"From now on, we will conduct regular dormitory inspections in Slytherin. Students of all houses are forbidden from privately possessing Muggle items. Any discovered items will be confiscated, and resistance will result in punishment. Furthermore, we will assess the bloodline of every student in this house. Pure-blood students will enjoy certain privileges, while the remaining half-bloods will be categorized based on their degree of mixed ancestry. Those with only a distant Muggle relative will maintain a status similar to pure-bloods, while those with a high degree of mixed blood, or those who are outright Muggle-born…"
Wilkes paused, his gaze involuntarily sweeping over Alan and Vivian before he continued.
"They must obey all commands from noble pure-blood students and will be responsible for all cleaning duties within the house. Anyone who disobeys will be considered to have disrespected Slytherin and will face severe punishment."
Wilkes scanned the room once more before raising his voice in a shout.
"Pure-blood supremacy!"
"Pure-blood supremacy! Pure-blood supremacy!" The pure-blood students at the front excitedly raised their hands and cheered.
The new students, the more moderate pure-bloods, and those with only a trace of mixed blood were swept up in the fervor, raising their hands and joining the chant, albeit more softly. However, the small number of half-blood wizards present turned pale, exchanging uneasy glances. Outnumbered and intimidated, they could only endure the surrounding cheers.
Alan remained expressionless, as if he had anticipated this move long ago.
But Vivian was furious, her face flushed with indignation. As a Muggle-born, she had been instantly relegated to a lower class. Furthermore, the ban on Muggle items was a direct strike against her. The sets in her Mahjong Club were Muggle-made! She had even purchased several more over the summer to expand the club, and now they were all at risk of being seized.
"You can't do this! This is a crime! I'm going to report this to Professor Snape! I protest!" As the cheering died down, a figure jumped onto the steps to reprimand the committee.
Wilkes narrowed his eyes at the newcomer and sneered. "Who is it? William Higgs? As a pure-blood, your heart always bleeds for those dirty Muggles. You want to report me? Let me tell you, my Prefect status was approved by Professor Snape himself. Betraying us is betraying Slytherin, and you will be scorned by every true member of this house!"
"Oh, please, you don't have the right to represent Slytherin. You're clearly just remnants of You-Know-Who—ah!"
Before Higgs could finish, Yaxley stepped forward and kicked him down the steps. The pure-blood juniors in the front row took the cue, kicking him several times while he was down until Higgs cried out in pain.
After knocking Higgs aside, Yaxley looked down mockingly. "Don't question us so casually. You have no right to yell at us. I warn you all: Slytherin's matters stay within Slytherin. Dare to betray us, and you'll have a taste of your own medicine."
Vivian, unable to watch any longer, rushed forward with Alan. They pushed through the crowd and hauled Higgs away from the group of bullies. Yaxley didn't stop them; he merely sneered and announced the dismissal, no longer bothering with them.
At Yaxley's signal, the crowd dispersed. Some continued to mock Higgs as they left, while the half-blood students retreated to their dormitories with heavy hearts.
"Senior Higgs, how are you? Are you alright?" Vivian asked anxiously, patting the dust off his robes.
"Cough... I'm fine. These guys are despicable. I didn't expect them to try and seize total control the moment Senior Vanessa graduated. No, I have to find Professor Snape. If he won't help, I'll go straight to the Headmaster!" Higgs coughed violently, his voice thick with anger.
*Go to the Headmaster? I can't have that,* Alan thought. *I've finally found a perfect opportunity; I can't let him ruin the plan.* He deliberated for a moment before deciding to mislead the older student.
"It's useless, Senior," Alan said, shaking his head. "Hogwarts has always operated on the principle of house self-governance. Unless it's a dire circumstance, the Headmaster will not interfere in house affairs. Those guys will make sure the situation never gets loud enough to alarm Dumbledore. As for the Head of House... if it weren't for his approval, Wilkes wouldn't be a Prefect. If you report this, you'll be the only one who suffers. They're looking for someone to make an example of, and you'll just be giving them what they want."
"Then what do we do? We can't just let them ruin Slytherin. If this atmosphere spreads, the situation for half-bloods... I can't even imagine it. Alan, you're Muggle-born; they'll target you first," Higgs said, struggling to his feet.
"Of course we must fight back, but we can't rely on the professors to do it for us. We have to handle this ourselves," Alan said with a calm smile, leaning in to whisper in Higgs's ear.
"How can you smile at a time like this? What are you even talking about? Is this the 'support' you mentioned before?" Vivian asked, unable to keep her thoughts to herself.
"Exactly," Alan nodded. "The war has begun. Us against them."
Alan knew simple persuasion wouldn't be enough; he needed a way to keep the others from interfering while he dealt with Yaxley's tyranny. Higgs was startled by the declaration, pulling Alan and Vivian into an empty corner.
"What war? Are you planning to fight them? They have the numbers, and many are upperclassmen. I'm not sure we can win."
"Don't be afraid. This isn't the first time I've dealt with them. I've been preparing for this; I just didn't expect them to be quite so bold. Now, all you need to decide is: are you in?" Alan asked, his eyes cold.
"I've hated them for a long time. They want to destroy my Mahjong Club—of course I'm in!" Vivian's face was flushed with a mix of anger and excitement.
Higgs hesitated. Looking at the two younger students, he felt their plan was insane, like ants trying to topple an elephant.
"It's alright if you're hesitating, Senior," Alan said openly when Higgs remained silent. "Just keep our secret, even if you don't join us."