Chapter 1 - Harry
A sudden gust of wind forced Harry to turn up the collar of his long black coat as he strode across campus. His pace quickened, and he dug his hands even deeper into his pockets. "Since when was it November?" he thought, casting his mind back to earlier in the term, specifically the beautiful day the Dursleys dumped him off at university. He chuckled at the thought of Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia feigning sadness at sending him off to university, whilst surrounded by hundreds of proper sad parents. What was it Uncle Vernon had said? "Take care boy." And that was that.
He approached the door to his halls, holding the door open for a rather good looking Asian girl who caught his gaze before mumbling her thanks. That was the problem with university; it was just a bunch of fleeting glimpses into a wide and diverse range of people, none of which you really got to know properly. Christ, he'd lived in his halls for nearly two months, and he'd successfully managed to avoid two of the so-called "flat meetings" that the officious and snobby brunette felt compelled to arrange. He hadn't really seen the others he shared his flat with properly, except for the occasional pleasantries over meals, but they all seemed very friendly together.
As Harry trudged up the stairs to his flat on the top floor, it dawned on him that he was being left out. He put this down to his "no-one is worthy of my friendship" attitude. His parents died when he was younger. His father had some well-paid job in the city, whereas his mother was an actress. A car crash had put pay to both of their lives and their careers, but it was Harry who was left with their enormous fortune. Luckily, the Dursleys hadn't been able to touch it, a fact Harry went to great lengths to remind them about. Although he hadn't been able to either until a few weeks before he started university – his 18th birthday.
The key turned in the lock and Harry opened the door to the corridor, right at the same time as a small ginger-haired girl who lived in the room next to his turned hers to lock her door. "Great," thought Harry, trying to suppress a scowl, "More meaningless conversation!" As he shut the door behind him she turned and smiled politely. "Hi," she said, raising a hand in greeting. "Hey," replied Harry, repeating the gesture. As they walked towards each other, both the redhead and Harry stepped to one side to allow the other to past, and as Harry passed he could smell her perfume. It was faint and delicate, but just enough to be smelt by anyone who got that close to her. It reminded Harry of what his mother used to smell like, before she waltzed off to some swanky event or awards ceremony. Harry watched her slip out of the corridor, noting the way her slender figure moved as she strode towards the door. Now that was someone he wouldn't mind getting to know.