Ancient Wizards Return to Hogwarts...

Chapter 507 Rice: Oh no, how did Crabbe and Goyle become my followers?

Based on Rice's experience entering the Reincarnation Chamber last time, this place used for reincarnation shouldn't have so many people. To be specific, there should only be one person being reincarnated.

Surely we can't all share rides when it comes to reincarnation, right?

Rice calmed down and listened attentively to the conversations around him.

"That's a great dog, Harry!"

"Thank you, Li."

"Here, give me your luggage. Are you even a wizard? Didn't Professor Flitwick teach you how to use the Levitation Charm?"

"Mom, where did my owl go?!"

The sounds on the platform were noisy and chaotic, but in general, they were all children saying goodbye to their families.

Rice became increasingly certain that he was currently on Platform 9, with the timeline being the start of school on September 1st.

The era shouldn't be too different from before the war, because he saw Harry Potter and Lee Jordan. The two didn't look significantly different from how he had seen them before his vacation.

Huh? Sirius Black is with Harry too?

Rice noticed the large black dog in front of Harry, and to his confusion, Sirius was in Animagus form.

What kind of tricks are these godfather and godson playing? This is really too strange.

Rice couldn't understand why an adult would willingly pretend to be a dog and play with his junior in public. However, considering that Peter Pettigrew had been pretending to be a mouse for over ten years, he felt that Sirius's quirks were still within the normal range.

As if sensing Rice's gaze, Harry glanced at Rice.

Since they were somewhat acquainted, Rice intended to greet Harry, but to her surprise, Harry turned his head away, completely ignoring Rice. Even more bizarrely, Mrs. Weasley appeared, walking up to Harry and blocking Rice's view of Harry and Sirius.

Not only her, but several adult wizards also gathered around, completely separating Rice and Harry. Everyone seemed to be very wary of him.

Rice: ?

What's going on? What did Zeus do?

He was a little confused about what had happened, but his doubts were quickly answered.

Two burly figures, resembling giant cubs, swayed up behind Rice, greeted him, and asked if he could get on the train now.

Rice: ?

Crabbe, Gore? Do I know you guys that well? Wait a minute...

Crabbe and Goyle's familiarity with him caused a flicker of shock to cross Rice's eyes: Holy crap, no way—

He ignored the two of them, conjured up a mirror, and looked at his face.

Rice admitted that for a moment he was a little scared, but thankfully, the face in the mirror was still his original image, not Draco Malfoy's pale, thin face.

If Zeus's stone had the power to turn him into Draco, that would be terrifying!

Thankfully, that terrible thing didn't happen. I'm still myself, but it seems like there's been a subtle change in my ecological niche.

A realization dawned on Rice: Zeus seemed to have used the power of the Wishing Stone to banish him to another timeline, a timeline where he and his three old friends were all dead.

According to Muggles, they seem to call this a parallel world.

However, it seems the Wishing Stone has its limits; it can't erase its own existence, but only allow it to replace a character from the original timeline. Now it appears it has replaced Draco Malfoy.

Rice was a little annoyed, because what level was his little tail, and what kind of trash were Malfoy's henchmen? Could Crabbe and Goyle compare to Daphne and Astoria? They couldn't compare at all!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure, and then gestured for the two of them to get in the car with him.

If what I suspect is true, then my relationship with Harry is probably not good right now. I'm not a masochist, so why should I stay here and be disliked?

Mrs. Weasley glared at Sirius as she watched Rhys Lint leave with his two annoying henchmen.

"For Merlin's sake, Sirius, you need to act more like a dog! That Rice guy is clearly suspicious! You should know the consequences."

Sirius Black, disguised as a black dog, ignored Mrs. Weasley's advice; he was busy saying goodbye to Harry.

After today's parting, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the two will not see each other again until Christmas.

While Harry said goodbye to his family and friends, Rice boarded the Hogwarts Express with Crabbe and Goyle.

Just as he found an empty compartment and was about to sit down, Crabbe asked in a questioning tone, "Rice, aren't you going to the class sergeant's compartment?"

Rice glanced down and noticed that there was indeed a silver-green badge with the letter "P" pinned to the front of his robe, with a beautiful snake in the background.

This is the badge that symbolizes a Hogwarts prefect, and having it means that I have become a prefect of Slytherin House in this timeline.

Hogwarts prefects enjoy a range of privileges, including but not limited to a private prefectural restroom and the ability to deduct points from non-prefect students from other houses. However, they also bear certain obligations, such as receiving instructions from the student council president and student council president on the train and periodically patrolling the train corridors.

Thinking about this, Rice felt a headache coming on.

He had a gut feeling that even if he returned to the normal timeline, he would definitely be pushed into the position of prefect by several invisible forces, and becoming the student council president would be a sure thing when he entered the seventh year.

Why, you ask? Because I helped him get promoted to principal...

"Returning a favor," Godric would never let himself off the hook.

No matter what, life goes on. After a sigh, Rice walked straight toward the legendary class captain's carriage.

"I wonder who the student council president is?" Rice thought to himself as he walked through the narrow corridor.

The student council presidents are both seventh-grade students, one male and one female, appointed annually by the principal. These two student councils perform their duties according to instructions and assist in the management of the school. They are responsible for managing the prefectural leaders and, in some cases, lead all students.

After calculating his age, Rice realized that Cedric was in seventh grade this year. He'd probably definitely become the student council president; he was just that outstanding.

Rice really couldn't think of a candidate for the female student council president. She'd probably choose someone from Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

After opening the door to the prefect's compartment, Rice discovered that he was the last of the newly appointed prefects to arrive. The other prefects, who had been appointed this year, were already waiting for him in the compartment.

With a quick glance, Rice took in the candidates for prefects: Anthony Goldstein, Padma Pettier, Ernie McMillan, Hannah Abbott, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Pansy Parkinson of Slytherin.

Rice was quite surprised by the list, especially since the Slytherin prefect was Pansy Parkinson?!

He found it hard to accept.

Were Dumbledore and Snape blind? How could they not see Daphne's good qualities? Although she was a bit of a Gryffindor, she was still a very outstanding person!

It seems that Daphne has failed to shine because of her lack of education, which is a real pity.

After inwardly feeling indignant for his student, Rice turned to look at Hermione and was astonished to find that she had been sorted into Gryffindor.

What the hell?

A subtle expression flashed across Rice's face: Why did Hermione go to Gryffindor? Is she really suited for this house?

Hehehe, I'll have to share this interesting news with Godric and Rowena when I get back. It would be even better if it could get Godric to compete with Rowena for Hermione's ownership.

Rice could come up with three brilliant ideas in a second. Right now, all he wanted to do was pull out a roll of parchment, jot down his flashes of inspiration, and put them into practice once he returned to the normal timeline.

As for whether he can go back, that's not even a question, because there's nothing that can stump him.

Rice believed he would soon find the secret to getting back.

"Mr. Lint, come in quickly. I'll just say a few words and then we'll call it a day." Seeing that Rhys Lint had been standing outside the private room for a long time without coming in, the president of the male student council couldn't help but urge him on.

Rice glanced at him and realized that it wasn't Cedric, but a Ravenclaw seventh-year student whom he barely recognized and couldn't even remember the name of.

This surprised him greatly: Who was this guy, and why was he qualified to replace Cedric as chairman? If he was so outstanding, how could he not even remember his name?

However, Rice still had basic emotional intelligence and did not voice her doubts in public.

He entered the private room, and Pansy immediately came over.

"Why are you so late?"

"I was helping Crabbe and Goyle find empty seats."

Pansy chuckled. "If it weren't for you, those two would probably have gotten themselves stranded at King's Cross Station, right?"

Rice wasn't in the mood to join her in making fun of Crabbe and Goyle, so he just grunted in response and didn't say anything more.

Seeing that Rice had no interest in talking, Pansy shut up.

Although Rice had lowered his voice, he was pretty sure Hermione had overheard his conversation with Pansy, because Hermione took a step forward, making a gesture to distance herself from him.

Rice: ? ? ?

Are you serious about taking those two steps forward?

Rice frowned; the relationship between himself and Hermione seemed rather delicate.

After saying a few words, the two chairmen left the private room reserved for the new prefects and went to other prefects' private rooms to issue instructions.

"I don't know how he did it, he actually beat Cedric to become the president of the boys' student council." Watching the president's departing figure, Rice couldn't help but sigh to Pansy.

Upon hearing this, Rice felt as if the surroundings had suddenly become quiet, and the atmosphere had become strange.

Rice sensed something was off and glanced around, finding Pansy standing there, looking unsure how to respond. Hermione and Ron, who were closest to him, were glaring at him angrily.

Rice: ?

What's wrong with me now?

Pansy seemed to realize what was happening and quickly chimed in, "That guy can only compete with a dead man. If we were seventh graders this year, he wouldn't even have a chance to be the student council president!"

dead?!

Rice's pupils contracted sharply when he heard the word.

Based on the context, if he hasn't misunderstood, Cedric is dead?

Rice was extremely shocked, several times more so than all the surprises he had ever experienced before.

He disregarded everyone else's feelings and went straight to asking Pansy about Cedric's cause of death.

Pansy seemed quite surprised, but ultimately interpreted Rice's behavior as a provocation against Hermione and the others, so she gave Rice a vivid description of what happened at the end of the school year.

Finally, she looked directly at Hermione and said loudly, "That Potter said it was done by the Man of Void, but I think it could be anyone else!"

Ron's face flushed red, and he rushed forward, wanting to have a good argument with the annoying couple.

Rice quickly pulled Pansy back, and Hermione reacted and stopped Ron.

The prefects fighting on the train is clearly against school rules.

Looking at the furious Ron and Hermione with disgust in her eyes, Rice felt that this world was both familiar and strange.

He shook his head, indicating to Hermione that he had no intention of getting into a conflict with them.

"Believe it or not, I had a bit of an accident this summer and forgot a lot of things. I'm sorry about Diggory. Alright, it's time to end this pointless argument; we still have a mission to do." Rice took the initiative to lead Pansy away from the prefects' car, leaving a surprised Hermione and Ron inside.

"What the hell?! That Rice actually apologized to us?!" Ron's mouth gaped open enough to fit a whole chicken leg. "What's going on?"

"I don't know, maybe it really was some kind of magical accident." Hermione frowned as she watched Rice's departing figure, feeling a sense of confusion.

She felt that Rice hadn't lied.

"Maybe he's just pretending not to know," Ron couldn't help but sarcastically remark, still unable to trust the man who had consistently played the villain for the past five years. "He just backed down because he's afraid of getting beaten up by me. That's just the kind of person he is..."

After leaving the private room, Pansy asked Rice what had just happened, and Rice brushed it off by saying it was a magical accident.

His emotions are very complicated right now.

The first thing that comes to mind is: Voldemort has actually become a force to be reckoned with? Does he even deserve it?

However, considering Dumbledore's age, Rice thought it was quite reasonable.

"Now I have one more main quest," Rice thought to himself.

The first objective is to return to the original timeline; the second objective is to take down Voldemort here as well.

No matter where you are, you have an obligation to clean up the trash in Slytherin!

With his goal clear, Rice's steps quickened.

A few minutes later, he suddenly stopped outside a private room because he saw an interesting person.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Update delivered, goodnight~

The next update will be around midnight tomorrow night.

(End of this chapter)