Chapter 73: House Dragon's Dormitory...

As the Sorting Ceremony came to an end, Dumbledore rose once again from his seat and walked toward the owl-shaped podium at the front of the Great Hall.

His eyes twinkled with warmth as he prepared to give his concluding speech.

"Now, before we conclude this year's Sorting Ceremony, let us all sing the Hogwarts anthem!"

He announced, his voice carrying through the hall.

"And, as always, feel free to choose your own tune."

With a gentle smile, Dumbledore motioned for the students and staff to rise.

Almost immediately, every student and professor stood from their seats, their voices lifting into the air in a chaotic symphony of mismatched tunes and tempos—including Dumbledore himself, who happily joined in.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something, please!

Whether we are old and bald

Or young with scabby knees…"

The Great Hall erupted into a hilarious cacophony as students sang in different styles and speeds, making the anthem sound more like a marketplace full of shouting merchants than an actual song.

Even Leo joined in—though he chose to mouth the words silently, enjoying the spectacle without adding to the chaos.

"So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgotten,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Clap~ Clap~

Clap~ Clap~

As the last mismatched notes faded, the hall burst into applause.

Professors and students alike clapped their hands, though the loudest applause came from none other than Headmaster Dumbledore, his enthusiasm unmatched.

With a grandfatherly aura, he raised his hands for silence before cheerfully exclaiming—

"Let the feast begin! Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! ...Scorch!"

With a flourish of his wand, the once-empty tables instantly filled with a magnificent spread of food—plates overflowing with roast meats, golden potatoes, fresh bread, colorful desserts, and more.

The first-year students stared in wide-eyed amazement, some of them unable to form words as they took in the breathtaking sight.

And with that, the Hogwarts feast began.

With the Sorting Ceremony concluded, everyone eagerly dug into the feast, their plates quickly filling with the delicious food that appeared before them.

"Professor Morningstar, is the food to your liking?"

Professor Minerva McGonagall, seated beside Leo, turned to him, initiating a conversation as they dined.

Leo, savoring a bite of roast chicken leg, nodded in approval.

"Yeah... even though it's traditional English cuisine, you can taste the experience and effort put into it,"

he remarked with a contented look.

The feast boasted a wide variety of dishes: roast beef, roast chicken, roast turkey, chipolatas, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon, steaks, and potatoes—both roasted and boiled.

For lighter fare, there were peas, wizard crackers, and pumpkin pasties, while drinks consisted of the infamous pumpkin juice.

Finally, the desserts covered the table with an array of sweets: treacle tart, jelly slugs, fizzing whizbees, marshmallows, baked pumpkin, and mint humbugs.

As they ate, Professor Slughorn, seated on Leo's other side, chimed in while appearing deep in thought.

"Who would have thought we'd have a new house this year?"

Leo turned toward him just as McGonagall let out a small sigh.

"Oh, Professor Slughorn! Yeah, it surprised me too."

Minerva, shaking her head, wore an expression of both admiration and regret.

She had firmly believed that Leo would be placed in Gryffindor,

but instead, an ancient, forgotten house had suddenly reemerged—taking what she considered an exceptional Gryffindor candidate.

Sigh~

"Even now, I believe you would have been a great Gryffindor,"

she admitted with a wistful tone, letting out another small sigh.

By the time dinner ended, students across the hall looked completely satisfied.

Some even patted their bulging stomachs, grinning in contentment after the incredible meal.

After a few minutes, Dumbledore once again stepped forward to the owl-shaped podium and instructed the respective prefects of each house to lead their students back to their dormitories.

Chatter~ Chatter~

With that, the prefects began guiding their housemates, the students enthusiastically chatting amongst themselves as they walked toward their common rooms.

Cough~

"Headmaster… what about our house?"

A soft cough caught Dumbledore's attention just as he was about to leave the stage.

Turning, he saw Leo Morningstar standing near the House Dragon table, looking somewhat perplexed.

He gestured toward the students still seated there, waiting expectantly.

The students of House Dragon exchanged awkward glances before turning their eyes toward both Dumbledore and their house head,

feeling somewhat helpless—because, unlike the other houses, they had no idea where their dormitory was located.

"Ah… now that is quite the predicament."

Dumbledore paused, a curious gleam flickering in his eyes.

After a moment's thought, he turned toward the Sorting Hat, still perched atop the stool.

"Let's ask the Sorting Hat, shall we?"

Hmm~

The Sorting Hat let out a thoughtful hum before responding.

"House Dragon's dormitory… I see. The entrance is concealed within the lower dungeons, accessible through a hidden passage. Take me with you, and I shall guide the way."

Leo nodded, stepping forward to pick up the Sorting Hat before turning to his students.

"Alright, let's go, kids. The Sorting Hat will lead us to our dormitory."

As Leo descended the stage, the students of House Dragon quickly gathered their things, eager to follow their house head to their long-lost common room.

"Professor Morningstar… if you don't mind, may I accompany you?"

A voice came from behind him—Professor McGonagall.

Her usual stern expression was softened by curiosity, her eyes glinting with intrigue.

"Me too!"

Professor Flitwick chimed in, his own fascination is evident.

One by one, other professors nodded in agreement, their curiosity piqued by the idea of seeing a forgotten house's dormitory.

Chuckle~

Dumbledore let out a light chuckle, adjusting his glasses with a twinkle in his eye.

"Well, since everyone seems eager to explore, I suppose I, too, shall accompany you."

Leo glanced at the gathered professors before shaking his head with a small smirk.

"I don't mind. There's nothing wrong with professors visiting a house dormitory—so long as they have the house head's permission… or in case of emergency."

With that, the group set off, following the Sorting Hat's guidance into the depths of Hogwarts.

With the Sorting Hat's guidance, Leo led the group deeper into the dungeons, descending even lower than the entrance to Slytherin's dormitory.

The air grew colder, the stone walls damp with age, as they ventured further into the forgotten depths of Hogwarts.

At the end of the passage, they reached a dead end, where two stone knights, armed and standing tall, flanked the wall.

"Pass through the wall… it's a concealed passage. But first, close the open helmet on the stone knight."

The Sorting Hat's voice echoed in the silent corridor.

Nod~

Leo gave a small nod before stepping forward, reaching for the slightly open visor of one of the stone knights.

With a firm push, he snapped it shut—but nothing happened.

He turned back toward the Sorting Hat, waiting for further instructions.

"Now, walk through the wall."

Leo hesitated for a brief moment before lifting his hand and extending it toward the wall.

The instant his fingers touched the surface, a ripple effect spread outward, like water disturbed by a single drop.

His eyes flickered with intrigue.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward—disappearing through the wall.

On the other side, Leo found himself standing in a dimly lit tunnel,

its ancient stone walls lined with candle stands affixed to the ceiling,

their soft flickering flames casting shadows that danced across the passage.

One by one, the professors followed behind him, vanishing as they stepped through the concealed entrance.

"Let's not lag behind."

The calm, confident voice of Narcissa Black echoed through the group.

Without waiting for hesitation to spread, she stepped forward and disappeared into the wall.

"What's with the hesitation? Let's go!"

A seventh-year student took the initiative, following Narcissa without a second thought.

With that, the rest of House Dragon's students stepped forward, passing through the enchanted barrier.

On the other side, they were greeted by the sight of a dimly lit corridor, the soft glow of candles illuminating their path deeper into the unknown chambers of House Dragon.

Seeing that all the students had passed through, Leo took the lead, moving further down the dimly lit corridor.

The group walked in silence, their footsteps echoing off the ancient stone walls.

After a minute, they arrived before a massive stone dragon statue, its lifeless eyes staring down at them with an eerie presence.

The air around it felt heavy as if something powerful had been dormant for centuries.

The moment Leo and the others stepped into its presence, the dragon's stone eyes began to glow a fierce, burning red.

With a deep rumbling sound, it shuddered to life.

"Say 'Dormiens Excitatur' to the statue."

The Sorting Hat's voice broke the tense silence.

Nodding, Leo stepped forward and spoke in a clear, commanding tone:

"Dormiens Excitatur!"

Roar!

A thunderous roar erupted from the dragon as its glowing red eyes blazed fiercely.

The stone beast began to shift—splitting into two, each half transforming into a fully formed dragon.

It was a display of Transfiguration at its finest, leaving many in the group stunned.

As the two dragons moved apart, a hidden passageway was revealed between them, leading to the House Dragon dormitory.

"After uttering the password, the dragons will scan each member of House Dragon upon their first entry. However, without the head of house's permission, no one—including professors—can enter."

The Sorting Hat explained the function of the guardian in a calm, matter-of-fact voice.

The gathered professors and senior students exchanged shocked glances.

The security was beyond anything they had expected.

Unlike other houses, whose dormitories were protected merely by passwords or riddles, House Dragon's entrance posed a life-threatening risk to intruders.

If anyone from another house attempted to enter without authorization, the guardian dragons would attack mercilessly, unleashing a devastating fire breath and powerful physical strikes.

This was not just a common dormitory entrance—it was a fortress designed to protect its own.

"____"

"____"

"____"

As Leo stepped through the entrance, followed by the professors and students, a collective gasp filled the air.

The House Dragon common room was unlike anything they had ever seen.

It was a cavernous chamber, vast and ancient, resembling the lair of a legendary dragon.

Above them, the enchanted ceiling shifted between two breathtaking sights—a volcanic night sky, glowing embers flickering in the darkness, and a swirling cosmos of distant stars.

The walls, composed of obsidian and basalt, were engraved with ancient runes that pulsed softly whenever magic was used nearby.

At the heart of the room, a grand fireplace dominated the space—its stone frame shaped like the open maw of a dragon enchanted flames roaring within.

The fire itself shifted in color, flickering between gold, blue, or crimson, responding to the mood of the students.

The furniture was large and regal, designed with deep crimson, black, and gold velvet cushions, set atop dark wood and metal frames, reminiscent of a dragon's hoard.

The floor, made of smooth black stone, contained veins of molten magma that pulsed like a heartbeat, glowing faintly with warmth.

Despite its fiery appearance, the enchantments made it completely harmless to touch.

Embedded into the walls, large gemstones—rubies, topaz, and onyx—glistened with a soft, otherworldly light, casting a faint glow across the cavernous space.

A slow-moving river of enchanted magma flowed through the room, illuminating the chamber in a flickering amber hue.

Though it looked dangerous, students could step over it safely, its heat a mere comforting warmth rather than a threat.

"Wow... The founders didn't hold back at all!"

Professor Flitwick's voice was filled with awe and excitement, his eyes sparkling as he took in the breathtaking sight.

"Yeah... It truly feels like we've stepped into a dragon's den."

Professor Slughorn nodded, his gaze lingering on the magma river as if lost in thought.

Leo, thoroughly impressed by the sheer magnificence of their common room, turned toward the grand staircase at the far end of the chamber.

It was massive, carved into the rock, leading upward before splitting into five different paths, each leading to a separate arched doorway.

"Let's check out the dormitories."

Leo's curiosity was evident as he stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the paths ahead.

"The last door on the right leads to the boys' dormitory. The last on the left, to the girls' dormitory."

The Sorting Hat provided the information as they approached the staircases.

When they stepped inside, the dormitories were just as grand and unique as the common room itself.

Rather than typical rooms, the dormitories were private alcoves, carved into the natural rock formations, much like dragon nesting caves.

Each bed was a massive four-poster, draped in fire-resistant silk, its deep crimson and gold fabrics shimmering faintly in the flickering light. The blankets were enchanted,

woven with charms to regulate warmth, ensuring a comfortable sleep regardless of the season.

The headboards were engraved with the student's name, glowing faintly when they approached.

At the foot of each bed was a personal treasure hoard chest, enchanted to store their belongings securely—opening only to its rightful owner's touch.

The doorways leading into the dormitories were arched like dragon wings, adding to the mythic, powerful aesthetic of the house.

Floating above each alcove, lanterns shaped like dragon eggs cast a soft, flickering glow.

The most intriguing part?

The lanterns changed color according to the emotions of the students.

Leo let out a slow exhale, completely taken aback by the sheer level of detail and craftsmanship behind House Dragon's design.

Even the other professors looked equally astonished as if realizing for the first time just how powerful and unique the forgotten house truly was.

Leo, now thoroughly impressed by the dormitory's craftsmanship, turned his attention to the three remaining doors between the boys' and girls' dormitories.

"What about these three doors?"

He glanced at the Sorting Hat, curiosity evident in his voice.

The ancient hat gave a gruff chuckle, nodding approvingly before answering.

"The door beside the girls' dormitory leads to the Dueling Circle—a training ground for magical combat."

Leo's eyes flickered toward the door as the Sorting Hat continued.

"The door beside the boys' dormitory leads to the Dragon's Perch—a grand balcony overlooking the Forbidden Forest, used for flight practice."

At this, several students gasped softly, the idea of soaring through the sky with an unbroken view of the vast forest below filling them with awe.

"And the center door?"

Leo asked, pointing to the last doorway.

"That leads to the House Head's quarters—your personal chambers, Professor Morningstar."

The Dragon's Perch was a majestic balcony, carved directly into the mountainside, offering a breathtaking, panoramic view of the Forbidden Forest.

The stone platform extended far enough to allow students to practice flight magic safely, with protective enchantments preventing accidental falls.

The Dueling Circle was a reinforced stone arena, built with ancient magical wards that absorbed spell damage.

Harmful spells were forbidden within its confines, meaning no student could cast dangerous or lethal magic inside.

Lastly, Leo's personal chambers were modeled after the dormitories but larger, with a single grand bed and a private study area.

After exploring the dormitory, the visiting professors began to take their leave, still visibly in awe of the forgotten house's imposing grandeur.

As the last of them exited, the two guardian dragons at the entrance merged back into one, their piercing red eyes dimming, sealing the passage once more.

Leo let out a slow breath, realizing just how unique and powerful House Dragon truly was.

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(Author's POV)

(A/N): I hope you guys enjoying the story. 

And Sorry for the late update... 

Thanks for reading the chapter!

Please give a review and power stone!!!