Unless…
23: Chapter 23: We, the Heroes of Slytherin House, Will Never Be Slaves!
Unless…
The next day.
Since there were no morning classes, most of the new students in Slytherin House happily slept in.
However, in the early morning corridors of Hogwarts, several young wizards wearing green Slytherin badges were making their way toward the library, their faces filled with doubt.
“Leo, is that guy you mentioned really that amazing?” The speaker was a chubby boy with a face full of pimples.
His wizard robes hung loosely over his bulky frame, and he made no effort to hide the confusion on his face.
“Sure, he earned some points for our House yesterday, but why don’t we spend this time asking those pure-bloods instead?
They have to be better than your roommate, right?” “Really?” Leo glanced at him.
“Then why don’t you go ask and see if any of them are willing to give you the time of day?” The chubby boy immediately lowered his head awkwardly, his inferiority complex plain to see.
The others looked much the same, though beneath their expressions lay a faint trace of unwillingness.
Perhaps a few years from now, after the malice within Slytherin had worn away all their sharp edges, and after they had experienced firsthand the despair brought about by power…
They would become just like the older half-blood students, looking up to the pure-bloods for guidance and willingly becoming their followers.
But at least for now, they had only just entered Hogwarts.
Deep down, each of them still held onto a sliver of pride.
Even if they had to submit to the unspoken rules that had existed in Slytherin for years, no one was born willing to kneel.
Besides, who among those sorted into Slytherin didn’t have ambitions of their own?
Who would willingly spend their entire life living under someone else’s shadow?
That was why, after hearing Leo’s introduction, they had ultimately decided to come despite their doubts, hoping someone might truly give them a chance to change their future.
The library was exceptionally quiet in the early morning.
Rows of tables and bookshelves stood neatly arranged, with only a handful of students scattered throughout.
Passing Madam Pince, the librarian, the group followed Leo deeper into the library, weaving between towering bookshelves until they finally found Severus, who had been waiting for them.
Warm morning sunlight streamed through the windows, falling upon the black-haired boy as he quietly read a thick book.
His slightly wavy hair reflected the golden light.
If not for the occasional turn of a page, one might have mistaken him for an exquisitely crafted doll sitting beneath the sunlight.
Without realizing it, everyone instinctively quieted down.
Closing the book he hadn’t yet finished, Severus looked at the unfamiliar Slytherins before him and spoke calmly.
“We’ve never spoken before today.” “But since you’ve all come here, I assume you want to improve your spellcasting.” “I’ve only achieved these results because I understood the importance of studying a few years earlier than you.” “I don’t mind sharing what I’ve learned with all of you, free of charge.” “My only condition…” “…is that you introduce more students who need help to our study group.” The moment those words were spoken, every young Slytherin stared at him in shock.
They could hardly believe someone like this existed in their own House.
Regardless of how talented he truly was, this willingness to help others without asking for anything in return was something none of them had ever experienced in Slytherin.
“Free?” The chubby boy repeated the word in disbelief.
Severus nodded.
The group exchanged glances.
For a moment, even Leo wondered if he had misheard.
Could someone really help others without asking for anything in return?
Before coming here, they had already prepared themselves to pay.
If Severus truly possessed the ability, they had even planned to pool together a few Galleons as tuition.
Never in their wildest dreams had they expected Leo’s roommate to be so generous.
Still carrying a trace of doubt, they took their seats.
As Severus began explaining, however, they were quickly drawn into the world of magic.
Unlike the professors’ lectures, Severus’s teaching was just like the person himself: organized, rigorous, and methodical.
Whenever there was a difficult point, he broke it down step by step.
Whenever someone made a mistake, he immediately identified the cause and explained how to correct it.
Every obstacle had seemingly been analyzed countless times before being presented in the simplest possible form.
It was like a mathematical formula refined through endless calculations.
As long as one was willing to patiently listen through the occasional monotony, the results were undeniable.
Only when their stomachs began growling did the young Slytherins finally come back to their senses.
Each of them still wanted more.
[You have completed an Immersive teaching session for 7 people, gaining a total of 7,639 Experience Points!] Looking at his gains, Severus revealed the faintest smile.
Although the first lesson was always the easiest time to trigger an Immersive teaching session, the Experience he had gained today was still equivalent to nearly half a month’s worth of tutoring Lily.
And if everything went according to plan…
Lessons like this could continue every few days.
More importantly, after experiencing Severus’s tutoring firsthand, even the slowest student had successfully mastered the Levitation Charm.
The excitement in their hearts was impossible to hide.
At this point, let alone questioning Severus, even if he tried to chase them away, they would shamelessly refuse to leave.
Not to mention…
He hadn’t charged them a single Knut.
In their eyes, Severus had already become someone of unquestionable integrity, someone above worldly interests, yet utterly irreplaceable.
After repeatedly promising to bring more classmates struggling with their studies to the next session, and swearing that absolutely no pure-bloods would be allowed into the group, the young Slytherins reluctantly bid Severus farewell, each wearing an uncontrollable smile.
Although they had attended only a single lesson, every one of them could already see a brighter future.
If anyone dared lay a hand on Severus now, these young Slytherins who had already tasted the benefits would not hesitate to fight back.
Naturally…
Except for the one person with ulterior motives, no one realized they had already formed the earliest prototype of a faction.
Everyone was now willing to protect their shared interests.
As the study group expanded, that bond would only continue to grow.
Eventually, all they would need was a clear doctrine, a united purpose, and perhaps a lofty ideal grand enough to let people overlook the hardships beneath their feet.
At that point…
An organization not unlike the Death Eaters could be born within Hogwarts.
And the beginning of it all…
…was nothing more than a free and selfless tutoring session.
Walking slowly to the window, Severus gazed out beneath the bright morning sun.
His cold, indifferent expression remained unchanged.
He slowly raised his hand.
The rays of sunlight seemed to gather within his palm, as though they were something tangible, the most precious treasure in the world, reflected clearly in the depths of his unfathomable black eyes.
Then, in the next instant…
He closed his fingers tightly around the light.