Chapter 5. Rules and Common Rooms
The Slytherin table erupted in applause, some mocking the Gryffindors, stealing the famous Harry Potter (the presumed Griffindor champion). He made his way to the table and sat down. The collar of his robes, tie and waistcoat became an emerald green. The Slytherin crest became embroidered onto his chest. A hand was extended to him from the boy on the opposite side of the table.
“Theodore Nott.”
The boy in front of him had curly brown hair and beautiful blue eyes. His aura was a dark blue and extremely calming. The rings on Harry’s left hand seemed to glow in acknowledgement of the other boy, whose ring on his hand also seemed to glow. Multiple voices entered his head, whispering into his mind.
‘Heir of Nott.”
Theodore raised an eyebrow before speaking. “Peverell, Potter, and Black. A lord in two houses before even entering Hogwarts, impressive.” Hadrian immediately looked down to his right hand, the Slytherin and Grindlewald rings were still hidden from sight. He concluded that if he asked the rings to be hidden then they would be non-existent to anyone but him. Another 1st year sat down next to him, whose aura was deep green with a seductive feel.
“Blaise Zabini.”
As they shook hands the voices came again.
‘ Heir of Zabini.”
Harry’s attention snapped to Dumbledore who began a speech, which to him sounded like a bunch of utter nonsense ending with a suspicious warning about the 3rd floor. None of Harry’s reading had prepared him for an honest-to-goodness feast materializing before him. He had never seen so much food in his entire life, due to fending for himself for so long, so Harry didn’t hesitate to fill his plate with a variety of offerings. He loaded his plate with a generous helping of vegetables and roast chicken and was about to bite down when someone interrupted him.
“So, you're the famous Harry Potter, right?”
He looked up and saw the boy who was fighting with a Weasley earlier. Draconius Malfoy.
“Um, I guess. But I prefer Hadrian.” Draco looked at him in awe, which seriously creeped him out.
“You don’t look like a Potter.” The interruption came from Blaise, who was analysing him with a calculating gaze.
“No, I don’t. According to Professor Snape and a few healers, it’s a side-effect of surviving the killing curse, looking like a living corpse.” Harry and Severus came up with that cover to explain his appearance. It wasn’t like anyone could prove him wrong.
“Sorry about them, too nosey for their own good. That’s Draco Malfoy, you know Blaise. Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Lorenzo Berkshire, Millicent Bulstrode, Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson.” While speaking, Theodore gestured to all the other first-year Slytherins, who seemed to all know each other. Harry nodded in greetings.
After a few minutes, the table was cleared, and the headmaster bade them all goodnight. Two older students wearing badges called over the first year, introducing themselves as fifth-year perfects Gemma Farley and Maxen Travers. As they all began shuffling down the corridors into the dungeon, Hadrian quickly drank a nutrition potion that Snape had given him (Severus forced him onto a strict potion and exercise regimen until his body became ‘moderately healthy’). The group stopped in front of a wall. After Gemma called out the password Basilisk, a large metal snake protruded from the ground revealing a door.
The Slytherin common room was beautiful. The room seemed cavernous, with carved stone resembling Gothic architecture with serpent details. Large windows with seats attached were on the opposite wall looking out into the depths of the Black Lake, filling the room with a soft glow and reflections of the water casting onto the walls that had a few portraits of regal people on them. Plush emerald rugs were laid on the stone floor. There were numerous elegant velvet armchairs and couches dotted around. Tables of dark wood, perfectly polished accompanied them. A few shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient books, some held a magical aura. Large, crackling fireplaces warmed the room. The magic felt serpentine and made Seraphina feel at home.
“Alright first years, gather round and listen up, welcome to Slytherin House. Our head of house is Potions Master Severus Snape Boys dormitories are on the south wall, to your left, and girls dormitories are on your right.” Gemma points to another staircase, “This leads towards the study area. You are welcome to make use of the resources there while working on homework and personal projects but the books are not allowed to leave the room. This end staircase is access to Professor Snape’s office. In addition to his public office hours, he holds additional hours in the evenings and on the weekends for members of his house.” as they moved further into the room they stopped by a large corkboard. “This is the bulletin board. The large section on the left is for student-led announcements such as; study groups, the quidditch schedule, party announcements, clubs and lots of other similar stuff. The section on the right is notifications for the whole house; like exam schedules, and messages from Professor Snape. You will also find the password to the common room here. It changes every two weeks. Do not give it out or write it down. If you cannot remember, find a housemate or one of the Slytherin Prefects. Students who are not members of Slytherin are not allowed in the common room.”
The sound of the common room door opening sounds out as Professor Snape walks up to the group of first years.
“Welcome student. I am Professor Severus Snape of the House of Prince. I am the Head of Slytherin House as well as the school's Potion Master. Now as many of you will know our House has a biased reputation. So for your own protection, it is best to go around in groups as some students from other houses have a pension for casting spells at the younger students as they go between classes. This House also has several rules you must follow. First off while I understand that you may not like everyone in the house, all feuds and issues are to be dealt with in-house, it is imperative that we keep a united front. I have no problems with you causing some chaos but if you get caught and earn any type of punishment from another member of staff, you will serve that punishment with me. I also conduct year physicals on all students with the assistance of Madam Pomfrey. These are mandatory. Lights out is at ten and I will give you your schedules in the morning. Good night.”
Severus’ cape flowed behind him as he walked away. Travers led him through the boy's dormitories to his room, which he got all to himself.
The room was huge with a double four-poster bed with green curtains that was in front of a large window. To the left was a wardrobe with an extendable cham, an ornate full-length mirror and a desk with an empty bookshelf hanging above. On the right was a fireplace and an armchair. The room came with an en suite, that had dark green tiles covering the walls. Inside was a toilet and a cabinet that hung over the sink. The bath was large enough to lie down in and had some type of magical shower that was practically a rainfall over you.
Hadrian was overwhelmed by the luxury of this place. He was used to sleeping on a shoddy old mattress and sneaking into gyms to take a shower. He placed his trunk at the foot of his bed and changed into some enchanted silk pyjamas he got from Twilfitt and Tattings. The soft duvet surrounded Harry in warmth as he climbed in. Seraphina slithered out from his neck and onto his pillow.
You seem happy, hatchling
He sleepily smiled at the snake.
Very.