Chapter 1 – Morning in the Castle
The first dawn at Hogwarts was always special. The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall glowed with streaks of rose and gold, and the castle itself seemed to hum with life. For the new first years, it was a moment of wonder. For Percy Chronos, it was something else entirely: the ancient stones themselves seemed to resonate with recognition.
Percy's Quarters – A Waking Rivalry
Percy awoke in the private quarters Hogwarts had gifted him — a decision that still echoed through the school like thunder. Artemis and Athena stirred at his sides, their warmth pressed against him in easy intimacy. It was their rhythm now: a kiss from Artemis, a teasing nip from Athena, Percy's groggy protest and inevitable surrender to their morning ritual of touches and whispers.
Kaal, the phoenix-dragon hybrid, stretched his wings with a sound like crackling fire, shaking sparks across the chamber. Hedwig, the golden eagle, spread her own wings in a sharp, majestic sweep as if refusing to be overshadowed. The two familiars locked eyes, tension in the air. Even they seemed to mirror the rivalry now alive in Hogwarts' halls — ancient majesty vying for dominance.
Athena smirked as she slid a hand across Percy's chest.
"You realize," she murmured, "that half the school spent last night convincing themselves this isn't real. That Hogwarts didn't truly bow to you."
"And the other half," Artemis added, lips brushing his shoulder, "spent it scheming how to take what's ours."
Percy sighed, kissing each of them in turn before finally rising. "Then let's give them more to gossip about."
The Great Hall – Lord of Chronos
When Percy entered the Great Hall, flanked by Artemis and Athena, the noise dipped into silence before rising again into a storm of whispers. It wasn't who he was anymore — everyone knew. It was what he represented.
Lord Chronos.
An ancient house, predating Hogwarts, steeped in mysteries no wizard alive could fully grasp. A title whispered with reverence and fear in pureblood circles. And now, the boy who held it walked among them with two wives at his side, as casually as if this were natural.
The Slytherin table leaned forward, green ties catching the torchlight. Draco's eyes burned with envy as Artemis' fingers brushed against Percy's sleeve. Theodore Nott whispered to Blaise, "Imagine—two witches like that bound to you. Percy can't keep them forever. No one could." Blaise's smirk said he intended to try.
At Gryffindor, Ron muttered under his breath, glaring at Percy. "Acts like he owns the place already." Harry, meanwhile, had to bite back a laugh. Percy didn't act like he owned the place. He simply did.
Hermione's quill scratched across parchment as she whispered to Harry, "House Chronos isn't in any of the genealogies I've studied. It shouldn't even exist… and yet Hogwarts itself acknowledged him."
Harry just shrugged with a grin. "Maybe that's the point. He's not playing by anyone's book."
Staff Table – Fractures in Silence
The professors' reactions were no less intense.
Snape seethed openly, fingers drumming against the table. Salazar bowed to him. Salazar bowed to him. His Slytherins saw Percy as untouchable, and that infuriated him.
McGonagall pursed her lips, watching Harry more than Percy. She had expected the timid, starved child the Dursleys raised. Instead, Harry looked more alive than she had ever seen him, sitting straighter, speaking easier, as though Percy's presence had given him back something stolen.
Dumbledore, though his eyes twinkled, gripped his goblet tighter. He had planned a hero malleable to his will. Instead, Hogwarts itself had elevated Percy into a rival.
Gossip and Schemes
The whispers spread like wildfire through the tables:
"The Chronos line predates Hogwarts."
"Salazar himself bowed."
"What magic must he command?"
"What did those women do to tie themselves to him?"
Some whispered of admiration, others of envy, and still others of schemes. Pureblood boys eyed Artemis and Athena, convinced that power and gold could tempt them away. Girls gossiped about Percy's calm smile and the way his wives leaned so easily against him, half-admiring, half-bitter.
Ron shoved his plate away, appetite gone. "He thinks he's so special."
Harry caught the tone and raised a brow. "He is special, Ron. And maybe that's not such a bad thing."
Ron muttered something about "arrogant Slytherins" under his breath.
Closing Beat
When the timetables were handed out, the whispers didn't stop. Everywhere Percy went, heads turned, schemes ignited, and envy smoldered. Artemis kissed his cheek openly at the Slytherin table, earning groans from jealous boys. Athena smiled wickedly at a group of staring Ravenclaws until they all flushed crimson and turned away.
Percy just laughed softly. "First day, and already they're plotting to take everything from us."
Artemis leaned in, voice a sultry whisper. "Let them try."
Athena's smirk promised fire. "They'll learn what it means to challenge House Chronos."
And above them, the enchanted ceiling shifted, sunlight spilling over a castle that had chosen its favorite.
Chapter 2 – Timetables and Whispers
The Great Hall was brighter than ever the next morning, the enchanted ceiling showing a crisp blue sky streaked with early sun. First-years gathered in small clusters, some still bleary-eyed, others already buzzing with the thrill of their first true day at Hogwarts.
At the staff table, the Heads of House rose in turn, each holding a neat stack of parchments. The chatter softened into expectant silence.
Timetables Delivered
Professor McGonagall swept along the Gryffindor table, placing timetables in front of each student with brisk precision. She paused at Harry, her stern expression softening. "Do take care to keep up, Mr. Potter. The pace here is not forgiving."
Harry nodded, though Ron leaned close to mutter, "Don't worry, mate, we'll get through it together." His ears turned slightly red when Hermione gave him a withering look and began scribbling notes before classes even started.
At the Ravenclaw table, Professor Flitwick squeaked cheerful encouragements as he handed parchments around. "You'll find yourselves challenged this year — and that's precisely how it should be!"
Professor Sprout waddled happily among her Hufflepuffs, her hands soil-stained even this early. "Plenty of Herbology ahead, dears — keep a fresh pair of gloves handy!"
Finally, Professor Snape descended upon the Slytherins. His robes billowed like storm clouds as he slapped timetables onto the table with sharp movements. "Mr. Malfoy. Miss Parkinson. Zabini."
When he reached Percy, Artemis, and Athena, his sneer deepened. He set the parchments down slowly, almost as if the act itself were distasteful. "Lord Chronos. Ladies."
Percy inclined his head, unbothered. "Thank you, Professor."
Artemis leaned into Percy's side with deliberate elegance. "We're all together in every class."
Athena's lips curved. "Naturally. Hogwarts knows where we belong."
The words carried — soft enough to be intimate, yet pitched to be overheard. Several older Slytherin boys stiffened.
Slytherin Schemes
Draco Malfoy leaned closer to Blaise Zabini, his pale face pinched. "Look at them — like they own the house already."
"They practically do," Blaise murmured back, eyes flicking toward Percy's calm smile. "And the girls… they're not exactly keeping quiet about where their loyalties lie."
Pansy Parkinson smirked. "Boys like you should stop whining and start thinking. Nothing's unbreakable. Even Percy Chronos can be… tested."
The boys' envy simmered in silence. They wouldn't dare strike openly — not yet — but seeds of rivalry and schemes were already taking root.
Gryffindor Grumbles
Across the hall, Ron scowled as he watched Percy and his wives whisper to each other. "They sit there like they're royalty. And everyone's just letting them."
Hermione arched a brow, already comparing the timetables. "They're just in the same house, Ron. Of course they share classes."
"Yeah, but no one else looks like that walking into lessons," Ron shot back. "Bet Percy doesn't even need to try."
Harry stayed quieter, though he couldn't deny Ron had a point. Percy carried himself with a self-assurance Harry had never seen before, and Artemis and Athena flanking him only added to the picture. Still, Harry's lips quirked into a grin. "At least it'll be interesting."
Staff Unease
At the staff table, McGonagall's lips were pursed thinly. She had seen plenty of confident students before, but never a trio that commanded so much attention this quickly.
Flitwick's eyes twinkled, though his tone was thoughtful. "It's remarkable. Most children shrink their first day, yet Percy Chronos grows taller in it."
Sprout hummed. "A flower fed by attention always grows fast. Question is — will it bloom or strangle the others?"
Snape gave a disdainful sniff. "He'll burn out soon enough." Yet his fingers curled tightly around his goblet.
Dumbledore alone sat perfectly still, watching over the rim of his teacup. His twinkle was fixed, but it lacked warmth. Percy's presence was already bending the school's social order — and it was only the first day.
Departure for Class
When the bell rang, Percy stood first, Artemis sliding her hand through his arm, Athena mirroring on his other side. Together, they walked with serene confidence out of the Hall, leaving whispers and envy trailing in their wake.
Behind them, Draco muttered darkly, "This isn't over."
Ron stabbed at a sausage, muttering, "Bloody perfect Percy."
And Dumbledore, watching from the high table, thought only of how his plans were already slipping out of reach.
🪄 Chapter 3 – First Lessons: Transfiguration
The first morning of classes at Hogwarts dawned crisp and bright, the sunlight spilling through high stone windows. Students hurried across the Great Hall with their schedules, clutching books and quills, chattering nervously. The buzz of excitement and tension was thick in the air — after all, this was the day they'd cast their first real spells as Hogwarts students.
In Slytherin's corner, Percy, Artemis, and Athena looked utterly unbothered. Artemis smirked as she straightened Percy's collar, while Athena fussed with her own braid before leaning against Percy's arm as though it were the most natural thing in the world. The ease of their affection made passing students glance, whisper, and flush. A few older pureblood boys grumbled under their breath — surely these girls must only be interested in Percy's wealth and status. Surely.
Draco Malfoy, already simmering from last night's humiliations, was determined to salvage something today. "We'll see if Lord Chronos and his—" he gestured vaguely at Artemis and Athena, "—can handle a real classroom." He smirked at Crabbe and Goyle, who nodded eagerly, though neither looked particularly certain about what Transfiguration even meant.
Arrival at the Classroom
The first-years filed into Professor McGonagall's classroom, a mix of Gryffindors and Slytherins. The walls were lined with shelves of books and curios: silver instruments, shapeshifted trinkets frozen mid-change, and stern-looking portraits of former masters of the subject.
McGonagall herself was perched at her desk in Animagus form, a sharp-eyed tabby cat, tail flicking with cool precision. A ripple of gasps moved through the room when she transformed back into her usual self, standing tall and regal.
"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts," she declared, her Scottish accent crisp. "Anyone messing about in my class will leave, and not come back."
Even Percy arched a brow in respect at her authority. Artemis leaned toward him and whispered just loud enough for nearby Gryffindors to hear:
"Finally, a professor who doesn't fawn over us."
Athena's lips curled in amusement. "I like her already."
Their banter sparked whispers. A few Slytherin girls exchanged looks — were they seriously so comfortable that even stern Professor McGonagall didn't faze them?
The First Attempt
The class began with something deceptively simple: turning a matchstick into a needle.
Most students frowned, sweat beading their brows as they repeated the wand movement and incantation. Ron's matchstick only turned a sickly silver at the tip before snapping in half. Draco's wand swish was elegant, but his matchstick remained stubbornly wooden.
"Patience, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said curtly as she passed his desk. Draco flushed crimson.
Harry, sitting near Percy, concentrated hard. His matchstick shimmered faintly, the wood thinning slightly at the center. Not perfect, but impressive for a first try. McGonagall's stern eyes softened almost imperceptibly.
Percy, meanwhile, held up a perfectly transfigured needle after a single wave, Artemis and Athena following suit as though it were child's play. Artemis's needle gleamed sharper than steel, while Athena's shimmered with an almost artistic polish.
A low murmur spread through the class. Envy was palpable.
"Show-offs," Ron muttered under his breath, his ears glowing red.
Draco sneered. "Oh, brilliant. Looks like Lord Chronos can wave his wand and—"
"Maybe you should focus on your own," Artemis cut in coolly without looking at him, spinning her flawless needle between her fingers.
The room stifled laughter. Even a few Gryffindors grinned.
Professor's Reaction
McGonagall stopped by Percy's table, examining the needles. Her eyebrow lifted slightly — not in disbelief, but in grudging admiration.
"Well done," she said crisply, her voice even. "It seems you three are already ahead. Perhaps try assisting those nearby instead of basking in your success."
Athena inclined her head politely, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "As you wish, Professor."
A moment later, she was leaning over Harry's shoulder, offering a subtle correction. "Your grip is too stiff. Relax the wrist."
Harry tried again, and his matchstick stretched further, the wood turning more silvery. His grin was infectious.
"Thanks," he whispered.
Percy winked at him. "Told you, Harry. You've got more control than you think."
Across the room, Ron scowled, feeling excluded as always.
Simmering Rivalries
By the end of class, only Percy, his wives, and Harry had managed decent results. The rest of the students shuffled out, some muttering about unfair advantages.
Draco lingered, glaring daggers. "Enjoy your head start, Chronos. It won't last. Hogwarts rewards true Slytherins, not charity cases with… with ornaments." His eyes flicked spitefully at Artemis and Athena.
Artemis arched a brow, a smile dangerous and sweet. "If you're this bitter after a single class, Malfoy, I dread to see your face by year's end."
Athena added smoothly, "And as for Hogwarts rewarding true Slytherins… perhaps you should look up who Salazar bowed to last night."
Draco went scarlet. Crabbe and Goyle shuffled uncomfortably behind him.
Harry couldn't help it — he laughed. The sound cut through the tension, light but sharp. Draco stormed off, muttering darkly under his breath.
Closing Beat
As the students spilled into the corridor, Percy stretched languidly, Artemis looping her arm through his.
"Well," Percy drawled, "that was fun."
"Fun?" Harry gaped. "That was terrifying."
Artemis smirked. "Terrifying is walking into a room full of scheming purebloods. This? This was easy."
Athena added, teasingly, "Besides, Percy likes when professors glare at him. It keeps him humble."
The trio laughed, their easy harmony stark against the simmering envy and tension around them. The whispers followed them down the hall — admiration, resentment, fascination — all blurring together.
For Hogwarts, it was only the first lesson. But already, lines were being drawn.
⚗️ Chapter 4 – Potions and Subtle Wars
The Slytherin-Gryffindor first-years filed into the dungeons after lunch, stomachs fluttering with nerves. The air in the potions classroom was cool and heavy with strange scents: dried herbs, simmering roots, something vaguely metallic. Cauldrons gleamed in neat rows, and the shelves behind the teacher's desk were lined with bottled curiosities that seemed to breathe faintly inside the glass.
Harry and Ron exchanged nervous glances as they sat at one of the middle benches. The chatter in the room was louder than in Transfiguration — everyone had heard whispers about Professor Snape.
And then the man himself swept in.
Black robes billowed dramatically, his pale face set in a sneer as his dark eyes scanned the room. Silence fell at once. Snape's presence had a gravity all its own, sharp and oppressive.
"Ah," Snape said softly, drawing out the sound. "Our new little dunderheads."
His gaze landed quickly, almost hungrily, on Harry. "Ah. Potter. Our new celebrity."
The words slithered like venom across the classroom.
A Tense Beginning
Snape launched into a speech about the subtle science of potion-making, his words dripping with disdain for most of the students present. A few Slytherins straightened proudly — his favoritism was well known — while the Gryffindors already bristled.
But then, mid-monologue, Snape's eyes flicked toward Percy.
"Lord Chronos," Snape said, voice lower now, the sneer faltering for just an instant. "I expect… much from one of your standing."
The whispering that followed was instant, sharp. Even Malfoy blinked in surprise. Snape had singled Percy out — but not with derision. With expectation.
Percy leaned back casually, Artemis at his right and Athena at his left. His smirk was infuriatingly calm.
"No pressure then," Percy murmured under his breath. Artemis giggled softly, the sound sweet but mocking.
Ron gawked at the exchange. Harry looked from Percy to Snape, caught between confusion and amusement.
The Quiz
Snape turned back to Harry suddenly.
"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry blinked. He'd never heard of either ingredient. His mind went blank.
Snape's lip curled. "Clearly fame isn't everything."
A small laugh rippled from the Slytherin side.
But Percy's calm voice broke through the silence. "Draught of Living Death," he said smoothly, not even glancing up from his quill.
Snape froze, the sneer tightening, before he inclined his head ever so slightly. "Correct."
Harry glanced at Percy in gratitude, but Percy only winked at him with a grin.
Snape's next question — this time about bezoars — was fired again at Harry. Again Percy answered, faster than Harry could even guess. By the third question, Artemis chimed in, her voice light and razor-sharp:
"Clearly, Professor, you're not testing Harry. You're testing us."
Snape's eyes glittered dangerously. But he didn't deny it.
Brewing Begins
The students were then instructed to brew a simple boil-curing potion. Cauldrons bubbled to life, steam curling above the rows.
Draco worked with Crabbe and Goyle, trying to maintain poise while constantly glancing at Percy's table. His motions were precise, but sweat pricked his forehead.
Ron's cauldron emitted an alarming puff of green smoke, and he yelped. Hermione — who had planted herself near the front — groaned in frustration, muttering about how no one else read their textbooks properly.
Harry, with Percy beside him, was faring surprisingly well. Percy was careful not to take over Harry's work, only correcting his wrist angle when chopping roots or quietly pointing to the order of ingredients. By the end of the lesson, Harry's potion was passable — not perfect, but bubbling the right color. Ron's, on the other hand, was curdling into something tar-like.
Artemis and Athena, of course, produced flawless potions, their teamwork so seamless it looked choreographed.
Snape's Humiliation
When Snape made his rounds, he paused first at Harry's cauldron. He seemed almost annoyed that it wasn't a disaster.
"Passable," he said through clenched teeth. "Barely."
But when he reached Percy's group, his composure faltered. Three cauldrons, three potions, each one not only flawless but subtly… enhanced. Percy's brew gleamed faintly, its surface reflecting like liquid glass. Artemis's potion carried a faintly golden shimmer, while Athena's was crystal-clear.
Snape's nostrils flared. He inspected them with a wave of his wand, and then his voice dropped into a dangerous whisper.
"…Remarkable."
The class erupted into whispers again. For Snape to say such a word, especially to first-years, was unheard of.
But the true humiliation came next.
As Snape turned sharply away, Artemis said sweetly — loud enough for the Gryffindors to hear:
"Was that… praise?"
Athena smirked. "Careful. He might faint."
The Gryffindors snorted with laughter. Even Harry bit back a grin. Draco looked ready to combust.
Snape's robes whipped behind him as he stormed back to his desk. His face was pale, his fury palpable — but he said nothing more.
Subtle Wars
When class ended, the Gryffindors left the dungeon buzzing with relief. Hermione muttered furiously to herself about how Snape hadn't called on her once, while Ron complained loudly about the unfairness of Percy and his wives being so perfect.
Draco, however, lingered. His eyes burned with fury as he whispered to a knot of Slytherins:
"We can't let them keep stealing the spotlight. Hogwarts doesn't revolve around Chronos. It revolves around us. Real purebloods."
Some nodded hesitantly, though others looked doubtful. The memory of Salazar's bow and Snape's reluctant admiration still lingered.
Meanwhile, Percy slung an arm lazily around Artemis as they ascended the staircase, Athena on his other side.
"Well," Percy drawled, "that was fun."
Artemis grinned. "I think we made a new friend."
Athena smirked knowingly. "Or a new enemy."
Their laughter echoed down the corridor.
And in the shadows behind them, Draco clenched his fists. The subtle war had begun.
✨ Chapter 5 – Hallway Encounters and Flirtations
The corridors of Hogwarts pulsed with life. First-years spilled out of Charms, laughter echoing as they recounted triumphs and disasters with feathers.
Seamus waved his arms dramatically. "Straight up, ceiling-high — then boom! Sparks everywhere! Best bit of class, I reckon."
Dean smirked. "You're lucky you didn't take someone's eye out."
Ron chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, Harry's was neat though. Perfect levitation. No explosions."
Seamus clapped Harry on the back. "First try, too. Lad's a natural."
Harry muttered, "I just followed the instructions," cheeks warm.
Dean leaned in. "Don't be modest. Everyone saw it."
Their chatter carried down the corridor until the group slowed. Up ahead, Percy walked in step with Artemis and Athena — a picture of elegance, his wives' laughter trailing behind them like music.
Ron swallowed hard, eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. He forced his voice steady: "C'mon. Let's say hi."
Banter Meets Nobility
"Potions was a nightmare," Ron said as they caught up, trying for casual.
Athena's eyebrow arched. "Only if you struggled."
Seamus barked out a laugh. "Struggled? I'm calling it sabotage. My cauldron went volcanic."
Dean nodded, mock serious. "I swear Snape was giving instructions in Parseltongue. No one understood him."
Artemis smirked. "Then you're not wrong. He might as well have been hissing for all the clarity he gave."
Harry grinned despite himself. "It's true. He seemed… more focused on glaring than teaching."
The group chuckled, the tension easing. Dean whispered loudly to Seamus, "They're terrifying. But brilliant."
"Brilliantly terrifying," Seamus corrected, earning another ripple of laughter.
Salazar's Bow
Dean, curiosity brimming, blurted out, "So it's true then? Salazar's portrait bowed?"
The corridor hushed as others leaned closer.
Percy inclined his head slightly. "Salazar showed respect. That is all."
Artemis linked her arm with his. "Respect is never accidental."
Athena's gaze swept the gathering crowd. "Some legacies command it. His does."
A quiet awe spread among the first-years, broken only by Seamus's muttered, "Wish I had a portrait bow to me."
The laughter that followed carried them forward, tension loosened but whispers already spreading.
Malfoy's Sting
Draco Malfoy appeared from the opposite direction, Pansy and Blaise in tow. His voice was sharp. "You think yourself equal to Salazar Slytherin?"
Athena smiled coldly. "Funny. The castle doesn't seem to disagree."
Snickers rippled down the hall. Draco flushed.
Artemis leaned in with velvet menace. "Careful, Malfoy. You might learn the difference between arrogance and legacy the hard way."
Seamus cupped his hands. "Oi, Malfoy! Want some ice for that burn?"
The Gryffindors roared, and even Percy's lips twitched at the corner. Draco stormed off, Blaise smirking behind him.
Flirtations in the Air
As Percy and his wives continued, the crowd thinned but whispers lingered. A Ravenclaw girl clutched her books to her chest, whispering to her friend, "Do you think he'd even notice me?"
Artemis caught the look, and with a wicked grin, kissed Percy's cheek. Athena mirrored her on the other side. The corridor erupted in groans — envy, admiration, frustration mingling into one noisy storm.
Dean shook his head. "That's just unfair."
Seamus sighed dramatically. "We're doomed. Hogwarts has turned into a theatre, and those three are the main act."
Harry laughed, but Ron said nothing, jaw tightening ever so slightly before he looked away.
Slytherin Conspiracy
That night, the Slytherin common room buzzed. Draco paced like a caged beast.
"They humiliate me at every turn. Him, his—wives. Salazar bowing—" He spat the words. "We can't let them change the order of things."
Pansy huffed agreement, while Blaise leaned back lazily. "Why rush? Power like that attracts enemies. Let them trip first."
But several boys exchanged looks, eyes flickering with raw envy. They had seen Artemis and Athena laugh, seen Percy's calm dominance. Some whispered already of ways to test him, to challenge him — or to pry the girls' attention away.
Closing Moment
In the private quarters, Hedwig dozed with regal calm while Kaal's feathers glimmered faintly with inner fire.
"Today was noisy," Artemis murmured, curling against Percy.
"Entertaining," Athena corrected, tracing a finger along his jaw.
Percy chuckled softly. "Noisy. Entertaining. And only the start."
The castle seemed to thrum in agreement — rivalry, envy, flirtation, and schemes intertwining with every step.
🐍 Chapter 6 – Pureblood Schemes in Motion
The first day of lessons had ended, but Hogwarts was anything but quiet. The dungeons glowed with green-tinged firelight, and in every common room across the castle, conversations buzzed louder than the crackle of flames. The talk was the same everywhere — Percy Chronos and the strange, magnetic disruption he and his wives had brought.
Slytherin Common Room
Draco Malfoy sat at the center of the boys' dorm cluster, jaw set and pride stung. The humiliation from the Sorting Feast still burned, but now, after a full day of classes, it was worse.
"Did you see them?" Draco sneered. "Strutting into Transfiguration as though the class was theirs. Even McGonagall seemed—" He stopped short, not wanting to admit that their skill had been obvious.
Blaise Zabini smirked, lounging lazily. "They didn't strut, Malfoy. They didn't need to. That's the problem. They belong in a way the rest of us don't."
Draco's hands clenched. "Salazar's portrait bowing was bad enough. But now? Every professor watches them like they're royalty. Artemis answers one question, and McGonagall nods like she's found her successor. Athena doesn't even try to compete; she makes her mark with a smile. And Percy—" He bit off the rest, as though saying the name would give it power.
Theodore Nott, quiet and observant as always, finally spoke. "It's not just professors. Did you notice the other houses? Hufflepuffs stare at them as though they're myths. Ravenclaws whisper every time they write a note. Gryffindors glare, but even then—they watch."
Pansy sniffed loudly. "It won't last. Those girls of his? Obvious gold-diggers. Everyone says so. If we're clever, we can peel them away and show Chronos for what he is."
"Exactly," Draco said, seizing on her words. "Without them, he's alone. Empty."
Blaise only chuckled. "Funny. You sound less like you want to unmask him and more like you want what he has."
A ripple of knowing laughter spread, but beneath it, envy simmered sharp. Every boy who had seen Percy walk the halls with Artemis and Athena had thought the same — what would it be like if they chose me instead?
Gryffindor Common Room
Up in the tower, the Gryffindors were no quieter. Harry sat in an armchair, trying not to squirm as Seamus and Dean laughed their way through impressions of Snape's scowl in Potions that morning.
"Did you see his face when Percy stirred counterclockwise instead of clockwise?" Seamus wheezed. "I thought the bat would faint!"
Dean grinned. "And Athena leaned over like she owned the classroom. No wonder Snape nearly swallowed his tongue."
The laughter carried, but Ron sat stiff in his chair, frowning. "It's not funny," he muttered.
Harry glanced over, brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Ron leaned forward, voice low. "You don't get it, mate. They're not like us. Percy and his… wives. They're something else. Something dangerous. Everyone's already obsessed with them, and you're spending all your time with them. You'll see — it'll end badly."
Harry opened his mouth, but words didn't come. A flicker of doubt stirred, quickly buried. "Percy's been good to me," he said firmly.
"Too good," Ron muttered, but Seamus cut across the tension with another joke, sending the boys back into laughter. Still, Ron didn't smile. His eyes followed Harry, watchful, calculating.
Professors' Reflections
In her quarters, McGonagall sat at her desk, quill poised over parchment, but her mind far from lesson plans. She had expected Percy and his companions to be disruptive, perhaps arrogant. Instead, they had proven composed, skilled, and unsettlingly mature. Artemis's precise transfiguration, Percy's natural authority — she had caught herself almost admiring them.
And then there was Potter. McGonagall had braced herself for a timid, underprepared boy. Instead, Harry had shown quiet confidence, a steadiness she had not anticipated. She suspected that Percy's presence had something to do with it, though whether that influence was a gift or a danger, she could not yet say.
Snape, by contrast, was seething in his dungeon chambers. He replayed every moment of Potions, every glance Percy had given him — steady, unimpressed, commanding. How dare a child look at me that way? Worse still, his own House had begun whispering, their loyalty shaken by Salazar's bow and Percy's effortless dominance. Snape whispered a promise to himself: he would break Percy Chronos, even if it took the rest of the year.
And above them all, in the Headmaster's tower, Dumbledore stroked his beard, eyes shadowed. Percy had turned Harry from pawn into player in less than a week. And Hogwarts itself seemed to endorse him. "The game," Dumbledore murmured to Fawkes, "is slipping. But it is not lost."
Closing Note
As the castle settled into its first true night of study, envy, plotting, and resentment bloomed like weeds. Percy Chronos had not just walked into Hogwarts — he had unsettled its very balance.
And in the dark corners of the dungeons, Draco Malfoy whispered one last promise to his friends:
"We'll take him down. Piece by piece. Starting with the ones he thinks he can't lose."
The green fire popped, sending sparks into the air, as though Salazar himself were listening.
🏰 Chapter 7 – The Castle's Mood
The castle had settled into a deceptively calm afternoon, but beneath the polished stones, the heartbeat of Hogwarts was anything but quiet. Whispers, sidelong glances, and suppressed giggles flowed through corridors like a living tide, all tracing the presence of Percy Chronos and his companions.
Gryffindor Corridors
Harry and his friends navigated the twisting hallways after Transfiguration, books clutched to their chests. Seamus elbowed Dean, smirking.
"Did you notice how the Slytherins were staring again?" he whispered. "They can't decide whether to glare or grovel."
Dean laughed softly. "I'd be groveling too, if someone like Percy were walking next to my friend. Look at him! The way he just carries himself… like he owns the school, but in a good way."
Harry rolled his eyes, though a grin tugged at his lips. "It's just… they're confident. That's all."
Ron, walking slightly behind, scowled. He had seen every glance aimed at Percy, Artemis, and Athena — and every whispered compliment. He had heard the sly jokes from the Slytherin boys, the awe in the Ravenclaw corridors. Jealousy twisted inside him. All that power, that presence, and Harry's laughing with them… as if he belongs there.
Slytherin Strategy
Meanwhile, in their dimly lit common room, Draco and his friends plotted quietly, leaning over maps of the castle and whispered social hierarchies.
"We need to figure out what they want," Blaise murmured, "and then we take it. First step: the girls."
Draco's eyes glittered. "Artemis and Athena. Everyone wants them, and everyone's already failing to get close. If I can… just—" His hand clenched into a fist. "If I can even get them to look my way, Percy's influence cracks."
Pansy scowled. "They're not like the rest of us. They're… untouchable."
"Yes, which makes it all the more fun," Draco said, smirking. "Even just trying will show them they're not the only ones who can play the game."
And so, plans began forming — subtle, clever, intended to tease, manipulate, and unsettle. Even the youngest Slytherins felt the surge of competition, a silent agreement that the house must dominate the social chessboard before it was too late.
Professors' Observations
In her office, McGonagall paced. The ripple effect of Percy and his companions' arrival was spreading faster than she had anticipated. Gryffindor students were emboldened, their laughter lighter, their camaraderie stronger — and even the Slytherins, despite their envy, were sharper, more cunning.
Hogwarts itself is responding, she thought. The castle has always tested its inhabitants, but these newcomers… they are catalysts.
Snape, in contrast, leaned against the cold stone of his dungeon office, his cloak swirling around him as he scowled at his students through the shadows. Every glance from Percy or the sisters felt like a personal affront. Every failed attempt to undermine them stoked his growing resentment.
"Mark my words," he muttered. "They think themselves untouchable. They will learn their limits soon enough. And I will be there when they fall."
Yet even he could not ignore the subtle shifts. Slytherin students, normally obedient, were whispering in excitement and strategy. Gryffindors, normally brash but divided, were uniting around Harry in a way that gave him subtle authority — fueled, of course, by Percy's influence.
Hallway Encounters
As evening fell, students moved in tighter groups, lingering after lessons, lingering to watch the unspoken drama unfold. Every corridor, every stairwell became a stage. Whispers flitted through the castle:
Percy Chronos is a lord of an ancient house… how can a schoolboy even be so poised?
Artemis is sharp, clever… Athena is dazzling, elegant…
Harry Potter is brave, but how does he even stand next to them?
Even ordinary first years felt the shift. Their chatter carried hints of awe, envy, and excitement. The older students leaned into schemes — who could charm, who could influence, who could disrupt Percy's hold on Hogwarts' attention.
The Widening Ripple
In the Great Hall, dinner was no longer just a meal. Every table was a theater: whispers about the "Chronos trio," glances at their shared meals, and conjectures about their abilities. Students passed sly notes, plotting alliances or teasing rivalries. Pureblood families watched carefully, calculating their next moves.
The castle itself seemed alive with tension and possibility. Percy and his wives moved with casual elegance, unaware or unconcerned by the storms of envy around them. Harry walked at their side, buoyed by confidence and curiosity.
And above it all, Kaal circled high in the enchanted ceiling, a glowing, fiery hybrid of phoenix and dragon, radiating silent power. Hedwig perched proudly on Harry's shoulder, her golden feathers gleaming, the quiet emblem of trust and loyalty amidst a world of intrigue.
Closing Note
As candles flickered across the long hallways, Hogwarts' mood had shifted irrevocably. Every glance, every whisper, every small act of envy or admiration was a thread in a growing tapestry — a tapestry that promised adventure, rivalry, romance, and the subtle power plays of youth.
The castle had taken notice. The students were in motion. And Percy Chronos, Artemis, Athena, and Harry had already begun to reshape the very rhythm of Hogwarts.
⚡ Chapter 8 – A Growing Divide
The second day at Hogwarts dawned with a quiet mist over the lake and an undercurrent of excitement among the students. By now, everyone had seen Percy Chronos and his wives enough to form their first impressions — and those impressions had split the student body like the shifting tide.
Gryffindor's Splits
In the Gryffindor common room, the fire was still burning low as Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Dean sprawled across chairs, books open but mostly ignored. Hermione sat primly at a nearby table, already annotating her notes from Transfiguration.
Seamus leaned forward, lowering his voice. "You lot notice how half the tower's buzzing about Percy? You'd think he was the bloody king of Hogwarts."
Dean chuckled. "He sort of is, isn't he? Lord of some ancient house more powerful than Hogwarts itself. The Slytherins are rattled, the Ravenclaws are curious, and even Hufflepuffs won't shut up about him. That's not nothing."
Ron frowned, picking at the edge of his sleeve. "Yeah, but it's not just him. It's the way Harry's always at his side, like they've been mates forever. No wonder everyone's staring. It's like Harry's been swept into their circle."
Hermione looked up sharply, her quill freezing mid-word. "What's wrong with that? Harry is their friend. Shouldn't we be glad he's not isolated?"
Ron muttered, "Doesn't mean he needs to be overshadowed."
Harry shifted uncomfortably, sensing Ron's bitterness. He opened his mouth to argue but closed it again. The divide was subtle, but real. Some Gryffindors admired Percy and his wives openly. Others, like Ron, resented the shift in attention away from their own house's pride.
Slytherin Calculations
In the green-lit chambers of Slytherin, things were far less subtle. Draco Malfoy had already made himself the center of his year's scheming circle, with Blaise and Pansy at his sides and a small knot of first years hanging on his words.
"Listen carefully," Draco said, pacing near the hearth. "Hogwarts has always revolved around two forces: Slytherin cunning and Gryffindor arrogance. But now—" his voice sharpened "—Percy Chronos has walked in with more power than either. If we don't act, we'll all be living in his shadow."
Blaise, ever the quiet observer, smirked. "You mean you don't like that Artemis and Athena barely give you a glance?"
Pansy snorted, earning a glare from Draco.
"This isn't just about girls," Draco snapped, though his ears reddened. "It's about politics. The way they walk into a room? The way the professors let them? If we don't find a way to match it, the Malfoy name will lose its shine."
"Or," Blaise suggested, "we play along. Flatter them, maybe even ally ourselves. Power like that could rub off."
Draco sneered. "And let them think we're followers? Never. No, we'll prove ourselves. Carefully. Publicly. They'll see that Slytherin is still the true power at Hogwarts."
The other boys murmured agreement, their envy and ambition blending into a silent pact. The divide in Slytherin wasn't admiration versus resentment — it was between those who wanted to steal Percy's spotlight and those who wanted to bask in it.
Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw Whispers
In the Hufflepuff basement, students clustered around the round tables, voices hushed but animated. Susan Bones leaned in, her freckles catching the lamplight.
"I heard Artemis corrected a fourth-year in Charms, and even Flitwick looked impressed."
"Honestly," another girl sighed, "they're just… beautiful. Everyone notices them. Even the boys can't stop staring."
One of the Hufflepuff lads muttered, "If I had even half Percy's luck, I'd have Artemis and Athena fighting to sit with me."
Laughter broke out, but under it was a sharp pang of envy. The boys admired Percy, yes, but they envied him more. Whispers of "stealing his girlfriends" weren't jokes so much as frustrated dreams.
Over in Ravenclaw Tower, the talk was less romantic and more calculating. "If the Chronos family is older than Hogwarts," a prefect mused, "imagine what knowledge he has access to. Artifacts, secrets, magic we've never studied. He could raise or sink reputations overnight."
The Ravenclaws, unlike the others, weren't divided by envy but by strategy: who could learn from Percy, and who could challenge him academically.
Professors' Quiet Thoughts
As the castle's mood shifted, the professors felt it too.
McGonagall noted how Gryffindors argued more fiercely but also studied harder, unwilling to be left behind. She saw Harry walking straighter, his shoulders no longer hunched in uncertainty. She allowed herself a rare smile.
Flitwick scribbled in his journal about "unexpected talent clusters," noting Percy and his wives as catalysts for excellence. "Competition sharpens brilliance," he muttered.
Sprout, meanwhile, overheard her Hufflepuffs' jealousy and sighed. "The roots of envy can choke even the best soil," she murmured. She resolved to watch them carefully.
Snape, however, seethed. Each class was another reminder of his diminished control. Each glance toward Percy was a reminder that attention was no longer his to command through fear. "They are destabilizing everything," he hissed to the shadows of his office. "And sooner or later, something must give."
The Divide Solidifies
By the time evening settled and the Great Hall filled with chatter, the lines were visible.
Gryffindors were torn: admiration of Percy's circle versus jealousy of Harry's closeness to them.
Slytherins were plotting: Draco's open defiance versus Blaise's pragmatic curiosity.
Hufflepuffs envied Percy's romance and charisma, their quiet loyalty stretched thin.
Ravenclaws were intrigued, scheming for knowledge and leverage.
And Percy? He seemed unbothered, smiling easily, Artemis at his right, Athena at his left. Kaal's shadow swept across the enchanted ceiling, while Hedwig perched proudly on Harry's shoulder, a symbol of quiet steadiness amidst chaos.
The castle's mood had shifted into something undeniable: Hogwarts was no longer a school of four houses in quiet rivalry. It was a stage where every glance, every word, and every scheme revolved around a new gravitational force.
The divide had begun.
⚡ Chapter 9 – Foreshadowing the Skies
The third morning at Hogwarts broke clear and bright, sunlight spilling across the lake in a glittering stretch. The castle itself seemed to hum with energy, but beneath the lively chatter at breakfast, a sharper undercurrent pulsed through the student body. The divide that had quietly formed in the common rooms was growing teeth.
Breakfast Tensions
Harry sat at the Gryffindor table, Hedwig perched on the back of his chair, preening her feathers proudly. Around him, Ron, Seamus, and Dean were noisily arguing about whether wizard chess counted as a "sport," while Hermione tried to shush them.
But Harry wasn't listening. Across the hall, he caught sight of Percy at the Slytherin table, Artemis and Athena at his sides. They looked every bit the center of gravity: calm, radiant, and untouchable. Even the older Slytherins, normally scornful of anyone outside their immediate rank, couldn't resist glancing at them with grudging respect — or bitter envy.
Ron followed Harry's gaze, his expression souring. "You'd think they own the place. Look at everyone staring at them."
Hermione huffed. "That's because they do stand out. And besides, Percy's been nothing but kind to Harry. Honestly, Ronald, must you always assume the worst?"
Seamus leaned over with a grin. "Kind, sure. But if Percy's already got the professors tiptoeing, imagine what'll happen when we get to flying. Bet he'll have some kind of custom broom hidden away."
Dean nodded thoughtfully. "And if he doesn't, people will still expect him to be brilliant at it. Power like that brings expectations. Flying could be… dangerous ground."
Harry frowned at that, sensing the truth beneath Dean's words. Quidditch, flying — those weren't just games at Hogwarts. They were stages, arenas for pride and house honor. And Percy's presence meant the stage was about to change.
Slytherin Anticipation
In the green-lit dungeons, the whispers were sharper. Draco Malfoy had gathered a small group near the common room entrance, his pale face lit with determination.
"Flying lessons," Draco said with a smirk. "Finally, a chance to prove ourselves. Books and spells are one thing, but up there? That's where bloodlines matter. My father bought me the newest Nimbus. No way Chronos can keep up with that."
Blaise raised an eyebrow. "You're assuming he'll even need a broom. What if he has something older? Stronger? We don't know the extent of his house's magic."
Draco's smirk faltered, just for a moment. "Doesn't matter. People expect me to lead Slytherin, not him. Flying will be the first place to show Hogwarts that Malfoys still set the standard."
Pansy clapped her hands together eagerly. "And if Artemis and Athena watch from the sidelines, you'll have the perfect chance to impress them."
Draco flushed but didn't deny it. The envy in Slytherin was no longer quiet. It was becoming open competition — and the skies promised to magnify it.
Ravenclaw Curiosity
In the airy towers, Ravenclaws were less dramatic but no less calculating.
A fourth-year leaned over to a first-year group, whispering, "Watch carefully during flying. It won't just be a lesson. It'll be a measuring stick. If Percy soars, he'll cement his dominance. If he falters, it'll be the first crack."
A younger boy added, "And what about Harry? Everyone forgets he's the Boy-Who-Lived. Maybe this will be where he shines."
The Ravenclaws scribbled notes even as they spoke, already planning how to interpret the results, how to turn observations into future strategies.
Hufflepuff Envy
In the cozy basement of Hufflepuff, the mood was less analytical and more emotional.
"Flying's where it'll show," one boy grumbled. "Percy already has Artemis and Athena. If he's brilliant at Quidditch too, what's left for the rest of us?"
Susan Bones sighed. "It's not about stealing girls or beating him at everything. He's just… different. He doesn't act like the rest of us. That makes him dangerous."
The Hufflepuff boys exchanged glances. Different. Dangerous. But also enviable. And envy had a way of festering.
Professors' Unease
Even the staff were not immune to the anticipation.
McGonagall sat in her office, reviewing timetables but glancing toward the Quidditch pitch through her window. "Flying sorts the brave from the foolish," she murmured. "But this year, it may sort more than that."
Snape brooded in his chambers, bitterness curling like smoke around him. "Chronos will draw attention again, no matter what happens. But perhaps the skies will humble him. Magic is one thing. Balance and risk? That's another."
And high above, Dumbledore stroked Fawkes absentmindedly, staring out across the grounds. His schemes still spun, but unease gnawed at him. Hogwarts had shifted — and in the skies, where house pride burned brightest, the fault lines would widen.
The Gathering Storm
By the time the day wound down, students from every house were talking of little else. Flying lessons loomed on the timetable, but this year they carried more weight than ever.
Gryffindors whispered about Harry, whether he'd finally step into a spotlight of his own.
Slytherins whispered about Draco, whether he could outshine Percy and reclaim their prestige.
Hufflepuffs whispered about envy, simmering with frustration over Percy's effortless dominance.
Ravenclaws whispered about strategies, their minds sharp and restless.
The castle's mood was electric, every corridor buzzing with speculation. Even Percy, serene as he walked with Artemis and Athena, could feel the stares pressing on his back.
The skies were waiting.
And when brooms lifted from the earth, Hogwarts itself would hold its breath.