Ignoring the watchful, unfriendly gazes from the other three Houses, Severus calmly walked toward the Slytherin table without the slightest change in expression.
The Sorting Ceremony soon came to an end as the last few students were assigned to their Houses.
Before the welcoming feast began, Professor Dumbledore slowly rose from his seat behind the High Table.
The Great Hall, which had been buzzing with conversation only moments before, fell silent almost instantly.
He was tall and slender, with a silver-white beard that reached his waist.
Behind his half-moon spectacles, his bright blue eyes seemed to shine with endless wisdom, as though there were few things in the world they could not see through.
More than anything else, he possessed a reassuring presence.
It was the sort of presence that made people instinctively believe that, no matter how desperate the situation became, everything would somehow be all right as long as he was there.
“Before the new school year begins,” Dumbledore said warmly, “I would like to remind all first-year students that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits.
It is home to many creatures capable of causing serious harm.” His tone remained gentle as he continued.
“And to our returning students…” His gaze swept across the Great Hall through his half-moon spectacles.
Every student he looked at instinctively straightened in their seat.
Those with guilty consciences lowered their heads, while the others simply became even more attentive.
“I know that some among you have spent a long time under the influence of a certain darkness.” “That is not entirely your fault.” “But I hope you understand this…” “No matter how long the night may seem, dawn always comes.” “And it is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.” The moment those words were spoken, Severus felt an unmistakable gaze land on him.
Without even turning his head, he could almost hear Lily’s thoughts.
“Severus…
the Headmaster just stole what you said!” He couldn’t help coughing lightly.
Pretending nothing had happened, Severus rested his cheek against one hand, conveniently blocking Lily’s accusing stare.
He could almost feel her indignant glare from across the hall.
Naturally…
He chose to ignore it completely and continued listening to Dumbledore with the utmost seriousness.
Fortunately, Dumbledore wasn’t a headmaster who enjoyed lengthy speeches.
After briefly mentioning a few school rules—including several reminders from the caretaker, Mr.
Filch—he smiled and officially declared the feast open.
The hall immediately erupted into cheers.
Almost as though by magic—which, of course, it was—the previously empty golden plates filled themselves with food.
Roast beef, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, pies, puddings, desserts…
The tables were soon overflowing with dishes of every kind.
Compared to the lively atmosphere at Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, however, the mood at the Slytherin table was noticeably more restrained.
Many students still appeared lost in thought, evidently affected by Dumbledore’s earlier speech.
Before that atmosphere could spread any further, a stern-looking older student with pale blond hair cast a cold glance across the table.
“Don’t forget why you came here.” His voice was low, yet every Slytherin nearby heard it clearly.
“Dumbledore is old.” “The Dark Lord isn’t.” At those words, many first-years who had seemed uncertain only moments before regained their composure, their expressions becoming resolute once more.
Quietly scooping a chilled chocolate dessert onto his spoon, Severus observed the blond prefect from the corner of his eye.
A thoughtful look briefly crossed his face.
…
Once the feast ended, the prefects gathered the first-years and led them to their respective common rooms.
Just as Severus had expected, the blond student was the Slytherin prefect.
Lucius Malfoy.
He carried himself with unmistakable aristocratic pride.
Throughout the walk, he showed no interest in introducing the castle or explaining anything to the new students, as though doing so would only waste his time.
The group descended into the dungeons before stopping before an ordinary-looking stretch of damp stone wall.
Lucius spoke a single word.
“Bloodtooth.” At once, the seemingly solid wall slid silently apart.
Several first-years gasped.
Beyond the entrance lay the Slytherin common room.
The room was spacious and elegantly furnished.
Its walls and arched ceiling were built entirely of stone.
Green-shaded lamps hung from iron chains overhead, while finely carved tables and chairs were arranged throughout the room.
A large fireplace burned with magical green flames, driving away the damp chill of the dungeons.
The most eye-catching feature, however, was the enormous window overlooking the depths of the Black Lake.
Through the thick glass, long strands of lakeweed drifted gently with the current while schools of fish swam lazily past.
Beyond them lay only darkness, giving the common room an ancient, mysterious atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the castle.
“This is the Slytherin common room.” Lucius spoke indifferently.
“The boys’ dormitories are upstairs to the right.” Having said all he intended to say, he turned and left without another glance.
The first-years exchanged uncertain looks.
It was Severus who moved first.
Climbing the stone staircase to the second floor, he quickly found his assigned dormitory.
Juliet’s cage and his trunk had already been placed inside.
The room contained three traditional four-poster beds draped with green silk curtains.
The bedding was embroidered with silver thread, and elegant silver lanterns hanging from the ceiling bathed the room in soft light.
After placing fresh water and a dried rat in Juliet’s cage for the night, Severus unpacked his belongings one by one and arranged everything neatly.
Only after everything was in order did he sit down on his bed.
His two roommates, meanwhile, were far too excited to think about sleeping.
“This is incredible!” The freckled boy laughed excitedly as he looked around the dormitory.
“Only a place like this is worthy of someone like me!” “One day, I’ll accomplish great things here!” The speaker was Melvin Avery.
As the first student Sorted into Slytherin that evening, he came from a genuine pure-blood family.
It was obvious that he’d been filled with stories about the greatness of Slytherin before arriving at Hogwarts, and he was still completely immersed in those dreams.
His eyes then turned toward the other two boys.
“You two are both half-bloods, aren’t you?” “From today onward, I’m your boss.” “If you want to do anything, you’ll ask for my permission first.” “…All right…
boss.” The hesitant reply came from the third occupant of the room.
His name was Viotti Leo.
Unlike Melvin, he was a half-blood.
Having already sensed the hierarchy that existed within Slytherin House, Leo instinctively chose to submit rather than risk confrontation.
Severus simply closed his eyes.
He had no interest in such childish attempts to establish dominance.
Silently, he committed their personalities to memory before allowing sleep to overtake him.
Filled with anticipation for the days ahead, he drifted into dreams.
Outside the castle, the first rays of dawn slowly appeared beyond the horizon, heralding the beginning of a new chapter in his life.