Victor sat at his desk, frowning as he flipped through his journal. Daphne and her sister had settled into the armchairs behind him.
— Damn it, this can't be fixed. I'll just have to scrap it, — he sighed, slamming the notebook shut with a loud thud.
He turned toward the sisters and, noticing Astoria sitting as quiet as a mouse, he smirked:
— Well now, little one. You've made a mess of things, and now you're moping? And your sister has to take the heat for you.
— I'm sorry... — she whispered barely audibly, curling into a ball.
Victor shook his head.
— It's unusual to see you so gloomy. I almost feel sorry for you.
— I don't need your pity, — she whispered back, still not looking up.
Victor broke into a grin.
— Oh, that's better. Listen, I've suddenly become curious: why do you dislike me so much? I doubt it's just about the purity of my blood.
Astoria finally raised her head and looked at him with unconcealed resentment.
— Because of you, everyone bullies my sister!
Daphne stared at her sister in astonishment.
— Astoria? What are you talking about? Who is bullying me?
— I overheard when Mr. Malfoy and the others came to see Father! — the girl cried out. — They were all bad-mouthing you! Because you obey him like a servant!
Daphne quickly moved to sit beside her sister and hugged her tightly.
— Silly girl, why didn't you tell me right away? I couldn't care less what those idiots think of me.
— I told Mother, but she said not to pay attention. She said you were smart and would handle it yourself. But how can I?! All the children I talked to hate you!
Victor chuckled, leaning back in his chair.
— So you hate me because a bunch of pure-blooded snobs hate your sister? Strange logic, but it'll do for a child.
— I'm not a child! And it's all your fault!
— Astoria, he's right. I chose to follow him myself, — Daphne interrupted softly. — And if anyone deserves to be hated... Listen, our parents support me. You see for yourself that not all the Sacred Twenty-Eight families are obsessed with blood purity. Father would have stopped associating with people like the Malfoys long ago if not for business. It's just that we are all Slytherins; our families have been friends for centuries, and our businesses are linked. We have no choice but to maintain contact. But you shouldn't let their offspring influence you.
Astoria sniffled and buried her face in her sister's shoulder.
— I'm sorry, Daphne...
— Of course, dear. It's alright.
— Ah, watching you two makes me want to hug my sister as well, — Victor said, theatrically wiping away an imaginary tear. But he immediately frowned. — Wait, stop. Why are you apologizing to her? I'm the victim here!
Astoria shot him a blistering look.
— I still hate you. You beat up my sister last year!
— Well, first of all, I didn't beat her up, I just... gently throttled her. It wasn't violence; it was more like an expression of passion. She has a very beautiful, delicate neck; it's tempting to bite it.
Daphne instantly turned red and looked at him.
— Don't... don't you dare say things like that in front of my sister!
Victor squinted.
— Does that mean when she isn't around, I can describe my twisted fantasies to you in full detail?
— No! That's not what I meant! Don't talk about it at all!
Their conversation was interrupted by a cautious, almost timid knock.
— Входи! — Victor shouted.
The door eased open, and Draco peeked into the room. As soon as his eyes landed on Victor, his heart sank into his boots. However, with the loyal Crabbe and Goyle looming behind him, Malfoy tried his best to appear fearless. He stepped inside and swallowed hard.
— Victor, you called for me?
— Да. You're already aware of what happened in the corridor, aren't you? — Victor asked.
— Yes, I was told... But I swear, I knew nothing about it! They did it all on their own!
Victor gave a short nod, exchanged a look with Daphne, and turned back to his notes. Daphne instantly caught the hint: he was handing the initiative to her. It was time to show her fangs.
— Malfoy, the fact that you didn't know doesn't exempt you from responsibility, — Daphne began in an icy tone. — You are their leader. It is your duty to watch your curs so they don't snap at those they shouldn't.
Draco frowned. He didn't like that Greengrass was speaking to him instead of Victor, but deep down he felt relieved — she was much easier to talk to.
— Greengrass, I don't quite understand the accusation. Your sister was the one hanging around us; we didn't invite her. And today she suddenly declares she's leaving the faction. She didn't even bother to wait for me to tell me personally! Naturally, my people were offended. And perhaps they reacted too strongly.
Victor, listening in, silently agreed. There was logic in Draco's words. Meanwhile, Daphne rose from her chair, letting go of her sister, and walked up to Malfoy with her arms crossed.
— Draco, first of all, she is my sister. Naturally, she wants to be with me. And secondly, it seems you didn't quite understand me: I am not "accusing" you. I am stating a fact — this is entirely your responsibility.
Malfoy scowled deeper at her tone.
— And you have a choice, — a dangerous note rang in Daphne's voice. — Either you punish them yourself, or... we will handle the punishment. Just keep in mind: our people have a poor memory for faces. To ensure the guilty don't accidentally escape justice, we'll just send all of you to the infirmary one by one, just in case.
— Listen, — Draco tried to soften the situation, — we don't mind your sister leaving. Can we just end it at that?
Daphne slowly shook her head.
— No. They drove my sister to tears, and I demand that they suffer. And believe me, even if Victor doesn't care, I have enough influence to bring the wrath of our half of the House down on you. Especially since many of them remember quite well how the pure-bloods used to oppress them. I think they'd be happy to help me.
Draco fell silent, weighing the risks. He didn't want to pick a fight with Daphne — not with Victor sitting behind her like a silent shadow — over two idiots.
— Fine. I'll deal with them. Personally, — he exhaled.
Daphne gave a satisfied smile and nodded.
— I'm glad we've reached an understanding. Now you're dismissed.
Malfoy shot one last glance at Victor, but the boy continued to scribble industriously in his journal, completely ignoring Draco's presence. Malfoy turned and hurriedly left, closing the door behind him.
— Sister, that was so cool! — Astoria breathed in awe as soon as the door closed.
— Well now, I finally see my deputy, — Victor turned to them, smiling broadly. — And who cares if, technically, we weren't entirely in the right? In this world, power and authority decide everything. If you're on top, you dictate the rules.
Daphne nodded silently. Victor rose from the desk and stretched.
— Admit it, Daphne: the feeling of dominance — it's a rush, isn't it?
— Yes... — she didn't lie. — There is something alluring about it.
— Glad to hear it. Now, ladies, I'll leave you. Close the door when you leave, — he said and walked out of the room, leaving the sisters alone.
Astoria immediately jumped up and grabbed her sister's hand excitedly.
— See! You handled it all without him! You were so fierce Malfoy almost cried. You don't need Victor to be the boss.
Daphne smiled and gently patted her sister's head.
— Silly girl... And who do you think gave me this power in the first place? — she looked thoughtfully at the closed door. — And even if I wanted to usurp power in Slytherin tomorrow, I could never be like him.
— But why?
— I lack his qualities, Astoria. That insane power and that magnetic charisma. People obey me only because they know he is standing behind me.
Daphne gave her sister a little nudge toward the exit.
— Alright then, let's go. Time to get ready for bed.
Victor returned to the Room of Requirement. The first thing he did was take a vial of Invigoration Potion from the table and drain it in one gulp. His fatigue vanished instantly.
He smiled with satisfaction, and a katana materialized from thin air into his hands. The steel glinted predatorily in the torchlight.
— Alright, old girl... Today we practice my swordsmanship. — Victor closed his eyes. — Create a training ground for me. In short... surprise me.
When he opened his eyes, the room had transformed beyond recognition. The lab and the shelves of ingredients were gone, and the walls had expanded, turning the space into a massive training hall. Instead of stone, the floor beneath his feet was smooth, dark bamboo. Braziers with blue flames flared up along the edges of the arena, and cherry blossom petals swirled in the air, despite there being no trees in the room. Most importantly, faceless mannequin figures armed with wooden staves began to rise slowly from the shadows by the walls, ready for his first move.
Victor nodded approvingly, adjusting his grip on the katana's hilt.
— Thank you. This is exactly what I need.