Hey guys, here's the next chapter. I really hope you're enjoying this story!

Chapter 3

After one wrong turn and a couple of stops, we find the Hall. The entrance is a regular wooden door with a brass handle. We find out later that the next time we pass through a password will be needed, but it lets us in the first time without one.

Inside, the area is similar to our common room, only four times as big. There are groups of armchairs all around the room and multiple tables and chairs of all different sizes. Some students are already situated at certain spots, talking and laughing.

In between all the furniture, various open spaces allow people to sit in groups or do magic or play games or whatever they want to do. On the walls, red, yellow, green and blue banners hang, uniting all the houses together.

Nicole and Ursula spot some of their friends, so they seperate from Anica and me to join them. No one that we know is here yet, and the place is still relatively empty, so Anica and I chose a spot in the far right corner. It has three spacious lounges facing a small glass table in the middle. An empty space surrounds the area, allowing for a nice amount of privacy. I choose the couch on the right which is backed-up against the right sidewall. Anica sits on the lounge to my right which leans against the back wall.

I keep a lookout for our friends and soon spot Hailey and two others enter. Upon seeing their friend, they break off from Hailey and she comes over to sit with us, taking up residence on the third lounge. Shortly, we're joined by Owen, who sits next to Hailey. Before long, Ciena and Kimmy join them, Nick and Dylan join Anica and Xinia and George join me.

We introduce the people who haven't met and talk about our days. Then we fall into an uncomfortable silence.

"I don't like this," Xinia suddenly says.

She gets a chorus of agreements. George gets up and swaps with Anica. The others rearrange themselves as well so Hailey sits on the left end of the couch next to Ciena, then Kimmy next to her and Owen on the other end. She is then able to talk to George who sits on the left of the back couch next to Dylan and Nick. Nick mostly chats with Anica who is at the end of our side couch with Xinia in between us. Now comfortable, our conversation flows a lot easier.

Just then, Professor McGonagall's voice comes from the centre of the room.

"First years," she calls. "Please gather round."

We get up and move to the space around her. All of us seem to be accounted for now, and we all pay attention.

"I see you have all successfully found your Community Hall," McGonagall starts. "This will be yours throughout your seven years here at Hogwarts. As I said last night, you are allowed to use this space before and after classes. In between, the door will not open, even if it is given the password, which is, for now, Exordium. I advise you not to share this with students in the years above you.

This is not a place you are required to use. It is merely here for interactions between students in other houses within your year. I do hope you understand that this is not just a place to gather and talk, however.

Homework is an essential part of learning, and your teachers require you to complete it. Do not let the social time allowed here to take away from the time you use to complete your work."

There are a few groans and eye-rolling from the students, but otherwise no complaints.

"Messages and notices will be posted in here as well as in your Common Rooms," McGonagall continues. "If you have any questions or comments, please come to me in your own time as I must now attend to another matter," she concludes, exiting the room.

We all return to our groups, talking and laughing. Before long though, everyone is pulling out their homework, and I'm the only one not doing anything.

"I thought you already did everything?" I ask Xinia.

"Oh," she replies. "I did. I just wanted to do some extra work."

I laugh lightly, rolling my eyes.

"Of course you do."

Xinia just smiles.

After a few minutes, I decide that I should do my Potions work, considering everyone else is held up. I get up from the couch and exit the Hall. As I make my way back to my Common Room, I take in all the features of the castle.

Before long, I find myself standing in front of the stone wall that is the entrance to the room.

"Black," I say.

The wall opens, revealing a mix of green and silver. The room is empty except for two people, sitting in one armchair. I intend to walk past them to my dormitory, but I recognise the brown curly hair that belongs to Wyrene. She sees me at the same time.

"Gena," Wyrene says, sounding startled. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in your Community Hall?"

"I don't have to be there," I tell her. "But I was. I'm just getting my homework. I forgot to bring it."

I study the other person with her. The boy has light brown hair that falls across his eyes when he moves.

"Who are you?" I ask him.

"Shove off," Wyrene answers.

I grin.

"Are you guys dating?" I ask.

"No!"

"Yes."

Wyrene glares at the boy. He looks sheepish.

"I'm Jason," he tells me. "Sorry," he adds at Wyrenes slap.

"Let me tell Mum and Dad, will you?" she begs.

"Whatever," I laugh. "Your funeral."

With that, I leave them. I quickly find my things in my dormitory, also picking up Anica and Xinia's presents, then race back up to the common room. As I'm about to leave, I call back to the couple.

"I'm telling Bailey though," I say with a smile.

"I hate you," Wyrene retorts.

But I'm already out of the Common Room. When I enter the Community Hall again, I walk in with a smile still on my face. I plonk my stuff down next to me on the couch and Xinia moves to make room for me.

"Why are you so happy?" she asks.

"No reason," I reply.

She snorts but returns to her work. I get started on my Potions essay, trying to stay on task. An hour later, both Anica and Xinia have finished. I finish measuring my page, letting out a sigh of relief when it's long enough. I pack my stuff up then face them.

"Alright, present time," I say, rubbing my hands together.

Xinia squeals and Anica smiles. I grab the two presents, both of them small and wrapped.

"They're not much," I admit, handing them over.

"I'm sure we'll like it," Anica says, unwrapping hers.

Once they've finished, I pull something out of my robes, showing it to them.

"I thought we could have something between the three of us," I explain.

In my hands is a plain silver necklace with a small heart pendant. Xinia has a silver ring with the same heart, and Anica has a set of matching earrings. They look at the three pieces of jewellery, understanding the gifts.

"They're beautiful," Xinia says, hugging me. "Thank you!"

"I love it," Anica says grinning.

She puts the earrings in her ears and Xinia slides the ring onto her finger. I clasp the necklace around my neck, where it hangs slightly lower than my other necklace.

"Happy birthday!" I say.

"Thank you," they chime together.

We laugh, moving the conversation on.

"I haven't had a chance to say hi to Xander yet," Xinia says.

"Maybe we can both find our brothers later," I answer.

Xander is Xinia's older brother who is friends with Bailey. That's how we met. Her brother is cool and I get along with him pretty well, so I look forward to finding them.

"What about you Anica?" Xinia asks. "You going to find Finn?"

"I'm sure we'll cross paths at some point," Anica says, shrugging her shoulders.

Xinia is about to say something, but she is cut off by a disturbance on the other side of the room. Scott and Nunica have their wands out and pointed at Nicole, Ursula and two others; another girl and a boy.

"Already ruining Slytherin's image," Scott is saying.

Nicole looks ready to pull her wand out as well, but Ursula lays a hand on her arm.

"It doesn't matter who we're friends with," Ursula says.

Nunica scoffs. He glances at Scott, who grins at him. Before they can do anything though, I'm off the couch, my wand in my hand.

"Don't even think about it," I warn, stopping a couple of feet away from them.

I see Anica come up beside me, Dylan, Nick, Owen and George behind us, all with their wands out as well. The other girls stand with them, although they keep their wands away. In front of us, Lucas, Susie, Penny, Kylie and two other people I recognise as Ravenclaws join Scott and Nunica.

"Eight against ten idiots," George says.

"Yeah but only six of you with wands out," Kylie retorts.

"What are you even doing with them, Kylie?" Dylan asks.

"Shut up," she snaps at her brother.

Scotts eyes run over our group, obviously deciding whether to do anything or not. His gaze locks on mine, and I glare at him. After a few seconds, he lowers his wand.

"You're lucky they stepped in," he snarls at Ursula and Nicole.

He turns away from us, and reluctantly, the rest of his group follow him away. I put my wand away and walk up to the other group while everyone but Anica returns to our couches.

"Thanks for stepping in," the boy says. "I'm Thomas. Katherine and I are in Hufflepuff," he adds.

"Don't listen to them," Anica says. "They're families have been in Slytherin for centuries. They supported Voldemort in the War. Unfortunately, they haven't forgotten the house rivalries."

"We know," Ursula says. "Thanks again."

I give her a small smile before returning to the group. Anica and I sit down either side of Xinia and join in the conversation.

"I just hate that even after 32 years, people are still trying to enforce Slytherin prejudice," Hailey says.

"It's in their blood," I say. "Voldemort and his followers might be gone, but people still support what he stood for."

"It's still stupid," Xinia says.

"Don't worry about it," Anica says. "I don't. It's easier that way."

We all laugh, but it fades quickly.

"I don't get it though," Owen says. "Harry Potter was like, seventeen, and he managed to take down the darkest wizard of all time. If that doesn't prove that our side is better, what will?"

"That's why those bastards don't recognise it though," Dylan says. "He was a kid. Voldemort, though. He killed so many people and brought fear to people for years with just his name. If that doesn't scream worship, I don't know what does."

"I don't know," Nick says. "Potter certainly has his fair share of worshippers. I mean, you've seen our common room. His is the biggest portrait."

"Ohh," Hailey interrupts. "What's your common room like? Mine is yellow and black and very earth-like. Everything is wooden and there are so many plants and it's just so comfortable and homey. I absolutely love it."

It sounds quite the opposite to me, but each to her own I suppose.

"Ours is mostly red and gold," Owen says. "It's got an awesome view because it's up in a tower and it's really cosy."

"Yeah and portraits're hanging all over the place," George continues.

"Right in the centre is Harry Potter, then on either side of him is Ron and Hermione Granger-Weasley. There's also Ginny Potter and Neville Longbottom and Seamus and Dean Thomas-Finnigan. Then in another section, there are all the famous Gryffindors who are dead; Lily and James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Fred Weasley, Albus Dumbledore and a bunch of others."

"Gryffindor always gets the credit," Xinia says. "We've only got a few portraits. Luna Lovegood is one of them."

"Same," Hailey says. "We've only got Cedric Diggory and Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin."

I share a glance with Anica.

"At least you've got portraits," I say, smiling a little. "We've just got Regulus Black and Severus Snape and most people either hate or don't know them."

The conversation is rather boring after that. Then, before we know it, it's time for dinner. We quickly deposit our things in our dormitories, then head to the Great Hall. Being closer than the other houses, Slytherins can get their seats earlier. Anica and I rush to a spot with enough spaces for our group. We ward anyone who tries to sit near us away, then signal to our friends as they come in. We chat over our meals, not paying attention to anyone else.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," I say to Xinia and Anica. "Wyrene's got a boyfriend."

"Really?" Anica asks.

"Who is it?" Xinia demands, standing up.

I pull her down by her robes.

"Sit down," I say.

I then scan the table looking for my sister. I find her sitting a little way down, next to Jason.

"There," I point. "The one next to her with the brown hair. His name's Jason."

"How do you know?" Anica asks. "Did she tell you?"

"No way," I laugh. "I caught them when I went to get my stuff before. That's why I came back smiling. I get to tell Bailey."

"Do your parents know?" Xinia asks.

"Nope. That's why it's so funny. They're going to kill her."

The others laugh with me. Our parents have nothing against her being in a relationship, but they didn't want her to get one they didn't know first. Or at least been told about. Wyrene knows I'll tell them the truth if she doesn't, so she's going to get in trouble telling Mum and Dad she suddenly has a boyfriend. I can't wait.

"That reminds me," I say. "I've got to find Bailey."

"We'll catch him and Xander on the way out," Anica suggests.

We nod and return to the group. When dinner ends, the three of us quickly make our way over to the Hufflepuffs, where Bailey is with Xander and their friends. We wait until most of them have separated outside of the Great Hall until it's just the two of them.

"Bailey!" I call out.

He glances over and grins when he spots me. We walk over to them and Xander hugs Xinia and Anica.

"Happy birthday!" he hugs the girls. "Congrats on your houses you three," he adds, ruffling Xinia's hair, looking at Anica and me.

"Thanks," I say. "Now I get to spy on Wy," I grin at Bailey.

"What's she done?" he asks, knowing my look.

"She's got a boyfriend!" I tell him. "And she hasn't told Mum or Dad."

Bailey laughs loudly.

"She's in trouble," Xander comments, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I nod.

"Who's she dating?" Bailey asks.

"Some Jason kid," I say. "Brown hair. Also in Slytherin."

"I've seen them together around the place. Honestly, I thought he was gay," Bailey laughs.

"Apparently not."

We all laugh.

"So how were your lessons?" Xander asks.

"Really good," Xinia replies. "I had Defence Against the Dark Arts first up, then Herbology with this lot and Transfiguration and Charms after. Not to boast, but I was one of the best in my classes."

I roll my eyes, laughing along with the others.

"Gena and I had Charms first then Herbology, Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts," Anica says.

"What'd you think of the teachers?" Bailey asks.

"Awesome," Xinia says. "Almost all the famous ones in one day."

"Who's the Transfiguration professor then?" Anica asks.

"Professor Lupin," Bailey supplies. "He's Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonk's kid. Head of Hufflepuff."

"He should be interesting with you two," Xander says, nodding at Anica and me.

"Why?" I ask.

"He's a Metamorphmagus," Xinia says. "Like you."

I flashback to last night with the blue-haired professor. Now that I'd met them, I realise he was sitting next to Professor Potter and Malfoy. I remember hearing that Teddy Lupin was orphaned in the war, and raised by his grandmother. Harry Potter was his godfather though, so he became famous because he was often seen with that lot. I feel like a fool now for not making that connection. Everyone knows that his mother was a Metamorphmagus, and that's where he got his abilities. I should have known from his hair who he was. I brush it off though.

"That'll be pretty cool," I say. "Maybe he can teach me a few tricks," I joke.

Just then, I hear light footsteps coming our way, and I realise we should probably get going.

"Anyway, we should head back," I say.

I give Bailey another quick hug and Xinia does the same with Xander. The two head off, and Anica and I face Xinia.

"Thank you again for the presents," she says, hugging me and Anica.

"Yeah, it's cool to have something with just the three of us," Anica adds.

Xinia nods. Unfortunately, we have to say goodnight. We head our seperate ways, Anica and I heading back to the Slytherin Common Room. We stay up for a little bit talking with Kyle and Timothy, then call it a night. I fall asleep listening to the sound of five other girls sleeping.

Hi again. I know this is a little bit slow-moving, but it will get faster. Next chapter will be about the next day, then it will fast forward a little bit. Thank you so much for reading, and please leave a review.