Ugh, really? How many brainless Slytherins were there? Or was it only firsties' inexperience? But even they couldn't be this irresponsible and resist this firmly to obey the rules! He turned to glare at the girls. "Do you mind shutti--" No, not 'shut up'. Of course not. "--being quiet and realising this is a serious meeting, not a place to chit-chat?" Like... seriously? Shaking his head in disapproval, he turned back. Merlin's beard!

Tobias rushed down to the Duelling Arena for the meeting; because it was a place he rarely frequented, it took several wrong turns before he found it. Also, due to the fact that he was exhausted (excitement at being back at Hogwarts certainly limited tiredness), it also took a few accidental bumps into corners of the cold stone walls before he really woke up. So by the time he reached the Arena he was chilly, with a slight headache, and was more than annoyed at whoever had lost the points in the first place.

He smothered a yawn as Professor Truebridge began to speak. Nothing good would happen if Truebridge thought he was being rude. If this was going to be a scolding, Tobias planned on zoning out. He, after all, had been at the opposite end of the table from the trouble, and had only heard rumours about the event drifting down to his part of the table. But what Truebridge said, about being able to earn points back, suddenly put him in a much better mood and caused him to start thinking about what it meant to be Slytherin.

Having come up with (what he thought was) a convincing and positive response, Tobias raised his hand and waited for Truebridge to indicate him before speaking.

"To be a Slytherin is to take your good qualities and talents and use them to your advantage. Using this advantage does not have to be evil or negative, but could help with some positive goal, like providing for a family or helping a friend in need. Being a Slytherin is knowing how to be resourceful by implementing the qualities of ambition and cleverness and self-preservation that most Slytherins, being Slytherins, have."

Finished, Tobias stepped back into the crowd of students. He hoped that his response made sense; it made sense to him, at any rate. Passively, he wished someone were writing all these answers down because some were very good, and explained perfectly how each Slytherin was different despite the common characteristics.

"Sorry I was trying to find out why we were here," Jackie says.

Ella narrowed her eyes on the clearly older girl and heard Patrick call her Miss Prefect. Pfft. "We're not flirting." She snapped in a hushed tone. Blimey, that was cheeky of her to say. And with a huff, she turned to the professor that she had missed the first time around. She would show this prefect that she was listening.


Fifty points? Removed from the Quidditch cup tournament? This was baad. Normally she wouldn't care about stupid students who messed around too much, but she was really looking forward to Quidditch. With a little hesitation, she lifted her hand up into the air.

"I think that being a Slytherin is..." Well, she didn't actually know much about the house, but she would take a stab at explaining herself. "...having the determination and ambition to so something with our lives. I don't think that we have particulary bad qualities, we use them to add to our strengths, making us more successful in the long run. We have confidence and pride which makes us happier and stronger, so we can strive to our fullest capabilities." What a mouthful. But, hah. That would show Little Miss i'm-so-cool/rude-prefect.

Ella jumped as she heard a faint whisper behind her. As she whipped round to see who it was, she sighed in relief as she saw Trixie. "Where have you been? Powdering your nose?" She said quietly with her eyes narrowed. She stared at the girl for a few moments and wondered if she was actually planning on contributing today.

Trixie rolled her eyes at Ella's reaction and question. "Hiding" she replied simply before looking over to their new head of house. She wasn't exactly sure of what she thought about Slytherin but she didn't want to e stuck in minus points because of some petty idiotic behaviour from younger students. She raised her hand confidently after thinking about it for a while. She'd have to submit an answer so she could gain more house points. She waited to be acknowledged before smiling at the proffessor. "For me I think Slytherin's bad reputation is incorrect. I don't think that we should all missbehave in order to live up to 'Slytherin Standards'. I think that the traits and attributes that make a Slytherin are a cunning mind and determination. In order to suceed people have their own opinions and stick to them. This doesn't mean that you have to argue with one another to show your opinion. Respect is essential in a school environment and just because one is a Slytherin doesn't make them a bad person. As Ella just said, we Slytherins have the pride and confidence that everyone should strive to have" she replied with an air and grace about her as she flicked her blonde hair behind her.

Aaron slowly raising his hand. Answering because he wanted those points, and NOT to lose Quidditch. If he lost Quidditch that would be it for Aaron. It was his whole life. Well, that AND Iris. Whom he cheated on. Oh gosh...

"I think being a Slytherin means if you want something, you should work hard to get it. Also, it means that we should be cunning and sharp when dealing with things." He hoped that would suffice. PLEAASE LET US KEEP QUIDDITCH.

Leilani nodded. "I don't think it's ever good to be on someone's bad side, it just causes conflict. As for if they're stinger than you, it really depends on the person. Like people that are older that you and proffessors are stronger than you; all people deserve to be treated with the same respect though." she smiled at him sheepishly. Whoo!! Five points, it was deffinitely a start. "Leilani Rhode sir."

"Oh, I don't know where my Mother was." She looked around. She flinched in shock, because of the House heads announcement. 50 points! And no Hogsmeade! Thats terrible!

"Oh, my Mother and me don't see each other much. And my Dad's in Azkaban." She tried to say nicely. Her brothers said she was supposed to talk about it, and she hoped she wasn't scaring Selena off, she hadn't known her for long, and she didn't want her to think her family was crazy.

"Um... I'll think I'll talk to you after this," Selena whispered, "I don't want to get into any more trouble..." Selena said sheepishly, "and it's okay if your parents are in Azkaban, they don't determine who you are," Selena smiled.

"Yeah, that would make sense..." She whispered as people were stating their opinions. "And, thanks." It was so sweet of her to say. She had told other friends, and they had cut it off. Selena wasn't one of those people.

"3 points, Dillon." Truebridge nodded after listening to the boy's answer. "'Learn that our actions affect us all.' Very true." Apparently they were learning that very quickly.


Truebridge offered a respectful nod to the Bloody Baron.

"Hello Sophrina." He istened to her answer. "2 points for your contribution. It is important to find motivation in all that you do."

"Get what you want without getting in trouble." Ethan paused, "Strangely," Not at all strange considering he was Slytherin himself, "I am not particularly bothered by any of you getting up to no good, as long as you don't get caught and don't put yourselves or others in danger. Just know that if you do get caught, you will be punished far more severely as I expect more of you than what I do of the other houses. 3 points."

"Welcome to Hogwarts and to Slytherin, Rasa."

"Hello Alaster. 2 points for your contribution, thank you for mentioning the house founder."

"Thank you Sarah." Truebridge nodded once after listening to the first year. It was good to hear there were some first years who understood, at least... they appeared to be impassioned by the answers they gave. "2 points back for Slytherin house."

"2 points. Teamwork and pride are things I'd like to see return."

"Yes. 2 points, thank you Alice. Right now you might be united against me, against the point loss and against the threat of future punishments, and that is a good start."

"Spot on as always, Lina. 3 points and I'd like to request that you come and speak to me in my office when you have a moment."


"Very good. 3 points for your answer also, Iris and... welcome back to Hogwarts." Truebridge paused, "Just as brave but... I do hope a little smarter about that bravery." For example, the students who had been so rude right in front of the staff were in some ways brave, but also very, very stupid. Hopefully they'd be cured of that soon enough.

"I agree with that one, we do have traits of other houses. Most of the houses do in some way or another of course, but most don't notice it amongst Slytherins because of the ideas they have about our house. Surprise them. 3 points." He offered a tiny little smile and a nod. Carried away was good.

"Yes. All true. 3 points."

"Maybe so, but loyalty goes both ways. They'll need to be shown the ropes, included and encouraged. Or if that doesn't work..." Truebridge trailed off. He wasn't going to encourage the students to spurn others, it just wasn't his style. "A point for your answer."


"Thank you Victoria."

Truebridge was glad to see that one of the little trouble makers had indeed shown up. He nodded at her gravely and continued on.

"I happen to think you are the best too... most of the time." Ethan answered in his usual quiet way. "3 points, Oliver."

Even though the the girl who had just entered was late, Ethan did not take points because he could tell she was listening and thinking and that was just as important to Truebridge as receiving an answer.

Truebridge looked at Tobias when the boy raised his hand and listened to his answer. "Be resourceful yes. 3 points."

And that was what Ethan himself was doing, using what he could to encourage change amongst the Slytherins.

"2 points." Indeed that one showed the confidence she spoke of.

"3 points." Ethan answered after listening carefully.

"2 points for you Aaron." Ethan nodded once at the boy.

"Thank you Leilani."

Hearing the word Azkaban, Truebridge turned his head slightly, regarded the little girl for a moment and then addressed the gathered students once more.

"Well it appears you have actually managed to get into the positives. Don't go celebrating however because my leniency comes with a warning."

As he spoke house elves arrived, bringing breakfast and setting the dueling platform up like a table, summoning chairs for everyone.

"The next Slytherin I find causing trouble will lose every one of those points you gained as well as losing Hogsmeade privileges for the whole house for a month. I will not tolerate disrespect and none of you should tolerate it amongst your peers either. Think about it. When was the last time Slytherin won the house cup? The Quidditch cup? Even the Gobstones cup was wrested from Slytherin control by Ravenclaw last term. When was the last time Slytherin house worked together to achieve? Every point counts, every assignment, every smile, every bit of encouragement. You still have Quidditch, I'd like to see all of you in the stands cheering the team if you are not on the team yourself. I'll even come along myself."

And he really wasn't all that big of a fan.

"Eat your breakfast, students. Feel free to enjoy your morning and make yourselves comfortable here now. You can talk and chat as usual but keep in your mind that you and your housemates need to be united. Even the students who were punished need to be accepted and taught what it means to be Slytherin. Even those who chose not to show up this morning. Teach them."

Truebridge paused.

"After breakfast that is."

And it was almost like a mini feast. Pancakes, waffles, toast, cereal, sausages, beans; almost anything anyone might ever think of as a breakfast.

Ethan sat down and began to put food on a plate for himself, encouraging the students to do the same.



ooc: had to split the post... ran out of characters while quoting you guys haha

Emma took a deep breath, sat down and whispered, "Nice to meet you Jackie. I'm a first year. What year are you in?"

Seeing the older boy glare at her made Emma apologise immediately, "Sorry I'm just telling her why we might all be here!", and the she shrugged her shoulders becoming quiet.

Trixie smiled and nodded curtly after hearing that the head of house had given her points. Finally, she had only just started and already had house points. She grinned. "Thank you ever so much proffessor" she said politely and then turned to the feast. Unfortunately she was vegetarian so a lot of the food she couldn't eat. She settled for an apple instead after scanning the table once.

As the head of house looked over at her with interest, Kenna blushed a little and looked away. What if he had heard the conversation and thought she was bad? She then reminded herself, this is her Head of House, she should be able to at least look him in the eye when he glanced at her.

She regained her composture, but then lost it again, when she saw the piles of waffles and pancakes and other items of breakfasty goodness. She realised she was almost drooling, she was so hungry. She grabbed a plate and piled it high.

Evelyn had been holding her breathe for the remainder of the time people were saying answers and the Professor was speaking. Of course, actually taking a few little breathes in the process, but who was counting those!? She just wanted this thing to be over in case even more points were taken away.

Plus she wanted to go eeaat! By the time they would get to the great hall, all the others would have eaten all the food! EH! But, then it was finally over. It was over? And, there was...Food! Seriously, Professor Truebridge was the best teacher ever. Knew exactly what was on her, and probably everyone elses minds at the moment. Filling their stomachs!

Glancing at Rae, Marie, and Destiny, she just really couldn't wait any longer and hesitantly walked towards the table. There was, a lot of food actually. Enough to fill a small army, or in this case, the Slytherin house. Pancakes, waffles, fruit salad, toast...actually the fruit and toast looked pretty good at the moment. Glancing at the Professor for a moment, making sure he wasn't just joking and was going to make it all disappear, she took a plate for herself and placed the two most amazing and delicious things on her plate. Must...eat.

After the speech, Shady left, not feeling very hungry.
This was all very confusing. She couldn't recall why the Slytherins were to have this lecture in the first place, she remembers someone yelling quite loud, but that was it...

"You alright? You seemed shock for a moment..." Selena said as she peered over at Kenna, "you're not coming down with anything are you?" Selena asked, "your face is a bit red..." Selena glanced at the food... she wasn't so hungry... maybe it was the chocolates she had eaten?

Elizabeth didn't really know how to answer to Truebridge's questions, so she went over to a girl (
Marie) "Hi Im Elizabeth." she whispered.

Santi had been watching as the other students spoke up to try to get even with what had been done the night before. He had considered answering but it wouldn't have been from self knowledge as he'd never really known what the houses had been about, having just transferred. He'd almost decided to echo what the others had said, but then turned away from the contribution for he had no connection and therefore, didn't really care if they would win the House Cup or not.

At the appearance of food his mind could not be sidetracked. He'd had some problems thoughtfully speaking the night before and needed to start his metabolism in order to kick start his mind and avoid that unfortunate mishappening again.

After the huge speach Jackie felt good. She grabbed some pancakes and pumpkin juice and started eating.

"Oh, yeah." She smiled at Selena reassuringly. "It's just early is all, and im hungry too." She smiled again as she grabbed a waffle and started to put whipped cream on it. "What about you? Are you okay? You're not eating."

Emma saw Selena and sat down beside her. "Hey Selena, Hey Kenna. How are you guys? Mind if I sit here?" asked Emma.

"Hm? Oh... I'm not hungry," Selena smiled. "It's a bit too late for breakfast... I usually wake around six to eat..." Selena explained.

Ethan Truebridge cut his waffles up into perfect triangles and then went ahead and arranged them on his plate in pairs, everything slightly on an angle from other pieces and effectively breaking up the sheer roundness of his plate. No maple syrup, bacon, berries, banana, cream or anything on them, he ate them plain and in silence.