The Common Room

After a satisfying meal, the new Slytherin students were led by the prefects toward the common room.

The two fifth-year prefects, Ignatius Prewett and Cedrella Black, motioned for the young wizards to follow. They exited the Great Hall and slipped through a door on the side of the Entrance Hall. Inside was a bottomless-looking spiral staircase that extended downward, with the Slytherin common room at its lowest level.

As they walked down the stairs, Ignatius reminded them, "I hope you all remember this route. Compared to the others, Slytherin's location is fairly easy to remember. Just keep going down."

Cedrella said arrogantly, "Anyone who can't remember the way should leave Hogwarts as soon as possible. Keeping them here would only disgrace Slytherin."

Even in Slytherin House, most of the young wizards lacked the family standing of Xiwen and Abu. They were thoroughly frightened and carefully memorized the route as they went.

After walking for nearly five minutes, the surroundings grew increasingly dim. Only a few torches gave off an eerie green light. Xiwen felt that they had probably already descended deep beneath the lake.

At last, they stopped before a stone wall. Ignatius said to it, "Noble by birth."

Several cracks split across the stone wall, and a stone door appeared in it.

"This is our common room," Ignatius said. "Remember this wall and our password. Any idiot who can't remember them should obediently wait at the stairwell for a classmate to go in with them, but I hope that never happens!"

Cedrella impatiently stepped into the common room first, waving for the girls to follow as she headed toward a side door.

After bidding Elshiona goodnight, Xiwen followed the boys as Ignatius showed them around the common room.

The Slytherin common room resembled a long, low dungeon. Round lamps glowing green hung from the ceiling by chains. Ornate chairs were arranged for students to rest in, while several skulls served as decorations.

Part of the dungeon extended beneath the lake, giving the room a greenish hue. Its walls and ceiling were built of rough stone, and a fire burned beneath an exquisitely carved mantelpiece.

Perhaps because it had been built under the lake, the common room felt somewhat cold and damp.

Ignatius kindly led the first-years around the common room and gave them a brief introduction.

Pointing to the windows set into the common room walls, he told the first-years, "Outside is the water of the Black Lake. Many magical creatures live in it. They generally do not leave their territories, so we rarely see them. But if you're lucky, you might spot a giant squid passing by in the distance."

Hearing that, Abu became interested. "If we found the right spot and jumped straight in from the lake's surface, would we be able to see our common room?"

"I advise you not to entertain that idea. The creatures in the Black Lake are no pushovers," Ignatius said. Then he suddenly lowered his voice. "They say the Merpeople in the lake eat people."

Abu was startled by his low voice and instantly lost all interest in diving.

At the mention of Merpeople, Xiwen suddenly asked, "There are Merpeople in the lake? Then are there mermaids too?"

Ignatius had no idea what sort of question that was and answered in confusion, "If there are mermen, then naturally there are mermaids. Otherwise, how would they reproduce?"

"That's not what I mean. I mean beautiful mermaids! The kind with long hair and great figures."

Ignatius said gloomily, "No matter what Merpeople elsewhere are like, the ones in Hogwarts' Black Lake have nothing to do with the word beautiful. Iron-gray skin, tangled hair, broken teeth. If you're interested, just wait in the common room. Sooner or later, you'll see them..."

Imagining what they looked like, Xiwen swallowed.

"Forget it. Let's talk about something else..."

Seeing that the young wizards were not particularly enthusiastic, Ignatius thoughtfully led them toward the dormitories. "You must all be tired after traveling all day. Get some rest early!"

After passing several long fish tanks that reached the ceiling, the boys arrived before a door decorated with emeralds. Through the green gems, they could see four beds inside.

After saying goodbye to the prefect, they each headed toward their own beds. Their luggage had already been placed beside their respective cabinets.

Because of the tense situation in the Wizarding World, there were very few first-years this year. There were only four boys among Slytherin's new students, and they had been assigned to the same dormitory.

Besides Xiwen and Abraxas, there were two other boys.

"Roommates, please look after me in the future. I'm Mobley Vole," a blond boy sitting on a bed introduced himself.

"Vole?" Abraxas looked up at him. "The Vole family I know?"

Mobley nodded proudly. "I'm this generation's heir of the Vole family. I know who you are. You're from the Malfoy family."

"Abraxas Malfoy." Abu shook hands with Mobley, who had risen to approach him.

The Vole family Mobley belonged to was also a relatively well-known pure-blood family in England's Wizarding World. Although it was not among the Sacred Twenty-Eight, it maintained good relations with many pure-blood families. After introducing himself, he gained Abraxas's approval.

Mobley then looked toward Xiwen, who was taking things out of his pocket watch, and the brown-haired boy quietly unpacking his luggage.

"Xiwen Rozier," Xiwen stated his name.

"The Rosier family? Nice to meet you!"

After Xiwen shook hands with Mobley, the three of them looked toward the remaining brown-haired boy.

Unlike Xiwen and the other two, who were dressed smartly, his clothes were badly wrinkled and looked somewhat worn. His thin cheeks made him seem undernourished.

The boy was silent for a while before saying quietly, "My name is Gomez Greaves."

Abraxas thought for a moment. "I don't think I've heard of the Greaves family."

"Me neither," Mobley said with a nod.

When Mobley looked at him, Xiwen shook his head. "If even Abu doesn't know, then I definitely won't."

Gomez's expression grew even uglier. He said heavily, "I'm a half-blood. My father is a Muggle."

Abraxas and Mobley immediately lost interest and went back to minding their own business.

Seeing that Gomez was somewhat dejected, Xiwen comforted him. "Don't take it too seriously, Greaves. We're roommates from now on, so let's all look out for each other."

After traveling all day, they grew sleepy after casually putting away their things and had little interest in chatting.

Gomez Greaves hurriedly lay down on his bed, unwilling to speak any further. He had not even had time to unpack his luggage.

Xiwen and the other two said nothing more. After making their beds, they each fell into a deep sleep...