Chapter 28: End of Year and Plans
The atmosphere in the Great Hall was electric as the House Cup ceremony was set to commence. The banners were already shifting to deep emerald and silver, symbolizing the indisputable victory of Slytherin House. Students from every house were gathered at their respective tables, but all eyes seemed to drift toward the Slytherin side, where the exuberance was palpable.
Toji sat among his fellow Slytherins, comfortably nestled between Daphne and Tracey, while Hermione, now a more than welcome guest at the Slytherin table, sat beside him as well. There was something effortlessly magnetic about Toji Potter. As he leaned back, relaxed, with one arm around Daphne and the other hand resting on Tracey's, he radiated the victorious confidence that had become his signature.
The girls around him were in great spirits, each one occasionally whispering something in his ear that made him smirk. A few Hufflepuffs across the hall rolled their eyes at the cozy scene, while some Gryffindors pretended to ignore them. Even some Ravenclaws watched curiously, observing Toji as he basked in the moment of triumph—alongside Slytherin's victory in the House Cup.
Professor Dumbledore stood up, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he addressed the hall.
"Another year has come to an end, filled with challenges, achievements, and... most entertaining events," Dumbledore announced, looking directly at Toji, who merely gave him a knowing smile. "But now, it's time to celebrate the courage, intelligence, loyalty, and ambition that our houses have shown. And it is my pleasure to announce that this year's House Cup belongs to... Slytherin!"
The hall erupted. Slytherins roared in delight, banging on the table, their cheers ringing in everyone's ears. Toji joined in the applause, a smug look on his face. Hermione leaned into him slightly, whispering, "Looks like the work we did in the library paid off. Even I can't be mad about this."
"Glad you finally see it our way," Toji replied with a grin, pulling her closer into the cuddle as the Slytherin table celebrated.
The celebrations went on for some time, and the Great Hall filled with a sense of accomplishment and closure for yet another year at Hogwarts.
At King's Cross Station, the scene was quite different. The magical world slipped away, replaced by bustling Muggles unaware of the extraordinary happenings the children around them had lived through over the last year. Toji was dressed sharply, his confidence undiminished even in the Muggle world. He stood out effortlessly as he approached Daphne, Tracey, and Hermione's families, each set of parents waiting for their children.
"Mr. Potter, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Daphne's father said, extending a hand, clearly sizing Toji up.
Toji shook his hand firmly, offering a charming smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Greengrass. Daphne's mentioned you quite a bit. I must say, your reputation precedes you."
Mr. Greengrass gave a slight, approving nod, his eyes glinting as he assessed the young man before him. Tracey's mother, meanwhile, looked Toji up and down and smiled approvingly. She leaned toward her daughter, whispering something that made Tracey blush, while Toji gave her a confident grin.
Hermione's parents were initially a bit taken aback by the fact that their daughter was part of a group, but Toji's natural charisma soon won them over. He discussed everything from schoolwork to the importance of keeping Hermione safe, and by the end of the conversation, both Grangers were smiling warmly at him.
"Take care of yourself, Harry," Mrs. Granger said, patting his shoulder. "You seem like a young man with a good head on your shoulders."
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger. I'll make sure to look after Hermione, too," Toji promised, his eyes meeting Hermione's with a softness that made her blush.
As he made his farewells, Toji left the station in style, his confident stride turning heads even in the mundane Muggle setting. He had more than just family meetings in mind; he had plans—ambitious ones, the kind that would cement his influence far beyond Hogwarts.
Over the summer, Toji set out to achieve his next great objective—finding Excalibur, the legendary blade of King Arthur. It took several months of research, old maps, and following cryptic hints, but eventually, it led him to a serene lake, almost otherworldly in its beauty. As he approached the edge of the lake, the water began to ripple, and the Lady of the Lake appeared in a glimmering apparition. She was serene, timeless, and in her hand, she held the legendary sword and its sheath.
"Are you worthy of this power, young one?" she asked, her voice echoing through the air like a melody.
Toji nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I am, and I will prove it with every action I take," he responded.
With a graceful movement, the Lady offered the sword and sheath to him, and Toji grasped them both firmly. He could feel the sheer power of the blade, the promise of invincibility. But it was the sheath that intrigued him the most—protection against death itself. He knew that this was no ordinary weapon. It was a symbol of unyielding power, of a destiny only a true ruler could wield.
Not one to be idle, Toji also dedicated time to practicing and mastering his magic further. The Patronus Charm was an intricate spell, and he knew it could be pushed beyond the boundaries most wizards assumed were set in stone. Day after day, Toji practiced in secret, honing the spell until he could not only summon his Patronus but alter its shape and form to serve different purposes.
His Patronus, which initially manifested as a mighty, spectral snake, could now take different shapes depending on his intent. He discovered he could use it as a shield, dispersing Dementors more efficiently, or even as a messenger—sending it across great distances with encoded messages. The versatility of the Patronus was immense, and Toji had plans to exploit every bit of it.
Additionally, Toji had more plans to implement. He wanted to attend all the major tournaments, the political affairs that would bring him more spheres of influence. He intended to be present wherever power shifted, wherever decisions were made, and wherever opportunities lay waiting. He was determined to take what he wanted, to build the empire that existed in his mind.