Dragon's Yokai Mate

Chapter Nine

Hadleigh was still very displeased with how things were now, how she wouldn't learn anything new. It made her sad. Soon the desserts too disappeared, and Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent. "Ahern -- just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you." He started looking around the hall, but Hadleigh stayed staring at the table with her arms folded. "First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

Draco nudged his soulmate a little the girl huffed before looking up and seeing that Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of two red haired twins. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."

He had continued and Hadleigh remained bored with the announcements, Kiki having climbed onto her owners shoulder, rubbing her head against her cheek. She really wanted Hadleigh to show her Yokai face, she truly hated the glamour.

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

Hadleigh frowned. "He's not serious?" she muttered to Draco.

"Must be," said one of the older boys, frowning at Dumbledore. "It's odd, because he usually gives us a reason why we're not allowed to go somewhere -- the forest's full of dangerous beasts, everyone knows that."

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

Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words. Hadleigh's eyes widen before she slapped her hands over her sensitive ears.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!" And the school bellowed:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now, they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So, teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot.

Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest. Hadleigh sighed as she took her hands off her ears. She was glad it was over, she hated loud noises like singing.

"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

The Slytherin first years followed behind two older students. There was a door on the right side of the Entrance Hall if coming down the Marble Staircase facing the front doors of the castle. Behind the door was a set of stone steps which descended deep into the dungeons. The entrance to the common room was located behind a bare stretch of stone wall in the dungeons of Hogwarts Castle. Hadleigh was quite impressed with where the common room was hidden. The two prefects spoke to them telling them of the password and it changing every fortnight. "The password for now is Purist Blood, the new one will be posted on the notice board." The female prefect said with cold eyes as the entrance opened.

Stepping inside the first years were quite impressed. Hadleigh had seen better. Her papa's home was much better and bigger, also it was where she could frolic safely in her demon form, prancing around with her papa. She pouted missing the fun times.

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 carved chairs. This dungeon extended partway under the lake, giving the light in the room a green tinge. The common room had lots of low backed black and dark green button-tufted, leather sofas; skulls; and dark wood cupboards. One of the wooden tables had a Wizard's Chess set on it. It was decorated with tapestries featuring the adventures of famous Medieval Slytherins. It has quite a grand atmosphere, but also quite a cold one.

When they were all gathered in the common room the bat like man came gliding from the shadows, Hadleigh raised an eyebrow as everyone jumped in surprise. "Welcome to the Slytherin house. I am Professor Snape, your head of house." The man's voice drawls out. Hadleigh listened intently as the man spoke more.

"The main rules of Slytherin House as found posted in the common room etched into the silver plaque stuck to the wall with a permanent Sticking Charm are as followed: 1. Your House is your family. Family stands together." He started. "2. The common room does not belong to YOU. It belongs to everyone. Keep it neat. 3. Arguments with another Slytherin are only permitted in Slytherin House. Refer to the FIRST RULE. 4. Study time is QUIET time and is mandatory. You will receive schedules on a weekly basis. 5. NO ONE is allowed to skip House meetings. House Meetings are almost always scheduled." Snape said to them, keeping a firm eye contact on all of them.

"6. The Hogwarts House Elves are not your servants. Keeping your dorm rooms and the common room clean is your responsibility. 7. Dorm inspections once a month. These are NOT scheduled. You are forewarned. 8. All meals are mandatory. No sweets in your dorms. No sweets after 8pm. Those taking a Nutrition Potion will come to me or Madame Pomfrey once a week. 9. Bedtimes: First years - 9pm, Second thru Fourth years - 10pm, Fifth thru Sixth years - 11pm, Seventh years – Midnight." He said. "10. Your House is your family. Family stands together. These are the rules I expect everyone in Slytherin to follow; to the letter. They are, however, not the only rules. You will discover in your seven years here that I will give you further guidelines and rules that you can take past the walls of Hogwarts." Snape explained to them all as Hadleigh pursed her lips.

What could he teacher her, this Hadleigh, about the real world.

"Finally, never forget the Secret of Slytherin: Plan in ways a Ravenclaw finds sound. Blend like a Hufflepuff into the background. As for the Gryffindor, learn from their mistakes. And be ready to react, Slytherin, swift as a snake. Serpens tacitus perspicasis et celeris est."

With those final words Snape left. Leaving the students to go to their rooms to rest.

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Slytherin Rules were found here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/426484