---
Chapter 48 – The Silent Power
"Don't!"
Malfoy blurted out, looking desperately at Snape.
If his father found out that he'd acted like a reckless Gryffindor—provoking someone just to get punched—he'd probably be flayed alive.
Snape's thin lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
He gave a soft, amused snort.
"Must," he said in a low, mocking whisper. "And make that two weeks of detention."
Malfoy's face went pale. He slumped in defeat, looking utterly miserable.
Darren stood quietly to the side, trying very hard not to laugh.
He could feel the corners of his mouth twitching, and his shoulders trembled once or twice before he managed to force himself back into a properly "remorseful" expression.
Snape's dark eyes swept over him, lingering for a few seconds. For a moment, it looked as though he wanted to say something—but he turned away instead, his robes snapping sharply behind him as he led the Slytherins toward the dungeons.
The heavy black fabric of his robes seemed to darken with every step, reflecting his foul mood.
The first-years followed in terrified silence.
When Snape was angry, even breathing too loudly felt dangerous.
---
The Slytherin common room was cool and shadowy, lit by greenish light from the lake outside.
Snape stepped into the center, drew his wand, and turned to face them. His expression was thunderous.
"Pathetic," he hissed. "Disorganized. Not one of you thought to explain what happened when I arrived. And the prefect—didn't even take charge."
His eyes glinted dangerously. "All Slytherin students will copy the House Rules one hundred times. I will collect them personally. If I find even one missing—"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
The silence that followed was suffocating. No one dared to speak.
Snape gave a sharp sigh, flicked his wand once, and moved on.
"The selection of prefects begins now," he said coolly. "We'll start with the first-years. Once you're done, you may go to bed."
Darren blinked.
So that's why Snape was starting with them—he'd noticed how tired Darren was.
He was sure there hadn't been any "prefect trials" for Slytherin in previous years.
Apparently, this was a brand-new rule… just for them.
"First-years, gather here!" Becky Greengrass called out, her wand raised.
Darren shuffled forward, yawning quietly.
The other first-years instinctively stepped a full meter away from him.
They'd wanted to laugh at the "unwanted Potter twin" before… but after watching him shatter a Malfoy family amulet with a single punch, no one dared.
This Potter was not to be messed with.
"Darren, you go first," Becky said briskly.
The raw strength he'd shown earlier had clearly impressed her. She looked pleased—almost proud—to have such a powerhouse among the first-years.
"Tyke, you'll challenge him."
The name made one boy—small, brown-haired, and visibly shaking—go pale.
"M-me?" Tek Montaly squeaked.
He glanced at Darren's hands, the same hands that had sent Malfoy flying, and looked ready to cry. But Becky's stern gaze left no room for argument.
He trudged forward like a man heading to the gallows. The other first-years watched him with pity, as though mourning his impending funeral.
"I—I'm Tek Montaly," he stammered, voice cracking. "I… I challenge you…"
He looked about to surrender on the spot.
But before he could, Darren waved both hands and said quickly, "I concede defeat."
"Huh?" Tek blinked.
Around them, several students gawked. He was conceding?
"Do you… look down on me?" Tek asked weakly, face flushing.
Darren shook his head, looking genuinely apologetic.
"No, no—it's just…" He lowered his voice, rubbing the back of his neck shyly. "I can't control my strength. If I fight, I might really hurt someone."
He glanced meaningfully toward Malfoy, who was sulking in the corner.
Tek froze. Then he nodded quickly, understanding dawning in his eyes.
Oh. Right. The talisman-shattering fist.
"Well," Darren continued softly, "I just heard that prefects are supposed to protect others. If someone's being bullied, they should stand up for them. But I… I can't do that. My power's dangerous. I might hurt people instead of helping them…"
He bowed his head, voice thick with guilt.
"I'm sorry."
[Ding – Father Value +20]
[Ding – Father Value +30]
[Ding – Father Value +10]
[Ding – Father Value +25]
In less than a minute, his Father Points had jumped by more than 300.
The room was silent.
Even those who'd mocked him earlier now looked at him differently—half in awe, half in fear.
No one wanted to stand too close. They quietly stepped aside, leaving Darren standing alone at the back, looking small and forlorn.
Snape's sharp gaze flicked toward him again. He was silent for a long moment before speaking in his cold, clipped tone.
"Darren Potter will have a dormitory to himself," he said finally. "No one is to enter without permission."
The announcement made everyone look up in surprise—but no one dared to question it.
Snape's expression softened just slightly, almost imperceptibly.
The boy had crossed Draco Malfoy—a child Snape had known since infancy, though he could hardly call him "good."
Lucius would not take kindly to his son being humiliated, and retaliation might come soon.
And then there was that power.
The "silent" strength Dumbledore had warned him about.
A force that, if uncontrolled, could destroy far more than a protection charm.
"Never again," Dumbledore had said.
"Don't let the boy use that power, Severus. If it consumes him… it could become something far worse than an Obscurus."
Snape's jaw tightened.
He would not let that happen.
Not to this boy.
---
--
---
---
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!--
---
---
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!