Slytherin’s First Muggle-Born Menace

Raja sat at the Slytherin table, basking in the confused, judgmental, and outright horrified stares of his fellow housemates. The disdain practically dripped from their gazes like overboiled potion sludge.

"A muggle-born? In Slytherin? This has to be a mistake."

"Surely, the Sorting Hat's rusted by now."

"Maybe it got cursed—we should get it checked."

Raja leaned back, a smug smile plastered on his face as he casually flicked his wand to levitate a goblet of pumpkin juice. Disgust and confusion? Check. Mild existential crisis? Double-check. Step one to asserting dominance: accomplished.

From the staff table, Snape observed him with his usual unreadable expression. Or maybe he just has permanent resting snark face. Either way, the Potion Master's black eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary before Dumbledore stood up, the twinkle in his eye hinting at at least ten levels of secret plots.

"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore's voice echoed through the hall, immediately silencing the chatter. "Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words."

The students leaned forward.

"First years, I would like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is off-limits to all students."

A few Gryffindors exchanged glances, already plotting their first illegal excursion.

"Also, there is a rule about magic in the corridors—do not perform spells in the hallways, as some of the older students may attempt to prank you."

A cluster of Weasleys stifled snickers.

"The last rule is simple, but important: Enjoy yourselves, and never forget that this is a school. Enjoy learning, and treasure the friendships you make."

Raja barely resisted snorting. Friendships? In Slytherin? Sure, old man. Right after I convince Malfoy that hair gel isn't a birthright.

Dumbledore clapped his hands, and the tables magically filled with food. "Now, without further ado, let the feast begin!"

The Slytherins hesitated for exactly 0.3 seconds before the ingrained aristocratic etiquette was thrown out the window in favor of devouring roasted meats and pastries like starving gremlins. Raja, ever the opportunist, casually stole a plate of chicken legs before Crabbe and Goyle could claim the entire stockpile. Survival of the fittest.

Slytherin shocked by my magic control and swiftness and stealing the plate.

After the feast, the Slytherin prefects led them to the dungeon dorms, where Raja was unceremoniously informed that he would be sharing a room with Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.

Malfoy looked like he had just been informed he'd have to share a vault with a Weasley.

"This is outrageous! Why is he in our room?!"

Raja, entirely unfazed, lazily flicked his wand and made his luggage levitate to his bedside with practiced ease. Malfoy's mouth opened and closed like a malfunctioning puppet before he scowled. "Fine! I'm too tired to deal with this tonight, but we're definitely arguing about this tomorrow."

Raja grinned. "Looking forward to it."

Bright and early, Raja set off to meet Professor Snape. The Potion Master raised an eyebrow when he saw Rudra at his office door but said nothing as he motioned him in.

"You are… uncharacteristically ambitious for a first-year," Snape finally said.

Raja smiled. "I have ambitions, Professor."

Snape's eyebrow twitched.

Raja leaned forward. "I've read your research journals on potions—fascinating work, really. I'd love to discuss the inefficacy of modern remedies compared to what wizards could produce, especially in areas muggles struggle with—like infections, chronic diseases, even beauty potions. It's remarkable how much magic could revolutionize healing, don't you think?"

Snape's lips thinned. Clearly, he wasn't used to enthusiastic eleven-year-olds monologuing about medicinal advancements before breakfast. With a wave of his hand, he silenced Raja's impending rant and handed him a tome that could double as a medieval bludgeoning weapon.

"Memorize this before the first potion class. If you fail, I will punish you."

Raja, whose memory was basically a quantum computer, took the book with a grin. "Done."

Snape stared at him for an uncomfortable amount of time before finally speaking. "Why did you seek me out?"

Raja shrugged. "I was curious about your thoughts on my Sorting."

Snape's expression didn't change. "The Sorting Hat has stood for centuries. Its decisions are final."

Raja leaned back. "Funny, because it let me choose."

For the first time in the conversation, Snape blinked.

"Why Slytherin?" he asked, voice carefully neutral.

Raja smirked. "Because Slytherin is in decline. The noble houses cling to outdated Blood ideals instead of advancing magic, potions, and enchanted tools. I'm here to change that."

Snape narrowed his eyes. "And how do you plan to make the students listen?"

Raja grinned. "Simple. I make them acknowledge me. What better way than an old-fashioned duel?"

Snape snorted. "You propose a first-year duel…and you expect me to arrange this?"

Raja clasped his hands together. "Oh, wise and illustrious Head of Slytherin, surely you'd enjoy watching a muggle-born dismantle his skeptics in the most dramatic way possible?"

Snape exhaled sharply, something close to amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "Very well. I shall be the referee. You had better not embarrass yourself."

Rudra smirked. "Professor, I live for theatrics."

By lunch, word had spread like a wildfire on fiendfyre. A first-year duel—and not just any duel, but a battle between Slytherin's supposed mistake and its most prominent heirs. The Slytherin common room buzzed with energy as students gathered to witness the event.

Raja's opponents are "Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Daphne Greengrass."

Draco, looking both irked and intrigued, cracked his knuckles. "You better not waste my time, Rudra."

Rudra stretched dramatically. "Oh, don't worry. I plan to make excellent use of it."

Daphne Greengrass, silent but analyzing, flicked her wand experimentally. Crabbe, meanwhile, just looked like he was mentally counting to ten.

Snape arrived, robes billowing, and raised a hand for silence. "Wands at the ready. No lethal spells. Begin."

Rudra grinned as he twirled his wand. Time to show Hogwarts why I chose Slytherin.

To be continued…