The library of Hogwarts was one of the largest in Europe, three floors in total, the bottom two being filled with rows and rows of shelves filled with books. The very bottom floor also had an open space in the middle filled with tables for group studying, each row of shelves had bar table-like desks across them as well. The top floor was an entirely restricted section, you weren't allowed up there unless you were a seventh year or had written permission. Hidden away on the lowest floor in a corner was a small second year Slytherin boy was writing in an old diary, with his study books around him.
'How was the funeral Snakelet?' The beautiful cursive appeared on the worn-out pages of the well cared for but an old diary. The nickname bringing a smile to the reader's face.
'It was sad but beautiful. A traditional funeral in the Old Ways. We celebrated his life on this earth and his achievements in Mother Magic's name. That was beautiful, we chanted out to Magic herself, "Rogamus autem Vos, matre Magia, discedebant nostris muneribus honoramus, nomen uni vocasti nos reddere quae dederunt Cygnus Castor Black III.*" We felt her joining us as we laid Grandfather on the stone altar in the Black Necropolis. Then as one, we all poured our magic into his body as we chanted again, "Ave mater, eius anima, caelicolae medium quem ad latus alterum ducit ultimo tempore.*" Mother Magic wove through our magic and fiendfyre engulfed Grandfather's body, but before he could burn, his magic exploded out, we all felt the warmth of his magic. Then the fire washed away in the rain that Mother Magic poured on us, and his body was left on the altar, completely changed. He was made of stone. When he was buried we unleashed our magic again with Mother Magic, allowing the soil to absorb our essence, and our Grandfather's essence as well. On top of his grave, we planted Dittany plants, they will grow with our magic and flourish, then Mother, Aunt Bella, Aunt Cissa, and Aunt Andy can use them in Potions to heal others. Just like Grandfather wanted.' Harry responded in his scratchy handwriting, it glowed for a second before being absorbed into the pages.
'I am sure he would've loved it.'
'I hope so, I miss him so much already and we only buried him yesterday. This morning I arrived back at Hogwarts with Hermione and Draco. The old codger was being all polite saying sorry for the loss and all that bullshit.'
'Language.'
'You can't talk, you say worse all the time.'
'I am older than you.'
'Oh excuses. Hey, I didn't get the chance to ask at the funeral, but how did his magic meet ours when he has already passed on? Mother was too distraught to talk, and Father was taking care of her.'
'Magic is a sentient being. She is our Mother, our Father, our Brother, and our Sister. She is in all of us and around everything. She gives life to everything and takes it just as easily. When our souls move on she guides us there, she stays with us until the last moment. She stays in the body and moves on her own even when we are just a shell. It is why prisoners who have had the dementor's kiss don't stop living. They still breathe and can move without the soul, because she hasn't left them yet. She won't leave us ever. This is why those who still celebrate in the Old Ways resent those who don't. They don't give worship to the one who gave us magic, they don't respect her and celebrate her holidays.'
'Fucking mudbloods'
'Language. But yes, Muggle-born's come into our world and expect to celebrate their Muggle holidays, and we lost the Old Ways because of them. But I hope my older self, your Father, has taught you to use that word correctly.'
'Father says not all Muggle-born's are Mudbloods. Salazar Slytherin was the first to use the word back when he was teaching. It is used as an insult to Muggle-borns when they refuse to accept our way of life with Mother Magic. That those who create change in our world without understanding what they are changing dirty our world and dirty the true Magic. It is why Uncle Ted, who married Aunt Andy is a Muggle-born and not a Mudblood because he allowed Andy to teach him the Old Ways. Then they taught their daughter together.'
'Exactly Snakelet, there are the Muggle-borns out there that are open-minded and want to learn. But mudblood's don't, they have no respect for who we are, and who they are. They are not Muggles, they are Witches and Wizards, yet they don't celebrate why we have magic or even Magic itself. It is why I want to complete what Salazar started. Muggle-borns can be found from their first accidental magic, so why wait until they are eleven and set in their ways to introduce them to Magic. Why leave them in the Muggle world where they are hated, feared, and treated like scum, when we can bring them to us, and be raised with families who understand their Magic, who understand them better than anyone else. Raise them with our traditions. Albus Dumbledore has managed to not only make out that the Old Ways are wrong and only done by Pure-blood supremacists, but he has created the intolerance to true magic, being Light, Neutral, and Dark. Which of course is creating the disbalance of Magic. Every soul is either Light, Neutral or Dark, your Magic doesn't define if you are evil, although he has managed to spin it that way. It is all part of Magical Balance.'
'You, I mean, Father is working on it, he is working with Lucius in the Law Department of the Ministry. But Albus bloody Dumbledore is blocking them at every turn. But Father won't give up. When I am old enough I will be helping them as well, don't worry, Dumbledore won't destroy us. We will end him before he can. We will restore the Balance and Acceptance.'
"Harry!" Draco yelled as he ran towards his cousin, Sighing Harry wrote in the diary quickly,
'Draco found me, I will write to you tonight.'
Before he closed the diary and turned to face the way he had heard his name from.
"Shush!" Madam Pince, the old witch who had run the library for years scolded the rushing boy, blushing Draco nodded before continuing on his way. Harry smirked raised his left eyebrow in question.
"Marcus just found me and told me to find you! Quidditch tryouts are today." The blonde said excitedly.
"Wicked!" Harry gasped grinning with excitement, he hoped Draco made reserve.
"Let's go!" Draco whined tugging on Harry's robe sleeves.
"Alright, alright!" Harry laughed as he packed his books back up into his bag, and being dragged away by Draco, neither boy noticing the one black diary left on the table.
The entire Slytherin team stood together on the pitch, all of them in their uniform looking proud and strong. Marcus stood in the middle and slightly in front, with his team showing a united front right behind him. The two other chasers; Adrian Pucey and Graham Montague on either side of him. Their Keeper; Miles Bletchley stood beside Adrian, and Harry as their Seeker stood beside Graham. Then behind them, the reserve Chasers stood; fourth-year Cassius Warrington, seventh year Muriel Rothley and sixth year Imogen Stretton. Together they looked powerful and they knew it, as a team they always looked the most intimidating. The Hufflepuff's just always seem shy and nervous. The Ravenclaw's looked they knew their tactics but still unsure of how dirty they would play. And the Gryffindor's, they were always good for a laugh, trying to be tough and strong, attempting to stare them down. But no one could beat a Slytherin at their own game.
"Today we are holding tryouts for both starting and reserve positions for two Beaters!" Marcus's voice rumbled deeply reaching everyone who had turned up to try out and those in the stands watching, which included Hermione, Daphne, Pansy, and Luna.
"Those that are applying for Beaters positions, Starting and Reserve stay here, the rest of you in the stands to wait your turn!" with that said around half of the people trying out moved into the stands. Surprisingly standing in front of them were only six Slytherins varying in age and gender.
"Alright, you can't be on this team unless you can fly around players at all, so we will be starting with everyone in teams of two and you need to avoid the players already on the team," Marcus said before dividing everyone up into groups of two.
"Line up with your brooms!" Marcus snapped, smirking when they rushed to comply.
"You name and year group! Keep the line moving until the last person has spoken." He ordered harshly.
"Peregrine Derrick, Fifth Year."
"Lucian Bole, Fifth Year."
"Kalyn Vaisey, Fourth Year."
"Blaise Zabini, Second Year."
"Theo Nott, Second Year."
"Michaela Higgs, Sixth Year."
"Team One!" Marcus called out when they finished.
"Peregrine Derrick and Kalyn Vaisey!" He said pointing them out, the two called, stepped forward, Vaisey slightly faltering. Derrick shot a look off to those still standing with an arrogant smirk. Harry rolled his eyes at the overconfident git, he was all arrogance and no talent. Something that was proven later when he almost crashed into Graham and Adrian; who had been passing the Quaffle to each other. Vaisey hadn't been too bad, not overly confident but better than Derrick by a long shot.
Team Two!" Marcus cried shaking his head at his teammates, he already felt a stressed-induced headache coming on.
"Lucian Bole and Michaela Higgs!" Bole had the same arrogant smirk as Derrick he stalked forward confidently. Higgs walked forward shyly but with an excited and nervous smile, she was the older sister to Knight Terence Higgs and had the same dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. Bole turned out to just be as bad as Derrick, not even three minutes into their turn, he almost fell off his broom trying to avoid a suddenly diving Harry.
"Team Three!" Marcus barked as he rubbed his temples, it was best to get this over quickly.
"Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott!" Harry smirked as two of his best friends nodded sharply, they knew they had talent, now they just had to prove it. Two minutes after they took flight it was obvious the two second-year boys were the most talented so far, they flew under and over all the other players while keeping track of where the other was as well. They lasted the longest, Marcus letting them fly for five minutes before calling them back.
"Come back in!" Marcus yelled getting their attention, as soon as they landed the team noticed the glares Derrick and Bole were sending at Blaise and Theo.
"All six of you in the air with bats, these charmed Bludgers will record the strength and accuracy in your hits. Go!" Once all six players were in the sky he released three Bludgers, one for each pair to hit back and forth. The balls were charmed to only head towards the two in the pair together, shaking his head Marcus turned to the rest of the team who had landed around him.
"What do you guys think?"
"Derrick and Bole are arrogant sods who aren't even good at flying let alone Quidditch." Adrian snarked, his blue eyes glaring at the two boys in the sky who were waiting for their Bludger to return from where they had hit it on the other side of the pitch.
"They are both massive and awkward on their brooms." Graham snorted.
"I think it is safe to say they are idiots who wouldn't play well as a team," Miles muttered rolling his brown eyes. Harry laughed loudly and shook his head gaining the attention of his team, still laughing Harry pointed up, their eyes all widened with shock; Bole had a bloody face and broken nose, he was holding on tight to his broom for dear life as he hung off it, while the Bludger chased Derrick.
"Derrick! Bole! Get down here!" Marcus shouted, he had enough.
"Get off the pitch and leave, you won't make the team." Marcus stood his ground even as Bole and Derrick yelled and ranted about the unfairness of it all, but eventually, they left.
"Alright, now they are gone we read the results," Marcus grumbled as he waved his wand, a piece of parchment floated down to them with the records of all three Bludgers.
"Zabini and Nott hit harder and have great accuracy, but the girls are far behind." He said out loud for his team.
"All in favor for Zabini and Nott?" Harry smirked when all of their hands went up.
"Alright." Marcus turned to face the four Beaters who were all standing and waiting.
"Zabini, Nott, you're our new starting Beaters; Vaisey, Higgs, reserve." Blaise and Theo cheered as they joined Harry grinning widely, the two girls looked happy enough with being reserves.
"All four of you stand with us for the rest of the tryouts, you are part of this team now, and will help us decide on the rest." They all smiled as they joined the rest of the team and received congratulations.
"Reserve Keeper's!" Marcus barked, Harry shared a smug look with Blaise and Theo when only three boys came down with Draco.
"Names and year group, then we will get you in the sky," Marcus said. Harry winked at Draco, he knew how talented Draco was in the air.
"Tristram Bassenthwaite, Sixth Year."
"Darius Berrow, Seventh Year."
"Draco Malfoy, Second Year."
"Niles Hanley, Fourth Year."
"You will each take a turn blocking the goals. You will get a Quaffle thrown from each of us Chasers." Marcus started, both Graham and Adrian shot dangerous smirks to the four boys, their eyes glinting with malice. Draco was immune already to them, and it appeared that Berrow thought himself better by them judging by the sneer he had. But Bassenthwaite and Hanley flinched back. Much to the team's amusement, even Kalyn Vaisey and Michaela Higgs were giggling along.
"Head to the sky, and warm up!" Marcus barked before turning around to face his team.
"Alright, what do you know about them?" he asked.
"Bassenthwaite is in our year, he is a good player, and an alright guy, one of the top students in our year too, should've been a Ravenclaw," Adrian said with Graham nodding in agreement.
"Hanley is in my year," Kalyn said nervously, but carried on when Marcus' nodded to her.
"He is a good flyer, has a small tight group of friends so I don't know him that well, but he seems alright."
"You know Draco, so we don't need to boost him up," Harry said grinning with a wink, Marcus just rolled his eyes, well used to Harry's antics.
"Berrow is my year." Marcus started.
"Bit of a tosser thinks his name means he should be respected, but overall isn't a bad guy." The team nodded as he moved to take off on his broom with Adrian and Graham.
"Berrow! You're up first!" Marcus shouted from the air, although it was a faint whisper to the rest of the team on the ground. Harry sat down with Blaise and Theo on either side, Miles in front of him, Kalyn and Michaela sitting on his left. Berrow managed to block a goal from Adrian but missed both of Marcus and Graham's shots.
"One save out of three shots, that isn't that impressive." Kalyn sniggered, she had blonde hair and blue eyes, her mother had been a Greengrass before she married, so Kalyn shared many attributes with Daphne.
"I just hope Draco makes the team, he is a great Keeper," Miles said as his eyes traced the flying above them. They watched eagerly when Bassenthwaite was called forward to the goals. Marcus, Adrian, and Graham all flew the other side of the pitch, before coming back at great speed, passing the Quaffle between them as if in a real match. Marcus' shot went straight past the diving Keeper and through the hoop. They all chuckled as the boy smacked his broom in frustration, flying around they prepared to strike again. But in a short time, he managed to block both Adrian and Graham shots. Harry, bit his lip, Draco now had to get at least two goals to stay in the running.
"Hanley!" They watched as he flew to the sky, he looked nervous, even those on the ground when Marcus flew towards him at full speed. Five minutes later, he got sent off the field after saving none of the three goals.
Finally, it was Draco's turn, Harry, Blaise, and Theo all stood up and cheered until Marcus told them to shut it. Draco flew confidently to the hoops, his white-blonde hair almost sparkling in the sun. Harry held his breath as Marcus went for a goal, and for the first time today, someone blocked Marcus' shot and by the youngest of those trying out. Harry whooped with Blaise and Theo, the rest of the team all murmuring appreciatively, Marcus was the best shooter in the school, even Oliver Wood as the best Keeper had trouble saving his shots. The three Chasers were moving closer again, and by hanging upside down on his broom, Draco was able to save Adrian's shot.
"He is now tied with Bassenthwaite." Harry grinned.
"He can do it," Blaise said confidently.
"Easily." Theo nodded. The boys had grown up together and they had practiced Quidditch together since they learned about the house teams.
"You have a lot of faith in your friend," Kalyn said softly tilting her head to the side.
"We've seen him play and we've trained with him. We know he is that good." Harry said smirking as the Chasers went for their third and final goal, they all broke out in cheering when Draco caught the catch from Graham. He flew down to the ground with a smug grin, his grey eyes sparkling with joy. Harry, Blaise, and Theo all jumped him screaming with joy, all four of them were officially part of the Slytherin Quidditch Team.
"Glad it is you," Miles said grinning clapping Draco's shoulder in congratulations.
"Me too," Draco smirked playfully.
"Alright! Reserve Seeker's here!" Marcus shouted once the team settled down again. Startled four boys and two girls came running down.
"Form a line and mount your brooms but do not take off!" he ordered before turning his back to the students who were now scrambling to obey.
"Miles, did you know your brother was trying out?" Marcus asked curiously.
"No, he hadn't even hinted towards being interested." Miles Bletchley said, his brown eyes wide in shock.
"Same as before, name and year group!" Marcus shouted as he turned away from Miles.
"Sebastian Daley, Sixth Year."
"Zoe Accrington Fourth Year."
"Byron Miller, Fourth Year."
"Tabitha Bainbridge, Fifth Year."
"Gideon Scalby, Fifth Year."
"Kevin Bletchley, Third Year."
Once they had finished Marcus beckoned Adrian and Graham, the two boys bringing forward a large box, it was the box that had held the charmed Bludgers. This time Marcus pulled out a small box, around the size of a brick.
"For your tryouts, we are doing things slightly differently this year. This idea came from our starter Seeker Harry Riddle. This small box holds our training Snitches. Each one has different settings depending on your skillset. There are three main levels; Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. But each level has two settings; Beginner has Novice and Amateur. Intermediate has Skilled and Proficient. Advanced has Experienced and Expert." Harry was standing with Blaise and Theo to his left, with Draco on his right side, watching for weaknesses, some of them were already starting to look worried.
"To start with, I will be releasing five Snitches, all set on Beginner; Novice. You have five minutes to catch one, once you have caught one, return to the ground. If you don't return in this time then you are cut. If you are the only one without one as there are six of you and five Snitches, you are cut. Got it?" Marcus snapped, grinning he waved his hand sending them up, and then at his team's countdown.
"5..4..3..2..1!" He opened the box, releasing five Snitches.
"Timer on?" He grunted.
"Yes, Captain." Miles nodded respectfully, even though they were all good friends, everyone gave Marcus the respect he deserved as Captain. Many believed he was thick and stupid because he mostly grunted or remained silent, but he just preferred being quiet and watch or listen. Because of it, he had an advantage against any opponent.
"You boys had Defense yet?" Graham asked in amusement.
"No, not yet, we should have had it two days ago but someone set off a bunch of pranks in the first room, so we have it tomorrow afternoon after History of Magic," Theo said.
"Yeah, I heard about that happening, I heard it was your lion and his mirror image Harry." Adrian snickered.
"Yeah, that sounds like Fred," Harry said trying to sound exasperated, but it came out fondly.
"Oh just wait until you have a lesson with the ponce." Miles snorted.
"He is even more ridiculous than we originally thought." Adrian nodded furiously.
"Merlin, please tell me you're kidding." Draco groaned while Harry proceeded to bang his head on Theo's shoulder.
"Look someone is coming down," Miles said, they all stopped talking to look up as two people raced to the ground both clutching a Snitch each.
"Scalby, Accrington. Congratulations on being the first two down." Both grinned their faces flushed as they handed over their Snitch. Their arrival seemed to set off a chained reaction as Bainbridge, Bletchley and Miller swooped in one after the other.
"Daley! You are out!" Marcus shouted, the sixth year let off a string of colorful curses.
"Watch it, Daley, I am still Acting Prince even on the field." Marcus snarled.
"Pitiful, couldn't even best a third year and two fourth years on Novice." Adrian sneered while the others snickered in amusement.
"Alright, the same thing again, I am only releasing four Snitches for the five of you, but this time on Beginner, Amateur. Ready?" Once he received confirmations from the five remaining Slytherin's he nodded at the team who started the countdown again.
"5..4..3..2..1!" He released the four Snitches as they took off into the sky yet again.
"They are serious about Lockhart by the way. I have to fight back the urge to use an unforgivable every lesson." Marcus muttered, only just loudly enough for his team to hear him.
"Which one?" Harry asked with childish delight, his head tilted to the right, green eyes shining with amusement and intrigue.
"The Cruciatus," Marcus said a dark leer as he pictured it in his head, cursing the insipid cretin until he was mad with the pain, unable to speak, being locked inside his head forever, or even better, his mind broken. Harry watched as his expression changed to sinister lust, his smoky black eyes going glazed as he was lost in his thoughts. Despite being a Flint, the Heir to Benjamin Flint, it was easy to see his Mother in him as his thoughts got darker and darker. His dark eyes, the slight insanity in them, and the mad smile were all Lestrange. Reginah Flint nèe Lestrange was the younger sister of Rodolphus and the older sister of Rabastan. She was one of Bellatrix's best friend's from Hogwarts, their other best friend, Rita Skeeter, was just as bloodthirsty and slightly tapped in the head, but she was just the best at hiding it. The three of them had been ruthless and perfect Slytherin's, sharing a dorm for seven years, and being so similar solidified their friendship beyond the norm.
"I would use the Imperius," Harry said wistfully.
"Why?" Draco asked sounding like he very much didn't want to know the answer.
"Because, then you can make him do all these embarrassing things, in front of everyone!" Harry cried gleefully causing everyone to laugh and roll their eyes. They were pulled out of their conversation yet again as Kevin Bletchley and Zoe Accrington landed smiling widely, each with a Snitch in one hand.
"Well done, we have two more minutes so just wait there." Marcus rumbled, his dark eyes now watching the sky as the three others circled the pitch trying to find one of the two remaining Snitches. It didn't take long before Byron Miller returned looking relieved.
"Only one to go," Harry said as his eyes watched it zip around just above the two still flying.
"You can see can't you?" Miles chuckled as he watched Harry's eye follow something he couldn't see.
"Of course," Harry smirked cockily.
"Only a minute to go and then they both get kicked," Blaise murmured, but just as he said it, they saw the Snitch. Laying flat on their brooms, they chased after it before catching it with a loud cheer.
"Scalby join the others," Marcus said as he landed.
"Bainbridge you are out." The girl nodded looking upset but she took it well saying good luck to the remaining four and nodding her head respectfully to the team before walking back to the stands.
"Alright you four, we don't have that much longer on the pitch so we need to hurry through and finish the Reserve Seeker. Only two Snitches are going up, and they going up on Intermediate, we are skipping Skilled and going to Proficient. You ready?" Marcus said as he held the two Snitches.
"Yes, Captain." They chorused.
"5..4..3..2..1!" And they were off into the sky. Harry sat down on the grass and relaxed back, looking up at the sky.
"Who do you think will make the team?" Harry asked casually as he traced the four flyers with his green eyes.
"Accrington is talented and might have the skill," Draco commented when the girl in question did a sudden dive after one of the snitches, Bletchley on the other side of the pitch going up quickly after another one.
"I think Bletchley Jr will do it," Harry said as the two landed grinning widely.
"Scalby! Miller! You're out." Marcus cried, and for the last time, he released a Snitch set on Experienced.
"5..4..3..2..1!"
"What classes do we have tomorrow?" Harry asked curiously.
"History double class and block with Gryffindor first," Blaise said groaning.
"I hate Binns," Draco muttered.
"Yeah, he hasn't changed since my older sister was a first-year," Michaela said laughing as Kalyn nodded with her.
"I don't think he has changed since our parents were first years," Marcus grunted as his dark eyes kept watch of Accrington and Bletchley as they dived around each other in desperate attempts to get the Snitch. Suddenly there was a loud whoop, as Bletchley grabbed the Snitch triumphantly. They all cheered happily, Miles smile was the widest as he hugged his younger brother tightly.
"First practice is tomorrow night after Dinner!" Marcus called out before dismissing them to the showers.
"We should get rid of Binns this year." Harry grinned maliciously.
"Ooh goody," Draco smirked.
"This will be fun." Blaise nodded.
"So we have two targets this year? Lockhart and Binns." Theo mused.
"This year will be interesting."
Translate may not be 100% accurate, I used google translate.
* We call upon you, Mother Magic, we honor the gifts you gave our departed, we give back what you gave to the one you called Cygnus Castor Black III.
* Mother Magic, take his soul, escort him to the other side, guide him one last time.
* All names that you don't recognize from the books I got from Wikia, most are just background characters from the games, and I gave them years.