Alastair woke before dawn out of habit. Blake had departed Hogwarts in the early hours of the morning.
The final examinations were over, the professors had largely finished grading, and only a couple of weeks remained before the Hogwarts Express carried everyone home for the summer. The tension that had filled the corridors throughout exam season had completely vanished, replaced by students laughing in groups, playing impromptu games on the lawns, or simply enjoying the rare freedom that came before the holidays.
It was a pleasant change of pace.
After breakfast, Alastair informed the first-year Slytherins that everyone was to gather in the Dueling Hall for dinner that evening.
The dueling hall itself had remained closed throughout the examination period. No practice sessions had been permitted while students prepared for their tests, but with exams concluded there was no reason it couldn't be used again.
The house-elves, ever accommodating, had happily agreed to help.
By the time evening arrived, long dining table had been arranged on the polished stone floor where students normally sparred. Warm lanterns floated beneath the enchanted ceiling, casting a comfortable glow over the room, while platters of food continuously appeared as eager house-elves worked unseen.
One after another, the first-year Slytherins arrived.
Adrian Pucey came in with Marcus Flint, already arguing over the upcoming Quidditch tournament finals. Nyx and Selene entered together, followed shortly by Theodore Nott, who quietly observed everything as usual. Terence Higgs looked particularly cheerful now that examinations were behind him, while the rest quickly filled the seats until every member of the year's slytherin cohort was present.
It wasn't an official gathering.
There were no prefects overseeing them and no professors attending.
It was simply a dinner shared by classmates who had spent an entire year growing together.
Conversations gradually died down as Alastair stood at the head of the central table.
He glanced across the familiar faces before speaking.
"Everyone, you've all done a great job this year."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried effortlessly through the hall.
"I expect to see every one of your names near the top when the rankings are announced. Some of the Ravenclaws may edge us out in theory, but I'm confident we outperformed every other house during the practical examinations."
Several smiles appeared around the room, accompanied by more than a few confident nods.
No one disagreed with that assessment.
Slytherin's first years had spent the entire year refining their spellwork, dueling ability, and practical application of magic. Whatever advantage Ravenclaw possessed in written knowledge, Slytherin had more than compensated for through disciplined training.
"Soon we'll all be leaving for summer vacation," Alastair continued. "I hope everyone enjoys the break, but don't waste it entirely."
That earned a few amused groans.
He chuckled softly before continuing.
"Set yourselves a goal for next year. It doesn't have to be something extraordinary. Just decide what you want to improve."
His gaze shifted toward Adrian.
"Adrian, I remember you telling me that you intend to earn the Chaser position on the Slytherin Quidditch Team."
Adrian grinned without the slightest embarrassment.
"I still do."
Alastair nodded before looking toward another familiar face.
"Terence, you wanted to become Seeker."
Terence straightened in his seat.
"I haven't changed my mind."
"Good."
Alastair smiled.
"Spend the summer working toward those goals. Fly whenever you can, train your reflexes, improve your endurance. If that's what you truly want, then make sure you're ready when the trials begin."
His eyes moved around the rest of the table.
"The same goes for everyone else."
Whether it was mastering a difficult branch of magic, improving wand control, reading advanced textbooks, brewing more complex potions, or preparing for club selections, every student had something they wished to accomplish.
"Choose your own objectives," he said. "No one else can decide them for you."
He paused briefly before adding something that drew everyone's complete attention.
"Next year, we'll no longer be the youngest students in Slytherin."
That simple statement carried more weight than any lengthy speech.
There would soon be another group of nervous eleven-year-olds walking beneath the Sorting Hat.
And they would naturally look toward the second years for guidance.
"You should all be ready to help the incoming first years settle into the house. Show them what it means to be part of Slytherin. Teach them properly, just as our seniors guided us."
Several students unconsciously straightened their backs.
Being relied upon by younger students felt strangely significant.
For the first time, they would not simply be followers.
They would become examples.
Alastair picked up his goblet filled with pumpkin juice.
"To Slytherin."
Every student rose almost instinctively.
Dozens of goblets lifted into the air together.
"For Slytherin!"
The hall echoed with their united voices before the sound of clinking goblets filled the room.
The atmosphere immediately relaxed again.
Dinner became lively as conversations sprang up across every table.
Marcus and Adrian resumed debating Quidditch tactics, each insisting the other understood absolutely nothing about proper formations. Terence enthusiastically discussed different broom models with a few classmates while Nyx and Selene spoke about their plans for the holidays. Theodore occasionally contributed a dry observation that somehow made the entire table laugh despite his perfectly serious expression.
For a few hours, there were no examinations, no ancient family politics, no succession disputes, and no expectations weighing upon anyone's shoulders.
They were simply first-year students enjoying one final evening together before the school year came to an end.
Eventually the plates emptied, conversations slowed, and students began preparing to leave.
As everyone gathered their things, Alastair stood once more.
"There is one more thing."
The room quieted again.
"I'll officially be opening my projector shop during the summer."
That immediately caught everyone's attention.
Most of the students already knew fragments of the project, but hearing that it was finally becoming a real business generated an excited murmur throughout the hall.
"I'll send invitations to all of you before the opening."
A smile spread across his face.
"I hope you'll come."
"We wouldn't miss it," Adrian replied almost immediately.
"Definitely," Selene agreed.
"You'd better save us the best seats," Marcus added with a grin.
Laughter spread through the hall once more.
Watching their genuine enthusiasm, Alastair found himself smiling a little wider.
The projector business would mark another important step in his plans, but more than that, tonight reminded him of something equally valuable.
Power, influence, and noble titles could shape the future of magical Britain, yet friendships built through shared experiences possessed a value that politics could never replace.
As the first-year Slytherins gradually left the Dueling Hall in small groups, still chatting and laughing among themselves, Alastair lingered behind for a moment.
The hall that had witnessed countless duels throughout the year now stood quiet once again.
When they returned after the summer, they would no longer be uncertain first years finding their place within Hogwarts.
They would be second years, carrying greater expectations, greater responsibilities, and undoubtedly greater challenges.
And Alastair intended to ensure that Slytherin House would continue to rise alongside him.
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