A/N: I wanted this chapter to also cover the first two weeks of school or so but I finally got around to watching Rogue One last weekend. What a movie! I liked it a lot, though the pacing at the beginning was weird as it felt slow but actually so much was happening. Anyway, I spent a decent amount of time nerding out on Star Wars instead of writing. Thus, the sacrifice of only a 3,500 word chapter for regular uploads.

A/N 2: I'm not ignorant to the fact Harry Potter takes place in Britain, so if any of you wicked Brits see something and think 'that's so American it's revolting' shoot me a message or review or something.

A/N 3: Not J.K. Rowling or Warner Bros. Don't own anything you recognize. Quite poor, honestly. Dumbledore's speech at the opening feast is quoted from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, it didn't seem appropriate to paraphrase or change.

Pertinent Prophecy Presentiments

Chapter 6: Touch the Sky

Since there were only three students to be sorted after Sophie the ceremony concluded quickly, with a girl going to Ravenclaw, the Weasley boy, Ronald, going to Gryffindor and another boy joining Slytherin, sitting with Malfoy and some other purebloods Harry recognised. Professor McGonagall promptly rolled up her scroll of names and took the stool and Sorting Hat away while Albus Dumbledore made to stand before the hall of students. The elderly man gave off an impression of great energy and immense happiness, as if beginning the school year gave him a new purpose in life.

"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"

He sat back down and everyone clapped and cheered, though Harry, whose back was to the wall and could see the whole hall, noticed the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables were more reserved than Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Harry didn't know how he felt about the Headmaster, though he regarded him as overall a good man sometimes Sirius would complain he was making his life much harder in the Wizengamot. Sirius also said that Professor Dumbledore was maybe not the best person to run Hogwarts, because while he did do a good job he was such a political figure it made the school open to political problems.

A wave of food smells crashed against Harry's nose accompanied by a rise in the volume throughout the Great Hall, the Welcoming Feast had begun. The hall echoed with talk, laughter and the clatter of knives and forks as most of the students reacquainted themselves with each other and the castle after months away, and the new students introduced themselves. Harry introduced himself to the girl he had sat next to, Tracey Davis he learned, and she was rather friendly.

"I can't wait to begin learning. I hope they start straight away," she professed to Harry. "Mother and Father had our library warded so I couldn't go in, and only gave me books they wanted me to have. I didn't even get my school books and my wand until last week! I bet most in our year are way ahead of me."

"What did you do growing up? Surely you had to have some school."

"Oh yes, I was tutored in arithmetic, writing and such but it was terribly boring. The only useful thing I learned was to mingle with foreign officials since my father is the ambassador to the NEWP," she explained.

"The newp?" a student, who looked only slightly older, near them asked.

"The Northern European Wizarding Partnership, in English at least. Since there aren't as many wizards they got together and have a big ministry for magic over multiple muggle countries, like our ministry and Ireland. Don't they teach that here? It's been very active lately. The muggles are having some big transition going on and my parents are very involved, it's been very busy recently," Tracey explained.

"We only learn British history for the first few years," the boy answered. "Don't worry, you'll learn plenty though. Even with my family teaching me before Hogwarts the classes were interesting, and the library," he sighed contentedly, "is absolutely the best with books on anything you could imagine."

"Can you show me? I'm ever so ready to begin classes" Tracey asked.

"Sure, in between classes and dinner tomorrow would be a good time. I'm Dylan, Bartholomew Dylan Jr. exactly, though my friends call me Barry. I hope to make your acquaintance during your time at school," he said extending his hand in greeting to her.

The rest of the meal passed easily, smoothly flowing from the main course to desserts of all designs, Harry particularly enjoyed the treacle tart. The ghosts also showed up sometime during the meal, and Harry recognised several from the chamber before the sorting, including the Slytherin ghost that was haunting the table.

"The Bloody Baron definitely deserves his name," he mentioned to Sophie, as the ghost sat next to an unhappy looking Draco Malfoy.

"No, really?" she replied, but Harry's attention had been drawn elsewhere.

Up at the High Table with the teachers a teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose and sallow skin was looking at him with a weird look, somewhere between deep thought and disgust. He immediately recognised him as Severus Snape, the Potions professor and one of Sirius' least favourite people. Harry thought he knew what was causing that look, between his parents and godfather Harry was the child of his best friend and worst enemies. His mother had said Severus was a stiff and awkward child but ultimately her best friend, at least through second year from what he had read in his mother's diary. Sirius had said they went their separate ways in fifth year and he became a Death Eater after that, though allegedly he was a spy for Professor Dumbledore, even if Sirius wasn't so sure.

The next seat down the table though the teacher he was talking to was giving him interested glances, and Harry didn't know what to make of it. Was Snape saying good or bad things about him? "Hey Dylan, who's that teacher with the turban talking to Professor Snape?" he asked.

"You know Professor Snape already? That's good, he's Head of Slytherin House. I don't know who that is, probably the new Defense teacher though as I don't see any other new faces," he told Harry.

Noticing the students looking at them the two teachers turned their attention elsewhere, but Harry watched them for a while even if they never looked back at him.

Finally, the desserts disappeared from the tables leaving the tableware as sparkling clean as before anyone began eating and Professor Dumbledore once again stood to address the students while the hall fell silent.

"Ahem - just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's eyes glanced towards the Gryffindor table and Harry knew from Sirius' stories that the Marauders had explored the forest extensively, apparently someone was continuing the tradition. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Harry along with the majority of students in the hall stared at the Headmaster incredulously, surely he was not serious. Somehow Harry thought he was, and suddenly a connection was made in his mind, Gringotts had been broken into at the end of July sending the majority of the wizarding world into a momentary panic but nothing had been stolen. Was what had attempted to be stolen now being guarded at Hogwarts? Harry couldn't decide whether it was absolutely brilliant, whoever was trying to steal it would have to avoid all the prying eyes of students and teachers in addition to Hogwarts already being one of the safest places in Britain, or it was completely ridiculous hiding something that could attract dangerous people in a school. He barely noticed Dumbledore conjure up a ribbon with words on it and begin the school song until the entire Great Hall exploded in sound as hundreds of voices started singing. Harry didn't know what was going on, but it seemed like everyone was doing it so he joined in about halfway through.

As the students began leaving the hall seeking the comfort of their common rooms and beds two older students with badges on their robes were moving along the Slytherin table and speaking to all the first years telling them to follow as they led them to the common room. The eleven first years followed the prefects out of the hall and into the dungeons.

"Hogwarts castle has ten primary levels, seven at and above ground level and three subterranean usually referred to as the dungeons. You'll have plenty of time to explore the rest of the castle, but it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the dungeons first because that is where our dormitories are. The Slytherin common room has remained undiscovered for over seven hundred years, Magic forbid you to be the one to reveal the secret. Therefore you'll want to quickly learn how to not be followed in the dungeons, like we are right now!" the female prefect announced, launching a nonverbal spell over all of the first years' heads.

A pair of yellow spells were returned, one hitting a first year and another hitting the wall harmlessly. The first year, a lanky boy with brown hair, squawked in alarm as his shoes transformed into bananas. Harry was mildly interested, ever the prankster Sirius would really appreciate that spell, but figured he'd probably want to help his fellow student. He withdrew his elm wand from its sleeve, since it was better with charms, and sent a quick "finite incantatem" at the boy's shoes, which had become a squishy gross mess, allowing them to revert them to their original state. He was glad Remus had taught him that spell, it had proven useful to know. The boy nodded his thanks.

"Ugh, the Weasley twins. They're definitely worth watching out for, they enjoy causing trouble for its own sake. Good on you for knowing the counter, that's a second year spell. We'll make our way to the common room quickly and finish talking there," the male prefect told them, returning his wand to his pocket as he had been posed ready to defend against any other spells coming their way, and headed off deeper into the dungeons motioning for the group to follow him.

After they had gone a very long way from the Great Hall and gone down three separate flights of stairs the prefects stopped in front of an expanse of brick wall that looked cleaner and less damp than the rest of the hall they were in. The girl leant into it whispering something quietly and Harry couldn't understand what she said but he was distracted from that as the section of wall split in two, collapsing to the sides much like the entrance to Diagon Alley did. They filed into the room which was filled with many other students spread throughout and all talking ceased when the door closed behind them.

As the two prefects situated themselves in front of the first years with four others, seemingly prefects from the badges on their robes, Harry took a moment to look around the room. The Slytherin common room was a long, low room with a wall hewn straight into the stone on his right hand side. Although the ceiling looked to be made of rudimentary bricks much like the majority of the castle, with round greenish lamps hung from it on chains. There were a significant number of chairs and couches placed in convenient alignments for activities such as socialising, studying or sequestering oneself. It seemed the most coveted seats were around the two mantelpieces with crackling fires in them on opposite sides of the room, one close to the entrance and another on the other side of two staircases on the right side of the room. The most striking feature though was the large glass wall to Harry's left looking out into what appeared to be water since it was darker than any sky should be, Harry couldn't be sure but he figured they could be deep enough under the castle for the lake to be on the other side. Fortunately, the prefects allowed them the time to look around before they spoke up.

The female prefect who had led them down to the common room spoke. "Congratulations! I'm sixth year Prefect Gemma Farley, and I'm delighted to welcome you to Slytherin House. Our emblem is the serpent, the wisest of creatures, our house colours are emerald green and silver and our common room lies behind a concealed entrance down in the dungeons. As you'll see, its window looks out into the depths of the Hogwarts lake. We often see the giant squid swooshing by, and sometimes more interesting creatures. We like to feel that our hangout has the aura of a mysterious, underwater shipwreck.

"Now, there are a few things you should know about Slytherin, and a few you should forget. Firstly, let's dispel a few myths. You might have heard rumours about Slytherin house, that we're all into the Dark Arts, and will only talk to you if your great-grandfather was a famous wizard, and rubbish like that. Well, you don't want to believe everything you hear from competing houses. I'm not denying that we've produced our share of Dark wizards, but so have the other three houses, they just don't like admitting it. And yes, we have traditionally tended to take students who come from long lines of witches and wizards, but nowadays you'll find plenty of people in Slytherin house who have at least one Muggle great-grandparent. Here's a little-known fact that the other three houses don't bring up much: Merlin was a Slytherin. Yes, Merlin himself, the most famous wizard in history! He learned all he knew in this very house! Do you want to follow in the footsteps of Merlin? Or would you rather sit at the old desk of that illustrious ex-Hufflepuff, Eglantine Puffett, inventor of the Self-Soaping Dishcloth? I didn't think so.

"But that's enough about what we're not. Let's talk about what we are, which is the coolest and edgiest house in this school. We play to win, because we care about the honour and traditions of Slytherin. We also get respect from our fellow students. Yes, some of that respect might be tinged with fear, because of our Dark reputation, but you know what? It can be fun, having a reputation for walking on the wild side. Chuck out a few hints that you've got access to a whole library of curses, and see whether anyone feels like nicking your quills. But we're not bad people. We're like our emblem the snake, sleek, powerful, and frequently misunderstood."

Then her male companion continued. "I'm Romulus Rosier, sixth year Prefect. You know what Salazar Slytherin looked for in his chosen students? The seeds of greatness. You've been chosen by this house because you've got the potential to be great, in the true sense of the word. All right, you might see a couple of people hanging around the common room whom you might not think are destined for anything special. Well, keep that to yourself. If the Sorting Hat put them in here, there's something great about them, and don't you forget it.

"Now, two important things for you to know. First, the office of the Slytherin Head of House has an anonymous drop-box where you can bring to Professor Snape's attention any nonessential concerns, questions or thoughts you have. Think of it as sending him an owl without the owl, if the Professor thinks it's important he will deal with it. Secondly, when in the presence of other houses Slytherins always keep a unified front. Once you are in the common room or your dormitories you are free to dispute. If you can't settle something with your words then Slytherin has a tradition that's just another reason it's the best house, you can have a sanctioned duel. It has to be approved and refereed by Professor Snape, which you will arrange through the drop-box I just told you about. The duelling platform is on the level above the lower year dormitories and locked unless in use. I've found the duelling quite useful in my years in Slytherin, and you'll never know when you'll need it once you graduate.

"A few more things you might need to know. Our house ghost is the Bloody Baron. If you get on the right side of him he'll sometimes agree to frighten people for you. Just don't ask him how he got bloodstained, he doesn't like it. The password to the common room changes every fortnight. Keep an eye on the noticeboard. Never bring anyone from another house to our common room or tell them our password. Like Farley said earlier, no outsider has entered it for more than seven centuries.

"Well, I think that's all for now. I'm sure you'll like our dormitories. Though you'll be sharing a bathroom with your year-mates everyone gets their own room to sleep in, furnished with ancient four-posters with green silk hangings, and bedspreads embroidered with silver thread. Medieval tapestries depicting the adventures of famous Slytherins cover the walls, and silver lanterns hang from the ceilings. You'll sleep well, it's very soothing listening to the lake water lapping against the castle right below your window. The first through fourth years are on the second level, and we highly recommend not disturbing the upper years in their dormitories, try to find someone in the common room or Professor Snape in his office if you must. Boys are the staircase further away from the entrance, girls are the closer one. You are expected at breakfast no later than 7:30, while classes may not begin for first and second years until 9:45 the remainder of the school begins at 8:30, you'll want to be there to receive your class schedules and ask any questions you may have."

While the prefects were making their speech Harry had been enthralled by their words, this was what he wanted from his house at Hogwarts and it seemed like the sky was the limit. Admittedly he didn't quite believe that no one cared he was a half-blood like Farley had said, but maybe things had changed since Andromeda had been in Slytherin and she had failed to mention the personal rooms and duelling, maybe those were some type of house secret. Looking over at Sophie to see what she thought of the introduction speech but she was looking incredibly distracted, shooting apprehensive and somewhat scared glances at the window into the lake. Seeing his eyes on her, she only shook her head and made a beeline for the stairs leading to the dormitories. Figuring he'd figure out what was bothering her later and feeling fairly tired himself, Harry followed the rest of the boys in his year heading to the stairs on the left and up two levels, ending up in a hallway with four doors with years one through four labelled on them.

Going through the door farthest down the hall Harry found himself in a chamber resembling a reception room with seven other doors, six opposite the entrance with their last names and an initial of their first names, and the seventh on the left side of the room with the word bathroom on it. Harry's room was the second closest to the bathroom, between Zabini B. and Nott T. Overall he felt he could definitely get used to these surroundings. Since all the other boys seemed to know each other and Harry only knew Malfoy there was an awkward moment before introductions were exchanged. Harry learned the boy he'd helped earlier was Theodore Nott and decidedly reserved, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were two large and not particularly bright boys and Blaise Zabini was confrontationally disdainful. Checking the bathroom and finding it quite adequate, he went to his room.

The room was furnished exactly as Rosier the prefect had described it, with the sole exception of a small table at the side of the bed below the window, it was barely large enough to do homework but quite adequate to write a letter. The left side of his room was taken up by a massive tapestry depicting a wizard facing off against a massive sea serpent, the bottom said 'Glanmore Peakes Defeats the Sea Serpent of Cromer, c. 1712.' The window had a glass pane that could be opened but what surprised Harry was his owl was outside waiting for him! She really was very smart, Harry couldn't wait to write Andromeda, Ted, Dora and Sirius and tell them how happy he was about being sorted into Slytherin. Letting her in Harry looked around and noticed his trunk along the wall by his bed. With a happy sigh, Harry settled into his room for the next year, spreading his belongings in organised sets throughout the room and writing a set of letters to send off to his family.

PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP

A/N: Feel free to PM/review with any questions, concerns, discrepancies or opinions. In fact, I would love to hear some criticism. Especially constructive criticism because, you know, that's the most helpful kind.