Disclaimer: Unlike J K Rowling, I do not own Harry Potter. Now on to Chapter 3...

Trying to Live by Willowcharm

Chapter 3 : Schooldays Arrive

In the weeks following his birthday, Harry followed his normal summer routine. Whether or not his father was out at work, Remus would come over to tutor Harry. Since Harry was confined to his home on Professor Dumbledore's orders, James knew that it was essential to keep him well occupied. So even in holiday periods the mornings were given over to lessons, although Remus didn't push Harry too hard at these times. He also tried to make holiday lessons slightly more interesting by doing things such as reserving the most exciting parts of history, muggle or wizarding for them.

Now that Harry had his school textbooks, Remus advised reading through them all briefly. He also suggested that Harry read the potions textbooks fairly thoroughly. James agreed when he heard this and explained briefly to his son.

'The potions master at Hogwarts was a particular enemy of Remus, Sirius and myself when we were at school. I'm afraid that he might be rather prejudiced against my son. Also, he is head of Slytherin house and favours his own students, I've been told. Your highly likely to be in Gryffindor like our good selves. So it would be best if your not totally clueless about potions when you get to his class'.

So Harry spent his mornings working and in the afternoon he was free to do as he wished. Which meant, more often than not, riding his broomstick. His godfather Sirius would regularly appear at some time in the afternoon and would join Harry in the sky. The nearer September 1st came the more excited Harry got. He knew nothing of the outside world at first hand and was eager to learn, starting with a journey on the famous Hogwarts Express. Then on the morning of August 31st another letter arrived from the headmaster. Sirius and Remus were present as well as James and Harry, since they wanted to spend a final day with him before he embarked upon his magical education. dread filled them all as soon as the phoenix appeared. Harry stopped eating his breakfast and looked on as his father silently read the bad news.

James decided that it was no use to delay the inevitable and told Harry quietly, 'Your not to go on the train tomorrow. There's a portkey here to take you straight to the school at half past six in time for the sorting.'

'Why?' asked Harry softly. 'Why can't I be like others? Why can't I live a normal life? Why can't you just ignore Dumbledore and let me be normal?'

'Because, son, I could never forgive myself if you were killed because I ignored the advice of the greatest wizard I know. I don't like Dumbledore's orders regarding you, and I never have. But he is right about there being supporters of Voldemort who want him back, and who would regard killing you as a sure way to their master's right hand side. If it were just that you might be the 'One with the power to defeat the Dark Lord', I would try not to let it rule our lives. But I can't deliberately give you a freedom that is likely to lead to your death.'

Harry had of course heard this, or a similar explanation many times. He got up from the table and walked to the window, where he stood looking out, while trying to blink away the tears that were threatening to spill out from his eyes. His father, godfather and tutor knew what he was feeling, and allowed him a minute to compose himself. Then James suggested that they all spend the morning flying. 'And possibly the afternoon too.' he added. 'After all, first years aren't allowed to bring their own broomsticks, so you need to catch snitches while the sun shines!' This met with Harry's approval and the rest of the day passed pleasantly. It was agreed that Sirius and Remus would stay overnight and spend the next day with James and Harry as well, since there was no train to catch in the morning.

Twenty past six the following afternoon saw Harry sitting on his trunk in the dining room fidgeting nervously. Remus had left the room aminute ago, promising not to be long. He returned holding something covered in a brown cloth.

'This is from Sirius and myself,' he told Harry. Harry removed the cloth to reveal a cage containing the most beautiful looking Snowy Owl. He leapt off his trunk to hug first Remus and then Sirius. Then his father spoke.

I have something for you too, Harry. I found it very useful when I was at school. Helped me out with plenty of mischief, it did.' And he handed Harry a soft package. When Harry opened it to find a silvery looking cloak he gave a gasp of surprise.

Your invisibility cloak, Dad! But don't you need it?'

'I haven't used it for years, son,' his father replied.' I do know how to perform an invisibility spell now, after all. But I advise you only to let your closest friends know about this. Okay?'

'Okay,' echoed Harry. And then suddenly time seeemed to have run out. there was a quick flurry of hugs and goodbyes and then Harry sat back down on his trunk, now clutching the cage with his owl whom he had quickly christened Hedwig. James handed him the gold button and at six thirty precisely Harry was pulled away from the home he had never left since he was a year old to arrive in the grand entrance hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He had scarcely a moment to look around before he was claimed by a witch in a green robe.

'At last, Mr Potter.' she said crisply. 'Come along, now. The sorting's already started and you mustn't miss your turn.' And she ushered him into what Harry knew must be the Great Hall and propelled him to the end of a long line of students. A fair haired boy was just replacing a worn out old hat on a small stool and marching proudly over to one of four long tables filled with boys and girls. the children at that table were banging golden goblets on the table and cheering. Harry felt a surge of resentment that he had not at least been brought to school in time for the start of the proceedings. A tiny man read out the name of another boy who went to the stool, sat down and placed the hat on his head. After a minute the hat shouted out 'Ravenclaw!' and the boy went to sit a another of the tables amid more banging and cheering. At least by the time it was his turn, Harry knew what to do.

'Harry Potter!' A sudden hush descended on the room followed by much whispering as Harry walked to the school and donned the old hat. He was slightly startled to here the hat start talking to itself.

'Hmm, Mr Potter. Now where will I put you? I think probably Slytherin...'

No!' thought Harry wildly. 'My father will kill me!'

James Potter had often told Harry how horrible Slytherins were and how a great many of them were supporters of Lord Voldemort.

'Sorry, but I have to put you where you best belong,' was the reply Harry heard inside his head, and with that the hat cried out for the whole school to hear,

'SLYTHERIN ! '

'No please, it's a mistake - I can't be in Slytherin ! ' pleaded Harry as he took the hat off his head and looked around wildly, his heartrate feeling like it had doubled. the teacher who had met him marched up to him and said firmly,

'Mr Potter, the Sorting Hat does not make mistakes. Go and sit at your House Table.' And she pushed him in the direction of the table where the blonde boy had marched to when Harry had entered the hall. There was no cheering this time as the students glared at the boy who had expressed displeasure at joining their house. Harry sat down at the end of the table. Glancing up at the top of the hall where the staff were seated he noticed an pale faced dark haired teacher looking extremely angry. Harry knew from his father's description that this was Professor Snape, head of Slytherin and wished that he had been placed anywhere else. Anold wizard who was obviously Headmaster Dumbledore seemed to be looking rather self satisfied. Not for the first time, Harry felt a surge of hatred towards him and wondered if he had possibly fixed his sorting. The remainder of the cermony passed in a blur and after Dumbledore spouted some trivial piece of nonsense the tables filled with food. Harryonly half filled his plate, his appetite having deserted him. No one talked to him, as if there had been an unspoken agreement that he was unworthy of his housemates attention. After the feast was over he barely heard the headmaster's speech and sat silently as the rest of the school sang a stupid song to many different tunes. At last one of the elder boys told the first years to follow him, and soon Harry found himself in a dormitory in Slytherin Dungeon with four other boys. the fair haired one spoke up.

So, the famous Harry Potter doesn,t think Slytherin good enough for him? Well in that case we don't want anything to do with him, do we boys?' he asked, looking round at the other three boys. They all shook their heads, and at a word from their leader they left the dormitory for the common room. Harry was left on his own to go to bed, wishing that he were still at home, where at least he felt wanted, even if he couldn,t live life to the full. For a long time he lay worrying about what his father would say to him being a Slytherin, until he finally fell into a troubled sleep full of dreams about being disowned and put out onto the streets.

So there it is, chapter 3. I want to know if your reading this, so ... PLEASE REVIEW !