The Halls of the Serpent
On the far side of the lake, hidden from view and sheltered from the rain by a dark cave, was a stone wharf. Children were stepping off their boats and scurrying away from the edge, keeping to their groups of three and four. Tess scanned the other students, looking for more familiar faces. In the sea of black hats and cloaks, it was difficult tell one child from another. She put this off for later and stuck to her foursome, keeping as far away from Hagrid as they could.
The half-breed led them up into the castle, to a door, at which he passed the children off to Franz Gregor, the Deputy Headmaster. Tess heard Pauline whisper, "My letter came from him."
"He's Head of Slytherin House," whispered Rhiannon in return, "and a shoo-in to replace McGonagall when she passes on, which could be any minute now."
Gregor led them to a small room off the Great Hall, and then, momentarily, left. Now that they were inside, the hats were off, and Tess started recognizing more faces, though names were not coming quickly to her.
“Who’s that girl over there,” Tess whispered to Morwena. “The blond one.”
“Vanessa Ables. I used to live near her.”
“I think I was at a thing with her a few years back. She has an awful cackle.”
“Yes, she does. She’s very crass, too. I’ve never liked her.”
Tess watched Vanessa, standing alone, brushing her long blond hair with a slow, languid motion. She seemed to catch and hold the eye of everyone in the room. A few of the boys were completely mesmerized by her.
A dreadful thought hit Tess, and she whispered it to Morwena. "What if she lands in Slytherin?"
Morwena shrugged. "It's practically inevitable that she will. Her parents were both Slytherins. I know for a fact that she's not smart enough for Ravenclaw."
"Can you imagine her amongst the homely housewives of Hufflepuff?" The two girls giggled. "Maybe she'll be a Gryff," mused Tess.
"Don't count on it," said Morwena, firmly. "I haven't been."
Tess scanned the boys clustered at the far side of the room. Some, Mike Bendrix for one, was still gazing avidly at Vanessa. Others had moved on and were talking amongst themselves. A few boys were now casting looks towards Tess and her friends. Which witch? I wonder.
Gregor returned and led them into the Great Hall. They stood in two lines, girls in front and boys behind. The first name called was Vanessa Ables, and she went promptly to Slytherin.
Tess sighed, and Morwena gave her hand a quick squeeze. "We'll manage," Morwena whispered.
Calliope was next. She quickly got her wish as well - the first new Ravenclaw. Tess was not sad to be separated from her bossy, know-it-all cousin. Her new friends would do just fine.
Of the foursome, Tess was the first name called. "Covenshire, Tesserach." Oh Lord, are they going to call me that for the next seven years? She calmly stepped out of line, walked to the stool and put on the hat. "Hmm," the hat whispered in her ear. "Another easy choice." Louder, it called out, "Slytherin!"
She walked to the Slytherin table to polite applause. There was no choice but to sit next to Vanessa. "Hullo, Tess," said the girl, smugly. “Didn’t we meet at a party a while back?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Do you think Felwich will join us.”
“Count on it,” said Tess.
A few more names ticked by. Finally, Morwena Felwich was called. She had opened her coat, displaying her lovely emerald dress. There was no question in anyone's mind where this little witch was headed.
The hat called out, "Slytherin!" and Morwena took her place on Tess' other side. The two girls shared a warm smile.
As Calliope had predicted, Lara Guishar went to Hufflepuff. Next in line, her best friend Stacy Hind followed suit. "So loyal," remarked Tess. "I thought Stacy might go to Ravenclaw."
When Professor Gregor intoned, "Langlet, Pauline," there was a moment of tension. Will it go according to plan? Will the Hat cooperate? Pauline calmly walked to the stool and sat down. Tess watched her mouth the word "Slytherin." A second later, the hat echoed her.
"Three for three," whispered Morwena. "One more and we'll have the set."
Pauline sat on Morwena's right. Morwena gave her a quick hug. A few minutes later, Rhiannon MacDougal made it five First Year Slytherin witches. A powerful magical number, thought Tess.
On the other side of the table were three First Year boys, and Tess knew them all by sight. Cyrus Kane came from a long line of Slytherins. Tess thought that they, too, were vaguely related to one another, somewhere on her mother's line.
Tess had not spent much time with Cyrus, but she had seen enough to know he was a bit of a misogynist, an unfortunate trait common to Slytherin boys. He was a handsome young boy, if a little smug. He sat between his friend Spencer Osgood and a tall chubby Third Year named Magnus Stainton.
On Spencer's other side was a short, sly looking boy that Tess had seen at social functions before, but never spoken to. As she reached for his name, the boy smiled and said, "Morwena, Tess, no surprises there. Good to see you both."
Morwena smiled demurely and said, "Hello, Umberto. It's good to see you, too."
So, this is Umberto Calais, thought Tess. The boy Morwena thinks could be Head Boy someday.
Umberto remarked, "You've got quite a coven going there, Morwena."
"Five girls," answered Morwena. "A powerful magical number."
Umberto nodded. "One more boy, and we'll make nine First Year Slytherins. Another strong number."
Tess looked to the line. There were only a few students left to be sorted. But, just then, tall thin Gordon Sumner was sorted to Slytherin. He walked to the table and sat on the end, next to Umberto. Cyrus and Spencer reluctantly made room for the newcomer.
Tess gave the line one more look. A short brunette and a tawny-haired boy were all that were left. "The girl is Sadie Thompson," said Umberto. "She'll go to Ravenclaw."
Just as he said that, Professor Gregor called her name, and Sadie took her place on the stool. "Ravenclaw!" said the hat.
"How do you know her?" asked Morwena.
"She's been living in the States these last few years," said Umberto, "but she's English. I knew her when we were younger."
"I don't know the boy," said Tess.
"Nor do I," said Umberto. Morwena also shook her head.
The hat took its time placing Liam Wren. Tess studied him as he sat. Handsome and confident. Another Gryff? But, no. The hat placed him in Hufflepuff. I guess I'm not as good at this game as Cal and Umberto. But then again, I don't know him.
Morwena had come to the same conclusions. "From his walk, I would have put him in Gryffindor. He didn't seem to mind going last, either."
"Maybe that was what the pause was all about," said Umberto. "The hat had trouble placing him. Still, I'm glad he didn't go to Gryffindor. They already have five boys, and there's only four of us. This Wren would have made it six to four. Not good odds."
"Nobody over there is worth a Knut," said Cyrus. "I could take all five of them by myself." Tess gave him a patronizing smile that was meant to shut him up. It didn't. "That Hufflepuff's nothing, too, I bet. Probably a stinking Mudblood."
"Careful with your language, Cyrus," said Morwena, sternly. "Times are changing. You can get into trouble for saying words like that. Even here in Slytherin."
Cyrus gave a dismissive huff. Blake Preston said, "Hush, you two, the Headmistress is going to speak." Blake was the boy Fifth Year Prefect. Tess knew this by his silver Prefect badge, and by the way he kept a sharp eye on the First Year boys. Otherwise, he was thin and dark-haired. Without his badge, he would have been indistinguishable from the other older boys.
McGonagall was blessedly brief, for they were all hungry. The food came, and they tucked right in. There was only a short respite, however, before Cyrus' next boast. "I've got an exotic wand. It's got the heartstring of a Madagascan Red in it. Can knock anybody flat. Just wait til I start my practicals."
"Isn't boasting about one's wand a little crass?" asked Vanessa. "I always thought it was a bit like boasting how long one's p_s was."
"Watch your mouth young lady," snapped Blake.
Vanessa looked unperturbed by the reprimand. There seemed to be a warmth and a light coming from her, an aura that strengthened the more people were paying attention. Sitting by her, Tess felt it acutely.
She was not the only one affected by it, either. All down the table, boys started craning their necks to get a better look at the beautiful new girl. One of the boys leaned forward and said, "Fine group of lasses we have this year. Let old Hornby know if you need help with your homework."
The girl Prefect was Rebecca Gallstone, tall, with pale skin and dark brown hair and eyes. She was from Tess' village, but Tess had never spoken to her. Rebecca stood and snapped, "Stay away from my First Years, Hornby, or I'll turn you into a toad!"
"I'm not afraid of you, Beck," the boy replied calmly.
"Well, you should be! And, don't call me Beck as if I'm . . . ."
Just then, a Seventh Year boy called out, "Save your lover's quarrel for later, please! We're trying to eat."
Rebecca sat down once more, a deep blush on her pale skin.
Blake turned to Pauline and said, "I didn't recognize your family name. What was it again?"
"Langlet," answered Pauline. There was a hint of an accent in her voice now that was definitely not there earlier. "My family is French."
"I see. Why didn't you go to Beauxbatons?"
Pauline sat up a little straighter and stared down the older boy. "Of course, I was accepted at Beauxbatons, but Hogwarts is so much more prestigious, don't you think?"
God, this girl is good, thought Tess. Under the table, Morwena gave her a gentle pat on the thigh. The two girls shared a smile, and Morwena nodded in approval.
Magnus, meanwhile, was having a go at Gordon Sumner. "Oi, Sumner. Don't recognize your family name!"
"If you're calling me by it," answered Gordon, dryly, "you must know it already."
"Don't get smart with me! I know a Mudblood when I smell one. You're in Slytherin House! Don't you forget it!"
"Ease off, Stainton," said Blake. "Sumner's welcome here, same as the rest of them."
Umberto said calmly, "Sumner's what we call 'New Blood,' these days. Something this House sorely needs."
So, thought Tess, like Morwena, Umberto has taken a Muggleborn under his wing. But unlike us, he's doing it openly. A brave move, and a dangerous one, especially for Gordon.
Magnus grimaced, while Cyrus and Spencer snickered to each other. The lines had been drawn between the four boys. They had split, two and two, into separate camps.
After dinner, the Prefects led the First Year students out into the Entrance Hall. They waited for the older students to go ahead of them. Tess looked to her left and saw another group going through a different door. “Who are they?” she whispered, to Morwena.
Morwena didn’t answer, but Rebecca said, “Those are the Hufflepuffs.”
The line cleared. Rebecca led the girls through the doorway. It led to a narrow passageway, and a steep set of stone steps going straight down. Tess pulled in a deep breath and followed closely behind her prefect. Morwena was behind her, and the other girls followed. Behind Rhiannon was Cyrus Kane and the other boys. Blake took up the lead.
Finally, they reached level ground, a stone floor in a seemingly empty corridor. When they were all assembled, Blake called out to the group, “Now, before you enter, you all need to know the new password. It changes every fortnight. Currently, the password is 'Ambition.'"
Gordon protested immediately. "What kind of password is that? It's too easy, if you ask me. Anyone could guess it and get in here."
"Nobody would dare," scoffed Cyrus. "They'd get trounced as soon as they stepped inside."
"Potter did it once, I'm told," said Umberto. "Used polyjuice potion."
Cyrus laughed derisively. "I don't believe half the things they say Potter did. Flying a car to school, breaking into Ministry, into Gringotts. Poppy-cock if you ask me."
"All right, hush you two," said Blake. To Umberto, he added, "I'd keep mum about Potter in here, if I were you. This is Slytherin House, after all."
With a haughty voice, Blake called out, "Ambition!" The stone door swung open, and the prefects quickly ushered the children inside. Tess saw a long gloomy hallway illuminated by an eerie, greenish light flickering in the chandeliers above. Ahead of then was a grand fireplace.
Rebecca said, "The girls’ dormitories and showers are off to the left, while the boys’ rooms are on the right. And ladies, don't worry about a boy trying to spy on you when you're in the shower. It's quite impossible, even with polyjuice potion," she added with a sly look at Umberto.
Vanessa asked, "What about the other direction. Is it impossible for a girl to get into the boys’ dormitories?"
"You are not allowed on that side either," said Rebecca sternly.
"But is it impossible?" pressed Vanessa.
"Hush!" said Rebecca. "No more foolish questions."
"Let's give them a little tour, shall we?" said Blake. He led them up to a passage a little way from where they were standing. "Don't worry," he said, "the entrance to the boys’ dormitories is up a little further, and you can't get into them from this passage." He led the four boys into the corridor. The five girls followed, with Rebecca taking up the rear.
The first stop of the tour was an alcove with a couple of bookshelves, lined with books. All the books had tiny glowing lights on the spine, in different colors, blue, yellow, white, green and orange. A few chairs were pushed out of the walkway, and there was a small table, too. "This is our own personal library, Slytherins only," said Blake. "The First Year books are marked with those orange dots. The blue dots mark books appropriate for Second Year, maroon for Third Year. Yellow is for Fourth Year. White is for Fifth, and Green is, of course, for NEWT level books. I don't want to see you touching any of those."
They moved on. The corridor widened, and along each wall were photographs and glass cases. "This is our Quidditch Hall of Fame," said Blake.
Featured prominently was a large portrait of Draco Malfoy. Cyrus went right up to it with an avid gaze. "Now here's a true wizard," he said. "Not a drop of Muggle blood for ten generations. Never a squib in all that time either."
"How would you know?" asked Umberto. "Those things are usually covered up."
"I know 'cause I'm related to him. And, I've seen him fly. He was the best!"
"But look at his record!" pressed Umberto. "Barely over five hundred. Is that all it takes to make the Hall?"
"He was the best Seeker Slytherin ever had!"
"Though, he never could beat . . ." Umberto paused to let the name 'Potter' pop into everybody's heads before finishing with a sly . . . "He Who Must Not Be Named."
"Good Lord!" exclaimed Blake. "Don't call him that!" The boy prefect hurriedly escorted the boys out of the Hall.
The girls lingered, however, browsing through the pictures and displays of broomsticks and captured Snitches. Tess quietly reflected upon something that she had never really understood.
Why do otherwise respectable women go absolutely gaga over Quiddtich players? Everyone keeps telling me I'll understand when I'm older, but I'm eleven and a half now. How much older do I have to be?
Yes, a boy like Malfoy was handsome enough, but he had such a sneering smile. He doesn't look like he'd be very good company.
There were pictures of Beaters and Keepers, with black eyes and surly expressions. Trolls, the lot of them.
The other girls had left the hall. Tess was on her way to join them when the last picture in the line caught her eye. It was smaller than the others, only five inches by seven, of a boy with brown hair and brown eyes, a look of triumph on his face as he held aloft a Snitch. I suppose I could fall in love with a boy like that, she mused. He has some substance to him, not a spindly jockey like so many Seekers I've seen.
Tess took note of the caption. "Highcross leads an All-Hogwarts team to victory over Beauxbatons, July 13th 1992." Well done.
She took one last look at the photo. The boy gazed back at her. Suddenly, his face lit up with a look of immense joy. Blood rushed to Tess’ cheeks, and she turned away.
Morwena had circled back for her. “Tess, come one. You’re going to get lost.”
A tall figure blocked out the light of the nearest torch, and a deep voice said, “Old Highcross caught your eye, did he?”