A/N: A beta would be much appreciated.
Chapter 1
He knew the moment that the hat shouted Slytherin and all noise in the hall seemed to lessen beyond silent, that this decision had not necessarily been in his best interests. No one clapped or even smiled as he stood to go sit with his new house. Not the professors, his new friends, not even his own house made any sort of encouragement, although his house's reactions were seemingly less hostile then the rest. They at least looked surprised, before masking that into a neutral expression, or at least most of the upper years did. A few looked strangely intrigued and calculating, while some of the younger years still had their shock apparent on their faces, even more showed their anger. That anger, he discovered once seated, was nothing in comparison to the anger radiating towards him from the other tables. A few looked confused, but most were absolutely livid at this apparent betrayal; their eyes darted between the professors, his position and their wands, wondering if it would be worth the risk. He was sure a few had decided that it was, and were preparing to shoot when the Deputy Headmistress shook her head to remove the stupor and called out the next name to allow the sorting to continue. Everything afterwards was rather subdued. Harry paid special attention to his food and drink when it later arrived, to ensure that none could tamper with it, or even worse, steal it.
He waited with the rest of the first years in the centre of the common room. If you could call his position against the wall, in the shadows where he could see the whole common room, as well as all those who entered without being seen readily, as being with the other first years. It had been a long day and he was growing tired but he dared not move from his observation post until he knew exactly where he stood and how it worked in Slytherin. He knew the wizarding world as a whole was vastly different then the Muggle one, and it seemed that Slytherin was even more so. Until he knew exactly where he could step and when, it was best to be left forgotten in the shadows so as not to draw undue attention to oneself. Unfortunately, the wizarding world seemed to have this unhealthy obsession with his person, and he had this dreadful feeling that his life in the shadows would not be long permitted or accepted.
He paid enough attention to what Professor Snape was saying during his start of term speech, while still being able to focus his attention on the others in the room. The upper-years sat around on armchairs and couches by the fire, lazily waiting to be released, while a few were even mouthing the words as Snape went on. It was apparent that Professor Snape had done this sort of thing before, and was not the kind of person who much liked change when he could avoid it. Some of the third and second years sat further back in the room by what appeared to be chessboards, although none even bothered touching the pieces. He didn't blame them, because although it seemed that the professor said this sort of thing every year, he had no doubt that the man would follow through with his threats and was as menacing, if not more so, then how he portrayed himself. Harry was about to follow the other students up the staircases when he heard his name being called. He dutifully remained behind, stepping out of the shadows only after the last student had made it up the steps. A seventh year by the look of him, one who had wanted to linger but the professor has shooed away with a glance. Or a glare rather, Harry decided as he turned to look at the man full on.
"Harry Potter?" the professor asked, raising a curious eyebrow. Harry felt no need to respond beyond a respectful nod of his head, and a soft-spoken "Sir", as he stepped out of the shadows. They all knew who he was, so there was no need to speak more then necessary and possibly enrage the man. He could see the man's steely magic curling gracefully around his frame; it was one of the more powerful magic's that he had seen in his limited time in the wizarding world. Professor Snape was not the type of person you wanted to cross. Unfortunately, despite the man's almost impeccable control, Harry saw that he had still managed to piss the man off in some manner. Harry was sure that it was simply one of those "because he exists" circumstances that you were unable to control. However, the man's efforts to suppress this predisposed hatred for Harry was rather intriguing. The man did not start speaking until Harry was out in the relatively dim lighting of the dungeons, and even then he did a precursory sweep around Harry before opening his mouth.
"I do not know how you came to be in my house, but according to that mothball cloth you are now a Slytherin. The title of Slytherin encompasses some general rules that I have outlined in my commencement speech. However, I am warning you that despite these rules and the Slytherin code of conduct, you will find life rather difficult here. Perhaps at first, perhaps not, it depends on you really. Slytherins as a whole are not a nice bunch of people, but we respect power and tradition, and despite all else, we do protect our own. Remember that when you leave these walls, because you will find that life out there is even more dangerous for a lone snake." With that, the professor swept out of the common room, his robes billowing in the same fashion as when he walked in.
All in all, Harry thought as he lay behind his protective curtains, that it was the most unsettling and inspiring thing he had ever been told. The sneering and scarcely veiled disgust rather belied the underlining message, but the struggle of which the professor had in delivering it rather made Harry believe in its truth. As did his own observations. He knew that surviving in Slytherin would be difficult, possibly more so then beyond its perversely protective walls, and yet, the possibilities that lay ahead, would they make up for the struggle? He thought back to Ollivanders' and his promise of greatness and decided, that for this once, the gamble might just be worth it.