Thank you guys, for the wonderful reviews! They made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside, haha. As promised, here is the next chapter, and no one dies or jumps off a tower :) Enjoy!
I don't own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form, JK Rowling does. This is purely for my, and others, entertainment.
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Harry kept thinking about the pale boy back in the robes shop. He seemed so… so… cultured compared to Harry's upbringing. He made Harry feel very small, not knowing what Quidditch was, or what House he would be sorted into. The blond boy's confidence in getting into Slytherin - was that what he had said before? - was astounding. Harry didn't even know what the Houses were. He decided to ask Hagrid, who was busy carrying Harry's bags full of new parchment and ink bottles.
"Hagrid, what are Houses?" he asked.
"Blimey, Harry, I keep forgettin' how little yeh know – not knowin' about Hogwarts' Houses!"
"Don't make me feel worse," Harry grumbled. He then gave Hagrid a recount of the conversation he had with the pale boy from earlier. Hagrid scratched his wiry beard absentmindedly.
"So? What are Slytherin and Hufflepuff?"
"School Houses. There's four. Everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o' duffers, but –"
"I bet I'm in Hufflepuff," Harry said dejectedly. Knowing him, everyone would be completely enthralled with the infamous "Boy-Who-Lived," but once they got a good look at him, they'd dismiss him into the vast world he had no knowledge of. For the first time, Harry wished he was like the blond boy, who knew everything there was to know about magic. If, by some miracle, he were placed in Slytherin, he would be able to learn from the boy, and grow to know more than he would have before.
Harry was brought out of his thoughts when Hagrid muttered darkly, "Better Hufflepuff than Slytherin. There's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was one."
Harry felt a bit shocked at this statement. Surely not everyone who was in Slytherin was evil. The pale boy had seemed perfectly nice, if not a bit snotty at first. A House couldn't automatically make you evil, could it?
"Vol-, sorry – You-Know-Who was at Hogwarts?"
"Years an' years ago," Hagrid said.
Harry left it at that, and followed Hagrid around Diagon Alley to get the rest of his things. Flourish and Blotts was like a great library, full of all kinds of curses – er, spells – Harry couldn't wait to try out on Dudley. His mood was dampened when Hagrid informed him he wasn't allowed to do magic outside of school.
Harry even received a birthday present from Hagrid, in the form of a beautiful snowy owl, which he named Hedwig. He felt like Professor Quirrel with the way he was stuttering his gratitude.
Later on, Harry had gotten his very first wand, which he handled carefully, as if it were made of glass. A wand, all to himself! Harry couldn't think of anything to ruin this day for him (Maybe the fact that the wand's brother belonged to the very man who had wanted to kill Harry).
Hagrid had returned Harry to the Dursley's for the last remaining month until school started, much to Harry's – and the Dursley's – contempt. They wouldn't even acknowledge him when he was in the same room.
But finally, finally, the awaited day was here. Harry had managed to convince Uncle Vernon to give him a lift to King's Cross station, and he was now standing very uncomfortably in front of platforms nine and ten. His train ticket said Platforms nine and three quarters, but how was he supposed to board the train if he didn't know where to go? Harry was just about to turn around and ask for directions when he heard a word he only associated with magical folk.
"- packed with Muggles, of course-"
Harry watched them as they stopped just feet away from where he was standing, and continued watching as the first three boys literally disappeared from sight between the platforms. Harry blinked rapidly, and then crossed over to the woman.
"Excuse me," he spoke to her.
"Hello, dear," she said. "First time at Hogwarts? Ron's new, too." She gestured to the remaining boy standing next to Harry, who was tall and thin, with freckles, big hands and feet, and a rather long nose.
"Yes. The thing is – the thing is, I don't know how to-"
"How to get onto the platform?" she said, to which Harry nodded. "Not to worry. All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go now before Ron."
Harry frowned at the instructions, but positioned himself to run anyway. He didn't think it would work, how could it? He was going to crash into the wall, and everyone was going to laugh and point at him. Before he could get cold feet, Harry broke out into a quick sprint, and he was already going too fast to stop. This was it, he was going to hit the wall, and –
The crash never came. Instead, Harry kept running, and soon emerged from the other side of the wall to see a gleaming red train with a sign overhead that said Hogwarts Express. People were rushing around him, calling to their children or reuniting with friends from the summer. Harry had done it; he had made it to the train.
He had found an empty compartment and had received help with his trunk from two of the red haired boys from before – twins, he realized. He was beginning to feel awkward when they realized who he was. They kept staring at him, with their mouths hung open until their mother called for them. Harry made sure to keep himself hidden, in case they sought him out through the windows, after he heard the twins tell their family who he was.
Just then, the train began to move, and Harry felt this excitement bubble up inside of him. He was going to Hogwarts, the place where he just knew he would belong.
The compartment door slid open, and Harry saw it was the youngest red head boy, Ron.
"Anyone sitting there? Everywhere else is full." He asked, gesturing to the seat across from Harry. Harry shook his head, and Ron sat down. Harry could see the boy glancing at him every now and then, but he chose to ignore it.
"Hey, Ron."
The twins were standing at the entrance, and were looking at Ron.
"Listen, we're going down the middle of the train – Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there."
Harry saw Ron's miniscule shudder. "Right," he said.
The twins then introduced themselves to Harry, Fred and George Weasley. They left then, and Ron turned to Harry.
"Are you really Harry Potter?" he blurted out. Harry was surprised. He had expected a little bit more poise with the question, such as asking if he had heard about Harry being on the train. Ron's question seemed very blunt, if not rude, and Harry was suddenly reminded of the blond boy in Diagon Alley, who hadn't even knew who he was, yet still seemed interested in him. Harry wondered if he were somewhere close by on the train.
A bit of time passed, where Harry had spent some money on every candy he could possibly find. He had allowed Ron to have some as well, if only to stop the pity he felt when he saw Ron's measly looking sandwiches. Harry didn't really like the way Ron gobbled up everything, his face and hands sticky with sugar. The blond boy would have eaten with more grace, he was sure.
Later, a knock on the door showed it to be a round-faced boy from the platform, who looked quite tearful.
"Sorry," he muttered, "but have you seen a toad at all?" When the two shook their heads, the teary boy nearly started crying. "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!" Harry gave the boy his condolences as he left.
"Don't know why he's so bothered," Ron said. "If I'd brought a toad I'd lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brought Scabbers, so I can't talk." Ron showed Harry a gray, fat rat, who Harry was positive took one look at him and squeaked in fright, shivering.
Again, their door was opened to reveal a girl alongside the toadless boy. She was already wearing her Hogwarts robes.
"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," she spoke with a rather bossy voice. She had brown, bushy hair and very large front teeth. She didn't listen when Ron told her they hadn't seen it. She was more interested in Harry and, after introducing herself as Hermione Granger and talking nonstop about what he had done to get himself into many books (Honestly, one would think he would be informed of his near-death experience) and how she'd like to be sorted into Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, she finally left with the advice to start changing into their robes. Harry hoped he wouldn't be sorted into the same House as her; he would go bonkers within the week.
"I don't suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad," Ron mused. "But imagine if they put me into Slytherin." He gave a shudder and Harry couldn't help but frown. Did everyone in the magical world think Slytherin House was that awful?
Once more, and Harry hoped this would be the last time, the compartment door slid open. Harry blinked when he saw that it was the pale boy he had often thought about since their encounter. He was flanked by two large boys, and was looking at Harry with what seemed like happiness.
"Is it true?" he asked. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, isn't it?"
"Yes." Harry nodded, keeping his eyes on the hulking forms behind the boy. He thought the boy looked pleased, knowing that he had talked to Harry before anyone even knew who he was.
Noticing his attention, the boy said, "Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle. And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
They heard a slight cough in the direction of Ron, who was trying to cover up his laughter. Harry didn't think that was all too funny; he figured wizarding families had more traditional names from Muggles. Draco Malfoy seemed to share his thoughts, and narrowed his eyes at Ron.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasley's have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." He turned back to Harry.
"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
Draco stuck out his hand to shake Harry's. Harry hesitated, biting his lip slightly. If he didn't take his hand, Harry was sure he would gain an enemy before he even reached the school. Draco would make his life at Hogwarts miserable, and Harry wanted nothing more than to have a good time. And if he did take his hand, Harry would be able to learn more about the Wizarding world, since Draco looked more informed about how things ran than Ron did. Harry knew what he had to do.
He reached out, and clasped Draco's hand in his own. Draco smirked widely before pulling Harry out of his seat.
"Splendid! You won't be regretting this anytime soon, I assure you." Harry nodded, shooting an apologetic look back at Ron, whose face was absolutely livid with betrayal. Hopefully the sweets they had shared – or in other words, Ron attacked while Harry watched with slight disgust – would pacify Ron's feelings.
"Crabbe, Goyle," Draco snapped his fingers to the big boys behind. "Get Po- Harry's trunk," Draco said with a fleeting smile in Harry's direction. "And bring it to our compartment. I'll show him the way. Oh, and Weasley," Ron looked up and scowled at them. "See you at Hogwarts." Draco tugged on Harry's hand, which he was still holding, and pulled him out of the compartment.
They walked for a little while, and Harry noticed all the attention they seemed to be getting. People were poking their heads out to catch a glimpse of him, and were startled to see him being led by Draco Malfoy. Draco preened under all the looks.
"Here we are," Draco said, finally stopping. He pulled Harry into the compartment and gestured for him to sit opposite. Harry did so.
"Well then, no need for introductions, then?" Draco asked, and Harry laughed quietly. Looking up, he saw that Draco was smiling happily at him, yet still had the grace to look calm and collected.
"So, is Slytherin a good House?" Harry asked. Draco nodded enthusiastically.
"Definitely. The Sorting Hat says that Slytherin House is for those of great ambition, which I know I have. Although, I'm sure Ravenclaw would be adequate; they are all about learning, after all." Harry shook his head.
"I wouldn't go for Ravenclaw if I were you. There was this girl who came by, talking about how she wanted to be in that House or Gryffindor. Mental, she was." Harry smiled at Draco's laughter.
"Well then, I'll make sure to stick to Slytherin, won't I?"
They were hitting it off pretty well, and they began to talk in earnest with each other over many topics. Harry wished that they had talked this much back at Madam Malkin's robe shop. Crabbe and Goyle had reappeared with Harry's things, and a few sweets they manage to wrestle from Ron's grasp, before they just sat down in the corner, munching on some crisps. Soon enough, they heard a whistle, indicating that they were reaching Hogwarts. Harry, ignorant with his excitement, nearly put on his robes incorrectly, and had to have Draco fix them for him.
"Sorry about that," he mumbled, his face feeling rather warm. Draco only waved his hand.
"Please, that's what friends are for, aren't they?" Harry's stomach twisted from the word friend. His first friend, not counting Hagrid.
Once the train stopped in Hogsmeade – "It's where the students come to shop; but I heard you have to be a third year or above to go, which I think is stupid." Draco had said – they hopped off the train and began to walk until they heard a booming voice say, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?" Hagrid's bushy face stood tall over all the other students.
Harry and Draco, with Crabbe and Goyle trailing after them, followed Hagrid over to a vast lake, with many rowboats floating there. "No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called to them.
The four boys settled in a boat, though one side tilted dangerously from the sheer size of Crabbe and Goyle. "Everyone in? Right then – FORWARD!" The boats jerked and started sailing slowly into the lake. It was very dark, and if it weren't for the many lamps attached to some of the boats, they wouldn't have known what they were sailing to.
Harry felt his jaw drop as he got his first glimpse of Hogwarts. It was a castle, with many towers and windows, all lit with a warm glow. Perched atop a high mountain, it looked every bit as magical as Harry had thought.
The boats stopped at some kind of harbor, where they all clambered out and stood in a small pack.
"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" Hagrid spoke, holding up a wriggling toad to the boy, Neville. Neville squealed out, "Trevor!" and clutched him close to his chest.
They walked up a flight of steps and stopped in front of a giant wooden door.
"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?"
Hagrid raised a ham-like fist and pounded onto the castle's door. Soon enough, they opened up, and a tall, stern looking witch in emerald-green robes stood looking at them. "The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." Hagrid announced. Professor McGonagall nodded. "Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." They followed the witch into a great entrance hall, much bigger than the Dursley's house, Harry noted.
Harry could hear voices coming from two tall doors to his right, and figured the rest of the school had already arrived. But instead of leading them there, Professor McGonagall led them into a slightly smaller chamber. She then turned and addressed them all.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "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." Draco nudged Harry in the side, giving him a smirk. "Each House has its own noble history and each has 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."
She turned on her heel, taking quick strides to the door on the side. "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."
Professor cast a lingering gaze on Neville's cloak, and at Ron's nose, which had a great black smudge on it. Draco snickered quietly next to Harry, and then turned to help try to flatten his black hair.
"I shall return when we are ready for you, "McGonagall said. "Please wait quietly." She then left without another word. Harry gulped and look at Draco, who looked at ease.
"How exactly do they sort us into Houses?" he asked. He could hear Ron whispering to Neville how his brother's told him it was some sort of painful test, and Harry paled.
"Oh, no need to worry; Father told me that all they do is place a hat on your head, and it tells you what House you go to. Nothing painful," he sneered in Ron's direction, whose ears turned a weird shade of red.
As they waited, they had met a couple of ghosts (Ghosts! Actual living- err, not living ghosts!), one who had once been in Hufflepuff House – Draco snorted at that – and they wished them luck on the Sorting.
"Move along now," Professor McGonagall had returned. "The Sorting ceremony's about to start. Now, form a line and follow me." She instructed them. Harry got into line, behind Draco and in front of Goyle, and started walking through the doors. It opened up to show Harry four long tables, each filled with students, and a hall much bigger than the one they had just come from. As Harry looked up, he noticed that instead of an open sky he had first thought was there, the ceiling was enchanted, showing the outside darkness to everyone present.
There were many floating candles surrounding them, giving the great hall a warm look. They stopped suddenly, looking up at Professor McGonagall, who was standing next to a stool. She placed a ragged hat on the stool, and he heard Draco mutter, "I can't believe we're expected to put that thing on our heads…"
Harry, along with the rest of the school, stared at the Hat until a large rip appeared at the brim, and it burst into song.
Oh you may not think I'm pretty, You can keep your bowlers black, There's nothing hidden in your head You might belong in Gryffindor, You might belong in Hufflepuff, Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, Or perhaps in Slytherin So put me on! Don't be afraid!
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
The whole hall burst into applause when the hat finished. It bowed to everyone and then went still once more. Professor McGonagall pulled out a rather long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she stated. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A blonde girl with pigtails stumbled forward and sat down, pulling the hat on her head far enough to cover her eyes. There was a long pause, and then –
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted, and the table to Harry's right cheered and clapped joyfully, welcoming Hannah to the Hufflepuff table. A few more students went after her, Terry Boot being the first Ravenclaw, Lavender Brown becoming the first Gryffindor, and Millicent Bulstrode the first Slytherin. Crabbe and Goyle were both placed in Slytherin.
"Granger, Hermione!" Harry watched as the bushy haired girl was sorted into Gryffindor, and told Draco that she was the one that wanted to be in Ravenclaw.
"Was she now?" Draco asked, astounded. "She shouldn't have gotten her hopes up in the first place. Ravenclaw is for some of the best, and I can tell she's a Mudblood from a mile away." Harry didn't know what a Mudblood was, but he assumed it was something very mean, for Neville had cast a startled look behind him at Draco, as if he had uttered one of the worst words known to man.
Neville went up then, being placed in Gryffindor, and after a "MacDougal, Morag" went, Draco's name was called. He gave Harry's arm a brief squeeze, and then strutted forward with all the grace he had.
The hat had barely settled on his head when it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Harry clapped along with the Slytherin table, earning him weird looks. Draco hopped off the stool and, after giving Harry a friendly wink, went to join the other Slytherins. There were only a few more people left now, and Harry was starting to feel very queasy without Draco there to support him. What if he were placed in Gryffindor, or Hufflepuff? Would Draco stop talking to him because of it? He hoped not, he finally had a friend all to himself; he didn't want to lose that within one day.
Harry's insides jerked violently when, after "Perks, sally-Anne" was sorted, Professor McGonagall called out, "Potter, Harry!"
Harry walked up with stiff movements, hearing the whispered, "Did you hear that? Harry Potter, here at Hogwarts!" and "He's going to be in Gryffindor, no doubt, you just wait." He swallowed nervously.
Harry sat on the stool, looking out to the many students who were trying to get a look at him. The last thing he saw was the encouraging smile from Draco, before the hat was dropped on his head, covering his sight.
"Hmm," a small voice said, close to his ear. Harry had the urge to swat at it; it seemed too close for comfort. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes – and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting… So where shall I put you?"
Harry exhaled and thought quickly, Slytherin, please Slytherin.
"Slytherin, eh?" the voice said. "Are you sure? Yes, I can see it now, you'd be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin would definitely help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that – yes? Well, if you're sure – better be…"
The hat spoke out loud now, stunning the school with its announcement. Over at the Slytherin table, Draco was smirking widely, his prayers having been answered.
"SLYTHERIN!"
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Tada! Chapter 2, just like I promised! Phew, this thing was 14 pages long, and about 4,000 words! Talk about motivation, I didn't think I'd be able to finish this the day after I posted chapter 1. But, I love you all, so I thought this was a nice way to show that.
Next chapter:
Harry meets Professor Dumbledore, who is certain the Sorting hat made a mistake with Harry's House. Is Harry going to be forced away from the snakes and into the lion's den? Also, Professor Snape wanted nothing to do with the son of James Potter, but what can he do when that boy is now in his very own House?
For every review I receive, I get more and more excited to see everyone's reactions to the next chapter, which makes me write faster and faster. Sooo, if you want the next chapter up and running soon, I'd love it if you gave me your thoughts and opinions about this chapter in a review :)