The moment Leo returned to the Slytherin common room, he immediately noticed something unusual.
The atmosphere felt tense.
Three distinct groups had gathered in the center of the room.
On one side stood Carlo and his supporters.
Carlo held his chin slightly raised, his eyes filled with arrogance and calculation. He looked like someone already planning several moves ahead in a game only he understood.
Behind him stood four Slytherins of varying shapes and sizes. Though different in appearance, every one of them wore the same unfriendly expression.
Their robes swayed faintly as they stood shoulder to shoulder, clearly attempting to project unity and strength.
Opposite them stood Draco's faction.
Crabbe and Goyle towered over everyone else like two walking mountains, their thick arms crossed over their chests.
Beside them stood two boys and two girls.
One of the girls possessed sharp features and neatly cut dark hair. Pride practically radiated from her posture.
Meanwhile—
Rose stood near the edge of the room.
Her brown curls rested loosely on her shoulders while her purple eyes carried obvious disdain.
Beside her stood a timid blonde witch who looked nervous enough to bolt at any moment.
The girl clung tightly to Rose's sleeve as though using her as a shield.
A short distance away stood two half-blood Slytherins.
Neither dared move.
One continuously rubbed his hands while nervously glancing between the opposing groups.
Several students looked toward Leo the moment he entered.
Their expressions contained expectation.
And trust.
The instant Carlo spotted him, he visibly flinched before forcing himself to sneer at Draco.
"Malfoy."
"You want the position too, don't you?"
"It's been nearly a week."
"So have you made your decision?"
Then Carlo looked toward Leo.
A thin layer of sweat had already appeared on his forehead.
"Nicholas."
"You were gone earlier, so you probably don't know what's happening."
He swallowed.
"Prefect Flint said first-years can choose an unofficial prefect."
"It's basically a Slytherin tradition."
His eyes remained fixed on Leo.
"So?"
"Are you planning to compete too?"
Internally, Carlo felt deeply uneasy.
Things were already difficult enough with Draco involved.
If Leo joined the competition as well...
Everything would become significantly more complicated.
Unfortunately, the position was too tempting.
Even fear couldn't make him give it up.
Leo looked mildly amused.
Trying to sow discord with something this obvious?
Honestly—
These were tricks his ancestors would have laughed at centuries ago.
Then he calmly turned toward Draco.
"Little Dragon."
"For glory."
"Good luck."
Draco immediately understood.
Carlo's expression stiffened.
Draco stepped forward proudly.
"Carlo."
"So how exactly do you want to settle this?"
Then he sneered.
"And honestly..."
"That attempt at manipulation was pathetic."
He raised his chin.
"Leo won't be participating."
Immediately—
Crabbe and Goyle stepped forward excitedly.
"You'll definitely win, Draco!"
"Young Master Malfoy is obviously the best candidate!"
The dark-haired girl beside them finally stepped forward.
"I'm Pansy Parkinson."
Confidence shone in her eyes as she looked directly at Draco.
"We fully support you becoming prefect."
Draco gave a small nod.
His confidence grew even stronger.
Meanwhile, Leo quietly walked toward Rose.
"What's going on?"
Rose shrugged lazily.
"I already said I'm not interested."
Then she pulled the timid blonde witch slightly closer.
"This is my roommate."
"Phyllis."
The girl immediately looked both excited and embarrassed.
"H-hello..."
"I'm Phyllis."
Leo smiled politely.
"Leo."
"I remember hearing your name during the Sorting."
Rose then explained the situation.
"The people standing near me don't want to offend either side."
"They're waiting to see who wins before choosing."
She paused.
"Although..."
"Some of them were hoping you'd run."
The two half-blood boys nearby immediately looked embarrassed.
Rose continued calmly.
"Since the train ride until now..."
"You've treated everyone equally."
"Pure-bloods."
"Half-bloods."
"Muggle-borns."
She shrugged.
"Compared to Carlo, people trust you more."
"And Draco keeps insisting you're descended from some ancient wizarding family."
"With Malfoy supporting you..."
"Most people already assume you're pure-blood anyway."
Then suddenly, Rose tilted her head.
"Although honestly..."
"Are you secretly from a vampire family or something?"
Leo immediately suspected Voldemort had somehow possessed her.
Only Rose could say something this ridiculous with a completely straight face.
Adjusting his glasses calmly, Leo stepped forward.
"Everyone has the right to stand wherever they choose."
"But as I've already said..."
"I have absolutely no interest in becoming prefect."
He paused.
"However..."
"I'm a fairly superficial person."
"I choose Draco Malfoy."
The room instantly erupted into whispers.
Even Carlo looked stunned.
He genuinely hadn't expected Leo to refuse the position entirely.
Nor had he expected Leo to publicly support Draco.
Meanwhile—
Draco visibly relaxed.
"Leo."
"I knew you'd come."
Although he had already understood Leo's intentions earlier, he still hadn't been able to completely suppress his anxiety.
Now those concerns disappeared.
At that moment, Rose dragged Phyllis over and grinned mischievously.
"Draco."
"You looked incredibly worried about Leo earlier."
She smirked.
"Someone might think you two have a special relationship."
Draco nearly choked.
"What nonsense are you talking about?!"
"This is friendship!"
Before Rose could continue, Pansy immediately stepped forward.
"Don't joke about things like that."
Her voice turned cold.
"Draco and Leo are simply good friends."
Then she narrowed her eyes.
"You were neutral earlier."
"And now you suddenly switched sides."
"That's a pretty unstable position."
Rose simply shrugged.
Then she resumed chatting with Phyllis as though nothing important had happened.
Meanwhile—
The hesitant students standing between the two factions gradually began moving toward Draco's side.
After all—
Leo supported Draco.
And compared to Carlo...
Draco suddenly appeared far more trustworthy.
Especially after what had happened in the Great Hall.
Several half-blood students still clearly remembered Draco openly defending Hermione.
Now that Leo stood beside him, there was even less reason to hesitate.
Meanwhile, Carlo's expression grew increasingly ugly as he watched Draco's group expand.
More students drifted away.
More whispers began circulating behind him.
The atmosphere became increasingly uncomfortable.
At this point—
Everyone already understood the outcome.
Carlo's side had lost completely.
....
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