Chapter 5
"Well!" Albus said brightly, hiding his irritation. "There have been several changes to our staff since last year, so bear with me.
"Professor Kettleburn, our previous Care of Magical Creatures instructor, has retired, and replacing him will be Professor Grubbly-Plank."
The woman nodded tersely. Albus waited until the polite applause died down.
"Mr. Filch, our previous caretaker, has been replaced with Mr. Gordon White."
The cheers were much louder this time, and Gordon grinned at the students.
"Our dear Professor Quirrell has decided to retire as well," Albus continued, smiling, "and in his place we have Professor Lockhart."
Lockhart jumped out of his seat and waved at the students, grinning brightly. There were several shrieks of glee among the cheers. Albus noticed that several girls fainted.
Once the noise died down, Albus continued. "Our Divination Professor, Sybill Trelawney, is no longer with us, and has been replaced by her half-brother, Onyx Trelawney-White -- who is also Gordon White's brother-in-law."
More applause. Onyx's black eyes watched the crowd, and Albus noticed that the man gave a tiny nod to one of the new Ravenclaws.
Albus cleared his throat. "Our own Madam Pomfrey has been given two assistants, Mrs. Andromeda Tonks Nee Black and Miss May Weeks."
May smiled warmly at the students. Andromeda just nodded sharply.
"Our History of Magic Professor, Cuthbert Binns, has decided to move on to the next life," Albus said mildly, "and in his place we have Professors Remus and Sirius Lupin-Black."
Sirius' grin was just as wide as Gordon's, and he waved over-dramatically at his charges. Remus sighed in exasperation.
"ALL HAIL THE MARAUDERS!" Fred and George yelled dramatically, earning cackles from Harlequin Potter-Black.
Minerva smacked her face, earning more laughter.
Albus chuckled and raised a hand, causing silence. "Such eagerness! One would think none of you miss Professor Binns."
There were several snorts of derision.
"Madam Pince, our librarian, has been replaced by Max Trelawney-White, Professor Trelawney-White's husband."
Polite applause that turned to laughter when Max grinned at them. Max and his brother were both kind and mischievous. Albus frowned when he heard several snide comments about the two gay couples, but he said nothing.
"Professor McGonagall is no longer my deputy headmistress," Albus added, "but Professor Sinistra is.
"Those wishing to know when Quidditch trials begin will speak to their House's Captain," Albus finished. "And Mr. Gordon White has changed the list of banned items, if anyone would like to go and check that."
He clapped his hands together with a smile. "Well! I won't keep you from your warm beds any longer. Goodnight!"
"Welcome to Slytherin," said Gemma Farley warmly. "I'm Gemma Farley, the Queen of Slytherin's Court."
"I'm Gordon Farley, the King," her twin added.
"Slytherin's Court is a group of students who are in charge of making our rules and protecting us from those who hate our House," Gemma said patiently. "You will be expected to follow our rules, which are fairly easy to follow, don't worry. At the end of the week, you need to choose one of the first years that you trust to enforce these rules and protect you. They won't be part of the Court, but an extension."
"Professor Snape will introduce the rules of Slytherin," said Gordon.
Severus swooped into view, again startling half the students. "Welcome to Slytherin," he said coolly. "I am Professor Severus Snape, or Potions Master Prince.
"Slytherin has very few rules, but they are incredibly important for your well-being. The other three Houses are much less antagonistic towards our House-" he nodded gratefully towards Harrison, who dipped his head in acknowledgement "-but that does not mean that no student hates Slytherins simply for being Slytherins.
"The first rule is that you do not travel around the school alone. You will stay with your friends or your year-mates. A Slytherin on their own is more likely to be attacked than a group.
"The second rule is that any fighting stays in-House. If you have an issue with a fellow Slytherin, tell your year-head or one of the Slytherin Prefects. Outside of the common room, you will treat your fellow Slytherins with courteousness.
"The third rule is that, outside of the common room, you will not use the word 'Mudblood.'"
Four of the first-years protested, but they stopped when they realized no one else was protesting.
"I do not care what you say inside the common room," Severus continued, "but you will treat the other Houses with polite respect. If you have an issue with someone based on the circumstances of their birth or class, keep it to yourself. If you have a true issue with someone -- if they hurt you verbally, magically, or physically -- you will tell a Prefect.
"These are the rules of Slytherin," Severus finished. "The breaking of these rules will result in detention, as will the breaking of any school rules. I will only take points from Slytherin if more than one of you makes the same mistake." He left the room with barely a nod in Harrison's direction.
"The school rules are simple, as well," Gemma said. "Don't use magic in the corridors unless it's an emergency, don't hex or curse your fellow students, and wear your school uniform unless it's a Hogsmeade weekend or Yule break. Are there any questions?"
Harley raised his hand, and Ron, Draco, and Blaise were immediately alarmed. Harrison shot Harley a warning look.
"Yes, Mr. Potter-Black?"
"Are the boys allowed to wear the girl's uniform, your Queeniness?" Harley chirped, earning giggles and snorts.
Gemma's lips twitched. "Yes, as long as it follows the uniform guidelines."
Ginny Weasley raised her hand. When Gemma called on her, she said quietly, "Does that mean the girls can wear the boy's uniform, ma'am?"
"Yes," Gemma agreed. "Are there no other questions? No? Then I suggest getting to bed, we usually try to get everyone to breakfast by seven thirty."
"Ugh," Ron complained as he stared at their schedule. "We don't have any of the new teachers today! Double Potions? Blech."
"Severus isn't that bad," Harrison said blankly, scanning his own schedule. "We don't have Lockhart until Friday, thank Merlin."
"That's easy for you to say," Ron retorted good-naturedly. "He likes you, Harley, and Draco."
The Slytherin second years headed down to the Potions classroom. Harrison, Harley, Draco, Blaise, and Ron were in the lead, followed by Davis, Rookwood, Bulstrode, Greengrass, and Parkinson; Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle were at the back, Nott shooting the other two boys frustrated looks.
Harrison groaned quietly when he saw Lockhart chatting with an infuriated Severus outside the potions classroom. The Ravenclaws were also there, most of them looking dreamily at the Defense professor. "Well, hello, there!" Lockhart beamed at the Slytherins. "I was just telling Professor Snape the proper way to brew a Love Potion, but don't think I'm better at Potions than he is!"
"Lockhart," Severus said sharply, "don't you have a class to teach?"
"Yes, of course, I just wanted to have a word with Harry here," Lockhart said affably.
"I don't believe I gave you permission to call me that, Professor Lockhart," Harrison said blankly, but with a slight note of ice. Most of the second-years looked startled, and Hermione looked worried.
"Oh, there's no need to be scared, Har-"
"My name is Mr. Potter-Black, to you, Professor," Harrison said again, his eerie green eyes locked on the man.
Lockhart seemed to get the hint and said quickly, "Yes, of course, Mr. Potter-Black, don't want you to be uncomfortable! You wouldn't mind terribly having a word with me, though?"
"I would mind, yes," Harrison said coolly. "Excuse us, Professor."
Blaise followed Harrison past the man and into the Potions classroom. A moment later, Severus entered, the Ravenclaws following.
"We will be pairing you up with the opposite House again," Severus said sharply. "Stand up and walk to the back."