Evan blushed, nodding in response with a quiet hint of pride.
Alan glanced at the two in surprise. He knew Vivian was strong in History of Magic, but he hadn't expected her to recognize the name so readily. Looking at the shy young man in front of him, he realized Evan came from a much more prominent lineage than his demeanor suggested.
"Minister Ottaline Gambol established a committee during his term to investigate the intelligence of Muggles, confirming that their intellect was far greater than wizards generally believed. He was a Minister who felt a certain kinship with the non-magical world and was well-loved during his time in office," Vivian explained, rattling off the facts as if she were tallying her own treasures.
Evan sat opposite them, turning a deeper shade of red as Vivian praised his ancestor.
"That's true," Evan said with a small smile. "Since his time, our family has been dedicated to studying Muggles. We've had two Professors of Muggle Studies in the family, and my grandmother was actually a Muggle herself. We live in a Muggle community now; I even attended their kindergarten when I was little."
Evan's nerves seemed to vanish as he spoke about his childhood, making it clear he had grown up with many non-magical friends.
"Your ideas are dangerous."
A discordant voice cut through their conversation. They turned to see Quake Wilkes standing nearby. Wilkes ignored Alan, focusing his gaze on Evan. "Muggle-borns are inferior beings. As a Slytherin, you must learn where you belong. Do not spend your time with disreputable characters."
As he spoke, he flicked a pointed, disdainful glance toward Alan.
Evan looked at Wilkes, then back at Alan, appearing utterly lost. "But... many of my friends back home are very smart. They aren't different from us," he whispered.
"Hmph! Wilkes, this is none of your business. Why are you interrupting our dinner?" Vivian slammed her hand on the table and glared at him.
"As a Prefect, I have every right to care for the new students of my house. I'm simply worried that those who haven't seen much of the world might be led astray by certain influences," Wilkes sneered.
Vivian was so incensed by the sarcasm that she began to rise from her seat, but Alan placed a firm hand on her shoulder, pressing her back down.
"It seems some people have healed their wounds and forgotten the pain," Alan said with a thin, sharp smile. He reached into his robes and pulled out a notebook with exaggerated solemnity. Opening it to a fresh page, he stared intently at Wilkes. "It's fine. Say whatever you want to say. I'll make sure to record every word."
Wilkes felt a sudden chill under Alan's gaze as the memories of the previous semester resurfaced. His bravado crumbled. He let out a sharp, forced snort and turned on his heel to leave.
"Coward!" Vivian scoffed. "You scare him and he runs with his tail between his legs. He's terrified you'll report his words to the Head of House and cost him his badge."
Knowing the true reason for Wilkes's fear, Alan didn't elaborate. Instead, he looked at Evan apologetically. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that as soon as you joined the house."
"Oh, no, it's alright. Is that our Prefect? He's very... intense," Evan stammered, his anxiety returning.
"Don't mind him. He's no good. He doesn't know how to do anything except bully people," Vivian complained, her cheeks puffing out.
The Sorting Ceremony soon concluded, and the lavish feast officially began. The Great Hall filled with the sounds of hundreds of students enjoying the start of the term. Once the meal ended and the school song had been sung under Dumbledore's direction, the students were led back to their respective common rooms.
Upon entering the Slytherin dungeon, Rory Yaxley, now Head Boy, called for silence.
"Welcome, everyone. I am the Slytherin Prefect and Head Boy. I represent this house in welcoming our new students." Yaxley smiled at the first years, leading a brief round of applause. His tone was professional at first, but it shifted dramatically as he continued.
"I am sure you all know what Slytherin represents. We are born noble, shrewd, ambitious, and strong-willed. We value power and honor. You should be proud to stand among us."
He paced before the fireplace, his eyes sweeping the room. "We are also the bastion of blood and purity. Maintaining that purity is our inherent duty. The wizarding world is currently in chaos. Filth is rising from the gutters, people who have the audacity to claim they are wizards. They seek to challenge our status, steal our livelihoods, and usurp our authority. It is a disgrace."
The pure-blood extremists in the room erupted in cheers. Those who were more moderate found themselves swept up in the fervor, involuntarily joining the applause. The first years, confused and intimidated, followed suit.
Seeing the response, Yaxley signaled for silence. "Therefore, Slytherin must lead the way in upholding our interests and severing all ties to the Muggle world. Quake Wilkes, Milly Osborne, Sampel Travers—come forward."
The three students stepped up beside him.
"We are establishing a Purity Committee within Slytherin to oversee house affairs and ensure our standards are met. These three and I will lead this committee. You are expected to comply with our directives."
Travers stepped forward first, looking down at the crowd. "Remember our faces. When we come to your dorms, it means the committee is on patrol. No other authority in this room matters besides ours. Do you understand?"
"Understood!" the pure-blood students shouted back. The rest of the house offered a hesitant, muffled echo.
"Let me introduce the Head of our Purity Committee, Senior Wilkes. Show him your respect!" Travers barked.
Wilkes stood with his chin raised, looking out over the room with newfound arrogance. Amidst a sparse, forced chorus of greetings, he stepped forward to take his place at the head of the group.