Chapter 3

As we followed the Prefects, I noticed that we didn't have to put up with much in the way of moving staircases to go from the Great Hall to the Slytherin Dorms. That was nice because I had a feeling that I was going to be cutting mealtimes close at several points throughout the year. Instead of moving staircases and multiple flights of stairs, we got a single, descending, regular staircase down into the dungeons.

Speaking of the Prefects, they were friendly enough. Far from the typical Slytherin stereotype of barely disguised, aristocratic, contempt, they seemed eager to help out the new First Years. The outgoing brunette Girl and her more subdued but still friendly strawberry blonde Boy had introduced themselves as Gemma Farley and Terence Higgs, Prefects for Slytherin, and were busy letting us know exactly how things would work in the House of Salazar.

"So, this here's our common room. Yes, I know it looks like a bare patch of stone, but that's because we haven't said the password yet. Gemma, care to give it a go?" Offered Terence.

"Regulus." Intoned Gemma.

As she did that, the stones of the wall immediately began to fold themselves away, revealing a doorway of solid oak set into the wall that swung open the moment that the last of the stones folded back. Terence looked back at us and fixed us all with a look.

"Now, a word of warning. The password changes daily, so make sure you keep an eye on the notice board in the common room. It has the newest password written on it at the start of every day. If you forget the password, you'll be waiting for a housemate to come along to help you out and that can get expensive in favors or galleons." Cautioned Terence.

"On the other hand, it makes it difficult for folks like the Weasley Twins to prank us in our own Common Room. They got the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team last year just before term ended that way. The entire Ravenclaw Quidditch Team had to take the Hogwarts Express back smelling of dungbombs. That's not for us, though." Added Gemma.

"Come on, let's head inside." Intoned Terence before he and Gemma led us through the doorway and into the Slytherin Common Room.

Inside was a series of plush leather couches, high-backed wooden chairs, and tables with all manner of items on them. One had a wizard's chessboard, another had a decanter that filled itself with any liquid on command, and so forth. Bookcases carved with serpentine scrollwork were packed full of all sorts of tomes that had been donated to the Slytherin Library from various alumni over the centuries, many of them on rare or dark subjects, given the predilections of the Alumni. At one end, a fireplace stood with an engraving of tangled serpents carved in relief above the hearth and a mantle topped by skulls of various creatures slain personally by various alumni over the centuries. Tapestries and portraits covered the walls, depicting the exploits of famous Slytherins even as one end of the common room seemed to be punctuated by windows that looked out into the black lake. The whole thing was lit by green lamps, giving everything a slightly spooky aura.

"Our home away from home. We like to think the lighting lends the common room something of the air of an ancient sunken ship. Especially with how the Common Room extends at least partially under the Black Lake." Grinned Gemma.

I wasn't thinking about that so much as I was thinking about how the Common Room seemed to be a common room, library, and trophy room all rolled into one. Combined with the security procedures, it truly painted a picture of a House that was under siege by the entire rest of the school whether or not that siege mentality was truly warranted. Speaking of which, Terence spoke to that mentality next.

"Now, I need you all to understand exactly how we as a house survive when the rest of the school hates us. Slytherin has to project at least a facade of unity to the other houses. If we don't, the Gryffs will try and throw their weight around. I don't care what your personal grudges are against each other. You will settle them in-house. We have a dueling pit for a reason, after all. When you go out into the School, however, that doesn't matter. Slytherins hang together. Am I perfectly clear?" Demanded Terence.

A round of nods and affirmative murmurs went through the assembled First Years. I joined in myself as well. This mostly tracked with what I'd remembered of how things were in the Books. Logically, I'd known that there had to be interpersonal conflicts in Slytherin House, but the Slytherins had always been portrayed as acting as a unit. This was definitely an explanation for that sort of behavior.

Terence led us over to a section of wall where a notice board was put up. This had to be the notice board that he'd been talking about earlier. I could see the word regulus written on the board, but curiously, only some of the notice board was cork and able to have notices pinned to it. The rest appeared to be some manner of enchanted slate that seemed to have various things written on it by magic. There were sections with batches of names alongside numbers next to those names. I swiftly found a batch of names that matched our own class and was surprised to see that while most had no numbers next to their names, I had the number two next to mine.

"As you can see, this is the House Notice Board. As you can see, there is a space to post notices for favors and the like you might be looking to trade but there is also the announcements section and the Silver Points system. Silver points are awarded for outstanding achievements and other actions that reflect well on our House or otherwise show you as being an exemplary Slytherin. They are awarded by our head of house, Professor Snape, and may be cashed in for various perks and privileges. A price list for said perks and privileges has been provided in your rooms." Informed Terence.

"As you can see, one of you already has two silver points to his name thanks to being able to cast a second-year spell. As Slytherin is the House of Ambition, you might be interested in a bit of extracurricular study yourselves to attempt to catch up. Fortunately, there are a number of clubs that will be available to be signed up for this week, some of which might be able to grant you the edge you're seeking. The Duelling Club is run by myself and Penelope Clearwater over in Ravenclaw with Professor Flitwick as our faculty advisor for example." Added Gemma.

"There are a few clubs that might help you earn Silver Points so I highly encourage you to join one. The details of everything will be made clear once you finally head to your rooms for the night. The information will be provided along with the price lists for perks in a sort of welcome packet." Nodded Terence.

"With that said, Professor Snape will be here shortly to give a short speech and then you'll all be free for a few hours before curfew." Remarked Gemma.

As if on cue, the black-clad form of Professor Snape strode into the common room. Here was a man who clearly didn't value appearances as much as he did ability. You wouldn't think much of Severus Snape to look at him, with his greasy hair, hooked nose, and pallid skin. I could see where the comparison to a Vampire had come from, certainly the real deal was no Alan Rickman. In fact, I would be tempted to overlook him had I not known about his qualifications and capabilities, to dismiss him as some random denizen of Knockturn Alley, not even worth considering. No doubt that was how Snape liked it. After all, being underestimated provided advantages of its own in a confrontation.

"I am your head of house, Professor Snape. Those of you who have had siblings attend may have heard of the recent unpleasantness with the Cursed Vaults that has plagued Hogwarts for the last few years. Some of you may have also heard that members of our own house had made the Dunderheaded decision to get involved with such. . .activities. Those dunderheads have all graduated now and I will be expecting this class to behave in a matter more appropriate to Slytherin House. Should any of your extracurricular activities expand beyond your capability to handle or otherwise threaten the school thanks to your reckless behaviors, you will find your time here very unpleasant indeed." Intoned Professor Snape.

I swallowed a lump in my throat at that. Severus Snape could certainly do intimidation when he wanted. Even with my Occlumency shields, a brief shiver went up my spine as he warned us all off of engaging in excessive dunderheaded behavior, as he put it. I could only imagine what those without my Occlumency Shields were feeling at the moment. Fortunately, he didn't let the threat linger too long before moving on.

"That said, should you have issues with members of other Houses, you are to tell a prefect. The prefects will let me know and I will speak with the other Heads of Houses as time permits. I am a busy man, after all. The Headmaster has, unfortunately, decided to crack down on any dueling in the Hallways, so should you be caught casting hexes, jinxes, or curses at another student outside of the Dueling Pit or Club Activities, I will be quite put out with you. Am I clear?" Pressed Professor Snape.

Murmurs of assent and affirmative nods greeted Snape's question. Of course, all of us Slytherins realized that there had been an option left open to us by Snape's wording. If Professor Snape would be put out with us for getting caught casting hexes and whatnot at other students in the hallways, then the obvious loophole there was simply to not get caught. I could handle that, especially with my Concealing Cloak.

"Very well. Then you are dismissed for the time being." Nodded Professor Snape.

I turned to go only for Professor Snape to call out, "Not you, Mister Zabini. We need to speak in my office."

Then he turned on his heel and stalked away, forcing me to follow him at a quickened pace. Professor Snape's office, at least the one attached to his post as Head of Slytherin House, was hidden behind a portrait of a bubbling cauldron at the far end of the Slytherin Common Room he tapped various ingredients in a pattern, from the bezoar first and ending with the mistletoe berries. The bubbling liquid in the cauldron turned green and the portrait swung open. Professor Snape walked inside and I followed him in.

In here was a large desk flanked by cabinets filled with potions ingredients, glassware, and alchemical and potions texts. A small potions workbench leaned up against a wall that seemed to have been modified by special instructions, likely at the order of Professor Snape himself. There were a series of chairs made of carved wood with minimal upholstery. The sole lip service paid to comfort was a small, self-heating, kettle next to a tray of various tea blends, most of them astringent-tasting.

All told, this office looked more like a workspace than anything else. It certainly fits the Austere Personality that Severus Snape put forth to his various students and colleagues. This was a man, said this office, who values results over comfort. As Professor Snape sat down and gestured for me to do the same in one of the hard, minimally-upholstered, chairs, I had to wonder just what this was about. I wasn't wondering long.

"I wonder, could you tell me precisely what potion the ingredients I tapped on the portrait made, Mister Zabini?" Questioned Professor Snape.

"The antidote to uncommon poisons, Professor." I answered.

"Indeed. And had I not started with the Bezoar, what would the potion be then?" Queried Professor Snape.

"Depending on if you added it last or somewhere in the middle, either an inert mess that would have solidified in the cauldron or a deadly poison capable of even felling a troll if the antidote wasn't administered in time, Professor." I responded.

"Correct. You managed to cast the Standard Counterspell at the Welcome Feast successfully as well. I wonder, just how far along is your magical education already?" Asked Professor Snape.

"Not too far. Far enough to give me a slight edge over my yearmates in Charms, Potions, and Defense." I shrugged.

"I require a list of potions and spells you already know along with a demonstration." Insisted Professor Snape.

"Certainly, Professor. I can brew the Wiggenweld Potion, Boil Cure, Antidote for Common Poisons, and Herbicide. I also can cast the following spells, Lumos, Nox, Fumos, Verimillious, Flipendo, Wingardium Leviosa, Reparo, Finite Incantatem, and Alohomora." I listed off.

I then proceeded to demonstrate each of the spells for Professor Snape, starting with Lumos and ending with Fumos. Professor Snape used a Finite Incantatem of his own to banish the smoke from my Smokescreen Charm before he had me begin the process of preparing each of the potions. By the time I had finished, it was eleven o'clock and I had thoroughly proven to Professor Snape that I could back up my claims. He sat back in his seat with a calculating look on his face.

"Professor?" I questioned.

"Your mother taught you these spells and potions, I assume?" Queried Professor Snape.

"Yes, Professor." I confirmed.

She had actually taught me the theory, incantations, and wand motions long before I'd had my wand. I had practiced each spell in the month or so I had been cooped up in my room between my mother's death and the Hogwarts Express, taking full advantage of my foreign wand and abundance of privacy to get a head start on everyone else. My elation at learning a spell had never lasted and I generally wound up crying myself to sleep every night over my dead Mother regardless.

"That is not an Ollivander Wand." Stated Professor Snape.

"No, Professor. It is a Grimaldi Wand." I responded.

"That explains a great deal. Your family is foreign, you would not have known enough about the Trace that the Ministry places on all wands to take measures to circumvent it. A foreign wand, on the other hand, would bear no such spell. You are aware that such extensive private, pre-Hogwarts tutoring is rare? You are aware this is half of the content of the first-year curriculum in Potions, Defense, and Charms?" Pressed Professor Snape.

"Professor, am I in trouble?" I asked.

"No. I'm afraid you will be quite bored for the first half of the year's classes, however. I wonder, would you consent to some advanced studies?" Questioned Professor Snape.

"How do you mean, Professor?" I queried.

"There are provisions in place for private tutoring in the event a student arrives at Hogwarts with more knowledge of the first-year curriculum than is usual so that time is not wasted at Hogwarts. Mind you, these cases generally only apply to overseas transfers. Uagadou, for example, begins classes at age ten instead of at age eleven, as it is required for the somatic style of spellcasting practiced there to be taught younger. Meanwhile, many Wizarding Nations place no restrictions on potion brewing in the home for personal use, including your mother's native Magical Italy. I am unaware of there ever being a case this far advanced in this many subjects at once, however." Informed Professor Snape.

"Of course, Professor. I'd love to be part of such a program." I nodded.

"I will need to discuss this with the headmaster. I believe the last time that the provisions had to be used extensively was Hieronymous Trankmann of Magical Greater Bavaria in eighteen-ninety-three and he only was this advanced in Potions and Defense. In the meantime, I should think self-study will be your friend." Cautioned Professor Snape.

"Yes, Professor." I agreed.

"Very well. Don't let me detain you. After all, I am certain you would wish to get some sleep." Informed Professor Snape.

I made my way out of his office and back through the common room. Very few people were still up and about at this hour, most had opted to get some sleep for the day ahead. It had been a pretty long day, I supposed. As I passed the notice board, I looked over and spotted that a further thirteen silver points had been added next to my name for a total of fifteen silver points.

As I made my way over to my assigned room, entered to find the security features on my trunk had been activated. Someone had tried to get into my Trunk while I'd been with Professor Snape and had been in for a shock. Literally, the brass fittings on my Trunk were enchanted to shock anyone who tried to open the trunk illicitly. I had a feeling I knew who had tried that and how. I had thrown the gauntlet down for Draco to pick up earlier, after all. After being shocked, however, it seemed that Draco had beaten a hasty retreat. I'd have to watch out for him going forward.

For now, however, I changed into my pajamas, set an alarm for eight thirty, drew the privacy curtains on my bed, and drifted off to sleep. As I dreamed, a premonition took hold of me involving Draco Malfoy and a challenge to a duel in the Slytherin Duelling Pit by the end of the week. I couldn't see the when, but I could see the first spell he would cast. Draco would open the duel with Serpensortia, summoning a cobra to attack me. Then the vision faded into normal dreams. When I woke the next morning, I resolved to look up the Counter to Seprensortia just in case the premonition turned out correct.

I would find out one way or the other by the end of the week. . .

XXXX

AN: So yeah, it turns out that Blaise not having a British Wand also means that Blaise isn't subject to the Trace. He was able to practice his Mom's lessons constantly while he was busy sulking in his room and brooding over his Mom's death. It's given him something of an edge over his yearmates and has resulted in him getting picked for special tutoring.

As for Draco, Ironically, his having an in-house Rival in Blaise actually makes things easier on Harry. At least initially. For example, there won't be any calls for fake duels in the Hogwarts Trophy room against Harry this time around. That by itself means that Harry and Ron will be exploring the Castle at their own pace. As for how that plays out, you'll just have to keep reading to find out.

The Silver Points system is my take on something that I see a lot in various fics that involve Slytherin House, which is the In-House Ranking System. The problem I have with how In-House Ranking is presented in many fics is that the structure of such ranking systems tends to be pretty well-defined and rigid. Having such a well-defined ranking system isn't something that a House that would at least nominally be attempting to train its students for real-life scenarios should have. Real Life is far messier than such things would allow for.

With this system, it's less a formalized ranking structure and more of an incentive to act in certain ways that can give perks to students who excel. Like real life, there are a few different ways to get Silver Points, much like there are a few different ways to get ahead in Real Life. The perks can also aid in various projects. Hopefully you guys like what I'm doing with it.

At any rate, the next chapter will be the first few days of classes at Hogwarts.

Stay tuned. . .