16, Rumors

Klein thought he had done about average in his first Potions class.

What they were learning at this stage offered him no inspiration whatsoever, but a journey of a thousand miles began with a single step. He understood that without a solid foundation, he would never be able to brew complex Potions.

"Klein, we don't have any classes this afternoon. Let's go find something fun to do!"

As soon as class ended, Draco Malfoy hurried over to Klein. When Klein wasn't looking, he shot a fierce glare at Neville, who had been about to approach.

The little chubby boy was so intimidated that he didn't dare come any closer.

"Sure."

After all, Snape's detention—no, his private tutoring session—was in the evening, so Klein had the whole afternoon free.

"Brilliant!"

Draco smiled, his pale little face brimming with undisguised delight.

"Come on, let's get lunch. Stirring a cauldron all morning has made me famished."

Klein patted Draco on the shoulder, nodded to a few familiar Gryffindors, then led a group of first-year Slytherins out of the classroom.

"Hey, Harry, did you see Malfoy's face? He's become a hanger-on of Klein Grindelwald!"

After Klein and the others left, Ron was packing up his things when an exaggerated expression suddenly crossed his face. His voice was full of schadenfreude.

"So?"

Harry blinked and looked at his friend in confusion.

"You're no fun, Harry. Think about what happened on the train."

Meeting Harry's gaze, Ron couldn't help reminding him.

Before Harry could answer, Ron continued on his own.

"Wasn't that prat always acting like he was so high and mighty? Ha! Look at him now."

"If you were as talented as Klein, plenty of people would want to be around you, too."

A slightly shrill girl's voice suddenly interrupted them.

Harry and Ron turned to see Hermione Granger standing with her arms crossed, glaring at them with her big brown eyes.

"That's none of your business."

Under her gaze, a faint blush spread across Ron's freckled face. He muttered the words through gritted teeth, sounding a little guilty.

"Whatever."

The girl looked disdainful, gathered up her books, and left by herself.

"See? That's why nobody likes her."

The departure of the "know-it-all" clearly lifted a weight from Ron's shoulders. He let out a breath, then spoke confidently to Hermione's retreating back.

"I bet she doesn't have a single friend."

"Hermione is actually pretty kind. She's clever, too. She's just a little proud."

Harry watched Hermione's back as well. For some reason, Klein's handsome face suddenly flashed through his mind.

He paused for a second, then blinked.

"Ron, you have to admit that some people are different from us."

Students from Slytherin tended to have a bit of a melodramatic streak. Klein figured it might have something to do with the personal philosophy of their Founder, Salazar Slytherin: "Pure-blood supremacy."

So when the pointy-faced little boy solemnly warned him to stay away from students who weren't in Slytherin, Klein wasn't surprised.

Don't ask. It's tradition.

"Gryffindor's brawlers and Hufflepuff's gluttons aren't fit to hang out with us. If we absolutely have to choose, Ravenclaw's bookworms might just barely pass."

Draco stood ramrod straight, like a little snake lifting its head and hissing.

Behind him, Crabbe and Goyle chimed in.

"Exactly!" "Boss Klein, forget those losers. They're not worthy of being your friends."

"Hey, could I say something?"

Klein smiled helplessly and set down the wizarding playing cards in his hand.

"Of course."

The three boys nodded eagerly, all innocence.

"Thank you."

After thanking them, Klein blinked and asked them a question.

"What matters most to you?"

What mattered most to them?

The question stumped Draco and the others.

After thinking for a while, they each gave their answer.

"Honor!" "Power!" "Wealth!"

Klein smiled, not at all surprised.

Draco came from a pure-blood family, and his traditional upbringing made him believe that honor came above all else. Crabbe was a big fellow who loved violence. Goyle's family was struggling financially, and he was a little greedy.

"So what's your answer, Klein? What do you want most?"

Seeing the look on Klein's face, Draco couldn't help asking in return.

"Me?"

Klein curled his lips and slowly closed his hand, drawing his five fingers together.

"Only children have to choose. Honor, power, wealth—I want it all!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere turned strange.

Draco and the other two stared at Klein as if they'd been petrified. Their mouths opened and closed, but they couldn't manage to say a single word.

Wanting it all was pretty audacious!

But...

So cool!

"That's a very Slytherin answer. You're a true Slytherin."

Draco and the others were too stunned to speak, but a deep, hoarse voice came from behind them.

The Bloody Baron suddenly poked his head through the wall, revealing hollow eyes and a gaunt face.

"Hello, Mr. Baron. I thought you'd be over by the Astronomy Tower."

Klein greeted the Slytherin ghost with a nod and a friendly smile. It was important to get along with ghosts; they could tell you all sorts of secrets.

Of course, Peeves was an exception. He only ever caused trouble.

"I overheard your conversation by chance. Grindelwald, you're a fine young man. The ghosts have been talking about you lately. You'll become a credit to Slytherin—I have no doubt of it."

A trace of approval flickered almost imperceptibly in the Bloody Baron's dull eyes.

Then he turned his head in a rather eerie way and glared at Draco and the other two, who were too frightened to speak.

"As for you mediocre, pitiful fools, put aside your vulgar ideas. Following someone clever is what you ought to do."

The Baron spoke calmly, as if stating the simplest of facts.

"Remember: be cunning, be shrewd, know how to read the situation, and protect yourselves."

Having finished, he ignored Draco and the others and turned back to Klein.

"Whatever your surname, Slytherin will help you reach the top!"

"Of course. Glory to Slytherin."

Klein considered the Baron's words, but his expression remained unhesitating. He smiled faintly, his blue eyes shining like stars.

"Very good."

The Baron nodded and floated back through the wall.

Only after the frightening ghost had completely disappeared did Draco and the other two finally relax, collapsing into carved armchairs.

"Dumbledore's acting quickly."

Ignoring his friends across the table, who were drenched in sweat, Klein tapped the tabletop rhythmically with his finger. Judging by their conversation just now, the well-informed ghosts had clearly heard some rumors.

"But that's a good thing, too."

His fingertip paused, and he closed his eyes.

Bathed in the common room's sickly green light, the boy looked calm and confident.