Harry kept his head down for the rest of the dinner, not looking anyone in the eye. He could practically feel the waves of betrayal coming off Ron, and as for the other Slytherins... well he just didn't want to face them.

It hadn't taken Snape very long to go back to eating. He pointedly did not make eye contact with Harry for the remainder of the feast. Which really, was fine by Harry, seeing as it meant he could sneak sips of vodka throughout the entire mealtime. By the time the prefects were calling for the others to gather round and head off Harry was pretty hammered. He knew it wasn't the best idea, he would most likely get in a fight while he was drunk, and it would not aid his impression on the others of being a complete idiot, however he didn't want to have to deal with actually think about anything.

It took him a few seconds to realize that people were getting up and leaving the dinner hall. As quickly as he could without falling, Harry stood and walked after them. He noticed vaguely that his tie and crest had been snakified. That thought caused a small, strained giggle to escape his mouth. He clamped his hand down of the noise, the alcohol was clearly getting to him, and he wanted to be able to go to sleep without having to explain the reek of vodka on his breath. It was not long before he found himself standing outside the wall which would lead to the common room. The prefect stated the password loudly (Parslemouth) and reminded everyone that if they forgot the word they were on their own.

The inside of the common room looked the same as it did in second year. The green from the lake above bathed everything in an eerie swamp like light. The furniture was all done in blacks, greens and silvers. A large green and silver snake statue stood near the entrance, and Harry could see it's tongue flick out every few seconds. Suddenly Snape came swooping in, just barely getting through the wall before it closed. His black eyes swept around the room, stopping only for a brief glance here and their.
He stepped forward and began his speech, "Welcome, newcomers and welcome back my snakes! I hope that your summer was a most pleasant one. There are only a few rules to the Slytherin house, but they are to be followed very strictly. Slytherin is a house of order, and if we do not keep that order we will fall. The other houses will not be fair to you, expect no niceness from them, and if you are alone they will strike. That is why the first rule is:"

"Unity!" Shouted the older snakes.

"Unity. Exactly that. You may have your petty quarrels and tiffs inside the dungeon walls, but as soon as you step outside those walls you must protect each other. And I mean all of you," at this his gaze lingered on Harry, a warning in his eyes. "It is our unity that keeps us strong, keeps us smarter than the other houses, never forget that. But unity is not the only important thing in this house. Us snakes are sly and cunning, and many of us develop these traits because of our homes. We have a tendency to hide our pain because that is what we have been taught, but that only makes us weaker. It is better to be strong and healthy when against an enemy and that is why the second rule is:"

"No pain!"

"No pain. Pain gets in the way. It is needless. If you are in pain, I will find out and I will stop it. Every person in this room will serve a mandatory check-up with Madam Pompry or myself once a month. Hiding pain will earn you losses, get enough losses and you will serve a detention. Then a time out day. Then your privileges will be taken away. Losses can be reduced with points. 3 points is equal to one loss. If you earn enough points you can get privileges. Those privileges will be set up with me this week. Everybody in this room has secrets. Many would not trust a soul with the burdens they carry, but in order for us to stay strong we need trust. We need to know that our fellow Slytherins are telling the truth, and that is why the third rule is:"

"Honesty!"

"We shall always be honest, even if the other houses do not believe us we shall not lie. And I expect all of you to be honest with me as well. If someone is mistreating you, or favouring you, I expect you to tell me. I expect you utmost honesty when I ask you a question. If you do not wish to answer then say so, but do not lie about anything." Snape gazed around at his audience. Harry watched, with a slight twinge of awe. The bat really knew how to captivate people, how to direct attention. "Now, I am sure you are all tired, and would love to head off to bed, but first Arcamedis," at this he gestured to the statue snake that Harry had seen earlier, "must sort you into rooms. He works the same way the hat does, reading your mind and then deciding where you must go." With this he stepped aside.

Slowly the snake unravelled and slithered across the floor. It started at the first years, raising up and looking them in the eye, then stating a room number. When it reached the fifth years Harry prayed for a miracle. He wouldn't mind being anywhere as long as it wasn't with Malfoy. Why not Draco? He is talented, clever and sly. A great person to have on your side in the war you must fight. Not Malfoy, not Malfoy! You poor boy, it is for the best you know. "Room 23." The look on Malfoy's face would have been hilarious if Harry were in a different situation.

"You have been given your rooms, now go on and put your things away. All newcomers follow me, you must have your check up before going to sleep." A cold dread filled Harry. A check-up? Just thinking about brought colour to his face. Not now, not while he was dead drunk and popping pain-killers. Maybe he could just slip away, maybe Snape wouldn't notice. Carefully he started to inch for the door. "Potter!" Snape snapped, storming over and grasping Harry's wrist. "What? Think you're too good for your check-up? The high and mighty Golden Boy shouldn't have to deal with these things? Not a chance Potter! You will come!" And with that he dragged Harry into his office and sat him on the couch beside all the first years. Harry watched as one by one Snape would calmly take a first year into the fire place, throw some Floo Powder and disappear into the Hospital Wing. Sometimes he came back with the student and sent them to bed, mostly he came back alone. Finally he took away the last first year, and came back to see only Harry left. Harry felt the dread inside him clench his intestines, he wanted to scream, wanted to run. He could handle the pain, he didn't need Snape seeing his weakness.

"Come on Potter!" Snape growled. They squeezed into the fireplace, it was a much tighter fit than the first years. And suddenly stumbled out at the Hospital Wing. Harry wished he had his vodka.

"Up here Mister Potter. We're going to begin with a few spells, the first one ill tell us all the major injuries you've suffered in your life, the second will highlight all the ones you are still suffering." Haryy sat on the hospital bed, looking down and holding his breath, he used a breath freshener charm so no one could tell he had been drinking, but he was always worried it would mess up somehow. With a few muttered words a parchment and quill appeared infront of Harry's face and began writing. And writing, and writing. Harry could see the masked disbelief in Snape's eyes, whereas Pompfrey only looked sad. Another incantation and over half the list (which was about three feet long) highlighted in blue. "Shirt off Mister Potter." He obliged, to out of it now to even think.

Quietly, Snape and Pomfrey worked on him, cracking ribs into place, healing lashes on his back, and pouring potions down his throat. Harry sat there, trying to pretend that it wasn't happening, that tomorrow he'd wake up in the right place, and go tell Ron and Hermione about the dream he had. How weird it had been. Pompfrey murmured that he could lay down, gently lowering him onto the hospital bed.

He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

***********************************************************************************

And there you have it. Chapter One. I know it's been ages since I wrote this story, but I haven't had a computer for MONTHS! Anyways I don't know if fanfiction notifies you, but I rewrote the original chapter one and made it into a Prologue. I hope you enjoy and please, please, PLEASE, review. If you want to make suggestions I'm completely open to it, though I can't guarantee I will use it. Thank you – Julia.