A/N: No adventure or anything, but sets the stage for some hopefully interesting interaction between Professor Snape, Gemma Farley, and Mary Potter. Also, in the next couple chapters- a look at Charlene and Lilly and how they are settling in.

Chapter 7

After the meal, Gemma Farley led the 10 Slytherin first years down to the dungeons. Before them, groups of older years, were clumped together, along with the occasional lonely nerd. Mary shuddered a little bit when she saw a bat hanging from the top of the dungeon ceiling. Gemma turned around, and saw, not surprisingly, that Millicent and Tracey looked slightly sick, and that Daphne and Mary were shuddering. Mary had been to Hogwarts before, on Saturdays, to do potion work with Severus Snape, but she always shuddered when she saw bats.

Gemma sighed. The first years were always scared or sick when they first went down into the dungeons. She knew how that felt, but she wasn't about to baby them. "Bulstrode. Davis. Greengrass. Potter." she snapped. "We are Slytherins. We are not afraid of bats. See that you remember that in the future." Mary nodded, and the other girls followed suit.

They finally got the dungeons some ten odd minutes later. Gemma led them into the common room, and told all the second to seventh years, with the exception of the other prefects, to leave the room. It took several minutes for this to happen. During this time, Mary noticed the beautiful luminescent Hogwarts lake. It was eerily beautiful and Mary smiled thoughtfully. When the other Slytherins finally finished leaving, Gemma cleared her throat. It was obvious that she was the one doing the talk, as the fifth and sixth year boy prefects were playing Exploding Snap, the sixth year girl prefect was reading, and the seventh year prefects were snogging each other.

"Congratulations! I'm Prefect Gemma Farley, and I'm delighted to welcome you to SLYTHERIN HOUSE. Oh, and please be silent while I read this" She smiled, pointed to her speech, which was laid out on a piece of parchment and then continued, "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 windows look 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 , 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 parent.

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 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 pencil case.

But we're not bad people. We're like our emblem, the snake: sleek, powerful, and frequently instance, we Slytherins look after our own – which is more than you can say for Ravenclaw. Apart from being the biggest bunch of swots you ever met, Ravenclaws are famous for clambering over each other to get good marks, whereas we Slytherins are brothers. The corridors of Hogwarts can throw up surprises for the unwary, and you'll be glad you've got the Serpents on your side as you move around the school. As far as we're concerned, once you've become a snake, you're one of ours – one of the elite.

Because 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.

And talking of people who aren't destined for greatness, I haven't mentioned the Gryffindors. Now, a lot of people say that Slytherins and Gryffindors represent two sides of the same coin. Personally, I think Gryffindors are nothing more than wannabe Slytherins. Mind you, some people say that Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor prized the same kinds of students, so perhaps we are more similar than we like to think. But that doesn't mean that we cosy up with Gryffindors. They like beating us only slightly less than we like beating them.

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 into our common room or tell them our password. 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. We sleep in 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 windows at night. That's about it."

She put her parchment down. "Any questions?" she asked.

All the first years had been silent up until now. Mary shook her head, the silently nominated spokesman, "I don't think so. Thank you, Ms. Farley." Gemma smiled, "Just call me Gemma, or Prefect Gemma. No Miss." "Okay Gemma," smiled Mary.

Gemma held up her hand, as Draco and Pansy were trying to leave. "Also, for the sake of your grades, do try to study. Professor Snape will not be happy with you if you fail any classes, especially Potions. And Miss Potter, if I may have a word with you after this?" "Sure… said Mary, somewhat bewildered. "Alright," said Gemma, "Follow me." Mary followed her somewhat cautiously, waving to her friends, "See y'all later." she said.

A/N: The speech by Gemma welcoming first years is taken directly from Rowling's "Introductions to the Hogwarts Houses," or the Welcome Message that Rowling wrote for each house. The speech I used was obviously for Slytherin. Please Read & Review.