Harry Potter: Rise Of The Serpent

When Ron and Harry joined the group Hagrid started to lead us first years to the boats.

Hagrid: "No more than four to a boat." (I can't do his accent thing so I hope you can imagine it) He said in a loud voice as he went to a boat himself, taking up the whole space.

I climbed into a boat and several girls immediately followed me to the boat and climbed in with me. They introduced themselves to me but I couldn't be bothered to remember their names. They started talking about what they were most excited about and what house they wanted to be sorted in to. I mostly remained silent during the whole conversation simply because I didn't care though, I had a sneaking suspicion that I'd be in Slytherin house.

When the castle came into view, numerous gasps could be heard coming from the children as well as from me but I was gasping for a completely different reason. The amount of magic energy around Hogwarts was simply mind boggling but what really caught my attention was all the runes carved into protective arrays around the castle. The professors aren't joking when they say that Hogwarts is one of he most secure places in Britain.

The boats eventually came to shore and we exited them, walking along a stone path that led from the shore to the grand castle.

When we entered the two large doors at the front of the majestic castle before climbing a few staircases and were greeted by another pair of doors as well as McGonogall explaining the sorting ceremony and all that. When she left Draco started talking about the same old Pureblood shit but instead of picking on Harry, the little shit was directing his comments to me. I guess he didn't like all the attention I was getting. I just ignored him which only made him angrier as he approached me, trying to puff himself out like some kind of turkey. I stared at him with my crimson eyes, staring at him like he was nothing more than a c.o.c.kroach that would be exterminated sooner or later.

Harry and Ron had obvious looks of disapproval but didn't do anything. Hermione was spreading the rumors about two boys snuggling in the compartment and picking them out, trying to make friends through the gossip. She got various reactions from the kids. Some kids giggled while others were apathetic towards the situation but all of them were now looking at the two boys whom Hermione had pointed out. Before anything could escalate between Draco and I, McGonogall appeared and all returned to as it once was, silence encompassed the room as McGonogall started her speech.

I ignored most of the conversation but tuned in at the end when she was about to open the doors.

McGonoall: "....your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn your house points. Any Rule breaking and points will be deducted." She concluded her speech as she opened the grand doors the led to the great hall.

"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

Applause resounded throughout the hall as the hat concluded its song.

Many gasps could be heard from the kids as the entered the hall. You could hear Hermione in the background, explaining the various enchantments on the ceiling. I was very interested in the castle myself. There were many secret passages and rooms that the founders left behind for any lucky student who found them. I was completely intoxicated with the thought of learning ancient magics and discovering the founders secrets. Luckily, I already knew the location of one such room, The Chamber of Secrets. Even though the books never explained the chamber in full detail, I was sure that there had to be more in it than just the one room that Harry battled the basilisk in.

I was in the middle of the crowd, the kids surrounding me from all sides as McGonogall led us the sorting hat. I saw the long table of teachers and unsurprisingly, my appearance caused Snape, Dumbledore, and Quirellmort to stare at me, analyzing me much as they could. McGonogall promptly pulled out a scroll and started reading off names. I saw as many kids got sorted into their houses and finally it was my turn.

McGonogal: "Serpent, Alastair." She said as I walked towards the stool.

Apparently my family was a very secretive one so no one knew of the house of Serpent despite it being a most ancient and noble house. My family never participated in any wars and mainly focused on gaining the most benefits from either side as they could, discreetly of course.

As I slowly walked to the sorting hat you could hear people whispering and pointing at me as some girls were blushing profusely at my doll-like features.

Before putting the hat on, I pulled out my wand and it glimmered with the sparkle of all the precious jewels and metals that decorated the wand.

Alastair: "Scourgify." I said and waved my wand as the dust and dirt on the old hat instantly vanished prompting the gasps of the students once again.

I then sat down on the stool and McGonogall placed the hat on my head.

Sorting Hat: "Hmm...interesting. Very interesting." The hat said as I let a small smirk creep on my face. "You d.e.s.i.r.e knowledge but not like the Ravenclaws who seek knowledge for knowledge sake. You seek it for power. You have ambition and cunning. Something most people lack...Better be...SLYTHERIN!!!" The hat shouted as the table let out a loud applause, mostly from the girls and a few boys who had a certain twinkle in their eye, similar to Dumbledore.

The other tables also burst into applause, though weaker than the rest. Most were jealous of the snakes because they got to spend the most time with the attractive newcomer. I stood up from the stool and walked to the Slytherin table, taking my seat at the far end of the table and turning my attention to Dumbledore who was trying to pry into my head with legilimens. I did the same to Dumbledore. Using the link he had created, I traced it back to his mind and slipped through his defenses rather easily since he was preoccupied with bypassing my defenses. Normally, I wouldn't be able to do such a thing no matter how many books or how much experience I had. I just simply didn't have the magic reserves to do it....normally. But it was different this time. I left my defenses to Ruby who defended against Dumbledore excellently while I scanned Dumble's mind. I couldn't go too deep otherwise I'd be noticed but I did get his surface thoughts. What he thought of the different kids and most importantly, what his plans were for me. As far as I could tell, he would just let me be unless I started creating trouble. I felt him pull out of my head and I did the same.

Dumbledore soon finished his speech and food was summoned onto the table. We all devoured the food, the stress of the day and length of the trip bearing greatly on our appetites. I made small talk with some of the people beside me. One kid that interested me was Daphne Greengrass. She was certainly an interesting one, trying her best not to wear her emotions on her sleeve but in the end she broke down and started talking to me as well.

Alastair: "It seems as iff even the ice queen of Slytherin isn't immune to my charm." I thought as I continued with my conversations.

Soon, it was time to leave and Dumbledore gave his last few reminders and rules. Everyone got up to leave but before I could go, Snape came to me.

Snape: "Mr. Serpent, Dumbledore would like to see you in his office.....now." He said in his silky smooth voice.

I have to say, he did a really good job at intimidation. If I was any normal kid I would definitely be intimidated no matter who I was.

I nodded my head and got up to follow Snape to Dumbledore's office on the top floor. I wasn't expecting to meet Dumbledore so soon but I guess the sooner the better.

Snape: "Let me in you blasted statue." Snape said in his icy voice and the gargoyle immediately moved to the side, opening the staircase the was hidden behind.

I followed Snape up the stairs and eventually came to a well furnished office with all kinds of magical tools and trinkets and an old man sitting in front of me.

Alastair: "Good evening, Headmaster." I greet the man as I stand in front of his desk.

Snape stands next to Dumbledore, clutching his wand which is still attached to its holster.

Dumbledore: "Good evening, Mr. Serpent. I wasn't aware that there were any other living members of the Serpent family." Dumbledore said as he tried to pry into my mind again.

I didn't let him. I put all my effort into keeping my defenses up. My mindscape was in the form of a ginormous flying castle, my memories in books that sat in the great library. Protecting the castle was all manner of weaponry and and magical creatures. Occlumency was one of the easier abilities for me since it's completely imaginary. As long as you believe you're invincible, in your mind you are invincible.

Alastair: "It's Lord Serpent, Headmaster. And I'd appreciate it if you'd stop trying to read my mind."

Dumbledore lets a slight expression of shock cross his face before his expression takes on his regular grandfatherly smile.

Dumbledore: "You must be mistaken, Lord Serpent. You are still a child so it's normal for you to make mistakes like this but I must warn you not to make accusations like that freely."

Alastair: "Of course, Headmaster. I apologize deeply for my offense." I respond as a small smirk crosses my face.

Dumbledore: "But, one must wonder, how you became a vampire. I'm sure McGonogall would've noticed when she took you to Diagon Alley so I'm certain this must be a rather new development. Won't you satisfy an old man's curiosity?" He asks as he leans forward in his chair.

Alastair: "Headmaster, you too must be mistaken. How can I be a vampire? I would surely be burnt to crisp just walking to the castle." I say with a mischievous smile.

Dumbledore: "I see. You are correct, my boy. I am sorry for wasting your time." The old man says as he dismisses me to my room.

After I have left, in Dumbledore's office.

Snape: "Do you believe him? Though it's true he walked in daylight, there are ways for vampires to do that."

Dumbledore: "I am not sure Severus. He is very talented in Occlumency and I couldn't breech his defenses without breaking his mind." Dumbledore says as he ponders on the issue. "He has features that resemble a vampire's but he does things that regular vampires shouldn't be able to do. I guess the only thing we'll be able to do for now is keep an eye on him and protect Harry." Dumbledore said.

After I exited the Headmaster's office, a devilish smile crossed my face. If anyone saw it, they would run in fear that they had met the devil.

Ruby: "So, how are you going to deal with this situation? Dumbledore already suspects you being a vampire." The snake said as her head slithered out from one of my robe's sleeves.

Alastair: "I don't think he has any concrete evidence yet so I'll just leave him be. Not like I could do anything against him anyway. I'm still far too weak."

Ruby: "Maybe in comparison to Dumbledore but not even he was as powerful as you at your age."

Alastair: "Maybe. But the fact remains that I need more power and I know exactly where to find it but it'll have to wait for tomorrow. I'm sleepy." I said as I arrived at the Slytherin common room and entered my bedroom.

It was a good thing that Slytherins got a private room each. That way I'd be able to perform all my exercises without raisin any suspicions.

I extend my claws and start drawing strange symbols and ancient runes in the air. I then wave my hand and the runes disappear into the walls. The room then expands to three times its original size with a living room, a bedroom, and a kitchen. I also cast some lesser defense wards and notice-me-not charms onto the room as well as multiple intent wards that will alert me when someone with ill intent crosses into my room and will also tell me the intent of anyone who comes into the room.

I then stripped n.a.k.e.d and climbed into bed, Ruby still tightly coiled around my body. Just so it's clear, I'm not a closet nudist or something like that. I recently found out that a wizards body will absorb magic faster when it's in direct contact with the force that's supplying the magic, in this case, the world hence the nudity.

I then soon feel asleep, thinking about all the things that had to be done.