HARRY POTTER POV
Harry delighted at the feast looked around at the other tables and noticed that most of the food on their table was really healthy compared to what was found on the other house tables. "Draco, why is everything on our table healthy? Why do the other houses not get such healthy options?" He decided to ask a little confused as he tentatively loaded his plate with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and some chicken legs with a small serving of shepherds pie.
"Father said it's because Uncle Severus requested that we be provided with the food that growing boys and girls need to be healthy. According to father the other houses get all the good options, but they also get the food that isn't as healthy that Uncle Severus refuses to allow us to have," Draco explained.
"Our head of house takes a very active role in our studies which include our health. As you'll find out during our welcome meeting, Professor Snape has some very strict rules for Slytherin house. I would advice Mr. Malfoy that you not call him Uncle Severus while you are in public. Professor Snape is very strict on proper address," the female prefect explained. "My name is Gemma Farley and I am one of your prefects." Gemma explained further at some of the confused looks.
"So he acts kind of like our parent while were at school?" Harry asked a little confused.
"In many ways, yes he does," Gemma assured him. Harry gave her a small smile. Before he turned to eat his food.
The rest of the meal was virtually silent. A few hushed conversations could be heard from around him. Though most of the Slytherin table seemed to be silently observing the first years, it was not the blatant staring other houses were doing at Harry. Harry was staring at his food and eating studiously to avoid having to catch anyone staring at him. The noise and hubbub of the Great Hall was very unsettling to him. He didn't enjoy it. He preferred the quiet of Slytherin.
"Why's everyone so loud," Harry inquired softly in an undertone to Draco who was just finishing up the conversation he'd been having with Theo on some topic Harry didn't understand.
"The other houses are not as well disciplined as Slytherin. Nor as mannered. Father says that because most of Slytherin is Pureblood they learn a lot of etiquette from birth. So we naturally know how to behave at a dinner," Draco explained.
"Don't worry Mr. Potter, all first years have an etiquette class unless they are exempted from it by their parents or our Head of House," Gemma assured him as she saw the worried frown on Harry's face. He didn't know any etiquette or any of that stuff. He wasn't even sure he was doing what he was suppose to.
"Thank you Prefect Farley," Harry said politely.
"See you have nothing to worry about Mr. Potter, you've already got polite manners. That will serve you well in Slytherin," Gemma reassured him before going back to her meal. Harry who hadn't eaten as much as the others was already finished his and feeling very tired. Gemma spoke to the other first years, "the rest of you should finish up your meals. We will be filling out of the Great Hall in a few moments, so eat your puddings. Tonight have what you want. You'll learn soon enough that you only get to eat one pudding per meal as per the rules. Once we are dismissed. You first years will line up behind me and follow me down. The table is always emptied and filled in order of age."
"Yes Prefect Farley," echoed from the first years who started to take their deserts. All except Hermione. Who looked at the sweats with a frown. Harry wasn't sure he really wanted anymore sweats he'd already eaten a lot of sweats on the train. Taking a small helping of treacle tart he decided that would do just fine.
HERMIONE GRANGER POV
Dinner had been delicious and Hermione was very pleased that Professor Snape, as she quickly learned was their head of house, took such interest in insuring a balanced meal rather then the disarray of far too sweat or fatty foods littering the other tables. She had been raised by dentists and they did not allow their daughter to eat unhealthy foods very often. Hermione had been taught from an early age to eat healthy and to limit her intake of sugared sweats. She frankly didn't like sugary deserts.
At desert she looked for something that wasn't sugar. She found the fruit salad and gladly spooned out a bowl.
"Do you not like sweats Hermione?" Harry asked her. She gave him a lopsided smile.
"Not really. I wasn't ever allowed at home unless it was a really rare occasion. Though really I never much took a liking to it. Mom always said that if I wanted to have beautiful skin and grow up tall and pretty I needed to eat good food and limit all my sugar intake," Hermione told him. Though she knew Millicent and the other girls were listening.
"It's true, but I have a horrible sweat tooth," Millicent concurred as she dug into the large pile of cakes and sweats she'd put on her plate. Hermione noticed that Harry took a small piece of treacle tart and some of the fruit salad for his.
"I've never been allowed sweats either Hermione, but my cousin used to eat so much he's the size of a baby whale! I don't want to become big like him," Harry explained with a little laugh. The comparison got a few laughs from his friends. Draco snickered as he took a small piece of cake. A bit bigger then Harry's.
"Mother always said that too much cake before bed meant I'd have bad dreams. I prefer to avoid that especially my first night and we have class tomorrow. Father would be very disappointed if I didn't start term on a high note," Draco said with a genuine smile.
As the meal wrapped up and the Headmaster gave his speech then dismissed them to their beds. He left the first years completely at a loss as to why a corridor was not only off limit, but that they would have something so dangerous there that death awaited any who entered. It left Hermione rather glad she would be int he dungeons and far from that corridor. Gemma stood and came around the table. The first years all fell in behind her Andy falling in behind the first years as the rest of the house arranged itself per year group with a prefect between each group. The fifth, sixth and seventh years followed the seventh year prefect and the final member of their group was the seventh year prefect. Gemma led them down into the dungeons. The first year trying to remember their way.
SEVERUS SNAPE POV
Severus regarded his students as the feast began. Pleased to see that most of the first years seemed to enjoy the feast with little complaint of the fact they did not get all the options the other houses did.
"Honestly Severus, do you really need to limit what the children eat for the welcome feast?" Minerva asked with a sniff as she took note of the fare given to the Slytherin students compared to all the rich and delicious options on her own house table. She had of course loaded her plate with much the same unhealthy options Severus didn't like to allow his students to have. He himself ate extremely healthy by anyone's standard as he didn't enjoy the 'rich' foods.
"It is healthier for them. Plus might I remind you Minerva that the children will be starting their term tomorrow and young minds need a good balanced meal to sleep soundly," Severus intoned knowledgeably. He studiously didn't mention that he rarely had to contend with children complaining of stomach aches during the night. Something he knew happened when children had free reign in what they ate. After all that much sugar was not good for anyone.
"A little indulging here and there won't do any harm Severus," Minerva sniffed indignantly at him. "Though I shouldn't be surprised, what with how you eat."
"There is nothing wrong with my meal Minerva, and there is no complaint from my snakes, therefore kindly mind your own business," Severus told her testily as he took steamed potatoes and vegetables. A chicken breast seasoned in spices and grilled sat on his plate along with a nice bun with garlic butter melted pleasantly in the middle.
The rest of Severus's meal was enjoyably quiet. He enjoyed the silent meal as he kept a sharp eye on his first years. Watching as deserts were served and most of the students indulged in far too much sugar. Severus frowned. He hated that. He himself only took a fruit salad for desert despising sugared deserts. He had a dark black coffee in a small cup that he enjoyed black with nothing in it. Drinking it slowly. Knowing tonight he would not sleep. He never did the first night. Usually there were many students who either tested his wards or were awoken with various levels of homesickness. Most especially his first years.
Severus had just finished his coffee when the Headmaster rose to finish announcing things for the year. Severus watched intently as the students were dismissed. Pleased to see his house line up behind their prefects and begin their organized and dignified exit amongst the hubbub of scrapping benches and gaggles of unorganized chaos that was the other houses. Remaining seated he watched them vanish from the Great Hall knowing that he soon would descent like the bat of the dungeon upon his students to deliver the first speech of the year to his house.
He waited until all of the Great Hall was clear before he rose from his seat, bid his colleagues a good night and made his way down towards the dungeons. Already knowing that the prefects would have the students sitting around the fire waiting for his grand entrance into their common room.
Severus glided down the last steps before the long corridor that led to the portrait of Salazar Slytherin seated regally upon a rich chair with a huge basilisk coiled upon the floor around him it's head resting upon the great man's lap. He regarded Severus with knowing eyes.
"Salazar," Severus acknowledged the man who nodded critically in greeting.
"You have a young speaker Severus, be aware he is not aware of his gift. Though only one other has noticed," Salazar replied to Severus's greeting.
"Who is this speaker Salazar?" Severus inquired. Having a faint inkling who it might be.
"Harry Potter," Salazar answered simply. Giving Severus a cryptic smile. "The youngest Malfoy was the only one to notice that Potter spoke to Serenity." The portrait added. At Severus's nod it swung open and he swept through the arched opening and into the Slytherin common room his black robes billowing around him. He heard gasps and startled squeaks from some of the younger students, but most remained respectably quiet. The room had been completely silent as he entered.
The Slytherin common room was a large round room with bookcase on most of the walls holding books that would aid the students in their studies. Many had duplicates in the Hogwarts Library, but a few were exclusive to Slytherin. Having been donated from rich families who were alumni of Slytherin house. There was a large fireplace directly opposite the entrance with three large portraits hanging above it's mantle. Salazar Slytherin in the centre, Phineas Nigellus Black hung to his right and Aragorn Prince hung to the left. Both were former Headmasters, the only two to have come from Slytherin House. The three ancient pictures looked down upon the gathered children. The girls sat to the right ordered from first years through to seventh years at the back. All seated either upon the couches or the floor depending on age group. On the left sat the boys. In the exact same order as the girls. Like mirrors of each other. Both groups faced Severus as he strode up to the edge of the unofficial circle formed by the couches and fireplace.
"Welcome to Slytherin house. While at Hogwarts Slytherin will be your home and your family. I am Professor Severus Snape, your head of house," he fell silent a moment looking over at all the students. "For those of you who are new to Slytherin this will be the set of rules you are to abide by during your stay here, for those of you who have been in Slytherin a while, this will be a much needed review. Around the room you can see your prefects," Severus intoned waving his hand at the three girls and three boys who stood directly behind the seated Seventh years. As he did this the first Seventh year boy directly in his line of pointed spoke his name.
"Prefect Darnel Elwes," the tall black haired and dark skinned seventh year boy stated simply.
"Prefect Hadyn Alkers," the slightly shorter blond haired and pale sixth year boy stated proudly.
"Prefect Andy Bulstrode," the bulky fifth year with short crop bushy brown hair stated slightly nervously.
"Prefect Stacia Van Amervoort," the tall, skinny, black haired intense seventh year girl said with a flick of her hair.
"Prefect Sandy Masson," the slightly plump, red haired and gentle featured sixth year girl announced.
"Prefect Gemma Farley," the smallest girl in the lineup with blond hair and blue eyes and a strict tilt to her chin and harsh expression said in a matter of fact tone.
Severus nodded to each in turn and continued on with his lecture, "the six are your Prefects. It is to them you will listen, should you have a problem you come to one of them or to me. Regardless what it is. We will deal with it." He took a pause and regarded each first year in turn. "Slytherin house faces a lot of stigma and animosity from the other houses and professors of this school. To this end we must be united. As soon as you step foot beyond this common room regardless of if you like or dislike your housemates you will stand united with them. Only united can Slytherin House stand strong. Thus any disagreement you may have will be held within the confined of your common room. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," came the chorus of voices from all of his students. Severus let a small smirk grace his lips as he continued on.
"Excellent. Now this bring us to the rules of Slytherin house. They are posted for you on the board. If you should forget them. Number one. Slytherin House is your family. As such you will be united. Family may not always like one another, but they always stand together. No truer place is that needed then here.
"Number two. All school rules will be followed. Do not be caught breaking a rule.
"Number three. Keep your common room and dorms clean. The house elves are not your servants and therefore you may not call upon them to do your cleaning. There will be inspections of the Common room every Sunday. Your dorms will be inspected once a week and it will not be announced.
"Number four. Curfew is at 9pm sharp. Anyone found outside after curfew will answer to me. Bedtimes are marked for all years on the board and stand as is. First years are to be in their dorms at 9pm. Second and third years 10pm. Fourth to sixth year 11pm. Seventh year midnight.
"Number five. All students must attend meals. If you are not present for a meal and I do not have a valid reason for your absence you will be dealing with me.
"Number six. All homework must be completed before extra curricular activity may be considered. Should your school work suffer due to your extra curricular activities I shall be disallowing your access to them.
"Number seven. There are study groups, you are expected to attend all study group sessions. If you do not I will be speaking with you and you will not enjoy the consequences of your actions. Ladies and gentlemen this is first and foremost a school. You are here to learn and do remember that I am here to insure you take your studies seriously and I will see to it that you do.
"Number eight. Should you have a problem you will report it to a Prefect or myself. You will not deal with it yourself. You will not bring disgrace upon Slytherin house.
"Number nine. No fighting. We have duelling clubs for second to seventh year students. This is not a chance to get even or combat someone you have a disagreement with. It is to learn proper duelling technique and skills.
"Number ten. There are four extra mandatory classes offered on Saturdays and Sunday for all members of Slytherin. You will be taking your extra classes as your year dictates. They are as follows. First years will have Etiquette as well as Wizarding Culture. The first class begins on your first Saturday. The second class begins in the winter term. Second year will have dance lessons. The first class begins on your first Saturday. Sixth year will have finance lessons with a goblin representative from Gryngotts, so I advice you be punctual. This will begin on your first Sunday."
Severus paused and regarded the students. He could see fairly glazed expressions on the younger years while the upper years looked to be thinking things over. "I can see many of you will not remember my words. They are written down for you to review. Do so as often as you need to until you have committed all ten rules to memory. I am not an easy man to get along with. I am not a nice man, but I am fair and I will deal out punishments and rewards as I see fit. You will soon learn that the more you follow the rules the easier your time in Slytherin and at Hogwarts will be. Miss Farley and Mister Bulstrode will show you where your classes are located for the first week so you will not be lost. Should you require further assistance finding your classes you will ask another of your first year housemate to accompany you until you can find your way without getting lost. For those of you in third year starting your new classes Miss Masson and Mister Alker will show you all where the new classrooms are to be found after breakfast tomorrow."
"One final thing before bed, breakfast begins at 8am sharp. I expect you all to be ready and prepared for the day at 7am in the common room. You will all be attending breakfast at the same time. Anyone found still abed after 7am without a good reason will receive detention with me," Severus intoned severely. "Yes this also applies to weekends," he added at the questioning look from his first years. "We will have a house meeting before breakfast tomorrow as I have schedules for both your classes as well as your mandatory medical check ups to hand out to you and will be doing so here rather then at breakfast."
"Now second through to seventh year you are all dismissed. Mister Bulstrode, Miss Farley remain," Severus called out and waited as everyone except his first years and the two prefects left to go down the stairs to their dorms. "For the first years, each of you will be sharing your dorm with another yearmate. You may select your partner now. I will begin assigning partners if you have not come to me with them in the next five minutes."
Severus fell silent as he watched the sleepy first years break into pairs rather easily. Draco grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him up to Severus rather quickly. He had them line up in front of Andy to be led to the boy's dormitory. Casting a silent spell that would inscribe both their names onto the plaque on their dormitory door. Doing the same as each pair came forwards. Theodore and Blaise. Vincent and Gregory. Hermione and Lexa. Pansy and Millicent. Daphne and Tracey. He had Andy lead the boys down towards the first floor of dormitories and Gemma lead the girls. Leaving it up to the prefects to explain that each wing of the dorms was warded against access and where the hidden passage to his office was located along with where the prefect dorms were. As the last of his students left the common room Severus spun on his heels and disappeared behind the secret door in the common room towards his office where he would be spending the remainder of the night as he was certain there would be many disruptions.