Parselmight Chapter 6

Just like in Hogwarts, the Slytherin students always seemed to group together, and it was no different on board the Hogwarts express. Harry entered one of the train cars with only one large compartment, and immediately found himself surrounded sneers and glares.

“What are you doing here Potter? Finally left Weasley and decided to sit with your betters?” Greeted Draco Malfoy in his typical annoying drawl, standing up in the middle of the compartment and blocking his path. He was soon joined by Crabbe, Goyle, and a few upper years.

Unsuprisingly, one of them was Flint. “There’s no room for you here Potter, go back and sit with the regular filth that keeps you company.”

The entire compartment was watching the spectacle, and Harry mentally sighed at the theatricality. “Don’t get your hopes up Draco, I still don’t want to sit with you. You don’t have to beg me to do so like you did in our first year.”

Draco’s face went slightly red in embarrassment, clearly taken back by Harry’s own taunt. He soon colored up, with an angry expression marring his features. “We don’t want you here, you filthy halfblood! Get out Potter before we curse you!”

Harry’s voice was cold, “I fought off Snape, a Werewolf, a Death Eater, and every dementor the Ministry could throw at me last year. Meanwhile you couldn’t even handle a hippogriff, and had to go crying to Daddy like you usually do. Get out of my way Malfoy.”

Draco’s face went red in embarrassment and rage, while suppressed snickers made themselves known. “You’ll get yours Potter!” He spat.

“Perhaps.” Harry drawled, finally making his way around the group. “A shame your father didn’t succeed at the World Cup.”

He knew that by the time he got to Hogwarts his confrontation would be known by practically everybody in the school. The Hogwarts rumor mill never ended, and it would likely exaggerate the whole confrontation as Harry fighting off Slytherin House all at once.

He passed several private compartments with their blinds drawn, and one of them opened from which Daphne walked out. She didn’t run, but kissed him in the hallway before dragging him to her compartment.

He immediately noticed the compartment was enlarged, something he didn’t think possible on the Hogwarts express, and found it furnished luxuriously compared to the rest of the train. Harry quickly found himself in a situation that made him self-conscious, being that he was surrounded by some of the most desired girls at Hogwarts.

Daphne and her younger sister Astoria sat next to each other at a nice table, with Tracey Davis, Lisa Turpin, Susan Bones, and Hannah Abbott from their year sitting at the table as well. Emma Zabini was also there, sitting next to a beautiful blonde girl he knew was named Kassandra Malfoy, Draco’s older sister, but Harry had never noticed her nor heard her speak over the years. Next to her were the Carrow twins, who he knew to be girls in his own year, along with an older girl he believed to be named Grace Sharp.

The old Harry would instantly be on edge, but the new Harry trusted Daphne Greengrass. Emma Zabini was now one of his friends and a trusted ally, and if Daphne was right in her judgement, the people here could be too.

Harry placed his trunk overhead, above Grace Sharp, and nearly dropped it when a loud whirling noise emanated from her jacket. It got the attention of the other occupants, and she pulled out a complicated circular enchanted object that spun around like a carousel. She squeezed it in her palm, and the spinning along with the noise stopped.

“Sneakoscope.” Grace muttered, looking annoyed, before glancing at him suspiciously.

“Looks like Potter has something dark in his trunk.” Joked Emma Zabini, getting snorts of amusement from around the compartment.

He internally winced, a sneakoscope was a device used to detect mark objects within a certain vicinity. Grace Sharp likely used it for her own safety, and it had clearly detected at least one of the many dark objects in his trunk. He needed to play it off.

“You could say that.” Said Harry, trying to act casual, and sitting down next to Daphne. The other girls obviously noticed this, and glanced at one another knowingly. Harry continued on, even at Daphne leaned against his side comfortably. “Everyone keeps saying I’m a Dark Lord, so if you can’t beat ‘em, as the muggles say, join ‘em.”

The girls laughed, but Kassandra Malfoy didn’t, she smirked instead and studied him intently. Harry raised a brow, and she spoke. “What’s in your trunk, Potter?”

“Is there something you want to know, M-Malfoy?” He stuttered the last word unintentionally, mentally trying to reconcile the fact this girl was the sister of the guy who declared himself Harry’s nemesis.

“Is there something wrong with my name?” She noticed his slip.

Harry shrugged, “I’m too used to dealing with your father and brother, that’s all. I didn’t realize Draco had a sister till recently, I guess it takes time to adjust after associating your brother’s name with idiocy for years.”

Her lip quirked, “Call me Kassandra then. Any friend of Daphne and Emma is a friend of mine.”

A murmuring of agreement spread throughout the compartment, and Harry felt himself relax. He would admit he wasn’t one for social cues and the like, but he could immediately tell by her reaction she disliked her brother and father. Harry honestly couldn’t blame her, as he would too if he was in her position.

The conversation moved on from there, and he noticed how surprised the compartment’s occupants were of him. He often caught them glancing, or even outright staring at him. Not doubt his radical change in character had taken them by surprise, but he was sure the reddened cheeks meant something completely different.

People came and went from the compartment as the train continued on to Hogwarts, and Harry couldn’t help but curse himself for not getting to know more students over the years. It made him realize just how much of the school’s population valued politics, something he had been blind to all these years.

Very few of the students who visited their compartment were Gryffindors, something he felt mildly embarrassed over, with the vast majority being Slytherins. That didn’t stop a fair amount of Hufflepuff’s and Ravenclaw’s from dropping by, including Zacharius Smith and Ernie Macmillan, boys Harry had a less than favorable opinion of after his second year.

-

Harry could sense the shift in the air when dinner finally began in the Great Hall. There was a strange tension in the air as everyone settled in, and no where was this more apparent than at the Slytherin table.

The Slytherin students had all but split in half, with Daphne Greengrass in the middle of one half, and Draco Malfoy sitting in the center of the other. The divide was clearly noticeable, and Harry noticed Snape frowning over the divide at the Slytherin table. Dumbledore seemed to notice something underway as well, as he looked at the Slytherin students without the twinkle in his eye.

It was impressive how large a following Daphne managed to accumulate so quickly. From what he had learned from her, internal Slytherin politics sounded more akin to warring gangs than an actual civilized House. Students frequently made deals, joined together in groups, and betrayed one another. He had to guess so many Slytherins joined Voldemort because of the system, likely joining Voldemort’s faction in Slytherin at the time for “protection”, and that Malfoy’s group was the continuation of this.

“H-Harry.” Stuttered a voice next to him, and he looked over to see Neville looking at him.

“Hey Neville.” Harry greeted. “Have a good summer?”

“It was alright.” Neville shrugged, “Gran was busy with the Wizengamot, so I spent most of it by myself. Managed to get some new magical plants from Brazil imported though, they’re very poisonous. Is it true you travelled to America?”

“It is.” Harry nodded, before stiffening. “How did you know that?”

“It was in the prophet.” Neville answered. “They had a picture of you with a bunch of Goblins and Wizards, claimed you took part in a battle or something like that.”

“Was that all they said?” Harry inquired, hoping that not every detail of his escape from Britain was covered by the paper.

“Pretty much.” Neville shrugged. “All they really had was a picture, which I think they took from a MACUSA newspaper. The paper really just focused on the World Cup most of the summer if I’m being honest. That, and some Wizengamot stuff that my Gran has been busy with.”

“Can you tell me?”

Neville leaned over, and looked at the Slytherin table while whispering. “Malfoy’s father has lost a lot of his support. It’s rumored he’s having problems with the goblins, and a lot of his buisiness partners are frustrated with him. House Yaxley has taken him to court, and the Carrows actually left the Dark faction alltogether.”

Neville’s voice squeaked when he mentioned the Carrows, and Harry noticed he was looking towards the twins Hestia and Flora. He couldn’t help the twitch of his lips, find his friend’s fear amusing. “I guess that might by why the Slytherin table is split up, but why are half of them sitting around Greengrass?”

“Daphne’s father is in charge of the Grey faction, so they’re probably trying to get close to her.”

Harry felt his eyebrows twitch, noting how Neville used his betrothed’s first name. “Are you and Daphne close?”

“We’re second cousins.” Neville nodded. “We used to play together as children, old families tend to interact with each other so their children can become acquainted with one another. I’m closer with Astoria, she’s nicer in my opinion.”

“Are you a part of the Grey Faction?” Harry genuinely wanted to know.

“No.” Neville shook his head. “We used to be, but Gran pulled out during the war. She felt they weren’t doing enough in the fight against You-Know-Who. She joined Dumbledore instead, but Lord Greengrass is trying to bring her back over.”

He nodded, and couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief at the thought of befriending Neville. His roommate was way more politically knowledgeable than he even thought, and could help him navigate the political landscape better.

Neville suddenly turned to him, “House Potter has a Wizengamot seat, but it’s inactive. Since you’re the last of your family you should be able to take it at some point, or at least appoint a proxy for it.”

Harry opened his mouth to respond, but sudden the doors to the Great Hall opened, and the first years made their way in. They were led by McGonagall, who stopped them at the front of them room before the sorting hat was brought out.

Harry expected the hat to start singing, like it usually did, but instead it looked unusually sullen for some unknown reason.

The hat let out a tired sigh before it spoke. “I have sorted a great many minds in my time at Hogwarts. From the lowliest of peasants to royalty, from those of great magical power to even squibs, all have worn me all have been sorted by me.”

Harry felt his eyebrows rise, and he couldn’t help but wonder what was happening. Most of the students seemed to recognize something strange was happening in regards to the sorting hat, and even the Professors seemed uneasy. Dumbledore looked especially troubled, and his eyes darted around as if he was panicked and unsure if he should intervene.

“I have witnessed many great events in my lifetime. From the construction of this castle and the Norman invasion that came after. The introduction of the Statute of Secrecy was well within my lifetime, along with the untold destruction of knowledge that came after. The many atrocities committed by Headmaster Gaunt, and even Mr. Potter’s slaying of Slytherin’s monster.”

Harry felt like facepalming, as every face in the room suddenly snapped to look at him. He bore through it all, but did reminisce about the fight against the Basilisk.

“But there has been one consistent theme through it all.” The hat continued onwards. “People create their own problems. And no more apparent has this been now than ever before. I have held my silence over the many years, but it must be addressed. The house you are sorted into does not define you, and it is certainly not an assessment of character. Gryffindor and Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, these are not descriptions, they are names. So remember, next time you have to associate with someone not of your House, are they really that much different from you for sleeping in a different tower other than your own?”

The Great Hall was silent when the hat finished speaking, until it exploded in noise. Harry, along with the entire Gryffindor table rose with cheers. The other tables did too, with Daphne’s half of the Slytherin table clapping and cheering loudly. Amused, Harry couldn’t help but note that Malfoy’s group all held sour expressions on their features.

The hat didn’t exactly give a speech praising muggleborns, and the destruction of knowledge certainly did appeal to the more Dark crowd, but Harry guessed the part about associating with other houses is what displeased Malfoy.

Harry also guessed the part about him killing Slytherin’s monster didn’t help.

He found it oddly convientant that the Sorting Hat would give a speech like that right when Daphne intended to implement her plan. Harry wondered if there was more going on as he looked over at the Slytherin table.

-

“Snape’s pissed. Like, way more so than usual, he might make a scene and ignore the first-years alltogether. If he does that, then the plan won’t work.” Raleigh Abbott said as they all hurried down to the common room.

Eileen Selwyn shook her head. “Even if he does, the distraction that the Carrows promised us would steal his attention.”

Daphne’s gaze snapped over to Hestia and Flora, whose neutral expressions gave nothing away as they all rushed to the common room. Their half of the Slytherin table had left first, and as such the group of them all had nearly turned into a mad dash the second they left the Great Hall.

While Daphne had been the one to propose the plan for Eileen to take control of Slytherin, the seventh year girl had her own methods in order to do so.

They all practically stormed into the common room like muggle fans at a sports even, and just like them they too claimed the best seats. Eileen took the tall black leather chair by the fireplace, the seat typically reserved for the leader of Slytherin, with Daphne sitting on a nearby couch with Flora and Hestia at her sides. The others who had sided with them also took seats, and soon the few seats in the Slytherin common room were all taken.

Draco’s group soon stormed in, with Malfoy somewhat red in the face. Eileen face with with an unimpressed face, an unimpressed eyebrow raised as she looked at him as if he was a pile of dragon-dung. Draco didn’t say anything, obviously completely caught by suprise and not knowing what to do till Snape showed up.

The first years soon came in, standing in the center of the room and looking completely oblivious to the tense situation. Snape soon appeared, and looked at everyone using the furniture before turning to face the first years.

“Welcome to Slytherin House.” Snape began his normal speech, one Daphne had heard many times at this point. It was told in a condescending monotone drawl, and the words of the speech itself were designed to stress out the first years so that they knew what they were in for.

Soon the firsties would form groups, leaving some of them ostracized, and then they would get to know the upper years. These upper years would take advantage of them over time, forcing them to join coalitions within Slytherin for their own protection. And with Draco being the leader of Slytherin, and Snape backing him, this would all lead to them joining Voldemort’s faction. Something that would end tonight.

“-you will solve all your agreements between your fellow Slytherins within House boundaries. The other Houses are our enemies, and we cannot afford to not have a united front against them. Something that some of us seem to have forgotten.” Snape said that last sentence with a glare around the room, focusing finally on Selwyn, who simply smiled mockingly.

Suddenly, as if on command, Draco Malfoy screamed. He knelt over, and vomited black liquid violently. He fell to the ground, holding his stomach as if in pain, while black liquid stained the front of his shirt.

Exclamations of shock sounded throughout the room, and Snape ran over to him. He ripped off Draco’s shirt, to reveal the liquid pouring through his belly button. Snape swore, levitating Draco while running out of the room, all the while casting diagnostic charms.

Everyone looked at one another in shock, clearly unsure of what to make of the situation. It was so sudden and unexpected, and Daphne suddenly realized that this was Eileen Selwyn’s plan. A glance proved it, as the new leader had a victorious smirk on her lips.

A glance at the Carrow twins next to her showed they had no reaction, but Daphne was certain they were the ones to curse Draco. Whatever it was they did, she certainly hoped never to see it again.

“Welcome to Slytherin House.” Selwyn suddenly spoke, getting the firsties, along with the rest of the room’s attention. “Since Professor Snape is unavailable, I will be the one to give you first-years an introduction.”

“Says who?” Montague demanded from his spot among the children of the Dark Faction. “Snape didn’t give us any instruction before he left.”

“I am the Head Girl, Montague. Helping first year students is part of my duty.” Eileen smiled mockingly. “All four Heads of Houses and even the Headmaster elected me. Surely I don’t need Snape’s, or even Draco’s, permission to guide first year students?”

The older boy glared at her for the barb, while the rest of his group looked unsure of what to do. Daphne knew that it could have devolved into a fight if Draco were here, but he, along with Snape, had been removed.

“You planned this, didn’t you?” Flint asked with a snarl, glaring at Eileen. “You cursed Draco.”

“A ridiculous accusation.” Eileen waved off his words. “Feel free to have Snape check my wand, and he won’t find anything. Draco was probably pranked by the Weasley twins.”

“You should be more careful, Selwyn.” Rookwood spoke cooly from across the room. “Your family is part of Malfoy’s faction after all.”

“As are most of us.” Eileen said. “That didn’t stop you all from cursing Alexander Carrow, and loosing Lord Carrow’s support in the wizengamot. If anyone should be more careful, it’s you.”

That shut them up, but Malfoy’s lackeys all glared at Eileen with pure loathing. Eileen ignored them, standing up from her chair, and standing in front of the firsties who had watched the confrontation apprehensively.

Eileen smiled kindly at them. “It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to Hogwarts. I am the Head Girl, Eileen Selwyn, and if you have any questions, or any students give you trouble, please come to me first.”

The first years all smiled back happily, and Eileen continued to address the rest of the room. “It has become obvious that change is coming to Slytherin. All of us heard the sorting hat’s words, and we can either choose to ignore them or give them thought. I, for one, plan to make more connections outside of Slytherin this year.”

“You would associate with blood traitors and mudbloods?” Theodore Nott snarled from his place among Draco’s men.

“Do you really think that the House you were sorted into matters after Hogwarts?” Daphne asked, drawling out the words as if talking to an idiot.

“Only the best get sorted into Slytherin, Greengrass.” Montague spat. “All the other Houses are useless, full of weaklings and filth.”

“Even Ravenclaw?” Raleigh Abbott asked innocently. “Sarah Bulstrode has been sorted there from what I’ve heard. She’s your betrothed, is she not? I’d hate for her to hear what you’ve been saying about her House, being full of weaklings and filth, in your own words.”

Montague gained a sour expression, and Eileen snorted. “You can’t even back up your own words.”

“That’s enough.” Rookwood interrupted from his spot. He glared at Eileen. “You’ll regret this, Selwyn. Associating with mudbloods and blood traitors is beneath you.”

“And whose fault is that?” Eileen sneered, looking angry for the first time. “Years of connections that we could have formed outside of Slytherin have been stripped away because of your gang of thugs. It ends now. No longer will you curse us in the back for talking to Hufflepuffs, or organize little intimidation sessions because some upjumped boy high off his father ordered it. We’re done following Malfoy, and his hold on Slytherin ends tonight.”