A.N. I was searching for a story and got upset when I realized that none of them had been updated since last year and then I saw Esmeralda and I felt so bad that I immediately wrote this chapter, sent it to my beta and started the third chapter...hopefully that one will be better. Much thanks to SasuNaruJunkie for everything.

Chapter 2 - First Day

"SLYTHERIN!"

The Great Hall went deathly silent as a young boy with dark emerald green eyes and messy black hair made his way fearlessly across the hall to the table full of doubtful snakes, seemingly oblivious to the fact that all eyes were focused on him. Even the Headmaster had been shocked speechless, his blue eyes wide and lacking their sparkle. Breaths were held as the boy took his seat at the Slytherin table, turned around to look at the rest of them, raised an eyebrow and said, "Yes?"

The entire student body, shocked by this statement instantly returned to their own business and the sorting continued.

Stuffed and feeling like he was about to pop, Harry collapsed on his bed. Sighing, he struggled to reach the emerald drapes around his bed but gave up and turned onto his back. Hearing the door open, Harry closed his eyes and listened to the footsteps as they approached his bed.

"Potter, you awake?"

Sighing in frustration Harry carefully swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up facing his new roommates.

"Yes?"

One boy, with pale skin and blond hair so light it was almost white and silver eyes, stepped forward.

"Relax…Harry. We're only here to offer you our friendship."

Harry gave them all a suspicious look. "Why?"

Another boy with a dark drown complexion, brown hair and black eyes spoke up next.

"Because we Slytherins stick together no matter what. Weren't you listening to Jaz's speech?"

Harry had listened to the speech and had realized that no matter how misunderstood, hated and looked down upon the Snake House was and how evil they were painted, they were actually quite warm with their own.

"Jaz?"

The second guy grinned. "Yeah, she's my sister, Jazmine. She's one of the fifth year perfects, can't figure out how, I mean she's just as awful as any other fifth year." He held out his hand to Harry. "The name's Blaise Zabini."

Hesitantly Harry reached out and firmly shook Blaise's hand. The guy with almost white hair held his hand out and Harry shook it.

"Draco Malfoy. And the two idiots who will be giving you nightmares with their snores tonight are Crabbe and Goyle. Harry nodded suddenly unsure of himself.

"What now?"

Draco smiled softly at him. "It's getting late and we have school in the morning."

"So time for bed!" Blaise sung as he practically skipped to his trunk to get ready for bed.

Laughing with Draco, Harry followed Blaise's example and began getting ready for bed. Pulling on his pajamas, he carefully folded his robes and put them away before crawling back into bed, thinking about the family he had left behind.

Harry happily munched on his toast as he listened to Draco tell Blaise off for pulling him away from his beautiful reflection. Laughing quietly he was a bit surprised when a slightly chubby girl with blonde pigtails, blue eyes and a cheerful face dropped into the seat across from him, smiling sweetly.

"Hey Harry! I'm Pansy."

Harry couldn't help but smile back. Pansy's smile was so infectious.

"It's nice to meet you Pansy."

Pansy's smile grew even bigger. Tuning into Draco and Blaise's argument she rolled her eyes.

"Come on Drakie. I'm sure Blaisie-Poo didn't mean it."

Both boys looked at her, shock and disgust written all over their face. As both boys seemed ready to shout at her she rolled her eyes, winked at Harry and went to sit with a bunch of giggling first year girls. Harry couldn't remember the last time he had laughed so hard. They sneered at him as the morning post arrived. Harry held his arm out expectantly and smiled as Hedwig landed on it and stuck her leg out. Feeding her a piece of toast, Harry gently removed the letters. Deciding it was best that he left them unopened until later, he carefully put them into his school bag. Looking around he realized that Draco and Blaise had gotten up and left him at the Slytherin table. Laughing Harry grabbed his bag before running after them unaware of the calculating stares of two individuals.

Harry entered the Charms classroom still very uncomfortable around Draco and Blaise but choosing to sit with them anyway. Everyone else was speaking rather loudly, bragging about their summers as Harry sat quietly observing the people around him. Apart from the three of them, there was Crabbe and Goyle, who were standing rather close to them making Harry feel uncomfortable, Pansy and her friends who were gossiping, four Ravenclaw boys who were arguing about a spell and one who had his nose in The Standard Book of Spells, two Ravenclaw girls practicing wrist movements, two who were actually performing charms and one who was staring at him.

Smiling nervously Harry averted his eyes, determined not to look back at her but curiosity got the better of him and before he knew it, he was staring back into her violet eyes.

"Who are you staring at?"

Harry jumped and turned to face Draco. "What makes you think I'm staring at someone?"

Draco shrugged. "Probably because you look nervous as if someone's been staring at you."

Harry never got a chance to respond as Professor Flitwick chose that moment to enter the classroom.

Harry sat on his bed and pulled the drapes hoping to have a moment to himself. Opening his bag he pulled out the letters from this morning and smiled as he traced the familiar handwriting on the front of the first. Tearing the muggle envelope open, he unfolded the paper and began to read.

Dear Harrison,

I couldn't help like feeling that something was missing from the moment you got on that train. I guess I didn't want to believe the little boy I looked upon as my own was growing up. And I don't think poor Esmeralda truly understands where you've gone. Last night she asked me if you were coming home in time to tuck her in and read her a bedtime story and the tears in her eyes when I said you weren't almost broke my heart. Well I don't want you to worry anymore than I know you're worrying, Ezzie and I are taking good care of each other and today we're going for a walk in the park to escape the empty house. I expect a letter from you very soon telling me what house you're in and all about your first day.

-Aunt Petunia

Holding his knees to his chest, Harry took a few calming breaths before picking up the next one and laughing at the messy writing on the front. Wiping away tears, he carefully opened it and took out two sheets of paper. Unfolding the first, he slowly read trying to decipher the words through all the crayon.

Dear Daddy,

I miss you. Where did you go? Grandma says you went to school and I think she's lying cause you did not come home. I hope you come home soon cause Grandma's no fun. Grandma says I have to go to the park. I love you daddy. I even drawed you a picture. The girl is me and the boy is you. I miss you.

-Ezzie

Sobbing quietly, Harry unfolded the drawing of him and Esmeralda and couldn't help but smile. The picture was of two stick people holding hands with huge smiles on their face. The paper was cut in the shape of a heart and coloured red. Holding the drawing close to his heart, he took a moment to envision his little girl. She had short raven black hair and large deep blue eyes, she always had a sweet smile on her face and loved to laugh. As he imagined his daughters laugh he felt like breaking down and going home.