Snake Venom

The Challenge

Exactly at midnight, Falcon felt himself being shaken awake. "Come on. Time to show those Gryffindorks why messing with us was a bad idea." The seven chosen challengers met in the common room and donned black cloaks, each emblazoned with a dark emerald colored serpent. With a quick "si vocare animalis", Seven snakes appeared in a cloud of grey smoke. The snakes slithered onto the shoulders of their respective summoners, and with a nod, the challengers filed out of the common room.

It was almost laughable how easy getting to the Gryffindor common was. The Slytherin prefects had volunteered to do patrol, so the corridors were empty. Fred stepped forward. "Pig Snout." The portrait swung open, and the Slytherins clambered into the Lions' den. Falcon fell into step beside Marcus. The fifth year glanced down and sighed before slinging his arm over the first year's shoulder. "Don't be nervous. Remember, keep quiet in the dorm, get in get out. You got this." Falcon nodded and Marcus gave his hair and affectionate ruffle. The seventh year challenger, a girl named Aria, lined the group up, and cast "muffliato" on each person. She pointed to the stairs, and each challenger lined at the dorm of the soon to be challenged.

Falcon carefully twisted the handle and entered the dark room. He quickly spotted the youngest Weasleys'' bed, as he was the only one sleeping with his curtains open. He let the snake crawl off his shoulders and over to the bed. It looked back at him and he tapped his shoulder before pointing at the weasle. The snake bobbed its head and slithered onto the bed. With a quick strike, it bit Ron's shoulder. Falcon could already see the snake bite mark forming already. He glanced down at his own shoulder and saw a black lion bite forming.

Falcon glanced around the gaudy red and gold common room, seeing he was the first one done. He decided to use his spare time wisely and with a chuckle, got to work.

Marcus finished next and as he descended the stairs, he had to hold back laughter. The common room walls were now bright green and silver. The furniture was purple, and the floors were daisy yellow. The fireplace burned with rainbow colored flames, and every few minuets, bronze, silver, and black powder fell from the cieling. On one of the walls, painted in neon pink, was "Gryffindorks Suck" with a picture of a kitten looking lion beside it. Marcus spotted falcon lounging on a couch near the fire and made his way over. He sat down and glanced over at him. "You are a bloody mess." Falcon looked up at him sheepishly. His hair was a mix of neon green and yellow, and his wings were covered in powder and odd colors.

Soon the rest of the group came down and they set off. Marcus trailed behind, making sure to vanish any powder from Falcons wings that dropped onto the ground. They made it back to their common room without incident, where they unfastened their cloaks and headed to their respective rooms. Fred walked up to Falcon, gave him a sleepy "goodnight", and wandered off. Falcon started to head up to his own room, but paused when he heard footsteps behind him. He smiled when he heard a deep voice. "Go on nerd." Falcon entered his room and held the door open for Marcus.

Marcus pushed him over to the bed, and he sat with a slightly curious expression on his face. The older boy sat behind him. He pulled something out of his pocket and Falcon felt his wings being brushed. "...You need to be careful doing pranks... dummy." Eventually, the brushing stopped and Marcus dropped a now brightly colored rag onto his bed. He ruffled Falcons hair and got up with a groan. "Night." He walked out of the room and Falcon turned to the bright rag. Deciding to be lazy, Falcon threw it onto the floor and turned over with a yawn.

The next morning, the house stood organized by year. A few seventh years checked over the ranks to make sure they were perfect, adjusting people as needed. Draco stood, practically vibrating with excitement and the twins a few rows back laughed quietly. Falcon lined up at the front of the mass alongside the other six challengers. He gave Marcus and Fred a smile, then pulled his Slytherin mask down; they couldn't afford to let emotions betray anything today. With a nod, Aria led the group to the entrance of the Great Hall. The twins the pushed the doors open, holding them for their house.

In perfect sync, the Slytherins marched to their table. With a hiss, they sat in rank, and waited in silence with straight back and perfectly folded arms. The hall went silent. As one, the challengers stood. Falcon spoke first. "We invoke the Founders Challenge." He stepped back and let the second year, Austin, speak. "The Gryffindor house of Godric has plotted against us." Fred was next. "This is a grave insult, and we will not stand for it." The fourth year Alcor stepped forward. "The Slytherin house of noble Salazar will duel the house of Godric in a week's time." Marcus grinned almost ferally. "The winning house receives all of the losers points, and unless a house item is available, a student of the winners chosing will be expelled." Corvus, the sixth year, spoke. "A consultant and friend of the house has been discovered to be in danger." Finally, Aria spoke. "We demand an instant resort of Hermione Granger."

Immediately, the Great Hall erupted into outrage. Dumbledore shot a few sparks from the end of his wand, and the room quieted. The headmaster smiled kindly and looked over at the Slytherins. "Now now, let's not be hasty. Miss Granger is perfectly safe and-" He was interrupted by loud hissing. Falcon stepped forward. "We will not repeat ourselves again. Hermione is to be resorted immediately." Hermione stood up. "Since I was sorted into Gryffindor, I have been bullied, scorned, and threatened. I wish to be resorted." The headmaster was smart enough to know he had lost. With a sigh, he summoned the sorting hat. Hermione strode up to the hat, and as soon as it touched her head, it shouted, "RAVENCLAW!"

Aria stepped forward. "Now, for the challenged. Ronald Weasley, Cormac McLaggen, Alexa Bell, Allen Cortez, Percy Weasley, Karla Avin, and Eric Krepton stand. The seven Gryffindors stood slowly. Aria muttered a spell under her breath, and the bite marks of each challenged glowed emerald green. The Gryffindors panicked and searched for the source of the glowing, yelling when they saw the bites. The Slytherins own bites glowed ruby red, and they uncovered them slowly, brandishing them with smirks.

Dumbledore stood and interrupted. "There is no need for this! Slytherins, please retract your challenge. You have no proof that they plotted against your house." Falcon let out a laugh, and the headmaster turned to him with a twinkle in his eyes and a grandfatherly look. "Now Harry,-" the twins cut in. "Whose Harry? This is-" "Our little brother Falcon." Falcon stepped forward with the letter from Hermione.

After he had read the letter, the Slytherin house rose as one, hissed, and filed out of the Great Hall in the same perfect unison they had arrived in. As they left, Snape's drawl could be heard. "20 points to Slytherin for giving me some peace and quiet."