A Tale of Life and Death

by GentlemanGhost007

Voldemort has fallen, for now, Dumbledore plots his next move as new factions rise and new alliances are made. And at the center of all the chaos, the killings, the plotting and scheming, the betrayals and coalitions, was Harry Potter, the eldest son of Jame and Lily, and the twin brother to The-Boy-Who-Lived. [Also on Ao3.]

6. Confrontations

A Tale of Life and Death

---

Dark Lord Rising; Year 1 |The Serpent's Game

Chapter 4 | Confrontations

"Actions speak louder than thoughts, it's what you do when presented with the opportunity, that showcases your love or the lack of."

― Anne Shine

---

- POV HARRY -

The Slytherins, old and new, all walked through winding passages, series of turns, and twists throughout the castle, then through the every changing stairs Harry came up from, before making their way down a spiral of steps. At the bottom of the stairs was some kind of a dungeon, it was made of stone and mortar, around twenty feet wide and ten long. The 'room,' if one could call it that, was all brick and stone, the floor, the walls, the ceiling, there was not a window nor glimpse of light in sight save for the two burning torches in front of the stairs, mounted on the wall across at both thirds of its length.

"Did any of you notice that our ties changed colors to those of our Hogwarts House?" Harry asked as he looked at the newly colored tie that he was holding to his eyes. He was among the few who were in front of the others, including the older students, along with Gerrod, Draco, Hermione, and Daphne. Apparently, it was a privilege and a show of respect to be allowed to walk near the front. Most likely due to their statuses as Lord and Lady Heirs of some of the most influential Noble Houses.

"Potter, you realize the moment we walk through the dormitories of Slytherin, we are technically no longer friends, right?" Harry looked to his left where Daphne was, giving her an understanding look. "It's nothing personal, I just can't be seen aligning or associating with a Noble Heir of the Light, you know, seeing as I'm part of the Grey, in their eyes, I'd be declaring my side." Daphne had a smug, sinister look to her face, something akin to one scheming.

"Fair enough," Harry commented quietly as he looked on ahead, watching the Head Boy and Head Girl perform some kind of ritual. "I expected as much, don't worry about me, I don't want any of you to risk your standings with any of your allies just because of some day-long relationship." His response was almost dismissive of Daphne's concern as they entered Slytherin's dormitories.

"That doesn't mean we can't associate on the pretense of business, Potter," Daphne muttered back as if it were obvious. Harry just nodded.

The dormitories of Slytherin were spacious despite being located underground, then again, that probably was the reason, seeing as they had unlimited room to expand. Like their colors, green and silver, the rooms were decorated with such. Silver chairs, dark, green oak drapes, green sofas with silver linings, green carpets with silver and black patterns. Basically, if it wasn't green or silver, it was black and or white, or a combination of all.

"All you First Years find a place to sit, we're to begin our initiation shortly." The Head Boy commanded, "Also, any older students who don't wish to stay for it, may now take their leave." Harry saw that many of the students that looked to be a year or two ahead of him were the only ones to leave. He guessed that they either were of Lesser Noble Houses, that, or they just didn't have any influence in Slytherin, or any interest, to bother with playing the Great Game.

Without a word being spoken nor even a sound heard, a figure crept from out of literal shadows. The Head of House Slytherin, Professor Severus Snape, walked with an imposing and commanding presence. He wore a billowy, sleeveless robe, black of color, under a black long-sleeved jacket of some expensive-looking cloth, and black pants that seemed to hug his legs, over those were polished black shoes that reached just under the ankle bone. His wrists were guarded, encased with silver, metal wristbands that ran nearly halfway up to the divet where the arm bends, the wristbands had patterns Harry couldn't quite make out. Severus Snape had a thin, grim face, shaped like a bony skull with large round cheeks, pale skin like a Vampire with a large, almost, crooked nose, and near frightening black eyes.

"Greetings to you all," he drawled in his low and unimpressed voice. Professor Snape scanned the room to inspect the new First years, his eyes lingered on the child who was the near spitting image of Lord James Fleamont Potter, giving Harry a look of judgment and contempt. Something of which confused Harry. "For those of you who don't know who I am, I am your Head of House and Hogwarts' Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape. Now that introductions are out of the way. Let us begin with our official rules, shall we?" He gave a questioning look, a look which somehow oddly left no room for snark or chance to ask any unasked questions. His voice was like a croak, a mutter which seemed so loud in the silence.

"The first foremost rule. You are Slytherin through and through. You are a Slytherin until the day you die. We of Slytherin are the most sophisticated, the smartest, the brightest, and the most ambitious of the Wizarding World, we are who will lead it into a golden age. Do not forget that.

"The second. In public, Slytherins stick together, in here, I do not care, your squabbles leave not your room down here nor these dormitories, out there, it is us against everyone, against the world. The only honor a Slytherin is to have is to each other and themselves. Understood? Good.

''Third. I expect your grades in classes to be no less than a B+, many of you First Years do not know, but three years ago we've adopted the Muggle way of grading, sneer all you wish but it is more efficient than our old methods. Your grades will be marked from a score of 0 to 100, and your end of year grade will be the overall average of all assignments. If you fall behind, you shall be tutored by either me or your seniors. We have study sessions for these things. I expect the illustrious House of Slytherin to maintain its reputation of being prestigious, powerful, and intelligent. Your study groups will be held by your seniors, First Years are with the Seventh Years, Second with Sixth, Third with Fifth, and Fourth with each other. These study groups are mandatory if your grades are... subpar and lacking, of which I will be putting up a list of those needing such attendance at the end of the second month of school, and then forth, should the need to, arise. If I see that Slytherin has not… kept up with my standards… I will not be pleased… and all of you will suffer. I very much enjoy rubbing the fact that my students are the smartest in the noses of the other Professors. Ruin that for me, and I will make all of your lives miserable, is that clear? Good.

"The fourth rule is that if you plan on doing something remotely dangerous, or stupid, as I can guess from the looks of some of you have. Please come to me, so I know of your plans and can judge whether or not I need to put a stop to them. That, or so I can collaborate with your story should you be caught, though if you tell me of your plans, I may be able to save you from getting in trouble, but not from your own idiocy if you choose to withhold it. If I have to bail you out on something you've been caught red-handed in, I will personally see to your detentions in my laboratory.

"Fifth and final. There is no such thing, outside of these dormitories, as a Slytherin who doesn't get along with another. Any problem you have with a fellow student stays in these dorms. I don't care if he or she broke your arm when you were younger, or stole something from you. Slytherins shall and will show a united front. Especially against those idiotic Gryffindors. Remember, you are Slytherins in this life and the next. If you do not act like one, your life the coming years, will not be… fun. Dismissed, unless you wish to stay for the explanation of the unofficial rules. Bastille, Harpe, be quick about it." With that, the broody Professor left the Slytherin Dorms in a fashionable turn and dramatic toss of his wavy cape.

"Yes, Professor," The Head Boy said, giving a curt nod before waiting for Snape to leave Slytherin's dormitories through the walled entrance. Turning to the First Years who were still being watched by the older students, he spoke. "Alright you lot, introductions of who we are, I'm Head Body, Thomas Bastille, Lord Heir of the Noble and Ancient House of Bastille of the Sacred Twenty-Eight." Thomas bowed to the First Years in a courteous manner. "Pleased to meet you."

"Asina Harpe," the Head Girl curtsied, "Lady Heiress of the Most Ancient House of Harpe of the Vassal Forty, a pleasure to meet you."

The Head Boy and Head Girl wore a gold brooch of an Ouroboros Dragon eating its own tail, pinned to the upper left breast. Thomas was a freckled boy, he was in his Sixth Year at Hogwarts, the same with Asina, those chosen for Head Boy and Head Girl were given that privilege their last two years. Thomas was a large man, having grown quite a bit, tall, around six foot, brown-black hair, gray eyes, and a strong jaw, a thick and sturdy-looking build and body. He was born a lean child, but the years of being on the Quidditch team had built muscle on his body, filling him out. Asina Harpe on the other hand was of decent height, five and a half, light gold hair that was like the color of the sun when smoke permeated the air, amber-colored eyes, and fair light skin, unblemished and healthy-looking. She had a smooth, heart-shaped head, one that seemed more developed with her hair being tied in a ponytail as it exposed her perfect hairline which had a small but noticeable point in the middle. Asina was what many boys, many men as well, considered beautiful.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, time to get all you First Years acquainted with the unofficial rules of Slytherin," Bastille said with a charming, disarming smile. "First of all, Slytherins, unlike the other Hogwarts Houses, encourages all to play the Great Game, those who don't know what this is, which I hardly doubt any of you do, it is politics but with less danger to them. Anything and everything is fair game in Slytherin, …even your soul is for sale." Thomas said darkly, a menacing grin forming on his face. "And as most of the older students know, in the Great Game, you must be prepared to risk everything for the glory of your Noble House, for if you will not, you shall surely be devoured by a Slytherin more ambitious and ruthless than you ever will be."

Asina rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms under her breasts. "On less grim and dark topics, all Slytherins are expected to be up and about in the morning by 8:00, and be sitting at breakfast in the Great Hall no later than 8:30, though special privileges are given, so who knows." That caught Harry's attention, did the other Houses of Hogwarts do that as well? "You are also expected to look, dress, and smell clean. That means combed hair,-" she looked at Harry's, in her mind, an abomination of a head of perfectly thick, beautiful black locks in disappointment, "either fashionably loose or perfectly kept uniforms, tears and such are not appreciated in cultivating our image. You are the future Lords and Ladies of the Wizarding World, act like it. You have by the end of the week to fix whatever… mistakes on your person."

"Moving on from the subject of dresswear," Thomas added seamlessly. "You are all expected to uphold an image of dignity, that means having acceptable manners befitting of your station. We are not slobs, nor pigs, if wish to act like one, you do not belong in Slytherin, and will subsequently be Sorted into another Hogwarts House should your manners and behaviors not be to the standards of others. In addition, you are required to properly address others from the day school officially starts, next week, to end of your education, you will address your peers properly, be they your senior or junior, superior, equal, or inferior. They are to always addressed as either Lord or Lady, Heir or Heiress, and even the subtitle Presumptive, as well as Scion. It is incredibly disrespectful to not do so unless given specific permission by said peer. If you do not know how to address another, ask." He gave them a non-negotiable look.

"On that matter, you are expected to do the same for your Professors as well. Blatant disrespect for your teachers will be met with harsh punishments." Harpe warned with a hard and stern voice, she wanted to get the message across, that no foolishness would be happening on their watch. "We do not tolerate pranks, the occasional joke and scarring, but not pranks as they can and will always lead to someone who is innocent of another's stupidity to get hurt. This unofficial rule includes retaliation." Several groans of disappointment were heard, to which neither Head Boy nor Head Girl paid any attention to. "Honor Duels are encouraged should you feel that your name is being insulted or feel that someone has offended you to the point of retribution, but don't got starting duels for dumb reasons, please. And gambling is allowed, I highly advise you all to stick with the common exchange of hands and coin, there is nothing stopping you from wagering your inheritances, it's just not very smart to do so. And like I said before, even your soul is for sale in Slytherin, so be careful, and also, do not go placing your signature on some napkin or random piece of parchment, many a fortune have been lost because of some poorly written scribbles and doodles." Bastille nodded vehemently in agreement to Asina's last statement, but he smiled as if it were funny, something annoyed Harry and several others quite a bit.

"And that is the basis of the unofficial rules," Thomas said with a now blank, stone face. "Any more information can be found in the tomes on the right shelf by the fireplace. And now, onto the matter of sleeping arrangements. All you First Years will have your own room just like everyone else, visiting each other or others is done through Jumpkeys, a special, modified version of the Portkey, made to connect with each other and allow travel to and from rooms by express permission of the room's occupant. The Jumpkey Room will automatically register your Magic the moment you head on upstairs to where the teleportation to your rooms happens. Just say your first and last name and it shall take you to your room, this is the same with entering other people's rooms as well, though the castle will only do so once it is given verbal que to do so. To exit your room, just say 'Slytherin' and it will bring you back to the transportation room, granted you stand on the special sigils where the Jumpkeys are activated on. And with that, it is time for you all to head to bed. Just take the stairs over there, the House Elves will bring your luggage a few minutes after you're in your room." He pointed to where they, the First Years were to go.

Harry moved to join his fellow First Years, the Second Years, and what looked to be at least half of the Third Years before a voice from behind stopped him.

"Not you, Potter." He turned around. "We want a word with you." Asina Harpe said with a cold, even tone.

Harry sighed and cursed under his breath. He saw that the only ones left were some Third Years and the rest of the upperclassmen. "This is going to be a long night," he mumbled to himself as he lazily went to take an open seat, noticing that drew sneers, narrowed eyes, and scoffs from those present.

"Who said you could sit?" An older boy next to Bastille asked, he had short, black-brown hair, a thin face, a nice jaw with a pointed chin and a sharp nose. A look of loathing marred his face.

"I didn't realize your name was on this chair," Harry remarked back snarkily. He realized that it was the only seat that anywhere near the fireplace, which meant it was a place for someone who held a lot of power in Slytherin. Smiling coyly, he stood up, acting as if he were going to stand for the rest of the meeting before sitting back down again, relishing in the older boy's annoyance. "Nope, doesn't look like your name is on it." He smugly said.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Someone sitting on the seat you clearly want to sit on."

Some of those present poorly coughed out a concealed laugh. The caught the older boy's attention and earned an angry look that straightened their behavior up quickly.

'So he holds a lot of power in Slytherin it seems.' Harry said in his mind as he watched the interaction.

The older boy cleared his throat before speaking again. "Get off the seat." His voice held a threat to it.

"Why? Is it yours?" Harry asked.

"No, but-"

"Then why should I?"

"Listen here, you little shit, I was trying to be nice and save you from a beating." The older boy almost yelled out, his anger barely being contained. He walked up to Harry and grabbed him by the collar, lifting him in the air. "But if you insist on being annoying, then I'm going to teach you a lesson." He raised a fist.

'Okay, maybe I shouldn't have back talked.' Harry thought to himself as he saw that no one was stopping the upperclassman that was lifting him in the air, and was now aiming a punch to his face.

"Edric," Asina Harpe spoke in a commanding voice, stopping everything in its tracks. "I thought Renѐea said we were to wait, or am I mistaken?" The now-named Edric snarled and ground his teeth, he gave Harry one last look before dropping him and walking back to where he stood, which was with the Head Boy and Head Girl and several other students with badges on their robes.

"Renѐea Selwyn?" Harry asked with a mocking smirk directed at Edric, intent on making him even more mad. "Is she like the boss of him?" He asked with smug attitude.

"Actually!" A loud, crisp, feminine and refined voice spoke. It caused much shuffling in the crowd of Slytherins, all of whom parted a way for whoever was speaking to walk through. "Hello Hadrian Potter, we met on the train, but if you don't remember me, I'm Renѐea Selwyn, and I'm not the boss of Edric, I'm who rules Slytherin. I'm the boss of everyone who is… a Slytherin." She gave a dangerous smile. One that put Harry on edge even though it looked friendly.

'How long has she been there? I definitely didn't hear the door to the Common Room open.,' Harry said to himself.

"Yeah, I remember you, you actually seemed decent, now I'm not sure." He replied with caution. She laughed lightly, teasingly even, as if she found his caution, funny.

Renѐea Selwyn had long brown, dark, mud-colored hair and green eyes like Harry's, almost of the same violent green shade, but just a bit darker. A mature and elegant face, on that, she wore her public mask, a facade for her face with absolute authority, not a bit of emotion exuded from her without her allowance. She was about two heads taller than Harry, standing around 5'10". She had a body that looked slim and nimble, yet it was curvaceous and pleasing to the eye, seemingly too perfect with such even proportions that seemed somehow carried itself with an air of grace and superiority.

Yet even with her unatural-looking beauty, she was the definition of a prickly rose or a viper in the tall grass. Innocent-looking indeed, yet deadly when approached.

"You should watch your tone, Potter," Edric threatened with an angry voice.

Renѐea turned and eyed him critically. "Hmm," she turned back to face Harry. "I see you've met my Cousin." She said with disdain and a sense of disappointment.

"He's of House Gildrick, right?"

"Correct. Third Son of Lionel Gildrick, fifth in line to the Gildrick name, and twentieth in line to the Selwyn name."

"That's sad."

Renѐea gave out a genuine-sounding laugh. She was highly amused with Harry's honesty, Edric on the other hand, wasn't. And he made sure Harry knew of it.

"Pick it up!" Edric's shouted, demanded. His face was red, he was furious.

Renѐea turned and looked at him, her face, unamused, and deadly. She looked down to see that he threw his glove at Potter's feet. Scoffing at the pathetic, and childish display, she turned to Harry. "Seems like my Cousin has challenged you to an Honor Duel." She said seriously. Eyeing Harry critically. "You don't need to accept, there's not much merit to accepting such a pathetic demand. A Third Son demanding his honor satisfied and challenging a Heir of a Most Noble and Most Ancient House is a dishonor in it of itself. I'd suggest, Edric, that you pick-"

Harry picked up the glove and stared at Edric. "I accept."

"Did he not hear a fucking word I just said?" Renѐea asked in disbelief as she turned to the others while pointing her thumb at Harry, exasperated. They shrugged. "Fine." She said with a sigh, very annoyed at what was going to happen. "Per rules of Honor Duels, it must be agreed upon by the challenger and challenged on whether or not the fight is to first blood or death. Challenged and challenger, have you decided?" She gave both of them a very irritated look.

"First-"

"To the death." Harry interrupted Edric, a hard look formed on his face. "You wanted an Honor Duel, I'll give you one."

He scoffed hotly. "Suit yourself, Potter," Edric snapped back.

Renѐea groaned. "Face each other in the middle of the room, the rest of you make some fucking space." She commanded, those watching began moving the furniture to the edge of the room, Renѐea's anger was seeping more and more into the tone of her voice. "Ten paces each of you. Turn. Bow." Edric drew his wand, so did Harry. But neither of them bowed. "If neither of you don't fucking bow within the next ten seconds, I will kill both of you where you both fucking stand. Now fucking bow!" Her voice held a tone of strained madness to it that one definitely knew not to push.

They bowed. Out of fear.

"Scared Potter?"

"In your dreams."

Renѐea looked at the two, seeing if they were ready, they were. "Duel."

Surprising everyone, Harry made a dash for Edric, he was going for a quick fight as anything longer would end in his defeat. A suicide run. The upperclassman shouted the Disarming Charm at Harry, thinking that the Potter Heir would try and cast a Spell as he got closer, Harry's wand flew out of his hand, but he kept closing the distance between the two. He stretched out his other arm, and out from the hole of his sleeve came Seline.

Edric screamed in fright as his wand arm was coiled, and wrapped up by the Boa constrictor, he struggled, desperately using his other hand to try and free himself. Edric tumbled backwards when a weight pushed into him and a sharp piercing engulfed the side of his stomach. He screamed in pain.

Gildrick looked to see that Harry had stabbed him with a knife, the blade was lodged deep in his gut. The Potter Heir pulled the blade out, causing Edric to scream some more.

"Do you yield?" Harry asked menacingly, his knife gleamed with crimson, dripping it on the carpet.

"You cheated!" Edric accused weakly with a sneer and glare, the blood loss quickly taking affect.

"No, I outsmarted you," Harry retorted back. "Now, do you yield?" He asked again with the same menacing tone.

"How about you get this fucking snake off me and fight me like a man!" Gildrick goaded. "Get this fucking snake off!" He panicked loudly. Edric hyperventilated as he saw that no one was stepping in to help him. Seline opened her jaw, intent on trying to swallow the nearly grown man.

"That's enough!" Renѐea commanded before Harry could give a retort. Her sharp voice cut through the fight, causing both of them to freeze at her command. "Potter, release him. This embarrassment has gone on long enough." Harry just stared at her, almost defiantly, before he stretched his hand to his snake, causing her to slither back into his robe, moving away in silence. Some of the Slytherins present shivered at the sight of the snake slithering into his robes, a feeling of unease ran down their spine. "The winner is Potter. I think this is enough excitement for the night, all of you to bed. Now."

"Fuck that, I demand justice, Potter cheated in our duel," Edric protested angrily. Renѐea eyed him with disgust.

"Hold your tongue Cousin, you do well to remember that it was your foolishness and arrogance that led to you demanding an Honor Duel. The only reason you're alive right now is because you're my Cousin. Had you not been, you'd be dead on the floor as of now." Renѐea said. She held a look of absolute loathing and disgust at Edric as he stood himself up, groaning, he made his way to the Common Room's entrance. "Where the hell do you think you're going? I didn't give you my leave yet." She asked with an incredulous tone, mocking him and his state of health.

Edric sighed with a wince. He tsked. "Well, if you hadn't noticed, I'm bleeding." So he was. His hand clutched the open wound in his stomach. "You know, when the little shit stabbed me?"

"And? I care because, what, you're my Cousin?" Renѐea answered back casually, as if what happened was completely normal. Her face was devoid of emotions and warmth, a complete mask of even, calculated, ruthlessness. "I never gave you my leave, so you will stay where you are. And if you want to challenge me in your… pathetic state, go right ahead." She dared in a relaxed voice. She turned to Harry. "Nothing to say, Potter?"

"He lost, can I go to bed now?" Harry answered, he was tired.

"No." Renѐea replied instantly. "As per rules, since you won the Honor Duel you were challenged to, Edric is to pay compensation for his disrespect. Since he's a Third Son, that duty falls onto me as their is no current Gildrick attending Hogwarts at the moment." That was something Harry knew nothing about, sure the book he read talk about Honor Duel and the rules, but it never touched on what happened at the end of one. It seemed to harry that Renѐea Selwyn was no happy at the fact that her Cousin lost. "Since I spared his life, I must offer you something of decent value. So I offer my deed of ownership to the villa I own in Italy. Do you accept?"

Harry sighed reluctantly, what the hell was he going to do with a villa? "Fine." He groaned out at the thought of dealing with such a headache of a problem.

She smiled pleasantly. "Good, I'll have the deed ready for you, tomorrow." Renѐea then turned back to Edric. Her face once again adopting an emotionless look. "Marcus?"

"Selwyn?" Another upperclassman asked, more stated really, though his deep and smooth-sounding voice gave a questioning tone.

"Break his leg and snap his wand." Edric let out a confused, noise, a squawk of disbelief as Renѐea just stared icily at him. His wand came flying out of his hand towards this Marcus fellow, followed by a subsequent snap of wood. "This is your punishment, Edric, for embarrassing my name in front of the others."

"AAAAAHHH!" He screamed as a Spell was sent to his right leg, causing very audible cracks, crunches, and snaps of the bone in his leg to sound off. Edric cried out in pain as his leg twisted into a disgusting, dead, useless, flailing limb.

Renѐea sighed. "I think it's time we all head to bed." She said loudly over the screaming. Acting as if someone wasn't screaming bloody murder behind her. "I'd still like a word with you, Potter, some time later this week." Harry nodded before leaving for bed. "Someone clean this fucking mess." He heard her tell the others, causing him to smile in amusement.

When he entered the Jumpkey Room after walking up the stairs, Harry saw that the room was quite barren and empty, well, save for the many complex-looking alchemic circles that looked to be permanently drawn and etched into the floor. There were forty all in total, five rows with eight to each.

Harry stood on one of the many open circles, he could feel a tingle in the air, he felt his Magic connect with Hogwarts. He could hear his heartbeat and a mixture of discussions from downstairs, he took a breath and exhaled before he spoke.

"Hadrian Potter." He said. Deciding that Slytherin's Jumpkey Room would probably only accept his Wizarding birth name and ignore his Muggle name.

It was almost like being in a trance, one moment Harry was staring at the openness of the Jumpkey Room, the next he was trying to collect his thoughts as his head and mind were hit with a bout of vertigo. The change in room scenery was instant, as fast as an eye blinking, the lit room Harry was in changed to a walled darkness. Harry realized that he was still standing on the sigil, but now he was encircled in a cylinder, tube-like wall that looked to be around ten feet high, when he stepped out of it to examine the odd tube-like room, he saw that it was five feet wide. It was interesting, the sigils that were in the Jumpkey Room were smaller and had less room to stand on while his personal Jumpkey in his room had enough to fit at least three people in it, maybe that was the point of the extra space. He certainly did not know.

As he waited for a House Elf, an indentured servant who was and is treated with either respect or disdain from their masters, to appear with his luggage. Harry kneeled to the ground and extended his hand. "You can come out now, Seline," Harry said with a tone of patience. Out from the sleeve of his robe came the Boa constrictor that had become his Familiar in Diagon Alley. Harry had chosen her name by random, well, from a random name he read in the newspaper a year back. Seline looked almost curiously at Harry before she slithered away under the bed, most likely to explore.

Standing up, Harry took some time to observe and walk around his room, lots of dark green, black, silver, and white, colors he most certainly liked. His room was about thirty by thirty by fifteen feet, simply enormous compared to his previous room he had during his childhood with his Aunt Petunia. His bed was king-sized, placed against the wall across from him in the middle across from it on the other wall was a clock for telling time, though there was a Spell for that, it was considered a useless one by many. To the bed's left were drawers for his clothes and next to them was a large cabinet and small nightstand made of red cedarwood, to the right was a desk and chair built of mahogany. The desk had six drawers under the table that had a false bottom that could fold up slanted for relaxed studying and to ease the strain on one's neck when reading. On the desk was a steel plate for Harry to place his quills, it had enough room for three, next to it were several bottles of ink and some pages of parchment and two unopened letters, one with the Seal of Slytherin and the other of House Potter which was an upright rapier with two roses entwined around the blade. Above the desk was a lamp hung directly over the desk seat.

Harry's room was carpeted, the colors being black and white, his bed had three sheets to them, an inner white-colored thin sheet under a silver blanket that were both covered with a thick, black down blanket. The blankets had all the corners and sides neatly tucked underneath the mattress of course, and the top folded onto itself so the pillows were laid on the open mattress. The House Elves that maintained Slytherin's dormitories and the students' personal rooms took pride in keeping them pristine and orderly. To keep the room bright, in case Harry wanted it so, there were also four floating lamps that would light up when Harry said 'Lights On' and would subsequently extinguish when he says 'Lights Off,' this is also with the lamp at his desk but it could light by itself when one clapped twice, do it again would extinguish the light. These instructions and secret commands were found in the letter with the Seal of Slytherin, of which Harry had grabbed and was reading as he stood facing the desk.

One of the things the letter states was that if he were to need anything, his assigned House Elf, who also helped other students it explained, was named Floppy and it would do whatever Harry need to the best of its abilities. It also explained that the temperature of the room was self-regulatory and adapted to the weather, needs, and emotions of those occupied in the room, which was why there was no furnace.

Crack.

The sound of a snap alerted Harry and caused him to turn around. Before him was a House Elf with his luggage. The House Elf was a scrawny creature, just inches over a foot tall, bony and skinny with a large head, beady eyes, and a pointed nose that reminded Harry of Pinocchio. This particular House Elf also had floppy long ears.

"Floppy bes wondering if yous be needing anythings else tonight?" The House Elf said with a high-pitched squeal to its voice.

"Yes, actually. Could you come back in like ten minutes and pick up these clothes I'm wearing to have them washed?" Harry asked, it bowed as it gave him confirmation that it would do that and disappeared with a crack, Apparition, most likely, perhaps Magic worked differently for House Elves. Either way, Harry was tired and wanted to sleep. But first, he needed to bathe.

---

- POV CHARLES -

Charles… wasn't having a great time, the moment all of Gryffindor headed to their Common Room, he was bombarded with questions upon questions. From ranging to why they, the others, never heard that he had an older brother, a twin at that, to why he was in Slytherin, or what his opinion was on not being in the same Hogwarts House as Harry.

"Are you sure he's really your Brother, Charles?" The unconvinced voice of Ronald Weasley asked as he opened his truck full of his clothes to get dressed for bed. "I mean, he's in Slytherin for Merlin's sake."

Charles sighed as he started to take his shirt off and change right then and there. "For the last time, Ron, yes." He said in annoyance, pulling his sleepwear. Ron shook his head, clearly not accepting or believing the answer, he still couldn't wrap his head around the fact that his best friend's brother was in the House of Salazar Slytherin, that man was one of the darkest and most foul Wizards to have ever lived! "He and I aren't that close, mum and dad only recently told me about him."

After the Gryffindor initiation party, Charles had been persistently bugged by his best friend Ronald Weasley about questions relating to his brother. Another of his friends, Seamus Finnegan, an Irish Halfblood who also happened to be a Scion of the Noble House of Finnegan, and someone he didn't know, Dean Thomas, a Magi, asked him some questions as well. Even his second-best friend, Neville, was asking questions. And now Charles was stuck sharing a room with all four.

Seamus was pale-skinned and had a thick boxy head, his hair was cut down to give him a near-bald look, he also had a large flat nose and blue eyes. Dean Thomas was dark-skinned, had hazel eyes that contrasted his skin tone, and hair similar to Seamus except looked like they were tiny rows of black curls. They, along with every other First Year in Gryffindor wore the traditional uniforms, a gray sweater over a sleeved white shirt and a tie that turned into stripped red and gold

Charles climbed into bed and stared at the canopy sheets to his four-post bed. He'd had enough excitement for the day, the welcoming party for him and the other First Years was absolutely wild. Though that was after the rules were explained for the House of Gryffindor and its pride of lions. A set of very simple and easy rules, mind, to follow, that came from the quick speech from Gryffindor's Head Boy, Ignatius 'Iggy' Prewett III, who also happened to be the Cousin of Ronald Weasley and the rest of his family as well. 'Stick together,' he had said, 'Gryffindors protect our own. But do have fun, and don't go looking for trouble, but if it goes looking for you, tackle it head-on. That being said, never ever trust or associate with a Slytherin.' Charles respected Iggy greatly, he was the older brother he never had, and he was the person he grew up with during his childhood. It was Iggy who taught him how to read along with his mother and father, it was Iggy who taught him his first bit of Magic, not Harry, who decided to join the Snakes.

Speaking of, Charles' perception of his older Twin Brother was one of caution and sadness. He was disappointed that Harry wasn't talking to him, and was even more disappointed when he was Sorted into Slytherin, the Hogwarts House he and his father hated with a passion. He didn't know what caused Harry to want to be in Slytherin, or why, and in Charles' mind, it was inconceivable that his brother would want to be in Slytherin, and why would he, when he could have been in Gryffindor with him!

They could have been the best duo in Gryffindor, gone on exciting adventures, fight some evil Dark Wizards, or even take down some Dark Lords. They could have been a real family, but then Harry had to go and muck it all up by joining Slytherin and becoming a Snake.

At the first chance he got, Charles had immediately taken the opportunity to slip away from the party and go to the Owlery to send a letter to his father, informing him of Harry's Sorting in a very… colorful expression of self, before returning to party recklessly with the other Gryffindors.

---

- POV HARRY -

Harry's first night at Hogwarts was relaxing, he woke up at around seven and took a quick cold shower to fully wake himself up, his hair dried back to its unruliness, something he knew he'd have to ask someone like Hermione or Daphne, or even Draco, who seemed to have had some kind of product in his hair last night, given that it was slicked back, about. But Harry knew those thoughts had to wait as he sat at his desk, the unopened letter with House Potter's Seal in his hand as he tapped the corner against the table in thought.

Sighing to himself, Harry got up and made his way to his small Jumpkey Room at the bottom left corner of the room, the corner facing across from the bed. "Slytherin." He said, and like blinking, Harry instantly found himself in the main Jumpkey Room on the upper floor of Slytherin's Common Room.

Harry knew that if there was anybody else downstairs, he'd have to steel himself and put on a public mask, especially after last night. An odd thought came across his mind as he was getting ready earlier, and that was the age of all the students, some of them looked to be years older or younger that most of their fellow classmates. Something that confused him greatly.

He knew it could be found and explained in Hogwarts; A History that those who were sent their Letter of Acceptance early or late were generally bound for great things, be they terrible or not, they were still bound for greatness. Hermione for example, apparently received her Letter of Acceptance when she was seven, Draco got his at twelve, Harry knew that he got his at twelve as well, and that Gerrod received his the day before his thirteenth birthday, and Historia was accepted into Hogwarts at age nine along with several other who received theirs at an odd time and age.

It was weird, and odd, because The Quill of Acceptance and The Book of Admittance rarely ever sent out even one Letter of Acceptance early, and this year, 1991, apparently it sent out more than seven.

Entering the dormitories, Harry saw that a few of those from the train were already awake, those being Gerrod, Hermione and Draco, and Daphne, he also saw there were several older students awake, several of them eyed Harry with a glare. Each of them sat together in the left corner of the room, right next to the exit of the dormitories. Draco's eyes lifted as he spotted Harry walking down, he casually lifted his hand as greetings and beckoned him over. The others turned to see who he was indicating to, and they received a wave from Harry as he walked over and grabbed one of the many unused chairs with him to sit with his friends or acquaintances, as Daphne oh so blatantly told him last night.

"What's that, Potter?" Daphne asked but a moment after Harry sat down with them. She was inquiring about the letter in his hand. Obviously noticing the Seal of House Potter that was on it.

"Letter, most likely from the esteemed," Harry rolled his eyes at the word, "Lord and Lady Potter." His tone was something many who were currently in the room, and who was eavesdropping, noticed and noted for future reference and investigation. Several of whom he was sitting with raised an eyebrow, asking the unasked question. "No, I am not going to open it, if they want to talk, they can come to me, not send some a bloody letter." He rasped the last part in anger before scolding his features back to an impassive, blank canvas of a face.

"You can borrow Crabbe or Goyle to return the letter back if you want, I'll let them know when the two wake before we break fast." Draco said with a tone of amusement to his voice. Hermione and Daphne gave him a look, Gerrod stared at Harry contemplatively, he was curious as to what was going on in Harry's mind. "What are you looking at me for? I'm curious and bored, and it also allows House Malfoy to snub House Potter in the process, two birds with one stone, they'll certainly get the message."

"That's not what I'm worried about." Hermione said through clenched teeth, she watched as more students began filing into the dormitories, some of them who were already there were moving closer so they could hear better. Hermione looked at Harry who gave her his attention. "I have your word that House Potter will not seek retribution in the future when you are Lord?"

"Yes." Was the reply, an empty, emotionless answer. Hermione sighed and muttered something to Draco, something along the lines of telling him to do whatever he wanted.

"Not even a week, and you're already starting some chaos, Heir Potter," Gerrod said teasingly, he was chuckling quietly.

Harry looked at Gerrod with amusement. "Really, Gerrod?" He said with a playful smile. "You and I both agreed on the train that we weren't going to do formal titles between the two of us."

Gerrod laughed calmly, "That is true, Harry, that is true, we're probably some of the few who don't mind calling each other by our first names. But we have to keep appearances up." He commented, eyeing an older student, who then had the gall to look away with a guilty face. "Even though we're the Lord Heirs of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Grindelwald and Potter. And though, House Grindelwald has fallen from its former glory, it's still social and political suicide to mock a child of the Founding Twelve." He stated as a matter of fact

A sigh was heard, it sounded almost dreamy. "I do love that little privilege of being better than anyone." Daphne said with an amused smile. Though, it instantly faded to something dark as she continued to speak. "And don't forget that, Potter. We are of the highest Nobility, and those of such Nobility care not for the opinion of the peasants and lessers. Do remember that no one can make you feel inferior unless you allow it." Daphne stood without another word, she turned her head, as did the others, and Tracey Davis came rushing to her side. The two left Slytherin's dormitories in a haughty but bored manner.

"What was that about?" Harry asked, pointing his thumb to the disappearing form of Daphne and Tracey.

"No bloody clue." Gerrod answered immediately. "Crabbe and Goyle are up, so are the others," the group turned to see, "I'll meet you all at the Great Hall, if any of you run into Historia tell her I'm there." And with that Gerrod took his leave.

"I can take the letter, Potter," Draco offered. "I need to talk to my Vassals about a few things, so I can give it to them when I'm at it." Harry gave his thanks and handed Draco the letter from his parents, he then walked off to catch up with Gerrod.

Harry exited Slytherin's dormitories and made his way to the stairs, walking up the mildly damp spiral that was lit with torches every seven to ten steps. He wasn't alone, realizing that there was someone behind him, he carefully positioned his right arm to allow Seline access to attack while, as discreetly as possible, had her slide his wand down his other hand with her. He was tempted to use the knife that his Aunt had given him from his Uncle's old collection, it was both their favorites, and it was hidden carefully around his waist. A silver-colored switchblade, it was illegal to have but not in the Wizarding World, which was why his Aunt gave him it, as she knew from the very little contact between his Mother during her childhood that the Wizarding World was a little primitive compared to their world, the Muggle World. The blade was nearly five inches long, double-edged, and had a small cross hilt to make sure one didn't slip their hand and accidentally cut themselves with it.

Harry turned to his side to allow whoever behind him to pass, but they didn't, instead, the person stopped as well, staring at him with a calculated look, one that was judging his very being. Harry knew her, she was one of the many who had gone to greet and introduce themselves to him on the train. "Renѐea Selwyn," Harry said with as much confidence as he could muster at the moment, it would not do well if he showed any fear, "the Lady Heiress of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Selwyn, a pleasure to finally meet you personally."

"Hadrian Potter." She said with a coy smile.

"It's nice to finally, formally meet you," said Harry, the tone of his voice was polite and very formal. "How may I help you, Lady Heiress?" Renѐea scoffed lightly, exhaling from her nose.

"More like how I may help you, Lord Heir," she said with a smugness to her voice. "A little warning, if you will." Harry's eyes narrowed, he knew he probably already had enemies being the Lord Heir of a Noble House of the Light, or that his family had enemies in Slytherin, which he wouldn't be surprised by, but he never thought they would be quick to act against him. "House Slytherin, of all the four, is the only one that has a hierarchy. Many of the older students I've had a… chat with, feel threatened by your presence in our little nest of Snakes, if you know what I mean."

"I do. I mean, last night didn't really help my image, but Edric had it coming."

"I agree. But it would a shame to see the enigma of Hogwarts meet such a tragic end before he could really make his mark on the world." Renѐea's threat was slowly beginning to be revealed and understood by Harry. "Be careful who you associate with, we don't really tolerate the Light. And stay in your little corner of the world, or you might find yourself in… dire circumstances."

Harry looked into her eyes unflinching, he saw amusement, something he only saw when he fought bullies during his childhood. "Is that a threat?" He sternly voiced. In a flash and a justle of movements, the two each found themselves gripping on the other's collar. Renѐea with a hard, threatening look on her face as she shoved her wand into the soft flesh behind the jawline, and Harry found himself pressed against the wall, with seemingly every disadvantage going for him.

"It's a fucking promise, Potter, I don't play with my food, unlike that weakling of a Third Son you beat by sheer luck." Renѐea said with menace in a voice very uncharacteristic to Harry's initial judgment of her. She smiled, almost with sadistic joy, as she dug her wand deeper into the soft underside of his jaw.

Click.

Harry carried himself calmly, even as a wave of fear washed over him as he answered back. "Then you better be faster than me cutting your throat open." The switchblade he had hidden in his waist was now pressed against Renѐea's throat, digging into it, causing a line of red to form.

Laughter. That was what he heard from Renѐea's mouth as she stepped back, withdrawing her wand, maniacal laughter, it sounded unhinged. "Oh, what fun you'll be, yes, you'll do, my only wish now is to be able to stay longer at Hogwarts to watch you build your empire." She said. "You certainly have what it takes to play the Great Game, hehahaha, I've seen such as look in your eyes only a few times. Do you know what it is, what it means, what I've learned from just observing and looking into your eyes?" Harry shook his head, and Renѐea stepped closer, placing both her arms on each of his sides to stop him from moving. She looked at him as if he were prey, and she was the predator, to her, and he was a meal ready to be devoured, and she licked her lips at the thought. "I've learned that you have nothing to lose. That is what I've noticed in your eyes. They are quite possibly the most devoid pair I've ever seen. Such brightness to them, yet they are so dead and dim." She caressed his cheek as she stepped away at the sound of footsteps.

Harry quickly, and carefully, put away his knife and the two continued walking as if nothing had ever happened, when in fact, they were each a thoughtless sentence away from killing the other. "Was that all you wanted to talk of?" Harry said as he walked by Renѐea's side, his voice once again an emotionless tone.

"No," Renѐea said. She and Harry took a right and followed the corridor. "If you truly plan on surviving Slytherin, I suggest you start making yourself some allies, the House of Potter has many enemies in this here nest of Snakes, myself included, House Selwyn does not particularly like those of the Potter name or are on good terms with its Lord. Do be careful, and trust no one, unless you're a fool, that is." She smiled, and the two walked on without another word.

The two and those behind them reached the Great Hall, Harry had noticed on the wall there was a map, and noted in his mind that he needed to check it out sometime and memorize the layout of the castle. Sitting at the Professor's table was the Lady Potter who, from the moment Harry walked into the Great Hall with Renѐea, unsuccessfully tried to catch her son's eyes and attention. Harry on the other hand, from her perspective, looked to be having a wonderful conversation with the Lady Heiress of House Selwyn as Heiress Selwyn was smiling, something that did little to ease Lily's discomfort.

"Thank you." Harry said as the two reached Slytherin's table.

Renѐea smiled elegantly, it was something beautiful, "Anytime, I would never pass up an opportunity to snub House Potter. You know what they say, the enemy of my enemy, is my friend." She leaned closer to Harry, and whispered in his ear, knowing full well what the implications of doing such a thing, would cause. "I do hope we can have some more fun in the future, after all, I'm still going to be here for another three years after this one. You're quite welcome to sit with me. Though I cannot say what the other's will think of it, but it will give you a little insight into our little hierarchy. What say you, Hadrian Potter?" She whispered almost seductively in Harry's ear, she had the voice of a temptress, something that absolutely captured Harry's interest.

"I would be honored, my Lady." Harry said with a courteous bow, his hand over his heart as he did so. Renѐea hummed in amusement and walked away, Harry followed, much to the displeasure of his mother who had frowned at the scene, and Charles, who was fuming as he watched. He had just entered the Great Hall when Renѐea laughed at what he assumed was something funny his Twin Brother had said.

As more and more Slytherins entered the Great Hall and sat down for breakfast, which had already been put out, more and more of the other Hogwarts Houses came barreling in as well. Charles Potter was surrounded by members of House Weasley and allies of House Potter while Harry was throwing himself into the deep end with some of the most influential students in Slytherin, and soon to be, the world.

"Why's Potter here?" Thomas Bastille asked with a hostile voice. Gerrod and Draco glared at Bastille from behind his back.

"I invited him," Renѐea lazily said, she was dismissive of the Head Boy, though her voice was sharp, "do you have a problem with that, Bastille?" She shot him a nasty look.

Thomas sucked in a nervous breath and just sat sat down, knowing it would be completely foolish to challenge Renѐea Selwyn. Though he was part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, House Bastille's influence paled in comparison to House Selwyn, who had so much influence they were likened to the royal line of House Delacour of Magical France, who ruled both the Muggles and Magicals with an iron, tyrannical fist. There was rarely anything that House Selwyn didn't know what was going on within Magical Britain nor have their money or fingers in, stirring the pot or turning the gears that made the world turn.

"Pleasure to meet you, Heir Potter," a boy across from Harry said, he wore a badge identical to Bastille's, the only difference was that it was silver. "I'm Warrington, Cassius Warrington of the Most Ancient House of Warrington." Warrington was built large, he had blond hair that was cut to fade down, he had brown, bronze eyes, and a slightly muscular, sharp face. Cassius had a pointed, triangle nose, and a small thin scar that ran in the middle of the right side of his jar, an inch above the line and about two and a half below at an angle towards his adam's apple.

Harry shook his hand and the other students introduced themselves. One such person who caught his attention was Marcus Flint of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Flint of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. He told Harry that he was Vice-Captain along with Thomas Yaxley, of the Most Ancient House of Yaxley of the Vassal Forty, of Slytherin's Quidditch team. They were quite interested to see how well Harry would do on a broom, given the fact that his father, James Potter, was a prodigy at Quidditch, said to be one of the best at the time before joining the Auror Corps.

Marcus Flint had black, coal hair, silver eyes, and a handsome that seemed to be carved by a sculpture, it was so perfect and symmetrical. He wore a white shirt with a silver, sleeveless overcoat that had a tie of Slytherin's colors reach down his toned body. Black trousers and black shoes, over all of that, was a long black cloak with wolf's fur that rest over his shoulder and almost attach itself to him. The wolf's fur garnered on top of his shoulders and behind his head, and his left wrist had leather bindings around it that also held his wand, tucked under one of the strips.

Thomas Yaxley wore similar clothes to Marcus, save that he had forgone the cloak and opted for an open black robe and a wand holster on the inside of his right arm. The others wore variants of the dresswear Marcus and Thomas adorned, some just stuck to Hogwarts attire, others preferred to wear dresses or fully tailored suits.

Their little group talked and chatted of inconsequential things, though Harry was more reserved of questions regarding his upbringing, and was quite guarded and vague of his childhood. Something many of them noticed.

"Alright Potter," Marcus started, "while we respect privacy, it is a little unfair of you knowing stuff about us and not giving any information in return." Harry raised a questioning brow. "This is how it works in Slytherin, information for information, or whatever you can provide, and eye for eye, leg for a limb, a soul for a life, you get the point." The tone of his voice went dramatically from cheerful to dark and looming.

Harry stared at Marcus, his eyes, Harry's, showed something… dangerous as if they were daring him to add another threat, but at the same time, they looked contemplatively, in deep thought of what he should do next. Harry tsked and looked away as he took a sip of pumpkin juice, and then took a bite of food, as he painstakingly chewed, he started to earn the amusement of the others who realized what he was doing, and the ire of Marcus. He swallowed and then spoke.

"Fine, it's only fair as you said. …I was raised by my Aunt and Uncle. They are, as the Wizarding World calls them, Muggles." All of those who were near went wide-eyed at the information. "For reasons unknown, I was abandoned by my parents, and spent my entire childhood being raised by my Muggle Aunt and Uncle. That is, until I was introduced to the Wizarding World and Magic a day after my twelfth birthday…. I think that's enough information for you." He gave Marcus a hard look, to which he was given a nod of agreement and what seemed to be an apologetic look. The others realized that the topic of family was going to be a taboo subject when it came to Harry Potter.

Harry abruptly turned his head around as he felt someone tap his shoulder, it was Draco, he was smiling brazenly as he pointed with his hand at the Professor's High Table, Harry scoffed a chuckle when he realized what was going to happen, the others around him had confused looks.

"Causing trouble already, Potter?" Renѐea asked lightheartedly. Crabbe and Goyle walked up to the Lady Potter, Renѐea was actually smiling compared to the emotionless face Harry portrayed her in.

"Yes, the worst kind of trouble," Harry said almost charismatically. He watched as Crabbe said some words and handed the letter to his mother, who took it with shaking hands. Harry saw the broken look which adorned his mother's face and almost felt guilty for having the letter they sent to him, sent back unopened. Draco was smiling at the hurt look Harry's mother had, while Gerrod looked uninterested. Harry looked away from his mother's pleading eyes and asked Renѐea and the other a question about his family. "What can any of you tell me about my father?"

Renѐea rasped a chuckle, covering her mouth as she smiled and tried to hide her amusement. Her eyes were mischievous as she eyed Harry before talking. "Jamison 'James' Fleamont Potter, is a distinguished Wizard with an Order of Merlin First Class. He is Head Auror of the British Auror Corps, a Lord of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, a leader of the Light, and a Seated Lord of the Wizengamot with at least thirteen votes to his name. He's also known to be a masterful Quidditch player, prodigious even." The others gave Renѐea a concerned look, while Harry looked at her questioningly.

"Are you quoting?" He asked and Renѐea laughed aloud.

"I am. Why wouldn't I?" She said with a coy smile. "Honestly, you could find all this out yourself."

"Yes, but I want an outside opinion." Harry answered to which he got interested looks. "If he's as great as you quote, then the books and any information about him will probably be biased."

Draco gave an accepting nod, as he frowned in thought, he never thought of that. "Well, from what I've heard from my father, yours is quite arrogant as well as ignorant." He said, Harry looked at Draco and gave him a look to continue. "Apparently your Lord Father has a habit of speaking before thinking and has been, how do I politely put this as, um… offending other Noble Lords. But to be honest, my Lord Father might have been biased when telling me as he and yours didn't exactly get along in school, and that apparently their dislike for each other only grew from there."

"So my Lord Father is an arrogant loudmouth?" Harry bluntly stated, causing Marcus, Warrington, and Yaxley to choke on their drinks in laughter. Draco just bobbed his head side to side with a shrug, neither confirming nor denying.

"He's talkative," Renѐea says as she smiled, "from what I've seen being at a Wizengamot hearing, he's quite... outgoing." There was laughter, even from Harry as the group continued to mingle, each, Harry realized and noticed a coincidental pattern, were asking very particular questions about himself.

Harry, Gerrod, and Draco each came to a respectful understanding of the others, earning a little respect from their seniors in the process. Harry then spent the rest of the day rereading through the books that he brought with him to Hogwarts as well as checking out the library on the fifth floor for more studying material on the Wizarding World. But not before taking the time to memorize the entire layout of Hogwarts.

The South Viaduct, which was the stone bridge coming from the south, he learned, connected to the Great Gate which opened to the Grand Hallway. Directly across from that was an open corridor and across from that was the Great Hall. To the left of the Great Hall, facing the South Viaduct, was a small breakroom for anyone wishing to hang out, across the hallways from that was the classroom for Transfiguration as well as the corridor leading to the east entrance and East Viaduct. Passed the East Viaduct was Gryffindor's dormitories on the northeast corner of the castle, across from it was the North Viaduct and entrance, and directly across from the entrance was a room which had two flight of stairs going up and one going down it seemed. At the northwest corner of the castle was the classroom for Charms and the Divination Tower. The castle had four towers altogether, each on at its corner. Moving down the corridor from the Charms classroom were the West Viaduct and the History of Magic classroom. Last on the southwest corner was the Owlery for any student needing to write home or to someone else. Last but not least there was an open Courtyard in the middle of the castle that could be accessed from the four entrances that aligned with the Viaducts. The bathrooms could be found on the inside corners of the castle which lined the walls to the Courtyard. Argus Filch, the Caretaker of the castle, had his office set up in the southeast tower.

The second floor, which was only accessible through the staircase found around the North Viaduct, hosted the Defense Against Dark Arts classroom and the Runery, or Runework classroom, it also hosted the school's hospital. There were only two classes on the second floor because Defense Against Dark Arts and Runery required a lot of space and they were the two classes where students got hurt the most, so it was convenient to have the hospital on the same floor.

On the third floor, if one continued going up the staircase, they would find the classroom for Arithmancy and Muggle Studies. The fourth floor did not have any classrooms, rather it hosted the bathing and showering area for all students and Professors, it had private bathing areas for the Professors and Head Boys and Girls. Separate private baths for Prefects, this one had to be shared, usually by switching between days for who to use the baths. The other student had to share separate hot pools, one for the boys, and one for the girls, which acted as baths, was cheaper than single separate showers and were also self-cleaning. On the fifth floor was the Grand Library, the entire floor was dedicated to books and knowledge. The sixth floor was simply known as The Lounge, it was considered neutral grounds for all students, meaning that fighting was prohibited, any person who started a fight in The Lounge would find their access to it be restricted for a time. The seventh floor was simply labeled and marked as, in bold letters, 'ABANDONED.'

To make going down the floors easier, a pole was installed on the corners of the floors that lead all the way down and up from the seventh to the first floor. Bathrooms for the upper floors were located to the right of the entrances to the floors.

The stairs leading underground would bring students to the Potions Dungeon and Alchemy Laboratory, and the Cove, which would be all the way down where all First Years were and are brought in through every year, there was also the entrance to Slytherin's dormitories. All of which, a person had to navigate the ever-changing, seemingly random, staircases to reach. The staircase was made of pale, yellowish stone and bricks, the slights of stairs could float up or down, left to right, swing side to side, or even shift its angle from an upward slope to a downward slope and vice versa. Only a Slytherin knew the secrets to navigate it to their dormitories. All one had to do was wait every seven minutes and the correct sequence would align itself for three minutes at a time.

Once the frozen period, which many non-Slytherins assumed was just the staircase being annoying or misfunctioning, to their slight joy, the random changing would resume. Granted a non-Slytherin could reach the ledge that had the door with the correct Living Portrait of a particular snake, a King Cobra, by chance, it had happened before. But the chances of it happening were extremely slim, Slytherin liked to keep secrets, and where their dormitories were located was one of their best, most, and well-kept. Any who found it, who weren't Slytherins or weren't given permission, didn't even know they found it as special warnings were put in place to make sure anyone who was in the dormitories did not leave it and expose themselves. Then there was the fact that even getting into Slytherin's dormitories had special requirements only Slytherins knew of, though this knowledge was passed on by the senior Slytherins.

Hogwarts also had several buildings located throughout their enormous property. There was the Black Lake to the northeast along with a hut built for the Groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid. To the east, far from the East Viaduct, was the Colosseum of Champion. To the southeast was the Quidditch field and to the west were the greenhouses that housed all the exotic plants, the Greenery, it was officially called, as well as being the place where all students went for Herbology. Lastly, there was Hogsmeade, which was located quite far up to the northwest of the school's spacious property.

The map also showed where all the dormitories for each Hogwarts House were located, well, its general location. It showed that Gryffindor's dormitories were located somewhere on the first floor, and that Slytherin was somewhere underground. It showed that Ravenclaw's dormitories were located at the Grand Library on the fifth floor, it made sense since it was the house of the knowledgeable, well-read, and well-versed. Oddly enough, Hufflepuff's dormitories weren't located on any of the castle floors, or even the castle itself, rather it was located where the Greenery was, outside Hogwarts' castle. Though the mag only gave the general area of where the Hogwarts Houses were located, many years back it used to show its precise location, but there were too many instances of students starting fights at night when they knew where the Common Rooms of the other Hogwarts Houses we located, and so it was changed.

The day went by without any incidents, Lily Potter, with the help of several older students, had gone and led several tours of the castle for First Years who were still all but lost in the castle. Harry had some quick talks here and there with his acquaintances, some just wanted friendly conversations, others gossiped, while some exchanged information for information. Gerrod and Hermione stuck with him and helped him with understanding the laws, society, and way of life of the Wizarding World, explaining things that he didn't understand or what the Grand Library did not have an answer to. Sometime during their studying, Draco had interrupted the three to tell Harry and Gerrod that there were going to be lessons for flying every Wednesday and Friday, and that Flint and Yaxley were holding tryouts for Slytherin's Quidditch team at the end of the month. All was well with the world in Harry's opinion… until the last hour before dinner.

Harry, Gerrod, and Hermione had just come back from the Grand Library, where they spent most of their day reading, save for getting food during lunch and a snack an hour or two afterward, they spent nearly their entire day pouring over texts and tomes. And after, they, along with everyone, save for Nermaius and Tracey, from the train, gathered to talk about the current political climate. Harry had asked the others what changes were happening within the Wizengamot. Though inexperienced, most of them still understood most of what was happening, at least with the way Draco, and sometimes Daphne, explained it to them as they were the only ones, besides Harry, who wanted to go into politics when they grew older. Daphne was another story though, she was only present for any possible drama that could unfold unexpectedly, helping Draco explain the political landscape had more to do with passing time than helping out of the goodness of her heart.

There were many moments when Charles wanted and tried to talk to his brother, but with the animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin as well as Harry's personal disdain for Charles, made it impossible. That and both the Heads of House for Slytherin and Gryffindor were the only Professors present to watch the students, and Charles knew for a fact that the greasy-haired bat his Father told him about would take any chance to try and punish him for something stupid. And he most certainly wasn't going to let the man do that, and besides, who's to say that his Head of House would even approve of him talking to his Slytherin brother?

"So, are you two going to tryout for the Quidditch team at the end of the month?" Draco asked Harry and Gerrod after they finished speaking about the Wizengamot. Gerrod shrugged and looked at Harry who evidently shrugged as well.

"Depends," Harry answered, uncertain of his answer.

"On?"

"On whether or not I like flying on a broom or am even any good at it. I won't do something that'll make me look like a idiot." Harry said honestly, Gerrod nodded in agreement. "Just because I'm James Potter's son doesn't mean I'm a replica of him. Well, unless you're The-Boy-Who-Lived, then being a replica might actually be a compliment." He commented offhandedly. The others laughed, snickered, giggled, even choked on their drinks at the remark.

Draco scratched the back of his head during the short awkward silence. "Fair enough," he says, he looks to the others. "Hey, any of you lot seen Lovegood?"

"He and Tracey went together to Owlery." Daphne said. She was picking her nails with a bored expression on her face. "Is there anything fun to do?" She asked looking at them. "Don't get me wrong, exploring Hogwarts is entertaining and fun and all, but it gets boring after an hour or so."

"I could ask Flint and Yaxley and see if we're allowed to use the Quidditch field." Draco offered.

"Sounds fun." Daphne answered. "You guys in?"

Hermione sighed exasperatedly, "Fine." She said.

"Sure," Gerrod muttered. Crabbe and Goyle nodded yes. Historia looked indifferent. Pansy, like Hermione, rolled her eyes at the behavior of the boys and Daphne, she thought Quidditch was as barbaric as a Witch or Wizard could get. It was just legal violence on brooms in the air with bats, heavy, flying, bludgeoning objects, with a tossing ball and a flying golden pocket ball. A game for the not-so-civilized in her opinion.

Pansy scoffed, catching the attention of the others. "I guess I'll join as well, even though I find Quidditch to be barbaric." She says condescendingly. Draco gave her a look of offense. "What? It is, Draco."

Draco opened his mouth to retort back. "Yeah, well at least—is that Lovegood running? Davis as well, it looks like." Everyone looked to the entrance of the Great Hall, and to their surprise were Nermaius and Tracey out of breath, looking like they'd just run a marathon.

Nermaius seemed to wobble the last leg as he made his way towards the group, while Tracey just full-on gave up and sat at the closest, Ravenclaw's, table. "Hadrian." Nermaius got out before stopping in front of Harry, slapping his hands on his knees as he hunched over to catch his breath. "Potter, he's here, your Lord Father." He gasped out.

"What?" Gerrod said with a confused voice, Harry was too shocked to speak. "He's here, like, at Hogwarts? Why?" By then, everyone who had been sitting had stood up to watch the entrance of the Great Hall.

"Yeah." Nermaius said as he wiped his mouth, standing up. He turned to Harry to answer Gerrod's question. "Your mum was yelling at him about something, but I was too busy running here to tell you to catch any of it."

"This is going to so entertaining to watch." Daphne was smiling and anxiously looking around, wanting the drama to begin already. The others deadpanned at her, causing her to stare back and shrug. "What?" She asked, oblivious to her own words. "I'm bored."

"I'm glad I'm not stupid like you." Nermaius commented with a tired and condescending voice, the others nodded along in agreement.

"What does that mean?" Daphne replied incredulously, offended that she didn't know what Nermaius was talking about.

"WHERE IS HE!" A furious voice called from outside the Great Hall, commanding the attention of all who were in the Great Hall. A man with several people following him came storming in, that man… was Lord Jamison Fleamont Potter, Father of Hadrian and Charlemagne Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived and husband to Lady Lily Jean Potter. Speaking of Lily, she was at her husband's side, grabbing his shoulder again and again as he shrugged and pushed her hand off, vehemently muttering to him through clenched teeth. The two were arguing.

"...can't just come and demand-"

"I can and I will!"

"YOU WILL NOT, HE DOES NOT WANT TO SEE US." Lily screamed.

A hand was placed on James' shoulder, the man was a Senior Auror of the name of Rufus Scrimgeour, who did so and was among the retinue of followers being of Dumbledore, still in his fancy robe from yesterday, Lily, himself, and another person of the name, Remus Lupin.

Rufus Scrimgeour was an elderly-looking man, one whose face was wrinkled with hair was long, thin, and patchy, almost faded-like. He had a nose that was a little pudgy and slightly curved to the left of his face, barely noticeable but it would make a man think and irritate the mind if he stared too long to take in his face. Rufus wore plain clothes, a blue long-sleeved shirt under a black sleeveless overcoat with gray trousers, a gray trench coat, and a gray fedora with black tapered shoes to finish his look.

Remus Lupin was a man of ginger hair and a great, thick, curled mustache. He wore a gray buttoned suit that was fitted with a white-sleeved collared shirt, a black tie, and gray trousers and shoes like Rufus. Remus Lupin looked like a timid man, almost paranoid, compared to the composed, calm, and collected stature Rufus presented.

James wore a blend between the suit Remus had on and the uniform Rufus wore. He walked, looked, and held himself arrogantly. He was a perfect sculpture and image of Harry and Charles, given that it was he his sons got their looks from, and their mother of course, but mostly him in his mind.

Out of the shouting and arguing, and the tired and strained looks Dumbledore gave James and Lily, Charles Potter came running up to his mother and father.

"This ought to be good." Harry muttered at the scene, watching in complete boredom, the others kept quiet, not daring to comment or get into the unfolding mess before them.

---

- POV CHARLES -

"Dad!" Charles yelled as he reached his parents. The two arguing parents turned to their son in surprise and silence, Lily looking abashed at what they were doing in public, and James, suddenly uncomfortable. But his discomfort wore off quickly as he smiled roguishly at Charles.

"Hello son," James said as he squatted to meet Charles' height, he played with his hair, messing it up more as his Son beamed happily as he tried to swipe his Father's hand out of his hair. "Where's your brother?"

Charles lost his smile and his Lady Mother folded her arms as she burned a hole through the back of James' skull by glaring at it. "Jamison Fleamont Potter, I am warning you." She voiced with a dangerous, threatening tone, one that usually deterred James from making rash decisions, but not today.

"Lily," he snapped back angrily at his wife, "I just want to talk."

"Well he doesn't," Lily replied sharply, this time more patiently sounding. "If he did, he wouldn't have sent the letter you and I wrote before he came here, back to me through a Vassal of House Malfoy, if he did."

"He… what?" Lord Potter said with an angry, dark tone. Incredulously of what his wife had told him. Looking at Charles, he commanded him in a voice that held no room for negotiation. "Charles, get your brother, now." And Charles nodded, turning around to get Harry.

He very hesitantly approached the Slytherin table, hearing Draco Malfoy mutter some words did not deter him, only emboldened him. That is, until Crabbe and Goyle were blocking his path, the two monstrously large boys almost seemed like the scary men Charles had seen his Father occasionally talk to back at home.

"Where are you going, Potter?" Draco asked, his voice amused and cocky.

"Just getting my Twin Brother." Charles answered nervously.

"Funny," Daphne said. She was picking her nails now since all the excitement and entertainment was dying down. "I don't see any Twin Brother. You must be mistaken, trying Gryffindor, there's probably a bunch of idiots like you there." Charles fumed a little.

"Look, can I just get Harry and leave." He asked.

"Hadrian." A voice called from behind Crabbe and Goyle. "Crabbe, Goyle, can you move please." He said politely, his voice sounding as if he were in no rush. "It's Hadrian to you, Charlemagne."

Charles groaned in annoyance, why did he have to be difficult, couldn't he see that mum and dad wanted to make up? "C'mon Harry, mum and dad just want to talk." He pleaded.

"Really," Harry said, not believing what his Twin Brother said for even a second. The eager nod Charles gave him almost made Harry smack him in the jaw right then and there, but instead, he just glared at the beaming boy. "Then you can tell them, that I'll talk to them… once they stop sending their bloody lapdog to fetch me." With that, Harry turned away from the sight of his brother.

Charles stepped forward, but Crabbe and Goyle almost immediately closed off the seemingly large canyon between him and his Brother. He wanted to plead more with Harry, but all that was coming to his mind was anger. "Fine, be that way," Charles remarked loudly and bitterly as he stormed away, he was upset, and rightfully so, so upset that he didn't stop to think of what his brother must have been feeling. Nor did he catch the hidden meaning of Harry's words.

"Well?" James asked his son as he came back from Slytherin's table, which quite honestly made him a little unnerved.

Charles nervously sucked in his lips, biting them on the inside as he drew up the courage to say the message Harry wanted him to deliver. "Harry said that he'll talk," James smiled brightly and Charles winced at that, "but he'll only do so when you…." He muttered the last bit quietly, something James frowned at.

"What was that?" James asked. "Speak up, Charles."

"He wants you guys to stop sending a lapdog to fetch him." Charles seemed to shrink into the stone floor as he watched his Father be affronted by multiple waves of emotions, each giving him a unique look through the ways his eyes settle and unsettled from each bout of emotions. His mother was the same, though hers was more of the depressed and guilt-ridden type to where she almost collapsed on the ground had it not been for his Godfather who caught her. As his mother let out a cry of despair, his father, on the other hand, the look on his face, seemed to get angrier and angrier Until he broke into a quick, storming march.

"James!" The voices of Rufus and Dumbledore sounded out, both very old-sounding voices, and both very concerned about what James Potter was going and trying to do. So much so, that Rufus ran after the man.

---

- POV HARRY -

"You little piece of shit!" James shouted with fury to his voice as he backhanded Harry with his fisted hand.

Crabbe and Goyle who were getting up off the floor were frozen in shock. Hermione had gasped and Draco had become speechless. Gerrod looked dead inside, while Daphne looked away. The others who were near Harry also had various displays of horror and unwelcome surprise as they saw and heard the solid hit land on their fellow student's face. Nermaius was frozen wide-eyed, Tracey was covering her mouth as she stood frozen in shock, and Pansy just looked down at her feet, sullen.

In fact, the whole Great Hall was petrified in absolute horror and disturbance by what had just happened. They had all just witnessed James Potter practically fly across the room, assault two Lord Heir of the Vassal Forty, and then proceed to assault his own child and Heir with a violent backhand.

"James!" The furious voice of Rufus Scrimgeour screamed with a wave of incredulous anger toning his voice, he grabbed the Head Auror by the back of his collar, pulling him away from Harry. He yanked James around and grabbed the sides of his collar and began to berate him. "Are you barking mad, Potter? You're Head Auror and here you are going around breaking multiple laws and committing multiple felons! Have you lost your damn mind?" Rufus shook James, he was beyond furious that the man would dare strike a child, nevertheless his own progeny, his own son. Not even caring that he was causing a scene.

Soon the mustached Remus Lupin came and Rufus gave his superior to him, giving the man a pointed look that told the ginger-haired man to not let James out of his sight. Lily wasn't faring any better as she was trying to comfort Charles while trying not to break down herself, Dumbledore placed his hand on her shoulder, unable to help calm her, yet doing his best. After sending James away with Remus, Rufus went to help Crabbe and Goyle up. "C'mon lads, let's get you two up." He said as he pulled both of them up at the same time. He moved to Harry who was slumped on the ground with a scowl and loathing look on his face. "Are you alright, son? You need anything." His voice was but a gentle whisper.

"I'm fine," Harry said as he looked at Rufus, his eyes burned with loathing, but it wasn't directed at him, that much Rufus could feel and tell.

"I know you don't want to," Rufus began sincerely, he truly did not want to make the boy suffer any more than he had already, but he had a duty to the law and to Harry, to see to justice being done. "But you and your family need to have some words, they don't need to be pretty ones, but I think you should have your say to them." Harry scoffed. "I'll be there to make sure that fool of a man stays in line, and when you've said your peace with your family, I swear to you after whatever is said, I will personally see to it that you do not have to deal with them until you want to. I swear it."

Harry breathed heavy, controlled breaths of air before answering, he wanted to be in control of himself, so he didn't go blabbering out aimlessly. "Fine." He uttered. "Let's get this over with." Harry strained to get up, his whole body seemed to want to fight him, like it wanted him to stay down. Rufus stood and moved to help Harry, offering his hand, but it was slapped away. "I don't need your pity." Harry spat viciously as he glared at the man.

---

To be continued…

~ATOLAD's Discord Link On Profile Page~