Chapter 1
Notes:
Lmao I just found out on Wednesday that I needed glasses. Over a decade and a half of life, and nobody ever gave me an astigmatism diagnosis. So I'm getting glasses soon myself.
Chapter Text
“Before we begin, you will first be Sorted into your Houses,” the woman in emerald robes announced. I had heard everything she was going to say before, so I read my book, Six of Crows, while she talked.
When the time finally came to enter the Great Hall, the four tables were full of older students.
I knew that the Sorting was just a Hat, not a troll like the red-haired boy beside me was telling a nervous boy with round glasses much bigger than mine.
After the Hat sang its song, Professor McGonagall, the emerald-robed woman, read out names.
“Abbott, Hannah!”
The Hat debated on her House for a minute, then settled on “HUFFLEPUFF!”
“Bones, Susan!”
Two minutes, then “HUFFLEPUFF!”
“Boot, Terry!”
Thirty seconds for a “RAVENCLAW!”
On and on the list went, until “Goldfinch, Dani!”
I walked up and sat on the stool. Professor McGonnagall put the hat on my head, and it fell over my eyes.
Oh, this one’s interesting, I heard. The Hat’s voice was like four voices overlapping – two women, two men.
There’s wit and love of learning, yes. Kindness, compassion, and a sense of justice – you wanted to work in forensics before you found out you had magick, correct?
I did, I replied, and if mages have something like it, I’d still like to do that. Otherwise, I’d want to work with magickal creatures.
Interesting. You also have power, and a thirst to prove yourself. You are brave enough to stand up for yourself and others, but you also know when to let it go. So, where shall I put you?
I can be great in any House, I said.
And that is what I needed. Better be…
“SLYTHERIN!”
Only my twin sister, our best friend, the Weasley twins, and the Slytherins clapped.
Why do people hate Slytherins so much?
I was sure I would find out.
“Goldfinch, Melanie!”
The Hat took a moment for her, but it finally said “HUFFLEPUFF!” to Sort her.
I clapped for her, but I was one of the few Slytherins who did.
People were very interested in a “Potter, Harry!” (Gryffindor), who was the boy with round glasses.
“So, you’re one of the American school of choice students?” Tracey Davis asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m going to dispel at least one myth now: we don’t all carry guns. I don’t.”
Tracey laughed. “I think I’m going to like being in this House with you.”
After the last student, Blaise Zabini, was placed in Slytherin, Professor Dumbledore stood up and made his announcements.
I smirked about “no magick in the corridors.”
“He’ll have a hard time catching me if I don’t have a wand out and stay silent.”
“What?” Draco Malfoy asked. “How can you do magick silently and without a wand? You need both – everyone knows that!”
I smiled as I flicked my hand, blue sparks flying from my fingertips. “They’re just training tools that spellbook authors and wandmakers popularized as necessities. My mom taught me before I could legally have a wand, and she taught me without words.”
“America is weird!” Daphne Greengrass marveled.
“You haven’t seen the bathroom stall doors,” I joked.
Food appeared on the plates, but I noticed Harry Potter still talking to the Gryffindor prefect, seemingly not noticing the food until the prefect asked him if he wanted some.
I’ll ask Lee to check on him.
After dinner, we were led to the dormitories. The Slytherin dorms are in the Dungeons.
Chapter Text
When we got to the Common Room, the Prefect who had led us walked to stand in front of all of us, by the windows to the Black Lake. It was beautiful to see all the creatures – I thought I saw a huge squid tentacle.
“Congratulations!” they said. “I’m Prefect Gemma Farley, she/her, and I’m delighted to welcome you to Slytherin House. Our emblem is the serpent, the wisest of creatures; our house colours are emerald green and silver, and our common room lies behind a concealed entrance down in the dungeons. As you’ll see, its windows look out into the depths of the Hogwarts lake. We often see the giant squid swooshing by – and sometimes more interesting creatures. We like to feel that our hangout has the aura of a mysterious, underwater shipwreck.”
She really liked to talk about the House, but Slytherins are proud.
“Now, there are a few things you should know about Slytherin – and a few you should forget.”
“Firstly, let’s dispel a few myths. You might have heard rumours about Slytherin house – that we’re all into the Dark Arts, and will only talk to you if your great-grandfather was a famous wizard, and rubbish like that. Well, you don’t want to believe everything you hear from competing houses. I’m not denying that we’ve produced our share of Dark wizards, but so have the other three houses – they just don’t like admitting it. And yes, we have traditionally tended to take students who come from long lines of witches and wizards, but nowadays you’ll find plenty of people in Slytherin house who have at least one Muggle parent.”
The password to get in says otherwise. I vowed then and there that I would never say any discriminatory password. I know how it feels to be ostracized for something you can’t help.
“Here’s a little-known fact that the other three houses don’t bring up much: Merlin was a Slytherin. Yes, Merlin himself, the most famous wizard in history! He learned all he knew in this very house! Do you want to follow in the footsteps of Merlin? Or would you rather sit at the old desk of that illustrious ex-Hufflepuff, Eglantine Puffett, inventor of the Self-Soaping Dishcloth?”
A self-soaping dishcloth is great, though.
“I didn’t think so.”
“But that’s enough about what we’re not. Let’s talk about what we are, which is the coolest and edgiest house in this school. We play to win, because we care about the honour and traditions of Slytherin.”
“We also get respect from our fellow students. Yes, some of that respect might be tinged with fear, because of our Dark reputation, but you know what? It can be fun, having a reputation for walking on the wild side. Chuck out a few hints that you’ve got access to a whole library of curses, and see whether anyone feels like nicking your pencil case.”
Sounds like Slytherin House is like the quiet kids back in the States. Someone at my school hinted that he knew how to use a gun, and people stopped bullying him.
“But we’re not bad people. We’re like our emblem, the snake: sleek, powerful, and frequently misunderstood.”
“For instance, we Slytherins look after our own – which is more than you can say for Ravenclaw. Apart from being the biggest bunch of swots you ever met, Ravenclaws are famous for clambering over each other to get good marks, whereas we Slytherins are family. The corridors of Hogwarts can throw up surprises for the unwary, and you’ll be glad you’ve got the Serpents on your side as you move around the school. As far as we’re concerned, once you’ve become a snake, you’re one of ours – one of the elite.”
I nearly tripped on a moving stair when I was getting down to the Dungeon.
“Because you know what Salazar Slytherin looked for in his chosen students? The seeds of greatness. You’ve been chosen by this house because you’ve got the potential to be great, in the true sense of the word. All right, you might see a couple of people hanging around the common room whom you might not think are destined for anything special. Well, keep that to yourself. If the Sorting Hat put them in here, there’s something great about them, and don’t you forget it.”
The wall apparently forgot that. The password at the time was saying that Magbobs are dirty, and using a slur.
“And talking of people who aren’t destined for greatness, I haven’t mentioned the Gryffindors. Now, a lot of people say that Slytherins and Gryffindors represent two sides of the same coin. Personally, I think Gryffindors are nothing more than wannabe Slytherins. Mind you, some people say that Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor prized the same kinds of students, so perhaps we are more similar than we like to think. But that doesn’t mean that we cozy up with Gryffindors. They like beating us only slightly less than we like beating them.”
Well, I won’t push away Gryffindors like her. I want to be one of the Slytherins that Salazar Slytherin himself looked for.
“A few more things you might need to know: our house ghost is the Bloody Baron. If you get on the right side of him he’ll sometimes agree to frighten people for you. Just don’t ask him how he got bloodstained; he doesn’t like it.”
Why should we frighten people?
“The password to the common room changes every fortnight. Keep an eye on the noticeboard. Never bring anyone from another house into our common room or tell them our password. No outsider has entered it for more than seven centuries.”
Slytherins value family, but I can’t bring my Hufflepuff sister?
“Well, I think that’s all for now. I’m sure you'll like our dormitories. We sleep in ancient four-posters with green silk hangings, and bedspreads embroidered with silver thread. Medieval tapestries depicting the adventures of famous Slytherins cover the walls, and silver lanterns hang from the ceilings. You’ll sleep well; it’s very soothing, listening to the lake water lapping against the windows at night.”
I had to go up the stairs to get to my dorm. The stairs weren’t the problem; it was the fact that I am not always a girl. Sometimes, sure, but not always.
Honor and traditions include being cishet.
Chapter 3
Notes:
Lmao I hate the impracticality of robes. Like we're told to secure loose clothing in Science classes for a reason. Apparently, no mage in all of Wizarding World history found that out.
Chapter Text
The next morning, I put on my slacks, my shirt, my belt, my tie, and my blazer right after waking up. I liked how they fit, especially with my silver glasses. Then, I put on the robe, which felt weird. My mom never wore them, and neither did anyone else in the States – loose fabric is a hazard when doing magick.
“Why are you wearing trousers?” Pansy Parkinson sneered. “You’re a girl, Dani, so wear a skirt.”
I sighed. Different country, same idiots. “I’m not, Pansy. I’m just legally required to sleep in girls’ dorms and use girls’ bathrooms.”
“Ewww, you’re pretending to be a girl?” Millicent Bulstrode squealed.
I glared at her. “We’re going to be sharing a dorm for the next seven years. Is it really in your best interest to make fun of me?”
“We’re not making fun of you,” Pansy scoffed. “We’re only teaching you to not be a degenerate.”
Tracey, at least, had sense.
“You’re the one obsessed with what genitals they have.”
“Thanks, Tracey.”
She smiled. “Slytherins stick together, right? Now come on – breakfast doesn’t even wait for Nobody.”
Pansy and Millicent stayed quiet.
I finished brushing my hair and teeth and walked down to breakfast, where Melanie and our best friend, Lee, were waiting. We don’t have to stick to House tables at breakfast, so I sat with them, as well as Lee’s new friends, George and Fred Weasley.
But Gemma had other plans.
“Goldfinch!” she shouted from the Slytherin table.
Melanie and I both answered, “Yes?”
“Dani!”
I walked over to the Slytherin table.
“Didn’t you hear me last night?” she said. “We don’t buddy up with Gryffindors, and Hufflepuffs are pathetic.”
I stared at her. “Don’t Slytherins value family and friends? The Hufflepuff is my twin, and we’ve been friends with Lee since–”
“None of that matters,” she waved a hand in dismissal. “You’re a Slytherin. This is your family now. We are united in this House.”
I walked up to the faculty table.
“Professor Snape, is there any rule that says Slytherins have to give up their family and friends if they’re in another House?”
“No,” he answered in his drawl, which was so different from anyone back home, “but publicly interacting with them is discouraged. Go sit with the Slytherins.”
I stood my ground. “I don’t care how many House points I lose. I won’t give up my family just because of House unity.”
Professor McGonagall stepped in.
“There is no rule saying you have to, Miss–”
“Just my name works better, Professor.”
She blinked. “My apologies,” she said. “Dani, you may sit anywhere at breakfast and lunch. If your prefect or Head of House tells you otherwise, talk to me.”
“Thank you, Professor McGonagall,” I smiled.
“Of course, Mi– Dani,” she corrected herself.
I walked back to sit with Melanie and Lee.
“What did–” Fred began.
“–Farley want–” George continued.
“–from you?” the Weasley twins finished. I knew who was who because Fred kept moving by drumming the fingers of his left hand on the table, while George used his right.
“She wanted me to only sit with Slytherins,” I said plainly. “I sought someone with more authority.”
Fred grinned – it was more lopsided than George’s. “Why not prank her?”
“And Snape,” George added, “since he also said to sit with the Slytherins.”
“Oh, I plan on it,” I smirked. “Neither of them knows about the little trick up my sleeve.”
Lee laughed. “You’re going to hex them with your hands tied behind your back and your mouth gagged, aren’t you?”
“And you’ll tell them to be the ones to gag and restrain you,” Melanie added.
George and Fred stared. “Lee said you–”
“–cast spells wandless and nonverbal–”
“–but we thought he was pulling our legs!”
I pointed a finger at the juice on the table, lifted my finger, and let the juice follow.
“No leg pulling. Just contradicting what you’ve been taught. Mel can do it, too, but she prefers to say the words. I think words are trying to force magick to be one thing, when it’s really everything at once. You just need to know how to ask it to show the thing you want it to be.”
“Wicked,” the Weasley twins said together.
The red-haired prefect, who informed Harry that food was on the table the night before, looked over.
“Hey, I’m a prefect – Percy Weasley. No magick in the… oh. Nevermind. Nobody’s breaking rules. But who’s doing magick?”
I lifted my left hand in a mock salute.
“That would be me.”
Percy looked at both my hands. “Where is your wand?”
“I don’t use it,” I shrugged. “Since I learned without a wand, if I try to use one, things blow up.”
“What will you do in class?” he asked. “Teachers require the use of wands.”
I pulled out a No-Maj cosplay wand. Mel, Lee, and the red-haired twins held their hands over their mouths to keep from laughing. “No-Majs love dressing up as mages, so I bought a fake wand from a cosplay shop.”
Percy stared at it and laughed. “My father would ask you a million questions about it. Does it actually do anything?”
“No,” I said. “It just makes it look like I’m using it. I’ve practiced faking it all summer. And if any teachers ask, I’ll tell them the truth.”
He looked me up and down. “You don’t seem like most of the other Slytherins, even though you fit what the Sorting Hat said Slytherins are.”
“I don’t want to be like them,” I admitted. “I want to be what Salazar Slytherin wanted.”
“Keep that up,” he said. “You might give Slytherin a better reputation.”
Chapter Text
Slytherins had Charms first, with Hufflepuff. Professor Flitwick was the Ravenclaw Head of House, and he was so short he had to stand on several books to be seen.
We had quills in front of us, probably to cast the spell on. Melanie was sitting next to me, with her fake wand out. I pulled mine out of my pocket as well.
“The Levitation Charm, also called Wingardium Leviosa, is a relatively simple charm.” He showed the wand movement. “It requires a swish and flick of the wand. Everybody with me – swish and flick.”
I swished my “wand” right and flicked it down gently, finishing with it pointing at the quill.
“Excellent!” Professor Flitwick said. “Now, say with me: Wingardium Leviosa.
“Wingardium Leviosa,” we chorused. I could not think about the spell, or something would float.
“Well done!” he cheered. “Now, I want each of you to try it on your own. I don’t expect anyone to do it perfectly, but I want each of you to try and get a feel for the spell.”
I focused on separating my magick from my words, and on what I wanted it to show.
I swished my wand and flicked it gently, then said, “Wingardium Leviosa.” I did not say it with any enthusiasm or weight behind my words – it would just confuse my magick.
My quill floated up about thirty centimeters. I use the Metric System because the Imperial System makes no sense.
Melanie’s quill levitated about thirty-three centimeters, because she was used to saying incantations.
“Oh, well done, Goldfinches!” Professor Flitwick praised us, going on about how our quills were perfectly stable and not shaking at all. “You can let them down, though.”
I set mine down gently, while Melanie had hers twirl first.
“You always want your magick to have the prettiest technique,” I whispered.
“Of course I do,” she said, elbowing my arm. “Someone has to show what we can do.”
Professor Flitwick allowed Melanie and me to help the other students, because he knew we could do it.
Tracy flicked her wand with a little too much force – it hit the table. “Careful, Tracy – you might break your wand like that.”
“Easy for you to say,” she pretended to glare.
“Do you want some help?” I smiled. “Here – about this much force.” I flicked my fake wand.
She copied it, and did it well.
“Good. Now, with the words.”
She only hesitated a second before incanting, and it worked. Her feather lifted two inches from the table.
“Thanks, Dani!” she grinned.
“Anytime.”
I then went to help Justin Finch-Fletchley, but Ernie MacMillan put an arm in front of him.
“Hufflepuffs protect our own from blood-purist pricks,” he glared for real.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I tried not to laugh, “but Slytherins aren’t all blood purists. Also, I was raised in the States. ‘Prick’ means nothing to me. Try something more universal next time. Now, will you let me help Justin?”
Ernie went bright red as he moved his hand, still glaring.
Justin still looked nervous.
“I don’t bite, you know.”
He straightened a little. “Right. Of course. Sorry.”
“You’re good,” I smiled warmly. “Not your fault that fools hate Slytherins.”
Ernie pulled out his wand and pointed it at me, but I cast a nonverbal Disarming Charm.
“What th–” he yelped, wand out of his hand.
I handed his wand back. “Next time, don’t try to threaten me,” I muttered, low enough that only he could hear it.
Then, I turned to Justin. “Correction: I only bite if you try to fight me or someone I care about.”
“Fair enough. How do I do this?” he asked. “Do I… swish softly, then flick hard?”
“You don’t need force,” I corrected gently as I demonstrated the movement. “Just speed. Soft swish, quick flick.”
“Soft swish, quick flick,” he repeated as he tried it.
“Good!” I grinned. I’d always loved tutoring people, even in No-Maj elementary school. Even if I knew the curriculum was false. “Now, just say the words. ‘Wingardium Leviosa.’ Pronunciation doesn’t matter as long as you put intention behind your words.”
He blinked. “But… everyone always tells me that pronunciation is key with magick. And I never pronounce anything right.”
He did seem to have some kind of speech impediment. I lowered my voice. “That’s okay. Your magick is everything and anything all at once. You just have to intend for it to show one thing that it is. You could say ‘lift feather’ and that feather would lift if you focused hard enough.”
“That’s enough?” he asked.
“More than enough,” I said. “Watch.”
I swished and flicked my wand, without saying anything. My feather still lifted, because I focused on what I wanted my magick to show.
He stared at my feather, then tried with his own.
“Lift feather!” he said. The magick wasn’t in his words. It was in his mind, his will.
His feather lifted.
Professor Flitwick turned around. “Who was so foolish as to say ‘lift feather’?”
Nobody said anything.
Tracy finally spoke up. “I think someone was just making a joke.”
Professor Flitwick sighed. “Please do not try saying ‘lift feather’ to make your feather float.”
“Why not?” Millicent Bulstrode asked.
“Because it doesn’t work,” Flitwick explained patiently. “You cannot make a feather float by simply telling it to float.”
“Then how did I do it?” Justin asked.
Professor Flitwick stared at him. “You did what?”
Justin went pink, but he tried again. It was a little lower this time, because he lost focus, but he got his feather to float.
Professor Flitwick nearly fell off of his stack of books. Melanie cast a Cushioning Charm, just to be safe.
“Go to your Heads of House!” he squeaked.
“Professor, Snape doesn’t love people automatically for being Slytherins,” I explained. “He doesn’t like me. At all.”
“Talk to Professor Burbage, then!”
I left the classroom to get to the Muggle Studies class.
Notes:
Professor Burbage's House is unconfirmed, but I definitely see her as a Slytherin.