The next month was a paradox for Nico. On the one hand the time seemed to fly especially when he was studying his textbooks but on the other hand, September 1st could not come fast enough. The orphanage was exciting in the beginning but after seeing Diagon Alley nothing could compare.

There were a few things that had no downside or anything to bring him down. Like Ms. Prince taking him to the local thrift shop so he, for the first time in his life, could have some fitting clothes. She also made him get a tank for Fluffy which was annoying but, then again, she was probably right that he'd need one at Hogwarts. He'd been getting 3 full meals a day for the first time in his life. He couldn't eat a lot in the beginning because his stomach was too small but as the month went on he ate more and more. Between the food and the potion, he'd gone from looking starved to just looking skinny.

One of the best things were the other witches & wizards at the orphanage. There was Jordan Powell and Liliana Summerfield- both 10 and not going to Hogwarts for another year. All the other witches and wizards were already going to oldest two were Taylor Colbetzor and Dani Hart- both going to be 6th years and both in Ravenclaw. Sunita was to be a 4th year Hufflepuff and the youngest of the group, excluding Nico, was Taylor's brother Daniel. He was going into his 3rd year in Gryffindor. Most of the group was Muggleborns- the Colbetzors were Muggleborn orphans while Dani's parents had kicked her out when she got her Hogwarts letter. Sunita was a half-blood but her mom, a witch, died in childbirth and her dad, a muggle, got hit by a bus when she was 5. Neither parent had any family to take her in so she went into the system. They told Nico about life at Hogwarts. That as long as you read the textbook you could, and would, sleep through History of Magic, you should NEVER, not even under threat, accept candy from the Weasley twins, and Professor Snape was horribly mean and always, ALWAYS, favored Slytherin.

The last comment confused Nico, Professor Snape had been pretty nice when the pair had gone to Diagon Alley. And Nico said so.

"However he treated you outside of school at school he's not going to be as nice especially if you become a Gryffindor," Daniel told him.

"Honestly speaking, Professor Snape isn't that bad as long as you aren't a Lion. And one could argue that since the Headmaster favors Gryffindors all Snape is doing evening the score." Sunita pointed out.

"How does he do that?" Daniel exclaimed, outraged.

"If a Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin had done ½ the stuff the Weasley twins have done they'd been kicked out in their 1st year. Whenever a Gryffindor goes to the Headmaster's office he gives them an admonishment and MAYBE a night of detention. And that's for things that someone from another house would get a letter home and a week of detention. I know Snape is unfair to Gryffindors but Dumbledore is unfair to everybody else." Sunita explained.

Daniel spluttered at Sunita's fairly accurate assessment of the situation "You can't deny that he favors Slytherin- way more than Dumbledore favors Gryffindor."

"Except that he's the only person who ever gives them a break."

"Well one of them called me a Mudblood!"

This is where Dani stepped in "After you called her and her Soul Mate dykes. And then implied that the Slytherin's Soulmate was a gold digger"

"Wait, what do you mean by 'Soul Mate'?" Nico interjected

"In your 4th year Charms class, you'll learn about the various bonds that a couple can form. One of which is a Soulmate bond. This type of bond is rare but not extremely so. It is unique because it's the only bond where the pair cannot choose their partners and it is the only one that can be completed before both of them have come of age- instead it can be formed as long both people involved are 15 or above. This is because a Soul Mate bond is formed by two extremely compatible magical cores and one's magical core is considered fully mature at 15. It is not only celebrated in the Wizarding World but also considered sacred. Which is why Daniel's comments were received so harshly. That and homophobia doesn't really exist in the Wizarding World."

"Well, how is it formed if you can't choose who to form it with? How do you find your Soul Mate, if you have one, for that matter?"

"To answer your questions in reverse order Soul Mates are usually drawn to each other and report that skin on skin contact feels not only comforting but pleasurable- even simple touches like bumping arms. And they're formed when the pair kisses for the first time- in fact, Soul Mate bonds are where the whole 'true love's kiss' came from."

Daniel butted in, bitter that Dani wasn't on his side, "Except how was I supposed to know all that?"

Sunita had the answer this time "You could have gone to the library to research it- like some of us Puffs did. Or, if you're truly opposed to research outside of classwork, asked a pureblood or an older year. Either way what you said was unacceptable and there really isn't an excuse."

Daniel rolled his eyes "I'm going to bed."

"Daniel has the right idea. We do have to get on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow." With that, the group dispersed and went off to their separate beds.

The next morning Ms. Prince took the 5 Hogwarts-age witches and wizards to King's Cross station. On the car ride there Taylor explained to Nico how to get onto the platform. Nico was the last one to go through the barrier. She couldn't actually take them to the platform because the weekend caretaker was out sick He was standing there, still incredulous about the whole 'walking through the barrier' bit despite seeing 4 people do the same. He was taking the first steps toward the barrier when he a voice appeared at his side. "Nicodemus, it's a pleasure to see you again."

The voice was greasy with a posh accent. It was so close to the one that gave Nico goosebumps and tingles. He turned to greet a man with long, white blonde hair and walking stick with a snake head. Two people stood with him- a haughty-looking woman with slightly darker blonde hair and Draco. "Mr. Malfoy, I must say I am pleased to see you as well. I assume the radiant woman with you is your wife?" Nico said with a small smile.

"Narcissa Malfoy, it's a pleasure to meet you." She extended her left hand.

"Nicodemus Evans, I am honored to make your acquaintance."

Draco glanced up at the clock above the barrier. "Nico, Father, Mother it's nearly 11:45 and I want to get a good compartment." Lucius raised his walking stick, inviting Nico to lead the way. Nico strode confidently into the barrier not showing that all he could think was Please let this work. Please dear God, don't let me just run into a bloody stone wall and break my nose. At the very last second, he cringed. After a moment of silence, he heard a train whistle and the return of hustle bustle of a train station. The only difference was instead of barking dogs and businessmen in suits he was surrounded by cooing owls and families in a mix of muggle casual wear and wizarding robes. A couple seconds later he heard Draco's voice, full of amusement. "There's no need to gawk, Evans."

Nico rolled his eyes, "There's no need to be cheeky, Malfoy." He countered with a smirk.

Narcissa turned Draco around and hugged him. "Have fun at school, honey. Don't get into any trouble and do well in all your classes." She kissed the top of his head and released him.

Draco turned to his father. "You know what's expected of you," Lucius told his son and nodded as a form of dismissal.

Draco strode confidently onto the train with Nico in his wake. Draco found a nearly empty compartment- the only other person in there was tall, dark skinned boy. "Hello, Blaise." Draco placed his trunk above the compartment smoothly and with ease. Nico followed his actions, after getting Fluffy from his tank, but due to his short stature, he struggled.

"Hello, Draco. Are going to introduce me to your new friend?" Blaise responded as Draco helped Nico get his trunk onto the shelves.

Draco slid into the seat and was quickly followed by Nico. "Hello, I'm Nicodemus Evans but most people call me Nico."

"Blaise Zabini, though who is the beauty wrapped around your shoulders?"

At that comment, the snake slithered from Nico to Blaise. "That's Fluffy." Blaise Zabini stroked Fluffy's head I like this one, friend. He has good taste. The snake hissed. Nico smirked and rolled his eyes at the remark. "He's also remarkably vain and has a knack for finding those who think him 'beautiful' or 'majestic'."

"Vanity is something Blaise knows about from extensive personal experience." A girl with a snub nose and shoulder-length frizzy brown hair teased. Blaise skated to the wall allowing the girl to plop down next to him. She crinkled her nose. "Who's small, dark, and scrawny?" Draco kicked her shin underneath the table and she sent him a glare.

"Nicodemus Evans but you can. Who's rude, frizzy, and average?" Draco kicked him as well. Unlike Pansy, Nico kicked back

"Pansy Parkinson. I'm glad that the acclaimed Boy-Who-Lived has some spunk."

"What do you mean by that?" Blaise perked up at Pansy's comment. He turned to Nico. "What does she mean by that?"

Nico lifted his bangs, exposing his lightning bolt scar. "My name used to be Harry Potter. Though if you call me that or any variation thereof, it will not be pleasant for you." The other three people in the compartment nodded carefully.

"Any reason you don't like being called by that name?" Pansy asked as the train lurched forward.

"Yes and that reason is none of your business."

"Is there going to be a better response if ask about the huge scar across your face?"

"When I was eight this huge boy, he was like 14 or 15, mind you, backed me into a corner. He said that I needed to learn my place so he carved my face up with his knife. When turned his back I grabbed a brick that was on the ground and bashed his knee in. Then I stole his knife." He pulled out the Bowie knife he always kept on his belt. "That's how I got this. That's also when I got Fluffy. He was in the kid's pocket and I was pretty sure the kid was planning on killing the poor snake so I stole him too. And stabbed the kid's hand." Nico said all of this matter of factly. Given his tone, he could have been recalling what he ate for dinner last night.

After a few moments of silence, during which Fluffy slithered back to his own, Blaise spoke up. "Note to self: Do NOT fuck with Nicodemus Evans. It will not end well." That broke the tension and soon enough everyone laughing hysterically.

They were drawn out of their laughter by a door banging open at the back of the compartment. A boy plodded through the car. He came to the group's compartment and flung the door open "Have any of you seen Harry Potter?" He crinkled his nose as he realized who was in there. "Never mind. You are all just a bunch of slimy snakes."

"Who do you think you are? Barging in here and insulting us. You're lucky we haven't hexed you into oblivion, yet." Pansy exclaimed, darkly emphasizing the 'yet'.

"I'm Harry Potter's best mate so I'd watch your tongue if I were." Everyone in the compartment looked at each other.

"You know Harry Potter? What's your name? What's Potter like? What's his favorite color?" Nico asked, head on his hands, leaning forward, acting like an eager fanboy. Everyone else in the compartment wiped their faces of any emotion, figuring Nico had something up his sleeves.

"I'm Ron Weasley and obviously I know Harry Potter. He's really cool and brave. He knows more spells than some of the 7th years. He also loves Quidditch. His favorite color is red, obviously." Ron said with false confidence.

"Really, because I've never met you. I don't know any spells or what Quidditch is. Also, I think red is an ugly, garish color I much prefer green. And," Nico had long dropped the idiotic fanboy act and pushed his hair from the forehead, "my name used to be Harry Potter."

The color drained from Ron's face "You're Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived? What are you doing hanging around a bunch of Death Eaters?"

"First of all, while I am the Boy-Who-Lived I no longer go by Harry Potter, my name is Nicodemus Evans. And, as far as I know, none of these people around me is old enough to have been of age during the First Wizarding War, in fact, most of them weren't even 1. So how exactly could they have joined Voldemort's," Ron cringed when the other boy uttered the Dark Lord's name, "side and subsequently fought for him?"

"Well, they're parents WERE Death Eaters so-"

"Technically, Zabinis were neutral in the Wizarding War." Blaise pointed

"Either way, it doesn't matter. Children shouldn't be judged by the sins of their parents." Nico argued

"THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PARENTS' DEATH, HARRY!" Ron yelled, pointing at the other people in the compartment.

Nico stood, knife in hand and pointed at the ginger boy. "An insane wizard named Voldemort is responsible for my parents' death. However, my companions' parents may or may not have contributed to my parents' death to put that upon them is gravely offensive. Not only is it an insult to my friends but it is an insult upon my, and my family's, honor. So do want to repeat that, Weasel? "

Ron looked down at the huge knife pointed at him. He gazed into the other boy's eyes only to be met a cold, calculating anger that told anyone who looked into it that Nicodemus could, and would, gut them like a fish. Ron took those things in and scrambled backward, literally running away.

"And my name is Nicodemus." The black haired boy called down the hallway. Once he'd seen Weasley leave the car he shut the compartment door and returned to his new friends.

"So we're your friends, now? What if we didn't want to be your friends?" Pansy teased

"Mostly I called you my friends because it sounded better than 'people I'm sharing a compartment with," Nico responded with a smirk. Pansy rolled her eyes.

The rest of the train ride was rather uneventful. The trolley lady came by and the group bought at least one, if not several, of every item on her cart. And then a little while later a chubby boy came looking for his toad who was apparently named Trevor. About 20 minutes before they arrived at Hogwarts the group changed into their robes.

The train lurched to a stop and the group exited the train and walked down a small path. There was a huge man holding a lantern. "Firs' years over here! Firs' years of here!" He called.

The first year class followed the man to a lake and some boats "No more than four to a boat." The man ordered. Blaise, Pansy, Draco, and Nico all got into one boat with relative ease. Unlike a certain freckled ginger who managed to flip his boat and himself, along with the set of twin girls who were in the boat. Nico's group watched this from a safe distance, laughing at Ron's foolishness and their nearly capsizing their own boat in their mirth.

Once Ron's boat was right side up and filled with eager first-year students the fleet rowed itself, by magic, across the lake to Hogwarts. They caught sight of Hogwarts, lit up by the stars and the moon., and even the purebloods and half-bloods who had grown up listening to stories of the castle were made silent by the castle's majestic beauty. The boats landed on the lakeshore and the students marched, still entranced by Hogwarts, towards their new school.

In the entrance hall, they were met by Professor McGonagall who told them all to smarten themselves up. She saw Ron and the twin girls, who were still dripping wet. "What happened to you three?" She asked pointedly.

One of the girls spoke up. "He jumped, and I do mean jumped, into our boat and capsized it."

Ron turned red. "How was I supposed to know that it would flip over? I've never been on a boat."

The other twin went to argue with Ron but was cut off by McGonagall. "Either way it showed poor judgment but since no one was injured no one will be punished." The witch then pulled out her wand and gave a complicated wave causing a stream of hot air to wash over the trio of 11-year-olds. "Everyone please form a single file line." The group responded as well as any group of 11-year-olds would when told to make a line- they formed a series of clumps that was line-like. So McGonagall had to go down the line and make them become a real line.

She led them into the Great Hall and stopped beside a three-legged stool which held a beaten up pointed hat. All the older students, the ones seated at the House tables, and the teachers stared intently at the hat. The unsorted students were quite confused until the hat opened at a rip near the brim and began to sing.

"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The entire student body and the teachers burst into applause at the conclusion of the song. Once everyone had settled McGonagall began calling names "Abbott, Hannah."

After only a few moments the hat called out "HUFFLEPUFF." Then the hat sorted a boy with the surname Boot was sent to Ravenclaw.

Nico soon lost interest zoning in and out of the sorting. He perked up when heard McGonagall call "Entwhistle, Kevin." The boy was soon sorted into Hufflepuff. The moment Nico had been waiting for finally came. "Evans, Nicodemus." The Deputy Headmistress announced.

Nico strode to the stool and sat down as McGonagall placed the hat upon his head.

So you're the famous Boy-Who-Lived? The hat asked.

Yeah and apparently not only do you sing, you're telepathic.

Smart one- you could go to Ravenclaw. But you'd never truly fit in there- as much as you enjoy learning you don't believe in knowledge solely for knowledge's sake. Once you trust someone you're loyal to a fault. But the trust takes too long to build for you to be a decent Hufflepuff. That leaves Gryffindor and Slytherin.

Everyone expects you to be in Gryffindor- the defeater of You-Know-Who. And you're certainly brave enough. You'll be a true hero there.

On the other hand Slytherin is where you'll make true, life-long friends. As brave as you are you know when, how, to wait until your enemy's back is turned. And I'm sure those in Slytherin will truly appreciate your ability to manipulate. Except that ½ the students there would hate you if they found it about your alter-ego. So I guess I'll leave it up to you- will you wear red and gold or green and silver?

Green has always been my favorite color.

"SLYTHERIN!" The hat called. Most of the teachers gave the requisite polite applause. But McGonagall looked shocked and Dumbledore looked downright apoplectic. Something only noticed by one Potions Professor. Nico stepped from the stage and snagged a seat close to the other Slytherins but enough space for his train friends.

Most of the teachers gave the requisite polite applause. But McGonagall looked shocked and Dumbledore looked downright apoplectic. Something only noticed by one Potions Professor. Nico stepped from the stage and snagged a seat close to the other Slytherins but enough space for his train friends.

Nicodemus took a mild interest in the sorting. He lazily noted that the girl from the bank, Granger, and boy from the train, the one with the toad, both went to Gryffindor. When Malfoy went into Slytherin Nico clapped the hardest. Pansy joined them at the Slytherin table and the twins got split up. Parvati went to Gryffindor and Padma went to Ravenclaw. The red-headed git got himself sorted into Gryffindor. After that Blaise was the last student sorted and he joined the rest of the group as a snake.

Dumbledore stood. "Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
"Thank you!" He waved his wand and food appeared on the tables. The goblets filled with pumpkin juice.

The students dug into the food. Nico had his nutrition potion in his sleeve and he quickly downed it without removing it from his sleeve. Those around him just thought he was just covering a burp or a cough. Nico put a little bit of everything on his plate- not a lot, just a bite or two. His friends chattered but he was focused on the whispers around him. All anyone could talk about was how Harry Potter hadn't been called. Was he dead? Was he at a different school? Was he attending under an alias? After a while the dinner became desert and all Nico got was a slice of berry pie and some vanilla ice cream.

Dumbledore stood once again at the end of the feast. "I have a few announcements to make. The Forbidden Forest is, as the name suggests Forbidden. Mr. Filch would like me to remind you that Dungbombs, Fanged Frisbees, and Screaming Yo-Yos are still banned. The third floor corridor is banned under pain of certain death. Also, for those of you wondering about Harry Potter he has chosen to attend Hogwarts under the name Nicodemus Evans. Now- the school song."