Hogwarts, Great Hall, October 5, 2017, 8:00 AM
The day after the ball, Solus woke up famous.
Not Harry Potter famous.
But famous within Hogwarts.
When he entered the Great Hall for breakfast, conversations stopped. Students from all houses looked at him. Some smiled. Others whispered.
A Hufflepuff girl raised her hand in greeting.
A group of Ravenclaws nodded with respect.
Even some Gryffindors, including Rose Weasley, though her expression was complicated—were watching him.
'This is awkward.'
Solus walked toward the Slytherin table quickly.
Stella was already there, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
"Good morning, celebrity."
"I'm not a celebrity."
"Oh, yes you are. Look." Stella pointed discreetly around the hall. "Everyone is looking at you."
"I'd prefer they didn't."
"Too late." Stella took a bite of her toast. "Last night you impressed the Minister for Magic. That officially makes you someone important."
Albus arrived moments later, looking just as uncomfortable.
"People won't stop asking me about you."
"What do they ask?"
"If you're really just a first year. If you already knew about Corvus before Hogwarts. If you're going to do more presentations." Albus sat down. "I told everyone you're just... you."
"Thanks."
During breakfast, three students approached their table.
The first was a third-year Ravenclaw boy.
"Gray. I read about Corvus Slytherin after your presentation. Is it true he taught Ancient Magic?"
"Yes."
"And he never wrote a book about his techniques?"
"Not that I know of. His knowledge was passed down orally to his apprentices."
The boy nodded thoughtfully.
"Fascinating. Thanks."
The second was a second-year Hufflepuff girl.
"Your presentation was beautiful. My grandmother is Muggle-born. She always felt like she didn't fully belong in the magical world. But what you said about Corvus... about blood not mattering... I think she'd like to hear it."
Solus felt something warm in his chest.
"I'm glad it resonated."
'Of course.'
. . . . . . .
Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, 10:00 AM
Professor Volkov began the class with an announcement.
"Some of you attended the ball last night. And some saw remarkable presentations."
She looked directly at Solus.
"Mr. Gray. Your presentation on Corvus Slytherin was excellent. Particularly your analysis on how Ancient Magic differed from modern magic."
Solus nodded.
"Thank you, Professor."
"However," Volkov continued, "I want to clarify something. Ancient Magic does not mean better magic. It means different magic."
She walked between the rows.
"Modern magic is standardized. Predictable. Safe. Ancient Magic was instinctive. Powerful. But also dangerous."
She stopped in front of Solus's desk.
"Corvus Slytherin mastered both. That is why he was exceptional. Not because he rejected one in favor (favour) of the other. But because he understood when to use each."
Volkov looked at him.
"I hope you remember that, Mr. Gray. If you ever have the chance to study Ancient Magic."
'She knows something. Or suspects.'
"I'll remember, Professor."
. . . . . . .
Solus spent the afternoon in the library, trying to find normalcy.
But even there, students approached him.
A Ravenclaw girl asked if she could cite his presentation in an essay.
A Hufflepuff boy wanted to know where he had found Corvus's journals.
Solus answered as best as he could.
But after the fifth interruption, he gave up.
'I can't study here today.'
He gathered his books and headed toward the exit.
Katya Volkov was waiting for him by the doors.
"Gray. We need to talk."
"About what?"
"About your presentation. And about what you didn't say."
Solus tensed.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do." Katya pointed toward an empty corner. "Five minutes."
They sat at a secluded table.
Katya spoke in a low voice.
"Your presentation was perfect. Too perfect."
"Is that a criticism?"
"It's an observation." Katya leaned forward. "You quoted excerpts from journals I've never seen published. You spoke about Ancient Magic techniques with details that aren't in any history book."
"I researched extensively."
"Don't lie to me, Gray." Her voice was firm but not hostile. "You found something. I don't know what. But you found something Corvus left behind."
Solus studied her.
'Can I trust her?'
'She is a descendant of a Corvus apprentice.'
'Technically, that makes us legacy allies.'
'But she could also be a competitor.'
"And if I did?" he asked cautiously. "What would you do?"
Katya smiled.
"I would ask you to teach me. As Corvus would have wanted."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because my family has honored (honoured) Corvus's legacy for a thousand years. Because I understand that knowledge should be shared, not hoarded." Katya paused. "And because I recognize someone who thinks like him."
Silence.
"I'm not going to confirm or deny anything," Solus said finally. "But if I ever need someone who understands Ancient Magic... I'll let you know."
Katya nodded.
"That is enough. For now."
She stood up.
"Oh, and Gray. Be careful. Your presentation made you visible. And there are people who pay attention to those who are visible."
"Like who?"
"Like my aunt. And like people more dangerous than her."
And she left.
. . . . . . .
Slytherin Common Room, 6:00 PM
That night, Solus finally had time to process.
He sat in front of the fireplace with Stella and Albus.
"It's been a weird day," Albus said.
"Yeah."
"How do you feel about all this?" Stella asked. "The fame. The attention."
Solus thought about it.
"I don't like it. I'd prefer to be invisible."
"Too late for that."
"I know."
Stella looked at him curiously.
"Are you going to answer Markov's letter?"
Solus had shared the letter with them that morning.
"I don't know. Answering could be dangerous. But ignoring it too."
"Why would it be dangerous to ignore it?" Albus asked.
"Because Markov is the Minister for Magic of Russia. And from what I've read, she doesn't like being ignored."
"And if you answer?" Stella asked.
"Then I commit to a conversation. And conversations with politicians always have hidden agendas."
"So what do you do?"
Solus looked at the fire.
'What do I do?'
'Option 1: Ignore the letter. Pretend it never arrived.'
'Option 2: Answer politely but vaguely.'
'Option 3: Answer honestly and see what she wants.'
"I'm going to answer," he said finally. "But carefully."
. . . . . . . .
Solus sat on his bed with parchment and quill.
He wrote slowly.
[Dear Minister Markov,
Thank you for your kind words about my presentation.
Corvus Slytherin's legacy is important to me because it represents something the magical world needs to remember: that unity is stronger than division.
I would be interested in discussing this topic further. However, as a first-year student, my time is limited by classes and studies.
If you have specific questions, I will gladly answer them via correspondence.
Sincerely,
Solus GraySlytherin, First YearHogwarts]
He reread the letter three times.
'It doesn't reveal anything compromising.'
'It doesn't reject the conversation.'
'But I don't commit to anything specific either.'
'Diplomatic enough.'
He sealed the letter.
Tomorrow he would send it.
But before sleeping, he wrote in his private journal.
[October 5, 2017
The presentation was a success. Too much success.
Now I am visible. And visibility attracts attention.
Markov wrote to me. The main antagonist. The Queen on the board.
What does she want? Recruit me? Evaluate me? Neutralize me?
I don't know. But I need to find out.
Katya suspects I found something of Corvus. She's right. But I can't confirm it yet.
Rosier says I am now a player. He is also right.
And the Minister offered me future work.
All this because I spoke about a man I was a thousand years ago.
The irony is almost comical.
But also terrifying.
Because now I have to play this game correctly.
One wrong move and I could ruin everything I am building.
Mom is improving. Dad is proud.
But me...
I am walking on a tightrope.
And the ground is very far down]
He closed the journal.
He lay down.
And slept.
This time, he dreamed of a chessboard.
Pieces moving on their own.
Queens and bishops.
Rooks and pawns.
And in the center (centre), him.
A young king.
Trying to survive the game.