Chapter 2:
After the feast prefects led the students to their house common rooms. On the way, the enchanted paintings along the walls greeted the witches and wizards. First years gasped in disbelief and pointed at the moving 2D people concealed within the frame. Continuing the trek to the houses, the first years also had to drop their mouths open in awe when they finally came upon the moving staircases. Stone steps shifted above their heads. The prefects warned the students to not get caught on one when it changed.
Soon the Slytherins broke away from the rest of the group and headed down to the dungeons. The corridors were dimly lit, small torches aligned along the brick walls were the only source of light. Dark moss could barely be seen attached to the stone, adding to the castles ancient allure. The floor was bare stone, as well, so their footsteps echoed slightly down the hallway. The dark basement felt like home to the upperclassmen. In time, it would to those new students, too. It was like a haven for some. A place to escape the hardships the family might be going through. Too bad it only lasted the winter.
The Slytherin prefect stopped in front of what looked like an ordinary stonewall. Some of the first years looked to each other, in confusion, as if asking for an answer. None could provide one. All eyes then turned to the older boy standing in front of the group.
"Dragon scales," he said, pronouncing each syllable distinctly.
When at first nothing happened, some first years started to think that maybe this student wasn't all right in the head. After all, he had just talked to a stonewall. Then, with a loud, sort of scraping noise, the wall slid to one side, revealing a sort of open doorway. The students slowly piled through the door frame and into the room beyond, those new students still in slight surprise from the movement of what was thought to be ordinary stone. Everyone looked around the large room they now stood in. It was the Slytherin common room, a comfortable setting that most students would spend much time in.
The common room was spacious with couches, tables, and even a fireplace. Around the hearth, which was down about two steps from the common room entrance, was a long dark couch facing a smaller couch. A small wooden table was set in between them, a little decoration applied to the middle of it. Parallel to the fireplace, and a couple feet from the side of the couches, was a longer, bigger table. It was the same dark wood that had been used on the coffee table separating the couches. On top of the table was a small antique-looking lamp. The white glass shade contrasted greatly with its surroundings. A little ways behind the larger couch were a couple steps leading up to a door running in a line from the larger table. A railing was set up on the raised platform containing the door. Beyond the larger table near the couches was a tall oak bookcase against the wall. Three large comfy chairs faced it. Other then the bookshelf and chairs were a few strategically placed worktables. Students could sit at these tables and complete their homework. There was also another door parallel to the fireplace, but located at the far wall. There were also a few steps leading into this section of the common room from the stonewall entrance. The Slytherin common room was usually dimly lit so there were other lamps around the place.
"You will find the boys dorms over there," the prefect explained, pointing toward the door on the slightly raised platform across from the entrance, "And the girls dorms are over there." He pointed at the other door on the other side of the room from the fireplace.
The student went on to explain some common house rules. He talked about the different locations of the different classes and some of the different teachers. Then, when he finished, most of the students went into their appropriate dorm for the night. Some stayed in the common room to talk for a little while longer. The crowds thinned out, as the minutes passed on to hours. Slowly the common room became completely empty except for one Slytherin. The boy stared intently into the dying flame of the fire. Light, emanating from the smoldering embers, danced across his pale face. Thoughts raced through his mind, and a smirk would have played at his lips if he hadn't been so serious.
The stone slab entry slid back. Draco's hard, content features turned soft, and he jerked his gaze to the now open stone entrance. Quiet chuckles reached his ears, and two familiar people came into view. The fire, being the only source of light, cast shadows that hid Draco from their view for a moment. When they noticed his presence, their smiles slowly faded and their bouts of laughter stopped. A heavy silence filled the room. Neither of the two intruding boys dared to speak. It was all up to Draco to make the first move and break the awkwardness.
"Crabbe. Goyle," he started, only interest and evenness in his voice. "Where have you been?"
The two boys looked to each other in silence. Did they dare tell him where they had just been?
"Um, n-no where," Crabbe stuttered out quietly.
Draco's gaze was unwavering. The room filled with silence once again. Anticipation hung in the air, like that before a judge gives a sentence to the defendant. Waiting for the consequence of their answer was unbearable. If there was one thing Crabbe and Goyle had learned all these years it was to never underestimate Draco Malfoy. As the years had passed he had become more and more dangerous, but in a subtle sort of way. Very rarely did he ever get extremely angry, yet those were the times to watch out. That had been part of the reason they had lost touch with him over time. He had gotten to a point in his life where he was feared by many, and he was able to control others with this power.
"You're lying," Draco replied finally, his voice steady and calm. There was a hint of danger at the edge of the tone.
A small sweat broke out across Crabbe's and Goyle's forehead. Their eyes widened slightly. Draco smirked. This was the effect he liked. He knew he had caught them now. All he had to do next was to make them confess to what he already knew they did.
"I know what you two were doing." Fear shot through the two friends. "Though not exactly," Draco added lightly. "Why won't you two just come out and admit it?"
Goyle shot a glance at Crabbe. How could this old acquaintance of theirs know what had gone on between them? Then he got to thinking, a rare quality he almost never used. What if he was pretending to know what had happened? What if he was just trying to make them admit it so that he found out? A small smile formed on Goyle's lips as he looked back to Draco. It was as if his facial expression was saying I know what you're doing, and now you can't fool me. However, he did not expect the other boy to smirk back at him.
"You think I'm lying," Draco replied as if reading his mind.
The smile slowly faded from the boys face. His theory was wrong? But how?
"I assure you I am not," he continued, turning suddenly very serious. "Let me just ask you one question. How long has this lust been apparent?"
At that moment, Crabbe and Goyle both knew they had been caught. They turned pale and looked quickly to one another, their eyes locking. Spurs of images of what had just gone on between them passed in front of their now glazed-over eyes. A secluded area. A jumble of clothes and entangled limbs. Gasps for air. The feel of cold stone beneath flabby backs. They had gone back to this moment and left their physical forms in the dormitories. They had been so careful when sneaking away from the group. The spot chosen had been one rarely seen by the human eye. How could their fellow Slytherin have found out about their secret? It didn't seem possible.
Draco cleared his throat, catching Crabbe and Goyle's attention. The silent barrier was going to be broken down. The 'problem' was going to be confronted.
"I realize you want to keep this a secret," he began in a professional tone. "I am wiling to do that. However, I would ask for you assistance should a need arise." He paused, turning back to the dying embers. "I have a feeling this school year shall be very interesting."
A/N: Sorry if that description of the Slytherin common room was boring and difficult to follow. That is also how I picture it, not what Rowling has written. If anything is the same then it is purely coincidence, except for the entrance to the common room. Also my friend, CheesyLepricorn, wanted me to write a chapter like this. So I did it. It may play some more significant role in the rest of the story, but I don't know. We'll see.
After the feast prefects led the students to their house common rooms. On the way, the enchanted paintings along the walls greeted the witches and wizards. First years gasped in disbelief and pointed at the moving 2D people concealed within the frame. Continuing the trek to the houses, the first years also had to drop their mouths open in awe when they finally came upon the moving staircases. Stone steps shifted above their heads. The prefects warned the students to not get caught on one when it changed.
Soon the Slytherins broke away from the rest of the group and headed down to the dungeons. The corridors were dimly lit, small torches aligned along the brick walls were the only source of light. Dark moss could barely be seen attached to the stone, adding to the castles ancient allure. The floor was bare stone, as well, so their footsteps echoed slightly down the hallway. The dark basement felt like home to the upperclassmen. In time, it would to those new students, too. It was like a haven for some. A place to escape the hardships the family might be going through. Too bad it only lasted the winter.
The Slytherin prefect stopped in front of what looked like an ordinary stonewall. Some of the first years looked to each other, in confusion, as if asking for an answer. None could provide one. All eyes then turned to the older boy standing in front of the group.
"Dragon scales," he said, pronouncing each syllable distinctly.
When at first nothing happened, some first years started to think that maybe this student wasn't all right in the head. After all, he had just talked to a stonewall. Then, with a loud, sort of scraping noise, the wall slid to one side, revealing a sort of open doorway. The students slowly piled through the door frame and into the room beyond, those new students still in slight surprise from the movement of what was thought to be ordinary stone. Everyone looked around the large room they now stood in. It was the Slytherin common room, a comfortable setting that most students would spend much time in.
The common room was spacious with couches, tables, and even a fireplace. Around the hearth, which was down about two steps from the common room entrance, was a long dark couch facing a smaller couch. A small wooden table was set in between them, a little decoration applied to the middle of it. Parallel to the fireplace, and a couple feet from the side of the couches, was a longer, bigger table. It was the same dark wood that had been used on the coffee table separating the couches. On top of the table was a small antique-looking lamp. The white glass shade contrasted greatly with its surroundings. A little ways behind the larger couch were a couple steps leading up to a door running in a line from the larger table. A railing was set up on the raised platform containing the door. Beyond the larger table near the couches was a tall oak bookcase against the wall. Three large comfy chairs faced it. Other then the bookshelf and chairs were a few strategically placed worktables. Students could sit at these tables and complete their homework. There was also another door parallel to the fireplace, but located at the far wall. There were also a few steps leading into this section of the common room from the stonewall entrance. The Slytherin common room was usually dimly lit so there were other lamps around the place.
"You will find the boys dorms over there," the prefect explained, pointing toward the door on the slightly raised platform across from the entrance, "And the girls dorms are over there." He pointed at the other door on the other side of the room from the fireplace.
The student went on to explain some common house rules. He talked about the different locations of the different classes and some of the different teachers. Then, when he finished, most of the students went into their appropriate dorm for the night. Some stayed in the common room to talk for a little while longer. The crowds thinned out, as the minutes passed on to hours. Slowly the common room became completely empty except for one Slytherin. The boy stared intently into the dying flame of the fire. Light, emanating from the smoldering embers, danced across his pale face. Thoughts raced through his mind, and a smirk would have played at his lips if he hadn't been so serious.
The stone slab entry slid back. Draco's hard, content features turned soft, and he jerked his gaze to the now open stone entrance. Quiet chuckles reached his ears, and two familiar people came into view. The fire, being the only source of light, cast shadows that hid Draco from their view for a moment. When they noticed his presence, their smiles slowly faded and their bouts of laughter stopped. A heavy silence filled the room. Neither of the two intruding boys dared to speak. It was all up to Draco to make the first move and break the awkwardness.
"Crabbe. Goyle," he started, only interest and evenness in his voice. "Where have you been?"
The two boys looked to each other in silence. Did they dare tell him where they had just been?
"Um, n-no where," Crabbe stuttered out quietly.
Draco's gaze was unwavering. The room filled with silence once again. Anticipation hung in the air, like that before a judge gives a sentence to the defendant. Waiting for the consequence of their answer was unbearable. If there was one thing Crabbe and Goyle had learned all these years it was to never underestimate Draco Malfoy. As the years had passed he had become more and more dangerous, but in a subtle sort of way. Very rarely did he ever get extremely angry, yet those were the times to watch out. That had been part of the reason they had lost touch with him over time. He had gotten to a point in his life where he was feared by many, and he was able to control others with this power.
"You're lying," Draco replied finally, his voice steady and calm. There was a hint of danger at the edge of the tone.
A small sweat broke out across Crabbe's and Goyle's forehead. Their eyes widened slightly. Draco smirked. This was the effect he liked. He knew he had caught them now. All he had to do next was to make them confess to what he already knew they did.
"I know what you two were doing." Fear shot through the two friends. "Though not exactly," Draco added lightly. "Why won't you two just come out and admit it?"
Goyle shot a glance at Crabbe. How could this old acquaintance of theirs know what had gone on between them? Then he got to thinking, a rare quality he almost never used. What if he was pretending to know what had happened? What if he was just trying to make them admit it so that he found out? A small smile formed on Goyle's lips as he looked back to Draco. It was as if his facial expression was saying I know what you're doing, and now you can't fool me. However, he did not expect the other boy to smirk back at him.
"You think I'm lying," Draco replied as if reading his mind.
The smile slowly faded from the boys face. His theory was wrong? But how?
"I assure you I am not," he continued, turning suddenly very serious. "Let me just ask you one question. How long has this lust been apparent?"
At that moment, Crabbe and Goyle both knew they had been caught. They turned pale and looked quickly to one another, their eyes locking. Spurs of images of what had just gone on between them passed in front of their now glazed-over eyes. A secluded area. A jumble of clothes and entangled limbs. Gasps for air. The feel of cold stone beneath flabby backs. They had gone back to this moment and left their physical forms in the dormitories. They had been so careful when sneaking away from the group. The spot chosen had been one rarely seen by the human eye. How could their fellow Slytherin have found out about their secret? It didn't seem possible.
Draco cleared his throat, catching Crabbe and Goyle's attention. The silent barrier was going to be broken down. The 'problem' was going to be confronted.
"I realize you want to keep this a secret," he began in a professional tone. "I am wiling to do that. However, I would ask for you assistance should a need arise." He paused, turning back to the dying embers. "I have a feeling this school year shall be very interesting."
A/N: Sorry if that description of the Slytherin common room was boring and difficult to follow. That is also how I picture it, not what Rowling has written. If anything is the same then it is purely coincidence, except for the entrance to the common room. Also my friend, CheesyLepricorn, wanted me to write a chapter like this. So I did it. It may play some more significant role in the rest of the story, but I don't know. We'll see.