I'm afraid that not a lot happens in this chapter. We see some Slytherin politics, and introduction to routine and people's reactions to Harry's arrival. Enjoy!

– CHAPTER SEVEN –
Goodness Never Fearful

Whenever Harry was Sorted into Slytherin, he liked to stare out into the lake, sat right in front of the glass, and watch the sea life swim by. Gaspard did not think him odd for this, as many others did: he simply sat next to Cadmus, tinkering with whatever wizarding item he could get his hands on, and would report on the various anomalies in the behaviour of the fish or the grendylows or merpeople, and spew interesting facts about how they lived.

It was on one dark Monday morning that Cadmus was especially lucky to have come down the stairs at six o'clock and find the giant squid lodged to the glass by its tentacles. A Third Year girl by the name of Weiss had screamed when she saw it because apparently she was scared of it, and so Gaspard has spent a nice ten minutes explaining that the glass was enchanted so that while it could ordinarily break through, the charms in place stopped it from drowning us all under the large body of water that would surely engulf the common room. He then explained that he didn't even blame her for being scared because the giant squid would need only one of its tentacles to squeeze her to death and that she had a much larger chance escaping a great white shark were she not bleeding.

Weiss had, consequently, been escorted to the Hospital Wing for a Calming Draught – Gaspard had gone into a lot of graphic detail – and Cadmus and Gaspard spent the next ten minutes suffering under the distaste-ridden gazes of the other pupils. Even Cadmus' status as a Black did not help their rapid downfall of popularity in Slytherin – indeed, it served only to hinder him, as apparently the way he was acting was "unbefitting of a Black" and he was "putting the family name to shame."

Bellatrix Black, Harry's dear cousin and Seventh Year, grew especially fond therefore of a rather nasty curse that blinded the receiver for half an hour. "No-one stares at you like that," she had said, and it was probably to get brownie points from her Lord but it only made Harry's wish to stay as far away from her as possible even more vehement.

Bellatrix – indeed, all of the Blacks – knew who Cadmus really was, of course. Walburga and Orion would not risk Cadmus being treated badly by his cousins and so would have warned them in advance to be on their best behaviour around him, to try and impress the Dark Lord and to gain favour rather than lose it. As Cadmus had to write to his father that night, he knew he could not avoid including Bellatrix's assistance – but, he thought, he would turn it on its head so that the Voldemort would tell her to stop "assisting" Cadmus.

"She is the one we do not like?" asked Selene from his pocket. Cadmus was in the middle of buttering some toast – Gaspard had gone to talk to Slughorn about Felix Felicis and how it could be incorporated into food – and so they could talk in private.

"Yes," he told her, "She may be more stable now but that is only because she hasn't lived through Azakaban – but make no mistake, she is extremely malicious."

Selene hissed. "I could bite her," she offered, and Cadmus tried not to laugh.

"I don't think Voldemort would like that much," he said.

Selene was quiet for a moment, and she was completely still in Cadmus' robe pocket. "Why do you not call him your father?" she asked. "He calls you his son, he calls you by your name."

"Voldemort is his name," Cadmus said, although he suddenly felt much less hungry. "And although he may call me Cadmus, I am nothing but a tool to him. He calls me only his heir and it's because he thinks, impressionable as I'm supposed to be, it will make me feel special. He just wants to use me."

"Humans are confusing," she said, "why can't you just be clear with one another?"

Cadmus smiled. "Snake though you may be," he said, "you are surely no Slytherin."

Selene gently bit his stomach.

"Fascinating…" said Gaspard as he returned, "fascinating… Professor Slughood doesn't think it is possible for me to gather so much felix felicis that I could put it in sweets and sell it for years to come but I think I could make a much more condensed, weaker version that–"

"It's Slughorn, Gaspard," said Cadmus.

"What? Oh, yes, Slughord. Sorry. Where is Tilden?"

Yet another reason they were disliked: they invited a member of another House to breakfast with them every morning.

"He had to go to the Library before class."

"Oh, I see… Where are we first?"

Selene hissed softly in his pocket: "He would forget his head were it not attached to his neck."

Cadmus patted her softly to get her to quieten. "Transfiguration, Gaspard, just as it was last Monday."

They had only been attending the school for a week and while Gaspard was understandably overwhelmed by it all, it seemed to be his wandering thoughts and brilliant ideas that had him so forgetful most of the time. He was marvellous in class, however – he paid the utmost attention and never missed a beat.

"Ah, yes. To class, then – but first, some cereal! You know I could kill for a bowl of Coco Pops right about now?"

But of course he was still only a child.

Transfiguration was interesting. Of course, having lived so many lives meant Cadmus knew everything she was saying, particularly because it was First Year, but he was simply happy to watch Minerva McGonagall do her thing as he could so vividly remember from his life as Harry Potter. He had loved her then, admired her, and he still did. She was the sort of woman you wanted on your side.

The class had passed by extremely smoothly except for one slight bump in the road. McGonagall, being much younger than Harry had known her, was also less shrewd. Still very witty and clever but younger and freer, McGonagall had at one point looked over at Cadmus and said, as though she were in another time and place, "Yes, Mr. Riddle–" and frozen stiff.

Cadmus' hand, which had been raised in the air, slowly fell by his side. She had called him Riddle. As in Tom Riddle. Dumbledore must have told her his concerns, then, and she must have shared them for she knew Tom Riddle from school… Cadmus would have to be more careful than he thought.

"My name's Cadmus Black, Miss," he said. This was no problem. A slight hiccup. No-one in the class would derive any meaning from it…

"Yes, of course. My apologies, Mr. Black. Now, I believe you know the answer?"

The rest of the lesson – and, indeed, the day – passed swiftly after that. Soon it was dinner, and then evening, and Cadmus was curled up in an armchair writing the expected letter to his father.

Father,

My first week at Hogwarts passed well, I believe. I was Sorted into Slytherin, as I'm sure you know by now, and have made friends with a scientist called Gaspard Shingleton and a Ravenclaw called Tilden Toots. I believe both will go far in life and are good allies to have, despite Gaspard's half-blood status. They have known each other since they were young and Tilden is a pure-blood, whose parents are nobody of any particular consequence.

My favourite subject is, of course, Defence Against the Dark Arts although I think you are a much better teacher. My skill in this class seems to be, to my fellow Slytherins, my only redeeming quality: they think I am a shame to the Black name, an oddball, and a failure. I will show them otherwise. I know you have to earn respect in Slytherin, Father, and I am more than prepared to do so. I am willing. I want to show what I am capable of. Soon, I will be someone who is the epitome of all Blacks – and then I will be even more than that. I will be the epitome of a Slytherin.

However, to get there, I need to prove myself. I will not have other people carve the way for me and make me look weak. Therefore, please get Bellatrix to stop interfering: while I understand why she may wish to help, blinding Slytherins on my behalf is not a good start to my school career and is, most importantly, distasteful. I could do a better job.

I hope all of your endeavours are going well. I doubt not your skill but the skill of others, and I know you can more than make up for their mistakes.

Say hello to Sirius and Regulus for me.

Your loyal son,
Cadmus Black.

The reply arrived two days later.

Cadmus,

It was never a doubt that you would be placed in Slytherin, for your blood is of the strongest Slytherins and the strongest magic – Salazar himself would wish to teach you, although alas you shall have to settle for Slughorn. At least he is a man that is appreciative of skill.

I'm uncertain your choice of company is wise, given your low-status situation at the moment, but if you believe they will become worthy allies with time then I give my approval – but keep watch should this situation change. Your rank in Slytherin is precious, as I am certain I do not have to remind you, but you are not there for people to like you. You are there to learn, to climb ladders, to show others what you can do. To inspire them.

Of course, you are my son, so you will easily be renowned by the end of this year. If you are not, we shall have to have a talk about what you have been doing when instead you could have been bettering yourself and your status. I'm certain you will have a good explanation.

As for Bellatrix, consider it already dealt with. I have told her mother and she will be dealing with Bellatrix herself to ensure the gravity of the situation is nailed through that head of hers. I am glad you see that you must raise your own name on your own.

Keep in touch. I have much to do this month but things are all going well. The key, Cadmus, is to make sure no mistakes are made in the first place.

Remember this.

Your father,
Orion Black.

"That wasn't so bad," he said to Selene, whom he had read the letter to upon her request. "He's not displeased."

"He's not happy, either," said Selene. "Is this what you humans call subtext? It is not subtle. His threat is clear."

Cadmus shrugged. "He only wants me to succeed."

"So do I but I don't go around biting you when you annoy me, do I?"

"Actually," said Cadmus, "you do."

Selene grumbled nonsensically around her bacon, and Cadmus laughed quietly. He was going to have to clean his robes tonight: his inside pocket must reek of sweaty meat.

Pocketing the letter and finishing his eggs, Cadmus stood when suddenly Narcissa was stood beside him, her expression immaculately cold. "Cousin Cadmus," she said, "I don't believe we've spoken since your arrival at Hogwarts."

Cadmus, who had been eating alone because he had woken so early, turned to face her. "Cousin Narcissa," he said, "I believe you're correct. How have the first two weeks as Hogwarts been treating you?"

"Rather well," she answered. "Lucius Malfoy has taken the time out to talk to me. I believe it is our parents' wish that we marry."

Cadmus recalled, shortly before leaving for Hogwarts, Abraxas Malfoy on his hands and knees and kissing the hem of Voldemorts robes, and smiled tightly. "He is from a respectable family," he said.

"Indeed. I wonder if you will find a respectable woman to pair with?"

"Perhaps when I am older."

"Of course, Cousin, but it is never too early to think about these things…"

They walked in silence for a few moments.

"I see that your reputation is currently in the deep end. Are you in the middle of rectifying this – hiccup?"

"I am, although I should remind you that it is none of your business. I'd be very displeased to hear you reporting anything back to my father or interfering in any way. I will, of course, clear any of my actions with him first."

Narcissa's chin lifted. "Of course, Cousin," she said. "I would never interfere."

But she said her goodbye quickly after that, and Cadmus was forced to conclude that should he not start rebuilding his reputation soon, there would be many people who would happily do it for him – and one person in particular he would extremely displease.