Dawn broke faintly.
As the first rays of sunlight quietly pierced through the mist, Slytherin students emerged from their dormitories one by one.
When their eyes met, the weary faces managed forced, polite smiles.
Regarding last night's unfinished turmoil, everyone tacitly chose silence.
In a corner of the common room, Atlantis Boasted opened the potion cabinet, taking out several crystal-clear Euphoria Elixirs and mixing them into the common room's teapot.
As the liquids blended, an elegant, sweet fragrance filled the air.
After receiving hints, the little snakes all tactfully poured cups for themselves and their companions, offering grateful smiles to Prefect Boasted.
Draco Malfoy drank two cups before finally exhaling in relief, slumping crookedly onto the sofa, abandoning all family etiquette entirely.
Late last night, Goyle had secretly written to his family requesting a transfer, and Draco, unable to sleep, caught him red-handed.
No matter how much he reasoned, Goyle kept shaking his head with a mournful expression, clutching the written letter protectively to his chest.
Fine, fine, fine.
Who in all of Hogwarts didn't know Goyle was his lackey? If he wanted to die, he shouldn't drag Draco down with him!
Unable to bear it any longer, Draco enlisted Crabbe to pin Goyle to the bed and beat him half the night.
Eventually, Blaise Zabini, tossing and turning in his bed, joined the therapeutic session.
The three completely ignored Goyle's wails and pleas—it was quite the spectacle.
Physical persuasion proved remarkably effective. Black-eyed and swollen-faced, Goyle abandoned his letter-writing plans and voluntarily swore on his family's honor.
Blaise and Crabbe returned refreshed to their beds, snores immediately following.
For some inexplicable reason, lying back in bed, Draco Malfoy felt satisfaction seeping through his very bones.
In the second before entering dreamland, he suddenly felt he understood Shelby a bit...
In any case, many Slytherins had slept poorly that night, hearts weighed down like heavy stones...
Fortunately, after drinking the diluted Euphoria Elixir, their rigid expressions gradually bloomed with relaxed smiles, inner gloom beginning to clear like parting clouds.
As more people gathered in the common room, whispered conversations broke the contemplative quiet.
However, this harmonious atmosphere didn't last long.
When everyone witnessed the pure-blood noble children who'd spent the night in the hospital wing return to the common room, all voices instantly froze—as if invisible forces gripped their throats.
The little snakes exchanged complex glances, an indescribable tension filling the air, making this moment particularly excruciating...
Until heavy footsteps echoed, Atlantis Boasted suddenly rose, Marcus and others following suit, more and more people standing to greet the arrival.
Throughout the common room, figures stood like a forest. Even Slytherins who hadn't stood behind Tiger last night instinctively rose, looking toward the sound's source.
This wasn't submission—just respect for the strong.
They comforted themselves silently.
"Good morning, My Lord," Atlantis Boasted's voice was composed and firm.
"Shut up, idiot."
Tiger picked his ear, glancing sideways with disdain. "That title's fucking disgusting."
Then, observing Marcus and others with their awkward, forced smiles, he growled menacingly:
"Drop those fake faces. If I see them again, I'll personally rip them off."
Marcus and the others immediately abandoned their smiles, leaving only fearful reverence mixed with cold sweat.
"Remember—I don't need slaves. Just bastards willing to go to hell with me."
"Those willing can call me Father."
"Those unwilling..."
Tiger paused meaningfully, surveying everyone in the room with a lingering, sinister smile:
"Can call me villain."
Raven Burke stepped forward first, eyes burning with inexplicable fervor, bowing deeply:
"Father!"
Pale-faced Corman Avery trembled as he bent over, his head nearly touching his knees.
"F... Father..."
Though other pure-blood noble children remained silent, led by Selwyn, they all solemnly bowed their proud heads in respect.
What was true power?
They'd understood last night.
They admitted defeat...
Pure-blood noble mindsets weren't easily shattered. Their submission only represented themselves individually.
In their hearts, their families remained powerful—existences Shelby couldn't threaten...
All Slytherin students watched in disbelief. Setting aside pure-blood status—Raven Burke's arms were twisted like pretzels, Corman Avery's chest was caved in, Selwyn's shoulder had been blown to bloody pulp, Relly Shafiq had lost a hand...
Incident after incident, vivid in memory.
You... just... like this...
Gave up?
As everyone stared in shock, Theodore Nott pulled Blaise Zabini forward, placing hands over hearts in salute.
"Father..."
Male Prefect Atlantis Boasted also reacted, wearing an incredibly devout smile.
"Father!"
Dark heads bowed in unison, Marcus and others saluting, the common room's roar deafening.
"FATHER!"
As Tiger's gaze swept over them, the remaining Slytherin students all bowed their heads...
The serpent-carved stone door of the dungeon slowly opened. Tiger strode out with commanding presence, Atlantis Boasted and Marcus following closely behind.
A massive procession poured forth.
Gemma Farley was notably absent, replaced by Relly Shafiq leading the girls.
She said nothing, walking quietly at Tiger's side-rear like Atlantis Boasted.
"Relly..."
A girl tried to remind her of something, but Relly Shafiq coldly waved her off.
"Lisa, I know what I'm doing."
"I don't need your reminders."
She represented female prefect Gemma Farley.
She shouldn't have stood behind Tiger, but she lacked courage to walk in front of him.
Besides...
As the Slytherin common room emptied, stone walls shifted and closed with grinding sounds.
Gemma Farley emerged with an indifferent expression.
Last night's embarrassment seemed like a distant nightmare—her tall, elegant posture revealed no signs of distress.
She surveyed the surroundings, confirming solitude, then headed toward the boys' dormitory.
With a wand wave, a silent Alohomora opened the prefect's room.
"Heh, Shelby..."
Observing the room's interior, Gemma Farley's cold indifference gradually transformed into greed and infatuation.
She breathed deeply, her slightly trembling sigh bringing immense satisfaction.
Another Colloportus and locking charm flew out.
Gemma Farley's cheeks flushed pink as she kicked off her heels, abandoning all noble etiquette to throw herself barefoot onto Tiger's bed...
"Tiger~~~~"
Alluring, soft humming echoed through the chamber.
The noble girl buried herself in Tiger's soft blankets, greedily inhaling his lingering scent.
Immense comfort made her toes curl involuntarily, her entire body trembling with euphoria...
However, after just a few breaths, long lashes snapped open. The previously sticky, misty gaze instantly transformed into overwhelming shame and fury.
"Damn you, Shelby!"
"Confringo!!!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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