Hello! So this is the new story! I've decided to add a few things from some books I've recently read, not everything, yet. I was going to make this chapter longer but I thought it'd be best to hear some feedback from you amazing individuals. You're definitely going to notice a few major differences. Now without further ado, I own nothing in this story.

Italics-to show internal speech.

Hello! Future me, for any of you wondering. This style of writing will only be in this chapter. I tried it out to try something new and I'm not fond of it. So from chapter 2 and onwards, it'll be a more traditional writing. I'll eventually rewrite this chapter. But until then. Thanks for reading!

The Sorting

"All aboard the Hogwarts express!"

The sound of the steam engine going off, the sound of the wheels on the tracks rolling, the sounds of children walking in the hallway, the feel of parchment in my hands, the faces of the people as the train passes by. I read the letter again.

Dear Atlas,

We know we've talked about this. We know you don't want to go, we know we should've been there, but we know this is what has to get done. It is unfortunately the law, and unlike you, we don't break laws. Remember, it's only one year at Hogwarts. Although we're fond of Beauxbatons, Hogwarts is a fine school, filled with a fine staff. The library is impeccable as well. Just be your fine charming self, make some friends, don't steal or kill anyone, and before you know it, the summer will be upon us once again.

I burn the letter in my fingers, allow the fumes to fill the compartment, the smell filling my lungs. I stretch my body a bit, a few inches taller than those two children, about the average height of a third year. I sigh, kick my feet up on the window sill, lean back and try to relax. My breathing slows and relaxes as sleep takes over me.

-Let Me In Harry-

The compartment door opens some time later, I should've hidden the door, would've been able to sleep through the trip, but this is for the better, can't seem suspicious.

I stare at what appears to be a group of first years. Black hair, braided, short in stature. Blonde hair, medium length, average height. Finally, a black bob cut, average height. Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson, all first years like me, all annoying. Well i've never talked to them, but they walk, and talk, and breath, they're genuinely just alive, and that's an annoying feature. They are rather pretty for their ages, Tracey's freckles, Daphne's icey blue eyes, and even Pansy's upturned nose.

I stare at them, with my green eyes, before I pull my feet down and sit up properly in the compartment. I wonder how Hermione's doing? She should've made some proper friends by now.

"Hello." I stick to a polite tone, no need to be hostile so soon.

"Hello, we were wondering if we could sit here, with you. Our previous compartment grew quite bothersome." I note Daphne said unpleasantly. Probably the younger Malfoy, Draco?

"Be my guest." I stand and stick out my hand, palm up. 'Proper etiquette Atlas' gonna vomit being this proper.

Daphne is the first to place her hand in mine. I kiss the air above her knuckles as is custom.

"Daphne Greengrass, heiress to the Greengrass family." She provides, like I didn't already know that.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Heiress Greengrass."

The next girl-

"Pansy Parkinson, heiress to the Parkinson family." I kiss the air above her knuckles as well.

"A true honor milady." Ridiculousness.

The final-

"Tracy Davis." She seems sour. I suppose that's what this society does to half-bloods, even rich half-bloods like her.

"Ah, I, am Atlas Gaunt, heir to the Gaunt family." I intone to all, relishing in their stupid faces. They are beneath me in the hierarchy. So much deeper than they could ever imagine.

I help them get their trunks in the overhead, wait for them to sit down.

Finally, able to sit back down an-

"Heir Gaunt, I would much appreciate it if we were able to drop the formalities, if that is alright with you, that is?"

"Of course, i'd greatly appreciate it, considering the position you've found me in."

They giggle a bit and visibly relax. Ridiculous.

The next several hours are spent with the girls chatting among themselves, asking me a few superficial questions, like my favorite candy, or movie, and whatnot.

We arrive at the Hogsmeade station where what appears to be a half-giant is attempting to coral all the first years into a boat. I see those two useless idiots, well to be fair I see many useless idiots. I zone out on the way to the castle. Some girl with bushy hair is whispering to the idiots about an enchanted ceiling. Wait, I know that bushy haired know it all. A professor starts to talk about something usele- is that a singing hat? Now that's interesting. I'd love to tal- oh we get to wear it? This IS a good day.

"Gaunt, Atlas." i'm easily one of the tallest first years, along side those two.

I stride towards the hat, hearing more whispers about my family, appearance, my eyes, all boring. Talk about something cool like how i'm the only person here with a septum piercing, the only piercings I even saw were on women's ears. My ears are pierced too, but we'll talk about the significance later. This hat is far more intriguing.

I looked at the professors on my short walk to the stool. Just glances, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster. Minerva Mcgonagall the deputy headmistress. Lily Potter, potions master and head of the lions. Pomona Sprout herbology professor and head of the badgers. Filius Flitwick, charms professor, head of the eagles, and dueling champion. Emily Riddle, defense against the dark arts, known as DADA, professor and head of the snakes. The most important teachers at this moment. I feel the hat slip onto my head and partially cover my eyes.

"You are one of the only students to find me interesting. All of these children care about is not being a fool and what house they want to get in. You on the other hand are far more interesting than the rest." the hat said with an old dying voice.

"I am not dying, this is how that dunderhead Godric enchanted me."

Ah, so you must be holding something for me. I've read it in the journals you see.

Images of old leather wrapped journals-diaries-stamped with the Gryffindor sigil flash through my mind.

"They most certainly were diaries! But no. Not yet. Especially not here of all places!"

Bummer.

"Let's see, you are the true heir though, of two houses. Well where to put you? You've had such a hard time growing up. Such strong occlumency shields. Yet you won't let me see who mentored you? We both know I can't tell. Especially not to that guy behind me."

But the mystery is where all the fun is at.

"Indeed. So now where to put you? That is my job you know. Hufflepuff? Ravenclaw?"

I'm going to steal you and hide you in the deepest darkest vaults gringotts has to offer if you suggest those lesser houses ever again. You know where I belong you raggedy garment.

"Sheesh. Not friendly enough for the badgers, not interested in knowledge for the sake of knowledge enough to be an eagle. I understand, technically heir to-"

Would you shut up? I'm unsure if others could listen in on this conversation.

"But of course they can not. But nevertheless. Lions or snakes? In the lions. You may rekindle old fires, forge a path that may save yourself, may teach you what it means to be a part of a family."

You're gonna make me vomit all over my robes and this cheap stool.

"Wouldn't want that would we." If he had eyes. I would be able to feel that eye roll.

"Now, the house of the snakes. You'll forge alliances, you'll make friends. You'll make enemies, you'd be great. So much ambition. So much cunning. The potential is endless. It's all there you know. I'm excited to see what you'll do in the house of snakes. Rule them with an iron fist? When will you rule them? Early on? Let them quake and tremble in a few years when they realize a true King Basilisk is among them. The last Basilisk we had still reigns supreme. Will you usurp her? Or will you pull the lions together? Will you bring them together to make a unified force? Will you forgive those that have wronged you? Will you forgive those two? They didn't know better you know. They-all three of you-were just children. None of you knew better. Will you dominate your classes? Oh definitely do keep me updated from time to time. It's so boring listening to that fool reminisce about the good times and what not."

Just get on with it before I burn you to a crisp.

"Sheesh, a true king has come, better be-SLYTHERIN"

Polite applause is heard from all around, even from the lions.

I walk over. Taking my seat at the end of the table right across from Davis, away from Crabbe and Bulstrode. Rubbing the onyx ring in my right hand.

"Granger, Hermione" I look across the hall, her dark complection, the freckles on her face. I can practically see those massive front teeth-well they're not actually massive, just a prominent feature-she is quite tall too. Easily the tallest girl in both first and second year. I suppose it makes sense, Dan and Emma Granger are both tall individuals. She's not taller than too many boys though. But that's normal. Oh look, sorted into Gryffindor, with those two idiots. They've yet to be sorted, but they will be sorted into the lions.

I zone out the rest of the sortings, finding out that I was right indeed, Jack and Michael Potter were sorted into Gryffindor. Looks like we got Bulstrode, Crabbe, Davis, Goyle, Greengrass, Malfoy, Nott, Parkinson, and Zabini.

Millicent Bulstrode, a heavy set girl, a bit taller than average height. She's not from the main branch of the family. Half-blood, her father work in the ministry doing lackey shit, her mother stays home. They're still rich. Just not main line rich.

Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, Malfoy goons. Father like son, lacking in magical ability, dense headed, round, ugly, tall, about as tall as I am. Pure blood, rich family. Both of their parents work for one of Malfoy Seniors more legitimate business.

Daphne Greengrass, pureblood heiress to the her family's main line. Rich, apart of the sacred twenty-eight (S28). Neutral family, her father Cyrus Greengrass owns a potions and potions ingredients company, very high end stuff, definitely deals in some under the table deals. He's the current leader of the neutral party in the Wizengamot.

Draco Malfoy, pureblood brat belonging to the main British line of the Malfoy family. They're not French Malfoy rich, but they're still very rich. They're a part of the S28, royalty in Britain, but in France, they're not as infamous. Senior leads the dark political party, high ranking member of Grindelwald's army-the Death Eaters. His older brother, sixth year prefect Heir Aries Malfoy looks the splitting image of Lucius, while Draco looks a bit like Cissy.

Theodore Nott, heir to a pureblood family, a loner, odd kid. His family is on par with Greengrass, in terms of wealth and notoriety. His parents are Death Eaters, not as high as Malfoy, but definitely not the common losers. They gained notoriety as being known for their battle wear they sell. Not the highest quality, not the best enchantments or charms, but on a commercial level it's affordable luxury.

Pansy Parkinson, pureblood heiress to the mainline Parkinson family. The upturned nose is a Parkinson blood trademark. They earned their notoriety by being dark faction but siding neutral from time to time. The Parkinson family is old money, S28, but they grew their money with the clothing companies they own and run. In the muffle world, they own Gucci, the snake a symbol of their loyalty to Slytherin house. In the wizarding world, they own Twilfitt and Tattings, a luxury clothing company.

Blaise Zabini, a dark skinned Italian wizard, kinda looks like a young Pharrell Williams, nothing special about his ancestors. It's his mother that gained them money and notoriety. The Black Widow, a beautiful witch, young, and a potions mistress. Not the best in potions but definitely deserves her mastery. She gained her title because she's had 7 husbands, all mysteriously died shortly after writing her into their wills. From what I've heard, she's been making moves, investing some of that wealth.

Hundreds of owls come raining down during my meal, a Daily Prophet extra, something big must've happened.

The paper lands in my lap. Annoying.

'The mercenary Chameleon has struck again!' What a dramatic title.

'The mercenary known as Chameleon has recently left his signature at the latest homicide scene. The murder of apparent Death Eater and apparent Unspeakable from the Department of Mysteries, Augustus Rookwood.

Augustus was found with his head cut open, with his brain missing, and a whole cut into his chest with his heart missing. The signature of the infamous mercenary. Wanted all across the world, magical and muggle, with a collective bounty of 500 million galleons, the highest in history!'

Old news. All these students are talking about it like it's the latest piece of hot gossip. I think Rookwoods daughters are enrolled here. Wonder if they knew about it.

I look down the table towards the upper years and see them in tears. So that means they didn't. Some of their friends look like they're trying to drag them away from the table. To either the infirmary or the dungeons. Amy and April rookwood. Fourth year and third year respectively. They look like their mother, which is a blessing. Augustus is hideous. They're lengthy like their father though, which is good. They have his dark hair. Pureblood family, dark allegiance, and rich.

The feast ends without much else. I think Albus said something about the third floor corridor and a forest? I'm not very sure. The slytherins walk out of the hall together, lead by our prefects, Gemma Farley and Miles Bletchley.

They lead us through the halls, down the dungeons. Past the DADA classroom, and behind a tapestry.

We reach a 'dead end'. "No, we are not lost. This is the entrance to the Slytherin dormitories." Miles spoke to us. Wonder how many kids ask if they're lost.

"This blank wall" Miles knocked on the wall as Gemma spoke. "Is the entrance, the door, to the dormitories. Each house has it's unique entrance, all hidden, to keep other houses out."

"It's tradition in Slytherin to challenge the first years, within the next 7 days, if any of you can locate and take a picture–there's a spell, we'll show you–of each entrance. You gain notoriety and access to a master suite for your entire stay at Hogwarts. The rules are simple. You can not ask any older students in our house, and you can not get caught in the act." Miles told the students.

"It's a dumb tradition, but nobody has ever succeeded. It's a tradition, a game, that's been going on since the founders hid the dormitories in 1000 A.D." Gemma said with an eye roll. I like her. A bit sassy.

"Now the password to the common room is simple, today, it's 'Salazar'. Tomorrow the password changes and after that it changes once a month." She continued on. Walking through the brick wall.

"Wicked illusion huh?" Miles said with a cocked eyebrow following after her.

We followed behind them. Malfoy in the forefront, with me in the very back.

The room is spacious, tinted Green, which is a cool effect but I know it's going to hurt my eyes later on. Probably because half of the common room is open to the great lake. There's a library in the back, nothing large, a few book shelves in an alcove between two staircases, to the right of us is the sitting areas, tables, chairs, fireplaces, light sources, and is that a massive empty portrait? Probably Salazar's.

To the left of us is actually split, to the immediate left is a small kitchen, and when I say small, I mean small to the fact that there are a lot of kids in here at all times, it's about an average size kitchen. Further down, towards the staircase, is a hallway that I know for a fact leads to a duelling area. For practicing, working out, and mock duels.

We hadn't walked in far before we were stopped in front of our prefects, Head girl Melissa Bletchley, and our head of house and DADA Professor Emily Riddle.

Melissa and Miles look similar, very similar. Similar in height, average, similar slim build. The difference lies in their faces. Melissa has a heart shaped face while Miles is rounded, oblong. Melissa has thin eyebrows and thick lips whereas Miles has thick eyebrows. Obviously the difference in their length of hair.

Gemma Farley is quite the beautiful young lady, curvy, slim, athletic, short curly hair, a bit on the shorter side of average, full lips complementing her heart shaped face. Emily Riddle on the other hand. I've seen her several times before school. Those robes do not do her justice. Well leave it at that. I'm apparently too young to be thinking about sex and what not. Whatever. We'll talk about that later. She's taller than me. She looks to be around 180 cm. We have very similar features. We'll talk about that later though. Dark hair, vibrant green eyes, same long nose, squared jaw, we don't look like siblings. Her eyes are bigger than my own, her lips fuller, her skin tone paler, ears a different shape. No just the main features are similar. It's an annoying genetic thing.

"You have all been sorted into the greatest house. Here, we are ambitious, cunning, and what the hat doesn't tell you, is ruthless." Miles spoke to us in a booming voice. I'm assuming it's as a reminder to the other students. So they can't say were not all on the same page. Clever.

"We only have a few rules in this house. If you see another Slytherin student being cornered or is in a fight, even if you despise him/her, you help them. Your arguments, fights, and debates are to be kept in the dormitory, you can not seem weak to the enemy." He continued.

"The enemy is anyone not sorted into the house of Green, they think we're evil, they think we're all destined to be dark Wizards and Witches, being groomed to join Grindelwald's army." At Gemmas words, Emily made a vomiting noise. Cute, not really.

"One of you will be top of your class. It's tradition, there has always been a Slytherin in the number one spot. Don't break tradition." She spoke with absolution. "On the topic of tradition. Another recent tradition has been a game called 'the assassins game' you'll learn about it next year. We'll discuss it more tomorrow. I'm only telling you in advance because a select few of you will be picked to play, and whoever you are that gets picked, will be victorious. Under any means." At that she left, what an interesting school. I'm certain Beauxbatons has nothing like this there. Maybe I will stay here. Well see how that goes though.

"The last and most important rule. You never get caught doing anything you're not supposed to. They know we do bad shit because we do bad shit. They can't prove it though. And it's going to stay that way. Be good little angels." I had to hold in my laugh at his words. He's serious about this rule. Profanity and patronizing.

They showed us to our dorms, pathetic, almost no furniture. It's cool that they gave us our own rooms. I'll be sleeping elsewhere though, these beds aren't even good enough for for my snake, Harvey. Hell, they're not even good enough for Craig! He would never sleep on something so poorly made, and he's a house elf! It's probably just because we're first years. More than likely the beds get better with each year.

Maybe... No…

It couldn't be a test, could it? They couldn't possibly expect us, first years, to make our own furniture, mattresses, sheets, and decorations?

They do. This is the house of the snakes. Cunning, there were no wards on the dorms either, definitely a test. Probably going to be hazing, ridiculous. They're not gonna do this shit. Not to me, a being far powerful than any other at my age.

Oh this is going to be fun

Hello again! I hope this new revision of the story is pleasing. I'm trying not to make it so in your face. I definitely have this planned out already, for the most part. I'm actually really excited for this. I know i've taken a few things from other stories I enjoyed but I can't remember what or from where. So if you see something from another story, let me know so I can give them the credit they deserve. Please let me know what you think!

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