If one was to ever wonder how it felt, to have a meal while a clockwork of people traded shifts to watch your movements, then it could simply be described as; Tense.
The trio were fell into a heavy silence as they dined, the company of the friendly snake known as Selwyn felt poisoned. None the less, she didn't appear put off by their sudden coldness. Now they resembled the other war-students, shoulders slumped and the coat of misery hanging over them.
Except Ron.
Ron was in high spirits compared to Hermione and Harry.
The latter of which, felt as though he had unwittingly created a new tundra for his friends to navigate. He had forgotten his own luck when he had decided to be friendly to his neighbor. However there was a glimmer of hope as now that Riddle was aware of their existence, the road to becoming the Slytherin Outcasts seemed clearer. The feeling of guilt bubbled alongside the aches of pain behind his eyes.
Hermione was mentally reciting the ingredients needed for the 'Forgetfulness Potion', as she already planned on using it on Riddle's minions. She knew it wouldn't be hard to spike their drinks, the Slytherins would feel at ease at their table. It seemed to be a simple solution. Simply make them forget whatever the reason was for them to be watching the three strange friends. Perhaps even forget the trio all together…
The only downside to this plan was the fact that the potion itself would take away an unknown amount of memories. This meant there was a very high chance of messing up the timeline even further. However until they could come up with a better solution, 'Alzheimer's in a bottle' was the go to.
Sunrises look better than Sunsets at the present time. Ron decided the moment he found out he was in 1945, that he would look to the brighter side, be it for the sake of his friends or his own sanity. Navigating the snake pit was going to be a challenge. He knew he would have been at ease with the lions or even the badgers, but he couldn't let his friends face the fangs alone.
Soon the feast was over. Headmaster Dippet stood and sent off the students, wishing everyone a good and uneventful year. The wording confused some students but they shrugged it off as they turned to their friends and began making their way out of the hall. The trio sat still and weary.
Emily however rose with a calm smile, "Ready?" she neatened her robes and clasped her hands in front of her. "I did plan on walking you three to the common room before Riddle asked. I doubt you lot would have enjoyed walking with the 1st years." She laughed airily as she patiently waited for them.
Hermione sighed before raising herself up, "I did wonder what a common room within a dungeon would look like. Hogwarts a history can only do so much." She dawned a tired smile, making idle conversation. Ron wore a thoughtful look as he wondered if he should pay a visit to the kitchens later to fetch something for Harry. In his book, Harry hadn't eaten enough.
"Not to worry, we learned to hide the whips from the new students." Selwyn grinned,
Harry looked confused as an ensemble of green robes made their way towards them.
"Oh my, Miss Selwyn, what a pleasure it is to see you making our senior first years feel welcome. Please make sure they try the Moonberries, they are freshly picked of course, sent from my dear cousin in Russia." Slughorn preened before nodding to the students that were sending the trio curious looks. Harry grimaced as he realized Slughorn didn't plan on letting something as trivial as 'time altering probability' keep him from showing off his newest collection, even if it was only for other (albeit confused) students.
Selwyn nodded stiffly, her mood souring suddenly. Harry briefly wondered if mood swings were a Slytherin trait.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I shall meet you three in the common room soon. I often like to make it a yearly race to see who would get there first, the first years or I." He babbled happily before making his way through the field of students, greeting the familiar crowd merrily.
"How is it that man can have a whole conversation without anyone else saying anything?" Ron muttered as he stood beside Hermione. "Has he really always been like this?" He asked Emily as he gave a hand to Harry.
"Just wait till you hear about his little club." Selwyn hummed as she watched Harry stand on shaky legs. "If you wish, we could stop by the hospital-wing. I can show you the way to the common room after."
Harry gritted his teeth, "I'm fine." He said, clearly not fine as he grasped Ron's shoulder for balance.
"Are you sure Harry? Is it the…"She glanced to Selwyn who was politely studying Harry with concern, "…Wrack…spurts?" She sighed as though it pained her to say. Soon Ron began laughing into his robe's sleeves, garnering the attention of the remaining students within the Hall.
"What?" was all that Harry said before he remembered, "Oh! Yeah probably. That must be it." He nodded before turning to the unimpressed look on Selwyn's face, "Wrackspurts." He smiled weakly. "Show up at the worst time." Ron had now begun cackling as he leaned onto the wall for support.
"I'm sure…"She replied as she began making her way to the entrance of the great hall. Hermione lightly hit Ron's chest, causing him to snort at her before he began leading Harry after the two girls.
The corridors of Hogwarts were lit with a warm glow that Harry had long forgotten. Students were bustling to and fro, excited to be surrounded by magic and their friends, The trio paused as a train of Ravenclaw first years pushed past them, all eagerly trying to hear the soft words of their guiding prefect.
"I know Dippet is the one who escorts the war students on the tour of Hogwarts, so I'll skip the whole Hogwarts magic stairs speech." Selwyn announced as she spotted the faraway look in Hermione's eye.
The look of awe on the children's faces as they took in Hogwarts had awoken old memories within Hermione. However the feeling was tainted; she couldn't tell if it was her past memory or a strangers.
"The real magic is how no one has missed any of those steps." Ron shrugged with his free shoulder as he looked to the ever changing staircases with sentimental eyes.
"Emily," Harry began as he rubbed his eyes, "what's on the third floor?" Three pairs of eyes settled on a confused Selwyn.
"Just old classrooms and storerooms…why?"
"Oh just curiosity." Harry waved her off.
Hermione fell into step with Emily, conversing about what subjects the old classrooms were used for.
Ron leaned down to Harry, "I'm surprised the Chimera isn't nesting on that floor."
Harry's laugh was quiet as he added, "I think they keep it down by the Quidditch field. It enjoys the commentary." They broke off into laughter before they realized Selwyn had led them down the magical staircase.
"Hold on." Harry called out, "Isn't the Dungeons the other way?" He quickly tightened his grasp on Ron as the staircase began to move.
A few steps below, Emily looked up, "Did you think there was only one way to get to the Common Room?" She smiled, "I wonder what you thought all these corridors were for then?" She laughed into her hand as realization settled onto Harry. "Besides I want us to get there before the first years. I think you lot like Riddle as much as the Gryffindor's." She swept her hair over her shoulders, not seeing the confused look on Harry's face.
They quickly began traversing the steps, pushing past the younger years who rushed to catch the stairs with their friends before it changed. "This way is slightly quicker compared to the open corridors, plus the only foot-traffic down here is mostly Slytherin. It's a good way to avoid the other house's bullies." She combed through her hair with her fingers, "Oh! That reminds me. If you ever see a student in trouble, do try to intervene. Especially the younger years."
"Is that one of the House Rules?" Hermione asked quietly as they stepped off onto a platform and waited for the stairs, "I never imagined Slytherin to be one for…heroics?"
"Oh, it's a personal rule I thought I'd share." They stepped onto the staircase, "There's nothing wrong with being kind."
A comfortable silence settled onto the group as the students lessened and the air grew damp and the staircases lessened. Hermione looked to the walls and saw that the portraits were empty. The golden candles were traded for green lamps as the walls grew darker as they stepped to the ground floor.
Four archways were located on each wall surrounding the staircase, they diligently followed Emily, wondering where the others led to. Harry had never seen this part of the castle on the Marauder's map. Then again, he doubted his father, nor his friends had any reason to come down here.
Within the corridor, windows of inky blackness littered their path, it wasn't before long that Hermione realized they were looking out into the lake.
The air felt cold and slightly numbing, causing Harry to pull his robes tighter. The icy air easing the pain within his skull.
Selwyn looked over her shoulder, "Harry, I have a question for you, if you don't mind that is." She announced, causing Ron and Hermione to tense as Harry said,
"Sure, go ahead,"
"I noticed something during the feast, and I didn't know how to bring it up…I felt it wasn't my place but it was too strange to toss away."
Hermione pulled out her wand, and hid it from view, deciding the "Forgetful potion" was too passive.
"I didn't mean to ask him about the ring! I was just trying to be nice!" Harry stated as his headache resurfaced with the sound of Emily's amusement.
"I didn't mean that." She took a right and led them up an incline, she smiled over her shoulder, "I meant the part when he hissed at you."
Silence fell over the group.
Ron's wide eyes met Hermione's stunned eyes as they looked to Harry's confused ones.
"Oh." Was what he said, "He hissed…" He shook his head silently at his friends, Hermione pursing her lips as she wondered how they had missed that.
"I didn't notice he hissed…" Hermione announced as she committed the new route and knowledge to memory.
"Yes…when he was saying his farewell and well wishes. The saint of Slytherin that one." Emily rolled her eyes before she turned to her left, leading the trio into a corridor. "I was impressed that you didn't react at all. I'm sure that put a dent in Riddle's attitude." She beamed. "Did you already know he was a Parselmouth?" She asked politely.
A brown moth crawled up her back as Harry replied, "Something like that."
Emily said nothing more on the topic as they came upon the common room entrance. "Dippet explained the passwords, correct? Slytherins password changes every two week however, to keep the mysterious aura and whatnot. Make sure you check the noticeboard for the new one, it would be embarrassing to ask a younger year and I doubt any seventh years would be willing to help."
"Well how are you going us in then?" Harry asked, shivering slightly.
Selwyn grinned before whispering, "Moonberries." The door swung open with a gulp of warm air enveloping them. "You three need to look at things a bit more closely if you're going to survive our last year." She swept her arm towards the entrance.
Hermione was the first to step in with Emily, "Not all the Slytherins are as nice as you are, I take it?"
She entered behind Hermione, "Oh no, they're all a bunch of-DUCKS!"
"Pardon me!?"
She grabbed Hermione's head and Harry's arm, and pulled them to the ground as Ron hid behind the wall, wand out as projectiles were launched at them.
A series of paper ducklings quacked and flew in the corridor, pecking at one another before a group of third years jumped over the crouching students with a series of half meant apologies.
A brown and weathered paper duckling settled in the tufts of Hermione's hair. The group stood, half stunned and half amused as they took in the Slytherin common room.
The air was warm and alive due to the fireplaces scattered about. Green lamps surrounded the dark brick walls, highlighting the empty blackness the windows held. Ornamental snakes of silver were elegantly placed. It was slightly different to how Harry and Ron remembered. For one, there were more students lounging freely on the leather sofas, the younger years were playing different games in the dark corners of the room, full of mirth and life.
Maybe this was all a joke after all…
"Now, as fun as that was, Slughorn is already here and I rather be reading in my bed. It was wonderful to meet you three, I hope everything goes smoothly for you lot." And with that she was bounding up a set of spiral stairs.
Hermione looked around the room, noticing the group that watched them from earlier were in the darkest section of the dunge-common room. They hadn't spotted the trio yet but Slughorn had, and thus left his audience as he bounded towards them.
Ron spotted the brown paper duckling on Hermione's hair and raised a hand towards it.
Quack
"Oh don't be like that."
Quack.
"Come on now, your friends are gone and we have to close the door before some snake tries to lecture us."
Quack!
Ron yelped as the duck snapped at his hand, pinching his fingers. The Slytherin made duck didn't appreciate the insult.
"You do have a way with wildlife Ronald."
"Oh shut it Harry."
Hermione snickered at the duo before raising a flat palm for the duck to settle upon.
"Ah, if it isn't my favorite Clockmakers." Slughorn smiled at his own joke that just confused the trio, "I would love to introduce you to some of my best students. I saw you three already met dear Tom, but I wanted to know what you thought of Abra-"
"Professor, I don't mean to be rude. But I think the influx of magic that arrived with the students has had an effect of us." Hermione lied, knowing the three of them did not wish to be swept in a flush of pseudo fortune-telling. "Would you be so kind as to show us to the dormitories? I'm sure we'd enjoy your tour of the common room when we're feeling better." She finished politely, hoping it would work.
Hook, line and Sinker.
"Oh heavens! You're absolutely right. Please forgive my arrogance, I didn't even think of your health. Please, if you three ever feel unwell, even during a class, let me know and I shall allow you to leave, now please follow me." He began leading them up the spiral staircase, unaware of the grins on Harry and Ron's face.
"Really?" Harry asked, full of hope at the thought of being able to skip Slughorn's class with permission.
"Oh, of course my dear boy." Slughorn turned back, "Any work you miss out will become homework." He smiled jovially as their faces fell.
"Brilliant." Harry deadpanned as Hermione laughed.
"Even though this isn't perhaps your time period, knowledge is strength. Learn well and be wise. You never know when you might need to chat with good old Felix." Slughorn patted his robes, a light clinking sounded. "And now, here we are." He motioned to the little sitting area in front of them. Two hallways were across each other.
"Boy's to the left, and girls to the right. Miss Granger, first door on your left. Mr Williams and Mr Mortimer, second door on your right." He looked down at the sound of soft patter, "Oh look at that, Miss Granger you've already found another friend in Slytherin." Slughorn chuckled at the paper duck that was walking upon Hermione's palm. "Goodnight children, I shall see you for potions bright and early." He departed down the stairs, content that his newest additions were happy.
"Well then…" Ron rubbed the nape of his neck, "Guess we'll see you in the morning?"
"It's strange isn't it? Going back to classes?" Hermione petted the duckling.
"I can't believe they expect us to learn." Harry muttered, as he pushed his hands through his hair.
"Who knows, maybe something can help us get back home." Ron mumbled as he stared at the ground.
A silence surrounded the group for a moment before they said goodnight and made their way to their rooms.
"I think it's a made of bones." Ron stated as they walked down the corridor.
"What if it's shaped like a snake?"
"How are you supposed to sleep in it then?"
"In the middle of the coils maybe?" Harry opened the door to their room, "At least Gryffindor didn't have lion statues everywhere?"
The room was simple yet grand. The theme of green and silver was clear as the Slytherin coat of arms was at the center of the room, in the middle of two black windows. There were two empty beds, devoid of any signs of living, besides two old, worn trunks at their base. Across, was another bed that was clearly lived in. The clothes scattered about the floor, a broom stick was balancing dead center of the mattress as blankets were strung up to create a makeshift divide.
Someone clearly wanted them to know which side was theirs.
"At least we get beds." Ron huffed as he closed the door, "Look at all the green Harry, you see it too don't you? It's like they're addicted to it"
"Sadly, I am simply blind Ron, not color-blind," Harry jumped across the closest (empty) bed, not caring if it was his or Ron's. He briefly wondered if Hermione's lie was actually true, or was it the silent voice causing his fatigue. Harry wouldn't be surprised if it was Riddle's fault at this point.
Bang!
Ron jumped to Harry's side, wands raised.
The door slammed open as a tall figure entered. Thick black hair fell to his shoulders, his tie undone and shirt untucked. Harry's eyes widened at the laugh-lines around his mouth. Confusion laced the figure's grey eyes as he stared at the two boys, "What are you doing here?"
"Sirius?!"