"Malfoy!"
The seventh-year prefect of Slytherin sternly stopped the younger student's swearing, his face immediately turning grim. "Didn't I warn you on the train?"
"I know," Draco grumbled, pouting.
The Slytherin prefects looked around at the angry or indifferent young wizards and felt that this batch of freshmen was too hard to manage. Some of these troublemakers were incredibly bold.
Especially Draco Malfoy, a young wizard from a prominent pure-blood family who had no understanding of the situation at Hogwarts. His actions needed to be more cautious, at least on the surface... He shouldn't be excessively arrogant and domineering.
Many Slytherin students privately used all their best insults against Wilson. However, in public, they always appeared united and friendly. As proper Slytherins, they should be plotting against that jerk Wilson rather than openly provoking such a troublesome individual!
Despite their plot failing last year... Slytherin had tried to incite a conflict between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff but ended up suffering from their own scheming.
This year, they needed a better plan. In theory, they had more options this year because Wilson was now a third-year student and could choose some elective courses.
Of course, they hadn't thought of a good plan yet. Mainly because Wilson didn't play by the rules. Despite being so domineering at school, he followed the school rules to the letter.
Think about the idiots in Gryffindor, the Weasley twins—one little report could get them sent to detention... But with Wilson, they couldn't find any flaws.
"Alright, let's head back to the dormitory," the seventh-year Slytherin prefect gathered the younger students and occasionally glanced back at Gryffindor's direction. This year, they might have a way. Gryffindor had gained the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, who had overshadowed many people. Given Wilson's personality, they would inevitably clash!
In fact, many Ravenclaw students thought the same; they believed there would definitely be conflicts between Harry and Wilson. It wasn't surprising—they couldn't possibly get along because Wilson would defend his authority at Hogwarts, and Harry's presence would obviously challenge that authority.
But Wilson wasn't interested in these matters. He had more important things to do and wasn't concerned with fighting a bunch of young wizards. His attention had never been focused on Hogwarts.
That night, in the Hufflepuff dormitory, the warm orange candlelight illuminated the room. Cedric lay on his bed, studying, while Wilson sat at the desk, writing a letter to Crouch Sr.
It was more of a note than a letter:
"I heard the Malfoy family has hidden many Dark artifacts. If you get the chance, check Malfoy Manor a few times."
Crouch Sr., now head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, not only commanded the Ministry's forces but also provided many conveniences for Wilson.
"Wilson," Cedric called out after seeing his friend finish his work. "Do you know that Boy Who Lived? I noticed he kept looking at you today."
"Kind of," Wilson replied nonchalantly. "I met him in elementary school. I remember he still owes me a lot of money..."
"He owes you money?"
"Yeah," Wilson nodded casually, picking up a book. "Back in elementary school, I used to run a small bread-selling business..."
Whether that business was legitimate or not didn't need further discussion.
The next day, at Hogwarts' Great Hall, students scattered about eating breakfast. Harry sat in Gryffindor's section, chatting idly with Ron. After thinking for a while, he bravely walked towards the Hufflepuff area, stopping by Wilson.
"Hi, Wilson."
Harry's voice caught Wilson's attention. Smiling, Wilson greeted him, "Long time no see. I didn't expect you to be at Hogwarts too."
Clearly, becoming a famous wizard had made Harry more confident and poised.
Once he started talking, Harry couldn't stop, "Many people at our old school missed you after you left..."
"Oh," Wilson continued eating, seemingly indifferent.
At that moment, he was focused on his breakfast and appeared very cold towards Harry, who instantly felt it.
Their relationship should indeed be distant because they were not even close friends back in elementary school. This was their first proper conversation.
Harry's smile froze. He had thought a lot about how to greet Wilson when they reunited. He planned to reminisce about their school days, thank Wilson for his help, and express his happiness about being at the same school again...
But Wilson just responded with an "oh"?
"How rude," Ron whispered, "Aren't they supposed to be old friends?"
Hermione frowned thoughtfully, "Maybe it's because Harry stole his spotlight?"
"..."
On the other side, Harry pushed his glasses up and suddenly felt impulsive, blurting out the question he had pondered yesterday, "I thought we were friends. Did you help me in elementary school because I'm Harry Potter?"
"..."
Wilson's hand paused, and the area around them grew quiet.
Everyone seemed surprised by the interaction between Wilson and Harry, as if a conflict was about to erupt.
"Oh my God..." Hermione muttered, covering her forehead. "Why did Harry say that? Who taught him to say such things?"
"What's wrong with it?" Fred asked, leaning in.
"Everything's wrong..." Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's like a proud rooster flaunting to someone who helped him before. It's sure to anger the other person..."
Hermione was quite smart. She might not fully understand wizarding social dynamics, but she knew that in the Muggle world, you definitely shouldn't say such things to someone like Wilson, who had shown no sign of admiring Harry.
Sure enough, Wilson remained calm, slowly setting down his fork and knife. He turned to Harry with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"We... are friends?"
Harry's face turned bright red. He regretted believing Fred and George's advice. His life since entering the wizarding world had inflated his ego too much.
"We are not friends," Wilson stated, looking at Harry. "If you considered me a friend or understood my habits even slightly, you wouldn't interrupt my breakfast with a 'hi, Wilson'."
"I was just eager..."
"That's not eagerness," Wilson continued, crossing his legs and clasping his hands over his knee as if giving a lecture. "It's a lack of respect. Or maybe you think you no longer need to respect me."
"I'm not..."
"No need to explain. It's understandable," Wilson said, "You are no longer an ordinary elementary school student. You're the famous Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. The whole world revolves around you, and you think I should too..."
"I don't..."
Harry's face reddened further.
"No need to defend. It's perfectly normal," Wilson remarked, seeming to read Harry's mind. "I don't remember doing much in that elementary school, whether it was good or bad for you. I just wanted everyone to study well and follow the rules, even now at Hogwarts..."
"To me, you're no different from those younger students at that school. It may be a bit unfair to the famous Harry Potter, but I must say... don't call yourself my friend. It feels like an insult to the word 'friendship'."
Wilson looked around at the Hufflepuff students, continuing, "My friends respect our friendship. They would be indignant if I were humiliated, not standing with Gryffindor watching the spectacle."
(End of Chapter)
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