Chapter 6: Tradition, Formality, Sorting

When their letters to Hogwarts finally arrived, Father wasted no time cramming their schedules and brains with as much lessons their minds could handle, expecting nothing but high marks. He also wasted no time preparing them. Unlike a majority of parents who waited until the last minute to get their children supplies, within the first week of August, Father had taken them to Diagon Alley.

"It's kinda odd to me." Harry said while they were being fitted for their robes at Madame Malkin's.

"What is-Ow!" he yelped, feeling the needle bite into his back. "Watch it."

"I would't have to if you stood still." The seamstress said.

Wench.

"That Uncle Lucius is actually letting us go to Hogwarts."

Draco understood his friend's amazement. He felt the same way, too. Father made it no secret that he believed the school has lose most of its creditability since he went there and more importantly since the old goat taken over. He actually was looking into other alternatives. In the end though family tradition won over his pride. "Every Malfoy has gone to and graduated from Hogwarts. Father said it would be bad to go against tradition."

"Sometimes tradition can be broken."

Draco shook his head. Rarely in his family.

Minutes later after much sewing and poking, the robes were done and packed. Draco reminded Madame to watch herself next time while Harry thanked her with a smile.

She looked surprised but flattered, answering with a smile of her own. "Such a sweet boy. It's easy to see which one is the nice brother and which," Her smile darkened to a frown when she looked over to Draco. "is the not-so nice one."

While it's too easy to see which one is the old prune. Before Draco could tell her off, Harry took their bags and dragged him out from the store.

"I think your dad will appreciate it if you didn't get yourself in trouble before noon."

Draco scoffed. "As if I'd ever get caught. Besides he'd find a way to have the charges dropped like that." He snapped his fingers.

"Whatever you say, Draco." Harry rolled his eyes, then paid close attention to Draco's shoulder. Or what was behind it. A smile curved his lips. "Hagrid."

Draco looked over and held back a groan. Barely.

The man Harry called was almost as big as the shops, his beard dark and thick as his hair. The giant worked as a gamekeeper at Hogwarts. From what Harry written in his letters during his visits with Uncle Severus, he was a nice man who was a bit of a chatterbox. From what Father had said from his visits, he was a half-breed drunkard. Draco at this moment was leaning more toward the latter, catching the whiff of liquor lingering on the man that grew stronger the closer the man approached them.

Great Merlin, Draco thought, his nose crinkling. It's not even noon yet.

He couldn't help but feel bites of irritations snapping at him as he saw the giant pull Harry into a tight hug, ruffling his hair. "Ah, Harry. How you doing?"

"Good," Harry grabbed Draco by his robes and pulled him forward, making him stand beside him. "Hagrid, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is Hagrid. He works as a gamekeeper in Hogwarts. I've told you about him."

He did, but left off the part about his stench. Draco could feel his eyes watering being so close to the man.

Hagrid didn't look all that pleased to meet him either. The look of brief puzzlement in his eyes reminded Draco of how Dumbledore looked when they first met him. He gave Draco a head twitch that barely counted as a nod before he turned to Harry and asked him about his summer.

"It was good. Had some fun at the villa. Did a lot of reading."

"That's good to hear," Hagrid said. "Reading is good for the brain."

"What about you?"

"I've been busy with errands. A lot of changes happening at Hogwarts. New animals, new supplies, even new dorms. I can't wait till you see how Professor McGonagall and I fixed up the Gryffindor common room. Even the first-years dorms got fixed up. I bet you're going to love it."

What was this about Gryffindor?

Before Draco could ask, another person joined in on their conversation.

"When I see what sort of help an establishment hires, it makes me wonder whether the position was offered out of generosity or sheer desperation." Father eyed the giant from head to toe. He wasn't the least bit intimidated by his size.

Draco did little to suppress the smirk that slashed across his face. Harry did little to hide his frown.

The oaf's cheeks were tinted red from either embarrassment or anger. "Malfoy," he drawled out the name like it was a bad word. "I'd say it's a pleasure but I'm a man who doesn't believe in lying."

"If only you were a man who believed in self-control." Father hinted toward the liquor-laced breath.

The oaf looked like he had a few choice words for Father but, either remembering who he was close to insulting and his high position or the fact there was two young kids listening, he wisely kept his mouth. He ruffled Harry's hair once more and gave him a departing smile. "See you soon, Harry. I know you'll have a good time at Hogwarts. I know I did."

"Bye Hagrid."

He also said good bye to Draco and his father, even though the response was nowhere near friendly or warm as it was with Harry. "Malfoy," He looked from father to son. "Little Malfoy."

Who was this oaf calling little?

Hagrid went on his way. Father watched him till he disappeared from sight before he turned over to Harry, his left brow raising slightly.

Harry lived with them long enough to understand Father's gestures. An arched brow meant a demanded explanation. Immediately.

"When Uncle Severus is busy in his potions lab, he lets me visit Hagrid at his hut. He's a really nice man, Uncle Lucius. He lets me help him with the animals."

"I see." Father replied.

The brow was still rose high. The explanation may have been given, but it wasn't enough.

"It would have been rude if I saw him and didn't say anything."

"There are certain people that are acceptable to greet in public, Harry, and others in private."

Or not at all. Draco was fine with that opinion.

Father stared at Harry until the boy finally nodded his head, accepting his words. "Come along then, boys. We still have more shopping to do."

They stopped by Flourish and Blotts, where they got two sets of books: books for school and books for reading-pleasure. Harry's stack was a book or two higher than his. After their books, they picked out their cauldrons, even though he was a bit peeved that they had to settle with the plain pewter as opposed to the glittering gold. For their potion supplies, they needed to go to the Apothecary, but Father saved them the trip by having the supplies delivered to the manor.

Thank Merlin. Everytime they passed by there, Draco could feel his nose melting from the horrible stench.

"Let's see. Robes, books, supplies," Father mused. "Am I missing something?"

An idea sparked in the young boy's head. He nudged Harry, a silent question in his eyes. Harry, being able to easily read it, shrugged and gestured to him to give it a try. "Perhaps new brooms?"

His father wasn't easily swayed. "If I seem to recall correctly, I already got you two brooms for your birthdays."

Shoot. Draco was hoping that he wouldn't remember. His mind was still on the beautiful Nimbus 2000 that was posted on the display window of the Quidditch shop.

Harry tried a different angle. "Pets then? The letter did say students are allowed to have pets."

"I suppose," The boys tried their best to contain their excitement. "After you get your wands."

Even better.

For wands, they went to the best of the best: Ollivander's. The shop appeared small on the outside and larger as they stepped inside. The space was cramped, taken over by multiple shelves stacked and stuffed with countless boxes. They were greeted by a short man who had a puff of white hair and silver eyes that glowed like the moon. He looked like he was his early fifties when in fact he was old enough to recall measuring both their parents for their brooms.

"Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Potter. I was wondering when I'd see you."

Draco went first. Ollivander started him off with a few wands, but each time he tried it out something went wrong or the man snatched it from his hand, muttering it was wrong.

"Ah. Try this," After the fifth try, Ollivander handed him a wand he pulled from the top shelf behind him. "Ten inches, hawthorn with a core of unicorn hair."

Skeptical about the unicorn bit, Draco draw the wand in front of him. Blue sparks streamed from the tip, wrapping around his body like a blanket before they faded.

"I think we have a winner," Ollivander smiled. He looked to Harry. "Now onto you, Mr. Potter."

Draco's wand-picking may have difficult, but Harry's was disastrous. Ollivander placed close to a hundred wands into the boy's hand, half of which were snatched away before he could test it or caused something to explode.

The last one made every jar of ink explode, smearing the walls and floors.

"No, no, no. Definitely not that." Snatching yet another wand, the store-owner rushed to the backroom.

"Maybe I should just take up wandless magic." Harry suggested.

"Wait, wait, wait. I'm sure there's something here."

Minutes later the man came back with another wand. "Eleven inches. Holly and phoenix feather."

Harry reached out for the wand, firmly grasping it in his hand. Before he even brought it down, the wand awakened, releasing streams of red and gold that shot from the tip like fireworks that danced and burst around the shop, brightening the place with beautiful light.

A beam spread across Harry's face. Draco applauded for his friend. Father inclined his head, pleased. The only one who wasn't awed by the show by Ollivander who watched it all with a critical, thoughtful eye.

"Curious," he murmured. "Very curious."

"What's curious?" Harry asked.

Ollivander took the wand back, placing it back in his box, wrapping it in paper. He fixed Harry with an odd look. He looked almost as if he was possessed.

"I remember every single wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. It just so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand was given to another-just one other. It is very curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you," Reaching across the desk, he pointed at the lightening-bolt that peeked through Harry's bangs. "that scar."

The excitement faded as color drained from the boy's face.

They paid seven gallons each for their wands. Draco couldn't get Harry out there fast enough, unable to resist throwing a glare in the man's direction.

To ease the tension from the wand-shop, Father took them to the pet shop, getting them both owls. Harry's was the color of fresh snow he named Hedwig while Draco's pick was an eagle owl with piercing eyes. Afterward they stopped for lunch at one of Draco's favorite spots, then over to the ice-cream parlor for dessert, where Father treated them to large sundaes.

Draco knew Harry's mind was still on what Ollivander had said to him about his wand. At lunch he had eaten very little. Now his sundae was slowly melting away while his unfocused eyes stared at it.

Licking a glob of whipped cream off his spoon, he swung his leg back and slammed it against Harry's ankle.

"Ow!" Blinking those unfocused eyes that cleared from the pain, Harry hissed as he tended to his leg. "Stinking prat."

"You're spacing."

"I was thinking."

"Remember our rule?" It was one they made up when they were eight. Anytime one was in too deep in his thoughts, the other was allowed to use any means necessary to bring him back, which usually applied to elbowing or kicking.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"You're still thinking about what that nut said to you."

Harry rolled his eyes again, but he didn't deny it.

"He's an old goat."

"You said the same thing about Dumbledore, Draco."

"Which I still stand by. He doesn't know anything. You're not Vol-" He flinched, unable to say the full name. "The Dark Lord. You're nothing like him."

"I know that but…" Harry's voice trailed off as he brushed his hand against his scar. It's been four years, and the scar still looked as fresh and swollen as the day he got it.

Draco would've kicked him in the ankle again to bring him back, but decided to use a different tactic. He scooped a spoonful of ice cream, pulled his spoon back, and let it fly.

Harry managed to avoid getting hit face-first, but some of the ice-cream brushed against his cheek. "Hey!"

Draco smirked, helping himself to another spoonful. "Since your brain is frying from so much thinking, I thought some ice-cream would help cool you down."

"Have I ever mentioned how much of a prat you are?"

"You do. And I take it as a compliment each time, git."

At their last night at the manor, the house-elves served up a feast, all of which Draco savored, knowing there was a strong possibility that tonight would definitely be the last night he'd have good food for a long while.

"I hope Hogwarts' meals are decent."

Harry swallowed down a bite of steak. "Most of the food is pretty good."

"You said most? Most as in not always," Draco remarked. "Doesn't sound promising."

Harry rolled his eyes. Draco winked at him, gently nudging his foot underneath the table.

"You boys excited about tomorrow?" Mother asked.

"Uh-huh," Harry answered. "I can't wait till we start Transfiguration."

"Flying-lessons are what I'm excited about. And Quidditch." Even though Severus told him first-years rarely made the team, he was determined to get a spot.

Father looked amused. "Think you'll manage to impress the captain?"

"I'm a Malfoy. Persuasion is part of our charm."

Father was pleased by the answer.

Severus paid close attention to the steak he was cutting. "I'm sure you'll be able to persuade McGonagall to join the Gryffindor team, Harry. Merlin knows they're in need for new players."

Wait. What?

Father didn't say a word. Mother tucked her hand under her chin, lips curving into a sly smile as her eyes shifted from Severus to Harry then back again.

"I don't know, Severus. Harry is a bright boy. I think he would do well in Ravenclaw."

It was true that Harry spent a lot of time in the family library, digesting book after book. He absorbed literature and knowledge the same way sponge absorbed water.

"Historically Potters have always been sorted into Gryffindor," Severus said. "The same way Malfoys have always been in Slytherin."

"I think tradition may win this case." Father said.

The conversation from dinner left a horrible taste in Draco's mouth that followed him into bed, making it impossible for sleep to come. As much as he tried to push the words out from his head, they charged right in, encircling his mind. It was one thing for that oaf servant to make that comment about Harry in Gryffindor. But for Father and Mother to think the same? For Severus to pretty much claim it was inevitable? Draco couldn't get past it.

Turning onto his side, he looked at the boy who slept beside him, his hair messy and wild as usual, his arm entwined around Draco's waist. Draco pulled him close and threw a leg over him, as if Harry was about to be taken any minute.

Severus was right. Potters have always been in Gryffindor the same way Malfoys were in Slytherin. Uncle James used to call his son his little lion. Aunt Lily's first toy to Harry was a stuffed lion he often kept close. And, if he was being honest with himself, his best friend did possess some of the qualities of a Gryffindor. Harry was brave; there was no doubt about that. He was one of the bravest people Draco knew.

But for four years the two have always shared a bed. They've shared a room. They've always been close to each other. And though Draco knew them being sorted into different houses wouldn't do anything to their friendship, it was hard to picture living in a dorm and not having Harry as a roommate. Not having him by his side.

It was a thought that was hard to swallow.

Platform ¾ was buzzing with noise: the loud squeals and cheers from friends who rushed into each other's arms after a summer apart, the loud chatter of parents who checked over their children to make sure everything was there, attendants who chatted to each other as they loaded carts and luggage into the train.

The day they've been dreaming was actually happening.

They were going to Hogwarts.

"Is it odd that I have a hard time believing that this is actually real?" he whispered to Harry, who shook his head.

"Definitely not."

"Boys," The friends looked away from the train over to Father. "I don't have to remind how you critical it is for you to be on your best behavior. Mischief is in your blood so understandably you'll feel the need to act upon it," He fixed them with a pointed look that got sheepish smiles in return. "Though I strongly advise that if you chose to do this, try not to get caught. Study hard. I expect nothing but top marks from you both."

"And," Mother stepped in. "at least two letters a week from both of you. We certainly didn't get you those owls for nothing."

At the sound of the train's whistle, last-minute hugs and kisses were being done as students started piling into the train.

"Best be on your way. Do well, boys."

"We love you." Mother hugged Draco first, then Harry, holding each boy tight before sending them off to the train.

They waved at the pair until they were two dark dots that disappeared from sight. Draco took Harry's hand and led them to the back of the train to one of the compartments.

Their friends were already inside one. Pansy was the first one to notice them, squealing as she jumped from her seat and rushed over to hug them. Draco was able to jump away, but Harry wasn't so fortunate, becoming caught in her web.

"Darlings!"

"Pansy." Her name came out as a wheeze from Harry's mouth. The girl had a strong grip.

"Why don't you let him go, Pans, before you suffocate him?" Theo didn't look from his book, licking his finger and turning the next page. "I think a lot of fans will have your head if you squeezed their hero."

Over Harry's shoulder, Pansy stuck his tongue out at him. The two have been at each other's throats since they could talk.

Blaise was lying comfortably on the seat, using Theo as a cushion for his back. "Malfoy, Potter. Took you long enough."

"Come off it, Zabini," Draco told him. He noticed there were two people missing. "Where are Crabbe and Goyle?"

"Last I checked they were in another compartment playing Exploding Snap."

"Typical."

During the trip, the friends talked about their summer and their dreams for the upcoming year. Blaise was relieved to be countries away from his mother and new step-father, even though Draco knew for a fact the man has been showering him with presents since the honeymoon. Theo, who was an avid reader like Harry, was looking forward to peering through the school's library that was said to be quite impressive. Pansy was just excited to uncover new dirt on the students.

"Supposedly the first-years will have to wrestle a troll for their sorting."

What nonsense. "Who said that?"

Before Pansy could answer, the door slide open, revealing a girl around their age already dressed in her robes with bushy brown hair and front buck teeth that reminded Draco of a donkey.

"What," he demanded. "are you?"

The girl ignored his question, unknowingly adding her name to the list of people he found irritating, her eyes glancing around their compartment. "Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost him."

Muggle-born, Draco decided, after one look. Her appearance said it all. "Does it look like we're the lost-pets center?"

Pansy and Blaise snickered. Theo smirked as he turned another page in his book.

Harry didn't find the comment all too-funny. Frowning slightly he elbowed him-a bit harder than necessary-in the arm and hissed at him not to be a prat. To the girl, he said "Sorry. We haven't seen him."

"So goodbye." Harry elbowed him again. Harder. Draco clamped in his lips to hold in his pained yelp.

The girl's eyes narrowed into slits as she looked to Draco. Then widened as they stared at Harry, recognizing him instantly. "Holy cricket. You're Harry Potter."

So she wasn't just a Muggle-born. She was that type of Muggle-born. Even more irritating.

Ignoring the pointed looks she received from four of the less-than-pleased passengers, she focused her attention on the boy who looked a bit flustered by his admirer. "I've read about you. You're in the Modern Magical History, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."

Harry stared and blinked once, stunned. The girl stuck her out hand, smiling slightly as Harry took her hand and shook it. Draco was hit by the sudden urge to pull back Harry's hand and slap hers away, before he'd toss her out of their compartment.

"I'm Hermione Granger."

"And I'm bored." Draco announced.

"And you're rude."

Draco gritted his teeth. Pansy took one look at the girl before she dismissed her. Theo didn't bother looking at her. Blaise was only interested enough to ask what her parents did for a living, picking up on the fact her name wasn't familiar in their circle.

"Oh, both are dentists. They were greatly pleased when I got my letter. It was quite a surprise. I didn't even know about Hogwarts, and thought magic was just a fairy-tale fable. I made sure to read everything I could about it."

"If you want," Harry said. "I can help you whenever you get stuck."

Draco's neck nearly snapped as his head quickly turned to Harry, stunned by what he heard. He looked over at the muggle-born and her smile widened.

"I would like that very much, thank you. Good to know that some people have manners."

"And I would like very much for you disappear," Draco pointed towards the door. "Goodbye."

With a huff she left, unfazed by the glaring daggers he aimed at her back. Pansy quickly shut the door and made sure to lock it.

"Honestly," she said. "Can you believe her?"

"Well, she's a muggle-born. What do you expect? They're not known for their brains."

They all burst into laughter, except for Harry who only looked at Draco, his eyes unreadable.

"What?"

Harry shook his head and looked out the window.

He didn't speak him for the rest of the ride. Not when the conductor announced that they were close to the school, and they changed into their robes, tossing Draco's comb at him instead of calmly passing it over when he asked for it. He didn't speak to him as that giant servant greeted them at the platform. He was annoyed with him; Draco could tell by his silence. As annoyed as he was, it wasn't strong enough to keep him from joining Draco in the boat, along with Blaise and Theo while Pansy went with the other girls. He stayed close by his side when the giant escorted them to the breathtaking castle.

Standing in front of the steps was a tall witch dressed in green robes. Her black hair was tied into a tight bun, and her narrowed eyes scanned over them once Hagrid brought them over to her.

"I am Professor McGonagall," she introduced herself. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats, you will need to be sorted into your houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

From least to the best. Draco felt a smirk spreading across his face. He nudged Harry, who rolled his eyes but had a small smile by the corner of his lip. The first one Draco had seen since the train, which he took as a sign that Harry's annoyance was waning.

"Now while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn your house points. Any rule-breaking," She scowled. "and you shall lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup, a very high honor."

McGonagall slipped away for a moment, which the students used as an opportunity to talk. As they chattered and gossiped, Draco's eyes skimmed out the sea of faces. He recognized a few people, but most were strangers. There were a few he could see as useful allies, some that had potential, few that didn't pose as threat, while most he planned to avoid like a plague.

Like the fat boy carrying a disgusting-looking toad who had his cloak tied into his shirt like a bib. The annoying girl he recognized from the train who was babbling to those around her about facts she picked up from her books. Or the boy in the cheap robe with red hair that was so bright it hurt his eyes to look at him. His pale face was dotted with freckles, and there was dirt on his nose.

Must be a Weasley, he thought with a sneer. They were only in the school for a few minutes, and Draco already knew that this year wouldn't be as great as he thought. Especially if he was forced to breathe the same air as a blood-traitor.

For some reason or the other the blood-traitor's eyes were fixed on Harry.

"You're him, right?" The question practically boasted from his mouth, his loud voice attracting most of the students' attention. "Harry Potter?"

Harry looked at the boy with an expression that was a bit of questioning and suspicion as he nodded his head, which caused quite a stir among their peers.

"Then that means you have the…" He pointed to his forehead.

There was a slight pause in the second head-nod.

"Can we see it?"

Who did this idiot think he was? Draco stepped in front before he could answer, glaring down at the boy.

"Did you pick up your poor manners at the same place where you picked up that robe?"

The boy's cheeks flushed in anger. "I'll have you know that it belonged to my brother, Bill. My mother made it herself."

Definitely a Weasely. "I almost feel sorry for you. Almost though. I'd rather go naked than wear something so cheap."

He scowled at him, his face almost turning as red as his hair. "And who the heck are you? Other than a snot-nosed prick?"

If that was meant to be insulting, the weasel failed miserably. "Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

He coughed into his hands, but Draco heard the snicker underneath.

"Think my name is funny, do you?" he snapped. "Note that I had no need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe. You must be a Weasley. My father is always telling me how your parents have more children than they know what to do with."

Weasley marched forward as if he were ready to punch him, close to five steps in before Granger pulled him back. He shrugged her off.

Draco watched the scene with amusement. He turned over to Harry, who looked from the boy back to him. "Some wizarding families are better than others, Harry. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort."

"Who are you calling the wrong sort, you little ferret-"

"If you gentlemen are done," McGonagall said, tapping Ron on the shoulder with a rolled-up paper before gesturing him to join the others. "Follow me."

Along the way through the school, after nearly having their hearts leap from the their chests from the ghosts that decided to pay them a visit, Harry asked him in a whisper. "Do you have to be a prat?"

"I like to think of it as honesty."

"Some would say snobbish."

"Then they're idiots who aren't worth the time or space."

Harry's brow furrowed, and for a moment he looked at Draco as if he was meeting him for the first time. Draco wasn't sure if that he liked that look.

He found that he didn't like it at all. "He's a Weasely, Harry. His whole family is nothing but a bunch of Muggle-loving blood-traitors. He's not someone you should be seen with. Like I said, he's the worst sort."

He tried placing his hand on Harry's shoulder, and the boy shrugged him off. The gesture hurt Draco more than it should have. "Harry."

"I think I can tell the worst sort for myself, thanks."

"Harry."

Harry shook his head and continued to walk, moving a bit faster to keep some distance between them.

The Great Hall was lit with thousands of candles that dangled from the ceiling that illuminated a gorgeous nice sky dotted with stars. Four tables were set across the room with golden plates and goblets where students were seated, wearing their house badges. The teachers were presented at their station, Uncle Severus being among them. He gave the boys a slight nod.

On a high platform was a four-legged stool that carried an old witch's hat that was patched, frayed, and dirty.

Draco's nose crinkled slightly.

"Now when I call your names," McGonagall said, unveiling a long white scroll that touched the ground. "you will put on the hat and be sorted into your house."

The first one to go up was Hannah Abbot, a pink-faced girl with blonde ponytails. She stumbled out of the lines they were formed in and took slow steps toward the stool, almost as if she expected the dusty hat to bite her.

"HUFFLEPUFF." The hat shouted.

The house table applauded and welcomed their new member with wide smiles and open arms.

"Susan Bones."

"HUFFLEPUFF."

On and on, it went. McGonagall read a name from the list, the student would place the hat on their head, and the hat would scream out their house.

"Draco Malfoy."

The hat was barely on his head for two seconds before it cried out "SLYTHERIN."

Knew it, Draco thought. It was only inevitable.

More and more people were called. Some went to Ravenclaw, one too many were sorted into Gryffindor including that muggle-born, and those that appeared soft went to Hufflepuff. Draco was happy to see most of his friends made it into Slytherin including Theo whom Blaise betted ten gallons would go to Ravenclaw.

There was only one friend left who had yet to be sorted. Harry. He was among the last few students. To his annoyance, so was the weasel standing close to him. Too close for Draco's liking.

His hand formed into a tight fist as he watched the two. Weasel pointed to their table as he whispered into Harry's ear, his face anxious. Harry's face was unreadable. "What do you think he's saying?"

Blaise looked at them and shrugged with one shoulder. "Dunno. Maybe warning Harry to watch out for us evil little snakes."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "I'd rather be a snake than a cowardly lion any day."

"Ronald Weasley."

The boy looked like he was seconds away from fainting. Harry came behind and nudged him forward. With shaky legs, he walked up to the stool and waited as the hat decided.

"GRIFFYNDOR."

Weasley sighed, relieved. The table that was already filled with students cheered for him. Draco spotted several students who had the same too-bright red hair among them. Most likely his brothers.

"Harry Potter."

Whispers broke across the room as students and teachers paid close to the boy as he calmly walked forward to the stool and was still as the hat was placed in his head.

"I can't believe it."

"He looks so tiny."

"He has to go into Gryffindor. His dad was head-boy after all."

Draco gripped the table so tightly, his knuckles turned white.

Harry's sorting was taking longer than most of the first-years. A lot longer. Which could mean a good thing because that had to mean the hat was indecisive about Griffydnor. But at the other hand it also meant that he was thinking about other houses.

Harry listened intently to what he was being told, his facial expression calm and unreadable, not giving a hint to what the hat was saying to him.

Maybe it won't be that bad if he went into a different house, Draco tried to reassure himself. He tried to ignore how hollow the thought sounded. He tried telling himself that while it would be different, it wouldn't be completely unbearable. Much. After all, before they lived together, they often visited each other at their houses, throwing sleepovers. They could do the same thing again.

I'll just take the room and reserve the bed for him. 'Course Harry would be coming to the Slytherin dormitory more often than Draco would visit Gryffindor. He'd put it with it for a while, but knew there was a certain amount he could handle before he exploded.

Things would be fine.

He prayed. He hoped.

"SLYTHERIN."

He-wait, what?

Draco's head jerked so quick, his neck nearly snapped.

Wait. Did the hat say what he think he said?

Unless it was some sort of dream. If that was the case, it was a vivid one, which consisted of Harry smiling as he walked over to the Slytherin table who applauded and cheered over landing the Boy-Who-Lived while most of the hall fell into silence. A vivid dream in which Pansy's squeal was louder than normal as she jumped from her seat to hug Harry tightly, gushing that he was too cute to be placed with the lions. A vivid dream in which Blaise looked stunned but relieved, saying to him he was glad he didn't make that bet with Theo about Harry going into Gryffindor otherwise it would have cost him twenty gallons.

It wasn't until Crabbe moved to his right on the bench to make room for Harry at the table that he began to ponder that it might not be a dream after all. His belief in the thought was waning as the boy took a seat right next to him, his emerald eyes sparkling.

"Looks like the lion became a snake."

Draco grinned and pulled Harry into a tight hug, only able to finally breathe as he felt the familiar warmth of his body and inhaled his scent that was cinnamon and treacle tart and something entirely Harry.

It's not a dream. He's really in Slytherin.

The feast was large and delicious. Though it was nothing compared to how his house-elves cooked, it gave Draco enough hope that he wouldn't be going hungry this year. After their stomachs were stuffed with food and Dumbledore gave another speech about the upcoming year, the perfects lead them to their dorms.

The room he and Harry were assigned was impressive, the best the dorm had to offer, compliments of Father. Large, painted in rich shades of green and sliver. Two poster-beds sitting next to each other with velvet green curtains with the heads pushed against the wall and the school trunks in front of the feet. Even though they were set up near the dungeons, they still had a gorgeous view of the campus outside their window.

"Wow." Harry breathed.

"Indeed."

They changed into their pajamas and settled into their beds, though Draco didn't fell asleep so easily. He glanced over across from Harry, who had his back turned to him.

He thought it over for a second or two before he climbed off his bed and into his. Harry wasn't at all surprised by the intrusion, scooting over for Draco and pulling the blanket over their heads.

"Better?" he asked.

"Much." Draco nodded. Now it felt like home.

Harry nodded and closed his eyes, snuggling his head against the pillow. Acting on instinct, Draco threw his arm around him.

"Harry?"

"Yea." A green eye popped open.

"What exactly did the hat say to you?"

The green eye blinked, and the other eye opened as well. Harry turned onto his side, and Draco followed his lead. "It said that as a Potter, Gryffindor would have been a good choice for me."

Of course. Draco barely suppressed an eye-roll.

"But," Gray eyes snapped back to emerald-green. "it also said I can be great in Slytherin."

So it came down to either Gryffindor or Slytherin. Harry could have easily gone to his parents' house, but he didn't. Which meant… "You mean you-"

"I think Mom and Dad would be fine with whatever house I got into. Gryfinndor's not bad, but," He smiled at him. "It doesn't have my best friend. Even if he can be a prat most of the time."

Warmth flooded into his heart.

"Really?"

"Really," he confirmed with a nod. "You're mine and I'm yours. Remember?"

Smiling, Draco kissed him on the forehead. "Always."

Harry settled himself on his chest and fell asleep almost instantly. Draco stayed up for a few moments watching him, stroking his hair.

Harry was truly something. He could have easily gone to Gryffindor but chose to stay with him. Even though he was annoyed with him on the train and then at the steps during his confrontation with the weasel, he still chose to stay with him.

He's mine. I'm his and he's mine. That's all there was to it.

Pecking his forehead again, he murmured against his skin "I love you."

I wanna thank you guys so much for reading. I also love hearing from you so I urge you to review so I know what you think of the chapter. I found this one was to your liking. For the next one...there is the strong possiblity that we're going to go through a time-skip. Possibly. Not sure at the moment. Tight scheduling. I guess the only way to find out is too keep reading. You rock ;)