At the entrance to the Slytherin common room, Floyd looked at the stunned expressions on the first years' faces and chuckled, clearly remembering his own first night.
"The common room password changes every two weeks," he said.
He led them to the notice board hanging near the entrance.
"The new password will always be posted here, so remember to check it. Otherwise, you may find yourselves locked out of your own dormitory."
Floyd then gestured toward the common room.
"Your luggage has already been sent to your dormitories. Boys are on the left, girls on the right."
The prefect looked tired after guiding them through the castle, so he quickly pointed toward the two entrances before walking toward the boys' corridor.
Just before disappearing under the archway, he seemed to remember something and turned back.
"Also, boys and girls are not allowed to enter each other's dormitories casually. There are magical protections in place, and even if you somehow trigger them, you'll still be punished if caught."
Some of the young wizards remained in the common room to admire their future home, while others immediately went to find their dormitories and rest.
Leo looked around the Slytherin common room with interest.
Through the tall windows, he could see fish, aquatic plants, and even the vague shadow of the giant squid swimming past outside. The scales of the fish reflected the greenish underwater light, casting shifting colours across the glass.
The ceiling seemed to be made of transparent crystal, and the entire room was built from rough, ancient stone. On one wall, the Slytherin emblem shimmered beneath eerie green light.
Medieval tapestries depicting old stories and adventures hung along the walls, while carved tables and chairs bore strange magical patterns.
A fire crackled steadily in the fireplace, bringing warmth to the cold underwater chamber.
The whole place had a heavy Gothic beauty.
"Leo, I found my room," Draco said excitedly, emerging from the boys' corridor. "We're in the same dormitory. Come on, I'll show you."
"Thank you, little Draco."
Draco's eyelid twitched, but he was too tired to argue.
After all, first years were only eleven. No matter how excited they were, staying up late after such a long day was difficult.
When Leo entered the dormitory, he discovered it was meant for three people, but only he and Draco had been assigned there. On the way, he had noticed that the number of first-year Slytherin boys was odd, which likely explained the empty bed.
The two quickly chose beds and began unpacking.
Leo had only just taken out a few personal items when he turned and saw Draco already asleep on the opposite bed.
He shook his head in amusement.
This child really could fall asleep instantly.
Leo casually cast a cleaning charm over Draco, locked the dormitory door, and prepared to enter Dongtian to wash up and search for what he needed.
Before leaving, he did not forget to cast a sleep-inducing charm on Draco as well.
Outside Hogwarts, the moon hung quietly over the castle.
Morning came far too soon.
Leo walked beside Draco toward the Great Hall, yawning repeatedly.
"You woke up before me," Draco said curiously, "and you were the one who woke me. So why are you still this sleepy?"
"It's nothing," Leo said, yawning again. "Maybe I'm not used to the bed."
Then Draco yawned too.
Yawning, apparently, was contagious.
In truth, Leo had spent nearly an hour the night before searching inside Dongtian. Unfortunately, the magic and potions that could help him grow taller were either unusable at his current level or had side effects too severe to accept.
The safer, more advanced options were far beyond a beginner like him.
Leo glanced at Draco beside him and continued walking.
The Great Hall served as the main dining hall except during major events, since it was the only place large enough to seat everyone together.
For first years, Monday usually held only two classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Slytherin's first class was Herbology at half past ten, so they still had around half an hour.
When Leo and Draco arrived for breakfast, Carlotta was already eating.
"Good morning, Leo. And that Malfoy too."
She had noticed them first and waved cheerfully.
Since she had already greeted them, Leo and Draco sat down opposite her.
"Carlotta, I didn't expect you to wake up so early," Leo said.
He looked helplessly at his plate. He had wanted soup noodles, but somehow breakfast had become mixed pasta instead.
He began eating while Carlotta finished her own meal.
"It's fine. I'm a light sleeper, so I woke up early."
Carlotta put down her fork, picked up a glass of milk, and shrugged.
"Oh," Draco said with faint schadenfreude. "So both of you have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds. Fortunately, I don't."
Leo continued eating expressionlessly.
If I hadn't cast a sleeping charm on you, would you have slept so well?
"Right? Leo, you think the school beds aren't comfortable either, don't you?" Carlotta said. "I still miss my bed at home."
Then she began describing the magical creature fur used for her mattress and the materials used for her bedding.
As she spoke, she suddenly noticed the silence.
Leo and Draco were staring at her strangely.
"What?" Carlotta asked. "Did I not wash properly? Is there something on my face?"
She even started looking around for something reflective.
"No," Leo said resentfully. "I'm done eating."
"Same," Draco added.
The two put down their cutlery almost at the same time and stood.
"I'm done too. Let's go together!"
Carlotta quickly finished her milk and followed them.
Leo had nothing to say because he wasn't really unused to the bed. He had stayed up searching for ways to grow taller.
Draco also had nothing to say because he had decided Carlotta was showing off. The things she slept on at home were more expensive than his.
So both boys remained silent.
The three crossed the courtyard, passed the stone bridge, went by the library, and finally arrived at the Herbology classroom. It was a sunlit greenhouse built of glass and crystal.
Inside, the Herbology professor was already waiting.
Professor Sprout was short, round, kind-looking, and covered in soil. She wore a patched pointed hat and was tending to a magical plant with a wand in one hand.
"Welcome to Herbology," she said warmly. "I'm Professor Sprout, your Herbology teacher."
She adjusted her hat and held up the plant.
"In my class, you don't need to keep your quills in your hands at all times. But you do need to use your brains to remember every step and your hands to complete the proper operation."
Her expression became serious.
"This is your first lesson, so you won't be handling anything dangerous yet. Instead, remember the precautions I explain and watch my demonstration carefully."
The nearly hour-long class passed quickly under Professor Sprout's lively explanation and careful guidance.
When the bell rang, the Slytherin and Ravenclaw students ran cheerfully out of the greenhouse, beginning their first proper exploration of Hogwarts.
The Slytherins moved in twos and threes, exploring the ancient castle while introducing their family histories and quietly showing off their noble status.
Apparently, that was an essential Slytherin tradition.
Later, in one corridor, Hermione was lecturing two speechless boys with a serious face.
"Harry, Ron, you were already late for Transfiguration today, and now you're planning to do something forbidden?"
"It's fine, Hermione," Ron said with a headache. "As long as you don't tell anyone."
He turned toward Harry.
"And we were only late because we got lost. Right, Harry?"
"I… I…"
Harry was about to answer when he spotted a familiar figure behind Hermione.
"Hey, Leo! Draco! Over here!"
Leo had been planning to head to lunch with Draco and Carlotta when he heard his name.
"Let's go that way," he said immediately, pointing toward another corridor.
Draco glanced over.
"Someone called us."
Leo looked in the same direction and saw Hermione, Harry, and Ron already approaching.
"That was Harry. Look, they're coming."
"Leo, what a coincidence," Hermione said as she hurried over. "You're done with class?"
Her hand was already reaching for his cheek.
"What a coincidence!" Ron said excitedly. "Do you know? Professor McGonagall is a cat! I mean, she can turn into a cat!"
"Yes," Harry added, gesturing with his hands. "You didn't see it."
"Really? That's amazing."
Leo answered while blocking Hermione's approaching hand.
Inside, however, he complained silently.
Friends were friends, but trouble was still trouble.
And staying away from trouble was always good.
"Hello," Carlotta said brightly, stepping forward. "My name is Carlotta Peregrine…"
....
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