Chapter Six

The rest summer passed by with Harry either in his room or in the library, reading. His brother, Maverick, would occasionally join him, but the boy was mostly outside, flying on a broomstick. Ms. Banderwell, on the other hand, was always inside the garden, tending to her plants. By the time summer had ended, Harry was very nervous.

His research on Legilimency and Occlumency led him to believe that he had natural Occlumency shields. The Potter Mansion and Balamb Garden which formed his mind was actually a visual manifestation of these shields with an inner and outer layer to protect him from amateur practitioners of the art of Legilimency. Of course, people like the great Albus Dumbledore, would have little problem discovering all of Harry's secrets which was why Harry spent his summer training his mind. He knew that it would take years for someone like him to fend off Dumbledore's power but with some help from his two Guardians, he managed to create several fake memories as well as traps that would force the invader out of his mind.

He also trained his body, although he limited this to simply running around the Potter Mansion and practicing his skills with the katana on a spare room. He often did this at night so as not to attract attention from his brother or caretaker. In addition to his training regime, he meditated inside his room to strengthen his magical core and fortify the control he had. If he became stronger, magic-wise, he could Draw new spells from the small emerald on his wrist. The gift Dr. Windspeed had given him truly was useful, and he regretted asking for the older man's blood which was now safely hidden inside his trunk.

Two Aurors had arrived in their house on the day of their departure. These two were from the Minister of Magic who meant well though Harry had a feeling it was all for show. He'd seen glimpses of the man inside their living room and deduced that the man was simply being nice so as to have Maverick on his side in the future. Obviously, he didn't trust the man.

Arriving at King's Cross Station early, Ms. Banderwell took her time in saying good-bye to the twins. Harry was, yet again, astonished by the old woman's affection. He stopped himself from trying out some basic Legilimency on her, reasoning that he was still no pro and that he should at least give her some privacy. Besides, he couldn't think of anything that would possibly be harmful about the woman's actions.

With the trunk tucked inside his jean pocket and his Guardians alert of any possible intruders, he made his way to an empty compartment, heedless of the students around him. Maverick had spotted some of his friends—one of which was a tall redhead—and left Harry's side once they entered Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. He didn't mind, nor did he want to follow his brother, but it was still painful to think that he wasn't even prompted by his brother to join them.

Using the opportunity of an empty compartment, Harry cast the spell Silence around the room before settling in a comfortable position. He took out the book he carried in his school bag. It was on Transfiguration which puzzled Harry since he encountered no such kind of magic during his stay at Balamb Garden. Harry pushed away the memories that surfaced from the mention of that name. He did miss it but was often too busy to actually think of his friends there. Even with the discovery of communication through Guardians, Harry was disappointed to discover that this communication was limited to one world. Sometimes, he could still hear Simon's teasing voice on his mind or Dr. Kadowaki's gentle tone after a healing session.

He shook his head. No, he didn't have the luxury to linger in the past. The compartment's door slid open, breaking Harry's reverie. A short stocky girl looked at him and grinned. She cupped her hands and placed them near her mouth, shouting, "Hey, Blaise! Call Daphne and Terry will ya? I found us a room!" She tilted her head and looked at Harry, "You don't mind, do you?"

Harry dispelled the enchantment and scooped the bag besides him. "You can sit wherever you like," he said. "I don't really mind as long as you or your friends don't make much noise."

The girl's eyes fell on the book Harry had on top of his lap. She nodded, "Seems fair enough." Offering Harry her hand, she said, "Name's Millicent Bulstrode. You?"

"Harry Potter," Harry said and blinked. The girl had a powerful grip. It was not as strong as some of the hands Harry had shook in his lifetime but it still amazed him. Having had some knowledge of the Wizarding world, he had always viewed the wizards and witches as too weak in terms of physical strength. This just goes to show that wizards and witches should never be underestimated. Mr. Nott himself had quite powerful one but after finding out that the man was a blacksmith, Harry simply set it aside as information he could use later on, not even thinking that the man was also a wizard.

"Related to the Boy-Who-Lived-to-be-Arrogant, eh?" Millicent asked jokingly.

Harry made a face and said, "He's not so bad." He let go of her hand. "But then again, he probably treats me differently because I'm his brother."

Millicent sat besides him and looked outside the window. "True. Of course, it isn't always like that; I have an older brother and sister, both who like to torture me daily so I can pretty much vouch that siblings can be a pain in the bum too."

"Hello, Millie," three children chorused and stepped inside the room. They moved, all at once, and ended up pushing each other since the three of them combined didn't fit through the door. A dark-skinned boy stepped into the room after the three clowns, his gaze calm and composed.

"Terribly sorry about that," the boy said and bowed a little. "I'm afraid my friends here haven't realized that they're no longer five-year olds."

"If it makes any difference, Blaise, I'm eight and a half. Hello, Harry," Theodore said and sat on the seat adjacent to Harry's. "How are you this fine morning?"

"Good, if not a bit startled by all these friends of yours."

"Harry, huh? I'm Daphne Greengrass," the girl introduced herself and pointed to the boy who was sitting next to her, "and this is Terry Boot whom we just met in the train."

"Hullo," the boy said, waving his arm awkwardly.

"So," Daphne seemed excited, "which house do you think you'll have?"

The six of them debated on the pros and cons of each house. While the majority liked Ravenclaw or Slytherin, no one wanted to be in Gryffindor for different reasons. Harry didn't want to stay with his brother; Blaise, Theodore and Millicent's families all had old prejudices against the house; Daphne just didn't seem interested and Terry had just been tormented by a couple of second-year Gryffindors inside the train.

Their conversation strayed onto other subjects. They exchanged theories on how they were to be sorted—three of them spoke of a magical hat—and briefly talked about Quidditch. They also talked of the professor they would have in History. Millicent spoke of her two older siblings who both attended Hogwarts and claimed that History of Magic was taught by a ghost. Blaise then added that because of a debate being raised between the Governing Board of Hogwarts, they would have a new professor of History this year. Theodore turned to Daphne to ask who the new professor would be and why the sudden decision, but she was as clueless as the rest of them, despite her mother being a member of the Board.

They would have talked more if it were not for the trolley of sweets that had just arrived. Harry was curious by the assortment of chocolates, candies and pastries that lined up along the trolley. To his friends, he explained that he had never stepped outside their house in all the eleven years of his life therefore, he had not that much knowledge of the Wizarding world besides the information he had acquired from either the Wizarding Wireless or the books from their library.

The five others were astonished by this announcement and decided to buy every kind of sweet that there was on the cart, each insisting that he or she would pay. Finally, after a heated battle of rock, parchment and scissors, Daphne triumphantly dumped the coins on the woman's waiting palm. "Here you go, Harry."

The boy was not at all amused with the behavior of his friends. He was simply curious, he wanted to say, not ravenous. Tentatively, he took a bite from a pastry, aware of five pairs of eyes, watching him. "You know," he said, chewing rapidly, "I don't think I could possibly eat all this."

Theodore grabbed a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and opened it before passing it around. Millicent took a bite and discovered that her bean tasted of chalk; Daphne's tasted like raw meat and Terry took two at once; one which was rubber and the other which tasted like socks. Blaise had politely declined and Theodore was already eating a Licorice wand, making the others whine at how unfair Theodore was. The box of beans was quietly placed at a corner of the room and ignored for the remainder of the trip.

Harry finished the Pumpkin pastry and was about to reach for a Chocolate Frog when the compartment door snapped open, a boy with blonde hair and an indignant look on his face came stalking in with two others following him. "The nerve of that Potter boy," He grumbled and sat besides Blaise huffily. "You!" He shouted and stood up, his index finger pointing at Harry's direction.

Harry removed the Chocolate Frog's wrapper, caught the hopping piece of chocolate and bit its head off, saying, "I think you have the wrong Potter."

"His name's Harry, Draco."

The boy named Draco frowned. "You mean there are two of you?"

"Yup. I'm the evil twin, by the way." Harry said and rolled his eyes. "Nice to meet you too. Draco is it?"

Draco nodded numbly before introducing Vincent and Gregory, both who were still standing. Harry wished that he knew a spell to make the inside of the room larger; it was getting rather crowded.

By the time the train had stopped—the children were already wearing their uniforms and didn't need to change—the sun had already set. They were given instructions to leave their baggage and follow the older students.

Theodore had fallen in step with Harry who was the last to walk out of their compartment. "Ready for the sorting, Harry?" The boy asked cheerfully.

"Honestly? I hope we're not facing trolls."

They were led to a string of boats by a huge man carrying a pink umbrella by his side. Harry and Theodore sat with two first-year girls who were too busy talking to each other to pay attention to them.

(A creature of immense power lives underneath these waters, Harry. Be careful.) Ifrit spoke in Harry's mind, startling him. His Guardians had been awfully quiet since Harry had entered Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

"Are you alright, Harry?"

(A kindred of Leviathan.) Quezacoatl noted. Harry felt uneasy vibes coming from Quezacoatl and knew that the great Guardian didn't like staying near the water. From his studies, he also knew that Quezacoatl had a small rivalry with the other GF, Leviathan, which is why any sensible SeeD wouldn't use a combination of those two junctions.

(We're almost there.) Harry assured the GF, his eyes on the lake. Aloud he said, "I'm fine, Theo. Just not a big fan of water."

The boats bumped against the other side of the lake. Relief washed over Harry; he was afraid that the creature that inhabited the lake would try to attack him. He didn't want to use any of his skills, especially with such a large audience about. Perhaps he would visit the lake some other time when there were no onlookers.

The man, Hagrid he was called, brought them inside the castle. There, the professor in charge, Professor McGonagall, took them to the Great Hall where they were to be sorted. Harry's stomach was doing flip-flops. The feeling he had was even worse then that time he had taken the final SeeD examination. At least there, all he had to do was exterminate a nest of monsters and nothing more. He avoided his brother's searching gaze—searching for him, probably.

Once the Sorting Hat had finished its song, Professor McGonagall pulled out a scroll and began calling out names. Harry listened carefully. He didn't recognize most of the names, but he tried to pay attention as much as he could. After all, they might be his future housemates.

Terry who was near the top of the list was sent to Ravenclaw which made Harry beam with pride. The boy was rather smart; you just had to drag him out of his shell a bit. Millicent was sent to Slytherin, cheers echoing from the Slytherin table. Vincent went next, followed by Gregory and Daphne. Draco and Theodore were both sent to Slytherin as well. Harry couldn't help but wonder if there was some sort of conspiracy between the Sorting Hat and his friends. Terry, it seemed, looked disappointed as well.

"Potter, Harry."

Whispers erupted from the tables, making Harry flinch inwardly. He wished they didn't have to make such a big fuss of his name. It wasn't like he was the Boy-Who-Lived after all. Harry snorted at the thought and sat on top of the stool.

(Oh dear.) It was the Sorting Hat. (I'm afraid, I'm lost.)

(We have an intruder in our hands, Boss.)

(Should we dispose it?)

(No!)Harry thought hurriedly. (He's supposed to be inside my head.)

(You have such interesting…friends, Mr. Potter.) The Sorting Hat said cheerfully. (Is it always this crowded in here? Never mind. As much as I want to talk to you, I have a sorting to do.) For a moment, the hat fell silent. (Such an interesting past as well...If Albus had the luxury of sifting through your memories as I have…well let's just say you wouldn't like what would happen next.)

(You won't tell him…would you?)

(Of course not, Mr. Potter. I assure you that all your secrets will be safe with me. One of the things so special about me is the confidentiality spell that was cast on me. You could go to me at anytime and tell me of your troubles without any worries at all.)

(Thanks.)

(There are a lot of things in store for you, Mr. Potter and I wish you the best of luck. Also, do try not to let your guard down when in the presence of manipulative headmasters.)

(I will.)

"Slytherin!"

Harry took the Hat off his head and placed it on the stool. When he looked up, it was Maverick's eyes he met. Eyes that were filled with betrayal. Evil twin indeed.

He coolly walked towards his friends and sat besides them, his eyes remained glued to the table even when Maverick's name was called. He wasn't disappointed or angry that he had been placed in Slytherin. His friends were with him and, although he had heard of some bad things about this house, he knew that not everyone who came from this house was bad. The only problem he could think of—besides his brother—was the headmaster. The man might wonder why he ended up being in Slytherin and try to connect it with his sudden disappearance about five years ago.

"Ravenclaw!"

Harry looked up in surprise. He had been expecting his brother to go to Gryffindor, since the boy had always wanted to follow their father and mother's footsteps. Maverick had put the hat down and looked directly at Harry for a moment. He then moved to the Ravenclaw table, ignoring the shocked stares he received. The Potters had always been in Gryffindor.

"Well, well. What a surprise," Draco said, smirking. "None of you qualified for Gryffindor. Are you sure you're a Potter, Potter?"

If looks could kill, Draco would be dead and buried six feet under. Of course, if looks could kill, Harry would be dead as well. Sitting behind a long table where the professors were to dine, a tall thin man with a hooked-nose stared at Harry with vehemence. He shuddered. What a way to start the school year; his brother hates his guts and a professor's already giving the Evil Eye. Just great.

A/N: Just to be clear, Snape's not going to be evil in this fic. Seriously. Those were just first impressions. (Is afraid of any obsessive Snape fan. Has to deal with one at home.)

That said, I don't know if the next update is going to come along just as fast. I haven't read the canon in a long time so I'm pretty much trying to remember the major events that happened during his first year. If anyone can point me to fic a that has all the major events, that would be lovely.

As always, questions, comments and critiques(although unloved) are welcome.