Harry held the ticket to platform nine and three quarters in his hands. The orphanage lady, glad to be rid of him for most of the year, had unceremoniously dropped him off at the train station, without bothering to check whether Harry actually knew how to get to the platform. She probably hoped I would get lost and never came back. Harry snorted. Well she might actually succeed considering he had no inkling on how the hell was he going to get to platform nine and three quarters. The letter explained that he needed to walk though a barrier of some sorts, but it had neglected to mention the exact location of this barrier. Harry felt like a complete idiot, lugging his belongings around in oversized clothes. But he supposed he had to be grateful those oversized clothes concealed Sephora, who was currently snoozing comfortably curled around his waist.
Then Harry caught snippets of a conversation between a tall long- haired male with a cane and a blond youth whom looked his age standing in front of a wall diving platform nine and ten.
"Now Draco, don't let the Muggles spot you. Be discreet now and lean sideways into the barrier. You will find yourself on platform nine and three quarters before you know it. Goodness, don't be like the Weasleys and run headlong into the barrier. That is blatantly obvious. It's a testament to the sheer stupidity of Muggles that the Weasleys havent given us then considering their nonexistent social standing and prestige, I suppose their lack of finesse is understandable." The older male told the younger one, whom Harry assumed was his son.
Harry hurried up to them and asked, "Excuse me sir, is that how you get to platform nine and three quarters?"
Lucius Malfoy took one look at Harry's dirty rimmed glasses and oversized shirt and said degradingly, "Ah. A mudblood. And a poor one at that. Goodness me, that shirt is horrendous. How you managed to get into Hogwarts I wonder. Keep your distance, Muggle, lest you pass on any disease to us."
Harry bristled with anger. "Well excuse me for not being able to afford to style myself up to resemble a bloody poof."
"How dare you talk to my father like that? Do you know who he is? He's..." Draco Malfoy furiously began to defend his father.
"Now now Draco, pay no attention to him. He's not even worth a second of our time." The older Malfoy interjected, narrowing his eyes at Harry.
With that, he led his son though their barrier.
Harry gritted his teeth and mimicked their actions.
He went through the wall and on the other side, was a whole new world waiting for him. There were wizards and witches dressed in robes bidding goodbye to their children who boarded the Hogwarts Express in groups, chatting excitedly.
Harry hurried onto the Hogwarts Express rather solemnly. He was rather envious of the kids who had parents demanding they write to them and kissing them goodbye. He, however, was alone. No family or friends to see him off; no one telling him that he would be missed.
Harry struggled to find a compartment, but they were all full. He then went to the last compartment, where a dark-haired boy with a hooked nose sat reading a book. He knocked and when there was no response from the other boy, he settled himself opposite the boy and made himself comfortable.
"I hope you don't mind me sharing your compartment. Everywhere else is full."
"..."
Harry was determined not to give up. It seemed the other boy was a loner too, just like him. He was determined to make his first ever friend and not spend his school days alone.
"Hi, my name is Harry Potter." Harry held out his hand.
No response.
Harry still held out his hand.
No response.
Harry's hand was beginning to shake.
At long last, the boy finally looked up, mildly irritated.
"Severus Snape and I don't like anyone disturbing when I'm reading." He bit out and shook Harry's hand briefly.
Harry smiled. "I'm cool with that."
All the first year looked on in wonder and amazement as they were led into the great majestic castle, before stopping in front of great oak doors with brass handles. Magical portraits which moved and smiled welcomingly surrounded them. Harry had even managed to catch sight of a Hogwarts ghost. He was delighted as he had been dying to see one ever since he read about how wizards who passed away could still exist as spirits. So this is the magical world. The world where I belong.
Then the doors opened, and a stern-looking witch led them through, explaining about the sorting. She reassured them that none of them were here by mistake and instructed them to put on the Hogwarts hat which would talk to them and decide on a placing.
One by one, the students were sorted. Harry noted that both the arrogant boy he met on the platform and Severus Snape were sorted into Slytherin.
Soon it was Harry's turn. As the witch called his name, he went up to the stool and placed the hat on his head.
" Ah... a lot of talent I see. A great thirst for ambition and power and an undying love for knowledge. Not a bad mind either, though you have suffered much hardship. My, such power in one so young. And a Parselmouth at that... You face a great destiny...Now where should I put you?"A voice spoke inside Harry's head.
"Somewhere where my Parselmouth abilities would not be feared." Harry pleaded.
"Yes, I know just the right place for you..." the hat said.
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat yelled out loud.
Harry was rather pleased to be in the same house as Severus and plopped down on a seat next to him at the Slytherin table. Severus gave him the smallest of smiles. Both then listened in onto the conversations, though not contributing.
Harry then noticed a red-eyed man sitting at the teachers' table. Harry's heart skipped a beat. IT WAS HIM! The man whom he had healed back at the bar and the man who frequently occupied his thoughts at day and invaded his dreams at night! Harry sat up straight, forgetting about the ham and potatoes on his plate. After all, who could think about food at a time like this? Okay, maybe the huge kid over at the Gryffindor table who was wolfing down his food like there was no was no mistaking those intense red eyes that resembled rubies.
Harry was ecstatic. He's at Hogwarts!
" Sev, who's that red-eyed man sitting at the teachers' table?"
Severus glared at being addressed so informally by his first name, but replied nonetheless.
"That's professor Voldemort. He's the head of Slytherin and the Defence against the Dark Arts professor, though he was supposed to have quit last term. I'll let you in on a house secret. Professor Voldemort here actually relishes in practising Dark Arts and teaches them to select Slytherins only. He's famous, extremely wealthy and very influential in the Wizarding World; his influence is enough to rival both the headmaster and the Minister. They also say he's as powerful-if not more- as Headmaster Dumbledore. Though I have to warn you, he hates inept students and blatantly favours those with power."
It took a while for Harry's brain to process all that information. Merlin, that man was going to be head of his house! It definitely was going to be an interesting school year. Harry couldn't wait to go say hi to the man. Surely the professor would recognise him from back at the bar.
After dinner, the Slytherin prefects led them down into the dungeons to their common room. The Slytherin ghost Bloody Baron trailed after them, sizing them up to see who was worthy.
"Password is Basilisk, and don't forget to check your rooming arrangements. You will be sharing a room with another firstie. Turn in early; classes start tomorrow so don't be late. Professor Voldemort will give you another briefing." A well built fifth year Slytherin told them.
Professor Voldemort was waiting inside for them .He gave them a long speech on rules, house points, importance of having a united house front etc. He also emphasized the need to possess power and knowledge. Harry almost could not sit still throughout his entire speech. He had desperately tried to make eye contact with Voldemort but to no avail.
Finally, his arduous speech was over and Voldemort bid them a good night rest.
Harry lingered behind as Severus and the rest went off to their rooms.
Voldemort, having spotted Harry staying behind, snapped moodily, "What do you want?" His prejudice and disgust at Harry's tattered second hand school robes and huge ugly glasses was evident. He had immediately assumed that Harry was a weak, powerless muggleborn who was unworthy of bearing the Slytherin crest on his robes and donning the proud Slytherin green and silver colours. He was already extremely irritated at not having seen any signs of the powerful and confident boy who healed him amongst the first years and had no mood to deal with other matters.
"It's you!! I can't believe it !!! Why haven't you said anything to me?"
Voldemort couldn't believe his ears. How dare this ragged-looking boy put on airs and expect him to address in person his unworthy self. He roared, " How dare you ! Harry Potter issit?! Who do you think you are?!!! You're just a lowly weak orphan who's not worthy of any of my attention! Don't think I haven't read your records at the orphanage. You're always being insulted and bullied yet you don't do anything ! You're weak ! Pathetic! Now get out of my sight before I give you detention!"
Harry was shocked. It seemed the wizard never thought of him like how he had thought of Voldemort. He didn't even remember me....I who prayed everyday to meet him one more time....Harry's heart clenched painfully. Wordlessly, he climbed the stairs to his room. He didn't even make a comment when he entered his room and found Severus Snape sitting on the bed next to him. He didn't notice when Severus raised an eyebrow at his uncharacteristic silence. He didn't know when he fell into a troubled sleep, plagued by nightmares of rejection by a certain wizard with red ruby eyes. And he didn't do anything about the tears that rolled down his cheeks. All that mattered was the sharp ache of his heart.
Unknown to him, Voldemort too dreamt and longed for a certain green-eyed hero who had stole his heart that day. He originally had tendered his resignation to better advance his goals of taking over and re-shaping the Wizarding World, but had stayed on in the hopes of meeting the boy who had healed him back then. He was sure a powerful wizard like the boy would study at Hogwarts. He could picture him standing strong and powerful, emerald eyes glowing with power, fending off his enemies as if swatting mere flies. He could feel his warm embrace everytime he closed his eyes. He would always remember that kind and beautiful smile the young wizard gave him. That was the first time anyone had ever hugged or smiled at him genuinely, with no ulterior motive of gaining his favour or anything of that sort. Certainly the children and staff at the orphanage he grew up in never did anything remotely close, being too caught up in either fear or hatred of him. He wished so fervently that he had asked for the name of his love, for he was all Voldemort thought of day and night.
Harry awoke bright and early the next morning. Severus was nowhere in sight, off somwhere to get a headstart on his books, Harry supposed. Suddenly ,last night's events and Voldemort's cruel words all came rushing back to him. Harry sighed and gloomily prepared for breakfast, ignoring Sephora's hissed concerns after seeing his tear-tracked cheeks.
On his way to the great hall, he was confronted by the arrogant boy from the platform and two burly boys flanking him from behind.
" So Potty issit? First Hogwarts, now Slytherin. You must be the luckiest filthy poor Mudblood in the world..." Draco Malfoy taunted. The two goons behind him snickered.
" I'm honoured you know my name when I didn't even bother to find out yours." Harry retorted.
" Why you....I will just say this once. Name's Draco Malfoy. Ever heard of the Malfoys? We're a rich pureblooded and prestigious family. But then I wouldn't blame you for not knowing. I mean, who would, with an upbringing-muggle too I might add- as appalling as yours...hope you find your classes with those dirty things on your face you call glasses...they are certainly of your standard..." Malfoy jeered.
Harry almost leapt at Malfoy, if not for Severus suddenly appearing behind him and holding him back.
" I'm ten times the wizard you are Malfoy !!!" Harry shouted back.
At this moment, Voldemort came sauntering through the hallway.
" What's the holdup? Ahhh...Young Draco is it? How's Lucius? And what is going on here? " Voldemort lazily asked.
Malfoy jumped up at the chance to get back at harry. His eyes promised revenge for insulting his father that day.
"Father is fine professor....Oh I'm glad you're here professor. Potter here tried to attack me, Muggle style too I might add. He's a vicious thing..." Malfoy complained dramatically.
"That's not true ! He provoked me first !" Harry asserted fiercely.
Voldemort gave Harry a look of loathing and disgust that immediately silenced Harry.
" Potter! Do not think you can get away with breaking the rules and attempt to assault a housemate just because of your ignorant muggle upbringing. Detention tonight at 7 o'clock Potter. A minute late and you will regret it. And fighting like a common muggle street thug ! Are you even a wizard??! When wizards get into a fight, we duel with our wands Potter!!! Only Muggles fight with their fists! But I won't punish you for that, seeing as I expected no better from you... " Voldemort said nastily.
Harry tried to protest, his face burning with humiliation, but Severus kicked him in the shin and whispered " Drop it! I told you Voldemort favoured those with power ! You do not want the wrath of Voldemort for the rest of your days here !"
With that, he hung his head low and walked dejectedly into the hall. As he approached theSlytherin table, he abruptly noticed the change. There were more hostile glares thrown his way. Apparently Malfoy had told them all not to accept him and probably told them lies about how weak and powerless he was. It seemed Malfoy was pretty influential after all; coupled with Voldemort's obvious dislike and lack of defence for him, total isolation by the Slytherins was not impossible. They had even reserved a seat for him, right at the end of the table, away from the rest.
Someone stuck out a leg as Harry walked past. Harry, not expecting bullying to occur at Hogwarts, was caught unaware and fell flat on his face. He heard snickers and cruel laughter. He looked up to Severus for support, but Severus deliberately avoided his eyes.
Too hurt and tired to feel angry or feel even anything for that matter, Harry trudged resignedly to his "special" seat. A few sent apologetic looks his way, but did not say anything for fear of crossing Malfoy, and perhaps even Voldemort.
It seemed a repeat of his childhood days again, only this time he hadn't done anything to deserve it.
Hey people !
Gab here ! Like my fanfic so far? I hope you do...and i do apologise for the mistakes in the first two chapters...i just typed and published straight away without proof-reading it...cuz i always check as i type, i assumed it was ok...but now ive realized my mistakes and will try to be more careful ! :)
about the story:
For someone so perceptive and cunning,Voldemort is being blind isnt he? and everyone's being a jerk to harry....but fret not ! things are gonna perk up soon...im gonna fast forward some time ahead too if not it would be too draggy...but as voldemort realise that it has been harry all along, will it be too late? will harry accept him?
read on and review pls :) i would love to hear your thoughts :)
Gabriella