CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Salazar Slytherin had been a brilliant and paranoid man. Malefic could make this judgment after the prefects had said the password ("pomegranate") to the painting that marked the entrance and then led them through a false entryway and through another password ("monkshood") protected painting.
"There will be a weekly roster for who must occupy the front room so that if an outsider does manage to get through the painting the decoys can keep their attention away from our common room, understood?" Heiress Gemma Farley — the Slytherin fifth year female prefect as she had introduced herself in the hall — said once they had all gathered around her and her fellow prefects around the fireplace.
"Understood Heiress Farley," was heard spoken in unison as a response from all the first years.
"Good. Now, welcome to the House of Slytherin. Like all the houses at Hogwarts we are named after one of the four founders of the school. Lord Salazar Slytherin believed in enhancing greatness, pursuing excellence and above all else achieving success. As you have all found yourselves in his house you possess these beliefs as well in some way or another — you would not be here if you do not.
"It is expected of you to uphold these beliefs for failing to do so not only taints the name of your own family but the name of Lord Slytherin as well and that cannot be forgiven." She looked over the first years critically. "I look forward to watching you young ones grow." She stepped back and the boy that had sat at the head of the table stepped forward.
"I am Lord Kolgrim of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Kolgrim. I am the Seventh Year Slytherin Prefect as well as the Hogwarts Head Boy this year." The expected respect for these titles was implied in his tone. "I will be covering the basic understandings you should have in our house as well as procedures you must be aware of.
"First and foremost you will find a copy of your timetable on your bed when you get to your dormitories, this is to avoid the problems that arise when giving them to you at breakfast. Your dormitories are all in the same hallway, this being called the First Year Wing. The boy's dorms are on the left side of the hallway and girl's dorms are on the right side of the hallway.
"Each dorm will house two occupants and these dorms will each have a bathroom, two beds, two closets and two desks and chairs in them. You will not be allowed to add any more furniture to these dorms until you reach third year.
"If you have any problems with homework or schoolwork you will go to Mr Palles who stands on my right. If you have a problem with a housemate you will go to the Junior Slytherin King and Heiress Farley, and if she deems it serious enough she will report it to myself and our Head of House, Professor Snape. Any problems you may have with a housemate stays within our house as we present a united front outside of these walls.
"Our current Junior Slytherin King is Heir Pucey, and our current Senior Slytherin King as well as Overall Slytherin King is myself. For those that do not understand the hierarchy in Slytherin House, I will explain. Juniors, this being the first to third years, have their own king or queen that they defer to. This person may get this position through votes at the end of the year or they may duel for the title. Each year also has an unofficial ruler but they must defer to the junior king or queen lest they wish to challenge their position.
"Seniors, this being fourth to seventh years, have the same system. The Slytherin king or queen will be either the junior ruler or the senior ruler. This is decided through a duel that takes place at the end of the year or when a new junior or senior ruler is established. Are there any questions?"
"No, Lord Kolgrim," the first years murmured.
"Excellent. You may all make your way to your dormitories, Professor Snape will speak to you tomorrow evening. Lady Addams, I believe we have a meeting," Lord Kolgrim's eyes fell directly on her as he spoke.
"Of course, Lord Kolgrim," Malefic agreed. She noticed her year mates sending her glances but opted to ignore it, giving her attention to Lord Kolgrim instead. Lord Kolgrim smirked at her and gestured to one of the couches.
"Have a seat Lady Addams."
Malefic sat down, Lord Kolgrim taking a seat on the couch diagonally across from hers and the other prefects and three other older students took places,either sitting or standing, around them.
"I won't insult you by dancing around the subject, Lady Addams," Lord Kolgrim said, his posture upright but relaxed. "What has become of Maya Potter?"
"Surely you don't imply that I have done anything to her, Lord Kolgrim?" Malefic asked, a hard look on her face.
"Of course not, Lady Addams." Lord Kolgrim had responded smoothly, not floundering to apologize as many others would have done. "I was merely informed of your status as a Death Witch and assumed that of all people you'd be the most likely to have answers."
"You've assumed correctly, Lord Kolgrim. I do have answers but I have no reason to share them with you."
Lord Kolgrim grinned. It was all teeth and it gave off the impression that what Malefic had said was the best thing he'd heard that day. "So she is dead, then." He didn't say it as a question, having concluded what he thought to be the right answer.
It was a shame he didn't ask and instead thought himself smart but Malefic would make no move to correct him. Let him make his assumptions, it would only benefit her in the long run.
"Do you need anything else, Lord Kolgrim?" Malefic asked him.
Lord Kolgrim paused. "Not at this moment, Lady Addams. You are free to leave. Thank you for seeing us. Blessed be, Lady Addams."*
Malefic stood. "Blessed be, Lord Kolgrim," she said then turned to make her way to the first year hallway.
As she heard the murmurs of the older students behind her she couldn't help but think that the year to come would certainly be one she was going to enjoy.
-
LAST EDITED: 01/10/2022
-
* There is a lot of debate around the phrase "blessed be", some wiccans believe it to be a phrase that should only be used in a spiritual context (prayers or rituals) and some believe that it can be used as a greeting but only if the person you are addressing is familiar to you. Of course that is not the case with either of these in this context but I am basing it off of my own belief that you can use it as a greeting in any context as long as you remain respectful of the phrase. This is purely my belief and I do not wish to argue with anyone that thinks otherwise. This is not meant to offend anyone or anyone's practices.