Harry entered the Great Hall for the welcoming feast and took his new place at the Gryffindor table, just in time to watch the Sorting. He applauded with the Gryffindors every time a new first year arrived.
"What the hell do you want?" Ron Weasley asked after he finally noticed Harry.
Harry to ignored him, removing his emotions from his face, and helped himself to something from a random plate. He began to eat, without realizing what he was eating.
Ron came over to face him, "I asked you a question."
Harry continued to ignore him and stared at his plate instead.
Ron began to pull out his wand just as Professor McGonnagall walked up, "Is there a problem, Mr. Weasley?"
"Potter is sitting at our table, Professor, I wanted to know why."
"Mr. Potter has transferred to Gryffindor at my request, Mr. Weasley. I believe that is enough, don't you?"
Ron relaxed his grip on his wand, "Yes, Professor."
"All the same, Mr. Weasley, I'd like you to help the first years with the passwords."
"Yes, Professor," and he walked away quickly, as if he wished to keep far away from Harry.
Soon after the desserts had appeared, Ginny slid over to the seat across from Harry, "Brilliant! You are here!"
Harry smiled, "For the moment."
"So, Ron looked pretty mad."
"Weasley tempers take a while to cool, and nearly killing him in potions last year didn't help."
"You also saved his life with that bezoar," Ginny reminded him.
"But I accidentally poisoned him first.'
"Oh well. All is well that ends well, so they say."
"So they do.'
The talking stopped when Professor McGonnagall stood up to speak, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts, new students and old! I wish to point out to the first years that the Forbidden Forrest is forbidden to those without permission, and that the East Tower is currently off-limits because it is being repaired for new classrooms. Off to bed, all of you! I'll see you in the morning!"
Harry stood and offered his arm to Ginny, and she, giggling most unlike her, took it and began to walk with him.
"How do we get there?" Harry asked as they walked out of the Great Hall.
"This way," she pointed and began to lead him toward a staircase.
After climbing all the way to the Gryffindor Tower, the Fat Lady closed right in front of him, "Can I help you?" she asked suspiciously.
Harry pulled out the letter from McGonnagall and showed it to her, "Professor McGonnagall transferred me to the Gryffindor House."
She nodded and asked them the password.
"Fawkes," Ginny told her and the portrait swung open.
"After you," Harry gestured to the now visible common room.
"Thank you," Ginny climbed through and stood in front of the hole, allowing Harry to arrive unnoticed.
"Get away from him Ginny!" Ron Weasley had made his presence known.
"From who?"
"Potter!"
"Why?"
"Because he's a Slytherin!"
"No, he's a Gryffindor."
"Oh, shut up, Ron, and sit down before you do something stupid," Hermione Granger appeared at Ron's side and pulled him toward their corner.
XXX
Harry soon found that nearly everyone in Gryffindor House shared Ron's sentiment. He obviously wasn't welcomed with open arms.
Lucky for him, Ginny was welcoming. Ever since he had saved her from the Chamber, she had been a great friend to the Slytherin boy, and now that he was a Gryffindor, her friendship probably saved his life.
But she couldn't be everywhere with him. Not only did their classes differentiate, but also Ron Weasley did what he could to drive them apart. Not that it ever worked, of course.
So it was inevitable that Harry got into trouble with Ron.
XXX
"So, Potter," Ron said scathingly during Potions, "What is your interest in my sister?"
"Why? Do you want to watch? That pretty perverted, Weasley."
"That's it, Potter, I challenge you to a Wizard's Duel."
"Where and when, tough guy?"
"The Astronomy Tower, midnight tomorrow."
"Fine with me."
"Hermione Granger's my second, who's yours?"
Harry felt his stomach drop, though he was careful not to show it, "I'll let you know," he started to measure his armadillo bile and refused to speak for the rest of the lesson.