Disclaimer: Once again I own nothing resembling Harry Potter. The only ones I can claim are Doriel and Alexander.

I did borrow a couple things from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Since I can't find my copy I can't site the exact pages it came from but I do not claim that those pieces (which are quite recognizable) are from my mind.

Thank you so much to the 13 people who have reviewed the first chapter, I greatly appreciate your support and hope to hear from you again. If you have any questions feel free to leave them in a review and I will get back to you as soon as I am able.

Chapter 2

It was September first and Doriel had just put Harry on the train that would take him to Hogwarts. Harry was alone in the compartment, waiting to get underway, when the door slid open and he saw someone that made his blood boil. The red head from the bookstore stood there. Harry's eyes narrowed, unsure what he had planned.

"Your pet vampire isn't here to protect you." Weasley sneered.

A growl escaped Harry's lips, "Get out of my sight Weasley, I know all about you, blood traitor." He hissed, getting to his feet.

Weasley swung and Harry took a step back, barely getting out of the way in time, "Weasley, I should have known; only a Weasley would be so uncultured as to swing at someone for telling the truth." The voice came from behind the red head and Harry shifted to see who was there. It was the blonde from the robe shop, Draco Malfoy, and behind him were two rather large thugs, "Why don't you scamper along and find someone more your level to play with?" Weasley scowled at him as Draco stepped forward, "Or should I let Crabbe and Goyle play with you?"

It was obvious that Weasley didn't care much for that threat. Immediately he pushed past them, leaving Harry and Draco in the compartment with the two goons right outside. Draco smiled slightly at him, taking a seat.

"I remember you; you were getting fitted for your robes when I was."

Harry smiled, "Draco, right?" He nodded, "I'm Harry." He sighed, "I hate that name, it doesn't feel like mine." He sat down.

Draco scowled, "What do you mean?"

He bowed his head for a moment before looking back at him, "That's the name I'm supposed to go by but the name my father gave me is Aurel."

He looked him over, catching a glimpse of something on his forehead, "Harry, as in Harry Potter?" He questioned.

"Yes. That's why I hate that name, all the things that go with it." He ran a hand through his hair; the pieces that had been covering his scar were brushed back only to fall back into place.

They sat in silence for awhile before Draco spoke again, "Who cares?" He smiled, "I mean, what does it matter that you're the boy who lived?" He paused, "You know, I heard you were raised by muggles."

Harry looked appalled, "Definitely not. Doriel Lior raised me, is my father."

"You were raised by a vampire?" He looked surprised at that revelation.

He nodded, "Yes. I was raised properly."

The door slid open again, Crabbe and Goyle had gone off somewhere while they had been talking, and a bushy haired girl poked her head in, "Have you seen a toad? Neville has lost one."

"No, we haven't." Harry replied, once she was gone he mumbled under his breath, "And if I had I would have gotten rid of it."

Draco burst out laughing. They spent the rest of the ride talking about everything from Quidditch to the newest fashions. They also went back and forth answering questions about their family history. Finally they had arrived and were quickly ushered into boats that would take them to the castle. Draco and Harry got in one, Crabbe and Goyle followed them quietly, the order of four to a boat suited them just fine. The boats set off, moving over the water. The moment the castle was in sight sounds of awe could be heard from most every boat.

"It's just a castle." Harry rolled his eyes.

Draco laughed softly, "Mudbloods Harry, they probably have never had the honor of seeing something quite like this."

A witch in emerald green robes greeted them once they had been taken into the entrance hall. Harry and Draco stayed close together in the group of first years. The teacher, who had been introduced as Professor McGonagall, cleared her throat and began to speak once she was sure she had everyone's attention, "Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room. The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each his produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."

The hall was filled with soft whispers as the first years began to talk amongst themselves, someone spoke loud enough that all could hear, claiming that they had to wrestle a troll to be sorted. Harry rolled his eyes, "Do you know how we're to be sorted? Father refused to tell me, he said I would find out when it was time."

Draco shook his head, "No, father wouldn't tell me either." He paused, "But I would think it wouldn't be so bad, after all, it's supposed to be about our qualities."

Finally the doors to the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall ushered them in. The ceiling of the Great Hall, Harry noted, was charmed to look like the sky outside. Four large tables, one for each house, sat before a fifth table at the far end of the room where the staff was seated. In front of the staff table was a stool with a battered looking hat seated atop it. Suddenly the hat began to speak through an apparent rip.

"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 to Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindor apart;

You might belong to Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And 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 true friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their 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!"

When the hat finished its rhyme the hall burst into applause. When the hall had quieted Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a roll of parchment, "When I call your name you'll put the hat on your head and sit on the stool to be sorted." With that said she began with the first name on the scroll. Crabbe and Goyle went to Slytherin, Granger, the bushy haired girl who had asked about a toad was sorted into Ravenclaw; Longbottom, the one who had lost the toad went to Gryffindor.

"Malfoy, Draco." She called.

Draco smirked and strode to the front of the room. The hat had barely touched his head when it called out, "SLYTHERIN!"

Once he was seated she continued, "Potter, Harry."

The hall erupted in whispers, "Is it really him? THE Harry Potter?"

He moved forward, scowling slightly. He could feel their eyes on him, taking him in. Head held high, he sat down on the stool, the hat on his head. A voice sounded in his mind, "Hmm. You're a difficult one. Should I call you Aurel or Harry?" It questioned.

Harry closed his eyes and focused his thoughts, "I would prefer Aurel." He thought.

"Yes, yes, I do suppose you would. After all, that's the name you were given. Brought up by a vampire, you're not the first." It paused, "Not a bad mind, you're an intelligent individual. Plenty of talent and a thirst to prove yourself, to show that you aren't the Harry Potter they want you to be. So, where should I put you?"

He sighed, "That's up to you, isn't it?" He replied with a question of his own.

"You know the headmaster told me to put you in Gryffindor, I don't think they'd survive having you in their midst." It paused before shouting, "SLYTHERIN!" He stood, removing the hat from his head.

The hall was silent for a moment before the Slytherin table erupted in applause for their new member. He moved over to the table, taking a seat beside Draco. His eyes moved to the staff table, taking in the professors and headmaster. The elderly headmaster's eyes were on him, seemingly confusing with the turn of events. Snape's eyes were on him as well, confused as to how the boy he had met in the apothecary as Aurel could be Harry Potter. Finally the last name was called, Blaise Zabini, became a Slytherin.

The headmaster got to his feet, "Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Let us begin our banquette!" With that he sat down and the tables were covered in food. Harry had a feeling that he had planned to say something else but his thoughts were interrupted by something.

Immediately everyone began putting food on their plates. It was a grand feast, one that Harry happily dove into, "This rivals the food back home." He said to Draco, taking a bite.

He nodded in agreement, "Very good."

Once everyone was sated and the tables cleared the headmaster, who Harry had learned was named Dumbledore, began to speak, "Ahem – just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." He said, looking at the Weasley twins, "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year; the third-flood corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death. Now off to bed with you."

Everyone got to their feet, the first years being led by prefects to their respective dorms. Their prefect led them down into the dungeons; everyone was silent as they walked. It was a little chilly but cold never bothered Harry. They were taken to a seemingly solid stone wall.

"Unlike the other common rooms ours is not guarded by a portrait. This makes it harder for people to locate." The prefect faced the wall, "Meracum sanguis." After he spoke the wall slid open. They walked inside, looking around the common room, taking it all in. The room was lit with green lamps and there was a gentle fire in the fireplace giving the room some warmth, "Professor Snape will be in to speak with you so take a seat." Once everyone was seated he half smiled, "Listen well to what he has to say." He stated before going back out of the common room.

The moment he was gone their head of house strode in. He stood in the center of the room where the first years could all see him, "You are here because you have all shown qualities that Salazar Slytherin put above all else." He paused, "The other houses tend to dislike us, let us not extend that to within our house. I realize there will be conflicts between you but you must appear strong, united. All disagreements will be handled here, the moment you leave this dormitory you will leave such things behind." I looked at each of the first years in turn, "Feel free to come to me if you need to discuss anything or if you need a mediator. We have won the house cup many years in a row now and I intend for you to uphold that tradition. If you feel the need to break the rules then I trust you will do so in an untraceable way." His eyes stopped on Harry for a moment, "Now that we have that out of the way you should be getting to sleep. Your rooms are labeled and you will find them down that hall." He pointed to the left, "Tomorrow you will receive your schedules at breakfast." With that said he turned and walked out of the common room, leaving the first years to find their rooms.

Harry blinked before getting to his feet, "I don't know about you but I'm going to sleep." He moved down the hall that Snape had pointed to.

Each door was neatly labeled with two to three names. He found the one that was to be his, he was sharing a room with Draco and Blaise. Crabbe and Goyle had their own room together. Pushing open the door he looked inside. Three beds done in green and silver were up against one wall, each one had a trunk at the end and a cabinet to the left of the headboard. It didn't take long for Harry to find his bed, it was on the far left, closest to another door, he wasn't sure where it led yet but would find out once he was settled. He laid over his bed, sinking into the plush mattress.

"Comfy Harry?" Draco questioned as he and Blaise walked in.

He looked over at them, "Oh yes."

Draco's bed was in the middle with Blaise on the far right, "Do you know what's through that door?" He questioned.

"Haven't looked yet. I think it might be a bathroom though."

Blaise moved over to the door and opened it, "That's just what it is." He closed the door and turned back around, "Looks like the three of us get to be roommates." He smiled, moving over to the other two boys.

"Looks like it. So, why don't the three of us take the time to get to know each other?" Draco asked, sitting on his bed.

Harry took the time to look over Blaise as he took a seat on Draco's bed. He was tall and dark skinned, his cheekbones were high, and his eyes slanted. There was a distinctly exotic look about him.

"I'll begin. I'm Blaise Zabini. My mother was a Slytherin, I can't remember much about my father. I'm pureblood. I much prefer watching Quidditch to playing it but when I do play I like being a chaser." He paused, "I enjoy chess."

"I'm Harry Potter but the name my father gave me is Aurel Lior. I was raised in Lior Manor although I have no idea where exactly it is. I love Quidditch and flying, I've found I have a knack for being a seeker." He stretched out over the bed, "I like chess as well but I'm not as good at it as my father is. He was in Slytherin, my father."

"Lior, isn't that a vampire name? I swear I've heard of it in regards to a clan." Blaise said and the other two nodded.

Draco smiled, "Draco Malfoy, my whole family has been Slytherins. I'm an exceptional chess player, if I do say so myself, and Quidditch is one of my favorite sports."

Harry yawned, covering his mouth with his hand, "I think we should get some sleep." He said, changing into his pajamas, "Classes start tomorrow." He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

The bathroom was done in the same silver and green as the rest of the dorm and consisted of a shower, bathtub, and two sinks. Quickly he brushed his teeth and washed his face before crawling into bed. Snuggling into the thick comforter he fell asleep.

Next Chapter: Classes.

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