Chapter 4: Slytherin House
Nico
"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent fest, I beg a few minutes of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices." The old man said. "First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to most students – and a few of our older students ought to know by now too."
I glanced at the Gryffindor table and saw Harry and his friends smirking. That must mean they go in the forest, I told myself.
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you that magic is not permitted in the corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door." The man continued. "We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Both good choices." Malfoy whispered to his buddies. "The last Magical Creatures teacher almost killed me. Besides, father tells me Professor Umbridge is from the ministry, so she won't be rubbish."
I already didn't like Umbridge. How could you trust someone wearing that much pink? I watched as she stood up and the old man stopped talking.
"Hem, hem." Umbridge said.
All the teachers looked surprised, even the old man, who I assumed was the headmaster, looked shocked for a second.
"Thank you, Headmaster." Umbridge said in her all too girly voice. "For those kind words of welcome."
I stopped listening. When I glanced around the room, I realized that no one was even pretending to listen.
"…and pruning where ever we find practices that ought to be prohibited." Umbridge finally finished.
Well, that didn't sound good. The Headmaster finished up his speech and let us go.
I snuck at the back of the group of first years because I didn't feel like talking to Malfoy. The prefects led us down into the dungeons where the Slytherins stayed.
I should feel at home here in the dungeons. It was creepy just like my cabin, but it had too much of an evil feel.
Malfoy, who probably wanted to show off, walked right up to one of the dungeon walls and said, "Paura unisce."
"Fear unites." I translated to myself. "That's Italian."
The wall opened up to reveal a passage. We walked through into a dungeon converted into a living room. I knew I wouldn't be spending much time here.
One of the prefects, not Malfoy, pointed me into the dormitory I would have to share with four other guys.
I really wasn't going to spend much time here.
I considered sleep, but I wasn't even tired.
The four other guys, also fifth years, came in after a while and introduced themselves.
"I'm Rex." The first guy told me. "And this is Ellis, Felix, and Trevor." He pointed to the other three boys accordingly.
"Pleased to meet you." I said. "I'm Nico Di Angelo."
"Unlike what it may seem," Felix said. "Not everyone in Slytherin are bad people."
"Thank you." I said. "I think I'll sleep now."
The other boys started to get ready for bed. After an hour or so, they were all asleep. I stood up and ran to the bathroom.
I turned on one of the sinks and pulled out a Drachma. If I was correct, it would be about 2 pm in San Francisco. I dropped the Drachma into the mist.
"Goddess accept my offering," I said as quietly as possible. "Show me Hazel Levsque at Camp Jupiter."
I saw my sister, she was on guard duty again.
"Hazel." I whispered.
"Nico!" She screeched. "What if someone sees you?"
"Quiet." I said. "It's past ten at night here. Everyone's asleep."
"Oh, yeah." She said quietly.
"I just wanted to say hello, Hazel." I said. "I miss you."
"I know, Nico. This quest will be over before you know it." Hazel said
"I should go to bed now." I said.
She nodded. "Be safe, Nico."
"I will."
I cut my hand through the image and looked around. Everyone was still asleep.
I snuck back into my bed, knowing sleep wouldn't come.
I wasn't going to spend much time in the Slytherin house.
(A/N So how was it? Why do I like having a lot of questions here? Are unicorns rainbow-colored? Review.)
