It didn't take long for the rest of Hogwarts to realize that Harry Potter wasn't what they expected.

By the end of the first week, whispers followed him everywhere.

"Did you hear? Potter's a Slytherin—"

"He actually likes Snape—"

"I saw him hex a third-year for pushing a first-year—"

None of it was exactly true, but Harry didn't correct them. He let the rumors twist into something useful.

And of course Theo was the one making sure they spread just the right way.

"He needs a reputation," Theo had told Draco and Blaise one evening. "One that we control, not Dumbledore."

Draco had smirked. "So, what are we thinking? Mysterious dark heir? Cunning mastermind?"

Blaise had chuckled. "Or just 'Theo Nott's terrifying pet project'?"

Theo ignored them. He had his own plans.

And Harry, sharp as ever, was already catching on.

"So," Harry mused one evening, stretching out on the couch, "am I supposed to be some terrifying Slytherin prince now?"

Theo smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Not yet."

Harry arched an eyebrow. "What, I don't get a say in my own legend?"

"No."

Harry huffed a laugh, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous."

Theo just tilted his head, dark eyes unreadable. "And you trust me to handle it."

Harry didn't respond right away.

Then he smirked. "Guess I do."

And that?

That was all Theo needed.

By the second week of classes, it became clear that Harry Potter wasn't just surviving in Slytherin—he was thriving.

The rest of the school didn't know what to do with that.

Gryffindors shot him confused, betrayed looks in the halls. Hufflepuffs whispered about how different he was from the stories. Even some Ravenclaws were watching him, trying to figure him out.

And the Slytherins?

The Slytherins approved.

Because Harry was sharp. He was quick-witted, adaptable, and clever in a way that made people pay attention. He didn't back down, didn't let himself be pushed around, and most importantly—he understood the game.

Theo, sitting across from him in the common room one evening, smirked. "You're enjoying this."

Harry shrugged, flipping a page in his Potions textbook. "It's entertaining."

Pansy, perched on the arm of the couch, grinned. "And useful."

Blaise hummed in agreement. "Control your reputation, control the board."

Draco leaned back in his chair. "Speaking of which, Weasley still hasn't shut up about how you're being 'corrupted.'"

Theo's expression darkened instantly. "I can fix that."

Harry snorted. "As fun as that would be, I'd rather let him keep running his mouth." He smirked. "The more desperate he sounds, the weaker he looks."

Blaise let out a low chuckle. "You're more of a Slytherin than half the people in this house."

Theo smirked, watching Harry with quiet satisfaction.

Harry, his Harry, was learning.

And soon, the rest of the world would see it too.

It didn't take long for Weasley to make a mistake.

Harry had been expecting it. Watching. Waiting.

And finally, in the middle of a crowded hallway after Transfiguration, it happened.

"You think you're one of them, don't you?" Weasley sneered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Walking around like some bloody prince, acting like you're better than everyone—"

Harry tilted his head, unimpressed. "You're still talking?"

Weasley flushed, his ears burning red. "You should've been in Gryffindor! But no, you had to go crawling in with the snakes—"

"Crawling?" Harry laughed. "Weasley, I walked in and sat on the throne."

The Slytherins behind him chuckled, and even some Ravenclaws looked vaguely impressed.

Weasley looked ready to explode. "They're evil, Harry!"

Harry's smirk sharpened. "Oh? All of them? Even the ones who haven't done anything to you?"

Weasley hesitated, and that was all Harry needed.

"You know," Harry said, voice carrying through the hall, "for someone who talks about 'bravery' so much, you're terrified of anything you don't understand."

Weasley clenched his fists, humiliated. "Shut up, Potter."

Theo, standing at Harry's side, took a slow step forward, his wand half-drawn. "Make him."

The threat hung in the air, electric.

Weasley looked between them, suddenly aware of just how many people were watching. His jaw tightened, but he wasn't stupid enough to take on Theo Nott.

Harry smiled. "Didn't think so."

Then he turned on his heel and walked away, Theo falling into step beside him.

The message had been sent.

Harry Potter wasn't someone to be challenged.

And if anyone tried?

Theo would be there to destroy them.