Steve listened to everyone's responses, mulling them over in his head. -50 was definetly not a good way to start the term. So, Steve raised his hand and when he was called upon, said, "Slytherin means being independent and confident in your strengths, but at the same time, using your strengths to assist the house and to create a sense of teamwork and pride amongst your housemates."

Alice witnessed how her house mates stood up for their house, Slytherin. Never in her life has she seen this kind of unity. Her grandparents were right, Slytherins aren't selfish and this was proof of it. Alice felt that she had to share that with her mates, but she was too much of a shy person. She always told herself that she didn't have the courage to do something like give a speech or something that included a lot of people. Just take a deep breath. She told herself. What do I say? Alice stopped thinking and just raised her hand. Slowly standing up she looked around and took a deep breath. "First year Slytherin, Alice Black." She announced. "Many people think that we, Slytherins, are arrogant selfish people who only care about our own wellbeing. But they are truly wrong." Alice paused and smiled. "Look at us now, we are standing up for our house, for everyone in it. We are united and we are proving it right now. This is what being part of the Slytherin family is; we stick up for eachother and we have the right to feel proud of that. To feel proud of being Slytherins." Alice sat back down, her hands shaking. She was feeling the pride, the pride of Slytherins and for being brave enough to share it with her house.

Rae was standing in the back of the room, she heard Evelyn speak, she completely agreed with her, well more her than anyone else she heard. Respecting elders, THATS one that really needs to be followed, Rae was so done with meeting arrogant kids. Unless that adult gave you a distinct reason (like her mother) to not respect the person, then Rae's thought is Stop being arrogant you little prat and show respect. Again Rae is thinking about the issue with today's society, like things don't matter anymore and these people only care about themselves. She thought about raising her hand to get some points, but everything she would say was said by Evelyn or someone else. She walked up next to Evelyn and kept her voice down so she wouldn't lose points for talking "Hey" Rae wasn't really sure on what she wanted to say, so a simple hey was fine to her.

Ethan was sitting next to his brother. He was listening to what everyone said and they were all right. Slytherins aren't arrogant...okay well maybe some are, but most are without the intention of hurting other people. It's just sad how people look down on them for being what they are. It's not fair, that's why Ethan proposed himself to be the best he can and prove everyone, that judges Slytherins, wrong.

Okay, so Evelyn was definitely not a morning person. Poking her belly a few times, hoping that it would make it stop growling, she only stopped and stood straight when she heard a greeting quite close by. No one...saw that!

Looking to the side however, a small smile appeared on her face when she realized who it was. "Hello Rae." she mumbled in return, keeping her voice just as low. Maybe even quieter. Perhaps it was too low. Did the older Slytherin even hear her?

Just in case though, she made a slight nod in acknowledgment to her, before glancing around, not really sure what to do. That ghost was still creeping her out though. Did he have to be present during this meeting? It was already uncomfortable enough...

Rae saw Evelyn smile as she looked at her. "Nice save for those points" She added. Rae still wished she was sleeping, last night did not feel like enough sleep at all! "Do you know when we get our schedules this year?" Seeing as though they weren't at breakfast where they usually got them. She still kept her voice low as she talked and making it hard to notice that she was talking from Truebridge's line of sight.

Ella smiled at Patrick awkwardly but it soon vanished from her face. Right now, she was so tired that she could probably fall over and sleep on the ground. She scrunched up her nose as Patrick blew his breath into her face, expecting a gross smell. But it was actually a lovely minty smell.

"Are you trying to impress me?" She narrowed her eyes. "Cause you'll have to do a lot better than that." He obviously wasn't trying to impress her. He probably just wanted to be boastful and show off that his breath smelled nice. "I'm pretty annoyed to be here right now." She huffed. "I wonder where Trixie is?" Not that she particulary cared.

Lina was very very tempted to have her little cute wings right now. But that probably wouldn't help their case any. And she was vaguely wondering how to slip some of her own housemates some interesting candies. However, the better question was... what did it mean to be Slytherin? She'd heard many answers over the years. Among them... Lineage, social status, blood status... Why should such things matter so much? Slytherins had a history of having a bad name. Though, she had to admit she didn't think anything of it when she was sorted into the house.

After a bit of listening, she raised her hand, standing as tall as she could so she could be seen. "We hear these things all the time. We're told we're ambitious, and others think we are power-hungry. We are cunning, and others say we are sneaky. We have the knowledge and wit to manipulate others, but we are seen as bad or evil... nothing but trouble. Yet others know that we are people to look up to, even so. Voldemort, as an example... You don't gain followers because you act rude and cruddy all the time... you gain them because you do something that they respect, even if you're only pretending to be the good guy. However, not all Slytherins are evil, and not all bad wizards come from Slytherin."

A small pause, then she continued. "To be Slytherin is to have drive, ambition, leadership, and the potential to rise above the rest. We have the greatest potential for evil because ambition often equals a drive towards wealth or power. But we also have the will to rise above that and be whatever and whoever we want," she thought briefly of Violet, "no matter who others think we should be. We don't have to succumb to the rumors, to the conjecture, to the stereotypes. If someone expects us to be evil, or to hate, or to cause trouble, just being Slytherin we should be exactly what they don't expect. We should strive for the best potential and opportunities in all we do. That means respecting where respect is due; that means making strong allies who will support each other; and that means networking and taking things to the next level so that no matter where you turn, there is a Slytherin, or a friend of Slytherins, so that the world is yours to become whoever you wish to be in it. Because a person who makes nothing but enemies will find no ally when they need it the most, and is certain to find only defeat."

... She rambled again, didn't she? Slightly embarrassed, she sat down... which would have lost her in the group of students if it weren't for her bright hair.

Iris looked at Professor Truebridge; 50 points... That's really bad. How can TWO eleven year olds manage to lose them 50 points? ... She listened to what would happen if there was anymore disrespect. No Quidditch. No Hogsmead. This year would well and truely suck if that happened.

It took her a moment to think of exactly what she wanted to say before Iris rose her hand, "I think that being in Slytherin means being proud and ambitious; knowing where you want to go and what you want to do after school - having the drive to do everything you can throughout school to make sure that you get there." Iris paused and thought again for a moment, "The qualities of Slytherin say that we are cunning, and so I feel that being a Slytherin, we should use this cunning to stay out of trouble, instead of ending up IN trouble from a lack of cunning. Not that I'd ever, y'know, do anything to get me in trouble. I'm just saying; The Sorting Hat says that we're cunning, so we should use this skill if we ever were to do something against the rules." Iris stopped talking for a second and looked at Professor Truebridge, "I also believe that as a Slytherin, we also possess the qualities from the other houses, as well as the qualities of our own houses. I've seen through the past three years that plenty of the Slytherins' are just as brave as the Gryffindors', just as smart and witty as the Ravenclaws', and just as loyal as the Hufflepuffs." THAT was what Iris thought Slytherin was all about: The house that was better than all the other houses, that were just as good, if not better, as all the other houses - even if the history books didn't say so. Iris just hoped that Truebridge thought her answer was sufficient enough to gain the house some points back.

Nibbling on the Maple Fudge she had taken along - to a) calm down her growling stomach a little and b) to make her feel a little better - Nancy was standing there, leaning against the nearest wall, watching her fellow Slytherins explaining what it meant to be a Slytherin. See?! Why hadn't those annoying ones thought of that before they went up to the Staff Table being all disrespectful?! GUH!

Nancy cleared her throat before raising her hand to get Truebridge's attention. She had to say something as well after all, she was one of the PREFECTS! "Sir? Personally, I have to say that being in Slytherin means a couple of things. First, I think it is important - especially because of the reason we are here right now - " At this she raised her eyebrows at some of the other Slytherins, a small frown forming on her face. "-that we are in fact NOT, and I repeat, NOT the ones to be put in detention. Yes, we are generally cunning and ambitious, BUT that doesn't mean we are supposed to go around insulting people and not respecting the staff. Besides, aren't we supposed to be the ones too cunning to get caught?" Obviously this one guy who practically turned himself in was an exception. Hopefully. Okay, that may have been a little too much of the scolding-you-all-thingy but she had got a little carried away. Err...

"Furthermore, I feel that yes there is a reason we were put in this house. I have the feeling that our house has some character traits from all the other houses as well. And the good ones only I may add." A small proud smirk tugged at the corner of her lips at this. "However, this should not mean that we do not respect people from other houses. The times of all this childish house rivalties are over. We should try to get along with people from other houses as well, not just our own." After a small pause she added, "Unless it's during a Quidditch match of course." Her cheeks flushing a little she then turned back to Truebridge. "Sorry...got a little carried away there." Yes, now back to nibbling on the Maple Fudge...

Her eyes moved over to the shimmering something which had just apparently decided to join them: The Bloody Baron. She hadn't seem HIM in a while. Not that she particularly minded. Cough! Directing a respectful nod at their house ghost Nancy wondered what exactly he was doing here. Scold them? Eek!




Upon hearing faint - or in one girl's case NOT so faint - voices Nancy turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowed to see who dared chatting during this important meeting. At first her eyes fell on Evelyn and another girl she didn't know. And they were TALKING. Or the other girl was really. "Sssh!" She put her index finger to her lips as a sign to show them that they should just shut up. And now.

Now, who else had dared to talk?! Maybe she was a little more irritated by that as usual - probably due to her almost empty stomach - but she still went to look for the 'culprit'. Oh, there it was...or rather there SHE was. Or THEY. Because it always takes two. The girl wouldn't be talking to herself. Obviously. Duh!

With a few quick strides Nancy was over where the pair (Ella and Patrick) were standing and gave them a half-stern look. "Could you perhaps postpone your little flirting to AFTER this meeting?" Somehow the boy looked familiar...but she had been a little busy last term to get to know new people.

Hmm? Looking back at Rae in surprise, since Evelyn for one really didn't know how to answer her question, and two...was surprised that the girl wanted to talk. Now there were three ways that she could go with this. One, answer verbally that she didn't know when they were getting their schedules, two, answer with a shrug or three...ignore her. And she wasn't about to ignore someone who was obviously curious about when they were getting their schedules.

Decidingly, Evelyn was juuuust about to answer the girl with a shrug when...

...a definite 'Shhh' had interrupted her. Looking behind them, she noticed another girl looking at THEM and trying to get them to be quiet. Pfft, they weren't even being that loud. Barely any noise was coming from them at all! But, it was a prefect. Eh.

However, Evelyn smiled sweetly anyways and nodded in return to tell the other girl that she understood. And she smiled even wider when she had to stop herself from making her own small 'shh' noise and pointing to the fudge she noticed the girl holding.

Not that the prefect (who she didn't know the name of) was being loud or anything, but that was all in good fun. Which they weren't supposed to be having at the moment. Time to concentrate on what was going on! Of course, after her shrug to Rae though...

*shrug*

FIFTY points down already?! Before the real term started?! This was UNFAIR! And those stupid firsties weren't even here, when this meeting was compulsory! Were they trying to get in more trouble? Evan would love to get them in more trouble if that was what they wanted. Since Hogsmeade would be prohibited too, he'd have plenty of time to get them in trouble.

Thank Merlin, professor was giving them another chance. Evan loved new chances. Hopefully, they'd be clever enough to seize it. Raising his hand, he said "Being Slytherin is being aware of yourself, the others, and trying to leave the best impression. Also being wise, sly and ambitious while getting to your aim. Slytherins must also behave, because they're too busy and wise to get a punishment. They should be, at least." Unlike some idiotic firsties. But they would get theirs if they can't erase that 50 points here.

Patrick just rolled his eyes at Ella. He didn't feel like saying another word. He was too busy trying to pay attention to what their Head of House guy was saying because he really didn't want anymore points to be lost. Isn't that right Ella? He started pondering why they shouldn't get punishment.

Then that Prefect girl or whatever you call them came over and told them to quit their flirting (if that's what you want to call it). "I'm actually trying to pay attention Miss Prefect. It's her that's chatty." He pointed to Ella. Anyway, back to his thoughts and not some girl who's trying to blame him for talking.

Patrick finally thought of something to say. He raised his hand and continued. "Being prideful and loyal to our house sir is what Slytherin's are best at. A lot of people have mentioned that I know. It really doesn't make up for what happened at the feast the other night. Those kids decided to be stupid and now look where its placed us? In negative points. If they were truly loyal to this house they would have not said anything to get us in trouble at all," he replied, leaning against the wall still. Hmm...that's th way he saw it at least.

Libriana walked into the arena. Oh no! She thought to herself. The teachers found out about the prank that was saved for this morning..

Victoria raised her eyebrow slightly at the three points, though it was hardly noticeable. It wasn't the 5 she'd been going for...but 3 would have to do. For now. She was far too tired to think up a more brilliant response for those extra 2 points. "Victoria Wist," she answered the professor before going back to leaning against the wall and trying not to fall asleep.

"At least you added points and didnt get them taken." Libriana said looking at the half asleep girl beside her.

Chase walked in to the Duelling Area.She looked around at all of the people who were there and noticed it was her fault they were here anyway. She sat down in a corner, I wonder how many of these people would come up and complain to me?

Oliver was in the middle of another yawn when a lad he didn't know, who, incidentally, looked annoyingly perky for this time in the morning, started talking to him. At his words though, a small smile curled up his lips despite not being fully awake yet. “Ur.. you could say that, yeah.” He replied, his voice thick with sleepiness. He opened his mouth to ask if the boy was new when Truebridge started the session. He closed his mouth with a snap and focused on their head of house.

Minus fifty points and it was only their real first day back! And to add insult to injury the threat of no Quidditch was still hanging over their heads. Oliver's face fell but he nodded back at the professor nonetheless. He (begrudgingly) understood.

No Hogsmeade either? Aww... no...

He glanced at that girl...Lina? Woah - she was pretty damn smart. He nodded in agreement and raised his hand. “Er... Sir? It's about striving to be the best. Which.. a lot of us already claim we are.” Like yours truly for instance – heh heh. Cue smirk and glint in the eyes. “But we need to walk the walk if we're gonna talk the talk. Yeah.. we happen to have produced some evil dudes in the past but that's because our characteristics happen to be what people who seek power share – ambition, cunning and determination. We gotta rise above the stereotypes people put upon us, man. We're should be using our intelligence and pride to make an effort to prove that we're better than that; that we ARE the best.” Cos they were... mostly. heh.

Out of the corner of his eye, Oliver saw the ghost appear. He focused on him and winced inwardly when he saw the look on the Baron's face. Was he here... judging them.

Gulp.

Aileen walked into the room, yawning. She had slept so good that she nearly overslept for the meeting. She looked around and when she spotted Sarah, her friend from the feast, she walked to her and stood up next to her. She muttered:"Good morning." and she listened to Professor Truebridge and then he asked what did it mean to be Slytherin. Aileen only thought about it, because she was quite shy, but she listened to the others with interest.

Rae saw the prefect shush them and then saw Evelyn shrug not knowing when we'd get our schedules. Rae couldn't wait to go and just relax somewhere, or maybe find a good book to read in the library, or most importantly FOOD! She wouldn't mind half a grapefruit right now or maybe a bagel. Why couldn't Truebridge just punish those responsible? Still Rae stood there waiting for this whole thing that wasn't her fault to be over.

Jackie wanders into the room. Why are we supposed to be here.

Trixie who was lingering about at the back of the crownd instantly payed attention as she heard her name being mentioned somewhere. Following the sound of the voice led her to Ella and Patrick. "I'm here" she said appearing from behind the two and probably spooking them a little. "Heya" she whispered quietly. She looked up at the head o house and nodded in agreement with what the people were saying. Truth be told she knew nothing of the Slytherins. She was a Beauxbatons girl, not a Hogwarts. She was a little annoyed that she had to be here at this time. She'd done nothing wrong so why should they be punised?

"UMM, What's going on here?" Jackie asks. "Why are we here?" She was so confused.

Emma walked in and turned to the girl who was asking this. "Maybe it's because of that prank... I heard some other Slytheirns talking about it. Oh, I don't believe we've met. By the way, I'm Emma. What's your name?" asked Emma.

"I'm Jacklyn Caroline just call me Jackie. What year are you in?" Jackie said. Oh she was relieved she didn't do any pranks, so that was good.