Harry loved Diagon Alley, and Tom had absolutely no probably speaking for him, as was usual. They had gone to the bank and picked up some money first. His parents had sent up a trust fund for him, and he had plenty of galleons to spend wherever he wanted, but he decided to take Tom's advice on what to buy and get. Harry didn't like the idea of using money his parents left him, considering the circumstances, but Tom insisted that it was for the best.

They started with a trunk that apparently had a light feather charm, locking mechanics, and magically expanded compartments. While not the most exciting place to start, it would be better than carrying around all the equipment. Harry wondered if it was even possible to carry everything on the list. So he didn't complain. Tom guided Harry through the crowd with their attached hands as Harry looked around the magical community with excitement. There was so much to take in!

Tom had then helped him pick out what was better equipment than what was on the list, especially in the potion and book shop. They of course got all the books required, but seeing as Harry had plenty of money, they spent a lot on other books that caught their eyes. Tom also insisted they both get an entire wardrobe's worth of wizarding clothes, not just school robes, saying that they would be taken more seriously in the wizarding world. Harry didn't really mind about that, but if it meant something to Tom, he didn't mind getting more wizard appropriate clothes.

When they were in the shop, there was another boy there who was very pale and had almost white hair to match his skin. "Hogwarts as well, dears?" Said the shop owner. Harry gave a nod.

"We'd also like some extra clothes." Tom added.

"Of course, step up to get measured." The witch instructed. Harry stepped up onto the small stand as Tom did the same, standing between Harry and the boy who looked towards them, looking them up and down in an unimpressed way. Harry had no illusions of making friends, not now and not at Hogwarts. Nobody wanted to be friends with somebody who didn't talk. Tom would probably make friends quick if he wished. Harry was grateful that Tom was only bound to him, and thus would not be too interested in hanging around anybody else for extended amounts of time.

"You two brothers or something?" The pale blond asked.

"Not at all." Tom answered, which seemed to confuse the other boy, who Harry assumed was going to Hogwarts as well. It had been some time since they interacted with strangers who didn't know Tom and Harry were friends. Most had assumed they were close because of a blood relation. Harry suddenly wondered if he'd have to act differently around Tom at Hogwarts, but pushed the thought aside. He refused to be pressured into acting differently. The boy still seemed to be puzzling over this when Tom spoke again, "You're going to Hogwarts as well, right?"

The boy puffed up with pride. "Of course. I'm going to be sorted into Slytherin." Harry knew bits about the houses, not much. Other than the fact Tom would prefer Slytherin. Harry hoped that they weren't sorted into different houses. He couldn't be separated from Tom. Surely something could be done so they didn't have to be in different houses? Harry worried at his bottom lip at the thought. He didn't know which house best suited him after all. He didn't feel particularly brave, cunning, or intelligent. Perhaps loyal to Tom. Hufflepuff was apparently spoken of as if a joke though, so would Tom be embarrassed by him if Harry was sorted into that house? "Which houses will you two be sorted into?"

"I don't know which house Harry will be sorted into." Tom hummed thoughtfully, making Harry wince as it reflected his inner worries. Tom caught the action, observing Harry a moment before the boy spoke again, drawing both their attention.

"What about you?" The boy asked, seeming to have taken a liking to Tom, which happened.

"I doubt I'll be sorted at all. I have to stick with Harry."

Harry let out a silent sigh, relief filling him at the words. Whether purposeful or not, Tom had soothed his inner worries. The pale male frowned at Tom though, "That's not really how things are done."

"Not normally, I'll agree to that. You'll see once we're there." Tom gave a secretive sort of smile as they were continued to be fitted, the boy ignoring them. Probably thinking that Tom was an idiot or something. Which was very far from the truth. Harry wondered how Tom was so sure they would be able to be in the same house, and he wouldn't have to be sorted. Harry could wait and see how things played out. Worries soothed, he started thinking of what Hogwarts might be like, and looked forward to seeing the magic castle, with hidden corridors and secrets. Tom didn't know everything about it, but it was enough to excite Harry.

He still did wonder what house he would be placed in. He bet Tom had a hint at the very least, but Harry looked forward to finding out when he was sorted. The boy finished before them and said a rather bored sounding goodbye before leaving the store after he acquired his school robes. Harry and Tom were told to come back once Tom said everything they wanted. They paid in advance though before going to get quills and parchment. Tom also insisted on buying a couple blank journals, Harry looked at him in confusion before Tom explained, "For a couple reasons. One is to practice with the quills without wasting parchment. Plus, you'll probably want to communicate somehow."

Harry wasn't keen on any type of communication, but nodded and got a few of them. One to practice writing in, two in case he wanted to ever write out a message. Like in classes to answer questions, maybe? Even then he doubted it. He got on just fine not talking. Tom knew him well enough now to understand most his expressions, and they went through the days together, so it wasn't like he needed to talk to Tom about what they'd already done.

Tom was the only person Harry would have wanted to communicated with, and yet was the one person Harry stayed silent because of. So terrified to accidently let a wish slip through his lips and lose Tom forever. He'd already lost his parents due to his stupid mouth, he refused to be responsible for losing Tom as well. He didn't think he could handle that guilt as well. He already had enough for the rest of his hopefully short life.

Once they got most of what was on the list, minus an animal, they went to the wand shop. Harry had been excited for this part the most. Him and Tom stood seemingly alone in the dusty store. Harry rubbed his nose at the musky smell as he looked for the owner of the shop. "Good afternoon." Jumping, Harry turned to a smaller man who had strange eyes staring at Harry, seemingly through him. Harry didn't like it and stepped back slightly. Tom was calm through it, even as the man's gaze shifted onto him. "I don't have anything for you." The man told Tom simply. Which was surprising that the man seemed to know what Tom was.

"I'm well aware. I'm simply here with Harry." Tom said, seeming completely unaffected and even offering a small smile. The man looked back to Harry again, making him uncomfortable once more.

"Yes, Mr. Potter. I do recall when your parents were in here getting their first wands." Harry felt a prang in his heart just imagining them when they were eleven, just like him, stepping into a world of magic. They didn't deserve what happened. Harry felt more guilt roll through him, ignoring that Ollivander apologized for selling the wand to the attacker. Harry knew better, it had been his wish. Perhaps the man had been nice before murdering his family. Thus was the power of wishes. The fault laid solely in Harry. He felt like walking out of the store, knowing he shouldn't go to Hogwarts. He didn't deserve magic even. Ollivander spoke again, "Which arm is your wand hand?" Harry held out his right hand numbly, and instantly a measuring tape started measuring him, focused mainly on his arm. He had to stand still as it continued to do so as Ollivander tisked as he went pulling down a couple different box from the many shelves.

The tape measure stopped as Ollivander snapped at it, and held out a wand to Harry, who took it in hand gently only for it to be snatched away from his hands almost instantly. "No, try this one." Harry wasn't sure what the other was looking for, but he kept trying wand after wand until finally, after many wands had been discarded did Harry feel warmth flow through him and gave a smile as Ollivander seemed pleased as well. "Holly 11 inches, phoenix feather. A peculiar pair. I should expect great things from you, Mr. Potter."

Harry found it sweet for the man to say so, but doubted the genuinity of the statement. He was just Harry after all. There was hardly anything special about him. The other probably said something similar to all new students. He paid for his wand, and gave a small bow of his head to show his thanks as he took it. Ollivander wished them luck in the coming school year, and they left the store. Tom had been quiet for a time, but Harry didn't mind as they wandered and finally came to an animal shop. Only then did Tom speak, "It's probably best to get an owl. At least then we can owl order some books and potion ingredients, should we need them. You can pick out the owl." Harry was happy about that, and as Tom looked at the more exotic animals, Harry purchased a snowy white owl to call his own. He'd let Tom name her, since Harry would likely never say any name he could think of. So what was the point?

He bought her and left the store with Tom. They got a delicious if not late lunch that was much better than anything the orphanage had ever served to them. After such, they picked up all their clothes and with everything done and evening falling, they made their way back to the orphanage. It took time and again they almost didn't make it, but they were able to get in. The matron had yelled at Harry for buying an owl, much to Tom's displeasure. She eventually consented after Tom not so subtly threatened to raise more hell than a single bird could ever cause.

The matron must have remembered the last time Tom had promised that, and had glowered but left them alone to bring the trunk and owl upstairs to their room. Harry was glad for the enchantments placed on it. Made it easier to get up the flight of stairs. Once he placed the trunk inside the room he sighed and gave a smile towards Tom. "Excited for Hogwarts?" Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Just remember, while you can't practice any magic, we can still read all the books we bought. We'll start tomorrow." Harry was a bit disappointed at the wait time, but knew it was only logical. They had a long day, and Harry was already feeling tired.

He didn't bother lying in his own bed that night, too worn and happy to want to spoil it with dreams of the past. Tom never complained.

Harry was excited to get out of the orphanage for the whole school year, not needing to go back until summer. The freedom wasn't one he normally received. Tom had made sure he packed up everything after Harry himself had nearly forgotten a couple books. He had torn through the information the books held during the last few weeks. He had learned so much, and all of it was fascinating. The theory of magic and complexities of it was something he loved reading about, and while Tom wasn't as interested in the subjects as Harry himself, he read most the books as well. They hadn't been able to finish every book they bought - there was a lot to go through after all - but they had read a lot and Harry knew they'd have time to read the rest when they were in Hogwarts.

Tom helped him figure out how to get to the train station, something Harry was grateful for, since it stumped him for a bit. Tom had an easier time with such things, being able to sense magic. One of the things he apparently had been able to keep in his more mortal form - as Tom had a habit of calling his own body. They found a seat on the train and after Harry had put his trunk away, he sat beside Tom as the other read silently, and Harry stared out the window at all the activity of the station. Parents saying goodbye to their children was something that made Harry's heart ache. A safer thing to watch was the way other students seemed to meet up with friends after the summer holidays.

Even then, Harry thoughts drifted to how strange some friendships were. He couldn't imagine ever separating from Tom for an entire summer, no matter the circumstances. He wondered how some could stand it, but it was a given that his relationship with Tom was different from most friendships. Turning away from the window, Harry tried to sit still in his excitement. This was it, he was going to Hogwarts. Grinning madly to himself for a while and just basking in the thought, he decided to pull out a book of his own to try and focus on something. They still had a train ride before they got to the castle itself, and that could take some time. The book did little to distract him, but he was able to read it until the train started moving.

At that point, he looked out the window to watch the passing scenery for a time. It was rather nice to look at, but he got bored of it eventually and went back to reading. The trip was going quietly. Harry had stretched and walked around a bit while Tom continued reading. The other would sometimes tell Harry how interesting wizard magic was, but so basic. Harry wasn't quite sure how Tom used his genie magic, didn't claim to understand it. He could imagine it was very different from what Harry would be learning at school.

When the trolley came, Harry was happy to purchase some snacks. He was overwhelmed with the selection, things he'd never heard of, not to mention that he actually had money to purchase some. Harry doubted Tom would want any, as he hadn't moved to indicate his interest. Harry had pointed at some things that looked interesting. The woman seemed a bit confused by his lack of speech, but nodded and handed it over, only once Harry handed over the right amount did she move on.

He liked a lot of sweets, but some of them were interesting. Like a chocolate frog that actually hopped around. Tom had rolled his eyes at Harry's fascination and said it was a simple spell that made things seemingly alive. After a horrified look, Tom explained that no, it wasn't really alive. Not many magics could do such things. Harry had to wonder if Tom could raise the dead himself, but pushed it out of his mind. Everything he knew warned against tampering with death. His parents, as much as he missed them, were probably in a much better place. There was little he could do now to correct past wrongs.

Trying not to think too heavily on it, as when he did he would always sink into sorrow, he focused on reading and snacking during the trip. Harry even dozed off at one point. It had started getting darker when Tom finally stopped reading the third book he'd picked up during the trip. Tom was always a much quicker reader then anybody Harry knew, even with how much Harry read through, Tom was on another level.

"We should probably get changed." Tom sighed, closing the book and putting it away. After they were changed into their robes, they both sat down in comfortable silence until the train started slowing and they got off in the crowd of people. They held hands most times, but here it seemed important in order not get lost through the crowds of people. The loud voice from a very tall and large man encouraging first years to follow him. After a short boat ride, Harry got his first view of Hogwarts lit under a night sky across a lake and it truly looked magical.

It took some time to unload from the boats before they were led to a stern looking woman who seemed to demand silence and attention with just her presence. She spoke to them about the basic rules and houses before leaving them. Harry got to look around a bit, and noticed the pale boy was there with two other kids near him who seemed more like bodyguards than friends. He of course recognized nobody else. Seeing the ghosts was a strange experience, but soon after a few introduced themselves they were led into the hall by the same strict woman. Professor Mcgonagall, if Harry had heard the large man correctly.

They walked in a straight singular line, so Harry reluctantly let go of Tom's hand, but was comforted knowing the other was right behind him. The Great Hall was a sight to see, it filled him with so much excitement and hope to see, and he couldn't exactly explain it, or any other emotion it evoked. He just knew it would be easy to love being in the castle. They attracted the attention of the entire hall, a lot of older years waiting for them to finally stop right in front of the staff table. There was amiable talking throughout the hall between people already sitting, but it seemed like a hum, not obnoxious. Harry smiled at Tom who stood beside him in line, and he received a small one in return.

Harry looked out across the hall, taking in the floating candles, long tables, and all the students. There was so many people, he was a bit overwhelmed, but not in a bad way. He was rather excited, though nervous about all the stares. After the hat sang a song, the first student was called, the hat placed on her head and she was sorted. Thus, the sorting began.

Harry's name came, but it hardly attracted any more attention than usual. Harry and Tom stepped forward, which caused the Professor to pin Tom with a glare. "Just Harry, please." Harry didn't mind too much, he could go to the stool on his own. He'd been without Tom at his side sometimes, it wasn't like he was always there, just almost always. "You will be sorted separately right after Harry." That was when his heart pinched and he froze.

Tom looked like he was hiding his anger, but he did a good job as he said, "Go on Harry, I know what to do." Harry wasn't sure there was anything to do. They were so different, they would end up in different houses. Harry knew one could choose a house if the hat was debating between some. However, other then that the hat decided. Tom and him were very much different. Still, there wasn't much he could do either. Besides, Tom did usually get what he wanted, so Harry would trust that at the very least.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he walked towards the stool. The small pause had drawn some attention from the hall, but Harry hardly cared about that, wondering how this was going to work out. The hat was placed on his head, which was much too big and fell over his eyes, blocking off his view. There was a moment of silence, "Interesting, very interesting. It seems you are in more precarious situation then you know. I'll have to take that into account, yes…" Harry wondered if he could ask the hat to place Tom in the same house as him, or vice versa. Just as he thought of that possibility, the hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!" Harry wasn't surprised, he was rather loyal to Tom. Not many others, but Tom was his only friend so far.

Harry removed the hat and hesitated as the people at Hufflepuff clapped. He looked back at Tom, who gave a single nod. Harry made his way to the table then, sitting and hardly even noting the congratulations as he looked up towards Tom, dread filling him about how this was going to happen. Tom stepped forward, but he didn't get onto the stool everybody else had sat on. He instead stopped when he was a foot or so away from Professor Mcgonagall, hat in her hand and harsh glare in place as Tom seemed to be doing something different from any other student. A lot of people were looking and some muttered that maybe he was shy. Tom was anything but shy, however they didn't know that.

"Excuse me, sorting hat." Tom said, full of politeness. Some people giggled, and Harry got the impression that the hat didn't usually talk past the introductory song or the actual sorting.

However, the hall seemed to be shocked as the hat did speak, muttering to each other as it said, "You are most definitely not a student."

Mcgonagall didn't look happy, but some of the teachers looked rather interested. "No. As you probably can tell, I'm a genie." Harry knew Tom had a plan if he was revealing the information to the entire school. To be honest with himself, he didn't see what Tom got out of it, but silence filled the hall at the admission, with the exception of a couple whispers. "I'd very much like to be placed with my master."

"Very well. Off to Hufflepuff with you."

Tom nodded, seeming pleased with this result and went to the table, taking a seat instantly beside Harry. The entire house was staring at them, and the great hall burst quickly into chatter again. Harry didn't care about any of this, just smiling at Tom. He was glad they were in the same house. "You have a genie?" An obvious older year asked, seeming impressed and awed. Harry shrugged, but gave a nod to confirm that Tom was a genie.

"What are you going to wish for?" Another asked excitedly, this one slightly younger.

"Oh! Can I have the object once you're done?"

"Stop that, genies shouldn't be trifled with!"

Harry already disliked the attention and piling questions from different students. Tom was seeming to do a good job ignoring them too. Which was a farce. Tom probably hated being talked about like something to be passed around. It took a bit for the sorting to continue, and when Harry looked up he could see that Headmaster Dumbledore looked unhappy. Harry wondered if the man had tried to separate them? Mcgonagall and the teachers hadn't seemed shocked at the reveal, so they had probably been told. So why separate them? Harry didn't know, but as long as it hadn't worked, he found he didn't exactly care.

Once the sorting was over, Dumbledore said some welcoming words before the feast started. Harry didn't think he'd seen so much mouth watering food in one place before. He gladly dug in. He couldn't eat as much as he would have liked, but he comforted himself that the food would most likely be this good all year. As people finished eating, Harry gained some more questions. "Have you already wished for anything yet?" He really didn't like the question, giving a shrug and hoping that was neutral enough they couldn't guess if he had or not. "What's the matter, can't you speak?" Harry shook his head in the negative. This drew some shock and seeming confusion.

Another asked, "How are you supposed to wish for anything then?" That was the reason he wasn't talking, so he couldn't possibly wish for anything. He didn't think it that hard of a concept. Again, he just shrugged a shoulder.

Thankfully, seeing as none of their questions were going to be answered by Harry, they dropped off. Though he wondered why nobody was asking Tom anything. He was after all perfectly capable of speech. Just as Harry wondered this, somebody did look at Tom and said, "Are there some things you can't do?"

"I'm assuming you mean in terms of wish granting. A couple things, but I can do most anything. Wishes are very powerful things after all." Tom explained, and Harry could tell it was in a condescending sort of way, as if talking to an idiot. Nobody else seemed to pick up on it. Tom was probably just upset at having his power questioned.

"How are you supposed to grant wishes when he can't talk?"

"That hardly matters to you, now does it?" Tom asked, "After all, anything to do with Harry and anything to do with wishes I keep confidential. Especially when those two categories overlap." That was a relief hearing. They'd never been around people who would know what Tom was, so Harry didn't know if Tom would keep it secret. He hadn't really thought of it, but he was glad to know Tom wouldn't tell people about his wishes.

So, with being discouraged, the questions mostly died away for the time being. It wasn't long after that they were instructed to follow their prefects to their new house dormitories. Hufflepuff was on the ground floor, and apparently near the kitchens, though Harry hadn't seen a kitchen on the way. The common room was homey, and the head of their house - Professor Sprout - was there and welcomed them all, informing them of rules but also that they could come to her or a prefect for anything. It had been a long day, full of excitement. So Harry went to find his bed, Tom following him silently. He found his trunk at one of the ends of the beds. A room with four comfortable and warm looking beds that Harry couldn't wait to sleep on. There was a bed without a trunk near his own, which Harry assumed meant was for Tom.

Whether he was correct or not, Tom seemed to think along the same lines and sat down on it, seeming to test it. After a moment he nodded to himself and muttered, "It'll do." Harry changed into his night clothes as the other two boys came in. Once he was done, he was introduced to them. One boy's name was Wayne Hopkins, and he seemed very cheerful when introducing himself. Harry assumed that it was more his natural demeanor than the excitement of the feast. He had dark blond hair and brown eyes.

The other boy introduced himself as Roger Malone, he looked as tired as Harry felt, and seemed a bit more on the reserved side. Neither had been sitting near Harry when he was being questioned, and he could tell they were waiting for him to introduce himself. "Harry doesn't talk." Tom supplied for them.

"Oh, no problem, sorry then." Wayne said sheepishly, though Harry had to wonder what he was sorry about. "Harry was it? Well it's nice to meet you!" Harry gave a nod and small smile. "So, you must be his genie then, right?"

"I think that is rather obvious, yes." Tom was obviously unimpressed by the question.

"That's really cool." Wayne didn't seem to catch on, but he left them alone after that, something Harry was grateful for. The other two boys started dressing down into their own night clothes and Harry laid down in the bed that was his own. He doubted he'd stay in it. While it was most definitely better then the orphanage beds in every way, he could bet that nightmares would still plague him. In fact, as soon as the lights were out and he was more comfortable with the idea that the others were asleep did he crawl out of bed and find Tom's in the dark. He knew it was Tom when he heard the covers lift at his usual invitation.

Harry crawled into the bed, curling up close to Tom and was more than happy when Tom wrapped an arm around him. Closing his eyes and thinking of everything that had happened today, Harry felt a bit apprehensive at having everybody know that Tom was a genie, and the questions that were sure to be repeatedly asked of him. At the same time, he felt a bit of hope that maybe he could belong here.

Falling asleep to such thoughts, he looked forward to the next day of classes.