Harry stood in a defiant stance, staring Snape down. He couldn't believe this. How could a coward like this ever become Headmaster?
It almost felt as though right now, no one would even dare to breath.
Harry looked around.
"Are none of you," he said in a low deadly tone, "Brave enough to take a stand?" Still, no one moved.
Ravenclaws stared at him, ever observant and clever. Hufflepuffs looked around. No one else made a move towards Harry, so neither would they. Slytherins varied- looks of disbelief, disgust.
The Gryffndors disappointed Harry the most. They guiltily looked to floor, shuffling their feet, not meeting his challenging gaze.
"Listen to me. Today, there are no houses. Today, there is no Slytherin and Gryffndor rivalry. Today, Ravenclaws are all just as smart as the rest of us, today Hufflepuffs will be leaders, not followers." More and more students looked up as Harry continued.
"Today, none of us are Slytherins, or Gryffndors, or Hufflepuffs, or Ravenclaws. Today- We all fight for Hogwarts." Students even started to smile in spite of the situation.
"So I ask you, who will fight as a Hogwarts student?" Harry's voice rose as he got excited. "Who is willing to die to stop Lord Voldemort?" a few gasps sounded at the Dark Lord's name. And slowly, Harry was surrounded by all houses but one- Slytherin.
"Being Slytherin doesn't mean you always have to be the bad guys," Harry encouraged, as he stretched out and towards them. Slowly, one student stepped forward. It was a first year, barely old enough to be here.
"What happens if we die?" he said.
"What's your name?" he whispered.
"Travis," the first year answered. "Travis Mulligan."
"Well Travis, tell me smething. Which would you rather? Live for slavery, or die for freedom?"
"Freeedom," he answered once more.
"Well there's your answer." And then, only after seeing the little first year join the other houses, other Slytherins saw the truth in Harry's words.
Slowly they followed suit and there they were- Not four houses of children, but one School of students.