A/N: Day 4 of NaNoWriMo! This is the day that I didn't expect to be writing, because I was baking for 9 1/2 hours today... So, if I post this chapter today, it might be a short one. For the last three days, I've been ahead of my Nano goal... until today. I'm just 500 words shy of my day four goal! :D
Rising Storms
A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover
Chapter 7:
Harry
Harry sat among the other first-year Slytherins in the common room, anxiously awaiting Professor Severus Snape's "Start of term" speech. The room was adorned with the green and silver of the house, and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Harry couldn't help but feel the weight of Snape's scrutiny, the man was probably wondering how and why he had been sorted into Slytherin.
Professor Snape, with his greasy black hair and sharp features, stood before the eager young Slytherins. His dark eyes seemed to bore into Harry as he began his speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Slytherin House," Snape began in his silky, measured tone. "You are here because you have the cunning, ambition, and resourcefulness that makes Slytherin the finest house at Hogwarts. You are the future of our house and, perhaps, the wizarding world."
As Snape spoke, Harry couldn't help but notice that Snape's gaze kept returning to him, a curious and searching look in his eyes. Harry knew that Snape had a history with his family and had not been particularly fond of his father, James Potter. Snape's scrutiny left him feeling exposed and vulnerable.
"You will find that loyalty and camaraderie among your fellow Slytherins are the cornerstones of our success. You will also find that here in Slytherin, we value cleverness and determination above all else," Snape continued.
Harry listened intently, trying to maintain his composure and blend in with the other Slytherin students. He knew that being sorted into Slytherin had come as a surprise to everyone, especially Professor Snape. As Snape's speech drew to a close, Harry couldn't help but feel that the professor's piercing gaze was questioning his presence in Slytherin. Possibly wondering if James had put Harry up to it.
"In Slytherin, you will discover the power that comes from knowing who you are and what you want," Snape concluded. "Never forget that, and you will achieve greatness."
The speech concluded with polite applause, and the Slytherin first years dispersed to their dormitories. As he left the common room, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that Severus Snape would continue to watch him closely, searching for answers to the questions that seemed to linger in the professor's mind.
"I can't believe we get Potter in our house," said an older student when Harry was out of the common room. "What kind of trick is this?"
Harry frowned as he walked to the dorms. He knew this wouldn't be easy. Maybe he could show them all that this wasn't a trick and that he deserved to be there...
"Hey, Harry," Draco said when he saw the darker-haired boy. "This is your room. Your roommates are Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. I'm in the room across from you with my roommates: Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe."
Harry smiled at Draco. "Thanks, Draco." He turned to his roommates. "Hello, Heir Zabini and Heir Nott. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, Potter," Blaise Zabini said, politely but distantly.
Harry shared a look with Draco, who snickered, and then Harry turned back to Blaise. "It's Heir Potter-Black-Peverell, actually." That shut up the others, from the widening of their eyes. Even Draco was surprised by the addition of Black.
"You are the Black heir?" Draco asked.
Harry nodded. "My paternal grandmother was Dorea Black. Her 'uncle' Arcturus Black, my godfather Sirius Black's grandfather, approved my heirship rights." He smiled at the looks he was getting.
"And Peverell?" asked Theodore Nott, warily.
"The Potters are descended from the Peverells... Ignotus Peverell, to be exact." Harry rubbed his forehead. "I don't know about you, but I'm tired and I want to let my family know where I was sorted."
A/N: 722 words today!