After getting off the train, we got on the carriage and arrived at Hogwarts.
Sean and the other four got off the carriage and were about to follow the team into Hogwarts Castle when Malfoy's voice, which was obviously full of sarcasm and gloating, came from not far away.
"I heard from Longbottom that you fainted, Potter! Why is that? Was it those Dementors? The famous savior Harry Potter was actually frightened by the Dementors?!"
Looking at Malfoy, who was standing in front of Harry to make trouble, Blaise said helplessly, "Tell me, why does he always make trouble for the savior? Won't he get tired of it?"
Yawning, Sean said to Blaise, "This is probably love. Our young master Malfoy always has an obsession with Harry. He has to make trouble for Harry every once in a while. I really don't know where he gets the perseverance to bother Harry from start to finish and wholeheartedly."
"So…" Blaise turned to look at Malfoy. At this time, he was looking for trouble with Harry, but his eyes were full of light, as if he had found the meaning of life. Seeing this, Blaise frowned slightly and smiled, "If that's the case, I really admire our young master Malfoy."
Passing through the majestic oak door and entering the spacious and deep entrance hall, under the reflection of the burning torches on the walls, a magnificent marble staircase led upstairs. When everyone was about to go up the stairs, Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor, called Harry and Hermione away, while the others continued to walk along the marble stairs to the Great Hall and sat down at the long table of their own House.
When Sean walked past the long table, he saw that many senior Slytherin students actually nodded and smiled at him. You know, at the end-of-term banquet last year, these people still treated him as if he didn't exist. After just one holiday, these guys' attitude toward him was very different.
This scene was obviously seen by Blaise and the others.
The four of them sat at the edge of the Slytherin long table, and Blaise leaned over to whisper to Sean,"They didn't expect that the paper you published at the end of last term would turn out to be so important. It completely changed the formula for the mental recovery potion — it improved the effect and lowered the cost. What that means is far more than just a few extra Galleons. When it comes to money, the so-called Slytherin Brotherhood Reserve Organization is nothing."
"But I already gave the patent to the Bulstrode family."
"Even if the patent's with the Bulstrode family, all you have to do is say the word — they can get in on it too. It's not just about the Galleons. It's also about having ties to the Bulstrode family."
Hearing this, Sean looked at Blaise with surprise and said,"I already had a good relationship with the Bulstrode family before."
Before Blaise could answer, Jason cut in,"Master—"
"I told you before, just use my name when we're at Hogwarts."
Jason paused, then corrected himself,"Sean, of course we know about your relationship with the Master, but other people don't. All they saw was Barnabas targeting you. They didn't see your real connection with the Master.
This time you and Madam Elena went to Bulstrode Manor, and the Master worked with you and gave you the Bulstrode family's support. They all saw that for themselves — so they know the truth now, and naturally they've changed their attitude.
In short, these people only care about profit. Now not only can you make a fortune with your research, but you also have strong ties with the Bulstrode family — it's not like what they imagined before. For these people who only see profit, the so-called ban of the Slytherin Brotherhood means nothing anymore. Some people in the Brotherhood even want to get back in touch with you."
"Get back in touch? If I remember right, they're the ones who drove me out in the first place, aren't they?"
"The Slytherin Brotherhood isn't monolithic — it doesn't have just one voice. I heard from my father that the Brotherhood wanted to stop your paper from being published in The Golden Crucible, but the Master stepped in and blocked them. Because of that, the Brotherhood even expelled a high-ranking member.
Of course, according to my father, that member had already offended a lot of people. He was a pawn they meant to throw away anyway, so expelling him didn't matter."
Sean frowned slightly. He hadn't expected there would be so much hidden trouble behind his paper — or that his step-grandfather had shielded him from so much of it.
At the same time, Sean's opinion of the Slytherin Brotherhood sank even lower. His determination to control Barrett and take full control of the Brotherhood only grew stronger.
None of these people would get away.
While Sean and the others were talking, the Sorting Ceremony was already over.
Slytherin gained eight new first-year students.
Sean didn't have any intention of getting to know those new students — but those new students didn't think the same way. Some of them had already been told by their families about Sean before they ever set foot in Hogwarts.
One boy, Malcolm Baddock, even came straight over to Sean right after the Sorting.
"Hello, Senior Sean — my name is Malcolm, Malcolm Baddock."
Turning his head to look at him, Sean nodded and said,"Hello, Malcolm. Just call me Sean."
"Alright, Sean. I just arrived at Hogwarts — I'll be counting on you from now on."
"That won't bother me. It's mainly the professors you'll need to worry about."
Hearing this, Malcolm nodded quickly, clearly understanding, then politely said goodbye and left.
Watching Malcolm walk away, Blaise laughed and said,"He's a little one who knows how to read people."
"And a kid who wears his thoughts right on his face," Sean added.
Neither Sean nor the others minded Malcolm, but honestly, when someone suddenly showed up wanting to stick to you for no reason, anyone would find it a bit strange.
That was exactly how Sean and the others felt now.
At that moment, Harry and Hermione walked back into the Great Hall and returned to the Gryffindor table. Just then, Dumbledore rose and stepped to the center of the Hall.
He looked just the same as ever — long grey hair and beard, half-moon glasses, a gentle smile — radiating that same trust and warmth as always.
"Welcome, welcome, everyone — back to Hogwarts for the new term.
Now, I have something very important to announce, and I hope you'll all remember this before your minds drift off after dinner.
Dementors from the Ministry of Magic's Azkaban will be stationed at Hogwarts this year — and because of that, the school rules will be adjusted accordingly!"