A/N: Chapter Threee! Whoop whoop whoop! And I'm severely lacking sleep. So if I sound crazy in this... Well, I'm tired!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry, and I'm not British.

Chpater 3:

It was September 1st. And Harry sat outside on the stoop his trunk packed and shrunk deep in his pocket. Smiling to himself he mused over how the past month had been better than any he had in the last ten years. His cousin had attempted a few times during the first week after his birthday to tease him, however Aunt Petunia had decided quickly to send him off to some over done summer camp til he went to school to prevent any 'unfortunate mishaps'. She on her own didn't say or do much with him except for a few short words about eat this when she shoved a plate of food into his hand during the meal times. The last Dursley, Uncle Vernon, avoided him like the plague. Thinking on how peaceful it had been made him grin.

Dressed in a pair of new black slacks, a collared white button down long sleeved shirt and a dark gray sweater Harry smiled brightly when he heard the telltale pop of apparation. Standing he shook out the kinks that formed after sitting there for half an hour. At the end of the walkway, standing on the sidewalk was Professor Snape. He hurried over, and nearly hopped over the fence in his excitement to greet his professor. He was finally leaving Privet Drive, even if it was only a short durations and his aunt's family had gotten slightly better!

"Hello Mr. Potter," Professor Snape said, dressed in his usual black robes. "I see you're prepared to leave. How has the last month been for you?"

"Fine sir, my family has taken it on themselves to avoid me. It's rather pleasant." Harry responded. "I suspect they'll need to be warned off again next year, but that's ten months away so I'll be fine."

"Indeed, well I see you're prepared to go. Where's your owl?" Snape asked as he offered the boy his arm. Harry gripped it calmly.

"I read that owls generally dislike traveling via apparation or port key so I sent her ahead to school. I figured that it be better for her to go ahead an miss getting stuck in a cage for hours." Harry answered.

"A well reasoned thought." Snape said with approval. "Now hold tightly, we're leaving," Snape ordered. Feeling the compression hit him he clenched his fingers carefully making sure not to let go or injure his professor. Another pop told him they'd arrived. Opening his eyes he glanced around curiously as noise assaulted his ears. They were standing on a train platform next a massive fire engine red train with black detailing. Above them was a sign neatly labeled as 9 and three quarters.

"We didn't even have to go through the bloody wall," he said amazed earning a low chuckle from the Potion Professor.

"True Mr. Potter, now, I suggest you get on with your morning and find a compartment. I will see you at school. Have a good train ride." Snape said pushing him gently towards the doorway.

"Thanks sir, I'll see you later!" Harry called slipping through the crowd ignoring the wide eyed looks of the crowd. He stooped slightly upon entering offered the ticket master his ticket and quickly headed towards the back of the train to find a compartment. There was a simple four-seat one halfway along that looked suitable and he went in ducking under the doorway to avoid running into it. He pulled his trunk out, enlarged it, opened it and the library compartment before pulling out his potion textbooks. He then closed the trunk and put it above before settling in a window seat. Half an hour passed and the door opened suddenly.

"Oh, hello," a soft voice said nervously. He glanced up and saw a pair of girls standing there awkwardly. They appeared to be his own age and he smiled at them.

"Hello, first years?" He asked.

"Er, yes, we're first years. Are you okay with us joining you?" The blond asked shyly. The red head stood slightly behind her blushing.

"I don't mind, I'm a first year as well, it'd be nice to meet and get to know a few of my year mates," Harry said motioning them in.

"You're a first year?" The red head asked, "you don't look it..."

"It's because I'm part Giant, I'm much taller than people our own age, but I'm eleven, I promise." He said wryly, "do you need a hand with your trunks?" They both nodded and he dragged them in before putting them above as well.

"Thank you," the blond said, "I'm Hannah Abbot and this is my best friend Susan Bones."

"Nice to meet you," Harry said with smile offering his hand, "I'm Harry."

"Hi Harry," Susan said softly. The girls sat down and Harry returned to his spot.

"What were you reading?" Hannah asked, the more outspoken of the two after seeing the tall boy place an open book in his lap.

"The first few chapters of the potion textbook," he answered.

"Oh? Why?" Susan said.

"The professor for that class is very exacting. He helped me get my school supplies since my family didn't want to take me. He's a rather tough teacher I expect and I feel like I should do my very best for him since he was so helpful when I went and would expect nothing less than dedication. Plus it's a pretty interesting and diverse subject." Harry answered marking his page and spot before closing the book.

"Oh? What do you think about the other classes?" Hannah asked curiously.

"Transfiguration and Charms are both heavy on wand technique and pronunciation, however if you practice enough you'll be able to get it and the theory is fairly straightforward. Herbology looks like fun and is hands on, like Astronomy even if it's late at night. Defense and History look to be heavily textbook based. I am a bit nervous about flying though. I dislike the idea of being on such a small broomstick. Especially since I have no experience with heights at all. The ground makes more sense, though all wizarding travel seems rather... uncomfortable at times. At least apparation and the goblin carts were." The girls giggled at that.

"I'm a little nervous about Potions, there's rumors the professor is very nasty." Susan said.

"Professor Snape is... Strict. Like I said he took me to get my supplies. I asked him plenty of questions about school, and about his class. He's very knowledgeable discussed the dangers of potions and I have to agree. I don't want to be around an exploding cauldron or one that emits poisonous gas because some idiot didn't follow directions or study ahead." Harry said honestly. "If he's nasty or short tempered I don't blame him. You're not likely to kill someone in charms, or transfiguration. It's a very dangerous subject if you act like an idiot."

"I can understand that," Hannah said nodding sagely. "I would haunt the dummy who got me killed. I think I'll study ahead like you suggest Harry. You have to work hard to get good grades after all."

"If we end up in the same house do you, I mean, would you want to study together Harry?" Susan asked.

"Sure, I'd love to. Of course we can do it without being in the same house. It'd be nice to get to know you girls better. I don't care what house I end up in, I'm here to make friends and learn." Harry said warmly. Shutting his book he sat back and they started chatting. An hour passed and a boy opened the door timidly. He turn a bright red when they turned and glanced at him.

"S-sorry, I-I'll leave." He stuttered out.

"Why?" Harry asked. "I don't mind if you join us, do you two mind?" The girls shook their heads and smiled at the boy. "Come in, we have another seat if you're interested."

"O-oh, alright, thank you." The boy said dragging in his trunk.

"Let me put that up for you, I can reach it easier," Harry said taking the trunk and wrestling it up with the others, there wasn't a lot of room left so he had to fight it a touch. The boy took the free seat and Harry plopped back down in his after shutting the compartment door.

"So, I'm Hannah, this is Susan, and the boy who just put your trunk away for you is Harry." Hannah said exuberantly. "We're all first years, even though Harry's so tall. He says it's because he's part Giant."

"Oh, I'm Neville Longbottom, it's nice to meet you all." A loud croak emitted from his pocket, prompting Neville to pull out a rather large toad. "And this Trevor my familiar."

"Cool," Harry said, "I forgot you could have a toad as a familiar. I have an owl named Hedwig, but I sent her ahead to school so she wouldn't be stuck in her cage or have to apparate to the station."

"That's a nice idea." Neville said. "Are you scared about being sorted? I overheard someone say we had to face down a troll as a test."

"That sounds scary," Susan said paling.

"Sounds like scare tactics by a bunch of dumb older students," Harry said honestly. "I read ahead a bit and it said trolls are difficult for a fully grown and trained wizard to combat, there's no way they'd make us all face one. I mean, that'd mean one each at least and that'd be impossible for us or them to control! If anything there'll be some magical artifact to sort us."

"Wow, Harry, you do read a lot. I wonder if you'll end up in Ravenclaw? You sound like you might." Susan said brightly smiling at him.

"I don't know about that, I'm not against or inclined towards any one house," Harry answered, "like I said earlier I'll be happy wherever. I'm going to school to make friends and learn, not get into fights because of the house I'm in, that'd be stupid."

"I have to end up in Gryffindor," Neville said glumly.

"What?" Hannah exclaimed, "Why?"

"My gran said that's where my parents went so that's where I'll go. If I don't she'll be angry." Neville replied.

"That's stupid." Harry said flatly.

"I know. I mean..." Neville sighed. "I guess I can't blame her, the whole family was worried I was a Squib. This would prove I'm like my parents."

"That's ridiculous." Susan said. "Why would they think that?"

"Excuse me, but what's a Squib?" Harry asked concerned.

"It's a person born to magical parents or lineage that doesn't have the ability to do magic." Susan replied. "But really Neville, why did they think that?"

"Oh, because I wasn't showing any signs of magic. My uncle kept trying to scare it out of me," Neville answered.

"What?!" Hannah exclaimed. "That old wives' tale?! That's no way to prove a child has magic!"

"Why didn't they write a letter to the school to see if you were attending or wait for a letter of admission?" Harry asked. "I was told I was on the list since I was born, so wouldn't everyone who attends or would attend be on that list?"

"Yeah, why didn't they think that?" Susan said with a frown.

"I dunno, but my Uncle Algie kept pushing me to show my magic," Neville answered.

"How?" Harry asked growing worried.

"Uh... He dropped me from a window on accident while holding me out it to scare me and I bounced when I landed." Neville answered.

"WHAT?!" The rest of the cabin yelled.

"That's child abuse," Harry said angrily.

"I-I dunno, I mean... It proved I had some didn't it?" Neville mumbled his face bright red.

"Neville you would still have magic even without them doing such things. What if your magic hadn't saved you? There's better ways of proving it! They could have taken you to get your wand early or asked the school!" Harry argued the girls made noises of agreement. "Heck! There might have been more subtle ways of proving you had magic! When I was younger my aunt tried to give me a bad haircut and my hair regrew the next day! Who's to say you didn't have quieter signs that were overlooked!"

"It's true Neville," Hannah told him, "I never showed magic unless I was injured. I got this big bruise on my elbow once and it was gone ten minutes later! My mom says that there's more than a few ways it manifests! Some internalize it, like with healing or a more innate understanding of things, while some externalize it like with things being thrown across the room when they're upset. I was worried for a long time since my siblings all had outer signs but I was different and mine shows through my health. I've never been sick a day! I got dragon pox and was over it within a few hours."

"My own accidental magic was almost overlooked." Susan said, "I only showed signs when I was really sad and that only made the lights dim. It took my aunt a while before she realized it wasn't the quality of the candles and spells she cast but me when I was missing my parents."

"My magic was a lot more reactive then you two I think, but it was because I was scared, angry or ashamed. My cousin and his prat friends tried to chase me down once and I ended up on the roof of my school. Another time a teacher was yelling at me and I turn their wig blue!" Harry said. "There's nothing wrong with you Neville. Your magic just works different!"

"Thanks," Neville said quite relieved. The whole group sat there for a moment in companionable silence.

"I think you should tell a teacher about what your uncle did," Hannah declared suddenly.

"What?" Neville said startled, he was starting to think they might become his friends but was too scared to ask.

"I think you should tell someone what he did!" Hannah exclaimed.

"We-well, I dunno, my uncle apologized afterward and got me Trevor," Neville said.

"Buying you a pet doesn't make what he did right," Susan said darkly.

"Bu-bu-bu..." Neville stuttered out.

"That's enough," Harry said calmly, "Neville isn't comfortable with telling anyone. There's no guarantee whoever he told could help anyway. If he wants to, eventually he can tell a teacher he trusts. I'm sure after he settles in and thinks about it he'll make a better decision. Don't pressure him, it's embarrassing telling someone you got picked on or hurt by someone." The girls nodded reluctantly and Neville sent Harry a thankful look. Harry smiled at him and nodded. The whistle suddenly blew and they felt the subtle jerk of the train starting it's travel.

"So," Harry said cheerfully, "what class are you looking forward to Neville?" They talked and mused over the different classes. Harry and Neville both looked forward to Herbology and ended up in a long discussion over the difference in Muggle and magical gardening which amused the two girls to no end because wasn't liking gardening a girl stereotype? It turned out that all four were a bit uneasy about the idea of flying as well. When the trolly came around Harry bought a little bit of everything and shared.

"Huh," Harry said looking at the card in there with the chocolate frog. "What's this?"

"Oh a chocolate frog card!" Neville said, "they're of famous wizards and witches. Who did you get?"

"Albus Dumbledore," Harry answered.

"Oh! The headmaster! They say he's the most powerful wizard in this century!" Susan said.

"Hmm," Harry said putting the card down, "I guess I'll find out. Now how do I eat this?" Harry said holding the frog tightly in his hand. It squirmed and flailed while melting into his fingers, which was rather disturbing and appetizing at the same time.

"Just take a bite, it might look like a frog but it's only enchanted to act like one." Hannah said with a laugh. Shrugging Harry bit down exactly as the door was thrown open and a short blond stood there with two hulking figures behind him.

"Have you heard? They say Harry Potter is on the train! Is he in here?" The blond boy demanded.

"There's a Harry," Susan said and they turned to stare at Harry who was chewing still.

"That's impossible Potter's a first year like us," the blond sneered.

"Hey! Harry's got Giant blood! He's our age just taller!" Hannah snapped.

"Yes." Harry said.

"Yes what?" The blond sneered.

"Yes, I'm Harry Potter, what's it to you?" Harry said simply. The whole compartment went silent. The boy smirked after a few moments.

"Well! I'm Draco Malfoy," the blond said offering a hand. Harry shook it while eying him warily.

"Nice to meet you?" Harry replied.

"Harry why don't you leave these riffraff and come join my friends and I in another compartment?" He asked and Harry's eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me?" He snapped.

"Come on! Someone of you stature shouldn't be seated in here." Malfoy said.

"Aren't you a little short to be talking about stature?" Harry deadpanned. The girls snorted and even Neville couldn't resist a smile. The blond flushed.

"Watch yourself Potter!" The blond snapped.

"Well I'll be! It appears you don't want to be friends for sure! After all, who makes friends by insulting them? My apologies Malfoy, I'm disinclined with leaving my present company. However, if you ever need help reaching a book on a shelf you can't reach and I'm around I'll get it down for you." Harry said with actual honest sincerity. Mortified into silence the short blond slammed the door shut. They all sat there for a minute struggling with laughter before it burst out in long loud peals.

"That was brilliant." Neville choked out leaning forward holding his stomach as he struggled for breath.

"I've never seen anyone be so polite and insulting at the same time," Hannah said between laughs.

"And it wasn't even a put down! Harry will actually help the git! Oh my, we'll have to put some of his books on a higher shelf and have Harry come swooping in for the rescue. Do you think we'll be able to in the library at school?" Susan asked mischievously. Harry chuckled in amusement.

"I dunno, but he was pretty annoying. I guess I'll just have to watch out for him. I'm sure he'll want payback." Harry said finally able to stop laughing. He glanced out the window. "How long til we reach Hogwarts do you figure?" The whole group seemed to have accepted that Harry was still Harry and not defined by the whole Harry Potter the Boy Who Lived malarky, much to Harry's relief.

"Oh, we'll probably be there in an hour or so," Susan said, "do you think we should get changed?"

"Probably," Harry answered. "I guess I'll get the trunks down?"

"Please, then you and Neville can wait outside while we girls get changed, unless of course you want to watch?" Hannah said teasingly. The boys bother colored and Neville fled out the door ahead of Harry who followed quickly after plunking down both girl's trunks. Staring at the shut door Hannah smirked.

"I call first pick," Susan groaned in response to Hannah's quick statement.

"Why do you always get first pick?" Susan asked accusingly.

"Because you never call it." Hannah said with a sweet smile. Susan huffed in response. The boys were called back in after they changed and they left to stand giggling in the hallway. Soon they reached Hogsmeade Station and left the train.

"'irst years, 'irst years! O'er 'ere! 'Irst years! 'Irst years o'er 'ere!" A loud, familiar voice called over the din of exiting students.

"Hagrid!" Harry said calling to the other part-Giant waving a hand.

"Ah! Dere yer 're 'Arry, how've yer been?" Hagrid said patting the tall boy with his free hand while swinging the lantern in his other.

"Good, I want you to meet my friends. Hannah, Susan, Neville this is Hagrid, he's the groundskeeper. Hagrid these are my friends, Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones, and Neville Longbottom." Harry said. A chorus of hellos from the other three first years greeted Hagrid warmly.

"Well 'ello dere! You all look like a nice bunch of kids." Hagrid said, "now is this all the 'irst years? Right then, off to the boats wes goes!" Hagrid led them down towards a lake. Harry was the first to follow and after carefully navigating down the rather slippery steps he paused at the bottom to help the girls down.

"Careful there," he said helping a rather bushy haired girl who slipped a bit.

"Thanks," she breathed, "are you a helper? I didn't know that any upperclassman were assigned to help with the first years. It wasn't in Hogwats: A History. I wonder if there's anything else I missed. Are you a prefect? I don't think so you're not wearing a badge after all."

"I'm a first year as well, I'm just taller than everyone else sine I'm part Giant. Why don't you go ahead while I help the rest? I'm sure we'll see each other in class." Harry said cutting her off before she could chatter on. He helped the next girl.

"Now, four to a boat," Hagrid said after Harry finally joined them. "No more then four." Neville waved Harry over and he clambered in next to him, with both Susan and Hannah seated in front of him.

"Thanks for the hand earlier Harry," Susan with a smile. "I was sure I'd fall." She was still a little surprised that she'd spent the whole trip in the company of Harry Potter. However he was a lot different than the books said he was like. For one thing they never mentioned he was part Giant or so tall! The boat ride was amazing, the icy black water had a rather mirror like affect reflecting the warm glow the castle gave off. The fortress itself gave off a bright welcoming vibe and seemed to craddle them as they approached. Clambering out of the boats the followed Hagrid up the stairs to the castle. A stern witch stood at the top, dressed in tartan robes and a pointed witches hat.

"Hello Hagrid," she said sternly, "they're all here I trust?"

"Yes Professor McGonagall." Hagrid said cheerfully. "Counted dem meself, they're a nice lookin' bunch."

"Good," she said turning to look at the gaggle of children. She suppressed a jolt of surprise at the tall, lanky Harry. "Welcome first years, I am Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress, and I welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please follow me." The students followed her in much like a small flock of duckling after their mother. Entering a room there were startled screams when a number of ghosts popped up out of nowhere drifting in through the walls, ceiling, floors and shut doors.

"These are Hogwarts ghosts, they will assist you if you get lost so do not be afraid to ask for help if need it." She said, "now line up please, we'll be entering in a moment." Hannah and Susan stood next to each other right in front of Neville and Harry. Suddenly the doors opened and the deputy headmistress swept in head tall, back straight. They followed and there were a number of whispers and pointing.

"Who's the tall boy?" Was one. "I heard that's Harry Potter!" "Is he part Giant?" "Look at how tall that first year is!" Were others. A feeling of unease slid through him and Harry glanced nervously around when they finally stopped in the front. The deputy headmistress strode forward placed a stool and then a rather tattered looking hat on it in front of them. The whole room went silent and everyone stared. It stirred and suddenly one of the seams opened and it burst into song. Harry stared at it flabbergasted. He was so startled that he missed what the entirety of what it was singing. Neville nudged him and he shook his head clear just as it stopped. Professor McGonagall opened a long roll of parchment and called out the first name.

"Abbot, Hannah." She said and Hannah walked over to it nervously. She sat down and the professor plopped it down on her head.

"Hufflepuff!" It called and the table to the left of them burst into welcoming cheers. She doffed the hat, placed it politely back on the stool and ran to the table. A few of the older students hugged and shook her hand, their faces delighted and friendly. They look like a nice bunch, Harry thought.

"Bones, Susan," marked Susan's turn. She sat there for a brief moment as well before it shouted "Hufflepuff!" Once more. She took off the hat and fled into her best friend's arms squealing with joy. The lines shrunk and soon it was Neville's turn. Harry gave the other boy's shoulder a friendly supportive squeeze and in turn got a smile. The blond boy went forward, sat down and let it be placed on his head. Two minutes passed and it finally yelled. "Hufflepuff!" Harry smiled as the boy's bewildered, scared, and relieved look. He sat down across from the girls who exclaimed how happy they were he got placed with them his face beet red. Malfoy went next and it was barely near his head before it screeched, "Slytherin!" He got up and went smirking to the table politely clapping for him on the far right. Another few people went til there were only a handful of students left. Finally they reached the P's.

"Potter, Harry!" The deputy headmistress barked and Harry strode forward. Sitting on the stool he barely saw the fascinated stares of the room before the hat covered most of his face.

What a strange boy you are, somebody mused in his mind.

Whoa, w-who are you? Harry asked the strange voice.

I am the Sorting Hat, but you may call me Greer*. Now let's see where to place you shall we? Hmm... Loyalty, wisdom, bravery and a fair amount of cunning. I don't see a place you wouldn't do well. Harry stiffened in surprise. So this was why and how they sorted the students, the hat could talk and read your mind!

Thank you. Harry answered.

Oh don't thank me, this'll take some doing, some figuring. You have plenty of wisdom, but it is not something from books but life. I do not think the Ravenclaw of this time will suit you. You have plenty of fortitude to be able to bear no ill will towards you family, but I do not think the house of the lions would suit you. Oh, you wouldn't do badly, but not perhaps the best you could do. The den of snakes used to be a joking term but in the past fifty years it has become an apt one. You have conviction and a drive to further yourself, but you are also happy with where you are at. So the house of Slytherin will do you no good. That leaves your abundance in loyalty and determination. You have plenty of respect for hard work and I can see you going no place but...

"Hufflepuff!" The hat shouted aloud. Harry removed the hat and said thank you softly under his breath. He left the stool and moved to the table the whole school shocked into silence except for his friends cheers of joy. Plopping down next to Neville he smiled and said, "that wasn't so bad. I'm rather glad I ended up here." For some reason the whole hall went insane after that.

A/N:

* Greer means Watchful or Guardian. It's a Scottish name to go with a Scottish castle. I figured it worked.