John Watson rounded the corner, the Gryffindor common room not far away. It'd been a long day of classes, and he had way too much potions homework, which he didn't understand anyway. His lab partner was just as clueless, so he was genuinely lost in the wilderness and just taking shots in the dark. When he came to the end of the corridor and was about to turn another corner, a flash of black and blue slammed into him, knocking the twelve-year old to the floor; stars popped behind his eyes when another forehead connected forcefully with his. John opened his eyes and found himself staring into liquid silver, a tinge of fear buried in the courage behind the unique eyes. The first year Ravenclaw scrambled off and tried to collect his scattered books and papers, glancing over his shoulder as he did. "Hey, are you-"

John was cut off by three boys coming around the corner and seizing the other kid by the scruff of his neck. "Here he is, boys. Thought you could get away, huh?" The sixth year Slytherin sneered.

John grabbed his wand and pointed it at the older boy's face. "Put him down, Draco. Don't you have a Defense test to fail?"

Draco Malfoy dropped his prey, the kid was so small for his age, that he actually fell a good distance to the ground and landed with a 'snap' that did not sound good at all. The sixth year loomed over John. "I will not take insults from a mudblood!" He lunged at John, but found his foot caught in the grasp of a first year.

Draco fell hard at John's feet, and the young kid jumped up and said, "Run!" And they took off like a shot down the corridors, the older boys trailing behind. John had no idea where they were going, he just blindly followed the younger boy, until he magically disappeared. John stopped abruptly and looked around. A hand shot out of a dark corner and pulled him in. The two strangers huddled in the dark, not breathing or moving as the Slytherins streaked past their hiding spot.

When it was safe, they ventured out, looked around, then collapsed against the wall giggling with adrenaline. John gasped for breath and said, "What's your name again?"

"Sherlock Holmes." The younger kid stuck a hand out.

John took him into a handshake. "Why were they after you?"

Sherlock frowned. "I am small. Easy target, I guess."

John began walking back to where they had abandoned their books. "I doubt you'll be small forever, though."

Sherlock just shrugged and reached into his pocket, pulling out a velvet bag. "Want a chocolate frog?"

"Thanks!" John stuck his hand in and grabbed a wriggling candy. Still not used to the magical chocolate, the frog easily slipped through his fingers and hopped down the hallway. "...oops."

The Holmes kid just laughed, which triggered another one from John. When they reached their scattered school supplies, they had to work to separate whose paperwork was whose. They'd almost gotten them all straightened out, before Sherlock said, "These potions equations are all wrong. You mix these together and you will kill us all."

John grabbed the paper out of the first year's hands. "How would you know? I'm in second year potions."

"And I'm in fourth year."

John shook his head. "You're lying. There's no way."

"I could tutor you, if you like. I need someone to help me with a few experiments, and I could teach you in return."

John eyed him warily, then, not knowing what had possessed him to do so, said, "Alright, deal. But," he said as he shook his new friend's hand, "I'm not swallowing anything that looks suspicious."

Sherlock considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Deal."