" N-no... surely not..."
Wentworth looked at Coke's furious expression and spoke in disbelief. Although Coke was Hufflepuff's Prefect, he didn't act like one at all and never put on airs.
Though they'd known each other for only a few days, Coke reminded Wentworth of a fun-loving older brother next door. That was why Coke's expression now left Wentworth so puzzled.
Coke explained:
"Of course it matters! How could it not? Take Vane from Slytherin, for example. We started at Hogwarts together, and he's always bullied us, throwing his Pure-blood family around. I became Hufflepuff's Prefect so I could get back at him!"
"But I never expected him to become Slytherin's Prefect too! I thought I'd never get my revenge, but then you gave me such a wonderful surprise this morning! Seeing him shoved around by the crowd had me over the moon!"
After saying this, Coke couldn't help bursting into laughter.
Wentworth smiled at the sight and was about to say something when the door to the Hufflepuff Common Room suddenly opened. A Hufflepuff student hurried inside and cried out in alarm:
"Prefect! Prefect Coke, we've got trouble! Vane's leading a bunch of Slytherin students this way, and they look ready for a fight!"
At the student's words, the Hufflepuff Common Room fell eerily silent. Everyone looked tense. A moment later, Coke stepped forward and said:
"What are you afraid of? This is Hufflepuff territory! We outnumber Slytherin by a lot! They're the ones who should be scared! Have you all forgotten what happened this morning? They were the ones who slunk away in the end!"
Coke's words instantly restored Hufflepuff's morale. After what had happened that morning, Hufflepuff's unity was stronger than ever.
"Everyone, follow me outside! Let's see what those Slytherin snakes are after!"
With a sweep of Coke's arm, all the little badgers jumped to their feet and headed out of the Hufflepuff Common Room.
Coke quietly leaned over and whispered in Wentworth's ear:
"Be careful in a moment. You're the person Slytherin hates most right now. If a fight breaks out, watch yourself. I'm worried they'll target you!"
Coke's concern touched Wentworth, but it also surprised him. Wentworth didn't think Vane would dare start a large-scale fight between the two Houses. The clash that morning had shown that Vane was all bluster and no backbone.
A few dozen minutes earlier, just after Vane had finished his morning classes, Snape had summoned him to his office.
"Head of House, let me explain. This whole thing was actually—"
Vane had been anxious the whole way there. As soon as he saw Snape, he hurried to explain, but Snape gave him no chance.
"Silence. I'll see for myself!"
"Legilimency!"
As Snape examined Vane's memories, his expression grew grimmer and grimmer. When Vane came to his senses, he saw Snape glaring at him with a frosty expression, his face full of disgust.
Vane's heart tightened. He knew Snape was displeased with him!
Sure enough, Snape said scornfully:
"You went looking for trouble and ended up getting surrounded! Then a first-year humiliated you! Vane, are you really a Slytherin? Was the Sorting Hat going senile? You belong in Gryffindor! Even a Gryffindor would be smarter than you! You never should have come to Hogwarts!"
Snape's words left Vane wishing he could sink into the floor.
At this, Vane gritted his teeth and said:
"Head of House, don't worry. I'll restore Slytherin's lost face! And I won't let that first-year get away with it!"
With that, Vane turned to leave.
Despite Vane's declaration, Snape showed no sign of approval.
Seeing that Vane seemed intent on going after Wentworth, Snape immediately thought of the mysterious person who had so easily subdued him. Vane was his student, after all, and Snape didn't want him to lose his life over this.
This was no exaggeration. Ever since Dumbledore had told Snape Wentworth's true identity, the identity of the mysterious person had been obvious. An Acolyte was protecting Wentworth. They were a lawless lot, and if Vane truly laid a hand on Wentworth, he might not live to see tomorrow.
So Snape immediately called out sharply:
"Stop! Did I say you could leave?"
Hearing Snape call after him, Vane didn't dare disobey and obediently stood to one side.
Snape, meanwhile, fell into thought.
Though he had stopped Vane, Snape still couldn't let go of what had happened that morning. After all, he valued Slytherin's honor more than anyone.
Since Vane couldn't attack Wentworth, the only way to restore Slytherin's lost face was to do things openly and honorably!
With that in mind, Snape said to Vane:
"Go to Hufflepuff. But don't go there to cause trouble. Go and issue a challenge!"
"Issue a challenge?"
Vane looked completely bewildered.
Snape saw Vane's bewilderment and felt another surge of contempt, but he still explained:
"Yes, issue a challenge! Tell them this morning's incident was a misunderstanding. In the interest of friendship between Slytherin and Hufflepuff, Slytherin would like to hold a series of wizard duels with Hufflepuff, so the two Houses can learn from each other and improve!"
"One duel won't do. You fool, I'm worried you'd lose to Hufflepuff! Make it five! One for each year from first to fifth—that makes five duels. Given the gap between Slytherin and Hufflepuff students, even if something unexpected happens once, Slytherin will still win in the end!"
At Snape's words, Vane finally understood his plan. His face lit up as he said:
"Don't worry, Head of House. We've had classes together with Hufflepuff for five years. We know exactly how good they are! I assure you, Slytherin will win all five duels!"
After saying this, Vane bade Snape farewell and returned to the Slytherin Common Room ahead of the others.
Vane told the other Slytherin students about Professor Snape's plan, and they all agreed that victory would surely belong to Slytherin.
Then, led by Vane, a large group set off for the Hufflepuff Common Room.
Before you continue