Every young Slytherin turned their eyes to the chair marked with the number 1.
Gemma Farley raised her hand toward it.
"That chair represents the Hidden Prefect of the First Years. You've already seen one of its functions.
While Hogwarts prohibits Apparition within the castle, anyone seated in their Hidden Prefect chair can Apparate freely anywhere within Slytherin territory — even if they've never learned how."
Gasps rippled through the group.
"And that is only the simplest ability. Once you earn the title, you will discover the others."
She stepped away from her own seat and approached the massive emerald throne.
"As for the throne… I doubt any of you need to worry about it just yet."
Her eyes gleamed with longing — quickly suppressed. "To sit upon this throne, the rules are simple.
Just as the Hidden Prefect must be the strongest of their year — the one who claims the throne must be the strongest in all of Slytherin."
She turned to face the room again.
"You must endure — and defeat — no more than ten Slytherin challengers over the course of one month.
These challengers may attack at any time, with no warning. And surviving is not enough — you must defeat each and every one of them.
Then, at the end of the month, you must battle all the Hidden Prefects at once.
Only if you emerge victorious will the throne belong to you. You will become the Serpent King — the Chief of Slytherin."
Her voice lowered.
"Chief challenges may only be issued by students Fifth Year or younger. And each student only gets one chance in their life."
The first-years stared, dumbstruck.
"Is… is that even humanly possible?"
"Ten people at once — and then all the upper years?!"
"This is terrifying. I thought Slytherin was just about ambition — not gladiator battles!"
Gemma nodded coldly.
"So choose carefully. No one will die — but no one holds back."
She clapped once.
"Now that you understand the rules… the First-Year Hidden Prefect challenge begins."
A burst of green light exploded from beneath each numbered seat, coiling together into a long dueling platform at the center of the room.
...
In the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore — already in his sleeping robes — paused mid-step.
"Slytherin's yearly tradition begins once more. Perhaps I should watch this year's performance."
He thought of Karmit and smiled.
Yes… this year would not be boring.
.....
Above the common room's fireplace was a concealed viewing chamber. All four Heads of Houses were already there.
Professor Flitwick chuckled, "This year's results should be obvious. With that child here."
Professor Sprout nodded. "His reputation echoes throughout Diagon Alley. The Black family is… remarkable."
Professor McGonagall sighed.
"Do not underestimate children. We said the same thing four years ago, and look what happened.
I still believe this entire challenge should be abolished. Students should be united — not pitted against each other."
Snape stood in the shadows, silent.
Dumbledore arrived and overheard the last line.
"Minerva, it is tradition — older than any of us. With all four of you watching, nothing will get out of hand."
She folded her arms and grumbled, but said nothing more.
....
Gemma sat again, her eyes sweeping across the first-years.
They stared back at each other nervously.
No one wanted to be the first to move.
Marcus snickered.
A girl beside him, one leg crossed elegantly over the other, surveyed the new students with amused disdain.
Gemma addressed her.
"Arabella, seems this year will be dull."
Arabella flicked her eyes up. "There's no suspense. We might as well skip to the real ranking match. This year, you and I will switch seats."
Gemma smirked. "So confident? I look forward to it. But you must be referring to him, aren't you — Karmit Black."
Arabella nodded.
"To revive the Black family from the gutter at eleven years old… Even when I returned to Germany this summer, I heard his name."
Gemma asked softly, "Do you think he will challenge for the throne?"
Arabella fell silent for a moment.
"I don't know. But if he doesn't… then I will next year."
Gemma's eyes brightened with excitement. "Why not this year? While I'm still here? I would love the chance to pay you back.
You ambushed me two years ago — I want revenge!"
Arabella did not respond.
She didn't want to admit she had reservations — but she did.
...
Karmit examined the six seated Hidden Prefects.
Three boys — average threat.
But the three girls — that was interesting.
Their presence radiated power.
Especially the one in Seat 4.
Karmit could feel her strength — comparable to the wild killers of Knockturn Alley.
Yet she held Seat 2 — with Gemma alone stronger, in Seat 1.
Gemma Farley's true abilities were now exceedingly intriguing.
....
The silence dragged on — five minutes, maybe more.
Then someone stepped forward. With a loud hop, a bold figure jumped onto the dueling platform.
"Oh, come on! What are you all waiting for?
If no one else will, I will. I, Pansy Parkinson, will be the First-Year Hidden Prefect!"
The first challenge had begun.
__________
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