AN: Thoughts

"Speaking"

Parseltounge

Chapter 3

Welcome to Slytherin

As they had been taught all their lives, the Quartet observed everything around them. They took note of how many hallways they passed, staircases they walked under, unique doors and picture frames. The minds that had been honed by careful meditation and training created a mental map of the route from the Great Hall to the Slytherin dungeons.

The dark gray mortar and stonework was interrupted by heavy thick wooden doors. At seemingly random intervals black slate 'doorway' appeared. The black slate was carefully contained by beautifully detailed carvings. The carvings were all identical and featured two snakes whose tails curled against the wall near the floor while their bodies arched up until their heads met at the summit of the arch. Between the snakes' heads was the crest of Hogwarts. Each of the three dungeon hallways they traveled had thirteen of these carvings.

The prefect, Horas Erickson, stopped in front of one of the carvings. He turned to the students and said, "This is the entrance of the Slytherin dorms. You say the password and the black center will become passable. We decided to go for irony this year and chose a password no other house would think we would use. The password is Godric Gryffindor." As he said the password the snake carvings hissed what a stupid password and the black slate rippled, "If you say it to the wrong carving, the snakes' eyes will turn red." He then entered the common room.

As the first years stepped through the portal Severus Snape studied them. He watched at they crowded in front of him and waited for the few whispers to end. Horas had been waiting with him, "This is our Head of House, Professor Snape. He has some words to say before I show you to the dorms."

Severus looked over this year's bunch of Slytherins and wondered how many he would be able to save from the dark lord, all of them were children of 'known' Death Eaters. He did not fail to notice the apparent closeness of Malfoy, Potter, Riddle, and Zabini. He couldn't really wrap him mind around the fact that James' Potter's son had gotten into Slytherin, the fact that he was Lily's son didn't even enter into the equation. He hoped the Headmaster would be able to get some answers out of the spoiled little brat after when he spoke with him that night.

Severus' voice was silky smooth as he began, "Welcome to the House of Serpents. There are only a few necessary rules for surviving in Slytherin house, all the other rules are survival tips. The rules I speak of can be found in the book on the mantle, it is charmed so that it cannot leave the common room. The essential rules your must all obey are these. Never completely trust anyone, not in this house and especially not in any other house, unless you have enough dirt to ensure their loyalty. Never publicly dispute with your fellow Slytherins, your solidarity outside of this room is paramount. Never forget that the other houses and teachers are waiting for you to prove you are future dark witches and wizards, and no matter what you do, they will always believe that is your path. I expect you to support one another outside of this room, if you have internal disputes speak with me or deal with it in private. You will make you greatest allies and worst enemies within these walls, but do not let that affect your words or actions outside of them. I will always be available to give you advice, but I do not condone fools within my House. If you are going to do anything questionable DO NOT GET CAUGHT, if you do your most severe punishment will be from me. Now then Mr. Erickson will show the rest of you to your dorms while I have another word with Mr. Potter."

Horas said, "This way," and led the students off toward the back of the common room. He could be heard saying, "boys to the left; girls to the right," as they reached the large opening at that end of the room.

Severus had been somewhat surprised by the actions of the Quartet. Riddle had taken a protective stance next to and slightly in front of Potter while Malfoy and Zabini took up defensive poses just behind him. "Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Riddle, and Ms. Zabini, I only needed to speak with Mr. Potter," Severus said quietly to them.

Kira smiled, "That's alright Professor. Anything you need to speak with Harry about, I'm sure I can help explain, right bro?" Kira said the last with a glance toward Harry. His nod in response sent a shiver down Severus' spine.

Severus nodded slightly and then said, "In that case you can hear me ask Mr. Potter to accompany me to the headmaster's office. Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak with him alone, so you three can go to your rooms and sleep. I expect you will want to wake up early to use the morning for exploring the castle." He then looked directly at Harry and gestured for the door, "If you would Mr. Potter?"

Harry nodded to his three friends and said, "Goodnight guys. I'll see you in the morning." The three all nodded while Kira gave him a supportive smile. He then turned and left through the portal.

Kira looked at Draco, "I need to go meditate on Harry. Goodnight Drake."

Blaise said, "Goodnight Draco, see you in the morning."

Draco replied, "Night ladies, I'll see you in the morning."

The three then went to their rooms. When Blaise and Kira entered the girls' dorm, Kira went to her bed and assumed a lotus position. Blaise went over to speak with Millicent and Pansy. Kira closed her eyes and sent her mind questing out to join with the mind she knew so well.

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Harry followed his Head of House through the maze-like corridors. Even with his carefully trained memory the trip was hard to keep straight within his mind. They stopped before a rather ugly gargoyle statue. Severus mumbled, "snickers," and the gargoyle jumped aside to reveal a moving spiral staircase. Severus stepped onto one and Harry took one a few steps down. The staircase deposited them in a short hall ending in a mahogany door. Severus stalked to it and knocked twice in rapid succession.

"Come in," called the cheery voice of Albus Dumbledore.

As they entered Harry took note of everything in the room. It was a large circular office with numerous portraits, most awake currently. The walls had shelves loaded with books and various magical items. One bookcase, behind and to the right of the headmaster's desk was locked with glass doors. Harry recognized a pensieve among the various books and silvery do-dads within the locked case. Eclectic collection Harry thought and felt the dark heiress agree within his mind. He carefully scanned the room and felt her memorizing its dangers along with him. I wonder what the phoenix's name is.

Harry finally brought his eyes to the desk. Albus Dumbledore was seated serenely behind the strong oaken desk, the sorting hat casually situated beside a bowl of yellow candies. Dumbledore wore a soft smile and allowed his eyes to twinkle in a disarming sort of way. Harry looked at the old man and wondered how this one person could cause so much difficulty for Voldemort. "You wished to see me sir?" Harry kept his voice soft and used the same silken inflections that he had heard Severus use earlier.

Behind Harry, Severus raised an eyebrow at the inflection within Harry's voice. He glared at the back of Harry's head and scowled slightly. He then looked up at the headmaster. Albus looked strangely false and Severus wondered at his perception.

"Yes, I did," said Albus with carefully crafted jovialness, "Please sit down." He gestured to the comfortable chair opposite him. Harry moved around the chair and took a seat. Albus smiled brighter and asked, "Would you care for a lemon drop?" He held up the bowl of candies toward Harry.

"No thank you, headmaster," his response was carefully concealed disdain, "I prefer Sour Balls over lemon drops. They aren't as falsely sweet as lemon drops." A soft giggle tickled his mind.

Albus continued to smile, but Severus recognized the subtle signs of annoyance in the headmaster's countenance. "Well Harry, in that case I will come straight to the heart of why I called you here. I need to know what you have been told about the wizarding world, and who you have been living with, also where you have been staying these past ten years. Can you shed any light for me?"

Harry smirked and almost laughed as her voice said No but we can cast you into darkness, within his mind. Harry looked directly into those annoying tinkling eyes and said, "I know all about the wizarding world. I know about the ministry. I know you are considered a hero for your defeat of Grindelwald. I know some foolish reporters painted me as a hero when I was a baby for supposedly killing Voldemort. I know the events that happened on October 31, 1981 better than anyone other than Voldemort himself. Does that enlighten you sir?"

Albus' eyes narrowed while his smile remained plastered in place. Severus was surprised by Harry's assessment of his own celebrity status. Albus said, "Not entirely Harry you still haven't told me where or with whom you have been all these years."

"I have been with the Riddle family."

Albus' eyes widened while Severus' glanced at Harry with new sight. "You were raised by the Riddle family, with Miss Kira Riddle?"

Harry narrowed his eyes and said, "Is there another Riddle family?"

"So then you were raised by the mother of Kira Riddle?" Albus asked leadingly.

"Yes, but you are forgetting Father in your assessment."

"And who is father?"

"Tom Marvolo Riddle, of course," replied Harry flippantly. Oh I think you ticked him off brother dear.

"And what did Voldemort tell you about the night he orphaned you?" asked Albus in an oily smooth voice.

"He told me that he killed James and Lily Potter, but when he turned the spell on me it rebounded. He survived and retreated. While he was dwelling on what happened he came to the conclusion that it was best if he took me into his care to figure out what happened. That act got me removed from the magic hating muggle house that you left me in and for that I am grateful. His curiosity quickly gave way to affection and he came to love me as his son. Apparently I was irresistibly cute as a baby."

"Where is Voldemort? Where did you grow up?" Albus growled these questions quietly.

"I refuse to answer," replied Harry.

"If you do not answer me I will use Veritaserum to force the truth out of you."

Intense rage built within Harry before a voice within said, Brother, repeat to him what I am about to tell you... Okay, he responded. Based on the underage wizard laws of 1813 he can not use Veritaserum on you without permission from your legal guardian. To do so without proper ministry jurisdiction, for criminal charges being leveled against the youth, is grounds for a sentence to Azkaban. Harry met Albus' gaze and said in a deadly cold voice, "According to the Underage Wizard Laws of 1813 you can not do that without permission from my parents or legal guardian without special authorization from the ministry. If you due so you earn yourself a trip to Azkaban. Now I am going to leave and get some sleep. Goodnight headmaster."

Albus rose to his feet as Harry stood and forcefully said, "YOU WILL ANSWER ME! Legilimens," Albus' eyes locked with Harry's as he said the spell. Severus was shocked by the headmaster's action. He had never known Albus to force his mind on another. He actually hoped Harry Potter had a way of defending himself.

Harry and Kira felt the invasive presence of Albus Dumbledore as it entered Harry's mind. Together they grabbed the presence and violently expelled it from his mind. They allowed their anger to fuel their actions and pain lanced through the surprised headmaster as he fell back into his chair in shock and agony.

The head master moaned in pain while Harry said, "You would do well to stay out of my mind, headmaster." He then turned and left. Severus followed Harry out. He did not want to be in the same room as a man who would assault the mind of a child at that moment. He silently escorted Harry back to the Slytherin common room.

Albus sat warily in his chair after Harry and Severus left. He was unaware of the clairvoyant presence still watching him as he looked at the door. A chill crept upon him and he murmured, "I have to find Sirius Black. He'll give me permission to use the Veritaserum and maybe be able to talk some sense into that boy." He nodded to himself and began to write the letter to Sirius Black.

Back in the Slytherin girls' dorm Kira smirked. She withdrew her gaze from the aged headmaster. The year had barely begun and it was already becoming quite entertaining. She stretched from her lotus and nodded to Blaise before going to sleep.