Chapter 17: The Game of Power

The following morning, the atmosphere in the Great Hall was buzzing with excitement. The students were eagerly discussing the upcoming Quidditch tryouts, which were set to take place later that week. Quidditch was a major event at Hogwarts, and the competition between the houses was fierce.

Alaric had always been intrigued by Quidditch. While he wasn't particularly interested in playing, he understood the importance of the game in terms of house pride and prestige. The Slytherin team had a reputation for being ruthless and highly skilled, and Alaric knew that their performance in the upcoming matches would have a significant impact on the house's standing.

As they ate breakfast, Draco couldn't contain his excitement about the upcoming Quidditch tryouts. "I've been practicing all summer," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I'm confident I'll make the team. My father's already arranged for me to get the best broom available—nothing less than a Nimbus 2001."

Blaise, who was listening with mild interest, raised an eyebrow. "A Nimbus 2001? Impressive. That will definitely give you an edge."

Alaric listened quietly, considering Draco's words. Quidditch was more than just a sport at Hogwarts—it was a battleground for house supremacy. Having Draco on the Slytherin team would undoubtedly strengthen their position, and the connections Draco had through his father could also be beneficial for the house in general.

"You'll do well, Draco," Alaric said, his tone calm but encouraging. "But remember, it's not just about the broom—it's about strategy and teamwork. Make sure you use your head as well as your skills."

Draco smirked, clearly pleased with the support. "Don't worry, Peverell. I've got this."

As they finished their breakfast, the conversation turned to the day's classes. They had Herbology and Charms in the morning, followed by a free period in the afternoon. Alaric was looking forward to the free period—it would give him a chance to explore the library and start working on his plans for the future.

The Herbology lesson took place in one of the greenhouses, a humid, earthy-smelling space filled with all manner of strange and magical plants. Professor Sprout, a stout and cheerful witch with a love for all things green, greeted the students warmly as they entered.

"Welcome to Herbology, everyone!" she said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Today, we'll be working with one of the more dangerous plants in our collection—Mandrakes. They're essential for many important potions, but they can also be quite deadly if not handled correctly."

Alaric listened attentively as Professor Sprout explained the properties of Mandrakes and the precautions they would need to take while handling them. He had read about Mandrakes before—how their cry could be fatal if heard without protection—and he was eager to see one up close.

The class was instructed to put on their protective earmuffs before Professor Sprout led them to a row of large pots, each containing a young Mandrake. She demonstrated how to properly uproot the plant, revealing a small, writhing creature with a bulbous root for a body and leaves growing out of its head. The Mandrake let out a silent scream, its tiny limbs flailing as it was pulled from the soil.

Alaric carefully followed Professor Sprout's instructions, his hands steady as he uprooted his own Mandrake. The creature thrashed in his grip, but Alaric held it firmly, making sure to keep it away from his face as he examined it. The lesson was fascinating, and Alaric could see why Mandrakes were so valuable in potion-making.

After the Mandrakes were safely replanted, the students removed their earmuffs and cleaned up their workstations. Professor Sprout handed out an essay assignment on the uses of Mandrakes in magical medicine, which would be due at the end of the week.

As they left the greenhouse, Draco turned to Alaric with a grin. "That wasn't so bad. Mandrakes are actually pretty interesting."

"Agreed," Alaric replied, his mind already turning to the essay assignment. "There's a lot of potential in Herbology, especially when it comes to potion-making. Understanding these plants could give us an edge in Potions class."

Blaise nodded. "Plus, it's always useful to know which plants can kill you and which can save your life."

The group laughed, the mood lightening as they made their way to the Charms classroom for their second lesson with Professor Flitwick. The small, energetic professor greeted them with his usual enthusiasm, his excitement for the subject contagious.

"Today, we'll be learning the Summoning Charm—Accio!" Flitwick announced, his eyes twinkling. "This is a very practical charm that can save you a lot of time and effort. It's also a favorite in magical duels, as it allows you to summon objects from a distance."

Flitwick demonstrated the charm by summoning a book from across the room, the object flying into his outstretched hand with ease. The students watched in awe, eager to try the charm for themselves.

Alaric practiced the Summoning Charm with the same focus and precision he had applied to the Levitation Charm. He visualized the object he wanted to summon—a quill on the other side of the room—and intoned the incantation, "Accio quill."

The quill flew smoothly into his hand, the charm executed perfectly. Alaric couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The Summoning Charm was a useful skill, and he knew that mastering it would serve him well in both academic and practical situations.

As the lesson continued, Alaric noticed that Draco and Blaise were also having success with the charm, their objects flying into their hands with ease. Hermione Granger, unsurprisingly, had also mastered the charm quickly, her quill obediently flying into her hand on the first try.

On the other hand, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were struggling. Harry's attempts were inconsistent, with the summoned objects either overshooting their target or not moving at all. Ron, meanwhile, seemed unable to summon anything, his frustration growing with each failed attempt.

By the end of the lesson, Alaric felt confident in his ability to perform the Summoning Charm. Flitwick assigned them a reading on the theory behind the charm, as well as a short essay on its practical applications. Alaric made a mental note to complete the assignment during his free period that afternoon.

As they left the classroom, Draco couldn't help but smirk at the Gryffindors' struggles. "Looks like Potter and Weasley are having a rough time," he remarked, his tone dripping with satisfaction.

Blaise chuckled. "Well, not everyone can be as naturally gifted as us, can they?"

Alaric didn't respond, but he couldn't deny the truth in their words. While it was clear that Harry had potential, his lack of control and focus was holding him back. It was a weakness that Alaric intended to keep an eye on.

As they made their way back to the common room, Alaric's thoughts turned to the future. The first few days at Hogwarts had gone well, but he knew that the real challenges were yet to come. He needed to continue building his skills, strengthening his alliances, and outmaneuvering his rivals.

When they arrived in the common room, the group settled into their usual spots near the fireplace. Alaric took out his journal, intending to document the day's events and his observations. He knew that keeping a detailed record of his experiences would be invaluable in the future, both as a reference and as a way to track his progress.

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A/N:

For all those that are going to come in the comments, I know the Nimbus 2001 comes out in their 2nd year as well as first years not being allowed to tryout for the team, and that they don't do the repotting of Mandrake till their second year or learn Accio till their 4th