Hello everyone. Here's the newest chapter, and Draco finally appears! Sorry it's late but I just wasn't happy with it and changed it around so many times. Still not 100% happy with the ending but it's better than what I originally had.

Also wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favourited and followed this story so far. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that you have liked what I've written and keep going with it even when I have very little time or ideas. So again thank you

CHAPTER 7

It was finally the first of September and Harry waited nervously for the other students to arrive. As expected he had failed Transfiguration as well as Arithmancy and History, he had to admit it was a strange experience, being quizzed by a ghost. McGonagall had told him that though he had failed her class, he did have potential, and had encouraged him to try learn the first couple of years. He found himself actually enjoying the subject, but had agreed not to take it. Instead he was to study Charms, DADA, Herbiology, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions since he needed at least five subjects.

He paced the first corridor floor until one of the portraits had loudly demanded he stop. The sounds of laughter and conversations reached his ears from downstairs and he found himself perking up slightly. They sounded so happy and excited as they walked into the school with their friends,` talking about their summer and the up coming year. He was tempted to go down stairs and see them but decided to wait for McGonagall to come get him, as he had been told to do since he was to be sorted in front of the school. No, doubt it was the headteachers last attempt to get him to move to Gryffindor, though Harry doubted it would happen.

Last week Dumbledore had invited him to talk in his office, Harry had been led to believe it was about the alliance, however when he got there the man had tried to get him to change houses. The man had finally told him about the prophecy and went on to explain that he was the saviour of the wizarding world, and as such many people looked to him for comfort and hope. Apparently if they found out he was a Slytherin it would cause panic and perhaps even fear, as they would believe it meant he was dark and likely in league with Lord Voldermort. Harry had merely scoffed and stated that if they believed that he was evil because he was in Slytherin, then more fool them. He was who he was and he wasn't going to change just to keep a bunch of strangers happy. If they were that concerned then maybe they should help fight instead of trying to hide behind an idealized sixteen year old. It was safe to say the meeting didn't end well between the two.

Since then he had noticed a couple of ghosts that seemed to always be wherever he just happened to be going, usually the library, and talked almost constantly about the Slytherins bad reputation and the fact it was filled with nothing but dark witches and wizards. He finally snapped and threatened to find a way to exorcise them if they didn't leave him alone, this in turn led to a lecture in which Dumbledore had stated that if he couldn't handle the things people said about Slytherins then maybe he should change houses as it would only get worse.

Harry merely shrugged it off and claimed it was due to his house pride that caused him to act, something that evidently irritated the old man. Snape on the other hand had told him how proud he was that Harry had not let a few gossiping ghosts put the fear in him. He had admitted that it was more a Dark house because most of the children belonged to pureblood families, many of who had joined Voldermort during the first war and was now unable to escape the insane man, not that some wanted to.

Quiet anxious whispers brought him out of his thoughts and judging by the childish giggling and higher pitched voices he assumed that they were the first years he had been waiting on. Sure enough Professor McGonagall stood at the top of the stairs, looking prim and proper as usual with an authoritative air. "It's time to come along Mr Potter." With a nod he followed her towards the nervous group, he couldn't believe how small and young they looked.

"Follow me." The doors to the great hall opened to reveal the room now shining in all its glory. The once empty tables were now filled with students dressed in their black school robes, each with their houses emblem and colours proudly showing. Nothing revealed which table belonged to which house though he knew due to the colours they wore, above them hundreds of lit candles hovered above them almost obscuring the beautifully enchanted ceiling from view.

He could hear the whispered confusion as he walked slowly behind the first years and found himself cringing slightly, to him it was noisy and the various scents made it more difficult to pick individual ones out. This automatically made him feel more alert and wary of his surroundings.

He listened as the Sorting Hat began his cryptic song before watching the younger ones be called forth and then sorted into the various houses. As the last one was called up McGonagall announced him. There was a moment of silence before the hall erupted in hushed whispers, each with their own theory of why he was here now and where he had been before, as well as the typical 'which house' conversation.

Silently he sat on the wooden stool, feeling too big for it and found himself praying it didn't collapse under his weight. He felt the weight of the hat as it was placed once again on his head and the entire room went deathly quiet.

"Ah Mr Potter, yes I was told I would speak to you again. Apparently I am to place you into Gryffindor, not only because it's the only acceptable house for a hero but because it's for the greater good. I've been told that I was foolish to let someone such as yourself into such a dark house as Slytherin, but then again what do I know. I am just a hat."

"Please we both know yer sae much mair than that. Though a am tempted tae go there just tae see if a can figure oot whit he's up tae, but then again am all settled in the dungeons." He thought of the scent that had captured his attention from day one.

"Yes I can see why you would prefer the dungeons than the tower. The scent is lovely isn't it." Harry gave a slight blush as the Hat chuckled away.

"Don't worry, it does my stitching good to see such genuine open mindedness and respect such as yourself. Hmm, but what to do about our little problem? I still believe that you would be excel in Slytherin, it may be dark but sometimes you need a little darkness to see things clearly, do you not."

"Hmm, a could go tae Gryffindor an be the snake amongst the lions, maybe then a can find oot why he's sae desperate fer me tae be there. A cannae believe it's purely cause o ma parents or public opinion, if that wis the reason then why no Ravenclaw? Though from whit a've gathered a think a'll find oot mair in Slytherin, besides its fun tae piss him off."

"Hmm, yes it would be good to see him get knocked down a peg or two, and with a bit of extra cunning I believe you could do it. So naturally how can I choose anything else. Just remember that magic is not as black and white as they would have you believe. SLYTHERIN!"

"O' course its in various shades o' grey, that's why the two can exist so well together." The hat gave another hum of approval as he was removed from Harrys head. Looking back he could see the headteacher had a smile on his face but it was tight and didn't reach his eyes. not that Harry cared and merely gave a cheeky wink before heading towards his fellow housemates.

There was once again an explosion of whispers, this time of disbelief and worry, did this mean their Saviour was a dark wizard or that he would end up dark? The Gryffindors merely looked stunned by the fact he was a Slytherin, but surely the best person to fight a snake would be another snake. The Slytherin table didn't seem that much better, though they seemed more shocked and wary that unhappy, but again he wasn't bothered.

As he approached the table he caught a strong whiff of that scent that had haunted his thoughts for the wast couple of weeks. Unable to resist he followed the scent further up the table and stopped in front of a stunningly beautiful young man. He had a triangular face that tapered into a soft point of his chin, high cheekbones gave him a delicate look as did his doe like grey eyes, that reminded him of liquid silver. His skin was like pale cream and his hair was the palest blonde Harry had ever seen and looked like spun silk. The boy should have looked ill, or washed out but instead he was like a pale angel, so innocent and fragile.

He gave the blonde boy a genuine but predatory looking smile and almost purred as he caught sight of the hint of a blush across the boys cheeks, even as he gave Harry a bored look. "Hello, mind if a sit here?"

Shaking his head the angel moved up slightly and gestured for Harry to sit down. Looking around he could see several curious faces and at once identified his room mates. The two that smelled of sweat and food were large boys with rather blank expression, they vaguely reminded him of his cousin, all brawn and no brain. Across from his angel sat a dark skinned boy with short black hair and a casual grace, he smelled of the musky aftershave that permeated his bed. Next to him sat a tall, lean looking boy with wavy brown hair and hazel eyes, he was the one that smelt of books and unsurprisingly the boy had a book besides him that he seemed more interested in.

"The names Harry Potter, may a ask fer yers?"

"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. Welcome to Slytherin, though I must admit I'm surprised that you weren't sorted into Gryffindor." He merely smiled and gave a shrug, "Whit can a say, the Slytherin dorm just seemed sae much mair appealing." Harry gave a casual once over Draco, his smile widening when Draco seemed to once again give a hint of a blush. Briefly he wondered what it would take to get Draco to properly blush, but before his mind could conjure much up a slightly accented and smooth voice interrupted him.

"My name is Blaise Zabini and next to me is Theodore Nott." Blaise gestured to the quiet brunette next to him who merely gave him a brief nod in greeting before returning to his book. " We're in your year, along with Draco and those two over there. That's Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, they're not the most intelligent but they're alright. So straight to the big question. Where has the Boy-Who-Lived been all these years?" The dark skinned boy leaned forward and Harry noticed Theodore, Draco and a pudgy girl with thick brown hair, a snub nose and too much floral perfume had also leaned slightly closer towards him.

Before he could answer he felt like he was being watched. Looking up he could see a gangly red head glaring at him from across the room. If looks could kill he thought as the other boy continued to glare at him until a bushy haired girl hit him across the back of his head. Looking away he asked, "Who's the red head trying tae kill me wi' his glare."

Draco looked up and gave a soft chuckle, but before he could say anything a small bespectacled boy who looked like he was probably in second or third year spoke up, "That's Ron Weasley, though the family's pureblood they're nothing but filthy blood traitors, with no money and a pathetic love for muggles. My father says that they are a disgrace to the wizarding purebloods and that they deserve to live in poverty for supporting muggleborns. My father says that muggles are nothing but pathetic, stupid and weak creatures that are below us."

"Yer a cheeky wee shite ain't ye. If yer dad told ye that the sky wis green an' unicorns fart rainbows wid ye believe him? Well am sorry tae break it tae ye, but, yer fathers a twat. So whit if their poor, am poor and am sitting here as yer equal, and a like muggles as well." He could see the boy was about to say something but put a hand up to stop him. "Ye gonna hae a go at me fer it, tell me am a traitor. Listen kid, ye ever see or talk tae a muggle, or been around them in their world." The boy looked rather shocked as he shook his head. Harry was aware that the rest of the table was listening to him rather than the headteachers speech.

"A didnae think so. Muggles may not have magic but whit they lack in that they make up fer it in so many ways. Did ye ken that a muggle in Scotland can talk tae another in America instantly by using a phone, what wid take us hours tae look up they can find oot in minutes using something they call the internet. Their musics better as is their entertainment, an' they can protect themselves better than we can.

Aye we got hexes an' the Killing Curse but they got guns, bombs, poisons and Merlin kens whit else. An' they got people trained tae kill withoot hesitation, fer example one can shoot a man deid wi just one shot o their gun whilst hiding a hundred meters away. Can ye dae that way a spell? No ye can't, so afore ye go shooting yer mouth of aboot whit yer daddy says actually get the facts right, or ye risk looking like an ignorant bastard."

Turning he noticed food was now being served and proceeded to help himself to several dishes, uncaring that he was now receiving more than a few wary glances. The boy beside him actually looked a mix between shock, anger and disbelief as he continued to stare at Harry, suddenly the boy asked, "But we have magic, surely that makes us more powerful and, and terrifying? They're scared of us, right?"

"Honestly, they might be but it wouldnae be like the witch hunts. This time they'd probably capture us, study us tae see if they could find oot how oor magic works and how they could use it fer themselves. Muggles are probably crueller than even they ken."

The boy went quiet again as he started to help himself to the food. Harry on the other hand thought back to the few stories Brunhilde had told him about when she lived in Germany and how the muggle war had caused so many changes and fears. On Draco's other side the girl gave a rather loud snort, "Well he might be in Slytherin but it's obvious he's no better than those muggle loving Gryffindorks. Honestly so they can talk to each other, big deal, and who cares if they can use a weapon, they would never be able to do anything to us. Nothing beats magic."

"Shut up Pansy." Draco stared down rather haughtily at the girl who merely gave a smug smile, though he looked arrogant Harry could see the dull look in his grey eyes. Harry wondered what was wrong but knew it wasn't his place to ask. So instead he decided to try and take his mind of whatever was bothering him.

"Sorry, ye asked about where a've been all these years. A bet ye couldnae ever guess." He said to Blaise and noticed both Theodore, Draco and Pansy take interest in the change of conversation as well as several nearby students.

"And just where is it that you come from Potter?" Pansy asked as she disdainfully glanced over him and obviously found him lacking. Harry had to stifle the urge to bare his teeth at the stuck up teen but instead chose to ignore her in favour of the others.

"So any guesses?" He asked as he took a chicken drumstick from the platter in front of him. As he carefully eat it he could see the three of them carefully think over their answers before they said them out loud.

"Well it's obvious by your accent that you've been living in Scotland, and I'm guessing somewhere up north. Maybe one of the isles?" Blaise said and Harry gave a small nod. "Yer close. A do live in the north o' Scotland but on the mainland. Though a've visited several different isles over the years, mainly tae go fishing wi' ma family an' friends."

"I don't get why you can't just tell us." Looking over at Draco it amused him to see the slight pout on the blonde boys face. Shrugging he couldn't stop the small chuckle that escaped him, "No ma fault. A had tae make a promise wi the headteacher that a widnae tell anyone, but a never said a wouldnae answer truthfully if someone guessed it correctly. Ye wanna ken where a've been then take a guess and a'll answer aye or no. An' tae help ye's a'll give ye a clue. It's near the coast but no near any cities or toons, but is near a couple o' lochs."

He could see them frown in thought whilst Pansy merely scoffed and stated that he was probably just doing it for attention, before turning to talk to a rather wide set and slightly intimidating looking black haired girl.

"Would I be right in saying that you can't tell, not because of where you live, but because of who you live with?" Theodore asked quietly, if gaze barely leaving the book he was reading as he spoke. Harry paused mid bite and questioningly tilted his head, "Whit makes ye think that?" He was genuinely curious as to how the boy had realised that so quickly.

"Nothing much. You seem happy for us to guess where you have been and even gave clues, but you haven't said anything about the people that raised you or that surrounded where you lived. I also assume that it is more Professor Dumbledore than yourself that pushed for it to be a secret, so I suggest it is someone or ones that he disapproves of." Harry sat in silent shock and awe at the intelligence the boy seemed to possess. Teasingly he said, "Sure yer no a Ravenclaw." Theodore seemed to blush slightly as Blaise good humouredly teased his friend over the comment.

"Yer completely right. Lets just say that no everybody wid be understanding or accepting o ma family. No that a care aboot whit other people think, honestly a just wanna go back hame, but fer now am stuck here. "So changing the subject, whit are the teachers like?"

Harry spent the next hour happily talking with his new room mates about teachers, classes and their opinions on the other houses. He had to admit that when the spoke about the rivalry between Slytherin and Gryffindor was quite funny, especially with how serious they were with it. He learnt that Snape was naturally the Slytherins favourite teacher, though Harry assumed it was because he was their Head of house. McGonagall was just he had suspected she would be, strict but fair, though she did show her favouritism towards her own house by either deducting less points or by given the Gryffindors less severe punishments.

As the feast came to an end, he watched as Dumbledore gave a disappointed looking glance in his direction, which Harry chose to ignore, before saying his usual closing speech and bidding them all a goodnight.

He followed Draco, Blaise and Theo into the Slytherin dungeon. Inside he could see the nervous first years look around in awe as they saw the common room for the first time and smiled as he remembered feeling the same not so long ago. From the corner of his eye he could see Draco at the other end of the common room, trying to remove himself from Pansy who only seemed to cling on more, and then complain rather loudly over his treatment of her.

He could hear her whine across the room and had to suppress a whine of discomfort as her voice began to literally hurt his ears. Not only that but he could see just how uncomfortable Draco was become with the scene she was causing, so he went to save his angel from the claws of she-devil. He couldn't help the smirk as he thought of several ways he could do it, and none were innocent.

Shaking his head of those thoughts he approached the pair just as Draco managed to step away from her. Seeing Pansy go to latch onto Draco Harry wrapped an arm casually around his shoulders and gave her a cold stare.

"Draco, come on am shattered an' ye promised tae show me the dorm we're in. Oh, an a bit o' advice, grabbing a guy like that only make ye look desperate an' nuts. See ye later." Without another word he led Draco towards the boys dorms and headed straight to their dorm without hesitation. When Draco raised a questioning eyebrow, he started to wonder if that was a Slytherin trait as he had seen Snape do it on several occasions.

Shrugging he opened the door and gestured for Draco to enter before going in himself and flopping down on his bed. "A've been here a while, just thought ye could use an escape route. Is she yer girlfriend or just a wannabe?" He heard a snort and turned to see Draco shake his head, "Unfortunately we dated for about three months towards the end of fourth year, more because my father was pushing for it. Though I've told her several times that we're not dating she hasn't got the memo yet. Apparently we're destined to be together or some shit like that and I just need some time to realise it, but until then she's giving me space."

"Aye, if that's giving ye space, a'd hate tae see her when she's clingy. She wis like a leech hanging aff a vein back in the common room. Look am no one tae judge but she does seem rather pushy an' stubborn, sae if ye need a helping hand a happily volunteer."

Draco seemed to pause for a second as he stared at Harry, obviously looking for the catch, but finding nothing but honesty in his eyes. "Really? You'd help me and with no conditions or payments?"

Harry made a noise in agreement before closing his eyes, allowing the sounds of the others filter through him. After a few minutes he heard a quiet "Thanks", coming from Dracos bed and smiled.

Thinking of the beautiful blonde now lying only inches away from him, he couldn't help wonder what that creamy skin would look like flushed with arousal as he tasted each and every inch. He could feel himself start to harden and quickly tried to stop his train of thought. As much as he wanted to, part of him felt that it didn't feel right to wank over thoughts of Draco, whilst he slept next to him. Strangling a groan from his throat he quickly stripped to his boxers and slid into bed.

As the sounds of his roommates breathing settled as they drifted off to sleep, Harry thought about them and found that he had actually enjoyed their company and had liked what he had learnt of them so far, especially Draco. He recognised the name Malfoy as one of the names the ghosts often spoke about, claiming the family were devout followers of Voldermort and also close to the mad man.

Harry had a gut feeling that even if the family were death eaters, Draco wasn't. True he knew nothing about him, and he could actually be a very cruel bastard who wanted to watch Voldermort destroy the world, but so far he hadn't given Harry that impression. Plus Harry's gut had never steered him wrong before, so he wasn't going to start doubting it now.

As he closed his eyes he decided that his curiosity wouldn't be sated until he knew everything about the Malfoy heir including where his loyalties lay. Of course he would also get to know the others and hopefully use their knowledge to find out more about the war and it's two leaders. As for right now though, he was actually happy, and for the first time since arriving, was looking forward to tomorrow.