Before the duel began, a small side bet had sparked some minor excitement—now, most of those who wagered were grimacing in defeat. Except on
Before the duel began, a small side bet had sparked some minor excitement—now, most of those who wagered were grimacing in defeat. Except one person.
Pansy Parkinson, who had boldly placed ten Galleons on Marius Cloud, became the biggest winner aside from the victor himself.
"According to the wager..." Barry was the first to move. He stepped forward, bent to one knee before Marius, and declared in a solemn voice:
"I, Barry Adrien, hereby swear in the name of the Adrien family to offer you my highest loyalty from this day forth."
The crowd gasped.
Wizards weren't like Muggles—who could make vows with nothing but empty breath. When a wizard made an oath with sincerity, their magic responded to bind the words. It wasn't quite as strict as casting a binding spell, but the effect lingered. Breaking such a vow would cause conflict in both one's spirit and magic.
As Barry pledged himself, Joseph followed.
"I also made a bet, and I always honor my word," he said firmly, kneeling beside Barry. "I, Joseph Burton, ninth-generation heir of the Burton family, offer you my complete loyalty."
Another roar of whispers and gasps rippled through the students.
Finally, Brunel stepped forward. He took a deep breath and dropped to one knee alongside the others.
"I, Brunel Leif, swear in the name of House Leif that wherever your wand points… that shall be the direction of my sword."
Marius looked down at the three kneeling Shadow Prefects—duel champions of their years—and gave a faint, satisfied smile.
"Excellent," he said. "Then from this day onward, you three shall be my first followers. Now, rise."
The trio stood. Naturally, they positioned themselves behind Marius, forming an unmistakable hierarchy. Marius stood at the center, flanked by strength.
The upper-year Prefects—Samuel and Steve—exchanged glances, their gazes sharp with realization. This was no longer a boy to overlook.
Marius Cloud now had the loyalty of Slytherin's second-, third-, and fourth-year dueling champions. That alone made him a force within the house.
Combine that with the strength he had just displayed—defeating all three of them in open combat…
And he was only a first-year.
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Steve and Samuel shivered at the implications. If Marius could do this at the very start of his Hogwarts life—what would he become in the years to come?
The Slytherin students were no fools. Many of the second-, third-, and fourth-years had followed their year's Shadow Prefect. And now those Prefects had knelt to Marius. Which meant… their followers were his as well, even if unofficially.
That was the nature of Slytherin House. If someone was just a bit stronger than you, you might resent them.
But if someone was overwhelmingly stronger? Then resentment gave way to reverence.
Even some fifth- and sixth-years who once sneered or remained aloof now held their tongues. They might not bow to Marius yet—but none dared to speak against him.
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Marius Isn't Done Yet
"Well then," Steve cleared his throat. "That concludes this year's Shadow Prefect Ceremony—"
"Hold on," Marius interrupted, his voice cutting across the crowd.
Steve and Samuel twitched. Even Snape's face darkened. What now?
"The first-year Shadow Prefect has been decided, and the dueling trials are complete. What more is there to say?" Steve asked, forcing calm into his voice.
Every eye in the room turned to Marius, eager and curious. Some felt the thrill returning. They had been ready to sleep off the shock—but was something even bigger about to happen?
Marius looked across the crowd, eyes steady, voice calm.
"I said it before—I never start something without finishing it properly."
Samuel raised an eyebrow. "So what, you're not satisfied with being the 'uncrowned king' of tonight's duels? Don't tell me you're planning to challenge… us?"
Marius gave a slow, easy smile. "You're welcome to take it that way. I just don't care for the title 'uncrowned king'..."
That simple line ignited a flame in the hearts of his three new followers. Brunel, Joseph, and Barry clenched their fists, eyes burning with pride.
"I prefer to be… the crowned king. The one who sits on the throne."
He turned and looked directly at Steve and Samuel, eyes like cold steel.
"I propose a challenge. The same conditions as before—I'll take on all of you, every active official Prefect in the house—male or female. If I win… you swear your loyalty to me, forever."
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The room fell silent as if time had stopped.
Snape, hidden beneath his long sleeves, jerked slightly.
Barry, Joseph, and Brunel could barely contain themselves, shaking with adrenaline. If Marius succeeded… then every Shadow and full Prefect in Slytherin would be under his banner.
He would become the true sovereign of the entire house.
It was outrageous. Arrogant. Impossible.
It was legendary.
No one knew if he could actually pull it off—but in that moment, they wanted to believe he could.
They weren't just followers now—they were believers.
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Snape's voice sliced through the silence, full of disdain.
"I must caution certain arrogant students… Defeating a few younger students has inflated your ego beyond measure. Your foolishness will soon reveal itself."
He hadn't said a name, but no one needed him to. Every student knew exactly who he meant.
Marius turned calmly, looking at the Potions Master with a relaxed expression.
"Professor Snape," he replied lightly, "I imagine that's exactly what you thought when I challenged the three Shadow Prefects earlier, isn't it?"
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