Chapter Two

Harry shook his head as he departed from the teachers' table and to his own chambers to wash his face and hands after dinner. He contemplated on how to approach the subject with the boy. Colin's twin, Ryan, was sorted into Gryffindor as well; however, he did not look as bad as Colin did. If it was from an abusive parent, did that mean Colin protected his brother? Could it be possible that Ryan was the one causing Colin the pain and torment? Maybe he could get Hermione and Ginny to keep an eye on them – they were doing their NEWTS this year, Ron had left to help George with the shop. On his desk in his personal study was a list of prefects from his house.

5th years – Samuel Lane and Penny Griffith

6th years – Dennis Creevey and Marie Wilson

7th years – Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley

Not a bad bunch, Harry thought. There was no longer head boy or head girl, just prefects for now. He looked at his watched. Ten minutes 'til he was to greet his house. He was strangely nervous. He changed out of his formal robes and into black trousers and a white shirt with a buttoned up cardigan to keep the chill away. Harry made his way up to the Gryffindor portrait hole where The Fat Lady Sat. "Password?"

"Beazor," Harry replied. She smiled gently and swung forward. Harry took a deep breath before walking through.

Silence greeted him; all the students looked in awe at him. A roar of cheers and applaud rang around the room. Harry held his hand up for silence. "Thank you. Now you all know curfew is at nine, half ten for fifth years and above. If anyone has any issues this year, come to me or one of your prefects; they are - Samuel Lane and Penny Griffith, Dennis Creevey and Marie Wilson and Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley, none of them bite and I wish for you all to pay attention to their advice. Third years, you will receive your timetables at breakfast tomorrow, sixth years; there will be meetings during your free period first thing tomorrow. Please remember, your house is like your family, I do not want any fighting or bullying, remember, we need the house points because we don't want Professor Snape and his Slytherins to win do we?"

"No!" agreed his house.

"Quidditch practices will start in two weeks, next week there will be try outs. Quidditch captain has been given to Miss Ginny Weasley." Harry nodded to Ginny. "Now does anyone have any questions? No? Ok then, I want you all to get proper sleep tonight ready for your first day tomorrow. Good luck and don't forget to have fun." The house departed in their little groups, Harry waved to Hermione and Ginny before they went up to their dormitory.

"Sir?" A small first year squeaked. "I can't open my case."

"Ryan Webb, isn't it?" The small boy nodded. "Let's go and see it."

The First year's dormitory for the boys had three beds, one was empty, which he presumed was Ryan's another one had a dark haired boy unpacking and the third had Colin Webb sleeping on it, to under the covers or changed. Ryan indicated his case and Harry set to work trying to open it but every time he went to touch the lock the case gave of an electric type shock. After the fifth attempt Harry stopped. He sat back looking confused. Colin stirred in his sleep and sat up staring at Harry. "Who are you?" he asked alarmed. "What are you doing to my brother's case?"

"I'm Professor Harry Potter, Head of Gryffindor. I am trying to unlock it for him."

"Let me do it." Within seconds Colin had unlocked it. "There you go Ryan. Everything is in there and safe." Ryan tanked his brother and started to unpack what little belongings he had. Both twins had everything on the school list but little else. No personal items, no toys or books, no non school uniform clothes.

"Do you have any casual clothes with you?" Harry asked gently.

"I'm going to see my brother Seamus," the dark haired boy feeling uncomfortable with where the conversation was going. Harry nodded his thanks. Ryan looked to Colin.

"No Sir. We can't afford them Sir." Colin said simply.

"Ok, didn't you have any before you came?"

"Yes Sir but our parents got rid of them because they were old and dirty."

"Erm okay." Harry was stumped as to what to say next.

"It's okay Sir," Colin reassured Harry. "We are used to it. Our parents are rarely home and we get clothes when our Dad is finished with them." Colin did not seem to understand what was wrong with what he had just said.

"Okay, let's unpack your belongings onto your bed so I can see what you have a don't have." Both boys did so quickly. On there beds lay 3 sets of plain black work robes, a plain pointed hat, a pair of protective gloves, a winter coat, a wand, a cauldron a telescope, a set of glass phials and a set brass scales, they all looked to be second hand. The books, (The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)- Miranda Goshawk -A History of Magic-Bathilda Bagshot -Magical Theory-Adalbert Waffling -A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration-Emeric Switch -One Thousand Herbs and Fungi-Phyllida Spore-Magical Drafts and Potions-Arsenius Jigger -Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them-Newt Scamander -The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection-Quentin Trimble) looked even more battered and had pages missing from them all. "Do you not have any parchment, quills, or ink?" Both boys shook their heads. "Ok." Harry drew a deep breath whilst summoning the Diagon Alley catalogue from his study. The thick catalogue came to rest on his lap, Harry sat down with a twin on either side. "If you see anything you like point it out." Harry started at the school equipment buying parchment, exercise books, quills, and bottles of black ink. He went on to buying pyjamas the twins had pointed out along with several pairs of jeans, jogging bottoms, tee shirts, shirts, jumpers and underwear. Harry bought both boys a wrist watch so they could keep track of the time as well as alarm clocks. After about ten minutes a flock of owls had accumulated themselves outside the dormitory window with Harry's latest purchases. Unloading the Owl's burdens one by one, he assigned various items to either twin. Both boy's eyes lit up, unable to comprehend the kindness Harry had shown them with the amount of stuff he had bought them.

"Th-th-thank you Sir," Colin stuttered. "You didn't have to."

"No I didn't but I wanted to." Harry looked at them both. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to come and find me. Now get some sleep, you will need your strength for tomorrow. We will continue this chat on Friday afternoon. I will ocme and collect you both. Sweet dreams children."