Chapter 14: The Slytherin Welcome Ritual
Even a culinary wasteland has its oases — and the Hogwarts dinner was thoroughly satisfying.
Lucretius Borgin, the Slytherin seventh-year Prefect, had already risen to his feet, tapping a silver spoon against a goblet.
"Slytherin first-years, follow me."
Regulus and eleven other new students left the long table and followed him through a side door of the Great Hall, descending a lengthy spiral staircase of stone.
The deeper they went, the cooler the air grew. The walls turned to polished black marble, and the torches burned with an eerie emerald flame.
At last they halted before a bare stone wall, its only feature a crudely carved serpent.
The Prefect turned to face the first-years.
"I am Lucretius Borgin, seventh-year Prefect." His gaze swept across every face, lingering an extra moment on Regulus.
"Welcome to Slytherin. Before we enter — a few things to be clear on."