Early that morning, the Ravenclaw common room unusually gathered a crowd discussing among themselves.
Ravenclaws generally preferred doing their own things, at most forming small groups with like-minded friends. The Quidditch team was already Ravenclaw's largest organisation.
Some graduates never knew who else was in their year.
Now these usually solitary eagles sat together harmoniously like Hufflepuffs, not caring who sat across from them. As long as they could discuss last night's events, they could chat enthusiastically.
The burning Forbidden Forest, soaring fire dragons, meteors appearing and falling from nowhere, towering black beams, massive white walls, and most terrifying of all, grey-white lightning that stung to look at even through telescopes.
Several upperclassmen aspiring to journalism were already writing for the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler.
"You-Know-Who has returned!"
Sterling, just emerging from his dormitory, was suddenly drawn by this statement. He wondered who had investigated the truth so quickly. Though temporarily returned, it wasn't wrong.
But this was followed by a string of increasingly loud objections.
"Nonsense, just a second-rate Dark Lord. I think Morgana le Fay returned from the dead and came here to duel Professor Dumbledore for the title of greatest wizard!"
"Are you joking? Bringing up that old legend Morgana. That's completely ridiculous, honestly. And you want her duelling Professor Dumbledore? I think Lady Ravenclaw returned!"
"Are you saying Lady Ravenclaw would cause destruction threatening us young wizards?"
At these words, all eyes focused on the upperclassman who'd suggested Ravenclaw's return. He instantly broke into a sweat.
Robert was already considering whether he deserved a Leg-Locker Curse or the Pimple Jinx.
"It must be evil Slytherin returned to attack Hogwarts, so Lady Ravenclaw fought him in the Forbidden Forest!"
Robert considered how many Galleons he could earn selling this kid's information to those rich Slytherins.
"Stop talking. It must be Merlin returned! Everyone knows Merlin is England's greatest wizard!"
A hothead inadvertently saved the foolish upperclassman. No one could refute this. Even the most fanatical Ravenclaw fans wouldn't place Lady Ravenclaw above Merlin.
Merlin's status was universally acknowledged... Of course, there'd been rumours of Merlin attending Slytherin, to which the eagles could only say: Read your History of Magic properly first.
Some noble family's idiot son probably made that up. Couldn't even create a believable lie.
Sterling found an empty seat, watching them heatedly debate "who's the world's greatest wizard?"
This temptation to compare celebrities was irresistible to both Muggles and wizards... Should he organise a "Most Beautiful Princess" contest when publishing his next fairy tale book, with one vote per book purchased?
Sterling had just begun envisioning his commercial blueprint when he felt weight settling on his head.
An ominous premonition...
"You finally woke up... Sterling, Ravenclaw suddenly gained two hundred points today. Any ideas why?"
Hermione pressed down Hogwarts: A History, flattening Sterling's fluffy head.
"I can't imagine. With such chaos yesterday, you actually ran out of the common room alone! I heard Gryffindor encountered undead trolls, and Professor Vitam nearly couldn't protect the students!"
Oh, actually, he'd never returned to the common room. He'd run off midway.
But this wasn't something to say in front of Hermione. Since he'd violated school rules, he'd let Hermione have her say.
"So what did you do after leaving? To make Professor Dumbledore award so many points... Did you defeat a troll?"
Unexpectedly, Hermione didn't dwell on it but sat across from him, looking ready to listen intently.
"Padma! Over here!"
She also called over Padma, who'd just finished a round of power discussions. Now Sterling faced two curious pairs of eyes.
"Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Hermione felt Sterling's eyes held a strange expression, like seeing a troll in ballet slippers.
"I'm just surprised you didn't..."
"Didn't I keep telling you absolutely, positively, definitely not to break school rules? You weren't caught and docked points, were you?"
Hermione seemed to have completely forgotten her goody-two-shoes behaviour when first entering Ravenclaw.
"Of course, mainly because there's no point, right? If it were before you broke rules, I'd lecture you at length. But you've already finished and returned. A slight warning not to repeat it suffices."
"Besides, Professor Dumbledore couldn't have awarded two hundred points in senility. You woke so late; you must be quite tired. I certainly won't bother you now."
Sterling gave Padma an approving look. Padma smugly raised her eyebrows.
Under Padma's influence and Ravenclaw's general environment, Hermione's character had become less stubborn than before, quite Ravenclaw-like now.
"Alright, I'll tell you. Wait, is Terry awake? Let's wait until you're all here, or I'll have to repeat it separately for Terry."
"Simple. He woke much earlier than you. Terry! Stop chatting and come over!" Padma waved at the crowd of upperclassmen. Terry responded.
That group was discussing how a fight between Merlin and the four Founders would go. Terry had been defending Merlin's superiority under siege. Having a reason to escape, he immediately slipped away.
"These people only argue from emotion... I also prefer Lady Ravenclaw, but saying she alone could suppress Merlin and the other three Founders is too absurd."
Terry sat beside Sterling, indignant.
"If this continues, Prefect Robert will soon trouble them... This damages house unity."
Sterling clinked teacups with Terry, then recounted last night's events.
Of course, anything related to Avalon and the Thirteen Magics was glossed over.
After hearing it, Hermione immediately slammed the table and stood.
"How can Headmaster Dumbledore allow You-Know-Who to remain in the Forbidden Forest? I heard upperclass Care of Magical Creatures goes to the forest's edge!"
"Mainly because the headmaster can't catch You-Know-Who either."
"Then the Forbidden Forest should be sealed now, at least no young wizards allowed in. Especially since I heard the Weasley twins occasionally gather herbs there to sell. If they encountered him..."
Hermione began pulling out parchment again. Learning she wanted the headmaster to close the Forbidden Forest, Sterling and others were supportive.
Padma was already helping Hermione with wording.
"So you created those things above the Forbidden Forest."
"Accurately speaking, about half."
Terry turned to look at Sterling as if meeting him for the first time.
He'd initially thought Sterling had upperclass student abilities. Last night, seeing Sterling's confidence, he'd assumed professor or Auror level. Now he was told Sterling could actually exchange blows with the Dark Lord?
Suddenly, Terry's worries about their differences vanished.
He'd worried because he feared Sterling would leave them too far behind on the magical path, breaking their friendship...
Now, now he already couldn't see Sterling's coattails. Hadn't this not affected their friendship? Nothing to worry about.
"By the way, what classes are tomorrow?"
"Transfiguration and Charms... Hey Sterling, I have an idea! What if you graduated now and applied to stay at school?"
At Terry's words, Hermione and Padma stopped writing and looked at him.
"I mean, you replace Professor Vitam as the new Defence professor, then desperately award us points?"
"That's not happening!" Sterling wanted to stuff bread in Terry's mouth.
He'd witnessed Voldemort's curse level, and that wasn't even his peak state...
This defence position now looked like a giant "DANGER" sign to him.
As for Professor Vitam... Sterling wished her well.
Her predecessor had turned to ash, with Sterling playing a key role.
"Come on, stop discussing magic. Let me rest properly today. Want to play some Wizard Chess?"