Viktor, as if nothing had happened, surveyed his new private room. It was a small but cozy room with a single bed, a desk, and a wardrobe, clearly intended for one student. Behind him, still pale but now on her feet, stood Daphne Greengrass, her eyes flashing, but every movement betraying a sense of defeat.
"Hmm, I like it!" Viktor said, looking around his new domain with satisfaction. He turned to Daphne, his smile wide and completely carefree. "As I understand it, you're the smartest of them, right?" He didn't wait for an answer. "Excellent. From this day forward, you'll be my secretary. I'll communicate with everyone else through you. So, please, get used to the idea."
Daphne sighed heavily, a sigh full of despair, but she nodded obediently. She had no choice. She had seen what this guy was capable of and understood that resistance was futile, at least for now.
Viktor unhurriedly sat down in the chair that had been brought for him and sprawled in it, crossing one leg over the other, like a king on his throne. "Now tell me, dear," he said, his voice dropping slightly, "who was the true instigator of that charming scene?"
Daphne frowned, her lips pressed into a thin line. "It was Malfoy's idea," she replied, her voice dry, almost automatic.
Viktor stared at her intently. His smile vanished. He slowly clenched his fist in the air, and at that very moment, Daphne began to choke. Her eyes widened, her hands instinctively flew to her throat, she gasped for air, her face turning blue again.
"Listen, dear," Viktor said, his voice cold as ice, devoid of any previous amusement. "Don't talk nonsense. I can see you're a smart girl. Don't try to play games with me." He loosened his fist, and Daphne immediately collapsed to her knees, breathing heavily, coughing convulsively, trying to regain her breath.
Clearing her throat, she looked up at him, her eyes full of hatred and fury, but also fear. "Do you have a fetish... for choking girls?!" she rasped, her voice thick with anger.
Viktor laughed, his laughter sounding like a devil's whisper. "Who knows, who knows... Maybe I just like the way you roll your beautiful eyes when you choke."
Daphne instantly flushed crimson. "Pervert!" she muttered, barely audible, but with such contempt that the words rang in the air.
"What? I didn't hear you?" Viktor leaned closer to her, his smile widening even further, with a clear threat in it.
Daphne took a deep breath, realizing there was no retreat. "I said, it was Gemma and her gang! It was her idea, all of it! Malfoy was just the executor!" she forced out, her voice filled with indignation.
Viktor looked at her, his eyes narrowed slightly, but now they held not anger, but interest. "More details, please," he said.
Daphne, seeing that lying was useless, began to speak: "Gemma is the Slytherin prefect. She's in her fifth year. A very capable witch, even older students are afraid of her. Her family is quite influential, though not as well-known as, say, the Malfoys. But they have huge connections."
"An avid pure-blood fanatic?" Viktor clarified, his voice full of irony.
Daphne shook her head. "No, not exactly. But understanding Slytherin mentality, she can't go against the others. She has to do this to maintain her authority. She's very calculating."
Viktor pondered. His gaze was vacant, as if he were contemplating a complex chess game. Then that eerie smile appeared on his face. "Well, good. I understand. So, they made the first move. The next is mine." He got up from the chair. "I think you're free for today. Tomorrow, gather everyone in the boys' dormitory. I'm announcing new rules."
Daphne nodded and hurried out of the room, as if wanting to leave that eerie place as soon as possible. Looking at the tightly closed door of his private room, she muttered to herself, her voice full of apprehension: "You handled the first-years, Moss. Now let's see how you handle all of Slytherin." She quietly, almost silently, left, dissolving into the dimness of the corridor.
Viktor got up from the chair and walked to the window, which offered a view of the underwater world of the Black Lake. Shady fish swam past the huge glass panes, and seaweed swayed in the slow current.
"This is even more interesting than I thought," he muttered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Slytherin... let's see what you can offer me." He smiled a chilling, cold smile that didn't fit his childlike face at all.
Then, after surveying the room, he suddenly pouted like an offended child. "God," he groaned, "what am I supposed to do here? No TV, no game console, not even any music equipment... God, just to listen to some melody..." He sighed, his shoulders slumped. "Yes, the world of magic offers wonders, but in terms of entertainment, they're complete garbage."
But then his gaze hardened. "Alright, no point whining here. There's always something to do if you have brains and desire." He sighed again, but with a different intonation, calmer and more determined. "Well, the day has passed, the date has changed, but nothing has changed." He stretched. "Now, to sleep."
The night passed peacefully. No one dared to disturb Viktor in his new private room.
Viktor woke up, as usual, at 6 AM. His movements were precise and practiced. He did his standard morning exercises: squats, push-ups. Then he went outside for a run around the castle grounds, enjoying the cool morning air. Returning, he took a shower, washing away the last traces of sleep.
Entering the Slytherin common room, he saw that Daphne was already waiting for him. She stood by the door of his private room, her face serious, but her eyes held a mix of curiosity and resignation.
"Everyone's ready and waiting for you," she said softly.
Viktor nodded, his gaze focused. "Excellent." He walked with her to the first-year boys' dormitory.
Upon entering, he saw that all the students were already lined up in a neat row, their faces pale and tense, their eyes fixed on him. Daphne went and stood next to the others, joining the line.
Viktor surveyed everyone, his eyes piercing each of them.
"You know me, but I'll introduce myself officially," he began, his voice clear and loud, echoing through the room. "My name is Viktor Moss. Like you, I'm a Slytherin first-year. I love music, interesting stories, good food... I hate a lot of things, but most of all I hate raw egg yolk, overly sweet pastries, noisy neighbors, and, of course, Subaru."
One boy, standing in the line, couldn't help himself and timidly raised his hand.
"Yes, go ahead?" Viktor allowed him, with a slight smile.
The boy, slightly stumbling, asked, "What is a Subaru?"
Viktor froze for a moment, his smile turning into a grimace of disgust. "Not 'what,' but 'who'!" he pronounced, his voice filled with drama. "He is the shame of all men! He dared to reject sweet Rem and chose some Emilia! He's a blasphemer! If you see someone named Subaru, immediately cast Avada Kedavra! Did you understand me?"
All the Slytherins in the line nodded, their faces serious, although many had no idea what he was talking about, but sensed trouble brewing.
"Right!" Viktor continued, returning to a serious tone. "Now, your new rules. Don't bother me, and I won't bother you unnecessarily. Live your lives, study, but try not to annoy me. Otherwise..." That insane, chilling smile appeared on his face again, making blood run cold. "I'll skin you alive, break all your limbs, I'll torment you so much that Cruciatus will feel like a tickle."
Then he smiled sweetly, as if nothing were amiss, and asked, "I hope we understand each other?"
Everyone, trembling, nodded, their eyes reflecting absolute horror.
"Good," he said, pleased with their reaction. "If you have any questions, approach me through Daphne. Now, everyone is dismissed."
He himself left to prepare for the first lesson, leaving behind the silent and shocked Slytherins.