Chapter 2
"Slytherin!" The Sorting Hat hollered. The Hat was removed from his head and he saw everyone shifting in their seats and looking at each other rather uncomfortably. Draco was waving him over, and he sat right next to him.
Harry asked, why does everyone look so upset?
Draco rolled his eyes. Not many people like Slytherin's. You-Know-Who was in this House. Just because of one bad wizard, they've branded all of us as evil. We know the truth though. Merlin was in this house! He was the best wizard there ever was!
Harry nodded in agreement. I've heard of him!
See what I mean! Draco exclaimed. He was taking with his mouth as well as his hands. People normally did that when they were excited from Harry's experiences. You were raised by Muggles, right? That's what everyone says, and you still know about him!
I don't know what a Muggle is, Harry signed apologetically.
It's a non-magical person, Draco explained.
Yeah, I grew up with Muggles then.
The boy Draco was talking to on the train tapped Draco and asked him, "What are you doing? Who is that?" He pointed to Harry.
Draco responded, "This is Harry, and we're speaking sign language. He's deaf."
Harry, this is Blaise Zabini. His mother is friends with my mother. Draco introduced them.
Hi, I'm Harry. Harry Potter. Draco translated. Blaise's eyes widened momentarily before he shook Harry's hand. Draco and Blaise suddenly looked to the front, and Harry looked as well. A strange men with twinkling blue eyes stood at a podium that wasn't there seconds before. He seemed to be giving a speech, so Harry looked around him. The man had a very long beard, so Harry couldn't read his lips. The ceiling looked like it was made of glass. The starry sky shone through it and candles floated overhead, giving light to the massive room. When he noticed everyone standing, He followed suit and looked where Draco was looking. The man in the front had conjured a giant ribbon and words to what looked to be a poem or a song flashed across it. Judging by everyone's lips moving, it was a song.
Draco nudged him with his shoulder and signed, you should be thankful you can't hear this! It's absolutely horrid! Harry gave him a small smile. When everyone slowly sat down, Harry followed suit. The man at the front sat down and the empty platters in front of them filled with food. Everyone started filling their plates. Harry looked to Draco and saw he was filling his plate too. Harry eyed the food cautiously. Was he allowed to eat?
Aren't you hungry? Harry nodded.
Then eat! Draco encouraged. Harry nodded and filled his plate slowly, waiting for retribution. There was none. He ate quickly, trying to finish before the plate was taken. He managed to keep his face and clothes clean in his haste. When he didn't at the Dursley's, he was punished. Soon his plate was empty.
Draco looked at him oddly and signed, Slow down, you'll get sick! It's not like anyone's going to take it away from you! He smiled.
Harry looked at him anxiously. They're not?
Draco's smile faded. No, why would you think that? Harry's mouth suddenly felt like cotton and looked down at his plate. A lump built up in his throat.
It's nothing, don't worry. Harry slowly looked up when he was sure he wasn't going to cry. Draco had a sour face now. Did he say something wrong?
What's wrong? Harry signed nervously. Draco shook his head.
It's not nothing. You shouldn't have to be afraid to eat. You can tell me anything, you know, Draco assured him. The sour face was gone. In its place was a look of concern. Was it the Muggles you lived with?
The Dursley's. They didn't like me. I guess they didn't like that I'm deaf, or that I have magic. I'm not really sure. Harry pushed his plate away. It had magically refilled itself. He wasn't hungry anymore. Slowly, people finished eating around him. Draco nudged his shoulder lightly and smiled.
It's going to be okay. I'll write my mom about it. She has ties to the Ministry so she can help you. He seemed so confident! Maybe he was right. But Natasha had already tried to help, and all that did was nearly get her fired. The food disappeared and more food took its place. This was the desert course. Draco took a blue macaroon and bit into it. Harry hesitantly did the same with a green one. It was the best thing he'd ever tasted. Natasha once brought him a candy bar and he ate it when Dudley wasn't around, but this was better! It was soft and sweet, but not too sweet. The frosting was fluffy and creamy, it was the best thing he'd ever eaten. Harry didn't eat anything else after that. His stomach already hurt from eating so much.
A little while later, the man with the beard stood up again and said something else. Soon, the floor vibrated with all of the benches scraping way from the table and thousands of feet hitting the cobblestone. Harry stood with Draco and followed everyone out of the Great Hall. They walked through the large corridors and came to stairs heading downward.
Where are we going? Harry asked.
To the dormitories. It's where we'll sleep and stuff. Harry nodded.
The staircases above them were moving around in a seemingly unpredictable pattern. The pictures on the walls were moving and talking to each other. Draco look! They move! Draco smiled and nodded.
Of course they move! Do Muggles not have moving pictures? Draco asked.
No, Muggle pictures don't move. We have videos though! Draco looked confused but Harry wasn't paying attention anymore. Harry watched as a silvery figure drifted through a wall. Harry jumped and Draco explained that it was a ghost. They came to a stop in front of a stone wall. One of the older students said something and the bricks moved away. Harry gasped lightly and Draco looked at him. Harry was staring in awe at the room. The Slytherin crest adorned a banner above the mantle. The armchairs and the couch were grey, and there was a coffee table in front of the couch. A small fire crackled in the fireplace, the flames burning green. If they had looked closely at the windows on the far wall that lined a cosy alcove, they'd realize that they were directly under the lake.
Draco smiled at Harry's expression. It was as if all of his fear had melted away for the time being. He wanted to see Harry like this all the time. One of the older boys turned to the first years, there weren't many, and said, "This is the common room. The boy's dormitories are down the left hall and the girls are in the right. The washrooms are inside your rooms and upstairs are the dorms for second through seventh years. Second floor for second years, third years on the third, etcetera. You each have one roommate, and your rooms have your names on the door. If you have an issue, take it up with our Head of House, Professor Snape. That should be it."
Harry had read the boy's lips and understood. He took Draco's hand and walked down the left hall. Draco was shocked at the gesture but didn't object. He relished Harry's trust in him. They looked for their names on the doors and found a surprise at the end of the hall. They were roommates. Draco opened the door and Harry walked in after him. Their trunks were at the foot of their four poster beds. The sheets were silky grey and the duvet was green. Heavy curtains were hanging ready to be pulled shut for privacy. Draco checked out the bathroom while Harry examined his bed. It was so big! The room was much bigger than his cupboard. He'd never been on a bed before, at least not from what he remembered. There was a bed stand with a candle-lit lamp on it and two drawers in the front. Harry opened the drawers and saw they were empty. Draco walked out of the bathroom and gestured for Harry to check it out with him. Inside was a gigantic bathtub with serpent handles and a snake-shaped showerhead and faucet. A double sink was on the wall by the door. The vanity mirror covered a good portion of the wall above the double sinks. The granite counter was black and there was a window that appeared to be submerged underwater.
What's up with the window? Harry asked.
We're under the lake right now. Draco answered.
Woah. Harry gazed out the window in awe as the giant squid swam past them. Draco watched Harry's amazed face. His bright green eyes were lit up in excitement and the tense look his face usually held was gone. Replacing it was a private smile that made something in Draco's stomach flutter. Why did Harry make him feel like this?
Harry looked back to Draco and that smile widened. They walked back to the room and Harry sat with Draco on his bed. We need to find a way to talk in class without sign language. I don't think the teachers will approve, Draco signed. Harry nodded.
Natasha, one of my communications aids, helped me learn a way so we weren't disruptive during class. She would trace the words on the back of my hand and I'd respond the same way with my answer. Harry said.
Why did you need a communications aid? Draco asked, puzzled.
Hardly anyone knows sign at my old school. It's really annoying, mostly. He smiled and knocked shoulders playfully with Draco. He then took Draco's hand in his own and with his other hand, traced a message on the back of the pale skin with his finger. Can you understand this? Harry traced. Draco nodded and flipped their hands over so he could trace on Harry's hand.
Yeah, but start slow so I can get used to reading it. I'm new to this. Harry nodded this time. We should go to bed now though. We have class tomorrow. Harry nodded and they both got ready for bed. After brushing their teeth and changing into their pyjamas, they climbed into their beds and pulled their curtains shut. Both boys were fast asleep after their heads hit the pillows.
Draco awoke in the middle of the night to a strange noise. He lifted himself up onto his elbows and looked around. His curtains were pulled shut but the noise was clearly coming from Harry's bed. He was whimpering. Draco leapt from bed and practically ran to Harry's bed and ripped his curtains open. Harry was sleeping, but clearly having a stressful dream. He tossed and turned, small whimpers escaping his normally silent lips. Draco touched his shoulder and shook him awake. Harry say bolt upright at the contact and scooted away in fear. When he saw it was only Draco, his tense body relaxed and his shoulders slumped. His expression remained guarded. Draco traced on his hand, Are you ok? It looked like you were having a bad dream.
Harry nodded and replied on Draco's hand, Yeah. It was just a dream though, I'm fine. I have them all the time.
Draco looked at Harry for a moment before asking, So do you want to sleep in my bed tonight? Harry nodded minutely.
Draco scooped the too-skinny boy up in his arms and carried him to his bed. What are you doing? Harry didn't really care. He just wondered why Draco was carrying him.
Carrying you to bed obviously, Potter. You look too tired to walk. Draco smirked playfully and Harry laughed. Soon after the beautiful sound escaped his lips, He covered his mouth in shock and blushed. His eyes filled with a mixture of terror and embarrassment. Draco felt himself fill with seething anger. This boy had been hurt so badly, he was afraid to laugh. If he ever got his hands on these "Dursley's" Draco would rip them limb from limb. Harry, no one's going to hurt you ever again. I swear it on my life. He set Harry on his bed and held him in a tight embrace. Harry was stiff at first, but soon wrapped his arms around Draco and hugged him back. They laid down and got comfortable side by side. When sleep was seconds from engulfing Draco, He felt Harry's warm hand creep over and take his own.
Draco squeezed it gently and promptly fell asleep.
Sorry this took so long! Digital detox took forever and then there was the groundings and the writer's block! I've started the next chapter for Soulmates to help with my writer's block and I have the plot sorted out in my brain. No promises on the posting date and again I'm sorry the updates are so sporadic! I hope some of you stayed with this! Just warning you now, this is going all the way to 7th year and an epilogue after that! I know exactly how this is going to run and what will happen each year, unlike Soulmates which I have a loose plot for.