Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter, sadly.
Chapter 1
Silence is a fickle thing. Often times, it can be deafening to those who are drowning in their thoughts. It is also the sweet relief to those who desire peace, so long as they have the peace already within them. Right now, Harry was drowning.
Hagrid led Harry to a large granite building with the word 'Gringots' carved into the sign. Harry gasped at the size. He'd never seen anything this big in his life. Hagrid walked him inside and up to one of the desks. Harry stood quietly as Hagrid explained the situation to the strange creature at the desk. He leaned in closely after a few words and handed him a letter. The creature took out a stick like the one Natasha had and waved it. Harry signed, Can you understand me now?
Yes, Mr. Potter. Allow me to show you to your vault. He climbed down from his desk and Harry realized how short it was.
What are you? What's that stick you have there? A lot of people here seem to have one.I am a goblin, and this is a wand. Most magical beings need one to perform magic. After your visit here, I suspect Mr. Hagrid will take you to Mr. Olivander's to get yours.What's your name?My name is Griphook.It's nice to meet you Griphook.The pleasure is mine, Mr. Potter. Follow me.
Harry followed the goblin to a door in the back of the expansive room. Hagrid followed behind, searching his pockets for something. They sat in what looked like old mining carts and Griphook pulled a lever that sent them flying forward. Harry felt the air running through his hair and beating against his face. It was almost painful moving so quickly.
They pulled to a jolting stop, and Harry tried his hardest to not throw up. Griphook walked over to a sizeable door with a single keyhole in the center of the door. Hagrid was still rifling through his pockets, and after a few small moments, pulled out a small golden key from one of them. He handed it to Griphook, who slid it into the keyhole and turned it. The floor under Harry's feet vibrated with the heavy door sliding against the stone floor. He posted inside once the dust settled.
Inside the door was gold and silver coins in piles and piles, some of them taller than him. Harry walked inside after Griphook. Hagrid took out a small coin purse out of his pocket and handed it to Harry. He wrote on the notebook, Harry, these here are galleons. He set a golden coin next to the name. This is a sickle. He set a smaller silver coin next to that name. And this is a knut. He set a copper coin much like a penny next to the last name. You'll need a good handful or two of each. Harry complied and gathered the coins. Hagrid nodded happily and motioned for him to come back to the mining cart.
Another sickening ride later, they stopped in front of another vault. Hagrid motioned for him to stay put. Griphook unlocked the door with a stroke of his finger. Hagrid took a small package from inside and slipped it into his pocket. Griphook locked the door without a key, but instead with a stroke of his finger, like the way he had opened it. He then climbed back into the cart and they traveled back to the main foyer where he waved them off.
Hagrid guided Harry to a load of different stores, buying books, quills and ink (Hagrid said they were for writing), a cauldron (for potion brewing), a wand (that took forever, and Mr. Olivander's weren't the easiest lips to read.) Finally, they went to the robe shop. Hagrid couldn't fit through the door, so he went to go pick up a few more things they forgot.
He entered the shop and looked around. There was fabric everywhere! Pin cushion, scissors and measuring tape floated around the room, measuring cloth, cutting it, and pinning it to dresses and what Hagrid called "robes". He noticed a boy his age with startlingly pale blonde hair standing on a small stool, getting his school robes sewn. The last thread was tied off and he stepped down. He noticed Harry and started to speak, so Harry read his lips. Hogwarts too? Harry nodded.
He signed, Do you speak sign? The blonde boy looked startled before nodding excitedly.
My mother taught me. She had a friend at school who was deaf.
Finally! No one seems to speak it here, and it's really slow writing everything down I want to say! The boy nodded.
I'm Draco Malfoy. What's your name?
Harry Potter. Nice to meet you Draco. Harry stuck his hand out to shake. Draco shook it with a smile. He had a nice smile, Harry thought.
Do you want to be friends? Draco nodded, his smile growing. The lady who was making Draco's robes just a minute ago walked over and tapped Harry on the shoulder. He signed, I'm deaf, to which Draco translated.
This is madam Malkins. She wants to know if you're here for school robes. Harry nodded. She guided him to the stand and Draco followed. She took his measurements and set to making the robes. When madam Malkins finished, which was very quickly, Harry paid and Draco asked him, What Hogwarts house do you think you'll be in?
I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure what you mean. I don't know much about Hogwarts.Well, when you get there, you'll be sorted into a house. There's S-L-Y-T-H-E-R-I-N, G-R-Y-F-F-I-N-D-O-R, R-A-V-E-N-C-L-A-W, and H-U-F-F-L-E-P-U-F-F. In want to be in Slytherin. Merlin the Great was I that house! My dad and mum were too!I want to be in Slytherin! Especially if you'll be in it with me! Harry signed excitedly. Draco smiled again. Draco turned, apparently to a sound, and Harry looked with him. Hagrid stood at the door, waving to Harry. I have to go. Will I see you at Hogwarts?I can do better! I'll sit with you on the train. Deal?
Deal. Harry agreed. He smiled at Draco again and waved goodbye. He waved back, the smile bright on his face. Hagrid held up a cage with a owl inside, then handed him a note.
It's an owl! You can use her to send post. Happy late birthday, Harry. Harry and thanked him on the paper. Hagrid smiled and took him back through the Leaky Cauldron and back into Muggle London. They ride the Underground to a street near Kings Cross, earning them a lit of odd stares, thanks to Hagrid's size and Harry's owl, which he named Hedwig. He saw the name in the book History of Magic.
Hagrid pulled out the crumpled piece of paper from earlier and wrote, I have to head back to Hogwarts and report to Dumbledore. This ticket will get you on the train, just be there by 11:00. I'll see you later. Hagrid smiled at Harry, pat his back, and walked off. By the time Harry remembered to ask for his book back, Hagrid was gone.
Harry stood at Kings Cross station, looking for platform 9 3/4. He tried asking a few people, but none of them spoke sign, and Hagrid stool had his notebook. When he saw a flash of platinum blonde hair, he followed after, but it soon disappeared. What he saw in place of that was fiery red hair. There was a lot of it.
There was a stout woman wearing a funny flower print dress was hurrying what looked to be her children towards a brick wall. He walked over and rugged on her sleeve. Her lips read, Why hello dear! How can I help you?
He showed her his ticket, and she said, Oh! Right this way, just follow my son, Ron. My name is Molly, Molly Weasley. It's his first year as well! Just run straight at the wall, go fast if you're scared, and you should pass right through. She gestured to a thin freckled boy around his age. Harry pushed his cart, following the boy. He ran at the brick, and Harry began to feel a sense of panic, that was until Ron disappeared through the wall. He followed right behind, and passed through.
He was instantly hit with a swirl of color and light. There was a bright red train that dozens of young witches and wizards were boarding. He thanked Mrs. Weasley with a smile, wave, and nod. He pulled his trunk and Hedwig's cage off of the cart and boarded the train. Again he saw that flash of platinum blonde hair, but this time he could see Draco's face. He waved and Draco spotted him. Harry read his lips and he told the boy he was taking to previously that he'd see him later. He hurried over to Harry and they found an empty compartment. He sat next to Harry and they feel into cheerful conversion.
Hey, Harry!
Hi Draco!
My mum got me a new broom for playing Quidditch. Of course first years can't play, but I can still race during the breaks.
What's Quidditch?
Oh! I forgot! It's a wizard sport. There are seven people on each team. Three Chasers, two Beaters, one Keeper, and one Seeker. There are five balls. Three are B-L-U-D-G-E-R-S, they chase you around and try to knock you off your broom. One Q-U-A-F-F-L-E, that's the ball you score points with, and one S-N-I-T-C-H. The snitch is a small golden ball with wings that flies around the pitch while the Seeker tries to catch it. The Beaters hit the bludgers away from their teammates and try to hit the other team. The Keeper guards the hoops that the other team can score points with. The Chasers try to get the quaffle through the other team's hoops. The game ends when the Seeker catches the snitch.
That sounds so cool! Can you teach me how to play some time?
Sure. Like I said, first years aren't allowed to play, but a can still use the pitch. We have flying as a mandatory course this year. I can teach you during breaks or at lunch. Harry smiled. Draco turned to the door, and Harry followed his eyes. Ron was standing in the doorway to the compartment.
Harry read his lips.Can I sit here? Harry nodded and beckoned him in. He sat across from Harry and started talking quickly.
Harry quickly signed Draco, I can't understand him! Draco turned to Ron.
Harry read his lips. He's deaf and you're taking to quickly for him to understand. Ron looked at Harry in shock.
Harry signed, Hi. I'm Harry Potter. You're Ron, right? Harry watched as Ron's eyes widened as Draco translated. Ron nodded and introduced himself, which Draco translated since he was still taking too fast. They talked for a bit, and a girl with curly brown hair and dark skin walked into the compartment. She said a few words and Draco shook his head. She said something else that Harry could read.
You should put your robes on. We'll be arriving soon. Draco nodded and looked to Harry. He signed that he understood and got his robes out. Draco got himself his own out and they went to the back of the train to change.
Harry and Draco shared a boat to the castle. As they waited on the staircase as professor McGonagall explained how the sorting worked. Harry read her lips and picked up, In a few moments, I will guide you into the Great Hall. That I'd where you will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner here at Hogwarts. You'll be called in alphabetical order by last name. When you are called, you will walk up and sit on the stool at the front. The Sorting Hat will be placed on you had and you'll be sorted into one of four houses. Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Come along now.
She ushered then into what she called the Great Hall and they lined up. Draco whispered something to Ron, and he nodded. Kids were called up and sorted one by one. Eventually, Draco was called up. The Sorting Hat barely touched his head before it shouted something. Harry couldn't make our what it was, but Draco smirked and walked to a table with a green snake on the banner above it. Must be Slytherin then. A few more people were called and sorted. Everyone was looking around and, as it looked like to Harry, whispering to each other. Ron smacked his forehead and pushed Harry forward. It's your turn, he said slowly. Harry nodded and walked up.
The hat was placed on his head and it spoke to him. It was different from the spell others had used. It was like it was actually speaking to him. Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes-and a nice thirst to prove yourself, note that's interesting... So where shall I put you?
Slytherin, please be Slytherin. I want to be with Draco.Ah, I see. SLYTHERIN!
I seem to have a knack for these cliffhangers. Well, hopefully the chapters will be coming faster thanks to my wonderful new beta, The Slytherin Queen!!! Shout out to how awesome she is for offering, the gods know I needed the help! The chapters will get longer, I promise, but I'm working on a surprise for you guys!