[Revisions: Tuesday, July 16, 2024]

Two hours later, Study Hall ended, and the students began heading to the Great Hall for dinner. Basil walked with his friends, feeling cautious since he wanted to avoid interacting with his younger brother and the Headmaster. They entered the Great Hall, and the first-year Slytherins waved goodbye to Hermione as they watched her walk towards the Ravenclaw table and sit down with her Housemates.

"I wonder what we will be eating," Blaise murmured, hungry.

"All you think about is food," Theodore teased.

"That's because I am starving right now!" Blaise snapped.

Theodore held his hands up in surrender.

Basil and his friends approached the Slytherin table and sat in their usual seats. Basil softly smiled when he saw a plate of food and a drink appear before him.

"Thank you for the food," Basil whispered. He grabbed his fork and began to eat his dinner.

Throughout dinner, Basil looked distant because he couldn't stop thinking about his interaction with Headmaster Dumbledore earlier and how the older male tried to examine his thoughts.

'Why?' Basil internally spoke. 'Why does the Headmaster favor my brother but hate me?' He frowned. 'I didn't do anything to him.' He grabbed his drink and took a sip.

Draco glanced at Basil, and he could see the redhead looking distressed. He grabbed the other male's hand and lightly grasped it.

Basil's bright green eyes blinked, turning his gaze to Draco. He noticed the other male looking at him with a concerned expression.

"Sorry," Basil murmured. "It's my first day here at Hogwarts, and yet I feel as though I have a lot on my plate," he softly spoke. "I don't know why Hogwarts chose me as Her Champion." He lightly played with his food using the fork.

"Well, I think Hogwarts chose you as Her Champion because you are kind, loyal, intelligent, brave, and determined to show everyone you aren't your brother's shadow," Draco looked at Basil and warmly smiled at him.

Basil stared at Draco with mixed emotions. He shyly looked away and continued to eat his dinner, feeling touched to have someone as kind as Draco in his life.

"Thank you. It means a lot hearing it from you," Basil whispered.

Draco nodded. He looked away and continued eating his dinner, relieved that he could make Basil feel better.

An hour later, dinner ended, and the Headmaster bid the students goodnight, informing them that their curfew was at 9 pm, which meant they had two hours of spare time to do whatever they wanted.

Basil turned his head back and stared at the Gryffindor table. His bright green eyes intently stared at his younger brother.

Harry looked forward and saw his older brother stare at him from the Slytherin table. He stared at the redhead bitterly, thinking it was his brother's fault for him losing so many points for Gryffindor.

Basil looked away when he saw his younger brother stare at him bitterly. "Hey. I am heading to the Common Room. Who wants to walk with me?" he asked while standing up.

"We'll go with you," Basil's friends responded, and they stood, walking out of the Great Hall with the redhead.

Severus and Professor Quirrell silently watched Basil leave the Great Hall and head to the dungeons. The two males glanced at Headmaster Dumbledore and noticed the older male stare fondly at the Gryffindor table, notably Harry.

'Of course, this idiot will favor Harry more than Basil,' Severus and Professor Quirrell internally spoke.

"Have a good evening, everyone," Severus stood, causing all the Professors and Headmaster Dumbledore to stare at him.

"Where are you going?" Headmaster Dumbledore asked.

"As the Head of House of Slytherin, I must ensure that my Snakes are behaving in the Common Room," Severus spoke, and he excused himself, leaving the Great Hall for the dungeons.

"I-I must get-get going," Professor Quirrell stuttered. "Have a good evening." He waved goodbye, excusing himself and leaving the Great Hall for the DADA classroom, where his office was also his bedroom.

Professor McGonagall glanced at Headmaster Dumbledore, remembering Severus had something to tell her about the person beside her. She watched Harry leave the Great Hall with his friends and Gryffindor housemates.

"Have a good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore. I am heading to the Kitchens to check up on the House Elves," Professor McGonagall spoke, excusing herself and leaving the Great Hall for the Kitchen near the dungeons.

Headmaster Dumbledore watched Professor McGonagall leave. He looked away and left the Great Hall, heading to the Headmaster's office.

Basil sat on a couch with Draco and Cordelia in the Slytherin Common Room. Meanwhile, Blaise, Theodore, and Daphne sat opposite them.

Severus stepped inside the Slytherin Common Room and spotted Basil. The young male noticed him, and he stood, approaching the older male.

Draco and the others watched Basil confront Severus.

"Professor Snape, can I speak with you?" Basil asked.

"Of course," Severus nodded. He opened the Salazar Slytherin portrait and stepped inside his office with Basil following behind him.

"Please take a seat," Severus motioned to the chair before his desk.

Basil sat down and watched Severus sit down in front of him.

"How are you feeling right now?" Severus asked.

"Relieved to be in my Common Room," Basil responded.

Severus's black eyes intently stared at Basil's bright green eyes.

Basil sadly sighed. "Today is my first day at Hogwarts, yet so much shit has happened," he murmured. "Sorry for my language, Professor," he apologized.

"It's understandable to feel that way," Severus reassured. "Does your head still hurt?" he asked.

Basil shook his head. "My head is feeling better now," he reassured, smiling softly at Severus.

"Um, Professor Snape, Draco tells me you are a Master Occlumen," Basil looked at Severus.

"That is correct. I am not a natural Occlumen like yourself, but I did learn and master the ability," Severus spoke.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Basil shyly stared at Severus. "But can you teach me how to master my Occlumency?" he asked. "I mean, I know I am a natural Occlumen. But what happens if I cannot protect my thoughts again like I did last time?" He looked at the older male with a scared look.

Severus hummed when he saw Basil look at him with a scared gaze.

"I can give you private lessons," Severus offered.

Basil beamed when he heard that Severus wanted to give him private lessons.

"Please!" Basil looked at Severus with a hopeful gaze.

Severus nodded. "Since Study Hall is two hours, you can do homework assignments and study for an hour. Meanwhile, we can have an Occlumency lesson for an hour before dinner. What do you say?" he asked.

"That can work," Basil nodded, relieved that Severus did not mind helping him master his Occlumency. He didn't like the feeling of his thoughts being read by someone, so knowing how to protect them would benefit him a lot in the future.

"Thank you so much, Professor! Have a good evening!" Basil excused himself, and he walked out of Severus's office.

Severus nodded, and he watched Basil leave his office. He sighed when he saw the portrait get closed. He turned his gaze to his and Lily's picture, staring at it with mixed emotions.

"Do not worry, Lily. I will ensure that no harm comes to your son," Severus reassured. He stood up, turned off the light, and headed to his bedroom for the evening.