The Common Room

Anduin cut himself a piece of lamb chop too and ate it unhurriedly. He wasn't particularly hungry, since he'd eaten plenty of snacks on the train. He'd found that Hogwarts's cooking was much better than what they had outside. It was still as greasy as most British food, but at least the seasoning was decent.

The feast had barely been underway when ghosts began appearing from all directions. Some dropped from the ceiling, while others emerged from the tables, making the new students cry out in alarm.

Anduin, on the other hand, watched the ghosts with shining eyes. It was his first time seeing the dead appear right before him. Curious, he reached out and tried to grab one as it passed, but his hand went straight through its body without feeling a thing.

If only I could get my hands on a ghost to study. They're not easy to come by. Anduin was back to his wicked thoughts. In a way, he and Slytherin really were a good match.

While enjoying the food, the new students around him began getting to know each other. But this was Slytherin, after all: they opened with questions about family and history. Anduin noticed several students discover, as they chatted, that they were related, and promptly started claiming kinship. Quite a few of them already knew each other, perhaps because their families often visited one another, as Vanessa's did.

A few people even knew Vanessa, presumably from meeting her sometime over the summer.

The wizarding world really was a small place. The Slytherin First Years all around him were cozying up to familiar faces, while Anduin felt like an invisible man, entirely untouched by the goings-on. He quietly ate the lamb chop on his plate.

"Hey, friend. I'm Randall Rosier. Why are you sitting here eating all by yourself? You look unfamiliar. I heard your name's Anduin Wilson. I've never heard of the Wilsons. Are you descended from some foreign wizarding family?" A boy suddenly sat beside him. He was also a First Year, with short, light blond hair and a broad smile as he struck up a conversation.

I'm a descendant of dragons. I'd be afraid you'd drop dead if I told you. Anduin grumbled to himself, then turned to look at the boy. He recognized him as the one who'd been sitting beside Travers. Anduin guessed the boy had been sent over by Sampur Travers to find out more about him.

"No, I'm not descended from some foreign wizarding family. It's normal you haven't heard of us, because I come from a Muggle family. Is there a problem?" Anduin's tone was calm, giving nothing away. He looked at Randall without a trace of warmth in his eyes.

Under Anduin's cold gaze, Randall's cheerful expression stiffened.

When the young wizards around them heard that Anduin was Muggle-born, they all turned to look at him, then turned back to their friends and began gossiping about the news.

It was rare for a Muggle-born wizard to be sorted into Slytherin. Some of the young wizards looked at Anduin with curiosity, while others regarded him with much less friendly expressions.

Anduin thought Travers and Rosier's behavior was childish, and paid no mind to the strange looks from the other students. To him, these First Years were just a bunch of kids. He had no interest in fitting into their family-clique atmosphere. All he wanted was to study and conduct his research in peace—and, preferably, not have some fool come along to bother him.

However, Vanessa had told him earlier that some Slytherins came from distinguished Half-blood Wizard families, while others were Pure-bloods through and through. With a Muggle-born wizard like Anduin thrown into the mix, things could easily take an unpleasant turn. So he resolved to himself that strength was what mattered most. He had to master ways to protect himself as soon as possible. The Magical World was still in turmoil, after all, and some young wizards who worshipped the Dark Lord might well make him a target.

After gathering some information, Randall Rosier found Anduin's stare unnerving and returned to sit beside Travers. The two whispered to each other, and when Travers heard what Randall had learned, he gave a cold laugh.

He looked up at Anduin again, only to find Anduin watching him too. Anduin's gaze was deep and still as water, and it made Travers feel a chill all over. He gave a derisive snort and stopped paying attention to Anduin.

The others gradually settled down. After all, they couldn't exactly discuss family backgrounds openly in front of everyone. Prefect Vanessa also silenced a few of the loudest gossips with a look. Anduin smiled at her to thank her, then happily enjoyed the quiet and went back to eating.

Until he understood the situation, Anduin planned to keep his head down and lie low.

The feast soon came to an end. Professor Dumbledore stepped forward again to explain a few things to the students. They were not allowed to enter the Forbidden Forest, and were told to keep away from the school grounds as well. The situation was sensitive, and many Aurors had been assigned to patrol the area around Hogwarts.

"Now for my favorite part! Before we finish the feast, let's all sing the School Song together!" Dumbledore waved his wand, and strips of golden ribbon transformed into lyrics that floated in the air.

All the teachers and students stood up and sang the School Song, each to their own tune. Anduin was swept along with the crowd, completely unable to find the melody, so he sang along at random.

To Anduin, everyone singing in their own key sounded horribly off. All the teachers and students sang with expressions like they were constipated, while Dumbledore alone looked completely enraptured. It gave Anduin a whole new perspective on the great wizard.

Once everyone had endured the School Song, Professor McGonagall had the Prefects lead the students back to their dormitories.

The Slytherin Common Room and dormitories were in the dungeons of Hogwarts Castle, beneath the Black Lake. The group left the Great Hall and wound through several staircases before reaching a wall.

"Ouroboros," one of Slytherin's other fifth-year Prefects said aloud. A stone door appeared in the wall, leading to the Common Room.

Upon entering the Slytherin Common Room, the first thing they saw was a long, low-ceilinged dungeon corridor. Round lamps that glowed green hung from the ceiling on chains.

At the far end, seven steps led down to a spacious lounge. Carved chairs had been arranged for students to sit in, and a few skulls served as decorations. Part of the dungeon extended beneath the lake, and the view of the lakebed was visible through the windows and ceiling, tinting the room green. The walls and ceiling were built of rough stone, and a fire burned beneath an intricately carved mantelpiece. Even so, the Common Room felt dim and chilly.