Warning: References to torture

Chapter 2: Major Differences

Harry had some of the third years carry his gifts to the Slytherin Common Room. He was laughing with some of the fifth years, and there for not able to carry his things. Blonde hair caught Harry's eyes. "Draco, my dear friend."

"Harry, you should know by now that Slytherins don't make friends," the blonde chuckled.

"Of course, we make disposable allies and useful acquaintances," Harry smiled. "But the most important thing is to keep up appearances. Thus, you are my 'friend'."

"Well, said," Draco smiled back. "So, what would call your relationship with the Weasley twins?'

"Do you want to be pranked by them? I know I don't, and besides they allowed me to have quite an advantage over my Muggles. One that none of my Slytherin friends have been able to beat. All I have to do is sponsor them. And we all know that won't be a problem."

"Just don't get too close to them," Draco said with arrogance, "you might catch their obsession with Muggles."

"I don't think that Fred and George are going to much of a problem in that department," Harry sighed knowingly. He knew all too well how much the Weasley twins hated Muggles. It surprised Harry the first time he found out this epic fact. It sent a small thrill through him when he remembered walking in on the twins torturing a Muggle woman. He shivered unpleasantly at how they almost killed him on the spot. He was glad that the three of them became quick friends.

"It would be the other Weasleys that will get on my case about that. Oh, and let's not forget the fact that Ronald begs and pleads his mummy not to let me stay over the summers. Which reminds me, what about you lot. I find it funny that a pair of Gryffindors want me in their home, when my fellow Slytherins don't. It makes me wonder if you all don't like me." Harry mumbled with mock hurt.

"No, It's because you are as scary as fuck," Theodore said, "even the seventh years are afraid of you. Hell, the seventh years have been afraid of you since second year."

"Oh dear, am I really not that approachable?" Harry mocked concern. Then more seriously, "Unicorn Blood." The passageway to Slytherin Dungeon opened.

"You have no idea," Zabani laughed. "We get questions asked about sleeping in the same room all the time."

"Not all of them are good," Theodore said. The Common Room quieted when the upper classmen saw Harry enter. Everyone in the room nodded toward Harry. The boy in question didn't even acknowledge anyone. He simply went to his armchair in the back of the room and sat down with graceful laziness. After a few moments the room was filled with busy talking.

"I don't see what you mean," Harry smiled with false innocence.

Harry sat at Slytherin Table surrounded by students from the other houses. It was a surprise to him that there was a Gryffindor at the table as well. That didn't happen very often. But then again, people do tend to surprise him every now and then. This morning the small group was discussing potions. They were going through their summer homework. Harry kept a kind smile on his face as he helped a third year Ravenclaw. He thought it was funny that he was helping a Ravenclaw in the first place.

"Harry, we have some very important business to discuss with you," the twins said from behind him. The green eyed boy politely excused himself from the study group. Almost immediately the group dispersed to their own tables.

"How may I help you fine gentlemen?" Harry asked with relief. If he had to explain what the Ravenclaw did wrong one more time he would have hexed her.

"We are starting to test our products on first years. If all goes well, we'll be able to start selling within two months." the two reported.

"How close did you two think I was getting to gouging her eyes out?" Harry chuckled.

"Only about a second away," George smiled.

"Would have been horrible," Fred fake shuddered. The three laughed. They had seen Harry take his rage out on a first year before. He was almost as violent as the two of them. But they had the unfair advantage of there being two of them.

"Indeed, it would be hard to explain considering how many witnesses there would have been," Harry felt like his smile wouldn't go away. "So, two months and you'll be up and running. I'm excited to see what the two of you have come up with. I can't wait."

The three of them spoke until more students shuffled into the Great Hall. Harry ate with the other Slytherins from his year. None of them really held his attention for very long. He became bored with talking to them already, but for appearances Harry made it look like he was interested with what everyone had to say. It wasn't until someone brought up Hermione Granger. Harry immediately scowled at Parkinson.

"What about the little Mudblood?" Harry said harshly. Parkinson cringed away from Harry.

"She, um, was saying things about you again, while on the train." Parkinson said quickly. "We shut her up though. But everyone knows how Granger is. She won't be quiet for long."

"You should have just let me deal with it in the first place," the other Slytherins were starting to shift in their seats as Harry glared at Parkinson. "You know very God damn well that now I have to deal with her being more of a nosy bitch. I thought that after last year you would have learned."

Harry was seething at this point. And Parkinson looked as though she wanted to disappear. Then Harry heard someone call his name. The green eyed boy immediately put a smile on his face and looked toward the voice.

"Oh, yes Professor?" Harry was looking at Professor Sprout. Neville Longbottom was standing behind her.

"Mr. Potter, I was hoping you could help Mr. Longbottom with moving some of the herbs to the potions labs."

"Of course Professor Sprout. I wouldn't mind at all." Harry smiled, and as he got up to leave he gave Parkinson one last hard glare. Professor Sprout lead the two boys to the Green Houses.

"Now, all of these plants and herbs are going to the labs." the stout woman pointed out which ones. "I trust the both of you to do this. And if you are late to your first class, I'll send your professor an owl."

The woman left the Gryffindor and Slytherin in the Green House alone. "So, do you want to get the door while I levitate the supplies out of the Green House?" Longbottom asked. Harry immediately felt like he was being belittled. He knew that he didn't mean it, but that was how it always came out. And it didn't really help Harry's mood.

"How about we just shrink them," Harry stated more than asked.

"If we do that the plants may loose some if their properties," Longbottom told him. Harry found out early on that Longbottom was manageable compared to most other Gryffindors. But that he had could be just as tactless as the others. Never knowing when not to sound like they know everything or when not to sound cocky. Longbottom always sounded like both. But then with growing up with his grandmother Harry knew why he was like that. In fact it surprised Harry that he wasn't a Hufflepuff the way he was raised…

Harry once again woke with a start. He was relieved to wake up to Gryffindor red. He decided that he was going crazy, but then dismissed that thought. 'It's just a dream. It's just a dream.' Harry chanted in his head. He just couldn't shake the thought of him torturing someone, let alone the twins. And Neville being so confident and so Gryffindor like. Then he thought of the dream Harry's reaction to Hermione being mentioned. Harry shivered.

After that Harry could not fall back asleep, even though he had at least another hour to sleep. So he just sat in bed. Eventually Harry decided to just get ready for class. Harry sat in the Common Room for a long time before anyone came down. It was no surprise that Hermione was that first person. Harry's thoughts went back to his dream. Suddenly Harry wanted to tell Hermione about the dream, but then decided not to trouble her with a dream.

"Harry, what are you doing up so early?" Hermione asked with surprise.

"I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep. Figured that I might as well get up." Harry answered.

"Does it have something to do with You-Know-Who?" she asked. Harry looked at his friend. Her face was filled with concern. Harry shook his head.

"I just had a very weird dream. My uncle was dancing on a table wearing a speedo." Harry lied and shuddered. That dream might be worse than the real one he had been having. Hermione laughed and said that she wouldn't be able to sleep after that either. It was a while before anyone came down. In that time the two friends talked about classes and Umbridge being the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Harry was not happy about that.

Neville came down followed by several other Gryffindor boys. Not long after the girls came down. All of them looking like they spent a long time getting ready. Something Harry would never understand. The twins came down with a bunch of their boxes of Weasley Weezes. Harry once more thought on his dream. It was so odd at how different his friends in his dream were compared to the real ones.

Ron finally came down looking tired. The Golden Trio left. Harry would have pulled Neville along with them, but he was feeding his plant. Breakfast in the Great Hall was just like it always was. Boring with a few glares from Slytherins on the side. Harry pictured himself sitting at Slytherin Table with each of them ready to lick his shoes the moment he asked. It was so unlike himself. For what seemed like the hundredth time, Harry dismissed his dream.

Harry grumbled the entire way to potions. It was his first class of the year. Harry wanted disappear for a while but knew better than to think that.

Potions was a drag as usual. Harry had left the class with a headache caused from shear frustration and anger. Harry would have thought that Snape would have eventually gotten over his deep hatred of Harry. The rest of the day was slow and just as frustrating as the beginning. Harry wondered if it was because he was in such a bad mood. Once again he thought on how all the Slytherins were terrified of his very presence. Harry found himself wishing that he had that kind of command over people.

It was now getting late and Harry once again found himself drifting into a sleep.