Twisted Fascination

The door swung open at once.

A tall, black-haired witch stood there, her robes an emerald green color. Combining her neat attire with her stern expression, she was clearly a strict woman. She was also someone to not cross, or at least take lightly.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said as if such a thing weren't obvious.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here," the woman said before pulling the door wide open.

The entrance hall to the castle was so big, the Dursley's entire house could fit in there. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to properly make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing us led to upper floors. There, on the left of that staircase was another one, though that one was stone and went down into the rocky cliff below. On a doorway to the right, there was a great clatter, meaning the rest of the school was already assembled there.

We followed McGonagall across the flagged stone floor and past the hall to a small, empty chamber. We crowded in, standing closer than normally socially accepted, peering around nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," McGonagall said, "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts."

My nose wrinkled up a bit, and I secretly hoped that she didn't mean the Dursley kind of family. I'd have to leave Hogwarts immediately if that were the case.

"You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room," she stated, making it quite clear that they expected people to suddenly be thick-as-thieves just because of an old ceremony. "The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history, and each qhas produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours."

Obviously, I thought, a little sarcastically at that, Does she really have to talk down to us as if we are little children?

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while waiting." Her eyes lingered at the fastening of the toad-owner's cloak, which was under his left ear instead of perfectly aligned with the middle of his body. She also looked at some ginger's freckled nose, which had dirty or something smudged all over it. "I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." She left the chamber behind, leaving us to fend for ourselves.

"How exactly do they sort us into Houses?" A nearby Harry asked the freckled ginger worriedly.

"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking," the ginger answered.

Several people suddenly screamed loudly.

I nearly jolted before whipping my head around. I blinked once, my mind quickly coming to the conclusion that I was staring at ghosts, and not just two or three.

Twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly white and slightly transparent, they talked to each other, hardly glancing at us. They were obviously having a heated discussion about something, so I decided to eavesdrop.

What looked to be a fat little monk was saying, "Forgive and forget, I say. We ought to give him a second chance-"

"My dear Friar," the ghost in a ruff and tights said gently, but firmly, "Haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name, and, you know, he's not really even a ghost - I say, what are you all doing here?"

Nobody answered, so I stepped up to the plate. "We were told to stay here before the Sorting Ceremony commenced."

"New students!" The Fat Friar exclaimed happily as he smiled at us brightly. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old House, you know."

"Move along now," McGonagall said sharply from where she stood in the doorway of the chamber. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.

"Now, form a line," the woman directed, "And follow me."

Feeling surprisingly calm, I got in line between Zabini and some girl who I didn't recognize.

We walked from the chamber, back across the large entrance hall, and in through the double doors to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was lit by thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four, long tables, which the other students occupied many seats. On these tables laid glittering golden plates and goblets, and the silverware appeared to be, well, made of silver.

At the top of the hall was another large table that sat the professors and Hagrid.

McGonagall led us first-years up there so that we came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind us.

I stared at all the faces and saw an arrow of emotions on the faces - excitement, disinterest, and glee to name a few.

These hundred faces staring back at us students seemed rather pale in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there amongst the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. No student actually sat near the ghost, but rather made space for them to simply exist without infringing upon their own morality.

I glanced up toward the candles again, only to see the sky past it. It appeared to be a velvet black with stars littered here and there, but I knew it wasn't actually the sky based on the temperature of the room and how close those stars seemed.

"It bewitched to look like the sky outside," that bushy-haired girl from earlier said. "I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

Fascinating, I thought sarcastically, Do you have no life outside of books?

McGonagall placed a four-legged stool in front of us first-years. On top of the stool, she put the single oldest thing I had ever seen in my life.

The hat, or so it was probably supposed to be, didn't look like it got used in the past five years, not to mention it was torn and patched up and probably filthy if the stains were anything to go by.

I waited for the next set of instructions to come, but I quickly took notice of a tear in the hat beginning to twitch and move.

Soon, the rest of the hat joined in, causing the hat to practically jump to life. Naturally, like any sentient hat, it decided to sing.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see.

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on, and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart.

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart.

You might belong in Hufflepuff

Where they are just and loyal.

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil.

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning

Always find their kind. 

Or perhaps in Slytherin,

You'll make your real friends.

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So, put me on! Don't be afraid,

And don't get in a flap.

You are in safe hands (though I have none).

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song.

It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

"So we've just got to try on the hat!" The freckled ginger whispered rather loudly to my brother. "I'll kill Fred. He was going on about wrestling a troll."

I internally snorted at the gullible fool.

I mean, a troll, really? When we knew no magic and/or any way to save ourselves? Ridiculous…

McGonagall stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah."

A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell over her eyes, and sat down on the stool.

There was a moment's pause.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouted.

The table on the far right cheered and clapped as Abbott went to sit down at the table.

The Fat Friar waved to her cheerfully as she did so.

"Bones, Susan!"

A red-haired girl quickly rushed up to the hat and put it on eagerly.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouted once more.

Bones beamed in pride as she went over to sit next to Abbott.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

This time, the table second from the left clapped.

Several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Boot as he joined them.

"Brocklehurst, Mandy!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Brown, Lavender!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The table on the far left exploded in cheers.

"Bulstrode, Millicent!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

Unlike the other houses, the Slytherins weren't screaming with enthusiasm. They all clapped, obviously, but they didn't whistle or holler like the other annoying Houses.

"Corner, Michael!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Cornfoot, Stephen!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Crabbe, Vincent!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Davis, Tracey!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Entwhistle, Kevin!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Finnegan, Seamus!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Finch-Flechely, Justin!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat decided after thinking for a moment.

"Finnegan, Seamus!"

The sandy-haired boy next to Harry went up to the stool and placed the hat on his head.

The hat in question pondered for a whole minute before deciding, "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Goldstein, Anthony!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Goyle, Gregory!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Granger, Hermione!"

The rude bushy-haired girl from the train basically sprinted up to the stool before jamming the hat on her head.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The freckled boy next to Harry groaned.

"Greengrass, Daphne!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Hopkins, Wayne!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Jones, Megan!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Li, Sue!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Longbottom, Neville!"

The boy who had lost and found his toad went over to the hat, though he tripped on his way there. He put the hat on, and said that stalled around for a while.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Neville gave a massive sigh of relief before carrying himself halfway over to the Gryffindor table before returning. He handed the hat back to McGonagall before jogging over to the Gryffindor table once more.

"MacDougal, Morag!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Macmillan, Ernest!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Malfoy, Draco!"

Malfoy all but swaggered over to the stall when his name was called.

The hat barely touched his head when it yelled out, "SLYTHERIN!"

Malfoy went over to Goyle and Crabbe, looking quite pleased with himself.

"Malone, Roger!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Moon, Lily!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Nott, Theodore!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Opie, Leanne!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Parkinson, Pansy!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Patil Padma!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Patil Parvati!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Perks, Sally-Anne!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Potter, Colton!"

I calmly walked forward and sat down on the stool, ignoring the whispers that broke out amongst the students.

The hat was placed on my head, and a whisper in my ear followed. "Hmmm… Interesting. Very interesting, indeed. There's a thirst for knowledge, knowledge about things that have long since been taboo to discuss. You also have quite a bit of talent and the ambition to achieve your goals. With this, I'd have to say… SLYTHERIN!"

I took the hat off as the Slytherin table clapped as politely and calmly as before. I didn't bother looking at the rest of the tables, dismissing them for the moment as unimportant.

An older boy stood up and extended his hand toward me once I reached the table. "Potter, it's a pleasure to have you."

I gave a charming smile. "Thank you. I look forward to this."

He nodded once before releasing my hand.

I went back to where the other first years were sitting and glanced up just in time for the hat to make its decision on my brother.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted, causing cheers to thunder to the ceiling from the House in question.

"As I suspected," I mused as I stared at my brother with a bit of disdain.

He shakily walked toward, looking relieved and a bit grateful.

Percy the Prefect stood up to eagerly shake my brother's hand while everyone at the Gryffindor table seemingly lost their minds about having the Boy-Who-Lived in their House.

"Rivers, Oliver!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Roper, Sophie!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Runcorn, Rachelle!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Smith, Sally!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Thomas, Dean!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Turpin, Lisa!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Weasley, Ronald!"

The freckled boy who had been muttering to my brother looked a pale green as he walked up to the stool. He was allowed under the hat.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Weasley looked immensely relieved as he took off the hat and went over to the Gryffindor table where his brothers were cheering loudly for him.

"Zabini, Blaise!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

McGonagall, having finished with her list of names, rolled up the parchment and took the sorting hat and stool away.

Albus Dumbledore took that moment to stand up and beam at us from his spot in the middle of the head table. He held his arms out wide as if nothing pleased him more than to see us all there. He appeared grandfatherly in a way that put me a bit on edge. He was obviously not one to be trusted.

I quickly glanced at the other professors and counted a fair many of them.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore said loudly, "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Oddment! Blubber! Tweak! Thank you!" He sat back down.

The other tables all cheered, but the Slytherins merely clapped politely.

I made sure to blend in, but I was a bit confused about his words.

Was he trying to make himself seem like a fool? For what reason would he do that?

I quickly compartmentalized my thoughts as food appeared.

The other Slytherin were rather calm and collected as they began to serve themselves and pass along dishes.

I followed in, serving myself some roast beef and gravy before adding in some mashed potatoes and corn. I then simply passed along various dishes until everyone seemed pleased and began to eat their food. I made a mental note that everyone seemed to have rather proper table manners and made sure to use my own.

"I believe you are the first Potter in several centuries to be placed outside of Gryffindor," a ghost said to me in a rather curt tone of voice. This ghost was wearing a large wig and had what seemed to be silver blood covering his chest. He also wore shackles and chains, an odd choice considering the rest of the ghosts seemed free of such things.

I hummed softly as I finished chewing before swallowing.

"You most definitely do not behave like most other Potters," the ghost said as if amused by something.

"Most? Have you met a Potter like me before?" I inquired curiously.

"Four centuries ago, yes," he confirmed, "Shee was a Slytherin, just as you were. From what I remember, she was disinherited after being found to have an affair with a Gaunt man."

"Is that so?" I asked before giving a smirk. "It appears I have something else to look into."

The former human eyes me closely before finally giving a single huff. "I would keep an eye on the stars, if I were you."

"Very well," I said as I nodded. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you, sir."

The man nodded back once before turning his attention to Malfoy, who he was sitting next to.

Malfoy looked even paler than normal, but he was obviously too prideful to admit he didn't want to be seated next to the ghost.

After the plates were left mainly untouched, the scraps of food disappeared as if they had never existed. In the place of all the leftover food we're desserts of every kind.

I glanced about before deciding to allow myself a few chocolate-covered strawberries. I ate them in between passing the various desserts around to nearby people. Once I was finished, I waited for the whole banquet to end, all while keeping an eye on various people.

Quirrell, who had donned a purple turban since I had last seen him, was talking with Snape, and he looked exceptionally nervous. He was stuttering obnoxiously while the Potions Master sneered at him.

Hagrid was drinking deeply from his goblet as McGonagall talked with Dumbledore.

I was quite bored with people watching when a chill ran up my spine. I bit my tongue as I forced myself to keep my hand from twitching toward the small lightning bolt-shaped scar I had on my collarbone.

Harry, unlike me, reflexively moved his hand up to his forehead, where his scar was constantly hidden by his bangs.

I immediately glanced at the high table and saw that Quirrell was fidgeting in his seat as Snape continued to glare fiercely at him. Beyond that, I deemed everyone as being completely normal. I figured that my scar, which had rarely hurt, may have been acting up because I was surrounded by magic and such, which my body wasn't used to. Dismissing the now dull ache, I continued to focus on others.

At last, the desserts disappeared, too.

Dumbledore rose to his feet once again, and the hall fell silent. "Ahem - just a few more words now that we're all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. A few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

As Dumbledore looked directly at them, the Weasley twins gave wide, mischievous grins.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors," the old man continued, "Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Almost no one laughed, taking the warning very seriously.

Is death normal here? I thought as I eyed the headmaster wearily.

"And now," he said excitedly, causing everyone's faced to be fixed with either fake smiles or scowls. "Before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!"

I scowled myself upon realizing that I probably had to participate in the ludicrous activity.

Dumbledore have his wand a little flick, as if some fly had been on the end, and a long, golden ribbon flew from the end of his wand and floated in the air, twisting itself in a snake like manner to the words of the song. "Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go!"

The entire student body was forced to sing a ridiculous song.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees.

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff.

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff.

So teach us things worth knowing.

Bring back what we've forgot.

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Because everyone sang to different tunes, the song was finished at different times.

The Weasleytwins were the only ones left, after a long while, as they chose to sing to a very slow funeral march.

Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand. When they had finally finished, he had clapped the loudest. "Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes, "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

I was extremely grateful that the horrific cacophony of noise ended.

Two Slytherin Prefects led us first-years down to the dungeons. They led us through several stone passageways and behind a few tapestries before coming to a wall that was entirely blank.

"Salazar Slytherin," the male said in a rather unenthusiastic voice.

The wall opened up, revealing a large room. It was a dungeon-like room with greenish lamps and chairs. This dungeon extended part way under the lake, giving the light in the room a green tinge. This room had lots of low backed black and dark green button-tufted, leather sofas; skulls; and dark wood cupboards. One of the wooden tables had a Wizard's Chess set on it. It was decorated with tapestries featuring the adventures of famous Medieval Slytherins, none of which is recognized, though that was to be expected considering I was just introduced to the Wizarding World a few months ago. It has quite a grand atmosphere, but also quite a cold one.

It was an excellent environment for people like myself, I thought.

The female Prefect waited for us all to enter before smiling at us. "Congratulations! I'm Prefect Gemma Farley, and I'm delighted to welcome you to Slytherin House. Our emblem is the serpent, the wisest of creatures, and our house colors are emerald green and silver. As you'll see, its windows look out into the depths of the Hogwarts lake. We often see the giant squid swooshing by – and sometimes more interesting creatures. We like to feel that our hangout has the aura of a mysterious, underwater shipwreck." Her kind demeanor suddenly disappeared as she looked at us first-years seriously. "Now, there are a few things you should know about Slytherin – and a few you should forget. Firstly, let's dispel a few myths. You might have heard rumors about Slytherin house – that we’re all into the Dark Arts, and will only talk to you if your great-grandfather was a famous wizard, and rubbish like that. Well, you don't want to believe everything you hear from competing houses. I'm not denying that we’ve produced our share of Dark wizards, but so have the other three houses – they just don't like admitting it. And yes, we have traditionally tended to take students who come from long lines of witches and wizards, but nowadays you'll find plenty of people in Slytherin Houses who have at least one muggleborn or parent related to a muggleborn.

"Here's a little-known fact that the other three houses don't bring up much: Merlin was a Slytherin. Yes, Merlin himself, the most famous wizard in history! He learned all he knew in this very house! Do you want to follow in the footsteps of Merlin? Or would you rather sit at the old desk of that illustrious ex-Hufflepuff, Eglantine Puffett, inventor of the Self-Soaping Dishcloth?" The girl smirked as she saw several disgusted looks from the first-years. "I didn't think so. But that's enough about what we’re not. Let's talk about what we are, which is the coolest and edgiest house in this school. We play to win, because we care about the honor and traditions of Slytherin.

"We also get respect from our fellow students. Yes, some of that respect might be tinged with fear, because of our Dark reputation, but you know what? It can be fun, having a reputation for walking on the wild side. Chuck out a few hints that you've got access to a whole library of curses, and see whether anyone feels like nicking your pencil case. But we’re not bad people. We’re like our emblem, the snake: sleek, powerful, and frequently misunderstood.

"For instance, we Slytherins look after our own – which is more than you can say for Ravenclaw. Apart from being the biggest bunch of swots you've ever met, Ravenclaws are famous for clambering over each other to get good marks, whereas we Slytherins are family. The corridors of Hogwarts can throw up surprises for the unwary, and you'll be glad you've got the Serpents on your side as you move around the school. As far as we’re concerned, once you've become a snake, you're one of ours – one of the elite.

"Because you know what Salazar Slytherin looked for in his chosen students? The seeds of greatness. You've been chosen by this house because you've got the potential to be great, in the true sense of the word. All right, you might see a couple of people hanging around the common room whom you might not think are destined for anything special. Well, keep that to yourself. If the Sorting Hat put them in here, there's something great about them, and don't you forget it.

"And talking of people who aren’t destined for greatness, I haven't mentioned the Gryffindors. Now, a lot of people say that Slytherins and Gryffindors represent two sides of the same coin. Personally, I think Gryffindors are nothing more than wannabe Slytherins. Mind you, some people say that Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor prized the same kinds of students, so perhaps we are more similar than we like to think. But that doesn't mean that we cozy up with Gryffindors. They like beating us only slightly less than we like beating them.

"A few more things you might need to know: our house ghost is the Bloody Baron. If you get on the right side of him he'll sometimes agree to frighten people for you. Just don't ask him how he got bloodstained; he doesn't like it.

"The password to the common room changes every fortnight. Keep an eye on the noticeboard. Never bring anyone from another house into our common room or tell them our password. No outsider has entered it for more than seven centuries.

"Well, I think that's all for now. I'm sure you'll like our dormitories. We sleep in ancient four-posters with green silk hangings, and bedspreads embroidered with silver thread. Medieval tapestries depicting the adventures of famous Slytherins cover the walls, and silver lanterns hang from the ceilings. You'll sleep well; it's very soothing, listening to the lake water lapping against the windows at night." With that, she nodded once, happy to have said her piece.

The boy who she was accompanying was pinching the bridge of his nose. "Farley, that was a speech, not a quick word."

"Well, it's important information for Potter to know, Wellington!" The female Prefect exclaimed as she motioned wildly to me.

Feeling called out, I barely held in a scowl. "If you think I have doubts about where the hat put me, then you are quite mistaken. I'd most definitely rather be here than with my fool of a brother."

"See? You didn't need a whole speech to convince him that we're better than those Gryffindors," the male Prefect, now dubbed Wellington, said with the utmost exasperation.

"Well, how could I have known that?" Farley snapped as she put her hands on her hips.

The two continued to bicker like children, so I turned to Greengrass. "Please tell me that I don't need to stand here until I'm dismissed."

She snorted. "I'm just going to bed. Males and females have separate dormitories, so just go to the opposite hallway." With that, she headed off with the other females toward a hallway to the left.

With a nod to myself, I headed off to a dormitory on the right.

Malfoy hesitated for a moment before just following after me, causing his other goons to follow as well.

Zabini and Nott fell in step with him, and we all went to a dormitory room that was labeled First Years.

I went over to my four-poster bed where my trunk was waiting. I pulled out my wand and flicked it at my trunk while muttering, §Emerald Serpent.§

The trunk opened with a click, allowing me to pull out my pajamas and other nighttime necessities.

I quickly headed off to the bathroom as the other boys sluggishly moved toward their beds. After dressing for bed, I brushed my teeth. Then, I finally put away my things and went to bed. I laid down in my bed and pulled the curtains closed around me. Finally, I rested my head against the pillow and waited for sleep. I quickly fell into unconsciousness and was greeted with my bad dreams.

A dark laugh, a green light, and a woman's scream accompanied a horrible feeling of dread.

It appeared that a real bed didn't stop my nightmares…