Chapter 2: Secrets of Slytherin
Evelyn looked straight ahead, into the dimly lit corridor of the mazes of the dungeons. It was rather dark and dreary in the dungeons and Evelyn couldn't help the shiver that ran down her spine.
The prefect that had led them through the corridors looked back. His smile was arrogant and Evelyn felt her dislike for the prefect rise. They had stopped at an expanse of wall, staying inconspicuous apart from a small snake-like crack that ran down the wall.
Turning back, the prefect said clearly, "Rattlesnake."
As if by cue, the wall rumbled slowly as it parted, revealing the entrance of the common room.
"That's the password to the common room." A girl, much older than Evelyn and wearing a prefect's badge, explained to the first years as they were led through the entrance, "It changes every two weeks at midnight and is posted on the noticeboard the next morning. Make sure to look for it."
Turning another corridor, Evelyn couldn't help but marvel at the room. In contrast to the narrow corridors they were led through, the Slytherin common room was massive and grand. Students, dressed in green garbs, walked around casually, chatting with someone to their side, moving towards the stairs at the other end of the corridor. The walls were lined with tapestries of a silver snake, the badge of Evelyn's new house displayed proudly throughout the common room.
The common room was the definition of pride and power. Evelyn gaped in awe, alongside her yearmates at the grandeur of my place.
It was broken, however, when the male prefect cleared his throat. "As fun as it is to watch you make a fool of yourselves, I'm here to welcome you to the noble house of Slytherin. I am Johnathan Fawley, a fifth-year prefect. Beside me is Seraphine Yaxley, you will be in her care."
"Welcome, everyone," Yaxley began, her voice was cheerful and welcoming, almost like a mother would with her own children.
A few murmured greetings came from some of her peers as they all shifted uneasily.
"Now… now that won't do." The female prefect smiled patiently. "All together now… Good Evening, Everyone."
A small hesitation before a collective chant was made from the first years. "Good Evening, Miss Yaxley."
Yaxley nodded in satisfaction. "Much better. Now, there are some… rules that are to be followed. And those that don't will… suffer my displeasure."
Evelyn's left eyebrow twitched.
"As a Slytherin, you are responsible for helping each other out. You are, however, free to make friends outside of Slytherin, even encouraged.
"Schedules for your respective years will be provided tomorrow morning during breakfast at the Great Hall."
"We will be leaving by half past six. You can choose to follow me or try to find it on your own. And those of you opting for the latter.. Try not to get lost."
Evelyn could have sworn that Yaxley gave her a wink as she stated her instructions.
A slight pause ensued among the Common Room as both prefects asked if there were any questions.
"All right then," Jonathan clasped his hand. "Boys, Dorms to the left and Girls' Dorms to the right. Off you lot go."
As per order, males and females split up to go up the cobble stairs leading to their separate dormitories.
Amongst the shuffling of the footsteps, Evelyn shuddered; she wasn't keen on sharing a bunk bed let alone with her fellow Slytherin roommates in the same dorm.
"Hey, Selwyn. Wait up."
A female voice amongst the steps called out.
Turning back, Evelyn saw the third year senior who had greeted her in the great hall flowing loosely to reveal her gray blazer.
"Miss Farley?"
"Call me Gemma. Up for a minute or two, Selwyn?" The elder Slytherin smiled at her.
"It's fine. And please, call me Evelyn."
Gemma guided her up the left cobble stairs to the female dorms, walking slightly ahead. "Evelyn then. So how has it been for you?" I spied you raising your hand during the 'induction'." Gemma asked amusedly, giving little air quotes at the last words.
Evelyn shrugged, flushing slightly. "I was curious."
The elder Slytherin let out a snort. "Of course you were. I'm surprised Yaxley didn't curse you for attempting to undermine her authority."
"She does that?" Evenlyn let out a light gasp, as a shiver of worry crawled down her spine.
"Well. She tries… but knowing her and her piss poor aim, I'd say just stand still." Gemma replied. Leaning down, her voice low as they passed a room that was decorated lavishly, "Don't go tattling on me now."
"I'd not be a very good junior if I did." Evelyn shook her head amusedly as they arrived at the first year dormitory.
"Alright, little Selwyn, go on then. Go meet your dormmates for the next seven years." With a light pat on the back, the third year walked up the stairs to her own dormitories.
Taking a breath, Evelyn entered the room and was greeted with friendly laughter and greetings.
(BREAK)
The darkness threatened to swallow them, and the torch Warrington held only flickered so much, making the shadows dance eerily.
Evelin disliked the dark. No, she hated it- especially since that day where a vicious garden gnome had snuck into the manor and bit her leg at night.
The darkness was bleak, scary, in the way that you did not know what could leap out of it and attack you. Some might even claim that it was just a child's fear, but theirs was a world of magic and wizardry.
There were terrors, horrible things dwelling in the darkness- Evelyn had read that much in her library.
Hestia, one of her dormmates, did not seem bothered.
"Hey, Selwyn," she elbowed her slightly. "What's up with you and Warrington?"
"Nothing," Evelyn muttered, though her shoulders tensed further.
"Uh, uh, I feel this weird tension between the two of you," the blonde tutted. "C'mon, spill."
"Just some unresolved issues," Evelyn muttered sourly. Hestia finally got the hint, and shut up.
A short while later, they stopped, Warrington announcing that they had arrived before the Potions classroom.
Inside, they were met with the hostile gazes of the Gryffindors, and hushed whispers quickly filled the entire classroom.
Evelyn took a seat at a dark corner, together with Hestia and Rosalina, another Slytherin their year, but from a different dorm.
"Who were you paired with?" Rosalina Nott's voice dripped with curiosity as her gaze roamed around the room.
"Me and Selwyn were paired with Morrison and Avery for dorms," Hestia shrugged, not particularly excited about the arrangement. "How about you?"
Nott made to respond but was interrupted by a loud bang as the wooden door leading to the main potions chamber opened, its hinges making dangerous protesting noises and the room quieting down instantly.
The professor, entirely clad in a twilight black tunic and robe, looked around for a second before giving a simple command. "In"
(BREAK)
Silently, Evelyn seethed at the piece of parchment on the Transfiguration Alphabets. Her mind was still reeling from the entirely new language transfiguration seems to require. Not a single word.
"Trouble in paradise," A now familiar voice spoke up from behind her.
"Can't understand any of this," Evelyn grumbled as she rubbed her hands together frustratedly. "It's impossible."
"Nothing is impossible dear." Gemma smiled as she inspected the offending parchment.
The elder Slytherin scoffed, "You are doing it all wrong. Trying to memorize this will only give you a headache, Evelyn."
Evelyn looked up, her frustration momentarily giving way to curiosity. "Then what should I do?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation.
Gemma's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Transfiguration is not just about memorizing symbols; it's about understanding their essence. You need to connect with the language, not just the letters."
Evelyn furrowed her brow. "And how do I do that?"
"Think of it like learning a new dance," Gemma said, her tone lighter. "You don't just memorize the steps; you feel the rhythm. Start by visualizing the transformations in your mind. Picture the changes before you attempt them with the parchment."
Evelyn sighed but nodded, feeling a sliver of hope. She glanced back at the parchment, determined to approach it with a new mindset.
(BREAK)
Gemma Farley stood before an unremarkable section of the castle wall, her eyes darting back and forth to ensure no one was watching. After a moment, she raised her wand and began tracing a complex pattern in the air. The runes she drew glowed faintly, and with a soft, almost imperceptible click, the wall slid open to reveal a hidden passageway.
She slipped inside and moved quickly down the dimly lit corridor, the walls lined with dusty old portraits and shelves of forgotten relics. At the end of the passage, she reached a heavy wooden door, adorned with ancient symbols that pulsed faintly with a hidden enchantment.
With a soft tap of her wand, Gemma opened the door and entered the room. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of old parchment and a faint whiff of incense. The room was sparsely furnished, with a long, dark oak table at its center. Around the table, several figures were gathered in low, animated conversation. Their faces were obscured by the flickering light of a few strategically placed candles.
Gemma's entrance caught their attention. Evan Rosier, seated at the head of the table, turned to face her.
"I had to make sure I wasn't followed," Gemma replied, her voice steady despite the tension in the room. She took her place at the table, her eyes meeting Evan's with a hint of defiance.
Evan's gaze remained unyielding. "I trust you have good reason for this delay. What have you to report?"
Gemma nodded, a flicker of determination crossing her face. "The first years have arrived. Selwyn is as stubborn and headstrong as we anticipated. She's been trying hard to prove herself, but that's to be expected."
Evan's expression grew stern. "Prove herself? This isn't a matter of personal pride. We need to assess her abilities and decide if she's truly fit for our purposes. The testing must be done carefully."
Gemma met his gaze evenly. "I agree, but we need to be strategic. If we push too hard, we risk drawing unwanted attention. We should test her subtly, allow her to show us what she can do naturally."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, but Evan's face remained impassive. "Subtlety has its merits, but it also has its risks. We can't afford to be seen as lenient or indecisive."
Gemma's eyes flashed with a mixture of frustration and resolve. "And what if I believe she's worth the risk? What if I think she could prove useful if given the chance?"
Evan's demeanor shifted abruptly. He stood, his movement smooth and deliberate, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Belief is not enough. We need results. And if you think personal feelings will get in the way of our goals, you need to reconsider your position."
With a sudden, almost imperceptible gesture, Evan's hand moved through the air. A dark, invisible force seemed to tighten around Gemma's throat. Her eyes widened in shock and panic as she struggled to breathe, her hands instinctively reaching up to her neck.
The room fell silent as the members watched with a mix of curiosity and concern. Evan's face remained stoic, his eyes cold and calculating.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Evan released the spell. Gemma collapsed into her chair, gasping for breath, her face pale and strained. She looked up at Evan, her expression a mix of fear and anger.
Evan returned to his seat, his demeanor unchanging. "Understand now? This is not a game. We are dealing with forces beyond simple rivalry. If you cannot separate your personal feelings from our mission, you will find yourself at the mercy of those who can."
Gemma swallowed hard, her voice shaky but determined. "Understood."
Evan nodded curtly. "Good. Now, we will proceed with the necessary measures. Make sure your emotions do not cloud your judgment in the future."
With that, the meeting continued, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension and the weight of hidden agendas. As the members discussed their plans and strategies, Gemma sat quietly, her mind racing as she processed the severity of the situation and the challenges that lay ahead.
AN: Terribly sorry for the… 4 months wait. I've been extremely busy with IRL stuff and got writer's block way too many times.