AN: Sorry for the late post, I had some serious writers block with this chapter. Also obviously don't own a lot of the characters except for OC's.
As soon as Jack returned to the Slytherin common room, he quickly muttered the password, eager to get to bed and go to sleep with the some of the best memories he has ever made. When the wall opened though, the common room was filled with students. The eerie green light make Professor Pitch look even more sinister than he remembered. He stood tall in the center of the group, most of them surrounding the black cloaked teacher with only a few exceptions. His gaze snapped to Jack as soon as the young boy stepped through the entrance way.
"See now, this is what I want to help fix." his words dripped out. Jack looked around the room, seeing most of the eyes on him as he slowly walked further into the room. Just in front of the fireplace he saw Cepheus with her nose buried in her book like usual, trying to ignore what was going on behind her. Sometimes Jack wondered why she was placed in Slytherin even though she was as smart as those in Ravenclaw. He thought about how much she and Hiccup could talk about before turning back his focus to the group in front of him.
"Now everyone, I understand that Professor Terr is your head of house but I care for you, after all I am an alumni of this house as well. I just want to help everyone become the best Slytherins they can be." Most of the older students were nodding along with the professors words, some with grins on their faces though Jack wouldn't think they meant well. "So, I want to implement some rules that I think will help in the long run."
Jack grimaced at the thought of what kind of rules he would make. Class alone was filled with a million fo rules to follow, most of which were just ridiculous and unnecessary. No talking unless told to, not writing anything other than notes on the class, hands remain on the desk if they aren't being used for writing or practising spells as directed by the professor, no slouching, no breathing loudly, the list went on and on. His first Defense Against the Dark Arts class was spent listening to him go through the entire list as well as the consequences for breaking each and every one of them. He could only think about what the dark professor had in mind for the entire house.
"The first one is no more contact with the other houses, especially Gryffindor." Jack's mouth fell open at this, shocked that this would even be a rule. "I want everyone to focus on coming together as a house so work with those in Slytherin."
Jack frowned, uncertain how this kind of rule could even be reinforced. It wasn't like Professor Black could control everyone, especially since he wasn't the head of house. And the headmaster had to be against this, if he even knew to begin with. No matter what though, he wouldn't stop talking to his friends just because one teacher said so. It didn't matter what house they were part of everyone was part of Hogwarts. An idea flashed through his head, to try and introduce more students to the Hogwarts common room and include everyone. To try and make all four houses part of one Hogwarts. Even in his head it sounded cheesy and ridiculous but the secret room was a place for the whole school, somewhere that didn't care where each person was from or what characteristics placed them in which house.
Even as the idea was forming, his mind flew back to the night he had just come back from. They were all from different houses and years but they still had so much fun together. Why couldn't the rest of the school see the four house as parts of a whole? Just like the school crest.
"Now I know a small few of you don't want to follow these simple rules. So as a small incentive, I will guarantee expulsion for any so called friends you have from other houses. So anyone who thinks they would take the punishment for their friends, remember that they would be the ones paying, not you. On the other hand, those who help enforce these rules will be rewarded." Jack froze mid thought as the professor slowly walked out of the room, not missing the small smirk he wore as their eyes connected. Reality began to sink in as he turned to face the rest of the house, their fierce eyes towards him.
The days that followed had him as a major target. Everyone knew of his close friendship with the other houses and while most of the school tolerated it, the incentives Professor Pitch gave overpowered the indifferent attitude previously held by most of his house. That very first morning, before everyone was shocked by the new arrangement, Cygnus was waiting for Jack in the common room. Instead of ignoring the boy as usually, the pale blonde stepped forwards.
"Hey Jack, ready to head down for breakfast?" he said, though it didn't sound like a question. One of the sixth year boys came to stand on the other side of Jack, tossing an arm around him. Jack only vaguely knew him as Warren Wittle, an odd name that didn't seem to match the large black haired boy who stood tall next to the small first years.
"Let's all head down together. I feel like I haven't been able to get to know you since you're always off with those other houses." Warren gave a grin that reminded Jack of an animal. He had been one of the first ones to agree with Professor Black and so it wasn't a surprise to see him as the one to make sure Jack followed along. The boys face alone reminded Jack of the consequences promised by the professor.
"Right." was all the young boy replied, lowering his head as he tried to slid past the small crowd that had gathered only to be held in place by the strong arm wrapped around his shoulders. He jerked once more, a sudden movement in the hopes of being released. He failed to escape but a small laugh spread through the crowd at his attempt.
"Common on, we're all Slytherin's." With those words the house began it's trek to the great hall. There weren't many people there yet, it being still early. Jack usually left earlier than the rest of his house in an attempt to separate himself farther from the pressure of their expectation but this morning they had anticipated this and acted accordingly. The few already there he recognized, with most of them early risers like himself and who he had started to trade morning greetings with. The serpent group walked between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables, passing Cara who stopped her greetings when faced with the distorted expressions of the rest of the group. Just as Jack had begun to gain enough of her trust to talk, the house pulls him two steps back. The entire group settles down in the middle of the long benches on either side of the table.
This was how the group found them later that same morning, with the young blonde on one side and the large sixth year on the other as the rest of Slytherin leaned closer, glancing around to jeer at the group of watchers. Jack would look up, searching for his friends every one and a while only to have Warren's grip remind him of what would happen to them and he bowed his head once more. He tried to keep as much of a distance as possible, once managing to escape their looks only to come across Hiccup and Fishlegs. His body began to move towards his friends but his feet were held in place by a voice.
"They would be the ones paying." Professor Blacks voice floated through his mind and he turned to run away. In the span of a breath he debated turning back and telling them everything. His own voice fighting the professors until he saw several third year Slytherin's standing at the other end of the hall, their own voices adding to the professors and queling his own.
After that he kept to himself, staying late at the library and trying to ignore those around him, the Slytherin's who watched him, the Ravenclaw's who occasionally looked up from their own books at the strange scene, the glares from Gryffindor and the curious looks from Hufflepuff. All the while he tried to figure out how he could get out of this situation without hurting his friends, watching for when he could get out on his own. When the groups message finally came, he only ever had a few minutes to himself late at night. So he planned his route in his mind during Charms class. That night, he stayed late as always reading about the Hogwarts history. Finally his "guard dogs" for the night started to pack up while Jack stayed seated, gesturing that he would stay a bit longer. The two older boys shrugged and moved to a small corner at the back of the library where they could mess around without worrying too much about the monitor. Jack grabbed his stuff and slowly made his way out, being careful not to be noticed by the other Slytherin's. He soon made it to the secret room, glancing over his shoulders before easing the door open, leading to where they were now.