Chapter 3 The sorting.
"What is that moron still blabbering about? "Isn't he aware that we're all freezing?" Draco hissed as he wrapped his arms around himself tightly, seeking warmth. Theo nodded in agreement beside him.
"That bloody troll should just take us to the castle, I can barely hear what he is saying."
Jakob didn't immediately notice Theodore Nott as he stepped out from the train. The youngest son of the ancient Nott family had been one of the two new members of their inner circle.
Upon seeing him, Jakob greeted the boy with a nod. Theo responded with a brief smile before leaning in to listen attentively to what Draco was whispering.
Theodore Nott was almost as tall as Draco and had a mop of brown hair and eyes of the same hue. His skin was a ghostly white with black spots randomly scattered around his body. Although he was pureblood and acted accordingly in public, Jakob often found Theodore to be quite reserved - like he had no motivation other than to have a secure place in their little circle of friends.
"Let's head to the boats now. Follow me!" said Hagrid in a steady voice. The sudden gruffness of his voice made some first-years jump before they hurried after the half-giant.
As the students walked towards the lake, Jakob felt someone hook their arm in his. He turned his head and gave the girl beside him his charming smile.
"Hello, Miss Greengrass. How was your summer?" The girl in question gave Jakob a shy smile and moved a strand of her platinum-blonde hair behind her ear.
"It's been acceptable, thank you for asking. How was yours?"
Daphne Greengrass had known Jakob almost as long as Draco. Her parents were close business partners with Thomas, meaning the two children had spent countless hours playing while waiting for their parents to conduct business. Jakob had always thought she looked like an angel with that long platinum-blonde hair. Her grey eyes always seemed to glow in the sunlight, and her skin was white like porcelain.
Jakob was about to respond to the girl when he noticed a boy standing a few meters away. The boy seemed captivated by the girl's appearance as if he had never seen someone so stunning before.
"I believe someone admires you," Jakob whispered. Daphne raised an unamused eyebrow upon hearing his words. When she followed his gaze, Jakob caught a whiff of blueberry coming from Daphne's swaying, angelic hair.
The boy, who had been gazing at Daphne with fascination, recoiled instinctively.
When the first-year students and Hagrid arrived at the lake, they found the boats waiting for them on the shoreline. Jakob helped the blonde onto the vessel and took a seat beside her.
"Do you think it's going to be as wonderful to see the castle as they say?" asked Daphne, trying but failing to hide that childlike excitement bubbling over as she looked expectantly at the boy who had straightened his robes.
Jakob scanned the shoreline and noticed a girl with fiery red hair engaged in a heated argument with a boy who wore what appeared to be hand-me-down robes. They were quarrelling over who would sit next to her twin. He sighed in exasperation.
"Yes. It's going to be magical," he replied, though his tone hinted at a sense of bitterness. Daphne furrowed her brows in confusion and turned to see what he was referring to. When she realised what he meant, she let out a sigh, echoing Jakob's exasperation.
"Why is Hogwarts inviting every magical creature in the country? Isn't there a better place for them? Were they don't bother us? Perhaps in a swamp?."
A grin formed on the Quade heir's lips as the boats magically floated forward.
"Yeh, there is Daphn. It's called a zoo." The joke made her turn back, surprised at the sudden remark and laugh. The song rang out on the otherwise whispering lake, and the platinum blonde girl stopped herself by clasping a hand onto her mouth and playfully slapping Jakob on the shoulder.
"You can't say stuff like that in public. You know how I react."
Jakob chuckled and nodded, making himself comfortable beside his friend. The darkness enveloped everything around as the boats glided over the lake. Despite the lantern light flickering on their vessel, it was difficult to see what lay ahead. That was until a grand sight rose up before them - Hogwarts Castle.
The castle blended perfectly with the surrounding nature as if it had grown directly from the ground. Its towers and turrets reached high into the sky while its walls hugged the rolling hills below like a protective embrace.
The castle was illuminated with a warm and inviting light that glimmered from its countless windows. The night sky sparkled with stars, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for the majestic silhouette of the school. It almost seemed alive, like it had its own heartbeat pulsing through its walls.
From a distance, Jakob heard laughter and saw students walking along cobblestone paths to the Grand front gate of the castle. Tracing the student's course, he noticed further away a mysterious parade of carriages being pulled along as if by magic.
Through the trees, he could make out an old-fashioned Quidditch pitch, the flags of different colours flapping in the wind. Jakob was so captivated by the sight of his new home that he failed to take notice of two things. The first one was that the boats had stopped by the shoreline, and everyone was slowly making their way off and gathering around Hagrid again. The second thing was that He was gripping someone's hand tightly without even realising it.
He noticed Daphne was also holding his hand tightly when he glanced down. Looking up at her, he saw that she was still gazing in amazement at the castle and the night sky.
"Um, Daphne, we need to get off the boat." Snapping back to reality, the platinum-blonde girl glanced at her hand that was entwined with his and quickly realised what she had done.
A blush spread across her cheeks as she quickly released his hand and averted her gaze. "Sorry, I didn't even realise I was doing that," she murmured, embarrassed by her own actions.
After helping her off the boat, they walked towards their group of friends who were already gathered together. They gave nasty looks to any other students who tried to approach them.
Daphne joined Pansy and another girl named Tracey Davis, whom Jakob had met previously. The Quade heir noticed Draco giving him a quick glare and approached him, curious about what he might have done to upset his best friend.
"I thought we were going on the boat together." Whispered Draco, giving his best friend a childish, sour look.
"Do you really think I will turn down Daphne? She would have my head on a plate. you know how she is." Whispered Jakob back in an annoyed tone. Draco tried his best to keep up the act of feeling betrayed, but then he succumbed, and his shoulders relaxed as he gave the nod.
"Okay," He reluctantly agreed. "Father insists that it's important for the school to know about the unbreakable bond between House Quade and House Malfoy, so we'll be sitting together in the Great Hall."
Jakob had heard similar words from his own head of house and nodded in agreement, evoking a satisfied smirk from Draco. With the urge for a bit of fun, the Quade heir leaned in and mischievously whispered into Dracos' ear.
"That is, of course, if we end up in the same house. Who knows? You could land yourself in Hufflepuff or -" "Don't you even think about continuing that sentence." Draco interjected hastily. His interruption met with Jakob's quiet laughter and the surprised looks of his peers.
The group was initially puzzled when Draco unintentionally raised his voice, but they soon realised that Jakob's mischievous smirk and protective arm around Draco had something to do with it.
The two boys and the rest of their group trailed behind Hagrid and the other students as they made their way up the path toward the welcoming gates of Hogwarts.
Once Hagrid had escorted the first years to their destination, he bid them farewell, and an elderly professor took his place. The professor stood before the closed doors, which would soon swing open and guide the students into the great hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, students. I am Professor McGonagall. Before you proceed to the great hall for the start-of-term banquet, you will be sorted into your respective houses. This is a significant moment, as your house will essentially become like a second family during your time here."
Nervousness gnawed at Jakob, making it challenging to focus on the elderly professor's words. He realised at that moment that he knew very little about Professor McGonagall or Hogwarts. Emma, too, lacked knowledge of the school, and their father remained tight-lipped, merely advising His heir not to trust the headmaster, Dumbledore.
When the professor finished speaking, she left to begin the preparations for the sorting. Deep in thought, Jakob was shaken back to reality when he heard a well-known voice uttering a degrading remark.
"I feel sorry for anyone sorted into your house, Potter," Pansy sneered as she contemptuously surveyed the boy and his loyal followers. Her smirk grew wider as a realisation seemed to dawn on her. "But seeing as you associate with blood traitors and mudbloods, maybe I'm not so sympathetic after all."
All the students gasped in shock at Miss Parkinsson's offensive comment, and soon, loud arguments broke out between the soon-to-be Slytherins and Gryffindors. In a fit of rage, a certain redhead boy lunged towards Crabbe, kicking off the legendary fight of the first years that would be spoken about among the staff for years to come. The two groups clashed, and Jakob took hold of Daphne's hand and pulled her back a few steps. They both watched the altercation between the students, feeling unimpressed by their behaviour.
"This isn't very Slytherin-like," commented the platinum blonde as she surveyed the scene. Jakob simply nodded his agreement.
Upon returning to the scene, McGonagall's face was twisted with furious anger that would have caused even the brave Wesley twins to tremble in fear. The chaos was total. With a wave of her wand, a loud bang was heard, and the students looked surprised towards the origin of the sound.
"Never in my years as a professor have I seen such a chaotic scene during a sorting ceremony." Her gaze then narrowed on the Weasley boy and Crabbe, who finally separated themselves after what looked like it had been quite a scuffle.
"I will not have you acting up like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons." Professor McGonagall continued to admonish sternly. The students felt a twinge of shame for their actions, particularly the one who had been involved in the fight. On the other hand, Jakob couldn't help but be amused by her statement and silently made a mental note to steer clear of earning her disapproval in the future.
"Let's go," she snapped, her eyes still narrowed at the group. Jakob tried to remain serious, but he couldn't help a smirk from forming on his face as he followed her.
Before long, the line of first-year students had made their way into the Great Hall, their entrance accompanied by many curious glances from students seated there. Jakob felt nervousness starting to rise even more in his stomach as he made his way towards a large wooden podium at one end of the hall.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward and unfurled a parchment. He was facing the Sorting Ceremony - fear beginning to creep into him at the thought of being placed in Gryffindor. It would not put him there, right?
What would people think of him? A snake in the lion's den would be catastrophic.
Jakob anxiously observed the sorting ceremony unfold, observing as children from familiar families and those who were considered mudbloods were sorted into their respective houses by the sorting hat and took their seats accordingly. None of them had been chosen to join the Slytherin table - not that he was surprised. Their lack of cunning and ambition made it obvious they would never make a name for themselves. They seemed content to just drift along in life, like paperweights that never moved from their place on a desk.
A bright-eyed blonde girl named Hannah Abbott sat on the wooden stool with the Sorting Hat placed firmly atop her head. Her face was etched with anxiety as she awaited the Sorting Hat's decision on which house she belonged. When the hat ultimately announced "Hufflepuff," she leapt out of her seat with excitement, casting an eager glance at her friend, who was next in line to be sorted.
Next, it was a girl with fiery carrot-coloured hair's turn. Susan Bones took her place on the stool and shot a reassuring glance at her friend seated at the Hufflepuff table, confirming her joining them. The Sorting Hat declared, "Hufflepuff!" with enthusiasm, and Susan let out a sigh of relief as she rose from her seat. If Jakob had been paying closer attention to the girl, he might have found her reaction amusing as Susan joined her friend at the table, looking like she could faint from the relief.
But Jakob was hardly paying attention. His mind was consumed by the thunderous pounding of his own heart, rendering all other sounds a distant murmur. He couldn't even discern the words being spoken anymore. It was as if his entire world had contracted into a singular sensation—the relentless drumming in his ears, which appeared to be growing increasingly intense.
"Granger, Hermione," the professor's voice rang out, and although Jakob's inner world was in chaos, he maintained an outwardly composed and indifferent expression. Even Draco, his best friend, couldn't discern a hint of nerves in the Quade heir's behaviour as he exchanged a nervous glance.
The girl with unruly, bushy hair walked up, her slightly anxious movements revealing her nerves as she took her seat. Jakob was sure he had seen her somewhere before; in a flash, he recollected her bidding farewell to her Muggle parents at the train station. There was no doubt in his mind that they had to be Muggles, evident from their peculiar attire and bewildered expressions as they took in all the magical sights. The idea of their intrusion into the hidden world of magic was more than just annoying; it disgusted him to even ponder it.
"Gryffindor!"
Hermione stood and hurried over to the table with a huge smile. She'd completely forgotten to take off the hat she was wearing, which made everyone in the hall break into laughter.
Quickly realising her mistake, she rushed back to take it off before walking more embarrassingly towards the Gryffindor table and taking a seat. Jakob rolled his eyes, not feeling any amusement at the situation.
As Draco's turn came, the Sorting Hat barely brushed against his head before exclaiming, "Slytherin!" A smug grin crossed Jakob's face, and Draco responded with an equally delighted expression as he made his way to the Slytherin table. He exchanged greetings with some familiar faces, but his focus was unwaveringly fixed on Jakob in eager anticipation, confident that they would soon be sorted into the same house.
Pansy was summoned, and she appeared as collected as Jakob, letting the boy know she was probably just as anxious. They exchanged a glance when she took her seat, and when the slight trace of dread was visible in her eyes, Jakob gave her a reassuring wink before the hat called out, "Slytherin!"
Pansy removed her hat with a graceful motion and gracefully moved towards the Slytherin table. Her intended seat was next to Draco, but something he whispered in her ear seemed to irritate her. Without a word, she pushed Theo and settled herself in what she considered her rightful place, to Draco's left.
"Ivory Potter!" The hall filled with silence at the sound of her name, and Jakob raised an eyebrow as he glanced around. He had never imagined Ivy being as famous in the wizarding world as her brother, Harry.
It had always been him, not her, on all the papers and major events. But he could tell by everyone's expectant looks that they were eager to hear what house she would be sorted into. He realised he'd been wrong in thinking that the wizarding world was only interested in the boy who lived.
Ivy took a determined step forward, radiating confidence as she ascended the steps and settled onto the stool in front of Professor McGonagall. The professor granted her a small, approving smile before gently setting the Sorting Hat on Ivy's head. As the hat made its choice, Jakob briefly wondered about the peculiar look Professor McGonagall had given Ivy. Unbeknownst to him, the older professor's gaze was influenced by Ivy's uncanny resemblance to her favourite student and Ivy's mother, Lily.
"Gryffindor!"
The girl's face beamed with relief, her joy piercing Jakob's heart like a sharp blade. Envy welled up within him, a desire to experience the same satisfaction he witnessed in her. As the group of first-year students dwindled, he stood there, making him feel like an idiot, anticipating the Sorting Hat's verdict that could either pave the way to greatness or condemn him for eternity.
Then, it was Harry Potter's turn. He bravely stepped up and tried to show the same courage as his twin sister, but Jakob - who had been taught by Narcissa Malfoy herself to read facial expressions - couldn't help but smile at the subtle signs of fear on Harry's face. Albus Dumbledore, too, seemed to take notice; he was sitting straighter in his chair and gazing intently at Harry with a warm look full of reassurance for the young wizard and perhaps even for himself.
Having briefly rested on the boy's head, the Sorting Hat declared with a loud voice, "Gryffindor!"
The Great Hall erupted in thunderous applause and cheers as Gryffindor students jumped to their feet in celebration. Sporting a mischievous grin, Harry Potter carefully removed the hat and savoured the affectionate chants of "We got Harry, We got Harry!" echoing throughout the hall.
Once the cheering subsided, McGonagall's voice rang out, "Jakob Quade!" Her words seemed to reverberate in his ear as if the professor was standing right beside him.
Jakob approached the stool with a composed demeanour, displaying confidence. His eyes surveyed the professors gathered at the table in front of him. A glance at Snape, whose unwavering gaze was fixed on him, revealed the Potions Master slowly raising his goblet and taking a barely noticeable sip – a subtle yet unmistakable gesture acknowledging Jakob's presence. It was a discreet reminder that even Professor Snape anticipated the Quade heir's rightful place was in the house of snakes.
During Severus Snape's first Potions lesson with Draco, Lucius requested that Jakob join, recognising Draco's improved performance in Jakob's presence. Initially, Snape had consented to instruct Jakob only to win favour with Lord Quade. However, he soon shifted his motivations as he observed the boy's talent and passion for the subject.
Snape couldn't deny that he found himself enjoying mentoring the Quade heir, even if he would never openly admit it. If anyone were to inquire about this, Snape would simply maintain that having Jakob around enhanced Draco's learning experience, which was undoubtedly true. Both boys thrived under Snape's guidance.
Jakob turned his attention from the potion master to the figure seated beside him, an individual wearing a turban. This wizard appeared noticeably paranoid, with darting eyes and fidgety hands, giving him an aura of unease.
Was this really a professor? He looked more like someone scared of their own shadow. As Jakob locked eyes with his future Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, he sensed an undercurrent of danger. The professor momentarily relaxed, peering intently at Jakob, but then swiftly averted his gaze as if disturbed by Jakob's inquisitiveness.
A shiver ran down the teenager's spine, causing him to question whether this man was someone to be wary of. Rather than halting and casting a suspicious glance at the professor, Jakob opted to take a seat on the stool, silently observing his fellow students in the room. As all eyes converged on him, he straightened his posture and offered a confident smirk before Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat upon his head, covering his eyes.
Quade's brow furrowed in alarm as a voice echoed within his head.
"Well, who do we have here?" Was the Sorting Hat speaking directly into his thoughts?
"It has been far too long since I've had the honor of sorting a Quade," the hat exclaimed with joyful surprise.
"So... I'm ready to be sorted into Slytherin, right?" the boy inquired, his inner voice wavering as he attempted to conceal his nervousness behind a facade of composure.
"Slytherin? I'm not sure the house of great Salazar is truly the ideal choice for you, child. You seek greatness and have ambition, but I also perceive a seed of something else within you. A seed that, with proper care and nurturing, can bloom into something remarkable - something the house of Gryffindor may be better equipped to aid you in achieving."
The hat's words caused the boy to break out into a sweat. The voice continued in a more gentle tone before Jakob could object to this unthinkable idea or even question what the hat meant.
"So often, I have observed young minds moulded by the expectations thrust upon them, and it pains me to witness them straying from their true potential due to the influence of others. Always bear in mind that you possess the freedom to carve your unique path in life. Do not be confined by the beliefs imposed upon you by external parties," the Sorting Hat advised.
Jake's fear quickly turned to a searing rage when he heard the old sorting hat's declaration.
"I am a Quade," he thought, his eyes closed tightly, and his mind focused on the hat's presence. "I don't follow; I lead. You can sort me into whatever house you wish, but if it isn't Slytherin, I swear I'll tear this school apart with my bare hands."
Jakob wrestled to contain his rising anger. This couldn't be real. He had only just begun at a new school, but the weight of his past and the towering expectations set upon him were already pressing down on his shoulders.
He needed to be sorted into Slytherin. He had no choice. The consequences of being placed in another house were too grave to contemplate. Now, his destiny rested in the imaginary hands of an old hat?
"You and everybody else have an idea of how my life should be lived and what my destiny should be, but..."
Jakob suddenly realised the heavy burden of being Thomas Quade's Heir. Not only had his father forced Jakob and his loved ones into his own selfish schemes, but he had also succeeded in manipulating the entire magical world to view Jakob as a mere pawn in his plans for his house.
"I will show you all that..."
As the Sorting Hat listened to Jakob and observed the vivid flashes of memories and the inner chaos within the boy's mind, it believed for a moment that it had accidentally broken him. But then it heard the boy's spiteful words and felt his presence looming closer and closer. An intense pressure settled in on the hat's enchanted mind as if it were being choked by an invisible force, and for a moment, it could no longer speak.
"My destiny is my own."
As the Sorting Hat could no longer withstand the intense pressure within Jakob's mind, another presence emerged. A dark and icy force seized the old hat and violently threw it out of Jakob's mind.
The sorting hat found itself perched atop Jakob's head once more, surveying the great hall with its aged eyes. Every pair of eyes in the room was locked onto it and the boy beneath. Some were curious, some disinterested, and some from the Slytherin table regarded it with an almost suspicious look. When the hat shifted its gaze to Dumbledore, it sensed that he could perceive its unease and understood that something was wrong.
When the four Hogwarts founders crafted this magical tool, they imbued it with powerful enchantments to guard the innermost thoughts of the children it had read. The Sorting Hat was designed to protect their secrets and keep them safe from prying eyes.
One of these magical charms sensed a potential threat to their secret, prompting the Sorting Hat to spring into action. Its sonorous voice reverberated through the great hall, proclaiming,
"Slytherin!"
The sudden noise startled some students and even gave Quirrell a momentary jolt of surprise. The Slytherin table erupted in a cacophony of cheers and applause, being the first one to break the silence in the great hall.
After removing the Sorting Hat, Jakob approached the majestic green and silver table, noticing Draco gesturing for him to sit beside him. He settled down next to his friend with a sense of relief, his anger and stress from the previous Sorting Hat experience slowly ebbing away. Jakob looked around at his fellow Slytherins and offered nods of acknowledgement, being careful not to disrupt the ongoing Sorting ceremony.
"You were up there for ages," whispered Draco as he leaned a little to not gather any attention.
"You were up there for ages," whispered Draco as he leaned a little closer to avoid attracting attention.
Jakob glanced over at the new student, who was now seated on the stool, before turning his attention back to Draco. His face remained emotionless as he responded, "Yes, I just had a short chat with the Hat."
"The hat looked... odd," said the Malfoy heir in confusion, furrowing his brow as he tried to understand how else to explain the strange behaviour of the magical tool. He knew there had to be something his best mate wasn't telling him. Slightly annoyed by the question, Jake rolled his eyes and quickly surveyed the table, sending a silent message to Draco that people were paying attention to their conversation.
"I needed to remind it who it was speaking to," was the only answer the blonde got. When Jakob turned back, he noticed that the boy who was being sorted had received some cheering and applause from the Ravenclaw table. Jakob absently clapped along while his thoughts drifted back to the situation with the hat.
It had almost seemed afraid of him at the end of their conversation. And the way it had quickly disappeared from his mind made the young Quade boy wonder if he had reacted a bit too harshly. Emma often reminded him that he needed to control his emotions better.
"It doesn't matter if you can successfully act calm when you're really annoyed if your true emotions show through every time you get angry." The words made him pause and take a deep breath as he recalled the mental exercise Emma had taught him to contain his feelings. He opened his eyes again and saw the headmaster standing before the hall, expecting their full attention.
With a smile, Dumbledore addressed the gathered students. His voice was both commanding and soothing as he welcomed everyone to the happy occasion. He emphasised the significance of friendship, teamwork, and camaraderie among peers, as well as the value of family ties. When the headmaster concluded his speech, a round of applause erupted, followed by a rush of excitement as a lavish banquet appeared before them in an instant.
As everyone began to indulge in the variety of delicious dishes and beverages, it was clear that tonight would be a night to remember. Coming from one of the richest families in Britain, Jakob was still genuinely shocked at what he saw.
The long wooden tables in the Great Hall of Hogwarts were now set with delicious food that made every student's mouth water with hunger.
On the different tables lay Roast beef with gravy and roasted potatoes; boiled ham basted with honey; glazed duckling served with orange sauce; juicy turkey legs basked in buttery sauces; grilled sardines cooked to perfection; homemade pieces of bread, rolls, and muffins overflowing from baskets. Lastly, there was an assortment of pies, puddings, cakes and fruit.
The lively conversations among the students came to a halt as the food magically materialised before them. Soon, the hall was filled with the delightful sounds of clinking plates and cheerful munching as everyone happily loaded their trays.
Gradually, the room began to fill with the gentle hum of conversation as students discussed their summer vacations and shared their plans for the future. Some took the time to welcome the first years to Hogwarts. The sound of voices seemed to bring a sense of warmth and familiarity to the room as everyone began reconnecting after a long break from school.
Jakob and Draco exchanged greetings with Slytherin students outside their close-knit group of friends, introducing themselves to some new housemates they had not met before.
One such individual was Blaze Zabini, a tall and spindly boy with dark skin, a long face framed by curly black hair and deep eyes that seemed to notice everything. He spoke in a sophisticated way that would be expected from a Pureblood his age, carrying himself proudly like royalty among his peers.
Jakob was immediately struck by how similar the boy's behaviour was to his own, giving the Quade heir conflicting feelings towards him. On the one hand, Blaze could prove to be a valuable asset with his unique mindset, yet on the other, he could turn out to be a risk if not properly checked. On that thought, Jakob shifted his focus towards the Zabini boy and asked questions about his family, which the boy was happy to answer. If the Zabini heir was aware of the ulterior motivations that drove Jakob to befriend him, he kept his suspicions to himself, making this little game even more fun for the Quade heir.
But the dark-haired and charming boy's undivided attention to the new arrival had not gone unnoticed by everyone. A certain platinum blonde girl, sitting a few seats away from Zabini, was pretending to be involved in a conversation between herself, Pansy, Tracy and another girl named Millicent Bulstrode. She slowly raised the fork with a small piece of the roasted turkey on it to her lips, eating with delicate motions as instructed by her mother. Despite her otherwise perfect façade of indifference, she could not stop herself from being affected as her attempts at being noticed continued to be ignored.
She couldn't help but keep looking at the boy she wanted to talk to. When she saw that he was still in conversation with someone else, she let out a deep sigh, and her disappointment briefly flickered through her pureblooded mask.
Pansy, a longtime friend of Daphne's, observed her shy but lingering glances towards Jake and the nosy girl couldn't help but let out a small giggle. Although she was friendly with Daphne, they were also rivals in many things. Seeing her behave in such a way delighted the Parkinson's girl.
Daphne turned her attention towards Pansy upon hearing her giggle. "Something funny?" Tracey and Millicent, who had yet to figure out why Daphne spoke so coldly to their friend, remained silent as Pansy shook her head with a smug smirk. "It's Nothing," she said simply, triumphantly crossing her arms.
"It's just funny that you always tell me it's silly to chase after something that can't be caught, and yet here we are, side by side in our little boat. I mean, why should I listen to you?"
Daphne fixed a cold glare on her childhood friend, but her smug grin remained unshaken. She promptly devised a new plan, shifting her attention to Draco and Theo and pretending to be wholly engaged in their Quidditch discussion.
The two boys, initially surprised, graciously welcomed her into their conversation, eagerly sharing the thrilling details of their summer Quidditch experiences. Pansy's self-assured expression quickly twisted into a bitter scowl as she observed Daphne attentively soaking up every word of their tales.
As the evening wore on, the feast gradually came to an end, leaving the students feeling full and tired. Upon the headmaster's request, they got up and were obediently led by the prefects, chatting among themselves as they made their way to the entrance of Slytherin's common room.
As they walked the enchanting halls of Hogwarts castle, illuminated only by flickering torchlight, Jakob was awestruck by the intricate architecture of the castle and the lifelike paintings. Some greeted them cheerfully, while others slept or ignored them altogether.
The group soon stepped into the grand staircase, making Jakob raise his eyebrows in surprise. The prefect told them about the stairs and how to avoid ending up on the wrong floor, leading them down a flight before entering another hallway and continuing forward.
As they turned a corner and descended a set of stairs, the first-year students felt the temperature drop as they entered through a door and continued down a short tunnel. Jakob noticed Pansy shiver as she huddled into her Hogwarts robes, and he stepped closer to offer his arm in comfort. She accepted gratefully and moved nearer to him, stealthily using his body to warm herself.
When they reached the bottom, an ancient wooden door opened, revealing a dank dungeon. They ventured further inwards until finally coming to a halt before a dark stone wall. The air was heavy and musty, as if it had been sitting for years untouched before their arrival. The old grey stonework that had been standing for centuries was lit up by flickering torches. With the black-haired, fringed girl tucked in one arm, the Jakob stepped closer to the stone, observing small inscriptions and carvings decorating its surface.
The prefect addressed the small group of first-year students before him.
"The entrance to the Slytherin common room is located here," he declared, his gaze fixed on the newcomers.
"You must provide a password that changes every two weeks for access. And if you forget it, you may not be allowed in until someone is around to help you - and if no one can or will? Well, then, it's a night spent outdoors for you."
The first-year students exchanged shocked and frightened glances while the older boy took pleasure in their nervousness. He paused for a moment before speaking with a smug grin.
"Purus."
Suddenly, without any warning or prompt, the entrance doors swung open, revealing the Slytherin common room, and it was a sight to behold.
The walls were draped with lush green and silver tapestries that brought life to the dark wooden tables and grand black leather furniture. Heavy crimson curtains surrounded the stone fireplace, whose flames provided warmth and comfort for everyone in the room. It was bustling with activity: students gathered around tables playing cards or studying by candlelight, some playing chess or sitting in armchairs reading books or parchments.
Jakob felt his carefully constructed mask slipping away, and a genuine smile spread across his face. This was perfect. He leaned towards Draco, who was eagerly peering inside the entrance, clearly wanting to dash in and take it all in, and whispered.
"Home sweet home, mate."