Last time:

As the school set into the glorious food, Harry pondered. He also thanked his great fortune that no one had yet noticed that one of his eyes was fake. He hoped that the year would turn out okay. At least he had found some place to be accepted. For now, he would tread carefully. He didn't like the look of the adults that had stared at him briefly. It was always better to be safe then sorry. Oh how wise those words would turn out to be.

After dinner, all the Houses got up. The First Years were led to their respective House. For the Slytherins, that meant down into the dungeons. It was quiet, and chill down there. Once the portrait was open, the students entered the common room with relief. Even though it was still in the Slytherin House, it wasn't nearly as cold as it was out in the corridor. The First Years, for that one night, were allowed to crowd around the fireplace while they all waited for their Head of House.

They didn't have to wait long. Severus Snape came in promptly at the turn of the hour, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. He looked menacing, in his long black robes. He had positioned himself so that the light was behind him, casting shadows in the hollows of his face. The First Years trembled with awe and fear, and a knowledge that this was not a wizard one would mess with lightly.

"My name is Professor Severus Snape," said the man in a silky baritone voice "though you will address me as Professor Snape, or sir. As there are quite a few First Years among us, let me say: Welcome to the Snake's Den. There are a few rules you will follow during your stay here at Hogwarts. Break any of them, and you may find your time here less then pleasant." The black eyes snapped with a warning fire as he said this last bit. The looks on the Firsties faces was quite enough to tell anyone that they understood the Professor perfectly.

"Your Prefects will explain the rest to you. Good Night, and be proud of being chosen for Slytherin," with that, the dour man stalked off, his robes billowing out behind him. He did not slam the portrait, but closed it gently. After he was gone, the two Prefects stood up and began telling the Firsties the rules(as well as remind the other years to follow them too). Two of the rules were: Never fight with another Slytherin outside of the Common Room, as it was all for one out there. The other was: Never shame the House of Slytherin, or the Head of House, by getting in trouble with another teacher.

After the rules were given, and they were told at what time to expect their schedules for tomorrow, the Firsties were sent up to bed. Trooping up the stairs to the boy's dormitory, they entered cautiously. Harry, at least, was amazed at what they found there. Five four poster beds, each one having a trunk in front of it. Separating to go to their own beds, all the boys prepared for bed. Then a group 'Good Night' they all closed the curtains around their beds.

Harry lay there for awhile, just thinking. The Professor seemed strange to him. Though he acted bitter, and could probably have quite a temper, he sensed that there was more to the dour man then that. It was with these thoughts that he slowly drifted off. Only to awake shortly before midnight, the blanket stuffed in his mouth to prevent him from screaming. Sweat poured off him, as he nervously listened to the others. Satisfied he hadn't awoken anyone, Harry laid back down.

What had awoken him was the old nightmare of red eyes, a cruel laugh, and a green flash. Ever since he was four, he had learned to bite down on something to keep from screaming when that nightmare popped up. If he didn't, his Uncle made his displeasure known quite well. He wondered why things were the way they were. He wished he wasn't such a freak.

As no one had woken that night, Harry felt safe to do what he rarely did. Cry silently into his pillow, letting the soft fabric soak up his tears. He slowly fell asleep, tears still running down his cheek onto his pillow. He slept peacefully the rest of the night, only to be awoken at dawn with a start. At first he wondered why he woke up. Then he saw a ghostly figure sitting on his knees, making faces at him. Then he understood.