Dave chuckled. "My dad always jokes that every Slytherin banquet feels like a family reunion—everyone's related somehow!"
Vivian tapped her chin, thinking. "Gamper, Gamper… Wait, wasn't there a Minister of Magic with that name?" Her face lit up as she remembered. "Yes! Ottaline Gamper! She had a great reputation, didn't she?"
Dave nodded, his cheeks turning pink with pride. "Yeah, Minister Ottaline Gamper was my ancestor. She created a committee to study Muggle intelligence and showed that Muggles are a lot smarter than wizards used to think. She was respected for being open-minded."
Vivian's excitement grew. "That's right! She was one of the few Ministers who reached out to Muggles. Her work changed how a lot of wizards viewed them."
Dave smiled, looking a little embarrassed as Vivian continued to praise his ancestor. "My family's been studying Muggles ever since. My grandmother even married one. We live in a Muggle neighborhood, and I actually went to a Muggle kindergarten."
As Dave spoke, he seemed to relax. "I made a lot of Muggle friends when I was little," he added, his smile growing.
Their conversation was interrupted by a sharp voice. "Your ideas are dangerous."
They turned to see Wilkes standing nearby, tall and sneering. He shot Alex a disdainful look before focusing on Dave. "Muggle-borns are nothing but inferior creatures. Gamper, remember your place. Don't waste your time with certain… types," he said, glaring at Alex.
Dave looked startled, his gaze darting nervously between Alex and Wilkes. "But… some of my Muggle friends are really clever. They're just like us," he said hesitantly.
Vivian wasn't fazed. She slammed her hand on the table. "Wilkes, why don't you mind your own business and let us enjoy our dinner?"
Wilkes sneered. "I'm a prefect, Vivian. It's my responsibility to keep an eye on the younger students and make sure they don't fall in with the wrong crowd."
Vivian stood up, anger flashing in her eyes, but Alex placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Let it go," he said softly, pulling out a small notebook with a dramatic flourish. Flipping through the pages, he locked eyes with Wilkes. "If you've got more 'advice,' feel free to share. I'll be sure to write it all down."
Wilkes paled, his confidence shaken. With a huff, he turned and walked away. Vivian smirked, crossing her arms. "Coward. He's probably scared you'll report him and get him kicked out of his prefect position."
Alex shrugged and turned to Dave with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Not the best introduction to Slytherin life."
Dave shook his head quickly. "No, it's okay. That was… intense. Is he really a prefect?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Vivian said, rolling her eyes. "But don't let him get to you. Wilkes is only good at being a bully."
Dave nodded, still looking a little overwhelmed. His gaze lingered on Vivian, who still seemed ready to fight.
The sorting ceremony ended, and the tables were suddenly filled with a grand feast. The students eagerly dug into the delicious dishes, savoring every bite. Afterward, Dumbledore led everyone in the traditional school song, and the lively singing filled the Great Hall. As the night came to an end, the students made their way back to their common rooms, buzzing with excitement.
In the Slytherin common room, Yaxley, the head of the Boys' Student Union, called for everyone's attention. His voice cut through the chatter as he stepped forward with an air of confidence.
"Good evening, everyone. I'm a Slytherin prefect and the president of the Boys' Student Union. On behalf of Slytherin House, I'd like to officially welcome our new students." He led a round of applause, his words polite but formal. Then his tone shifted, and his expression hardened. "Slytherin House is special. We are born into privilege, known for our ambition, cunning, and determination. Being in Slytherin is an honor."
Yaxley's eyes swept over the room. "But with that honor comes responsibility. We are the guardians of wizarding purity and tradition. The wizarding world is being overrun by intruders—lesser beings who think they're our equals. They take our jobs, our spaces, even try to lead us. This is unacceptable."
A wave of applause erupted among the pure-blood students. Others clapped hesitantly, glancing around nervously. The new students, unsure of what to do, joined in, swept up in the moment. Yaxley raised a hand, silencing the room. "Here in Slytherin, we lead the charge in protecting our legacy. We must sever ties to Muggle society." He gestured to three students standing nearby. "Wilkes, Osbert, Travers, step forward."
The three stepped up, their expressions serious. Yaxley continued, "We're forming a new group: the Purity Committee. Its role is to monitor any Muggle-related activities at Hogwarts. The four of us will lead it, and everyone is expected to follow its rules." He stepped back, giving the floor to the others.
Travers smirked as he addressed the crowd. "Remember our faces. This committee will watch everything that happens in Slytherin. We'll decide who's following the rules and who isn't. Understood?"
"Understood," the pure-blood students echoed enthusiastically. Others mumbled along, uneasy under the committee members' watchful eyes.
Travers gestured to Wilkes. "Meet the chairman of the Purity Committee, senior Wilkes. Show him the respect he deserves."
"Hello, senior!" The response was scattered, but Wilkes smirked, stepping forward with a look that demanded obedience.
"In the future, Slytherin dormitories will undergo regular inspections. Students from all houses are strictly forbidden from hiding Muggle items. Any such items found will be confiscated, and resistance will result in punishment. Furthermore, students will be categorized by their blood status. Half-blood students will enjoy certain privileges depending on their lineage, while those of higher mixed blood or Muggle-born status..."
Wilkes paused, letting his eyes linger on Alex and Vivian for a moment before continuing. "...will serve the noble pure-blood students. They will handle all cleaning and maintenance tasks in the dormitories. Anyone refusing orders will be seen as disrespecting Slytherin and punished severely."
Wilkes scanned the room, raising his voice as he shouted, "Pure-blood supremacy!"
"Pure-blood supremacy! Pure-blood supremacy! Pure-blood supremacy!" The younger pure-blood students immediately echoed his chant, thrusting their arms into the air with fervor. Those with less enthusiasm—some pure-bloods and lower-ranking half-bloods—hesitated before joining in, their voices low and uncertain. Meanwhile, a small group of half-blood students exchanged uneasy glances, their faces pale, but they dared not speak out.
Alex remained impassive throughout, his expression unreadable. He'd expected this, after all. But beside him, Vivian was visibly furious. Her face turned red as Wilkes continued his speech. Being a Squib-Muggle hybrid made her feel the sting of his words acutely. To make matters worse, Wilkes' decree about banning Muggle items would mean the end of her beloved poker club, for which she had recently invested in several new decks.
"You can't do this! This is blatant discrimination! I'm reporting you to Headmaster Snape!" Her protest barely left her lips when another voice rang out.
"This is a crime!" A figure emerged from the crowd, climbing onto the steps and glaring at Wilkes. "I won't stand for it!"