A Place to Call Home
Sorting and Professors
Disclaimer: Not yet.
A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers; I appreciate every one. If there are any questions, comments, or criticisms, please Review!
"Welcome, new and old, to Hogwarts, school of Wizardry." Dumbledore said
After leaving the train, Harry and his friends including the newfound and newly-obliviated Neville were led, by a huge man named Hagrid, to small rickety boats that carried them across a huge lake. From there, they were escorted inside the castle by a stern woman and sorted in one of four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw.
Harry watched his two friends Ron and Hermione sit under the old decrepit hat squirming with anticipation. Smiling, he cheered with the rest of the hall, as Ron was sorted into Gryffindor and Hermione, into Ravenclaw. Now it was his turn.
Harry trotted forward and sat carefully on the stool. The hat tipped forward to cover his eyes. Harry looked at the inner brim of the hat and waited. Finally, a soft voice sounded in his ear.
"So you're Harry Potter eh?"
Harry jumped and then deciding to be polite, whispered, "Um, yes, and you're…a hat?"
The hat laughed, "True, but I'm no ordinary hat. Now where should you go? Ah well, what with your little secret and all-"
"What!" Harry yelped and then hurriedly covered his mouth.
"No worries. I won't tell a soul; who'd believe a hat anyway?"
"Oh well…thanks, I think." Harry murmured relieved.
"Back to sorting you…hmm, I don't think you'll do good in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. They don't seem to fit you."
"Then…where?" Harry wondered.
"Slytherin would be perfect for you. You've got the drive, the power…the background."
Draco came from Slytherin…Harry thought wistfully, but Ron's in Gryffindor…
"Alright, alright, don't get your knickers in a twist. I guess there's nothing for it except…SLYTHERIN"
Harry heard the last word shouted to the entire room and slowly took off the hat to scattered applause. He smiled timidly at the High Table, looking at Draco and walked over to his table where he sat next to a dark-haired boy, who Harry recalled, was named Blaise. He didn't dare look over at Ron or Hermione.
Finally the sorting was over and the feast started when the plates immediately filled with food. Starving, Harry reached over towards the nearest dish and began filling his plate. He shoveled his food into his mouth, staring into his plate with intense concentration.
"I'm Theodore Nott." A young boy on Harry's right stuck out his hand for Harry to shake.
Harry smiled at him and uneasily shook it before saying, "Harry. Nice to meet you."
"And you…this is Pansy and these two are Crabbe and Goyle."
Harry nodded to a pug-faced girl and two oafish boys, "Hey."
The five stared at each other for a painful moment before Blaise who had remained silent through out the introduction finally spoke, "So where did you grow up Harry?"
Harry let out a sigh of relief, "With the Weasley's in Merlin's Grove."
"Oh…lots of Gryffindors come out of there." Theodore commented.
"True, but don't worry about it Harry," Pansy smiled sweetly, "I live near Godric's Hollow. Not only does it have an abundance of Hufflepuffs, but it's also absolutely infested with muggles. It'll be overrun soon."
The Slytherins shook their heads in regret; even at this young age they all knew the growing threat of muggles discovering their existence and starting another war.
"Merlin's Grove has tons of special enchantments, but every once in a while a muggleborn waltzes in and we've either got to accept them or obliviate them." Harry said regretfully
"Better than leaving them for the vampires." Blaise said darkly, "You know what vampires do with Muggleborns, mudbloods they call them."
All of them collectively shuddered.
"My father saw one once, a vampire I mean." Goyle said, pausing from stuffing his face, "Nearly pissed in his pants, he told me. Scary creatures aren't they?"
Harry's stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch as the others readily agreed, "That's not true. They aren't creatures; they're just different…to the extreme true, but they're still human in a way. We should respect them. Vampires used to live in harmony with us before Voldemort"-the group jointly flinched-"came to power and who knows? Maybe some of us will decide become one."
Theodore snorted, "No offense Harry, but I'd never do that nor become a blood donor; too much like joining the enemy whose tried to kill us for years now."
The others nodded their heads while Harry winced. He started to open his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Dumbledore's ending speech.
"Well, now, that we've finished this splendid feast that has been so graciously prepared for us, I have a few announcements. Firstly, as always, the Forbidden Forest is off limits. Secondly, I would like to welcome our newest Defense Teacher, Professor Malfoy." Dumbledore ended his little speech by clapping politely.
Harry joined in the clapping furiously, as did the rest of the Great Hall. No one though, Harry noticed, was clapping quite as hard as the Weasley's and Hermione. They, truly, knew what Draco was capable of. Draco stood up and smiled at everyone, inclining his head. Then he turned to the Slytherin table an almost imperceptible jerk that Harry took to mean as 'we-need-to-talk'.
"Children, children, please settle down. Now if you will follow your prefects to your dormitories. Classes will start tomorrow at nine sharp."
The students duly got up and tiredly walked over to their respective prefects whom were each calling out for their underlings to follow them. Harry got up with the rest of them, but then stopped and turned back towards the Gryffindor table.
"Guys," Harry said nervously, not sure if this was allowed, "I'll meet you all there. See you soon."
Harry turned and fighting the crowd, finally reached the Gryffindor table where Ron was leaning up against the table obviously waiting for him.
"Ron…" Harry trailed off, a tense silence forming between the two best friends.
"Harry! Ron!" Hermione came up to them looking harassed, "What are you two doing? When you said I'd be looking out for you two, I didn't think you meant five minutes into the school year! Get back to your prefects before I drag you there!"
Harry and Ron's eyes widened considerably.
Ron walked forward quickly and clapped Harry on the back, "No worries mate. Slytherin and Gryffindor have tons of classes together and…we'll see Hermione a lot too."
Hermione stopped blustering, "Oh, that's what you were worried about? Us not seeing each other? That's silly Harry, incredibly sweet, but still silly. We have integrated classes. We'll see too much of each other." Hermione laughed.
Ron also grinned and ruffled Harry's hair before he could brush him off, "Stop Ron," Harry said grinning, "I'll see you all tomorrow at breakfast…and at classes. Right now I've got to go talk to"-Harry lowered his voice covertly-"Draco. I think he wants to talk to me about something important; otherwise he wouldn't have signaled me in public."
"Oh Harry," Hermione said softly, moving in closer to Ron and Hermione, "Do be careful. Draco won't be accepted here and neither will you if anyone finds out; it won't matter if you are the Boy-who-lived!"
"She's right Harry." Ron whispered, "Not that she's ever wrong, but this time she's hit the stake in the proverbial chest, excuse the wording. You should have heard the rumors and mudslinging going on about vampires at my table.
"Same at mine." Harry sighed.
"Me too; I thought Ravenclaws were supposed to be smart." Hermione tutted.
"Smartness has nothing to do with prejudice…"-Harry bit his lip-"we're…we're going to have to change that." He finished determinedly.
"Right you are. I don't like the Vamp, but that's no reason to see him slaughtered." Ron smirked, "Harry you better get going; he's glowering at you."
Harry turned and stared at a corner where Draco was lurking and indeed, glaring at him; laughing, Harry proclaimed, "Well, see you all later."
Harry waved and took off towards the dungeons as his two friends scurried after their prefect's up the towers. Harry rounded the corner and realized that he had been completely left behind. He had talked to his friends for so long that he had missed the window of opportunity to talk to Draco and catch up with his housemates.
Harry groaned, he was definitely going to in trouble for this…and to make matters worse, Draco had completely disappeared. Harry kicked the stonewall in frustration; for all he knew, Draco had done this on purpose because Harry had made him wait a couple of minutes.
Selfish prick, Harry thought dismayed and angry.
Sighing, Harry continued walking trying to find his way to the dormitories, cursing Draco all the way. He was going to have to guess where the dorms were; all he knew was that they were located in the dungeons, but even an idiot knew that. Harry walked down the corridor and took a right, figuring that, to begin with, he'd just keep taking the route that led downwards. Afterwards…he'd figure something out, or he'd be wandering all night and make a fool of himself come morning.
Suddenly, a white hand reached down and grabbed Harry's shirt and clapped a hand over his mouth. Harry gasped around the hand and struggled violently, until a voice above chuckled wryly.
"Stop that Potter. I'm your Professor." A deep voice snapped.
If anything, that made Harry struggle harder, since…well, if this was a professor then he was screwed.
"Oh for Gods…"-the man released Harry and turned him roughly around-"It's Professor Snape, your head of house. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"
"Ah…" Harry stuttered.
Snape leaned closer, baring his teeth and whispered, "Potter hasn't anyone told you it's bad to be out of bed this late at night." Snape's hand snaked out and gripped Harry's as he made to step backward.
"Yes, too bad it's not his fault this time, isn't it, Snape?" Draco loud voice resounded throughout the empty corridor and Harry lurched backwards, tearing his grip away from Snape's as he did so.
Turning in relief, Harry watched as Draco stalked towards them, obviously upset about something. Then he was upon them and grasping Harry's arm much like the way Snape had been earlier.
"So sorry for the inconvenience, but I called him out here to discuss some safely precautions we'll be taking this year for young Harry's well-being."
"Of course, wouldn't want Potter getting a paper cut." Snape said dryly.
"Or anything worse…" Draco trailed off, staring into Snape's eyes, "Now I'll just escort Harry here off to bed."
"Yes…yes you do that." Snape nodded at Draco and leered at Harry who edged backwards slightly and then thinking better of it, stood his ground.
"Come along Harry." Draco tugged at his arm and obediently Harry trailed after him.
Draco sped along the hallway, making Harry almost trot to keep up, until he reached an empty classroom, where he yanked Harry inside, amid protests.
"Ow! Draco, let go of my arm, you jerk."
"Harry"-Draco tilted his chin upwards-"You okay?"
"Except for the finger-shaped bruises-"
"Harry." Draco snapped, his voice harsh.
"M'fine" Harry muttered subdued.
"Thank God." Draco sighed, "I was so worried when I saw him leaning over you like that and…"
"Draco just because someone's creepy, doesn't mean he's dangerous. I mean that's like saying that if someone's a vampire-"
"Ha ha ha, Harry," Draco said weakly, "But I don't want you anywhere near him, alright?"
"He's my head of house, Draco! How I avoid him?" Harry said incredulously.
"I know, I know," Draco leaned against a desk, "and may the Gods strike me down as I speak, but I've never wished more that you were a Gryffindor."
"Well, that's a bold statement; after years of poisoning my mind, now you want me to switch houses?" Harry threw up his hands in disbelief, "What's wrong with you?"
"Snape is dangerous Harry." Draco said, hand covering his face.
"How? Other than jumping at students from behind to scare them, he seems fine, and that whole scaring-the-daylights-out-of-you-for-nothing-more-than-a-laugh could be a Hogwarts teacher thing…you've seen Dumbledore!"
"Harry," Draco said gently, "Snape's a Vampire."
Draco knew that he shouldn't have felt any satisfaction upon seeing Harry's tanned face pale, first in surprise and then, shock, but the brat had made him wait while he conversed in private with his friends and then had the gall to talk back to him when he was-
Bloody hell…he sounded like the teachers that he had had when he went to Hogwarts all those years ago.
"The years are catching up with me…" he muttered.
"What?" Harry asked confused, "What did you- Wait never mind, Snape's really a Vampire?"
"Worse. He's one of Voldemort's…I used to know him." Draco pursed his lips angrily.
"Why is he here though?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Maybe the same reason I am; to spy on Dumbledore."-Harry gave him a sharp look-"Of course I really work for Dumbledore so I'm not actually spying on him, but Snape may really be planning to hurt him…or you."
"You know I think I've seen him before; was he at the Vampire meeting with all the big-shots that you brought me to?"
"No," Draco sighed, "And don't remind me of that night. I thought Molly was going to wallop me with that broom."
"But I'm sure I've-"
"Forget him Harry; I don't want you to even get near enough to him to figure it out. From now on, when you're around him, keep your head down. I'll take care of the rest."
"Don't do anything stupid." Harry warned.
"You know me." Draco drawled.
"That' why I'm worried." Harry laughed and then shrieked as Draco threw him over his shoulder and started tickling him, "Stop Draco…" Harry gasped snickering.
"That was weak Harry, very weak." Draco said continuing to tickle him mercilessly.
"Hey…"
Suddenly, Draco flipped him back into his arms and holding him tightly, moved to the door. Harry, sensing Draco caution, squashed down his curiosity and slipped out his wand. Draco smiled at him and kicked open the door. The hallway was deserted.
"Guess I made a mistake." Draco said lightly, though his grip on Harry remained tight and protective, "Let's get you to your dormitory."
Draco walked deeper into Hogwarts, relishing the weight of Harry's head on his shoulder. Reaching a portrait of a stern man, Draco said the password, "Gillyweed." And let Harry slip down from his arms. Harry jumped through the hole and Draco caught the sight of his old Slytherin Common Room, before Harry waved at him and the portrait closed leaving him standing in the cold gloomy dungeons.
Turning, Draco walked back until he reached the Great Hall, at which point, he took a left and started up the stairs until he finally reached his room, decorated in cool greens and blues. Draco shrugged off his teacher's robe and poured himself a glass of firewhiskey.
He dropped into a chair, contemplating. Funny how fate worked. He had hated Hogwarts throughout his entire stay, at least a hundred years ago and now here he was teaching kids. He didn't even look old enough to be a teacher. Annoyingly, Draco still could have been taken for a seventh year student or someone in his early twenty's at the most. It was a vampire's way. They aged at a tenth of a rate of humans. For Draco, whom his father had marked at a very young age, that made for a very long childhood.
And now, Snape…Draco didn't feel up to telling Harry that the reason Snape seemed familiar was because the Vampire had probably tried to kill him. That would be left to another time. As of now Draco would have to keep an eye on the bloodsucker. Voldemort had told him there was another spy at Hogwarts, but one as unstable as Snape…it could be a problem. If he posed a threat, Draco would need to 'take care' of him. He couldn't be allowed to hurt Harry.
Swirling his drink, Draco turned his thoughts to Harry. Wonderful, naïve, sweet Harry. He just had a way about him that drew people to him. But, for all of his knowledge, he really didn't understand anything, nor did Draco want to enlighten him. He greatly hoped he would never have to; that was best left up to the mentors.
Smiling, Draco drank the rest of his drink and fell into his bed, pulling back his covers as Harry was probably doing in his bed, far below him. Curling up in the huge soft bed, Draco slept, unaware of the problems Snape would bring in the future.
To Be Continued…