In Hogwarts, multiverse and more with gacha

The Great Hall was as loud as ever, filled with the usual start-of-term chatter, the clinking of goblets, and the scraping of plates. The enchanted ceiling overhead mirrored the dark sky outside, speckled with stars.

Same old Hogwarts. Same old routine.

Except this year, things were already different.

Dumbledore stood at the staff table, his usual twinkle in place, but something about his expression was heavier tonight. The moment he raised a hand, the hall quieted.

"I am pleased to announce that Professor R.J. Lupin has accepted the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor this year."

There was a beat of silence before a polite round of applause followed. I frowned, scanning the staff table until my eyes landed on the man in question. A rough, tired-looking man in shabby robes stood briefly, offering a small nod as some students clapped with more enthusiasm than others mostly the Gryffindors. The Slytherin table? Not so much.

I didn't join in.

Lupin.

Yes, he was the one who entered the compartment.

I didn't need to ask anyone what he thought of me.

Dumbledore continued, unbothered by the mixed reception. "Additionally, as the post for Care of Magical Creatures has been left vacant due to Professor Kettleburn's retirement, I am pleased to inform you that our very own Rubeus Hagrid will be taking up the role."

This time, the applause was louder. Hagrid beamed from his seat, looking a little overwhelmed by the attention. Most students liked him, even if he had a habit of dramatically underestimating how dangerous certain creatures were.

I kept my hands still.

Not because I had anything against Hagrid personally, but because I was waiting. Dumbledore wasn't finished. His expression shifted just slightly, and I knew whatever came next wasn't good.

"And one final announcement." His voice, though still calm, carried a weight that hadn't been there before. "The Ministry of Magic has decided that Dementors will be stationed around Hogwarts this year to aid in the capture of Sirius Black."

The reaction was instant.

A ripple of unease passed through the students. Even those unfamiliar with Dementors instinctively knew that anything requiring them as guards wasn't good news.

I kept my face blank, but inside, my thoughts were moving fast.

Dementors.

Not Aurors. Not trained professionals. But Dementors mindless, soulless creatures that only cared about one thing: feeding.

This wasn't security. This was a message.

The Ministry was scared. They were flailing. And when people in power panicked, they made stupid, reckless choices. Like unleashing death on a leash in a school full of children.

Dumbledore lifted a hand, cutting through the growing noise. "I must make something very clear," he said, his voice sharper now. "Dementors do not distinguish between their targets and those who merely stand in their way. They do not understand kindness. They do not show mercy."

Well. That was reassuring.

I flicked a glance at Potter. He was staring at the table, hands clenched. No surprise there. His godfather had been in Azkaban for twelve years, and Dementors were the gatekeepers. If anyone had a reason to be rattled, it was him.

But I wasn't exactly thrilled either.

Because I knew what this meant.

Dementors at Hogwarts meant things were getting worse. And there was a good chance I'd end up face-to-face with one sooner or later.

"I'll talk to my father about this. How can the Ministry even make a decision like this?" Pansy said, already speaking to a few others who seemed to have the same idea.

"I don't understand how unlucky we are," Blaise muttered. "First year, a dark wizard sneaking around. Second year, a giant snake attacking students. And now this? Can't we just have one normal year?"

Honestly? Doubtful.

This was Hogwarts. Normal wasn't part of the curriculum.

"How was your vacation, Malfoy?" Theodore asked, turning his attention to me.

"Not bad," I said, keeping my tone as calm as possible exactly the way Draco would. Then, I asked, "What about you?"

"Nothing special," he replied, sipping his soup.

"Same here," Blaise added. "Though my mother got married again."

There were a few murmurs of interest around the table. Blaise's mother had a habit of cycling through husbands at an impressive rate.

Pansy smirked. "Let me guess he's rich?"

"Of course," Blaise said dryly. "She has standards."

That got a few chuckles, but not from me.

I glanced around, watching my classmates the so-called pillars of the wizarding world. Or at least, the British part of it. People acted like the UK was the centre of everything, but that was just old money talking. The real power? It wasn't sitting at this table, bickering over House points and blood status. It was out there. Bigger. Meaner. And way ahead of whatever game we thought we were playing.

The Malfoys, the Parkinson, the Greengrasses yeah, they had history, connections. But they weren't the only ones pulling strings. The world didn't revolve around Britain, no matter what these people liked to believe. And the worst part? They weren't even looking. Too busy clinging to old bloodlines and ancient grudges to see how fast everything was shifting.

Me? I couldn't afford to get caught up in all that. Didn't have the time, didn't have the patience.

I stared down at my plate, appetite fading.

This year wasn't just about school. It never was.