Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

The Hogwarts Express always delivers on its mission.

Once again, the old steam train safely brought all the young wizards to their destination.

...

As the Thestrals came to a stop, Ino also jumped off the carriage.

He walked along the path to the front of the castle.

But unlike usual, there were many young wizards gathered outside the castle at this moment. Many were loudly cursing something, and after swearing, they would cover their heads with both hands and bravely charge towards the castle.

"Goyle, go see what's going on."

Beside him, before Ino could speak, Draco had already instructed Goyle to find out what was happening.

As for stepping forward to investigate himself? Draco didn't even consider it. A proper Slytherin wouldn't blindly put themselves in danger.

Seeing this scene, Ino was also pleased. Compared to Harry, who lacked training, Draco had grown far more than just a little from his counterpart in the original story.

At the same time, just as Goyle was about to step forward, a colorful water balloon filled with water descended from the sky.

With a "bang," the water balloon exploded at the castle entrance, drenching the gathered young wizards.

"Damn Peeves!"

Curses rang out from the crowd again, but instead of having any effect, they were met with more water balloons, accompanied by Peeves' mischievous laughter.

Ino looked up and saw a small figure, wearing a jester's hat adorned with bells, floating fifteen feet above the castle's main gate. Peeves, cradling several more water balloons, was laughing maniacally.

"Hahaha! You little brats, since you don't dare to come in, Peeves will come out to greet you. Catch this!"

Peeves cackled wildly as he grabbed a blue water balloon with his right hand and hurled it towards the crowd, causing another small commotion upon impact.

Seeing that Peeves had no intention of stopping, Ino decided not to stand idly by. After all, it wasn't good for everyone to be blocked outside by Peeves.

With this in mind, he walked forward alone, and the young wizards naturally made way for him.

Such a conspicuous move did not escape Peeves' notice. At first, he picked up a water balloon, ready to throw it, but upon seeing who it was, his comically large eyes rolled around.

"Tch! Boring."

With a grumble, Peeves uncharacteristically turned and left.

This not only surprised the people around him but also left Ino feeling puzzled.

Thanks to his diligent study of the history of magic, Ino knew Peeves' nature very well. As a mischievous spirit born with the castle, Peeves feared no one except the Bloody Baron.

Even some of the professors sometimes couldn't stop Peeves' pranks.

Although puzzled, Ino didn't bother to dwell on it. After all, the wizarding world was full of strange and unusual things.

...

Outside the castle.

After Peeves left, the young wizards who had been blocked outside orderly entered the Great Hall.

Perhaps the professors were already aware of this year's events, as Ino noticed that the Great Hall seemed to have been redecorated. Not only were the candles even more dazzling, but a circle of beautiful magical lights had also been lit around the hall.

At the Slytherin table.

After finding a nearby seat, Ino sat down comfortably.

However, just as he sat down, a low, gloomy, and slightly hoarse voice came from behind him.

"Peeves is actually afraid of you!" The Bloody Baron spoke. Although a resident ghost of Slytherin, he was far more low-key than the other ghosts, rarely showing himself.

Most of the time, he wandered alone in the dark corridors of the castle dungeons, carrying the shackles of his penance.

"I'm just as surprised, but a mischievous spirit fearing a wizard seems normal, doesn't it? Baron!"

Ino turned his head and saw the Baron's gaunt figure, dressed in a long robe stained with silver blood.

"Normal?" The Baron shook his head with a mysterious tone, then disappeared into the wall.

After a brief interruption, Ino noticed that the Sorting Ceremony had already begun.

Professor McGonagall led a group of new students into the Great Hall in silence, under the gaze of everyone.

Seeing the new students looking so nervous and stiff, all the older students smiled knowingly.

History seemed to repeat itself every year.

...

The Sorting Ceremony proceeded as usual.

The Sorting Hat's off-key singing once again filled the hall, but by now, Ino was no longer as curious about the Hat as he once was.

The Sorting Hat, with its ability to think independently, was not unique in the wizarding world. Whether it was the boy named Rick by Nicholas Flamel's side or those three-inch tall puppets, they all had the ability to think on their own.

But what really intrigued him was how the Sorting Hat had endured for a thousand years.

Could it be that every headmaster personally extended its life? That would be absurd.

While pondering this, Professor McGonagall had already finished reading the names on the list.

Amazingly, Slytherin's intake this year had exceeded 40 students for the first time.

In Harry's first year, Hogwarts had experienced a surge of new students, and even then, Slytherin had only sorted 29 students.

Looking at the adorable new Slytherins, Ino clapped lightly.

...

As Professor McGonagall put away the Sorting Hat and stool, Dumbledore slowly stood up from the head table, smiling warmly at all the young wizards.

"I'm very happy, very happy indeed! We're gathered here once again, but I only have one thing to say."

Dumbledore spread his arms wide, his deep voice echoing through the hall as he raised his wand and gently tapped the air, then loudly declared:

"Let's eat!"

As soon as he spoke, the previously empty tables were instantly piled high with all sorts of food.

"Finally, we can eat!" An untimely voice exclaimed.

Ino glanced to the side and, seeing it was Crabbe, wasn't surprised.

In Slytherin, Goyle was truly the only glutton, while Crabbe... always pretended to be foolish in front of others.

But he couldn't be bothered to judge others' choices.

After cutting a juicy steak, Ino didn't immediately take a bite but carefully examined it.

Through the gaps in the fork, he could clearly see several silver-white ghosts floating around the hall.

This reminded him of today's events. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Peeves had become obedient, and the normally aloof Bloody Baron had initiated a conversation...

Although these were minor incidents, they hinted at something more—Hogwarts.

Recalling what Harry had said in the train compartment about Trelawney's prophecy, Ino had a sudden urge to ask Dumbledore what exactly he had been doing during the past half-month of summer.

However, seeing the old headmaster cheerfully sitting at the head table, skillfully cutting into his food, Ino gradually suppressed his urge.

It was clear that Dumbledore was in good spirits.

With that in mind, Ino shifted his attention back to the food in front of him. He picked up a piece of the steak he had cut and slowly brought it to his mouth.

Although there was no rush at the moment, he still planned to visit the headmaster's office after the feast.