The Fox In A Snake Pit!

Princess of Serpents~ Edited Sept, 2025

Jade was curious about why practicing magic outside the classroom was not permitted, but she quickly set the thought aside. To her, this rule felt like a constraint on her curiosity and her eagerness to discover the magical world that existed beyond the school's limits. Nevertheless, she understood that rules were established to be followed, even if she didn't entirely understand the reasoning behind them. 

"Now, before we head to bed, let's sing the school song!" Dumbledore announced with a twinkle in his eye. Jade observed how the smiles of the other teachers had turned somewhat stiff. With a subtle flick of his wand, as if attempting to chase away an insect, Dumbledore released a long golden ribbon that shot up above the tables, spiraling into letters like an elegantly twisting snake.

~Skipping the song~

"Ah, music—magic beyond all we do here! Now it's time for bed. Off you go!" Dumbledore said, wiping an invisible tear from his eye. He seemed to be remembering fond childhood memories as he sent the students to find their dorms and go to sleep. 

The first-year Slytherins followed Snape through the lively crowd, leaving the Great Hall and going down a spiral stairway. They moved in a single line, their green and silver robes fluttering as they navigated through the busy hall. The students whispered to one another with excitement, eager to learn the location of their dorm. 

Wearing a long, flowing black cloak that billowed behind him, Snape led the way with a stern look on his face. His voice cut through the noise of the crowd as he instructed the first-years to stay close and remain quiet. 

The students complied without hesitation, their footsteps resonating against the stone floor as they moved further away from the warmth and light of the Great Hall. Jade felt as though her legs were weighed down, sluggish, and heavy like lead. She was utterly spent from her long day and the satisfying meal she had just enjoyed. Every part of her body was weighed down with exhaustion, barely allowing her to summon the energy for another step. 

Despite her weariness, she remained alert, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings with a sharp focus. She walked down the corridors, utterly oblivious to the whispers and pointed fingers of the figures in the portraits adorning the walls. Their eyes tracked her every move, and their mouths formed silent words as if engaging in a lively discussion. 

Her thoughts were solely focused on the need for sleep and finding a cozy place to rest. Then, she heard one of the portraits mention that she had a few characteristics of someone named "Tom Riddle." The name echoed in her mind, but it was unfamiliar. 

"Whoever that is..." she thought, with a shrug. 

Snape led them through a series of hidden doors that were cleverly concealed by sliding panels. The panels unveiled secret passages that appeared to twist endlessly through the ancient castle.

With each step, Jade felt as if she were dragging her feet through thick mud. Despite her incessant yawning and heavy limbs, she continued to push on. The corridor grew colder as they descended deeper into the school. 

The descent down the staircases felt endless. With each step, it appeared that more energy was being sapped from her body. It was clear that the excitement of the day had worn off, and fatigue had set in. Nevertheless, she continued forward, determined to reach her dormitory. Her thoughts raced as she tried to piece together how far they had come before coming to an abrupt halt. The sudden stop took her by surprise, and she collided with the student in front of her. "Sorry," she murmured, her voice thick with weariness. 

As Jade examined her surroundings, her eyes were drawn to a portrait at the corridor's end. It was unlike the others they had passed; this one was of a stern-looking man with a high forehead and a stern expression. He was dressed in ancient wizarding robes, and his eyes followed the students with an unnerving scrutiny.