That Special Social Sorting
After their clothes had been replaced by school robes, and they had exited the train, every first year was met face to face with a giant. One called Hagrid, based on Cameron Potter's excited exclamation at seeing the man. Once all the first years had gathered around him he led them down a path, one that led to a dock.
The children made their way to the large castle that was Hogwarts school for Witchcraft and Wizardry by boat. The first years had anyways. Azrael and Cain had travelled over the large lake of the castle with Draco, and Dracos new companion, which they had learned was named Theodore Nott. A child of one of their fathers supporters. Apparently they had met at one of the Malfoys pure-blood parties.
Those of which the Gaunt twins were not allowed to attend by order of their father. Much to their dismay.
The castle was large and jaw dropping, with large pillars that stabbed into the sky, and bright lights coming from within, giving an almost heavenly glow. Azrael nearly tipped over the group's boat when he stood up to get a closer look.
“Earth to Az-head! You don't know how to swim!” Cain had to remind him after shoving him back in his seat. He only shrugged in return. Finally their boats had finished their journey across the water and they all docked in a boat house. One with oversized windows made of stained glass. Then the groups of first years began to trek up to the castle, walking through the outside stone halls and climbing up steps until they reached a large oak door.
Cain and Azrael shared a glance while Draco bounced lightly on his feet beside them.
The door suddenly swung open. A witch, one older looking, though nowhere near as old as the trolley witch had.
"The first years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said. The woman, now identified as McGonagall, nodded.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was large, larger than even the malfoy manors dining hall. She led them to a staircase that towered intimidatingly over the little eleven year olds. She walked across stone floors, the children following behind. Voices echoed distantly through a set of large oak doors, that of which Azrael assumed led to the great hall.
Professor McGonagall, instead of guiding them inside, led them aside to a small room to the right. One by one they stumbled inside until at last they all were standing and facing the stone-faced professor. Cain subconsciously leaned into his brother's side, leading to an arm wrapping around his shoulder in comfort.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. She looked among the crowd, studying expressions of nervousness and anxiety.
"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. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.”
The boys frowned at this ever so slight. No matter who was in your house you would be expected to like family. Azrael couldn’t imagine having to spend his next seven years of life trapped with the same family who rejected him so long ago. Especially while playing nice. Beside him he could tell Cain felt much the same way. He had been closer since he had returned to the train compartment. Az was very much interested in finding out what had happened. What had pushed him to cease the nice act with Potter and the Weasley.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.” McGonagall continued. “Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rulebreaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.”
She paused again, making Cain wonder how one could speak so quickly yet still be understood perfectly. Something that Granger, and Azrael for that matter, needed to take notes on.
"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 you are waiting."
Her eyes lingered on Ron Weasley's dirty face and the toad boy’s robes. Az bit his tongue to keep his face neutral.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
She then left the chamber. Cain immediately released a breath, one very audible in the deadly silent room. Behind him he could hear Cameron shakily turn to Ron.
"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" he asked.
"Some sort of test, I think. George once said it hurt a lot, but he was joking….I think."
Cain snorted. Both boys turned to stare at him.
“Oh come off it. Are you that stupid?” he asked, turning around to stare into Ron’s eyes head on. Times like this was where the former Harry Potter disappeared, replaced by the true son of the dark lord.
“Then what is it hmm? How do we get sorted?” Ron lashed back. His tone was taunting, clearly trying to get a clear cut answer in the form of snark. Azrael shook his head and covered his brother's mouth, who was opening to retort.
“Why? Didn’t your precious family tell you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. He could feel himself burn at his core.
Ron's face turned slightly pink.
“They were- they were busy.”
Azrael grinned, his teeth being bared ever so slightly as he did.
“Awww…poor baby. I guess it makes sense though. After you go through so many sons, there's really no point is there?”
Ron stiffened ever so slightly. Then he glared, taking a step forward as if to sock the brunette before him. Azrael saw him as no threat, though it didn’t truly matter what he thought, for Cain stepped in the way, narrowing his eyes in warning.
“Touch him and I'll gut you like a pig. Weasley.”
Ron opened his mouth to retort only for a hand to grab his shoulder. Ron huffed and backed up a pace. Cameron looked between the three nervously. Cain gave his taller brother a look once they turned back around. One that was very hypocritical considering the storm that had brewed without him in the train compartment.
"Alright now" a sudden sharp voice commanded. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. The boys straightened themselves up, allowing nothing to seem amiss.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall ordered the little first years, "and follow me."
Within the line Azrael was one of the one closest to the front, with his brother following right behind him. Behind him was Draco, and behind him was Theodore. And so on, and so on. The end of the line contained Ron and Cameron, along with Granger and the toad boy.
Confidently Professor McGonagall led the line to the doors that had once had layers upon layers of voices speaking behind it. But now it was completely silent. McGonagall pushed the doors open, then continued on, leaving the first years to gasp in awe as they stumbled after.
The room was tall, with a ceiling that seemed to reveal the night sky, with thousands of shining stars beaming down from above. There were four long stretched tables in the room, with various kids of different ages sitting at them. First years met curious gazes with embarrassment.
Azrael smirked deviously and happily waved to Aric, who waved back with a grin. Cain gave him another look, to which Azrael began wildly pointing his sibling out. Many around the hall tried to hold in snickers. Cain lightly smacked his sibling in retaliation, causing him to finally drop his hands down to his side. Finally they reached the front of the room, where a fifth table stood, one with adults only sitting at it.
The one in the centre was most certainly Dumbledore, one of the most powerful wizards of the century. Their father had told them much about him, however the accounts were most certainly biassed, just as Azrael's birth family recounts of the same man were. Az shook his head and focused.
As the students stopped in their tracks Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of them. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. One depicted in muggle ideas of witches.For a moment nothing happened. They all simply stared at the old hat on the stoolThen the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide, almost like a mouth, and the hat began to sing.
It sang of the four houses, and what made them them.
It sang about the brave being in Gryffindor, those who were daring and had nerves.
It sang about Hufflepuff and how those within it were loyal. They’re patient and hardworking.
Ravenclaw for those who were intelligent. Ones with wit and sharp minds.
Azrael elbowed his brother, earning a small glare that melted into an excited grin.
The hat continued and sang about Slytherin being the house for the cunning.
Azrael found the song quite lacking when discussing the attributes of slytherin, though he supposed it’d be rather difficult to have rhythm when singing about ambition.
The hats song concluded and the whole hall burst into thundering applause.It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quiet again. Azrael wondered if he could enchant one of Lucious Malfoy’s hats to suddenly burst into song. Maybe something loud. Like a frog choir.
Professor McGonagall now 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," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A girl with blond hair tied up into high hanging pigtails scrambled up to the stool. The hat was placed upon her head. A second of silence. Then-
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on the right closed to the middle cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Susan hurried down and sat next to Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table on the left closest to the middle clapped this time. Terry sat down amongst them.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy!"
Was sorted into Ravenclaw as well, scrambling to find a seat next to Boot. Azrael wondered what he would realistically do if he and Azrael were separated. As much as he joked about it, he was actually very concerned that his brother would get into Ravenclaw, an idea he didn’t think himself possible of.
"Brown, Lavender!"
became a gryffindor, going to sit at the table of the far left erupting in cheers and excitement. Azrael felt a pit in his stomach noticing two gingers across from one another, one looking almost exactly like him, save for his blood-adoption adjustments.
"Bulstrode, Millicent!"
Was the first new slytherin. The claps were slow when it came to them, though not unpleasant. It made Az slightly less happy about going to Slytherin. He most certainly didn’t wanna live with a bunch of party-poopers.
“Crabbe, Vincent!”
A boy with an absentminded look in his eyes climbed up to the stool. He left it a slytherin.
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Finnigan, Seamus!"
“GRYFFINDOR!”
"Granger, Hermione!"
The muggleborn know-it-all from the train all but ran to the stool.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
She hurried to her table, hair bouncing as she happily skipped.
“Goyle, Gregory!”
A boy much like Crabbe stumbled up.
“SLYTHERIN!”
Then the moment arrived. McGonagall looked down at her list and froze. Her eyes looked to Dumbledore, who raised an eyebrow with confusion. She then read the name aloud, voice coming out strained ever so slightly.
“Gaunt, Azrael.”
Cain gave him a pat on the back as he stepped forward. He smiled as he sat down and the hat was carefully placed on his head. He could see Dumbledore lean forward ever so slightly, now recognizing exactly who he was.
Or rather, who he was related to.
“Interesting.”
A voice caused Azrael to freeze.At first he didn’t understand where it came from, for no mouths moved in the room. But then it clicked as he felt a most subtle shift on his head. It was the hat speaking to him, sorting through his mind like an invasive interrogation.
“Very cunning..ambitious…but brave at heart as well…hmmm…”
‘Not Gryffindor’ Azrael silently begged.
He couldn’t go to them. He refused. He couldn’t be constantly reminded that he wasn’t wanted every time he went to sleep or to class. The hat seemed to take this into account as it spoke to him again.
“Much more cunning than brave it seems..hmm…better be be..”
“SLYTHERIN!”
The slytherin table roared to life, a stark contrast to the previous sortings. The reason? Aric Carrow stood up in his seat, clapping wildly. The rest followed suit. Azrael smirked, ignoring the jab the hat had made about his bravery. Confidently he made his way over to the slytherin table and sat, basking in the attention his housemates gave him.
Clearly they recognized his importance. Aric had tipped them off no doubt.
He spared a glance to the table housing the staff, and to his undeserved surprise, Dumbledore's gaze was locked on him. His face was unreadable, on the same level as Azrael's very own father perhaps. A poker face.
“Gaunt, Cain”
Dumbledore's gaze locked onto his brother now, frown furrowed in confusion and concern. Clearly he either knew something about them. Weather about their last name, something foreign to both boys despite how many years had passed, or about the boys themselves.
Azrael silently prayed for the former.
Azrael watched with anxiety filled anticipation as his brother calmly walked up. His face was back to his little brother, nervous and unprepared. The hat took a long little bit. But then it seemed to reach common ground with his sibling as it suddenly screamed
“SLYTHERIN!”
Azrael stood right up with Aric as the slytherin table burst into cheers again. Cain beamed and raced over to squeeze in beside his brother. Azrael clutched him tightly in a hug.
“Thought i was going somewhere?” Cain asked cheekily, looking up at the taller of the two with an evil little smile.
Azrael snickered and shook his head, releasing his brother from his grasp..
“You love me too much. It's clingy really.”
Cain smacked him. The rest of the sorting went by rather fast.
“Neville, Longbottom!”
Frogboy crept to the stool, trembling with each step.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
He evacuated immediately, accidentally stealing the sorting hat. He returned it with a petrified apology.
"MacDougal, Morag."
“RAVENCLAW!”
“Malfoy, Draco!”
Draco smirked confidently as he strolled up to the hat. It barely touched his head before belting out.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Quickly he ran over and sat to Cain's left. Excitedly the two elbowed each other.
"Morttom, Ally!"
“RAVENCLAW!”
"Nott, Theodore!"
“SLYTHERIN!”
"Parkinson, Pansy!"
“SLYTHERIN!”
"Patil, Padma!"
“RAVENCLAW!”
"Patil, Parvati!"
“RAVENCLAW!”
"Puckett,Edwina!"
“GRYFFINDOR!”
"Potter, Cameron!"
Whispers began to spread the moment the red head stepped forward.
"Potter, did she say?"
“The Cameron Potter?"
The boy stiffly sat down on the stool, with the hat taking as long a time to decide as it did with Cain. Then it made a decision, to the boy's apparent terror.
“GRYFFINDOR!"
Weakly he roamed over to the crowd of screaming lions. One, Azrael could tell it was George unfortunately, began to goodnaturedly scream “we got Potter! We got Potter!” The sorting didn’t last much longer after that.
"Thomas, Dean!"
“GRYFFINDOR!”
"Turpin, Lisa!"
“RAVENCLAW!”
“Weasley, Ronald!”
Ron nervously stepped up to the hat, wincing as it was placed on his head.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Quickly he sped to sit next to Cameron through the excited gryffindor cheers, the older weasley males being the loudest. Azrael gave the table a sour glare.
“Zabini, Blaise”
“SLYTHERIN!”
Only after Blaise had made his way to the slytherin table, choosing to sit beside Theodore Nott across from Azrael and Cain, did Professor McGonagall roll up her scroll and take the Sorting Hat away.
Azrael suddenly felt his stomach growl. It had been hours since his exploding bon-bons. What was worse was that they were easily some of the least filling desserts one could have. Cain gave him a pitying look. Then Aric calmly nudged the two of them. Their gazes met the front table at once.
Albus Dumbledore had arisen from his seat. His eyes were scanning over the crowd of seated children, his gaze lingering on both the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables. Then he smiled. Like one's kind old grandfather would. Azrael wrinkled his nose. He’d never met his grandfather. Biological or otherwise.
"Welcome," he said. "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! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
"Thank you!"
He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Cain blinked rather stupidly as the man sat back down.
"He’s rather lost it in his old age." he said to Azrael, blinking again. Azrael snickered and nodded.
"Lost his brain cells in that beard I'd imagine.” Cain gave him a look. Azrael shrugged.
“Make sure you get enough to eat. Your guardians would have my head” Aric said suddenly. The Gaunt twin turned to him. Azrael opened his mouth to loudly ask what food they were supposed to be eating, when his brother nudged him sluggishly.
Azraels eyes widened at the sight as the empty dishes and plates were now stacked with tons of food. Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and peppermint humbugs. He nearly cried at the sight of it all.
Azrael wasted no time in shoving as much food on his plate as possible. Only once he grabbed his fill did he notice the overwhelming amount of roast chicken he had grabbed. He merely shrugged and bit into a drumstick. Beside him Cain began to cut up a rather juicy piece of steak.
"Hello Baron” Aric spoke again. Azrael nearly choked on his drumstick as a ghost with a bright powdered wig eerily popped up from the table. He was a glowing transparent white, wearing fancy robes that had silver stains of some kind on them. His eyes were black, gaunt, and seemed all seeing. They singled in on Aric.
“Hello…Carrow.” The baron said. His voice came out in a hoarse whisper. The ghost said nothing more and moved so he hovered next to Draco. The blonde gave the other two a most unpleasant expression. Azrael took another mouthful of chicken. Across the room he spotted Ron and Cameron speaking with another ghost. One who had nearly taken his head off, save for a single thread of skin.
“Who the heck is that?” Az asked, pointing at the ghoul. Most of the Slytherin first years followed his gaze.
“Nearly Headless Nick.” Aric answered. “The Gryffindor ghost.”
“What a looker.” Az responded with an eye roll. The baron stared at him, and the boy thought he could see a glimpse of a smirk underneath the ghost's beard.
Finally all of the children had had their fill, and the most delicious dinner Azrael had ever had disappeared. A moment later a pile of desserts replaced it. Blocks of ice cream in every flavour one could want, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate eclairs and jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pudding, and many more other confectioneries.
Cain pulled a treacle tart from the pile and took a bite while Azrael scouted over the other first years.
“What families you lot from then?” He asked, raising and eyebrow and grinning when most around him starred in attention. It was Nott who spoke first, eyes matching with Azraels almost shyly.
“Nott. I’m Theodore Nott.” Theodore said. “My father works in the ministry.”
“What office?”
“Ministry of Magic Research Committee.”
“Are you well read?”
“Mhm.”
“You go by Theo?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Alrighty then Theo. Good to know.”
Azrael and Cain gave each other a glance, then turned to him and nodded. Draco smirked as well. It was unspoken that his family had death eater ties. It may have been while Draco ended up going to Hogwarts with him of all people.
They then turned their sights on the dark skinned boy beside him quietly fixing himself a plate of sweets.
“Blaise Zabini.” he said without looking up at them.
“Right. The son of the widow of what? Six times?”
“Seven.”
“Right.” Azrael nodded. Blaise said no more than that and instead took a slice of apple pie, nibbling it quietly. Cain turned to some of the girls of the group, watching one speak the loudest amongst them.
“How about you?”
His question was referred to a girl with dark hair and dark eyes. She smiled at them. A calculated smile. She was most certainly going to be an interesting one.
Good. They could do with some excitement to make up for the years of secrecy.
“Pansy Parkinson.” she said, her smile growing at the pleased expression on Draco's face. Pleased she was one of the sacred twenty eight. “My mother is of high nobility, and my father is a ministry official. Can't remember which though. I’ve met Theo and Draco before at one of the Malfoy upper-class parties.”
Pansy flipped her hair back proudly. Cain nodded and turned to the blonde beside her.
“Daphne Greengrass.” she said simply. They got nothing more from her than that.
Tracey Davis had said more, citing her father as being a part of the school board. Millicent hadn’t talked at all, only knowing her name from the sorting ceremony. Cain wondered if she was shy. Azrael wondered if she was just stupid. A thought he most certainly wouldn’t voice considering the other girls apparent blossoming fondness of her.
Best not to start one of seven years with making enemies within one's own house.
“You guys are gonna like Hogwarts. To a certain extent.” Aric spoke, sipping a goblet of pumpkin juice.
“Yeah?” Cain asked, allowing everyone else to go back to their own mini conversations.
“Classes are good, some tedious. Teachers are fine. Snapes the best though.”
“Snape?” Butted in Az.
“The potions Professor. Up there.”
Aric pointed to the staff table's end. A man with a sharp nose and greasy black hair sat glowering at the ground.
“He looks friendly.”
“Shut it Az!” Cain hissed.
Rolling his eyes he turned to Aric again.
“What's there to be concerned about then?”
“The mud-bloods of course.”
Azrael felt a shiver down his spine.
“Right. The ones without wizard parents.”
“Yep. Their filthy feet walk these halls more and more the longer Hogwarts stays open. Ain't any in Slytherin of course, but the other three houses are plagued with them.”
Cain nodded.
“The bushy haired girl. The one in Gryffindor. She's a mud-blood.” Cain said it calmly, but Azrael noticed a bead of sweat running down his cheek.
Aric nodded.
“Can’t believe they let those types of people in here to be honest.”
From the left of Cain Draco sparked up with agreement.
“Exactly. But maybe my father will be able to fix this. He's gonna make an effort to be on the school board afterall.”
Tracey nodded at him with a shining smile.
“He and my papa can work together to fix this joint.”
Draco nodded smugly. The other first years and even some of the older ones smirked or smiled, nodding their very whole-hearted agreement. Cain and Azrael ignored the burning in their throats as they smiled along with them.
At last everyone’s stomachs grew full and they could eat no more. When it seemed they were all in collective agreement the desserts disappeared , and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent at once.
"Ahem. just a few more words now that we are 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. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."
Dumbledore's eyes went to the Gryffindor table, focusing on George who sat smiling mischievously beside a boy with dark skin and dreadlocks. He seemed more amused by the warning than anything. Dumbledore seemed to share that amusement.
"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.”
Azrael looked to his brother with a smirk. Did this no magic rule apply to wandless displays? He doubted anyone would think to cover their bases so specifically. No wand. No getting caught. Cain matched his gaze and nodded.
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.”
Again Cain and Azrael's eyes shined with intrigue. From beside Cain Draco had the same expression. Realistically it was very unlikely that a first year could ever hope to be on the quidditch team. But also realistic was Azrael's probability of trying to break that small rule.
"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."
A few people laughed, assuming his words to be a twisted sort of joke. None from the Slytherin table did. Draco was the one to turn to Aric for answers, his face a bit pale. Cain bit the inside of his lip. Draco was a coward. His best friend who would fight for him, but a coward nonetheless.
“Is he…is he actually serious?”
“I reckon he is. I mean, normally he gives a reason for why you shouldn’t go somewhere, but death seems good enough, right?” Aric said calmly, even sporting a grin. Draco merely swallowed roughly, the sound being audible to Cain who gave him a pitying pet on the head. Malfoy merely glared.
“Its stupid whatever it is. Didn’t even bother to tell any of us.” a boy with black hair hissed under his breath.
“You mean prefects Drew?”
“Yes i fu-” the dubbed Drew bit his tongue once he remembered the young company he was in. He swallowed. “Of course I'm talking about prefects. The old cot didn’t tell any of us.”
“Cry me a river.” Aric murmured, rolling his eyes.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore, suddenly gleeful as though he hadn’t just talked about painful life expiration. Aric and the other older Slytherins groaned with horror.
“I’ll tell you what, this has probably killed more people than any third floor corridor ever could.” Aric whispered to Azrael. The boy had to cover his mouth with his hand to avoid cackling in the still silent great hall.
"Everyone pick their favourite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
Then the students began to sick the most sickening song Az had ever heard. From the looks of those around him, his feelings were most certainly valid. The worst part in his technically thirteen year old but considered eleven opinion was the different tunes those around him did. Some had fast tempos, aiming to get the song over as quickly as possible. But then some dragged it out, singing slowly like the blues.
Everyone finished at different times, and the last of which was, of course, George Weasley, his song being a slow funeral march. Everyone clapped, with Dumbledore easily being one of the loudest. George laughed and gave dramatic bows to the room before sitting back down. Finally the hall grew quiet again.
"Ah, music," Dumbledore said, wiping his eyes, as though wiping away a tear, which maybe he was. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
“First years follow me.” Drew shouted to the Slytherins. While the older students lingered about, grouping up with those they hadn’t seated with or found previously, the youngest students stood at attention and followed, Pansy and Blaise being the first in line.
Drew tiredly led them out of the great hall and they paused as they noticed the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws heading up the grand staircase. They however were led down the steps. They briefly made contact with the Hufflepuffs, who stared at them with curiosity and the hint of unquelled nervousness. But then the two groups separated off with Drew leading the anxious Slytherins down into the dungeons.
Azrael shivered lightly as cold washed over him almost instantly. It didn’t help that he and Cain lagged behind most of the others. His brother leaned into his side almost immediately. He assumed his brother was just as cold. Maybe even colder. Up ahead Drew took a sharp left, swiftly picking up the pace. The students scrambled to keep up.
“Why are we…sleeping all the way…down here…?” Draco panted as they dove down another cold cell-filled corridor.
“Ask Salazar.” Daphne snipped quietly. “He's the one who put us down here.”
“Did he have to make it the coldest part of the castle?” Pansy whined, rubbing her arms. The group glanced behind them to spot Az and Cain bringing up the rear. Azraels face was burning red.
“I wanna keel over.” he said simply, glaring at the dungeon walls.
“The dormitories are heated. Father told me that much.” Cain mumbled in his ear. Azrael relaxed ever so slightly.
The group continued walking forward until Drew suddenly stopped. All of them stared at him in confusion. All that was there was a corridor continuing on, and two grey brick walls containing it. But Drew didn’t spare the corridor a second glance, instead turning to one of the walls.
“Ambitiose Serpentis” he said aloud.
For a moment Azrael and the rest of the Slytherin young thought him crazy. But then a large stone serpent emerged from the floor. It coiled around a section of the wall, forming a regal arch with its body. Suddenly the stone beneath the arch completely disappeared, leading in a large room tinted in green.
Drew led them in, watching as they one by one slipped through the arch, until at last Cain had stepped over the threshold, and the serpent arch then vanished. It could be assumed that it would open back up when one needed to leave. Drew began to speak once the kids had settled themselves.
“Welcome to the Slytherin Common Room. When not in class you’ll always have the option to hang out here. You will be allowed to do homework if you so choose, along with general relaxing. You’ll do well to remember that this is a shared space between all Slytherins. Any messes made will be cleaned up or consequences will be faced.”
Azrael began to tune him out as he explained the rules of hogwarts, instead letting his eyes wander and explore the common room.
It was large, with strategically laid out black leather couches and small tables and chairs. Dark wooden cabinets filled with things such as potions ingredients rested against far back walls. In the centre, where two couches rested comfortably, was a fireplace, contained by an almost black mantle. Green lighting littered the room, making what would have been a pitch black room into an eerie feel.
It reminded Azrael too much of the dark lord.
“-Now to your dormitories. You’re grouped by gender and by age, so first year boys will room with one another, and first year girls will room with one another. Now get going. You’ll find your stuff with your assigned bed.”
Azrael was yanked back into reality by his brother grabbing his arm and dragging him down a large spacious corridor. Doors lined either side, one for boys, and one for girls. From how close they were together one would think the rooms were especially tiny. On top of each door was a label, one engraved in bright silver.
‘Primis Annis’
“The heck does that mean?” Azrael asked, cocking his head to the side to try and make sense of it. Theodore Nott pushed ahead of him, turning his head back as he opened the door.
“First Years. It's latin.”
“How was I supposed to know that? You think I just know latin?!?”
“Most people do. genius.” Cain intercepted, dragging his brother into the room. ACross the hall girls giggled. “Its how wizards cast verbal spells.”
“Yeah but you don't normally know what it-”
Az clamped his mouth shut. The inside was nothing like the outside alluded to, though considering the rooms had been created not only by a wizard but a Slytherin one at that. It was large enough to easily fit five large four poster beds inside, even granting room to spare for shelves, posters, and even pet beds. Though he noticed his gifted one had nothing in it.
But then his eyes spotted a Birman cat purring on a pillow on the bed closest to the door. His pillow on further inspection, the trunk in front of it having his initials. His eyes lit up at once.
“Aries!”
Happily he raced over to his bed, scooping the fluffy cat into his arms. The animal merely meowed and let out a large pur, its tail standing up proudly. Nuzzling his familiar, Azrael took the time to study his new roommates.
There was Cain, of course, his bed rested beside Az’s own. An own perch laid next to it, though both boys seriously doubted Hedwig would ever come to the dungeons to use it.
Beside him was Blaise, with a book unlabeled resting on his bedspread. He was already in the process of carefully attaching posters for the Tutshill Tornados quidditch team above his bed.
Then the room had Theodore, the boy having a pile of books already strewn about. From the look of some of them, they most certainly were either stolen or heirlooms. Azrael also noticed he was one of the two to have a shelving unit directly beside them, the other being Cain. Nott was already taking advantage of such an honour, shoving his books along the bottom shelves.
Then there was Draco, his bed sitting on the wall opposite of Az. He was already changing into comfortable sleep clothing. His trunk rested to the left of his bed, untouched apart from his clothes. Azrael frowned for a moment.
“Weren’t there other first years?”
Theodore nodded as he plucked up a book.
“The rooms are special here. Everyone has a spot.”
“How does that work? Better question. Why do you know this?”
The other boys looked to Theodore as well, eyebrows arched. The brunettes face burned a bright red and looked away.
“I’m supposed to be informed…”
He coughed in an attempt to stir them back into the original conversation. Azrael decided he’d allow that. For now.
“But there are three rooms for each year. One room has five beds, ours. The others have four, unless they need more, then they become five as well. When you touch the handle to the Primis Annis it automatically opens to your room.”
“I didn’t touch the handle.”
“Your brother did.”
“What if we were in different rooms?”
“Impossible. Siblings, unless different ages or gender are always put in the same room. But it would’ve kicked you out. You can only be in your room after curfew.”
“Great. Thanks for the lesson. Classes start tomorrow ya know.” Draco said. Az and Cain knew him since Cain was four. They understood his tone of sarcasm. Theodore evidently did not. Theos face burned. He didn’t say another word and instead climbed into his bed to sleep. Blaise gave Draco a piercing glare.
The blonde blinked stupidly as Blaise too laid down and went to sleep. He looked across the room at Azrael helplessly. Az yawned. Sleep was beginning to tug at him. Draco could fix himself tomorrow morning. Cain seemed to have the same idea as he snuggled down into his covers.
As Az flopped onto his pillow he laid his cat beside him, allowing the male beast to scamper off if he wished too. Instead it stretched lightly before curling into Azrael's side, nuzzling him with its nose before laying itself to sleep.
Azrael soon allowed himself to do the same.