That night, Breeze had just come down from the Owlery when he spotted the seventh-year Prefect outside the common room—the same one who had come looking for Breeze after the uproar in the common room.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Beck Bernard, the seventh-year Prefect. I think we can talk."
Bernard was just as arrogant as ever—or perhaps he had already lowered his head, but Breeze hadn't noticed.
"If I remember correctly, we've already met, a week after the start of term."
Breeze's words brought back the embarrassment of when Bernard had confidently promised the younger students he would win Breeze over, only to be rejected.
That had badly damaged his standing. It had let that bitch in sixth year get her way—his fiancée, who had helped a seventh-year who was at odds with him seize control of Slytherin's seventh-year students. It had weakened his prospects and made him unable to hold his head up in his family!
His uncle's family was keeping a close eye on his branch's claim to the inheritance!
The Bernard family put its interests first and allowed a certain degree of infighting within the family. That infuriated him.
"Hmph. I think Mr. Order is a clever man. And what I can offer you is something you've never encountered before. It'll be a great help to you."
"Hogwarts won't teach young wizards these things. Powerful Dark Magic, for instance, or how to make enough money off those Half-bloods and Muggle-born wizards. The Bernard family excels at that. I think you'll be interested."
Dark Magic?
Sorry, but Breeze wanted nothing to do with it for now. He already had plenty of access to Dark Magic. As for making money, perhaps he'd consider it later, but first he needed enough strength to back it up. Otherwise,