The corridors of Hogwarts were quiet those days... the constant presence of the Dementors forced the students to be more cautious... and always alert, one false move and they could claim your soul.
Aurelian walked with a serious expression. Professor Snape had offered him the position of fifth-year Slytherin prefect... his reputation in the house, as well as his clear background, made him perfect for the job. But Aurelian knew it was an empty title; there was no real reward for being selected, it just added more work than he was willing to do for the school.
The position of prefect only worked if you wanted to make a name for yourself in the Ministry or if you were the child of Muggles... in other words, it was usually accepted by people without political or economic power, and by those who wanted to feel superior to others. Of course, there were exceptions, but you literally made more enemies than friends by accepting that position.
After an exhausting and, frankly, very boring day, Aurelian needed time to think about his next moves, and the night in the castle was perfect for that.
Walking through the corridors had always been entertaining for him; he still hadn't explored every corner... Hogwarts had many secrets to discover in such a short time, that was the real charm of the castle.
As I turned and walked through a door leading to the library, I noticed a light growing brighter as I got closer. There, wearing his Prefect badge on his chest, stood Cedric Diggory.
Aurelian watched Cedric from behind, and from what he could see, he was looking at a painting with great attention. Wanting to play a little joke on his friend, he cast a concealment spell and crept up behind him.
Cedric was very happy; he had been selected as a prefect. When his parents found out, they congratulated him and threw a small party. His father, as usual, gloated and praised him excessively, something that annoyed him but he had learned to accept.
He found the portrait of Helena Ravenclaw curious. Since his first year, he had always looked at it whenever he passed by or went to the library, although calling it a portrait was rather flattering... everyone knew it was of the founder's daughter because of the name at the bottom... but it was really a blurred painting that did not show her inner self, and everything in it seemed dead, lifeless.
It was probably because Helena herself was a ghost who lived in the castle, but even so, that painting should show something more, not just that sad scene. Who knows, maybe one day he would find out why.
Suddenly, he felt someone touch his shoulder.
"Who's there?" Cedric whispered, turning around with a start.
He felt someone touch him again, but this time on his back, making his skin crawl.
"Peeves, if it's you, you'd better stop," he said, raising his voice slightly as his eyes scanned the room carefully.
Aurelian was trying his best to hold back his laughter. Seeing the normally kind and calm Cedric panic and become alert was fascinating to him. Not wanting to upset his friend any further, he canceled the spell and slowly took him by the shoulders.
Cedric turned around with a jump and pointed his wand at him.
"Calm down, Cedric, it's me, it's me," Aurelian raised his hands, making himself more visible.
"Aurelain," Cedric whispered, narrowing his eyes. "What's wrong with you... I thought it was Peeves playing a joke on me," he said, opening his eyes.
Aurelian patted him on the shoulder. "As the twins would say, what's life without a little adrenaline?" he said with a smile.
"You may be right, but don't do it again, with the Dementors around... my instincts are on high alert," he smiled back. "Well, changing the subject... what are you doing here... I was hoping no one would sneak out at night this year."
"You know how I am, I like... walking around at night," he said as he sat down against the wall.
Cedric laughed and sat down next to him. "You're a difficult person to understand, Aurelian... thank you."
"Thanks for what?" he asked curiously.
"You know, for the train. Your Patronus helped a lot of us, especially the younger ones... Thanks, Aurelian," he said, smiling as he watched the candle he had placed between them burn down.
"It was nothing," Aurelian murmured, looking away.
Cedric laughed at his attitude. "That's you, Aurelian. You act tough, but when the world needs you, you're the first to step up and help."
"Well, enough about me. Tell me how these first few days as prefect have been for you," Aurelian asked, wanting to change the subject.
Cedric just rolled his eyes with a small smile. "Well, it hasn't been bad... it's easy once you get used to it, and I like to think that I help others with my work."
"I'm sure you do, my friend... all of Hogwarts is grateful to you," he said with a slight bow.
"And why aren't you a prefect, huh?" he said provocatively. "The great Lord Gaunt isn't good enough for this little job?"
"I don't like the extra work, Cedric. I don't gain anything by accepting it... although Snape was very insistent, he almost didn't let me say no," Aurelian revealed with a laugh.
"I can imagine... I don't think there's another Slytherin more capable than you." Cedric looked up, watching the dim moonlight illuminate the corridors. "Aurelian, do you think we're in danger?" he asked weakly.
"Are you talking about the Dementors?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Noo Noo" shakes his head quickly before sighing. "I'm talking about... Grindelwald... Outside, people are starting to think they have to choose a side before it's too late. I just hope it doesn't affect us too much. You know something else, don't you? Tell me, Aurelian, is everything they're saying true?" he asks, looking him seriously in the eyes.
"Yes," Aurelian confirms, "It's all true. The Alliance is rearming... it's only a matter of time before they make a big move."
Cedric looks back down at the candle, which is now less than half full, slowly burning down.
"Well, I don't know what to say," he says, smiling.
"Don't worry, Cedric, no one is ready to know that at any moment their whole world could be destroyed," Aurelian tries to reassure him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I know... but still, it's... surprising to think that it's all true," he says, smiling weakly.
Cedric slowly gets up, picking up the candle. "I have a lot to think about," he says, turning to look at Aurelian. "Anyway, I have to finish my rounds... Have a good night," he says, offering his hand.
Aurelian smiles at him, giving his hand a firm squeeze. "Get some rest, Cedric. See you later."
Cedric nods and slowly leaves the room. Aurelian watches him go before he disappears, pushing open a door. Perhaps it would have been better to leave Cedric with his doubts, although that would have been worse the longer time passed. It was better for him to find out early than to continue with those doubts throughout the year.
Aurelian sighed and turned to head for the dungeons. He had a lot to think about. As he walked, he thought about the events that would unfold over the year. He hoped Lupin would be something like he was in the books, at least to keep him entertained in class this year.
The next day, Aurelian arrived at the Great Hall accompanied by Hestia and Flora. They sat in their usual place at the Slytherin table. They had arrived early for breakfast that morning, so there were few students in the Great Hall.
Before Aurelian could serve himself breakfast, the twins had already served him a plate of eggs, toast with jam, and a glass of orange juice.
"Here you go, dear... you must eat well," said Flora with a smile as she began to eat from her own plate.
"We know what you like," said Hestia as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "We promised your mother we would take care of you, and that's what we'll do."
Aurelian could only laugh. He thought the girls had already grown out of that phase, but talking to his mother had reignited it in them.
"Thanks, girls, but I can serve myself," I say, starting to eat.
"Oh, we know, Aurelian, we just like to do it from time to time," says Hestia, taking a fruit plate to her right.
"We see it as a small way to show you how much we love you. You know what they say, love is in the little details," Flora whispers in his ear.
Aurelian blushed slightly, focusing on his plate, while Hestia and Flora looked at each other and smiled. They liked to make Aurelian nervous.
"Thank you... girls," he said quietly.
They smiled even wider, hugging him around the arms. They would never tire of being with Aurelian.
At the teachers' table, Remus Lupin, a recent addition to the faculty, looked around the great hall with a smile. Remembering the days when he was happy with his friends filled him with both joy and sadness. When he turned to the Gryffindor table and saw the son of his dear friends, his heart sank.
He never understood why Sirius betrayed them. He was the closest to James by far, and the fact that he sold them out to Voldemort seemed unthinkable to him. And poor Peter... ahhh, Remus always regretted not being able to pay him the tribute he deserved. He died trying to protect his friends.
Looking closely at Harry, I noticed that the boy wasn't quite right. Physically, he was smaller than some of his classmates, and his glasses showed signs of wear. The best thing was to trust Dumbledore's words, that it was all for Harry's own good.
Another boy who caught his attention was Gaunt. When his eyes fell on him, his instinct told him to be careful and tread lightly. His magic reminded him of someone, but he wasn't quite sure who.
Snape, who was eating next to him, gave him a grim smile.
"Who are you watching so intently, Lupin?" said Snape, dragging out the name.
Lupin startled a little. "What can you tell me about Gaunt, Severus?" he asked, still watching Aurelian.
"I'd appreciate it if you called me Professor Snape," he said, turning his attention to Aurelian, who was chatting animatedly with the Carrow twins. "Gaunt is out of your league, Lupin. He's one of the best Slytherins I've ever had," he said with some pride.
"I hoped he would accept being a prefect, but he turned down the position. Finding another student was an exhausting task," he said the last part coldly and somewhat wearily.
"One would expect someone like that to be the first to accept, don't you think, Seve—" Lupin couldn't finish because Snape raised an eyebrow. "Professor Snape."
Snape rolled his eyes and looked back at Aurelian. "You're worried, Lupin. You think he's dangerous," he said with a smile.
"No, of course not," he quickly clarified.
Before he could continue speaking, Rubeus Hagrid, who had taken over as professor of Care of Magical Creatures after Professor Silvanus Kettleburn's retirement, cleared his throat to get his attention. "Of course that boy is dangerous, something is wrong with him."
Snape laughed, looking him in the eyes. "Really, and who told you that... your stomach?"
Hagrid blushed and looked down at his plate. "That's not what matters... what matters is that he's dangerous," he muttered, his face red.
"Professors, I would appreciate it if you would behave like people in your positions... you are not children to be arguing over such ridiculous things," McGonagall reprimanded loudly.
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall" Hagrid whispered, embarrassed.
"Let's not repeat this. We are here to evaluate and guide students along the best possible path... we must not be prejudiced against any student," she concluded, looking intently at Snape, who grunted as he concentrated on his food.
-------------
I have a Patreon account. If you would like to support me, I would greatly appreciate it. You will be able to read up to 15 more chapters, listen to all chapters as audiobooks, and view images of the characters in the story for free. Thank you very much for reading my story :D
patreon.com/Daoistrg