The month slid by like a dream made of ink and whispers.
October arrived with a crisp bite in the morning air and frost blooming faintly upon the castle's windows.
For the students of Ravenclaw, however, it carried something colder still — defeat.
Cassius Snape of House Draconis stood at the center of the Charms classroom that morning, his hands clasped behind his back, surrounded by a dozen softly glowing orbs of light — Calad Fae, light faeries, his perfected modification to the standard Lumos charm.
They moved like living starlight, delicate and perfect, their wings shimmering between shades of gold and violet.
They drifted about him in slow orbits, singing with the faintest crystalline hum.
The Ravenclaws watched, silent and hollow-eyed.
Their wands shook as they tried again to muster even the most basic spells — a flicker of Lumos, a hesitant Alohomora — but half of them still failed even to coax a spark.
Cassius didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
The magic spoke for him.
Finally, Anthony Goldstein stepped forward — pale, jaw set in reluctant acceptance.
"We concede," he said, voice low. "The First-Year Ravenclaws… admit defeat to House Draconis."
There was a long silence.
Even Professor Flitwick — who had watched the strange rivalry unfold with quiet disbelief — looked as though he wanted to protest, but he didn't.
The air itself seemed bound by invisible words, a contract sealed weeks ago under the ancient laws of challenge.
Cassius inclined his head with the faintest ghost of a smile.
"Accepted."
And that was that.
~
The Great Hall that evening was unusually quiet.
Even the enchanted ceiling, usually a swirling vista of twilight and drifting clouds, seemed subdued — the moon a pale observer overhead.
Every eye turned toward the dais when Lady Draconis rose as if to say something.
Her robes caught the torchlight like liquid mercury, and when she spoke, her voice carried across the hall like the sound of silver bells striking stone.
"Students of Hogwarts," she began, calm but commanding, "the first official challenge against House Draconis has come to its conclusion."
A ripple went through the room.
Until that moment, most had treated Draconis as myth — a curiosity revived.
Few had imagined it could win something.
Yet the name was now spoken with the same wary reverence reserved for the founders perhaps more so due to its mysterious standing.
"The Ravenclaw challengers," she continued, her gaze sweeping toward the blue-and-bronze table, "have admitted defeat. The terms of forfeit, as inscribed in the magical compact, allow the victor to claim recompense equivalent to the price of the challenge itself — expulsion."
The word struck like thunder.
Expulsion?
Students turned to one another, whispering in alarm.
Even the teachers exchanged uneasy glances.
Dumbledore's expression was inscrutable, though his eyes glinted with faint curiosity.
Lady Draconis smiled faintly, as though savoring the stir.
"However," she said, "the victor has chosen to stay his hand. Cassius Draconis, heir of the House, has elected to claim his prize in another form, since to ruin a bright students future does more harm than good."
Her hand lifted, beckoning.
"Cassius, my dragon, step forward."
Cassius rose from the Draconis table — solitary, black-clad, his presence cutting through the murmurs like a blade through mist.
As he passed, the candles nearest him flared slightly, their flames bending toward him like bowing servants.
He stopped at the foot of the dais, bowing low.
Lady Draconis turned her gaze upon him.
"The challenge is yours, the victory absolute. Name your claim, and let the magic bear witness."
All eyes fixed upon him.
The Ravenclaws stared in dread.
Some Gryffindors leaned forward eagerly, while Slytherins watched with cautious amusement.
Even the Hufflepuffs held their breath.
Cassius's voice was soft — yet every syllable carried.
"I claim Cho Chang, Second-Year Ravenclaw," he said. "To serve under House Draconis as recompense for the challenge's cost, as her future is equivalent to my own."
The silence that followed was absolute.
Then came the uproar.
"What—?"
"He can't—"
"That's— That's not allowed!"
"Is he serious?"
At the Ravenclaw table, Cho sat frozen — eyes wide, color draining from her face.
The magic, however, cared nothing for protest.
The contract binding the challenge shimmered faintly in the air, and before the teachers could intervene, her blue-and-bronze robes shimmered, threads of light rewriting themselves into black and silver.
The sigil of Draconis — a coiled dragon encircling a flame — gleamed faintly over her heart.
The hall erupted.
Whispers turned to shouting.
Even Hermione Granger, seated with the Ravenclaws, half-rose from her seat, mouth open in indignation.
But the enchantment binding the hall silenced all at once when Lady Draconis lifted a single finger.
"The contract is clear," she said coldly. "The challenge was public, the terms were agreed, and the victor has spoken. Let none question the old laws of magic, which bind word to will."
She turned her gaze toward Cho, who sat trembling.
"Rise, child."
Cho obeyed, her body moving as though drawn by unseen strings, unable to resist the call of the head of house.
"You are no longer Ravenclaw," Lady Draconis intoned. "Your loyalty and name fall now under the protection and authority of House Draconis. Serve well, and you will find no chains here — only purpose and a bright future."
The torches flared, silver fire sweeping along the walls.
The ancient sigil of Draconis — unseen for centuries — blazed above the High Table, its imposing form glittering as a single star was added to the symbol, before fading again.
Dinner resumed in uneasy quiet.
No one dared speak loudly.
Even the teachers seemed uncertain whether to interfere or watch history breathe again.
Dinner for Cho was nerve wracking, her movements were mechanical as if she was simply going through the motions, but Cassius did not mind, she would require time to adjust afterall.
Ravenclaw on the otherhand would be scrambling, Cho would have become their Quidditch team seeker, but now she wasnt a ravenclaw so a replacement not her equal would need to be chosen.
~
When dinner was finished with, Cassius rose, before looking at Cho who still sat in a stupor.
"C'mon, follow me to the common room."
With that once more unable to resist, Cho rose to her feet and like a souless being followed in step behind Cassius.
The Draconis common room glowed with amethyst flame that night.
Its walls — dark glass and carved marble — shimmered with soft life.
Cassius entered first, silent as always.
Cho followed hesitantly, her steps echoing faintly on the stone.
Lady Draconis was waiting, seated upon her silver throne at the head of the table.
"Ah," she murmured. "The spoils of victory arrive."
Cho flinched.
Cassius turned slightly, speaking before she could.
"She's here under my protection," he said firmly. "She's not to be treated as a slave."
Lady Draconis smiled, faintly pleased. "I would expect nothing less from my heir. Mercy is the rarest form of dominance, after all."
Standing before Cho, she brushed a pale hand under the girl's chin, causing the girl to lift it gently from the mere action.
"Don't mind her Cho, she is head of house, but we're still students its not like she can really do anything bad to us or anything."
Cassius spoke to settle the poor girls heart before carrying on.
Though there are only the two of us right now, the house is sure to grow in the future, either because the Ravenclaws will try to win you back, or because the other houses will try the same reason... But enough on that for now, if you want you're room is located on the left there, the House-elves should have already brought your things over for you, or we have the Draconis archives as our personal library, you're free to peruse the texts just no taking them outside the Dormitory."
"Oh, uh thank you!?"