...

Dyroth's words effectively shifted the crowd's attention to Ron. Only then did the students notice Ron lingering by the carriage door, looking startled at being discovered. His earlier arrogance quickly faded, leaving him visibly uneasy.

"I didn't say anything wrong. Why should I apologize?" Ron protested, his voice tinged with defensiveness.

"You never know. Maybe Malfoy sent someone to hide Trevor!" Ron persisted, his tone growing more frantic.

"Are you out of your mind?" Daphne Greengrass snapped. "You were slandering Draco just now. He had no time to send anyone else!"

As a member of the prestigious Greengrass family—one of the twenty-eight sacred pure-blood families—Daphne had known Draco since they were children. If Dyroth hadn't stepped in, she might have acted on Draco's behalf herself.

Faced with her sharp rebuke, Ron was left speechless. He looked desperately toward his brothers and Harry for support. Fred and George, though loyal to their family, weren't blind to the truth. Despite the long-standing Weasley-Malfoy feud, they wouldn't twist the facts.

Even Harry, though torn, couldn't fully believe Draco was to blame. His soft-hearted nature often left him unable to argue, especially when his friends were involved.

With Harry not backing him up, Ron's face flushed red with embarrassment. Defeated, he muttered, "I'm sorry," and hurried back into the carriage.

"Alright, that settles it," Dyroth said, addressing the remaining crowd. "We're almost at Hogwarts, so let's head back and get changed. And try not to board the wrong carriage this time!" His lighthearted comment drew laughter from the students, easing the tension.

Earlier, Dyroth had carried himself with elegance and authority, but now he seemed more relaxed and approachable. Hermione nudged him gently with her elbow, silently reminding him not to mimic the Weasley twins' playful antics.

"Draco, you head back with Pansy and the others. I need to have a word with Harry," Dyroth instructed.

As the group began to disperse, Dyroth's eyes fell on Neville standing beside Harry, looking uncertain. A thought struck him—what if he could persuade Harry Potter to join Slytherin? Since his arrival in this world, Dyroth had observed how events were not set in stone. Changes, like those affecting his father Grindelwald or Draco's development, suggested that Harry's house placement might also be altered.

Bringing Harry into Slytherin could complicate Dumbledore's plans and give Dyroth greater control behind the scenes.

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"Just go for it," Dyroth decided.

...

After the crowd dispersed, Harry and Neville approached Dyroth, their faces Looked depressed.

"Dyroth, am I terrible?" Harry asked, his voice heavy with self-doubt. "Hagrid said I must be a Gryffindor, but I couldn't even stand up for my friend."

"Look at me, Harry." Dyroth's voice was gentle yet firm. "There isn't just one type of courage. Facing your own shortcomings is also an act of bravery."

"Hogwarts has more than just Gryffindor," Dyroth continued. "Other houses may suit you better."

Neville looked up, intrigued, as Dyroth continued.

"Mr. Longbottom corrects his mistakes when he recognizes them and faces them. This is the courage of Gryffindor. But his sincerity and loyalty towards his friends reflect the traits of Hufflepuff."

"As a member of one of the twenty-eight sacred families, he embodies the pure blood of Slytherin."

"Wait, are you saying I could have traits from more than one house?" Harry asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Exactly," Dyroth confirmed.

"But… Hagrid and Ron keep saying Gryffindor is the best house," Harry muttered, still unsure.

Dyroth smiled reassuringly.

Dyroth smiled reassuringly. "There isn't a 'best' house—only the house that fits you best."

"Gryffindor values courage, yes, but that doesn't make it flawless. Take Ron's boldness, for instance. His eagerness to defend Neville and accuse Draco was a typical display of Gryffindor bravery."

"However," Dyroth continued, "he didn't fully understand the situation and let personal bias cloud his judgment. That led to Draco being wrongly accused and caused disruption."

Dyroth's explanation resonated deeply with both Harry and Neville. His words were personal, using examples Harry could relate to, making the message more powerful.

Harry remained silent, reflecting on what Dyroth had said. He had sensed something was off when Ron accused Draco, but his insecurities prevented him from speaking up. If Dyroth hadn't stepped in, Draco might have been wronged, and Harry might have lost the chance to befriend him.

"Dyroth… which house do you think I should choose?" Harry asked, looking to him for guidance.

"If Gryffindor doesn't feel right, Slytherin could be a good fit," Dyroth suggested.

"Slytherin?" Harry hesitated.

"What about me?" Hermione interjected eagerly.

"You're sharp-minded and driven by a thirst for knowledge. Both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw would suit you well," Dyroth replied.

"I don't want to go to Gryffindor," Hermione said, thinking about Ron's behavior.

Neville, too, was uncertain. Once, he had hoped to be in Gryffindor, but now Hufflepuff seemed like a more fitting choice for him.

...

With a loud whistle, the Hogwarts Express finally pulled into the station. Under the dark night sky, the old platform looked like a relic from a bygone era. Dyroth's heart raced as he gazed at the majestic castle in the distance. This was Hogwarts—the iconic setting of the magical world.

The real-life sight was far more awe-inspiring than any film depiction.

"First-years, over here!" Hagrid's booming voice called out. His massive figure loomed above the bustling students.

"Hagrid!" Dyroth called back, following Hermione toward the gamekeeper.

Hagrid's face lit up when he saw Dyroth. "Dyroth! Good timing, lad. Help me round up the first-years, would you? They're scattered all over the place."

"Of course, not a problem."

Dyroth quickly drew his wand and pointed it at his throat. "Sonorus!"

His voice amplified across the platform. "First-year students, gather here! Boys line up on the left, girls on the right. Follow Mr. Hagrid to the castle."

As the crowd began to organize, Dyroth couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was just the beginning of his journey at Hogwarts.

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