"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you."
Dumbledore sat back down and as he did so, food appeared almost unnoticed by all as most were still staring at the odd old man, especially the newer students, while clapping and cheering.
Staros shook himself, saw the food had arrived and looked about to see what the dinner protocol was. It seemed to primarily be a buffet style, serve yourself type of deal by the way the older students were digging in. As Staros began to load his plate with a few items he recognized, and a couple he thought looked try-able, he idly wondered about the Headmaster's introduction. Then it hit him and he had to laugh a bit.
Blaise turned to Staros and asked, "Something funny?"
"Oh, sorry. I just realized that the words the Headmaster said were in the New York Times, Word of the Day section this issue."
"What?" Blaise asked. Daphne and Tracey seemed to be listening in as well.
"Oh, right. Brits and magicals. Anyway, the Americans have a newspaper for covering just about everything from world events to local stuff to economics to editorials. Included are little joke sections and minor educational bits like the Word of the Day which gives lesser used words and their definitions as well as examples as to when to use them. And that's nothing compared to the crossword puzzles! Just a way of keeping the language alive in general usage and sometimes pretty interesting. I'm guessing the Headmaster has a subscription."
"Um, ok. If you say so," the boy said as he turned back to his meal. "Blaise Zabini, by the way."
He made this introduction as if they hadn't already met, so Staros decided to play along.
"Staros Marcus." Staros looked expectantly across the table at the two girls there.
With a slight sigh, Daphne spoke up. "Daphne Greengrass." She looked none too pleased at having to play out this particular charade.
"Tracey Davis."
Next to Staros, an older boy said, "Adrian Pucey, Quidditch chaser."
Others made their introductions up and down the table to the new students, Draco Malfoy seeming to take some offense that he was not the first one introduced. Light conversations began in earnest all up and down the table. Returning students spoke with friends about their summers, other students, classes, and speculation over the new students. The new arrivals mostly listened in and asked a few questions here and there as they were instructed in expectations of their house and some of their classes. Some family introductions were made with those unfamiliar with the details, in particular, Draco seemed to try and impress people with his father's position and influence.
Blaise looked at Staros and pointedly asked, "So, explain this Lord elect thing?"
Staros chuckled a bit. "Yeah, I knew that would cause a few heads to turn. Not really a story for dinner though. I promise to cover a few of the more relevant details tomorrow when all have time and some sleep. It's a long story."
"Fair enough."
"I'll hold you to that, Marcus," said Daphne. Staros just smiled at her and nodded.
After a while, dinner was completed, desserts had, and the dishes vanished, Dumbledore got to his feet and went to the podium again. The hall fell silent.
"Ahem, just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore seemed to be looking straight at the Weasley twins as he said this last bit, leaving little doubt as to whom he was speaking.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic shold be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madame Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that the third-floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." The last statement brought a few quiet laughs that died quickly as the ones laughing realized from everyone else that he might actually be serious.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Even as new as they were, the first years could all see how the smiles that many professors showed had now become rather forced looking, with a couple of actual grimaces and one somber look of dread from a dark haired man on the far end of the table.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune and off we go!"
Staros looked around rather confused, noting he was not the only one, but of only a few and just followed along with those closest to him. The students all began to sing, if that was what it could be called, to different tunes and rhythms;
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something, please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.
Everybody finished the song at different times. At the last, only the Weasely twins were left, singing along to a slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped the loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! Now, off you trot!"
Shaking his head in bewilderment, Staros looked about and saw other first years being gathered up by a pair of older students.
"We're the prefects assigned to bring you all to the dorms. I'm Gemma Farley and this is Graham Montague. Follow us and do try and keep up."
With this, she turned and the two of them strode out of the hall. The first years all hurried to keep up. During the trip to the dorms, the two prefects went over a lot of details about Hogwarts castle including the moving staircases, the occasional disappearing steps, areas to avoid like the Gryffindor tower, and the overall general layout of the castle proper.
Knowing he would never remember it all for now, Staros stuck to the highlights while keeping his eyes on both the scenery around him and the group in general so as not to get lost. A few ghosts floated about here and there; several magical portraits welcomed the new students, some following along to politely converse with certain people they knew; various suits of armor were seen standing at attention everywhere.
As they descended into the dungeons of the castle, they met with few incidents. One involved a student tripping over a disappearing step which brought a few laughs as he was helped out and the other was Peeves, the resident poltergeist, fleeing through the castle corridors wailing about unfair and mean children. Spotting them, he pelted the group with several odd sounding limericks and catcalls, but the prefects simply stared him down and casually mentioned the Bloody Baron being the house ghost. Peeves looked a little scared for a moment before fleeing through another wall and disappearing.
Eventually, the group came to a large T shaped intersection from which they entered from the base. Directly ahead of them were two silken tapestries depicting the Slytherin snake banner to either side of a large portrait of a dignified middle-aged woman sitting regally in a simple chair.
"This is Eliza vonGraff, Slytherin House of 1386," said Gemma. "Her portrait was installed here in 1415 after she discovered a specialized use for doxies, one that has since been banned by the Ministry, but her accomplishment is still recognized as important in the research of magic. She is our guardian portrait and the doorway to the Slytherin dorms. Each house has a similar doorway and you can't enter any of them without the password. Do NOT give this password out to anyone, even fellow housemates who claim to have forgotten it. If you find anyone standing out here trying to enter, get our head of house or a prefect. We shall assist any of our house and determine if any other should be allowed to visit. This week's password is Blood of Blood. Do not forget it."
With the statement of the password, the woman in the portrait nodded once and the entire frame swung outward revealing an archway and passage. Ushering the first years through the door, the prefects followed them in and gathered them in what must be the common room. It was through the center of the long side of the room they entered from. At either end were small fireplaces while the opposite wall contained a larger fireplace and four archways with passages leading out.
At this point, Graham took over. "This is our common room. Those halls over to the right are the boys' dorms, the left, girls'. While there are no special wards preventing visitation between the dorms, the individual rooms are warded against casual entry. You can only enter another's room with permission from one of the residents. First and second years are roomed four to a dorm, third through fifth, two and the final two years get single rooms."
Staros looked around while Graham was covering all of this. The common area was done quite nicely in a deep emerald green on top, a dark wood paneling he didn't recognize on the lower half. The room contained about a dozen couches in various positions, three each arranged in a U shape in front of the two small fireplaces set on opposite sides of the room. About two dozen other chairs were set in small groups spaced out to give any one group a bit of privacy from others. Along the outside walls were spaced another two dozen or so individual studying desks with simple straight backed chairs. The whole room was lit by soft lights hovering at each group of chairs or on either end of the couches creating pools of light around each set but not overwhelming the room overall. A couple of large chandeliers hung overhead but were unlit and were probably for times when the furniture was cleared or otherwise needed additional light. Staros thought it looked very nice and decided that he would steal the effect for his study in the manor.
About then, Gemma took back over, "While we wait for our head of house to show and deliver his own introduction, let's cover the most often asked questions. Yes, these are dungeons so yes, each room was once a cell or torture chamber or room for guards. No, the implements of those times are not present, nor are there any lingering ghosts or other magical effects. The old lock down wards are still present in case of emergencies, but that's not anything for you to worry about."
"Well, unless there is an emergency at any rate," piped up Graham with a rather evil looking smile. Gemma just rolled her eyes at his dramatics causing a few chuckles.
"Just stay here and out of trouble while we wait," she said. "Any questions can wait until tomorrow."
The students dispersed to look around the room while waiting on their head, some sitting and chatting together, others just wandering around looking over the trophies, books, and displays. Staros sat in one of the large chairs and was surprised when Blaise, Daphne and Tracey sat next to him. Looking around, he noticed what appeared to be small clicks forming already. Draco with Crabbe and Goyle was holding court with a few people he seemed to know while a couple other small groups were off on their own as well. Older students began to trickle in as they waited; most heading right to the dorms, but some seating themselves at study desks or joining some of the groups to greet associates.
Staros sat back in silence and his little groups seemed content to follow his example as they waited. About twenty minutes later, a previously unseen door to one end of the room opened up and in strode a dark haired man with a hook nose and pale complexion. His robes billowed out quite dramatically as he moved smoothly over the floor. The way he moved commanded attention and it was obviously the product of both carefully cultivated practice plus a natural ability toward theatrics. Following behind him were two older students, probably seventh years and more than likely the head boy and girl for the house.
The older male student spoke up, "I'm Fitzroy Rosier, your seventh year prefect, now get into lines first years in front, seventh in back, prefects on the ends." They lined up in straight lines Staros was standing next Daphne who was next to him on the right, while Blaise was next to him on the left. Next to Daphne stood Tracey, next to Tracey were the other first years.
Everyone quieted and stood back up, gathering around in front of him as he made it to the center of the room. He looked across them all with a calculated look, as if judging them all on some unknown merit, with few meeting whatever standard he held them to.
"Good Evening, for all those second year and above welcome back, to all first years, welcome to Slytherin house." He spoke in silky tones. He looked into each of the first year's eyes he continued, "I will not lie to you, now that you've been sorted into Slytherin the majority of the school considers you to be dark and will look down on you. Because of this at times I will show Slytherin favor over the other houses particularly Gryffindor, but make no mistake I will punish you if you deserve it later. Now we have one rule here in Slytherin, stick together. First thru third years make sure you are in a group whenever you leave. For the first few days an older student will be escorting first years to their classes. I will be meeting with all individuals one on one throughout the first week of school. I've appointed Fitzroy and Hayden as head boy and girl within Slytherin they have authority second to mine. Now I'll turn the rest of this meeting over to them to instruct the first years. Goodnight." And with that he departed.
Fitzroy and a red-headed girl motioned the first years over to the couches in the middle of the room. When they had all sat down the red-head started with, "I'm Hayden Lennox welcome to Slytherin. Now like Professor Snape said one of the older students will escort you until you get the ropes."
The following half hour was filled with the various basic school rules, directions to the first years' classes, a few well timed jokes, and a short general Q&A session. During this time, it was stressed that Professor Snape was not kidding about staying in groups and the dangers of some of the more hot-headed members of other houses finding a Slytherin alone in the corridors. His other main point about keeping house issues within the house was also covered in detail, with some rather pointed examples, including Pucey's own admission to a couple of times he let his emotions control his actions rather than deal with things properly. With a personal example laid out, everyone was much more impressed to keep things in the house. The last thing that was assured was that everyone was familiar with and could cast both the Tempus and Concutio, or time and alarm, charms.
Finally, it was time to head off to bed. Staros bid Daphne and Tracey a good night, nodded to some other acquaintances he had been introduced to, and followed Blaise to the boys' dorms to find their rooms. As it happened, they shared the same room with Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott. Realizing that Draco's attitude will probably be an issue, Staros just shrugged and decided that he would deal with the arrogant ass when the time came. No one noticed Carcerous as he moved around the room and secured all of Staros' things, never actually moving anything so as to not give away his position, like a good elf should. Staros acknowledged his efforts with a brief nod before changing and climbing into bed. Saying goodnight to the others and pulling the curtains shut, he noticed the sound dampening charms placed on them cutting out the quiet conversations Draco was having with Blaise and Theodore. Tomorrow promised to be a long day.