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There are many entrances to the Slytherin common room. Some of them aren't even from the dungeons. The 'main' entrance isn't even used that often, merely an option one can choose to use.
At first, when I heard that the common room was in the dungeons, I thought that it was an unwise decision. As well an unsanitary decision, but that's just a side note. Anyways, I have come to realise that that isn't the case. It isn't unsanitary in the slightest, and being in the dungeons actually has its perks.
For one, we have unrestricted access to almost the entire school through secret passageways. Although the badgers do have something similar. Then there are all the little places to hide, explore, and use.
We also get to see the darker side of Hogwarts. Was a dungeon after all, and some rather famous people were retained around here.
As we were first years, and it was our first time at Hogwarts, they just showed us the main entrance. What looked to be a regular stone wall was of course nothing of the sort.
Magic.
"Firsties, Firsties gather round. I'm Gemma Farley, your Prefect. Welcome to Slytherin. The password to the common room changes every fortnight, or 14 days for the uneducated. For now, the password is Glory Do not forget it or you'll be locked out, and I have no doubt it will be an unpleasant experience for you. Although I have more to say, I'll keep it until after you enter the common room."
I look at the large stone wall and notice the magic seeping out of it. "I suppose I can use that to identify it," I whisper to myself.
The common room was incredibly large, but seeing as it had to fit one-fourth of the student base I didn't expect anything less. It wasn't the brightest of areas but it had enough light to go along your day with ease.
An assumably scorching flame was alit under a rather well-decorated mantlepiece and many older Slytherins were hanging out around it.
As we walked in quite a few eyes followed us. I'm sure everyone had a favourite part of the common room, but for me, my favorite part was the sea lake. I have to admit it was pretty, even if I would probably drown in it one day.
Really, I might drown in it one day. My luck is terrible.
"There are many rules in Slytherin. Some you'll get to know over time, but for now, I'll let you know the basics. Slytherin is a united unit. The other houses have a major hatred towards us, and will not hesitate to break you down. Slytherins stick together and help each other, even if you cannot tolerate the person you are helping.
You may not skip house meetings, whether they are run by our head of house, prefect, or others, they are mandatory.
What is said inside the common room is not said outside the common room.
Finally, if you break the rules don't get caught, and if you somehow do, do not take others in our house down with you. Never betray another Slytherin unless they betray you. Of course, this does not extend to those outside the house."
After that brief introduction, we get a small tour of the common room and eventually make it to the dormitories.
"There are four people to a dorm, your name is written under the list of occupants. Females can't go in male dorms, males can't go in female dorms."
I walk down the hall my eyes looking carefully for my name. Eventually, I find dorm number 11 with the names: Theodore Nott, Blaze Zabini, Draco Malfoy, and my own.
I open the door to see that I'm the first one to enter. Contrary to my expectations the room wasn't similar to one of those you'd see in a muggle sleepaway camp. There were four rather large beds all around the room. There were also two washrooms, and several desks so one could study.
Within a few minutes, the other three arrive and set their things down. Nott takes the bed closest to the door and Zabini takes the one farthest. I take the bed on the other side of the door and Malfoy takes the one between Zabini and Nott.
Not a word was spoken between us as we unpacked, filling up our dressers and decorating our little areas.
I worked quickly and within a few moments my section of the room was rather well protected, several quick protection artifacts later and it was well enough protected to keep away any pranks. I made a mini library with a bookshelf and made sure to find a place to keep everything else.
Finally, I looked at the door to our dorm and broke the comfortable silence we had going on. "Would anyone mind if I added a few protection charms to our door?" I ask, my low raspy voice startling quite a few of them. Even Malfoy and Theodore who I had previously conversed with jolted in surprise.
After a few nods and grumbles of agreement, I put a little sign on our door and it coats it in magic.
"We've all had an informal introduction of sorts thanks to the sorting hat, but seeing as we'll be living together for the next seven years a formal introduction would be nice," Zabini says, sitting down on his bed with a small nervous smile on his face.
"How about everyone states their name, a class that they're excited for, and somewhere they want to go while they're at Hogwarts?"
We all nod in agreement and eventually Malfoy goes first.
"I'm Draco Malfoy, heir to the ancient and noble house of Malfoy. I'm looking forward to beating everyone when it comes to potions, and I want to see the Quidditch Pitch," he says, a haughty tone to his voice.
"I'm Theodore Nott, heir to the ancient and noble house of Nott," Nott says, imitating Draco's introduction. "I think Charms will be a rather interesting subject and I think the library is where I'll spend the majority of my time."
With a sigh I open my mouth and start speaking, "I'm Hadrian Peverall, I suppose I'm rather interested in the study of Ancient Runes but as I can't take said class until Year Three, I believe charms will be a close second. I think just exploring the grounds outside of Hogwarts would be of interest."
Finally, Zabini says his introduction. "I'm Blaize Zabini, I'm excited for Herbology. Although most people think that class is a dud there must be some hidden secret or something. I'm also excited for Defense Against the Dark Arts although I've heard that class always sucks. Oh, and I can't wait to explore the castle. If thousands of prominent Wizards have lived here and roamed these halls then they must have made some interesting things." he says, his excited tone betraying the bored look on his face.
We converse lightly, the tension all but slipping away. As night falls I lay in bed anything but asleep. Tomorrow would be my first day as a Hogwarts Student. Somewhere in my mind, I kept on repeating what McGongagal had said to us.
'My house is my family, huh.' I thought, sneaking a glance at my dormmates.
'I finally have a family.'