"I heard you bullied Slytherin students before even stepping into this auditorium," the Bloody Baron's cold voice echoed, sending a chill through the Great Hall.
For a brief moment, Gryffindor students tensed under the ghost's oppressive presence.
Though the Bloody Baron wouldn't physically harm Lin Mei, the heavy aura of malice he carried was meant to intimidate.
Too bad, Lin Mei thought. He picked the wrong target.
Lin Mei had witnessed more death in the Dragon King Festival of the Fairy Tail world than this ghost could ever conjure. He had faced enemies far more terrifying, had taken lives when necessary, and the Baron's theatrics weren't enough to shake him.
Lin Mei's lips curled into a smirk. "What's this? Those Slytherin students couldn't handle me themselves, so they sent you to fight their battles? How pathetic."
A flicker of anger passed through the Bloody Baron's hollow eyes. His voice, colder than before, carried a hint of menace. "How dare you insult Slytherin's students? Every house at Hogwarts has its honor and dignity. You would do well to remember that."
Lin Mei let out a quiet laugh, undeterred. "Honor? If it's built on intimidation and exclusion, then I want no part of it. Real strength should be proven through skill and fair competition—not by cowering behind ghosts. Isn't that right?"
The Great Hall fell silent. All eyes locked onto the standoff between Lin Mei and the Bloody Baron.
Malfoy, who had been smugly watching from the Slytherin table, turned pale. He hadn't expected Lin Mei to challenge the Baron so openly—let alone to turn the entire conversation into an attack on Slytherin's pride.
Every word was a direct blow, and the worst part? Lin Mei wasn't wrong.
The Bloody Baron slowly straightened. Though his spectral body was thin, the icy energy radiating from him made the surrounding air feel heavy.
"You have courage," he admitted, his gaze piercing. "But remember—every stone in Hogwarts has borne witness to countless struggles and sacrifices. Slytherin students do not bow easily, nor do they tolerate outsiders looking down on them."
Lin Mei met his gaze without hesitation, his expression calm and unwavering.
"I don't look down on anyone," he said evenly. "But I respect those who possess both strength and integrity. It doesn't matter what house they belong to—talent and character define a person, not their affiliations. Those who skulk in the shadows, relying on underhanded tactics? They're the only ones beneath my notice."
A hushed murmur spread through the Great Hall.
Lin Mei's words struck a nerve—not just with Slytherins, but with everyone.
Even the professors exchanged glances, intrigued.
"Tsk," Lin Mei clicked his tongue, shaking his head with exaggerated regret. "Maybe I should have joined Slytherin after all. If not for Dumble—"
A soft cough interrupted him.
Dumbledore.
Though the headmaster's expression was as serene as ever, the gentle warning in his eyes was enough to make Lin Mei stop midsentence.
"Students," Dumbledore's voice rang out, calm yet commanding, "we are wizards, scholars, and guardians of the future. Hogwarts welcomes those who are brave, wise, and strong of heart. Here, we should learn to respect and understand each other—not let prejudice and pride divide us.
"Lin Mei's words may be blunt, but let us not forget—the true measure of power lies in the purity and resilience of one's spirit."
Slowly, the tension in the Great Hall began to dissolve.
The Bloody Baron studied Lin Mei for a long moment before giving a small, knowing nod. Then, without another word, he turned and drifted back toward the Slytherin table.
But the damage was done.
Lin Mei could feel the weight of Slytherin's collective glare burning into him. Malfoy, his face still pale, clenched his jaw—furious but unable to come up with a retort.
Even on the professors' side, hushed conversations spread like wildfire. It wasn't every day that a first-year openly challenged the Bloody Baron and walked away unscathed.
Lin Mei's arrival at Hogwarts had already been unusual. His strange Sorting, his fearlessness in the face of ghosts—he was already making waves.
If not for Harry Potter's existing fame, Lin Mei would have easily been the most talked-about new student in Hogwarts.
"Professor McGonagall," Snape's smooth, disdainful voice broke through the murmurs. "It seems Gryffindor has gained quite the exceptional student."
His tone dripped with sarcasm. As head of Slytherin, watching his house be humiliated—especially in front of the Bloody Baron—was practically a personal insult.
Professor McGonagall, however, remained composed. She smiled ever so slightly. "Wouldn't you say Lin Mei's courage is rather fitting for Gryffindor, Professor Snape?"
Snape's expression darkened. "I only hope he can back up such arrogance with real ability."
McGonagall's eyes twinkled, but she didn't reply.
She didn't need to.
Lin Mei had already made his mark.
Professor McGonagall still wasn't sure what to make of Lin Mei. Whether he was truly a good student remained to be seen.
Dinner passed quickly, but then came the school song—a moment that made Lin Mei nearly grit his teeth in frustration.
Dumbledore, in his usual whimsical manner, asked everyone to sing in their favorite tune, creating a chaotic symphony of mismatched melodies.
For most, it was amusing.
For Lin Mei, whose sharp hearing had been honed by his Dragon Slayer abilities, it was agony.
Thankfully, it didn't last long.
Afterward, Dumbledore addressed the students, reminding them of areas that were strictly off-limits—such as the room housing the Philosopher's Stone.
Once the announcements were over, he dismissed everyone for the night.
Lin Mei made his way alone to retrieve his magically extended suitcase. Unlike the other first-years, his belongings hadn't been sent to the dormitory with the rest.
By the time he reached the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, Percy Weasley was already there, giving the new students a rundown of the house rules.
Soon, Lin Mei, along with Ron, Harry, and Neville, was led to their shared dormitory.
As Lin Mei placed his suitcase down, Ron's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait—that's all your luggage? You didn't bring anything else?"
Lin Mei casually unlatched the suitcase, pulling out a book. "I didn't bother bringing pets. Haven't you noticed? Those little creatures are terrified of me."
Ron blinked. "Now that you mention it… Hedwig's been clinging to the windowsill ever since we got here. I thought she just wanted to go outside."
Harry, who had just retrieved his snowy owl, suddenly found Hedwig squirming in his arms, her feathers ruffling in distress.
The closer she got to Lin Mei, the more she struggled.
She wanted to get away.
Lin Mei barely glanced up from his book. He was already used to this reaction. Having been baptized in dragon's blood, his presence exuded a natural aura that unsettled smaller creatures.
Some instinctively feared him.
Others simply wanted to flee.
Ron, meanwhile, had his focus locked onto the suitcase now fully open on the floor.
His jaw dropped.
"Bloody hell! Is that an Undetectable Extension Charm? Those things cost a fortune at Diagon Alley!"
The sight of the vast, expanded space inside had him completely stunned.
.... hello readers get your hands on more chapters on my patreon, Seasay. The ff is at 150 chapters.