Chapter 15: The Serpent’s Strength

The next morning dawned cool and crisp, the early autumn air tinged with the scent of dew and the promise of rain. Alaric awoke early, his mind already focused on the tasks ahead. Today would be another test of his abilities, another opportunity to prove himself worthy of his legacy.

After dressing in his robes and gathering his books, Alaric made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. The hall was already bustling with activity, the students chatting excitedly as they prepared for the day's lessons. Alaric took his usual seat at the Slytherin table, greeted by the familiar faces of his housemates.

"Morning, Peverell," Draco said, his tone casual but friendly.

"Morning, Malfoy," Alaric replied, helping himself to a piece of toast.

As they ate, the conversation turned to the day's schedule. They had Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Quirrell first, followed by History of Magic with Professor Binns. The prospect of learning practical defense techniques was exciting, though Alaric couldn't help but feel a twinge of skepticism about Quirrell. The man's reputation as a timid and somewhat ineffectual professor had preceded him, and Alaric wasn't sure what to expect.

After finishing their breakfast, the Slytherins made their way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The room was dark and filled with various objects that were clearly intended to give the impression of danger—skulls, jars of preserved creatures, and old, tattered scrolls. But the effect was somewhat ruined by the nervous demeanor of Professor Quirrell, who stood at the front of the room, fidgeting with his turban and glancing around as if expecting something to jump out at him at any moment.

"Good morning, class," Quirrell stammered, his voice trembling slightly. "T-today, we will b-b-begin our studies of d-d-defense against the d-d-dark arts."

Alaric exchanged a glance with Draco, who raised an eyebrow in disbelief. It was clear that Quirrell's lack of confidence was not going to inspire much faith in his teaching abilities.

Quirrell spent the first part of the lesson lecturing about various dark creatures, his voice barely audible over the murmur of the students. Alaric found himself losing interest, his mind drifting to other matters. He knew that Defense Against the Dark Arts was an important subject, but it was clear that they were not going to learn anything of real value from Quirrell.

As the lesson dragged on, Alaric noticed that Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were also struggling to stay focused. Hermione Granger, on the other hand, was diligently taking notes, her quill flying across the parchment as she recorded every word Quirrell said. Alaric couldn't help but admire her dedication, though he doubted that it would be enough to make up for the lack of practical knowledge they were receiving.

When the lesson finally ended, the students filed out of the classroom, their expressions ranging from boredom to frustration. Alaric could hear the Gryffindors muttering about how useless the lesson had been, and he couldn't help but agree.

"That was a waste of time," Draco said, his voice laced with irritation. "We're not going to learn anything useful from him."

"Agreed," Alaric replied. "But we'll have to make the most of it. There's no point in complaining—we'll just have to supplement our studies on our own."

Draco nodded, his expression thoughtful. "You're right. We can't rely on Quirrell to teach us what we need to know. We'll have to take matters into our own hands."

As they made their way to the History of Magic classroom, Alaric couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. If the professors weren't going to provide them with the knowledge and skills they needed, then they would have to find other ways to learn. Slytherin valued ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness, and Alaric was determined to embody those qualities in everything he did.

The History of Magic classroom was as dull and dreary as Alaric had expected. The walls were lined with dusty books and faded tapestries, and the air was thick with the musty scent of parchment. Professor Binns, the ghostly teacher who seemed more interested in his own lectures than in engaging with his students, drifted into the room and began his monotone lecture without even acknowledging their presence.

As Binns droned on about the Goblin Rebellions, Alaric found it increasingly difficult to stay awake. The subject matter was important, but Binns' delivery was so monotonous that it was almost impossible to focus. Alaric glanced around the room and saw that many of the students had already given up, their heads drooping as they struggled to stay awake.

But Alaric forced himself to pay attention. He knew that history was an essential part of understanding the present and future of the wizarding world. The events of the past shaped the world they lived in, and knowing that history would give him an edge in the intricate web of power dynamics at Hogwarts and beyond.

When the lesson finally ended, Alaric felt a sense of relief. It had been a challenge to stay focused, but he had managed to absorb the key points of the lecture. As they left the classroom, Draco let out a groan of frustration.

"That was torture," he muttered. "How are we supposed to learn anything if Binns can't even keep his own class awake?"

"We'll have to find another way," Alaric said, his voice calm. "The library has plenty of resources. We can supplement Binns' lectures with our own research."

Draco sighed but nodded. "I suppose you're right. It's just frustrating—Hogwarts is supposed to be the best wizarding school in the world, and yet we have to deal with this."

"It's all part of the challenge," Alaric replied, a small smile playing on his lips. "The real test isn't just mastering the material—it's finding ways to succeed despite the obstacles."

Draco smirked, his mood lightening. "You always have a way of looking at things, Peverell. I suppose that's why we make such a good team."

Alaric nodded, acknowledging the compliment with a small smile. "We'll make it through this, Malfoy. We just need to stay focused and take advantage of every opportunity."

As they made their way back to the Slytherin common room, the day's events weighed heavily on Alaric's mind. It was clear that not all their classes would be as rewarding as Potions and Transfiguration, but that didn't mean they could afford to slack off. Every lesson, no matter how tedious, offered a chance to learn something valuable—even if that lesson was simply the importance of self-reliance.

Back in the common room, the atmosphere was subdued as the first-years gathered to discuss the day's classes. The older students were scattered throughout the room, some reading by the fire, others engaged in quiet conversations. The room's dim lighting and rich green decor provided a comforting sense of security, a reminder that this was their sanctuary within the vastness of Hogwarts.

As they took their usual seats near the fireplace, Blaise leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "So, what's the plan? We can't rely on Quirrell or Binns to teach us everything we need to know."

Draco frowned. "We'll need to do our own research, like Peverell said. The library should have plenty of resources."

Daphne, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "We could also try to get closer to some of the older students. They've already been through these classes—they might have some advice on how to get the most out of them."

Alaric considered her suggestion. "That's a good idea. Building connections with the older students could be beneficial in more ways than one. We should start identifying those who are particularly skilled or influential and see if we can learn from them."

Tracey nodded in agreement. "And we can form study groups within our year. That way, we can help each other out and ensure that we all stay on top of the material."

The group continued to discuss their plans, the conversation growing more animated as they began to outline their strategies. Alaric was pleased to see that they were all taking their studies seriously. Slytherin had a reputation to uphold, and they were determined to contribute to that legacy.

As the evening wore on, Alaric excused himself and headed to his private room. The day had been long, but it had also been productive. He had made progress in his classes, strengthened his relationships with his housemates, and begun to lay the groundwork for his future success.

Before turning in for the night, Alaric took out his journal—a leather-bound book with the Peverell crest embossed on the cover. He had always found it helpful to document his thoughts and observations, and he knew that keeping a detailed record of his time at Hogwarts would be invaluable.

He opened the journal to a blank page and began to write:

---

**Day One:**

The first day of classes has been both challenging and revealing. Potions and Transfiguration have proven to be as engaging as I expected, while Defense Against the Dark Arts and History of Magic have been disappointing. It's clear that we will need to supplement our education with independent study if we are to excel in all subjects.

The dynamics within Slytherin are beginning to take shape. Draco Malfoy is eager to establish himself as a leader, while Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott are more cautious, preferring to observe and plan before taking action. Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis have shown themselves to be thoughtful and strategic, both qualities that will serve them well.

I must continue to build alliances and gather information. Knowledge is power, and in Slytherin, power is everything.

---

Satisfied with his entry, Alaric closed the journal and placed it on his bedside table. As he lay down to sleep, his mind was already turning to the challenges of the coming days. He knew that the path to greatness would not be easy, but he was ready to face whatever obstacles came his way.