There was a reason Allen and his friends could leisurely watch others scramble while they set up their tents.
At first, Allen had planned to fight for the best patch of land, but just as he stood there ready to challenge someone, a few Hufflepuff prefects told him that, according to their discussion, he could go ahead and pick first…
However, Allen, whose victory mission for the day hadn't been completed, firmly declared that he wasn't the kind to use shortcuts or special privileges. He wanted everyone to respect his authority fairly.
His statement earned him a flat-eyed glare from his own prefect:
"Alright, Allen, stop messing around. They don't even want to fight you. Don't cause trouble out here, how will you handle being head prefect next year if you keep this up?"
Allen blinked, pointing at himself uncertainly. "Me?"
"Exactly, you. Who else could it be? I can already imagine the looks Slytherin will give at next year's meeting. Haha, with you around, we'll have them under control."
Was this… an appointment by default? Never mind. Allen accepted this backdoor route with a smile.
Why wouldn't he become head prefect if he could?
Even though their carriages had private compartments, Hogwarts prefects wielded significant authority. After all, these twenty-four students assisted professors in managing the entire school.¹
With the prefects advising him not to stir up trouble, Allen and the others quickly finished pitching their tents with a little magical assistance. Suddenly, a rare stretch of free time appeared.
The tents weren't remarkable. Sure, they were magically enhanced, but there was no way they could be luxurious, just a slightly bigger space and a bathroom, nothing more.
Having had little physical activity during the journey, none of them were tired. So the group discussed briefly and decided to leave the campsite to explore. Allen secretly hoped to encounter some mischievous youngsters like the ones he'd met at Ilvermorny. After all, his first victory of the day hadn't been claimed, every little bit counts.
The result was unexpected, nobody came to cause trouble!
Those pink-robed beginners didn't show a hint of impatience. Instead, they politely introduced the school to Allen and his friends and even offered to guide them around.
…Director, the script is wrong.
Aren't young wizards supposed to think their house is the best, belittle other schools, and boost their own? Why did the tone suddenly change here?
Even with Dumbledore known worldwide, you could still compete elsewhere. There's no "admit defeat immediately" option at this age. Teen wizards should be fearless! No hesitation! With this approach, Allen thought bitterly, he could only go try his luck over at Ilvermorny to claim his first victory.
Although causing trouble there was an option, targeting just one school mercilessly would have been excessive. Two years had passed, and Allen wouldn't attack the freshmen, that would be shameless.
With a tinge of frustration, Allen's group followed the helpful boy around the unfamiliar campus.
For some reason, their path didn't lead to the center of campus. Instead, they veered into a secluded corner.
Allen's excitement instantly spiked, I knew it! There's always a troublemaker lurking!
He exchanged meaningful glances with his roommates, and they all shared the understanding, mischief requires teamwork. As the saying goes: "Near red, you're red; near ink, you're black." Even if the others hadn't heard it, Allen could tell the potential for trouble, and combat ability, was far beyond their peers.
It made sense. Even when the Slytherins ambushed, they wouldn't wait for Allen to be alone. Whether he went with his roommates or not, their approach remained the same.
After several skirmishes where Allen dispatched all attackers and noticed his roommates acquiring a few nasty curses, his friends worked hard to train themselves into fighting experts, a tale filled with blood and sweat.
But for now, Allen and his team were ready. Any would-be aggressors would need to bring their full strength.
Rustling came from bushes along the path. The group scoffed, amateurs, thinking they can ambush us?
However, around the next corner, a purely wooden building appeared, and hundreds of shapes revealed themselves, not ambushers.
It was a cat kingdom. Hundreds of cats of every breed frolicked around. Most lounged lazily, paws tucked, basking in the sun. Others wrestled, while some contorted into bizarre positions, proving the maxim: cats are liquid.
Some casually approached, looked at Allen and his friends, as if asking, Where's the fish snack? The boy guiding them pulled out a handful of dried fish, not nearly enough. More cats arrived, hoping for food.
After a while without getting fed, the cats shot Allen and the group clear disdainful looks, yes, pure contempt, readable at a glance.
"Enough! You'll regret this if I, "
Of course, no cat believed him.
They didn't attack, only meowed, drawing more cats over. Upon finding no fish, they unified in disdain.
Hundreds of cats' disdain…
And there was nothing to be done about it.
The guiding student didn't move, just wore a smile that said, mission accomplished.
"Don't worry, they won't attack. These are the school wizards' pets; they don't hurt people."
True, they wouldn't attack, but they would judge!
Minutes later, Allen could no longer hold back.
Not attacking, of course, he pulled out some seeds. With a flick of magic, fresh plants sprouted, catnip.
You forced my hand!
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Notes: "Near red, you're red; near ink, you're black" – A proverb meaning you are influenced by those around you.