"Jason! I'm so happy to see you!" Jason recognized the voice. It was his best friend, Luna Lovegood. As soon as she saw him enter the train car she ran for a hug.

"Oh my god Luna! You scared me!" Jason said, hugging her back and laughing awkwardly. Jason and Luna have been best friends since they met during Jason's fourth year at Hogwarts. They sat next to each other at the Triwizard Tournament to watch and cheer for Harry. Jason has never been super friendly with anyone from Slytherin before and so he has made all his friends in other Houses. However no one's been as much of a constant as Luna. Her originality was just wonderful to him.

"Oh sorry about that, I just got excited to see you. We haven't spoken since last school year you know..." she said shyly. Jason has been meaning to write her, but every time he asks his parents for an owl he gets a firm "No!" He explained this to Luna and she understood perfectly.

"Oh it's fine really. I should have written first, then you could have used my owl to write back, but I was rather busy over the break. My father and I went on a trip to Romania to search for moon frogs. After what happened last year he said I needed to relax and the act of searching for them is a great therapy," Jason couldn't help but smile every time she said something like this. He did think it was bizarre the things she believed in but he just couldn't bring himself to burst her bubble. Anyways, what would he know about magical creatures, Jason still couldn't believe that ghosts roamed the halls of Hogwarts like it was nothing.

"Well I hope you came back refreshed. It still kills me that they wouldn't let me join Dumbledore's Army just because I was a Slytherin!" Jason knows what horrible things happened that day at the Ministry of Magic but Jason still wishes he was there.

"I really did try to convince them to let you join you know? But they didn't take me seriously. They thought you were just interested because you wanted to spy on us for Umbridge," Luna explained. "Perhaps it was for the best anyways. I still have nightmares of the aquavirious maggot we saw floating around in the tanks." After she said this the Hogwarts Express Conductor announced for everyone to get off the train. Jason and Luna were forced to take the Ravenclaw Train exit instead of going around to the front. As soon as they got off the train Jason saw that Draco exited the Slytherin train car. He looked pleased with himself.

"Hey Jason would you want a copy of the latest issue of the Quibber? This issue comes with a free pair of Spectrespecs," Luna pulled out a whole stack of her father's magazine. Jason saw that there were glasses that were attached to the front. They looked like an old cat lady's 3-D glasses, but nevertheless Jason accepted one.

The ride to Hogwarts on the carriages that pulled themselves was a very short one this year. Usually they would take Hogwarts students all the way to the main doors, but this year they were stopped by Professor Flitwick.

"Hey, what's the hold up?" Jason asked Professor Flitwick. He was holding a checklist that seemed miles long. A quill was suspended over it, checking people off as they passed.

"We are forced to take precaution this year, Bias. Now that it is confirmed that Death Eaters are among us once again we aren't sparing any form of security," he explained.

"I feel safer already!" said Luna.

"I guess..." Jason responded. He started walking inside. "Well we should get going now, I don't want to have a horrible seat at the Great Hall. Last year I was sitting next to the radish and onion meatloaf and no one would give me any of the good foods. I swear my breath attracted the House Elves for a week."

"Radish and Onion Meatloaf!" Luna exclaimed. "My dad makes that with a hint of grindelow scales. He says it's great for getting rid of bad aura. I had no idea they served it here!"

"If I'm stuck with it I'll send it your way," he said with a chuckle. Jason and Luna talked casually as they walked into Hogwarts's main doors. Jason immediately began to feel the warmth of the golden lighting coming from the Great Hall. Hogwarts always had a specific sensation to him that makes him feel like he can do anything, mostly because he almost could. Using his magic whenever he wants without worrying about muggles seeing or getting in trouble is very liberating. It all starts with the first step inside the amazing Wizarding School. Everything seemed perfect. Only thing more perfect would be catching a glimpse of Harry Potter...

Jason and Luna entered the Great Hall just in time for the Sorting Hat Ceremony. They said bye to each other and went off to find a seat at their House Tables. Jason spotted a seat close to the middle, which is usually a safe bet when it comes to the good foods appearing there. All the 1st Years were piled in front of the Sorting Hat. He could tell some of them were really anxious. He started to remember his own Sorting. Walking in seeing the floating candles over their heads for the first time was an unforgettable experience. That was probably the closest he's ever been to Harry Potter. He never even heard of him until Draco made fun of Ron for being a Weasley, Harry telling Malfoy to back off. Everyone could see this would be a rivalry for the ages then and there. Jason himself was standing so close to Harry that day, almost rubbing shoulders with him. He can't help but wonder if he would have said hi to him, made himself known, done something... maybe Harry and he would at least be common acquaintances. But how was Jason supposed to know that this boy with round glasses and a lightning shaped scar would be such an amazing wizard back then. How was he supposed to know that he would someday become... obsessed.

"Hello Everyone!" Dumbledore started introducing himself. "I want to welcome all of you to Hogwarts and kick off this year with nothing but good tidings and good fortune!" Dumbledore chuckled. "Basically the same thing, but, the power of wishful thinking is stronger than most people know," Dumbledore moved his hands around as he talked. It was something he always did when giving speeches, but something was weird about it this time. He was only moving one hand around, keeping the other tucked away. Jason wondered why.

"And now the Sorting Ceremony! We begin with the Sorting Hat's Song!" Dumbledore went to his seat to sit down as the Sorting Hat began his song. When it finished Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium and read from the parchment that had the names of all the 1st Years. The way she called them up every time made them all jump. Well, everyone except for the 1st Years who were sorted into Slytherin. Jason could tell they already knew which house they were going to be sorted in, which wasn't the case with him...

"JESUS BIAS," Professor McGonagall called. It was Jason's turn to go up and be sorted. He doesn't even know what house he could possibly ever fit in with. They all seemed to have one specific trait, and Jason believed he had none of them. He went up to the chair and McGonagall put the hat on him.

"Well, look what we have here. Another muggle-born," Jason was pretty surprised to hear the Hat talking to him. He thought it would just be an automatic thing, maybe even a random one. He hopes no one could hear what the hat was saying.

"Hufflepuff usually takes your kind...but you just don't seem to have the right mind to succeed in that house. You have trouble being honest, mostly with yourself... Definitely not a Hufflepuff," Jason felt relief. He hated the color yellow.

"What about Gryffindor? Silly? Yes, ridiculous actually! You don't even have enough courage to talk to your classmates! Never Gryffindor!" Jason admits he's not too courageous, but that wasn't the main reason he didn't want to be a Gryffindor. He felt they all oozed an obnoxious subtle immodesty when looking at them. If you're going to be proud then don't hide it, otherwise you just look juvenile.

"Ravenclaw seems to be appropriate for you. You have the wittiness of one, you have the ambition... yet... this ambition is very... uncompromising. Too much so for a Ravenclaw," Jason heard someone talking about how Ravenclaw are expected to be studious and hardworking academically. He doesn't want to be known as a nerd.

"The only house left seems to be perfect. You're thoughts are all cunning, unapologetic. The only problem is your lack of pure blood. This isn't a common occurrence. Might be a miserable decision but...You're a-"

"SLYTHERIN!" Jason tuned back in with reality. He clapped for the newest member of his house. A little dark haired girl with a pixie cut. Her expression was nothing but ecstatic to be there. In all honesty he has grown bored of sitting through Sortings every year. Usually he spent that time studying Harry. Jason scanned the room looking for jet-black hair and round glasses. He was nowhere to be found. Jason soon got an idea.

Jason got up and decided to look for Harry. He would just pretend to have to use the restroom if anyone asked. Luckily he was on the side near the wall and could slowly back away without anyone paying him any mind. He sneaked towards the door, looking around to see if anyone was watching him. Everyone really seemed focused on the Sorting Ceremony. There were only two 1st Years left.

"ABERNATHY DOTCHEL"

Now just one! Jason quickly ran towards the door. He looked back and saw that Dumbledore was looking at him. "Oh god" Jason thought. However Dumbledore just smiled. Jason took that as a cue for him to walk out the door.

He made it. Now he could look around. He began walking to the entrance doors of Hogwarts. He's sure Harry will come in through them soon. He remembers when Harry and his dull friend Ron crashed into the Womping Willow. Everyone could hear it from the Great Hall. Harry was late that year too-

BUMP!

Jason crashed into someone. He fell on his back and felt something drip on his arm. He looked up and saw Luna, what was she doing out here? But she wasn't the one Jason crashed into, next to her was none other than Harry Potter! His nose was all bloody... that explained what dripped on Jason's arm.

"Jason! What are you doing out here?" she asked surprised.

"I could ask you the same," Jason was focusing on pretending Harry Potter wasn't there right now. He could feel himself getting nervous, not even daring to look at Harry but desperately wanting to so bad. He doesn't think he's been this close to him since the Sorting Ceremony 5 years ago.

"I accidentally left some extra copies of the Quibbler on the train so I went back to get them. Harry was under his invisibility cloak laying on the ground paralyzed in the Slytherin train car. If I didn't have my Spectrespecs on to see the wrackspurts I would have never seen Harry laying there!" That confirms Jason's suspicions earlier! Even the one about the invisibility cloak!

"Yeah apparently my head is full of them," finally spoke Harry. He gave Jason a hand getting up. He accepted and felt as though he was about to faint. He just had contact with Harry Potter!

"Hahahahaha," Jason laughed a little too hard. Even Luna looked at him like he was a little weird. Well there goes any chance of getting to know Harry.

Harry laughed a little awkwardly, "Hey Luna I better get going, Ron and Hermione are probably worried." Jason was thinking Harry just wanted to get out of there away from him. He felt horrible.

"Alright. I'm gonna hang here with Jason," said Luna.

"Oh and sorry about my blood on you mate! I'll clean it up for you," Harry said taking out his wand.

"No, no, I can do it." Jason said. Harry looked at him and was about to insist that he do it, but then Harry looked at Jason's cloak and realized what house he was in.

"Hey, wait. You're that Jason? That Slytherin who wanted to join Dumbledore's Army last year?" Harry looked a little less sorry for bumping into him earlier.

"Look I can see Ron and Hermione," Luna said as she waved to them. She was clearly trying to deflate what she sensed was about to be something a little tense. Jason decided to put on some armor and be a proud Slytherin for once.

"Yes. That's me," Jason replied.

Harry looked at Jason with disgust. "Did you really think we were going to let you infiltrate us?" he asked.

"Harry!" Luna said. Jason could tell she was sorry for what Harry had just said. But it was too late. Jason could hear the hate in Harry's voice, all just because he was a Slytherin. Jason decided that was unfair.

"No Luna. I'm glad he brought it up," Jason could feel himself blushing. This was Harry Potter, the boy he idolized. The boy who he fantasized of becoming friends with since first year. The Boy Who Lived! Now Jason's first conversation with his hero was about to be an argument.

"Look, I wanted to join Dumbledore's Army the same reason everyone who joined wanted to... Actually, I wanted to join the movement more than them because as I recall you had to pursue most of your members to even join! Were I a Gryffindor, a Hufflepuff, a Ravenclaw, a freaking poltergeist, you would have let them join. But no. I was a Slytherin. I am a Slytherin." He could feel the tears coming but fought them back down. He stopped looking at the floor and started looking directly into Harry's emerald green eyes.

"That was the only reason I wasn't allowed to join," he continued. "Maybe if you gave me a chance, listened to Luna instead of knocking all her ideas away just because they're eccentric you would have seen I could have been a valuable asset! Even though Draco doesn't like me because I'm muggle-born, I'm still a lot closer to him than you! You just thought I would be a mole. Well look who it turned out to be, the Ravenclaw girl you thought cared for you!"

Jason can't believe he didn't stutter or lose his nerve. His chest felt heavy and he could feel his face scowling, his eyes starting to fill with tears. Harry looked like he was hurt, but it also seemed like he listened to what he said.

"You're... muggle-born?" he asked. Jason turned his back on him around before he started tearing up in front Harry Potter.

"Harry, I think you should leave," Luna told him. And Harry listened. Luna went to comfort Jason but he couldn't help but feel just a little mad at her.

"Luna, why didn't you tell me to go with you to the train? I could've helped you look!" he yelled. He felt angry. He needed to be angry.

"Jason, I think you're a little worked up. I'll just leave you alone for now alright?" Luna left to go to the Great Hall too. Jason really didn't know what he wanted right now. He basically ruined his chances to ever be friends with Harry Potter. He knows he should hate him right now but what he wanted was to be his friend now more than ever. His frustration was unbearable.

Jason decided he would go to his dorm room early because he didn't feel all that hungry. He went to ask the Head Boy of Slytherin for the password to the dorms this year so he could just go straight to bed.

He went down to the Dungeons where their dorms were. "Parsletongue," he said to a green light on the wall, opening a passageway to the Slytherin Common room. It's nice to be in there when there's no one around. The green lights were relaxing. The sounds of the rushing water of the lake they were under was very soothing. Each Slytherin gets a private room to themselves since there was so much space in the Dungeons when they become 5th Years. This was probably one of the greatest perks of being in Slytherin.

Jason entered his room. The ceiling was made of enchanted glass that he could tap with his wand to give the appearance of day or night. He went straight to his bed, not caring that his arm had dried blood on it. All his worries melted away as he cried himself to sleep.