𝖘𝖎𝖗𝖊𝖓 - d. malfoy

VIII - down to the dungeons

Arabella walked out of the Great Hall arm in arm with Daphne - Pansy and Draco off doing Prefect duties - the girl giving a running commentary on the students around them.

"That's Cormac McLaggen, brilliant shag but terribly conceited," she whispered as they passed a rather attractive Gryffindor boy. "Eloise Midgen, sweet girl but has serious skin issues."

"Ladies!" Blaise called, coming up behind them and linking his arm through Arabella's. Blaise had already cemented himself as one of Arabella's favorite people, his sharp wit and general sluttiness endearing him to her. "Party Friday night at Hufflepuff, we're going, darlings."

"Ooo, I love it when the Puffs' host." Daphne cheered. "Don't be fooled by their look, Bella, their interest in Herbology extends far beyond what we learn in class."

"Sounds fun, I've been dying for some excitement," Arabella agreed.

The three of them made their way to the Slytherin common room, stopping before a seemingly solid wall.

"Pureblood," Blaise said, revealing a door previously hidden.

Pureblood? Really?

Arabella's thoughts must have been reflected on her face as Daphne started to explain how "traditional" some Slytherins were as they walked in.

Wow. So, racist? But like magically?

Arabella was a bit shocked by what Daphne told her. The U.S. was much more integrated with no-maj's - it's muggles here, she reminded herself- and she had never really heard anyone speaking hatefully towards them, let alone their magical children. She was shocked when the residents of Grimmauld place had no technology or knowledge of pop culture, and even more so now.

All negative thoughts left her mind as Arabella stepped through the threshold. A high ceiling was strung with ornate chandeliers, and intricate lamps lined the stone walls. Plush green sofas and leather chairs were occupied by the Slytherins, cashmere blankets strewn across the backs providing protection from the chill of their surroundings. Clear glass took up an entire wall and provided a glimpse into the lake, the water casting a soft green glow across the room. Luxury was obviously present down to the most minor details.

Arabella startled at the sight of mermaids swimming up towards them, joined by the first-years. A few students turned and started "talking" to them, communicating through some modified form of sign language.

"Don't worry," Blaise gestured to the multi-species conversation, "we teach all the little firsties." Arabella elbowed the boy, causing him to chuckle.

Arabella followed Daphne and Blaise to a circle of couches in the middle of the room, the younger students occupying them quickly jumping up and leaving.

Two new faces joined them where they sat, Theo and Millie, settling among them. The Slytherins idly chatted and explained the ins and outs of the school to Arabella, detailing who to avoid, who threw the best parties, secret passages, and various other tidbits they felt were important.

Draco and Pansy eventually joined them, finally done with their prefect duties for the night. Arabella found herself particularly drawn to them; Pansy reminded her of her best friend back at Ilvermony, all sharp wit with a hidden sweetness.

Her friends had been unable to write to her while she was at Grimmauld Place due to the secrecy surrounding its location, and she had sorely missed them, but Arabella felt the ache far less sitting surrounded by her new housemates.

Slytherin was already starting to feel like home.

Word Count: 603

A/N: Hey y'all! Bit of a short chapter again, I'm trying to get the plot moving. I have the first smut chapter written out already so that's coming soon. Please let me know what you think; any and all feedback is welcome! If you enjoyed this chapter, hit that star button, it means a lot <3