Prince of Slytherin (Title)

**The Prince of Slytherin** is a title bestowed upon members of Slytherin House who are able to impress the Hydra Throne and gain control over Slytherin House through subtle methods.

## History

### Creation of Position

During Salazar Slytherin time at Hogwarts, he understood that although the greatest virtue the students in his house was Ambition, it was also their greatest vice. As such, he created the position of "Prince of Slytherin" as a way to help guide both his house and the wizarding world from the shadows. In order to achieve this goal, he created the Hydra Throne which was tasked with bestowing the title upon worthy future Slytherins. He also gave the Bloody Baron the task of selecting potential candidates for the position.

### Bloody Baron's Selections

Since Salazar's departure from Hogwarts, the Bloody Baron has secretly selected potential Princes from the students in Slytherin house, guiding them to the Prince's Lair and the Hydra Throne in order to test their worth, including Tom Riddle, Lucius Malfoy and Regulus Black.

### Book 1 - The Prince of Slytherin

During Harry Potter's first year, the Bloody Baron , seeing the potential that Harry possessed, secretly gave Harry Potter a letter posing the question "Who is the Prince of Slytherin?" in order to guide him towards the Hydra Throne. though this as been noted to be the first time such a note as been given out.

### Book 3 - The Death-Eater Menace

At 3:30pm on the 27th of March, 1994, Harry Potter attempted to withdraw his candidacy for the position of Prince of Slytherin from the Hydra Throne. This was due to the revelation that, in addition to the Potter Prophecy, he had just learnt about Sybil Trelawney's Second Prophecy which also foretold about the end of the world. After explaining both Prophecies hanging over his head and thanking them for all their teachings, the Seven Exemplars of Slytherin dismissed him from their presence.

Later in the night however, Harry was summoned back to the Throne. The Exemplars revealed after he left, they deliberated and reached a unanimous decision. Each of the Exemplars revealed how Harry met their criteria for becoming Prince;

* Rajah, Exemplar of Ambition, explained that true ambition means to act for something greater than yourself. By attempting to withdraw his candidacy to avert the Prophecies, Harry was worthy.
* Jormungand, Exemplar of Diplomacy, liked how Harry developed friends and allies from even the unlikeliest of sources. As such, Harry was worthy.
* Ka, Exemplar of Intellect, explains how Harry's academic endeavors set him apart from his peers. As such, Harry was worthy.
* Mara, Exemplar of Cunning, tells Harry that even when falling to his death, he kept his mind keen, thus defeating his enemies. As such, Harry was worthy.
* Delilah, Exemplar of Charm, has always liked Harry, so Harry must be worthy.
* Nidhogg, Exemplar of Ruthlessness, explained the true test of ruthlessness is not what you are willing to do to your enemies (i.e. Draco Malfoy and James Potter), but what you are willing to do to your friends. By allowing Remus Lupin to be captured by Peter Pettigrew , risking Severus Snape's life, and trying to turn James against Jim Potter, Harry was worthy.
* Tisiphone, Megaera and Alecto the Runespoor, Co-Exemplars of Tradition, explain how Harry is not only fluent in the ways of the Wizengamot  but also opposes those who would misuse Wild Magic and thus has taken his place on the Watch Tower. As such, Harry was worthy.

Despite Harry's objections, the Hydra Throne bestowed Harry with the title of Prince of Slytherin. They also stated that averting the Prophecies should be an important priority during his administration.

## Becoming Prince of Slytherin

In order to gain the title of "Prince of Slytherin", the participating party must win the approval of each of the Seven Exemplars of Slytherin, who reside on the Hydra Throne. Each Exemplar represents a different characteristic that Salazar Slytherin desired to see in his students, thus the participating party, now known as the "Prince-Claimant", must show the Exemplars they possess all seven characteristics. These are:

* Ambition
* Political Acumen
* Academic Excellence
* Cunning & Cleverness
* Charm & Subtlety
* Ruthlessness
* Respect for Wizarding Traditions

Once a Prince-Claimant can show the Seven Exemplars they possess the following characteristics, the Exemplars will bestow them with the title of "Prince of Slytherin", gaining the full powers that come with it. The Exemplars from there on call the party "Prince-Emeritus".

## Abilities

Having the title of "Prince of Slytherin" bestows the holder with several abilities that can be utilised to the holder's advantage.

### Selective Parseltongue

Although many previous Princes have possessed Parseltongue before becoming Prince, upon gaining the title, any Prince-Emeritus can communicate with the magical snakes scattered throughout Hogwarts, including the Hydra Throne. This can prove useful to holders of the title as these snakes, like the magical paintings, will listen to the conversations of anybody who walks past them. This allows the Prince access to a large spy network that they can communicate with.

Although other Parselmouths can communicate with these snakes, a Prince-Emeritus can command these snakes to remain silent to all other parties except themselves, thus removing this potential threat. Unless the Prince-Emeritus could already speak Parseltongue, the Prince-Emeritus is unable to communicate with organic snakes.

### Prince's Lair Secrecy Wards

Whilst a Prince sits on the Hydra Throne, the secrecy wards inside the Lair will activate. These wards are designed to prevent the spread of any knowledge discussed within the Lair. This prevents Veritaserum or the Imperious Curse from forcing the knowledge out and any attempts at Legilimency will result in the Legilimens seeing several gaps in the target's memory. The effect of these wards were proven when Mr. X attempted to view Harry's memories for his Occlumency training.

## List of Title Holders

The following individuals were known to be granted the title of "Prince of Slytherin" by the Hydra Throne:

* Kristoff Kolumbiko (1756)
* Chief Warlock Flint (before 1880)
* Professor Flint (before 1880)
* Jocasta Flint  (before 1880)
* Caractacus Flint   (before 1880)
* *Unknown* (graduated in 1914)
* Tom Marvolo Riddle (1943 - 1945)
	+ Inner Circle: Boruslav Lestrange, Augustus Rookwood, several other Pure-bloods
* Lucius Malfoy (1970 - 1972)
	+ Inner Circle: Wilbur Crabbe, Clotilde Goyle
* Regulus Black
* Harry Potter (1994 -)
	+ Inner Circle: Blaise Zabini, Theo No-Name, Ginny Weasley, Amy Wilkes

## References

Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 82 - Goodbyes,

Explained during discussion between Bloody Baron and Fat Friar.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 73 - The Final Lesson of Gilderoy Lockhart,

Revealed by Delilah when arguing with other Exemplars.
Book 1 - HP&PoS - Ch. 24 - Pairings,

Lucius confirmed on Prince placard when Harry copies the list for research.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 78 - The Riddle of the Diary,

Found sitting on the Hydra Throne without dying.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 128 - Redux (Pt 2),

Harry tries to withdraw his Prince of Slytherin candidacy.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 129 - Redux (Pt 3),

Harry is given the title of Prince of Slytherin, despite his objections.
Book 1 - HP&PoS - Ch. 27 - Who Is the Prince of Slytherin?,

Harry explains becoming Prince during confrontation with Draco & Prefects.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 73 - The Final Lesson of Gilderoy Lockhart,

Revealed by Harry when trying to avert the command.
Book 1 - HP&PoS - Ch. 27 - Who Is the Prince of Slytherin?,

Harry explains the wards to the Prefects and Malfoy.
Book 1 - HP&PoS - Ch. 27 - Who Is the Prince of Slytherin?,

Named by Harry when Olivia reveals she had a ancestor who was Prince.
Book 1 - HP&PoS - Ch. 27 - Who Is the Prince of Slytherin?,

Harry lists several Flint Princes by their later jobs.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 126 - Speaking of Time,

Dark Lord Flint now named by Unspeakables.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 126 - Speaking of Time,

Dark Lord Flint now named by Unspeakables.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 42 - The Birthday Party (Pt 1),

Auror Flint now named by Rufus, and holder confirmed by Harry.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 58 - Family Dysfunctions (Pt 1),

"The Throne was vacant from 1914 to 1943...".
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 114 - The Blackest Day (Pt 3),

Harry reveals Voldemort's true identity to Walburga Black's portrait.
Book 4 - HP&TRG - Chapter not added yet,

"Just Wilbur Crabbe and Clotilde Goyle. Both were the heirs of their respective houses at the time, and we grew up together.".