A/N: Thank you so so much for all the positive reviews! I hope this story continues to live up your expectations!

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2

As the train got closer to its goal the announcement was made for all first years to change into their robes. Ron and Harry stepped out so that Susan and Hannah could change while Neville and Hermione went to fetch their stuff and change. A few minutes later the door slid open and the girls stepped out giggling so the boys could change. Harry looked at Susan and raised an eyebrow before following Ron into the compartment to change. Once they were done they opened the door and allowed the girls back in. By this time Neville and Hermione had returned as well. They were changed and had dragged their luggage behind them as the slid into to compartment as well. They didn't bother placing it overheard though as they would be arriving at the Hogsmead station in a matter of minutes.

When the train stopped at the station everyone grabbed their stuff and headed towards the platforms.

"FIRST YEARS! FIRST YEARS OVER HERE," came the yearly shout of the half-giant.

After setting their luggage in the area reserved for first years, they headed over to Hagrid.

"Hey Hagrid," Harry shouted and waved.

"Well hello there Harry. Good to see you again. I see you've made some friends on your ride over."

"Certainly have," he replied with a grin. "Susan, Hannah, Neville, Ron and Hermione meet Rubeus Hagrid. Groundskeeper for Hogwarts and all around good guy."

"Nice to meet you all. If you all just follow me we'll head down to the boats. FIRST YEARS THIS WAY!" With that Hagrid led them down to the docks. "All right you lot no more than 4 to a boat. Harry, Susan, Hannah and Neville got in one boat while Ron and Hermione got in the next boat over with Seamus and Dean, who they didn't know yet.

"I can't believe we're doing this again," Harry whispered to Susan who was sat next to him. Neville and Hannah both occupied the other seat looking a little uncomfortable.

"I know what you mean," she responded, "it seems so surreal."

"Not to mention I feel so damn tiny. We shrunk. I'm a scrawny git again."

"How do you think I feel?"

"What ARE you two talking about," Hannah asked.

"Oh you know, the summer, school stuff. That sort of thing," replied Susan to her best friend.

"But we haven't even started school yet," responded Neville.

"She meant what school is going to be like and what the professors are going to be like. Now watch or you guys are going to miss it," answered Harry.

"Miss what?"

Harry pointed as the boats were about ready to come around a bend and then Hogwarts would be in sight in all its splendid glory. "Wait for it."

As the boats rounded the bend there were gasps from the students followed by lots of oohs and aahs. There was also a "Bloody Hell," from Ron followed by a "Language Ronald." Harry just snickered.

"It looks so different from down here. So much bigger," Susan said. Harry felt her grab his hand. Not in an adult way, but in a friend way. He understood how she felt.

"I know. I'd forgotten how big it all looked from this angle. By the way Sue, before we get sorted and I don't know what's going to happen there but I just wanted to say I'm sorry for dragging you into all this. I know we weren't exactly the best of friends back then. I will say, I'm glad you're here though."

She squeezed his hand. "It's not your fault Harry. Even if it were though, there's nothing we could do about it. We've just got to push forward. I'm glad you're not alone in this." She grinned before continuing, "Also, young man, that is the second time that you've called me Sue. Only my friends call me that. Are you implying we're friends now?"

Harry grinned back. "Well you don't have to be my friend but right now you're sitting next to me so your choices are me or the giant squid."

"There's a giant squid," Neville asked concerned.

"Yeah but he's pretty friendly," replied Susan, "especially if you feed him."

"Reminds of Ron when you put it that way." Harry and Susan laughed while Hannah and Neville stared at them in confusion.

"Any idea what the deal is with them," Hannah asked Neville.

"Nope" was the response she got.

Susan and Harry looked at the pair that were staring at them from the other seat. "What," asked Susan innocently.

"Don't what me Susan Patricia Bones! What is going on with you and Harry Potter," Hannah retorted.

"What do you mean what's going on? We're just friends."

"Yeah but you're acting like you've known him forever and seeing how I am your best friend I have never once heard you mention him or seen you spend time with him in any way."

"That's my fault Hannah," Harry interrupted. "I've had to be kind of selective who I spend time with and talk to. I asked Susan not to talk about our spending time together with anyone else because the people I was forced to live with hated the magical world."

"It's true Hannah and I'm sorry that I didn't tell you but Harry's guardians weren't very nice to him and I didn't want to get him into any trouble," Susan added.

"Oh…," said Hannah after a moment of thinking. "Well I suppose any friend of Sue's is a friend of mind. I'm sorry I was suspicious."

"Don't worry about it" was Harry's reply.

Moments later they had reached the dock and disembarked. Hagrid led them up the stairs where a stern looking older witch was waiting for them before disappearing.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly. I am Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house and the instructor for your transfiguration classes." Her gaze swept across the first years as she began her speech. It was her time to try and take the measure of the new students. See which of them might join her house.

"The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common-room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding wizards and witches. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

"He must sort into Gryffindor," she thought to herself as she looked at Harry, "How could he not, with who his parents were?"

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school," she continued." I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return for you when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."

Malfoy stepped to the front of the stage and looked around before spotting Harry next to a redheaded girl and a redheaded boy. He almost sneered as he saw the redheaded boy. "Blood traitors. The lot of them," he thought to himself. He walked over to Harry and his companions. "Red hair, hand me down clothes. You must be a Weasley," he sneered to Ron.

"Blonde hair. Pompous git. You must be a Malfoy," Harry replied loudly causing a chuckle from several students around him.

"I will forgive that insult Potter because I come seeking…"

"Friendship and power. Blah blah blah. Let me save you some time. Not interested. Go away," Harry interrupted. Susan bust out laughing beside him while the other students looked on in awe. Nobody spoke to Malfoys like that.

"You wait til…,"Draco started angrily.

"Your father hears about this. I'll be sorry. I know. I know. Heard it all before. Now shoo," Harry finished as he dismissed Malfoy with a hand wave.

About that time Professor McGonagall reappeared and looked at the two young boys talking and the young girl laughing beside Harry Potter. Obviously something had happened. She cleared her throat to get their attention.

"We're ready for you."