"Is Professor Quirrell not going to prepare the teaching materials? The Defense Against the Dark Arts class is not easy to teach."
Dumbledore watched Quirrell with interest.
"I... I'll go right away... Please excuse me, Professor Dumbledore!"
Quirrell's expression changed, and he hurriedly left the hall.
Dumbledore's smile faded as he watched Quirrell's somewhat flustered back.
His expression turned complex.
"Have you returned? You saw what happened today, right? That child's talent even surpasses yours, but I won't make the same mistakes again!"
...
The Slytherin common room was located at the very bottom of Hogwarts.
Through the windows, one could even see fish swimming in the Black Lake.
While others were curious and looking around, Cro lounged leisurely on the sofa.
Cassandra stood beside him.
Together, they isolated everyone!
"Let's see, isn't this our Mr. Cro? Why aren't you over with the silly lions? Instead, you ran over here?"
Malfoy crossed his arms, a cold smile on his face.
"You, a half-blood mudblood, should be with Gryffindor, not noble Slytherin!"
His words made everyone turn their heads.
However, no one spoke to stop him.
Instead, they watched the scene with great interest.
"I'm glad you call Slytherin noble," Cro chuckled lightly.
"But I don't appreciate your constant use of the term 'mudblood.'"
Malfoy scoffed disdainfully.
"What you like doesn't matter. Do I need your approval to speak? Who do you think you are?"
Malfoy angrily pointed at Cro.
"You! Are! Just! A! Lowly! Mudblood!"
"Mr. Draco seems a bit agitated, but this is Slytherin's common room, not your family estate."
Snape strode in with a commanding presence.
He cast a cold glance at Cro before directing a slightly dark gaze at Malfoy.
"The principle of Slytherin is to use any means necessary to achieve goals, not to uphold pure-blood supremacy. Don't bring the nonsense your father taught you here."
Malfoy's expression stiffened.
He wanted to argue but silently swallowed his words under Snape's grim stare.
The other students also wore uncomfortable expressions.
Not only did Snape's words have meaning,
but his mention of pure-blood supremacy reminded them that their parents had once been followers of that man.
They were evil Death Eaters!
Especially Malfoy, whose face turned as dark as a storm cloud.
"Mr. Cro, although I don't know why you chose Slytherin, this house has always respected strength. If you lack the ability, I suggest you switch houses."
Snape looked coldly at Cro.
He had no fondness for Cro.
Harry Potter had just started school,
and now Cro, who could use dark magic, had come along.
It was strange enough for a ten-year-old to possess dark magic,
especially entering Hogwarts at such a time.
What are the odds of that happening?
As he thought about this, a cold glint flashed in Snape's eyes.
No matter what, Harry Potter must not be in danger.
"Hmm, respect for strength and the survival of the fittest? I like it!"
Cro looked at the little snakes with a smile that was not quite a smile.
Snape merely gave him a neutral glance.
"Is everyone here?"
"The new students are all present, Professor."
Snape looked around.
The little snakes who met his gaze quickly lowered their heads,
not daring to meet his eyes.
"Slytherin is different from the other houses; you should have heard about the Hidden Prefect system before coming here."
"Each year has a hidden prefect responsible for overseeing the students in that year."
As soon as Snape finished speaking,
Malfoy and a few others' eyes lit up.
As members of pure-blood families,
honor and power were ingrained in them.
"Although the Hidden Prefect is not assigned by the house, it has always been a tradition in Slytherin. Of course, there are benefits to becoming a hidden prefect; the most obvious being an independent dormitory."
Snape continued in a cold voice.
"If there are no further questions, we can begin the selection of the hidden prefect. Miss Gemma Farley, the rest is up to you."
"Rest assured, Professor."
Gemma Farley replied with a bright smile.
Snape flicked his robe and quietly moved to the side.
"The selection of the hidden prefect is quite simple; those who wish to run for hidden prefect can step forward. Whoever lasts to the end will be the hidden prefect!"
Gemma Farley waved her wand and drew a circle.
A glowing green circle appeared on the floor,
forming a makeshift dueling arena.
"Why not go play? After all, an independent dormitory is quite enticing, isn't it?"
Cro stood up playfully,
wondering what Snape would think if he saw him using dark magic.
It should be quite a spectacle!
Unfortunately, Nagini had to stay.
Otherwise, if he released Nagini,
Snape would definitely contribute a treasure chest of decent quality for him!
"Children's play; instead of wasting time, you might as well read a few more books. If you want to go, go ahead."
Cassandra said coldly.
In truth, she also wanted to participate.
After all, that was an honour.
And having an independent dormitory was appealing.
But Cro had already stood up before her.
---------------------
T/N:
For advanced 30 chapters and exclusive content, visit my Patreon: p@treon.com/WizFic.