“…I’ve already memorized the class schedule, Vaughn.
Gryffindor and Slytherin share a lot of classes.
I don’t think being sorted into different Houses really changes much.” “Today’s first class is Transfiguration.
Have you prepared for it?
If not, I can lend you my notes.
Or we could sit together during class?” Breakfast had already been laid out on the four House tables in the Great Hall, and it was quite a lavish spread.
Of all British “cuisine,” breakfast was the only meal that didn’t annoy Vaughn.
Besides the usual sausages and bacon, there were scrambled eggs, dishes in tomato sauce, and more.
Even the bread came in countless varieties.
Wearing the silver serpent badge of Slytherin on his robes, Vaughn sat openly at the Gryffindor table, calmly eating breakfast while listening to Hermione chatter away beside him.
Every Gryffindor who passed by them would first glance up in confusion.
After confirming they hadn’t accidentally wandered to the wrong table, they would hurry away with strange expressions on their faces.
The Slytherins sitting not far away kept looking back as well.
The story of Vaughn knocking out a prefect with two spells had spread throughout Slytherin House overnight.
According to the rumors, the spell cast on the prefect had been so powerful that even his classmates couldn’t remove it with counter-curses.
In the end, he had been rushed to Madam Pomfrey late that very night.
Everyone was reevaluating this red-haired Weasley.
This was perhaps the one admirable trait shared by Slytherins—they revered power and authority.
In the pure-blood upbringing many of them received, power and authority were practically the same thing.
The stronger you were, the more respect you earned from them.
But…
Why was that guy sitting at the Gryffindor table?
Was rebellion simply a natural Weasley trait?
It was painful to watch.
Many young Slytherins who wanted to strike up a conversation with Vaughn didn’t dare approach him directly, so they settled for glaring at the Gryffindors instead.
The Gryffindors found the situation equally bizarre.
Out of consideration for Percy, Fred, and George, they felt awkward about chasing Vaughn away, so they started glaring right back at the Slytherins.
A perfectly ordinary breakfast somehow developed the atmosphere of a battlefield.
Unsurprisingly, this drew the attention of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff as well.
Fortunately, Ravenclaws were experts at minding their own business and had no interest in getting involved, while Hufflepuffs were generally simple and unassuming by nature.
No one tried to stir things up.
That lasted until Fred and George stormed into the Great Hall.
“Look, George!
The Weasley family snake is sitting at the Gryffindor table!” “You’re right, Fred!
It’s horrifying!
He’s betrayed us and still has the nerve to come back!” The twins stood behind Vaughn with their arms folded, one on each side.
They widened their eyes dramatically, determined to make their younger brother understand just how angry and disappointed they were.
Vaughn tore off a piece of bread, dipped it into a thick mushroom soup, took a bite, and said leisurely, “Are you sure you want to cause trouble for me?” “Hmm…
I seem to recall two people spending an entire summer trying to curry favor with me.
Seeing how sincere they were, I was planning to put ten Galleons into the Halloween package I’d send them, as support for their business venture…” As he spoke, Vaughn turned around and looked at his brothers with complete sincerity.
“But it seems they don’t want it after all.” The twins unconsciously lowered their arms and exchanged glances.
“What do we do, Fred?” “…Maybe…
forgive him first?” “Wouldn’t that make us look like we have no principles?” “Ten Galleons…” “Percy said yesterday that no Weasley has ever been sorted into Slytherin.
Somebody has to be taught a lesson…” The twins looked at each other once more before suddenly bursting into laughter.
“Who cares what nonsense Percy says!” “We’re definitely not doing this for the Galleons.
But how could we possibly reject our little brother’s heartfelt support for our business?
Right, Fred?” “Exactly, George!
So what if he’s in Slytherin?
Aren’t they Hogwarts students too?
Aren’t they our brothers and sisters?” “Ahem.
There are plenty of Slytherin jerks, but our little brother certainly isn’t one of them.” “Absolutely right, George!” A smile appeared on Vaughn’s face.
He stopped teasing them and asked seriously, “Is ten Galleons enough?” The twins nodded repeatedly.
“More than enough.” “Absolutely critical, Vaughn!” Their moods instantly brightened.
Grabbing a few pieces of bread, they hurried away while quietly discussing product development ideas.
Only after they had gone quite a distance did one of them mutter softly, “No Weasley has ever been in Slytherin…” “What can we do?
He’s our brother, George.” “…Sigh.” …
“The twins are taken care of.” Though Vaughn had looked calm throughout the entire exchange, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Everything had gone exactly as expected.
Among the entire Weasley family, Fred and George might have been the most mischievous.
But because they were closest in age to their younger siblings, they were also the most protective of them.
The previous night, Vaughn had also written a letter to Molly and Arthur, explaining why he had entered Slytherin.
He hadn’t mentioned Occlumency.
Instead, he told them he had discussed it with the Sorting Hat and wanted to study Potions under Professor Snape.
Since it was related to academics—and Snape in particular—his parents probably wouldn’t hold any lingering resentment, right?
“Sigh.
If I’d had this kind of clarity when dealing with relationships in my previous life, I wouldn’t have ended up as an ordinary office worker.” Vaughn sighed.
Then he heard Hermione’s hesitant voice beside him.
“Actually…
I don’t think being sorted into Slytherin really means anything.” Vaughn turned toward her.
Her cheeks were flushed red, but she continued seriously, “I’ve read Hogwarts: A History, A History of Magic, and Modern Magical History.
No magical historian has ever said that Slytherin only produces bad people.
I don’t think sorting can determine whether someone is good or evil.
In Modern Magical History, I even read about one of the most infamous Death Eaters ever, and he came from Gryffindor.” Listening to her earnest explanation—or perhaps her attempt at comforting him— Vaughn smiled and ruffled her hair.
“Thank you, Hermione.” Not that he actually needed comforting.
Still, having a thoughtful little girl looking out for you felt pretty nice, didn’t it?
His good mood lasted all the way through breakfast and continued as he and Hermione headed off to Transfiguration class together.
It was the very first lesson of their first year.
When they arrived, only two or three students were already in the classroom.
One of them was Draco Malfoy, along with his followers.
At the moment, he was busy mocking Neville.
And sitting atop the teacher’s desk was a tabby cat.
The moment Malfoy saw Vaughn, he and his lackeys instinctively retreated into a corner.
Neville was deeply grateful for the interruption.
He paid absolutely no attention to Vaughn’s Slytherin identity and tearfully exclaimed, “Thank you, Vaughn!
You’re the only one who can make Malfoy afraid.
I heard you beat him up badly.
You’re such a good person!” The tabby cat sitting on the desk adopted an especially stern expression.
Vaughn’s excellent mood vanished instantly.
Thank you, Neville.
It would be even better if you could keep your mouth shut…