#bloody Baron

[ladycibia]

I mean, I don't even let him prioritise his own daughter...

[holdmymallowsweet]

Slytherins 🐍

all named and confirmed Slytherins in Hogwarts Legacy 📜

Ominis Gaunt & Sebastian Sallow

Salazar Slytherin - Anne Sallow

Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black

Nerida Roberts - Imelda Reyes - The Bloody Baron

Professor Abraham Ronen

Grace Pinch-Smedley - Violet McDowell

Professor Aesop Sharp

Former Professor Charles Rookwood - Former Professor San Bakar

All Slytherins in Hogwarts Legacy, to the best of my knowledge and ability (but let me know if I missed anyone). I tried to make everyone up there look as good as possible, although poor Anne and her sunken cheeks broke my heart and yes, Sebastian and Ominis get to share a pic 💚

[revoevokukil]

TW3 Story Leaks

It's Saturday, and I bring you some cold, hard rumour.

It seems somebody on reddit is working through the leaks of The Witcher 3, claiming approximately 300k of lines relating to the previous story iterations also leaked in 2023. Much of what they are claiming matches with the leaked files from 2014, which I have also worked through. There is completely new information too, though, and they plan on publishing their work-through early 2025.

So far, this is the information I've gathered from their posts:

Iorveth's daughter was Vernossiel. Her quest had her involved with a cult of the Bloody Mother; spores from a particular "flower" affected her thinking so she got brainwahsed into being sacrificed in a ritual killing in order to rise as the Bloody Mother herself.

Cerys was fake-Ciri.

The Baron (or Baron’s men?) was originally a rapist.

The Big 4 was originally Big 5, including Isengrim. Isengrim and Iorveth had houses in Novigrad.

Vincent Meis' model existed.

There was a quest with “thralls” (most likely Following the Thread involving Jad Karadin and the Faroe island) where Geralt would temporarily get married to a chieftain’s daughter.

We’d lock Yennefer in dimeritium handcuffs at one point to prevent her from interfering with the King’s Gambit questline.

Avallac’h provided Geralt with the means to warg as a rat in order to eavesdrop on the meeting of the Big 5 (including Isengrim) on Dijkstra’s ship. (Iorveth was planning on blowing the ship up.)

The Catriona Plague questline. It had a Nilfgaardian general Martin running a krankenhaus, where was infecting his countrymen with the plague and stealing their valuables. He made deals with Gaunter O’Dimm (his involvement in HOS is as a leftover from here) to get a cure for the Catriona, then with Gaunter’s archnemesis to get to keep the cure. Geralt had to figure it all out as Catriona was becoming more and more rampant and the faction with the cure would have huge leverage in how the war questline would resolve. Geralt would get the chance to hand the cure back to Gaunter, to Radovid, or Emhyr.

Iorveth got infected with Catriona, then infected Thaler to improve his morale on getting a cure (Thaler promised Iorveth a cure for assassinating Emhyr or some such.)

The war quest lines were somehow related to the dreamer Corinne Tilly who was a Nilfgaardian spy.

Voorhis laid siege to Crow’s Perch because Temerian rebels took it over.

The Sabbath originally had slave markets, an orgy meadow, and ritual suicides. Changed after 2014.

There was an option to assassinate Radovid after taking out Roche, so Dijkstra's rule was always an option.

Roche originally preferred fighting for Temeria no matter what. Reason of State had Roche vs Thaler and Dijkstra.

Radovid was more like his W2 self. Emhyr "more like Stalin."

Radovid took over the Temple Isle.

Emhyr was supposed to appear in the army camp center.

If Emhyr lost, Voorhis would overthrow him.

All the content showcasing Nilfgaardian war crimes was cut: a Nilfgaardian general was spreading the Catriona plague, robbing his dying countrymen; Voorhis' cruelty during the siege of the Crow's Perch, Nilfgaardians' direct attack on Kaer Trolde.

Crach died during the battle for Undvik and Voorhis negotiated over his body; the corpse was returned and Nilfgaard respect local burial traditions.

Melusine quest line had more content related to blood shrines.

There was an opportunity to try and convince Caranthir to betray Eredin, after which he'd get replaced by some elven lady (Isilira?). (Conflicted about this, as in 2013 leaks it seemed Caranthir knocks Avallac’h out on Naglfar when Geralt and him try to infiltrate it.)(Isilira is the lady you meet in Avallac’h’s lab in the released version.)

There was a sequence in White Orchard in the Empress ending where Voorhis had announced he'd arrive and propose to Ciri in few days, but Ciri lost Emhyr's signet ring to prove his approval of the marriage. Then some kind of gamble ensued under the influence of a Korred, and Ciri decided if she'd win she'd marry and if not she'd run away (not sure if this shouldn't it be the other way around).

Gameplay-wise:

There was a 'vital spot' system, where you gained points by performing various actions and could then use those points to perform combat moves that would either weaken of 1-shot an enemy.

Manticores were cut.

Players could buy boats and horses; rowboat for rivers and lakes.

Wind tunnels and proper storms in which a boat could tilt over.

Water combat was cut.

Focus mode in combat was cut.

[fonsmortem]

Bloody Baron | Phillip Strenger

❛ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ʷᵃˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳ. ᴮᵘᵗ ᵐᵃʸᵇᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ❜

❝…The local peasantry anointed him the "Bloody Baron," a clear indication that he did not handle his vassals with kid gloves. On the other hand, he proved a surprisingly gracious host to an unexpected guest who was also a stranger and a hired monster slayer.

His treatment of children and young women, towards whom he demonstrated wholly sincere, near fatherly-concern, likewise contradicted his bandit-like appearance and terrifying monicker. Ciri had learned this for herself, finding care and shelter under his roof…❞

✥The Witcher 3, Journal entry one of the most "alive" art that I have painted, I love story of this character

[chilljustacat]

[heraldofsomething]

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Family Matters

[dragoneyes618]

"Jealous of my freedom" is an odd phrase to use here, isn't it?

The Baron loved Helena Ravenclaw, but she did not love him. Helena had stolen the diadem from her mother, and fled to a forest in Albania. She's living alone, in the wilderness, having stolen from her mother, not even being able to use the diadem for anything, and he's jealous of her?

Of her freedom?

As the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw, one of the founders of Hogwarts and the wisest one, Helena would have been under quite a lot of pressure and expectations. Perhaps she chose to flee to remote Albania for more reasons than simple fear of being discovered as the thief of the diadem.

And if any of the other founders also had children - we know that Slytherin, at least, did, the Gaunts being the ignoble scions of his line - they, too, would have been under just as much pressure, expectations, constraints.

I don't know if the wizarding worlds has titles and nobility, like lords and knights and so on. But many purebloods considered being pureblood as good as having a noble title, didn't they? Such as...a baron, perhaps? Who, it's confirmed, was Sorted into Slytherin House?

Could the Bloody Baron, jealous of Helena Ravenclaw's newfound freedom, have been the son of Salazar Slytherin?

[actual-haise]

Let's go lesbians! Let's go!

[lovelystargirll]

Calling all harry potter geeks, I need an answer to this because this situation drives me crazy. We learn in Harry potter and the deathly hallows that Helena Ravenclaw, aka the grey lady, was killed by the bloody baron. Who then killed himself, but WHY would Helena hang around hogwarts with the guy who KILLED her? Don't try to say they are trapped there because they're ghosts we know that canonically they both died in Albania. Also what is that dynamic like at ghost parties like Sir Nick's death day party??

[games-desu]

Bloody Baron quest

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

[ladiesofhpfest]

Wit Beyond Measure by @midnightstargazer

Our first fic of the week is here! MidnightStargazer has given us a gift of a fic with this tale of Helena Ravenclaw.

Summary: The ghost of a young woman haunts Ravenclaw Tower. She speaks to few living beings and keeps her secrets carefully hidden away, but she lingers nonetheless, watching over the school through the centuries. This is her story.

What's to love: A rich backstory for a character whose life and actions made such a difference in canon. Helena Ravenclaw has a complex inner life, a contentious relationship with her mother, and wisdom built up from the centuries of ghosthood. Tie in Tom Riddle and wow.

Thank you so much MidnightStargazer!!!

[ladycibia]

That one time the Baron's men went aggro on me even though I bought them a drink :( (or when you forget the commands and start punching people in the face while drinking a potion and shooting with the crossbow)

[theprodigypenguin]

A thought that just occurred to me cuz I've been watching a true crime documentary series, but isn't it like hella fucked up that Helena Ravenclaw was murdered by a man when she rejected him and now she's a ghost in the same castle as her murderer? Like even in death she can't escape the man who murdered her? That's gross.

Someone should exorcise the bloody baron.

[fantasywriter19]

1. Melody Riddle and the Sorcerer's Stone Ch.10 The Sorting

No sooner had Mr. Hagrid knocked on the door than it swung open, revealing a tall, black-haired witch in emerald robes with a very stern expression on her face.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall,” Mr. Hagrid told the woman.

"Thank you, Hagrid, I will take them from here,” Professor McGonagall said.

Pulling the door wider, all the students around me looked in the entrance hall with wonder. It was fairly big, and I was somewhat surprised I hadn't really paid attention to it before as the stones were now lit with flaming torches and the ceiling went too high to look at. There was also a magnificent looking marble staircase facing us, leading upstairs.

Professor McGonagall led us across the floor, and there was the drone of a hundred or more voices from the Great Hall. She didn't lead us there, but instead took us into a small chamber close by. We all crowded in, standing very close to one another.

I looked around me. Becky was just about the only one looking excited while everyone else was extremely nervous. What are we going to do to find out which House we belong in?

Then, Professor McGonagall told us, "Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room.

"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of each year, the House with the most points is awarded the House cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.

”I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."

Professor McGonagall left the chamber and everyone started whispering nervously.

"What do we do for the ceremony?" I asked aloud, not caring who answered it so long as someone said something.

"I dunno, it's supposed to be a surprise,” Draco replied with a shrug.

I looked around at all the nervous incoming students. A lot of them were pale. Looking over at Harry Potter, I saw he was almost to the point of devastation he was shaking so much.

Why is that...? I looked away quickly as I realized I was reading too much into his emotions. Come on, Melody, this is not the school to be looking into other people’s minds at your every fancy. Not under Dumbledore’s watch.

Suddenly everyone started screaming and, turning to see what caused it, I made a small gasp. About twenty or so ghosts were streaming in through the back wall. They were all a pearly-white, transparent bunch, barely glancing at us as they glided across the room above us, all talking to one another. Some seemed to be arguing.

“Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance —” a fat little monk ghost was saying.

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost — I say, what are you all doing here?" a ghost wearing a ruff and tights asked all of us, but no one answered. All we could do was stare.

All those months in Hogwarts and I didn't remember seeing a single ghost! What is this?

"New students!" the Friar said excitedly, smiling at us. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"

Some people, I saw, nodded, still taking in the appearance of the ghosts while I looked away. It was all really weird, too weird, to only just now see that there were ghosts floating about the school. How could I have possibly missed them? Did they just happen to always be in different rooms from me for all that time?

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" I heard the Friar exclaim. "My old House you know."

Addy let out a small giggle as he passed by us with an excited expression.

Professor McGonagall came back into the room and snapped at the ghosts, "Move along now. The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

Each of the ghosts floated away, one by one, through the opposite wall from whence they came.

Then she spoke to us, "Now, form a line, and follow me."

We all got into line; me behind Draco, and Becky behind me. Professor McGonagall led us out of the chamber, back across the hall, and into the Great Hall.

This was also the first time I really looked at the Great Hall since, the last time I went in, I was hurrying to get out. But now I couldn't, because I had to do something in front of the whole school anyway. Looking at it, it was lit by thousands and thousands of candles all floating in midair above the four long tables which were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. Then I looked up at the ceiling, remembering from the book, Hogwarts: A History, that it was bewitched to look like the sky outside.

Hearing a “Psst!” I looked over at the Gryffindor table to see the Weasley twins giving me a thumbs up. I gave one back to them to show that I was ready.

Professor McGonagall led us near where the fifth table was, the one with all the teachers and Professor Dumbledore. Then she placed a four-legged stool in front of us, and on top of it placed a pointed wizard's hat. It was patched, frayed, and very dirty looking.

What do we do with that? I thought. But then a rip near the brim opened up like a mouth, and the hat sang a song:

"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 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 folk 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!"

As the hat finished its song, I heard the whole hall burst into applause. The hat bowed to each House table and then sat still.

“Ravenclaw or Slytherin?” Becky whispered to me.

“I don’t know," I replied softly, my nerves twisting at the thought of being sorted away from them. “I’m mostly worried that we may not end up in the same House.”

“I’m worried, too,” Addy admitted from behind Becky.

“We can try to. And even if we aren't, we can still hang out together." Becky said.

I nodded, a bit relieved at the suggestion. "Yeah, that's what we need to do."

Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a piece of parchment in her hands. A list of the students? “When I call your name,” she said, “You will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted.”

"With everyone watching?" Becky asked gleefully.

My lips pursed, Only she could be excited about that.

“Obviously,” Addy said through gritted teeth, though I hardly heard her. My attention was on Professor McGonagall… and the hat that would decide our fates.

"Abbot, Hannah!" Professor McGonagall said, holding the hat until a girl came up and sat down.

"Hufflepuff!" the hat yelled. The Hufflepuff table burst into applause.

"Bones, Susan!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Boot, Terry!"

"Ravenclaw!"

"Brocklehurst, Mandy!"

"Ravenclaw!"

"Brown, Lavender!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Bulstrode, Millicent!"

"Slytherin!"

I felt like tuning everything out, all that was going on generally consisted of shouting and applause. There were even pauses. Sometimes the hat chose instantly, and sometimes it took a while to decide.

Of course, there were certain people I didn't tune out for. Vincent and Greg were in Slytherin… of course.

"Figsund, Rebecca!"

When Becky went up, she took the hat from Professor McGonagall’s hands to put it on herself — with the deputy Headmistress’ lips pursing in response — and the hat took a while before it, too, shouted out that she was “Slytherin!"

That girl gave her Cheshire grin toward the Ravenclaw table and, handing the hat back to Professor McGonagall, went to the Slytherin table without hesitation, sitting directly across from Vincent.

“Gentz, Addison!” When Addy went up, her hands shaking uncontrollably, the House put her in "Hufflepuff!" She wandered over to her table, glancing at me and Becky like a lost puppy.

Oh boy, I thought worriedly, They’re already in two separate Houses. But it’s okay, we’ll still hang out together like Becky said. Right?

I actually perked up to listen when "Granger, Hermione!” was called.

"Gryffindor!"

Hm, I thought to myself with a sigh, another separate House. I don't think I'll be in that one. I can’t really consider myself that 'brave' of a person. No Weasley twins — which also thankfully means no Hermione Granger — for me.

As I was thinking this, “Longbottom, Neville!” was called to the stool and placed in Gryffindor. He doesn't seem very brave, maybe I have a chance, I thought as he accidentally ran to the table with the hat still on his head, and had to run back to return it to Professor McGonagall.

"Malfoy, Draco!"

I watched as Draco made his way over to the Sorting Hat, and it very barely touched his head when it shouted out “Slytherin!” He excitedly went to sit down with Greg, Vincent, and Becky, sitting across from the empty space next to Becky. He glanced at the space as though expecting someone to sit there…. Me? Is he waiting for me?

Some more people went up. I found out that the name of the girl who was in the same boat as us coming here was Pansy Parkinson, and she was also put in Slytherin.

A couple more names later and out came, "Potter, Harry!"

It was amazing how many people broke out in whispers, watching him nervously make his way up to the stool and sit down on it. When the hat was placed on him, as with everyone else, it covered his eyes. After a while, I saw him grip on the edges of the chair, as if in an argument with the hat. Then came the shout of, "Gryffindor!"

There were screams of excitement as the hat was taken off of Harry, and he made his way to the Gryffindor table. Everyone there was overjoyed. Fred and George were even shouting, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"

I chuckled softly.

"Riddle, Melody!”

It took a moment longer for me to realize that I was called right after Harry. Going up, no one was really looking at me, but at him. I appreciated not having all the attention, so it looked like it paid well for me to be after this boy. But I did have the attention of Draco, Vincent, Greg, Addy, Hermione, Becky, and the Weasley twins. Even Professors Snape and Dumbledore were interested in watching me.

The hat slipped onto my head and I was engulfed in darkness. I felt the probe of something entering my mind, much like Professor Snape attempted one month ago, but this time I didn’t push it out. It had to be the hat picking my House from my personality, I supposed.

"Hmm, very very difficult to choose," I heard the hat say, but I only just realized it was echoing through my mind, not for anyone else to hear. "You have a dark family history, that's for certain. A very clever and cunning girl. You have the intellect to get yourself out of tight spaces, but also the guile to deceive the most powerful of wizards."

I wondered just what he was talking about… I’ve never thought of myself as cunning.

“The House with the most cunning of individuals would suit you well, not just from your nature but also from your ancestors. Much, much better than only wits. Better be…" I felt the hat come out of my head to shout out to the hall, "Slytherin!"

The hat came off of my head, and I made my way over to the Slytherin table in utter confusion. What had that hat been babbling about? Dark family history? My cunning nature? Deceit? My ancestors? What could it possibly base all of that on?

I sat down next to Becky, and looked over at the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. Addy looked like she was let down. Hermione was frowning slightly… though our meeting had only been brief. The twins' mouths were understandably opened wide.

"We're all together!" Draco said excitedly.

Yeah, but unluckily for you we have Becky. I started whispering to her, "We can check with Addy maybe tomorrow to see if we have any classes with her, and perhaps a free time."

Becky nodded vigorously. "I'm just glad that I'm not the one who's alone. Addy can handle herself, at least.... But look at my brother!" This she added with considerable annoyance, pointing to the Ravenclaw table.

I looked over at the Ravenclaw table where her brother, who had curly, light brown hair, was going back and forth between smiling and frowning. Then he looked over at Becky and did some hand motions at her that I didn't understand.

She looked at him angrily, giving hand motions back and turning pointedly away from him. He turned to watch the rest of the sorting, which didn't have very many people left.

"What did he just say?" I asked her.

"That he's going to send a letter to dad about me getting into Slytherin," she said moodily.

“I thought you might want to be the unique one in your family,” I said thoughtfully. “Especially with the way you first smiled after you were sorted.”

She grinned, “Oh, I do. I have to get past the shaming first, but then I’ll be ever so happy.”

I snorted with laughter. She was certainly something else.

“How do you feel?” she asked.

”I honestly don't understand its decision for me," I told her truthfully, causing her to look at me curiously. "It basically said I'm so smart that I'm cunning…. It even said something about my family history being dark, so I don't know. But I believe I was really close to Ravenclaw."

“Yeah…” Becky said thoughtfully. “But at least this isn't so bad!"

"Are you joking?" Draco asked her, more than eager to join the conversation. "Slytherin is perfect! Hufflepuff's a bore! Ravenclaw's deadly! And Gryffindor's are just a bunch of tossers."

I snorted. “Well, aren’t I glad not to be in the 'tosser' category.”

Becky was stifling her laughter, having a really hard time not bursting it out. She finally was able to choke out, "Raven – claw the – most – deadly? Oh – my – brother wouldn’t – get a kick – out of that! Better – not tell that – to my parents! Haha!"

Draco’s pleased, flushed cheeks said it all.

After the sorting, Professor McGonagall took away the stool and the Sorting Hat. Professor Dumbledore now stood up, beaming at all of us and holding his arms out as if trying to embrace us in a large group hug.

He began a speech… an extremely short, exceedingly weird speech. "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Tweak!

"Thank you!"

Everyone clapped and cheered as he sat down, and I laughed out loud with Becky. "He's a bit odd isn't he?" I asked.

But before Becky could even get out a response, both our mouths almost fell open in shock as the dishes in the middle of the table were now filled with a lot of different foods. It was the most I'd ever seen, even in all the banquets I'd ever been to.

We all started loading our plates. I filled mine with roast chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and some peas. Didn’t want to overload if, with the way this looked, there was some dessert to come after it.

A ghost suddenly came over to us and sat down next to Draco, who looked nervously at him. The ghost looked very horrible, with blank staring eyes, a gaunt face, and robes stained with what I supposed was blood, but it was silvery like the rest of his body.

"Hello," he said to us curtly. "New first years I see."

"Hi," I said, deciding to be friendly, though he looked fairly bedraggled and menacing. "What's your name?"

"I am the Bloody Baron, your House Ghost…… You have a vaguely familiar aura about you, you know?" he said to me. Draco paled, as if he was talking to him.

"Perhaps because my dad was in your House when he was at Hogwarts.”

"Hmm…" he thought aloud, "What is your name again?"

"Melody Riddle,” I said. “My dad was Tom.”

"Ah yes! Tom Riddle was in this House, a very clever young man…. Now that I think about it, you look a bit like him. Who was your mother?" he asked, immediately intrigued. But, I noted, when I said my last name he flinched a little.

"Orele Ollivander. She was in Ravenclaw,” I said, nonplussed when everyone around me suddenly gasped. "What?!" I asked, miffed that I had forgotten to attempt not mentioning my relationship to the famous wandmaker.

"Orele! I remember her. No wonder your eyes are like that. So she had a child with Tom Riddle… how lovely." Though the Bloody Baron said 'how lovely’, his tone was dry. "No doubt you will be great in all your classes as they were, and perhaps even a strong interest in the Dark Arts they had."

"Yeah, I guess," I said slowly. “So you knew them well?”

“Both of them were top of their class, and the most popular in their years! Was not one student that didn’t know their names,” the Bloody Baron said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he glided quickly away for another Slytherin to talk to. I thought it was slightly odd that he should know so much about my own parents… remember them specifically, even, over a span of however long he himself had been dead. They may have been popular in their years, sure, but to think about how many popular kids there have been over time was unthinkable.

"You're related to Mr. Ollivander?" Becky asked me. I nodded. "Why didn't you guys act like family when we went to the shop together? You were asking so many questions about him!”

Draco was looking just as intrigued.

"I only found out about it after you and Addy left the shop, so I hadn't actually known at the time when we were getting our wands," I said, cutting into my chicken and explaining to them about what had happened. I was doing my best to eat and talk, but not with my mouth full. When I finally finished talking, I had also finished eating, and dessert had appeared in the dishes where the entrée had been.

“That’s incredible. I’d have had no clue,” Becky said thoughtfully. “Although perhaps the giveaway should’ve been the eyes. Honestly, just the fact that I hadn’t even thought of it before is mind boggling. You and your mother have those unique eyes of his.”

Draco leaned forward, a pumpkin pasty in hand as he stared at me. “Wow, they really are that silvery. And I thought that was just because he was blind.”

“Honestly, don’t even worry about it,” I said, helping myself to some chocolate ice cream and chocolate éclairs, biting into the latter and feeling very satisfied. If this was what meals were going to look like every day, then I was happy to admit that I was in heaven. “I’d rather talk about something else, anyway.”

“All right,” Becky said with a shrug, already finding the means to change the subject. “I notice you don't eat much, but you sure do like chocolate.”

”Let her eat what she wants," Draco said. "What she eats is none of your concern. It’s what you feed yourself that you should worry about."

"Excuse me if I like to observe how the people around me eat," Becky said. "Like I don't know if I want to always sit near you, because you eat like a pig. Hoarding everything you see into your body."

”I do not!" Draco defended himself, another pink tinge finding its way into his cheeks.

"Have you honestly seen yourself?" Becky asked him.

"How about the both of you stop fighting for the rest of the feast and wait for tomorrow?" I asked them. They actually nodded, glaring at each other.

I took that moment to glance up at the teacher's table. There was Professor Snape seated next to Professor Quirrell. Neither looked happy with their seating arrangements. Professor Quirrell was still very, very jittery. Contrary to what mom had promised, I was certain he was still going to be a stutterer. Professor Snape himself still looked plain annoyed.

Then, I saw something fairly strange. At the Gryffindor table, Harry Potter looked up at Professor Snape who looked back at him with such levels of hate and anger that — though I couldn't place what was so wrong — I could feel that energy without even needing to attempt to study it. But, as soon as that happened, Quirrell suddenly grabbed the back of his turban as if it was about ready to fall off and Harry clutched at his forehead in pain.

Then everything seemed as though it all suddenly subsided.

When Harry looked back up at the teacher's table, though, his eyes went right for Professor Snape. How odd, I thought curiously.

Once the desserts disappeared, Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall was finally silent.

“Ahem – just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered.”

I wondered if it was going to be another three random words. I was pleasantly surprised when it was not.

"I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

I felt my face scrunch up at this news, thinking that though the warning was very straightforward, it also didn’t explain very much. My friends chuckled softly at it, but I wasn't sure whether or not this was a laughing matter. He was obviously a crazy man, but with the way he had just said it… he might as well have been serious.

Professor Dumbledore spoke again, "And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" He gave his wand a small flick and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, rising high above each of the tables and twisting itself into words for us to read. "Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go!"

I listened to the rest of the school sing:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling,

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Everyone had a different beat to their tunes, stopping at different times. The Weasley twins were the last ones singing the words to a very slow funeral march, Professor Dumbledore conducted the last few lines they sang.

Wiping a happy tear out of his eye, he commented, “Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

After the feast, the Slytherin Prefects called for all first year Slytherins to follow them — and we did so eagerly — out of the Great Hall. The girl prefect — tall with mousy brown hair — talked to us while she walked, the boy prefect just following silently behind us all. I only listened out of curiosity but wondered at the back of my mind where they would be taking us for the Slytherin dormitories.

"Congratulations!" the girl said, waving her hands in the air. How flamboyant. "I'm Prefect Gemma Farley, 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.

"Now, there are a few things you should know about Slytherin — and a few you should forget."

Of course we’re in the dungeons… perfect for me. It’s just what the doctor ordered.

“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.”

Draco and plenty of other Slytherins scowled and scanned the faces around them as though they would be able to tell who was Muggleborn. I resisted the need to scowl, thinking of my Muggle stepfather with a heavy heart.

“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?”

No one answered. It somehow felt understandable, though I wondered what the historic Merlin was really famous for. There were plenty of stories and fairy tales told in the Muggle world, but they couldn't be the truth — just spins on the real one.

"I didn't think so," Gemma said smugly. "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 honor and traditions of Slytherin."

I liked the wording there. Gemma was making a great first impression for Slytherins — if only other Houses could hear it without disagreeing.

"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 quill."

Feared? I thought uncertainly. Do I want that?.. Matter of fact, why does the idea bug me so much?

"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 brothers. 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."

Becky sniggered silently next to me, as well as Draco. The whole thing about the Ravenclaws was obviously funny to them — to me too. I almost thought I wanted to be with them. But I personally didn’t care that much about grading higher than others. At least, I thought, Becky and Draco could get along through this.

Gemma continued, “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.

“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 cosy up with Gryffindors. They like beating us only slightly less than we like beating them.”

Great, I thought with slight sadness, enemies with Gryffindors. What fun. Well, it proves what mom told me. She gave plenty of warning in all exactness.

“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.

“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.

"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.”

By that point, we had reached the dungeons. I was surprised by how perfect Slytherin House seemed now. Although, Draco’s face whitened considerably at the mention of the Bloody Baron. Poor boy.

Gemma stopped up by a stretch of bare, damp stone wall. She said "Salazar," and a stone door concealed within the wall opened. We all went in, ending up in a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling. There were round, green lamps above us hanging on chains, a fire was crackling under a nicely carved mantelpiece, and there were a couple high-backed chairs by the fire underneath it.

"This is nice," Becky whispered to me. "Might not be too bad."

Draco glared at her again. I kept my mind reading out of it, and imagined that he was thinking: 'Of course it won't be too bad! This is Slytherin, it's amazing!'

Gemma led us to our dormitories. The older students were already in theirs, I guessed, as we made our way to the first year girl's dorms, losing the boys to theirs.

We had just gone up a few steps to get to our dorms, and there was no doubting the soothing sound of the lake water’s light splashing. Becky and I didn't say much to our new roommates, Millicent and Pansy. We just dressed in our pajamas, bade each other good night, and once we lay down we fell asleep instantly from the long day.

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[sweaterkittensahoy]

I don't go for "abuser learns a lesson and stops being an abuser" narratives in any media, but the Witcher 3 showed up and said, "that fucker is gonna have to WORK," and I'm honestly invested in what's next for the Bloody Baron. Like, he's having to gain every millimeter of trust he tries for, and it's fucking great.