Chapter 10

Friends

No one said anything to the three first years when they headed towards the Gryffindor table at dinnertime. No one seemed to notice or care as Harry approached Ron cautiously. In fact, if he hadn't had Justin and Wayne behind him he probably would have chickened out and gone back to Hufflepuff. As it was, he felt equally as silly to back out, so he took a deep breath and tapped Ron on the shoulder.

Ron turned around and blinked at them, his mouth still full from a mouthful of food.

"Who's this, Ron?" his neighbor asked turning to look, and this his eyes widened in surprise when he saw Harry.

"You're Harry Potter!" he exclaimed, his voice squeaking slightly. Ron swallowed his mouthful of food.

"Hey, yeah, I told you I met him on the bus," Ron answered, "What are you doing over here, Harry?"

"Do you mind if we sit here?" Harry asked, shifting nervously away from the stares that had come his way since the boy had shouted.

"You can stop staring," Justin said from Harry's back, "And his name is Harry Dursley, you know." The staring boy turned red and looked away, but most people ignored Justin's outburst.

"Is it allowed?" the Granger girl asked from across the table, "Can we sit at other tables?"

"Aw, our Harry is growing up," one of the Weasley twins cried, appearing from nowhere.

"Breaking rules," the other cried, "Defying boundaries."

"Crossing houses," the first finished, "I'm so proud."

"So it isn't allowed?" Harry asked nervously, though he was glad that now most people had turned to stare at the twins rather than himself.

"Students are only required to sit at their house tables during the Opening and Closing Feasts," yet another Weasley informed them, flashing his prefect badge as though to prove his authority on the matter. Harry slid into a seat next to Ron at last as the twins turned on Percy, still going on about rebel table sitters. Justin and Wayne sat down next to him, though it was a bit of a squeeze. A few people were still trying to catch a glimpse of Harry but most had turned their attention on the twin's antics, leaving the first years in peace.

"So…" Ron said after a moment of sudden, awkeward silence, "What is Hufflepuff like?"



"It's okay," Harry answered, and then remembering his new friends he said, "This is Ron Weasley who I was telling you about. And this is Wayne Hopkins and Justin…er…this is Justin."

"Justin Finch-Fletchley," Justin said, leaning around both boys to try and shake Ron's hand, "A bit of a mouthful, I know." Harry was relieved that he didn't seem mad Harry had forgotten his name.

"Hello," Ron answered, and then, when his neighbor had elbowed him, he said, "This is Eric Otter."

"Nice to meet you Harry," Eric said, offering his hand. Harry shook it nervously. Eric had blond white hair that reminded him of Malfoy, though he didn't have the same stuck up air. He also had a slight accent that Harry couldn't quite place. He didn't offer his hand to Justin or Wayne.

"I grew up in Switzerland," the boy continued, "My mum's homeland. Almost didn't come to Hogwarts at all, but my dad thought it important I come here. He was a Ravenclaw."

"Oh," Harry said, unsure what he was supposed to say to that. He turned back towards Wayne, unsure if this was some pure blood tradition, but Wayne was only staring towards Eric with a slightly dumbfounded expression. Justin simply looked annoyed.

"So, what is Gryffindor like?" Harry asked, directing his question towards Ron, but as Ron once again had his mouth full, Eric leaped in to answer.

"It's brilliant, Harry," he said, "We're up in the tower, of course, and it's all red and gold and very regal."

"We're black and yellow, I think," Wayne said from Harry's side, "Though I personally don't see the difference between yellow and gold, except yellow usually looks brighter." Eric frowned slightly and Ron managed to swallow. Harry hadn't actually attempted to eat anything yet.

"It's not bad," Ron said, "It has a nice view. I hear Hufflepuff is in the dungeons."

"Well, we're underground," Harry agreed, "I've been worried that Hedwig won't like it much. Oh, do you know where the owls stay? I wanted to check on her."

"I'll show you," Ron answered, and he moved as though he might jump up at once.

"Hold on, we haven't eaten yet," Justin pointed out. Ron sat back down quickly, looked embarrassed. Then they all started eating, Harry sinking low in his seat when he began to notice people were still looking at him. Across the table was Granger, who luckily seemed more interested in her book than him, but the small boy next to her kept giving him almost worshipful, awe filled glances, and the two girls on her other side kept glancing his way and giggling. Harry began to hope that Ron would join him at Hufflepuff table next time; at least the first years there seemed mostly used to him by now.



The walk to the owlery went better than dinner because they managed to leave most of the stares behind. Unfortunately, Eric decided to tag along as well. The other boy from across the table also came, but that seemed to be because he had an actual letter he wanted to send to his grandmother rather than any desire to trail after Harry. At any rate he didn't speak, and only gave Harry an occasional shy glance as they walked. The other two Gryffindor ignored him but Wayne finally asked who he was.

"Neville Longbottom," he answered. They continued walking a long way while Eric told Harry all about living in Switzerland and his family and what he thought about the school so far. He seemed to ignore everyone else, including Ron. He didn't notice when Justin started walking directly behind him, mimicking his haughty, friendly chatter. Harry had to work hard not to laugh, not wanting to offend anyone.

It turned out, Ron didn't actually know exactly where the owlery was. When they took a turn and somehow found themselves walking outside just before the lake, he finally admitted that he had gotten his directions from the twins. Eric complained loudly that he had been leading them in circles, at which point Wayne and Justin said he needn't have followed them if he didn't want to. Neville said, somewhat nervously, that he thought he could see the tower from where they stood. The group set off again, this time with Neville in the lead. They found the owlery soon after that.

"Hedwig!" Harry cried when he caught sight of her. She flew down to him with what Harry felt sure was a fond expression. "I guess you're happy to stretch your wings," Harry said, stroking her feathers.

"Beautiful bird, Harry," Eric said admiringly, reaching out a hand to pet her. She snapped at his fingers and he pulled back quickly.

"Familiars don't like strangers handling them," Neville mentioned, "Trevor will pee on anyone who picks him up except for me. Well, usually except for me."

"Owls aren't familiars," Eric answered, frowning, "They're pets trained to take the mail. I'm not some Muggleborn new to all things magic, you know."

"But owls are familiars," Neville insisted, once Eric had stalked a bit away, "They bond with a witch or wizard or to a magical location like the school. Otherwise, how could they do anyone's bidding?" Then he went on to find a school owl to send his letter. The other boys who didn't have actual letters to send turned to admire Harry's owl from a distance. Then the boys went back down into the castle and Eric offered to show Harry Gryffindor tower.

"It's a pity you weren't sorted into our house," he said, "I heard your parents were Gryffindor. I suppose it can't be helped though, and it could be worse. Imagine if you had been sorted into Slytherin!"

"Er," Harry said, "Isn't it close to curfew?" It had taken a long time to reach the owlery, after all, and then a bit more time talking at the top.

"You have half an hour at least," Eric insisted, "Plenty of time for a quick look. Real pity we can't sleep over in other houses, though, isn't it? Wouldn't it be great if you could stay?"



"It would be crowded," Ron answered, "Not that I don't mind you lot, but there is only five beds." Eric blinked, glancing towards Wayne and Justin. Obviously he hadn't actually been thinking about them when he made the invitation.

"Well anyway, there's time for a quick visit," he continued.

"No there isn't," Wayne answered, "And I don't think it's a good idea for us to be caught out after curfew on our first day."

"Well maybe just Harry…"Eric answered.

"Harry doesn't want to get in trouble either," Justin answered, taking Harry's hand to lead him away.

"He can speak for himself," Eric answered, "Tell them Harry, don't you want to come and see the house your parents were in."

"Er…not tonight," Harry answered, shifting nervously. He hated to contradict people or turn them down, especially when someone so obviously wanted to be his friend. Eric glared, not at Harry but at the other two Hufflepuff, before turning and stalking down the hall.

"I would like to visit sometime," Harry told Ron and Neville earnestly, "And sometime you could come to see Hufflepuff. It's really cozy."

"My Gran thought I'd be a Hufflepuff for sure," Neville said, "She'll be real glad I made it into Gryffindor." Then he turned slightly pink when he realized how that sounded. "My parents were in Gryffindor," he explained nervously, "I mean, there's nothing wrong with Hufflepuff…"

"Well, you can see what you're missing then, now that you're stuck in Gryffindor," Wayne said, giving Neville a friendly grin to show he was teasing. Neville nodded, looking slightly relieved.

"I'll see you later," Ron added, and then Ron and Neville went off towards their tower while the three Hufflepuff went towards their own rooms.

"Ron is alright," Justin said as they walked, "I wouldn't mind him or Neville eating with us sometime."

"I think you have a real fan with that Eric Otter, Harry," Wayne added, "Did you notice how he said your name after just about every sentence? Like he thought you might forget who you were." Harry shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. They had to ask some portraits for directions a couple of times as they didn't have their maps, but in the end they made it before curfew.

As Harry lay in bed that evening, he felt strange. He had survived his first real day in a magical school, made some new friends, and didn't get too hopelessly lost. At the same time, he didn't like how people kept staring at him and whispering. And he missed his home. It felt weird. He didn't really miss the Dursleys or the chores or the way he always had to work so hard to be accepted. But he missed his garden and he missed the feeling of knowing where he 

was and what he should be doing at all times. He understood how his home worked, he still hadn't quite gotten the hang of this new place. Feeling restless, he pulled out one of his books and read until his eyes felt too heavy to keep open. Then he slept.