HOGWARTS AT LAST

Caerwyn had heard various stories of Hogwarts from all the elders, especially from his dad and uncle Remi. After confessing to him about not getting along with his birth father and friends, his dad had finally buried the hatchet and made friends with uncle Remi. He said it was necessary to coordinate his training. Whatever the reason, the outcome was a good one. Caerwyn had trained attentively and hard. Over the years, their library had also grown and there was not one book in it that Caerwyn did not know of. Even Severus and Remus did not know of all the books that were there. So, it was hard to pre-determine the house for Caerwyn. He could be a Ravenclaw for his research skills and thirst for knowledge, or he could be a Hufflepuff for his honesty and hardwork. While Remus did not believe for a moment that Caerwyn was reckless enough for being a Gryffindor, Severus was rooting for his own house, Slytherin. Oh he had no doubt that if Caerwyn gets into Slytherin he will be the king of the house. He had the cunning and ambition to shame even the most powerful Slytherins. Secretly, Caerwyn wished for Slytherin too. He wanted to make his dad proud.

Severus had also told Caerwyn about his career as Death Eater and then spy and all about his colleagues in both fields. So, when Caerwyn was approached by one Draco Malfoy after Caerwyn got over his shock at seeing the Hogwarts Express and got up the train, he was not surprised at all. Draco Malfoy was a snotty and arrogant boy. He thought himself to be superior to anyone and everyone. His introduction to Caerwyn was something like this, "I heard you are the adopted son of Professor Snape. Well, he is a very good friend of my family. It would do you well to follow my lead."

And Caerwyn had just said, "Of course" and walked away to an empty compartment. Only time would tell who will follow whose lead.

The first time Caerwyn saw the castle, he was mesmerized. The first time he saw the enchanted ceiling, he was astonished. To hear stories about and to see it through your own eyes were two different things. He felt a little bit out of place, as he was not used to so much noise and crowd, but he figured he will slowly get used to this new world, at least for seven years. He was already looking forward to the sorting ceremony and to be introduced as Caerwyn Prince. He could already feel eyes on him. He followed the sorting when his aunt Mini called children to sit on the stool, one by one. Of course he won't call her that in front of the whole school. That was for private. She was hoping he would end up in her house, Gryffindor, but he had no designs on it. He wanted to go to his dad's house. Before him, Draco Malfoy was instantly sorted into Slytherin. This would be fun, Caerwyn thought to himself. The hat took a little time with him, though there was no doubt in his sorting. The lonely artefact just wanted a chat which Caerwyn gladly gave.

After his sorting, Caerwyn looked up to see his dad sitting straighter and looking at him with pride. Smiling, Caerwyn took his place in the Slytherin table. After the feast, where Draco again tried to press his authority and Caerwyn again ignored him, they were led to the Slytherin common room. Once there, the prefects started to show them towards the dorm. Caerwyn couldn't help but observe, "Will there not be a house meeting?"

"What are you talking about boy?" asked a sixth year prefect.

"There is a house meeting just after the feast isn't there?"

"Well, not heard of any in my previous five years of experience."

"But... But Uncle Severus always had a full house meeting to introduce first years to the rules. Will there not be in-house point system? How will the new comers know about the house rules?"

"Well... We never got Professor Snape as our Head of House. He's been out for nine years now. We only ever knew Professor Slughorn, though we have heard stories from our super seniors. Tell me Mr. Prince, what else are we missing on?"

"Well... Uncle always had meetings first day of each session. In the start of the year meeting, he asked first years to introduce themselves and tell something about their interests. The senior years were asked to give a report of what they did to improve themselves over the summer. Then came an overview of the general house rules, you know, to always show a united front and no fights should leave the common room and seniors must help the Junior years and starting of meditation for occlumency. Then he used to give them all their class schedules so that they could prepare for the next day if they wanted to or have an early night. He had office hours after dinner every day during which any Slytherin could go to him with any problems. The things discussed in his warded and silenced office was extremely confidential. Even I don't know any of the stories, just that students came to him with all sorts of problems and guidance, personal included. All first years had to go through a full body examination in the first week of classes. It was mandatory; to... ah... identify the signs of abuse. If it was possible for him, he used to take the kid out from the abusive environment. If not, he used to brew various healing potions for them to take home each summer and extra training was given over the school year to protect themselves. He never scolded or punished Slytherins in front of the other houses, as they were already discriminated by other teachers. But in the privacy of the house, he was equally strict with his Slytherins as he was with other houses outwardly. Discipline is an important aspect of education you know, and his Slytherins were not to be deprived of anything, not even discipline. And he hates Gryffindor with a passion, just because the Headmaster lets them off with a slap on the wrist for the biggest of transgressions. Someone has to keep them in check you know. That's pretty much all."

"That's pretty much all? Are you trying to tell me this could have been our life if Professor Snape had not fallen ill? Oh my god. This is blasphemy. We have been deceived. We have been given to a cuddly cat in place of the poisonous yet protective Snake we deserved as our Head of House. I for one want to write a petition. Now that Professor Snape is here and healthy, we want a change in our Head of House."

"Oh don't be so dramatic. I don't think Uncle's health is well enough to take over such big responsibility. He doesn't believe in doing things by the half you know. He will get fully involved and then spoil his own health. Moreover, he is not taking classes. How will he monitor us?"

"But... but... after knowing what we are missing on, how can we sit idle."

"And who told you to sit idle? Take up the task. Gather the new and old now and be the leader. Introduce the rules and guide us Juniors."

"Well, we cannot do it. We do not even know the rules." A seventh year prefect spoke up.

"Well I know the rules. I can tell them to you. You can see how to implement them."

The four senior prefects thought over it. Then the girl who Caerwyn had offered to help spoke up aloud, "Listen all students. There will be a house meeting in half an hour. Go look at your dorms and settle down. But be here in half-an-hour for the meeting. It is mandatory. No excuses will be heard. Now get going."

When everyone was gone, she pulled Caerwyn to the couch near the fireplace and brought out parchment and quill. Caerwyn narrated all he could and she wrote down; the house rules, the point system, the rewards and punishments, everything. Unknowingly, Caerwyn was already gaining authority in the House of Snakes.

The meeting later went amazingly. A few like Malfoy and Parkinson were grumbling but they could not oppose a seventh year prefect. More than ninety percent of the Slytherins had accepted Caerwyn as the nephew of former and right now desired Head of House.

Caerwyn was relieved to find that he was not sharing his dorm with the snotty Malfoy heir. Slytherin dorms had only three members at the most. He was sharing his dorm with Blaise Zabini, who looked quiet interested in him and kept away from Malfoy. The other one was one of the cronies of Malfoy, Gregory Goyle. Caerwyn was not sure how to treat the boy. He seemed to mindlessly follow the Malfoy heir. He will have to be careful what he spoke in front of him, otherwise his secrets will be revealed to the arrogant boy who thought himself to be superior to anyone and everyone. He and Zabini took out their books and arranged them on the book shelf provided for them above their tables. They will have to wait for breakfast to get their schedules. Caerwyn told him that they had Transfiguration first with the Ravenclaws. Caerwyn was looking forward to it. When Zabini brought out a match he had brought for practice and turned it into a perfect needle in only three tries, Caerwyn knew they will get along well. They introduced themselves and discussed what they had learnt so far. Both were impressed with each other and formed an impromptu alliance. All this while, Goyle slept oblivious. It seemed that eating and sleeping was all the boy thought of, or at least it looked like it.

The next morning, Caerwyn woke up early as was his habit, took a bath, got ready for his classes and went to the hospital wing to meet his father. Nobody in Slytherin was awake yet. Following the layout that his father had told him, he reached the infirmary in just 10 minutes. As he had expected, his father was up and about, checking what had to be brewed and straightening the kinks from his lesson plan. He was to take classes for the first through third years and professor Slughorn was covering the rest. As if sensing his son to be there, Severus turned around and a smile bloomed on his face, a smile reserved only for his beloved son.

"So, how was the first night in the snake's lair son?" he asked, with amusement in his voice.

"Boring dad. You know they have not had a house meeting for the last nine years? It's a blessing we came here you know?"

"How so?"

"Well, I may have re-started the old tradition of house meetings and in-house points. The sixth and seventh year prefects have divided the task among themselves to look after the younger years, award them points and also be available in the common room for at least an hour each evening if the younger kids want to approach them with problems. They will probably come to you to ask permission for the full body check-up."

"And?"

"And I guess I have made a rival in Draco Malfoy and an ally in Blaise Zabini and of course the senior years will be on my side. They wanted to make a petition to bring you back to the post of Head of House. I stopped them."

"Good. I don't think I want to take up the responsibility. It would be seen as partiality even more so now that my son is in the house, even though they don't know it yet."

"True. So, how has YOUR first night been?"

"Pretty much normal. Minerva had come up and we three sat around gossiping like useless drunks and then went to bed. Poppy is still in bed. She will need a hangover potion when she wakes up." Both son and father snickered at that.

"So, future plans?"

"Nothing much. Just be a model Slytherin and make you proud."

"Ah… I can see it now. World Domination."

"Da…ad."

The first class was indeed Transfiguration. For Blaise and Caerwyn, the task was as simple as a swish of their wands. After completing their task first and gaining ten points for Slytherin, Caerwyn began to help his fellow Slytherins around. Blaise followed his lead. Malfoy was not at all happy to be offered help by his childhood acquaintance Blaise Zabini, so he was left alone. Result was, his transfiguration was one of the last ones in the class. To the first years, for the first time they understood what was the meaning of showing a united front. They were not rising up alone but pulling everyone with them. Same was with the other classes. Slowly, it spread to the other years and it soon became a Slytherin thing. By the time Christmas rolled around, teachers became well aware of this phenomenon. After the first Slytherin mastered the spell or potion or transfiguration, they turned to the other Slytherins. Then the one who mastered it anew passed the knowledge to the rest and in no time all the Slytherins mastered it before the end of the class.

Slowly, students began to look up to Caerwyn and follow his lead. While he sat doing his home works in a quiet corner of the common room, he was joined by most of his year mates, namely, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Tracy Davis, Millicent Bulstrode, Maria Maine, Alfredo Lukus and Geremy Wingler. The only ones who did not join were Draco Malfoy and his two cronies, and Pansy Parkinson who seemed to be all over Malfoy all the time. Sometimes, the senior prefects came to ask him for advice, which irked Malfoy even more. He even tried to start a fight once but the prefects had hexed him. He kept shut after that, even if he had threatened to tell his father that time. Blaise was of the opinion that his father may not be happy with his un-Slytherin and un-Malfoy like behaviour. Slowly, other years also started forming their own study groups, helping each other outside class too. Some senior years were also available as tutors, if anyone required. Power was shifting in Slytherin and it was evident who was being chosen the leader in it all.

Rumours were rampant around the school. At the beginning of the school, the Headmaster had announced that the third floor corridor was not to be visited. As was expected, every hormonally charged teenager wanted to know why. He had included that in the rules the first day, no Slytherin was to go to that corridor or do anything else that was prohibited. So, when Gregory Goyle was found injured in the corridor by Severus, the seventh year prefects had a visit with him in the hospital wing. Caerwyn too was there, to visit his father. After deducting points from first year and promising punishment when he was well enough to take them, the prefects left. Caerwyn stayed behind. Severus understood and went into his lab with the excuse of getting something. Caerwyn sat at the chair beside the bed of the whimpering classmate. The Cerberus guarding the chamber they had entered had bitten his leg. It was his sheer dumb luck that his leg won't have to be cut off. Caerwyn calmly asked him.

"Why did you go there Goyle when it was prohibited?"

"Will you believe me if I say I did not want to?"

"Why would I not believe you? We are house mates."

"Your rivalry with Malfoy, though you never acknowledge it, is well known Prince."

"That does not involve you Goyle. So I ask again. Why did you go there if you did not want to?"

"I was ordered."

"By Malfoy." It was a statement not a question. "Why do you follow him mindlessly if you know he will always bring you harm and does not have your best interest at heart?"

"My father, he owes Malfoy's father debts. If I don't follow his son, he will bring harm to my father." Gregory confessed shamefully.

At that exact time, Severus came out of the shadows Caerwyn knew he had hidden in. "What type of debts Mr. Goyle?"

"Uh… Sir… I don't know if I should tell you."

"Ah… you are thinking about the friendship between me and Malfoy Sr. But as a Slytherin you must know, there are no friendships, only alliances. And my students are much more important than any alliance."

"Thank you sir. When I was 3 years old, father was disowned by my grandfather for being a… dea…death eater. We were broke and homeless. Malfoy Sr. had lent us 1000 galleons to start again. My father has still not been able to pay him back."

"Hmmm… tell me, if by any chance your father gets free of the debt, will you still follow Malfoy Junior around?"

"No sir. I don't do that by choice. He makes me do all his homework and Pansy's too. That is why I am often unable to do mine and score low. But how will you do it sir?"

"Leave that to me Mr. Goyle. I have my ways."

"Now, let us leave this to da…..Uncle and concentrate on you. How about you tuck in early each night? Seeing Malfoy's grades it is evident that you have functional brains. So, I, you and Blaise will revise our lessons before going to bed and I will wake you up early when I and now Blaise also wakes up. We can finish any home works left and study for the day's classes before going to breakfast. Once the problem of the debt is solved, we can do things openly."

For the first time Caerwyn saw the boy smile. He smiled back, hugged his dad good bye and left.

That very evening, Severus contacted Rubober. It was decided that Goyle Senior's debt will be paid by Gringotts as a loan. In exchange, he will work as an estate agent and investment counsellor for Gringotts till his debt is paid. He will be given half the salary and half will be cut as repayment for the debt clearance. Goyle, ever the Slytherin, asked what the catch was. "Heir Prince does not like the way the Malfoy heir is treating your son like a slave. He and his Uncle, Severus Snape, want him free."

"Free from Malfoy and under their control you mean."

"Well, you have never met the duo have you? I can assure you, whatever they do, your son will never be a mindless servant to them. You are intelligent enough to know that. Talk to your son maybe? Take your time. The offer will stand till you outright reject it."

So, Goyle Sr. wrote a letter to his son, who informed him of the power play going on in Slytherin right now and that he will not be a servant but an ally. Gpyle Sr. informed him about their arrangement till the debt is cleared. After exchanging a few letters with his son, Goyle Sr. agreed to the deal. Once the debt was cleared and his contract with Gringotts sealed, Gregory Goyle was no longer seen around the Malfoy heir, but with the first year study group. It turned out he was exceptionally good in Herbology and began to tutor the others in his preferred subject while the others helped out in their own strong subjects. Several months ago, Caerwyn had shown them the runes that healers use to isolate each bed in the hospitals, taught to him by his aunt Elix. They had drawn the runes around their study area, which had unofficially become theirs since the first day they had sat there, so that nobody could disturb them or listen in. later, the seniors had asked for it and Caerwyn had taught them without any hesitation. It was not like he wanted to keep all his knowledge locked in.

Slowly, The Slytherin common room changed. Each study group claimed a place and designed it to their tastes. There were areas with thick rugs and other areas with tables to hold 20 at a time. There was an area near the fireplace that was occupied by a sixth year study group with just some cushions on the floor and a transfigured coffee table in between. The old couch was transfigured to be completely round with only one round table in between. Caerwyn's group also had a round table with cushioned chairs lent by the house elves. This way, all members sat facing each other and discussion was easier. The book shelves were also filled, some by books given by earlier house heads which were removed but the house-elves had replaced on request, some by donations from current and former students. All in all, Slytherin was becoming peaceful and progressive. A few seniors were not happy at first but when they saw the benefits, they too joined some or the other study groups and settled down in the calm environment. The only ones still looking for trouble were the three first year Slytherins and a few fifth years led by Marcus Flint.

When Yule rolled in, Caerwyn decided to wish all his house mates. It was not possible to send around 250 cards so he made a big poster with the help of his year mates. It was a big picture depicting the celebration of Yule and its customs and it was addressed to the whole house, from the members of his Study Group. The seniors really liked it and thanked them and promised to bring back home cooked special treats come January. That got Caerwyn a very good idea. He pulled the seventh year prefects aside and shared his idea with them. They liked it too. So, the January house meeting will bring a surprise to everyone. Caerwyn sent all the members of his study group some gifts. He also received gifts from all of them. Christmas was spent among family with much cheer and joy. Remus shared his adventures in the muggle world. He had gotten the job of a Librarian cum child counsellor and he was enjoying it. The salary was decent with a free living quarter. Caerwyn convinced him to let him visit one day during the summer to which Remus readily agreed. After all, who would dare refuse Caerwyn when he wanted to visit a library? Hence, it was decided that Caerwyn and Severus would spend their Easter Holidays with Remus, at his small flat near the library.

Things mostly remained the same when they returned to Hogwarts after the break, only, Malfoy became even more obnoxious. It was evident from his behaviour that he had got a talking to from his parents during the break, but he had not taken any lesson from it. Instead, he got even angrier on the person he held responsible for the verbal bash he got from his father. Caerwyn did not pay any mind, as always, neither did his little group of friends, which consisted of the entire first and second year Slytherins except Malfoy Crabbe and Parkinson.

It could be seen that Parkinson's resolve was also chipping at the edges. Being isolated at the age of eleven was not a pleasant feeling. Caerwyn could see that her resolve was breaking bit by bit but did not force it. It should be her decision.

Life went on like that and soon Easter arrived. Caerwyn was jumping with joy to go visit Uncle Remi, not only because of the library but because he loved his uncle dearly. Aunt Elix was also visiting. If only aunt Mini and Aunt Poppy could also visit. But it could not be. They had to be in the school. So off they went gallivanting in muggle London, dressed in muggle clothes, wands hidden deep inside their coats.

Of course Caerwyn spent his every waking moment in the library, drinking all the knowledge he could in the short span of time. So, he missed all the shy glances Remus sent his father's way. He missed all the knowing smiles Elix sent his way. He missed all the accidental touches his father shared with the werewolf under the pretence of passing coffee or handing out dishes or washing those dishes together. He missed Elix's knowing looks directed towards Severus, who blushed but would never admit it. But he did not miss the warm hug that the two men shared when time came to go back, neither did he miss the shy kiss that Remus gave Severus on his cheeks when he thought nobody was looking. Caerwyn smirked inside. 'About time' he thought.

When they returned to Hogwarts, they found Pansy Parkinson joining their group without any mention of the past. Everyone looked towards Caerwyn for his approval and only accepted her without question when Caerwyn nodded his approval. He smiled within. This is what he wanted, to unite the house, to show a United front.

According to his dad, Malfoy and Crabbe were lost causes. They followed their fathers blindly. Crabbe Sr. would not leave Malfoy Sr. even if kicked and tortured by the man. His son was as dense as the father, hence he followed Malfoy junior without question. But the loss of Gregory had been a blow to the Malfoy heir. Except Potions, he wasn't passing anything. His written work was abysmal according to the teachers and he did not accept anyone's help. At this rate, he would be thrown out of the school after only one year. If was not that he was dumb, he was just lazy to pay any mind to studies. He had his father's fortune, why should he put any efforts? By the amount of money they had, he would never have to work in his life. Pathetic thinking if you ask me.

On the other hand, Dumbledore was worried. He was seeing a pattern here which was both similar and not. On the one hand, Caerwyn Prince was gathering followers with an ease that Tom Riddle possessed. On the other hand, unlike Riddle, Caerwyn was rising and pulling the entire house with him. There were academic achievements, unity, and general prosperity in the house never seen before. He decided to wait and see instead of act rashly like the Gryffindor he was. If the development continued in the same vein, he had nothing to worry. If things go wrong, he would intervene. Until then, he would keep a close eye.

Days bled into weeks and weeks into months. Soon the end of term exams came and everyone scrambled to stuff their brains with last minute information. Two days after the exams ended, the school heard that some stupid Gryffindors tried to go into the forbidden room with the Cerberus to try to save the Philosopher's stone. Stupid Gryffindors. It was because of them that the stone was acquired by a servant of the Dark Lord to bring him back. Yes! Professor Quirrel was a Death Eater, who had slipped into the school in spite of Dumbledore being there. Now Quirrel had vanished from the castle with the stone that he snatched from Dean Thomas, leaving him half dead. The other two boys, Ron Weasley and Seamus Finnegan were no better.

When the announcement was made, he saw a spark in the Headmaster's eyes that he did not like. He first asked aunt Mini which house Dumbledore belonged to. She said that he was her Head of House when she was in school, which meant he himself was a Gryffindor. Caerwyn shared his suspicion that he may do something to give the house cup to Gryffindor. Minerva assured him that it will not happen. The next few days saw Slytherins getting 10 points for each student in almost every class as they were always the first to finish their work. Teachers began giving them points for helping others and also helping the teachers. Harry had already shared his suspicions with the entire house, so they were taking every precaution and effort to increase their house points and not decrease them.

When they reached the Great Hall for the leaving feast, they saw that the hall was decked in the Slytherin colours and the score board showed that they were ahead of the next house by 300 points and by 600 points from Gryffindor. There was no way Dumbledore could give 200 points each to the three boys without repercussions. But Caerwyn could not understand how the difference could be so huge. Then he spotted the elders and their evil smiles. At that moment, Caerwyn knew that they had taken off enough points from the perpetrators that the score had gone so low. It was not only Slytherins gaining points but Gryffindors losing too. Later, when he would ask Aunt Mini why she deducted points from her own house and let them lose, she would say it was high time the discrimination stopped.

Hence, a very happy Caerwyn left Hogwarts for an equally happy summer. But would it be that Happy now that Voldemort had the Philosopher's stone?