The two ignored the puzzled looks from the other four. Harry said, "Just be careful not to be alone with him. Warn your housemates. Enough slimy stuff. New topic: wizard's chess, I need someone good to play against. I lost the first sixteen games of chess and go I played this summer. I need to find someone to play against so I can keep my skills sharp this year."
Hermione and Neville looked at each other. "Ron Weasley plays a pretty intense chess game."
"Fine, I'll issue a challenge once I get settled in this year."
"So Harry, I wanted to ask: how's Sandra doing? Uncle Robert disinherited her, he was so mad. I think that the thought Aunt Angelica would leave him was the only thing that kept him from doing a full disowning." Aaron asked.
"She's great, I have a communication mirror if you want to borrow it some time. Best thing I ever did, hiring her as my personal assistant."
Hermione snorted. "Personal assistant? What does a twelve year old need a personal assistant for?"
"Hermiome do the words 'lord' and 'celebrity' mean anything to you?" Harry growled. "I hired Cassandra to deal with the mail I get, to coordinate stuff for my properties, and to do research for me. So far she's done an outstanding job."
Hermione blushed and looked at the floor. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"Forgiven." Harry noticed that it was now dark outside and the train was slowing. "Looks like we're in Hogsmeade now."
The six of them gathered up the items they would need for the evening and left everything else for the Hogwarts elves. Aaron and Harry were the last to leave the compartment. "Aaron, if you wanted, you could join Neville and I in the mornings. I could teach you some defense."
"I'd like that but I don't know how much good it would do me I have a condition it makes me prone to breaking bones easily."
"Brittle bone disease?"
"That's what my nana called it. You've heard of it?"
"Yes. But I thought it was rare."
"It is. I have a mild form. It's the Yaxley curse. Most Yaxleys have it. My family is lucky: of my father's sons I'm the only one that has it. Cassandra's had two brothers and a sister die from it. Lucky for me there are potions that help my bones be stronger. That's why I want to be a potions master." Aaron exited the compartment.
That didn't match up with what little Harry knew about the disease. He pulled the compact out. "Cassandra."
A moment later he saw Cassandra's face in the mirror. "Yes?"
"I've got another research project for you. This one is more urgent. I want you to go to the main public library in London, get the librarian to help you find everything you can in terms of muggle research into a medical condition known as brittle bone disease."
She gave him a are you nuts look, but said, "Okay by when?"
"Two weeks."
As he left the train Harry heard Hagrid calling, "Firs' years, Firs' years over 'ere." He glanced at the first years and felt slightly poleaxed as his emerald eyes met silvery gray. Ignoring a sudden urge to curse and an even stronger urge to go over and make her acquaintance, Harry moved rapidly towards the carriages.
....
Harry wanted to curse. He tried to ignore the sorting, he really did. And he succeeded but not until after she was sorted. He now had a name to go with the dreamy silvery gray eyes. Luna Lovegood. He found himself torn between the urge to scream in frustration and the urge to smash his head on the Slytherin table. About the only bright spot he could find in all this was at least the girl wasn't a Gryffindor, as a Ravenclaw she would be socially acceptable to most of his housemates…
Why was he even thinking that way? Love at first sight was a myth, the dream of poets and romantics. Harry was practical and a realist, who cared if there was a family legend that the Potters dreamed of their future spouse when they turned eleven. There was no way that was real. Love, contrary to rumor, took time to grow, it was based on knowing someone having a commitment to that person. Passion, chemistry those were sometimes instant; it was possible to be attracted to someone instantly, thus, the love at first sight myth but Harry wasn't sure how that applied to his situation, after all he was only twelve, he didn't think he was being hit by adolescent hormones at least not yet. He stared morosely at his plate and picked at the food on it.
At the end of the feast he tramped back to the Slytherin dorm. He looked forward to seeing Hedwig and wondered if he'd have a roommate this year. He was surprised that just after the first years arrived the house was called to a house meeting.
Professor Snape was there in all his intimidating glory looking rather vampirish. "Good evening, I am Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin House, and Potions Master of Hogwarts. Slytherin House has a long and powerful history. You were chosen for this house because you are cunning and ambitious see to it your classroom performance reflects that. Homework takes place before play. If you need help for a class, ask. There are always older students and students who excel to tutor you if you are struggling.
"This school has rules. Know them, obey them, if you break them don't get caught, or if you do, don't come whining to me expecting me to fix it. There have been changes since last year, it is more important than ever to keep up appearances because my hands have been tied when it comes to protecting and rewarding you. As such, the following will apply: for every detention you receive from one of the other teachers, know you will be writing me an essay about what rule you broke why that rule exists, and how and why you got caught. Essays will start at one foot and will get six inches longer with every offense. After a fifth offense I will add a detention with me for every one given by another teacher.
"Outside these walls are those that mistake ambition and cunning for darkness. Always remember intent is everything, darkness can exist everywhere. Outside these walls there are others that will hate and quite possibly attack you. For this reason there are certain rules. Inner house conflicts don't exist beyond the walls of this dorm. If you are in conflict with someone in the House come to me or one of the prefects. We will help you to resolve it. As Slytherins we always present a united front. To do otherwise weakens us all. Never give anyone outside of Slytherin the password to the dorm. This is for your safety and the safety of your fellow snakes. Finally, no one goes anywhere alone. Always stay with your year group or with an older student. Obey this rule. It is for your own safety.
"While you are here your well-being is my responsibility to do that I must get to know you. I will be meeting with each of you over the next few weeks and we will set expectations for each of you for the year. I will also require that you have a physical with Madame Pomfrey, if you feel ill or distressed I am here for you. But do not, I repeat, do not mistake my care and concern for you as benevolence or as license to behave like delinquents. I in general, despise children. You are here because society has deemed you to be young adults ready to learn the responsibility of magic. See to it you don't regress. I will guide you so you can become the best witch or wizard you can be. You are here for a reason; I will know that reason and help you to attain it if possible. I do not, however have the time or the desire to hold your hand through your school experience. As such I expect you to be responsible young men and women. Complete your schoolwork to the very best of your ability. No sex without protective charms for both participants. If you don't know them ask me or Madame Pomfrey. You notice I'm not foolish enough to deny you do it. But for Merlin's sake be responsible, and don't come whining to me if your heart gets broken. Stupidity i.e. drinking, fighting, potions use or rather abuse, all nighters are to be kept to a minimum. Also regularly checking of the announcement board is required. I will not spend my valuable time making sure that each of you know the information that you should if it has been posted.
"Second years, your Saturdays - as soon as individual meetings have finished - will have a two hour class. It's focus is manners and mores of the magical world. Slytherins are not ignorant; etiquette is required to get ahead in this world. Most, but not all, of you have learned such things at home. I will not have your prospects hampered by ignorance so plan on attending those classes. Fifth years, it's OWLS year. Plan to study accordingly. I will accept nothing less than an acceptable in every class. Seventh years, the same is true for your NEWTS.
....
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