This chapter is dedicated to the Israeli prison guards who died in the forest fire.

Life is so constructed that an event does not, cannot, will not, match the expectation.

- Charlotte Bronte

Three Snakes and a Lion

Chapter Nine

First Nights x Four

"speech"

"parseltongue"

thoughts

Part One

Harry sat down next to Draco at the Slytherin table. Draco grinned at him. "Welcome to Slytherin," the blond whispered.

Harry smiled. "Shh." He watched the sorting, clapping quietly as Tom entered Hufflepuff. "Good."

"Oh?" Draco looked startled.

Harry smirked. "Now there's one of us in each house."

Draco looked surprised, then a calculating gleam appeared in his blue eyes. "Think he did it on purpose?"

Harry shrugged. "Wouldn't put it past him. Oh, good, another Slytherin." He clapped along with the rest of the table as Blaise joined them.

"Agreed." Draco elegantly placed a napkin on his lap. Harry snickered. The blond lifted his nose up haughtily. "Some of us are not barbarians."

Harry just grinned "If it makes you feel better. Potatoes?"

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Harry ate slowly, preferring to admire the hall. Despite Tom's in depth descriptions he had still been unable to do the school justice. The magical ceiling reflecting the sky above, the floating candles, the giant banners and stained glass windows. The school was truly beautiful.

It was as Harry looked up at the high table that it happened. As he gazed at the teacher with long greasy hair, his scar suddenly burned.

"OW!" Harry clapped a hand to his forehead. Draco stopped talking to stare at him.

"Are you all right?"

Harry nodded shakily. "Who's the teacher sitting next to Professor Quirell?"

"Professor Severus Snape," Draco smirked. "Our Head of House, and my Godfather."

Harry shot another look at the dour man. Professor Snape glowered back. Harry turned away. "I don't think he likes me very much."

Draco looked startled. "Of course he does. Your a Slytherin!"

Harry shook his head. "If you say so." He wasn't convinced, but who knew? Tom always said to wait and see before judging. Best to follow that.

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Harry followed the prefect down to the dungeons. He wasn't surprised when they stopped at a blank wall. Draco, however, looked as though he was about to complain. Harry quickly grabbed his arm and shook his head. "It's the common room entrance," just as the prefect tapped the wall.

"Basilisk."

The wall slid aside. Draco's eyes narrowed. "How did you know?" Harry just smirked.

"Now," the prefect announced, "there is a teachers meeting, so Professor Snape will be delayed. Second years and above may go to their dorms. First years, remain in the common room." He took out a book and settled down on the couch.

Harry studied the room. Dark green tapestries hung from the walls, and carved serpents coiled up the sides of the fireplace. The light was green at filtered down through the lake. Above the mantle was a portrait of a slim, dark haired, dark robed man.

Harry grinned, remembering what Tom had told him about this portrait. "Greetings, Serpent Tongue."

The painting shifted slightly, sharp silver eyes focusing on Harry. "Greetings, egg-childe of my egg."

Harry laughed. "Is that how you say grandfather in parseltongue?"

Lord Slytherin pushed back his hood, revealing a heart shaped face and large, laughing, catty eyes. "Indeed."

Draco gaped at his friend. "What was that?"

Harry smirked. "Oh, didn't I tell you? I'm a parselmouth."

Draco glared. "You did not."

Harry attempted to look penitent. He failed miserably. "It must have slipped my mind."

Draco readied himself to inform Harry of his opinion of that, when the portrait interrupted.

"Tell me child, what is our relation?"

Harry gazed thoughtfully at the ceiling. "Various marriages on the Potter side." The portrait smiled slightly, the resemblance to Sa'zar uncanny. "The closest, though, is an affair between my maternal great-grandmother and one of the Gaunt son's. The children were squibs until my mother, and now me and my cousin."

The founder's eyes narrowed-just like Tom's, Harry thought. "Cousin?"

Harry nodded. "In Gryffindor. And there are two other descendants; Tom in Hufflepuff, and Sa'z-Salazar in Ravenclaw."

The portrait played with a single lock of long dark hair. "Tom. There was a Tom here some years ago."

Harry's eyes widened slightly. "They are the same. But he does not want anyone to know."

A slight nod from the portrait. "Are they speakers as well?"

Harry nodded as the wall slid open, revealing Professor Snape. The founder swiftly raised his hood, returning to his former position.

Snape motioned to the prefect, who nodded and walked over to the dormitories. "House meeting. Now."

Immediately the other six years hurried into the common room. The prefect nodded. "Girls to the right; boys to the left. Firsties in front, seventh years in back." Draco gave Harry a sharp tug, and they sat down between Greg and Blaise.

Professor Snape stepped forward. Harry shivered. This man had power. His presence was enough to still the room. Instinctively Harry knew this was not someone to cross.

"Welcome." The professor's voice was soft, scarcely more than a whisper. "To the noble House of Slytherin. By virtue of your sorting you have been shown to hold the potential to be cunning, deceptive, and ambitious." He paused. "But that does not mean you are currently any one of those things." His fathomless eyes flicked briefly to Harry.

"To be a Slytherin is to be hated and feared by the other houses. It is to be branded dark by those who do not understand Darkness. It is to be branded evil by those who do not know it." Another pause. "It is for this reason that Slytherin must always show a united face in public. What ever your personal feelings, do not show them where others will see. All conflicts are to be kept to the dorms.

"In the eyes of the school all Slytherins are one. The House is judged as a whole by the actions of one. You must always carry the knowledge that your actions do not effect you alone. They effect us all." Again he looked right at Harry as he said this.

Harry kept his face blank, but inside he was steaming. He was not about to betray his house!

"You will find that who you are will not help you here. Your parents are not the ones being judged." Another glance at Harry. But this time Harry nodded. His scar would not help him, but that was okay. It was why the hat had put him in Slytherin, after all.

"If you cause trouble for another teacher, you may expect an additional detention with me. However, I will take circumstances into account. Do not lose points. Do not cause trouble. And if you must cause it," a smirk and a glare at Harry, "do not get caught. Timothy," he motioned to the prefect, "will give all first years a copy of our code. This," he lifted a tremendous scroll, "is the original. You will sign, or you will leave."

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Harry signed, and smiled at Professor Snape. He was rewarded by the shock flickering briefly in the teacher's eyes.

The Potions Master recovered almost immediately. "You have a private meeting with me at three on Sunday. Do not be late." To Draco, "we at twelve, Sunday, godson."

Draco nodded. "Understood, Uncle Severus."

The two boys headed to their dorm. "You didn't have to be last, you know," Harry groused.

Draco sniffed. "No need to rush ahead, either."

Harry paused for a moment by the fireplace. "Good night, Grandfather."

The portrait smiled gently. "Welcome to Slytherin, Grandson."

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Part Two

Dudley sat down near Fred and George. "Hi." He tried not to sound to nervous.

The twins clapped him on the back, almost knocking him over. "Glad to have you Big D."

Dudley rolled his eyes. ""Very funny, Gred. Now, shh. Sa'zar's being sorted." He clapped happily as his 'brother' entered Ravenclaw.

"Granger, Hermione."

"Ravenclaw," Dudley muttered.

"RAVENCLAW!"

George raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."

Dudley shrugged. "Anyone who memorises all the school books is a Ravenclaw." The twins chuckled. "Or half of them, for that matter."

Neville slumped down on the bench next to Dudley, his face red. Fred grinned. "Nice of you to try and get the hat back."

George smirked. "Yeah, but word of advice; don't attempt a rescue in middle of the Great Hall."

Fred nodded sagely. "Try the headmasters office next time. The password is always sweet."

Dudley rolled his eyes. "Ignore them, Nev. They just think they're funny."

Neville gave a weak smile. "Yeah."

The twins looked offended. "What do you-"

"-Mean 'think' we're funny? We-"

"-Are funny!"

Ron threw himself down on Neville's other side. "Bloody 'ell, I'm hungry."

Nev gave a small shrug. "It's almost done."

The headmaster stood up. Ron groaned. "What now?"

Albus Dumbledore dropped a brilliant smile on the room. "Nitwit. Blubber. Oddment. Tweak. Thank you." He flicked his wand, and the tables filled.

Ron grinned hugely. "Food!"

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Dudley felt full and content as the meal came to an end. The headmaster was speaking again, something about forbidden forests and an out-of-bounds corridor promising a "painful death" to anyone who entered it.

Fred and George exchanged wicked grins. "Excellent!"

Dudley laughed. "Let me know what you find there."

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The Gryffindor first years followed Percy out of the Hall, and up the stairs. They had climbed what Dudley swore was a dozen flights when they came to a sudden halt.

A bundle of walking sticks hung suspended in mid air. "Peeves," Percy whispered, "a poltergeist." He raised his voice. "Peeves-show yourself." A loud, rude noise was the reply.

Before Percy could speak again, Dudley interrupted. "Y'know, Peeves, I know how to summon Saliir."

There was a pop!, and a little man appeared. "Ooooooh," he cackled evilly. "Ickle firsties! What fun."

Dudley stood his ground as the poltergeist swooped down at him. "Fine. I'll just get Slytherin's son, then."

Peeves glared, stuck out his tongue and flew off. Dudley let out a breath. Thank you, Tom.

Percy gave him a strange look. "Slytherin's son?"

Dudley nodded. "The Bloody Baron is really an effective threat, isn't he?"

Percy nodded, a strange look on his face, as they set off again.

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Dudley wandered over to the portrait above the fireplace. "Good evening, Lord Galen." The portrait jerked awake.

"Shh. I'm supposed to be Godric."

Dudley smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I won't give away your secret. But where's your brother?"

Galen chuckled. "In the headmasters office, pretending to be me."

"Who's idea was that?"laughed Dudley.

"My idiotic older brother's, of course," was the prompt response.

Dudley snickered. "Of course. Well, it's been nice chatting with you. See you around"

Hogwarts first headmaster smiled broadly. "Take good care of your wand."

"Don't worry, I will." He waved as he ran to the dorms.

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Part Three

Tom sat quietly at the end of the Hufflepuff table, eating his meal, not talking, and basically just keeping to himself. He felt as terri- unsure- as he had the first time he was sorted. More so,even. Last time he hadn't had anything to hide.

"Hey." A pretty brunette smiled at him. "You okay?"

He nodded sharply, hating to display weakness. "I am fine."

"And I'm Susan." She stuck out her hand. "Susan Bones."

Bones. That was an important name in the DMLE. A connection there would be useful.

Slytherin side satisfied, Tom smiled, and shook the girls hand. "Tom, Tom Riddle."

The headmaster stood up to speak. "All students should be aware that the third floor corridor is out-of-bounds to anyone..."

Tom snorted. "Correction. It's bait."

Susan blinked. "Why would you say that, Tom?"

Tom smiled slightly. "By next week half of Gryffindor and every Slytherin above fourth year will know what's behind that door."

"That's a bit harsh." An older boy looked disappointingly at Tom. "You can't know that."

Tom chuckled. "One of my brothers is in Gryffindor, and another is in Slytherin. If they don't try to figure out what's behind that door," he put on a mock worried look, "I will have to summon the nurse."

Susan and the boy laughed. "In that case," the boy smiled, offering a hand, "Cedric Diggory, third year. Sorry for misjudging you."

Tom nodded and accepted the handshake. "Tom Riddle. And it's fine." He tilted his head to the side, considering. "For the record, I have a brother in Ravenclaw, too."

Cedric raised an eyebrow. "One in each House, huh." Then he frowned. "Odd. I don't know any other Riddles."

Tom bit his forefinger. He would have to be careful here. "There aren't any. We're adoptive siblings, and we are all first years."

Cedric's face cleared. "Oh. So which-"

"Salazar Gaunt, Dudley Dursley, and Harry Potter."

Susan looked startled. "Really? You're all brothers?"

Tom nodded. Cedric appeared thoughtful. "You know," he said slowly, "the four of you, may be just what Hogwarts needs."

A shy looking blond nodded. "Perhaps you will bring peace to our troubled school, and bring about an end to this ancient feud." She blushed as she noticed their looks. "Hannah Abbot," she whispered.

"Tom Riddle." "Susan Bones." "Cedric Diggory."

Tom smirked as they reached the common room. Creation of alli-no, friendships- complete. He had to remember, these were Hufflepuffs, not Slytherins. Ergo, friends, not allies.

The smirk became a smile. He could get used to that.

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"Hello, Tom." The call came from the portrait of a chubby auburn haired woman named Helga. "'Ric told me you were here."

Tom blinked. "I did not see-"

She smiled brightly. "Oh, he got Sal to give him back the cloak."

Tom groaned. "Lovely. Grandfather must be soo happy."

Helga laughed gaily. "I believe he is. And 'Ric only has to obey him for another week." She smiled down from her perch above the mantle. "How are you, Tom?"

Helga's smile was impossible to resist. It had to be answered with another. So Tom smiled back. "Lady Hufflepuff, I can honestly say, I have never been better."

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Tom lay on his bed, listening to Finch-Fletchley and MacMillan talk. One of the boys, Justin?, turned to him.

"You okay?"

Tom nodded slowly. "Yes, I am fine."

"Are you sure?" The other boy, Ernie?, looked concerned.

Tom sighed. "I was just thinking about my brothers."

"Oh." Ernie nodded, trying to seem knowledgeable. "You miss them."

"Yes," Tom replied, hoping the insufferable boy would leave him alone. "I do."

He was surprised to realise that that was not a lie.

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Part Four

Sa'zar sat down next to Valerie. "Nice earrings."

"Thanks." She patted the mini 'sorting hats.' "Unfortunately, they're not as smart as that one." She gazed longingly at the hat, who was know sorting Hermione.

Sa'zar and Valerie cheered as the bushy haired brunette joined them. "Oh, I am so excited about classes. And thank you for the advice, Sa'zar. You are so right about the houses being equal. And-"

"Hold your horses, girl." Val grinned at her fellow bookworm. "Give us all a chance to speak."

Hermione flushed. "I am so sorry. I always do that. I cannot begin to express my remo-"

Sa'zar laughed. "Relax, 'Mione. We like you anyway."

"Exactly." Val threw back her head, making her earrings flash. "Oh, look Sal. It's Harry's turn!"

Sa'zar grinned as Harry was proclaimed a "SLYTHERIN!" The smile faded quickly as he noticed that no one was cheering. "Well, that's not right." He leaped up on the bench, and began to clap. Val, and, more hesitantly, 'Mione, joined him. The rest of the hall followed.

Harry smiled and waved as he passed their table. Sa'zar waved back.

The sorting continued. After Zambini joined the Slytherins, the headmaster stood up.

"Albus Dumbledore," Mione breathed. "Defeated Grindelwald, holds the Order of Merlin first class, is-"

"The Head of the Wizengamat," Val interupted, "and the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards." She chuckled at Mione's expression. "Your in Ravenclaw. Being a know-it-all is part of the house charter."

"Nitwit. Blubber. Oddment. Tweak."

Sa'zar glared at the headmaster. "That isn't very nice." Mione looked confused. "Insulting the Houses." Now both girls looked blank. Sa'zar sighed. "Nitwit- Gryffindor, because they always rush in without thinking first. Blubber- Hufflepuff, because they always empathise with others. Od-"

Val cut him off. "Oddment, 'cause we Eagles tend to be a strange flock of birds. Tweak-"

"-For Slytherin because they always attempt to manipulate the situation!" Mione finished, smiling broadly.

Feeling rather pleased with themselves, the three turned to their meal.

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"-to die a very painful death."

"I wonder what they're hiding," Val said as they got up.

"Guarding," Sa'zar corrected. "But let's start with whatever is behind the door."

"Maybe a spell," Mione suggested.

"Animal, I think." Val shook her wild pony. "Spells are too hard to escape from."

Sa'zar nodded. "And since most of the Lion's will know by next week..."

Mione smiled. "We can just ask them." She suddenly looked confused. "Wait. Why would the Gryffindors know?"

Sa'zar shrugged. "Because the third floor will have a lot of little big cat visitors?"

Mione frowned. "The whole house is going to break the rules?"

Val laughed. "That's Gryffindor for you. Forever taking chances, getting messy and finding adventure."

Mione did not seem convinced. "But won't they get in trouble?"

Sa'zar shrugged. "They wouldn't be 'Ric's Lions if they didn't."

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The Ravenclaw common room was a study in blues and bronzes. A beautiful, if cold, woman over saw it all from her portrait. Her sharp green eyes were focused on Sa'zar.

"So you finally deign to return."

Sa'zar blinked. "Lady Ravenclaw? I do not recall being here before."

Rowena's jade colored eyes narrowed. "You truly do not remember your past."

Sa'zar looked hopeful. "You know who I am? Will you tell me?"

She shook her head, long blond braid swaying. "You must discover that for yourself." Sa'zar sighed, but nodded.

Val patted his shoulder. "Cheer up, Sa'zar. Look on the bright side." She smiled gently. "If you keep asking questions, you'll keep getting answers."

Sa'zar glared at her, but found he could not hold it. "I guess I'll just have to keep asking then." Laughing he ran to his dorm.

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AUthor's Note: Hope you enjoy the chapter. The train has not been forgotten. All will be explained in chapter eleven. (Yes, it is written.) No updates until my counter reads 45 reviews. The idea of Harry being descended from Salazar comes from 'The Real Heir of Slytherin', an incredibly funny story. I read it every time I need a laugh. The game comes from 'Hearts and Hourglasses.'

Happy Chanuka!

House Points:

Gryffindor: 30

Hufflepuff:19

Ravenclaw:33

Slytherin:54

Questions:

Chapter1:

Who are the snakes and lion?

Chapter2:

Who says what at the beginning of chapter 2?

Chapter3:

What happened at the Malfoys'?

Who blocked Dudley's magic, and why?

Warning: Do not answer a question if you already answered it.

Chapter4:

Where does Mrs. Moreh get her name from? Hint: Do you like Israel?

Why is Sirius the heir of Slytherin? Hint: Family tree scene in book 5, and what did Salazar look for in his pupils. (And don't tell me purebloods!)

Where does Coral get her name from? Hint: look up milk-snakes.

Salazar appears somewhere in the chapter, (not counting the painting). Where is he? Hint: He shows up at the later end of the chapter.

The seal on the painting is who's? Hint: Think about what Harry and Tom are discussing.

Chapter5:

Who is Emerald?

Why does Godric have Lion-scale added to his name? (Hint: This does have s/t to do with the founder forms.)

Chapter6:

Why does Tom want to keep Sa'zar away from pointed objects?

Chapter7:

Why is Albus saying Tom is Voldemort's offspring?

Where does the phoenix feather in Harry's wand come from?

Why does Tom get the holly wand?

What did Olivander mean about yew wands?

Chapter8:

What was Albus alluding to when he mentioned being judged by your parents?

Chapter9:

What cloak did Sal return to Godric?

Why is 'Ric in the headmaster's office pretending to be his brother?

Extra Credit: Anyone who can give me a story that mentions Dumbledore making fun of the houses in first year gets a point.

The picture: The 5 animals are the animagus forms of the founders and Galen, Godric's little brother, and the first Hogwarts headmaster. Each founder had four forms; 2 bright, 2 shadow, 2 mortal, 2 magic. Each correct answer is worth one point, plus 4 extra if you get them all right.

Which form goes to which Founder?

Galen: Bright Mortal: African Lion

Godric: Bright Mortal: Asian Lion Shadow Magic: Chinese Fireball

Helga: Bright Mortal: Badger

Rowena: Bright Mortal: Eagle

Salazar: Bright Mortal: Silver Serpent

Hints:

Sal's may not be what you expect.

Godric and Galen are in their shadow forms; everyone else in bright ones.

What does a unicorn signify?

Cerberus is a dog.

The dragon is a Chinese Fireball.

The nine-tailed fox is Japanese.

Phoenixes are reborn.

Extra Credit: Try and guess the Founders'+Galen's other forms. All correct guesses get you an extra point.