"But by gaining the loyalty and recognition of those students, I can effectively control the entire year group and all the students taking my classes. Even if some students dislike my lessons, without the support of those with talent and resources, they won't have the ability to stir up trouble," Slughorn said.
Kasenhis sighed helplessly.
"You're going to Hogwarts to teach, not to join the Ministry and fight political rivals. Besides, the power of the masses is limitless. If they really want to make trouble for you, they can do it perfectly well on their own."
Slughorn wagged a finger.
"That's a fallacy. Anyone capable of causing us serious trouble is already someone with talent. Those are precisely the people we need to recruit, rather than giving them the opportunity to become our enemies."
Kasenhis pursed his lips helplessly. He had lost all interest in debating Slughorn any further. He rolled down the car window and began enjoying the breeze.
...
After getting out of the taxi and entering the station, the two of them soon climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express.
Rather than finding an ordinary compartment like everyone else, Slughorn led Kasenhis straight towards the dining car.
"The dining car is for people to eat in. Why are you heading there first thing in the morning?" Kasenhis asked in confusion.
"Because it's spacious and bright, far more comfortable than those cramped train compartments. Don't tell me you've never come here before," Slughorn said with exasperation.
"Only to eat."
As he spoke, Kasenhis found a seat and sat down. He watched as Slughorn shoved his luggage beneath the bench and then observed the students passing by.
Although they all looked at him with respect and friendliness, for some reason, Kasenhis could always detect a faint trace of disdain in their gazes, as though he were some sort of scoundrel wasting public resources. It made him feel distinctly uncomfortable sitting there.
"Now then, Kasenhis, could you tell me which students you think have potential? Actually, forget that. In your eyes, every student has potential. Let me rephrase the question. Which students consistently achieve Outstanding and Exceeds Expectations grades? Which students come from distinguished families or enjoy significant fame? And who are the male and female prefects and Head Students of the four Houses this year?" Slughorn asked.
"You really don't think small, do you?" Kasenhis rolled his eyes.
Still, this was Slughorn's teaching philosophy. Kasenhis could question it, but he couldn't stop it, nor could he change it.
That was simply how Slughorn operated: managing the majority of students through the so-called good students. Kasenhis naturally disapproved of the approach, but there wasn't much he could say. After all, he wasn't going to replace Slughorn as Potions professor.
More importantly, for the students themselves, joining Slughorn's Slug Club really was an excellent way to build connections.
"I'll write them down for you." Kasenhis rolled his eyes again. "Good grades, famous, influential family... the prefects? Eh? Actually, I don't think I've ever paid attention to that."
Slughorn nodded.
"In that case, I can simply summon the prefects from the prefects' compartment."
After saying that, he stood up and headed towards the prefects' compartment.
By the time Kasenhis had finished writing the list, Slughorn still hadn't returned. Seeing this, he pulled a small silver hip flask from his pocket and took the occasional sip.
Some time later, Slughorn finally returned with a large entourage in tow. Among them were Neville, Hermione, Harry, who had become the Quidditch captain, and Ron, who had gotten in through connections.
In short, it felt like the head of student affairs had arrived with a whole pack of followers, loudly announcing that the student council was assembling.
Slughorn picked up the list from the table and compared it with the students he had brought.
"Hm. Half of the names that Professor Kasenhis wrote down correspond to the people standing here. It seems Hogwarts' ability to identify talent remains second to none."
The students, having received such a flawlessly crafted compliment, all looked a little happier.
Then Slughorn tore the list into separate pieces and handed them out, instructing everyone to find the people named and bring them back.
Kasenhis sat quietly in the innermost seat, sipping his drink and watching Slughorn bustle around the dining car. First, he used spatial magic to enlarge the table so that it could accommodate more people without taking up additional space in the carriage. Then he fetched a large assortment of pastries and tea before finally settling comfortably into his seat to await the arrival of the students.
Soon, as the first group returned with their recruits, the entire dining car became lively.
Looking at one familiar face after another, Kasenhis felt a strange sense of guilt, as though he had somehow sold these children out.
Of course, that wasn't really the case. Being invited into the Slug Club would genuinely benefit their future development.
All things considered, it was a win-win situation.
So Kasenhis sat there, drinking and watching Slughorn hold forth eloquently across the table, effortlessly and subtly drawing himself closer to everyone present. Even Harry, who harboured deeply rooted prejudices against Slytherin, unconsciously found himself smiling more.
Kasenhis also gained a clearer understanding of the situation.
Among the students Slughorn had gathered, the ones he cared about most were those with excellent grades and distinguished family backgrounds, because those students would genuinely be able to provide him with tangible benefits in the future.
As for the male and female prefects, Slughorn had unconsciously sorted them into categories. After all, not every student wanted to become a prefect. Some had the ability but no interest in the position, which meant that prefectships sometimes fell to students who were not quite as exceptional.
For those students, Slughorn remained politely cordial. He wasn't looking to gain anything from them. He merely needed them to help him manage the other students.
So, well...
These students felt extremely awkward sitting at the table because, compared to the others, Slughorn spent most of his time interacting with the students he considered more important, which left them looking rather out of place.
Fortunately, Kasenhis was there to chat with them and ease the awkwardness.
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