I am Harry Potter's Cousin, Big D

As night fell, a large, round moon hung high in the branches. It was still Slytherin, still that private meeting room, and still those senior Slytherin students. Of course, Marcus Flint was not among them this time.

"Everyone, report on your recent situations. Just the important points, and keep it brief," Richmond Carrow, the seventh-year Prefect and the one in charge of the meeting, began, his gaze sweeping around the circular table. "This might be one of our last gatherings. We'll be graduating soon and don't have much time left at Hogwarts." His tone was still oily, with a hint of practiced smoothness.

In a sense, Slytherin was much more united than the individualistic Ravenclaw or the disorganized Gryffindor. As for Hufflepuff? That was synonymous with a rabble. If it weren't for the anomaly named Dudley Dursley this year, Slytherin would be even more united.

"The biggest recent event, I'd say, is Mr. Dursley's behavior in the common room," Carrow's deputy, a sixth-year Prefect named Daniel, began. When mentioning Dudley, his tone went from initial dissatisfaction to later, slight praise. "However, that guy has been quite well-behaved lately, not causing any more trouble. His active performance in class has even earned Slytherin a lot of points. Half of the points in our hourglass are thanks to him. Even if we don't win the Quidditch Cup, we're guaranteed the House Cup this year. And I heard that the Malfoy boy has become very obedient after being dealt with by him, and even asks to exercise with him every morning."

"On the other hand," he continued, "there's Harry Potter. He hasn't shown any abnormalities during this time. His studies are mediocre, his abilities are mediocre, and his performance is mediocre. He's even quite clumsy in class many times, as if he's just starting to learn spells." When mentioning Harry, his skepticism was obvious.

As soon as Daniel finished, Carrow expressed a profound admiration for Harry. "As expected of Mr. Potter," he said, a knowing smile on his face. "He throws out his cousin to attract everyone's attention, while he lies low in the shadows, not attracting anyone's notice. Of course, Mr. Dursley is also quite excellent."

"Is... is that so?" Carrow's words made everyone look at each other in dismay. Logically, it made sense, but it felt a little strange somewhere.

"Of course," Carrow continued. "Haven't you noticed? During this time, besides our Mr. Dudley, it's Miss Granger from Gryffindor who's been the most active, while our Mr. Potter hasn't shown anything outstanding and acts a little transparent, as if he's just an ordinary little wizard."

"Isn't he?" Daniel expressed his confusion. This was the conclusion he had drawn from his own observations.

Carrow tapped the table lightly. "Who is he? The famous Harry Potter, the man who defeated... the Dark Lord. Do you think he would be an ordinary little wizard?"

"Certainly not," someone murmured, and a ripple of agreement went around the table.

"But..."

Carrow seemed to see their confusion. He chuckled and shook his head, picking up his teacup. "That's why I say your observation is not detailed enough. No matter how well hidden, there are times when one reveals their true colors." He looked at Daniel. "The comprehensiveness of your information needs to be improved. Mr. Potter showed great familiarity with poisons in his very first Potions class. You didn't know that, did you?"

Daniel was startled. "I... I really didn't know that."

"He knows the process of making poisons, the time it takes for them to take effect, the symptoms, and even the cause of death like the back of his hand. I don't think any of you knew that either, did you? Do you think an ordinary, normal little wizard would know so much about poisons?"

Everyone shook their heads. Who, as a normal person, would pay attention to such things?

"He's hiding his abilities," Carrow declared. "Mr. Potter has been trying his best to hide himself, but unfortunately, there are still oversights." The theory made a terrifying amount of sense. "And one more thing... I wonder if you've noticed. Miss Granger from Gryffindor, who logically should have been sorted into Ravenclaw, went to Gryffindor instead."

"To be honest," he added, a sneer on his lips, "you don't need me to tell you what those idiots in Gryffindor are like, do you? Of course, this doesn't include our Mr. Potter." A low laugh echoed in the meeting room. "They are not worthy of having Miss Granger." If Hermione hadn't been born into a Muggle family, they would have been very happy to have her in Slytherin. With double the point increase, why even play Quidditch? They could give the cup to the other three houses and still win.

"It is said that Miss Granger is quite close to our Mr. Dudley," Carrow said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, "but that's not the point." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "The point is... they are all Mr. Potter's people."

His words made everyone's hearts tighten. The implication had been made clear. Everyone present who could sit there was not stupid; the stupid ones had been kicked out, like a certain big-toothed person. The meeting room fell silent. They are all Mr. Potter's people... this is terrifying when you think about it...

"We are all graduating in the next two years, and I am graduating this year," Carrow said, his voice easing the tense atmosphere. "Right now, we are just chatting. Whatever happens at school has nothing to do with us anymore."

"However," he continued, "I want to point out one thing. Mr. Dudley is Mr. Potter's cousin and the person pushed to the forefront by Mr. Potter. If Potter is a deeply hidden dark... ahem, wizard, then what kind of person do you think Mr. Dudley is?"

"You mean..." Daniel began, then immediately shut his mouth, a look of dawning horror on his face.

"Actually, I quite admire that big guy," one of the senior students said. "He single-handedly dealt with the first to third years. He's clearly not a simple person." The others followed suit, murmuring their agreement.

Carrow shook his head with some exasperation. "Alright," he said, "don't pay too much attention to them. Don't cause trouble for yourselves. Whatever they want to do has nothing to do with us, but you can show a little goodwill when necessary. Just don't make it too obvious. Remember, Slytherin will only stand with the winners."

"Mr. Carrow, you are right." One person agreed, and a group of people followed suit again. Unlike Malfoy, who believed Dudley was a powerful Dark Wizard, Carrow firmly believed that Harry was the one who had defeated the Dark Lord. One can only say that they were both overthinking.

On the lawn outside Hogwarts Castle, the subject of their intense speculation was engaged in a fierce battle of his own.

"Stupid Malfoy!" Harry pointed at him and shouted.

Malfoy retorted without showing weakness, "Idiot Potter!"

"Rebound!"

"Rebound ineffective!"

This Mr. Potter, the deeply hidden Savior in the words of the Slytherin senior students, was bickering like a child with Malfoy. The reason was simple: they had both happened to come to watch Dudley exercise, and they had instantly disliked each other and started arguing.

(End of Chapter)

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