Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, the settings, the characters, or the general plot. I do own a few of the plot bunnies that will be running free in this story. Some pieces are borrowed directly from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for this chapter. The story will diverge farther and farther from canon as we go, but even then, I do not own these characters. Thank you, J.K. Rowling for making this world possible.

After Harry had crossed through the barrier at Platform 9¾, the redheaded family seemed to move together again, leaving him on his own once more. For a fraction of a second he had let his imagination wander. He had seen that there was a boy about his age and had thought that maybe they could be friends. This was just another reason why he never let himself hope for anything. He didn't want to be let down anymore. He usually didn't allow himself to even think of something as small as this, but the redheads seemed friendly enough.

Dragging his trunk towards the train, he grew fearful again. What if he didn't make any friends at this school he was supposed to go to? Nine months without the Dursleys sounded good, but at least he knew where he stood with them. He knew somewhere deep in his mind that he could probably show off his scar and people would flock to him; Hagrid had told him that would probably happen anyways. However, he didn't want to make friends that way; he wanted to be liked for himself, not for something he had just learned about himself. He wasn't worthy of being famous, his own family didn't even love him.

He'd survive though, he always did. From when Dudley and his 'gang' beat him up during break to when the Dursleys beat him for whatever reason, he always came out kicking. The Dursleys had never needed much of a reason to beat him, usually saying he was a bad influence on "their innocent little Dudders." The worst beatings, however, were the very few times he had come home with grades better than Dudley. That's not to say that Dudley was smarter than Harry, Harry was just smart enough to realize that it had to look that way. After being beaten for his superior grades, Harry decided to dumb himself down, at least on paper.

As he boarded onto the train, he looked around until he found an empty compartment at the very end of the cars. He wasn't yet strong enough to lift his trunk onto the racks above him, so he left it on the ground in front of his seat. He opened up his first year potions book and looked through all the interesting things he'd be able to make with some practice. He thought he would do well in potions, as he had been cooking since he was old enough to reach up to the stove. How different could the two things be?

He didn't notice when the train had left, and he certainly didn't pay attention to how long he had been reading. It wasn't until a shy, pudgy boy entered his compartment that he looked up from his book.

"H-hi," the boy stammered, "My name's Neville. C-can I sit here w-with you?"

"Sure, Neville," Harry said, eyeing the boy a bit uneasily. His face was friendlier than Dudley's had ever been, but his body shape was about the same if it had been Dudley a few years before. Still, he was bigger than Harry, who was rather scrawny looking and a bit short for his age. "Didn't you have a compartment before you came in here? We've been moving a while."

"I got k-kicked out of the compartment I was sitting in by a blond kid and two guys who looked a bit like trolls," Neville replied. "No o-one else would let me sit with them."

Harry was reminded a bit of himself when Neville had finished explaining. He knew all about being excluded thanks to Dudley. He never had a friend for more than a day because of him. But then again, he had also had kids try and befriend him, just to be a big joke set up by his cousin. Therefore he was still distrustful of Neville. It couldn't hurt to at least try to make a friend though, so he went for it.

"Well you're welcome here, Neville," Harry said, sticking his hand out tentatively. "My name's Harry Potter."

"The Harry Potter? As in the boy who lived? I'll go; you probably don't want to be bothered…" Neville trailed off.

"No, please stay," Harry said, sounding somewhat sad. "I've never had a friend before."

Neville sat back down looking a bit surprised, and the two passed the time talking and looking through the course books. Neville said that he couldn't wait to start Herbology; he had always liked plants. Harry thought that Charms sounded fun, and Defense was bound to be a great despite the dodgy teacher. Both boys agreed that the book was interesting, at least. At one point a bushy haired girl could be seen running past their compartment, crying. The boys shrugged and bought a bunch of candy as a trolley pushed past their compartment. Neville pointed out all of the candies to Harry, and Harry had taken a liking to chocolate frogs.

"Albus Dumbledore?" Harry said looking at the card he had gotten. "He's the headmaster?"

"You've heard of him then?" Neville asked.

"Only vaguely," Harry said, still staring at the picture. He was a bit shocked when Dumbledore walked out of the photo. "He left!"

"Well they don't like to just sit around, would you? Anyways, Gran talks about Dumbledore all the time. Everyone knows him, they say he was the only one who You-Know-Who was afraid of. He's the most powerful person in the world."

Harry and Neville continued on much the same, until they had to change into their robes. Harry had learned that Neville grew up with his Grandma, but wouldn't say what had happened to his parents. Harry's trip ended happier than it had started.

Harry had just gotten off a boat with Neville and the bushy haired girl he had seen earlier. No one had talked much; as they were too busy looking around. They had stopped at the entrance of the giant castle.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said gruffly before leaving.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am the Transfiguration Professor, Professor McGonagall. I am also the Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House. The start of term feast will start shortly, but first we will have to sort you all into the proper houses. If you would step through the door and line up, I will call you up one by one to be sorted," the stern looking older woman said.

Harry gasped as he walked through the door. He looked out into the hundreds of faces who were on him and felt like each one was staring at him. He glanced at Neville and the boy's face looked just about as frightened as he himself felt. As he looked up, he saw what looked to be the night's sky, but it didn't feel like he was in a room without a roof.

They all watched as Professor McGonagall placed a tattered looking hat on a stool and walked away. The hat's mouth opened and out came a song:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,

Are unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or Perhaps in Slytherin,

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their own ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The entire room burst into applause and Harry looked around and saw many relieved faces among his new year-mates. Harry himself wasn't sure what would happen. He didn't feel particularly smart or cunning. And brave was a word no one had ever thought to apply to him.

"When I call you up, you are to sit on the stool and put the hat on," McGonagall's voice rang out as the applause quieted down. "Abbot, Hannah!"

Harry watched as a blonde girl with pigtails went and sat on the stool and put the hat on.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat roared out after a moment.

The second table from the right side of the room burst into applause as the girl scurried towards them, her face very red. Harry thought he had seen a ghost wave at the girl.

"Bones, Susan," McGonagall called out.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat yelled out again. Harry watched the redheaded girl go off and sit next to Hannah.

"Boot, Terry!" Harry saw a dark haired kid go up to the hat before it sent him to Ravenclaw. The second table from the left side of the room burst out into applause as the boy ran to them.

"Brocklehurst, Mandy," joined Terry at the Ravenclaw table, but the next girl, Lavender Brown, had become the first Gryffindor of the night.

"Bullstrode, Millicent," became the first Slytherin of the night.

Harry tuned out most of the sorting, thinking over where he might go. He did notice when the bushy haired girl went to Gryffindor.

"Longbottom, Neville!" McGonagall said, and Harry watched as his friend sat at the stool. The hat seemed to take a long time with Neville, but it finally sent Neville to Gryffindor, much to the boy's own astonishment. More names were called, at least one of which went to Gryffindor. Finally it came—

"Potter, Harry!"

The entire hall burst into furious whispers as Harry walked to the hat and placed it atop his head.

"Most interesting," the hat said in his ear. "Very courageous, just need to let it be unlocked…rather smart as well, even if it is hidden. And the talent, I see you going great places Harry, may I call you Harry? A thirst to prove yourself, I'm not sure if even you quite see it in yourself yet. You shall soon, though. Very soon, if I'm right. But where should you go?"

"Gryffindor," Harry whispered, half to himself, half to the hat. "My only friend is there…."

"Slytherin would be a good fit. You'd go far. It would be hard, but you've been through worse."

Harry looked towards the menacing faces of Slytherin, and saw the blond boy from the robe shop smirking at him. Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.

"Not Slytherin, eh? If you're sure then…GRYFFINDOR!" The hat yelled out, and Harry let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in. Harry ran towards the table, all the way to the right of the room (as opposed to Slytherin, all the way on the left). He hardly noticed that he had received the loudest cheer of anyone that night. He vaguely saw two redheaded boys stand up and start dancing, chanting "We got Potter, we got Potter!"

He half-listened as more kids were sorted about. He watched as a redheaded boy named Ron Weasley joined a group of three more redheads from the platform near the middle of the Gryffindor table. When last name of night had been called and sent to his house (Slytherin), McGonagall took the hat away. As she returned to her seat, the man at the middle of the head table stood. Harry at once recognized him as Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster.

"Welcome all to another fabulous year here at Hogwarts. I'll save my longer speech until after we've all eaten, but first let me say this: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He said happily, sitting back down.

"He's barking!" Neville said, looking at Harry.

"You're the one whose Gran thinks he's a god, Neville," Harry replied. He fell silent as we watched food appear on golden trays all around him, and pitchers of various drinks appeared between them. The boys then lost all motivation for talking as they loaded their plates, although Harry's had significantly less food than Neville's.

Harry saw a girl stomp towards them and sit next to him.

"Harry Potter," she said, looking at Harry. "And you're Neville Longbottom. I'm Hermione Granger, may I sit here?"

"Sure," the boys replied simply, and began eating again.

After they had eaten and picked at various desserts, the tables cleared and Dumbledore stood again.

"As I said before, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few start of year announcements for you all," he said, his eyes twinkling slightly. Harry wasn't sure if he should be unnerved by that or not. "First years should know that the forest on the grounds is off limits. It is called the Forbidden Forest for a reason. It'd do well for some of the older years to remember this as well." At this Dumbledore looked towards the Gryffindor table, particularly to the group of redheads.

"I must warn you not to use magic in the hallways; Mr. Filch, our caretaker will give detention to anyone whom he may catch." Dumbledore paused for a moment, as many pairs of eyes moved to a corner where an older man with long hair was standing with a cat. "Quidditch try-outs will start in two weeks, announcements will be posted in your common rooms with the dates and team captains listed."

"And as a special notice this year, the corridor on the third floor is off limits to all students who do not wish to die a most gruesome death."

Harry and Neville exchanged nervous glances and gulped. They both hoped they wouldn't get lost around there any time in the near future. Or ever.

"And with that, I will ask you all to return to your dormitories. Prefects, if you will lead the first years to the proper places." Dumbledore turned and left through a door to the side of the head table.

"Gryffindor first years over here!" The oldest of the redheads called out. Harry and Neville walked towards him, the bushy haired girl following a bit behind them. Percy led them on what seemed like an endless journey through the castle. When they finally reached the 7th floor, they were lead to the end of a corridor, where they stood before a portrait of a rather plump woman clad in a silky pink dress.

"Password?" she asked.

"Caput Draconis," Percy replied promptly. The portrait swung forward revealing a circular hole in the wall, in which Percy climbed through. They all climbed in, Harry last after he had helped Neville through, and were greeted with a very red and gold room. The room had a set of stairs on either side of the room, and the middle held various tables, armchairs, and small couches.

"Welcome to the Gryffindor common room," Percy said as everyone had stopped to look around. First year boys, you're at the very top of the staircase on the left, girls are at the top of the right. Now off to bed, you start classes in the morning. You'll all be expected at breakfast in the morning to get your class timetables."

Harry, Neville, and three other boys climbed the stairs on the left together, reaching the highest floor after a short time. They entered the room and saw five large four-poster beds, small nightstands by each, and Gryffindor red curtains that would go around their own personal sections. There were trunks at the end of each bed, and the boys found the beds which held their trunks. Harry's bed had Neville to his right, and the red haired boy to his left. Harry and Neville checked their stuff and then introduced themselves to the other boys.

"Ron Weasley," the redheaded boy said. He was a lanky, tall boy; taller than all but one of them, with freckles across his face and arms.

"Seamus Finnegan," a sandy-haired Irish boy said. Harry was the only boy to be smaller than him. Neville was just the tiniest bit taller than him.

"Dean Thomas," said the last boy. He was a bit taller than Ron, and dark skinned.

"We should all get to bed, who knows how classes will be tomorrow," Harry said quickly. He wasn't sure how he felt about the other boys. Only time would tell. He quickly shut his curtains and fell asleep thinking that he had had one of the best days of his life, but fearful that his newfound happiness might be somehow taken away. He still hadn't tried any magic, what if they had made a mistake and he wasn't meant to be at Hogwarts? He could be kicked out of school during his first class! Harry pushed those thoughts aside and fell asleep, his stomach fuller than it had ever been. Even if it had been a mistake, he'd always have this one day.

The next morning dawned bright and early. Harry awoke in a nice bed with red sheets that had gold trimmings, and he had dark curtains pulled around his bed. He sat up and looked around before he remembered. He was at Hogwarts and magic was real.

He opened his curtains and stepped out timidly. He found the room was completely devoid of other people. Harry had hoped Neville would have waited around for him at least, but the thought of getting a friend that good so easily was absurd from the start. Harry turned and dug through his trunk at the end of his bed and pulled out his uniform and a robe.

"Morning, Harry," Neville said, stepping in from the bathroom. "Just had a shower, they're really nice."

"I thought you had left," Harry said.

"What, and lose the first friend I've made? Yeah right," Neville said. "Hurry and shower so we can get to breakfast."

"Alright!" Harry said, happier than he was just a minute before, knowing that he actually did make a friend.

Twenty minutes later the boys were walking through the school's corridors and down the many staircases (And back up in some cases, they liked to move about to give you detours and sometimes just to confuse you) towards the Great Hall. The two sat at the Gryffindor table next to Hermione and started loading their plates with potatoes, sausages, eggs, and toast.

"Good morning you two," Hermione said.

"Morning, Hermione," Harry said after taking a sip of pumpkin juice.

"Potter, Granger, Longbottom, here are your timetables for the term," McGonagall said as she stopped at their part of the table.

"Transfiguration then Potions before lunch," Hermione noted. "We should hurry and eat so that we're not late."

"Sounds like a good idea," Harry said before taking a bite.

"Mail's here," came a call from a student up the table. Harry looked up and saw owls fluttering into the Great Hall, and one dropped a package in front of Neville.

"Gran sent something!" Neville said excitedly. He opened his package and pulled out a glass ball.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"It's a Remembrall," Neville said as it turned red. "It glows red when you've forgotten something. I just wish I could remember what it was I forgot."

"Maybe you'll remember after we get to class. Maybe it was just a quill or something," Harry said before they continued their meal.

After they ate, the three went up to Transfiguration to start their first day of classes.

Author's note: Welcome to this story. I just want everyone to know that I only have this and half of another chapter written out that I started on just a single thought: I want to see Harry and Katie Bell have more stories on this site. I couldn't find enough, so I decided I'd start my own series. Let me know what you think. Katie will enter the story by the third chapter at the latest. Read and review. Constructive criticism is always welcomed.