Disclaimer: I own nothing.  If I did, I would be rich and Draco would have NO time for appearing in fics like this one.  If you know what I mean… I may own characters in later chapters, but I'll let you know about those later on.  For now, just assume that nothing is mine.

Note: This WILL be slash later on.  If you don't like it, don't read it.  Simple as that really.  As for flames, as previously stated they will be used to toast marshmallows.

Chapter 3

The Great Hall fell silent as the massive double doors were thrown open.  Forks clattered to the table and all eyes turned to the doors.  A gasp ran around the room as Harry strode in.  Murmurs rose up around each and every table and even Draco couldn't resist an appraising glance.  Harry paused a moment, eyes travelling around the room, before taking a seat between Ron and Hermione.  Sliding his long, muscled, leather-clad legs under the table he grinned at his two best friends.

"Well?"  He smirked.  "What are you staring at?"

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Draco felt his eyes drawn once more to the long, lithe though well muscled figure of Harry Potter.  The irritating prat was clad in the tightest black leather trousers Draco had ever seen.  These were complimented by a skin tight black top with a silver dragon climbing up Harry's side.  The outfit was finished off with a pair of black bunker boots and an emerald suspended on a chain about Harry's neck.

Potter's gone all Slytherin.  Draco thought, rather amused but slightly pissed off.

His eyes remained fixed on Harry throughout dinner and he seemed rather preoccupied but after leaving the Great Hall, he seemed to snap out of it.

Whoa…  He thought nervously.  That was weird…

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The green eyes that swept around the room seemed strangely blank.  Once sparkling and full of life they are now flat and empty.  The desire to live and do good has left those beautiful orbs.  After scanning the room once, they come to rest on the teachers table, noting a few changes.

Tonks? What's she doing here?  He wonders silently.  I see they persuaded Remus to come back and take DADA again.  And Sirius. I wonder what he's teaching.  Although he could just be here with Remus.  Seems like wherever one of them is the other will be too.

His silent speculation is cut short by a hand waved across his face.

"Hey Harry, mate."  Ron yells in his ear.

"No need to deafen me."  He forces a laugh.

"I said, do you know when our first quidditch practise will be?"  Ron repeated.  "You are quidditch captain after all."

"Fraid not mate."  Harry sighed.  "I've got to check it with McGonagall."

He looking down at the empty table, he gave a sigh and smiled bleakly.  Hermione watched him worriedly but kept her thoughts to herself.  No-one noticed the silver-grey eyes fixed on the trio from across the room.

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"Welcome all to a new term at Hogwarts."  The kindly old headmaster beamed around the room.  "I have four words for you all. ON WITH THE FEAST!"

He threw his arms wide and the tables filled with food.  Cheers erupted around the hall.

I missed the sorting.  Harry realised with start.

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Harry stood silently and walked out of the Great Hall, shoulders drooping.  Hermione looked over at Harry's still loaded plate.  Shaking her head sadly she turns to Ron.

"Why does he refuse to confide in us?"  She asks, puzzlement filling her face.  "It kills me to watch him suffering like this."

"He doesn't trust us."  Replied Ron sadly.

No-one even noticed that a certain blonde was absent.

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A few corridors away, that certain blonde was locked in the prefects bathroom.  Standing in front of a mirror, tears streaming down his face, he looked up and down his skinny body.  Too skinny.  Not a mark on it to show for the brutal beatings meted out to him over the summer by the man he once called father.

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So, the usual.  What do you think so far?  Should I carry on?  Or give up forever and delete all evidence that this fic ever existed? 

Please please review.

Just a quick note.  You don't get any more until you review for me.  I need feedback here!