Harry was grateful that Marcus had got him away from the headmaster. Marcus was the other one who had spoken to him about quidditch at dinner. It turns out he and Adrian were both chasers on the team, a fourth and third year. Harry knew Draco wanted to play chaser. There would be an opening for it and seeker next year. They were both convinced to come to try outs for the reserve positions. First years never made the team even when there was an opening for starter, but reserves yes. Harry was worried as he had been promoted as being trained by Victor. Victor was well known by any quidditch fan. He was already being sought by professional teams, though he had to be sixteen to play.

In the morning Harry was excited for his first day of school. It was Friday so they would only have one day and then the weekend. Draco laughed when he saw his cousin nearly bouncing. This was the side of Harry he expected to see when they started school.

Harry was thrilled when they got their schedule at breakfast. "Potions first."

Draco smirked. "Don't let your Uncle hear that."

Harry grinned. "Still hasn't forgiven me for the cats."

"A potions loving Slytherin? Lucky he doesn't disinherit you."

"Well since Grandmother named me heir, he is the one who needs to be careful."

Draco nudged him. "Really tell the cats to sleep with him?"

Harry giggled. "Only Buttertail, he gets lonely."

Blaise heard. "Do you have a cat? Not many in our house."

Harry shook his head. "I have an owl here, but I have cats at home."

Vince grinned. "Owls are far better. Cats are dull."

Harry shook his head. "They aren't."

Draco agreed. "If you saw what Harry can do with his cats, you'd agree."

Harry saw Albus passing. "We should get to class."

Draco agreed. "Don't want to be late."

Though Vince was about to comment that it was a class they didn't need to worry about being late to, Blaise cut him off with a look. The boys headed down into the dungeons for their first class. Harry was paired with Draco and Blaise and they took up a station at the front of the class. The other guys seemed nice enough but Draco did make a joke that they may have to watch for being blown up by one of the others.

The only groan came from when they saw they would be sharing a class with the Gryffindors. Harry groaned when he saw Ron come in. He was seated with a boy a few tables away and they seemed to be chatting. It seemed the brat found someone who was tolerable.

Ron was whispering as Severus was starting. "No wonder they call him a bat."

Severus turned. "Seeing as you like to talk Mr. Weasley, perhaps you can tell me where you would find a bezoar?"

Ron looked up. "Um…."

"Or perhaps what you would get if you made a mix of asphodel and wormwood?"

Ron was red. "It's the first day. Isn't that what you are meant to teach us?"

Severus turned to the class. "Perhaps someone else could answer."

Harry put up his hand. "A bezoar would be found in the stomach of a goat sir."

Oddly it was a Gryffindor at another table who answered. "And you would get a draught of living death from the mix."

"Very well, five points for Gryffindor and Slytherin for Mr. Potter and Mr. Thomas."

Ron was spiteful. "Of course he favors his house."

His friend whispered. "Dean got points too."

Severus turned back. "As you obviously haven't read the first pages Mr. Weasley, you will write a scroll on it for Monday."

Ron was smoldering. "See."

Severus put the potion on the board. "Anyone who doesn't finish this potion at least to the eighth step can join Mr. Weasley."

The potion was quite simple and anyone who was actually working should get to at least the tenth step. Most teachers wouldn't give homework or detentions on the first day of class, especially to first years. Severus rarely gave detentions on the first day but homework would not hurt the brat. The students were encouraged to at least read the first chapter of their texts before they started school. He knew many wouldn't have and usually would not penalize. If the brat had not been begging for a detention, Severus would have over looked it. By the end of class Ron was the only one with homework. A few pairs had finished the potion. To no surprise Harry, Draco and Blaise had finished and brewed a flawless one.

Harry was in a good mood as he got through his classes for the day. Most of them were simply an introduction and there was no homework given. He wasn't pleased though when he was told to go to the headmaster's office at dinner. He shared a look with Draco before he headed up.

He found the office empty except for Fawkes. He walked over to his old friend. "Hey boy."

Fawkes trilled and brushed against him.

Albus appeared behind him. "I don't know if you have ever seen one. His burring day is coming soon."

Harry didn't need to be told. "No I haven't sir."

Albus motioned. "I am glad you accepted my dinner invite."

Harry eyed the man. "I didn't know I had a choice sir."

"It isn't detention. I just thought we should touch base as we were interrupted before."

Harry reminded him. "It was late and I head to be up early for classes."

Albus smiled as the food arrived. "Well tonight no concern."

"I plan on attending quidditch tomorrow sir."

"Your birth father was a star. You know if you were in Gryffindor they have an opening for seeker."

Harry reminded him. "I am Slytherin. Besides first years never make the team."

Albus assured him. "I saw you in flying class earlier today, you have a top broom. It's a shame not to use it, and we can see to a re-sort."

Harry felt uncomfortable that the man had watched. "I really am happy with my house. And as a reserve I will get practice."

Albus kept talking to him through dinner about James and how he had been a lion, and star quidditch player. And Harry should have the right kind of friends. Harry kept reminding the man he was new there and he was quite happy with the house he was in. They seemed nice and he was feeling welcomed by the older kids as well. The only time the man seemed flushed when Harry asked about his godfather. He reminded Albus that he had mentioned him to Harry and his parents. Albus stumbled over his words when he admitted he hadn't found him just yet.

Harry said as he stood to leave. "Surely there is no better way for me to know my birth parents then through their best friend."

Harry was so thankful when he was able to escape the office the night before. He didn't like being around the man and being cornered like that. He had literally been sick to his stomach when he got back from the office. He had gone to a bathroom before he got back to his dorms. He didn't want his cousin or anyone else to worry. He learned to block out Albus' magic but he had never been around him as long as he did that night. His roomies were a bit worried as he was pale but they knew his family history. It was only Draco who fully understood the concern.

In the morning Draco and Harry were both up well before breakfast to head down to the field. The others didn't even roll over as they left. They were both anxious to try out even though they knew they would only be reserves. Well as they hit the air, they hoped they would make that. They may have had the top brooms but they were the youngest. There was no openings on the team except for the reserves.

Harry felt better but a bit nervous as he landed. "Over."

Draco smirked. "Sound like talking about a test."

Harry laughed. "Just nerves I guess."

Draco looked. "Nothing left but to wait."

The captain came over. "I guess we shouldn't keep you hoping."

Marcus agreed. "There were older players with more experience."

Adrian smirked. "And you were just plain dreadful."

Harry was pale. "Oh…"

Marcus broke into laughter. "You have to be mad to think we were serious."

The captain agreed. "May need to teach Tom some moves."

Tom, the current speaker, nodded. "Kiddo not sure I can have you around showing me up."

Draco laughed at Harry who looked worried again. "He is kidding."

Adrian put Draco in a headlock. "Now you though, we may let you be a towel boy if you insist on being on the team."

It was all said in good humor as despite their age, Harry and Draco were the obvious choice. If they had an opening for seeker that year, Harry would have made the team despite his age. There was no surprise among the older students, that the two had been named the new reserves. There was no doubt they were the best choice. The house was not only unified but they also wanted to beat the lions for the first time in years.

When they were coming back from the showers Harry spotted Fred and George headed towards the field. He knew Gryffindor had the next practice but they were a bit early as it wasn't even lunch time. He wasn't sure they were on the team, Luna didn't care about such things.

Fred grinned. "Hey kiddo, trying out are you?"

Harry nodded. "No openings."

Draco added. "But he is the reserve seeker."

George put Harry in a head lock. "May have to use you for target practice."

"Target practice?"

Fred explained. "Beaters after all."

A voice came from behind. "Keep your hands off our seeker lions."

Fred turned to Adrian. "No worries, just a chat."

George agreed. "Only beater practice on the field."

Adrian smirked. "For some reason I have trouble believing that."

Fred shrugged. "Only one first year we have in mind for a prank."

"And unfortunately he is in our house with us." George grimaced.

Harry asked. "Didn't find himself in a toilet did he?"

Fred turned. "No. But we will earn those chocolate frogs soon enough."

The others thought the twins were bearable even for lions but were still cautious when it came to quidditch. They were going to walk up to the school but Harry shook his head. He and Draco had been invited to have lunch with Hagrid when they were on the boats coming to school. Hagrid had been so close to his parents and Uncles. He didn't know the truth of course but Harry had been told to trust him. Hagrid also worked with the animals at school and that interested Harry a lot as well. Hagrid and his big dog were waiting for the boys when they got to the hut.

Hagrid smiled. "Harry, I am so happy you came."

Harry smiled. "I am told you were close to my dad and mum."

Hagrid nodded. "The marauders and Lily were my favorites."

Harry pet the big dog. "Hey Fang."

Hagrid led them inside. "How did you know my dog's name?"

"I heard you say it before." Harry quickly covered.

Hagrid motioned. "I had food brought."

Harry whispered to Draco. "Thankfully. Was warned about his cooking."

Hagrid motioned. "I thought you may want to come see the hippogriffs after."

Draco grinned. "Cool."

After lunch they were headed outside when Harry groaned. "Not again."

Draco saw a man with hm. "Who is that?"

Hagrid was surprised. "That is Professor Quirell."

Harry explained. "We haven't had defense yet."

Albus came over. "Harry I would like to introduce you to Professor Quirell."

Harry eyed the man who he didn't know what to make of. "Hi, sir."

Quirell smiled. "I am anxious to have you in my class soon. And tutoring."

Draco voiced what Harry didn't. "Tutoring?"

Albus smiled. "I thought it may be good for him to keep an eye on you and give you extra practice."

Harry didn't like the sounds of that. "I am sure I will do fine."

Quirell went to leave. "I will see you soon."

Draco and Harry shared a look and neither liked the way that seemed to have been set up. Anyone who was partnered with Albus wasn't a good idea. And there was something about the man that was bothering Harry to say the least. Hagrid distracted the boys by taking them out to the paddock where a few hippogriffs were waiting. Harry and Draco both successfully bowed and were allowed to pet them. Harry was do distracted, he was not able to really connect with them as he may have been. Hagrid noticed more than they realized and stopped Harry before he left.

He said quietly. "If you ever need a hand, I am here. There are more four legged friends in the foods beyond the hippogriffs as well."

Harry wondered what he meant but didn't ask. "Thank you."

An: So Voldemort is dead and gone for good, but Quirell is lurking and friendly with Albus. That will never lead to good.

And there is definitely more to what Hagrid just told Harry to be explored.

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