Authors Note: So sorry it took me so long to update. December 14th brought finals, and then Christmas break. I haven't had the motivation to write anything because I just wanted to relax. I had most of the chapter done and I finished it this past week. I apologize if it's so long, I wanted to cram in as much as I could so I could catch up with my outline. Tell me what you think, I'd love to get more reviews! Thanks to Silvering Blue for betaing from this chapter onwards! Note: This hasn't been betaed yet cause I wanted to get this up for you guys, but once the beta comes back I'll put that up.
The rest of the summer flew by and September First arrived before Harry knew it. He had packed his trunks and his aunt and uncle had left him at Kings Cross Station. A sigh of relief escaped the boys lips at being free from the Dursley's for a long while. He would finally be able to be himself without fear of being hit over the head.
Hedwig sat contentedly in her cage as Harry made his way through the station. The snowy white owl had been a gift from Hagrid for his eleventh birthday. As Harry approached platforms nine and ten, confusion coursed through him. He didn't see any sign for the platform he needed.
"Do you need help son?" A worker asked, glancing at the ticket. "Platform 9 ¾, there's nothing like that here. Someone must be playing a trick on you," the man said, which caused Harry's stomach to drop. How could there be no Platform 9 ¾, it didn't make sense. His palms felt sweaty as he frantically looked around for anyone that could help him. It was then that he noticed a group of people, all with orangery red hair with trollies. He took a few steps closer and noticed that their luggage was similar to his. Maybe they're wizards too, Harry wondered. His question was quickly answered when he watched two boys go through the brick wall between Platform's Nine and Ten. Harry's eyes nearly popped out of his head in surprise. They had just run into the wall and hadn't crashed, they had been able to pass freely.
"Are you alright dear?" the large woman asked. Harry had realized that he had gotten next to the family. She had a friendly smile on her face and looked like a homely woman. It took Harry a moment to gather his thoughts so he could speak coherently to the friendly woman.
"How did they do that?" Harry asked a bit pale at the thought of having to run head long into a wall. The woman let out a warm laugh, her eyes scrunching up in happiness.
"It's really simple dear, just run straight through the wall. I'm guessing you're a first year like Ron, so why don't you two go together," the woman said, putting a hand on one of her children, and pushing him forward.
Harry took a deep breath, nodded to the boy behind him and ran forward trying not to think of slamming into the wall. He couldn't help but close his eyes as he approached the wall, expecting to feel the crunch of his body meeting the wall. Harry had to open his eyes because he felt as if he should have hit the wall by now. His eyes open Harry stopped short at seeing the majesty of what was before him. A gleaming fire engine red colored steam train, and so many students with their parents, saying goodbyes before getting on the train.
"Have a good trip you two!" Mrs. Weasley said, giving her children a hug, as well as giving one to Harry. This took Harry completely by surprise, never before had anyone shown him any affection, his aunt and uncle had never hugged him in fact the only time the touched him was when he got cuffed over the head for messing up breakfast, or not making the beds perfectly. To be hugged by someone that was practically a stranger was something Harry had never experienced. It made him feel warm inside, that someone finally cared about him.
The train whistle pulled the young wizard out of his thoughts and he boarded the train. Ron had already gone on ahead so Harry was left to find his own seat. He didn't mind really seeing as him and Ron barley acknowledged one another. But Harry wouldn't have minded getting to know the Weasley more, especially after seeing how kind his mother was. Harry boarded the train and started looking for an empty compartment. They all seemed to be full of students who were laughing and having a good time. Harry couldn't help but feel a tinge of loneliness at seeing so students conversing with each other as if they were old friends.
With a sigh Harry finally found an empty compartment. He stored his belongings above the seat and sat down, staring out the window. Harry started thinking about what life was going to be at once he got to Hogwarts, if he was going to make any friends or if people were just going to look at him strangely because of his scar.
"Mind if I join you?" a voice broke through Harry's thoughts, causing the black haired boy to turn to face whoever it was that was inside the door. Harry recognized who it was. It was Ron, the red headed boy that he had gone through the wall with.
"Sure," Harry said, delighted to have company, and for it to be the only other wizard he had met. The red headed boy stored his stuff away and sat across from Harry.
"Thanks," Ron said, giving Harry a shy grin. "My name's Ron, Ron Weasley." The red headed boy said, holding out his hand for Harry to shake. Harry smiled warmly before answering.
"I'm Harry Potter," Harry said. He still wasn't used to people's reactions when they heard his name. Ron's eyes widened in surprise, that he was sitting across from the Harry Potter, the only person ever to survive Voldemort.
"No way..." Ron murmured under his breath. He wanted so badly to ask if Harry had the scar but he was too shy. Finally after a few seconds of going back in forth in his head he decided to ask. "Do you have..." He didn't have to finish the sentence before Harry smirked and pushed back his bangs. There was the lightening bolt shaped scar that he was so famous for. "Blimey..." Ron said, his face going slightly red at being in such close proximity to a celebrity.
"Has anyone seen a toad?" Came another voice through the compartment doors. Harry shook his head in response to the question. "Well, Neville's lost it and I told him I would help him find it," the girl said. Harry felt bad that someone had already lost something on the train. He decided it would be best to help look for the thing since it wouldn't take as long to find the toad with more people helping.
"I'll help." Harry said, going into the hallway to check for the toad. He made his way out into the hallway and proceeded down the long corridor. He had gone through one of the cars when he stopped short for there was someone blocking his way. He had been looking at the ground for the toad that he nearly ran into the student. "Sorry." Harry muttered. "I'm looking for a toad, Neville's lost it." Harry explained, looking up to see who he was talking to. He was shocked to have recognized the face. It was Draco Malfoy, the boy he had met in the robe shop.
"Well if it isn't Harry Potter." Draco said a smirk on his face. The blond haired youth was unconcerned about the lost toad, he was more concerned about making friends with the famous Harry Potter. "You know, I think we could be good friends," Draco said, extending his hand for Harry to shake. It was then that Hermione came up behind him, followed by Ron. There were smiles on both their faces indicating that they had found the toad.
Harry wasn't sure exactly how to answer the young boy. He didn't want to be too insulting but, he didn't want to be friends with the Malfoy as Harry wasn't found of the boys personality.
"Thanks, but I know who my friends are," Harry said, before turning to return to his carriage. Draco was left speechless that anyone would refuse his friendship.
The rest of the train ride was relaxing, Harry and Ron stuffed their faces full of Cauldron Cakes, Chocolate Frogs and Pumpkin Pasties. By the time Hermione came around to tell them they would be arriving at Hogwarts soon they could barley move. They managed to change into their robes in time and get themselves off the train when it stopped.
Malfoy shoved them out of the way and made his way over to Hagrid who was ushering the first years into boats to travel across the water.
"This way! First years over here!" Hagrid shouted, waving his arm to make sure the first years saw him. A smile broke out on Harry's face at the sight of the half-giant.
"Hagrid!" Harry yelled, walking swiftly over to the man. There was a large smile on both their faces at the sight of each other.
"Harry me boy!" Hagrid exclaimed hugging the young wizard so tight that Harry thought he felt a few bones crack. It was good to see Hagrid again, it made Harry feel warm and welcome. Hagrid instructed everyone to get into the boats and they made their way across the water.
The splendor of the castle took Harry's breath away. Never before had he seen such a sight. Light was streaming out of the windows, lighting up the darkness that surrounded them. The castle seemed to have a glow of its own. Harry fell in love with the castle, knowing he would enjoy his time there. It was like the home he never had.
The boat ride was over in what seemed like minutes and Harry followed Hagrid into the castle. The first years nearly tripped over each other for they were oogling at the beauty of the castle. The moving portraits, the high ceilings, grad staircases and ornate lights captured their attention.
"First year's this way!" A loud voice shouted causing the first years to turn to the source of the voice. Standing in front of the biggest oak doors Harry had ever seen. They opened to reveal a large hall full of tables and students.
Harry and Ron moved forward to get a better look at the hall as the elderly witch in emerald green robes and pointed hat. Harry couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated by this woman, she had an authoritative air about her. The two young wizards followed the witch into the Great Hall where there were tables lined with students and a long table in the front of the room where the staff sat. They all looked on in mild amusement at the new students filing into the room, expect for one man. He had black hair and wore black robes and Harry could have sworn the man was glaring at him. It made Harry uncomfortable and the black haired boy was glad that the emerald robed woman went up to the podium to speak.
"I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. We will now begin the sorting. When you hear your name come forward, sit on the stool and the hat will be placed on your head." The old man explained, gesturing to the older witch that was next to him, who was holding the Sorting Hat. Harry wondered who this woman was and what her roll was in the school.
The first name was called and the student made their way to the front of the room. An old hat was placed on her head. After a minute or two the hat shouted out what house the student would belong to. Some of the First Years were shocked that the hat had actualy spoken, Harry was one of them. He had never thought that a hat could talk, then again he was in a totally different world then the one he was used to.
Students went forward and were sorted. Hermione Granger was sorted into Gryffindor. When it came to Draco Malfoy's turn there was a smirk on his face. The hat barley had to touch his head before it shouted "Slytherin!". Cheers were heard as Malfoy got down to join the Slytherin table.
"Potter, Harry!" shouted Professor McGonagall, causing Harry's heart to jump into his throat, blood pounding in his ears. He made his way through the First Years, hearing them whisper his name, awed that the Harry Potter was in the room with them. The young boy sat on the stool and the hat was placed over his head, covering his eyes so he couldn't see the hall. Suddenly Harry could hear a voice coming from somewhere. It seemed like it was both in his head and not all at the same time.
"Well, if it isn't the famous Harry Potter, come to Hogwarts at last," the hat said, "where to place you...you would do well in Slytherin. You could achieve greatness if you were in Slytherin." Harry contemplated what the old hat said, unsure of wanting to be put in Slytherin with Malfoy. Yet the prospect of becoming someone, of proving himself to his peers sounded very appealing. All his life he had been verbally and emotionally abused, told by his family that he was a nothing and would never become anything. He had been beaten up by his cousin and had wished to become stronger. Harry felt he could become stronger in Slytherin, make himself into someone that was strong.
"It's decided then...you'll be in Slytherin!" the hat shouted, causing Harry to jump slightly and the Slytherin table to cheer loudly at having the famous Harry Potter in their house. The other tables clapped politely, although the Gryffindor table looked on with frowns on their faces. They were sure that someone as nobel and great as Harry Potter would have ended up in Gryffindor, the Nobelist of houses. They were disappointed to find that he had ended up in Slytherin, where most if not all wizards and witches become Death Eaters or users of dark magic.
Ron Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor and took his seat with them. When the sorting was done, the elderly wizard with half-moon shaped spectacles and a long white beard stepped up to the podium.
"Thank you Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore said giving her a small smile. With a wave of his hand food appeared covering the tables. "I think it's time we all enjoy ourselves." Dumbledore said. With a wave of his hand the large oak tables were covered with more food then Harry had ever seen. Feeling confident that he had been put in the right house despite the fact that Draco Malfoy was also in the house. He had gotten along well with Ron Weasley and was a bit disappointed that they wouldn't get to be better friends.
"Guess you're one of us now Potter," Malfoy said, laughing triumphantly as if he had won some game. Harry's stomach dropped slightly. He wasn't sure if Slytherin was for him after all, despite the Sorting Hat's proclamation of being able to achieve greatness. He didn't like how Malfoy was already acting as if he owned the place.
"This way to the common rooms." A Slytherin prefect called out, ushering the first years out of the Great Hall. Harry was now a Slytherin and there was nothing he could do about it. He got the feeling that there was animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and he hopped that if he ever ran into Ron there would be no hard feelings. It would be nice to be friends with people from other houses, dissolve the bad blood between them. Harry wanted to make that happen, he hoped he could achieve it while being in Slytherin.
Chapter 6 Preview:
The Slytherin common room was nothing like Harry had expected it to be. It was dark, damp and musty, especially if you were in the corner of the common room away from the fire, where the walls were constantly damp from some sort of liquid that kept running down them. The students thought it was water, but they weren't sure. They were stuck in the dungeons where the potions classroom was as well as the kitchens. Harry couldn't understand why the place had to be so nasty looking. He couldn't help but wonder what the Gryffindor common rooms looked like, if his acquaintance Ron liked the Gryffindor tower.
The dorms weren't as bad, they were made out of stone just like the common room but they weren't as dark and dank as the common room was.. Nothing was dripping from the walls of the dorms, which everyone was thankful for. It would take some getting used to, but Harry figured he could manage sleeping in the Slytherin common room. He had dealt with worse after all.