Pascal’s eyes lit up at the idea. "Duels, huh? That’s not a bad idea. If two people have a grudge, it’s better to settle it openly. Otherwise, it just turns into endless pranks and sneak attacks. This way, both sides can leave it on the dueling platform."
"Exactly," Alex agreed. "And I suggest the prefects oversee and organize these duels. The venue should be agreed upon by both parties on a rotational basis. The supervisors must ensure the conflicts don’t escalate and that everyone keeps their word about not causing trouble afterward."
Alex’s gaze turned sharp. "Otherwise, I’ll personally teach them a lesson about integrity."
Pascal felt a chill run down his spine. "Don’t worry," he replied hastily. "I’ll make sure the message gets across to everyone."
Inwardly, Pascal was relieved. The thought of Alex personally "teaching them a lesson" was enough to scare even the boldest Gryffindor into line. Just relaying Alex’s words would likely be enough to bring order.
After some further discussion, Alex and Pascal parted ways, having reached an agreement. Pascal felt an immense weight lifted off his shoulders.
Talking to Alex, with his piercing gaze and unrelenting presence, was not exactly a pleasant experience.
Meanwhile, Alex was also satisfied with the outcome. "I didn’t expect Gryffindors to be this reasonable," he mused to Welen. "That Pascal guy isn’t bad—sharp and straightforward."
Welen nodded in agreement. "Indeed. He didn’t waste time arguing. Straight to the point."
"With the Gryffindor-Slytherin issue and Quidditch conflicts sorted, we can now focus on managing our own house," Alex said, feeling more at ease.
"You’ve really made an impact," Welen remarked. "In just two days, the atmosphere in our house has changed dramatically. The students seem more focused and determined. And now that relations with Gryffindor are settled, the rest should be easier."
Alex shook his head. "This is only the beginning. Don’t be fooled by appearances, Welen. Building habits takes time, and it’s a test of willpower. If we let up now, they’ll just revert to their old ways."
Welen raised an eyebrow. "Are you really planning to punish them for every little mistake? Won’t that backfire?"
"The key is consistency and fairness," Alex explained. "We can’t compromise on principles. If we do, the system will collapse."
"But punishing them for trivial things could create resentment," Welen argued. "Wouldn’t it be better to just make an example out of a few troublemakers and ease up on the rest?"
Alex shook his head again. "That approach would cause more problems. If we’re strict, we must be strict with everyone, equally. Favoritism or inconsistency will breed discontent faster than any punishment." He continued, "Punishment is an art, Welen. If done right, it reinforces discipline without causing unnecessary hostility. First, it has to be straightforward and proportional. Dragging it out or making it overly complicated only frustrates people. Punishments like copying lines or writing self-reflections are counterproductive. Second, it must respect their dignity. Public humiliation or personal insults are a hard no. It’s about addressing the behavior, not attacking the person. As long as it’s handled fairly and transparently, there shouldn’t be issues."
Alex’s gaze turned serious. "To shape these students, you need to be patient, like an eagle training its young. That includes you, Welen. I don’t make empty promises—you know that."
Welen tried to process Alex’s warning, but he was still confused about some parts. However, one thing was clear: no matter whose fault it was, Alex would never show mercy. After the two returned to the Slytherin common room, they noticed that most of the students had already settled in. The next step was to prepare for their first official day of classes. The following morning, at 7:00 a.m., a sharp knock echoed through the Slytherin dormitory hallways. The head of the year group was making the rounds to wake up students with morning classes.
Those who heard the knock opened their doors nervously, glancing around. When they saw it was only the year leader and not Alex, they breathed a sigh of relief. Truth be told, the students feared Alex far more than any grade leader. The reactions of the young wizards varied. Most, being conscientious, got out of bed promptly. They tidied up their dormitories and invited the year leader to inspect their rooms. Then, they lined up quietly, waiting for everyone to gather before heading to breakfast as a group.
However, a few students decided to push their luck. Seeing Alex was absent, they grew bold. Some returned to bed, grumbling that it was too early to get up. No matter how much the year leader tried to rouse them, they stubbornly ignored the instructions. Others, more cunning, attempted to charm or plead with the year leader. Some even used flattery, hoping to avoid inspections altogether. They assumed the rules about maintaining order weren’t that strict and figured any consequences would be nothing more than a mild reprimand.
Joey Hickman, the fourth-year grade leader, faced such challenges. Although a bit clumsy in the past, Joey was known for his friendly nature and loyalty. Many students considered him approachable. After Alex appointed him as grade leader, Joey felt a strong sense of responsibility and pride. However, his soft-heartedness sometimes got the better of him. When a few of his friends begged for leniency, he found it difficult to say no. Reluctantly, Joey let a student sleep in and ignored the untidy uniforms of two others, advising them to hide the mess under their ties. He even overlooked minor infractions like ink stains on robes, choosing to “turn a blind eye.”
When Joey finally left the dormitory and reached the stone-floored common room, he noticed Alex was nowhere to be found. Confused and slightly concerned, he wondered where Alex could be. Without Alex's intimidating presence, the students felt much more at ease. Unlike the perfectly orderly queue of the previous day, the group’s formation was sloppy, with some stragglers lagging behind.
However, senior students like Welen, Wendy, and Janey, who had experienced Alex’s strictness firsthand, refused to slack off. They continued to keep a close watch on their peers, ensuring everyone behaved. First-years, still too nervous to test Alex’s authority, followed instructions diligently. By mid-morning, rumors spread through Slytherin that Alex hadn’t been seen in the common room, the Great Hall, or even the corridors. He didn’t show up at mealtimes, nor did he attend any classes with his fellow fifth-years. It was as if Alex had vanished from Hogwarts.
Welen, remembering Alex’s cryptic warning from the previous night, grew increasingly cautious. He sensed that Alex’s absence was deliberate and made sure to maintain strict order among his peers. By the time evening arrived, the younger students had grown lax. Without Alex’s watchful eye, many believed they could get away with bending the rules. Even some grade leaders began slacking off, overlooking small issues like students talking too loudly or grabbing food with their hands.