After having been sorted, the students were then presented with a grand feast that went on for at least 2 hours. In this time, many of the older students reached out to their newest housemates, often the seventh years and the second years were the friendliest, seeing as how they were either leaving after their final year or were in the place of the first years the year before.
"I remember learning the levitation charm the first time around. Nugent usually goes easy the first couple of lessons. He likes to put everyone on a similar playing field but also inst afraid to push you to where he knows you can be." A fifth-year told the group of first years as they hung onto every word.
"There's also Kinloch and her love for Herbology. She makes every class enjoyable and leaves you learning in a warm type of way." A third year said the seventh year next to them nodded in agreement.
"Personally I like Potions. While a lot of people complain about Wine's deep voice lulling them to sleep, his methods of teaching are really simple to follow. Stick to the script and follow the procedure and you should be fine. He's also really passionate about his music, so if you ever want to just talk about anything, he's down for it." Tony was busy staring down at his plate full of food, the intent of finishing yet not having the stomach to do so.
"This is bull." He whispered. His friends hearing him, eating contently as they turned their attention towards him. "I literally didn't eat that much all day. I was starving by the time we got near the castle! And now I can't even finish all this amazing food." He had tears welling up in his eyes, 'dramatic ones' he'd later tell anyone who brought up this moment.
"Well." A voice directed at him caught him mid swallow, causing him to cough up a storm.
"Sorry about that. I was just going to say you aren't the only one." Tony turned towards the voice, having forced the water out of his lungs before his breath caught in his throat. Staring at him with colors reflecting his own was the girl from before. The very one who made his heart jump, this time to cause it to stop yet run a thousand miles an hour at the same time.
"My mom always told me that if you're nervous, you should find something to focus on. That way it won't be so bad." She smiled at the boy, a light dust coloring her cheeks. "I just focused on a certain boy who looked to be in a worse state than I was. So… Thanks for that, I guess." She then quickly hid her face, turning away from the shell-shocked boy. Before he could get himself to say something in his thunderstruck state, however, McGonagall tapped her goblet as she stood from the center of the Professor's table.
"Once again, I'd like to welcome each of the returning students back to another year at this fine school. I want to congratulate each of the houses for your new members, and I hope you treat each other like family. I would also like to tell all first years that the forest around the school grounds is forbidden for any student. Some others needed to be reminded." The Headmistress said, her eyes darting around the room at some people.
"Now, since we've all been fed and rehydrated to our fullest, it's time to sing our school song, so, as my predecessor and friend Albus Dumbledore would say once upon a time, 'pick a tune and sing!'" She said, waving her wand around. The tip began to glow a faint white, before sprouting a long gold ribbon which began to curl into words.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now, they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
After McGonagall had finished, to which she smiled at the students, she put her wand away.
"Now, as I am well aware, you must all be very sleepy. The perfects will now escort you to your dormitories. Classes begin on Monday. As such, enjoy your weekends and you're school year."
Everyone clapped at the words of the kind Headmistress, heeding her words as the perfects stood and rallied up their respective First years.
Tony POV
Once we were all gathered, the perfects began to lead everyone through the giant wooden doors at the back of the room. When we were out in what I assumed to be the main lobby, I quickly noticed the other Houses were going up the steps, meanwhile, the Slytherin's were headed toward stairs that lead downwards, towards the Dungeons. I kept a questioning face as we proceeded to head down, wondering why we were heading down to the dungeons.
The perfect then rounded the corner, smiling widely as she scanned her eyes over the new hatchlings. She had long blonde hair that reached her lower back with bright purple eyes. Maybe they were contacts. I'd have to ask later.
"Now before we go in, my name is Tracey. I am the fifth year female Perfect for the awesome house that is Slytherin. I know that rumors go around about us, and trust me there are a lot, BUT most of them are from the other houses because they're scared of us. That and most greedy butts that turn into dark wizards are from the Slytherin house." She quickly puffed out her cheeks in a frustrated manner. She perked up once more immediately after. "Ok, if any of you need help with anything just ask me or Professor Prozora, he's the head of Slytherin and the Ruins Master right now, although he may come off as a bit crazy… maybe a bit sadistic… You'll see once you have a class with him." She dismissed with a wave of her hand before turning to face the wall. Everyone looked at her as if she was crazy. Why would you just stare at a wall like that?
"Serpentes Cauda"
With that, the stone bricks began to morph in a way that made them twist and turn, a slit of sorts allowing for the wall to slide into itself as it opened up to reveal the Slytherin common room, fit with tables, chairs, fireplaces, paintings, bookshelves. Everything you'd need for a common room for hundreds of students. There was a slight green hue given off by the moonlight entering through the windows. It was upon looking at said windows that I realized that we were partially submerged within the lake, as water could be seen right outside of the glass.
"Don't worry about the windows, they're magically reinforced so nothing can break them from either the outside or the inside." Tracey noticed out quizzical expressions before she shook her head. "Don't ask."
"As shown, the password is Latin for Serpents Watch. We'll be switching it up from time to time to prevent unwanted guests from getting in. I suggest you don't spread the password around unless you want points taken from the house points. I'm sure the Headmistress gave you the whole spiel, but I'll give you one better.
"As in accordance with the Head of House, and every Slytherin currently in this house aside from you first years (for now anyway): Any and all points taken from the house points will follow punishment. Those who are affiliated with the loss of points will fear the Quiver as a whole. In short: Watch yourself if you lose points." The room fell into a chilly silence, all eyes on Tracey in varying degrees of terror.
"The reasoning for those points lost is, of course, taken into consideration." A male voice sounded from the opening of the common room, causing most of us to jump and turn towards the source. Standing there was a boy not much older than Tracey, a seventh year possibly. He had light brown hair and irises a darker shade of purple than Tracey's. His tall frame was intimidating yet welcoming as his hair fell in a calm straight tangle. "But, yes, nine times out of ten you will have to sleep with one eye open." He then sent a non-threatening glare at the female perfect in the room. "Tracey, you always forget to mention that to new students."
We all looked between the two, waiting to see what happens next.
"Sorry for interrupting your initiation speech. I just came from a meeting with Prozora." His eyes swept the crowd, smiling warmly as he ran a hand through his hair, scratching his head.
"Welcome to Slytherin. My name is Cameron. Call me Cam. I'm the Head Boy of this house. That perfect there," he pointed at Tracey, "is my doof younger sister." She sent a glare his way, only for him to nod towards her. This made her roll her eyes, a hidden message sent between them.
"Now, Boys, if you'll follow me. I'll take you to the dorms. We'll leave the girls to their own devices." Tracey chose that moment to begin to lead the girls away, only for Cam to stick his tongue out at her. She spun around and fired a spell toward him which he effortlessly and easily deflected, having it crash into the wall between 2 paintings.
"Nice try sis. Alright guys, let's go." And with that, the two siblings split us up and we headed toward the dorms.
"So, do any of you know any spells?" Cam asked, trying to strike up a conversation. He was unsurprised when no one spoke up. "Hey, it happens. A lot of us here at ol' Hoggywarts were novices when we arrived. Word of the wise, and I'm only telling you because I'll be leaving next year; If you guys really want to be able to practice your charms, I'd suggest practicing with disposable items. You know, quills, parchment, pens, rocks. Any and every chance you get. That's how you'll end up at the top of your class. As the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher likes to say: "Constant Vigilance!" Which he stole from Mad-eye Moody." He muttered the last part, only a few of us boys being able to hear him. Alex nudged my side with a wicked smile on his face.
"Yup. We're practicing like mad."
When we finally entered the corridors leading to the rooms, we stopped at the end of the hall, a sign reading 'First Years' being the only indicator that it belonged to us first years.
"You guys are lucky, you get the back corridor. This corridor will remain yours until you graduate, so keep it nice and clean, cuz when you get older I know some of you are gonna do some things that don't fly too well with the morals of some people. Don't do something that will make your mother ashamed of you is all I'm saying." As he said this he began to blush slightly. He cleared his throat before continuing.
"Curfew is at 10 pm sharp and lasts until 6 am. Anyone found outside their common rooms will be punished. Forbidden Forest is forbidden, and all that. Anyway! Prozora gave me a list of who goes in which dorm. Please listen closely, as I'll only be going over this once. Doesn't help that there's been a large influx of students these past years. Seems he even put many of you within the groups you've already established. Anyway. Starting from the room closest to the beginning of the corridor.
"Derek, Vince, Sam, Walter, and Mike in the first room.
Jerry, Hank, Cole, Wes, and Joey in the next one.
Adam, Alan, Chase, Matt, and Scott in the third
Barry, Oliver, Roy, David, and Malcolm in the fourth
And Tony, Alex, Kevin, Richardo, and Jose in the last room." Cam then folded the list up and looked at each of us for a few seconds. "Now, head off to bed and enjoy your weekend. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask. I'll be seeing you guys around." He then turned on his heel and walked into the corridor before ours, 'Seventh Years' hanging over the opening.
Once he was gone, everyone grouped up and entered their rooms. To my surprise, my trunk sat at the foot of the bed closest to the window at roughly half past 10 o'clock from the door. I, personally didn't care, but I did like to occasionally look at the moon at night, or use its light to read. The trunks being at the foot of specific beds really did help as no one fought for who got what bed. With that settled, all 5 of us threw off our robes, changed (in some cases) into pajamas, and got into bed. Not a single one of us was awake longer than 5 minutes after our heads hit the pillows.