The Great Hall I

Monday, September 2.

After following Gemma Farley and our two other prefects to the Slytherin dorms, there was a quick session of what and what not to do as a Slytherin. And to tell the truth, I zoned out again. I just could not see the point in listening to a speech I myself have given for three-years straight back in my childhood…or wait… adolescence?

"-Lastly, should you be caught doing anything morally questionable- make sure you are caught ONLY by us prefects or by our head of house, Professor Snape, with NO other witnesses."

The entrance wall to the Slytherin Common room glistened upon activation with the password. A second after, black robes came billowing in adorned on a tall menacing figure. His shoulder-length black, greasy hair framed his cold sunken black eyes like a poet's rendition of shadowy curtains obscuring the gaze of a blood-thirsty human-shaped bat.

All the firsties were visibly shaken as they trembled and shrunk. With reactions far too exaggerated- why, I'd never have thunk. Had I been none-the wiser, even I might have bowed. For Prof. Snape's aura was stronger, murderous intent leaking as he scowl-.

Ah… It seems being in Slytherin colours alone has once again awakened my propensity towards poetic expression. Yes, Slythein tends to do that to people.

This reminds me of that* poem. How did it go again? Something about buttons~ [1]

"AS new Slytherins under my supervision."

Prof. Snape's low baritone jolted me out of my rumination. Everyone visibly stood straighter, daring not to disobey his authority.

Though I must admit, Godfather's aura right now… It is unmistakably much less "patient" than what I recall in my 'childhood', if that makes any sense.

I pray it was only my imagination that his gaze seemed to linger on me slightly longer than on the others. Yes… it must certainly only be my imagination. Why, I hadn't even done anything yet to deserve such attention. Except perhaps, have a lesser known muggle-like last name.

"There are only two rules I expect you to follow by creed.

If you were to need something, look to your year-mates. Should it be insufficient, ask the higher-years and prefects. Exhaust all your resources before even deliberating whether to come to me. Should you come to me for anything trivial, you will regret it deeply.

Secondly, I should not hear about ANY foolishness outside of this house."

Prof. Snape fixed his eyes on me once more, far longer than mere coincidence, before he turned his gaze towards the next person and continued his onslaught of fear.

Indeed not. It was certainly not a figment of my imagination. But I haven't a clue why! I'd done absolutely nothing to you oh wise godfather! Even less so in this life, as you aren't even my godfather. Now I'm overwhelmed with curiosity, do pray-tell why Prof. Snape lest I be consumed by my thoughts. Why???

"If you have any respect for the House of Slytherin, do not be caught doing things you shouldn't be doing. You will NOT lose house points."

Snape's eyes intimidatingly blazed with unspoken anger and his nose flared with warning. He's certainly got greater anger management issues in this life.

"You are dismissed. Prefects. Direct them to their quarters. And First years-"

Prof. Snape's gaze once more burns holes onto my forehead, fueling my boiling curiosity. Just whyyy???

"Your class schedules will be given to you early tomorrow in the Great Halls during Breakfast. Don't be late."

With one last penetrative glare, Prof. Snape turned on his heel and vanished through the wall with long strides - his robes billowing behind him.

Hold on… He couldn't possibly have heard me think of the poem could he? Curse you POTTER!!!

I double-checked that I hadn't accidentally let down my occlumency shields. Good. Everything was still intact and undisturbed. Had his legilimency breached my mind, I would have at least noticed it.

Not to brag, but even Voldemort years from now couldn't completely overpower my occlumency at its peak with his legilimency. Of course, I had to start over since birth with rebuilding my occlumency as my proficiency with it had been visibly disrupted when Aunt Bellatrix legilimenced me as an infant. But I am confident enough to say that I had regained proficiency comparable to when I was 14 in my first life.

I'd have to wait until my magic stabilises before I regain full proficiency. But even if I'm currently not Voldemort-proof, I can still deflect Dumbledore and detect Prof. Snape levels of legilimency. [2]

Soon enough, we followed our prefects down towards the first-year male dorms.

"There are five of you and two rooms. Decide amongst yourselves. Shall you urgently require me, my dorm room is the furthest one down. Then-"

The higher-year prefect gave a quick informal nod, then turned and left.

I had subconsciously decided that Theodore would obviously choose Crabbe and Goyle, as I have in the past… obviously, they were my minions. Rather than future political rivals, it was safer to pick my minions and maintain my privacy. Thus, I had automatically turned to face Zabini.

That being so, it was unexpected that Theodore would grapple my wrist and tug me into the room. From my point of view, I could see Zabini quickly glance towards Crabbe and Goyle, panick, and hurriedly follow us into the room.

Behind me, I could (presumably) hear Theodore sigh with relief.

?

The door shut behind Zabini, and our luggages appeared at the centre of the room. After turning around whilst massaging my wrist, I watched Theodore survey Zabini for a few seconds before giving a slight nod. This time, it was Zabini that (presumably) sighed with relief.

Almost synchronously, both Theodore and Zabini took their luggages and went towards opposite sides of the room, leaving the middle one to myself.

Perhaps… was I the strange one???

…

???

30 minutes before bed had given all of us enough time to set up year-long activatable privacy and silencing charms (as well as privacy hexes) on our beds and desks.

Other than some sounds of us shuffling around and fixing our things, and some aquatic beasts hitting the windows every now and then, the entire night was met with silence.

It was even more so as I watched Theodore and Zabini both get into their beds, send calculative glares at each other, then firmly thrust their bed curtains shut.

… Huh… There seems to be some unexpected developments between the noble houses with the Malfoys absent… Malfoys?

Shouldn't I have said Blacks?

Oh right, right. My biological father's house is also a noble and ancient house… man… That obliviate is really messing with me.

Getting into bed, I shut my curtains and take Catalypsie out of my sleeve. She stretched from her slumber and took a blue stone out of my pocket.

[Thanksssss]

I hissed in appreciation. Taking the stone, I took a vial from my pocket and dropped the stone inside. After securing it with the cork I placed it on the bed beside my pillow. The was the last vial of memories to be compressed into the stone. Catalypsie crawled over and wrapped herself around the stone. Not before long, her scales started to faintly glow and the memory whisps inside the vial began to bubble and was being soaked up into the stone. Incorporation of memories into the stone was faster if the magic of the owner was used.

I'm truly grateful for everything Catalypsie has done as is doing for me, but I won't say it out loud. It's to embarrassing.

I petted her for a few seconds before laying down and fixing my hair upward and out of my face. *Ouch* I looked at my sleeve, and saw that one of my hairs got caught on the cuff button. The strand of hair was pure black.

I would have assumed that at this point in time, my hair should have started turning blond again, like mother's. I've already checked my blood twice, and I've already fully expelled all the contaminants from the poisoning event.

Perhaps my father's hair was black? And that is why I am now still producing black hair?...

I hadn't been able to do any research on the Malfoys this past month because of my grounding. Fortunately, Hogwart's library is extensive enough that I'm sure I can find knowledge of lineages, current and past political activities, and historical influences of different families.

I yawned, shut my eyes, and pulled my blanket further over my shoulder.

[Goodnight Catalypsssie]

[Nightnight] she hissed back

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[1] Potter Puppet Pals: Snape's Diary [Oh, Button]

Button, oh button

Oh where hath thou fled?

Did thee tarry too long

Amongst fabric and thread?

Did thee roll off my bosom

And cease to exist?

How I wish I could follow thee

Into the mist...[

[2] This is another subtle nudge to an event that happened not that long ago in the past.