Okay chapter four, I'll admit I'm not entirely happy with it but if I change it anymore it will only get worse. On another note there are two characters in this chapter – Lily Moon and Emma Vanity, both are actual characters though we never know which house Lily was sorted into and Emma was a Slytherin many years ago but I decided to move back her date of birth. Both will be rather prominent because there is not enough girls in Slytherin who get any sort of mention in the books or movies.
Anyway enjoy!
~Influence of the Night: Chapter Four – Slytherin Induction~
Hadrian observed the Great Hall from his seat facing the other tables. To his right was a girl called Lily Moon and to his left was a boy known as Theodore Nott; directly opposite Hadrian was Draco who had yet to take his piecing pale eyes from him. To the blonde's right was a girl Hadrian didn't catch the name of and next to her was the last student to be sorted, one Blaise Zabini.
Hadrian ignored the scowling Draco for the moment, the blonde was likely highly confused and had plenty of questions but he would deal with them and the other suspicious stares later. Instead he turned his attention to Hedwig who had just flown in from above the head table where there was a line of open windows Hadrian assumed was for the express purpose of permitting the owls into the castle.
He had sent Hedwig off earlier to get comfortable in the Owlery his mother had informed him of and instructed her to come back to him when she was done settling so he could send off a message to his mother detailing his house placement. Not that either of them expected anything different than what had occurred, it was more the reactions of his peers he was writing her about and hopefully get a little advice on how he was going to deal with the suspicion being aimed his way.
"Hey girl." Hadrian said softly as Hedwig landed on his offered forearm, cooing back at him as he stroked her pure white plumage and nipping his fingers affectionately. Smiling, Hadrian offered Hedwig a piece of sausage from his plate which she gracefully accepted while he pulled out a small roll of parchment and a never dry quill.
Quickly penning the note and tying it again with a black and green ribbon embellished with the Night coat of arms at each end. The coat of arms consisted of, ironically, a lightning bolt at its centre, an emerald green snake curled around it and strangely enough a pair of black raven wings on either side. He had been meaning to ask the significance of the Night crest but it has been far from his mind with the development of his Magic Sight.
Tying what was left of the ribbon around Hedwig's clawed ankle, he gave the snowy owl another piece of sausage and pat her feathers once more.
"If you could please take this to mother it would be most appreciated." He told her when she had finished her snack. He received a gentle nip on his ear before she took off from her perch on his shoulder and back out the way she came. Hopefully Hadrian would have a reply before dinner was over.
"I don't bite you know." Hadrian said to the girl beside him who was shooting him curious glances. His eyes were a flat emotionless grey as he met her eyes. Surprisingly though, the girl didn't look away or appeared embarrassed about being caught in her staring.
"I should hope not, such actions are for the uncouth." Hadrian raised an eyebrow, surprised by her response. She only gave a crooked smile that was rather charming and offered her hand. "Lily Moon." Still a little uncertain of the girl who was the first to speak with him since he sat down, he slowly took her hand and like he had with Hermione, placed a light kiss to the back of her hand.
"A pleasure to meet you Miss Moon." Hadrian could see some students roll their eyes at his actions, though they were from other tables, the Slytherins however didn't blink, it was what protocol demanded of any Pureblood male when being introduced to a lady and his obvious knowledge seemed to throw most of them off guard.
Draco watched him closely, not surprised by his knowledge. The boy had more than proven in Diagon Alley that he knew all there was to know about Pureblood etiquette and again on the train. Draco was, however, inexplicably hurt that the boy had not told him he was Harry Potter, formerly or not.
Logically, Draco knew he had no reason to get into a snit about it. They had only conversed for several hours, they weren't friends and now with this new information, Draco wasn't certain where he stood now. So Draco decided he would sit back and watch for now.
"Lily. You may call me Lily." Lily smiled at Hadrian, reclaiming her hand and placing it upon the other as she twined her fingers together and placed her elbows on the table, her chin resting on her fingers as she regarded him with curious hazel eyes. "If you don't mind my prying, can I see your scar?"
Hadrian blinked at the request, not sure what to make of this girl. She wasn't eyeing him with suspicion only curiosity, though there was a calculating gleam of mischief in her eyes he decided to be wary of. He was about to answer when another voice cut across the table before he could, turning his attention to the girl sitting on Draco's right, her eyes an expressionless dark blue, they were almost black.
"Mind your manners Lily," Her voice was soft and as flat as her eyes. All round the girl seemed cold and unfeeling but at the same time it felt like those eyes of hers could look straight through you and judge your soul. Hadrian repressed a shiver, he hadn't met anyone who enticed that particular feeling from him.
"Perhaps I'll mind my manners when you mind your own business." Lily challenged the raven haired girl who merely blinked at her.
"Mind my own business?" It was like she was mulling over the phrase but then all of a sudden a smirk broke across her lips and her dark eyes suddenly became impossibly deep and devious. "Who was it who got herself grounded for a month for sticking her nose where it doesn't belong? And who was it who persuaded them not to make two?"
"Oh shush!" Lily exclaimed with a mock glare, a snicker coming from the previously cold girl. "You were the one who told me about it and got me curious." Lily then dismissed the other girl and turned back to Hadrian.
"Ignore her, she's just jealous of my superiority." A scoff was heard but ignored. "So can I see your scar?" Hadrian had to smile at the girl, his eyes deepening in colour until they were his natural forest green.
"I don't mind." Without further ado, Hadrian swept aside his hair to reveal the lightning bolt on his forehead, drawing every eye in seeing distance. "Though I do not understand the fascination with it, it is merely a scar, cursed yes but a scar nonetheless."
"Does it hurt?" It was the dark haired girl who asked the question, ignoring Lily's playful reprimands about minding manners and not prying into others affairs. There was a look in the girl's eyes that made Hadrian's own narrow.
"Why do you ask?" His eyes narrowed further when she gave a wry smile.
"You appeared to be in pain earlier, while we were being sorted." Hadrian's eyes widened and turned navy in surprise, he had thought he had concealed his slight flinch even though he had thought no one was watching him except for Professor Snape.
"I hasn't ever hurt before." He was wary about the girl but he saw no reason for him to lie about it. It could simply have been the overflow of magic disrupting any lingering magic left in it when it was created. Speaking of magic, Hadrian decided to get a feel of this girl's magic.
Her magic washed over him in a gentle controlled wave. Evidently, this was a child who has grown up faster than she should have, no child has that level of control over their emotions and magic without heartache but thankfully this girl did not break.
Her magic, while muted by her control was telling; it may be difficult for her to give her trust and loyalty but when she does those connections are strong and she could still smile and laugh and just enjoy life as was proven by her interaction with Lily. Pulling his magic back Hadrian decided he need not be wary of her.
"That is interesting." She hummed thoughtfully before offering her hand across the table. "I am Emma Vanity, my pleasure to meet you Hadrian Night." Hadrian smiled and took her hand, kissing it like he had Lily's.
"Charmed." For the rest of the feast Hadrian was drawn into conversation with Lily about Quidditch which also had Emma contributing. Apparently Emma was a keen Quidditch player and knew the rules inside out and initiated a heated debate about tactics with him, leaving Lily to sit back and watch with a smile. Quidditch, it seemed, was one way to bring Emma out of her state of careful control.
Engrossed in the debate Hadrian offhandedly took his mother's reply from Hedwig and offered his owl a scratch behind the head before she flew off to the Owlery. It was not long after she left that the Headmaster called for silence, what was left of dessert disappearing from the golden plates and bringing his debate with Emma to a premature close.
"Just a few words now that we are all fed and watered," All eyes had turned to the man as he spoke. "I have a few start of term notices for you. The first years please note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students." He swept his eyes across the first years, lingering briefly, as was expected, on Hadrian before he continued.
"A few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Hadrian wasn't surprised when his horribly twinkling blue eyes fell pointedly on Fred and George who grinned in response. "And Mr Filch our caretaker has asked me to remind you all that magic is forbidden in the corridors between classes. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term; anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."
Dumbledore gestured to a stern looking woman with sharp features framed by short grey hair and even from where he sat Hadrian could tell she had yellow eyes like a hawk and most likely they were just as sharp.
"And finally, this year the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bound to anyone who does not wish to die a most painful death." Well that was comforting, they were in a school that they could possibly see them killed. Wonderful.
"And now before we go to bed it is time for a song!" Dumbledore's voice was cheerful as he waved his wand and words began to appear. "Everyone pick your favourite tune!" And then the entire Great Hall burst into of key and mismatched song.
Hadrian grimaced and remained stubbornly silent, ignoring Lily who tried to persuade him into joining in but gave up quickly and left him be. Emma he noticed was right there with him and so was Draco, Nott and Zabini; apparently they all had better tastes in music and better decorum. Not to insult Lily's integrity but the song was ridiculous.
Hadrian was thankful when the song was over, the last to finish were the Weasley twins who sung in a slow funeral march, which he couldn't help but be amused by. Finally released to get settled in their dorms Hadrian stood and with the other first years followed the Slytherin Prefect deep into the castles dungeons.
Ahead of him was Lily and Emma, as he'd been instructed by both to call them – Lily because she wasn't big on formalities and Emma because she disliked her family name. Walking beside Hadrian was Draco. The blonde was still observing him but his suspicion had lessened; apparently he had gleaned something from his interaction with the two girls and was leaning more to the side of not caring what his name had once been.
Soon enough they reached a portrait of a regal looking man with long hair, whiter than the Malfoy's, falling gracefully down his back in a ponytail. He stood stirring a potion and what appeared to be an Egyptian white asp snake draped around his shoulders.
As the group stopped before him the man raised dark emerald eyes to stare coldly down at the group. The Prefect, ignoring the portrait for now – which Hadrian thought caused a flicker of annoyance to go through those startling eyes – and turned back to the group of first years. Hadrian assumed the other years were there already, having taken a shorter route there.
"This is the entrance to the Slytherin dorms," The Prefect gestured vaguely behind him without much care and Hadrian, apparently being the only one to be observing the man, noticed the harsh glare to the older boy's back. "The current password is asphodel and will be changed each week so be sure to see a Prefect for the new password."
Hadrian wasn't certain but he was sure that he was sprouting out their password far too freely. Weren't Slytherins supposed to be discreet and cunning not blundering and obvious like a Gryffindor – no offense to the Gryffindor but most did tend to leap before they thought. Hermione, Neville, Fred and George being possible exceptions.
Turning his attention back to the older boy Hadrian had the niggling thought that the man's appearance was familiar; he hadn't ever seen him he knew but his mother had describe someone to him with those features. The long white hair, dark emerald eyes, potions and a snake…
Of course! How did I not notice straight away?! Hadrian thought to himself, his eyes widening and changing to an awed purple. Salazar Slytherin! No wonder he's glaring at that fool. He is giving him no respect or even introducing him! Hadrian himself sent a glare at the boy before a smirk crossed his lips when Slytherin refused to open when he was given the password.
"What the?" The boy said startled before glaring at the portrait. "That is the right password open up now." He demanded but only got a sneer in return and was again ignored making the boy turn red in embarrassment.
"Perhaps if you afforded Professor Slytherin the respect he deserves you would not find yourself in such an awkward situation." Hadrian spoke up from the middle of the group, making his way forward as they turned to him and stopping just before the older boy. "You are a Slytherin are you not?" He asked coldly of the boy.
"Get lost Potter!" The very mention of that name in reference to his person had Hadrian's hair and eyes turning a bloody red. This shocked the gathering, his earlier changes to his hair in the great hall had been subtle but now it was plain as day and no one had held his gaze long enough to realise his eyes had changed – Draco, Lily and Emma being the exceptions but Draco already knew and the girls hadn't asked about it.
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear," Hadrian's voice was low and cold, his eyes hard as he glared straight into the older boy's eyes; he looked startled but Hadrian ignored it. "James and Lily Potter are dead, they were two people who died in war, their son Harry Potter was killed by a muggle." Hadrian all but spat out that name, oh how he loathed that name.
"I am Hadrian Night, the only son of Alya Night, the last descendent of the Night family and I have absolutely nothing to do with the Potter's and you will do well to remember that. I don't need magic to make you regret it." Hadrian's threat was loud and clear but before anyone could do more than stare a sharp silky voice cut through the shocked silence.
"And what, pray tell, are you all milling about for?" Startled, Hadrian not only jumped as he whirled around but his hair jumped from blood to navy. Standing behind the gathered first years was the rather imposing figure of Severs Snape but Hadrian was distracted from the arrival of his Head of House to truly appreciate the picture of intimidation he posed when a soft voice filled the silence.
"That boy is like a muggle mood ring." The voice had a unique hissing quality to it but Hadrian couldn't place where it was coming from.
"What in Merlin's name is a 'mood ring' and how do you even know what it is?" There was another voice, still the same hissing quality to it but with a decidedly male quality to it, leading Hadrian to the conclusion that the first was female.
Before he could ponder and search for the voice however, he was brought back to the situation at hand by his Head of House giving the older boy a thorough scolding. Apparently the man had been biding in the shadows somewhere for the entire conversation, including the boy's total disregard for their house founder.
"…furthermore you are no longer a Prefect." Professor Snape was saying and the badge disappeared from the boy's robe. It's exactly what he deserves Hadrian thought as the dark haired Professor turned to Slytherin's portrait. "Salazar if you please." Slytherin gave a nod to the man's request and swung open to admit them.
The first years piled in through the portrait hole and into a lavish stone room covered in plush green and silver carpets and black couches and arm chairs placed around the room and in front of a blazing fires. Being situated under the Black Lake the Slytherin common room had three fireplaces and all roared merrily, warming up the chilly dungeon.
Hadrian gathered with the first years in the centre of the room, many of the older years milling about around them but becoming quiet when their Head of House stalked in and stood in front of the first years.
His onyx eyes swept over them with a hard eye, pausing briefly as his gaze met Hadrian's and Hadrian had the impression he had confused the man, he saw hostility in his eyes but it quickly disappeared into confusion and the slightest sliver of respect.
Obviously Hadrian wasn't what he was expecting when it was likely spread that Harry Potter would be coming to Hogwarts – no doubt they thought him arrogant and spoiled – only for them to be confronted by someone completely different and not just in terms of personality and House but name as well.
His mother had said, briefly, that Severus Snape had hated James Potter and his friends during their time at Hogwarts and still did to this day. She never told him what happened between them though as it was not her place to say she said. So Hadrian wasn't surprised by the hostility and really couldn't blame him if his hatred of James was valid and so Hadrian chose to acknowledge the hostility but he would not accept it, he would prove he was nothing like the man James Potter.
Something of his thoughts must have shown because Professor Snape rose an eyebrow before continuing on. After seizing them all up Professor Snape began laying down the rules of Slytherin House and what was to be expected of them.
"You were chosen to be in Slytherin and have henceforth been condemned to be judged as dark and evil by the rest of the Houses," That didn't sound reassuring, surely they had gotten over the silly rivalries by now? "You will always travel in twos or more, you will not start any fights or arguments with the other Houses. If you have a problem with one of your Slytherin peers you will deal with it in this dorm and nowhere else, you must keep up a united front in public and what happens in Slytherin stays in Slytherin, is that clear?"
"Yes Sir." Hadrian responded with the others.
"Good. If you have any problem that cannot be solved amongst yourselves you are to approach an older Slytherin or myself." Hadrian had to admire the man, he really looks after those in his House; he could see the respect in the older years as they calmly watched from the sidelines.
"Curfew is at eight, you may do as you wish until then but make sure you are back within the common room before then or suffer the consequences." That statement was given with a warning glower to which the first years nodded to before dispersing. Hadrian was about to move upstairs and find his bed when the smooth voice of Professor Snape called after him.
"Oh and Night," He waited until Hadrian had turned and raised a questioning eyebrow at him before continuing. "The Headmaster has requested you go to his office as soon as classes end." Hadrian couldn't help the groan that escaped him.
"By request don't you mean order?" Hadrian muttered to the floor with a scowl before looking up at his Professor. "Thank you Professor, I'll be sure to do so." The man eyed him for a moment more before sweeping out the portrait and no doubt to his office of personal quarters.
So I used Sal as the portrait because I like him, his appearance is inspired by an anime version I stumbled across of him and a Prefect was demoted! This is mainly because there will always be assholes no matter where you go and adds some extra drama, it is not the last we see of him I'll tell you that ;P
Oh and I fixed up that annoying typo with Dragon Alley rather than Diagon Alley, a stupid auto correct/predict thing I haven't figured out how to get rid of. Anywho let me know what you think
Silver