"Everyone, I have no prejudice against you. In fact, I actually envy you. Looking through magical history, it's clear that pure-blood wizards often start with higher growth and stronger foundations than their Muggle-born counterparts."
Owen's opening sentence in the common room stunned the young snakes. But his next words made their expressions shift to pride.
"You have a natural advantage: parents who know magic, and the wealth that comes with your status. Your parents can expose you to magic early, giving you guided instruction long before school starts. The wealth they leave you means you don't have to worry about distractions; you can study and enjoy life without a single financial care."
That's right. That was the inherent advantage of being a pure-blood—or at least coming from a wizarding family.
"But what I'm curious about is this: why haven't you magnified this advantage? Why have you instead lowered yourselves to the exact same level as half-bloods, or even students from Muggle families?"
The snakes' faces fell. They understood what he meant. Owen was saying their magical skill level was no different from anyone else's.
They wanted to argue, but when they opened their mouths, no words came out. The proof was standing right in front of them. Owen came from a Muggle family, didn't he?
Yet who among them dared to say they were better than him at magic?
Forget everything else—just his wandless magic was something even seventh-years couldn't pull off.
"At first, I thought your families were intentionally keeping you balanced. But later I realized it wasn't them. It was you. You've placed your pride in all the wrong places."
Pride... in the wrong places?
"If your magic was superior to the half-bloods, you would deserve to be proud. If you made academic breakthroughs that pushed the wizarding world forward, you would deserve to be proud. But you haven't done either. You are proud solely because of your bloodline. I'm sorry, but I don't see what's so impressive about that. Your bloodline was given to you by your parents. You started on a higher platform, yet instead of jumping higher, you jumped down into the mud..."
The snakes blushed furiously.
Looking at past generations, Slytherin hadn't exactly produced many outstanding talents recently. Instead, after graduation, a disturbing number joined the ranks of Dark Wizards, becoming outcasts hunted by society.
The students knew this deep down. It was the exact point the other three Houses used to attack them constantly.
Some of the smarter snakes knew this wasn't right, but they felt helpless. Their plan was just to endure until graduation, leave, and then pretend none of it happened.
"So, what do we need to do?"
"Use your advantages."
Our advantages?
The cleverer snakes thought for a second and realized what Owen meant: Wealth.
"Right now, write to your parents and families. Ask for money. As for what the money is for... the school brooms are ancient and need replacing. Potions ingredients are always running low and need restocking. The food is too simple and needs better ingredients..."
Owen spread his hands. "There are so many places that need money. Everyone, make sure to write clearly in your letters: this money isn't for you. It's for Hogwarts. For all the students. And this is just the first step!"
Spending money to buy a reputation!
The young snakes might not have fully grasped the nuance, but their parents were experts at this game. Once the ball started rolling, the families would know exactly what to do.
"The second step depends entirely on you. And it starts... tomorrow."
---
At 4:50 AM, the snakes dragged themselves out of bed to join Owen for his morning run. Because their fitness levels varied, it wasn't until 6:00 AM that everyone finally gathered at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
There, led by Owen, they loudly recited incantations and practiced wand movements, starting with the simplest spells: the Levitation Charm and the Lighting Charm.
Then came breakfast and classes. But in their free time—whether reading, studying, or doing homework—the snakes were constantly using magic. They used Levitation Charms to hold up their books, the Water-Making Spell to fill their cups, or found quiet corners to practice spells repeatedly.
If Hogwarts is in chaos, Gryffindor is usually the cause.
But right now, the Slytherins were too busy to start fights with the foolish lions. They were completely focused on self-improvement. And that made the Gryffindors nervous.
What are the Slytherins planning?
Why are they suddenly working so hard? Are they trying to crush us academically?
This cannot stand! Gryffindor always beats Slytherin!
The little lions didn't have much shame about copying. Fine, if the snakes get up early, we'll get up early. Whatever you do, we'll do too.
However, the Gryffindors only lasted three days.
They didn't have an Owen pushing them. Frankly, lasting three days was impressive enough for them.
Snape saw the changes in his House. He didn't say anything, but during his private lessons with Owen, his explanations became even more detailed and profound. Even when Owen made mistakes, Snape simply told him to start over, without a single sarcastic remark.
---
"Great empires unite and divide; divided, they must unite..."
Owen mumbled the proverb as he sat up in bed, eyes still closed. Beside him, Whitey—the white phoenix—fluffed his crest and delivered a solid headbutt to the young wizard's forehead.
THUD!
"Ow!"
Owen rolled off the bed and hit the floor. He scrambled up, rubbing his head, both boy and bird seeing stars.
"Next time, don't use your head. Use magic. I think Aguamenti works great—refreshing and no concussions. What do you think?"
Whitey, sharing a psychic link with him, let out a soft chirp. Immediately, a jet of water blasted from its beak. The high-pressure stream slammed Owen against the wall.
"Okay, never mind. I was still half-asleep. Forget I said that. Stick to the headbutt."
Owen frequently transferred his excess magic into Whitey. As a result, the bird could cast spells, and thanks to that surplus power, they were incredibly potent. That Water-Making Spell hit like a fire hose.
After a quick clean-up, Owen headed out for his morning run. But this time, he wasn't wearing the green-trimmed robes of Slytherin.
He was dressed in blue.
Starting today, he rotated to Ravenclaw. He was now one of the eagles.