Hogwarts in the shadows

"Very good." Lupin said calmly, "But students, this is probably the easiest part. You know, just reciting the spell is far from enough."

"Neville, you are the first." Lupin looked at Neville.

The wardrobe containing the Boggart began to shake again, but Neville's trembling was more obvious.

He moved forward with difficulty, as if he was rushing to the execution ground.

"Neville," Lupin's voice was full of encouragement, "First, tell me, what is your greatest fear?"

Neville's lips trembled slightly, but the sound was locked in his throat.

Lupin smiled, "I'm sorry, Neville, I didn't hear you."

Neville looked around, his eyes showing a signal for help, and finally he said in a voice almost like a whisper: "Professor Snape."

As soon as this sentence was uttered, laughter broke out in the classroom, and almost everyone was amused by this answer.

Hephes' heart sank suddenly, something bad was going to happen.

He stood directly at the front of the team.

Lupin seemed lost in thought, "Professor Snape... um... Neville, I remember you lived with your grandmother, right?"

"Yes...yes," Neville replied nervously, "but I don't want the Boggart to look like her."

"No, no, Neville, you don't understand me." Lupin explained with a smile.

"Can you tell us what your grandmother usually wears?"

Hephis narrowed his eyes. There was something else in Lupin's words, as if he was deliberately guiding Neville.

It seems that this werewolf needs some warning!

"Neville, let's step back and give you enough space." Lupin said encouragingly.

Neville stood still while the rest of the students moved back to the wall.

Hephes only took two steps back, his expression becoming increasingly cold.

Neville's face was as pale as paper. He gritted his teeth, rolled up the sleeves of his robe, and held his wand tightly.

"When I count to three, Neville," Lupin pointed his wand at the wardrobe, "one... two... three... go!"

A burst of sparks erupted from the tip of his wand and hit the closet door handle directly.

The wardrobe door was flung open and a gloomy-looking Professor Snape walked out, his eyes staring sharply at Neville.

"Slippery...funny!" Neville screamed.

Boggart Snape seemed to have tripped, and its clothes just changed color.

The magic power from Hephis surged out like a tide, sweeping across the entire classroom in an instant.

Everyone felt an indescribable sense of oppression, and their breathing came to a standstill.

This magical power was like an invisible cage, pressing heavily on the Boggart, instantly turning it into a twisting, wriggling black mist.

Hephis's voice was cold and firm, echoing in the classroom.

"Remus Lupin, you have no respect for your fellow professors."

He walked towards Lupin step by step, pouring out all his aura towards Lupin without reservation.

Lupin's face was pale and his eyes were full of fear.

He clearly remembered the last time he felt this kind of momentum, which was when the Potters died and Dumbledore exploded in anger.

"I... I just want to help Neville overcome his fear." He gritted his teeth and answered.

He clenched the wand tightly in his hand, but his body was unable to move.

"Put away your ridiculous little tricks, Remus Lupin." Hephis's voice was as cold as ice.

"You don't even feel a hint of guilt towards Professor Snape."

Beads of sweat appeared on Lupin's forehead. He tried to defend himself, "I..."

"You are not innocent, Remus Lupin."

The shadow under Hephis kept squirming. He recalled Snape's words and tried his best to suppress the anger in his heart.

Lupin wanted to explain, but his words became fragmented under Hephis's sharp gaze: "I... I didn't even..."

"Have you ever repented? Even a little bit." Hephes was unmoved.

"I..." Lupin opened his mouth but could not utter a word, and the wand in his hand rolled to the ground.

"Lupin, it seems that you don't know how to be grateful."

Hephis looked down at Lupin who was already slumped on the ground. "It is because of Professor Snape that you can leave that dark and stinking ditch and stay here."

He waved his wand and there was a sound like an explosion.

Under this powerful force, the Bogut exploded into wisps of smoke and disappeared without a trace in an instant.

"Remember Remus Lupin," Hephis turned and left, his voice echoing in the classroom, "Don't do it again."

Draco immediately followed Hephis, and the other Slytherin snakes hesitated for a moment before following suit.

Hermione looked at Hephis's back, gritted her teeth, and chased after him.

When he reached the end of the corridor, Hephis finally stopped.

He turned around and looked at the little snakes following him.

"Very good, you didn't let me down." Hephis's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone.

A big black snake suddenly appeared under his feet, holding up his body so that all the small snakes could see him clearly.

"Tell me, what is the spirit of Slytherin?"

Draco immediately shouted: "Glory!"

"Some people say that Slytherins are all selfish, cunning and sinister."

Hephis's eyes swept through the crowd and he saw Hermione at the end of the crowd, but he knew that he couldn't stop today.

"I used to look down on Slytherin and didn't even understand why I was sorted into Slytherin."

The little snakes were in an uproar and began to whisper.

"But when I really got to know Slytherin, I was very glad and I was honored for it." His voice was full of pride.

"Salazar Slytherin, he was born in a quagmire. With his meticulous mind and ruthless means, he brought a glimmer of hope to the wizards of the time."

"We worship strength and aspire to be the strongest. We are ambitious and willing to pay any price for our pursuit, even if it means giving up our dignity and subverting our beliefs."

“We pursue the pinnacle of life, but we never act recklessly. We insist on doing the right thing, even in the face of endless misunderstandings and confusion.”

"Our pursuit can be interests, rights, family affection, or love."

"We have a clear distinction between what we love and hate, and we never hide our true feelings."

"Go and get back the glory that belongs to Slytherin!"

"Make Slytherin proud of us!"

Hephes' voice is full of temptation that can penetrate people's hearts.

The giant snake carried Hephaestus and slid slowly away from the second-floor corridor, leaving behind a group of dazed little snakes.

Hermione did not chase after him. She looked at Hephis's departing back and fell into deep thought.