Hogwarts in the shadows

As the golden rain dissipated and the long sword disappeared.

Everything returned to calm, as if everything that had just happened was just a bubble.

The people around were still immersed in shock.

They staggered around, looking at everything that was happening before their eyes with horror on their faces.

Dumbledore's hand holding the wand was also shaking slightly.

Finally, he slowly lowered his arms, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Hephis walked slowly towards the Goblet of Fire, and every step he took seemed to be in the heartbeat of everyone.

He took out the parchment he had prepared long ago and put it into the Goblet of Fire.

He whispered to the Goblet of Fire, "I scared you, don't be afraid, my hands are steady."

Only after his hand left did the red flame of the Goblet of Fire reappear.

It formed a smiling face, but it looked like a bitter smile no matter how you looked at it.

Suddenly, deafening applause broke out in the auditorium, and the sound waves almost blew off the ceiling of the auditorium.

Hephis slowly walked out of the auditorium amid the applause of the crowd.

He smiled politely as he passed Madame Maxime.

Madame Maxime looked at Hefez with complicated eyes, as if there was a dark cloud over her head.

The little Slytherin snakes stared at Hephis' back with an almost worshipful look.

Then they followed him out of the auditorium in unison and silently.

None of them put their names into the Goblet of Fire again.

Because in their hearts, once Hephis succeeds, the only warrior of Hogwarts can be Hephis.

At noon, the little snakes held a small celebration party in the Slytherin lounge.

It was as if Hephis had already won the Triwizard Tournament.

"Please say a few words! Everyone is waiting for you." Draco whispered beside Hephes.

Hephes looked around, and his deep eyes reflected faces filled with joy and admiration.

He couldn't help but think of what happened an hour ago.

He had just come downstairs and walked into the common room.

Then he saw all the little snakes lined up neatly in two rows, standing in the lounge, waiting for his arrival.

Those somewhat immature faces were all filled with determination and trust.

At that moment, a surge of blood rushed to his heart.

He raised his right arm involuntarily and shouted, "For Slytherin."

All the little snakes were also excited, and they shouted in unison, "For Slytherin."

Hephis was under the shouts and gazes of the little snakes.

He walked through two rows of people and led the Slytherins into the hall.

He tapped the cup in his hand gently with the spoon.

There was a crisp sound of metal hitting glass.

The little snakes' faces lost their playful expressions, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and anticipation.

There was a fiery light in Hephes' eyes.

"Dear partners, thank you for your company."

"In the past decade or so, everyone has lost a lot of loved ones."

"We have encountered difficulties and obstacles, and have been questioned and challenged by the outside world."

"Slytherin, this name has long been filled with misunderstanding and prejudice."

"But please remember that it is the silent dedication of everyone here that protects the glory and dignity of Slytherin."

"I am here to pay you my deepest respects."

"I know why you've gathered together, and I know why you've gathered here."

"Because of the dreams and desires in my heart, as well as the persistence."

"You will witness the beginning of a new era."

"We will serve as leaders and lead all wizards out of this cage."

"We will come together to lead Slytherin to the supreme and unrivaled pinnacle of glory!"

"Glory will belong to us! To Slytherin!"

As soon as Hephis finished speaking, the little snakes around him shouted in unison as if they were ignited by flames.

"Glory will belong to us! To Slytherin!"

"No!" A discordant voice rang out loudly.

The little snakes' faces froze instantly.

They looked around frantically in anger, trying to find the person who made the sound.

Soon they found that person, it was Draco standing next to Hephis.

Draco seemed to be holding his breath at this moment, his face flushed, and his body was still shaking slightly.

Of course Hephis noticed it immediately, it was Draco's voice.

He looked at Draco in surprise. Even the dumbest person would not raise objections at a time when the crowd was so excited.

What's more, this person is actually Draco.

Draco took several deep breaths.

He first looked at Hephes, and saw a pair of eyes that were full of doubt but tolerance.

Then he slowly glanced around.

He summoned up his courage and shouted loudly.

"Slytherin's glory has passed. This era, the pinnacle of glory, belongs to Hephes Dam."

"Belongs to my master, Lord Dormammu."

Draco said as everyone stared at him in astonishment.

He slowly knelt down in front of Hephes, prostrating himself on the ground.

"Although I have not passed your test yet, I beg you to grant me the Shadow Flame."

Hephis looked at Draco with complicated eyes.

He took Lucius in for the sake of self-interest and treated him as a useful tool.

But to Draco, he always treated him as a friend.

He understood what Draco was doing.

It was to consolidate his authority so that he could recruit these little snakes under his command more quickly.

But who is he?

This is Hephaest Dam.

He lifted up Draco with his magic, his tone full of sincerity, "Draco, I have always regarded you as a friend."

Draco's eyes were slightly red, and he murmured, "I know, I know..."

Hephis took Draco's right hand and pulled up his sleeve, revealing his arm underneath.

He tapped it lightly with his finger, and a black and gold flame pattern quietly emerged.

Draco suddenly felt warm and the magic power in his body was increasing rapidly.

He looked at the flame on his arm in a daze.

He never expected that what Hephis gave him was the Guardian Flame.

His father Lucius had seen the power of this guardian flame in Theodore.

He was also told to try his best to protect the flame if he had the chance.

He just didn't expect Hephis to give it to him so easily.

"Lord..." Draco just opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Hephis: "Call me Hephis."

Draco nodded heavily, "Hephis."

Hephis lifted Draco's arm and showed the mark of fire to everyone.

"This is my symbol, and a symbol of loyalty and strength."

"When you need it, you can use it to borrow my power. Remember, the more devout your faith, the greater the power you can borrow."

"I call those who are loyal to me and willing to serve me Shadow Servant."