Hermione walked through the Great Hall in awe. Hogwarts was amazing. It was like a Disney castle and the enchanted roof was simply incredible. As the 1st year students lined up, she noticed the blonde boy she'd met on the train watching her. He had cold blue eyes, but they weren't just cruel, although she couldn't quite name the emotion she saw. She suddenly realised she was staring at him and pulled her eyes away, blushing furiously.

When Professor McGonagall told them what they had to do she felt a sudden rush of relief. Thank goodness all she had to do was put a hat on. She'd been nervous that she would have to do some kind of magic. She had read all about different spells, but she'd never had the chance to practice, and the last thing she wanted to do was humiliate herself in front of everyone.

Hermione wasn't the only person feeling relieved. Various rumours had been flying through the air and all of the first years looked a little nervous.

When the hat began to sing however, the Hall fell silent. Once it had finished, Harry felt even more sick. Brave, Clever, Cunning, Loyal? He didn't feel that he was any of those was suddenly scared that he would fail. The hat would't sort him and he would be sent home to the Dursleys in disgrace.

The bushy haired girl from the train got sorted into Gryffindor, along with the hopeless, round faced boy with the toad.

And then suddenly the professor called his name. Harry walked shakily to the front and pulled on the hat.

"Hmmm. 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, now that's interesting... So where shall I put you?"

"Please, I just want to fit in. Please sort me, don't leave me, please. Hurry up."

"Insecure eh? You could be great you know... your way to greatness hmmmm? Well then, better be... SLYTHERIN!"

Draco sat smugly at his table, watching the remaining sorting. He had been sorted into Slytherin, obviously. Slightly more surprising was that the Potter boy was also sorted into Slytherin. Draco didn't know what to make of that, but he felt that his father would see this as a great opportunity. Draco made room for Harry next to him and introduced the boy to all of his friends.

Dumbledore as Harry was sorted into Slytherin. It was very troubling indeed to see their flimsy shield was so vulnerable indeed. He was worried about the influence of the Malfoy boy. Perhaps Severus could keep an eye on them both.

"Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

Harry stared at the Headmaster as he began the feast with a string of gibberish.

"Is he a bit mad?" Harry wondered aloud.

"Crazy" said Blaise.

"Most wizards think he's a bit odd" added Malfoy.

When the feast was over Harry followed the rest of the Slytherin 1st years towards their new common room. They went down, and down, until a prefect stopped in front of a portrait and uttered the password, 'pure blood'. The Slytherin common room was in the dungeons (What kind of school had dungeons?) and it had a sort of Halloween style. It was a long, low room, with greenish lights hanging from chains. Carved chairs sat in front of a fancy fireplace. When they went up to the dormitory Harry held back while the others claimed beds. He knew that most of them had been friends for years and he didn't want to make enemies.

Draco saw Harry standing alone in the door of the dorm. He waved him over and pointed to the bed next to his own. Once all of the beds had been allocated Draco sat back, satisfied. He, Theo and Blaise were sharing, along with Crabbe and Goyle, which was a shame but couldn't be helped. He wasn't sure yet where Harry was going to fit in.

Harry woke up the next morning, a feeling of excitement and anxiety eating away at his insides. It was the first day of classes. As he examined his schedule he noticed that the Slytherins had most of their classes with the Gryffindors.

While he excitedly heaped his plate with food Draco read over the letter that he'd just received.

Draco,

I understand that the Potter boy has come to Hogwarts, and been sorted into Slytherin. I trust that you will be sensible and invite the boy to confide in you. The Malfoys shall take advantage of the situation and I am sure this will incur the His satisfaction.

Do not disappoint me,

Lucius

As Harry made his way through the morning he discovered that there was more to magic than simply waving a wand about and saying some words. Hermione Granger seemed to do nothing but read, and she knew the answer to absolutely everything. This drove Draco crazy. Harry noticed that despite the fact that he seemed to know all the answers, the other boy never answered the professor's questions. Instead he simply scowled at the bushy haired girl and continued writing his long and precise notes in ridiculously elegant handwriting.

Harry quickly became familiar with his surroundings. Draco and the other Slytherin's seemed to know secret passageways and shortcuts everywhere, and made sure he didn't get lost. He learnt that Professor McGonagall was the strict transformation teacher, Professor Quirrell the stuttering defence against the dark arts teacher, and Professor Flitwick the short charms teacher.

In the afternoon, the first years had potions with Professor Snape, the head of Slytherin. Apparently Snape was a little more friendly towards Slytherins, but he seemed to be reserving judgment on Harry.

Severus spent almost the whole class watching Lily's boy interact with his godson. He looked so much like James that it was all he could do to prevent himself from vindictively giving the boy a lifetimes worth of detentions. There was some small consolation though. Severus grinned to himself as he wondered what James would think of his son being in Slytherin.

The last class of the day was the one that Draco had been most looking forward to, Flying. Most of the students looked nervous but those who's parents were wizard seemed to know what to do. A certain blonde Slytherin looked particularly confident as he whispered to the cluster of green clad students that had formed around him.

Unfortunately, just as the lesson was getting started Neville Longbottom managed to fall off his broom. Madam Hooch dragged him off to the hospital wing. Draco figured he might as well have a little fun…

Never having rode a broomstick before, Harry was fighting to keep his balance up in the air. Draco had decided a game of catch would be amusing, and he was more than happy to oblige his new friend. Draco tossed the small red ball casually and Harry leaned forward. It grazed the tips of his fingers and continued hurtling down towards the ground. Harry dove after it, feeling the wind rushing past him in exhilaration. It was incredible. He caught it a few feet away from smashing with a sense of intense pride and landed, a little wobbly while Draco laughed and grabbed the ball back.

When Hermione saw how close the remembrall had come to smashing she was furious. Harry and Draco landed, laughing and messing around and she stormed over towards them angrily

"Give that back Malfoy" She yelled.

"And you're gonna make me?" He smirked.

"Jerk"

"Mudblood"

At this Ron drew his wand. "Don't Ron," she said, "he's not worth it."

Draco was incredibly offended. 'He's not worth it?' Really? Filthy mudblood, what did she know anyway? He didn't have to care about what she thought. She looked upset though. Not that he cared but still…

Draco reached out and placed the fragile glass ball in her hand. "There you go Granger" he snapped, "Next time try saying please. Or don't they teach nasty mudbloods manners?" He turned to Harry. "Not bad Potter, for a beginner. You should come to tryouts."