AN: sorry it's been so long but I'm trying. If you have any ideas (I don't care how stupid you think they are) please send them to me every little bit helps me update faster.

"speech"
writing
-thought-
:signing:
":signing and speaking:"
'The Parchment'…………………It still needs a new name!

Deafening Silence

Chapter 7- Classes: Day 1

"As Slytherins you will be looked down upon by most of the school. They will believe you are evil and will treat you as such. You WILL behave. If you get caught breaking the rules I will attempt to get you out of trouble but I will punish you myself. I patrol the corridors every night so don't go wandering. I don't care if you dislike each other that dislike will not leave this common room. You do not have to be friends but you will stand up for each other in public because no one else will." Snape said sternly. "If you need to talk to some one my door is always open."

Harry wondered what he was supposed to do until someone tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped slightly and looked up. Two boys from his dorm were standing behind him, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott.

"Sorry I startled you. Are you coming to breakfast?" Blaise asked. Harry nodded and followed them out of the common room.

Harry sat observing the other students eat breakfast. He saw Ron talking furiously to Hermione, who was looking around hopelessly. He caught her eye and smiled. She smiled back weakly.

Snape handed out their schedules. First hour was charms with Ravenclaw. Harry ran to his dorm then headed to class.

The only person in the classroom when he got there was a Ravenclaw boy, sitting in the front row. Harry sat next to him. The boy looked up from the charms book he'd been reading, smiled and, much to Harry's surprise, signed :Hello:

:Hello: Harry signed back.

:I'm Terry Boot:

:Harry Potter:

:I know: Terry smiled

:If you don't mind me asking, how do you know sign language?:

:My grandfather is deaf:

Harry nodded as the rest of the class started to arrive. Professor Flitwick took role and gave a short introduction to what they would be learning that year. Once he got them started practicing the Lumos charm, he pulled Harry aside and told him to attempt the spell by performing the wand movements and saying the incantation in his head. Dumbledore was still researching a way for him to cast spells.

Harry nodded and went back to his seat. He try but didn't manage to light up the end of his wand. He could swear that it flickered once or twice though.

Terry tapped him on the shoulder at the end of class. :Would you like to practice with me in the library after classes?:

:Sure: Harry signed as he packed up his bag. He went down to the common room before lunch.

Harry went to his dorm and dug in his trunk to find his Defense Against the Dark Arts book. He stood up and turned to find himself face to face with (bum bum bum) Draco Malfoy.

"I don't know what you're trying to do but you don't belong here. I can and will make your life a living hell." Draco said with a smirk on his face and a glare in his eye.

Harry just stared at him. He tried to leave but Draco shoved him to the floor and stormed out as Blaise and Theodore walked in. Blaise shook his head as Theodore helped Harry up.

"Not all of us are like that." Blaise said as Harry nodded his thanks. "Draco is spoilt. He's always been that way. His father has taught him to believe everyone is below him, especially non pure-bloods." Harry nodded again smiling slightly.
"Come on lets get to lunch" Theodore said

":Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts, first years.:" Professor Lupin said ":Today we are just going to do a little get-to-know-each-other exercise. Please pair with someone who's not in your house.:"

Harry looked around for a partner. Hermione caught his eye, smiled and walked over. :be my partner?: she signed. Harry nodded and she sat down.

":Okay. Does everyone have a partner? Mr. Weasley it seems Mr. Malfoy doesn't have a partner either. Okay, everyone set? What I want you to is come up with five thing you and your partner have in common. It can be as simple as a favorite color or book. Understand?:"

:Okay so things we have in common.: Hermione signed.

:well we both know sign language: Harry signed giggling silently.

Hermione giggled :okay one down. What's your favorite thing to do?:

:I don't know … Read I guess: Harry signed tentatively.

:Same here. TV is so overrated: she smiled :plus I love to learn:

:me too:

:Great, that's three. Two more: Hermione signed excitedly :you grew up in the muggle world right?: Harry nodded :and you're an only child?: again Harry nodded :cool we're done:

Harry and Hermione discussed their favorite books and such until Hermione looked up. It seems Draco and Ron had started arguing quite loudly.

"Boys, Boys what seems to be the problem?" Lupin asked

"Professor we don't have anything in common" Ron whined

"Okaylet me see." He thought for a moment, then said with a chuckle "You're both males, aren't you?" the class giggled "You're also both pure-bloods?" They nodded "Do you like Quidditch? See it's not that hard. Now come up with some on your own."

Harry turned back to Hermione and signed :I'm meeting Terry from Ravenclaw in the library after classes to work on charms. I know you haven't had it yet but would you like to come practice with us?:

:yeah I'd love to come:

Professor Lupin came around and talked to all the groups until the end of class. Harry and Hermione ran to their common rooms and met up at the library.

:Hi Terry: Harry signed :This is Hermione. I invited her to study with us I hope you don't mind.:

Terry smiled :Of course I don't mind. Does she sign?:

:Yes I do: Hermione signed

:Terry Boot:

:Hermione Granger:

:Well don't just stand the sit down and lets get started: Terry laughed

Harry taught Hermione the hand movements and Terry taught her the incantation. After about ten minutes Hermione got it. They practice for another 20 minutes the Hermione tapped Harry, who had been concentrating, on the shoulder.

:I promised Ron I would help him with transfiguration. Do you want to come? It would give you a head start.: she signed.

:I think I'll work on this a little bit longer:

:Alright. Do you want to come Terry?:

:Yeah sure:

Hermione and Terry left the library. Harry sighed. He sat back and cleared his mind. He took a deep breath and tried again. Finally the tip of his wand lit up.

Here is the schedule

Monday- Charms (R), lunch, DADA (G)

Tuesday- Herbology (R), lunch, transfiguration (H)

Wednesday- History of Magic (H), lunch, Herbology (R), Astronomy (midnight,
everybody)

Thursday- Herbology (R), lunch, DADA (G)

Friday- Potions (G), lunch, FREE

I have the times for everything figured out so if you want them ask.