A/N: Thank you to everyone for all of your reviews and subscriptions, follows and stars, kudos and comments. Every response I get inspires me to continually write to the best of my abilities. I would also like to announce that I have recently acquired another beta for the Call of the Houses trilogy! So I would like to welcome Charlotte of The Beta Service as one of my primary beta readers. So far we have gone through all of my previously released chapters (across all houses) and have cleaned them up plot and grammar-wise. So again, a BIG thank you to Charlotte, and I hope you enjoy chapter 3!
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Chapter 3: Shopping Trips and Train Rides
Harry and Draco had were sitting outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, arguing for the umpteenth time about Harry's name. Draco believing that Harry should throw it around some more, letting people know he was important and treated as such. While Harry believed that he shouldn't call attention to himself, but earn things on his own merit.
"Honestly though," the blond boy drawled, "ifI hadn't mentioned your last name, we wouldn't have gotten a free second scoop."
"Well I'm glad my name has kept you from starving… poor baby must be so hungry. Did your house elves only give you one helping of pancakes?"
Harry narrowly avoided a spoonful of ice cream (Green Apple Carmel) flying past his head, "Honestly Potter, how many times do I have to tell you, names are power… why do you think your mother doesn't work? Because the Potters… are an ever noble family made of galleons."
Harry rolled his eyes, Draco always brought up the fact his late father's family was one of the richest families in the wizarding world. It's not as though Harry minded particularly, he certainly wasn't one to complain. His father had left his mother full inheritance to the Potter fortune, this not only included the vault, but all of the real estate as well. This resulted in them moving into the smallest of the Potter Manors, and while the Malfoy Estate made it seem like a one bedroom shack, Harry always thought it was rather spacious. Eventually, his mother had started the James Potter Education Fund, which gave grants to families that couldn't afford for their children to afford the most basic school supplies for Hogwarts. This money often went towards muggleborn students whose parents were forced to spend close to all of their money (magic and otherwise) as a result of the exchange rate and fee Gringotts charged them.
"Earth to Potter, did you get hit in the head by a bludger yesterday or what?"
Honestly, Harry had just learned to tune Draco out whenever he talked about money, family, or blood statuses, "What now Draco, did a poor muggle orphan steal your candy?"
Draco flashed Harry a look at the mere mention of the word muggle, "No Potter, I said it's getting to be the time our mother's wanted us to meet them at them at Madam Malkins."
They got up to leave, Harry leaving a few Galleons as a tip, "It ensures better service for future endeavors…" he would have to explain whenever Draco scoffed. That had only been part of the reasoning really, Harry often just felt the need to be generous with what he had been given.
As they caught up with their mothers outside of the robe shop both boys caught a snippet of the conversation they were having.
"Honestly Lily, a pureblood family is receiving some of the money this year, I couldn't believe it myself."
"Narcissa really, I'm not sure if I'm more surprised by the fact that a pureblood family had been given a portion of the fund, or that it isn't always going to a pureblood family."
"Why Ms. Potter," she exclaimed sarcastically, holding back laughter "when you made me treasurer of the James Potter fund I gave you my word I would divide it fairly amongst all of the needy!"
"And you truly believe that family to be needy?"
"Darling, have you seen them? The poorest purebloods I know are the Wea… Draco!"
The youngest Malfoy pretended not to hear the conversation they had just overheard, "Hello mother, pleasure to see you again Ms. Potter."
"Hello Draco dear, I trust you boys were behaved at Mr. Fortescue's?"
"Oh yes Ma'am, Harry even offered to clean off the table, but Mr. Fortescue's sent us right on our way, telling us to keep our mother's waiting."
Lily looked to her son to confirm this, who only nodded and smiled, "Alright then, let's get you two inside."
As they walked through the door and a chime went off and a squat, smiling witch came through the back door.
"Good afternoon, I am Madam Malkin, how may I help you today?"
Mrs. Malfoy decided to speak up, "Yes, we came to get two sets of Hogwarts robes."
"Of course dear, I'm afraid I have another one in the back, so I can only take one right now. You dear" she looked to Harry, "follow me".
In the back of the shop, a tall boy with red hair and freckles was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to him) slipped a long robe over his head, and began to pin it to the right length.
"Hello," said the boy, "Hogwarts, too?"
"Yes," said Harry.
"My father's up the street with my brothers and mother's at Eeylop's with my sister," said the boy. He had an abrasive voice. "After this I'm going to be dragged to buy books with my brother Percy, he's a prefect this year, bloody annoying too, our parents are buying him an owl to celebrate, can you believe that?"
"Yes." Harry said, hoping that would put an end to their conversation.
"Well I can't, honestly they complain about money not growing on trees. Honestly when Bill was around… that's my oldest brother, Bill… He works for Gringotts, curse breaker you know. There's seven of us you know, six boys and one girl. Ginny, she's the youngest… will be going to Hogwarts next year, Bill's already graduated of course. What's your name again? I don't think I got it, I'm Ron by the way, Ron Weasley." The boy held out a hand, but it was smacked down by the witch doing his robes.
"Harry," he responded dryly, "Harry Potter… Ow!" Madam Malkin had accidentally pricked him with a needle.
"Sorry dearie."
"Bloody Hell," the other boy gawked (Harry felt his face start to turn red), "Fred's not going to believe this! Do you mind if I introduce you to them, them being my family of course."
"I'm actually rather busy today" Harry replied, getting slightly annoyed.
The boy opened his mouth to say something else, but was cut off when the witch who had been working on him stood up, "Alright dearie, all done you can hop on down now." And with that the red head was shuffled out of the shop, his stool soon replaced by a familiar face.
"Was that who I thought it was?" Draco smirked.
"Ron Weadleys or something."
"I knew it! That was Ron Weasley, his family got some of your father's fund this year!"
"You're joking." Harry asked, astounded.
"I swear, when mother was talking she had mentioned the Weasley's but she stopped when she saw us… I'd bet your broomstick on it."
"Why are you always betting my broomstick? It's not as though it's any risk if you lose it."
"Well technically I bought it for you, albeit as a present, but I still bought it."
"You mean your father bought it, and by that logic I own the robes Weasley just walked out with."
Draco then had a look of pure delight on his face, as though Christmas had come in July, "You must invite him to your party this year… We could have so much fun!"
"I'm not sure Draco, he seemed rather rude…"
"He won't be once the party is over, trust me Harry." And of course, Harry did. Once Madam Malkin had finished with Harry he was brought out to the front had his robes purchased by his mother.
"Would it be alright if we invited Ron Weasley to my birthday party?"
"I'm not sure Harry, most of the invitations have been sent out already, why do you ask?" His mother was of course surprised, she hadn't known that Harry knew any of the Weasleys, a family she hadn't talked to since the war.
"I just met him while being fitted, he seemed like… an alright person… Plus he is my age and I didn't know if he had any friends, with all of his brothers and whatnot."
"Alright Harry I'll see what I can do."
After the Malfoys paid for their robes the two families started walking towards Ollivander's, the last stop they had to make that afternoon. They had almost reached the store front when Harry heard a high pitched voice from behind him.
"That's him, that's him mum! That's Harry Potter! Ron was telling the truth, he did meet him! Can I get closer mum? Can I?"
Harry clenched his fist and felt his mother's hand on his shoulder, "It's alright Harry, just ignore them."
"Stop pointing Ginevra," he heard sharp voice call out, "it's rude, now come along, where did your brother run off to, he was supposed to meet Percy and us here ten minutes ago."
Where Percy was, Harry didn't find out because he and Draco were herded into the store by their mothers.
"Honestly, the nerve of that family!"
"Narcissa don't..."
"Well truthfully, must they…"
"Hello ladies," a soft voice called out. Narcissa gasped, from being cut off, or surprised, Harry wasn't quite sure.
"Honestly Mr. Ollivander, you mustn't sneak up on a lady like that."
But the old man ignored the woman's protest and focused his wide, pale eyes on Harry.
"Ah yes," said the man. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter." It wasn't a question. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work."
Mr. Ollivander moved closer to Harry. Harry wished he would blink. Those silvery eyes were a bit creepy.
"Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it - it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course."
Mr. Ollivander had come so close that he and Harry were almost nose to nose. Harry could see himself reflected in those misty eyes.
"And that's where..."
Mr. Ollivander touched the lightning scar on Harry's forehead with a long, white finger.
"I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it," he said softly. "Thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands... well, if I'd known what that wand was going out into the world to do..."
He shook his head and then, to Harry's relief, his mother coughed.
"Mr. Ollivander?" she began, "I hope not to be a bother, but we are a bit rushed today."
"Ah yes," he smiled, "Right away Ms. Potter, sorry for the delay! Well, now, Mr. Potter. Let me see." He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"
"My right, sir" said Harry.
"Hold out your arm. That's it." He measured Harry from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round his head. As he measured, he said, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."
Harry suddenly realized that the tape measure, which was measuring between his nostrils, was doing this on its own. Mr. Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down boxes.
"That will do," he said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor.
"Right then, Mr. Potter. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a wave."
Harry took the wand and waved it around a bit, but Mr. Ollivander snatched it out of his hand almost at once.
"Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy. Try -"
Harry tried - but he had hardly raised the wand when it, too, was snatched back by Mr. Ollivander.
"No, no -here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy. Go on, go on, try it out."
Harry tried. And tried. He had no idea what Mr. Ollivander was waiting for. The pile of tried wands was mounting higher and higher on the spindly chair in the corner, but the more wands Mr. Ollivander pulled from the shelves, the happier he seemed to become.
"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere - I wonder, now - - yes, why not - unusual combination - holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
Harry took the wand. He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers. He raised the wand above his head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of silver and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls. Mrs. Malfoy clapped, Draco muttered something about a showoff, and his mother gave Harry an affectionate rub on the back.
Mr. Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, verygood. Well, well, well... how curious... how very curious... "
He put Harry's wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper, still muttering, "Curious... curious..."
"Sorry," said Harry, "but what's curious?"
Mr. Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather - just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother why, its brother gave you that scar."
Harry swallowed.
"Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember... I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter... After all, He- Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things - terrible, yes, but great."
Harry shivered. He wasn't sure he liked Mr. Ollivander too much.
"Mr. Ollivander!" Mrs. Malfoy called out, "If you are done giving this poor boy a fright, I would appreciate it if my son could purchase his wand… today perhaps?"
"Why yes… of course Mrs. Malfoy…" His said, his eyes glistening, "Right away."
Without measuring Draco whatsoever the old man disappeared into the back and was back in a matter of seconds with a black box, "10 inches precisely, Hawthorn wood, with a unicorn hair core… reasonably pliant, Mr. Malfoy. Very suited for one as ambitious as yourself I might say."
Grabbing the wand from the box Draco gave it a quick flick with his wrist, instantly green sparks flew out of the wand, accompanied by silver streamers.
"Very good Mr. Malfoy, let me just wrap that up for you." Pulling the wand out of Draco's hand without another word he finished packaging both wands and brought them to his counter, "that will be seven Galleons each ladies, is there anything else I may be able to help you with?"
Shaking their heads, the two women paid the man and left the shop with their sons in front of them, after shutting the door behind them Harry heard a few words shared between the two wives.
"I think you upset him Narcissa."
"Well really, putting Harry on display like that…"
The two families parted ways at the fireplace in the leaky cauldron, the Malfoys promising to arrive early at Harry's party if they needed help setting up (Resulting in Draco flashing Harry a quick Smirk), and with that Harry stepped into the Mantel.
"Potter Manor!"
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It had been an hour before the party was planned to start when the Malfoy family had arrived, all three of them stepping out of the fireplace and into the sitting room. Two of the house elves appeared, one to take the presents they brought, and another to clean any soot they might have gathered on the way there. Hearing arrivals Lily stepped out of the dining room to greet them.
"Narcissa, Lucius, Draco, how nice of you all to make it, but the party doesn't start for another hour."
Mr. Malfoy looked towards his son, "Draco had assured us that he and Harry had something to set up, you wouldn't have been lying would you son?"
Draco met his father's eyes with a smile, "Of course not father, it's just a game us boys were planning on playing once some more guests arrived, something that we didn't want to trouble Miss Potter with."
Lily snapped a finger and instantly a house elf wearing an ordinary suit with the Potter crest over the pocket appeared, "How may Crackly assist you today Ma'am?"
"Could you go fetch Harry from his room, and tell him that Draco is here, thank you Crackly." The house elf disappeared with a pop, and the host turned back to her guests.
"It truly is amazing," Naricissa began "how happy your elves seem to be, you must tell me your secret Lily."
"Well it would help if you would be polite with them to start with," she flashed a look at Mr. Malfoy, "but I also allow them to make their own clothes with materials I have extra of, that way they don't consider it 'me giving them clothes'. They consider it an order that they make clothes for themselves, a rather interesting loophole in their magical contract don't you think?"
Mrs. Malfoy seemed to be pondering that for a moment, "Yes I do suppose that makes sense, no one else but you would have thought of that."
Harry appeared in the hallway moments later (followed by his personal house elf Needer).
"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, thank you very much for coming to my party, I'm pleased you could make it."
Mrs. Malfoy giggled at the young boy, "Why how polite of you Mr. Potter… now how long have you been practicing that particular line?"
"Only since last night of course" he replied with a cheeky smile
Mr. Malfoy wore a polite smile, "Draco tells me you have business to set up?"
Harry looked at Draco, seeing his pleading eyes he decided to play along, "Yes… Uhh yes sir… Business that may need our attention for the next few minutes."
Without offering an excuse the two boys briskly walked down a few hallways, when they came close to reaching Harry's room Draco pulled him into the study next door. Harry shot the boy an irritated look. Clearly seeing the birthday boy wasn't pleased, Draco quickly offered an explanation.
"I know what you're thinking Harry, but we haven't got a lot of time. In order to set everything up for Weasley we need an old looking arm chair, a desk… and a cat if you've got one."
"Draco, in all the times you've been at my home, have you ever seen a cat?"
"Point taken… alright, we can do it without the cat… just… wear a fancy looking cloak or something alright?"
"Draco, tell me what's going on."
"No, no, then it won't be genuine… just play along when he gets here alright? Trust me."
Harry let out an exaggerated sigh, "Alright Draco, but this better be worth it…"
"Oh it will Harry, just you wait." the Malfoy gave Harry one of his many smirks, "Oh and Harry… thanks for lying to my father back there, I owe you one."
"Sure Draco, whatever you say." Harry waved it off, assuming he said things like this all the time. But Draco grabbed his arm, keeping him from leaving.
"No Harry, I owe you one." And then, Harry could tell that he was serious.
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By the time Harry and Draco finished setting everything up in the study other guests were arriving left and right. Most of the guests arriving had been Draco's friends who had become Harry's friends once Draco introduced him at the blond boy's party a year ago. Harry dutifully greeted all of the guests as taught by his mother, while doing so he had received several concerning looks from Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe, not quite sure if they were in on the "Weasley Plan" Harry shot a questioning glance in Draco's direction, who pretended to not notice what was going on. Eventually the moment Draco had been waiting for arrived after most of the parents went to the lounge, with the red headed boy stepping through the fireplace Draco made his way over to Harry.
"Once you greet him, wait five minutes then go to the study." Draco whispered discretely in his ear.
Trusting Draco's directions, Harry greeted Ron and his father (whom he learned from Draco worked at the ministry). After talking about Quidditch with Theo Nott, a boy Harry's age that would be attending Hogwarts that year too, Harry briskly walked to the prearranged room. He wrapped himself in a warm golden coat he had found in the attic, and sat down, feeling rather silly, in an oversized chair. Not two minutes after sitting down there was a knock on the door followed by Draco's voice.
"Mr. Potter, I believe it is time for our meeting."
Remembering to play along Harry tried sounding important, "You may enter."
The doors swung open and Draco paraded into the room, followed by a very intimidated Ron. After Ron entered the room Harry could see why he was so intimidated, directly behind the boy were Crabbe and Goyle, the latter of the two shut the door behind them. The entire situation left Harry with one feeling, what had he gotten himself into.
With his back towards Ron, Draco held up a finger to his lips, signaling Harry not to say a word. Giving Draco a nod of understanding, the Malfoy heir spun on his heel to face Ron.
"Hello Weasley, I can only assume that you haven't figured out why you were summoned here?"
"S-s-summoned? You told me to follow you, or else your 'friends' would make me follow you in a painful way. I don't know what's going on Harry, I swear I…"
"Silence, don't speak directly to Lord Potter, if it weren't for him you wouldn't be able to afford the robes on your back now would you?"
"I-I-I don't understand. What does any of this have to do with my robes?"
"Oh I believe it has everything to do with your robes, along with your wand, your books, even the telescope you've acquired… You see, as I've come to understand it, you've recently come into some galleons from the James Potter Education Fund, is that correct?"
"What? How did you figure that out, no one is supposed to know about…"
"I have my sources Weasley" Draco added a sneer on the boy's surname for added effect, "Answer the question, did you or did you not?"
"Y-yes, but I don't have anything to do with that, I can't give it back, my family needs it."
"Honestly…" (Harry could feel Draco roll his eyes from his chair) "Lord Potter doesn't need your gold, he wants something more… sustaining to his nature…"
"I don't understand…"
"Yes, we've gathered that you… 'Don't understand', what Potter wants are… favors."
"Favors?"
"Is there an echo in here? Yes Weasley, favors! You see, there may come a time when Potter isn't able to do something, or he may not just want to do it, at that time, he will call upon you to do what he pleases. No matter the task, you must comply."
"But I don't…"
"You DARE" Draco interrupted, "Deny him this? If it weren't for his family you wouldn't afford food! Let alone a wand to use, or robes that aren't hand-me-downs. Yet you choose to deny him this one thing?"
"No... I umm… it's just that" the poor boy kept looking between Draco, Harry (who had kept his face neutral the entire time), and the two goons stationed at the door, seeing that he would be getting no help anytime soon, the youngest Weasley boy conceded, "Alright, I'll do it"
Draco couldn't help but smile, "We'll be in touch. Boys, escort Mr. Weasley back to the party please. Oh, and do not tell anyone about this, or you may find yourself having an accident."
Not bothering to look up from the floor, Ron shuffled his out the door, shutting it behind him. Harry waited until the other three were far enough away to speak to Draco.
"Are you out of your mind Malfoy?!" He couldn't believe everything that had just taken place, "What is the matter with you?!"
"Honestly Harry, I was doing you a favor. That is how you use your name to your advantage."
"But I don't want Weasley to become my slave, that has no appeal to me at all!"
"Harry I don't think you realize the golden opportunity you've been given, just keep your options open."
Harry sighed inwardly, knowing full well that Draco did have a point, but he didn't have to like it, "let's just get back to the party."
"Very well, oh… and now I don't owe you anymore."
Harry let out a laugh, he should have known Draco would find a way to wipe his slate clean, even if that meant dragging someone through the mud to do it.
The rest of the party had been nowhere near as eventful as what had taken place in the study, but eventually it had come time for Harry to open his presents. After the house elves brought out the presents Harry was astounded by the sheer amount of them, he assumed this was the result of all of his friend's parents wanting to impress "the-boy-who-lived". Harry rolled his eyes at the thought, but was thankful and opened the presents anyways. From the Knotts (Theo and Mr. Knott) he received a book about alchemy, claiming that it was a fascinating subject, even if they didn't teach it at school. Crabbe and Goyle split the cost of Curses and Countercurses (Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue- Tying and Much, Much More) by Professor Vindictus Viridian. He opened Ron's present to find a homemade black sweater with a golden H stitched on the front, with a note saying it was made by his mother, this made Harry's heart sink. From the Malfoy Family he received a screech owl, which he named Screech (resulting in Draco commenting on his originality). Mrs. Malfoy gave him a new set of emerald dress robes, making him promise he would wear them at the Malfoy Christmas party. From Mr. Malfoy he received a watch charmed to grow warm whenever you are late, which he guaranteed Harry would be useful once his first term started.
This was how the night went on for Harry, receiving a gift, thanking the guest, soon followed by him bidding them farewell. After the last guests left, the Malfoys, Harry slumped down on the coach, all of the gracefulness of being a host leaving him.
"Who would have known… that having a party could be so exhausting…" he yawned, sleep threatening to overtake him.
His mother stood in by the couch with a simple brown package in her hand, smiling down at Harry. He wasn't quite sure, but Harry thought there was something… sad about his mom's smile.
"Just one last gift honey. This was your father's and now that you're starting school I think he would have wanted you to have it. Try not to use it to get into too much trouble, okay?"
Not quite sure what she meant Harry took the package from her and opened it. What came out was a soft magnificent cloak. Harry tried it on, wrapping it around his shoulders, only to jump back in alarm when the rest of his body had vanished.
"Yes, your father said he had the same reaction when he got it from his father."
Harry hugged his mother tightly, "I love it… thank you"
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Harry had been waiting in the compartment for the past 30 minutes, since he was the newest friend in their group, Draco had elected him in charge of holding the compartment for them until the rest of their friends got there. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, and turning people away that check inside the compartment, the blond boy finally showed up. His reaction, was not what Harry was expecting.
"What… are you doing here?"
Harry was shocked, did Draco not expect him to show, to just blow it off? "What do you mean what am I doing here? You told me to make sure we all had a compartment!"
"Yes… so why didn't you have Weasley save the compartment for you…"
"You have got to be joking…"
But before Draco could start laughing the train lurched into motion, and they were joined by Theo, Crabbe, and Goyle, all of which found Harry's situation funny. Which made the moment even more worthwhile for Harry's friends was Ron Weasley knocking on the compartment door not five minutes later.
"Mr. Potter?" He began feebly, "The trolley is coming around, would you like any snacks?"
"Honestly Weasley" Draco answered without giving Harry time to react, "Wouldn't you like snacks right now… if you could afford it." Everyone in the room (aside from Harry and Ron) laughed uproariously. To which Draco only added to the commotion by throwing a galleon at Ron.
"Go buy a bit of everything, and keep the change, you could buy an entire new wardrobe with it!"
"I don't owe you any favors, Malfoy"
"What did you say?"
Not wanting the situation to escalate Harry quickly jumped in, "Just go buy the snacks Ron"
The boy shot him a quick glare before disappearing into the hallway, returning a few moments later to throw the snacks on the floor and leave without another word.
"That boy has no manners," Draco drawled on, "I think we may need to fix that once we arrive."
"Can't we just leave him alone?" All eyes were on Harry… "I mean really, do we have to pick on him so badly?"
Draco just shook his head as though Harry were completely inept, "Harry, Harry, Harry. If we weren't doing this then he would feel completely obligated to take, or feel like he even deserves, your family's hard earned money. Then what's to stop him from walking all over you?"
"I know, I just think that we should lie low for a while. You know, not cause any trouble"
"Ok." Draco held his hands up in mock surrender, "We won't seek out trouble against Ron Weasley, alright guys?"
Everyone in the compartment silently nodded their head and Draco continued, "Alright then, who's ready for a game of exploding snap?"
After round upon round of exploding snap Harry nursed his sore fingers and looked out the window, realizing how dark it was, he gathered that they had to be arriving at the castle sometime soon. Suggesting they changed into their robes all of the boys fumbled around in the room knocking elbows and stepping on toes and finally were ready to depart the train, just in time because the trees gave way to a small town and train came to a halt.
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The train slowed down and came to a stop. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Harry shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Harry heard a loud booming voice: "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"
Harry followed the sound of the voice until his eyes came to rest on the tallest, hairiest man he had ever seen. From all of the stories his father had told him, he assumed he had finally come face to face with Hagrid, the groundskeeper that his mother had always had tea with after getting teased.
"C'mon, follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"
Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much. Neville, a boy Harry heard about that kept losing his toad, sniffed once or twice.
"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a loud "Oooooh!"
The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black take. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry, Draco, Crabbe and Theo were in one boat, which left Goyle sharing a boat with Ron, who was muttering something about "Favors".
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then - FORWARD!"
And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.
"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.
"Trevor!" cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands. Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.
"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.
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A/N: There you have it! You've gotten your first glimpse at Lily, who in trying to acclimate to a richer lifestyle has found a friend in her son's friend's mother. Narcissa basically teaching Lily everything there is to know about the upper class in the wizarding world. But don't worry Lily still remains humane, proof of which, she used some of the Potter funds to set up a charity that helps needy families send their children to Hogwarts with better quality supplies. You also got your first glimpse at how Draco's behavior has influenced Harry! Don't worry, this isn't going to be a Dark!Harry story, as you might be able to tell he feels bad about everything that happened with Ron.
To those of you who may be concerned about what houses everyone will be sorted into, that will be coming up in the next chapter so you won't have to wait long! That being said expect a significantly sorter chapter next week involving only the sorting and Harry's days before classes start. However I do plan on going into greater details and introducing you to more and more Slytherin students!
Also, another big thanks to my beta Charlotte, and don't forget to leave a review or drop a PM!