New House, New rules
Severus
I trudged up the long, winding staircase that led to the Headmaster's office, holding the official rule book in my hand. Yawning, I knocked on the door to the office waiting silently as the door opened, revealing Albus Dumbledore, in all his hideously purple-robed glory.
Sneering at his color choice I looked up at the bearded old man, "May I enter Albus, I have some important things to discuss with you." Albus frowned but nodded and let me in, he led me to a chair in front of his desk, "lemon drop Severus?" he questioned as he sat down. I shook my head as he conjured a bowl for himself,
"very well. What was it you had to tell me at this hour, Severus?" I sighed and told him everything that had happened since the beginning of the school year down to the fact that Draco could be in danger should he be allowed to remain in the Slytherin common rooms along any longer. Albus sighed and closed his eyes contemplative.
"I'm sorry my boy," he sighed "there's, unfortunately, nothing I can do. I'm not allowed to switch people out of their houses. If you want, the Slytherin prefects can give him the password, but that is about the most I can do for you." Albus sounded dejected for my son, truly he did, but I couldn't help my own satisfied smirk.
"You may think that Albus, but I have figured out a way to switch people out of their houses. True, technically, the headmaster cannot switch students from their houses, but, Hogwarts is sentient. Nothing in the books state that Hogwarts herself cannot switch students. So if one with a strong connection to the castle, who has won the castle's affinity may make a plea for Potter's case then perhaps the castle may yield and form a new room entirely of her own accord. And should that room be formed then it is the castle's will that the person must be switched and no one dares go against the castle's word." Albus' eyes widened as I spoke as realization dawned upon him, in all the years I've known him, I've never seen him be this excited about something. He stood up and nodded pacing the room, his robes swinging slightly around him as he walked.
"Albus?" I questioned "Are you quite alright?" he stopped and looked up,
"yes, my boy. Quite so" he sat back down and drummed his fingers against his desk "Quite the idea Severus, Harry would get to be with Draco and I would get a chance to return to my relationship with the castle. Yes yes, quite the idea my boy" The twinkle in his eye had turned into a glint and I chuckled,
"Very well Albus, I shall leave you to it then When shall I expect the changes?"
"As soon as possible my boy, as soon as possible."
Harry
The Great Hall was alive with talk the next morning as I entered the room. After listening in on a few conversations, it turned out that some of the prefects, who were introduced to a bond with Hogwarts at the start of their service had felt a shift in the magical energy in the last night. They said that Hogwarts seemed happier, more alive and none of them knew why. True, they often renewed their relationship with Hogwarts as it dulled, but last night was a night of magical recovery for all the prefects from their renewal just days earlier. I frowned as I seated my self beside Hermione, facing the Slytherin table, ensuring that I could keep an eye on my Draco.
After everyone had eaten, the plates cleared themselves and Dumbledore walked to the podium ready to make a speech.
"Before any on you leave, I would like to make a small announcement. I am well aware that the prefects and Head Boy and Head Girl have come to feel Hogwarts' increased joy. The cause of this joy seems to be connected to a recent change in the castle's schematics. It is in my belief as well as that of the other professors' that it is Hogwarts' wish to have on Harry James Potter move to the Slytherin common rooms as, according to the sorting hat, he should have done in his first year. Although Professor McGonagall will be sad to lose one of her lions, Professor Snape is overjoyed, although he may not show it, my boy, to have you in his house, Harry. " I chuckled at the headmaster before smiling across the room at Draco, who had just caught my eye.
"Now Harry, if you will, please make your way over to the Slytherin table please." I nodded and stood up, feeling the burn of a hall full of eyes watching me move from one table to the other. I walked and took a seat beside Draco gently entwining our hands under the table as the lining and tie of my robes turned to green and silver, my lion's crest changing to that of a snake. I smiled across the room at Hermione now, who had a soft sad smile on her face. I sent her a small air kiss and she caught it and pushed it to her heart. I dug through my bag and pulled out a small book which I waved at her to signal her to meet me in the library before writing a quick 12 with sparks. She nodded in understanding before turning back to her book and Ron.
After breakfast, almost all the Slytherin students had a free period specifically to be introduced to me in the common room as was done when any new student came into a house. Out of the people that I met, very few stood out to me as good people for Draco to be close with, namely Blaize Zabini, and Pansy Parkinson. Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be the type that asked few questions and did most of the work, so I set them aside in my head as guards for Draco as well. Blaize and Pansy, however, those two, alongside Theo, while they had the ability to make good guards, it seemed to me that their talents rested more with their brains and quick thinking as opposed to brute force as with Crabbe and Goyle. So, I set them aside for tactical thinkers to assist me and Draco in our decision making.
It was very apparent, as time and introductions went on that many of the Slytherin students were wary of me. Mainly the fifth-years, I assume because they have spent the last five years trying to torment me, as well as the first years perhaps because they have heard stories of me killing Quirell, fighting a Basilisk, facing Sirius Black, and competing in the Tri-Wizard tournament. I sighed as the introductions finished and I was urged by Draco to say a few words.
"Good morning everyone." I started simple "I would like to thank all of you for swearing your loyalty to me. I want everyone to understand a few things. Firstly, Draco is mine. He is off-limits to everyone. Should I find that you harmed him, you will regret it. Secondly, I noticed many of you are wary and fearful of me. I'll admit, if you have done something wrong, something that I will disapprove of, then yes you have reason to be afraid. But, if you have done no wrong, then you have no reason to be fearful. To those of you who believe that I will hold your past actions against you, do not worry. Then we were enemies, now we are one front. And for those of you who are fearful of me because of my accomplishments, worry not. It is m top priority to ensure that you never have to experience that side of me. Finally, Understand, that Draco is queen. It may not be a proper tradition, but I have never followed the rules perfectly. So should he give you an order, in fact, if he should say anything to you, it should be treated as though I am the one saying it. I will not tolerate disrespect for him or anyone else I care for and have under my protection. Am I understood?" There was a loud chorus of
"Yes, my Lord" throughout the room and I returned to his seat satisfied. Soon the group began to disperse to collect their things for the next class and I sighed pulling Draco into his lap and nuzzling his neck. Draco giggled and placed a hand on my cheek, turning to tell Crabbe to go and retrieve his bag from the rooms.