Draco was talking with his friends, Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle while they waited in line to get on a boat. Draco was so excited because he was finally going to be a student at his parents school. He was telling (bragging) his friends all about his parents. His mother died during childbirth, but his Papa and Dad had been together for as long as he could remember. Hid dad blood adopted him as a baby. His Papa (Lucius Malfoy) has been the History of Magic teacher for a few years. The board of governors decided that having a ghost teacher was not a good idea. His Dad (Severus Snape) was the Potions Professor, and he was the youngest Potion master in world. Draco was very proud of his parents, and he wanted everyone to know that they were his. All of the older students knew already because Draco has been living at the castle with his parents since he was very little. He spent a lot of time with his grandfather (Albus Dumbledore! Did he mention that his grandfather was the headmaster!?) as he was the only family member that didn't have to teach classes. He wasn't allowed into his Dad's potion lectures anymore ever since he caused an explosion. His dad had swatted him on the backside in front of the entire class and forced him to stand in the corner like some toddler for the rest of class. That night, they had a big family meeting with Papa, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma (Minerva McGonagall). They were all very disappointed in him, and Papa gave him a bare-bottomed spanking. It was so embarrassing.

Draco was released from his thoughts when Marcus Flint tapped him on the shoulder. Draco smiled up at Marcus and shyly nodded to the other boy, Oliver Wood. He knew who Wood was because he was an amazing keeper in quidditch. He was confused why Marcus and Oliver Wood were together, and even more confused why they were with a very small child. She didn't look old enough to be here. Marcus and Oliver drew him to side and explained that they needed someone to make sure Harriet (the small girl) was brought to the Great Hall for sorting with the rest of the first years.

Marcus then reached behind himself and pulled the little girl out from her hiding spot behind his legs. He introduced her and Draco. When Draco looked at her, he felt immediately protective of her. He shook her hand and gasped when a small tingle went through his arm. Marcus knelt down and told her that she needed to stay with Draco for a little while, but that he would catch up with her after the sorting. Her expression turned fearful, and she latched on to Marcus and began shaking her head fiercely. It was dark outside, but Draco could see the tears running down her face and he felt bad for her. He didn't understand why she was so scared. Oliver Wood stepped forward and started rubbing her back. They both whispered to her.

Harry POV:

Harry latched on to Marcus when he told her that she needed to go with this new boy, Draco. He seemed nice enough, and there was funny/nice feeling that went through her when they shook hands, but she still didn't want to go with him. She wanted to stay with Marcus and Oliver. Marcus hugged her while Oliver patted her back, and they both whispered promises, "Don't worry. It won't be for long" "It will be alright, little one."

In her desperation not to be left with Draco, she had dropped Mr. Snakey. Draco picked him up and handed it to her. She gave Draco a small, wet smile and pulled Mr. Snakey close to her body. This calmed her down enough to allow Marcus to pry her of his waist and hold her at arms length. Draco felt proud of his quick thinking to comfort the girl with her snake toy and smirked at the struggling older boys. They were both knelt down next to Harriet and almost at their wits ends. Finally, Marcus pulled away and gruffly said, "Enough, Harriet. We cannot come with you. You said you were a big girl, so be one now. You need to go with Draco, and Oliver and I will meet you in the Great Hall after the sorting."

Oliver POV:

Oliver sighed thinking that Marcus was a little rough with Harriet just now, but it seemed to halt her tears and panic, so he couldn't be too upset. She immediately stopped fighting Marcus and Oliver and hugged Mr. Snakey closer to herself. She stepped away from the older boys. Draco shot them a disapproving look, and grabbed her hand to steer her towards the boats. Oliver looked away from Draco and Harriet to notice the glaring he and Marcus were receiving from a lot of first years. He felt crushed. He wanted to go grab Harriet back and give her a bone-crushing hug and reassure her, but he knew this had to be done. He gave Marcus his own disapproving look and took off towards the carriages for the older students.

Surprisingly, Marcus got into a carriage with him. "I'm sorry, " he said. "That may a have been a little gruff. I didn't mean to upset her. I just lost my patience a little, and everyone was staring at us. I will apologize to her later."

Oliver didn't respond to his apology. He was even more surprised with Marcus grabbed his hand and pulled his chin to force him to look Marcus in the eyes. "Please, Oliver. I don't know why I care so much what you think all of a sudden, but I can't have you and her both mad at me."

Oliver guessed that hell must have frozen over because the next thing he knew he was pulling Marcus in for a sweet, chaste kiss on the lips.

Not one for many words, Marcus sat there dumbstruck. He liked the kiss, but why? He was gay, was he? Even if he was gay, he wouldn't date a bloody Gryffindor, especially not this Gryffindor. They were destined to be rivals. But that kiss felt so nice. He was confused. The rest of the ride to the castle was in awkward silence. When they got out of the carriage. They realized that Oliver was still carrying Harriet's small grocery bag. He decided to return it to her after the sorting.

They awkwardly parted ways to go towards their own house tables, but they kept stealing glances at one another.

Harry's POV:

Meanwhile, Harry was still glued to Draco's side and holding his hand with the arm that was not clutching Mr. Snakey. The boat ride was beautiful, and Harry really enjoyed the view of the castle. She couldn't believe that she was going to live here, and she had already made two frieds…hopefully three friends.

"Draco" she said, "Will you be my friend?"

Draco smiled sweetly at her. He didn't know what it was about her that made him so protective of her. She seemed so innocent and sweet, like a small child to be treasured. He nodded, "Of course, Harriet, we can be best friends. Maybe we will be in the same house. I bet I get sorted into Slytherin because that's where my Papa was, and my Dad is the Head of Slytherin house."

Harriet beamed back at him excited. "Wow, Draco! You are so lucky. You get to have both of your parents here! Wait, don't you have a Momma?"

Draco smiled sadly, "No. My mother died giving birth to me, but I still have my Papa, and my Dad blood adopted me. They are both my parents by law and by blood. What are your parents like?"

Harriet looked down at her feet and responded sadly, "My parents died when I was a baby. I was raised by my aunt and uncle." She paused as if to think about something, then continued, "I met Marcus and Oliver at the train station. They helped me get on the train. They said that they don't think my relatives are very nice, and they are going to try and find me a new family!"

Draco looked hopeful, "Maybe Papa and Dad could blood adopt you too! Then we could be more than best friends, we could be family!"

Harriet smiled and looked like she was about to say something, but the boat had arrived and Hagrid was helping the first years onto the dry ground. Draco, still holding Harriet's hand, helped her off of the boat and walked with her up to the castle.