The Heart Is Not Black or White

Chapter 11

"Here is the Slytherin common room."
The first-years oohed and aahed as we took a look at our surroundings. Our common room had green furniture and gave off the vibe that we were in a dungeon.

"The Slytherin common room extends partly on the the Black lake, which is what gives it that tint of green. Sometimes the giant squid can be seen through that window over there," Adair explained, pointing to a window on the far side of the room. You could see some of the shadows from the lake, but not much else because it was dark outside.

Taking a closer look at the common room, I saw numerous chairs and couches with green or black leather. Malfoy and his two cronies plopped themselves in the biggest black couch in the center, seeming to claim it as their own.

Scattered around the room were dark wood cabinets with the occasional skull on top. It gave off the cold atmosphere that intrigued me. On the walls were portraits of medieval-looking wizards and witches who were probably Slytherins.

"The password to the common room changes every fortnight, which is two weeks, for the Americans that don't know," Adair said, giving a pointed look at me. How did he know I was an American? Oh. Right. The accent.

"Right now the password is 'serpent', and it will always be posted on this bulletin board," he pointed to a bulletin board next to the giant window. "I think that's all for tonight so get rested for your classes tomorrow. All of your luggage is already delivered to your rooms. The girls dormitories are at the end of the hallway that's on your left, same for boys except the opposite hallway. Now get to bed. Your schedules will be available at breakfast tomorrow."

I headed off with the four other girls to our dormitory. We walked through a stone hallway with seven doors. There were three to the right, three to the left, and one at the very end of the hall for us first-years. It was presumably same for the boys in the opposite hallway. Pansy elbowed her way in front of us and turned the big brass door knob on the oak door.

As we entered, I took in my surroundings. The walls were once again stone and the room was circular. Five beds were arranged in a circle against the wall. Each bed had dark wood frames, green sheets and pillows, and black curtains. To the right of each bed was a dark oak nightstand with a drawer and cupboard underneath it. Our trunks were at the front of our beds, and our Slytherin robes were laid out neatly on top.

"Ugh!" Pansy groaned. "I can't believe they're making us start classes tomorrow in the morning." She flopped on the bed closest to the left of the door where her trunk was located.

As everyone made their way to their assigned bed, I said, "I'm actually kind of excited to start. I can't wait to learn charms, hexes-"

"Yeah, yeah," Pansy huffed. "The good stuff doesn't even come until, like, fifth year, so why waste your excitement. Right, Millicent?"

Millicent gave a shrug in response.

"Well whether we're excited or not, classes start in the morning," said Daphne. "So we should get some sleep or I'll never be awake during Charms class."

Everyone opened their trunks and put their pajamas on, too tired to talk. Once I had mine on, I instantly slipped under the covers, with the others following suit.

"How are we supposed to turn off the lights?" Daphne asked.

Looking around, I saw that there were no lamps. The room must have been illuminated by magic.

"Do you think it's like that muggle contraption where you clap your hands and the light turns off?" Tracey inquired.

"That's ridiculous," Pansy scoffed.
"Why would Slytherin use a muggle idea?"

"Let's just try it," I said. I clapped my hands twice and the light went out.

Of all the Houses, Slytherin, the one that almost completely rejects muggles and their ideas, is the one that uses a muggle method of lighting. Curious.