THIRTEEN

Harry's attention slipped back to the political games while the rest of the students settled in to their seats, but as soon as the first years were brought in he turned to face the front.

Harry glanced at Snape in amusement as Flitwick led the first years up to the front, his pointed hat only just reaching most of the firsties shoulders. Sure enough Snape was looking decidedly smug in McGonagall's absence. Obviously she and Hermione hadn't thought to head back. As the hat began to sing Harry discovered a rather curious sight.

Remus seemed to be looking across the hall rather worried. Harry frowned at first, then followed Remus' gaze. He seemed to be scanning each and every Gryffindor, looking for something. Harry had a bizarre moment when he thought Remus might not know where Hermione was, before Harry caught Snape looking at Remus seemingly even more smug than before. Harry glanced back at Remus before it clicked.

Oh. He was looking for him.

For some reason (possibly the very smug look Snape was supporting) Harry found the whole thing laughable rather than insulting. He completely missed the sorting hat's song (he was obviously destined not to hear it), too busy focusing as Remus searched Gryffindor twice, got a slightly startled look, before shrugging it off and trying Ravenclaw (assumedly for Lily's smarts). When Ravenclaw failed him too, Remus diligently checked Hufflepuff. Harry almost laughed when that failed and Remus checked Gryffindor one last time. Harry was very careful not to stop staring as a horrified look came across Remus' face, and he eventually met Harry's eye half way along the Slytherin table.

Harry had an amused smirk and one raised eyebrow when Remus eventually realised Harry was staring straight back. Remus immediately went bright red and looked away. Unfortunately, for Remus, Snape was sitting close enough to make a (no doubt snarky) remark, and took the easy opportunity to do so. If possible, Remus went even redder, and sunk a bit lower in his chair. Harry let out a snort.

His friends gave him a surprised look, thinking it was in response to whoever was being sorted, not the little drama going on with the professors.

'What's so funny about Jeffrey Derlling being a Hufflepuff?' Theo whispered. Harry opened his mouth to say nothing was, when he processed exactly what Theo had said. He looked across to find Hufflepuff cheering and welcoming their newest member.

Derlling had been an Auror. He had, in fact, been there the night Harry discovered his parents. Harry had no idea the boy had been a Hufflepuff, and it actually was kind of funny. He had been the solitary and sarcastic type. Hufflepuff didn't really seem typical.

'Snape looks smug about something.' Harry offered as a distraction. Remus was now pointedly ignoring Snape, so the Slytherins had missed their big clue anyway. It did, however, hold their attention until the last first year (a poor girl by the unfortunate name of Zeewaldaldetta, who went to Ravenclaw) was sorted.

Harry was impressed with the sensation Dumbledore gave, but slightly disappointed to realise he now knew (and could probably pull off) a few of the tricks. Most of it was a huge magical Aura, however Dumbledore also cast something as he stood, Harry wasn't sure what until almost everyone around the Hall seemed to calm a little. Harry remembered thinking that was because he was protected by Dumbledore's presence. It was a very underhanded trick, and it only worked so well because the majority of people had Aura's far smaller than Dumbledore's, so the magic seeped past without the slightest resistance or warning.

'Welcome!' said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. 'Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…'

He cleared his throat before continuing, it was obvious he wasn't very comfortable in what he was going to say, or more, angry at having to speak of it at all. 'As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business.' He looked down at them over his half-moon glasses with a very serious look. 'They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even Invisibility Cloaks,' Harry very carefully didn't react. It became a little harder when further down the table he heard a Slytherin snort and whisper 'Like any student would have access to one of those.'

'It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors,' Dumbledore continued on.

Harry glanced down the table to find out who the new prefects were, like with everything before, carefully noting their faces. Loki was the only one he recognized by more than name, which was a little bit annoying.

'On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year.'

'Snape doesn't seem to think it happy' Blaise murmured. Daphne shooshed him.

'First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.'

There was some scattered applause, but it was rather unenthusiastic. Being teenagers, the majority of them had judged Remus on his appearance, which only a few days after the full moon, was rather poor. In amongst the less enthusiastic were a couple of people cheering twice as loud to make up for the rest. Remus had obviously helped them on the train. Either Fred or George wolf-whistled.

Harry glanced back at Snape. Oh, he had forgotten what that look was like; the expression of absolute loathing twisted Snape's thin, sallow face into something truly menacing and ugly. Remus seemed used to the expression, and not bothered at all. Harry guessed it had probably been developed slowly over their shared school years (unfortunately making the marauders immune by default of seeing all the drafts). A few firsties would probably be scarred. Harry could only think (with a fair amount of surprise) of how long it had been since that expression was directed at him.

'As to our second new appointment,' Dumbledore spoke up as the noise died away. 'Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his game keeping duties.'

The Gryffindor table exploded with cheers, while around Harry most students grumbled or moaned. Harry made a mental note to bring up the points he'd made at Malfoy manor, whilst in the Slytherin common room.

'He is responsible for that damned book!' Daphne hissed. Harry didn't say anything at all, but Blaise suddenly burst out laughing. Obviously Daphne still hadn't got the memo about stroking the spine.

'Well, I think that's everything of importance,' said Dumbledore, choosing to ignore Blaise's outburst, which was loud enough to echo around the hall. 'Let the feast begin!'

Despite feeling like he'd eaten twice what he usually did, having felt drained from the dementors, Harry felt like the feast went far quicker than usual, and before he knew it the last morsels of pumpkin tart had melted from the golden platters and Dumbledore was standing, sending them off to bed.

Harry was pleased to note that Hermione, Neville and Dean rushed over to congratulate Hagrid on getting the job. Easily visible over the heads of the crowd, Harry could see that Hagrid was swelling with pride. Harry smiled. Manipulation aside, he was glad that Hagrid got his job back. Harry didn't join them however, sticking with the Slytherins and making their way down to the dungeons. Snape had signaled to the house that there would be a house meeting. There was more politics than usual, in the ordering of the year groups, and again, Harry let Draco shove through the crowd to take the spot closest to the fourth years. Harry stood four places down, with Vince, Greg and Pansy separating them.

'Welcome to the Noble House of Slytherin.'

Just like in Harry's first year the complete silence was instant out of respect for Snape. 'More new faces have joined our ranks, and some more familiar ones have left us. As with the shift in any group, this will leave us open to attack. Do not forget, in all your clambering, that the first and most important rule in House Slytherin is presenting a unified front when outside the common room.'

Snape mainly focused his gaze towards the older years, but he acknowledged the third years.

'I am not one to hold your hand while you learn, however for those new to the game, if you require assistance, my office hours are pinned to the notice board.' Snape gestured towards the porthole. 'Do not expect me to deal with any petty matter's of squabbling in-house. You will soon find who to turn to.'

That was addressed to the house as a whole, and went along with the general consensus that the King or Queen would be chosen within the first week or two. They didn't always stay in power, however it was a rapid fire.

'A word of warning for those new to us,' Snape turned to the first years. 'Do not expect sympathy or acceptance from the other houses. You will get none. We are currently underdogs. Think carefully over your actions, as if they reflect poorly on Slytherin, I will know.' The and you will regret it didn't need to be said aloud.

'Now, if you would introduce yourself by name, and share something we might not know about yourself.' Snape addressed the first years.

Just like in Harry's year, the more interesting ones were the innocuous answers that showed who was playing the game from day one. Nothing of real (un)interest came up however, and Harry was concentrating on other things, barely paying attention to names again. He only tuned in enough to see which fifth years were chosen as mentors, and how they reacted to their new role. As such he was rather startled when Leander Loki's firstie was called up.

Harry looked up to pay attention, as Loki was a Beater on the Quidditch team, so Harry had a vested interest.

'Mr. Loki, with Miss Greengrass.' Snape was reading from a list, and didn't pause, but Harry immediately glanced towards Daphne. Harry had forgotten her sister was starting Hogwarts this year. As he knew them to be very close, Harry wondered why Daphne hadn't sat with her on the train (nor mentioned or looked for her after the dementors). Daphne had been developing her ice-queen mask, so she was relatively hard to read, however Harry was quite sure that she wasn't pleased that her little sister's mentor was a Quidditch nut. Astoria was no doubt, in Daphne's eyes, obsessed enough with the sport already.

Once the official meeting was over the lower years headed off to bed, but the elder years mingled about the room. Harry knew exactly what was on everybody's mind too. To an outsider the mingling would look random. In reality the Slytherins were shifting into ranks. So far, no one had dared to sit in the lounge nearest the center fireplace. There was a ring of space, in fact, about four meters wide surrounding it that as of yet no one dared enter.

It was one thing to battle for a spot in the Great Hall, where it was public, however out of sight of watching eyes, things would get a lot nastier here in the common room. Harry watched with some amusement as several people ventured towards the chair, before losing nerve at the last minute. Apparently some of his amusement must have shown on his face, as Draco stepped up beside him.

'Sneering at the masses Potter? Like you could do better.'

Draco hadn't been particularly quiet about it, and several groups turned to watch for Harry's reaction. Harry noticed Grace's court were standing back to watch the crowds, but that he had their sole focus now.

Harry turned away, to give Draco a slight.

'If you insist then.'

Harry stepped forward. The Slytherin's parted, waiting like vultures expecting him to fall. Harry was very careful not to falter. As he took the first step he sent out a wandless summoning charm to Blaise, Daphne and Theo. It wasn't strong enough by any means to actually summon them, but it was enough to get their attention and direct them towards following him. Harry didn't risk looking back to see if they would follow. In fact, after casting the charm, Harry completely ignored it, instead focusing on upping the anti on his Aura. Keeping in mind Grace's point, Harry kept it absolute Neutral. He didn't, however, keep it at the measly level that he had been portraying Harry Potter as.

Showing his Aura, and so his capability in magic, was rather personal, and Harry didn't want that information out in the public just yet. As of now however, Slytherin common room couldn't be considered public. It would be political suicide. The common room was no place for holding back.

Each step Harry made closer to the couch, he knocked his Aura up a step. He could hear murmuring in the house as it became obvious what he was doing, as well as a few little gasps from people who had obviously been underestimating him more than others.

By the time Harry slunk into Grace's spot on the lounge, his Aura was so heavy that it was almost tangible in the air.

Harry hadn't known what was behind him until he had turned to sit in the chair, however he was very pleased to see Blaise and Theo following immediately behind him, and sitting with only minimal hesitation. Theo actually had a cold mask up. And while he didn't show much else, Blaise was abnormally pale.

Daphne had followed him at a slower pace, and was yet to sit. Ignoring the building whispers that were bordering on a low buzz, Harry focused solely on Daphne, raising one eyebrow.

'Miss Greengrass?'

Daphne seemed to pause for just a millisecond, and Harry had no doubt that her thoughts were flying a mile a minute. It was over in a flash, and the ice-queen Harry had known during his school years was in place. Daphne slid gracefully into the spot to Harry's right, placing her above Blaise and Theo. She crossed her legs and appeared to prod and poke at the cushioning for a few moments. Harry let a smile grace his lips. She was doing a perfect job of acting as if the entire rest of Slytherin house didn't even exist. It was perfect.

'Well this is cozy, Harry.' She settled on.

Harry's smile grew.

'Don't get too comfortable there Potter.' Slytherin parted again, and a mean looking seventh year named Daniel Lendowl stepped into the subconsciously formed circle of watchers.

Harry smirked internally. He was to be his first challenger, and it was going to be easy.

'You seem to be aiming at least half above your station.'

Blood status, predictably.

How boring.

'Mmm, yes, my blood is filthy, isn't it?' Harry purposely almost made it sound provocative. Lendowl faltered just a little, at Harry's open agreement, but then his mask was back in place.

'Obviously there is enough muck to alter your brain too, if you're pretentious enough to think we want our common room dirtied by the likes of you.'

Harry kept his face blank, but tilted his head to one side.

'We? You are talking of Slytherin as a whole, yes?' Harry could feel everyone's eyes on him, so slowly, very slowly; he let the corner of his mouth curl into a nasty smile. 'Or are we talking of you? By your standards, at least the blood my supposed muck runs through can't be counted back using only one hand.' Harry leaned forward just an inch, but it caused the waiting Slytherin's to lean in nearly thrice that.

'Tell me, Lendowl, do you think I am going to get on my knees and worship someone who claims pureblood, when his entire family rests of the claim of three generations of squibs through the maternal side of a disowned line.'

And wouldn't it twist them in knots to try and figure out how Harry knew that.

Lendowl's eyes narrowed, 'More than you at least-'

'At least.' Harry interrupted with a sneer. 'Least in the very best.'

He gave Lendowl a once over, then he turned to show his dissatisfaction. 'At least my blood, whatever the contents, seems to have left no room for hypocrisy.' Harry itched to mention inbreeding, but there were too many ears that would instantly dismiss him without listening. Baby steps.

'There are those here whose ancestry can be traced far beyond Potter.'

Yes but Luna's family isn't interested in a dick measuring contest Harry rolled his eyes internally.

'Then let them speak...'

They wouldn't, Harry knew, as even though Slytherin would use anything and everything against you, it would be predominantly one on one. It was an insult to the person you came to the rescue of. Harry was actually quite lucky, as his argument wouldn't have been quite so strong if he had to face off against one of the students who could trace every drop of DNA going back thirty or forty generations through magic alone. As it was, several student's raised jaws or leaned forward or back in support, but the silence stretched on. Harry had focused on the political workings of Slytherin diligently over the last two years, despite appearing oblivious. Not to mention what his interest in Tom Riddle had dug up.

'I believe,' Harry said quietly, his voice traveling across the room, 'that status should be based on magic, not blood.'

Harry's brain was running at a mile a minute. He knew the Lendowl line was related to the Dross line, and he was ninety percent sure that Alyssa Dross (a friend of Bill Weasley's mentor) had mentioned being able to trace their line through to Merlin. It would be the perfect example. He wasn't sure though.

'You believe that blood matters over all?'

Harry was making time.

'Muggles are filth. I see those with lesser blood below me because that is Where They Belong! I am simply better!' Lendowl's spittle almost made it across the wide gap to meet Harry.

Harry desperately wanted to parade Voldemort's lineage for all to see, but he wouldn't lay down all his chips at once.

'Tell me, do you think when your great, great, great, great-whatever-great ancestor saw her father Merlin…' Harry let the thought trail off. He didn't need to finish it. Merlin was often sited against pure blood propaganda, as he had started with nothing in the way of heritage. It wasn't really a fair argument, as it had all been before the separation of the magical community, and in a time where physical strength mattered to the muggles much more too. But it made his point.

'My blood,' Harry said quietly, as Lendowl slowly went red from anger, 'can be any shade of red you please. But my magic…' Harry slowly smirked. 'My magic is simply better, than yours.'

It was an obvious insult, and an obvious threat. But Harry had his Aura still thickening the air around him. It wasn't at his full strength, but it didn't need to be. It was stronger than anybody else's who was there. It was certainly thick enough for Lendowl to feel. While Harry kept it completely Neutral throughout the entire battle, the idea that light equals good, and dark equals bad was ridiculous. Harry's Aura stayed Neutral, but the further into the debate they got, the more and more dangerous Harry's magic seemed.

It was a threat, and Harry would follow through if Lendowl was stupid enough to- oh dear.

'Big words from a Mudblood like yourself.'

Harry didn't move, only his eyes focusing on Lendowl intensly.

'Hmm, Draco,' Harry called out. 'Tell me, was it painful learning not to use that word in front of me?'

Drawing Draco in could be seen as cheating, however Harry didn't really intend on letting him talk. Besides, cheating was part of the process. The circle focused on Draco, who had been watching carefully.

As Draco drew in a breath to sneer, Harry sent out a wandless bone-breaker.

'Com-'

CRACK!

It was actually a light spell that Harry used to subtly snub Draco as well, by interrupting his first word. Lendowl should probably be thankful that Harry went for effect, rather than pain. The light spell was one used by mediwizards to break bones back into place on the rare occasion it was necessary. It was clean, and usually pre-empted by a numbing charm. It was also very loud. Every single Slytherin heard Lendowl's jaw break.

Judging by Lendowl's following howl, Harry suspected he wasn't in a position to appreciate Harry's theatrics. It kind of disgusted Harry that he was essentially resorting to torture to make his point, but the risk in Slytherin politics wasn't always mental. In fact, Slytherin was particularly brutal in that almost nothing was off limits. And words were almost always more painful and more damaging than anything physical. It probably came from living in a culture where nearly everything could be fixed medically with a potion or spell. It was a parody of the muggle rhyme: Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.

Bones were fixed overnight with Skell-e-grow. The political ramification of some well-chosen phrases could last for years.

The fact that Lendowl was nursing a broken jaw, and Harry didn't even have his wand drawn was quite a strong political message as well. Hopefully Harry could avoid any more spell casting for a while.

Slytherin was certainly stunned silent.

Part of the problem, was that while it did lead several people to underestimate him, the Gryffindor expectations meant Harry would have to try extra hard to make it obvious he belonged to Slytherin. He would have to appear ambitious enough to do anything to maintain his goal. If he could make that very obvious from the start, he probably wouldn't have to do much of anything later on. Harry suspected it was why Tom had been driven to setting Belleza on the school.

Harry pulled a large tome on Healing (to add insult to injury) out of his enlarged pockets, then proceeded to ignore everyone in the room (sobbing loudly or not). Daphne pulled her weight, immediately involving Theo in a quiet conversation about which class they expected to have first, and Blaise pulled out a copy of the Prophet. But Harry could feel the tension in Daphne's body on the lounge next to him, and Blaise's eyes kept flicking to Lendowl, then back to Harry.

Slytherin house didn't seem to know what to do with themselves- or rather, how to react. Someone must have silently summoned Snape however, as he reappeared into the awkward silence a few moments later. Harry watched him approach from the corner of his eye.

Snape wasn't ever easy to read, and for a moment Slytherin seemed to anticipate Snape saying something nasty to Harry. Instead he turned and simply started healing Lendowl in silence. Eventually he was done, and Snape did turn to face Harry.

'Of course.' He drawled, taking in Harry's relaxed position on the couch. His lack of surprise surprised everyone but Harry.

'Witnesses suggest you didn't have your wand drawn atthe time.'

Harry laid his book down on the low coffee table to concentrate on the conversation. Internally he was dancing in glee. Snape was probably just pissed off thinking Harry had broken his word already in order to cast from somewhere out of sight. But adding a conversation that no one but he and Snape understood was just perfect. Harry hadn't planned it, but couldn't ask for better.

'I did not turn my wand on him at any point tonight.' Harry could see Snape deconstructing that. 'Nor will I.'

'Do remember to keep academics out of the battle.'

Harry correctly read this to mean his time-turner was off limits. Harry would hardly use up any saved up hours for this, so it wasn't a sticking point.

'We had agreed on that Sir. I don't lie.'

Harry could feel the curious glances, the strongest burning gaze into his side from Daphne. He had to battle not to laugh.

Snape stayed considering Harry for a moment longer.

'I will know if you do.' And with nothing more, Snape left the common room. Harry mentally nodded. Snape was a teacher, but as Head of House, he knew not to interfere with the rituals of King. Even if Harry had drawn his wand, there would be no detention.

The Slytherins all hovered and waited in anticipation, hoping someone else would challenge. But Harry had shown himself to be the most dangerous thing a Slytherin knew: Unpredictable. No one was willing to step up, busy reassessing Harry's character, and trying to decide whether or not Harry had more tricks up his sleeve. Harry had absolutely no doubt that they would come back with a vengeance tomorrow, but for now they all settled in to watch. Even Draco, who had the least to be surprised about.

Completely unconcerned (on the outside at least), Harry continued reading well into the night. Just before midnight he closed his book, and he and Blaise headed up to the dorm. Daphne and Theo had headed in earlier, but Blaise had remained at Harry's side taking Harry's lead and slowly perusing the Prophet as if there wasn't a constant stream of Slytherin's looking over his shoulder.

'We'll have to be up early tomorrow.' Blaise said as soon as they entered their dorm out of sight of the house.

'Very.' Harry agreed.

'The lounge won't stay empty past about six-thirty, out of respect. After that it will be free game.'

Harry smirked to himself, but decided to play with Blaise a little for now. 'Set your alarm for five-forty then.'

Blaise nodded, and they went to bed.