Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby. Yes, yes, and I thank you. And it's appreciated!

Alight just a few start of term notices to announce I know Harry may seem a bit insecure to some of you at the moment, but please keep in mind how he's grown up until now. I promise that with more time Harry is going to become a lot more confident and secure. This is just how I personally think he would behave currently, given how suddenly his life has gone through a huge upheaval.

I hope you guys have liked the Snakes so far. I'm going to be introducing you to more as we go on, but don't expect them all (or the rest of the school for that matter) to behave similarly in regards to Harry.

I'm so excited to finally be writing Hogwarts chapters! Squeeee!

Like many writers I know, any/all reviews, favourites, and follows are viewed with the highest regards.

A Entrancing Easter to you all! (unless you're not religious, then I apologise and hope you've had a wonderous weekend anyway).

-G

Marcus had stopped along a blank stretch of dungeon wall "You're still thinking like a muggle, Potter," Flint said, his face blank before a sharp smile flickered at his lips. "and forgetting one crucial thing:" he said, before whispering something to the wall, causing it to suddenly break open, flooding the group with murky green light and warmth. The first years eyes widened. "Magic." He said, and swept through the entrance in the Slytherin Common Room.

Chapter 15: Paper Cranes

Harry trailed behind the others, just behind Draco and Blaise, as they climbed up the sharp stairs towards the first year boys dormitory. They'd arrived in the Slytherin Common room about fifteen minutes ago and the prefects had shown them around the different rooms. Harry was excited to hear that his Godfather would be dropping by in the morning to speak with the Slytherins (something about a House code?) and hand out individual class time tables.

Harry thought it would be cold in the dungeons, but the air was surprisingly warm, owing (he quickly realised) to the quietly crackling fire in the grates. The earthy smell of a wood fire seeped through the rooms, an unusual contrast to the cool almost crisp smell of their surroundings. The walls were all thick dark stone, and they'd been shocked to realise that the green tinted lighting was in fact due to the huge window looking out into the depths of the Black Lake they'd just sailed across. Harry had stood close to the glass for several minutes, mesmerised by the flickered of movement in the water, and the sway of dark fronded plants. He'd jumped back in shock when one of the fronds had unfurled, ensnaring a passing water beetle that had paddled too close.

As they climbed up the short steep staircase to the upper levels, Harry's eyes flickered around, noting the unusual asymmetry of the design and rooms. Amongst the brickwork he'd seen several old warn runes etched into stone. On one of the rails was an intricately crafted snake twined up the metal, it's scales shimmering. From the roof hung what appeared to be wind chimes (that quietly rang, despite the lack of any sufficient air flow). Even floating through the air, darting and mingling around the high arched ceiling, he saw wisps of coloured lights. They reminded him of the schools of fish he'd just seen in the lake. The moving artworks, whilst still intriguing, thankfully weren't quite as shocking after spending a month in the Manor.

As Harry walked behind Draco and Blaise, he wondered whether this was yet another thing he was unfamiliar with in the wizarding world. None of the other boys appeared phased, or even particularly curious, about their surroundings, more absorbed with the current conversation. Were they not amazed by the castle like he was? Was this normal?

Over the past hour Harry had increasingly felt twinges of awkwardness. Although he'd become quite close to Draco, and was warming up to some of the others he'd just met, he still wasn't very comfortable around such a large group of people. He'd deliberately trailed behind a little as they made their way to the dorms, grateful for a little space and air.

There was also the niggling voice in the back of his mind saying that Draco would probably rather spend time with his friends then Harry. They were obviously closer, and had far more things in common, then Harry who had grown up with the Dursleys, completely unaware of magic. He could hardly compete for Draco's attention, and hope to win, when he'd only known the other boy for a month . . . From what Draco had told him, many of their year mates had been close friends for years.

Harry scuffed his shoe along the ground, suddenly wanting to curl up and fade away into the corner. He told himself not to get jealous or disappointed when Draco inevitably started wanting to spend less time with him. He just hoped the Severus, his Godfather, wouldn't drift away as well.

He didn't think he could bear having them both so close, but, at the same time, practically a world away. Harry shook his head a little, black hair flying, and glasses wobbling precariously. He didn't want to thing about it, and shoved the thoughts back into his brain, somewhere they wouldn't bother him.

The first year boys were on the first floor up the right staircase, whilst the girls from their year had wandered up the left staircase to the dormitory. Apparently none of the boys could travel up there, and he wondered who had decided that the girls should be allowed to come into their dorm as they pleased. He didn't think it was very fair, but then, he didn't make the rules.

The excited voices of Draco and Blaise roused Harry from his thoughts, and he peered through a doorway into their new dorm room. Inside the room were six even spaced four-poster beds, three on each side. On the far end of the room was a huge glass panel looking out into another patch of the lake. This one was filled with sharp rocks and a sea of dappled grass-like plants, with long eel like creatures sliding lowly through the plants. Harry couldn't quite tell how long they were, but the way they moved rather reminded him of the python he'd seen escape from the zoo on Dudley's birthday.

"Harry!" Draco called excitedly, pointing him arm towards one of the far beds "Your beds over here, it's right next to mine." The blond beamed.

Harry realised he was correct, seeing his trunk stowed away at the end of the bed on the right side of the room, closest to the window. He wondered whether he'd be able to sleep so close to the creatures of the lake.

Greg's space was also on the right side of the room, whilst Blaise, Vince and Theo were on the left. Harry's bed was opposite Theodore's.

"So does anyone know what we have first up tomorrow?" Vince asked as he started digging out pyjamas from his trunk.

Blaise was flopped on his bed, shoes kicked off haphazardly to the floor and limbs spread. His eyes remained closed as he answered "Not sure if it's first, but I heard a Claw saying we had combined Herbology tomorrow." He answered.

Theodore corrected him "That's second class. First we have History of magic . . . with the Puffs I think." he added, slightly unsure.

"Really?" Harry asked, excited, bouncing slightly on his bed. He'd devoured the recommended texts for that classes in a week, and was eager for the first lessons.

Blaise gave him a sympathetic look form his spot across the room "Don't get too excited, Harry. I heard the teacher is terrible." He warned lazily.

Greg nodded. "Pa said the ghost who teaches is the same one he had when he was at school."

"And dead boring." Vince added, face perfectly serious.

Harry was flooded with disappointment, but screwed up his face with resolution. "I'm sure the teacher isn't that bad." Harry reasoned, hopefully. "Why would they keep them around?" he half questioned.

Draco was neatly placing away his belongings in his set of drawers, but Harry couldn't be bothered to do his own belongings yet. "Because Dumbledore's a twat." Draco said, neatly placing his shoes on a rack. "thank Merlin he's not Headmaster this year. Father said he never agreed to make changes at Hogwarts, unless he thought of them."

Theodore turned to Draco quickly "Did you hear why he was removed?" he asked, suddenly very intrigued in the conversation "Neither of my parents had heard."

Harry froze on his bed, shoulders tense, unable to look at any of the other boys. Although news of Harry's adoption had reached the public, his Godfather and the Malfoy's hadn't wanted him linked to Dumbledore's removal from the school. At least until the previous Headmaster was found guilty and sentenced. Harry's Godfather had been worried about how the people who still liked Dumbledore would react, and had told both he and Draco so immediately.

Draco floundered for a moment, before smoothly covering it over. "No" the blonde lied "But my Father was saying that his trial is soon."

Thankfully, for Harry, Greg interrupted Theodore's next question "Ugh! Who cares?" he moaned, flopping onto Vince's bed, accidentally whacking the other boy's face in the process. Vince barked a surprised complaint and shoved the other boy's arm off good-naturedly. "oops, sorry Vince." Greg apologised bashfully "It's only an hour till lights out. Enough time for a round of Gobstones before the Prefects come yell at us."

And so the rest of the night was spent with laughing hushed voices, a small dripping beeswax candle, a pack of gobstones (that Harry soon discovered shot out bursts of foul smelling liquid), and six boys sitting in a small circle on the dungeon floor.

"Harry."

Said boy groaned at the quiet voice interrupting his warm comfortable slumber.

"Harry." Came the voice again, this time with an accompanying shake of his shoulder.

Blearily green eyes opened, fuzzy with sleep and lack of glasses. The blob of white blonde hair quickly clued him in to the identity of his attacker.

"What 'Co?" he mumbled, snuggling deeper into the blanket folds.

Draco laughed, prodding the raven awake again. "Come on, it's time to get up. Get out of my bed. Severus is going to arrive in an hour and you still haven't showered."

Harry looked around in confusion and realised Draco was right, apparently he'd fallen asleep on Draco's bed sometime after their several games of Gobstones (they'd all stayed up talking until around eleven o'clock and Harry's bed had been too far away from the others to join in without his voice alerting the Prefects).

"Oh! Oops. . . I mean, er, sorry, Draco." Harry mumbled embarrassedly, blushing brightly.

Draco rolled his eyes before sliding out of bed himself. "Yeah, yeah. Just hurry up, would you? I'm not going to be late for first classes because you decided to sleep through breakfast." Draco laughed.

Harry stumbled to his feet, still slightly unsteady with sleep. "I'm up, I'm up." He said, through a jaw-breaking yawn. The entire month a Malfoy Manor he'd delighted in being able to sleep-in, a true indulgence considering the Dursley's had always made him get up at the break of dawn to start on the chores. Apparently his body wasn't too keen on early mornings just yet.

Ten minutes later Harry was showered and dressed, far more awake then before. Most of the other boys in the dorm were also ready (with the exception of Blaise who snarled at anyone who dared attempt to wake him). Draco and Harry walked down to the common room, already filled with most of the upper year levels. Harry's face broke out in a smile as he saw who stood waiting for them. The raven bounded up to his Godfather; arms bursting to grab onto the tall man, and barely restrained.

Severus' dark eyes warmed as he saw the approach of both his Godson's. He placed a hand fondly on Harry's short head for a moment, unruly hair escaping around it. Harry beamed, delighted in the reserved man's rare show of affection. Severus clasped his hand to Draco's shoulder as the blonde joined them, smiling down at the young Malfoy.

"Good morning boys, I trust you slept well?" he inquired, with an arched brow as he observed the faint traces of tiredness beneath both boys eyes. The way Draco sudden stood up straighter, looking consciously more alert, and Harry sheepish blush confirmed his suspicions.

"I trust you will both stick to the allocated sleeping time in the future." He warned mildly.

Draco rolled his eyes dismissively even as Harry quickly responded "Yes, Godfather." The raven agreed, guiltily.

Severus concealed a smirk and gestured to the few remaining seats "Go take a seat, I'm about to start the notices and your introduction." He said, knowing most of the upper years would be eager to head to the great hall for breakfast.

"kay" Harry agreed, as both boys moved back towards the rest of their year level.

Harry watched as his Godfather's gaze sharpened and swept across the Slytherin students assembled before him. Intrigued as many students backs snapped upright to attention upon meeting the dark gaze. "Good morning." He greeted them. "For those of you who don't know, I am Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House."

"Though many of you may be familiar" their Head of House drawled "with the Slytherin House Code of Conduct, I expect each of you . . . to listen closely." He warned in a low resounding voice.

"You will present yourselves as a united front." He ordered firmly, dark gaze assessing. "You may find that the rest of the school is . . . reluctant to support you," he admitted, then went on to explain carefully "Slytherin House has long been associated with ambition and, subsequently, power. You may find that both breed unwelcome feelings such as fear, distrust and envy amongst the rest of the population. As such," he continued "I would expect each member of the Slytherin House to support each other."

Harry listened, wondering if that was why Marcus Flint had spoken up on his behalf during the Welcome Feast last night.

"You will all adhere to every rule and regulation of Hogwarts, including the current Hogwarts dress code. First years, a prefect will remain behind after this meeting to run you through the necessary advice and spells. Any questions or difficulties may be brought to the Slytherin prefects or other upper housemates. Though you may find this . . . tedious" he sneered "I assure you that any future employers will not be impressed by sloppy dress skills."

"Available assistance will also be provided for any student struggling or looking to improve their studies. I have assigned specific members of our house to be available for weekly scheduled tutoring sessions, available in each subject, a list has been provided on our notice board as of this morning. These are compulsory for anyone receiving marks consistently below passing grade average in any subject." He warned them. "The password to enter these common rooms will also be posted there on the first weekend of each month, please be sure to remember it."

"And lastly," he murmured, dark eyes scanning the room "Any disputes between your fellow house mates . . . will be resolved within these walls, and not beyond them." He cautioned, with a sweeping gesture to the room around them. "I expect you all to be capable of rational thinking in any personal or school matters, however" he added, slowly. "if necessary please do not hesitate to request my assistance or the assistance of your Slytherin prefects. My office location and hours are also posted upon the notice board." He gestured.

"Now, as I have second year Gryffindor's to prepare for, I will bid you all an enjoyable first day." He nodded in farewell, eyes briefly meeting Harry and Draco's with a flicker of warmth, before he strode from the room.

Marcus Flint strode to the front of the room, with a large pile of timetables in his hand which, with a murmured spell, folded themselves into paper cranes and flew to their identified owner.

Delighted, Harry snatched his easily out of the air, careful not to crush the wings. He watched as the paper became inanimate once more, before unfolding his schedule. Theodore had been correct, their first class was History of Magic with the ghost Professor Bins, followed by Herbology with Professor Sprout. He scanned the afternoon and was excited to see they'd have a break after lunch then Astronomy in the tower.

The first year Slytherins followed behind the others as they made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. They were running a little late because the upper years had been showing them the spells to neatly press their cloaks and fold their ties. An older Slytherin, by the same of Samantha Piers, had attempted to tame Harry's unruly hair. She, and four other Slytherins, had spent quarter of an hour trying numerous spells (with increasing disbelief, reluctant respect, and frustration) with no success, until finally they'd conceded defeat. Draco had found it hilarious, much to Harry's embarrassment as he'd sat quietly through the whole ordeal. To the raven's horror, he'd been instructed to meet the older Slytherin's in the common room early the next day. Apparently they were determined to research a solution within the next twenty four hours.

In any case, (now they were finally on the move, with rumbling stomachs) Harry and his friends were glad for the help navigating to the Great Hall. None of them were sure they'd have remembered the labyrinth like layout that was the dungeons, especially with only their single walk down last night.

With a hurried breakfast (Harry was yet again the centre of attention, though this time is was because the entire Slytherin table was debating how to control his wayward hair), the group of first years were led by a third year to their classroom for History of Magic.

The group of ten stood neatly, waiting for the teacher. They watched in smug amusement as a ragged group of Hufflepuffs barely made it in time, having gotten lost along the way (despite helpful directions provided by their housemates in the Great Hall).

There was a click behind them, and slowly the classroom door swung open to reveal a light airy, rectangular room. They filed quietly inside, looking around the room in curiosity. It had high arched ceilings and tall windows looking out towards some nearby mountains. Towards the front of the room hovered the pearlescent ghost of a man in what Harry guessed to be his forties.

He took a seat beside Blaise to the left of the room (Draco was sat with Pansy further up front) eager to learn.

And quickly had his hopes smashed.

Professor Binds barely described the events within the text book! In fact, the ghostly teacher scarcely even covered the most interesting aspects of the nineteenth century Goblin Rebellion!

He didn't talk about the broken peace treaty between the English Minister for Magic and the Goblin Chief Garblook. He didn't talk about the importance of magical oaths to Goblins, and why a broken one would cause such offense and outrage. He didn't talk about how the loss of wizarding resources, because of the destruction wrought by the Muggle First World War, compelling the wizarding community towards breaking the treaty in the first place!

All he did was ramble on about various facts and figures without any context!

Furious, Harry discretely scrawled a hasty note, then (without thinking) flicked his hand towards the sheaf of paper. Instantly the note delicately folded itself into a bird, which glided neatly across to Draco, settling with a small flutter next to his hand on the desk. Harry watched it happily, with a flutter of pride that he'd been able to copy how Marcus had handed out the timetables that morning.

Harry cast a glance around the room, hoping that no one else had noticed his actions, then froze as he met the wide-eyed astonished gaze of the entire Slytherin house seated behind him.

Confused and flustered he turned to Blaise. But even the dark-skinned boy seemed lost for words as he gaped at Harry.

Harry felt budding alarm. Were they angry that he'd been passing notes in class? Had he done something wrong? Thankfully none of the Hufflepuffs or the teacher seemed to have noticed, the Hufflepuffs being too sleepy and Professor Bins being too self-absorbed, but clearly Harry would have to face the rest of his House as soon as class was dismissed. . .

Harry shrunk back into his seat, wanting to sink into the floor when Blaise hissed quietly to him.

"What the hell, Harry?!" he choked, eyes still wide as they flickered to Harry's hand.

"I'm sorry, I didn't' mean to-" Harry stuttered

Vince was seated behind them, and his voice burst out quite loudly as he finally got over his shock "How did you-"

Professor Bin's had finally taken notice of the disturbance. "Kindly refrain from conversing please gentlemen. Any personal conversations must be conducted outside of class time." He interrupted them, before he drifted on once more about the Goblin Rebellion.

Blaise flashed a look of exasperation of Vince, before turning sharply to Harry, eyes bright. "Later" he insisted, quietly under his breath.

Timidly, Harry nodded. Not daring to speak, and annoy any further members of his House by loosing points.

When they were finally dismissed from class, Blaise all but dragged him out of his seat, closely followed by Vince, Greg and Daphne. Draco and Pansy hurried to catch up to the group, as clueless as Harry about what had stirred the Slytherin's up since they'd been seated further up the room.

Blaise quickly looked around, then pulled Harry into a large alcove off the hallway. The group of five followed behind. The remaining Slytherin's (Theo, Milicent and Tracey) flickered a glance at their group, but walked on without them.

"What's going on?" Draco asked in confusion, glancing between Blaise and Harry.

Blaise turned to look at Harry, disbelief shining in his eyes. "Harry can do wandless, Merlin's beard, wordless, magic." He said quietly.

The group froze. Harry in confusion, Draco and Pansy in shock, the rest (who'd actually witnessed the event) in increasing wonder.

Harry frowned.

"I can do what?"