Chapter 15
As the meal drew to a close, Professor Snape, her stern Head of House, handed Zeta her timetable. His annoyance was palpable, but Zeta accepted it without comment. Following her fellow Slytherins, she descended into the dungeon corridors of Hogwarts, where cool darkness enveloped her, punctuated only by hushed footsteps and whispered exchanges. They arrived at the door to the Slytherin common room, a prefect at the front opened it with a password.
The common room was a study in grandeur and mystery, with a ceiling that seemed to arch like the inside of a cathedral and walls draped with emerald green tapestries depicting the house crest. Dark leather armchairs and sofas were arranged around a central fireplace that cast flickering shadows across the room. Shelves lined with ancient books and curious artifacts added an aura of scholarly secrecy. The ambiance was both elegant and slightly eerie, perfectly befitting the house of Slytherin.
The prefects gathered everyone in the middle of the room and began to explain the house rules. "Respect the traditions of Slytherin," one prefect began, his voice firm. "We value ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness. Do not bring disgrace upon our house."
Another prefect added, "Curfew is strictly enforced. The common room is a place for study and relaxation. Any disruptions will be dealt with accordingly."
Professor Snape then entered the common room, his presence immediately commanding attention. "As your Head of House, I expect nothing less than excellence from each of you," he said, his gaze sweeping over the students. "Do not disappoint me."
With that, they were dismissed to choose their rooms. Slytherin provided single rooms, granting each student their own privacy. Zeta walked down a corridor lined with multiple doors, each bearing a brass nameplate. She selected a room she deemed practical, both for its location and its size.
Upon entering, she closed the door behind her and took in the interior. The room was modest yet comfortable, with a double bed, a desk and chair, and her luggage neatly placed by the house elves. Zeta began to concentrate magic around her body, raising her hands. She released the magic in a beautiful purple light, causing the room to expand and its walls to turn a dark gray. The window overlooking the Black Lake widened, transforming into a viewing platform.
She added some furniture, making the room both cozy and secure. A bookshelf appeared against one wall, filled with volumes on magic and strategy. She set up a wardrobe and a small seating area by the window. Satisfied with her work, Zeta left the room and placed secure enchantments on the door, ensuring no one could enter without her knowledge.
Zeta then decided to explore Hogwarts. She wandered through the ancient hallways, marveling at the castle's grandeur. She noted the moving staircases, the portraits that whispered secrets, and the hidden passages that led to who-knew-where. Outside, she saw preparations for the Triwizard Tournament, including the construction of an arena.
As Zeta made her way to the Great Hall for dinner, the torches lining the stone walls flickered, casting eerie shadows. The air was thick with anticipation, and the tension seemed to cling to her like cobwebs.
Just as she reached the massive oak doors leading into the Great Hall, she was halted by none other than Harry Potter and his two loyal friends. Harry’s emerald eyes bore into hers, determination etched across his face. Ron, with his fiery hair and freckles, glared suspiciously, while Hermione’s sharp gaze seemed to dissect her every move.
“Who are you really?” Harry’s voice was low, but it carried the weight of a thousand unanswered questions.
Ron crossed his arms, his Gryffindor pride evident. “You’re a Slytherin, so you must be up to no good.”
Hermione, ever the logical one, chimed in. “There’s no other explanation. You have to be a Death Eater.”
Zeta, her composure unshaken, met their accusations with a calm smile. “You should have better things to do than harass new students,” she said, her voice steady. “This year holds more challenges than you can imagine.”
Turning to Ron, she leveled a piercing gaze. “You’re merely riding on Harry’s fame and glory.” Her words hung in the air, a frosty reminder of their own insecurities.
Hermione’s cheeks flushed with anger. “You must be a Death Eater, infiltrating Hogwarts.”
Zeta, or Lilim as they knew her, raised an eyebrow. “Don’t annoy me,” she warned, her tone icy. “It won’t end well for you.”
With that, she swept past them, her robes billowing dramatically. As she entered the Great Hall, the scent of roasted chicken and pumpkin pasties enveloped her. She hadn’t planned to antagonize the trio, but perhaps keeping them off balance would serve her purpose better than any spell or potion. After all, secrets thrived in chaos, and Zeta had more than her fair share to protect.
A fellow Slytherin approached Zeta during the meal, curiosity etched into his features. “What did they want with you?”
Zeta’s response was nonchalant. “They thought they could corner me for information about Slytherin.”
The boy’s expression darkened with anger. “They have no right to interrogate one of us!”
Word spread quickly among the Slytherins, their hushed conversations echoing through the stone corridors. Murmurs of Gryffindors overstepping their bounds filled the air. Zeta couldn’t help but find it amusing—the age-old rivalry between houses had a way of igniting tensions far beyond the Quidditch pitch.
After dinner, Zeta retraced her steps to the common room. She observed a group of Slytherins subtly cornering some unsuspecting Gryffindors, but she refrained from intervening. Instead, she retreated to her room, preparing for the challenges that awaited her in the next day’s classes.
Later, in the privacy of her quarters, Zeta activated the crystal ball she and Cid had developed. His face materialized within the orb, a familiar smile playing on his lips. “How did it go?”
“I was sorted into Slytherin, as expected,” Zeta reported. “And I managed to sow a few seeds of tension between our house and Gryffindor.”
Cid chuckled. “Excellent work. Distractions are valuable.” His eyes flickered with pride. “Things are progressing well here, too. The village thrives, and Mitsugoshi continues to flourish.”
They exchanged updates and discussed plans for the future. After the call, Zeta showered and prepared for bed. She slept without underwear, as was her preference, feeling the cool sheets against her skin.
As she drifted off to sleep, she thought about the days ahead. Hogwarts was full of mysteries and opportunities, and Zeta was determined to uncover them all. Things were going to get even more interesting.