Chapter 25: Afraid of School... Not Being Violent Enough

Chapter 25: Afraid of School... Not Being Violent Enough

Achievement Unlocked: Becoming One With the Students.

Walking back to the common room, Leon was deeply satisfied with his day's work.

After today's little drama, it was unlikely any other fools would try to provoke him. As a bonus, it also served as a nice bit of marketing for his future on-campus arms business. He had deliberately used no magic, relying entirely on the pistol.

He was certain that by morning, the news would be all over the school: "First-Year Triumphs Over Three Senior Students Using a Bizarre Weapon—And Not a Single Spell."

In high spirits, he arrived at the entrance to the Slytherin common room. He spoke the password to the bare stone wall: "Glory."

The stone door slid open, revealing a long, narrow, underground room. The common room extended out under the Hogwarts lake. Through the windows, you could occasionally see the giant squid or other unknown creatures drift by. Standing by the glass, it felt like being inside a sunken ship, mysterious and serene.

The room was decorated in green and silver. Medieval tapestries hung on the walls, and a few Gothic-style statues stood in the corners.

It was late, but most of the Slytherins were still up, gathered in small groups and talking.

The moment Leon entered, all conversation ceased. The room fell utterly silent, broken only by the crackling of the fire.

Leon scanned the room, pleased. Very good, he thought. Less contempt, more fear.

Once he started seeing a few looks of gratitude, he could begin recruiting for the Peaky Blinders.

"Still up, everyone?" Leon asked, his voice casual. "I've seen the timetable. We have Potions first thing tomorrow, with our Head of House."

No one dared to speak. The atmosphere was thick.

Leon shrugged. "Well, since you're all wide awake, I'll head to bed. Let's hope you can all make it to class on time."

"It's a shame about that business earlier," he added. "Dumbledore took fifty points. It would be a bigger shame if half the House was late tomorrow and lost even more."

He yawned as he crossed the room, heading for the dormitories. He had said it was a "shame," but his voice held no trace of remorse.

"Oh, one last thing," Leon said, pausing. "I believe we're two to a room. Would anyone like to be my roommate? Draco, are you settled?" He looked directly at Malfoy, who was trying to shrink into the crowd.

Malfoy's smile was a pained grimace. The arrogant young lord was nowhere to be seen. "I... I'm already sorted, thanks," he stammered.

Leon shrugged, as if genuinely disappointed. He scanned the rest of the silent, terrified students and, finding no offers, simply picked an empty dormitory for himself.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, Leon woke up, as expected, in his now-private dormitory.

He washed up, grabbed his timetable, and left the dorm.

The common room was mostly empty. The others were either at breakfast or still in bed. Leon walked briskly to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was already busy, but most students weren't eating. They were clustered in front of the large House hourglasses, pointing and whispering.

Leon looked over and was somewhat surprised. The other three hourglasses looked normal. Slytherin's, however, was in a strange state. Because the term had just begun, there were no emeralds to deduct. Slytherin's hourglass was completely empty, with a prominent number glowing at its base:

-100.

Leon was surprised. He had only been responsible for fifty points of that. Which other hero had managed to add another fifty to the debt?

Dumbledore's pre-breakfast announcement quickly provided the answer.

"Last night," Dumbledore began, "a regrettable and violent incident took place. Three Slytherin third-year students cornered a new first-year from their own House, engaging in deplorable bullying and attempted extortion."

"A fierce conflict ensued. As a result, the three bullies sustained severe injuries and have been transferred to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."

"For this despicable act, I have deducted fifty points from Slytherin."

"However, the first-year student, in defending himself, responded with excessive force, causing grievous and, in some cases, irreversible harm. For this, I am deducting another fifty points from Slytherin."

The news was so shocking the Hall fell silent. The other three Houses were stunned, while the Slytherins all turned to stare at Leon with complicated expressions.

"There you have it," Leon said, calmly spreading jam on his toast. "It wasn't entirely my fault. I was forced to defend myself. Isn't that right, Draco?"

Malfoy was internally screaming. He couldn't understand why this maniac insisted on sitting next to him, ruining even a simple breakfast. But his survival instinct won out. "Right," he muttered.

Leon finished his toast, drained his glass of milk, and then, with a satisfied sigh, gave Malfoy a condescending pat on the head.

"I knew you'd understand me, Draco," Leon said as he stood up, his voice casual. "You see, I'm just so afraid of school... not being violent enough." He strolled out of the Great Hall.

The Slytherin table was plunged into a strange, deathly silence.

A girl sniffled, her voice small and tearful. "Did he... did he say he was afraid of school violence, or afraid of school not being violent enough?"

And just as no one dared to comment on Malfoy's ruffled hair, no one dared to answer her question.

Nine o'clock that morning, in a dungeon classroom.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," Snape began, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

Snape finished his opening speech, his deadpan, sarcastic tone making most of the students squirm. The Gryffindors and Slytherins were on opposite sides of the dungeon, staring at him with wide, unblemished eyes.

Only Leon was different. He had taken the single desk at the very front of the class, placing himself directly under Snape's nose.

"Shelby!" Snape suddenly barked. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"