"Are we really going in?" Nolan asked Cho politely.
Inside the Three Broomsticks, there were quite a few Hogwarts students. If they saw the three of them on what was clearly a date, rumors would undoubtedly spread like wildfire once they returned to school.
"Oh, don't be silly, Nolan. Plenty of people have already seen us together on the way here. I have no idea what they're saying about behind my back, but honestly? I'm starting to care less and less." Cho huffed slightly, then pushed open the door to the Three Broomsticks.
Bang—
As expected, the place was packed with young witches and wizards. What was surprising, however, was that nearly all of them wore robes with silver-green trimmings—this was a full house of Slytherins.
"Hey, Nolan!" Miles waved him over, beckoning him to join them.
But the mont Nolan actually approached, Miles rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Oh, rlin's beard, it really is true."
Eve scooted over to make space for Nolan, then snuggled close to his side. "What are you guys talking about?"
Cho wasted no ti claiming Nolan's other side, much to Camille's obvious irritation.
The Slytherins exchanged glances. "We were just discussing who exactly you were on a date with today," Montagueexplained.
"Alicia was convinced the lucky girl was Eve," Laura added hesitantly, glancing at Cho. "But most people... well, most people think there are two lucky girls."
"So, I guess that makes the rest of us not so lucky, huh?" Eve rolled her eyes before nudging Nolan playfully. "It's all this playboy's fault."
Cho's face turned completely red as she quickly lowered her head.
The Slytherins went quiet for a mont before Montague leaned forward. "So, you're telling that it's official now?"
"See for yourself," Eve said casually, lifting her right hand and intertwining her fingers with Nolan's left.
The Slytherin students, of course, knew exactly what that gesture ant.
"And what about Cho?" Miles asked, turning his attention to her.
Nolan shot him a warning look. "You don't get to put Cho on the spot like that."
"Hey, Nolan, don't underestimate . I'll never let Eve have the upper hand over ." To everyone's surprise, Cho suddenly straightened her back and lifted her left hand, interlocking her fingers with Nolan's right hand.
"Oh, rlin help , this is actually real," Miles muttered, looking as if he'd just learned Dumbledore was secretly dating Grindelwald. "Why is it that you always get to be the one everyone envies? I an, those are the two prettiest gi—uh, I an, ladies. But you do realize that with both of them holding your hands, unless you plan on using your feet, you're not going to be able to drink anything?"
"That's not a problem," Eve said with a smile, picking up her own drink and pressing it to Nolan's lips.
Nolan shook his head, refusing to open his mouth even when the rim of the glass bumped against his face. "I don't drink that."
"Oh, silly . I forgot. Do you have tomato juice?" Eve asked, turning to Madam Rosrta.
While the beautiful tavern owner went to fetch a bottle of tomato juice, Nolan glanced at the Slytherins and addressed their prefect. "What's this gathering about? Is this so kind of house eting?"
The Slytherins exchanged looks before all of them turned toward Cho.
"If you guys mind being here just because I'm a Ravenclaw, I can leave," Cho offered.
"Nah, it's fine. We trust you," Camille said, grinning as she casually leaned against Cho's shoulder.
Cho blinked in surprise. This was the first ti she had ever spoken to Camille, and yet, the girl was acting as if they were longti friends.
The prefect spread his hands. "You're Nolan's choice, and besides, this isn't exactly a well-kept secret. Plenty of Ravenclaws probably know about it already. Those bookworms in the tower have a way of knowing everything, after all. Anyway, listen up, guys. This is about the legend of the Chamber of Secrets."
"The Chamber of Secrets?" Nolan raised an eyebrow. "You an that place that, if opened, can turn annoying creatures into statues?"
The Slytherins all burst into laughter.
"Oh, that sounds brilliant!"
"Be serious, Nolan," the prefect chuckled. "The Chamber of Secrets is an old legend that has been passed down among Slytherins for generations."
"Wait a second…" Cho suddenly interrupted. "I don't think I should be here for this."
"It's fine! We trust you not to snitch!" Camille reassured her cheerfully, throwing an arm around Cho.
Cho, still processing Camille's sudden enthusiasm, frowned slightly.
The prefect continued. "The legend says that Salazar Slytherin himself created the Chamber."
"The original Slytherin?" Nolan raised an eyebrow. "That grumpy old man?"
"The very one. Pure-blood families consider him our direct ancestor. He was a great wizard—if we compiled every spell he invented onto parchnt, it would stack up into a small mountain. Though, to be fair, most of them were curses or dark magic," the prefect admitted. "But that's not the point. You all know that Slytherin was a staunch advocate for blood purity."
"Oh, he was practically the wizarding world's equivalent of a proud, debt-free Malfoy," Miles said sarcastically.
"Shut up, Miles," the prefect shot him a glare before continuing. "Slytherin believed that only those of pure magical lineage were worthy of learning magic. The other three founders didn't agree, and as a result, he was constantly at odds with them. He was the outcast, and outcasts always take precautions. So, he built a secret place in Hogwarts—the Chamber of Secrets.
"According to the legend, there's a prophecy: One day, the Chamber will be opened, and the monster within will be released to purge the school of those unworthy of magic."
"Oh, that sounds lovely," Eve deadpanned. "If I weren't one of the first people that thing would target, I'd almost be impressed. After all, nothing taints Slytherin's pure legacy quite like soone like ."
The room fell uncomfortably silent. The Slytherins glanced at each other before Alicia finally spoke. "Co on, Eve, you know we don't think that way."
Eve gave a nonchalant shrug. "I'm just saying." Then, as if shaking off the mont, she smiled again and leaned against Nolan. "Besides, as long as I'm here, I don't have anything to worry about."
Nolan, however, wasn't convinced. He could feel the dampness of Eve's palm, the faintly quickened pulse in her wrist. She was nervous. Without thinking, he spoke. "Do you want to find the Chamber and destroy it?"
The Slytherins all shuddered.
"Do you really think it's that easy?" Montague asked. "Most of us actually prefer that the Chamber stays a myth. If it turned out to be real, it would just make things worse—especially for half-bloods like ."
"But you're a pure-blood, Montague," the prefect pointed out, looking puzzled.
"I am, but I don't subscribe to all that nonsense." Montague shrugged. "People are different, and wizards are no exception. Slytherins, too, co in all kinds. But the other houses never bother trying to understand us."
Silence stretched between them, until finally, Cho spoke. "But have you ever tried understanding Ravenclaws?"
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