How to Break Through Your Family's Defenses

"...I've already memorized the timetable, Vaughn. Gryffindor and Slytherin have a lot of classes together. I don't think the sorting really changes much."

"First period today is Transfiguration Class. Have you prepared? If not, I can lend you my notes, or we can sit together during class."

Breakfast had already been laid out on the four House tables in the Great Hall. It was quite lavish.

Of all the English "cuisine," breakfast was the only thing that didn't tire Vaughn.

Besides the usual sausages and bacon, there were scrambled eggs, dishes in tomato sauce, and more.

Even the bread came in countless varieties.

Wearing Slytherin's Serpent Shield Badge, Vaughn sat openly at the Gryffindor table, listening to Hermione chatter beside him while he ate breakfast at an unhurried pace.

Every Gryffindor who passed by them would first look up suspiciously.

After confirming that they had not sleepily wandered to the wrong place, they would hurry away from the pair with strange expressions.

The Slytherins some distance away kept looking back as well.

The news that Vaughn had knocked out a Prefect with two spells last night had spread overnight, and nearly the entire Slytherin House knew about it.

Rumor had it that the spell the Prefect had been hit with was extraordinarily powerful. His classmates had tried the counterspell without success, leaving them no choice but to send him to Madam Pomfrey in the middle of the night.

Everyone was reevaluating this Red-haired Weasley!

That was probably Slytherins' only virtue. They worshipped strength and power; in the Pure-blood education they received, strength and power were practically one and the same.

Whoever was strong earned their respect!

But... why was that guy sitting at the Gryffindor table? Was rebellion simply in the Weasley family's nature?

How upsetting!

Many Little Snakes who wanted to strike up a conversation with Vaughn did not dare provoke him, so they could only glare at the Gryffindors instead.

The Gryffindors found it strange too. For Percy, Fred, and George's sake, they felt too awkward to drive Vaughn away, so they glared right back at the Slytherins.

It was an ordinary breakfast, yet the two Houses somehow managed to turn it into a standoff.

Naturally, this also drew the attention of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

However, Ravenclaws had always known how to stay out of trouble and could not be bothered with anyone else's business, while Hufflepuff's little badgers were simple and honest by nature and disliked showing off.

So no one stirred the pot or egged them on.

That was until Fred and George stormed in.

"Look, George! The poisonous snake of the Weasley family is actually sitting at the Gryffindor table!"

"Yes, Fred, you're seeing it right. It's terrifying! This guy betrayed us, and he still has the nerve to come back!"

The two stood behind Vaughn on either side, arms folded, doing their best to glare with wide eyes so their little brother would understand just how angry and disappointed they were!

Vaughn tore off a piece of bread, dipped it into the thick Mushroom Soup, and took a bite before saying leisurely, "Are you sure you want to pick a fight with me?"

"Hmm—I remember two people sucking up to me all summer. Seeing how sincere they were, I was planning to put ten Gold Galleons into the Halloween package I'd send them, to support their endeavor..."

As he spoke, Vaughn turned around and looked earnestly at his two brothers. "But now, it seems they don't want it!"

The Twins unconsciously lowered their arms and looked at each other.

"What should we do, Fred?"

"...How about... we forgive him first?"

"Wouldn't that make us seem like we have no principles?"

"Ten Gold Galleons..."

"Percy said yesterday that no Weasley had ever been sorted into Slytherin. Someone has to teach him a lesson..."

The Twins exchanged another look, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Who cares about Percy's bullshit!"

"We're definitely not doing this for Gold Galleons, but how could we bear to disappoint our little brother's heartfelt support for our endeavor? Right, Fred?"

"That's right, George. So what if he's in Slytherin? Aren't they students of Hogwarts too? Aren't they our brothers?"

"Ahem, there are still quite a few bastards in Slytherin, but our little brother definitely isn't one of them."

"Exactly, George!"

Vaughn smiled. He stopped teasing them and asked seriously, "Is ten Galleons enough?"

The Twins nodded repeatedly.

"Enough, enough."

"It's crucial, Vaughn!"

In excellent spirits, the two casually grabbed several pieces of bread and quickly left, quietly discussing product development as they went.

Only after they had gone a long way did one of them mutter softly, "No Weasley has ever been in Slytherin..."

"What can we do? He's our little brother, George."

"Ugh..."

"The Twins are dealt with." Though he had appeared calm all along, Vaughn secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Things had not gone beyond his expectations.

Of the entire Weasley family, Fred and George might have been the most mischievous.

But because they were close in age, they were also the most protective of their younger brothers.

Last night, he had also written a letter to Molly and Arthur, explaining why he had joined Slytherin House—he had not mentioned Occlumency, instead saying that he had discussed it with the Sorting Hat and hoped to study Potions under Professor Snape.

It concerned his studies, and it was Snape. Parents probably would not hold it against him anymore...

If only I'd had such a clear head for handling relationships in my previous life, I wouldn't have ended up as an ordinary corporate drone!

Vaughn sighed.

Then he heard Hermione hesitate before whispering beside him, "Actually, I don't think going to Slytherin means anything."

Vaughn looked at her. Her cheeks were flushed, but she still said seriously, "I've read Hogwarts: A History, History of Magic, and Modern Magical History. No historian has ever said that Slytherin only produces bad people. I don't think sorting can determine whether someone is good or bad either. In Modern Magical History, I even read about one of the most notorious Death Eaters, who came from Gryffindor!"

Listening to her earnest explanation—or perhaps comfort?—Vaughn smiled and ruffled her hair. "Thank you, Hermione."

Though he did not need comforting.

Still, having a thoughtful Young Girl care about you was a pleasant thing, wasn't it?

That pleasant mood lasted until breakfast ended, when he went with Hermione to Transfiguration Class.

It was the first class of their First Year. When Vaughn and Hermione arrived, there were only two or three people in the classroom, including Malfoy and the Neville he was mocking.

And a Tabby Cat crouched on the teacher's desk.

At the sight of Vaughn, Malfoy and his lackeys instinctively shrank into a corner. Neville was immensely grateful. He did not care in the slightest that Vaughn was a Slytherin, and tearfully thanked him, "Thank you, Vaughn! You're the only one who can scare Malfoy. I heard you gave him a real beating. You're such a good person!"

The Tabby Cat perched on the desk wore a stern expression on its feline face.

Vaughn's good mood vanished instantly.

Thank you, Neville. It would be even better if you could shut up...