Hogwarts
During the last month of summer Harry and petunia finish off the books and harry learns as much as he can from his school books. He feels extra motivated to know as much as he can since he is coming in at a disadvantage. He distantly feels bad for the muggleborns who find out about all of this last minute. Even the time Harry has had to catch up has barely been enough for him to get the basics. He also knows they don’t have access to as much as he does. He understands why they have been able to keep the misinformation going when they aren’t taught anything besides what the school offers. What the school offers from what he has read of the history book is only a fraction of the whole. His primary teachers did always say that history is written by the winners. He has also spent a lot of time with Noctus teaching her everything as well. It was a useful task that really helped him retain everything he was learning. He was also thrilled to find she had an excellent memory. As they spent time together he found out she could become invisible when she wanted to. This lead to him promising to bring her with him to all his classes so she could learn as well. When he asked her why since she can’t actually do any magic she said it was to better be able to help him. Dudley had ripped through the books he had gotten on magical creatures and surprisingly herbology. Harry gifted him his own owl and a catalog to Flourish and Blotts as well as the herbology shop in Diagon so that with Petunia’s help he could start a small garden of safe magical ingredients while he was gone. Petunia herself was quite taken with potions and was delighted to find you didn’t need magic to make most of them. She had started making salves and tonics on her own and was planning a way to sell them herself without the ministry finding out they were magic. They talked about magic so often now harry was frequently questioning if this was reality. He knew that this never would have happened if Vernon were still around. The night before they were to head from the station dinner was quite emotional. They had all really bonded over this and both Dudley and his aunt were sad for him to go.
“Guys, I will only be an owl away and I can come home for the holidays.” Harry reassured them over dessert.
“Promise you will tell me everything over christmas?” Dudley begged.
“Of course I will. And aunt petunia you can always send letters too, I can probably ask my potions professor any questions you have too.” Harry says with a sad smile. He was surprised at how reluctant he was to leave without them. They had been on good terms for three years now but this was something else. They had a shared thirst for the wizarding world.
“Thank you dear, if I have any I will send them along. I would also like to remind you that even with all of the things we are learning you are only 11. It is not on you as said 11 year old to do anything about the current political climate. I expect you to use your knowledge only to make friends. It is important that you find other dark wizards so they can further teach you, but this doesn’t need to mean only they can be your friends. I will be looking into several things while you boys are off to school.” Petunia says sternly.
“Yes aunt petunia.” Harry says bashfully. It truly felt like he was supposed to change their world as soon as he got there so to have that reminder was nice. To know she had his back was nice. He distantly wondered about his godmother yet again. Perhaps a letter wouldn’t be misplaced, the worst she could say was leave me alone.
After dinner was done and his bag and trunk packed harry lay in his bed with Noctus draped over him.
“This is going to be a big change. Im going to have to be so careful Noctus, if the wrong people find out about me I don’t know what they will do. They see me as this great savior. Im even in some history books. Not that those are ever really accurate. I just supposed im nervous” he says with a sigh
“I know dear but you have me by your side. I will always help and protect you. I spent years in that shop waiting for someone to look past my size and strength and nobody did, until you.” She says nuzzling his face.
“I know it’s rare for someone to be able to talk to you but im astonished nobody wanted you for so long, you are an absolute marvel.” he says running his hands over her scales, they felt like satin on his skin.
“I also will not let you forget to just be a child. I know that is still rather new to you. If I feel like you are taking on too much outside of learning I will let you know.” She reassures him licking his cheek.
“Thank you, it will be hard. I’m coming in with so much set on my shoulders, even if I wasn’t a dark wizard.” He sighs before doing his final repositioning and closing his eyes to sleep.
The next morning harry dresses in his fancy new casual robes as he looked at the final result in the mirror he was shocked to see how nice he looked. He had been wearing clothes that fit him for ages but he had to say, tailor fitted was something else. He just hoped he could behave like someone who wore these clothes. The day was misty but his aunt assured him it would clear and be a nice day. Harry didn’t say much over breakfast anxiety resting heavily in his gut. Dudley could’t go with them since his aunt marge was taking him school shopping, so the trip to the station was quiet between the two of them. At King’s cross his aunt strode confidently through the place, harry pushing his cart of things quickly behind her. She had made sure they arrived with plenty of time to spare, about an hour. She paused between platforms nine and ten and gestured to the barrier.
“The true platform is through there, magic hides it from the muggles so they won’t notice you stepping through. If you would like I can come through with you but it might be more advantageous for you to go alone” She tells him quietly. Noctus invisible around his neck quietly agrees. Harry thinks for a moment before nodding.
“I think I should go alone. Im not ashamed of you being a muggle but I have no idea what people are expecting of me. Or what our relationship should be. They placed me with you when I had a godmother who should have had me.” Harry says, petunia winces but nods. She pats him lightly on the shoulders and nudges him along.
“You’ll want to walk briskly if you’re nervous.” She says.
Harry takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders before pushing the cart at a near jog. He squeezes his eyes closed right before meeting the barrier, he opened them after a couple of steps and is relieved to see platform 9 3/4. The train is a gorgeous red with gold lettering. The Hogwarts express is a lot shorter than he expected for a school that has approximately 800 students give or take the year. Must be magic, he thinks to himself striding over. He makes his way over to where other students are putting their trunks into and struggles to lift his trunk into the compartment. He eventually manages it and grabs his bag and headwigs cage leaving his cart with the others before boarding the train. He ignores all of the families on the platform saying goodbye to their loved ones not wanting to acknowledge the sting in his heart. He makes his way to the back of the train, much longer inside and finds an empty compartment. He settles in putting headwig on the seat across from him. He looks out the window glad this side only shows workers getting the train ready. He pulls out a safe book to read in case someone comes in, a book about how the British ministry of magic works and their different branches. he reckons the train is about ten minutes for departing when the door slides open revealing a blond boy his age.
“Hello, can I sit here? My friends compartment is full and I didn’t want to try and squeeze in with them. My name is Draco Malfoy by the way.” He says with a slight smirk.
“Yes of course I’ve got nobody coming. Im Harry Potter, nice to meet you Draco.” Harry says bowing his head slightly. Dracos eyes widen for a split second before he regains his composure and steps in sitting next to headwig.
“Your owl is quite beautiful, not many people have snowy owls.” Draco says petting her through the bars.
“I agree she is gorgeous, I didn’t know that though. Is there a reason not many people have them?” Harry asks placing his book back into his bag.
“It’s a rather obscure fact, the snowy owls are very picky on who they will accept as their owners.” Draco says leaning back.
“Ah that makes sense, I wouldn’t want to force an animal to stay with me if they didn’t like me.” Harry says looking at Draco.
“If you don’t mind me asking, and feel free to tell me I have overstepped, there have been many rumors about where you have been all these years. Did you grow up in the wizarding world?” Draco asks lightly.
“I was not. I have however been spending the last few months learning all I can. It’s a very tricky situation though so I will keep the details to myself.” Harry says trying not to fidget. Just then the train sets off and the boys turn to the window to watch their departure. It’s several minutes until Draco speaks again.
“Do you know which house you want to be in?” He says looking at harry and his clothes, not with derision but curiosity. Harry can tell he has so many questions.
“I would like to be in Slytherin, but if that isn’t possible then Ravenclaw would be acceptable.” Harry says with a shrug.
“I- wow, you aren’t at all what people think you are. They’re going to be very shocked by you. I am expected to be a Slytherin as my family has been for generations. I don’t say this to speak down to you or question your thinking, but you do know about the prejudice that Slytherins face right?” Draco asks slowly.
“Yes, I know about it. Though not as well as I’m sure you have been taught. I don’t care for the widely held beliefs against them. I looked at what each house stood for and saw that Slytherin matches mine the most. Particularly the focus on heritage.” Harry says taking a small leap of faith. His magic had been telling him that Draco was trustworthy and also a dark wizard since he had sat down. Draco’s face is shocked and he looks to the door quickly to make sure nobody is around before leaning forward.
“If you are saying what I think you are, you need to be very careful Harry Potter. There are many in this world who have high light expectations for you. The headmaster, Dumbledore, surely one of them. Your parents worked with him closely in the last war. He will not be happy if you do not follow their footsteps. You are going to need help. Me and my family can help you there, friends?” He says holding out his hand. Harry smiles and shakes his hand adding the two taps of his pointer finger that is proper for dark handshakes.
“Friends, so Draco, tell me about normal pureblood life?” Harry says with a smirk at Dracos astonishment, moving the conversation back to something safer. Draco takes a moment to compose himself before replying.
“Well from a very young age I was taught things like etiquette, and history. I personally was taught French as well as English since my family comes from France. We still have property over there as well. Most pureblood children will learn more than one language. Once I was old enough I began more proper schooling such as basic necessities, literature, writing, things like that. I also learned much about my family history and public knowledge about other pureblood families. I was taught to ride horses and how to paint and draw. I can also play the piano and violin. A couple years ago my father allowed me to learn how to ride a broom and I have been training to become a chaser ever since.” Draco says.
“A chaser? I don’t understand. Also a broom?” Harry asks very confused.
“Oh, well for quidditch of course. You know, flying on brooms trying to score with the quaffle and the seeker catching the snitch?” Draco says slowly.
“I don’t recall reading anything of the sort in any of the books I have.” Harry says sheepishly. Draco looks gobsmacked at his admission and gives him a full hour run down of the sport, both school and professional leagues.
“There is even a World Cup!” He enthuses.
“Okay so this is the wizarding world’s version of football” harry says nodding to himself.
“Don’t let anyone else hear you say that, they will be deeply offended.” Draco laughs. Harry nods seriously.
“Is there anything else you think I should know? Im rather embarrassed to have missed something so big.” He admits.
“Well, thats honestly the biggest form of entertainment we have. I can help you learn anything we find you don’t know. We can start by going over the things you do know, but not now. It’s not safe since we aren’t old enough to set up any warding or silencing spells.” Draco says with a thoughtful look on his face.
“Well, since that is off the table, do you know anything about the teachers at Hogwarts?” Harry asks. He can feel Noctus perk up at this question still hidden around his neck. He feels bad for her, he had expected to sit alone the whole time so she could explore the train but Draco had walked in before he could let her off. it would be rather suspicious if he were to open the compartment door for no reason.
“I know of most of them. I personally know the potions professor, he is my godfather professor Severus Snape. He is very strict about potions, they can be very dangerous so he doesn’t allow any messing about. That paired with him sticking up for Slytherins all the time gives him a bad reputation. Every other house thinks he is a dungeon bat. He is very kind to you if you are not a fool. Then there is professor Mcgonagall, I have heard she is very strict as well but everyone always calls her fair. She teaches transfiguration. Flitwick is the charms professor, I don’t know much about him. There is a ghost that teaches history of magic, they call him professor binns. The defense against the dark arts class is taught by a different professor practically every year since before my father’s days in school. They used to call the class just dark arts back in the day but tensions and things had it changed. There are a handful of other classes offered at Hogwarts but I don’t know who teaches them. There is astronomy, arithmancy, ancient runes, divination, care of magical creatures and muggle studies.” Draco says ticking off the courses on his fingers.
“Muggle studies? What’s that about?” Harry asks.
“Well, it’s a class that focuses on the way the muggle world works, it focuses on how they live their lives and maybe a bit of how their government Is structured. It’s nothing more than surface level honestly. My father says it’s a sham to keep muggleborns happy. Not many people take it though.” He says with a shrug. Harry files this away for later. He want’s to know what Draco thinks about how muggleborns have affected the wizarding world. What he himself knows is that they used to be properly educated about the wizarding world when they came, about the history and holidays, but as time went on these classes were cut from Hogwarts curriculum. It started during World War Two and ramped up from then. It seemed to him every further action was backed by Dumbledore or someone connected to him. The result was a rapidly growing mistrust and misinformation about dark magic, wizarding history, and pureblood beliefs. Since this wasn’t really harming the light families they seemed to just go along with it. Harry assumed that overtime they forgot things had been different to begin with. Especially since so many were lost during the last wizarding war. He also noticed a pattern in laws restricting dark magic and magical creatures, even the ones who are definitely still people like vampire, Veela, and werewolves. Given the boom of muggleborns after World War Two this isn’t surprising to harry. Not properly educated and bringing in muggle prejudice would make it very easy for things to escalate. It also handed Dumbledore accolades as he defeated girndlewald who was the dark lord around that time. So when a new one arose during the 70’s and 80’s it’s no wonder people flocked to this man. It’s astonishing to harry more people don’t see the hand the man had in manipulating society to give himself power. Then he thinks of all the banned books Ophius sent him and realizes they couldn’t. Harry doesn’t hate them, he just thinks they need to be properly educated.
“Indeed,” he says noncommittally “Do we get to learn how to fly brooms or is that something we have to do in our own time?”
“Yes, first years have lessons starting in mid September. We are not allowed to have our own brooms until second year though. This puts you at a disadvantage though, the school brooms are rather old.” Draco says with a sigh.
“Not to worry, we can get you over to my house over the summer and we can get you all trained up if you like it.” He says confidently. Harry’s chest warms at the way Draco is so sure they will be friends enough for that already.
“I would love that. Do your friends fly? You had mentioned that they’re sitting elsewhere?” Harry asks leaning back in his seat.
“Yes, they do fly but none of them are passionate about it. They fly for pleasure not sport. They do love riding horses with me though. My father has two abraxans he uses to pull his coaches. They are winged horses the size of a small elephant if you did not know. For riding we have four thoroughbreds. My friends often bring their own over as well. My personal horse is named denarius. I would love to teach you that skill as well. It is often used to gauge the strength of another for anything from business deals to political things.” Draco says with a smile. Harry can tell in his eyes that Draco loves his horses dearly.
“That sounds amazing. I don’t think I have ever seen a horse in person.” Harry says looking out the window with a blush. Realizing how much he has missed out on and how far behind he is on pureblood things is rather embarrassing. Just then a thought strikes him.
“Hey Draco, is you-” harry starts, but he is cut off when a red headed boy whips open the door to their compartment.
“I heard Harry Potter is on this train and I’ve been trying to find him. Are you him?” He asks looking at harry.
“How do you know it’s not him?” Harry asks tipping his head to Draco.
“Psh, that hair and those posh robes? Nah he is a Malfoy.” The boy says with obvious disdain.
“You are being quite rude for someone who doesn’t even know our names.” Harry says with a frown. He is glad his hair is covering his scar.
“Whatever he’s just a Malfoy, rotten sort they are. You should learn to keep better company. I doubt you’re potter though, he would never be friends with people like him.” The boy says sending them both a glare before leaving in a hurry.
“Well, that was rude on so many levels.” Harry scoffs.
“Yea, I have never even met him before. Although many people share that kind of opinion on my family.” Draco says looking down at his shoes.
“How about this, you and I will change peoples opinions. Not only about your family, but others like it. Slytherins too, they weren’t always seen as evil.” Harry says trying to bolster Dracos mood. Draco looks up at him with a mix of hope and awe in his eyes.
“That is what I have always dreamed of doing. I’m in. I need to introduce you to my friends. They would love to help too. If you get into Slytherin we will have to explain your true goals. Not to worry, whatever is said in the house stays in the house if it needs to.” Draco says with a wicked smile. Harry can almost see the plans writing themselves in his head and chuckles.
“Alright sounds good to me, now about what I was about to ask. What is your mother’s name?” He asks quietly nervous someone else will interrupt them. Draco looks taken aback at the question.
“Well, her name is Narcissa why?” He says slowly, clearly puzzled.
“She is my godmother. I’m not sure why but I was supposed to go to her in the event of my parents deaths. I thought about reaching out to her, but I have to admit I was scared that she knew about being my godmother and chose not to take me in.” Harry replies quietly.
“I can assure you nobody in my family knew. Im not sure who appointed her, your parents and mine were never close. Im not even sure they ever met. If you would like I can ask her about it. How did you find this out?” Draco asks.
“When I took my line test at the bank the parchment revealed it. I didn’t question the goblins on it as I had so many other questions.” Harry admits
“You should write to them to ask about your parents wills, if they had them, and who filed the papers to choose godparents. I don’t see my mother refusing to take you in. Even if your parents were on opposite sides of the war. By the way, that is true. I won’t openly admit that to anyone and will deny if asked, but they did support the dark lord. I can’t in good conscience become your friend without you knowing that.” Draco tells him.
“I appreciate your honesty. I did do some digging of my own but not much was available on known supporters of either side. I was also hard pressed to find out what both sides even supported. All I could find was that the war didn’t turn bloody until a handful of years before the night my parents died. I was hoping someone older at school would know. Do you think your mother might tell me one day? I’m quite sure that is not something to send through a letter.” Harry says sighing.
“If not my mother, my father would. He hasn’t told me much either due to my age. I think you being who you are might have him telling you anyways though. I think that one of us should send her a letter about you though. We don’t know what the future brings, it would be a good idea to have her in a position to take you in if you should need it again. At the very least she could give whoever you live with now a great deal of help. The books we have available about our society are a great help but having someone raised in it is even better.” He says.
The next interruption is much more appreciated, an elderly woman stops by with a food cart. Draco points out everything he thinks harry needs to try and they buy an overabundance of snacks. Draco moves over to his bench and they face each other with the snacks in the middle. Everytime he hands harry a new treat he demands not only a review but asks if there is a muggle equivalent. They keep their chatter lighthearted, and mostly food related and are mostly finished with their stockpile by the time they are warned it’s time to put on their blank school robes. As the journey comes to an end and as they are leaving the train, snacks in Harrys bag, they are somehow on the topic of the lack of wizard entertainment compared to muggles. They speak in whispers knowing that it’s a dicey topic to speak of muggles like there is something to be gained from them. Harry has nothing personal against them but understands the danger they pose to wizards. He thinks of the witch trials and shudders to think what the modern version would look like. Not to mention the harm muggleborns have done against the society with their refusal to learn about things and demanding the wizards change to accept them instead. He sees it as if tourists were to move en masse to a country where they don’t speak the language or know the culture and instead of making any effort to learn they demand the locals to change to their needs. It wouldn’t fly in the muggle world and it’s astonishing to him that it’s accepted here. They come to a stop in front of the largest man harry had ever seen. He has a massive beard and seemingly home-stiched clothes.
“First years! Over here!” The man bellows. Once the crowd of children stops growing he points to a path near the station.
“This way to the boats! Come along now! Don’t fall behind and stick together!” He says loudly. Once they reach the shore where there are at least a hundred small boats he lifts his large lantern.
“Alright first years! Two to a boat! If we have an odd number not to worry just make sure you end up in a boat!” He says before stepping into the largest one there.
Harry and Draco claim one, they giggle when another boat almost tips because they were startled when they started moving on their own. They are going down a river with trees on either side until they make a turn and open onto a large lake. It’s then harry gets his first look at Hogwarts and is blown away. The lights seen through the windows glitter like drops of molten gold, the deep midnight blue of the sky contrasting the sandy color of the stone, lit by the windows. It is also absolutely massive. Harry wonders if there used to be more students or something because the castle seems disproportionate to the student ranks. He looks over at Draco to see him also starry eyed.
“It’s so beautiful Harry.” He says softly. Harry hums in agreement. When they reach an alcove in the shore everyone stumbles off the boats. One kid unfortunately slips and has to be fished out. The giant man, Hagrid as he meekly introduces himself, embarrassed to have forgotten, tells the child that Professor Mcgonagall will dry him off inside. He then leads them into a small entrance hall and up a grand staircase. At the top is an older woman with a severe expression on her face.
“Welcome first years! I am professor Mcgonagall, shortly I will lead you into the great hall to be sorted into your houses. This is also where you will take all of your meals and where our assemblies take place. This will be the populations first impression of you all so take this time to smarten up. I will be back shortly.” She says pausing to dry the child who fell into the lake off. once she leaves with Hagrid all of the children start chatting.
“I heard Harry Potter is in our year!” One kid says loudly, he has dirty blonde hair.
“I heard that too but I looked over the whole train and couldn’t find him!” The red haired kid from the train says loudly.
“Probably hiding from you Weasley, wouldn’t want to get caught up in the riff raff.” A small brown haired kid laughs jostling Weasley in a friendly manner.
“Piss off Finnegan, if I’m riff raff so are you.” He says turning red. Before any more jabs can be spoken Professor Mcgonagall comes back and gestures for them all to follow her. Draco and Harry stick together while Draco’s friends close rank around them.
“See you made a new friend Draco.” A tall dark skinned boy whispers to them “hello my name is Blaise Zabini, nice to meet you.” He says giving Harry a smile. Before harry can speak the girl on his other side speaks up.
“Yes, hello, sorry for not introducing ourselves when we saw you guys earlier. My name is Pansy Parkinson. This here is Theodore Nott, but call him Theo.” She says nodding to the boy next to her with black hair. He just smiles and nods to harry obviously tense with nerves.
“Hello to you all as well. My name is Harry.” He whispers to them. Before they can ask his last name they are entering the great hall. The room is grand with four long tables filled with older students. Each table is wearing red, yellow, blue or green to signify their house. Having the whole room looking at them makes harry feel much more stressed than he expected. trying to avoid the stares he looks around as much as he can while walking not wanting to trip. There are thousands of floating candles above them giving the room a bright glow. He peaks at the ceiling and see’s it is in fact a replica of the night sky like he read about. Once they are at the front professor Mcgonagall clears her throat.
“Once I call your name you will come forward and sit on this stool. I will then place the sorting hat on your head and he will announce your house. Once he has done so you will join the proper table with haste. Let us begin! Abbot, Hannah!” She says beginning to read from her scroll. Harry zones out a bit not really paying attention, he does notice that the order is rather random. He perks up when Weasley gets sorted hopping he doesn’t get sorted into the same house. As the group starts getting smaller he can start to hear whispers about his name and if he really is there this year. After Draco and Theo are both sorted Slytherin harry’s name gets called. A wave of whispers go up as he sits on the stool. When the hat is placed on him it covers his eyes. He is glad for this because it gives a sense of privacy. He wasn’t prepared for the hat to speak to him in his mind though.
Hm what an interesting mind you have here lad.
I didn’t know you read my mind! Harry thinks with worry.
Don’t worry, all your secrets are still safe. I am only required to share what house I place you in not why.
Oh, okay. Do I get any say in which house? Harry thinks of the Slytherin table with Draco.
Yes some, I know you are expected to go to gryffindore as your parents did but I must say that would not suit you well at all. While you share some traits with that house others shine through much stronger. Such as your ambition to fix the hate against dark magic and to restore balance. Also the pride you have for your heritage. You must be careful with these both lad. There are many powerful people out there who would oppose you. But enough of that, you will learn soon enough. I have made my decision.
And with that the hat shouts “Slytherin!” Harry takes off the hat and hands it back to professor Mcgonagall. He sees a tense look in her eyes and quickly looks away. There is silence in the hall and he can feel all of the stares. But as he steps down and towards his table Draco starts clapping. The whole table soon joins in. Harry sits with a smile next to Draco and quietly thanks him. The rest of the sorting goes by quickly with the rest of their friends joining them at their table. Theo sighs in relief once he sits.
“I thought for sure I was going to be Ravenclaw. My father would have been very unhappy.” He said leaning his head on the table. Once the last child was sorted Dumbledore stood, Draco had pointed him out shortly after they gathered at the front of the hall. He had been staring at harry since he sat down and it made him feel uneasy. The leader of the light, focused so hard on him. He just wanted to learn, he was determined to do as his aunt said and just be a child.
“Welcome and welcome back students! A few words before we eat. The dark forrest is ,as ever, forbidden. I also want to remind those new and old that the whomping willow is not to be approached. As is the east corridor on the third floor, do not enter unless you wish for a slow painful death” He starts out, for some reason chuckling after the last bit. “ and finally the updated list of banned items can be found on Mr. Filches door.” He says before waving his hand. Suddenly the tables were filled with food. Harry looks around at the available offerings and is relieved to find things like cottage pie and all of the items to make up a roast dinner. He quickly fills a plate along with his fellow students and tucks in. He and his fellow first years are quietly listening to the older students quiet chatter and looking around the hall. Harry quickly observes that his table is the quiet one. All of the other tables are talking animatedly and shouting to each other and their friends. Once pudding is cleared Dumbledore rises to his feet again.
“Another successful welcome feast. Before you all depart I would like to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Mr Bartimus Crouch Jr. Some of you might know of his father who works in the ministry’s department of International co-operation. He has been traveling the world gaining both knowledge and experience so he could return with the highest qualifications to teach here. I look forward to seeing the students flourish under your tutelage.” He says with a smile to Mr Crouch jr. with that done he directs the prefects to lead each group of first years to their dorms. Harry follows Draco and the rest of the Slytherin first years (about 20 of them) down into the dungeons looking around and trying to remember the path they take. Once in front of a blank stretch of wall the prefects stop and turn to them.
“Alright firsties, this is the entrance to our common room. No other house has ever been inside and we would like to keep it that way. There is also no sharing common room passwords with other houses. During your first term the password will remain the same but after the new year the password will change every two weeks. New passwords will be pinned to the bulletin board inside near the door so make sure you make a habit of checking It now. The password for you will be silver beam. Come along inside now.” The male prefect says before herding them all inside. He lets them look around the commonroom just inside the door. Harry takes in the large space. It’s about a quarter of the size of the great hall. There are many fireplaces with couches, tables, and chairs around each one as well as a study section in the middle of just tables and chairs. There are also nooks with bookshelves and more private study tables. The room is lit with a mixture of lamps over the tables and a soothing green glow from a large window that looks into the lake they rode over to get to the castle. Harry can see fish and seaweed and other things even from across the room. Everything is in dark stained woods and what he assumes to be decadent leathers. Once the prefect is satisfied they have all seen enough he directs them to sit at the tables in the middle.
“Soon our head of house Professor Snape will be here to speak with you and go over the house rules. After my fellow prefect and I will answer any questions you have then it’s off to bed.” He says standing at the front. Harry looks over at Draco and his friends and sees them nod tiredly. He is feeling the exhaustion as well. It’s been a very long day. They don’t have to wait long for their head of house thankfully.
“Greetings first years, welcome to the noble house of Slytherin. I will keep this as short as possible as you have to wake early for classes tomorrow. Breakfast is served from 6am to 7:45am, lunch is noon to 1pm, and dinner is 7 to 8pm. Classes let out at 3pm for first and second years. This does not include your biweekly astronomy labs, those are held at 10:30pm to 11;45 on Saturdays. You will receive a map in the morning along with your schedule, be sure to use it. I also advise you not to share it with anyone outside of this house. As most of you already know the house of Slytherin is seen as evil by most other students. I can assure you this is not actually the case. You are capable of just as much good as any other student. We in Slytherin house are a family, as such do not be scared to approach any older students should you need help. Everyone sorted here has the right to be here, anything you may have heard outside of this room is not guaranteed to be the truth. I expect you all to get along. The other houses will most likely not be kind to you. For this reason I warn you against traversing these halls alone. There is to be absolutely no infighting outside of these rooms. We must uphold a strong face of house unity. To act against this is to shame all of us and you will be punished accordingly. To those who know the nights stars well, there are older students to guide you in your path. If you do not know of any my office is open to you for help. Now, off to bed. Your dorms are the first floor down the steps, ladies to the right, gentlemen to the left. Your names will be on the doors.” He says before turning to leave. Once he exits the first prefect boy stands again.
“Alright, if any of you have questions I will be over here for the next fifteen minutes. After that they must wait for tomorrow. The rest of you off to bed!” He says loudly over the scraping of chairs. Harry says goodnight to pansy before following Draco and the other two boys down the stairs. Once on the first year floor he sees a long hallway with doors on either side. There are two boys to a room. First they find Blaise and Theo’s room and say goodnight. A few doors down Draco and harry find they are roomed together. They only have the energy to smile tiredly at each other before they get ready for bed. Harry doesn’t even take in the room besides going through his trunk at the end of a fourposter bed and finding their en suite to brush his teeth and pull on his pajamas. He crawls into bed and is asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.