I watched warily as Flitwick addressed the class while the rest of the students murmured about me. Well, mostly the Gryffindor students. The Slytherins around me were congratulating me on blowing the "lower classes" out of the water. I could feel Hermione glaring at me from the corner of my vision. She obviously didn't like me, and I knew that was mostly my fault for how I acted. However, I also knew it would be in everyone's best interest if I avoided interacting with the other students. I didn't agree with Slytherin beliefs, so befriending any of them would be impossible. On the other hand, becoming friends with those who shared my ideals—like the Weasleys—would paint a target on my back in Slytherin, along with my father's.
'She seems like a good student who wants to help others, and I respect that. However, I must keep everyone at arm's length to avoid any issues,' I reaffirmed my stance, steeling my resolve before Flitwick finally spoke to me.
"Mr. Peterson! It seems you've discovered the more powerful variant of this spell by accident! Very well done! Five points to Slytherin!"
Many of the Slytherin students cheered and patted my back, offering their thanks for earning more points for the house. I simply nodded in acknowledgment, keeping my response minimal.
'Why do we even care so much about a cup? It literally does nothing, right? Father told me about the honor of winning it, but Slytherin's whole ideology is about thinking yourself superior to others. So, if you already believe you're better, is this just validation?' I pondered the meaning behind the House Cup, getting lost in my own thoughts.
Meanwhile, Pansy was still sneaking sidelong glances at me, her mind racing.
'Merlin's beard, what was that!? He probably practiced Lumos to get that effect… but I could've sworn I saw his sleeve moving strangely when he cast the spell. Except… it was his other sleeve. What does he keep hidden under his robes? Is he even human under there?'
Her thoughts came to a sudden halt as a disturbing realization dawned on her. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
'He stashes food in his sleeves. His arms sometimes wriggle under his robes. He has some connection to that monster in the lake… and he hisses. What kind of monster is he?'
Flitwick, oblivious to Pansy's suspicions, continued explaining the spell I had accidentally discovered.
"The spell you were using was Lumos Maxima! It was discovered in a very similar way by the wizard who first created it! Very well done—but please, try to keep the more dangerous charms we'll be learning on a tighter leash, alright?" He chuckled good-naturedly.
I nodded and smiled faintly, but before I could escape the spotlight, my peers quickly pulled me into helping them practice Lumos.
Most of what I taught was just what was written in the book—I wasn't breaking any new ground—but the others claimed it was easier with my guidance. For some reason, my explanations made the spell click for them. This only made me more popular, with even more students seeking my help. I only taught Slytherins directly, but I made sure to speak loudly enough for the nearby Gryffindors to hear as well. I couldn't tutor them personally, but I still believed knowledge shouldn't be withheld from others just because they were in a different house.
"I got it!"
I turned at the triumphant cheer to see Hermione smiling brightly at her glowing wand. She glanced back at me briefly, her eyes flashing with pride—until they landed on my face. Her expression immediately soured, and she snapped her head back toward her desk, returning to help the Weasley boy and the Chosen One.
'Why even look back just to scowl at me?' I internally sighed as the class finally came to an end.
Unfortunately, as the lesson concluded, my sleeve started to hiss excitedly.
"Yay! Lunchtime! I want to see our friend!"
I coughed loudly to drown out Val's voice, hoping no one had heard. With the other students thanking me for my help with the spell, I felt confident that Val's excited outburst had been masked. However, I was unaware that two people had heard the familiar hissing. Both girls squinted suspiciously, watching me as I quickly rushed out of the classroom with my books clutched under my right arm.
I didn't have much time for lunch, so I moved quickly.
'Maybe I should just ask the house elves to make me lunch that I can eat outside,' I considered, eager to avoid the crowded Great Hall.
It didn't take long to reach the hall, accompanied by most of the first-year Slytherins who had been trailing me. I took my seat and let out a heavy sigh, frustrated with how much attention I had been drawing—albeit unintentionally.
'Why can't Potter, The Boy Who Lived, take more of the spotlight? I'm being hailed as a future prefect already! I don't want to run the house!'
I pushed my anxiety down with the help of the delicious food the elves had prepared.
Pansy once again took her usual seat beside me. However, I didn't have time to stay. After grabbing a small piece of chicken for Val and an entire leg for my aquatic friend, I stood to leave.
"Where are you going?" Pansy questioned, frowning slightly as she watched me stretch my legs.
"Walking. What's it to you?" I replied tersely.
Her frown deepened, but she turned back to her food, allowing me to leave without further interference.
The halls still held a few lingering students, but the further I ventured toward the back of the castle, the fewer people I encountered. Eventually, I found a secluded spot near the edge of the forest, next to a small, run-down hut.
'This looks good,' I thought, satisfied by the lack of prying eyes.
The old structure looked abandoned—probably used for storage long ago—but it was perfect for my needs. I let out a sigh of relief, finally free from the watchful gazes of my peers.
I crouched and smiled as Val slithered free from my robes, stretching his coils in the open air.
"This place is cool! I like it here!" he declared, clearly enjoying the freedom.
Honestly, I did too. It was a relief not having him crammed into my robes.
We strolled down to the water's edge, where Val eagerly dove into the shallows.
"Are you going to be okay?" I called out, slightly worried.
"I'll be fine! This is fun!" he replied, splashing about.
I smiled, seeing him so happy, and shook my head at my own unnecessary concern.
"Can you call our friend again?" I asked.
Val froze momentarily.
"Oops! I almost forgot!"
I chuckled at his forgetfulness as he quickly disappeared beneath the surface. A few moments later, he reemerged.
"She's coming!" he announced excitedly.
Just as I was about to respond, a familiar tendril slipped from the water, gently poking at me. I chuckled softly, running my fingers along the smooth, powerful appendage.
As more tendrils appeared, I quickly cast a subtle ringing spell on my wand and pressed it against one of the suckers, speaking in Parseltongue to better communicate with her. The language seemed to resonate with her, causing her arms to squirm playfully.
Without hesitation, she wrapped her suckers around me, lifting me effortlessly into the air. I laughed with giddy excitement as she twirled me around, my arms outstretched.
"Wow! You are amazing!" I praised her.
"I wanna play too!" Val whined jealously.
With a flick of her tendril, she scooped him up and tossed him over to me. We continued our game, soaring through the air in her grasp, until I finally told her we needed to return to class. She reluctantly brought us back to shore and released us.
Before she could leave, I gently grasped one of her tendrils.
"Wait! I have more food for you."
I offered her the chicken leg I had brought, then reached into my pocket, giving her some of my homemade treats as well.
'It feels strange just calling her her all the time,' I thought.
Nodding to myself, I placed my wand on her tendril once more and spoke softly.
"Since we're friends, you deserve a name…"
I pondered for a moment before the perfect name came to me. Smiling brightly, I announced it.
"Your name is… Abarrane."