Harry Potter: Magic and Guns

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*****

After the Malfoy siblings left, the atmosphere in the compartment seemed to relax. Neville unclenched his fists, but Hermione did not return to her book.

"Do you think I should have punched him, Neville?" Harry asked, sitting back down next to him.

"The Malfoys don't have a good reputation," Neville nodded. "His father, Lucius Malfoy, is a Death Eater."

"Yeah, his dad is a scumbag, but I can't judge him solely based on his father's crimes. If he can change, then fine; if not, then he'll get what's coming to him."

Neville nodded, exhaling a sigh of relief.

"What's up, Hermione? You seem quite surprised," Harry asked.

"I thought you might actually get into a fight," Hermione replied.

"Don't be so prejudiced. I only hit people in official duels. I didn't train in boxing to bully ordinary people. With Draco's build, one punch from me would either cause a severe concussion or a skull fracture. Do you think I'm a thug?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "See, that's prejudice. Am I really that unreasonable?"

He stretched and leaned against the wall, pulling out his backpack and closing his eyes for a nap.

"This Hogwarts Express is really slow," Harry murmured as he dozed off.

He was jolted awake by Hermione shaking him. The sky outside had darkened, indicating that it was almost time to switch to their school robes.

"In five minutes, the train will arrive at Hogwarts. Please leave your luggage on the train. We will take it to the school for you," the conductor's voice echoed through the train, and more young witches and wizards began to leave their compartments, filling the aisle.

Many first-years pressed their faces against the windows, but they could only see the pitch-black night, unable to glimpse the castle.

As the train came to a halt, passengers jostled to get out, descending onto a dark and small platform. The night air was chilly, making everyone shiver. A large streetlamp flickered on, revealing Hagrid, who was holding a huge oil lantern. He looked like a streetlight himself, given his towering height.

"First-years! First-years over here!" Hagrid called out, scanning the crowd. His eyes landed on Harry.

"Harry, come over here. How was your holiday?"

"It was great, Hagrid," Harry replied, pushing through the crowd to hug Hagrid, who beamed and patted him on the back.

"Feel free to come by for tea sometime, but for now—first-years! Follow me!"

Hagrid's booming voice echoed across the platform, causing nearby witches and wizards to cover their ears to avoid the ringing.

The new students formed a loose line around Hagrid, looking up at him.

"Is everyone here? Good, let's go."

Hagrid waved his arm and led the way out of the station. However, they hadn't gone far before the light from Hagrid's lantern fell upon a shadowy figure. A ghostly figure in a black robe floated in the dark night. A few timid students let out frightened screams. Hagrid waved to the crowd and spoke to the figure.

"Professor Snape, can you not wear your dark robes and scare people at night? I thought you were a Dementor for a second," Hagrid said, still visibly shaken. He had once visited Azkaban and had harrowing memories of it.

"Perhaps," Snape's face emerged from the darkness. "You should get some eye drops for your vision."

"Do I look like a Dementor?" Snape's sibilant voice carried a chilling laugh, causing everyone to shrink back in fear.

"Spare me," Hagrid muttered under his breath, "as long as you don't go into the forest at night and shave the fur off my creatures, I'll be grateful."

"Well then, Professor Snape, what brings you here? I need to get the new students to the castle quickly," Hagrid said.

"I'm here to find someone," Snape replied with a blank expression. "Potter, where is he? Follow me."

His gaze swept over the crowd and immediately settled on the conspicuous Harry.

"You can take the others. He'll join us later," Snape said coldly, beckoning Harry. "Come with me, Potter."

He melted into the darkness, moving without making a sound.

All eyes turned to Harry, who stood beside Hagrid. The lantern illuminated his face, and regardless of whether they knew him or not, everyone couldn't help but feel uneasy about Snape's menacing presence.

Harry hesitated for a moment, unsure why Snape wanted him. But now that they were on Hogwarts grounds, there probably wasn't much to worry about, right? Harry swallowed nervously and steeled himself to follow Snape into the darkness.

He glanced back to see Hagrid leading the other first-years down a narrow path.

"Potter."

Snape's voice suddenly appeared out of the darkness, making Harry's skin crawl. Half of it was from fear, and the other half from the eerie silence.

A light appeared, and a ball of illumination dispelled the darkness. Harry whipped around to find Snape standing silently beside him, his face inches from Harry's.

"Can you not be so frightening, Professor Snape?" Harry asked, backing away a step and feeling as if he had walked into a trap.

"Indeed," Snape said, studying Harry's face closely. "Your eyes are exactly like your mother's."

Snape straightened, scrutinizing Harry with a penetrating gaze.

"I'm here to tell you something, Potter."

Snape's voice was soft but carried an eerie clarity, making every word distinct.

"I, Severus Snape, am your godfather."

"What did you say?!" Harry exclaimed, astonished.

Harry, stunned by the revelation, felt as though he had been hit harder than if Voldemort had aimed a Desert Eagle at his head.

"You're my godfather?!" Harry stared incredulously at Snape, whose lips curved into a faint smile. "What about Sirius Black?"

Snape's face darkened instantly, turning as black as a storm cloud.

"Damn Hagrid, spilling everything," Snape muttered through gritted teeth. Hagrid's loose lips were the only ones who would let such details slip to Harry.

"He is, too."

Harry noticed the twitch in Snape's expression as he said this.

One can only have one godmother, but generally, two godfathers are chosen. After a child's birth, parents invite prominent individuals or friends to be the child's godparents. Dudley had some, and there's an old saying: the world is too dangerous; a child needs at least two guardians to grow up safe and healthy.

"I was a good friend of your mother's, known her since we were young. Of course, I also knew your aunt. She wanted to go to Hogwarts, and I even helped her send her letter."

"But after I became a wizard, we lost touch."

"Then…" Harry hesitated, unsure whether to ask his question.

"What's the matter, Harry?" Snape raised an eyebrow.

"Earlier, there were rumors in the neighborhood about a bat becoming a ghost during Christmas…"

"I'm not. I didn't. It wasn't me."

Snape shook his head rapidly before clearing his throat seriously.

"Ahem, look at this."

Snape pulled out a photograph from his robes and held it out for Harry. It was a modified photo, showing James and Lily at the forefront, with Lily holding the newborn Harry, her face displaying a mix of weakness and happiness. Behind them, a dog-faced figure was grappling with Snape in a mock fight.

Magical photographs are animated, and Harry saw Snape and Sirius Black bickering behind his parents, their antics making it impossible to discern a winner.

"I thought this photo didn't quite represent reality, so I tidied it up a bit."

Snape smirked, and Harry could tell that the dog-faced figure was indeed tampered with by him.

"Black isn't a good person. If you meet him, don't believe a word he says. Not that you'll see him anyway—he's a despicable scoundrel!"

Snape spat in disgust, his eyes flashing with a murderous gleam.

"Well, if you and my mother were childhood friends, then why…"

"Because we were too close," Snape said, covering his forehead with a pained expression. "Your mother said we were too close, so she ended up with your father, James."

"She also mentioned introducing me to one of her friends, but…" Snape sighed, "I never got to meet her."

"That's all…" Snape clenched his teeth, taking a deep breath, but he didn't continue.

"I came here to tell you this, Harry." Snape patted Harry's head gently. "But at school, call me 'Professor,' and don't tell anyone else."

Snape put a finger to his lips, signaling Harry to remember.

Once Harry nodded, Snape pointed towards the darkness. "Go on, Hogwarts is waiting for you."

"Oh, and one more thing: during the Sorting Ceremony, choose Slytherin. Remember, think of Slytherin and not Gryffindor. Your mother was harmed by those brainless idiots, and I don't want you to repeat her mistakes, Harry."

Snape's tone was serious, with no hint of jest.

"But…" Harry started to protest.

"There are no 'buts.' Slytherin is your best choice. As your godfather, I won't harm you, Harry."

"Remember that!"

Snape prepared to disappear back into the darkness, like a ghost slipping away.

"But I want to go to Hufflepuff."

Snape's shoulders slumped, and he almost toppled over. He turned to Harry with a look of incredulity that seemed to say, "You're even more outrageous than your mother."

"You…" Snape's mouth twitched furiously. "Oh well."

He sighed, shaking his head as he mumbled something about the child growing up with his own ideas.

After Snape left, Harry, his mind a whirlwind of confusion, crouched down, cradling his head. After a moment, he pulled out his ebony wand and cast "Lumos." The light from the spell guided him as he jogged forward, soon reaching a lakeside where the students were boarding boats. Hermione and Neville waved at him, having saved him a seat.

"Did Professor Snape give you a hard time, Harry?" Hermione asked with concern, noticing his troubled expression.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just a lot of confusion. My head is buzzing. Probably just the stress," Harry replied.

"Let me be alone for a while. I'll be fine soon."

The boats departed from the shore, silently gliding across the dark, tranquil lake, creating ripples that spread outwards. In the distance, Hogwarts Castle stood illuminated atop a cliff.

(End of Chapter)