"Have you heard? That crazy first-year… he's seriously challenging all the Prefects!"
As soon as Marius Cloud arrived at the Slytherin table, murmurs broke out like wildfire.
"No way. Is he actually going through with it?"
"Totally real. Word is, the Prefects' Meeting this afternoon is being held specifically to address it!"
"Tch, what's there to even discuss?" a bored seventh-year scoffed. "Any one of the Prefects could flatten him with ease. And he's just a newbie planning to take on six of them?"
"But he did just defeat three Shadow Prefects by himself last night!"
"Seriously? That's not a joke?" The seventh-year blinked, clearly one of the many who hadn't attended the ceremony.
"Even if it's true, so what?" another upperclassman chimed in stubbornly. "You can't compare Shadow Prefects to full-fledged Prefects!"
"Exactly," others echoed. "Our official Prefects aren't pushovers. Most of them were duel champs when they were younger."
"Right? That kid beat a few Shadows and suddenly thinks he's king of the castle. He doesn't know how far the road really stretches."
"Shame, really. He's about to learn the hard way. Might even end up in the Hospital Wing…"
As these kinds of comments piled up, Pansy's grip on Marius's hand tightened. She lowered her head, saying nothing—but it was clear from her clenched jaw that she hated hearing people talk about him like this.
She wanted to believe in him.
But this time… this time felt different. The odds were insane.
"Maybe… you should just let it go?" she whispered, finally looking up at him.
Between tradition, pride, and safety—Pansy had made her choice. To her, Marius's well-being mattered more than anything.
But Marius just smiled, ruffled her hair gently, and said nothing.
-----
"Master Cloud!"
Suddenly, two students stood up at the Slytherin table. Marius turned and recognized them immediately: Barry and Joseph.
"I saw Brunel bringing breakfast to your room, thought you might not come down…" Barry said calmly. Then, turning to the others around them, his eyes narrowed. "Shall I help you shut them up?"
The chatter died almost immediately.
Barry, as a fourth-year Shadow Prefect, commanded respect. Nobody wanted to get on his bad side.
"Let them talk," Marius said with a wave of his hand. "Though… it is getting a bit noisy. Also, don't call me 'Master Cloud.' Sounds weird. Just stick with 'Cloud,' or call me 'Mr. Cloud' like Brunel does."
Barry and Joseph exchanged a glance and nodded in unison. "Got it, Mr. Cloud."
"You guys here to report something?" Marius asked, noticing both of them were standing—this was clearly more than just a greeting.
Joseph answered first.
"You've probably heard about the Prefects' Meeting this afternoon. But this one's different. Normally only official Prefects attend. But because of your challenge… seventh-year Prefect Caesar Cliff asked me to personally invite you to the meeting. It starts at 3 p.m."
"Caesar…" Marius's gaze became strange.
Joseph blinked. "Uh… Mr. Cloud?"
Marius suddenly shook off the thought and coughed awkwardly. "No problem. You two are coming with me."
In truth, the name "Caesar" had triggered something in his memory. For a second there, he nearly asked Joseph if he was involved in a bizarre adventure involving Pillar Men and launching the ultimate lifeform into space…
-----
The moment Marius agreed, the tension that had briefly settled over the Slytherin table exploded again.
So it was true. The first-year really had the nerve to follow through with it.
And those Shadow Prefects treating him with such genuine reverence—maybe the rumors of him defeating three duel champions weren't just gossip.
Students from the other houses, watching Slytherin's sudden chaos from afar, were confused.
"What's going on over there?" Harry asked, noticing the clear ripple of unrest moving down the Slytherin bench.
Ron snorted. "Probably plotting another evil plan. Typical Slytherin stuff."
"Hey!" a sharp voice cut in.
Hermione.
Her eyes hadn't left Marius since he walked in. "That's a pretty big assumption, Ron. And for your information, Marius Cloud is nothing like that."
Harry and Ron turned to her in surprise.
"You noticed too?" Harry grinned. "Looks like all the fuss is centered around him."
"Of course I noticed," Hermione sniffed, then faltered. Her cheeks turned slightly pink. "I mean, anyone with decent observation skills would. I always pay attention to details."
-----
After breakfast, the students went off to their morning classes. Unfortunately, Gryffindor couldn't get any more details about the mysterious disturbance from the Slytherins.
The first class was Charms, taught by Professor Flitwick, and held in a bright, sunlit room. The professor stood atop a tall stack of books so he could see over the podium.
As Marius entered with the rest of the Slytherin first-years, he caught the tiny professor watching him with a beaming smile.
All around the room, Ravenclaw students glanced at Marius with barely concealed curiosity.
After all, even if they hadn't been there last night, everyone had heard about the new first-year who caused such a commotion the moment school began.
And now he entered, surrounded by fellow Slytherins like some kind of crowned prince.
The Ravenclaws could barely believe it.
Who the hell was this kid—and how did he already become the most talked-about student in the entire school?
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T/N:
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