Hogwarts, Map Chamber
Solus stood in front of Stella and Albus.
They had placed two chairs facing the map table. Like an impromptu audience.
In his hands, Solus held his notes. Pages of parchment with excerpts from Corvus's journals, historical facts, and the conclusions he had written.
"Ready?" he asked.
Stella nodded.
"Go ahead". Solus took a deep breath. And began. "A thousand years ago, when Hogwarts had just been founded, four wizards came together to create a refuge. Everyone knows their names: Godric Gryffindor. Helga Hufflepuff. Rowena Ravenclaw... and Salazar Slytherin". His voice was steady. Rehearsed. "But there is a fifth name history forgot... Corvus Slytherin. Salazar's younger brother. User of Ancient Magic. And the man who truly ran Hogwarts after Salazar left".
He paused.
"Today I want to tell you his story. Not because he is a Slytherin. But because his legacy teaches us something we need to remember: magic has no borders. And true power is not in the blood. It is in what we choose to build."
Stella raised her hand.
"Stop a moment".
Solus stopped.
"What?"
"That introduction is good. But something is missing."
"What is missing?"
"Emotion. You sound like you're reading a textbook." Stella leaned forward. "You need to make the audience care. From the first sentence."
Albus nodded.
"Stella is right. It's too... formal."
Solus frowned.
"So how do I start?"
Stella thought about it.
"Start with a question. Something that makes people think."
"Like what?"
"Like..." Stella looked at the ceiling. "What would you do if you knew your legacy would be forgotten? If everything you built disappeared in a hundred years? Was it worth it?"
Solus looked at her.
'That is perfect.'
"Okay. I'll try again."
Solus started over.
"What would you do if you knew your legacy would be forgotten?"
His voice was different now. More personal.
"If everything you built disappeared in a hundred years. If your name was erased from history books. Was it still worth it?"
He paused.
"A thousand years ago, a man faced that question. His name was Corvus Slytherin. And his answer changed Hogwarts forever".
"Better," Stella said. "Much better."
"Go on," Albus encouraged.
Solus continued.
He spoke about Corvus's philosophy. His belief that blood didn't matter. His rejection of Salazar's pure-blood vision.
He quoted excerpts from the journals:
"Corvus wrote in 994 AD: 'My brother sees threats. I see potential. Muggle-born children are no less wizards than us. They just need someone to teach them.'"
He spoke about his students. The twenty-three apprentices from all over the world. How many founded schools or became leaders in the magic world.
He spoke about his death. Defending Hogwarts alone. Sealing the castle with Ancient Magic.
And finally, he spoke about the lesson:
"Corvus taught us that legacy is not what you leave when you die. It is how you live. It is whom you teach. It is what you build".
He paused.
"And today, while the magical world faces another crisis, the Exposure Crisis, we need to remember that. We need to remember that magic was always about uniting, not dividing. About teaching, not hoarding. About building something bigger than ourselves".
When he finished, there was silence.
Then Stella applauded.
"That was amazing, Solus."
"Really?"
"Yes. Especially the end. The part about the Exposure Crisis. It makes the story relevant."
Albus nodded.
"But there is one thing..."
"What?"
"When you talk about his death... your voice changes. It becomes... darker."
Solus blinked.
"Darker how?"
"Like you're talking about someone you knew. Someone you miss." Albus looked at him. "I don't know how to explain it. But it's like the story is personal to you."
Solus went still.
'It is personal. Because I am Corvus.'
'Those are my journals. My life. My death'.
But he couldn't say that.
"It's just that... I care about the story," he said finally. "I want to do it justice."
"You are doing it," Stella assured. "Trust me."
They practiced (practised) the presentation three more times.
Each time, Solus adjusted something. A gesture. A pause. The way he emphasized certain words.
By the third time, it flowed naturally.
"Perfect," Stella said. "You're ready."
"Are you sure?"
"Completely."
Albus smiled.
"You're going to impress everyone, Solus."
. . . . .
Library, 2:00 PM
After the rehearsal, Solus went to the library to return some books on magical history he had used for research.
He was in the History section when he heard a voice behind him.
"Gray."
He turned.
Katya Volkov was standing between the shelves (stacks), arms crossed and an evaluating expression.
"Volkov."
"I heard your presentation is almost ready."
"How did you know that?"
"Durmstrang values information. And I value being informed." Katya approached. "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Why Corvus Slytherin? Of all the subjects you could have chosen, why him?"
Solus studied her.
'What does she really want to know?'
"Because he was unfairly forgotten. And someone has to remember him."
"Is that all?"
"What else would there be?"
Katya looked at him for a long moment.
"At Durmstrang, they teach that Corvus was the last true master of Ancient Magic. That he sealed knowledge before dying. Knowledge that could change how we understand magic."
"You already told me that."
"Yes. But I didn't ask you something important." Katya leaned forward. "Did you find anything? When you were researching."
Silence.
'She is fishing. She wants to know if I discovered the Chamber.'
"I only found what is in public books," Solus said with a neutral voice. "Published journals. Historical records. Nothing secret."
"What a pity."
"Why do you care so much?"
Katya smiled.
"Because my family has searched for Corvus's legacy for generations. And if someone finally finds it, I want to know."
"Your family?"
"The Volkovs are descendants of one of Corvus's apprentices. A wizard who studied with him in 1050 AD." Katya touched the Durmstrang crest on her robes. "That's why I came here. To look for what he left."
Solus processed that.
'Descendant of a Corvus apprentice.'
'That means we are technically... legacy allies.'
'Or competitors.'
"And if someone finds it?" Solus asked. "What would you do?"
"I would learn from them. Or help them. Depending on their intentions." Katya straightened up. "Corvus was a teacher. And teachers teach. They don't hoard". She paused. "I hope you remember that, Gray. If you ever find what you're looking for."
And she left.
Solus remained standing between the shelves (stacks).
'She suspects. She doesn't know. But she suspects there is more than I am saying.'
'Is it a problem?'
'Not yet.'
'But it could be.'
. . . . .
Slytherin Common Room, 6:00 PM
That night, Hadrian Rosier approached Solus.
"Gray. Do you have a moment?"
"Sure."
They walked to a quieter corner.
"I've heard things about your presentation," Rosier said. "Good things. Amélie says the topic is brilliant."
"Thanks."
"And Cassandra says you are taking it very seriously. That you have been researching intensely."
"It's an important topic."
"I agree." Rosier leaned against the wall. "But I want to ensure something."
"What?"
"That you aren't pressuring yourself too much. I know... the last few weeks have been difficult for you."
Solus tensed slightly.
"I'm fine."
"Gray, you don't have to pretend with me." Rosier's voice was soft. Genuine. "We all know about your mother. And no one would judge you if you needed a break."
"I don't need a break. I need to do this."
Rosier nodded slowly.
"Alright. But if at any point it becomes too much, tell me. We can postpone your presentation. Or get someone else to do it."
"It won't be too much."
"Good." Rosier smiled. "Then I look forward to Saturday. We all do."
After Rosier left, Stella appeared next to Solus.
"What were you talking about?"
"About the presentation."
"Was he pressuring you?"
"No. On the contrary. He offered me a break."
Stella frowned.
"And isn't that suspicious?"
"Why would it be suspicious?"
"Because Rosier never does anything without a reason. If he's offering you a break, it's because he wants something."
Solus thought about it.
'Maybe Stella is right.'
'Maybe Rosier wants to see if I am loyal to the group. If I prioritize my commitment over my personal pain.'
'Or maybe he's just being kind.'
'It's impossible to know.'
"I'm going to do the presentation," Solus said. "Whatever happens."
"I know," Stella said. "Just... be careful with Rosier. I don't trust him completely."
"Me neither."
. . . . .
Night, 10:00 PM
Before sleeping, Solus reviewed his notes one last time.
The presentation was ready.
The words were memorized.
The message was clear.
Four days.
Four days until the Cultural Exchange Ball.
Four days to prepare.
He lay down.
He closed his eyes.
And visualized the moment.
Standing in front of the whole school. Professors. Students from all houses. Exchanges from all schools.
Speaking about a man who died a thousand years ago.
A man who had been him.
'Can I do it?'
'Can I stand there and talk about my own death as if it were history?'
'Yes.'
'Because it's not just about me.'
'It's about legacy.'
'About remembering.'
'About honoring (honouring) those who came before.'
'And about building something that lasts.'
Solus opened his eyes.
'I'm ready.'