Harry Potter and the Supreme Commander

Chapter 6: Peace for Once

'Well, it's not that bad.'

Cale observes his surroundings, feeling a bit nervous about how they'll treat him.

He doesn't care about that; however, it would be troublesome to be in the same house, same room, same space, and take the same air to breathe with someone who'll cause trouble for him.

Rather, he doesn't expect them to be this welcoming, in a sort of -

"Ahh"

As he heard an 'ah', he leisurely opened his mouth and felt the smooth, sweet taste of food in his mouth. Sweet potato, he wondered.

After a soft swallow, he managed to speak: "Thanks, Draco. You can eat yours too." "Well, if you insist, you can continue", was left unsaid.

"No worry, I don't have two arms for nothing." Well, he insisted, so Cale didn't refuse.

Right now, Cale's wondering if what he's been raising up until now is a friend or a dog. Looking at this treatment, he's contemplating whether he charmed the latter without knowing.

However, Cale dismissed the thought immediately, knowing there were more important matters to think about.

He looks at the long table next to theirs and immediately makes eye contact with none other than his siblings, Potter and, unexpectedly, Granger.

"Hey... Do you think they're glaring at me?" Cale let out his thoughts. Pointing at the Weasleys and friends, expecting Draco to answer his question.

But this time, it is the person next to him who entertains his question.

"It's more that they're glaring at him." Pointing at Draco, the boy said. Cale remembers that his name was Blaise Zabini.

How unexpected. He'd think the boy was mute if he didn't speak just now. But to think he'd initiate an answer for him.

The boy looked at him, realizing something, and let out an 'ah'. "You already know me, right? Blaise Zabini is my name. Your sorting earlier really is something." Cale didn't know if he just got complimented or mocked, so he just retorted:

"It's nothing special."

"If you say so..." The latter returned his attention to his food as Cale looked to the Gryffindor side again.

He heard another unknown voice ask, "Is being away from your protectors hard?" He'd like to ignore it, but knowing it's a house full of self-preservative people, simply feigning ignorance won't end it.

He looked at the person in front of him. Another first-year Slytherin who got sorted before him, Pansy Parkinson.

"Not really." He said, trying to avoid unnecessary eye contact by picking food by himself.

"Really then? Being babyed around is nice, right?" Another mocking banter.

Slytherins' being bullies is not just a stereotype, he guesses.

- She's annoying. -

Glutton said out of nowhere, which caught him off guard.

"What's 'matter, scared? Ah! I wonder why you've been chosen here for how cowardly you are."

'Should I just ignore her?' Cale slowly closes his eyes and asks Glutton, but she stops responding again.

"So..." He opened his eyes to the sudden softening of her voice and looked at her, who was deliberately avoiding his eyes.

"What I mean is, what has that hat told you?" The Parkinson girl demanded.

'Is that how you ask someone?' He asked himself. But seeing no harm, he decided to entertain her question for a bit.