The one good thing about it being the weekend was he didn't have to yet wear his school uniform, the green tie sitting there leering at him. He walked through the corridors, quite empty, but the day was still early. He hesitated before the great hall, he couldn't do it, it wasn't exactly fear he just couldn't do it. He'd wait till lunch, when he'd be too hungry to notice the whole of the school staring at him. He nodded, that would be the best option. Harry turned around quickly deciding he would run off to the owlery to see Hedwig. Maybe he'd even get her some treats from his trunk. Harry fell as he bumped into something he stood up and gave a quick apology and turning to leave felt his arm grabbed.

"No, no Harry, I'm sorry," Harry stopped and looked up trying not to appear apprehensive "I should pay more attention to where I'm going. Of course, you're so small you can be hard to see sometimes; even if you are the famous Harry Potter."

Marcus Flint stood there looking down at Harry, still holding him by the arm Harry wanted to open his mouth but stopped. It wasn't his size, although he was considerably larger than Harry, it was the look in his eyes. He wasn't mean, or threatening, he was just there, actually he look pleased to some extent. But on reflection, Harry felt he should be concerned because Slytherins had very few reasons to be happy when it involved someone they weren't terrorizing, and Harry had a lot coming to him.

"Sorry Marcus, can't help it being twelve and all, well I'll just be going."

"Now Harry, you haven't had breakfast yet, surely you'll be hungry."

"Not afraid to enter the great hall are you Potter?"

"No." Harry stated slightly annoyed. "I simply have something better to do. I want to go see Hedwig."

"Yes, Terence," Marcus gave Terence Higgs a foul look and turned back to Harry. "Of course, you won't be able to grab anything to eat until lunch Harry, I'm sure you'd like to grab a bite before you see her, maybe take something along. I understand that she is rather fond of toast, why don't we grab something to eat and you can take her some toast." Before Harry could say another word, or ask Flint to let him go, the door opened. Marcus looked up like a snarling lion ready to growl when he stopped. Harry didn't know who was behind him, but judging from the look on his face, it wasn't anyone helpful. Harry had a feeling he knew who was there, and it was confirmed with the superior drawl, although lacking its usual acidity.

"Ah, there you are." Harry turned around enough to see it was Draco, but with Pansy instead of Crabbe and Goyle.

"We were just going upstairs to see if you would come and join us." Pansy said in what Harry imagined was meant to be nice, though still pompous tone. Although supposed Harry, it was hard not to be pompous, being the way they were. Marcus let him go, probably because he was surrounded by Slytherins.

"Harry was going to go up to the owlery, but we've convinced him to have some breakfast first." Bletchley chimed in.

"Ooh, do you have a parcel or a letter to send?" Pansy asked excitedly. She was always one for gossip and news. And this would certainly be the top news of the day. Harry shrugged.

"No, I was just going to see Hedwig."

"Oh, how sweet of you." She said smiling. "I myself have to send a birthday present to my sister, and Draco of course has a letter for his father, we can all go up together and introduce ourselves, properly." Harry nodded and smiled giving his thanks. Professor Snape's words came to mind.

"Now Potter I have spoken with my house and they will be nothing less than polite to you, unless you give them reason. Unlike Gryffindor respect here has to be earned, your past achievements though noteworthy to some mean little here. So were I you, I would tread lightly and try not to act so…superior."

Harry was somewhat shocked; Professor Snape was actually…nice, at least as far as Professor Snape's standards.

"Excellent, you can of course sit next to us." When they entered the Great Hall Harry suddenly understood what all the fuss was about. The Slytherins were smiling and some were even saying hello very loudly. Harry understood when he saw the faces on the students at the other tables, they were gloating. Particularly in the area of quidditch Harry thought looking at Marcus Flint, Gryffindor stood less of a chance than they ever had before. They wanted to gloat and what better way than to do it publicly. Harry sighed; it was going to be a long seven months. A very long one if this morning was anything to go by. But there was nothing he could do, after all, he was surrounded by people who not only didn't fight fair, but were three and four times his size. He was in a house full of bullies, he had to tread carefully, and that meant watching his temper and what he said.

Harry was so depressed he could have died. Nobody wanted to talk to him. To everyone he was the heir of Slytherin, not even Ron or Hermione spoke to him. They tried, but nobody would let them get near enough, Harry started talking to Draco simply because he and his fellow Slytherins were the only ones who didn't hate Harry and believed that he was not the heir of Slytherin. But of course none of them were really his friends. Harry felt like he was at the Dursleys again.

It didn't take long for everyone Harry had ever known to break off ties with him. Not even Fred and George who had found the Slytherin's Heir bit a big joke spoke to him. Actually, the only people who were speaking to him were the Slytherins, and the things they talked about Harry didn't understand or disagreed with wholeheartedly. He was polite, but he just slowly began to avoid the conversations, because twice he had all ready lost his temper. He didn't say anything; rather he excused himself and disappeared for a while. He was beginning to realize that he had nothing anymore and for the first time he could ever remember he wished he was going to number four pivet drive. At least there he knew where he belonged, he hated where he belonged, but at least he knew. It was turning into a nightmare, and Harry had a feeling it wasn't over yet.