A Queer Retelling

Year One, First Encounter


Harry Potter was quite alarmed to say the least. Not because of the flood of letters that suddenly appeared in his house, oh no. Strange occurrences happened all the time around Harry it seemed. But no, he was alarmed by the fact that they were addressed to "Harry Potter". While yes, that was his name, it also wasn't entirely. He had never told anyone that he liked that name better than Harriette, or even that he was a boy. But here these letters say "Dear Mr. Potter".

Harry of course only found this out after being shoved to the ground by his cousin Dudley. "Lemme see, I wanna see!" Harry had been forced to catch a glimpse over Dudley's shoulder.

Harry supposes he shouldn't be quite so surprised, seeing as these letters are coming from "A school of witchcraft and wizardry". But Harry Potter had no more time to ponder these strange happenings, his uncle was a dangerous shade of red and that never meant any good. Poor Harry was hauled out of the door by his uncle, his aunt and cousin following closely behind. It would be no surprise to anyone if Harry had bruises on his arm later.

"Ugly fat sausage." Harry muttered to himself before he was shoved in a car. Evidently, Harry was not going to be going to this new school. It was alright, he was used to disappointment.

III

Not for the first time this week, Harry was shocked again. "I can never seem to catch a break these days" was all Harry could think before a very, very giant man was asking him what his name was. Harry picked himself off the ground, standing on unsteady legs. The giant had just given the Dursley's pig tails, after all.

"Harriette Potter, sir"

The hairy, but friendly looking, giant shook his head. "Tha' can't be right. No, tell me yer real name."

Harry cast a furtive glace at his cowering uncle and aunt before saying quietly, "...Harry Potter."

The giant grinned broadly and patted Harry's back. "There ya go lad. Now we better hurry, lot's o' stuff to buy fer Hogwarts!" Hagrid looked at Harry's relatives with disgust. "Don' worry 'bout them now Harry, I'll sort things out soon enough."

Harry trusted the giant. He seemed to recognize how awful his 'family' was. With that, Harry started his adventure.


Draco Malfoy was holding his hand out, and waiting. He'd been waiting a long time, not just for Harry Potter to shake his hand. He'd been waiting to finally meet The Boy Who Lived. Draco had heard all about him from his parents, and the rest of the wizarding world. He'd read headlines in the newspaper like:

The Girl Who Lived, Actually The BOY Who Lived!?

Harriett Potter Is Now HARRY POTTER

The Famous Hero Gets A Sex Change!

Draco was confused as to why The Girl Who Lived suddenly seemed to be a boy now, but it didn't matter much to him. He'd heard his parents call him "A bloody tranny" and "A disgrace". Draco didn't like the tone in their voices when they said those things, but it wouldn't stop him in his pursuit for friendship.

Draco Malfoy had been ecstatic to hear that Harry Potter would be going to the same school as him, and that they would have the opportunity to be friends. Draco didn't like girls much, so it was a relief to hear that Harry was actually a boy. He was sure they would get along just fine. That is, until he saw a bright head of red hair and a mountain of curly brown hair. Draco suddenly felt jealous. Harry Potter's friendship had already been stolen from him!

Draco decided that the best way to drive the two other children away would be to use a few words he's heard his parents use before. He really truly thought it was brilliant, until Harry Potter looked at him with such outright disgust. It hurt. Draco didn't want to feel like that again. Draco had been fantasizing about being Harry's best friend and going on all kinds of magical adventures with him. The two would be inseparable, they would make everyone burn with envy!

But no, now Harry Potter's back was turned on him, and Draco could see his fantasies fluttering away with him. Mother and father would be very disappointed. Draco couldn't bear to see them look at him like that. He simply wouldn't stand for it! Draco straightened his back and smoothed out his robes. No, Draco Malfoy was not about to let Harry Potter's friendship escape him. He would try his hardest no matter how long it took.

And with that, Draco set off to find a cabin to stay in, and some accomplices to aid him on the journey to Harry Potter's friendship. He was absolutely sure he would gain it in no time.


Harry could feel hundreds of eyes on his back as he walked up to the Sorting Hat. Not that he wasn't used to being watched by his uncle, always being watched for a slip up. But so many eyes on him at one time? It was enough to make Harry sweat. A hundred heads had turned all at once when the name "Harry Potter" was called. Snap. The whispers had stopped. The curious glances were gone. It was outright staring now.

Harry Potter was overwhelmed with relief when the Sorting Hat called out a house for him to be put in, one that was presumably very good. Much better than Slytherin, Ron had said. When Harry sat down at his table he was met with grinning faces and slaps on the back. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Everyone seemed to readily accept him as a boy from what he could tell. Harry could still feel a pair of eyes on him, and when he searched out who it was, he was met with a familiar piercing gaze. Malfoy. Hermione had said that "bigots like him were no good" and that he should stay away. Harry figured that Malfoy didn't accept him as a boy.

When Harry, Hermione, and Ron reached the common room, Harry stared at the stairs that led one way to the girls dormitory, and the other to the boys.

"Should I, um..." Harry glanced at the girls stairs and Hermione shook her head.

"Of course not! The stairs would turn into a slide, it's a really clever charm isn't it? I read all about it in Hogwarts, A History."

Ron smiled and Harry and tugged his sleeve.

"Come on mate, we gotta pick the best beds!"

Ron and Harry dashed up to the boys dormitory, and evidently picking the best bed involved jumping on each and every one. Pretty soon all the boys were giggling and throwing pillows at each other. Harry's worries were forgotten, and all thoughts of that Malfoy boy had flown out the window.


Changes have indeed been made to this chapter! Just small changes. Changes in next chapters will also be made! This story is a work in progress.