Everyone could see how thrilled the Gryffindors were, cheering and congratulating Harry on being selected for the Quidditch team. Laughter and excited chatter filled the Great Hall, their enthusiasm impossible to miss.
But not everyone shared their joy especially the first-years from the other houses.
"How can Potter be selected?" someone muttered.
"Has this ever happened before?" another asked, frowning.
"I thought first-years weren't allowed on Quidditch teams?"
"They're not."
The group turned to the senior Adria, who had been silent until now.
"Then why is he allowed?" Blaise asked, clearly displeased.
Not long ago, they had all attended their first Broom Flight class together. Unlike in the original timeline, nobody had challenged Harry's skill. Yet, he had still flown chasing after Neville, who had lost control of his broom when Madam Hooch wasn't around.
"Who knows? Maybe it's just 'Saviour privilege'," Adria said with a smirk, clearly enjoying their frustration.
But as his gaze flickered to the celebrating Gryffindors, his expression darkened ever so slightly.
He wasn't pleased about it either.
"Draco, you're not angry?" Theondar asked, watching as Draco silently ate his food, not bothering to join the conversation.
He had expected him to be furious. After all, who wouldn't want the chance to play Quidditch?
But to everyone's surprise, Draco didn't sneer or complain. He simply shook his head.
"No, I'm not."
His voice was calm, almost indifferent.
"Why?" Blaise asked, voicing what they were all thinking.
Draco took his time finishing his bite before answering. "Because there's no point in being angry."
He didn't say he wasn't interested in Quidditch.
His words made the others pause. He was right what was the point of being angry when they couldn't do anything about it?
Draco glanced at them. "Did anyone speak to our Head of House?"
Theodore sighed. "Yes, we went with some seniors. He said he'd speak to Dumbledore."
"And?"
"They decided Harry was good enough to join."
Draco hummed, then asked, "Is he?"
"You weren't in class, but yeah, he's good," Blaise admitted.
"By what criteria?"
This time, no one had an answer.
Before they could dwell on it, Draco spoke again. "You're all upset that he was chosen while you weren't. But instead of asking why him, shouldn't you be asking why only him?"
"Because we're not like him?" Pansy muttered, saying what they were all thinking.
"And who decided that?"
"Professor McGonagall."
"And how did she decide?"
"She saw him save Neville."
"Right. But aren't first-years not allowed to play?"
"They're not," Theodore admitted. "But he can actually fly."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "And if you can fly just as well, then what?"
A beat of silence. Then, realisation dawned in their eyes.
"Then we just have to prove it," someone whispered.
"But will the professors allow it?" Pansy hesitated. "He's the Saviour. Everyone knows he gets special treatment."
Draco smirked. "Then we just have to make sure they can't ignore us."
His gaze shifted towards the centre of the hall.
"You do realise you're not the only ones unhappy about this?"
The others followed his line of sight and saw the Hufflepuff table.
And Ravenclaws too.
"They're whispering about the same thing," Blaise murmured, watching as students from the other houses shared similar expressions of frustration.
Pansy turned back to Draco. "Are you saying we should get them involved?"
"The more, the better," Draco replied smoothly.
"You should all appeal not just for Potter to be treated fairly, but for everyone to get the same opportunity. Either first-years aren't allowed to play, or we all get a fair shot. Whether you actually make the team or not is a different matter."
His voice carried an unspoken challenge.
"What if someone here is even more talented than Potter but never got a chance to prove it?" he continued. "Or what if someone next year has just as much talent but never gets noticed because no one bothers to look?"
"This isn't a fight against Potter," he said, looking at each of them. "It's a fight for your rights in Hogwarts."
Draco's words lit a fire under them.
"Yes!" someone said.
"For our rights!" another agreed.
The Slytherin table buzzed with renewed energy, though their voices quickly dropped when they noticed the attention they were attracting.
At the Gryffindor Table
"What's going on with them?" Harry asked, hearing the brief commotion from the Slytherin side.
"Don't know," Ron said, glancing over. "Probably just bitter about you making the team." He snorted.
"Maybe they're planning something," Neville muttered.
"Ha! As if they can do anything about it," Ron scoffed, not taking the idea seriously.
At the Staff Table
The professors had noticed the stir as well.
"Your house seems quite… motivated, Severus," Flitwick remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"Did something happen, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, his gaze cool but curious.
"Not that I know of," Snape said, though his sharp eyes had flicked towards the Slytherin table moments ago.
"One person who is pleased is Minerva," Flitwick added, as he saw the visible delight on McGonagall's face.
She didn't even try to hide it.
"I am," she admitted proudly. "He's just as talented as James."