Warning: Will eventually contain Slash - meaning male/male pairing. Yes, as in Draco/Harry. Don't read it if you don't like it. Defer to the back button or the x in the upper right.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Harry Potter. This story's based on events and in settings created by J.K. Rowling
Author's Note: For the purpose of this story, Slytherin students have been added, and the Slytherin Quidditch team has been rearranged. Slytherin might be a little OOC in this, but what can you do?
Summary: AU. What if the Sorting Hat did put Harry in Slytherin? Draco Malfoy would be his friend instead of Hermione and Ron for one.

The Slytherin Duo
Chapter One

"I know where to put you… SLYTHERIN!" The Sorting Hat declared the last aloud. Silence reigned around the small raven-haired boy with glasses. The Great Hall was completely shocked out of applause – a first in the many years at Hogwarts. Who would have ever guessed that Harry Potter, The Boy-Who-Lived, would be a Slytherin?

Harry looked to Ron Weasley, his first friend in his life and the wizarding world. The redhead was staring at him with something akin to disbelief before turning his head and whispering with his brothers Harry had seen on the platform. Whispers broke out through the Hall.

"Take your place, Potter." Professor McGonagall said removing the hat from his head. Harry slid off the stool, nervously walking to the green and black table.

"There's not a witch or wizard in Slytherin that didn't go bad… evil lot they are…" Ron's voice repeated in his head as he sat with his back to the other tables, next to a few of the older kids who parted for him. The sorting continued on though everyone still glanced at him and whispered. Harry, painfully aware of this, struggled to pay attention to the sorting. When food finally appeared on the table, he took the chance to look at his new Housemates while eating. The blond he'd met on the train sat between his bodyguard-types a few people down. Around Harry sat three boys and two girls.

"So, Potter…" One of the girls began. "Have you met anyone yet?" He glanced over his shoulder to Ron who was laughing with one of the other first years.

"I guess not." Harry replied, disappointment heavy in his voice. He looked back to the group of people. The girl had dark hair framing a heart-shaped face with green eyes. She actually looked kind of pretty to Harry. She held out her hand, which he shook.

"Alexa Blithley." She said. Motioning to the people around him, she introduced. "Daphne Greengrass, same year as you." Another dark-haired girl with brown eyes, who looked taller than him, waved. "Rellik Rykor, Second Year" turned out to be the extremely pale boy with spiky brown hair, and a lanky build to his left. "Terence Higgs, Third Year" was the only soft-looking boy in the group, with blond hair and blue eyes. "And – "

"Devin Tillithor. Second Year. Pleasure to meet you, Potter." The boy on his right introduced himself. Everyone nodded in agreement. Devin had wavy black hair and blue eyes.

"Are you looking forward to classes here?" Terence Higgs asked. Harry gave him a nervous grin. "It sounds fun, at least."

"Yeah, you'll love it. Most of the teachers are fair enough. You'll like Potions though. Professor Snape's the only teacher who sticks up for Slytherins." Rykor grinned, pointing to a man clad in all black at the High table. "He's our Head of House." Harry looked to the man, seeing him watching the Slytherin table while talking to another teacher with a turban. Harry wondered if he always looked so dismal.

"Besides Potions, I can't wait for Quidditch to start up." Tillithor grinned.

"You can never wait for Quidditch." Higgs grinned.

"Quidditch?" Harry asked tentatively.

"'Quidditch'? You've never heard of Quidditch?" The girl across from him asked. Everyone around him – the guys at least – pretended to have heart attacks.

"I-I've heard of it. I just don't know any details." It was true at least. Ron had mentioned it on the train ride over and even explained some until Hermione Granger interrupted.

"You'll pick up, especially with these three. "Alexa said kindly, motioning to the boys. Harry and Daphne looked at them in question.

"Seeker." Higgs waved his fork.

"Going for Beater." Rykor grinned wolfishly.

"Going for Chaser." Tillithor finished.

"See here." He picked out a small handful of peas off his plate and set them up on the table between him and Harry.

"Oh brother… here he goes." Alexa groaned to Daphne.

"There are seven positions: One Keeper, one Seeker, three Chasers, two Beaters, with four balls and six hoops. Keeper guards the three hoops to their side, while the three chasers try to goal the opposite hoops with the largest ball, a Quaffle. The beaters use bats to hit two bludger balls at members of the other team. The seeker catches the Snitch, a small hard ball to see. Quaffle goals gain ten points each, the Snitch gets 150 points and ends the game. Got it?"

Harry nodded, fascinated. Tillithor was direct with explanations. "So who're the other members?"

"Miles Bletchley's Keeper, Adrian Pucey and Marcus Flint're Chasers, and Malcolm Baddock's the other Beater." Rykor answered.

"When does the season start?"

"October." Alexa said, her eyes shining with amusement, even as she gave a sour look to Devin.

The hall was growing chattier as dinner finished off. As they were dismissed with a few more words from Dumbledore, Harry stood with the rest of the Slytherins, surrounded by Alexa and the others. Malfoy gave him a shaded look from where he stood.

"Follow us." The Slytherin Prefects called. In the Entrance Hall, Slytherins parted from the other students and headed down into the dungeons of the castle. It was cold and dark, and there were spots of mildew along the walls. They all arrived to a dark portrait of a sleek, dark-haired woman in a wine-red dress, holding a python. Behind her was a plush chair and lit candelabra standing on a carved wood table. It was beautiful really, except for the cold, detached look on her face.

"Password?" She asked, turning her head to look to the nearest Prefect. Harry jumped, he hadn't expected any real movement from a picture, much less for it to talk.

"Siren Song." The boy said loud enough for the group to hear. The snake hissed in reply (:Correct:) and the portrait slid to the side, revealing a doorway. Everyone slipped inside, some older students laughing and grinning at being back in the Common room. They set off up the stairs to the dormitories.

Harry looked around the rest of the first years and the common room. Down the stairs were a circle of black leather couches and dark mahogany tables. Plush throw rugs covered the cold stone floor and stairs through a doorway led up to the dormitory, where the older students left. Short adjacent stairs led to another room with a pool table, a grand piano, and a chess area. Harry was stunned; He'd never been in such an extravagant place before.

"Surprised?" Tillithor whispered from behind him. He turned and saw the group from dinner. They hadn't left him like the rest of the older students. Looking at Tillithor, he admitted in a voice full of awe, "Yeah. I didn't expect anything like this." Tillithor grinned at the unspoken compliment.

"Home sweet home." Terence smiled shyly. "I'm heading up. Flint and Warrington'll want to talk about this year's Quidditch plan. Merlin knows why… we've got an entire month."

"Give us the low down tomorrow." Rykor said.

"Sure." The sandy blond headed up the stairs after the other students.

"So… that portrait… do they all move and talk?" Harry asked the four still with him.

Daphne spoke for the first time, in a throaty voice. "All of the portraits in the wizarding world do."

"Not knowing much about Quidditch and portraits… you didn't grow up in the wizarding world did you?" Tillithor asked, sitting on a couch near the fireplace and putting one leg over the arm of the seat. Rykor and Alexa sat across from him, leaving Harry the seat next to the brunette and Daphne.

"Well, no. I grew up with muggle relatives." Harry answered, with a little hesitation. From what Ron had said, Slytherins hadn't sounded very nice and with how Malfoy had acted, he wasn't sure how'd they take it. The group only nodded, much to Harry's relief. He'd originally thought Slytherins were an unpleasant bunch, but right off the bat he'd found a very friendly group.

"Muggle relatives? Merlin's beard, how could the Sorting Hat think you belonged in Slytherin?" A suspicious-looking boy his age called out. He was over near Malfoy's group, all who were paying close attention now.

"Hold your tongue, First Year. You'll respect your Housemates and uphold our reputation." Rykor growled. Alexa and Tillithor were looking apprehensive.

The boy opened his mouth to retort when another spoke up.

"Rykor is right, Nott. We do not show prejudices towards those in our House." Professor Snape stood behind the full group of First years, several of them jumping at his appearance from nowhere.

Saying nothing more on the matter, he looked them over. "Welcome to Slytherin. I am your Head of House, Professor Snape. For the next seven years, you will be in this House. I expect nothing but the best behavior from you and I expect loyalty to your House. Slytherin has had a past of excellent witches and wizards," Snape's eyes found Harry's for a moment. "But most only know us for some more dark and devious ones we've turned out. Therefore the other Houses and most of the teachers think very little of us. This is why I expect House loyalty. To be blunt, there is no one to stand up for you except yourselves. And while within Slytherin there are certain preferences, I will not tolerate opposition within the House. Deal and move on."

"As for classes, I expect the best. Your marks shall be satisfactory or you shall receive a detention, along with any other necessary help to bring marks up. As Professor Dumbledore stated, first years are not allowed brooms, or Quidditch positions until second year. Slytherins will be in bed by midnight. Any rule-breaking results in point loss. Classes start tomorrow at 9 sharp, breakfast at 8. Questions?" He swept his eyes over them again. "Good. Four to a dormitory room, all in the same year. Names are on the doors. Goodnight."

With that, he swept out of the Common room, robes flowing behind him.

Nott flashed Harry a look before heading up the stairs with a few others.

"Is he always like that?" Harry asked Rykor, referring to Snape. The brunette seemed to really like Snape.

"Snape? Pretty much. He only takes points from Slytherin if it's really bad, and it's pretty much how he says. Other Houses hate us, because of people like that," He answered, motioning up the stairs to Nott. "It's alright though."

"So, Potter.. enjoying Slytherin so far then?" Malfoy joined them, complete with his bodyguard oafs. Rykor narrowed his eyes.

Deciding to be civil so as to not gain yet another enemy like Nott, he answered, "It's much better than I originally thought, Malfoy."

The blond seemed surprised by his answer and leaned his hip against the back of the empty couch. "Not sad about the Weasley then?"

"Malfoy, what do you want?" Alexa asked, eyeing him. Apparently, Harry thought seeing Alexa's and Rykor's reactions, House loyalty does not include trust amongst the House members.

"Just a friendly chat with Potter. I'm entitled that much, no?" He drawled, smirking. She frowned but looked back to continue talking with Tillithor, who was watching the exchange while listening to her.

"Just because I'm a Slytherin doesn't mean Ron will hate me now." Harry said, uncertain.

"You're wrong. Gryffindors especially hate Slytherins. It's mutual dislike because of House rivalry and all that, but he'll still be against you." He stood upright again. "You'll see tomorrow, Potter. My offer stands. Goodnight." He turned at Harry's small "'night," and went up the stairs with Crabbe and Goyle.

Alexa looked over at Harry. "We still have about an hour to hang around, Harry." She didn't seem to want to mention what Malfoy had said. Devin didn't seem to mind so much.

"He's probably right. You've got us though." He waved his hand.

"Yeah…" Harry said.

A mousy brown-haired girl – Tracey Davis, Harry recalled – came down from the dormitory and touched Daphne's shoulder.

"Hey, Daphne. You're dormed with us, alright?" She asked. Daphne nodded and waved goodnight to the group, standing and heading up the stairs with Tracey.

"Too bad Higgs isn't down here. He'd play some music." Rykor slumped.

Alexa grinned. "You just want an excuse to screw him up."

"Yep."

Tillithor grinned at Harry. "We probably don't fit your view of Slytherins at all, hm?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope. But at least you'll make it interesting."

"So besides being the Boy-Who-Lived…" Rykor started. "You seem pretty normal."

Harry frowned. "I just found out about all that on my birthday, so I wouldn't know much about it."

The group seemed really surprised. "What?"

"Muggle relatives." He stuck to the extremely short version, not wanting to describe the Dursleys to his new friends.

"So.. what um.. about you guys?" He changed the subject.

Alexa looked at Tillithor, whom was watching Harry with an intent look on his face. "Purebloods, if you care to use the term I guess. We all live close too, so we knew each other before Hogwarts – with the exception of Terence. We met him last year."

"Rellik's an exception too. Even if you grew up with him you still wouldn't know him. The weirdo." Devin rolled his eyes, grinning at the green pillow that got flung his way.

"'Snot true. 'Lexa, Devin and Ter understand me well enough." He roughed up his spiky hair.

"Sure, well enough to understand you're weird." Alexa laughed. "Okay.. sleepy now. You three better turn in too. Harry's got to find out who he's dorming with." She slid off of the couch and stood up, stretching. Rellik, Devin and Harry stood and the four went up the stairs to the dormitories, Alexa to the girls' dormitory.

Up the stairs, Devin stopped Harry at a door with his name on it, along with Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle.

"'Least you're not with Nott, Harry. Malfoy seemed alright, in a showy-sort of way." Devin said. He leaned in and whispered, "Rellik and I are a few doors up if it's unbearable. 'Night."

Harry grinned at him and said goodnight to them both. He might consider the offer if things went badly. Malfoy had, after all, seemed like Dudley in the robe shop.

He opened the door, noting the empty bed on the far right with his trunk at the end. Looks like Malfoy and co. went to sleep, he thought. He tiredly made his way over, changed and looked out the nearby window. So much had happened in the course of a few weeks. He'd found out he's a wizard, Hagrid took him away, Diagon Alley, and school…

Slytherin didn't seem as bad as he thought, least not with his new friends. They seemed to like him a lot.

Slipping into bed, Harry drew the curtain shut, turned over and fell asleep listening to the steady breathing of the other occupants of the room.

His curtain was pulled open, letting in bright sunlight to disturb him into consciousness.

"Wha – ?" He moaned.

"Wake up, Potter. Time for breakfast." It was Malfoy.

Harry rolled over and watched the blond comb his hair in front of a mirror. He sat up, remembering where he was, and crawled out of bed. He opened his trunk, pulled some clothes out and changed out of his pajamas. With his Slytherin robes on, he pulled on his shoes mechanically, while Malfoy shook the other two curtains.

"Breakfast" was all he had to say for the two boys to stumble out of bed and get ready.

Harry tried to brush his hair, succeeding in removing small knots but not taming it. He picked up his school bag with ink, quills, parchment and texts in it.

He headed out the door with a quick thanks to Malfoy and down to the Common room, then out the portrait hole. Weaving his way through the passage as he'd memorized last night, he headed into the Great Hall.

Alexa, Rellik, Devin, Daphne and Terence were gathered where they'd been last night. Devin caught sight of him and waved.

"Hey." He said, sitting and filling up a plate of pancakes.

"Morning. They'll pass out schedules soon so you can see what you've got." Alexa said.

They ate quietly. Harry saw Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle come in and get seated. His words repeating in his head, Harry looked over at the Gryffindors. Ron was stuffing his face with Neville Longbottom and two others he didn't really know. Thomas and Finnigan, he thought. He wouldn't turn on me, Harry insisted in his head.

Noticing Harry's brief look from Malfoy to the Gryffindors, Rellik spoke up, "How'd you sleep, Harry?"

"Alright. Everyone was already asleep when I got there."

Professor Snape came around with time tables eventually.

Alexa, Rellik and Devin were in the same classes. Terence was starting Arithmancy and Study of Ancient Runes. He and Daphne had Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, and History of Magic that day; Double Potions, Herbology and Astronomy tomorrow.

"Alright. See you guys later then?" Harry asked, standing up with Daphne.

"Definitely." Devin grinned and waved them off.

The separated and headed off to their classes. Harry and Daphne stayed together through all of the morning classes. Even though they had Defense with the Gryffindors, Harry hadn't the chance to get close to Ron to speak to him yet. He seemed constantly surrounded. Harry couldn't help but think somewhere in the back of his head that Ron was surrounding himself to avoid him.

After Transfiguration (and receiving a foot long summary on the first three sections for chapter one in their books) Harry finally found the chance to speak to Ron. Ron stopped to tie his shoelaces in the hallway, telling the others to go on without him.

"Ron, hey." Harry said, emerging from the classroom.

The redhead jerked in surprise, looking up. "What are you doing here?"

Harry knelt and looked at him. "Just wanted to talk to you."

Ron seemed to chew on that, concentrating on his shoelace.

"Ron?"

"I don't talk to snakes."

Harry froze. He couldn't have heard that right, not from the first boy who'd ever talked to him civilly, without a fear of his cousin beating him up.

"What?"

"I don't want to talk to you, Potter." He shoved off the floor quickly, causing Harry to fall back in surprise.

"Why? What did I… Just because I got sorted –"

"Into Slytherin. You were probably pretending to be my friend so you could use everything I said against me like the rest of the snakes in your House would!"

"Like I would, Weasley?" A voice drawled from behind him. Ron whirled around and scowled.

A/N:As I've said for my other fics, reviews brighten my sad days. Most times, they even get the next chapter out quicker, especially since I only have one more page to write for the next one!

By the by, as a note on Alexa, Rellik, and Devin? Don't mistake them for the First years in In Your Dreams, they might share similarities, but they're not to be the same characters! I just happen to like the names.