Just then, Pascal saw the two figures standing silently on the Astronomy Tower. Under the bright moonlight, Alan, with his back to them, seemed draped in a layer of silver-white gauze, giving him an air of mystery.
Pascal looked at the scene, and the feeling of unease in his heart intensified. This pose, at first glance, suggested trouble. He couldn't help but secretly glance left and right, simultaneously mobilizing his magic to sense if there were any ambushes. He soon shook his head self-deprecatingly. *I'm so stupid, how could I think he would use such underhanded tactics? After all, that's Alan.*
Pascal hadn't brought many people because he was afraid of causing a misunderstanding; if he angered the other party, it would be over. In his eyes, it was even more impossible for Alan to bring reinforcements; he would surely disdain to do so.
Suppressing the panic in his heart, Pascal calmed his emotions slightly. As a Gryffindor Prefect, he couldn't show weakness in front of outsiders, so after approaching Alan, he set his jaw and put on a serious expression.
Alan had arrived at the Astronomy Tower a step earlier than Pascal. He had just been lamenting the colder weather when he sensed the other party's arrival. Upon discovering that the Gryffindor seventh-year Prefect had only brought Charles, Alan secretly nodded to himself, impressed by the man's courage.
Then he noticed Pascal's small actions of looking around. *Cautious enough,* he thought, *and from the fluctuations in his magic sensing, his strength is greater than many adult wizards. I suppose he truly lives up to being a Gryffindor Prefect.* Alan's lips curled slightly, and he praised the other party in his heart once more.
But seeing Alan's expression, Pascal's heart skipped a beat. *He... what's wrong with him? Why is he smiling after seeing me? Is there a trap? But I've already come, and there's no turning back now.*
Though Pascal was in a panic, he steeled himself. *Come on, it's one cut whether I stick my head out or pull it back.* His complex state of mind caused his facial expression to become very stiff for a moment, giving the illusion of solemnity and an unsmiling demeanor.
"Prefect Hogg, Charles, I apologize for disturbing you so late, but I truly don't have time otherwise," Alan said, greeting Pascal first with great politeness.
"You... Hello, Prefect Wilson, it's... it's good to see you. I've long... long heard of your name," Pascal said, and then immediately wanted to find a hole to crawl into. It was simply too embarrassing; he was so nervous that he couldn't even speak properly. Pascal's awkward expression became even stiffer, and he could only stand there like a block of wood.
*I haven't heard that this Gryffindor Prefect stutters, but that doesn't matter. The fact that he can maintain such composure even while struggling shows excellent psychological fortitude,* Alan secretly noted. This Prefect Hogg left a good impression on him.
At this moment, Pascal, feeling utterly humiliated, had no desire for pleasantries. He just wanted to get straight to the point, so he tightened his face and asked, "Prefect Wilson, what exactly did you want to see me about? Please be direct."
*How come he's not stuttering now?* Alan was a bit confused, but seeing the other party being so direct, he answered just as straightforwardly. "The main reasons I urgently called you today are two-fold: one concerns Quidditch, and the other concerns the conflicts between our two Houses."
*Sure enough! He's going to make a move on Gryffindor, I knew it!* Pascal's heart pounded violently. In his mind, there was both a sense of bleakness for the future and indignation at Alan for relying on his strength to bully others.
"Impossible! Our Gryffindor will absolutely not disband the Quidditch team for the sake of compromise, and you shouldn't solely blame us for the conflicts between the two Houses," Pascal said with a hint of anger, a tiny bit of grievance in his heart, and a forced brave face.
As soon as Pascal spoke, he was met with total silence. Not only Alan and William, but even Charles looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Prefect Hogg, what did you just say? Who said anything about disbanding your Quidditch team?" Alan felt he understood this Gryffindor Prefect less and less; his actions and words were consistently unexpected.
"Ah? No?" Pascal realized he might have been overly emotional and blurted out everything he was thinking. However, he was an experienced Prefect and quickly straightened his face. "I was just trying to show you Gryffindor's determination. Now, let's get to the main topic."
"Is that so? I don't quite believe it," Alan glanced at him with a meaningful expression but didn't press further. He decided to test the other party slightly. "You are aware of the situation between our two Houses. Whether on the Quidditch pitch or in daily life, there are always some outrageous behaviors. What are your thoughts on this, Prefect Hogg?"
"Outrageous? Aren't these all normal occurrences? As for what I think—who doesn't get into a few fights when they're young?" Pascal wanted to scratch his head, but he held back for the sake of his image.
"So you think it's fine even if the conflicts between us escalate to a full-blown war?" Alan narrowed his eyes, continuing to probe.
"Full-blown war?" Pascal suddenly became alert. *We can't have a fight! Not when the Slytherin Prefect is Alan.* So he quickly replied, "That won't do. Between wizards of the two Houses, it's just a few minor skirmishes; it shouldn't escalate to that level."
"Since that's the case, I believe that pranks escalating to brawls, and everyday struggles on the Quidditch pitch escalating to armed combat, are themselves constantly intensifying the conflict. If this continues, a full-blown war is not impossible," Alan said, emphasizing his point after seeing that Pascal's attitude wasn't entirely rigid.
At this point, Pascal also started to react. Before, he had been immersed in his own overthinking, coupled with the nervousness caused by being in close proximity to Alan, which had made his speech somewhat incoherent. But as their conversation progressed, his emotions eased considerably. Hearing Alan's words, it seemed he actually had some ideas about these inter-House conflicts.
"Then Prefect Wilson, what are your suggestions?" Pascal's state had recovered quite a bit, and his face was finally no longer a stiff mask.
"My idea is actually very simple," Alan said with a slight smile, beginning to explain.