So, I have rewritten this chapter way too many times. It's not quite my favorite and I will likely revisit it later. For now, I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to drop any suggestions or feedback you may have. Hope you enjoy.

Harry POV

Harry sat himself next to Malfoy. It was a smart move, since Harry knew he had influence. It allowed him an early advantage. Elowyn going to Hufflepuff was another great thing. She would inform him of the other houses. Slytherin didn't associate much with them, so it would be valuable to have an insider. He had known it to be the risk of going to Slytherin. He would be perceived as suspicious. The whispers had already started. They would only intensify. But as the hat had put it "only in Slytherin could he achieve his ambitions" he couldn't do that in the other houses. As the old wandmaker has put it he would do great things. Because if there was anything Harry wanted to be it was great. Harry wanted control. He was used to being locked up in a cupboard. He was used to being starved by his relatives. He was used to being beaten up by Dudley and his gang. He was used to not being in control. That would change. He wouldn't be the weak child anymore. Harry would be great, untouchable, powerful. That was truly what he wanted. And Slytherin was the way there. He quickly planned. Elowyn and him would keep their friendship secret. He would align Malfoy, Nott and Zabini with him. He remembered Elowyn pointing those two out. The food appeared on the table and the chatter soon began.

"So, the great light hero, Harry Potter, is in Slytherin," Zabini said sounding scandalized.

"Yes, you really pulled a stunt there, heir Potter. The Gryffindorks are still trying to recover. Must have thought it was guaranteed you would go there." Malfoy smiled with glee.

When Harry looked up, he immediately took notice of just how many people were starring or more like ogling at him. Even the professors still looked bomb shocked. He must have surprised quit a lot of people. They had been expecting to see him as the image of his parents. It was impossible to take after someone you didn't remember. Harry had not grown up with Lily and James Potter. He was his own person.

"Never let them know your next move," was all Harry said. That made all the first years break in laughter. Great, Harry thought, they don't seem to oppose to him in the house.

Harry continued taking in his surroundings until his eyes landed at the Hufflepuff table. He scanned the yellow table for the strawberry blonde girl. He made eye contact with Elowyn. She looked happy surrounded by badgers. As he was looking at her, she raised her goblet. He cached the message and copied her action. They were still on good terms. The red table started getting louder as if everyone was yelling, they must had moved on from his sorting. That was for the better.

"Are they always that noisy?" Harry asked. He knew he had to show that he was a snake not a lion as many had believed. So, he had to start distancing from them.

"Yeah, and look at the youngest redhead," Malfoy said.

Harry followed Malfoy' gaze. The first-year lion, in question, swallowed his food. He even ate with his fingers. It reminded him of Dudley's table manners. It was truly disgusting. He searched the table and found several students yelling while stuffing their mouths with food like Vernon would do. "That is revolting. And he isn't the only one. How can anyone be that badly mannered?"

"He is a Weasley. Their family is blood traitors. His grandfather was supposed to marry my great-aunt, the contract was signed in blood. The day of the wedding he doesn't show. Ran of with another woman, who he had been sleeping with the whole time. He even still took the dowry. So. it started a blood-feud. They were deemed blood-traitors for breaking the contract. My family spent years suing, which meant that we got more than just the dowry back. The lawsuit led the family to be poor. After becoming blood-traitors they lost all sense."

"Seems like they at least lost their manners," Harry commented.

Time would show if Malfoy was right. Malfoy nodded in agreement. The rest of the meal was filled with chatter. Tracey Davies seemed like the only other half-blood in Slytherin. Rest were purebloods. Harry smirked internally at that fact. They would be well connected. As the meal came to an end the chatter died. Dumbledore stood up to give a speech. Harry listened to the old man while not looking him in the eyes. He seemed to look at Harry multiple times. Elowyn had warned him though. And a warning was nearly always best to follow.

The speech ended by Dumbledore announcing that "the third-floor corridor is to be avoided by all who didn't wish to die a painful death". Why announce it like that and give no reason? Some lions would likely try to solve the mystery. The brunette at the end of the table made sign to stand up. Harry and the other snakes followed her lead. Two older students strolled over to the first years.

"First years, we are the Slytherin 5th year prefects. Follow us please. Let us lead you to our common room," the girl said.

The shorthaired girl smiled at them. She started striding out of the hall. The first years quickly marched after her. The male prefect took his spot behind the pack of first years. The shorthaired girl led them down staircase after staircase, down corridor after corridor. When she finally stopped, they were deep in the dungeons. While most of his year mates looked around in confusion, Harry inspected the stretch of damp stone wall the female prefect seemed to look at.

"This is the entrance to the great house of Slytherin. You need to say the correct password to get in. You will be informed of the new password before it changes. The current one is "Reine", it is French for queen."

Upon the girl saying the word the stone slid aside revealing a green door. The older boy opened the door.

"Ladies first," he stated.

The other prefect smiled at him and wandered through. The first years followed her. The boy closed the door behind him. The first years took in the new surroundings. The room had dark wooden flooring. One of the walls was made of gray stones it had a fireplace. The three other walls had a dark green snake patterned wallpaper and dark grey wooden panels. An extensive dark wooden bookcase covered a substantial part of one of the walls. Next to it was a long rectangular wooden table with velvet chairs in a deep green color. Black leather couches and armchairs were placed near the fireplace. Silver chandeliers composed of crystals hang from the ceiling providing light to the room. The rest of the light came from the lake, which gave the room a green tinge. A noticeboard, two empty portraits and the door to the common room made up the third wall. Two doors and a massive window depicting the lake decorated the fourth wall. The room had a dark aura, but Harry could already tell he liked it. The older Slytherins sat in couches and chairs around the room. Their eyes locked on their new housemates.

"My name is Gemma Farley. I am your fifth-year prefect and Marchioness. I will give you an short introduction to the house before escorting you to bed. Slytherin is one of the four houses of this school. Named after one of the founders Salazar Slytherin. Slytherins are known to be cunning, resourceful, and ambitious. All of you were sorted into this great house, so you are all those things. We expect it of you. Slytherins are sadly ostracized and villainized by the other houses, especially Gryffindor. The majority of the school will be after you just based on your sorting," the prefect said passionately. "

Yet they call us bigoted," one of the older students yelled.

"Indeed," the male prefect acknowledged.

"Since we are outnumbered, we must be better. We can't afford the same mistakes they can because the headmaster is a Gryffindor and support this rivalry. So, we will have to show them, which house is the best. Therefor we have additional rules, house rules. There are 5. Number one; we need a united front. We don't care if you are fighting each other but the second you step out of that door you are housemates first anything else second. Which leads to the next rule. Rule number two; what happens in the common room stays in the common room. If somebody is fighting someone else don't discuss it outside these walls. Someone's reading illegal books don't discuss it. The only people entitled to this knowledge is in the room right now. Rule number three; you will never walk alone. As I pointed out earlier the other houses is against us. When you leave this room, you will have someone accompany you. If you are a little firstie you need at least two or three people with you unless you are escorted by someone in 4th year and up. This rule is for your safety since other students will jump you even those older. Rule number 4; We don't care if you break school rules like curfew as long as you don't get caught. Professor Snape has promised he will give you double the detentions to be overseen by him personally. The house points lost will be the least of your problems. The court will decide the appropriate punishment for the offence like with any other house rule broken. That leads to rule number 5; remember your place. Slytherin house has a court consisting of the strongest, most powerful, and influential individuals from this house. They rank above the rest of the house. You will follow orders from those ranked higher than you. The court will be explained further tomorrow. For this purpose, every Slytherin meets here at 7 for this discussion, thereafter we walk united to breakfast. There you will receive your schedule, a map over the castle, and a charmed parchment displaying the current court and your inhouse points. No one else will be able to read this parchment. The map, however, can be enchanted to show the room your class is and the time. That way you know exactly where to go and when. Just ask me or Leonel Belcher and we will perform it. Now I will give the word to our fabulous Head of House, Professor Snape."

The whole crowd erupted in cheers. Harry had to admit Farley had done her job well. He was glad they were given a map, that way he could memorize the layout easier. He absorbed the other prefects name to later use. Leonel Belcher and Gemma Farley. A man in his thirties with long black glossy hear stepped in front of the first years. The group almost jumped in surprise. He wore an all-black outfit that floated after him when he walked. His eyes narrowed and carefully studied each of them. Harry remembered Elowyn' words in the train. He distracted his eyes by studying Gemma Farley when the eyes of the professor reached him.

"All of you have been sorted into the great house of Salazar Slytherin. He was a stern wizard who accepted nothing but the best from his student, therefor I will be accepting nothing less from you. I will be watching you. As miss Farley pointed out most houses dislike Slytherin. Expect to be jumped, to be pranked, to be insulted due to the green fabric in the robes you wear. Slytherins don't accept this. So, you stand up. If another house starts trouble, you end it. Remember the obligation you have to yourself, your year mates, your house and me. Don't disappoint. Be sneaky that is what you are in this house for. Some teachers will even give you less points for being who you were meant to be, I usually try to make up for this in potions by being generous with points, but don't think I won't give you detention the second the other house leaves. I will punish you if deserved. Don't doubt that."

And Harry didn't doubt it seeing the look in the man' eyes.

"That was all for tonight."

"Girls, over here," Gemma Farley said with raised voice.

"Boys, over here."

He followed Malfoy over to Leonel Belcher. The fifth year escorted the boy through one of the doors and up the stairs. They stopped at the first floor. The room huge. The walls were of gray stone and a green carpet made up the floor. Ten dark-brown desks stood in the room. There were three doors with signs on.

"This is your entrance. There is a desk for each of you to do homework since the common room can be crowded and is not always ideal for it. Since you are ten there is three dorms, two with three of you and one with four. The sign dictates who share the room. You will be roommates the first four years. From 5th year you only share with one other person. If you become head boy or king, you will have your own room. Goodnight. See you tomorrow at 7. Can everyone cast a tempus charm?"

All the boys shook their heads.

"Okay, then. A tempus charm is very simple. You do a circle movement clockwise and say tempus and the time you want to get up. The charm will wake you up by making a noise only you can hear the next morning. You can choose the sound by saying it in Latin. An example could be gallus for rooster, vox for a voice telling you to wake up, or buccina for a horn. You can all try it now so you can perform it correctly."

Harry was the first who tried. "Tempus buccina now." Harry heard a velvety sound.

"Did you manage, Potter?"

"Yes, I managed, prefect."

The boy gave him a smile. The other boys started performing the spell too. After everyone confirmed to the prefect, they had managed he bid them goodnight. They all walked to the first door. The dorm belonged to Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. The three boys walked in. The rest moved to the next door. This dorm belonged to Harry, Zabini and Nott. That seemed acceptable since it allowed him to get closer to the two , Nott and Zabini opened the door. The dorm was huge. Harry almost couldn't believe it. Three massive king-sized beds with green bedding filled the room. On each bed stood a silver box.. Next to each bed was a dark wooden closet, a nightstand with candles, a cozy but elegant armchair and numerous shelves. Each of their trunks had been brought to the room. Harry moved to his trunk. All the boys started unpacking. Harry put his few belongings and schoolbooks on the shelves. Then the close and trunk into the closet. He turned his attention to the box. He opened the box to find multiple necessary items, some of which he had forgotten to bring. Several green and silver towels, shoes and slippers, toiletries, some books on magic or Slytherin house, a collection of green quills and silver ink and some extra robes. It wasn't school robes, however. Some were everyday robes; some were formal robes and others were robes for sports. They were all in black, gray, silver, green or blue. The next items surprised him completely. A couple of green and silver sweaters and t-shirts laid in the box next to a couple pairs of dark blue or black jeans.

"They pack clothes for everyone so you can show house pride, and everyone has the same possibilities. Everyone should have something nice to wear. The Slytherin clothes is known to be very comfortable and can keep you warm in the winter. If you make the quidditch team you also get a new broom, not the newest model or anything but a nice broom. Slytherin was the richest of the four founders, so he made a separate account which he invested wisely for future students in his house. It covers everything," Blaise Zabini explained upon seeing Harry' questioning look.

Even pjs with snakes, silver, and green stripes, or just one color. Harry took the pair with silver snakes and put it on. He put the new belongings in the closet and on shelves. His curiosity finally got the best of him, and he wandered into the bathroom. The bathroom was enormous with gray ivory tiles. There was a double sink, three showers, two bathtubs and three doors to identical toilets and sinks. They could do everything at the same time. Harry wandered back to the bed and casted a tempus. A owl suddenly started clawing his window. It had a yellow wrapped gift attached to its leg. Harry released the owl of the gift. Then he opened it. The gift contained three books named "uncommon spells for self-defense" "a guide to shields" and "common curses and their counter." A note laid on top of the books. "Contragulation on being sorted into Slytherin. -E" Harry couldn't help but smile. Elowyn had gifted him some good books. He did get the implication though. He might need them. After pondering on the gift he decided to go to sleep.

The horn sounded and woke Harry from his dreams. He had sat his tempus a bit earlier than the others. After living at the Dursleys he was used to waking early. He had always been a light sleeper since he never lowered his guard. Waking up early allowed for more preparations. He took a quick shower, then dressed in his new school robes. He when began looking through his schoolbooks. He managed to finish the rest of them. He even managed to read the first three chapters of "Uncommon spells for self-defense". Nott and Zabini woke and dressed 15 minutes before they were to attend. Harry packed bag with his schoolbooks and the ones gifted to him by Elowyn. The three boys walked together to the common room. The older Slytherin were all seated at the end of the table. They sat down on the velvet chairs. The rest of the first years arrived and sat next to them. All the chairs were occupied a minute before seven. The brunette at the end of the table stood up.

"Hello fellow Slytherins. Last night the court was finalized. I, as you queen, will present the court from lowest ranking to highest while explaining each position for our firsties. After that we will make our first policy known," the brunette declared.

"The first two members of the court are Earl Marcus Flint and Countess Maureen Bulstrode. As Earl and Countess, they enforce all house rules are obeyed and every rule break gets brought up in court. They are the lowest ranking members."

The two students in question stood up upon their name.

"The next members of my court are Marchioness Gemma Farley, Marquess Dominic Warrington, and Marquess Leonel Belcher. They are responsible for conflicts, trading and dealing with the other houses. They are each responsible for a house. The Prince or Princess is the leader of first to fourth year. Since the youngest member of the court is 5th years there is none currently. That will change then inhouse points get contributed. The next members of the court are Grand Duke Sullivan Fawley and Duchess Morrigan Rowle. They oversee inhouse problems. The Grand Duke is my second in command. At last, we have me, the Queen of Slytherin. My name is Adrianna Avery. I am the highest in command in this house. I appoint the members of the court, I oversee the court, I make new policies and work for our great house. I will also be the one to declare a switch. A switch may be declared if a court member loose inhouse points or disappoints the house. It can also occur if another house member has more inhouse points or in other ways show themselves more worthy in my eyes. A switch will always occur if a lower rank member beats a higher rank member in a duel. It can be between members of the court or between a court member and a regular housemate. You can always see the highest ranked members in our house on that board." Adrianna Avery pointed. Harry let the information sink in. Slytherin houses were led by a court. The court had 5 levels. The court decided all matters. You became a member by having many points, dueling, or being close to the King or Queen. Sounded like he needed dueling practice.

"The entire court will reform if I get beaten in a duel or 90% of the house votes against me. Now we will announce our new policy. Each Saturday at 11 am to 2 pm this desk will be scheduled a study session. The best Slytherin at each subject will be present here and able to answer questions any house mate should have about given subject. That they we can keep our house' grades and reputation up. You are welcome to ask the students outside the study sessions, however they might be occupied by other matters. That is all from the court. Farley and Belcher, will you assign a map to each first year."

The two fifth year prefects collected the maps and started sharing the maps around. Harry got a map. He appreciated it for a second. even the smallest of details were on. He could tell it would be helpful.

"Now, let's go down to the Great Hall and show them which house is the best."

The Slytherins started marching out the common room, through the corridors, and up the stairs. The other table were only half occupied. Except the red table, which only had 10 students seated. Harry sat down with the rest of his year. And couldn't help but appreciate that no lions would ruin his ability to eat breakfast. Harry looked at the food at Slytherin table and started comparing to the others. The food, the Slytherins ate, was fancy. They had eggs Benedict, French toast, and Belgian Waffles. The lions ate fast food like pancakes, donuts, and muffins. It reminded Harry of Mc Donald's. The eagles only had healthy food like fruit-salads and oatmeal. The badgers had more international food. Their table featured dishes like stir-fried breakfast noodles, Turkish poached eggs in yoghurt, and Miso Soup. It made sense, seeing as they had the most diversity. He inspected the yellow table and found the strawberry blonde-haired girl again. Harry smiled. Professor Snape then started passing schedules around. Harry studied his carefully. The first lesson seemed to be Defense against the dark arts with Ravenclaw. All astronomy, history of magic and defense against the dark arts were shared with Ravenclaw. All charms, herbology, and transfiguration was shared with Hufflepuff. Only potions and flying were shared with the lions, much to Harry' satisfaction.

"I'm heading to class," Harry announced to Nott, Zabini, and Malfoy.

Harry wanted to be early for the class to prepare and seat himself at the best place. Harry also wanted to influence their dynamic. By stating instead of asking he made them attach themselves to instead of having to ask. He also took control of the group. Harry wanted to be the leader before expanding the group to include Davies, Greengrass and Bulstrode. He wanted Greengrass, since she was gray and friends with Elowyn. She was an heiress. Bulstrode' sister was a court member which could be useful. Tracey Davies was a half-blood. He wanted to show them what half-bloods could do. That they were equally as powerful as purebloods. He needed another example for that purpose.

Nott, Malfoy and Zabini followed him out of the great hall and to defense against dark arts. The class quickly proved worthless. The professor mostly just read passages from the textbook with no input. He stammered to much that it almost seemed fake. He quickly decided not to listen to the teacher. Harry read the chapters himself and then dived into "Common curses and their counters". Next up was transfiguration shared with Hufflepuff. Elowyn sat a few tables away from him. It proved to be an interesting class. The stern professor McGonagall distributed a match to each of them. She gave simple instructions of how to turn it into a needle. They were then allowed to try. Harry was thrilled at finally being allowed to do magic. He focused on the instructions. It was about intent. About picturing the needle. Harry uttered the word while pointing his wand at the match. To everyones surprise it turned to a wooden needle. Harry focused on the feel of the metal and tried. The warm wood turned to cold metal. The professor looked shocked. "Good job, Mr. Potter. Never have I seen anyone do it in to tries. 20 points to Slytherin. Can you turn it back again. It's the same spell." Harry focused on the needle imagining the match. His wand and mouth moved synchronized. The metal turned to wood. The needles eye turned to the top of the match. "Truly incredible, Mr. Potter. 10 points to Slytherin. Try changing the look of your needle while you are at it," she said and walked away.

"How did you do it?" Malfoy asked.

"Look at the match, then picture turning it into a needle. Imagine the needle. What does it look like? What does it feel like?" Harry explained.

Malfoy tried again, this time the match turned to metal. Malfoy tried two times again before he managed. "Another needle, very well, Mr Malfoy. 10 points to Slytherin."

Harry focused on his match again. He visualized the needle and started perfecting the look of it. He saw a snake with silver scales and emerald eyes. The snake would arc and make the eye of the neddle when picked up. Otherwise, it would simply move around. By the end of the class only Harry, Malfoy, Nott, Elowyn and Abbot had managed to transfigure their matches into needles. Harry handed in his snake needle, making the professor gasp. "10 points to Slytherin," was all she said.

He then noticed that Elowyn had lingered around. "Hello Elowyn. Thank you for the gift." "Hi, Harry. Glad you liked it. I hoped you would use it." She smiled. He knew what he needed to say. "I was thinking with me being in Slytherin, it is for the better we pretend not to know each other. I know Hufflepuffs don't like Slytherins. We can still hang out, just not where others are. That way we won't be alienated by our housemates."

She simply beamed at him. "I knew you were going to say that. The elves told me that there is a secret room at 7th floor. They call it the come-and-go-room. No one knows about it, and they won't tell others. We can meet there. I will send you a letter on how to get in."

"Yes, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5 pm."

"Sounds good."

She gave him another smile and left the classroom. Harry found Zabini, Nott, and Malfoy again and headed to lunch.

"Don't mention my relationship with Elowyn."

The three boys looked at him a nodded.

"You are a strange one, Potter," Zabini remarked.

"Not what I imagined the golden boy like," Malfoy added.

Nott gave him a look of consideration but remained silent.