CHAPTER 68 Speculations and Reactions
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CHAPTER 68 Speculations and Reactions
The news of Elmi's victory spread like wildfire throughout Hogwarts, surpassing the usual confines of the Slytherin common room. Whispers and murmurs filled the corridors as students from all houses discussed the surprising turn of events.
Normally, those kinds of things wouldn't leave the confines of the Slytherin common room, but the Slytherins could not stop talking about it even when they were outside the common room, so everyone heard it in a few days.
In the Great Hall during meals, the topic dominated discussions among students of all houses. Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs exchanged incredulous looks and speculative remarks as they tried to make sense of how a mere first-year had managed to best a fifth-year student in a duel.
Some speculated about Elmi's skill and cunning, while others whispered about darker, more mysterious explanations. Since Elmi was from Slytherin, some people started a gossip, claiming Elmi made a deal with a dark being for more power.
Among the Slytherins, reactions were mixed. Some regarded Elmi with newfound respect, impressed by his display of power. Others, however, harbored jealousy and resentment, unwilling to accept the sudden disruption of the established hierarchy within their house. Marcus and his friends were walking around the boathouse as he threw a bottle of butterbeer onto the wall.
"That idiot, couldn't even beat a first year. I still don't understand what was wrong with him. Even before the fight, he was terrified of a little boy."
Alice Selwyn shrugged her shoulders, "Who knows? We will only know it when he comes back to the dorm. Flint is still in the infirmary. " She sighed, "Haaaa, I really don't care. I was already about to rip my hair because of the exams and job hunting, and I couldn't care less about what was happening in the house. Isn't this 4th and 5th years job to keep the boy in check."
Alice was a brown-haired and freckled girl with brown eyes. In general, her light brown eyes looked ruthless, which is why most underclassmen feared her. She looked troubled as she said, "If I don't get a job in the Ministry, my father will kill me." her friends looked at her like saying don't be a drama queen, but after making sure there was no one around, in a serious tone, she said, "He really will, the man had gone crazy since You-Know-Who's defeat. You are aware that our faction has suffered significant losses in both members and power within the wizarding world. The man is obsessed with regaining control and will take drastic measures if I disappoint him."
Alice was from a death-eater family like Marcus, but like most upperclassmen, the world after Hogwarts was taking all of her attention. She turned towards Marcus and said, "Do you even have time to deal with them?"
"I don't, but someone has to."
A 6th-year Eloise Blackwood offered an opinion, "Why don't you leave it to your cousins?" Blackwoods were an offshoot of the Black family, and some of them were staunch followers of Voldemort and Bellatrix.
Cassius Avery and Lysander Selwyn were 5th years who were usually used as the enforces of the ruling group. Those two enjoyed inflicting pain so much that if their lord was still around, those two would be prime death eater material, but with the world stabilizing, they are only seen as psychopath loners.
....
In the dimly lit corridor, four students entered an empty classroom. The room was mostly empty, except for some desks and chairs. Because of years of neglect, they had collected a good amount of dust on them. Alice waved her wand, casting a cleaning spell on a chair, and sat down. Then, the others followed her example.
Marcus leaned forward, his voice low and commanding. "Cassius, Lysander, listen closely. We've had enough of that arrogant first-year, Elmi, causing trouble and disrupting the hierarchy within Slytherin House. It's time to put him in his place."
Cassius nodded eagerly, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Consider it done, Marcus. Fawley won't know what hit him." Marcus cut him off, "Not right now; we are almost about to leave. I don't want him to have any time to collect himself. So start it as soon as we return."
Lysander interjected, "But what about the other underclassmen? We can't allow them to think they can challenge our authority either."
"You're right, Lysander. We need to make an example out of Fawley to ensure the others fall in line. But it falls on you guys to keep them in check. We don't have time for Hogwarts squabbles."
Cassius grinned, his enthusiasm clear as a day, "Leave it to us. We'll show them who's truly in charge around here." Marcus nodded in approval. "Good. Make sure you're ready when the next semester starts. We won't tolerate any more insubordination from the younger students." With their plans set, the four Slytherins dispersed.
...
The students had their last dinner before going on semester break and were chatting about the happiness of finishing their exams. Of course, some were worried about the scolding they would hear when they went home. Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder and tried to comfort him.
"Don't worry Ron, you'll fix it in the second term. It is not the end of the world."
Ron shook his head, and sighed, "You don't understand, Percy going to come home with everything perfect. Even Charlie and Fred going to have good grades. They are going to turn my holiday into a nightmare."
Hermione first slammed the book in her hand and said in a serious tone, "This wouldn't have happened if you had come and studied with me as I suggested instead of playing Wizard chess for hours. You made this bed, and now you are going to lay in it."
Ron, with a sour face, "You don't need to rub salt on my wound, Hermione. I know I screwed up." He rubbed his red hair harshly. "Ahhh! Mother going to be furious."
Hermione smiled smugly and stabbed Ron one more time. She was having so much fun making him squirm, "I will see you guys later; now that I have nothing to fear, I will have a very comfortable holiday. I wonder what awaits you at home?" Hearing this made Ron more uneasy. Harry smiled and added, "Hermione, please stop going at Ron, or he will cry now."
"I'm not going to cry!"
Harry didn't want to show it, but this issue had caused a bitter pain inside him. While he was happy for Hermione and Ron, knowing they would enjoy a warm and welcoming holiday with their families. Even if Ron gets scolded by his mother, all of this will happen in a warm home.
He couldn't shake the bitterness that gnawed at him from within. For Harry, there was no warm home awaiting him, no loving family to return to. The Dursleys were far from welcoming, and Hogwarts had become his true refuge. Yet, even within its hallowed halls, Harry couldn't escape the ache of longing for the family he never knew.
Harry still missed looking into the Mirror of Erised, at least in there he could see his parents next to him but the mirror was long gone since Elmi had told Snape about it. When he looked at Ron and Hermione what he felt wasn't jealousy perse; what consumed him was the simple desire to experience the warmth and love of a mother and father. It was the longing for a true home.