[Revisions: Tuesday, July 16, 2024]

Basil reached the Great Hall, his eyes widening at the spread of food on the tables. He was about to head towards the Slytherin table when he heard his name called out.

"Basil!" Hermione's voice rang out from the side.

Turning with a warm smile, Basil greeted Hermione with open arms as she rushed over and embraced him.

"Hey, Hermione," Basil chuckled, patting her back gently. "Seems like you're enjoying Hogwarts."

Hermione, her eyes sparkling with excitement, couldn't contain her joy. "It's incredible! I can't believe I'm here."

Basil grinned at her enthusiasm. "What's been your favorite class so far?"

"Transfiguration, definitely," Hermione replied eagerly. "Learning how to change objects and creatures into different forms is challenging but fascinating."

Basil's expression softened, finding Hermione's passion endearing. "I've heard great things about it. Me? I think I'm leaning towards Herbology. Something about working with plants, magical or not, feels like home."

"I don't think that's weird at all," Hermione assured him with a smile.

As they chatted, Hermione asked what class he just had.

" I had Potions with Professor Snape. It was exciting but tense. However, it got awkward when I saw how Professor Snape treated my brother during class. I just finished talking to him when I got here." Basil explained.

Hermione's eyes widened in concern. " Are you alright?

" I'm fine. I wanted to know why Professor Snape was harsh on my brother. Well, it turns out it was something personal between him and my father during their Hogwarts days. He assured me he'll try to differentiate my brother from my father." Basil looked relieved.

" Professor Snape was also worried that Harry would turn out arrogant because he was a Wizarding celebrity and how he treated me earlier in the courtyard. He and his friends were picking on a Hufflepuff student, Neville. They nearly destroyed his plant, but he's okay now." He assured.

Hermione frowned. "That's awful. Why would they do such a thing?"

Basil shook his head, frustration and sadness crossing his features. "I wish I knew. My brother wasn't like this before Hogwarts. He's changed greatly since everyone started treating him like a hero."

Hermione looked at Basil sympathetically, then reached into her bag and pulled out a book, offering it to him.

"Here, maybe this will give you some insight," Hermione suggested. "It's about your brother—what the Wizarding world thinks of him."

Basil took the book, eyeing the title skeptically: Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived and Saved the Wizarding World. He nodded gratefully, tucking it away in his bag. "Thanks, Hermione. I'll give it a read."

Hermione smiled warmly at him.

"Hey!" Harry's voice interrupted, drawing Basil's attention.

Basil turned to see Harry and Ron approaching them.

"Great," Basil muttered under his breath, earning a worried glance from Hermione.

"What do you want, Harry?" Basil asked, meeting his brother's gaze steadily.

"What did Professor Snape tell you? I saw you leave the classroom after everyone else left." Harry demanded.

Basil responded. "Just know that Professor Snape will be more lenient from now on. But, if he treats you poorly after I spoke with him, it must be that you probably didn't do your work."

"See, Harry. Your brother controls the greasy bastard since he is in Slytherin and is the so-called Hogwarts Champion." Ron interjected rudely.

Basil glanced at Hermione, who mirrored his surprise at Ron's comment. "Greasy bastard?" Basil mouthed silently to her before turning back to Ron. "Are you talking about yourself? Seems like you haven't seen a shower in a while," he remarked, eyeing Ron's unkempt hair.

Ron's face turned as red as his hair, glaring at Basil.

"Leave Ron alone, Basil," Harry snapped. " And I think he's right. Since Professor Snape is your Head of House, I wouldn't be surprised that you complained to him about me because of how I have been treating you lately, and that is why he started being harsh on me in class." He glared.

"Why would I want Professor Snape to make a scene of you?" Basil retorted, annoyed. "You're my brother, for Merlin's sake. Professor Snape wouldn't have called you out if you weren't paying attention in class!"

Hermione stifled a giggle, catching Ron's attention.

"Why are you here?" Ron demanded, suddenly noticing Hermione.

"She's my friend," Basil stated plainly.

"But you're Muggleborn! Why would you want to be friends with a Slytherin? They hate Muggleborns!" Ron accused, stepping closer to Hermione.

Hermione's expression turned cautious, reminded of bullies from her Muggle primary school days.

Basil's eyes narrowed, instinctively stepping between Ron and Hermione, pushing Ron back. "You have no right to speak to Hermione—or me—like that," he said firmly.

"You're lucky I'm holding back," Ron growled, shaking angrily. "I could easily take you down."

Basil sighed, shaking his head. "Ron, just stop. You're only making things worse for yourself."

The hallway filled with students began to pay attention, watching the confrontation unfold. Among them were Fred and George Weasley, who noticed the commotion and approached.

"George, do you think we should intervene?" Fred asked quietly.

"I heard from a first-year that Ron's already lost Gryffindor points today," George replied.

They glanced over at the Gryffindor house hourglasses, noticing the first-year hourglass had negative ninety points.

"As punishment, maybe we should let this Slytherin handle it," Fred suggested with a smirk.

George nodded in agreement. "And it's Basil Potter, after all."

Meanwhile, Harry's frustration boiled over. He clenched his fists, preparing to charge at Basil.

"Harry, stop!" Hermione cried out, closing her eyes in fear.

Basil stood his ground, readying himself as Harry rushed forward. George notices Harry's intent and swiftly moves to block him.

"Ah-ah-ah," George scolded, grabbing Harry's arm firmly. "Not a good idea right now."

"George? Fred? What are you two doing? Don't you see this Slytherin hurt Ron?" Harry protested, glaring at his brothers.

Fred shook his head, watching Basil with a curious expression. "Ron must've done or said something bad to get our new Hogwarts champion riled up."

"That punch seemed pretty effective," George commented, impressed. "With those muscles we saw at King's Cross, Basil's no pushover."

"And it's only the first day," Basil remarked wryly. "You two are trying hard to get noticed, but maybe not like this."

Ron, still seething, attempted another charge at Basil, fists raised.

"Basil, watch out!" Hermione shouted, her worry evident.

Basil swiftly reacted, grabbing Ron's arm, twisting it, and flipping him over his shoulder. Ron hit the ground hard, groaning in pain.

Harry stared at Basil in disbelief, torn between anger and concern for Ron.

"Enough," Basil said firmly, looking down at Ron. "I won't let you speak to Hermione—or anyone—like that."

Fred and George exchanged a look, nodding to each other before moving to intervene if needed.

Ron, clutching his arm, glared up at Basil with resentment. He didn't like being humiliated in front of the whole school.

Basil glanced back, blinking in surprise as he saw Fred and George holding Harry back.

"You know how it is with twins," Fred remarked to George.

"Yeah, I would never want to hate you, Fred," George replied.

Harry looked incredulously at the Weasley twins. He couldn't believe they weren't defending Ron.

"We know our little brother. He loves stirring up trouble," George added, glancing at Harry.

"Yeah, Ronald's always been a drama seeker," Fred chimed in with a smirk. "Though he's getting attention now, it's not the best kind."

With the fight defused students began to disperse from the hallway.

Hermione opened her eyes, relieved to see the confrontation over. She turned to Basil with concern etched on her face.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

"I'm fine. And you?" Basil replied, his gaze gentle.

"I'm okay," Hermione reassured him.

"Hermione! Basil!" Blaise's voice called out as he and others caught up with them.

"We're fine. Basil protected me," Hermione said with a grateful smile, looking at Blaise.

Blaise nodded, his eyes narrowing as he glanced briefly at Ron on the ground.

Draco joined them, pausing near Harry and the Weasley twins.

"Tsk tsk tsk," Draco shook his head, catching Harry's attention. "Trying so hard to fit in, Shadow."

Harry frowned deeply at the nickname. It reminded him too much of his childhood, always in Basil's shadow in the Muggle world.

"Don't call me that," Harry retorted, though he knew he was powerless with the Weasley twins holding him back.

"Call you what? A shadow? But that's what you are," Draco sneered, eyeing Harry's untidy black hair.

Harry shook with anger, tears welling in his eyes.

"Someone about to cry?" Draco mocked, finding amusement in Harry's distress.

Before Draco could say more, Basil intervened.

"Let's go, Draco. I'm starving," Basil said, approaching Draco and resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes," Draco nodded, allowing Basil to lead him towards the Great Hall with the others following.

The Weasley twins released Harry and watched the group enter the Great Hall.

"Let's take Ronaldkins to the hospital wing," Fred suggested, moving towards Ron.

"Aw, we'll miss lunch. But Lee'll have us covered," George grinned, slinging Ron's arm over his shoulder.

Harry stood there, staring at the departing Weasley twins in disbelief.

"Why didn't you help your brother?" Harry demanded, watching Fred and George support Ron.

The twins exchanged a glance before looking back at Harry.

"Basil's your brother too. Why weren't you defending him?" George asked pointedly.

"He's in Slytherin," Harry muttered.

"So?" Fred raised an eyebrow. "Look at those two," he nodded towards the Patil twins. "Different houses, still best mates."

"You know, if George and I got sorted into different houses, I'd still be there for him," Fred added, helping George carry Ron as they walked away.

Harry stood alone in the corridor, conflicted. He looked over at Basil, who seemed happy with his Slytherin friends. Part of him wanted to stand by his older brother, but another part, selfish and jealous, wanted to eliminate him, to be an only child with all the attention.