Chapter 41 – Unfortunately Offended a Malfoy
A cold-faced Slytherin stood up from the far end of the long table and spoke softly to the new first-years. His tone carried an unquestionable authority. From the whispers of the other young wizards, Dudley learned that this was Slytherin's current prefect.
At Hogwarts, each of the four houses appointed one boy and one girl from the fifth year as prefects, chosen for their excellent grades. They served until graduation, mainly guiding the new students and managing their peers within the house. They also had the power to deduct house points—something between a counselor and a class monitor.
And this fifth-year was Slytherin's prefect.
When their own house prefect gave orders, the first-years didn't dare to disobey. Even Malfoy, who had been bragging about his father nonstop, obediently followed behind.
On the way, there was a small incident. A Slytherin boy deliberately slammed into Dudley's shoulder. But his pitiful strength didn't so much as shake Dudley. Instead, because force is mutual, he himself was knocked to the ground.
"You all right?" Dudley lifted him back up and brushed the dust off. "Watch where you're walking."
Without looking back, Dudley hurried to catch up with the group. This was his first time at Hogwarts, and his first time heading to the Slytherin dormitory. He had to memorize the route.
Getting lost would be embarrassing.
"Fabien, you're such a disgrace."
"Why did you hold back? He offended a Malfoy."
Once Dudley left, the other Slytherins crowded around, whispering. They had wanted Fabien to give Dudley a harsh lesson, since aside from him, Dudley was the strongest among the lower years.
But instead of teaching him a lesson, Fabien had been knocked flat.
Everyone agreed Fabien must have gone easy on him.
Fabien said nothing, only rubbed his aching shoulder and watched Dudley's back as he walked away.
Only he knew there had been no holding back. He had gone in with full strength—otherwise his shoulder wouldn't hurt so badly.
It felt like slamming into a steel wall.
"If only that physique could be put to use in Quidditch," he thought. Then he shook the notion from his mind.
Unfortunately, Dudley had offended a Malfoy.
The Malfoy family was powerful in the wizarding world, part of the upper class of wizard society. Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, held influence in the Ministry of Magic and could enter the ranks of officials whenever he wished. He was also a Hogwarts school governor. Most importantly, he was rich—very rich.
At one point, he was even called the wealthiest Malfoy.
To offend him was to offend the powerful. And in Slytherin, when someone of ordinary background offended the powerful, it was as if they had offended everyone.
As the Sorting Hat had said, the atmosphere in Slytherin had completely rotted.
The Slytherin common room was located beneath Hogwarts Castle, in the dungeons. To be honest, it was a terrible location.
Cold and damp defined the place. The heavy moisture made long-term living unhealthy. It damaged the skin, caused eczema, and in severe cases, could lead to rheumatism.
Dudley, who excelled in every subject, had also touched on medicine, though not deeply—just enough to light up the skill.
Of course, that was only science. This was Hogwarts.
Magic overruled science, and perhaps Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, had ways to prevent such problems for young wizards.
According to the prefect, once they passed the spiral corridor, they would arrive at the Slytherin common room.
Dudley quietly memorized everything about the surroundings. Since the Sorting, he hadn't been able to exchange a word with Harry or Hermione. That made him a little regretful—he should have arranged something with them beforehand.
Perhaps Hedwig could deliver letters when there was time.
Hogwarts' four houses had far worse relations than Dudley imagined.
Especially between Gryffindor and Slytherin—their relationship was practically that of sworn enemies. In truth, there was no deep personal conflict between students, yet the atmosphere of their houses turned them into rivals.
Gryffindor and Slytherin were mortal foes? Dudley didn't know when that saying began. All the books he had read recorded it that way, including the famous Hogwarts: A History.
What everyone remembered was that Gryffindor and Slytherin split due to differing ideals. What no one mentioned was that before that, Gryffindor and Slytherin had been the closest of friends, brothers-in-arms who lived and died together.
"Password!" The stone wall spoke in a mechanical voice devoid of emotion.
The Slytherin prefect answered with the same cold tone: "Glory."
The wall slowly opened, revealing the spacious common room inside.
"Remember the password. If you forget, don't bother trying to come back in." The prefect's voice was icy as he gave his instructions. Without another word, he stepped inside first.
The young wizards quickly followed behind him into the common room.
The temperature felt about two degrees colder than the Great Hall.
That was Dudley's immediate impression. Then he noticed the blazing fireplace at the center. Without the fire, the difference would be at least ten degrees.
He began to study his surroundings. The Slytherin common room bore strong Gothic features, with an overall dim green tone that created a mysterious and unfathomable atmosphere.
But the lighting wasn't good for the eyes. Reading here would be troublesome; one would need another spot.
The large arched windows around the walls emitted a chilling draft. Through them, Dudley occasionally saw fish swimming by. The common room lay beneath the Black Lake, so the windows could never be opened. Permanent Fixing Charms had been placed on them.
The Slytherin common room had originally been a dungeon, which was why it was sometimes called the Slytherin Dungeon. Its dungeon origins made the place feel eerie and silent.
In truth, all four house common rooms were repurposed. Hufflepuff's was once the castle servants' dining hall, so it was near the kitchens. Ravenclaw's was said to be a converted watchtower. Gryffindor's common room had been made from a storeroom.
"Boys live this way, girls that way."
The prefect gave brief instructions, pointing the first-years toward their dormitories, and then hurried off.
It was as though he didn't want to remain there a moment longer.
Incidentally, the older Slytherin students hadn't followed him back. Only those below third year obeyed him so readily.
As soon as the prefect left, Dudley felt dozens of unfriendly gazes fall on him.
Their intentions needed no explanation.
(End of Chapter)
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