Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does.

Chapter 4: The Serpent's House

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She hadn't been a teacher when Tom attended, but Harry's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She opened the door wide and led them across the flagged stone floor, past four large hour glasses filled with coloured marbles. The first years followed Professor McGonagall into a small empty chamber off the hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "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 four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. 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 rule-breaking 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."

The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

Her eyes lingered for a moment on the round-faced boy's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear. Harry was only slightly nervous, as he attempted to flatten his unruly hair, with little success. Next to him, Blaise smoothed down his robes.

"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."

Aware he would be in the presence of Albus Dumbledore, an extremely skilled Legilimens; Harry checked his Occlumency shields. Harry noticed that Ron Weasley was telling people that they had to wrestle a troll, 'what an idiot' thought Harry. Looking around, he saw that everyone was looking terrified, especially with Weasley's foolish comments. No one was talking much except the bushy-haired girl, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learnt and wondering which ones she'd need. 'The teachers must really enjoy frightening them' thought Harry, considering that telling the first years how they were to be sorted would avoid all this panic.

Several people behind Harry screamed, turning around he saw that about twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to each other and hardly glancing at the frightened first years. They seemed to be arguing. One that Harry recognised as the Fat Friar was saying, "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance -"

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chance he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost – I say, what are you all doing?"

A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years. Nobody answered.

"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be sorted, I suppose?" A few people nodded mutely.

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house you know."

"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

Professor McGonagall had returned. On by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.

"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."

Harry got into line behind Blaise, and they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.

The first years followed Professor McGonagall between the four long tables, at which the rest of the students were sitting. At the top of the hall was another long table, where the teachers were positioned. Harry spotted Dumbledore instantly, sitting in the centre of the High Table, in a large golden chair. But Harry was startled to also spot Severus Snape, next to a nervous looking man with a turban; 'at least this gives me a chance to find out who Snape is loyal to' thought Harry. Professor McGonagall brought them to a halt, facing the other students, with the teachers behind them.

Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put what Harry knew to be the Sorting Hat.

For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth – and the hat began to sing:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding a long scroll 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 pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, she put on the hat and it sank immediately over her eyes. After a moments pause, the hat called out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuff table cheered and clapped as Hannah went to join them.

The row of students slowly shrank as more and more first years were sorted. Expecting to be sorted there, Harry gave particular attention to those placed in Slytherin House. "Bulstrode, Millicent", a large, rather unattractive girl, became the first new Slytherin student and was quickly followed by "Crabbe, Vincent", whose father Harry knew to be a particularly dim-witted Death Eater. The next Slytherin first year was "Davis, Tracey" a small, brown-haired girl.

Harry watched as "Goyle, Gregory", yet another Death Eater's son, was sorted into Slytherin. 'I'll have to keep my eyes open if I am sorted there' thought Harry.

The bushy haired girl, "Granger, Hermione", was sorted into Gryffindor. "Greengrass, Daphne", a blonde-haired girl, walked up to the hat and promptly became the next Slytherin.

Harry was also surprised to discover the nervous, round-faced boy to be "Longbottom, Neville", who fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide but finally called out "GRYFFINDOR!", which surprised Harry considering how terrified Neville looked. After Neville forgot to take off the hat and had to return it amid gales of laughter, Harry became more determined to befriend Neville.

Harry took an instant dislike for "Malfoy, Draco", whose father was one of Voldemort's top Death Eaters and had bribed his way out of Azkaban. Malfoy swaggered up to the stool, and the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!"

The next Slytherin was "Nott, Theodore", a stringy looking boy who, like Malfoy, was the son of a Death Eater. He was soon followed into Slytherin by "Parkinson, Pansy", a pug-faced girl with short black hair.

Harry was surprised when a pair of Indian twin girls were sorted into different Houses; he was therefore caught off-guard when: "Potter, Harry!" was called.

Mutterings broke out all over the hall and Harry, trying his best not to let it bother him, strode quickly up to the stool.

"Potter, did she say?"

"The Harry Potter?"

"He'll definitely be a Gryffindor!"

The last thing that Harry saw was students standing up to get a better look at him and then the hat flopped over his eyes.

"Hmm," said a small voice in his ear. "Oh, what's this… these aren't yours… Well that's certainly something I haven't seen before."

'You won't tell anyone, will you?' thought Harry.

"No of course not, I'm forbidden from revealing a student's secrets. Now let's see… plenty of courage, but you're equally as cunning. Not a bad mind, either… you have a thirst for knowledge… but only to prepare for what you know you are destined to face, so Ravenclaw is out. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes - and a nice desire to prove yourself… you feel your fame is undeserved, but you want to be great… you could be, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that - no?"

'Why are you asking me?' thought Harry, 'you're the Sorting hat.'

"Sarcastic as well, there's no doubt where you belong now, you will do best in…SLYTHERIN!" the hat screamed out.

Harry pulled the hat off and noticed that he was receiving the least cheers so far. The Slytherin table was divided. About half of them, mostly the upper years, refused to clap, while the rest looked surprised, yet pleased that they had the Boy-Who-Lived in their House.

Looking towards the teachers, Harry saw that Snape was giving him a glare that could compete with the best of Uncle Vernon's. Dumbledore seemed surprised, although he was difficult to read. Hagrid wore a slight frown on his face as he clapped his massive hands. McGonagall looked disappointed, having probably assumed he would be a Gryffindor, but quickly recovered.

Harry slowly walked over to the Slytherin table and sat beside the Bloody Baron, separating Harry from Malfoy. Harry hoped this would prevent the Malfoy heir from speaking to him.

Turning to look at the other Houses, Harry saw that many had still not recovered from the shock of the Boy-Who-Lived being sorted into Slytherin. The Gryffindors seemed to have decided that he was the next Dark Lord and the majority were throwing him angry looks. This included the still unsorted Ron Weasley, who Harry was sure would soon be spreading the story of his earlier outburst on the train.

The Sorting continued until "Weasley, Ronald" became a Gryffindor, and was welcomed enthusiastically by his brothers. Finally "Zabini, Blaise" was the last to be called, and Harry was pleased when the hat called out, "SLYTHERIN!" Blaise swiftly headed toward the Slytherin table and sat beside Harry. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.

Harry noticed some of the looks the Slytherins were giving him, some were aggressive while others were calculative, he wondered if he should have asked the hat for a different House. But then he pushed the idea away, it was too late now and Blaise seemed to want to be his friend.

Noticing that Dumbledore was standing up, Harry looked towards him. "Welcome!" the Headmaster 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. Harry didn't know whether to laugh or not.

Although Harry respected Albus Dumbledore, he was the only one Voldemort had feared after all, Harry couldn't help but think that the old wizard was rather odd. Harry was still unsure when, and if at all, he would divulge his secret to the Headmaster. Harry knew that he would need to if he wanted to hear the full Prophecy soon. Tom, despite his hatred for Dumbledore, had acknowledged the fact that Dumbledore was extremely skilled and clever. The Headmaster's advice would be invaluable in dealing with Tom's secrets.

The tables had suddenly filled with food, so Harry piled his plate high with some of everything he could reach and began to eat. He was taking a sip from his pumpkin juice, when he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to stare up into the grey eyes of Draco Malfoy.

The Pureblood had his white blonde hair slicked back and wore an arrogant expression on his pale, pointed face. Standing either side of the boy were the gorilla-like Crabbe and Goyle, acting as his personal body-guards, Harry assumed.

"I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. I noticed you only had this blood-traitor for company," said Malfoy as he pointed to Blaise, "you should come sit with some of the better people in Slytherin house. You see, you'll soon find out that some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He held out his hand for Harry to shake, but Harry didn't take it.

"You expect me to sit with you after insulting my friend?" asked Harry, "You're not being very cunning for a Slytherin." Malfoy cheeks flushed pink at the insult. "Besides, why would I want to be friends with the son of a Death Eater?"

"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," said Malfoy slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents."

"Don't threaten me, Malfoy," warned Harry, "Now why don't you run along or I might have to show you why Voldemort" - everyone around Harry flinched as he said the name - "couldn't kill me when I was only one." Malfoy's face paled. Continuing in a louder voice so that the student nearby could hear, Harry said, "I'm sorry Malfoy, but I don't do autographs, even if you are my biggest fan." Malfoy's pale face flushed pink again.

Realising that most of the students nearby were watching them and that most were laughing at him, Malfoy angrily muttered "You've made yourself an enemy today, Potter," before returning to his seat with his bodyguards following obediently.

Turning back to his food, Harry continued eating. "You handled that rather well," commented Blaise.

"Well someone needed to put that snotty brat in his place," replied Harry, "He needs to learn that respect is earned, not inherited."

When everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded from the plates, leaving them sparkling clean as before. Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The Hall fell silent. "Ahem - just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First-years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."

That was something Harry was looking forward to, he'd not had a chance to try out a broomstick yet and Tom had been terrible at flying.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year; the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a most painful death."

This surprised Harry, he was certain Dumbledore wouldn't joke around like that. 'What could possibly be down that corridor?' wondered Harry.

"And now before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Harry noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed.

Dumbledore, with a flick of his wand, conjured a long golden ribbon which twisted itself into the lyrics for the song. "Everyone pick their favourite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"

Most of the Slytherins weren't very enthusiastic compared to the rest of the school.

Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march.

Dumbledore bid the students goodnight and Harry followed as the Slytherin Prefects led the first years out of the Great Hall and down into the dungeons, where their common room resided.

They stopped in front a bare, damp stone wall and the Slytherin Prefect began to speak, "This is the entrance to the Slytherin common room and the password is Parselmouth." A stone door concealed in the wall slid open and they entered the common room.

The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling, from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in high-backed green leather chairs.

The Prefects then led them to their dormitories. Slytherin's dormitories were positioned on the same level as their common room, unlike the other Houses. Arranged around their rectangular dorm room were six four-poster beds hung with brilliant green, velvet curtains. Malfoy quickly selected a bed, with Crabbe and Goyle taking the beds either side of him. While Harry picked the one closest to the door and Blaise took the one beside him, leaving the last for Nott, who Harry noticed hadn't spoken much tonight.

Harry and Blaise chatted for a short time before bidding each other goodnight. Harry placed a sticking charm on his bed curtains in case Malfoy tried something in the night. Not feeling tired yet; Harry pulled out Duelling and Transfiguration and began to read on the uses of Transfiguration in blocking curses.

Severus was angry.

No, that was a lie.

He was furious.

Severus couldn't believe the Potter brat had the nerve to get himself sorted into his House.

Severus had been so livid that he'd fled the Hall as soon as the feast was finished and locked himself in his personal quarters. He'd also neglected to perform his usual duty of intimidating his new first year 'snakes' into following the House rules. It was lucky tomorrow was a Sunday and no classes were scheduled, tomorrow he'd have the opportunity to make sure the first years didn't embarrass the House.

Even worse, the brat looked exactly like James Potter. If the brat hadn't had her eyes, Severus would have had a hard time not acting like some impulsive Gryffindor and wringing the brat's neck.

Severus was certain that Potter would be just as arrogant as his father, perhaps even more so with the additional fame of being the Brat-Who-Lived. Potter would no doubt be breaking rules and expecting some kind of special treatment. 'Well, come first Potions lesson the arrogant brat is in for a shock,' thought Severus viciously.

"There, look."

"Where?"

"The one wearing the glasses?"

"You think he's evil?"

"Maybe, it would explain how he defeated You-Know-Who."

"Did you see his scar?"

"How can the Boy-Who-Lived be a Slytherin?"

"He'll probably be the next Dark Lord."

The whispers started as soon as Harry entered the Great Hall alongside Blaise the next morning. Harry was relieved that he had woken up early and the hall wasn't yet full, as many students had decided to have a lie-in since September 2nd fell on a Sunday. Therefore, classes didn't begin until tomorrow.

Harry had expected that being sorted into Slytherin might concern some of the other students, but he hadn't anticipated them being so hostile towards him. There certainly hadn't been this much prejudice against Slytherin House when Tom had attended the school. Harry realised just how much the war must have tainted peoples attitude towards Slytherin House.

After breakfast, Blaise told Harry he planned on returning to the dorm to write a letter to his mother before heading to the Owlery to post it. Harry decided to use Blaise's absence to inspect the Diadem Horcrux in the Room of Requirement. He separated from Blaise in the Entrance Hall with the excuse of exploring the castle.

Harry only wanted to check on the Diadem, after all it had been placed there over 20 years ago with no defence save for the difficulty of actually finding it amongst the rest of the room's items. There was also the dilemma that Harry had no way of destroying the Horcruxes yet, Fiendfyre was too advanced for Harry to even try, let alone control. Harry also wasn't yet confident enough in his skill to risk entering the Chamber of Secrets and trying to kill the Basilisk for its venom, as it could only be controlled by the Heir of Slytherin.

Noticing he was receiving more stares and whispers from those students only now arriving for breakfast, Harry was relieved he knew the shortcuts to mostly avoid further attention on his way to the Room of Requirement. Once he was out of site of anyone in a secret passageway, Harry used the opportunity to cast a Disillusionment charm on himself as well as Silencing charms to his feet. Tom had discovered that the portraits reported anything suspicious back to the Headmaster, but Armando Dippet, the Headmaster at the time was much easier to fool than Dumbledore - who had never been fooled by Tom's charm. Harry certainly wasn't ready to reveal his secret to Dumbledore, so it would be best to avoid provoking the Headmasters suspicion.

After arriving at the blank stretch of wall on the 7th floor corridor, Harry walked up and down in front of it three times while thinking 'I need a place to hide something…' After the door materialised, Harry swiftly slipped inside, closing the door behind him and hastily removed the Disillusionment and Silencing charms. Harry had entered into a room the size of a cathedral, whose high windows were sending shafts of light down upon what looked like a city with towering walls, built of objects hidden by generations of Hogwarts students.

He quickly navigated his way through the maze of alleyways constructed from centuries of hidden junk, coming to a halt beside a large cupboard which seemed to have had acid thrown at its blistered surface. Harry inspected the place he knew the Diadem to be hidden. Finding it still there he decided to have a browse around; after all, the place was overflowing with hidden items which Harry was sure might contain something he could put to use. Harry eventually settled on a few ancient looking books that he'd like to have a look through. He decided that he would perhaps have another look around when he returned to destroy the Horcrux as he was leaving the diadem here for now. After all, the room was a more secure hiding place than any he could devise and there was no need to be concerned of Voldemort retrieving it anytime soon, given that he was currently nothing more than a spirit.

Harry had been surprised that Tom had left his Horcrux with no more protection than an anti-summoning charm. Tom had certainly been arrogant to believe he was the only person to know of this room, 'Where did he think all this junk came from in the first place' mused Harry.

After pocketing the items with the help of a Shrinking charm, Harry re-applied the Disillusionment and Silencing charms to exit the room without being noticed by the Tapestry on the opposite wall. Deciding that it would be best to make it look like he had in fact been exploring the castle, Harry entered an isolated passageway to remove the charms before making his way towards the main staircase.

Beginning the climb down the massive swivelling staircase from the 7th floor, Harry stopped upon noticing Neville Longbottom heading towards him. Harry decided he might as well make use of the opportunity to talk to Neville, "Hey… Longbottom!" called Harry. The round-faced boy had now reached a step almost level with Harry; he looked up upon hearing his name called. Spotting Harry, Neville's eyes bulged and his face rapidly paled. Neville let out a small squeak before promptly running up the staircase as quickly as was possible with the hindrance caused by his own clumsiness.

'Great' thought Harry, 'Weasley must have already been spreading some over-exaggerated story of my outburst on the train.' Subsequently, Neville was too frightened to even talk to Harry. 'The Sorting Hat must have seen something in Neville to place him in Gryffindor' thought Harry.

'Perhaps I should focus on making friends in my own House first' thought Harry, as he began making his way down the staircases and to the Dungeons, this made Harry contemplate who he could attempt to befriend among the first year Slytherins. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were definitely out, Parkinson appeared to be particularly smitten with Malfoy or the Malfoy name, Harry was uncertain which.

Harry was unsure of Bulstrode, she wasn't really included in Malfoy's group; but she seemed most like a female version of Crabbe or Goyle, which wasn't a good thing in Harry's opinion. Nott appeared to be a bit of a loner but Harry expected that he would support Malfoy if forced to choose a side - After all, Harry knew that the Nott's father was a Death Eater. Harry had noticed that Nott mostly observed his fellow Housemates, he would certainly have to keep an eye on Nott.

Realising he had already arrived at the blank stretch of wall concealing the Slytherin Common Room, Harry muttered the password and entered. Scanning the room in search of Blaise, Harry found him to be sitting near the corner talking to Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis. These were the only two Slytherins Harry would consider getting to know. From Tom's memories Harry knew that the Greengrass family had stayed neutral during the war, even when threatened to join Voldemort. They had subsequently gone in to hiding; Voldemort was unaware of where they had fled to. Harry didn't know much about Davis, but he was aware that the Davis family had no links to Voldemort . So far, Davis and Greengrass had stayed together and mostly avoided Malfoy's attention.

Deciding to take advantage of the chance to talk with them, Harry made his way over to the group.

"Hey, Blaise," called Harry in greeting.

"I see you managed to find your way back," Blaise replied as Harry took a seat beside him on the green leather couch.

"Yes, eventually," Harry answered, before looking towards the two girls. Greengrass had honey-blonde hair and dark green eyes, while Davis was more petite with chestnut-brown hair and brown eyes. "I haven't had the chance to speak with you yet, I'm Harry Potter."

"No need to introduce yourself Potter, we already know who you are… I'm Daphne Greengrass…" the Pureblood girl trailed off, turning towards Davis and signalling for her friend to introduce herself.

"And I'm Tracey Davis," she said, while holding out her hand for Harry.

"It's nice meet you," replied Harry while shaking her hand.

"So, are you looking forward to classes tomorrow?" asked Tracey.

"Of course. I haven't really had a chance to practice or experience magic since my relatives are muggles," lied Harry smoothly. Harry noticed Daphne frown slightly at this.

"I didn't know you lived with muggles," lowering her voice, Tracey continued, "I'm actually a half-blood, my father is a wizard so I had the chance to try some magic before starting Hogwarts."

"I nearly forgot to mention, Harry," interrupted Blaise, "while you were gone the Prefects announced that Professor Snape is coming to the common room before dinner to speak to the first years."

The four Slytherins continued talking until they had to head to the Great Hall for lunch. While Tracey was friendly towards Harry, he noticed that Daphne didn't participate in the conversation much, preferring to observe instead. When Daphne did speak, she seemed somewhat cool towards him.

After lunch, the first year Slytherins returned to the common room and occupied themselves until their Head of House's arrival.

At five thirty, Professor Snape swept into the Slytherin common room with his customary scowl in place. Coming to a stop in front of them, Harry watched as their Head of House scrutinised each of his new Slytherin students with his cold black eyes. When Snape's gaze was directed at him, Harry noticed the particularly hateful expression that appeared on the man's sallow face.

"Welcome to Slytherin House," began the hook-nosed Professor, "I am Professor Snape, your Head of House. You have already been here for one night, so I trust you all managed to find your dormitories. If you have any difficulty finding your way around the school, the nearest Prefect will be able to assist you, preferably a Slytherin Prefect as the other Houses have a strong dislike for Slytherins."

"You are all Slytherins," stated Snape. "Slytherin is a proud and noble House. Therefore, there are certain rules I expect each and every one of you to follow. Firstly, outside the common room I expect my Slytherins to conduct themselves as a young Wizarding lady or gentleman should. I will not," Snape paused and his black eyes bored into each of them, "tolerate you embarrassing the rest of the House. Any problems between you and your fellow Housemates are to be resolved within the privacy of this common room."

"While I do not condone rule breaking," at this, Snape looked sharply at Harry, "Slytherin is the House of cunning. Therefore, I expect my Snakes to not get caught breaking the rules. If I hear that any of you have broken these rules, you will answer to me. Do I make myself clear?"

The first years nodded.

"Good," continued Snape. "Classes begin tomorrow, so I expect you all to be at breakfast on time. These are your class schedules," said Snape, placing them on the nearby table. "It is almost dinner time, I will see you in class on Friday. Good evening." Turning on his heel, Snape swept out of the common room.

Harry turned to Blaise, who was standing beside him. "Well, he seemed like a pleasant bloke," commented Harry amusedly.