anticipation and longing... but I know that all of you also felt unease and fear-"

"We came to a completely unfamiliar world, one with its own native people and an entirely different system...

"Our parents could not take us into the school. They could only wait far away at home, hoping for our return-they do not even know what we are studying."

"And the natives of this world-those pure-blood wizards-despise our origins and our blood. They may even ostracize pure-bloods who show us kindness..."

Everyone fell silent.

Allen gently clasped his hands behind his back and said softly, "At my investiture, I swore an oath-to remain forever loyal to the King, the law, and my people.

"Here today, I swear once more in my name as Crown Prince: with my life, I will defend my people who have come to this world. I will defend your lives and your rights!

"As a School Governor, I will fight for us to have the same rights as pure-blood wizards!

"No matter when, no matter what happens, I will be your strongest support, until death takes me!"

The Crown Prince stood firm upon the platform. He was only a first-year, only eleven years old, yet he possessed a strength that inspired faith.

For a moment, the gathering fell silent. Then thunderous applause rang out, long and unbroken.

Allen smiled gently, a gentleness more immediate and tangible than anything the media had shown.

Who said everything before a camera was an act?

The students thought this as they placed their faith in their Crown Prince's oath!

Harry clapped with all his might.

He remembered how Allen had eased his bewilderment before the unknown, how Allen had listened to the suffering he had endured for years, then taken him to Balmoral...

Allen was the light that had saved him! His light!

That light shone equally upon everyone, and Harry felt both regret and pride because of it!

He believed that His Highness would lead them to create a better future!

Hermione, too, sat among the first-years, clapping desperately. Even when her palms turned bright red, she did not stop.

Yes, anticipation, longing... unease, fear...

She had chosen to leave the familiar system behind and enter the magical world she had dreamed of for years.

Then she had studied desperately and read desperately, afraid of knowing even a little too little, afraid that the natives here would look down on her...

How wonderful magic was! Yet how dangerous, too!

Here, if something went wrong, they might truly pay with their lives!

Yet their Crown Prince had appeared and told them that no matter when, no matter when, he would always stand beside them and protect their lives!

What a promise that was!

It shook the very souls of every young witch and wizard present!

"I came with the task of easing relations between Muggle-borns and pure-bloods. My ultimate aim is to allow our world, the Wizarding World, to develop in peace and stability!"

Allen looked at them earnestly. "If you will stand with me, if we join forces, we will overcome every obstacle!"

"We will!"

"We will!"

Allen bowed to them, a hand over his heart, and said,

"... It is an honor to stand here among you!"

The students' souls trembled, but the three attending him on the platform felt it even more deeply.

Opposite them, on the raised tiers, all three hundred chairs were occupied, and everyone cheered for the person standing before them.

That thunderous applause seemed like the glory of a coronation.

As Alger watched the students' expressions of admiration and affection, he could not help taking a step forward.

What a magnificent undertaking those promises represented!

He exchanged a glance with Valentine, and each saw ambition and resolve in the other's eyes.

After six years in the Wizarding World, they had long known that this world did not welcome Muggle-borns like them. Children from pure-blood families displayed arrogance at every turn, as though they were ants, as though they were worthless weeds!

If they could truly gain dignity, if they could truly secure dignity for those who came after them, they were willing to face death!

Diana Sharp stared steadily at that figure. She grasped the ring bearing her family crest on her left little finger and slowly, resolutely took it off.

This was the unwavering protection she had sought all her life but never found!

For this, she was willing to fight for the rest of her life!