Chapter 10
The walk up to the Gryffindor tower was done mostly in silence. The children were stuffed from the feast and exhausted. It had been a long day and an even longer night. The Prefects sensed this and gently herded the children through the labyrinth of stairs. The children awkwardly stumbled through the portrait hole and into the pleasantly warm common room. Harry was close to falling asleep where he stood.
"I can see many of you are tired so this won't take long. Welcome to Gryffindor House. We are delighted to have each and every single one of you in the Great and Noble House of Gryffindor. We value courage, bravery and determination above all represent your house and your actions can earn your house points. The house with the greatest number of points at the end of the year wins the house cup."
McGonagall was speaking. Her dark eyes surveying the tired children in front of her.
"But that's enough for tonight. Time for bed. The prefects will lead you to your dorms."
With that, the prefect from the train stepped forward capturing the boy's attention.
"I'm Percy Weasly. Boys follow me."
The boys did as instructed, following the red head up the left hand stairs.
"Usually all the first years are left together. But despite magical mean, there is a limit of five students to a room. There is six of you so three of you will share a room. Potter, Weasly, and Longbottom this is your room."
Prefect Weasley motioned to the door on the left.
"Rosier, Finnigan, and Thomas this is yours."
He motioned to the door on the right wall. The doors held a golden plate confirming his statement.
"Your belongings should already be inside. Breakfast starts at 8 am sharp tomorrow. Any questions?"
None of the boys spoke up.
"Alright then. Good Night."
With that Prefect Weasly strode back down the stair case.
Harry and Dudley shared a look. They had been sharing the same bedroom for the past year and a half. It would be quite strange to no longer share a room. Harry decided to make light of the situation.
"Thank God! Now I don't have to listen to your chainsaw like snores anymore!"
The boys stared at Harry in shock. Dudley promptly roared in laughter and shoved Harry.
"Shut it, dweeb! You know your gonna miss my sweet lullaby!"
At that a couple of the other boys joined into the laughter.
"As if!" Harry countered pushing his dorm door open. He was ready to fall into the sweet embrace of his bed. Dudley laughed as he too entered his dorm. The children didn't talk as they changed and slipped into bed. It was far to late for introductions.
The Slytherin common room was gorgeous Glad decided. It decorated heavily in green's and accented by silver. A large glass wall allowed them to stare into the black lake. Like if one would at an aquarium. She blinked and suddenly she could see a wrap round balcony. Bookshelves stuffed with books lining the walls. A glamour she realized. She smirked in amusement reminded of the snake tank and the trip to the zoo. The first-year children were seated on cushions around the fireplace waiting for their head of house to arrive. The second years and above were lounging in any elegant chair or sofa around the common room.
"Welcome to Slytherin. I am your Head of House and Potion Professor Severus Snape."
Pansy had let out a small cry of alarm next to her as Professor Snape seemed to appear out of the shadows. Glad admittedly had flinched but it was barely noticeable. The Professors dark eyes surveyed the First years slowly, making sure they were all paying attention. His eyes lingered a bit longer on Glad's face and she smiled. He immediately looked away.
"Most of you know of Slytherin's reputation. The other houses see us as Dark witches and Wizards. They fear us. They fear you. Accept it. Use it. Despite the other houses fear of us, you are not alone. Slytherin do not step over their fellow snakes to reach our goals. We aid one another. For in the end it will always benefit you."
The whole house was enraptured by his speech. His voice was quiet but firm and full of hidden emotion.
"We are creative. We are resourceful. We are clever. We are ambitious. Most of all, we are united. Any issue's you have with your fellow snake does not leave these walls. We display a united front that surpasses even the most violent of blood feuds. Do not disappoint me."
He paused driving the point in. The warning settling heavily over the Slytherin's.
"Over the next several days each of you will be pulled out of class for medical checkups by Hogwarts Medi-Witch. You will show up. This is non-negotiable."
Several children looked at alarmed. Glad frowned. This… this could be beneficial to her. If they were searching for signs of abuse. It would be reported to the ministry; the ministry would investigate and they would be removed from Vernon and Petunia's care.
She just had to make sure Harry got examined. Not only did his body, unfortunately, hold the most evidence of abuse. But he needed to get attended to quickly. His magic, usually so strong, was weak from overwork after sustaining him so long without any nutritious aid.
While she mussed on what to do, their Head of House had slipped back out of sight, Prefects and Head boy and girl stepping forward.
"First year Girls. Follow me to your dorm." The girls did as hold scrambling to their feet and following the Head Girl.
"The right hallway is our Ladies hallway. The last door the end of the hall is the First-year dorm. All the doors we are passing belong to second year and above. All First years are expected to be in their dorm at nine pm the latest. If an emergency arises, you are permitted to enter the first door at the end of the hall. That is the Head Girl's chambers. Do not enter any other dorm without first asking for permission."
She stopped halfway down the hall the rest of the girls followed suit. The girls couldn't see any door. Just a large tapestry of a gorgeous raven-haired woman. She was dripping in finery, draped in differing shades of blue silk, strings of pearls straggling her neck, shining silver rings adored her fingers. She was seated upon a silver throne. Masked servants presenting her with all sorts of delicacy and jewels. She gazed proudly down at the girls, her sharp eyes trailing over each first year.
"This is Slytherin Alumina Enchantress Tempest Seles. She was one of the first students to attend Hogwarts. She was known for her silver tongue. No matter the situation she was guaranteed to get out of it using her words alone. She always got what she desired. Whether it be power, respect, or control. A role model for all Slytherin ladies. Her tapestry marks the entrance of the Bathrooms. All you have to do is walk through."
"Can't the boys do the same?"
Greengrass questioned in concern.
"IF a boy was able to even walk down the hallway. He would not be able to get past the tapestry. Enchantress Seles choices who she allows in. She has seen your magic signature and no hot-blooded male will even get a toe into the Girl's bathrooms. We take such matters quite serious, Heiress Greengrass."
With that the Head Girl continued onward. Gladiolus followed casting one last curious glance at the tapestry. She truly needed to raid the library. She knew so little about everything it was maddening.
"This is your dorm." A plaque on the door has displayed. 'First Year Girl Dorm' followed by in smaller letters each girl's surnames.
"Breakfast is at 8 sharp tomorrow. You are expected to be seated at the table 10 minutes before. Good night."
With that the Head Girl closed the dorm door.
Parkinson sniffed in distain. No doubt at the Head Girls abruptness and cold attitude.
"She didn't even introduce herself."
The dorm was long, shaped like a rectangle. The left wall lined with the dressers and beds. The right. wall was a large floor to ceiling glass window displaying murky green water. Glad slowly walked down the row of luxurious beds and found her name in the middle of the five. A personal dresser was too her right and her trunk was at the foot of her bed.
She turned to see most girls had already found their beds and were changing into their nightgowns. Glad followed suit and slipped onto her bed closing the hangings around her. Tomorrow, lessons would begin and she would finally be able raid the library. In fact, she would first start with the common room's balcony library.
She turned over and sighed. Hopefully her dreams would be pleasant. She was sick and tired of seeing Deatheaters. She wanted to see something pleasant. She could only home that whatever was responsible for her visions would heed her wish.
Thank you for your patience. I guess you can say i had a bought of writers block. I plan for the next chapter to be longer and more interesting. As you can see i have a couple routes to go through. I can make the ministry competent and actually investigate the children situation, I can make Dumbledore the 'bad guy', I can do alot actually. I have plenty of ideas... uh, idk. i think i'll do a mix of stuff. Hopefully y'all will enjoy it. Pleas, Review!