Night terrors. They'd already started. How lovely. Rasa didn't sleep well at all the previous night because of the anxiety that typically came with starting at a new school. With this anxiety came a night terror or two. Hopefully they would calm down once she got used to this new setting. Waking up early was not her favorite thing in the world to do but it had to be done. Her uniform was on to the best of her ability but she absolutely refused to wear the robes. She would not look shorter than she already appeared to be. No way. That house counter had her extremely grumpy though. What idiot decides to lose points on the first day back!? I mean really who DOES THAT? Home was looking really nice right now. At least there wasn't as much stupidity in one place. Then there was the fact that everyone was actually talking so much this early in the morning. Rasa mumbled "be quiet" and thanked merlin for Raiden telling people to be quiet. Maybe this would be over quick and painlessly.

"It pains me to have to resort to this." Ethan Truebridge began quietly, though his voice carried through the entire Arena.

"As you may have noticed, 50 points have already been lost due to the behaviour of several students at the feast last night, I'm sure many of you witnessed the behaviour I speak of. You can, as a house, earn these points back right here and now. All I require from you is to tell me what you think it means to be Slytherin. Any more disrespect will result in further point loss and..." Ethan trailed off and nodded respectfully at Oliver, the Slytherin Quidditch Captain, "Removal from the Quidditch cup tournament this term as well as a blanket Hogsmeade ban for the entire house."

He paused, expression very serious.

"Raise your hand before speaking, and tell me your thoughts."

Kevin shook his head at the fact that they were already 50 points down the drain

Leilani walked inside the dueling arena. Thankfully, she hadn't gotten lost yet. Looking around, she went and stood by one of the walls out of everyone's way. She realllly hoped this was quick. Their head of house should have just given all the misbehaving first years detention. Why make everyone suffer? *mneh*

50 points?!? Professor Truebridge had to take that many points away due to a few students who decided to step out of line and make the entire house look bad, Raven wasn't going to stand for that; as a 7th year she wanted to make sure that Slytherin had the House Cup before she graduated and they definitely were not off to a good start.

After she heard that they could earn the points back now by telling him what they thought it meant to be Slytherin, a slight grin crossed her lips because she had her opinion which very well proved to be interesting. She raised her hand carefully before deciding to answer the question.

"Professor, I believe that being Slytherin means to be the best you possibly can, to do whatever it takes to get a job done and to respect not only our fellow students but the professors as well." That was the great thing about a question like this, Raven was free to answer exactly however she wanted to.

Oh thank Merlin. A chance to earn them back? Raiden let out a tiny little sigh of relief.

And then promptly felt worry welling up in him again at the idea that there were students in here that would definitely not supply anything resembling a correct answer to this question.

Raising his own hand, determined to at least earn back a few before they most likely lost even more, Raiden answered.

"Being Slytherin means having the drive to succeed, and the ambition to be the best." He paused. "It also means being sly enough to avoid getting into trouble. Slytherins are supposed to try their hardest to look as good as possible in front of everyone."

Kevin knew that he had to try to gain points to help his house out and try to not get into trouble

Leilani raised her hand slowly and cautiosly. She was American and had been there for half a day at most but she might as well try to earn some points back. "Umm, well sir, I think being part of Slytherin and as part of Hogwarts as a whole really is about doing your best to learn and succeed. But we've been put in an enviorment where there are many other people that we don't know and that are different from us. Even still, we respect each other and treat each other as we'd like to be treated."

well, the last part kind of went with out saying but the rest of it was what she'd though and learned in the past twelve hours. Watching the people in her house compete showed Leilani that really it was about being a team and supporting each other so that they could all succeed. "And not trying to get detention."

"Being the best you can be. Respecting those who deserve it. Being driven to suceed. Ambition. Avoiding trouble. All good answers. Surely there are more? 5 points to you Raven, and to you Raiden." Truebridge nodded respectfully at the two older students who had instantly grasped that this was an opportunity to make things right.

Ethan listened to the girl, not knowing her name and assuming she was new.

He actually smiled. "Yes, NOT trying to get detention is important. And as you say 'an environment with people we don't know that are different from us' its very important to know who you are dealing with before you disrespect them. Are they stronger than you? Is it of benefit to you to get on their bad side?" He paused, "Is it ever of benefit to be on a person's bad side? 5 points for you, and what is your name?"

Um. What? Rasa gave a questioning look to Truebridge while pondering this question. There really wasn't any way that she could answer this question since she had only been a Slytherin for a day. She almost wanted to pull the I'm new so how am I supposed to know this card but it didn't seem like the right time to do that. Raiden's answer made sense so maybe she could expand on that? Or just agree with it. Yeah that sounded good. She raised her hand and gave a very generic answer. "I agree with what Raiden said. I mean what would a Slytherin be if they didn't try to look their best in front of others?" Okay now she was just trying to sound smart.

What? They already lost fifty points? Seriously!? But, they could earn them back! And...they had to tell him what they think being Slytherin means. Well, that didn't seem too hard. It was just, putting it down in words that was the hard part...eh.

What it means to be Slytherin. Hmm. Pondering over her thoughts for a moment, Evelyn sighed and rubbed her face slightly. What it means...to be Slytherin. Food. She needed food to think! But the faster she can answer, the faster she could go eat right? Right!

Raising her hand, she waited to be called on before answering. "I believe being Slytherin means having pride in oneself, knowing what you want and going after it, and being the best you can be not only for the benefit of yourself, but for your house as well." And being better than others. Totally.

"Umm, I also think, being Slytherin, means being cunning and ambitious. Not, getting in trouble is a good start for that. Also, knowing your manners and respecting others." Even though, sometimes she herself goes against that respecting part. "Especially others that are your elders, wiser, and people who can control your life in school." Pointed stare at certain people. "Slytherin also means being hardworking, loyal, and being willing to do what it takes to better yourself and work on your weaknesses to create them into your strengths."

Hmm, well that's what she thought it meant. It was like, all the houses mixed together to make one best house! Which was Slytherin, of course.

Victoria had been standing against the wall, staying silent as others chatted, and eventually the professor that had summoned them all there spoke. She held a slight glare on her face, her eyes flicking over many others around her. It was far too early to be attending this sort of thing, and all because of a few stupid people that had to go and make all the first year Slytherins look bad. The dark haired girl rubbed at her eyes, feeling as if she was about to fall asleep leaning against the wall.

Well, at least they had the chance to earn the points back. After a large yawn, the girl raised her hand. She'd been told plenty before, so she knew enough to give a decent answer, even while her mind was fogged with tiredness. "Being a Slytherin means pushing yourself to be the very best you can. It means being smart enough to be able to achieve anything, and not letting anything hold you back." Probably not the best answer given, but it was an answer. And if it got them at least 5 more points, then it was worth forcing her brain to work even that small amount before she'd eaten.

Selena raised her hand and when she was called on she replied.
"I think that being a Slytherin is to be cunning, smart, but not the way most people think of Slytherins. Just because we're Slytherins it doesn't mean we have to be nasty and rude. Slytherins are people who try hard to get what they want and respecting others, even if we dislike them immensely." Selena tried.
"I also think that being a Slytherin means to be the best student you can be so you won't get into trouble, get detention, lose points or lose privileges." Selena added.

"What is your name? 2 points for you because that indeed is important, you do need to be at your best in front of others." Truebridge answered.

"Pride. I must admit I was not at all proud to have my name associated with those who decided to be so disrespectful and idiotic at the feast. Being able to identify those who are in positions of power, and respecting them and easing their opinions in your favour are fundamentally Slytherin traits and often, simple common sense. And thank you for mentioning loyalty. I don't care whether your morals are somewhat different to what society believes to be right, as long as you have morals and stick to them. Honour and loyalty are very important, loyalty to the History of Slytherin house, to those who have gone before, to those yet to come. Identifying your weaknesses and doing your best to make them into strengths is another good answer. 5 points for you Evelyn."

This one looked like a first year. Ethan nodded at her.

"What is your name? Intelligence and drive are indeed core Slytherin traits. 3 points."

He looked around.

"Exactly. It does not mean you have to be nasty or rude and indeed it makes you look an idiot if you are rude or nasty to someone who does have some sort of control over you. It does not do to perpetuate the stereotype."

And self-preservation was important, as the last part of her answer illustrated.

"3 points."

First of all it was entirely too early to be trying to think straight. And frankly Diggy couldn't remember if he had even blinked last night let alone why the house was suddenly short 50 points. He tried to blink away the sleep that was threatening to pull him back under and he was battling a raging sugar induced headache. A happy Diggy this did not make.

And on top of that one of the prefects was barking at people. Oh, that was just terrific. This year was starting out on the right foot. Yeah right. He rummaged around in the pocket of his robes for something, anything with sugar. If he was going to sit through a barking prefect, and a Slytheirn love fest he was going to need a pick me up. He found a stray ice mouse and he quickly popped it into his mouth. The sudden flush of sugar made his head snap up and his eyes almost popped out of his head. Was he turning into a sugar addict? Oh his mother would just love that...not.

Finally able to focus he blinked a few more times before realizing what topic was on the table. He raised his hand, this was a first. But he was going to do it. "Well I mean we are like a family and sometimes your family messes up and they do stupid things. But its up to you to help them get back on their feet. As a house I guess we have to learn that our actions not only affect one person but affects us all" He waved his hands around to include his housemates. "Being a Slytherin means we have to show the other houses that we care about each other enough not to mess up all the time." Whoa that was the most he had spoken in front of a professor in a long time. He held back the giggle that he wanted to let loose.

He was going to have to see someone about his sugar intake.

The rattle of chains was heard well before the ghostly form of the Bloody Baron appeared through the centre of the dueling piste. Covered in blood and looking distinctly murderous, he glared around at the Slytherin students gathered. Were any of them worthy of his house?

One childe's answer caught the Baron's attention and he rattled his chains in chilling approval in the direction of Diggy Greenwood, though he still did not say a word.

Sophie sat there, listening to everyones' answers. They were all right, she wondered if she should say what was on her mind. She took another look around the room and gulped. There were so many people in there. What if they laughed at her answer? What if she was wrong, would she lose more points over that? Sophie swallowed hard, she wanted her house to recuperate the lost points, therefore doing what ever was possible to get them. She raised her hand, stood up and cleared her throat. "Sophrina Sapphire, first year Slytherin." She introduced, proudly. "To be a Slytherin is to be as sly as a serpent, proud of our accomplishments and full of determination." She looked around at her fellow house mates. "We may sometimes be stereotyped as bad, greedy people, but we should use this as a motivation to work harder and change that. We are Slytherins, we are cunning and we are good people." She smiled and sat down. Her heart was beating nervously, not sure if what she said was right, but to her that's what a Slytherin is.

WHAT!?

Marie couldn't believe it. They were already 50 points down and classes hadn't even started yet. This was NOT the way to start a new term. She looked around the room for the little brats that were the cause of all of this. She wanted to teach them a lesson very badly but for now she would leave the teaching to Professor Truebridge. However, she did want her house to get their points back so she raised her had to answer the question. "Sir, I believe being Slytherin means doing whatever you have to to get whatever it is that you want by showing pride in who you while also being cunning enough to get what you want without getting in trouble or disrespecting yourself or your house. It also means that we are hard workers. Because we are Slytherin we have to work extra hard to prove that we are not nasty, evil little brats like most people think us to be." She glared around the room at the little monsters who thought it was fun to be so mean and disrespectful.

Five points, Raiden considered, was a good contribution to earning back the large amount lost for the mouthing off of a few students. His eyes followed the answers around the room, switching from one person to the next as hands went up and people spoke. So far, so good. Nobody had managed to lose more points for them. And Rasa had even gotten points for agreeing with him, which was kinda really awesome. Heh. He even spared a tired grin at Marie as she answered, glad to see that she had returned this year.

The arrival of the Bloody Baron drew his attention, and he inclined his head slightly at the ghost, in respect for the old, blood-splashed spectre.

Wait points? Seriously? Rasa got points...for AGREEING with someone!? That...was odd. Oh well. Points are points. "The name's Rasa. Rasa Giovanni." She gave a smile to Truebridge and looked at the ghost that had just arrived. So Hogwarts has ghosts eh? That should make things fun for Dino. Everyone else answering seemed to make perfect sense, even the one who sounded an awful lot like a kid who had broken into a candy shop. Too much sugar. Terrible thing.

Alaster smiled as he heard Sophrina's answer. What she just said made him proud to be a Slytherin. He also needed to take a stand for his house. Alaster stood up after the last person spoke. "Alaster Marvolo." Of course he needed to present himself. " Being a Slytherin is to represent our house founder, Salazar Slytherin, by being cunning. To show people that we are clever beings who strive for the best and don't settle for any little things. As it was said; we are not bad, just ambitious and hungry for success. Thanks." He said, proudly.

HOLY CAPITAN AMERICA!!!!!!

His sugar wired brain was not prepared for the appearance of a ghost whom from his sister accurate descriptions could only be the Bloody Baron. He tried to hide his excitement. He really wanted to meet the Bloody Baron. He was like a superhero. Only dead.

Was he rattling at him? Diggy wanted to grin like it was Christmas but he caught himself just in time. Calm down, he he mentally told himself. Which was next to impossible with the sugar creeping through his veins and earning the approval of the Bloody Baron. He took a deep breath and counted to ten to keep himself from spinning out of control and making a fool of himself. Which he didn't want to do.

That prefect might try to eat him. And Diggy tasted good today.

ooc: I'm going to leave things here for right now, to give others in different time zones a chance to contribute. The Baron might stick around and you are welcome to interract with him and with each other as long as there isn't crazy chatting. Wouldn't want to lose another 50 points now, would we?

If you haven't answered yet, please feel free to tell Truebridge and your housemates what you think it means to be Slytherin, I'll respond to those of you who have already answered later on.

Evelyn stood there, listening to the Professor speak, nodding every few moments or so until he moved on to someone else. Five points. Well, it was amazingly better than losing points. Smiling slightly at the Professor, it however slipped from her face when she noticed who had joined them. Ehh. She still had NO clue as to how to address the Bloody Baron. Last time, her efforts were shot down, unfortunately. Perhaps one of the older students would sooner or later do something so she could see?

Maybe...a small smile would be good enough? *queue the small smile* No, wait no! Don't smile! Too late though. The ghost was probably here to yell at them! Which meant...he was angry. Angrier. She couldn't tell. He always looked angry.

And, when did Destiny get here!? She didn't see the Slytherin come in! Of course, she was too busy trying her hardest to think of an answer good enough for the Professor, and trying to make her stomach be quiet.

'Stomach, be quiet!!' she yelled in her mind, glaring at her school shirt. Pssh. It wasn't listening.

She considered her HoH's question, well statement really, for a little while listening in on her classmates answers until someone mentioned her ancestor, Salazar Slytherin. "I believe Alastor Marvolo is right. Being a Slytherin means to represent. Represent my ancestor and the founder of this house, Salazar Slytherin and represent the past, present, and future of all Slytherins, showing that we aren't stuck up, mean or rude, and all those other things that fit into the stereotype that all of us have had to endure. I may be a first year but I do know about the history of this school, this house. Being a Slytherin doesn't mean that you have to love everyone you see or hate them either, but it's more about being yourself and letting that come through. It's about taking a stand and standing firm, doing whatever it takes to get what you want and believe in, and I want to prove once and for all that each Slytherin is their own person and one person doesn't make the lot. We don't fit into this stereotype that we've been put in just because we are Slytherins. I believe that being a slytherin is showing your colors for the shades they are, proving to others that your better than what they think, and of course doing whatever it takes to get what you want. Thank you. Oh, and by the way my name is Sarah, Sarah Lestrange-Riddle." She smiled her pearly White teeth and pushed her brown hair behind her ear.