After the duel, the atmosphere in the Hufflepuff common room had drastically changed. Where conversations were usually calm and focused on classes or ordinary topics, a new subject was now on the lips of every Hufflepuff student. In their common room, students exchanged glances, whispered among themselves, and almost every conversation centered on Orion. Rumors about him spread like wildfire, touching every corner of Hufflepuff house.
"I knew the Maga family was special, but to be capable of that..." murmured a third-year student to his friends, discreetly glancing at Orion, who was calmly reading in a corner of the room.
"Do you think all those stories about the Maga family are true?" asked another, his eyes shining with excitement.
"We're talking about an ancient family, right? The ones who ended the reign of You-Know-Who. Who knows, he might be the next great wizard who will make history!" added a fifth-year student, half-convinced by his own theory.
The conversations multiplied at such a speed that Orion couldn't go anywhere without someone whispering behind his back. Yet, he wasn't fully aware of the extent of these rumors. He had noticed that he remained the center of attention among his housemates, but he was no longer the target of contempt. However, he didn't dwell on it, his mind still focused on his own goals, far removed from the ordinary concerns of students his age.
The first week passed without any particular incident, but Orion was the target of another gaze that was harder to ignore: that of Professor Sprout. Since the duel, she hadn't stopped observing Orion with a mix of amazement and incomprehension. She, who had always advocated the importance of gentle magic, nature, and harmony, found herself facing a student whose raw power seemed entirely disconnected from her own areas of expertise. Yet, she felt there was something more behind this strength, something she wanted to understand.
That evening, as she made her way to Dumbledore's office to report on Orion's exceptional abilities, she encountered Professor Snape in the headmaster's office. He seemed just as determined to speak with the headmaster, though for a very different reason.
"Orion's transfer to Slytherin must be arranged!" Snape said sharply, his cloak billowing behind him. "Every member of the Maga family has been in Slytherin. It's a tradition upheld for generations."
Professor Sprout frowned at this but remained silent.
"Moreover, the Sorting Hat clearly indicated that Orion should have been placed in that house first. There is no more appropriate place for him," Snape added, not caring that he was overheard.
Professor Sprout didn't appreciate Snape trying to take one of her protégés. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she quickened her pace, determined to intervene in the discussion. Orion might be an exceptional wizard, but he had made his choice. She certainly wasn't going to let him be taken away from Hufflepuff so easily, where he had naturally found his place.
After a heated debate, Dumbledore calmly concluded that it was the Sorting Hat that decided the students' placement, a tradition respected since the school's founding. Snape, visibly frustrated, left the room, declaring angrily: "Whatever your decision, Dumbledore, Orion Maga will always be considered an honorary member of Slytherin."
One afternoon, as Orion was walking towards the common room, Professor Sprout gently called out to him: "Orion, could you join me for a moment?"
He stopped and turned to her, respectful but always with that distance that was characteristic of him. "Yes, Professor?"
She looked at him for a long time before finally breaking the silence. "I wanted to talk to you. You know, what you did during that duel was... impressive." She paused, as if searching for the right words. "I've never seen such skill in a student so young. And to be honest, it shocked me."
Orion nodded, without really responding. For him, this kind of conversation didn't spark much interest.
"But you know," she continued, "there's another kind of magic, the kind found in nature, in plants... a gentle but equally powerful magic, teaching us patience and balance."
She watched him carefully, perhaps hoping to see a spark of interest in his eyes, but Orion remained as impassive as ever. "I see," he simply replied. "I should inform you that in preparation for practicing magic freely, I had to learn the theoretical basics of various forms of magic. Herbology was, of course, one of the subjects I studied to an acceptable level, according to my tutor. However, I don't think I can claim to know as much as a graduate student, as that type of magic has never particularly attracted me."
Professor Sprout frowned slightly but didn't press further. She wasn't the type to force her students to love plants, but she had hoped to find a common ground with this intriguing young wizard. "Very well, Orion. I understand it's not for everyone," she said softly. "But know that I'm glad to have you in my house, despite what the Sorting Hat may have said."
He looked at her, intrigued by this last remark, and replied that the feeling was mutual. After a brief exchange of looks, he realized she had nothing more to add. He bid her farewell and walked away, his mind already occupied with other thoughts.
Professor Sprout watched him leave, wondering how such a student could fit into a house like Hufflepuff, known for its warmth and team spirit. But deep down, she was convinced that Orion had something pure and that he was more warm-hearted than he appeared.
During Saturday's lunch in the Great Hall, Orion was eating silently, lost in his thoughts, when he sensed a change in the atmosphere around him. The murmurs grew slightly louder, and as he looked up, he saw Arcana, his sister, walking toward him from the Slytherin table. This didn't go unnoticed, and the surprised gazes of his classmates followed Arcana as she confidently left the Slytherin table to join Hufflepuff.
However, unlike what might have happened at Gryffindor or even Ravenclaw, she wasn't met with hostile looks. Hufflepuff, although wary of Slytherin, wasn't a house that fostered open hostility. Professor Sprout made sure her students cultivated tolerance, and it showed.
Arcana sat calmly next to her brother, under the curious gazes of those around them. "So, how was your first week?"
Orion shrugged slightly, responding simply: "It was fine, nothing much to tell."
Arcana looked at him in surprise, then shook her head. "Want to follow me for a bit? I have something to show you."
Orion stared at her for a moment, intrigued. He got up without hesitation to follow her, but he wasn't the only one to move. Emma and Max, who had been watching the scene from a few feet away, also stood up to accompany him. But before they could say anything, Arcana gave them an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, but not this time," she said softly.
Emma and Max exchanged a glance, slightly disappointed but looked at Orion for his opinion. He gave them a nod before following his sister out of the Great Hall, under the watchful eyes of everyone present.
Arcana led him through the corridors of Hogwarts, taking paths that few Hufflepuff students knew. The castle seemed even larger as they walked through these rarely-used passages, and Orion noticed how the atmosphere changed as they headed toward the dungeons. The air became cooler, and the light from the torches cast denser shadows on the stone walls.
They passed through several narrow corridors and descended spiral staircases winding into the depths of the castle. Finally, they reached a massive door, almost invisible unless you knew exactly where to look. It was embedded in a wall of black stone and bore no distinctive mark.
Arcana stopped in front of the door and calmly spoke a password: "Potestas."
The door responded immediately, and a stone serpent emerged from the ground, slithering around part of the wall with a faint creak, revealing the entrance to the Slytherin common room.
Orion finally realized where Arcana was taking him. He turned to her, a glimmer of suspicion in his eyes.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? I'm not sure your housemates will appreciate a Hufflepuff hanging around their lair."
Arcana replied with a slight smile. "Don't worry. You're with me, and besides, unofficially, this is almost your house too." She raised an amused eyebrow. "No one will say a thing."
Orion frowned, visibly confused. "What do you mean, unofficially my house?" he asked, seeking an explanation.
Arcana simply smiled wider without answering him. She entered the Slytherin common room, leaving him perplexed behind her.
Crossing the threshold, Orion was immediately struck by the atmosphere of the room. Compared to the warmth of the Hufflepuff common room, Slytherin's was much colder, but no less impressive. The low ceiling, supported by beams of black stone, gave the place an almost cavernous feel. Large arched windows were embedded in the walls, but instead of looking out onto the grounds, they plunged beneath the Black Lake. The dark water's ripples cast moving reflections inside the room, creating an atmosphere both mystical and unsettling.
Dark green leather chairs and green and silver silk tapestries reflected the emblematic colors of Slytherin house. The dim candlelight gave the room an almost ethereal glow, and statues of serpents, carved into the stone walls, seemed to watch every movement.
Few students were present at that hour, but those who were glanced curiously at Orion without bothering him. Arcana led him deeper into the room, heading toward a quiet corner near the underwater windows.
They joined Ophelia and Selena, who were quietly playing wizard chess. Ophelia, focused on the chessboard, briefly glanced up at Orion's arrival, offering him a slight smile and a quick nod in greeting. In contrast, Selena, clearly thrilled to see him, welcomed him with undisguised enthusiasm.
"Orion! Finally, you're visiting us," she exclaimed with a wide smile, while Ophelia returned her attention to the game.
Once settled comfortably in the dark, deep chairs, Orion and Arcana began discussing their respective weeks. Their conversation flowed calmly, exchanging details about their classes, the professors, and a few anecdotes about life at Hogwarts. Arcana was attentive, asking her brother questions and sharing some of her own moments, always with that light touch of humor that was familiar to her.
A brief silence settled after their exchange, a peaceful atmosphere reigning in the common room under the ripples of the Black Lake visible through the windows. Ophelia, who hadn't taken her eyes off the chessboard until then, suddenly broke the silence with a sly smile.
"So, Orion," she said in a casual tone, "isn't the Slytherin common room much better than Hufflepuff's?"
Orion, caught off guard by the question, took a moment to think about it. He looked at the imposing dark green leather chairs, the candles casting dancing shadows on the stone walls, and the majestic underwater windows. The atmosphere here was cold, but it had a certain elegance and calm that he appreciated.
"I must admit," he said after a moment of reflection, "I prefer the calm and look of your common room. It reminds me more of the family estate. It's more to my liking."
At these words, a smile spread across Ophelia's lips, while Selena let out a satisfied laugh. A few students within earshot exchanged delighted looks. Even those who weren't directly involved in the conversation couldn't hide their pleasure at hearing Orion acknowledge the superiority of their common room.
Ophelia, pleased with her victory over Selena, displayed a triumphant smile while Selena pouted in response, clearly frustrated by her defeat. Arcana, observing the scene with amusement, turned to Orion.
"Want to play a game with me?" she asked, a gleam of challenge in her eyes.
Orion grimaced involuntarily, remembering the countless defeats he had suffered against Lyra during their chess games. That simple memory seemed to stir a slight unease in him, which didn't escape Arcana or the other two girls.
Noticing his reaction, Ophelia smiled, a smile almost predatory. "Don't tell me you're one of those boys who are all brawn and no brains?" she teased, her tone slightly mocking.
The remark hit home. Orion straightened slightly, adopting a more serious expression, but his stern look only fueled the girls' laughter, which echoed in the room. Soon, they were all demanding he participate in the game.
"Come on, Orion! We want to see you in action," insisted Arcana, a mischievous smile on her lips.
Unable to retreat any further, Orion sat at the table, facing his sister. The game began, and very quickly, he realized he was far from having the necessary skill to hold his own against Arcana. In a few well-placed moves, she began dismantling his strategy, piece by piece. Despite all his efforts, Orion could only watch as his imminent defeat became apparent.
After several minutes of fruitless struggle, Orion was finally beaten, much to Arcana's amusement, who relished every moment, especially the anger now visible on her brother's face. The girls' laughter echoed again as Orion, visibly frustrated, wore a dark expression, muttering through clenched teeth: "I hate this game."
Arcana, still smiling but now intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?"
Orion sighed slightly before admitting: "Lyra made me play countless games... and I was never close to beating her."
The bitter tone in his voice showed just how much that recurring defeat weighed on him. Hearing this, Arcana widened her eyes and couldn't suppress a slight laugh.
"Well, it seems all that training didn't help much," Ophelia quipped.
Orion shot her a dark look, but before he could retort, Selena chimed in with an unexpected suggestion. "How about a duel between losers?" she proposed, a playful smile on her face.
Orion immediately shook his head. "No thanks," he replied curtly.
Selena, undeterred, leaned in closer, her voice taking on a softer, almost seductive tone. "Come on, be a man and don't refuse a friendly challenge from a pretty girl."
Orion, caught off guard by this remark, glanced at Arcana and Ophelia, whose mocking looks only heightened his discomfort. Under the pressure of humor and their insistence, he reluctantly gave in with a sigh.
"Why do all girls want to challenge me to chess?" he muttered before sitting down again to face Selena.
The chess game between Orion and Selena lasted longer than the girls had expected, and to their surprise, Orion was holding his own much better than during his match against Arcana. His moves were more thoughtful, and each piece he moved brought him closer to victory. Selena, who had begun the game with confidence, started to frown, realizing she was losing her advantage.
As the game intensified, a light movement caught Orion's attention. A student with long blonde hair gracefully approached the group. He immediately recognized the older Greengrass sister. She stopped in front of him, standing tall, her head slightly tilted in a sign of respect.
With an elegant gesture, she placed her right hand over her heart before offering a slight curtsy. Her eyes met Orion's with cold politeness, marking the importance of this first contact between two members of influential families.
"Orion Maga of the Maga family," she began in a soft but formal voice. "I am Daphne Greengrass, firstborn and heiress of the Greengrass family. It's an honor to finally meet you."
Every word was carefully chosen, her diction flawless, and her attitude reflecting the education proper to wizarding nobility. In response to this formal introduction, Orion slowly stood. He bowed gracefully before Daphne, gently taking her hand in his before placing a light kiss on the back, a gesture borrowed from the ancient traditions of noble families.
"Lady Greengrass," he responded as he raised his head, his tone even and respectful. "The honor is shared."
This gesture, perfectly executed, showed that Orion knew and could respect the codes of nobility if he wished. Daphne, satisfied, gave a slight smile before nodding, marking the end of their formal exchange.
During this brief interaction, Selena, taking advantage of Orion's distracted attention, discreetly leaned over the chessboard. Silently, she moved a few pieces, subtly rearranging the positions of the rooks and pawns to regain the upper hand in the upcoming turns. Orion, with his back turned, didn't notice anything, but the other three girls witnessed this sneaky act.
Ophelia, visibly annoyed by Selena's behavior, refrained from interrupting her. She thought it would be amusing to see Orion's reaction if he lost once again because of this maneuver. A mischievous smile appeared on her lips as she seized the opportunity to embarrass the pair in one swift move.
"Orion," she called out in a falsely innocent tone, "I'm surprised you're so politically educated, considering your disgraceful behavior with Malfoy."
Orion, visibly irritated, turned sharply toward Ophelia. "I will only show respect to those I deem worthy of it. If an idiot acts disrespectfully, I won't hesitate to return the favor," he declared with cold determination.
Selena, caught off guard by Orion's sudden attention, fumbled nervously. She nearly knocked over a few chess pieces in her haste to regain her position, hoping not to be caught red-handed. Ophelia, meanwhile, couldn't contain her amusement. Pleased with the outcome of her teasing, she welcomed the dark looks Selena and Orion shot her with undisguised satisfaction.
Daphne, amused by the interaction between the three others, smiled before politely excusing herself. "I'm expected elsewhere, but I hope we can talk later, Orion," she said before leaving the common room with the elegance characteristic of her family.
Once Daphne had left, Orion resumed the game against Selena. However, Selena's sneaky intervention soon bore fruit. Despite his best efforts, Orion saw his key pieces disappear one by one, and soon, he was left defenseless. With a final masterful move, Selena checkmated his king with a smug smile, clearly satisfied with her victory.
Orion stared at the black queen that had just ended his game, and the thought of destroying it himself briefly crossed his mind. The visible satisfaction on Selena's face did nothing to calm his frustration.
Ophelia, watching the scene with amusement, let out a small chuckle before saying sarcastically: "Impressive. I suppose it's my turn to face you, Orion?"
Without taking his eyes off the chessboard, Orion replied in a cold tone: "If you value your chess set, I advise you not to challenge me again."
The girls couldn't contain their laughter any longer, their laughter echoing through the common room as Orion tried unsuccessfully to remain stoic in the face of yet another bitter defeat.