A/N: Here is the next updated chapter. As I said before, years ago when I wrote the original second chapter, I'm splitting the years into parts. It depends on the year as to how many parts there are. Enjoy!

First Year Part 1

September 1, 1991

"Listen to those pleas Potter, how can you ignore that?" Voldemort sneered as his red gaze fell on to the person who was on their knees begging to Harry.

"It's all lies and nonsense. They are just telling me for selfish reasons. They can't seem to just let me go or let me be in charge for once," Harry responded angrily not taking his eyes off of Voldemort.

"No Harry! I am not lying! I love you! I've always loved you. Please don't do this. Please, Harry," the person begged again moving closer to Harry.

The tears were back again and Harry struggled to keep them from falling. His eyes wavered to glance down at the person whom he had loved for so long. Their eyes met and all that was there was truth. He immediately returned his gaze to Voldemort who was looking between the two and had this calculating look in his eyes and then his paper thin lips slowly began to curve into a smile.

XXXX

"First years, o'er! First years!" a giant of a man called over the swarming students who were disembarking from the train. Harry and Draco both turned and grinned at the man. They were very familiar with whom he was and as always they were thrilled to see him.

"Hello, Hagrid!" Harry and Draco chimed together. They weaved their way through the students and gave Hagrid a big hug.

"Draco, Harry, nice trip, yeah?" he asked them patting them both on the head when they stepped back.

Draco and Harry exchanged looks and shrugged. "It was long, but there weren't too many problems," Harry replied.

Hagrid lifted a big busy eyebrow in curiosity, but chose to not pursue it seeing as they both looked just fine. "Alright then. Off to the boats with ya'," he said as he ushered them in the opposite direction of a majority of the students.

Ron and a boy named Neville Longbottom had turned up next to them and they shared the same boat over the Black Lake. Harry glanced at the water apprehensively and could have sworn he saw many faces looking up at him. He pointed it out to Draco who couldn't see anything, but the murky black water. Harry continued to glance down at the water and continued to see the faces. He also noticed that Neville was shaking profusely in his seat and slinking closer and closer to Ron who was trying to push him away.

"Neville, stop scooting so close!" Ron cried as he pushed the boy away from him once again. Draco and Harry both turned to look at the two shaking the boat. Neville's eyes widened in fear as he looked around frantically.

"Ron, he's scared. Lay off," Draco pointed out. Ron turned and looked at Neville in confusion.

"What is there to be afraid of? The boats magical so no students can fall out no matter how much you shake it," Ron said.

"T-th-that's n-n-not what I-I was told," Neville responded his voice shaking and his bottom lip trembling.

"What were you told?" Ron questioned still looking confused.

Neville gulped and took a breath. "I was told…that…as you cross the lake that Hogwarts decides if you're….worthy…and if it doesn't….think….so then the boat will dump you into the lake…a-a-and the merpeople will…e-e-eat you," Neville explained.

"And who told you that?" Harry asked, his eyes drifting to the water again. He no longer saw any faces in the water and wondered if he was imagining things, but the possibility of merpeople being in the water didn't seem too farfetched.

Neville looked around fearfully scanning the faces of people in other boats. "Theodore Nott," he whispered

"Theo Nott! That guys a jerk! Don't listen to him," Draco exclaimed loudly.

A few people turned from other boats and looked over at Draco. He paid them no mind and didn't care that Theo heard him as well.

"Draco, shh, Theo heard you," Neville whispered fearfully glancing up at the dark haired boy a few boats over.

"I don't care if he heard me. He's a jerk and shouldn't say stuff like that to people. You are not going to fall out of this boat no matter what we do to it so relax and stop worrying so much," Draco ordered sending a glare Theo's way. Neville stared at him in surprise and couldn't help, but nod and abide by Draco's command. Harry glanced over at his best friend and smirked. Ron just shook his head and grinned glad to have the outspoken boy as a friend.

The rest of the way up to the castle continued on with little drama all around. All the students were rather quiet the closer they got to the castle. All worrying about what house they were going to be placed in and who their dorm mates were going to be. Draco wasn't concerned about what house he was going to be in since he already knew; all he was worried about was Harry. His best friend was looking very apprehensive and worried. They had been attached at the hip since they were a little over a year old and this was going to be the first time that they didn't do something together. They always did everything together. They played the same sports together, they enjoyed the same subjects, they were always in the same class through school; they did everything together.

Draco couldn't lie to himself and say that he wasn't worried about the fact that things were going to change. He had assured himself that no matter what house they were in or what classes they took that they were still going to be the best of friends. With that thought in mind he reached over and squeezed Harry's hand that was gripping the seat between them. Harry looked up and they exchanged a quiet assurance of the other's fears. Harry was the first to smile and nod which Draco returned. No matter what they'd be okay.

XXXX

Harry stood towards the end of the line behind twin sisters Padma and Parvati Patil and behind him was an annoying blonde haired boy named Zacharias Smith. He hoped that he was not going to be sorted into his house because that would mean he'd have to share a room with him and that just wasn't something he wanted. He glanced up a few people in front of him and found Draco standing rigid in place. Theo Nott was right behind him and Harry watched as the boy clenched and unclenched his fists. Surely he wouldn't do something in front of all the teachers, Harry thought as he kept a close eye on him. He feared that Theo would also be sorted into Slytherin with Draco which meant they'd be stuck in the same dorm. Harry was brought out of his thoughts as Dumbledore stood and effectively silenced the crowd.

"Welcome returning Hogwarts students and new students! This year is shaping up to be a wonderful year if I do say so myself! Now before we do the sorting our caretaker Filch would like me to remind you that as always the Forbidden Forest is off limits as the name suggests and also the third floor corridor is off limits as well as it is under renovations at the moment. Now that I've said that let's begin the sorting. Good luck first years!" Dumbledore called as he smiled kindly down at all of them.

Harry looked around at the long tables that were assigned to each house. He saw Ron's brothers sitting at the Gryffindor table and the twins gave him thumbs up and big smiles in encouragement. Harry sighed and returned a small smile before turning his attention back to the sorting. His eyes fell on Draco's who was looking behind him searching for Harry. He gave him a nervous smile and gestured to his right wrist at the bracelet there. Harry felt the weight of his own on his left wrist and smiled back. He barely noticed the glare that Nott was sending him over his shoulder.

The first to get sorted into Gryffindor was a giggly girl named Lavender Brown. Padma and Parvati broke into cheers at her placement and Harry found himself cringing at their giggling. Next to be sorted was a little Irish boy named Seamus Finnegan. Harry hadn't met him yet, but he seemed like a nice kid and he found himself chuckling as the boy leapt off the stool and knocked it over. Seamus glanced back at it and then with a sheepish smile he picked it up and put it back up. Harry had a feeling that this boy was going to be accident prone.

Harry noticed that Crabbe was no longer in line and he scanned the tables and found him sitting at Slytherin. When they called out Goyle's name and he was sorted to Slytherin, Harry began to worry about Draco and being with those goons. If Nott gets sorted into Slytherin, Draco's going to go nuts, he thought. He pushed those thoughts away for the time being and noticed that the bushy haired girl, Hermione Granger, was on the stool. Harry crossed his fingers in hope that she'd be sorted into Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff or something, but unfortunately luck was not on his side as she was sorted into Gryffindor.

The sorting went on with people that Harry didn't really care where they went. He really only cared about where Draco was going to be and where he was going to be. When it was Neville's turn he watched and hoped that he would end up in Gryffindor like he assumed he would be. He already felt a kinship with Neville. This time he got his wish and Neville was sorted into Gryffindor. There were two more people to go before it was Draco's turn. Harry was chewing on his nails which were already threatening to bleed. The time between the next two felt like forever and then it was Draco's turn. He lifted his chin up, walking regally to the stool which made Harry smile despite feeling the dread seep into him. The hat barely touched Draco's head before it announced….Slytherin.

Harry's smile faded and his hands dropped to his sides. Tears began welling in his eyes as he watched Draco's shoulders sag ever so slightly as he stood up from the stool. He glanced back at Harry with an expression that Harry couldn't quite read before he turned and walked over to the Slytherin table. Harry watched him go over and most of those at the table aside from Crabbe and Goyle applauded him and gave him pats on the back in welcome. Harry's eyes moved away unable to meet Draco's who was facing him and watching him closely. He could see the tears in Harry's eyes and he felt a familiar pain in his gut knowing that there wasn't anything he could do.

Harry glanced back at the Gryffindor table noticing that the Weasleys were giving him pitying looks as well as Hermione surprisingly or not really because Harry had a feeling that she was a very perceptive individual. Someone cleared their throat and Harry turned around and realized that it was his turn. He stared up at Professor McGonagall, blushing profusely. He wondered how long he'd been standing there spacing out.

"Mister Potter, it is your turn," McGonagall said in her typical stern voice. Harry gulped and stepped forward. He glanced over at Draco who was watching him while subsequently glaring at Nott who had taken the seat across from him. Harry sat down on the stool and McGonagall placed the hat on his head. The hat sunk onto his head covering his eyes. Harry shifted in his seat as the sorting hat didn't make a sound. Finally it began speaking to him.

"Ah, Harry Potter, how I've waited to meet you. Let's see where to sort you, where to sort you…I see you want to be in Slytherin to be with Draco and you would do well there, but I'm afraid that I am going to put you elsewhere. You and Draco will do better in opposite houses. You may not see it yet, but in time you will. Therefore I am going to put you in…GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat called out. The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers and Harry felt himself smile at the applause, but as Draco could see from where he sat Harry's eyes showed an entirely different emotion that he couldn't quite understand.

Soon after the sorting was complete and the feast began. Another boy named Blaise Zabini had been sorted into his house and he was currently sitting next to Draco.

"Bummer that your boyfriend got sorted into a different house eh, Malfoy?" Theo sneered.

Draco's head shot up and he glared at him. "Shut it, Nott."

"I don't think I will. What are you going to do now without Snape stepping in or your boyfriend to protect you?" Theo teased.

"I don't need a teacher's protection or Harry to fight my battles for me," Draco responded his voice icy.

"What do you thinks going to happen Malfoy? You think you and Potter are going to stay 'best friends' as you call it and that you'll always 'love' each other?" Theo asked with a knowing look. A flicker of surprise and worry crossed his expression. Nott heard us. Stupid, nosy, idiot prat! Draco seethed as he stared at him. "We are on opposite ends with the Gryffindors. We are all that is dark and evil of Hogwarts and the Wizarding world and the Gryffindors are high and mighty and holier than thou and they will eat our dust. Your friendship doesn't stand a chance," Theo promised.

"Nott, how about you just shut up now? We all know that you are all talk and no action. You think you're so damn smart because your daddy was You-Know-Who's right hand man. Just because you don't have true friends doesn't mean you have to ruin the relationships of those who do," Blaise piped up coming to Draco's defense. Draco glanced over at the Italian boy in surprise and then gratefulness.

Theo looked between the two with a calculating look. He didn't say a word and turned away from them his attention on a girl sitting next to him. Draco looked back at Blaise again and smiled his thanks. Blaise grinned and nodded then they both turned and began eating once again.

XXXX

Harry was seated between Hermione and Neville after watching the rest of the sorting with a blank face. He didn't brighten up until Ron took a seat across from him grinning from ear to ear.

"I can't believe it! I got into Gryffindor. I really wasn't sure there for awhile, but I'm so glad that I am in here. We'll get to be roommates Harry! Bummer about Draco though," Ron exclaimed happily.

"There was never a doubt in my mind little brother," Fred teased as he ruffled Ron's hair.

"Ron, be considerate of other people's feelings. Geez," Hermione chastised glancing over at Harry.

Ron looked over at Harry sheepishly. "Sorry, mate," he said quietly.

Harry shrugged and looked over to the Slytherin table. He watched the confrontation between Draco and Theo angrily because he wanted to be there to stick up for him, but then his anger turned into confusion and some other emotion that he hadn't experienced very often. He watched the new exchange between Blaise and Draco and he felt, jealous? I couldn't possibly be jealous. Why would I be? Draco can make other friends. I have other friends so why can't he? But the way they are looking at each other… Harry's thoughts were running rampant and he found himself losing his appetite all of a sudden. He pushed his plate away and placed his head down on the table resting in his arms.

Ron and Hermione exchanged looks and looked down at Harry in concern. "Harry, are you not feeling well?" Ron questioned.

Harry lifted his head. "I'm fine just tired I think." He didn't turn to look back over at the Slytherin table so he didn't see Draco looking over at him in concern.

Soon enough the food was gone and the students were looking up at Dumbledore who had stood once again. "Now that dinner is finished it is off to bed for all of you. We start bright and early with class so I hope you all get yourselves settled and get plenty of rest tonight. Please follow your prefects to your dorms and remember the third floor corridor is off limits. Good night all!" Dumbledore said with a clap of his hands. All the students stood and began shuffling out of the Great Hall.

Percy was leading the Gryffindors right next to the Slytherins and Harry felt someone shove him from the side and he ran right into Seamus who tripped and fell over in front of Neville who in turn tripped over him and caught the legs of a third year Gryffindor. They created quite the pile up. "Watch where you're going, Potter," Theo hissed as he passed him and the piled up Gryffindors. Crabbe and Goyle were not far behind and copied their leader's sneer. Harry turned and began helping the pile of his housemates up off the ground. He noticed a pale hand reaching down and helping as well and recognized it instantly. He looked up into Draco's stormy gray eyes that looked at him with worry. Harry stood up straighter now that everyone was up off the ground. Draco stepped towards him and was about to talk to him when Professor McGonagall came over.

"What happened here, Mister Potter?" she demanded looking at the ruffled students.

"I lost my footing ma'am and ran into Seamus and it just kind of went from there," Harry replied. Draco gave Harry a stern look and Harry just shrugged. McGonagall looked between the two and then turned to Draco.

"Mister Malfoy, do you have something to add?" she implored.

Draco looked at Harry who was avoiding his eyes. He sighed and turned back to her. "No professor, I don't have anything to add."

"Well then I suggest we get moving and get to bed. Mister Potter, please do be more careful," she added before she briskly walked away.

Draco turned to Harry again. "Why didn't you tell her what really happened?" he demanded.

"Because we've dealt with Nott enough today. What did he say to you earlier?" Harry replied.

"It doesn't matter. He was just being a git and talking nonsense. What was wrong with you earlier? Are you sick or something?" Draco asked in concern.

Harry shook his head unwilling to admit the feelings that were coursing through him earlier about the exchange between Draco and Blaise. "I'm just tired is all. I'll see you in the morning; maybe we'll have a class or two together. And Draco, be safe down there. Use as many protection spells as you can think of," Harry responded.

"You can't fool me Harry. I know you far too well. Something's wrong and I'm going to figure out what it is, but until then I will definitely heed your advice. I've only got one potential friend in my dorm room so it's a good idea to be safe. Harry you be safe too. Don't do anything stupid unless I'm with you to keep an eye on you. I'll see you in the morning," Draco said with a tender smile. He quickly squeezed his hand and turned towards the dungeons where the remaining members of his house were heading.

Harry watched him go and felt a tender touch on his hand. "Harry, it'll be okay. This year will fly by so fast and then you two can hang out all the time again," Hermione told him kindly.

"How do you know so much about us?" Harry asked turning to look at Hermione.

"I'm very perceptive and I can feel how much you two care about each other and need each other. I'm here if you ever need anything. I know we don't know each other very well, but I have a feeling we will get to know each other almost as well as you and Draco know each other," Hermione replied smiling kindly once again. Harry returned the smile genuinely and nodded. They continued following after their classmates and as Harry ascended the stairs he missed the look that Draco was giving him and Hermione. The same look as Harry had for him and Blaise.