Slytherin Suspicion
It started on a foggy Wednesday morning when Aarav casually strolled into the Great Hall, dressed in his usual kurta-pajama combo, sporting a glowing tilak and a floating cup of steaming chai.
As he passed the Slytherin table, he heard it — the hissing, the giggling, and then…
> "He's probably enchanted half the staff already."
"I heard he summoned a snake god. Imagine what he could do to the rest of us."
Aarav stopped. Smiled. Turned around.
Then said, "You lot gossip louder than aunties at a shaadi."
The table went silent.
Draco Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "You can't just walk into Slytherin common room like you own the place, you know."
Aarav sipped his chai. "Wanna bet?"
---
🐍 Entering the Snake Pit
Later that evening, Aarav wandered down to the dungeons. A Slytherin prefect tried to stop him.
"You can't go in there!"
But Aarav simply waved his hand, muttering a Sanskrit phrase:
> "Sarpa dwaaram mukham bhavatu."
The stone wall parted like a curtain. Smoke flowed from behind it like dry ice.
Inside?
The Slytherin common room was cold, green-lit, and filled with silver decor, snake motifs, and attitude.
Half the house turned to look at him as he walked in like he owned the place.
---
🪔 A Pop-Up Desi Vibe Check
He didn't say a word. Just sat cross-legged in the center of the room, clapped twice, and summoned a tea stall made of floating bamboo, complete with a kettle that sang old Bollywood tunes.
A sweet aroma filled the air — cutting chai, elaichi, a hint of tulsi and jaggery.
"Free for all," Aarav said. "Even the rude ones."
Slowly, curious Slytherins drifted in. Even Malfoy.
"Is this… safe?"
Aarav grinned. "More than your mum's cooking."
They sipped. And blinked.
"Holy Merlin, this is… amazing."
"Drink more," Aarav said, refilling cups with a flick. "This one clears gossip out of your system."
---
🕉️ Ancient Ward Magic
As they relaxed, Aarav noticed a blackened, cracked amulet hanging on the wall. It pulsed faintly with a sinister aura.
Crabbe boasted, "They say it belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself. Dark magic. Dangerous."
Aarav stood and walked up to it.
"This isn't dark. This is… desperate."
He placed a finger on it, eyes glowing briefly. The artifact hissed, cracked further, and released a puff of dark mist.
It screamed. Then... silence.
Aarav chanted softly:
> "Om asato maa sadgamaya…"
A golden circle bloomed around the amulet. The darkness evaporated.
"Fake cursed object. Probably made in Knockturn Alley," he said. "Reinforced with cheap fear spells and garlic powder."
A collective gasp.
"Can you teach us that?" Blaise Zabini asked.
Aarav nodded. "Sure. Sanskrit is optional. Respect is mandatory."
---
🧙♂️ Sneaky Professor Snape
From behind a stone pillar, Professor Snape had been watching.
He emerged dramatically — robes billowing, eyes narrowed. "Mr. Aarav," he said silkily, "what exactly do you think you're doing?"
Aarav didn't miss a beat. "Sharing tea, removing fake relics, and promoting ancient Indian magical ethics. Want some?"
Snape raised a brow. "Does this tea reduce staff headaches?"
"Test it and tell me."
Snape drank.
Paused.
Nodded.
"Carry on."
He turned and vanished into the shadows, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "delightfully herbal..."
---
🐍 Respect from the Snakes
After that night, Slytherins began to secretly attend Aarav's impromptu Warding 101 sessions every Saturday under the Astronomy Tower.
They learned how to:
Set protection circles with turmeric and rock salt.
Seal letters with mantras instead of wax.
Detect hexes using floating mustard seeds.
Even Malfoy tried to act chill, asking, "So, what's your source of magic again?"
Aarav smirked. "Every god in the Indian pantheon."
Malfoy muttered, "Overkill."
Aarav winked. "Or just vibes."
---
🐍 Bonus: Ssilinth Visits
Later that week, Ssilinth the snake slithered into the Slytherin common room, now fully approved as "house mascot."
Aarav had fitted him with a small golden turban and a name tag.
The Slytherins no longer feared him.
They just asked questions like:
"Is snake yoga a thing?"
"Can we charm our eyeliner like you charmed that ring of fire?"
"Is it true you once turned a dementor into a disco ball?"
Aarav didn't confirm or deny anything. He just drank his chai and said:
"There's more to magic than wands and drama, friends. Try wisdom and snacks."