In the Hogwarts dungeon, the Potions classroom buzzed as sixth-years cleaned up after class. Students vanished potion fumes with spells, cautious not to inhale.
Only ten students took NEWT-level Potions: Percy Weasley and Agrias Beoulve from Gryffindor, Gemma Farley and Garfield Galfgarion from Slytherin, plus three Hufflepuffs and three Ravenclaws. Snape's strict policy demanded an Outstanding OWL; even an Exceeds Expectations barred entry. Gemma's friend missed the mark by a point, forced to leave.
This year's class was considered bountiful.
Gemma waited for Agrias, who tied up her blonde hair to avoid potion splashes. They weren't close, but with only one other girl—Hufflepuff Sansara Starks—in the class, they bonded in Potions. Agrias sighed in relief, finishing cleanup.
Then her gaze froze behind Gemma. Turning, Gemma saw a platinum-blonde Slytherin prefect in green robes talking to a tall Gryffindor in red—Galfgarion and Percy.
"Getting interesting," Gemma grinned, nudging Sansara. "Bet on Galfgarion or Percy?"
Galfgarion, a Slytherin standout, avoided trouble but clashed with the overachieving Percy. Their rivalry—point-scoring or assignment races—was a spectacle. Percy's dominance grew; Galfgarion's last win was two months ago.
"Percy, four Sickles," Sansara said.
"What about you, Aggie?" Gemma teased.
"No bet needed. They're done talking and left," Agrias said. "Let's go."
"They've matured," Gemma sighed, watching them leave.
"They were angry," Agrias muttered.
"Angry? Seemed normal," Gemma said.
"Galfgarion smiles when mad. Percy taps desks when irritated. You'd notice if you paid attention," Agrias said.
"You're observant," Gemma conceded.
"Years of watching them," Agrias smirked. "My win. Hand over your muffin."
"You're guessing! Stealing desserts makes you fat!" Gemma protested.
"Calm down, Gemma!" Sansara intervened.
As the trio bickered and left, Snape remained, preparing for the next class, his eyes dead.
Galfgarion hurled rare words at Percy. "Hey, hero. Didn't hear about company."
"I said follow me, not talk alone," Percy retorted.
"Excuse me, seniors," said Banagher, a fifth-year Hufflepuff prefect and Dueling Club president, joining them in the Room of Requirement. The room provided cozy armchairs, a wooden table, and tea for three.
"Sit," Percy said. "I want to clarify things."
"Bull. You'd have told Banagher alone if I hadn't spoken," Galfgarion scoffed.
"Later, maybe. But this is efficient," Percy replied.
"Don't patronize me," Galfgarion growled.
Banagher intervened. "I'm grateful for the full Chamber story. Rumors are messy—what's true?"
"As club president, I'm unsure how to handle Percy's brother and your junior," Banagher added, scratching his head.
"What about Ravenclaw prefects? They're responsible too," Galfgarion noted, referencing Luna.
Percy sighed. "They're unreliable. They insisted on acting independently during the crisis. I'll talk to Penelope when she's stable."
"Hope she recovers soon," Banagher said.
"From the heart," Percy agreed.
Ravenclaw's individualism meant Luna's heroics wouldn't prompt action. Galfgarion sat, arms crossed, glaring. Banagher sat upright, attentive.
"What do you know?" Percy asked.
"Potter found the Chamber, took down Lockhart's idiocy, and survived the Basilisk with Banagher's item," Galfgarion said, then turned to Banagher. "My junior caused trouble. You saved him. I owe you."
"I just lent a device," Banagher said, flustered.
(If only all juniors were like him…) Galfgarion thought, conflicted. Banagher, a model student, had every right to resent Slytherin but didn't.
"Potter said he was nearly killed by a dark diary but survived with Percy and friends," Galfgarion added.
(So, a magical item… What's Percy's take?) Banagher thought, noting Hufflepuff rumors: Potter used dark magic, Percy saved them with Gryffindor's sword, or Lockhart was the mastermind.
"Potter's humble," Percy said.
"I'm grateful you helped him," Galfgarion said, hiding his fury. (Why'd Potter lose an arm with you there?)
He expected Percy to protect juniors. Percy's prowess invited high expectations, but Galfgarion knew blaming him was unfair—Slytherin prefects, like himself, held responsibility.
"I didn't help," Percy said quietly, shaking his head. "We were saved by Harry—his dark magic."
The room tensed.
"If that's true, drink this," Galfgarion said, pouring Veritaserum.
"Veritaserum!?" Banagher gasped.
"To avoid lies. If you're framing Potter as a dark wizard, we're done. Drink, Percy," Galfgarion challenged.
Percy downed it without hesitation, stunning Banagher. "Potter's dark magic saved us," he repeated. "For his honor, I've told only you, trusting you'll keep it secret and treat him fairly."
"Thank you," Banagher said.
Galfgarion sipped tea, frowning. "I didn't teach Potter dark magic. McGillis?"
"No. He's reckless but not corrupt," Banagher said. "If Potter killed the Heir, that's the issue, not dark magic. He saved your sister."
(Maybe he meant to kill…) Galfgarion thought, recalling Harry's near-death by Quirrell. (Did that change him?)
Most would shun dark magic after such trauma, but Harry mastered it for self-defense. Was that justified?
"You're calm," Percy said to Banagher. "No aversion to dark magic?"
"None," Banagher lied.
"And Potter's use?"
"His wand—holly and phoenix feather—suits emotional wizards, amplifying power. It's not odd he used dark magic," Banagher said.
"You know useless trivia," Galfgarion scoffed.
"For future work," Banagher smiled.
"I'm surprised you accept Potter's dark magic, Percy. You'd have shunned him before," Banagher said.
Galfgarion agreed. "Not like you, straight-laced prefect."
"When I entered the Chamber, Potter had blown off the Basilisk's head with dark magic—likely combustion or explosion curses. Banagher's device helped, but Potter saved me first," Percy said.
"The Basilisk's gaze…" Banagher started.
"Kills. Glasses might've petrified me, but I'd still be dead," Percy said.
"Potter used Protego Diabolica," Percy continued.
Banagher flinched. Galfgarion mused, "Grindelwald's spell. Kills non-believers."
"You survived," Banagher said, awed.
"Potter stopped it when he saw me, leaving himself open. He took a Basilisk fang to the arm," Percy said, regretful. "My arrival nearly killed him. I'm sorry."
Galfgarion clenched his fist. "Your mistake nearly killed him?"
"Yes," Percy admitted.
(Damn it…) Galfgarion knew only Potter could judge Percy, and he wouldn't. Percy's honesty, fueled by Veritaserum, stemmed from guilt. His perfectionism couldn't handle the near-loss.
Despite acclaim, Percy was irritable, unable to explain Harry's dark magic. No professor blamed him, so Galfgarion became his judge.
"It's a common error. Potter survived," Banagher said.
"Finish the story," Galfgarion demanded.
"I tried to protect Potter but failed against the enemy's magic. When he nearly killed us, Potter cut off his arm, threw it to distract the enemy, and cast Protego Diabolica on Ron. The enemy's spell couldn't pierce it. A house-elf saved Potter, and Luna, cloaked, gave Ron Gryffindor's sword to destroy the diary. That's the truth," Percy said.
Galfgarion glared. "You did nothing? Your Protego and bird swarm failed? Stop downplaying."
"I couldn't match the enemy," Percy insisted.
Banagher, awed, thought, (Everyone's insane…) Percy's advanced Transfiguration outmatched him, yet he failed. Ron, Harry, and Luna's bravery stunned him.
"Fearless or crazy," Galfgarion said, respecting Percy. "You didn't care about dying?"
"I just wanted to save family," Percy said, not from Veritaserum but conviction.
Banagher promised to monitor Potter and Ron. "They're promising. I'll treat Potter like any junior."
"There's more," Percy said. "Notice anything odd?"
"Questions, yes," Banagher said.
"Luna pulling Gryffindor's sword? Only true Gryffindors can," Galfgarion said.
"Courageous enough," Percy said. "The Hat chose her."
"Crazy or brave," Galfgarion agreed.
"Luna's ostracized. Some resent her feat," Banagher said. "Like scorning a 'lesser' student outscoring you."
"Human nature's ugly," Galfgarion said.
"I'll ensure Penelope acknowledges Luna," Percy said. "But the Hat arriving via phoenix to Luna and the elf—odd, no?"
"It's in the Headmaster's office," Banagher said.
"Did someone send it?" Galfgarion asked, shaken.
"Dumbledore was gone, McGonagall in meetings. Someone, under Dumbledore's orders, sent the phoenix and Hat," Percy said.
"That's absurd!" Banagher stood, furious. "They knew the Chamber's location, ignored it, and sent students!?"
"No sane teacher would," Galfgarion said.
"No proof, just my guess," Percy said. "Dumbledore planned it, expecting the Heir to act when he left, setting up Potter for glory."
"That's vile," Galfgarion growled. "This is a school, not a barracks."
"Why're you calm!?" Banagher demanded. "You and your siblings nearly died!"
"Talking clarified my thoughts," Percy said. "Can I blame Dumbledore?"
"You're a victim," Galfgarion said.
"Maybe Potter and Luna were pawns in a political game," Percy said. "I remembered who gave Ginny the diary—Lucius Malfoy, a pure-blood supremacist who scorns us, handed it to her after fighting my father."
"Who?" Banagher pressed.
"Lucius Malfoy," Percy said. "Post-brawl, he tossed it to Ginny."
"The Ministry won't touch Malfoy," Galfgarion said. "Too rich. The diary's weak evidence."
Percy faced a cruel reality: the Weasleys lacked power to challenge Malfoy. Nor could he confront Dumbledore, the only counter to pure-blood influence.
"Don't blame yourself," Banagher said. "Have you told Dumbledore?"
"Not yet," Percy admitted.
"Do it! Or it's truly hopeless!" Banagher urged.
Galfgarion stayed silent, realizing Percy sought Banagher's counsel. "Malfoy's tyranny, Dumbledore's schemes—if true, unforgivable. But I have no choice but Dumbledore for now," Percy said, eyes blazing.
Galfgarion saw folly. Power was the only escape, but Percy, a Weasley, lacked the cunning to navigate factions or bow to pure-bloods.
"Watch Potter and Luna," Percy said. "I misjudged Harry, thinking Ron's danger came from him. But Harry's caught in our mess, maybe by Dumbledore's design. More involvement could endanger friends."
"I won't tell," Galfgarion swore.
"Bist honor, I'll keep quiet," Banagher vowed.
As Percy left, Galfgarion blasted the table with a wordless spell. "Damn him for telling me this!"
"Calm down!" Banagher said.
"I can't stop Potter! He doesn't listen! Dumbledore as mastermind? I didn't need to know!" Galfgarion raged.
"Veritaserum's fault," Banagher said.
"Shut up! I care about Slytherins, not Potter's nonsense!"
Banagher disarmed him with Expelliarmus. "Potter respects you, not McGillis. A true senior."
Galfgarion calmed, distracted by defending weaker Slytherins from other houses' attacks, targeting them for pure-blood fears.
Days later, he saw Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Zabini chased by Colin Creevy, camera in hand, undeterred by his petrification, treating Harry and Slytherins the same.
I'm too harsh on Percy…
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