Chapter 10: The Serpents of Slytherin

Two months had passed since Hadrian and Antoninus stole the stone. The school had been relatively normal. There were no accidental trolls let loose or any other events.

"The Goblin Rebellion in 1612 was quite interesting."

"Yeah, who knew how bad the discrimination and prejudice demonstrated towards their kind by wizards and witches were back then. No wonder they hate our guts."

"Remeber the battle that took place near Hogsmeade? Damn, that was brutal."

Tracey and Daphne both stared at the two boys.

"You two were actually were listening?"

Antoninus rolled his eyes.

"Yes, you must have not seen us pay attention as you were sound asleep on your desk Tracey."

The four of them then made their way to the library, as they had a free period next. Over the last two months, since the second term had started, Hadrian and Antoninus had gone back to looking at second-year material. They had no need to research advanced spells now that they have the Philosopher's stone. Their research and hard training with learning all those spells were in preparation for the theft of the stone. It turned out they didn't even use half of what they prepared.

The two boys didn't want to miss out on any knowledge so they went back to where they left off. They didn't want to miss any potential crucial building blocks to understanding magic. Hadrian and Antoninus at this point had almost finished the second year material and made notes on a lot of what they read in their journals. Daphne and Tracey had followed the boy's example and also went to pick out books.

"I swear, the book on dangerous magical creatures was around here, it was definitely-"

Hermione stopped dead when she saw Hadrian, Antoninus, Daphne, and Tracey sitting at the table. Hadrian looked up and saw that Granger, his dick of a brother, Weasley and the boy he hadn't bothered to learn's name, staring directly at him. They then had a hushed conversation amongst the four of them before Julian approached their table.

"So… little brother… what can I do for you?"

"I am not that much younger than you! We are twins! You just came out first by-"

"SSSHHHHHH!"

Madam Prince had come over and gave Julian a death glare. Julian looked abashed for his loudness in the library for a brief moment before fixing his glare back on Hadrian.

"Can we have that book?"

Julian had pointed at the book that Tracey was currently reading. It was a book on the various dangerous XXX class magical creatures. No doubt looking for information on the Cerberus…

"My friend is currently reading it."

"Can we have it after she's done with it then?"

"Why? Interested in dangerous magical creatures? Looking for a giant dog for a pet? Or maybe a firebreathing dragon?"

Gosh… it was so easy to get under his skin. Julian's face had become slightly panicked.

"N-NO! I mean… yeah, I am interested in dangerous magical creatures."

Hadrian could see Granger facepalming behind him. They really had sent the wrong person to come to talk with them. Seeing through Julian was as clear as seeing through glass.

"If you say so… we will put it back on the shelf when Tracey is done with it."

Julian just nodded at them and left in a hurry. Tracey looked extremely confused after that conversation.

"What was that about?"

Hadrian could only chuckle at her.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

When they got back to the Slytherin dormitories, Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Nott, Parkinson and Bulstrode were crowded around Malfoy.

"It was ridiculous! I caught them smuggling a dragon egg outside of the castle! They should have been expelled for doing such an act punishable by a sentence to Azkaban by the Ministry! I already told father about this of course… it's such blatant favoritism for the boy-who-lived…"

Draco paused to look at Daphne, who had entered the room with Tracey, Hadrian, and Antoninus. Malfoy's eyes narrowed and his lips thinned a bit. However, he didn't do anything and returned to his conversation with the people around him. The four of them then found a spot near the edge of the common room, near the walls.

"Are you two both still going to Gringotts later next month?"

"Yes, Antoninus and I managed to confirm it with the Headmaster last week. Professor McGonagall will be escorting the two of us there and back."

"Are you certain you don't want my mother to come to escort you instead? I know you are not so fond of Dumbledore. My mother can help you deny any information that Dumbledore might learn."

Hadrian just shook his head.

"I appreciate the offer Daphne, but it has already been done... and besides, once we are inside, the goblins will set up a private room that they won't let McGonagall enter. The only thing she can tell Dumbledore will be how long we spent inside the bank."

Daphne nodded and didn't ask much more about that topic.

"Have you done the potions essay on the Wiggenweld Potion?"

This caused both Hadrian and Antoninus to snap their necks towards her.

"Oh my… is Daphne Greengrass asking for help?"

Tracey snickered as Daphne struggled not to look embarrassed. To her credit, she hid it well, it was just that she was an open book to Hadrian, Antoninus, and Tracey. Hadrian and Antoninus being incredibly perceptive of her behavior and Tracey who was her close friend and knew her well.

"I've finished as well, I… just wanted to compare our essays and check if I made any errors."

"If you say so."

Hadrian then took out the potions' essay that was folded and placed within his potions journal.

"Potter, Black."

Hadrian and Antoninus both turned to see Diana Wilkinson, and what must be the other current Serpents of Slytherin behind her, approach them. She had platinum blonde hair and a very curvaceous figure from what the two boys could tell. Antoninus personally thought her robes didn't do justice to her body. Her breasts were what… D cup? What was it again in that magazine they found from one of the older boy's drawers in the Orphanage? It had something to do with the circumference and volume of breast size or something… Antoninus wasn't actually thinking about sex or any of that. After all, boy boys even haven't developed those hormones yet. He was just simply analyzing her figure from a mathematical and proportional standpoint.

Tracey looked up at the girl whilst Daphne's emotionless mask locked firmly in place. Both girls becoming slightly tense at the presence of her.

"Ms. Wilkinson, to what do we owe the pleasure."

Hadrian and Antoninus both effortlessly slipped into an aristocratic pureblood persona. Each standing up, taking the hand offered by Wilkinson, and kissing it gently. A look of approval went across Wilkinson's face.

"I would like to congratulate both you and Black on the Quidditch Game against Ravenclaw the other day. A very impressive clean sweep, 390 - 0. Marcus here has been talking very highly of both you and Black's flying skills and our chance to secure the Inter-House Quidditch Cup again this year."

Hadrian and Antoninus both nodded at their Quidditch captain.

"Thank you for your words of praise, Ms. Wilkinson. However, I sincerely doubt you came over here to just congratulate us. Shall we go to a more private venue for further discussions?"

Hadrian's response made the corner of Wilkinson's lips twitch up slightly, it almost curved into a smile.

"Please… follow me."

Hadrian told Daphne to hang onto his potions essay for now as he and Antoninus had left with Wilkinson and the other Serpents of Slytherin. Daphne had given him a look of be careful before they left. Hadrian and Antoninus then realized that they were heading for the central area of the common room, near the fireplace. They approached the table that was strictly reserved for Wilkinson and her inner circle.

Hadrian recognized how powerful this position in the common room was. The three suits of armor lined up against the nearby pillars made it intimating to approach. It was far from the entrance but in viewing distance. You could monitor who came in and out without being noticed. The large open floor space near to the where the table was placed is where Professor Snape had gathered Slytherin house to make announcements. This also gave her easy access to step into this space and gather the house to make any announcements.

Wilkinson and her members then sat down around the circular table, she then flicked her wand out of her holster and wordlessly conjured out an additional two chairs. There was a large enough gap for Hadrian and Antoninus to sit, slightly squished, but good enough. The table was after all meant for seven people… and one additional guest need be

"Please, sit."

Hadrian and Antoninus now both seated themselves at the table. Hadrian noticed Malfoy's outraged and jealous expression from the corner of his eye. Hadrian then noticed that there was a stone snake carving wrapped around the edge of the round table. He couldn't find the head, but he had no doubt it was at Wilkinson's spot. It must be symbolic for Head Serpent for the Serpents of Slytherin.

"Welcome Potter, Black, to the Seats of the Seven Serpents."

Wilkinson paused to analyze their expressions. Hadrian and Antoninus showed nothing but a calm and respectful persona. Wilkinson was intrigued even more by the two boys and waved her wand and suddenly everyone else's sounds in the common room started to fade before they became but a mere buzzing. Hadrian and Antoninus made quick eye contact for a second. A privacy charm to prevent others from listening of sort… very useful spell to learn…

"As you alluded to earlier Potter, I did have something else that I wish to discuss with you both… Now, what can you tell me of the name… Fluffy?"

Hadrian and Antoninus' hearts stopped beating for a second. Fortunately, due to their Occlumency, their expressions of calm and respectful hadn't moved an inch.

"Interesting… and what do we gain from sharing this information with you?"

Wilkinson then kept eye contact with Hadrian for a long time, neither willing to back down. Eventually, Wilkinson caved.

"You really are just as sharp as Marcus has said… very well… in return, I offer you a chance at both seats at this table next year when Adrian and Miles have graduated."

Antoninus then narrowed his eyes and spoke up.

"A trade of this magnitude? Why offer it to us first-years?"

Wilkinson now smiled for the first time.

"You sell the two of you short Black, the two of you have shown an incredible display of magical abilities in the past. The demonstration you two did against the Malfoy boy was enough to show both of your talents. And if you have this much knowledge for first-years, I know that the two of you have ambitions to become Serpents. That much I can discern from the few glances you gave at the seats here and the central area of the Slytherin table in the great hall."

Hadrian and Antoninus continued to show their relaxed expressions. On this inside, both boys screamed 'FUCK'. How in Morgana's name did she find out? They were literally as she said, glances. Antoninus however, didn't stop and answered Wilkinson's question smoothly.

"Perhaps… but joining you now would make us targets to your enemies no? They will see us as the weak link and… especially the older students would group up to come and get us. The competition for such a position is quite ferocious after all…"

Wilkinson let out a hearty laugh at Antoninus' response. This caused the other six members to simply smile at the two of them as well.

"You two both really are true Slytherins, nothing like the Malfoy Scion. We will offer… a few spells in return to aid you in your defense, should you be ambushed."

Both boys made eye contact and communicated silently again.

She is offering a lot…

Yes… but what are her true motives?

We don't lose out on anything… if anything, she has more to lose…

This was so sudden and abrupt… there is also only two more months left in the term… why now?

We already have the stone, it doesn't matter if we tell them…

As long as we keep suspicion off us? We should diverge the alternated story we gave Tracey and Daphne.

I agree…

After a few seconds, both boys looked back at Wilkinson and the rest of the table.

"Very well, we accept. Antoninus, if you would please?"

The response caused a shift with everyone at the table. A few sat up straighter whilst Wilkinson looked pleased.

"Fluffy is a Cerberus, hidden behind the locked door in the out of bounds third floor corridor."

A few members at the table nearly fell out of their chairs at the information.

"Adrian! Miles! Control yourself!"

Wilkinson now had a deadly glint in her eyes. Her expression had hardened slightly.

"How did you come to know of this?"

"Hadrian and I overheard Hermione Granger in the library. Whilst she was talking to Julian Potter and his two friends, she mentioned a dog called Fluffy. Hadrian and I had opened the locked door at the end of the corridor during November last term. We saw it with our own eyes… and quickly shut the door and left before we got caught. It was definitely a Cerberus."

This caused a murmur of discussion at the table.

"Cerberus? Must be another pet of that big oaf!"

"This just confirms our suspicions…"

"Imagine if parents found out what was near their children at school…"

"Hogwarts would be closed and students will be forced to leave…"

Hadrian and Antoninus listened to the discussion. All the people brought up good points, a few of which the two of them hadn't considered either. Wilkinson then raised her hand for silence.

"You have all brought up valid points. Potter, Black, thank you for your information. I will arrange for Adrian to teach you the few spells that I had promised."

The blonde guy then grunted slightly at Wilkinson's order.

"And one last thing… please, call me Diana."

Hadrian and Antoninus couldn't help but raise their eyebrows slightly at being allowed such familiarity with the Head of the Serpents. Even some members amongst the table looked at her with questionable expressions.

"Very well, if you call me Hadrian."

"And I, Antoninus."

Diana smiled at them and then whisked her wand in an arc. The sound of everyone else's voices in the common room coming back into full volume.

"Of course, Hadrian, Antoninus, I will send for you if need be."

Hadrian and Antoninus both took that as their cue to leave. They stood up and nodded at Diana. Their chairs vanished as they left. Diana then reinstated the privacy charm.

"Why did you let them called you by your first name? I kind of came around to the idea of you letting first-years have a go at the seats at the table… but letting them be that familiar with you-"

"Come now, Adrian… you are just not happy to be teaching them spells. Besides, can't you see that the two of them are powerful and perceptive?"

"I can see that Flora! But they are still first-years! To be given such an opportunity at a seat this quickly…

"Then maybe once you perform wandless magic we will have a different opinion hmmm?"

"That can just be accidental magic! Potter was angry at the injury of his friend Black! His intent was there!"

Diana just merely smirked at the bickering amongst the Serpents.

"Adrian… that was no accidental magic, I can assure you of that. Just look at the state of mind they were in when they were faced with a full table of 5th to 7th year Slytherins. They were calm and collected, they didn't show a single slip up or signs of panic… just like when they were in that fight. Hadrian had even listened to Marcus' advice and dropped Malfoy down from the ceiling. Also… to draw their wand through the sleeves of their robes like that without a wrist holster requires precision and focus. If it were accidental magic, the wand would have torn a hole in his robe and shot to his hand. Instead, it smoothly snaked across his arm, through his sleeve, and into his hand. It was no accident."

Diana's statement then squashed all debate on this matter.

"I have also offered them seats as they revealed their interest and knowledge in the Serpent of Slytherin. For first years that weren't raised in the wizarding world to be that knowledgeable of Slytherin Houses' rules, that is impressive."

"You mean that was a bluff? Seeing their glances?"

Miles had asked the question on everyone else's minds.

"Yes and no… I did notice them glancing once or twice, but it was, only a glance. I, however, determined they might have learned of it through Greengrass. Their association with her would easily provide them which such knowledge on this. It wouldn't be long when they got curious and began to investigate things further. Also, their awareness of our customs and the instant respect they showed towards us was indicative of that much."

Everyone around the table nodded their heads.

"Keep an eye on them, Hadrian Potter and Antoninus Black are far too interesting to not investigate any further…"