Slytherin House was no exception to this discussion. Not only had the Dark Lord that many of their parents served returned from the apparent dead, but one of their House mates had been sacrificed along with his entire family. Theo Nott was a respected member of Slytherin. Not necessarily well-liked, the Fourth year was respected as a worthy Slytherin. Nott displayed his share of ambition and cunning. He was also a Pureblood from a Noble House. Nott performed well in his classes and maintained - and improved- his position within the House by various gambits. He had even risen to challenge Draco Malfoy for dominance of the Fourth Year Slytherins when the former was distracted by his participation in the Tournament. By any measure he was destined for a successful career in the Ministry or the Nott Family business. Now he was simply gone.
The sacrifice of the Nott family had shaken the Slytherin students. Many of the students, particularly the older ones along with Malfoy, loudly proclaimed that they would have done the same in service of the Dark Lord given the chance. But even they were shocked deep inside at the extinction of the Nott Family line. The shock amongst the 'neutral' Slytherin students was even more profound. Many of them agreed with their 'dark' counterparts on the goal but believed there were better ways than violence to subdue the Muggleborns. After all, Malfoy Sr. already controlled the Minister and was a short step away from becoming Chief Wizard. Killing the Muggleborns was bad enough but to end a Noble Pureblood line sent chills through their spines.
Several of the "dark" Slytherins were also discussing the vaguely worded notes from home they'd received that hinted at some of what was whispered about Potter causing trouble the night the Dark Lord had returned was true. Draco Malfoy in particular was secretly nervous because he'd not heard a word from either of his parents. Narcissa wrote him almost every day so this silence was worrying to the Fourth year wizard.
Daphne Greengrass was left out of much of the discussions within her House. The blonde girl's relationship with Ron Weasley (a Blood-Traitor but at least he was a Pureblood) and her closeness to Potter ensured that isolation. Daphne received an odd, reluctant respect from her Housemates because of three points. The first point was Daphne was a skilled and powerful witch in her own right. Than there was her friendship with Potter. Potter was a Half-blood from a plebeian family but even the dumbest students in the House of the Cunning recognized Potter as being the most powerful student in the school (even if they would never admit it outside their dorm). The fact there was an air of promised violence that hovered around the wizard made them even more reluctant to cross him. They all remembered Snape's warnings at the start of Second year. The final point was Daphne's circle of friends had ties in all four of the Houses. Slytherins respected that kind of influence and contacts as it could translate into political, economic, and social power.
Daphne personally found it funny how her Housemates watched her and fell silent whenever she entered the Slytherin common room. Seventh year wizards would eavesdrop on her make-up discussions with Tracey Davis hoping to learn something of value on Harry. "Maybe they secretly wanted to become stylists on leaving Hogwarts?" was her laughing response to the clumsy spies.
But today no one was listening into conversations about make-up tips. They would be boarding the Express shortly to take them away from the school and back to their homes for the summer. A summer that had suddenly taken a rather more serious bent. Daphne was passing through the common room with Tracey heading to the Entrance Hall to meet with her friends when a voice stopped her.
"Greengrass," a boy's voice called out. Daphne stopped and turned to the voice. It was Malcolm March, an outgoing Seventh year from a neutral but Dark-leaning family. March was a fairly powerful wizard and already accepted into the Auror training program.
"March," Daphne answered.
"What do you know about these rumours Potter has spread?"
"Rumours?" Daphne responded. "I haven't heard any rumours. You all know Harry provided his memories to the Ministry. The Nott family is now extinct to resurrect a mad man. The goblins have confirmed their deaths at the same time Harry's memories said and in the order they occurred."
Daphne smile slightly. "Unless you think Harry was able to pull of the capture and elimination of the Nott family while simultaneously crafting flawless and extended false memories for the Ministry. In which case than he is even more powerful than Merlin and you really shouldn't be doing anything to annoy him." With a final smirk, Daphne turned and walked out of the Slytherin dorms, a torrent of whispered conversations erupting behind her.
....
Harry walked up to the front door of the Marauder's Den. Remus had met Harry at King's Cross and they had taken the Tube from there. Remus carried Harry's shrunken trunk in his pocket. Hedwig was more than happy to fly on ahead. Rodent hunting in the city had always been good to her.
The ride back from Hogwarts had been oddly quiet. Malfoy never made an appearance and many of the students were a bit wary of the chaos that always seemed to surround Harry.
Right now, Harry was a bit wary of it himself.
But the trip was still rather relaxing after the stress of the last week. Exams, the finale of the TriWizard Tournament and Voldemort's resurrection with its aftermath were taking a toll on Harry's mood and temper. A week of quiet was just what he needed and a relaxful trip home on the Express with his friends was just what the Healer ordered. Now he was finally home and he could almost hear Dobby's hot chocolate and a nap calling him.
"Damn you, Sirius Black! Get back here so I can curse your willy off!"
Harry and Remus dodged the curse that rocketed out of their home when they opened their front door. The pair exchanged a glance before carefully looking into the open door.
Inside they found the house was virtually destroyed. Much of the furniture was overturned and had spell-burns on the material. The sole exception was the dining room table where Cassiopeia Black was cheerfully gurgling as the chaos ensued around here. Baby Cassi was tucked securely into a bouncy chair with a toothless smile on her little face. The infant was excitedly throwing her tiny arms up over her head as she watched her mummy chase her daddy around the house. An older child would have been clapping and cheering.
Harry made his way over to greet his goddaughter when said goddaughter's parents returned to the room.
"Find your calm place!" Sirius yelped as he ran into the room and dove behind the overturned and singed couch just as another fireball flew passed his head. "Find your calm!"
"I'll show you my calm place, Black!" an enraged Veela shrieked as she ran into the room after him.
"Hey!" Remus yelled out. "There is a baby present! You are not acting like responsible parents here! What the hell happened since I left an hour ago?!" Kalina brought herself to a stop but didn't stop glaring in Padfoot's direction or get rid of the fireball bouncing in her hand.
"Harry, I hate to tell you but you are about to lose your godfather," she growled out. "Any last words?"
"Yes!" Sirius shouted out before Harry could respond. "You were there too! You kept shouting 'More!' and 'Harder!'" The fireball smashed into the couch setting the fabric on fire.
Remus suppressed a groan and cast a quick spell to put out the flames. "What did he do now?"
Kalina threw Remus an angry glance before turning her glare back to where Padfoot was hiding.
"The mutt got me pregnant…. Again!" she spit out. "I just got my figure back!"
"Pretty virile for a bloke sent to Azkaban for more than ten years!" Sirius yelled out with a smug gloating in his voice. Another fireball was thrown in response.
"More like viral, Padfoot," Harry commented from the corner where he was bouncing the happy baby in his arms. Cassi smiled and coo'd. She liked this new person paying attention to her.
"Oi!" Padfoot protested.