Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own anything, just some characters.
A/N: Chapter 2 is up! And I'm inspired enough that I'm furiously typing Chapter 3. Please, please, please - if you're reading this, even a couple words on how lame it was would be enough to keep me going. I know, you're very busy and don't have time to review every book you read, but a tiny tidbit of opinion is fire for my soul. ^_^ Anyway, back to the book!
*Begin*
Snow groaned as she flopped on the couch, in a darkened corner of the Slytherin Common Room. This day had taken forever, already 2 weeks had passed at Hogwarts and the homework was piling up. Sam was off flying the pitch with her team, flying drills and testing them. She was Co-Captain, after all, and Sam took Quidditch very seriously. It was her life. Snow should be out there too, but Lily cornered her this morning at breakfast, talking about how she was acting more like a Hufflepuff than the Snake she was. Snow gave in to her incessant demands and was now spending this beautiful saturday inside. Reading dusty old books. And writing essays. Ugh. Snow turned another page of the ancient tome she was reading, sighing again. This was one of those days were everything was going to be sucky, wasn't it? Snow heard someone walk up the dormitory steps, and looked over. Tom walked out from the passageway down to the boy's rooms, muttering something as he read through a scroll, eyes scanning the parchment frantically. He looked up, eyes passing over the room, and seemed not to notice her. Snow froze, being completely still. Tom stretched out gracefully on the couch, almost like a lithe jungle cat. Graceful and dangerous.
Snow was about to call out, but froze as he muttered something under his breath. She paused, staring at him. This was a chance to observe him, without anyone around. Snow used a wandless, non-verbal spell to make herself invisible. and settled down to watch Tom. He seemed tense, worried, as he stared at the parchment in his hand. Quietly reading it, he seemed focused. She wondered what news made him clench his hands so, furrowing his brow. He was a rather handsome guy, after all. Dark, dark blue eyes, finely arched brows with narrow eyebrows, a strong chin and thin cheeks. His shoulders were well-proportioned. All in all, he was striking. And he was charming, Snow thought to herself. So charming. But so far, Snow only had her observations. He put up a hell of a chess match, seemed to have a liking for all subjects except Transfiguration, he liked the classic pumpkin juice and roast beef sandwiches, and seemed to have a quiet brilliance. He was very good at spells, like he had been in advanced classes at his old school before and was simply placed back to this level once he was here.
But Snow didn't know a thing about him. So removing the spell, Snow rolled over, ignoring Tom. Just as she predicted, he jumped a mile, dropping the fat roll of parchment he was reading. He stared at her, shocked, as Snow stared at the book, trying her hardest to pretend she didn't notice him.
"How long have you been here?"
His voice was rough, harsh even, as he snapped at her. Snow blinked in surprise.
"I mean.. You scared me. Seriously, how long were you there?"
"I've been here since after breakfast. You mean you haven't noticed me?"
Snow feigned surprise as she stared at him. Tom relaxed and smiled easily at her.
"I've been very involved in the paper. Letters from home, notes on my homeland, a diary of sorts. It's very important for me to put my thoughts on paper. So what are you working on?"
Snow launched into an explanation of the history of the charm she was researching, while Tom stuffed the roll into his robes. She never noticed the gleam in his eyes as he scribbled something down, shoving it into his pockets, then settling beside her, playing the role of a devoted listener perfectly.
Tom Riddle is back at Hogwarts, and while everything seems calm, a ripple of unease is spreading through the land outside of Hogwarts. The students are oblivious - except for a certain High One, and his personal Counsel.
"I've called you all here to meet about events outside our boundaries. The ruling range is something that will change soon, but this is something we don't have power over. There are whispers in the shadows of something coming, of the winds changing."
Xavier Zabini looked out at his Counsel of High Ones, the very few who had his (almost) complete trust and faith (he was a Slytherin, after all). Ophelia Azzuro looked up at Xavier, eyes curious. Xavier mentally drooled as he stared into those dark blue-green, captivating eyes. He'd only been after Ophelia since First Year - and she damn well knew it. There was a smirk tugging in her lips as she looked at him, then smoothed out her expression as he looked at the others. There was a Seventh Year from every house, amazingly enough - basically unheard of, in any alliance. Yet, from Hufflepuff was Sarabi Spinnet, a pure-blood who was deceptively clever and could wheedle information out of everyone, but put on a air-headed front. She always knew what was going on, and who was involved, before it happened. And there, Laertes DuPre, Head Boy of Gryffindor House. He was a bit stubborn, but held much respect among the Light, and so was a useful ally, and he had been proven trustworthy over and over. But he was quite new to the Politics the purebloods played, so it was best to keep things simple with him. From Ravenclaw, Blanche Delacour-Weasley. Part Veela, with a temper and a fiery French spirit, she was quick-witted and sharp, often prone to arguments though. She was beautiful and dangerous, much like her mother, Fleur Weasley. Then, of course, there was him, and Ophelia, from Slytherin. The females outnumbered, but Ophelia didn't participate much, so it evened the playing ground.
Sarabi spoke up, raising her eyebrows.
"What are you talking about? I have heard nothing of unease in the country - it seems to be flourishing under the new Light Ruler. Harry Potter for President."
Sarabi snorted derisively, sarcastic tone sharp, and crossed her arms, while everyone chuckled. They all had different ideas on how to rule, but together they usually were best. However, there was one thing they all agreed on: Harry Potter, Light extremist, should not be ruling. Sarabi stood up from her spot on the couch, over-dramatizing her every movement.
"Oh, I'm the Chosen One, slap a scar on my head and I'll prance around as you grovel at my feet! I can't believe my family thinks so highly of him. They have him round for dinner all the time. Probably because his wife doesn't have a clue how to cook. But he doesn't have a clue how to rule."
"The pressures are getting to him, his hair's turning gray and he's only about 40! But he still combs it to show off that scar. I wonder if we could curse it off?"
"Oooooh, oui oui! He would look like such an âne! Besides, we all know it's really that wife of his. Hermione Potter, most powerful mudblood - Bah! I heard she's driven him to drink with her attitude, seems there's trouble in the Potter household. I hope her hair falls out and her skin wrinkles like crazy, she'd look like the hag she really is!"
Laertes chuckled again, rolling his eyes at Blanche as he stretched out on the floor.
"You're just jealous she's prettier and has more power than you."
"Allez meurent Laertes. She's ugly. I am part Veela. That bitch can f*ck herself if she thinks she can mess with me. I'd like to see her try, I'd claw her face up so bad. She thinks she can suppress my kind. Bah! Anyway, Xavier, I can see we are annoying you. What were you saying?"
Xavier looked up, startled. He had forgotten the Veela sensitivity to emotions.
"Yes, well. High Counsel has been called to order. We need to quash this and keep it from getting to Hogwarts, as this is our ruling ground. Hogwarts is where we make our futures, and this is our last year. So if any of you catch wind of anything that even sniffs of suspicion, snuff it out!"
"Alluring alliteration, my dear Zabini, but don't you think that it would be better to bring them before us? We could find out, just what exactly is going on that is making you worry, and, per say, take care of the problem..."
Ophelia bared her teeth in a feral smile, purposefully adding a strike to her statement. Laertes and Sarabi stared at Ophelia, shocked, while Blanche grinned in a similar matter from her perch on his desk. Veela. Ophelia had quite a bit of Veela blood too, and Blanche and Ophelia shared many of the same views. Xavier remembered how they both enjoyed playing with their prey.
"Fine. Do what you will, just flush it out. I want instant updates the second anything happens. Now, on to the second order of business. We have a rarity in Slytherin House. A transfer, Third Year, who nobody knows much about. He claims to have an understanding of the Slytherin politics, even saying that he grew up with a much more complicated system. He won't tell anyone where he came from, or what his plans are. He seems intelligent, charming, ambitious, and dangerous. His name is Tom Riddle."
"Tom Riddle?"
Ophelia spoke up again, shifting from her place on his bed. Xavier blinked - she had spoken up twice in one meeting? Unheard of.
"That seems to ring a bell."
Ophelia frowned. Xavier glanced at her, and she shook her head slightly, flicking her eyes to the rest of the Counsel. They were staring. Xavier plowed on, sure that she would talk to him after the meeting. She usually did.
"Anyway, he seems to be getting close to Snow. I'm sure you all know about Snow, she's showed much promise, but unfortunately something seems to be holding her back. Her cousin, Gwen, is also competition, but Snow seems to view Gwen as more of a nuisance than anything else. Personally, I'm very fond of Gwen, she has all the qualities Slytherin prized. Snow, however, seems to be turning out more like a Gryffindor. She's completely devoted to her friends, doesn't seem to care much about grades, and doesn't have any sorts of goals set for later. If we don't intervene, the main heir to the Black family will not be able to bring what is needed or do what is required. Also, the Merce clan is scarce - we need to focus on bringing them back up. There's only one male heir left to carry on the line, Wren. I was considering the possibilities of joining the Malfoy clan with the Merce clan, as they are one of the biggest clans here. Suggestions, comments?"
Blanche looked at Xavier, tilting her head.
"I hate to say this, but you need Weasley blood. Alessandra, possibly? Just think of the possibilities of a Malfoy-Zabini and Merce-Weasley joining. The Weasley clan is incredibly fertile, and growing nearly every year. The Malfoy clan too, and the Zabini clan has always wrought beautiful children. By carefully mixing certain blood clans, we could experiment with an entirely new clan! Also, since Wren is one of the few Merces left, we could make a new clan using his name and blood. It's a possibility, and a dangerous one at that, but still, the option remains."
Laertes looked a little startled.
"But... You wouldn't force him to create a new bloodline, would you?"
Sarabi raised her eyebrows at Laertes.
"He'd be more than willing to help recreate his bloodline. He's as worried as anyone else is. He told me if it came down to it he might have to impregnate his cousin!"
Laertes looked horrified. Xavier sighed as he watched Sarabi try to swallow her giggles, and Blanche and Ophelia share matching smirks. Sometimes Xavier wondered if those two were related, or if it was just the Veela.
"Stop it Sarabi. Laertes, it isn't as bad as it sounds. Anyway, how are all of your houses doing?"
"Well, Gryffindor is good, Nick Malfoy is a great Keeper, excellent Captain. Him and his friend, Mouth, seem to like playing tricks. Caleb Potter, Matt Weasley, and Evan Snape are up to their usual - Seems they're planning a Back-to-Hogwarts Bash in the Room of Requirement. That boy manages to know where everyone is at all times, and Albus is always sneaking around. He's tricky for a first year. But at least he got his mothers smarts, thank god. Hows Hufflepuff?"
"Hufflepuff is good, besides some scandal going on with Shane and his secret boyfriend. I'd be careful Blanche - Monny and Shane seem to think it's a good idea to try and fool the It girl of Hogwarts. They began dating over the summer, but in order to hide it Monny is pretending to date Artemis, but Artemis doesn't have a clue about the pretending part. Also, we found that Honeydukes is going to come out with a new chocolate to feed to your enemies - immobilizes them for up to 10 seconds, making it easy to cast curses and have an advantage. I'd be careful and monitor who's buying them. Ravenclaw?"
"Ravenclaw is excellent, besides Artemis being a snooty little bitch. We have a special instructor coming to train a few of our younger students, and the triplets are showing great promise in telekinetic abilities, they've been training every night. Quentin is our new Chaser, finally replaced Jones. He's out with a broken arm, for some reason it won't take to magical healing so he's going about it the muggle way, letting it set and mend naturally. He's also been experimenting with cures combining magical and muggle means. It's quite interesting, really. Also, seems to be a love interest between two Slytherin boys and a Ravenclaw girl. Matheui Valentino, and James Malfoy? Tatiana Hughes is the prized possession. Anyway, just an update, I'm keeping an eye on it - especially with a Valentino and Malfoy involved. Slytherin?"
Ophelia spoke up.
"Slytherin is flourishing, so far this year. It may only be the first week, but after taking a look at our numbers, we have many of the older clans back into the running circle. This means more power is bound to show itself in an outbreak, so be prepared. Changes are coming. Also, Snow and her little buddies, and Gwen and her two friends seem to like causing trouble. Gwen more so, Snow and her friends enjoy taunting Caleb and his friends. They are, of course, arch enemies. Tom Riddle is really the hottest gossip, as his charm seems to be winning over a few people, slowly. I don'y see much wrong with him, he looks to be a model Slytherin and student, Straight-O type. Wealthy and ambitious. My main worry is Merce and a suitable match - we need to find someone to pair him with. I like the idea of Alessandro, she's bound to be incredibly fertile with both Zabini and Weasley blood. That's it."
Xavier nodded at his Counsel. News was good, this year was bound to be off to a good start.
"Okay. The High Counsel is now dismissed - you all have places to be and people to manipulate, get moving. Blanche, put that back."
Sarabi laughed as she swept out the door, Laertes following after her. Blanche pouted as she put the glass paperweight back, long legs stretching out as she leaped gracefully off the desk.
"Goodbye, Zabini. Ophelia, I'll talk to you later... We have many things to discuss, my sister."
Ophelia smirked at Blanche, winking as Blanche walked out, closing the door behind her. Xavier looked at Ophelia.
"Tom Riddle?"
She frowned, looking distracted.
"I don't know. I just seem to recall somebody saying something about Harry Potter and Tom Riddle, but there's no way that bumbling oaf could have anything to do with the charming, handsome, engaging young man in Slytherin."
Xavier felt a stab of jealousy as Ophelia described Tom.
"Hmm. Thanks. So, I need to talk to you-"
Ophelia gasped as the silvery tattoo flashed on her wrist.
"Sheesh. I never could get used to that. Listen Xavier, I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm needed places."
Ophelia was off his bed and out the door in seconds, leaving Xavier staring after her, a crestfallen look on his face.
Snow, Sam, and Lily walked down the corridor, talking quietly about the newest gossip of Hogwarts.
"I heard they got into a fight, and she was so mad she hexed his head into a pumpkin!"
"No, I heard cabbage, it's always a cabbage, because they smell weird."
"Anyway, she got a necklace from a secret admirer, with a note, and it turned her skin green! She, of course, blamed him, and of course he's 'completely innocent' so all their friends are taking sides now."
"Did you hear about Octavius and Druella? I heard they were caught holding hands - isn't that the cutest thing ever!"
"I heard Ricky Weasley was crushing on a Ravenclaw, an older girl. I'm not sure who though."
"Look! Here comes the trio now!"
All three girls stared as Matt Weasley, Evan Snape, and Caleb Potter made their way down the hall to Potions. The three boys stopped in front of them, varying looks on their faces. Matt looked annoyed, Evan the usual blank look, and Caleb was sneering.
"I can't believe your clothes aren't covered in goo! I heard what happened - such a shame, they never caught the culprit. I'm so sorry, you poor, pathetic little Slytherins."
Caleb's voice dripped sarcasm, as Sam glared, while Lily snapped back,
"I'm surprised you can even pronounce culprit, you jerk. You don't have enough brain cells to pronounce a 3-syllable word."
"Ooooooh. So scary, little snake. We lions have claws and maws, though, and you snakes only have scales and tails."
"You forgot our poisonous fangs, prat."
Snow bared her teeth in a grimace, while Sam and Lily snickered.
"Causing trouble in the hallway again, Potter?"
Gwen and her two buddies sashayed over to Snow, sending haughty, contemptuous looks over at Caleb and his friends.
"You should know by now we don't take any of your crap, you pathetic moron. Go bother somebody with zero self-esteem, because we aren't affected by your half-witted comebacks."
Snow shared a fleeting smile with Gwen, and instantly knew everything was forgiven.
"Why Snow, do you need your own cousin to back you up?"
"Levicorpus!"
Out of nowhere, Tom popped up in the hallway, flicking his wand at Caleb. He went zooming up, dangling from the air by his ankle. All the Slytherins, gathered around the dungeon door, began to laugh as he struggled. But the Gryffindors began shouting. Matt plunged his hands into his robes, whipping out his wand.
"Avis!"
Tiny golden birds shot like a bullet from his gun, flying at Tom. He whipped his wand across the air, making a shield, but one got though just before he blocked. It hit him straight in the arm, creating a long scratch that beaded blood as it fell to the ground. Tom pointed his wand at it, muttering a quiet spell, as it turned into a tiny bead. The distraction of the birds had made the spell Tom had shot at Caleb stop, and he was now lying on the floor, rubbing his head as he stood up.
"Watch it, Slytherin."
Caleb spat at him, glaring with a hateful look on his face, usually reserved for Snow.
Snow stepped forward, glaring at Caleb.
"You watch it. Next time, maybe your little friends won't be there to watch your back."
"The same to you."
"What is going on here?"
Potions Professor Granetti stepped out, looking at them all.
"Nothing."
They all chorused in unison, filing into the classroom.
"Mhmmm. Anyway, turn to page 454, instructions are on the board."
"What are you doing here? This area is off limits to anyone not in 6th year and above."
"Hssyass."
"Excuse me?"
"Ssshassynis"
"Stop it! Stop whatever you're doing, right now!"
"SSSSAYASASYNTH!"
"AHHHHHH! SOMEONE HELP, PLEASE! ARHH-"
The gurgling noise cut off as the hypnotic poison seeped into her veins.
"Back to your bed, my love, or else we shall be caught."
"Sssssss."
The only notion that there had ever been someone there was the purple glow that alit in the girl's eyes, and faded as she climbed back up.
The slithering noise, one that sounded of scales sliding over the marble floors, she decided she had imagined.
"Have you done as I asked?"
"Yesss, my lord. Everything iss ass according to plan. Already there are 2 sstudentsss under your command."
"That is not enough. We need more."
"My lord, it iss only the ssecond week!"
"Work harder."
"Yess, masster."
"Soon I shall have the castle, and everyone shall know my name. He thwarted me once, but he has grown old, and foolishly over-confident. I shall have my revenge on the boy with the scar."
"Yess, masster."
Caleb Potter sat brooding in Gryffindor Common Room.
"Stupid Slytherins. Always get away with everything, sneaking around. Ugh!"
Evan merely looked at Caleb, while Matt made a noise sounding vaguely of sympathy, nose still buried in his book.
"Thanks for the support, you guys."
"If you weren't so prejudiced, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad."
"Every witch or wizard who's gone bad is in Slytherin!"
"Not true! What about the brilliant masterminds from Ravenclaw? Or the traitors from Gryffindor? There were Gryffindors on the Dark Side in the last war, you know. And we can't leave out Hufflepuff - though everyone does seem to forget Hufflepuff."
"Would you just shut it and agree with me? I just want to get some anger out by raging at the Slytherins and here you go and destroy my self-righteous anger!"
Caleb huffed, trying not to laugh. Matt smiled faintly, and went back to his book. Caleb looked over at Evan.
"Why are you so quiet?"
"I can't stop thinking about her."
"Who?"
"Her."
"Who's her?"
Evan looked into the fire, staring moodily at it.
"You don't want to know. She's off limits, anyway."
Matt looked up from his book.
"You know, this is the most you've ever talked."
Evan looked over at Matt.
"Shut up, you prat."
"Hey you guys!"
Nick Malfoy came into Gryffindor Common Room, beaming at nothing in particular. His bestfriend, Eric Villagomez, came in after him, shaking his hair like a wet dog, spraying water everywhere.
"What happened? Why are you all wet?"
"Haven't you noticed? It's raining?"
Nick grinned at nothing in particular, flopping onto an armchair with a bit too much oomph.
"Cheering Charm. Overdid it"
Eric mouthed, motioning to Nick, who was now humming.
Caleb stifled a laugh, as Matt chuckled behind his book.
"We ought to use one on you!"
Eric grinned at Evan, who was yet again staring at the fire.
Nick seemed to come back to the universe again, but still overly happy.
"Little sister got you down?"
Caleb looked at Nick.
"Evan doesn't have a little sister. Have you mistakenly taken Essence of Insanity?"
Nick laughed, the sound a bit hysterical.
"Not Evan's little sister. Mine!"
Caleb, Eric, and Matt all whipped their heads around to stare at Evan, who was wide-eyed, staring at Nick. Nick, however, was staring at the ceiling, singing a song about a weasel.
"What?"
Evan looked blown away.
"Why would he think I was in love with his sister?"
He protested weakly, still staring.
"Cheering Charms must have temporarily addled his brains."
Matt announced, going back to his book. Eric nodded and sat by the fire, pointing his wand at his clothes to dry them off.
"Hmmm."
Caleb said offhandedly, still a bit curious. They had never said Evan was in love with Gwen. Ah well. Maybe Evan was jumping to conclusions just as he was.
"Yessss... Come closssser."
"Awe look! It's a cute little snake! Here, snakey-snakey!"
"Come clossser little Hufflepuff... Naive little girl. Come on, closssser, away from your friendsss."
"Ewww! I'm not touching that!"
"Clossssssser."
"Oh Rosie, don't be silly. It won't hurt me, it's harmless! Here-"
The little Hufflepuff walked further into the bush, stretching out her hand to her.
"Yessss. You are mine now, ssssmall girl. Massster will be mossst pleasssed."
"Ow!"
Her eyes flashed purple, and a strangely blank look flashed over her face as the snakes fangs hit her wrist.
"Sheila!"
Then any notion that the event had happened disappeared, and the girl returned to normal.
"It bit me! Come on Rosie, let's go. We need to go to Care of Magical Creatures."
"Yesss, my child. You are a mosst willing sssubject."
*Finite*