And now for the Slytherin's point of view! Slightly longer than Gryffindor's. Thank you for all the lovely follows, favourites and reviews. It means a lot that you are telling me you like the story! Please keep following, favouring and especially reviewing! I love hearing what you think!
Enjoy :)
It was a misconception that all Slytherin's were the sons and daughters of Death Eaters, and potential followers of Voldemort. Many wanted nothing to do with the psychotic man, who terrified them just as much as he terrified Gryffindor's, Ravenclaw's and Hufflepuff's. They had ambitions to be medics, teachers, journalists, and travellers, just like their classmates. As they sat at their table, listening to Umbridge speak, they were just as unhappy and disgruntled as the rest of the school, and clapped with just as little enthusiasm.
Of course there was the odd exception, most notably in the dimwits Crabbe and Goyle. They sat with their attention more focused than it had ever been, trained on the words of their new Professor. They started to cheer as Umbridge walked off, but Draco Malfoy dug them in the stomachs to make them stop. Though Draco was a strong pure-blood idealist, he also was a Slytherin who knew to follow his head of house. Severus did not look happy at the speech Umbridge had made, and therefore Draco knew not to look too happy about it either.
Slytherin house had a similar response to the new study system, pairing them with another Hogwarts student in their year, as the rest of the school. Many Slytherin's slid their eyes to the Gryffindor table. The rivalry between the two houses was infamous, so there was a strong chance that ninety per cent of Slytherin's and Gryffindor's would be paired together.
It was the final announcement that made them choke on their pumpkin juice. They stared, mouths open, at their head of house. How could he be the legal guardian of Harry Potter? Some hated him more than others because of the defeat of Voldemort fourteen years ago, but no Slytherin particularly liked him. He wasn't just a Gryffindor, but their golden boy, practically their mascot. It was because of him that the House Cup had been taken off them in Harry's first year, extra points suddenly added, and their colours changed at the last minute just to be that little more humiliating.
This feeling wasn't confined to the students. They were all well aware of Severus' dislike for the boy. It was evident in any classroom they shared and any conversation they had. There had always been a mutual loathing and lack of respect between the student and Professor. Nothing could change that, extraneous circumstances or otherwise. Dumbledore must be kidding.
"Please respect their privacy. That is all." Dumbledore finished. He did not look like he was kidding.
As they realised this may not be a joke, all of their eyes slid from their stern and unimpressed looking head of house, to the Gryffindor golden boy, who looked more uncomfortable than he ever had. Practically the whole student body was staring at him. Even Gryffindor house was glaring at the boy, so clearly this hadn't been widely known information even throughout his friends and their friends.
Professor McGonagall interrupted the tense silence, ordering the prefects to lead students to their rooms. All second year and above students would make their own way, but the first years needed to be guided. Slytherin had gained ten students, which was less than the past couple years, with six girls and four boys. That was certainly a record low number of boys for Slytherin house. Maybe more were being sent to Durmstrang.
The students moved slowly, like they were all dealing with the shock. No first-of-the-year fight broke out as someone pushed someone else. They looked like the muggle monsters, zombies, the ones that moved so sluggishly. The crowd heading towards the dungeons was a mix of hissing and whispering and misunderstanding as people got far away enough to start discussing the situation.
"Can you believe it?" Someone hissed.
"We knew he had turned traitor from the Dark Lord, but this?" Someone replied.
"Professor Snape would never adopt the Potter boy."
"I don't know, Dumbledore sounded so serious."
"I'm telling you, he wouldn't do it. It's got to be a joke."
"I am sure he will come down to the dungeons later, and explain. He's got to greet the first years anyway. Let's just make sure we stay in the common room, to hear anything he has to say."
There was a murmuring of agreement at the comment, and people started going quiet. They trekked down to the colder parts of the school, a haven in the warm weather, and the Prefects told everyone that the password for the next few days would be 'Dragon Scale'.
As the prefects showed the first years to their rooms, the rest of Slytherin checked all of their things had arrived safely, and then made themselves comfortable in the common room. Severus always came to the common room after the start-of-year feast to introduce the first years and remind them all of the Slytherin rules. They all waited in anticipation.
"I don't know what he's up to, but he ain't my head of house no more." Malcolm Baddock jeered to the group assembled around him, "Not if what Dumbledore said is true. The head of Slytherin can't be the guardian of Gryffindor's golden boy, and expect to have the same reputation. No chance."
"Give him a chance to explain." Daphne Greengrass told her boyfriend, hand on his knee.
Malcolm was about to sneer something in response, but the portrait door swinging open stopped him. Severus walked through, two boxes levitating by his sides. He flicked his wand and they set themselves down on a table.
"Prefects, please go and collect any students from their dormitories for the mandatory start-of-year meeting." Severus said. Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson stood up, practically strutting up the stairwells. There was silence in the common room as a few students trickled down into the room and found a space to sit until, a few minutes later, the prefects returned.
"Good. Welcome back to those who are returning and welcome for the first time to those ten students who have just joined Slytherin house." Severus addressed a cluster of the youngest of his house, "I hope you will feel at home here. I will warn you now; it is not always easy to be a Slytherin. Our house is sometimes viewed very badly, because some of its graduates went on to do bad things. We are viewed with suspicion by the rest of the school, and not always treated as kindly."
The ten new students were looking fearful at this point. They looked at each other, wondering if the other first years in the other three houses were receiving similar lectures.
"However," Severus began to say, "You will not find a more loyal and protective group of people. Slytherin house acts to protect its own, at all costs. Everyone in this room will have your back, and when you are old enough, you will have theirs. Our secrets are for our ears only, as our conflicts and disagreements are. Understood?"
The first years nodded. They no longer looked as if they wanted to bolt for the door.
Severus continued, "There is a code of conduct for Slytherin house nailed next to the door. This includes year-by-year curfews. Learn those rules and abide by them during your seven years here. That is extremely important. I will be very disappointed if I ever learn of you breaking one of those rules. And I will know if you do." He levitated the boxes to sit in front of the students, "Now, as for your studies, I pride Slytherin house as extremely studious, and hard-working. I expect you to continue that. Please each take one of the organisers in front of you. This is to write homework assignments in, to remind you when homework is due, and for any other dates or information you may need to remember."
The first years did as they were bid, and each of them jumped when their organiser turned a different colour, resembling the owner's personal favourite. They were all different shades.
"We have a set study time in the evening, from eight till nine, when you are expected to be sat in the common room working. Extra tables will appear at this time. If you do not have homework, you are expected to read and to further your knowledge. You will also have free periods, and I expect you to use them to your advantage. I come into the common room on a Wednesday and a Friday night during study hour, to help anyone who may need it. Prefects will be present every night, and if they do not know the answer they can refer you to me. Please do not hesitate to ask. Understood?"
The students nodded again.
"Good. Finally, if you are struggling at any point in the week and want my assistance, do not wait until that Wednesday or Friday night. My door is always open for my house. Whatever your problem may be, you may come to me with it, whether that is a homework issue, a school-related issue or a problem regards your home life. Do not be afraid to ask."
There was a quiet murmuring of 'thank you' from the first year group, each of them clutching their new organiser like a lifeline, but all smiling.
"Do you have any questions?" There were none, "Good. Now, a few announcements for all members of this house. Firstly, addressing the new study system Professor Dumbledore has put in place. I know many of you are not happy with it, but it is mandatory. Even if you despise the person you have been paired with, and I can assure you we have worked to try make sure that won't happen, you must do as you have been bid, or you will lose Slytherin house points. Am I understood?"
There was a firm response of 'yes sir', and Severus nodded. He was incredibly proud of the respect Slytherin house members always showed.
"Thank you for that respective response, I am sure none of you will let me down. Now, I know many of you will have questions about the last announcement that was made tonight, regards my taking guardianship of one Harry Potter."
Everyone's eyes rose to look at him, narrowing in question.
"Firstly, I wish to express that it is not a joke, nor a prank being pulled by our Headmaster. Professor Dumbledore was telling the truth. Over the summer, I took official guardianship of Harry, and he has been living with me at Hogwarts since."
Malcolm Baddock shoved Daphne Greengrass' hand off his knee, as if saying 'See? You asked me to let him explain, but now do you see?' He leant back in his chair so he was slouched and looking unimpressed. There was a lot of soft noise in the room, as people turned to their friends and muttered about whether they had guessed right or wrong. Draco Malfoy was staring at his godfather with a pure look of disdain, which Severus was trying to ignore.
The head of Slytherin house walked calmly to the sofas, where people made room for him. He sat down with a nod at those who had moved, and then he transformed items around the room to chairs, so everyone was clustered around him.
"I will allow you to ask me questions now. I warn you, tread carefully, and ask respectfully. This is a breach on my private life I do not often allow."
Many students raised their hands, and questions were quite varied.
"Can you tell us about the circumstances that occurred for this to happen?"
"No, I cannot and would not either way, Miss Greengrass." Severus told Astoria, Daphne's younger sister, "I do not fault or blame you for asking, I am sure it is a matter of interest, but that information is confidential and will not be released."
"Has Potter been living with you all summer?"
"Since the middle of July, when he arrived at Hogwarts."
"Does Potter have rooms in your personal quarters?"
"A little too personal, but I will answer because I am sure it will become apparent that yes he does, and he is welcome to stay there throughout the school year. They are his home as much as mine."
"Are you still loyal to Slytherin house?" Malcolm Baddock asked.
Severus narrowed his eyes at the boy, "Slytherin is my house and will always be my house."
"Why were you chosen over everyone else who could have taken Potter in?"
"Because it made the most sense. I will allow one final question."
Everyone's hands went down, and the students looked between themselves. No one was quite sure if they wanted to ask the final question. In the end, a sixth year girl raised her hand. Her name was Emma Dobbs, usually quite a quiet girl so Severus knew she would be respectful in her questioning.
"Yes, Miss Dobbs. What would you like to ask me?"
"Sir, Professor Snape," Emma placed her hands in her lap, folding them prettily, "The reason this has taken so many of us by surprise is because, of course, you have quite a legendary rivalry with Pot- Um, Harry. He is often called the Gryffindor mascot, and you are the head of Gryffindor's rival house."
"A valid point concerning the past four years, Miss Dobbs, but not a question."
"Of course. My question is, considering the rivalry you had with Harry, was it an easy choice to become his guardian?"
Severus unfolded his legs and leant forward slightly, and the rest of the students looked intrigued, "Why do you want to know if it was an easy choice?" He asked one of his smartest students.
Emma smiled slightly, "Because many things can be understood from such as answer. Easy choices and hard choices come from very different situations."
Severus smirked in satisfaction, and straightened his back again, "A Slytherin answer, Miss Dobbs, I am impressed. The answer to your question is no, it was not an easy choice. A lot of things had to be taken into account. However, it did not take much deliberation at the time and it is not a decision I regret. The rivalry you speak of has been dissolved. I get on well with Harry, and have learnt many things about judgement. Is that a sufficient answer?"
Emma dipped her head in accession, and then linked arms with a friend sat next to her. The Slytherin's were quiet, taking in his response. Severus stood, "Thank you for your respectfulness. It never fails to impress me. Get a good night's rest; remember you are expected to find and greet your study partner tomorrow, and that you all need to be at breakfast to receive their names and houses. Goodnight, Slytherin's."
"Goodnight Sir." The Slytherin's replied.
Severus gracefully walked out of the common room, and shutting the portrait door behind him he knew he was leaving behind the beginning of gossip and discussion. He considered casting an eavesdropping charm and listening in for a while, but decided against it and began to walk to his chambers. On the way, a piece of parchment with muggle pen writing appeared bedside him, and he caught it as it floated towards the ground.
I hope talking with the Slytherin's went well. Some Gryffindor's are angrier than others. Seamus Finnegan is leading the angry ones. Going to bed now.
Severus sent back, My Slytherin's always act respectfully but I have identified those who are more displeased than others. I will keep an eye on Mr. Finnegan. Daily piece of information?
Two minutes later, as he was sitting down in his quarters, he received, The Dursley's went on several holidays but I was never allowed to go with them. They went to Cyprus for two weeks once.
Would you like to elaborate on anything or is that enough for now?
When they went, I had to make sure everything was spotless before they got back. Mrs Figg from up the road would come and check on me and give me food, because the Dursley's never left much. That's enough.
Thank you for telling me. And well done for dealing with the Gryffindor's. Goodnight Harry.
That's alright. Goodnight.