— And where are we going, exactly? Everything is already set up back there, — Daphne asked, walking behind Victor.
— For my little sister, — he tossed back curtly without turning around.
Daphne nodded, skipping up a step.
— So, how did that happen? You're a Slytherin, and she ended up in Ravenclaw.
Victor smiled, shaking his head.
— I should have expected it. Well, to start with, we aren't biological siblings. As for why it happened... It's simple. I'm ambitious, I love power, and I'm used to dominating. Adele doesn't need any of that. She likes to study and learn new things, so Ravenclaw suits her perfectly.
They stopped in front of the entrance to the Ravenclaw tower. Victor knocked politely on the frame and addressed the woman depicted on the canvas:
— Madam, excuse my boldness, but could you please tell Adele Moss that her brother is waiting outside?
— Young man, have you looked at the clock? — the lady in the portrait asked sternly, adjusting her bonnet. — It is the dead of night!
— I implore you, — Victor pressed a hand to his heart, giving his face an expression of profound sorrow. — It is vital that I see my dear sister. We have been apart for only a few hours, but I am already losing my mind from longing. My heart is literally breaking.
The lady in the portrait melted, pressing a handkerchief to her eyes.
— Oh heavens, such touching brotherly love... Very well, wait a moment, I shall call her.
As soon as the portrait closed, Daphne arched an eyebrow skeptically.
— Decided to play on her emotions a bit, — he winked at her.
A couple of minutes later, the passage opened, and Adele, in her pajamas, practically flew out into the corridor. She immediately grabbed hold of her brother's robes.
— Victor! Please, take me away from here, I can't take it anymore! — she pleaded. — That girl, Lovegood... she's driving me crazy! She's been talking some nonsense about magical parasites for an hour!
Victor couldn't help himself and burst out laughing, patting her head.
— I'm glad you found a friend.
— Do you hear me?! She isn't my friend, she's annoying!
— Alright, alright, go get dressed, you're coming with us.
Adele nodded happily and, without asking unnecessary questions, dove back behind the portrait.
A while later, they stood in the dungeons before a massive door decorated with wrought-iron snakes. Victor gave a faint flick of his hand, and it swung open, revealing the way into a hidden hall. Inside, half of Slytherin had gathered—everyone who belonged to Victor's faction. In the middle of the room stood a long table, literally groaning under the weight of exquisite appetizers and drinks. At the sight of them entering, the hall filled with an impatient hum.
— Finally! Where have you been wandering? We've been waiting forever.
— Yes, let's get started!
— My apologies for the delay, everyone. Stopped by the Ravenclaw tower for my sister, — Victor replied with a smile, walking forward.
— Hello, Adele! Don't be shy, come in.
— Yeah, Victor's sister is our sister! — someone shouted from the crowd to general laughter.
— Hold on, — Victor smirked. — Whoever said that—hit him. Adele is only my sister. And no one else's.
Approaching the head of the table, he materialized a green velvet chair from the air with a short gesture.
— Sit, — he pointed Adele to the seat next to him.
Daphne took her usual seat on his right. Victor remained standing. He slowly raised a goblet of golden juice and swept his gaze over his followers.
— My dear friends! I want to congratulate you on the start of another school year. To another year in which, I hope, Slytherin will once again prove how much higher we stand than the rest. This will be a year of new experiences, loyal friends, and brilliant victories.
He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at the seventh years.
— Of course, not everyone will be able to celebrate as carefree as before. I am speaking of our graduates. I wish you special luck. If difficulties arise—any at all—come to me. This year, you are the priority. I want Slytherins to shine not only within the walls of Hogwarts but far beyond its borders after graduation. To you, friends! Cheers!
Everyone present rose as one, raising their goblets.
— CHEERS!
— To you, Victor! To Slytherin!
The hall exploded with the clinking of dishes and laughter. Everyone sat down, and a lively discussion broke out immediately. The atmosphere was thick with unity and triumph.
George began walking around the table, generously filling goblets. When he approached Victor, the latter immediately caught the scent coming from the bottle.
— Is that wine? — Victor arched an eyebrow, looking at George.
— The best in our collection, straight from the home cellar! — George proclaimed proudly, saluting with the bottle.
— Did you forget how sick you were last year? — Victor reminded him, not sharing the enthusiasm. — Put that away. Or better yet—pour it out.
— Pour it out?! — George looked as if he had been asked to burn down the Hogwarts library. — No way! I've matured over the summer, toughened up... And look at the occasion! We haven't seen each other in ages; are we really going to celebrate this with pumpkin juice?
Victor frowned and looked around at the guests:
— Alright, confess. Who else smuggled alcohol into the castle?
A few dozen hands rose, first timidly and then more confidently. Victor slapped his hand against his forehead.
— Have you all gone collectively mad? Fine... One glass each, and that's it.
— Oh, come on, Victor! — one of the seventh years stood up, casually draping an arm over the back of his chair. — Look how many of us there are. If we distribute these supplies among everyone, no one will even get tipsy. Just a light flush for the mood.
The hall filled with approving murmurs:
— Yes!
— I agree!
Victor sighed and shook his head.
— Fine... I suppose the world won't end because of it.
Two hours later
The hall had turned into a residence of pure chaos. The walls shook from the booming music, multicolored lights flashed everywhere, and a huge light ball spun frantically under the ceiling, shining with a thousand sparks. The party was in full swing. Victor had long ago shed his robes and shirt. Bare-chested, he was dancing right on the table to the deafening whistles and cheers of the crowd.
— Let me through! — George wailed at the other end of the hall, desperately pulling away from his friends' hands. He was stripping off his robes as he went, getting tangled in the sleeves. — I've been working out all summer! I want to be up there too! VICTO-O-OR, I'M COMING TO YOU!
Daphne sat at the table, watching the surrounding madness with a soft smile. Her gaze fell on Adele—the girl was barely holding on, her head tilting to her shoulder every now and then, her eyelids heavy. Daphne sighed sympathetically and touched her hand.
— Adele, come with me. It's time for you to sleep.
— No, I'll stay... — she muttered, desperately rubbing her eyes with her fists. — I'll wait for Victor.
— Come on, I'll take you to Victor's room. The party will be over soon anyway, and he'll go there.
Adele took one last look at Victor—who had just jumped off the table into the thick of the crowd, continuing to dance to ecstatic cheers.
— Okay. Let's go.
They slipped through the noisy crowd, out into the common room, and after climbing the stairs, entered Victor's room.
— You can lie down here, — Daphne pointed to the wide bed covered with a dark spread.
While Adele got settled, Daphne went over to Victor's desk. She confidently opened a leather bag containing a set of potions. Dozens of glass vials shimmered inside in special compartments. Daphne began quickly but carefully moving them into her pockets.
— What are those? — Adele asked sleepily, watching her actions.
— These are what will save many people tomorrow, — Daphne smiled. — Alright, you can rest, I won't disturb you.
Clinking the vials, she quietly left the room, leaving Adele alone.
It was around two in the morning when the last echoes of music faded. Victor personally saw to it that the most "festive" ones made it to their dormitories and didn't fall asleep in a corridor somewhere. Only after that did he return to his room.
As soon as he stepped over the threshold, he noticed scattered clothes on the floor. His gaze slid to the bed: Adele was napping peacefully, curled into a ball among his pillows. Victor smiled involuntarily. He neatly gathered her clothes, folded them on a chair, and went to the shower. Washing away the exhaustion and the smell of the party, he came out in soft sleeping pants and carefully lay down on the edge of the bed. Feeling the movement, Adele opened her eyes a crack. Without a word, she reached out and hugged him, burying her nose in his shoulder. Victor began to gently stroke her back. Kissing the top of her head, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
In the morning, Victor, already fully dressed, sat on the edge of the bed. A sunbeam from the narrow dungeon window fell persistently right onto the sleeping girl's face.
— Adele, wake up. Go get yourself ready and get dressed; it's time for breakfast.
— Five more minutes, — she grumbled without opening her eyes and resolutely turned toward the wall.
Victor pulled the blanket off her and began to gently shake her shoulder.
— No, get up. Otherwise, you'll be late for your first class.
Adele, frowning, sat up anyway. She scanned the room with a sleepy, unfocused gaze before staring at him.
— I'm not inviting you to our parties anymore. You sat at the table all evening; you even refused to dance with me.
— I don't know how to dance.
— Nobody there knew how! — Victor smirked. — But that didn't stop anyone. Now, march to the bathroom, and I'll go check on the others.
As soon as the door closed behind Victor, Adele collapsed back onto the pillow with a blissful groan, pulling the blanket over herself.