The one leading the Slytherin first-years was Marcus Flint.
Yes — the same Marcus Flint who would one day become the famously ugly, buck-toothed captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team.
Harry leaned toward Draco and whispered, "Is he our prefect? Why doesn't he wear the prefect badge?"
Draco replied calmly, "He isn't a regular prefect. He's the Fifth-Year Hidden Prefect. Slytherin works differently from the other houses. You'll understand soon."
Harry nodded, wisely choosing not to question further.
....
Marcus guided the young "little snakes" through the damp, shadowy dungeons.
Karmit was already judging the décor harshly.
Sure, Slytherin's emblem was a snake — and its students were nicknamed after snakes — but why did that mean they had to live like snakes?
Who decided a dark, wet dungeon was a good place for student housing?
Hufflepuff being in the basement made sense — they were right beside the kitchens.
Cooking magic was their specialty.
But Slytherin? Even Hufflepuffs would complain if they heard Karmit's thoughts: "We don't like the basement either!"
.....
Marcus stopped before a damp stone wall — one that looked ordinary at first glance, but careful inspection revealed a hidden door.
Marcus spoke clearly:
"Pure-blood."
The stone door slowly opened.
He turned back to the group.
"Remember the password. It changes every two weeks. The new password will be posted on the notice board for one week.
Check it frequently. If you forget and get locked out — that's your problem."
With that, he stepped inside.
...
They entered a narrow corridor built entirely of stone. They followed Marcus until the passage opened into the Slytherin Common Room — and every first-year gasped.
Even Karmit was impressed.
The floor was covered with a deep green carpet.
A fireplace crackled with warm flames, banishing all trace of the dungeon's cold dampness.
Above them was a great circular dome of a translucent green material — like glass, only far stronger to withstand underwater pressure.
It looked magical… because through the dome, they could see the dark shapes of Black Lake creatures gliding past — eerie and majestic.
The room itself was circular.
Opposite the fireplace stood a magnificent chair — emerald-green, with a giant serpent head carved into the back.
Its forked tongue flicked outward, and its eyes were two polished emeralds.
The thing looked alive.
To either side of the throne stood seven chairs, each bearing a number from one to seven.
Together, they formed a perfect ring around the common room.
The first-years stared in awe.
Harry turned again to his personal walking encyclopedia — Draco. "What are all these chairs for?"
"They're the Hidden Prefect seats," Draco explained, sounding proud.
"The strongest student of each year sits there. That's what makes Slytherin different — we don't care about rules or reputation.
Only strength."
Harry pointed toward the serpent-throne. "And that big one? With the snake sculpture?"
Draco shook his head.
"No, Harry.
That is the Chief's seat — the true ruler of Slytherin. And someday, that will be my cousin's throne."
Draco shot a meaningful glance toward Karmit.
Karmit, meanwhile, was already studying the throne with interest.
He liked this philosophy — a harsh competition of ability.
It suited him well.
And he could sense magic inscriptions embedded into the chairs — though he wasn't yet sure what type.
....
Then a voice echoed across the room:
"Well done, Marcus. Take your seat."
In an instant, columns of green smoke descended from the ceiling —
one cloud for each chair.
Marcus vanished — and reappeared seated in the chair marked 5.
Karmit narrowed his eyes.
Not Apparition — there was no spatial distortion. So this was the purpose of the runes carved into the chairs?
Impressive.
Slytherin certainly understood dramatic flair.
....
The seventh-seat occupant rose.
"Welcome to Slytherin! I am Gemma Farley — Seventh-Year Hidden Prefect."
She scanned the group with a calm, assessing gaze.
"Some of you already know our house's traditions. Others do not. So let me explain:
Unlike other houses, Slytherin does not use standard prefects. We honor strength. We believe in the powerful.
Therefore, in Slytherin, there are only Hidden Prefects… and one Chief."
The students murmured among themselves.
Gemma continued:
"To become a Hidden Prefect is simple:
Just prove you are the strongest in your year.
We do not care about your background, your personality, or your family name.
Power alone earns respect. If you have strength, you take the seat."
Her finger pointed toward the empty chair number 1. "And that seat belongs… to the strongest of you first-years."
The challenge had been issued. And Karmit's eyes gleamed.
__________
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