When he awoke early the following day, his three amiable dormmates had vanished.
Anton strolled leisurely to the Great Hall, carrying the necessary books for the day's classes.
Hogwarts boasted a total of 142 staircases, the majority of which possessed autonomous movement, occasionally vanishing abruptly. Some doors were mere illusions, concealing thick walls behind them. While historically utilized for defense against witch hunts, their impact now primarily affected the occupants.
Anton found himself at a loss for words, unsure how to address the situation.
Slytherin's first class of the day was History of Magic, taught by a ghost named Professor Binns.
It was remarkable—this ghost had been Anton's initial guide into the wizarding realm.
Encountering a ghost professor as his first professor at Hogwarts seemed to convey a subtle message to Anton through this arrangement.
Professor Binns, unmistakably a ghost, lacked the nimbleness exhibited by Fiennes. His lectures resembled a stereoscopic projection video tutorial, devoid of personal interaction or acknowledgment of the students below. His monotonous voice, reciting contents from archaic texts that far surpassed the textbooks in hand, resembled an audio program for intellectually challenged individuals, rendering the class tedious and conducive to drowsiness.
Despite the presence of numerous students from esteemed families in Slytherin, many struggled to remain awake.
Yet, amidst the drowsy atmosphere, one individual remained alert and engaged—Anton.
Taking diligent notes while attentively listening, Anton realized that beneath the professor's dreary intonation and sluggish pace lay a wealth of valuable information.
"...Wizards discovered Muggles possessed a greater threat than anticipated, particularly following the emergence of their firearms..." Professor Binns droned on, recounting a pivotal moment in magical history.
"...Forced to hide in the shadows, wizards could no longer endure the constant threat of public exposure and execution by burning. Thus, they devised a protective spell..." he continued, detailing the harrowing challenges faced by the magical community.
"...This marked a pivotal moment in magical history—the emergence of the Muggle-Repelling charm..." Professor Binns elaborated, his words resonating with the weight of centuries-old wisdom.
"...Upon casting the spell, non-magical individuals became imperceptible to wizards, rendering them undetectable even to well-equipped armies armed with formidable fire-based weaponry..." he explained, shedding light on the innovative strategy employed by wizards.
"...Let us remember this juncture and emphasize the significance of the Muggle-Repelling charm. With three wand rotations, a swift hoist, and a rapid descent, enunciate 'Repelio Muggletum.' It's that simple. We prevailed..." Professor Binns concluded, emphasizing the spell's crucial role in wizarding history.
Anton never anticipated learning magic spells in a History of Magic class.
He couldn't resist picking up his wand and attempting the Muggle-Repelling charm in front of the classroom. The charm flickered, but he discerned no visible effect.
Nevertheless, he harbored a sense of accomplishment, sensing a successful release.
Muggle-Repelling charm...
Anton gained a newfound perspective on Fiennes's assertion that "a wizard is akin to a god."
By devising such a spell, humans had gained an unparalleled advantage over Muggles. Now, with the enchantment prevalent in the streets, homes, schools, and even the Ministry of Magic within the wizarding world, Muggles existed in a realm akin to an alternate dimension.
An idea sparked in Anton's mind; what if he were to cast the spell on a tank or a missile launch site—would onlookers be left bewildered?
The discrimination against Muggles by wizards suddenly became clearer to him.
The prevalence of terrorists in the wizarding world, eager to dominate and subjugate Muggles, seemed more understandable. After all, Muggles proved far easier to handle than goblins.
War invariably drives technological advancement, a principle applicable to wizards as well.
Even esteemed wizards like Dumbledore delved into strategies for countering human technology and crafted spells, potentially altering the course of events.
His first class at Hogwarts proved enlightening for Anton.
Not from mastering the Muggle-Repelling charm, but from recognizing that when the wizarding world faced significant challenges, magic research emerged as the optimal solution.
The complexity of the issue notwithstanding, the concept of wizardry offered a fresh perspective.
"Wizards are gods..." Anton mused, his words tinged with a sense of wonder and reverence.
Anton pondered whether Lupin and Nagini could eventually develop a spell to restore normalcy. Perhaps, with Nagini's formidable magical lineage, the blood curse could indeed be vanquished with the flick of a wand.
The journey ahead was long and arduous~
He would search high and low~
In a matter of days, Anton swiftly established himself as a standout figure in Slytherin.
Most of Slytherin's students hail from pure-blood or mixed-blood families, with many commencing homeschooling when young wizards struggle to master spells. The rudimentary knowledge imparted in the first year fails to captivate most individuals, leading to distractions in class.
"The Weasley of Slytherin!"
A classmate jeered at Anton, prompting laughter.
Anton simply smiled in response. It had only been a few days since school commenced, and he harbored little interest in academic pursuits.
A quintessential Slytherin trait.
However, in the evening, he accompanied his amiable roommate, Draco Malfoy, and their companions to deliver a collective message, imparting a lesson to the jesting classmate on Slytherin's essence.
One misconception persisted:
Gryffindor appeared to bear the brunt of school disciplinary infractions, a fallacy contradicted by the transgressions observed across all houses.
Privately, Slytherin classmates fostered strong bonds, a camaraderie less evident in other houses. However, such interactions were discreetly confined to the dormitory and common room.
The sconces in the Slytherin common room exuded a sturdy presence, a testament to the consequences faced by the aforementioned classmate.
The magical flame within the wall lamps exuded a comforting warmth.
The following day, a collective decision was made to cease disrupting Anton's studies, fostering a conducive learning environment that soared to new heights.
However, not every subject resonated with Anton.
Flying class proved particularly tedious, prompting him to gravitate towards the History of Magic class, where Professor Binns regaled students with enigmatic historical tales.
Handling Flying class was Madam Rolanda Hooch, renowned for her impeccable flying skills. However, her teaching methods and handling of emergencies during flying class left much to be desired.
Anton felt that this individual was better suited for participating in Quidditch matches rather than teaching as a professor.
"In that heart-stopping moment, I swiftly lowered my broom, skidded, and expertly dodged a Muggle helicopter. You wouldn't believe it—the absurd propeller of that peculiar Muggle contraption was merely a foot away from my hair at the time." Draco recounted, his voice filled with a blend of exhilaration and pride.
During Flying class, Draco had spent the entire morning boasting.
After regaling everyone with his tales, he would cast a smug glance at Anton, exuding an air of superiority.
To avoid bruising his arrogant roommate's ego, Anton would offer a few obligatory words of admiration before returning to his stack of books.
Fortunately, this young man now had a more suitable subject for boasting.
"Pottah!" Draco called out, his voice laced with a hint of challenge as he tilted his head at a dramatic 45-degree angle, directing attention towards Harry.
As expected, a dispute ensued—Draco snatched Neville's Remembrall, prompting Harry to roll up his sleeves, Ron to draw his wand, Hermione's eyes to widen, and Professor McGonagall to approach the commotion.
Amidst the lively chaos surrounding him, Anton remained focused on his studies, seeking knowledge above all else.