Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, settings, etc., they all belong to JK Rowling.
Yet again I will be using some from the chapters in my story, and I know some people won't like it, but please have an open mind.
The door swung open, and a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face, and Harry knew that one should never cross her.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." the man said.
"Thank you Hagrid. I will take it from here." And she pulled the door wide open. The enterance hall was huge, long rows of torches hung across and they reminded him of old Muggle king's throne rooms. The ceiling was unable to be seen, for it was hidden from his eyes by some sort of enchantment or such. And a magnificent marble staircase leading them to the upperfloors face them.
The first years followed Professor McGonagall across the stone floor. Harry could hear the voices of hundreds of students from a doorway to the right. So the upper years were already here, Harry thought hearing some shouting and laughter from within the hall. But they were not lead into the hall, but into a small chamber off a ways. They milled in, standing shoulder to shoulder with eachother.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like you family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards."
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Her eyes flickered to a few students in question.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
Harry glanced around at some of the students, and could easily sort out which house they belong to. He felt someone come up behind him and he turned his head a bit.
"Harry Potter, we meet again." said the seemingly always amused voice of Cam Del Ross. The boy was wearing his Hogwarts uniform proudly, his black hair pulled into a ponytail, and a grin on his face.
"Cam del Ross." Harry said softly, sidestepping a girl with blond pigtails. Harry manuvered through the small crowd, and Cam followed. But Harry felt a pair of eyes on him, and he stopped and looked for them. He noticed a pair of brown eyes, and knew that this was the girl that had watched him from Flourish and Blotts.
She was surrounded by a group of girls that were attractive, and anyone could see that they thought highly of themselves.
He saw her eyes widen when he met her gaze and her face flushed.
"Harry!" He heard, and he turned to find his sister pushing her way through people. Her long red hair danced at her waist, and the happiness in her face was almost making her face glow.
"Yes?" He asked, and before she had a chance to say anything someone gasped.
"What the-"
And there they were, the ghosts of Hogwarts. They were pearly-white and transparent, and there were twenty of them all talking; more like arguing.
A ghost that looked rather liked a monk disagreed with ghost that was wearing a ruff and tights.
"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance-"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves enough chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost-, I say, what are you all doing here?" The ghost in tights asked, surprise and intrigue written on his colorless face.
"We're new students, preparing for our Sorting." A girl with pin straight brown hair spoke, her blue eyes looked a bit fearful of the ghosts and her voice cracked a bit on new students.
"New Students?!" The Friar said, smiling around at them. a few students nodded mutely in confirmation.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house you know."
"Move along now, the Sorting Ceremony is about to start." Profesor McGonagall's sharp voice said. The ghosts floated away, silently disappearing through the walls.
"Now, form a line, and follow me."
Harry stood infront, leading a line of students, and Cam stood behind him. They walked out of the chamber and back across into a new hall that lead to a pair of double doors and into the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was magnificent. Hundreds of candles floated in the air, all being held by an invisible force. The ceiling was replaced with an illusionment charm, causing one to see what the night sky showed. Long tables were sitting parallel to eachother, and held the rest of the students. The tables were laiden with glittering goblets and golden plates. At the top of the hall was another long row where the teachers sat. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, and the teachers were behind them.
The faces of hundreds of students stared at them, each face watching with curiousity. Among the students were the ghosts, their fine mist like bodies were floating in the air. But most of the students were staring up at the ceiling, all in awe of the night sky.
"It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History." Hermione whispered. He heard something shuffling off to his right, and he looked over. Professor McGonagall had placed a stool down in the center of the platform they were on. Harry noticed that everyone was staring at a dirty, patched, and frayed wizard's hat. Then the hat twitched and the brim opened, and he hear the hat sing.
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
There lived two wizards and two witches
who's names are still well known
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
Together they worked
To create their dream
of creating a school
for Wizards and Witches to use
to study crafts and spells
But alas they had no idea
How to place the students
according to their abilites
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
Slytherin took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor,
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands! (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
The hall burst in applause, and the hat bowed, before going still, as if it had never moved at all. Professor McGonagall moved forward, this time holding a scroll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said.
"Abbott, Hannah!" And the girl with the blond pigtails that Harry had passed back in the chamber stepped foreward, her cheeks a soft shade of pink. There was a long pause as the girl picked up the hat and placed it on her head. She bit her lip and waited, her eyes seeming to glaze over as she sat with the hat on her head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" And the table on the right burst into cheers, the ghost of the Friar waving at her merrily.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!" Terry Boot ran over to the table second from the left, and some of the Ravenclaws clapped him on the back as he sat.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy!" went to Ravenclaw as well, but "Brown, Lavender" had been the first new Gryffindor, which had exploded in cheers as she joined.
"Bulstrode Millicent" then became a Slytherin. Harry looked over at the table as she walked, they had very composed faces. Their claps were controlled, but not unwelcoming. The silver and green serpent hanging above them seemed to move in the torchlight. And Harry watched as they stopped clapping and looked up again.
"Del Ross, Cameron!" And Cam stepped foreward, and Harry heard whispering as he did. Cam walked with a calmness, and he took the hat in his palms. He sighed and placed the hat down over his ponytail. The hat took a while with him, and Cam's face was scrunched up a bit.
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat called out, and Harry watched Ravenclaw break out into cheers. He saw some of the girls were smiling and more welcoming to Cam than the boys were.
"Finch-Fletchy, Justin" was sent to Hufflepuff. But Harry began to notice that the hat had taken a while to decide, while with others it was in an instant.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione ran to the stool and yanked it onto her head, and it caused her wild curls to bush under it.
"GRYFFINDOR!" and there was a groan from somewhere near the back.
"Greengrass, Daphne!" And the girl from the robes shop walked foreward, her posture tall and straight. She looked like a perfect heiress, her shoulders back and her nose held in the air, her face was composed and her eyes were uninterested. He watched Greengrass sit and she held her composure.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Harry watched Neville Longbottom fall over on his way to the stool, and he pulled the hat onto his head. The hat took a while to decide when it finally called out GRYFFINDOR.
"Malfoy, Draco!" and Harry knew instantly who that was. The boy's pointed face and cool grey eyes were faced foreward, but he walked with a swagger. And the instant the hat touched his head it screamed SLYTHERIN!
And the list went on, until they reached the P's. Harry felt excitement build in him, and Voldemort also seemed to be a bit excited as well.
"Potter, Calla!" and whispers broke out through the hall.
"Potter?"
"The Calla Potter?"
And Calla stepped foreward confidently, her eyes bright, and she was gripping her robes tightly. The hat fell past her eyes and the hall was quiet, their eyes wide, some expressions hopeful.
For almost two whole minutes Calla was sitting under the hat, and Harry felt a bit impatient. Then the brim began to open and everyone was on the edge of their seats.
"GRYFFINDOR!" and Gryffindor burst into cheers, louder than anyone else had ever recieved. They were clapping and many stood to usher her to the table.
"Potter, Harry!" And that seemed to cause confusion.
"There's another Potter?"
And Harry walked foreward, his heart beating a bit fast. He felt every pair of eyes on him, and he took the hat in his hands, and he placed it on his head. Something quivered in his brain, and he felt another presence besides Voldemort.
"Tom, it is nice to see you again." A voice whispered in his mind. Harry frowned.
"Tom? You are mistaken, for I am only Harry Potter." Harry thought back, and he heard the Sorting Hat let out a strange dry laugh.
"You may seem that way, but I can feel him inside of you. I now everything about you, or should I saw both of you? I know every wish you've ever had; every half-formed, incomplete thought. I know you better than anyone has ever known you. And I know Tom's presence as I remember every other that I have ever sorted. But this time, you are almost the same person. I can feel the darkness in Harry's soul. Everything inside you is as dark as young Tom once was, if I didn't know, I would say you were the same person, but I know. I can feel it, your thirst for knowledge, your hunger for power, your hate for the ones who aren't like you. So with that in mind I shall place you in SLYTHERIN!"
And the hall was dead silent. Only the crackle from the torches could be heard as Harry pulled the hat from his head. No one breathed as Harry crossed the hall towards Slytherin table. Every head turned to watch him, and when Harry sat, the whispers began.
"A Potter in Slytherin?" was the main question floating around. Harry felt the eyes of every Slytherin on him, watching him with calculating eyes. Calla was staring at him, with what looked like hurt and betrayal. Harry nodded to her and then sat next to Draco Malfoy, who stared at Harry with a mixture of anger and surprise.
Harry ignored the looks many threw at him, and watched the end of the sorting. Blaise Zambini was the last of the Slytherins, he was rather tall for his age, taller than Ronald Weasely, with high cheek bones and dark skin, and his slanting eyes put a chill in the air.
Harry felt his head throb a bit, and Voldemort whisper in his mind.
"Tonight Harry, Tonight we will discuss the beginning of my plan." Voldemort whispered in his mind, Harry didn't say anything in return but he knew that Voldemort would know what he meant. Harry heard the talking cease, for Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet.
Harry had seen Albus Dumbledore few times in his life, but it hadn't been long. He was very old, almost reaching his one-hundred and eighteenth birthday. He was wearing a long, purple cloak with stars etched into the material. It swept the ground. His shoes were simple black high-heeled, buckled boots. Dumbledore's eyes were bright blue, and he wore his trademark half-moon spectacles on his nose, which was crooked.
"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin, I would like to saw a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back in his chair while everyone but the Slytherin's clapped, the Slytherins sighed and just stared at Dumbledore with blank expressions. Harry waited patiently for the food to appear, and he glanced at his goblet. The golden cup sparkled in the torchlight, and small emeralds were encased outside the golden body. And then the food appeared, filling the golden platters.
Brisket, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Green Beans, Peas, Chicken and Zucchini Parmesian, Baked Spaghetti and Cream Cheese, Fried Chicken, Broccoli Potato Soup, Chicken Soup, BBQ Chicken Salad, chicken cordon bleu, Wild rice salad, Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Vegetables, Lasagna rolls, Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie Cups, Yorkshire Pudding, carrots, ketchup, boiled Potatoes, sausages, and other sorts of food.
Harry placed a Lasagna Roll and BBQ Chicken Salad onto his plate, but waited to eat. The Slytherins ate a bit quickly; but it was at a more leisure pace, unlike the Gryffindors who crammed the food down their gullets.
Harry pulled out a fork and began to eat the Lasagna roll. The warmth of the noodle and the taste of tomato made his body warm immediately. Harry ate slowly, and his eyes flicked across his fellow classmates.
Many of the older students sat with airs of arrogance, their eyes were bored and uninterested. Harry felt a pair of eyes burning into his skull and he looked over at Gryffindor Table. His sister was watching him, her eyes were sad, but she smiled bleakly at him before turning away. Harry ate silently, he felt the eyes of every Slytherin on him.
Harry heard a few shrieks over at Gryffindor table, and looked over to see what caused the commotion. Harry bit back a laugh at seeing that the Gryffindor ghost had shown itself. But Harry grimaced a bit when he saw the ghost's head on his shoulder.
But just then their own ghost of Slytherin had appeared. The Bloody Baron; this was the only ghost that he had paid attention to in the History of Hogwarts. The gaunt face of the ghost was blank, it's eyes were staring straight at him, and his robes were stained with silver blood.
"Nick you fool." The ghost whispered, and he sat beside Harry. Most of the Slytherin's had scooted away from the ghost, but Harry stayed where he sat and continued to eat, until he felt like his arm had been drenched in freezing water.
Harry looked up sharply and saw that the ghost had accidently brushed him as he passed, but what surprised Harry was that his sleeve was a bit wet. How had the Baron touched him?
Harry felt something poke at his mind and he felt Voldemort's presence immediately.
"It seems that someone is getting a little curious as to what you're thinking Harry." Voldemort hissed, and Harry pulled out his wand from under the table.
"Kroppen på plass." He murmured, and he looked up. Harry felt a thrill run through him briefly as he had finally perfected this spell. The spell was of Norweigen origins, meaning "body in place." Physically it would look like he wasn't doing anything, but really he was moving freely from his body.
Harry glanced up at the teachers table, and saw three pairs of eyes trained on him. A man with a purple turban and pale skin, his eyes shifted nervously back and forth; but there was something about him that Harry knew he was hiding. Harry took a look at the second man, and he felt Voldemort hum inside him.
"Severus..." He hissed, and Harry looked at 'Severus'. The man was sallow skinned, he had a large hooked nose, greasy black hair, black eyes, and in those eyes was a rather intriguing emotion.
Hatred.
This man hated him, he hated him for a reason unknown to Harry... correction, a reason Harry did not know yet. But if Voldemort was familiar with this man, then he could be trusted. Harry then looked at the last man, and his face darkened into a scowl. Albus Dumbledore was watching him with worry, and Harry knew that he would have to be careful about what he did in Hogwarts.
But Harry saw that it was neither the hooked nose man or Dumbledore that was trying to prod into his mind, but the man with the turban. Harry decided he would figure out why the man was trying to enter his thoughts the following weekend, but for now it was time to watch and listen.
Harry closed his eyes and told the counter curse.
"Kroppen tilbake." Harry felt the solidness of his body return and he flexed his hands a bit to test the affects of the spell. His hands were a bit out of sorts, but it would soon disappear.
Harry stiffly lifted his hand and placed a bit of the BBQ Chicken Salad into his mouth. He ate silently, but he looked up and over at the Ravenclaw table and met a pair of grey eyes.
Harry immediately reconized the girl from Flourish and Blotts, and he saw her long brown hair spill down her shoulders elegantly. She had a small nose and big eyes, her teeth were hidden behind a pair of baby pink lips.
She blinked when their eyes met and immediately looked away.
Harry looked at her for a few moments, waiting to see if she would look at him again, but she didn't. He looked at his own table again. There wasn't as much talking here, much to Harry's pleasure, and if they were talking; it was about blood status and the Ministry.
"Mudbloods have no place in society, they are taking up valuable jobs that could be filled with purebloods." A girl with raven colored hair snapped at a boy with red hair.
"And you think I don't know that? It's all the new Minister Fudge's fault. He wanted to show that the ministry isn't into what status your blood is, load of hogwash if you ask me. He just wants to impress the public." The boy said rolling his eyes and scoffing.
"But that's all it's about isn't it? Impressing people, besides it's not like the Ministry isn't totally incompetent. I mean look, they have Lord Malfoy in the Board of Education, and he is on the council. He is smart and will know what to say and do to get most of the Mudbloods out of the Ministry. He is an example every Pureblood should follow, and there are many examples of Purebloods that are good examples. But seeing as your father works in the lowest level of the Ministry, you would have a lot of work ahead of you wouldn't you?" The black haired girl said, and Harry glanced at her with interest.
She was a rather opinionated witch, that was easy to see. But she had a rather sharp pinpoint for where to attack.
"And you think that only one man could rule the Ministry? If you did you are a fool, but it is your own opinion. If Lord Malfoy was intending on getting rid of the Mudbloods, don't you think that he would have to slowly work his way up? And that Purebloods would have to actually apply for the jobs? They deserve it, but none the less the public won't see it as that. You need to work from the bottom up, savor the power you have and make it work for you. But you wouldn't know anything about that would you? Seeing as your father was booted from the Ministry for being so careless." The boy said, effectively shutting up the girl.
The girl was glowering at the boy throughout the dinner, and he was throwing her smug looks. Harry glanced around the hall again, trying to take in every detail.
The long tables were plain, each seat was either black or brown, the banners hanging above the heads of the students were amazingly detailed.
Blue and Bronze for the Ravenclaws, the Eagle perched on the banner flew every once and a while.
The yellow and black of the Hufflepuffs shined and their badger proudly displayed its claws but looked down with softness at the students under it.
The red and gold for the Gryffindors were bright, their Lion walking slowly up and down the banner, occasionally letting out a yawn and throwing a frightful glare at the Slytherin banner.
Slytherin's banner was Silver and Green, the snake coiling, uncoiling, and hissing; it's sliver scales were bunched up as if ready to strike upon the Gryffindor lion that looked at it defiantly.
The students at Ravenclaw held books in their hands, comparing and disagreeing, but eating at the same time. Their studiousness was just a part of who they were.
The Hufflepuffs were eating dilligently, their mouths moving in time with their chews. They were all welcoming the new students still, making them feel as if part of a large family.
The Gryffindors were boisterous, their loud proclamations could be heard from across the hall, laughter ensuing from all as a joke was shared.
The Slytherins weren't completely quiet. But they watched each other thoughtfully, looking for promise and insecurities they could use for their personal gains.
Harry was the most scrutinized wizard in the whole hall. A boy who came from a whole line of Gryffindors be sorted into Slytherin?
It was almost unheard of, but if it hadn't been for Sirius Black, he would have been the first.
But the one who watched him the most was a rather difficult decision. For four people had almost their whole attention on him. One was his sister Calla, the second was the turban headed man, the third was the hooked nose teacher, and the last was Dumbledore. Mixed emotions came from all of them.
For Calla, it was a blow to her. Her brother was placed in the house that the man who had killed their grandmother had been, and Calla had loved her grandmother dearly, even before she even knew her. She had always known that Harry was different, but to say that he was in the darkest house in Hogwarts was another thing all together.
Severus Snape was furious. James Potter had found yet another way to wiggle his way into his life, and it had been through his son. The son that had to look exactly like him, but to have his mothers eyes. It might not have been intentional, it was still hell to the wizard. But then Severus thought of Potter's reaction to his only son being placed in Slytherin. He would probably die of shock. Not that that would have been a bad thing, Snape thought nastily.
But the fates had a plan for the boy who shared his soul, and it was now being set in motion.
The feast was slowly coming to a close, the food had disappeared only to be replaced by desserts. Harry decided only to eat a light dessert, for he would not like to feel sluggish for his meeting with Voldemort in less than a few hours.
He ate a few small bites of Treacle Tart, their taste invading his mouth with sweetness. He placed his fork onto his plate and lightly ran his fingers through his hair.
Thin strands of his black hair brushed his eyes, and he quickly pushed back. He glanced up in time to spot the Headmaster beginning to stand.
"Ahem- just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you." He said.
"First Years should note that the forests are forbidden to enter, which several of our older students should also take note of that as well." He said and he looked toward the Gryffindor table as he said this.
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to remind you that magic is not permitted in between classes in the corridors. And that Quidditch Trials will be taking place on the second week of term, anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."
"And finally, I must tell you that the third floor has been placed out of bounds for all students, unless you wish to experience a very painful and slow death."
"And now, before you head to the warm, comfortable confines of your dorms. Let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore cried and Harry saw that the teachers smiles had grown stiff and forced.
Dumbledore raised his wand, and flicked it as if he was trying to get a fly off the end of it, and long golden ribbon shot out from the tip of it. It rose high above the tables so that all could see it.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune and off we go!"
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
or yound 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."
Due to the different tunes of song that people used, they stayed a bit longer. The Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march.
"Ah, music," Dumbledore sniffed, whiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
"First Year Slytherins this way!" A Slytherin fifth year called, he was a tall boy with a blond pompadour haircut, blue eyes, and white skin; his Slytherin crest blazing on his vest. Harry stood, and followed behind a girl and they began to walk out of the hall.
The two lines followed the fifth year through the corridors, and Harry saw many things that would cause the Muggleborns to look in wonder. The doors that appeared and then disappeared a few seconds later, the ghosts that passed through the wall unexpectedly, the portraits that hung along the walls watched them, and pointed and whispered to each other as the students passed.
Harry was especially interested in the portrait of a young man who was reading a book, his black hair was slightly waved and his glasses were sliding down his nose as he read; pushing them up without taking his eyes off the book. The boy paid them no mind, but then a beautiful girl with red hair came up to him and took the book from his grasp.
The girl giggled when he threw her a furious look, and she ran; the booking held tightly in her grasp. The boy took off after her, his face determined and his eyes were playfully angry.
They passed many amazing tapestry works; each one so different from the other. Harry noticed that they had the same style though, the paintings expressing an image of power or control.
The fifth year led them behind a tapestry, and Harry noticed that the air was becoming a bit colder as they walked.
So the Slytherin Dormitories are in the lower levels of the castle, Harry thought; noting that the stone grew darker and the atmosphere colder as they continued downward.
The labyrinthine passages they took were predictably deserted. They walked deeper and deeper under the school.
"This way, don't get lost!" the Fifth Year barked at them, and they hurried to keep up. Harry noticed that there were etchings in the wall, but he didn't get a chance to fully look at them as they had paused by a stretch of bare, damp stone wall.
"Listen up First Years because I will not say this again, You have been sorted into the House of Slytherin, if you do not know than you will now. Our founder is Salazar Slytherin, our crest is a silver serpent, and our house colors are silver and green."
"As you may have noticed our house 'mascot' of sorts is a serpent, chosen by Salazar himself. We have our resident ghost, the Bloody Baron. You were placed into Slytherin based upon traits that set you apart from the teachers pets, the cry babies, and the idiots; and these might happen to be but aren't limited to: those resourcefulness, determination and a certain…disregard for the rules."
"However, if you are caught breaking rules, you will be punished accordingly. But only if you are caught. As Slytherins we are isolationists. We do fraternize with students of other houses; unless it is to outdo them in when preforming a task or endeavour. We stay among our own and we try to ruin our opponents."
"We have a point system here at Hogwarts. House points are given or taken away to reward or punish students for their behavior. They are also won in Quidditch matches. These points are crucial over the course of the school year. At the end of the year a House Cup is awarded to the house with the most points. "
"You will find four giant hourglasses in the entrance hall that take account into our points. Our hourglass is filled with emeralds. Teachers and prefects are some of the few who are allowed to take away points and give points, it is best not to find yourself around a Gryffindor prefect. The hourglass is automatically records the gain or loss of points."
"Remember, Slytherin house is always a target. As members of our house we are expected to maintain our public image."
"You are also expected to maintain or increase your marks. Failure in any class will result in a punishment suited for it. Pass any way you can"
"If there is anything you learn at Hogwarts, remember this; never, ever reveal the secrets of Slytherin to anyone in this school that is not a housemate. What happens here, stays here. If anyone is caught in breaking this rule, it is advised that they had never return to Hogwarts. This is the only time that your loyalty to your house is expected above all else. Remember that."
"Your housemates are your 'family' within Hogwarts," He said, and they could feel that he was almost done with his speech by the way his face was composed and that he was beginning to lean turn toward the stone wall, "You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. You can study and play games in this area."
"Any Questions?" He asked, looking at each and one of them directly his gaze unwavering. "Good." Then he turned toward the blank wall.
"La Via della Purezza," And the stone door concealed in the wall slid open. "Remember that Phrase. It is our current password and will let you into Slytherin house. Remember, it can be changed at any time."
He led them through the passage that had opened up and led them down, to a set of iron doors. The handles were entwined snakes. The fifth year pulled the doors open and entered the Slytherin common room, which had a high ceiling and furnished with greenish lamps and green comfortable chairs.
Assorted tables were scattered about for students to work or play games at. A large fireplace covered almost one full side of the room.
Outside their windows were the dark depths of the Black Lake. Large glass was lining the walls of the common room, dark water was being prevented from flowing in.
Harry grinned upon seeing a peculiar creature float past; it's fins were bone, large black eyes stared at them, and a gaping mouth.
"It feels like a dungeon," one witch whispered, nervously biting her lip, twisting her blond hair on her finger.
Then the fifth year began to speak again, drawing their attention to him immediately.
"The day has been long and I expect most of you to be tired. As for your luggage and other belongings; they have already been placed in your dorms. Edencrass! Grisher! Escort the first years to the dorms." He said, and both of them appeared at his side.
"Girls follow Edencrass, Boys follow Grisher. But before that let us get introduced to the Head of Slytherin and Potions Professor, Snape." And the boy stood off the the side, as did all the older students. They were lined up according to year and they looked up expectantly at the blank wall off to the right.
Professor Severus Snape scowled at all the students, his piercing black eyes that looked as if he could see right inside a student's head. But his voice surprised Harry the most, he had expected to hear a deeper voice than the one that Professor Snape possessed. But he was pleasantly surprised at the rich, soft, almost hypnotic voice that immediately grabbed the attention of the listener.
"I am your Head of House, Professor Severus Snape. I will be responsible for you your entire term at this school. Those who find themselves in trouble, you come to me first… before reporting to any teacher or the Headmaster. You must make sure that any situation you find yourself in that may lessen your reputation among your peers be avoided or unconnected to you."
"It is my job to ensure your safety as one of my students but I will not risk my job for you if mess up, do you understand? Perfect. I also serve as Hogwarts' Potions Master, and I will be teaching you the basic potions."
"As you already have heard from Mr. Adornett, Hogwarts awards points for good deeds and classroom participation. At the end of each year there is a selected winner based upon the total house points. You will all do your best to achieve points for our house, anyone who loses points will help me in the dungeons for an entire week. Brewing over your mistakes."
"Finally as for the House Dormitories; First years will share a dormitory but obviously they will be separated based upon gender. There is no need to warn you about the danger of trying to enter the girls dormitory, you shall see for yourselves if you desire to try. For older students, there is a possibility of owning private dorms. However the cost of the dorms isn't for regular students; if you so desire to have a private dorm understand that you will be expected to clean after yourself unless you rent a house elf, or if you already have one, you may use that house elf as you please."
"If there are any questions than I will be taking my leave, goodnight."
Harry watched as Professor Snape turned sharply and his robes billowing as he exited the way he came.
"Witches, come with me," Edencrass barked, headed towards one of the spiraling staircases. The girls followed her quickly, afraid to be left behind.
"Wizards, come with me," Grisher said, leading them toward the opposite staircase. Harry was in the middle of the line of boys, his eyes were taking in the surroundings of the dorm.
Eight beds were forming a circle, a large heater was standing in the center of the room. Harry's eyes immediately sought out his bed and saw his name near the back.
Harry Potter.
Was written in large silvery letters across the foot board. And Draco Malfoy was placed right next to him.
Harry took in his bed, the black wood frame stood proudly, emerald curtains lined the bed, and a large drawer sat in front of the bed. Harry didn't notice their guide leave, so he had walked over to his bed.
Harry pulled open the curtains and sat down on the velvet sheets. Harry began to pull off his shoes, and the other boys did as well; silently.
Harry loosened the tie at his neck and pulled it off, feeling the confines on his neck release and he let out a slow breath. He unbuttoned his shirt and pulled off his pants. He walked over to the drawer and pulled out his pajamas. The blue material felt nice against his palms. He pulled on the pants and buttoned up the shirt.
He laid in his bed and pulled close the curtains of his bed, darkness engulfing him. But there was enough light peeking in that Harry could see the name of a student that had been etched into the dark wood, one that he was very familiar with.
Tom Riddle.
Harry laid still for a few hours, his eyes neither drooping or feeling tired. He shifted a bit and checked on the others, once he was satisfied that they were asleep; he opened up his mind to Voldemort.
Tom? He thought silently, and waited for a few moments; feeling nothing. But then he felt the familiar pressure of Voldemort intruding on his mind.
Harry? He answered, and then Harry felt himself relax; unknowing that he had tensed up at all in the first place.
You have a plan? Harry said feeling a bit annoyed.
Baby steps, young Harry, Baby steps. First we must gain the trust of the teachers, as not many know; I was the role-model student, everyone looked up to me and everyone adored me. We must start off like I was, but not too suspiciously; for Dumbledore did not trust me. But for you Harry; he might, for you are the son of one of his most precious members. Most think that you must work your way from the bottom up, but in this case starting with the teachers would be your best bet. I had started off with the students and I have to admit that was a fault. The students were too easily coerced, and they easily betrayed. But if you work on the teachers and slowly learn their faults and the things they are most ashamed of, you will have the upper edge.
And which teacher would be ideal to start out with? Harry thought back, slowly mulling over the things that Voldemort had just shared.
Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher would be ideal, and I happen to know Professor Quirrel on a deeper level than one might think.
That isn't much of a start plan, Harry thought feeling irritation at not knowing the full.
All great plans are just the start, you must let them blossom and grow. Much like plants, they cannot just form in an instant. Voldemort hissed, feeling a bit of pleasure at irritating Harry.
But sometimes flowers die before they have the chance to blossom, Harry shot back.
"If you have the right materials and a good planter, they will be beautiful and amazing."
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