Harry Potter: The Lion of the Serpent House

In the Slytherin common room, two students drew every eye: blond Draco Malfoy and bespectacled Harry Potter. Clad in matching green robes, their rule-breaking had cost Slytherin a hundred points, threatening their lead over Ravenclaw, now just twenty points behind.

Before them stood platinum-blond prefect Garfield Gaffgarion, arms crossed, eyeing them with exasperation.

As a new prefect, Gaffgarion was tasked with guiding first-year Slytherins. Seven years of House Cup victories weighed on him; a loss would partly fall on his shoulders. A prefect's badge wasn't just privilege—it meant ensuring new students integrated into the house.

"Malfoy, reporting rule-breakers isn't wrong, even if it cost points," Gaffgarion said. "Next time, be smarter. Avoid deductions. Tell Snape."

"Yes, Gaffgarion!" Draco stammered, relieved. He'd feared a scolding, but snitching was Slytherin's way. The fault lay with rule-breakers, not reporters.

Gaffgarion turned to Harry, his gaze unchanged. "Potter, using other houses for Slytherin's gain? Fine, if it's within Curules. We'll overlook your actions… unless you keep breaking them."

He paused. Older Slytherins scattered, sensing tension.

Gaffgarion was a fitting prefect—lenient yet responsible, studious. Even Flint, from a better family, couldn't match his grades, so none questioned his role. But he disciplined when needed, especially those who harmed the house, to prevent repeats.

"Don't abuse our leniency, Potter," he warned. "Keep breaking rules, and expect Slytherin to turn on you. Ditch bad friends like Weasley."

"But, Garfield, Granger's brilliant, and Weasley…" Harry protested, defying Gaffgarion for the first time. He respected him but wouldn't tolerate meddling in his friendships.

"No 'buts,' Potter!" Gaffgarion roared. "This is Slytherin! Not brainless Gryffindor or daft Hufflepuff! We value pure-blood cunning! Stop acting reckless!"

His lecture lasted five minutes. Harry apologized to Slytherin for his infractions but refused to abandon Ron and Hermione. He faced the harsh truth: in Slytherin's pure-blood culture, Hermione's brilliance and Ron's courage meant nothing. Gaffgarion's words were a lesson in being Slytherin.

(But I can't stop now.)

Harry's resolve held. The Stone's thief knew how to bypass Fluffy. If it was at risk, Harry would stop them, alone or against rules.

Bracing for isolation, Harry returned to his dorm and apologized awkwardly to his friends. "Guys, I'm sorry. I messed up."

He expected rejection, fearing harm might come to them. But, surprisingly, Zabini, Azrael, and Farkas didn't abandon him. Azrael urged studying as usual. Despite other Slytherins' coldness, the trio remained loyal.

"Why stick with me?" Harry asked Zabini privately, baffled by their loyalty.

Zabini hesitated. "Honestly? I don't like Weasley's freckles or Granger's buckteeth. Still don't. But they're your friends, and they've never betrayed you. I've no right to judge."

Zabini chose Harry's friendship, accepting Ron and Hermione by extension, without befriending them himself.

Azrael felt guilt. "If I ditched you now, I'd be worse than a thief who betrays friends. Worse than Pettigrew."

Farkas sought a study partner. "I'm an outcast in Slytherin—shabby. You're the only one I can study Dark Arts with who's not scary."

Slytherin's loyalty to their own, for better or worse, lacked self-correction, spiraling if unchecked. Yet their bonds ran deep, not easily broken.

Harry's rule-breaking shattered his good reputation outside Slytherin. Some Ravenclaws mocked him as their "hero" for giving them a shot at the Cup. Hufflepuffs condemned his actions. Gryffindors shunned Ron and Hermione, ignoring them. Harry wanted to help, especially Hermione, who'd earned over fifty points in class.

Those most disappointed weren't Draco's moderate pure-bloods or Carrow and Marthenas's extremists, but Slytherins like Daphne Greengrass, who sought house glory through honest means and cross-house friendships. They feared Harry's actions worsened Slytherin's already shaky reputation.

(Rule-breaking with other houses…)

Honest Slytherins didn't bully or ignore Harry like Gryffindors but stopped engaging him.

Instead, pure-blood extremist McGillis Carrow approached Harry kindly. "Tough spot, Potter. Pressured by other houses? You need the courage to say no. Hang with Slytherins. Join our pure-blood society party?"

Carrow genuinely loved Slytherin and pure-blood ideals, but his friend Marthenas had targeted Harry's friends. Swallowing his unease, Harry declined. "Thanks, Carrow, but I don't have formal wear, and I'm studying with Draco that day."

Carrow seemed genuinely disappointed. "Everyone expects great things from you. If you're curious about pure-blood ideals, come to me. You're always welcome."

"Is your society like a Quidditch club?" Harry asked, catching the term.

"Not officially," Carrow said. "Five or more could make it a club with approval, but it's just Slytherins bonding privately."

(Good to know.)

Grateful for Carrow's openness, Harry acted swiftly.

With McGonagall's approval, Harry founded the Magical Inquiry Club. Nominally president, he kept it egalitarian. Zabini, Azrael, Farkas, Hermione, and a reluctant Ron joined, meeting the five-member requirement. The club let them spend after-hours together across houses, under the guise of study.

Many students, through clubs like Gobstones or Duelling, formed cross-house friendships but rarely advertised it or took the initiative to join.

Draco watched Harry with envy. He'd been thrilled when Harry chose Slytherin, thinking Harry picked him over Ron. Upper-year Slytherins, especially those with Death Eater parents, feared Harry's Parseltongue and knack for exposing dark wizards, or worried he'd turn on them like Pettigrew. Gaffgarion saw him as just another Slytherin, but others were wary.

Draco didn't care about their fears. His father, Lucius, approved of befriending Harry, and that was enough. He believed he could build a true Slytherin friendship with Harry.

But Harry bonded with Zabini, Azrael, and Farkas—his roommates—not Draco. Worse, Harry grew close to Granger and Weasley, even fighting a troll for them.

(That's real friendship.)

Draco looked at his own friends. Crabbe and Goyle agreed with everything but wouldn't face a troll. Theodore Nott, his roommate, was clever but a loner.

In Quidditch games, Harry was merciless, igniting Draco's love for the sport. Losing to Harry's skill, not a rogue Bludger, fueled Draco's desire to win. But Harry's friendships with Zabini, Granger, and Weasley, and their secret talks at Hagrid's, left Draco jealous.

(You're all having fun without me! Let me in!)

Draco couldn't say it. After insulting Ron's family, how could he apologize? Lucius, who despised the Weasleys, would disown him.

After the point loss and detention, Draco hoped Harry would ditch Ron and Zabini, apologize, and join him. Instead, Harry formed a club, undeterred. Following Lucius's orders, Draco schemed to befriend Harry and steer him toward dark magic.

Harry, Draco, Ron, Hermione, and Neville faced detention in the Forbidden Forest under Hagrid's supervision—a punishment that would horrify Sirius. Despite Farkas's pale-faced worry, Harry reassured a terrified Draco as they headed to Hagrid's hut.

Draco's just jealous, wanting to join the fun when he sees his crush chatting excitedly.