The Hogwarts Express billowed smoke into the crisp September air as students boarded, excited chatter filling the platform. Toji, strolled down the aisle, his sharp features and silver-tipped hair catching the attention of nearly every student he passed. There was an air of confidence around him that was impossible to ignore, a presence that made heads turn. Toji's slight increase in height over the summer gave him a mature edge, and the subtle change in his appearance—those shimmering silver strands—made him seem almost ethereal.
Spotting a familiar compartment, he slid open the door to see Hermione, Daphne, and Tracey already seated, their eyes lighting up the moment they saw him.
"Look who's finally graced us with his presence," Daphne teased, her lips curling into a smirk.
Tracey gave him a playful wink. "We thought maybe you'd forgotten about us now that you're the most famous wizard in the world."
Hermione, always more measured, smiled warmly. "Nice of you to join us, Harry."
Toji chuckled and took a seat opposite the three girls, leaning back with an easy confidence. "Forgotten about you? How could I when you three have been occupying my thoughts?"
The lighthearted flirting continued, each of the girls playfully prodding him with coy remarks. But Toji, catching the signals they were sending, decided to push back just a little harder.
"You know," he said, his voice dropping into a more seductive tone, "if all of you are going to fight for my attention, we could just make this simple. No need to fight at all. I've got enough for all three of you."
The room suddenly felt a little warmer as the girls exchanged glances. Daphne raised an eyebrow but smirked in approval. Hermione blushed slightly, clearly not expecting Toji to be quite so bold, but she didn't seem opposed. And Tracey... well, Tracey just leaned forward and grinned.
"Oh, so you're the sharing type?" Tracey quipped, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
Toji simply smiled. It was enough to let them know he was serious but still playful enough to leave things open-ended. The rest of the train ride passed in similar fashion, a blend of laughter, light touches, and teasing remarks, the flirtation between them all undeniable. As the train neared its destination, Toji's mind was already working, planning what would come next.
As the train pulled into the Hogsmeade station and the students disembarked, Toji got to work. He made a conscious effort to interact with the first-years, particularly the more nervous ones. With every introduction, a handshake here, a warm smile there, he started to build a reputation among the incoming students. He showed them kindness and offered help where needed, giving advice on everything from spell pronunciation to how to handle the Sorting Hat's questions.
By the time the first-years were lining up for the Sorting Ceremony, whispers about how Harry Potter was not only the "Boy Who Lived" but also genuinely approachable and kind-hearted spread like wildfire. Especially among the girls, who couldn't help but admire his angelic features—the slight height difference, the sharp jawline, and those mesmerizing silver-tipped locks made him look otherworldly.
When the girls glanced towards the Slytherin table, they only had one wish: to be sorted into the same house as him.
As the Sorting Ceremony drew to a close and the students settled in for the feast, Toji sat at the Slytherin table, relaxed but aware of the eyes on him. He could feel the subtle gazes of younger professors like Aurora Sinistra and Pomona Sprout, both in their mid-twenties, casting glances at him. While they were professionals, Toji was sharp enough to notice the hints of admiration, even attraction, in their expressions. His presence, it seemed, was making waves not just among students but the staff as well.
After the feast, the Slytherin prefects guided the students back to their common room. The mood in Slytherin House was jubilant—winning both the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup last year had left the house with a sense of pride and superiority.
As the students gathered, waiting for the customary speech from Professor Snape, Toji stood slightly apart, listening but also preparing. Snape's speech, as always, was stern and focused on house unity, with an emphasis on upholding Slytherin's traditions of ambition and success. The moment Snape left, however, Toji made his move.
Standing up, he called out in a commanding voice, "Everyone, gather around. I've got something to say."
The common room quieted instantly. His reputation, his achievements, and his very presence commanded attention. Slowly, the students formed a circle around him, curiosity piqued.
"I'm sure you've all heard the stories," Toji began, his tone calm but laced with authority. "About Voldemort, about the so-called Dark Lord who led many of our families down a dark path. But here's the truth: he was a coward."
The room murmured in disbelief, but Toji held up his hand, silencing them.
"He used fear to control, to intimidate. He forced people into submission. But let me ask you something—what kind of leader relies on fear? What kind of wizard hides in the shadows while sending others to die for him?"
The room was deadly silent now, every student hanging on his words.
"I'm not interested in following a coward. And neither should you be. Slytherin is about ambition, about strength, about being the best. And I can tell you this—Voldemort was neither the best nor the strongest. I've seen real power, and it doesn't come from fear."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"You've got a choice. You can keep following the shadows of a dead man, or you can stand with me. I'm offering you something better. Strength. Power. Freedom. Together, we can be the greatest house this school has ever seen—greater than any that came before."
A few older students, particularly those from families with ties to Voldemort, exchanged skeptical looks. One seventh-year boy, broad-shouldered and scowling, stepped forward. "And what makes you think you're stronger than him, Potter?"
Toji smiled. "I'm glad you asked. Why don't you find out for yourself?"
The boy and a handful of others stepped forward, ready to challenge him. Toji, always up for a fight, casually gestured for them all to come at him at once. The common room gasped, unsure whether he was serious. But as the challengers drew their wands, Toji moved faster than anyone could follow.
In a blur, he disarmed the seventh-year with a flick of his wrist, sending his wand flying across the room. The next challenger barely managed to get a spell off before Toji was behind him, tripping him with a well-placed kick. One by one, each challenger fell, none able to land a hit on him.
When the last student dropped, Toji stood there, not a scratch on him. The room was silent, save for the heavy breathing of the defeated challengers. Toji looked around at the stunned faces.
"So, who's with me?" he asked, his voice calm, confident.
One by one, the students nodded, some clapping, others murmuring in agreement. They had just witnessed something remarkable—Toji wasn't just talk. He was power personified.
As he stood there, victorious and unchallenged, a smile crept across his face. This was only the beginning.