First off, my previous Harry/Snape is being abandoned (unless enough people really want me to continue it) due to rather disastrously large canon-problems with the release of Deathly Hallows. Instead, I present this new one. It will be Harry/Snape eventually, but bear with me. He's only 11 right now.

A/N: First couple are going to be short as I work things out. They should get longer.

Chapter One

Before I ended up on the train, I knew it was possible to be frightened. It's not as if Dudley didn't give me the time of my life, racing around the house. Good thing I've always been faster. I'd known that it was possible to be so scared that I felt like I was going to throw up. Aunt Marge could always see to that with wonderful regularity. Her and her dogs.

But I'd never quite known this kind of fear. It was the tingly kind, that starts in your toes, as you go through the barrier onto the platform behind a family of redhead wizards. By the time you're on the train, it's made it's way up your legs, and it's good a thing you're sitting down, because otherwise you might fall over. When the train pulls out of the station, that's when it hits your chest. And when a boy from the aforementioned redheaded family comes to sit with you, it's as much as you can do to force sentences out. He's amazed at your scar, can't take his eyes off it.

Actually a bit annoying. I've had people gape at my scar before. That's why I keep my hair over my forehead. I understand that I'm a big deal here, or so people keep telling me. I'm not actually 100 sure why I'm a big deal.

After a couple hours, the fear is so intense that it's tough enough just to breathe, and all the redhead, Ron, wants to do is to talk. That and eat the sweets that I bought. I don't mind that much. He knows a lot more than me, but judging by the size of his family, I'm really not surprised.

Then we're interrupted. A small blond boy and two hulking boys behind him. This ones reeks of aristocracy. Ron doesn't think much of him, that's pretty clear. Draco Malfoy, what a strange name. Then again, they are wizards.

Draco looks and sounds like the kind of guy that can take care of things. Like he's got ears in high places. I imagine it's what Dudley would be like if he had a brain, or any charm. I take the offered hand. Ron doesn't look impressed. But then again, Draco isn't very impressed with Ron.

I'm torn for a minute. Draco wants me to go back to his compartment. Ron clearly wants me to stay. Ron, he of the smudged nose and mouth full of sweets. Or Draco, the suave coolness just rolling off him. There's something bad lurking under the surface, something I just can't quite put my finger on, but maybe I'm just too wary. The fear isn't gone yet. The surprising thing is, standing next to Draco, the fear starts to ebb. Draco can take care of things.

The last of the fear rushing from my feet into the solid floor of the train is what makes up my mind. I nod at Draco, pass a glance over the two hulks, Crabbe and Goyle, and exit the compartment. There's something unreadable on Ron's face. Anger? Or disgust? Or just jealousy? It's hard to tell.

---

Draco will take some getting used to. He's fond of boasting about every little thing. His cronies are quick to agree with him. He keeps glancing over at me, as if seeking my approval. Then again, I am the Boy Who Lived. Or something like that. I can tell that Draco wants to talk to me about something, but whether he's just not sure about what to say or wants to wait until we're in private, I can't tell. And I'm usually so good at reading people.

We're nearing Hogwarts, I can hear everyone talking about it.

"I'm going to be Slytherin," Draco is saying. I'm pretty sure that's one of the school houses, but I'm afraid that I'll look stupid if I ask. Something inside tells me that I shouldn't look stupid in front of Draco. He looks over at me. Looks me up and down. It's a penetrating gaze, like he's looking right into my soul. It makes me shiver. "What about you?"

I don't want to see as eager to agree as Crabbe and Goyle, but it's the easiest answer without asking any questions. "Slytherin too, I hope."

He nods. I've given the right answer. First time in my life that I've really felt accepted, and it feels so good. Draco has been talking about his parents and how his father has sway at the Ministry of Magic. To be accepted by someone like Draco is something that I'd not quite hoped for. I thought I was going to have to settle for someone like Ron. I'm sure he's decent people, but it's like the difference between real diamond and that see-through glass. To the casual glance, they look just the same, but on closer inspection, they're nothing the same. I'd rather have the diamond.

We're ferried across the lake, and to the Sorting ceremony. I catch Ron's eye as we're walking into the Great Hall. By this point, he's gotten over it and there's a different expression on his face. I don't really care. He's the glass, Draco's the diamond.

When my name is called, there is a hush throughout the Great Hall. It actually feels pretty good, to have all eyes on me. I look over to the Slytherin table, where Malfoy is now sitting. He gives me a thumbs-up and I put the hat on. Slytherin, please Slytherin, I whisper under my breath. I hope that no one can hear me.

Finally, the hat pronounces me a Slytherin. I feel as though a huge weight is off my chest. There is clapping and cheering and I slide into a seat next to Draco. For the first time in my life, it feels as though things are working out my way.

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Please let me know what you think.