A/N: I sincerely thank you for reading. Special mention to arte0135 and neverfall16.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

2. Solitaire unravelling

Professor Severus Snape was looking forward to the beginning of the new course at Hogwarts and specifically to the arrival of the new students. Well, specially the entrance of the late celebrity -as he contemptibly thought of him. He perceived in his demeanour the arrogance of his father, James Potter. He would never forgive him.

The opening ceremony commenced, the newcomers were greeted at the castle and headed to the Great Hall, where they were going to be sorted into their respective houses.

"Harry Potter" the Sorting Hat took his time to deliver whether Harry should be in Slytherin or Gryffindor, as you already may know.

Why does he have to resemble his father so much? Snape wondered while he examined the black-haired, bespectacled child. That overbearing look in his face... That smile I am not able to take out of my head, if only he had not died... The situation would remain the same, sure, but I would not feel this guilt inside of me. I bet he is just as cowardly as his father. Weak and selfish James, why would you give me everything for the mere sake of ripping it all apart only to disown me later? Why would you forsake me with the lively reminiscence of you? You were always such a bloody bastard of a player. And I was under your mercy.. I still AM, even ten years after your death I still cannot forgive you...neither forget you.

"Gryffindor!" the Sorting Hat finally shouted, which lead to a cheer applause by all the Gryffindor students.

Gryffindor, of course. He has to stand out, like his father. Obviously, he belongs to the arrogant, self-centered Gryffindors.

"Draco Malfoy" it was now turn for the pale-faced boy to be sorted into a house. "Slytherin" was the almost immediate decision.

The Malfoy kid... why is he looking towards Potter? And what is more mysterious, why is it not despise what I see in his eyes but... could it be... admiration? If the odds are against puerile Draco, as I fear, and the story repeats itself, he certainly is as condemned as I am. At that moment, Severus started to grow a condescending feeling towards the blond-haired child.

Later that day, professor Snape gave the first-year students their first Potions lesson.

There he comes... Potter. He walks like James, speaks like James and even gawkes like James despite having Lilly's eyes. I could take advantage of him so easily now, that could be my vendetta for all the suffering James enforced to me.

Severus humiliated and mocked Harry in his first day at Hogwarts leaving the latter to think he hated him for no other reason than Snape being a follower of Voldemort.

"Draco Malfoy" the hooked-nosed professor planned to have a word with the child when the class ended. "As I see you have a natural talent for this subject, you will stay for advanced lessons."

Draco had the intention to meet Harry after the Potions class but since the green-eyed left with Weasley without saying a word, just giving him a momentary wink and a hint of a smirk, he found rather interesting staying with the bright professor.

"Occlumency?" the Malfoy kid looked at the professor with disbelieving eyes. Severus wanted to teach the art of Occlumency to his favorite student and protect him of anyone who would try to harm him through his subconscious, specially Potter.

"You can use this ability to protect your mind from undesirable nosy eyes." the professor stated as they began the lesson.

At first, Snape penetrated Draco's thoughts without fair efforts. He observed the difficult childhood he was having, his inner principles against his father, Voldemort and his escort.

So, Voldemort really is back...was his first deliberation after watching Lucius Malfoy and other former Death Eaters gathering together through the little boy's mind who was spying on them. He recognized them all and one specially disturbed him. She...! I cannot believe that Draco has not said a word about her.

Suddenly, the scenery changed dramatically. He was now in front of an insecure speechless Potter while Malfoy introduced himself to him. He was moved by the self-hatred emotions Draco felt at that moment. It reminded him the mixture of hate and auto-compassion he felt whenever he was with James.

Draco's memories were showing Snape now the two children's first true interaction, at the forbidden corridor. The blond boy was approaching the black-haired too much and Snape lost his self-control. He was lost in the young Potter's lips which resembled his father's so much that the professor could not help but desire them. He experienced Draco's gentle kiss to Harry as if he himself was touching his reluctantly beloved James.

And then reality fell on Severus again as he was now facing a not-very-pleased Draco.

"That was private, professor" the boy remarked after being able to close his mind to the teacher.

"But you did it. You managed to take control of your brain and shield it from harm. I must congratulate you, Malfoy, you are rarely talented. You must now leave until the next class."

xxx

Draco Malfoy knew there was something the professor was hiding him. He seemed so lost when he saw him kissing Harry. Harry! I have to reach him before our next class.

He found Harry near to the Forbidden Forest along with Ron Weasley.

"Hey, Weasel, I see you enjoy your time with your boyfriend here but I just found your nauseating rat and entrusted it to a three-headed hungry dog on the third floor."

The red-haired run away with a scared face, leaving the two boys alone.

"Did you have to lie like that?" the green-eyed boy gave slight look of shame to the grey-eyed.

"Why do you think I'm lying? I really despise him." Draco answered, smirking.

"Really? A three-headed dog?" Harry incredulously asked as he did not believe his friend.

"That's what I saw, you can go see for yourself tonight, if you don't believe me." Malfoy stated as he reached for his friend's hand. "Now come with me, there's something I want to show you."

The other boy obeyed and followed him to a solitary waste ground where two brooms levitated a few inches from the ground.

"Brooms?" Harry asked with a disbelieving and frightened voice.

"You really sucked today at Potions.. So, do you want to disappoint every teacher and student who look up to you or will you let me help you and teach you a bit?" Draco said as he winked an eye to Harry.

"You're going to teach me?"

"You scared, Potter?" Malfoy maliciously smiled as he grabbed his friend from the waist and placed him on one of the brooms.

"You wish" Harry said, returning the smile and letting Draco lead him.

After a long while, the young Malfoy managed to decently train Harry at the flying skill. The truth was that whenever Draco flied away and asked Harry to catch him, it was the desperation to touch his pale skin again that made Harry's both broom and heart race faster and faster.

And that is how Harry Potter worked out an authentic talent at flying.

A/N: Hope you enjoy it. As you see the story is pacing rather slow, tell me if that bores you or you would prefer it faster. I don't want to shoot any spoiler but you won't be seeing much of evil Harry for now. Please R&R