September 1, 1991

10:30 a.m.

Harry's time at Diagon Alley had come and gone in what seemed to be the blink of an eye, he had very much enjoyed his time. It had been the best month and a handful of weeks he had ever had and he would treasure all of the fun he had with his new friends Septima, Fleur, Gabrielle, and Griphook even if the irritable Goblin didn't like to admit it Harry considered him a friend. He would still get to see Fleur and Ms. Septima at school no doubt, but he didn't know how much free time he'd really be having like he had the past couple of weeks. Harry thought about what had taken up a majority of his time.

Harry had an exceptionally fun time when Septima showed him how to duel even if his list of offensive spells he could use safely was small like Chorus Flamma the dancing flame spell that he had nearly burned the inn down with. Even if he barely had any offensive spells he still found dueling to be exceptionally fun, with Septima anyway, he had tried to duel Fleur one day to get a feel for other peoples styles. He had expect u ed her to be as instructional and gentle as Septima but he was dead wrong, she did not go easy on him and it had hurt. From what he had read of the disarming charm, Expelliarmus, it was meant to only either send the wand flying from his hand in a random direction or if the right intent was used, it could be flown straight to the casters hand. What Harry had experienced was him being thrown back about five feet landing not to gently on his back. Of course she had apologized profusely as she rushed over to help him but it certainly showed him the large gap that age could give a wizard that was just a few years older, that and if you put to much power behind a spell it could have a much different outcome.

He hadn't known it at the time but being beaten so soundly and without much difficulty had really helped him start studying in earnest and before long he could use a wide range of dueling spells like Expelliarmus, Chorus Flamma, stupefy, and Locomotor Mortis. The list wasn't large but knowing even one spell could mean saving himself in a real pinch. Septima had actually said he had an odd affinity for offensive spells while on the other end of the spectrum he had abysmal control over even the simplest shield charm any shield he tried to cast was basically as thick as a wet paper napkin and could be poked apart.

"Harry, are you ready to head to Kings Cross Station," Septima asked breaking him out of his train of thought.

He surveyed the cozy room that had served as his safe haven for the past month and smiled fondly," yes ma'am, I think, I've got everything."

"What about that little furry demon you call a kitten?"

At this description Harry heard a growl come from the hood of his jacket but Cobalt didn't bother to get up because he had gotten comfortable. Harry just patted the small lump in his hood looking at Septima letting her know where Cobalt was, and he grabbed his trunk stepping next to his older sister figure waiting for instruction.

"Alright, if you've got everything were gonna head outside the Leaky Cauldron, then I'll apparate us from outside since the inn has wards."

"What's Hogwarts like anyway M-Septima," Harry asked almost calling Septima 'Ms. Septima' again like he had grown accustom to," I know you've told me all the classes I'd be attending but I haven't actually heard much about the school itself."

"Well," she said as they closed his rooms door behind them and trudged their way to the stairs," It's a large castle in Scotland and it has a sprawling layout that if you're not paying attention to could get you lost. Knowing you though and your curiosity you'll probably have it memorized in a week," she said ruffling his hair. He still flinched every once and a while when Septima touched him on the very rare occasion but he was getting better at letting people he actually trusted touch him, because he knew that if he wanted some semblance of a normal relationship with people he would need to get used to it. That didn't mean he was ready for most physical contact like hugs and things like that because even just the thought of being that close to someone made him grow pale. But he would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy when Septima made small gestures like she just had for him, it made him feel like they were actually siblings.

"I was also wondering something else about things that are heavily talked about by kids Who've attended Hogwarts in Diagon Alley. I've heard a few things about Quidditch and how Hogwarts houses play for the house cup every year, but I don't know what to expect from an actual game. Is it any fun to watch," Harry asked Septima as he passed Tom the innkeeper his room key and they headed to the door.

"I've never much cared for Quidditch but I'd be lying if I said I didn't root for my houses team when they play. A graduates gotta have some house pride after all," she said smiling wryly down at Harry.

"That's right, I never even asked what house you were in when you were at Hogwarts," Harry asked wondering what house he himself would be in.

"I was in Ravenclaw it's the house for the witty and intelligent, I wouldn't be surprised if you were in the same house I was with how much you like to learn about a wide variety of topics," she said tilting her head in thought.

Harry smiled at the small praise that he had received from Septima. He opened the inn door stepped out into the cooling September morning air and saw hardly any people around, most likely due to the fact that school term was starting and a majority of peoples shopping had been completed. He looked to Septima knowing what was next, he had long since caught on to her surprise apparations that she gave Harry barely any warning for. He bent his knees giving her a deadpan look seeing the hand that had silently began to hover over his shoulder before she had been noticed and she froze. Laughing after having clearly been caught Septima dropped her hand to be held out in front of her prompting Harry to initiate the contact voluntarily. She may be playful but when she touched him as a surprise it was almost always somewhere that was covered by clothes, or his hair which he wasn't as skeptical with letting people touch. When skin contact was necessary she had always given Harry warning or had left the option to initiate it himself.

Smiling Harry took hold of Septima's hand tentatively as he prepared to apparate and the world shifted around him stretching and whirling past him in a blind flurry of motion. They disappeared from their spot in Diagon Alley and appeared in Kings Cross Station not a single muggle sparring them a glance. Harry took note of that and would ask Septima about that later. People were milling about weaving in and out of columns and one another as they boarded and exited trains.

"Where's the platform we need to get to," Harry asked slightly leaning closer to Septima grabbing a handful of her robe clearly uncomfortable with the shear volume of people.

"Ah, that is actually quiet tricky for first time Hogwarts students if they don't have people to show them. Its actually very fascinating how they set up the way to get into platform nine and three quarters," Septima said making her way down the platform until she stopped at one of the columns that had the numbers nine and ten labeled on it, Harry still following close behind.

"Now what we're going to do is walk straight in-between the pillar marking platforms nine and ten. If you're scared its best to get a running start," Septima said looking down at Harry who was looking up at her very skeptically," of course I could always pick you up and walk in if you're to scared."

This made Harry look at her with a look that said," touch me and I jinx you," which caused her to hold her hands up in surrender. Then she looked at Harry and motioned for him to follow while she strode at a quick pace toward the direct middle of the column. Harry had to slightly jog at the pace she was setting the trunk being wheeled behind him and before he knew what was happening they were walking down a dark brick corridor that was barely lit and before long he found they were back in the train platform. No, it was somehow different but he couldn't place how, that was until he caught site of the people milling about clad in robes like Septima wore and people shuffling children along to board the train and the fact none of the adults around made any action to board.

"This," Septima said gesturing grandly," is the Hogwarts Express."

It was a large red locomotive with several train cars connected and it seemed to be able to fit a massive volume of people. Harry looked around seeing the large number of children around his age, he also caught site of a family of red heads that seemed to fill the space around them with energy while they all talked and fretted over what seemed to be one of the sons first times going on the train to Hogwarts. Two of the redheaded boys who appeared to be twins were ruffling the youngest brothers hair poking fun at him and they slowly all began to enter the train.

They seem nice but I really don't want to be near them. They look a little to touchy. Harry thought to himself shuddering at the thought of interacting with such energetic people.

Harry looked back over to Septima wondering if she would be riding the train with him and as if sensing his thoughts she said," I won't be riding the train with you. You need to learn to stand on your own two feet and make friends, even though you've already got a perfectly nice friend already. I think you'll appreciate making friends on your own rather than having me there to hold your hand through introductions."

Harry's immediate reaction was to try and protest and stick to the one person he somewhat trusted more than he had ever trusted someone in his short scary life. The thought of being left to his own devices certainly scared him, but he also slightly thrummed with excitement at the prospect of being completely in control of his own life and who he allowed in it. Firming his resolve and taking a shakily deep breath he looked up to Septima with an unwavering gaze and nodded stepping forward to enter the train.


11:15 a.m.

Harry was now regretting his decision his moment of bravery having come and gone now that he frantically walked up and down the train carts, looking into the compartments that all seemed to be full with excited children and older students that either knew each other or were already making acquaintances with one another. Once the train had started moving Harry had immediately begun to panic frantically trying in vain to find a compartment that was empty or had at least only one or two other people around his own age in them, but of course he didn't find one and once he had reached the last train cart he was losing steam and had just resigned himself to sit in the hallway his knees drawn to his chest for comfort as he stared dejectedly out the trains hall window as the landscape rolled by.

" 'Arry what are you doing in ze 'alleway," he heard a melodic and concerned voice ask from the right of him.

Looking over Harry saw Fleur standing in the doorway of a sliding train compartment door slightly leaning out and staring at him very worriedly.

Harry looking away from Fleur in shame looked down at the space in front of him from in-between his knees," I couldn't find any compartments that I felt comfortable entering, I went all the way down from the front of the train looking for one and I just gave up when I reached the last one."

Harry could practically feel the pity in Fleur's stare. He was happy she sympathized with him but he hated being pitied by anyone.

Filthy quarter breed abomination. How dare it pity us. Harry heard the ever hostile voice in his head say with such icy venom it made him go rigid.

Quarter breed? What does that mean.

It means she's a detestable hybrid that is beneath us.

But Fleur is my friend. One of my only friends in fact.

Harry could hear the angry hissing of a snake in his head coiled and ready to strike but before anything could happen Fleur sat next to Harry," there is no-one in my compartment 'Arry why don't you join me."

Looking over he gazed into Fleur's crystal blue eyes and was surprised to see a caring smile on her face as she gazed at him, not being accustom to this kind treatment even after months of blissful peace it put him on edge and he nodded stiffly. Fleur rose to her feet and with careful thought she offered Harry her hand making sure he knew he didn't have to accept it. But smiling gratefully he took her delicately soft pale hand letting her help him slightly to his feet. He grabbed his trunk with the other hand and wheeled it behind them as Fleur opened the compartment door and the two sat down next to one another.

Neither noticed that while they conversed and told one another what they thought Hogwarts would be like, they hadn't actually let go of each others hand as it sat between the two delicately intertwined connecting them.


4:30 p.m.

By now Fleur was quite upset with how long the Hogwarts Express took to arrive at the school apparently they would be arriving in the early evening and she supposed that meant around 5:00 p.m. Thankfully that most likely meant they didn't have to much longer of a ride, but a majority of her feelings were centered on the boy sitting next to her right now with his kitten laying across his lap as the cat slept. Harry himself was falling asleep as well next to her his head leaning on her shoulder providing her with warmth that was much appreciated in the oddly cold Scottish countryside air. Her thumb unconsciously rubbed circles on the back of his hand that she still hadn't noticed clutched his gently.

She had felt his overwhelming sense of solitude and sorrow when he had sat out in the hallway. How could she not? It was like he was a spiraling inferno of emotions that constantly felt whatever emotion he had at the time with such intensity that what she picked up from other people made their emotions look like a flickering match compared to his. She couldn't understand why the boy was so emotional but rarely ever showed it with his face or words, she could easily see the spike of panic when certain people approached him it was particularly strong with woman of middle age or slightly older. Normally she would chock that up to a growing boys hormones but that didn't make any sense because then her allure would work on him just as easily as his own hormones.

In fact when he looked at her he had an odd mix of emotions happiness, shyness, and for some reason an ever present sense of being on guard about something. She didn't know what he was constantly on edge about but she had a feeling it had something to do with his fear of older women. She had multiple ideas in her head and more than a few she didn't like the idea of and while she was worried about him she very well couldn't just ambush him about it demanding he tell her. No, she had to just have faith in her friend and hope he trusts her enough in the future to tell her what was haunting him.

For now she was just content that her friend was comfortable enough around her to sleep and lean on her. It hadn't been easy to gain even this small sliver of trust from the boy but it seemed to be well worth it as she found herself enjoying his company more and more.

Before she could think further Harry's emotions spiked erratically as he screamed in utter terror shaking, his own feelings flooding into her senses making her tremble slightly as well. What was this? How could someone be so afraid? There was also something else underneath it and it did not fit at all with the other overwhelmingly ambient terror. Lust.

" 'Arry. 'Arry wake up it is just a dream," Fleur said shaking the boy lightly and holding his shoulders so that he wouldn't flail in his sleep and fall off of the seat. Cobalt was now out of Harry's lap gazing worriedly at Harry as he thrashed.

Snapping awake and letting out a sob his usually beautiful viridescent eyes stared back at her, haunted and filled with tears. Suddenly he lunged forward enveloping her in a hug that wasn't one derived from a show of friendship but of a survivor cast out at sea holding onto a piece of driftwood so that they would not sink and drown. Fleur resolved herself not to let Harry drown in this awful sea, as she returned the hug running her fingers through his soft black untamable hair whispering calming words and assuring him he was safe with her.

Before long Harry's sobs subsided and his shoulders slumped as he got into a more comfortable position so that he could get just a little more support from Fleur which she was very willing to give more of. But before long he pulled away sniffing and wiping at his eyes fervently his emotions slowly being tamped down and rained in, while he schooled his face and breathed in unsteadily. She missed his warmth slightly.

"I'm sorry," Harry said subduedly.

"No, you do not need to apologize 'Arry. I am your friend and you needed 'elp," she said gazing at him hoping she conveyed that he was her friend and not a burden or task that she had to handle.

Harry smiled at her tiredly even though he had been sleeping for nearly an hour now and rubbed at his eyes again even though all the tears had ebbed away. The sun was a little past its height in the distance and it seemed before long it would be setting. They would also most likely be arriving at Hogwarts soon so Fleur looked back to Harry.

"You should get into your school robes soon I expect we will be arriving soon," she said looking at Harry.

He looked at her oddly for a second almost worriedly as he began to lift his shirt slowly and stiffly. She looked at him blushing confusedly for a moment before she sensed his growing dread and fear for some reason before she stood up walked to the door of the compartment," I'll let you get changed in privacy."


5:20 p.m.

Harry was mentally berating himself, after his dream of Aunt Petunia he had been in a terrible state of mind and waking up next to Fleur hadn't helped. At first he was relieved to have her nearby so that he could rely on his friend but as the dream settled in his mind he slowly converted to how he was forced to act when his aunt used him. He had stopped showing emotion and taken what Fleur said about getting changed as a thinly veiled reason for him to get naked for her. In the moment it made perfect sense after the dream but when Fleur had gotten up and hastily shut the compartment door he blinked realizing what he had just done and now he was so ashamed of himself for immediately assuming Fleur wanted to take advantage of him like SHE did.

He was now wearing his standard Hogwarts first year uniform that was black and had no house colors. Septima told him that his robes would change to reflect his houses once he was sorted he just took her word for it.

Stepping out into the hallway he looked at Fleur who was leaned against the wall to the left her arms behind her back," hey you can change in the compartment now."

Thankfully she didn't look mad with him but she also looked at him with a strange expression he couldn't identify," thank you 'Arry I will let you know when I am done."

As she stepped past him into the compartment Harry smelled an oddly familiar scent like a comfortable chimney fire entering his nostrils. Where had he smelled that before it was so familiar? Then Fleur shut the sliding door and the fragrance was gone along with the almost recalled memory.

I'm sure I'm just being weird.

Harry looked at the rapidly moving landscape gazing at the slowly moving sun that would no doubt set before to long.

"Oh, hello," Harry heard a girl say off to his left startling him out of his thoughts. He looked over and saw a girl just a little taller than himself with a head of bushy brown hair and small mousy features with wide curious eyes looking at him," have you seen a toad around a boy named Neville lost it apparently."

"No sorry I haven't seen one running around," he hadn't noticed but Cobalt had followed him into the hallway and he was now winding in-between his legs purring.

"Is that a kneazle," the girl said excitedly looking down at Harry's legs.

"What? My pants," Harry asked confusedly.

"No, the kitten at your feet it's a kneazle, right? I've read about them apparently they have the ability to tell If someones trustworthy and they attack people that aren't which is why the Ministry of Magic requires people to have permits to own them. You do have the permit right," the girl asked very worriedly.

Harry nodded slowly," yes, Septima made me sign the paper for him once she came by the first time to check on me."

The girl nodded at Harry, pleased that he had the proper paperwork and was capable of caring for this animal, she held out her hand for a handshake," I'm Hermione Granger its a pleasure to meet you."

Harry looked at the offered hand worriedly hoping she wouldn't take offense to his next statement," I'm Harry Potter its nice to meet you too. Sorry, but I don't really like people touching me."

Hermione looked at him very shocked it wasn't for his rudeness however as he noticed she looked to his forehead searching for the scar concealed by his bangs. He was still not used to people knowing who he was just by his name alone.

"Are you really," she said very wondrously.

"I'm afraid so," he said parting his bangs so she could clearly see the lightning bolt shaped scar underneath.

Before Hermione could say anything else Fleur opened the compartment door dressed in her plain black robes looking at Harry and seeing Hermione behind him," 'Arry I am done changing you can come back into the compartment."

"Alright, I'll be right there," he said looking back to Hermione who had yet another wondrous look on her face as she looked at the spot Fleur had come from. Harry waved goodbye to Hermione and re entered the compartment.

It wasn't long now until they would arrive at Hogwarts and Harry was excited even after everything that had happened to drain his energy. He had heard so much about Hogwarts so far that he really hoped it would live up to his expectations and even if it didn't he would be happy to learn magic as it had already been extremely interesting to learn.

Before long Harry heard the telltale screeching of the trains brakes signaling that they had arrived at their destination so Harry collected his thoughts and emotions then headed out of the compartment behind Fleur. When they exited the train Harry laid eyes an a man that had to be eight feet tall if not taller with a large brown coat and a bushy black beard. He guided the different years to stand with their prospective groups then they all headed out on their way to the castle in the distance. Except the first years who were to make their way to the castle over the lake with the large man who introduced himself as Rubeus Hagrid.


Harry had never been in a boat now that he thought of it and he didn't have a problem with it that much but upon hearing that there was a giant squid in the lake they were currently rowing over he suddenly felt queasy.

Hagrid had noticed his face from were he rowed and gave Harry a kind smile," oh don' worry tha' ol' squid won' hurt ya. He's jus' a big ol' softy."

This did little to calm Harry's nerves but he was slightly put at ease with Fleur next to him, due to this being her first year at Hogwarts and being sorted. Even if she wouldn't be a first year herself she would still have to be sorted with them. Harry was very grateful for that because he didn't know what he would be doing sitting completely surrounded by strangers, Septima had told him to make friends and he really wanted to but it was so against his nature.

Before long they had arrived at the old wooden boat dock where all of the students disembarked most of them happy to be on solid ground and not have the threat of a giant squid under them. They all slowly filed behind Hagrid in a loose line following him up the winding stairs to the walls of the looming castle above. Harry could hear low murmuring from the first years around him some were talking about what house the others suspected they'd be in and others were whispering about Harry and Fleur who were standing very close to one another in the unfamiliar environment they found themselves in.

They soon reached the top of the boat house stairs finding themselves in a large open courtyard with a high Walled entrance to the castle in front of them with an open entryway that lead up a flight of marble stairs. In front of the stairs stood a tall, black haired witch in emerald-green robes she wore a very stern expression giving Harry the very distinct impression she was not someone to cross.

"Hagrid I do believe you are quite late," the woman reprimanded Hagrid in a slightly Scottish accented voice.

"Weren't my fault Professor McGonagall we 'ad slightly choppier waves this afternoon. Tha' an' the students weren't to used to going up so many stairs it seems," Hagrid defended.

Huffing Professor McGonagall just schooled her mouth into a thin line and nodded at Hagrid," very well, I will see to it that the students reach the Great Hall as always," she gave Hagrid a shrewd look," I recommend you find your way to your seat in the hall too Hagrid."

Nodding hurriedly Hagrid took off just as quick seemingly so he wouldn't make professor McGonagall anymore cross with him. She turned back to the students," follow me students."

Harry and Fleur looked at one another before they followed closely behind the strict professor. They were both at the front of the group being the only ones apparently brave enough to be so close behind the professor which they both found incredibly amusing. As they made their way up the stairs behind professor McGonagall they couldn't help but notice the precisely carved stone of the walls and the lining torches that lit the halls as they walked. Soon they stood in front of a large set of double doors that had a suit of armor standing at attention on ether side of the doors as if guarding them.

"Now students stay here while I inform the headmaster of your arrival," the witch said in an authoritative tone looking over each and every one of them, but she seemed to linger at the sight of Fleur and Harry who stood protectively next to one another, before she strode off through an adjacent door that Harry assumed connected to the Great Hall.

" 'Ow are you 'olding up 'Arry," Fleur asked him obviously still worried about his earlier outburst in the train.

But before he could answer he heard a slightly arrogant voice a few feet to the left of him say," you're Harry Potter aren't you?"

At that even more murmuring filled the air around him as he turned to the boy who had said that. He had slicked back platinum blonde hair and sharp sneering features that seemed to only grow more disdainful as he gazed at Fleur beside Harry.

"Yes, I'm Harry Potter. Why," Harry asked looking at the boy evenly not missing the look he was sending his friend not liking it one bit.

"No particular reason, I was just making an observation. I'm Draco Malfoy, We've all grown up hearing stories about you though and I thought it would be interesting to be friends with you. Of course you would have to stop associating with that creature," the boy said looking at Fleur with disdain holding out his hand for Harry to shake as if Harry wouldn't have ever thought to decline.

"I think," Harry said icily," you have greatly misunderstood your importance. It also seems you were never taught proper manners because people don't refer to others as "creatures" as you put it, so no I don't think I will try to be your "friend" at least not until you can take your head out of your own arse."

At Draco's stunned expression Harry looked back to Fleur pretending the boy didn't exist and turned just in time for the doors to the Great Hall to open all the while he had a smirk on his face.

It was a vast open dining area with four large tables that stretched almost the whole length of the room, each table was nearly full with students. Harry didn't miss the fact that each vertical table seemed to have students with black robes that had a second color the far left table had students with black and green robs, the middle left table had students with black and blue robes, the middle right table had students with black and gold robes, and lastly the right table had students with black and red robes. He didn't know the significance of the colors but assumed it had something to do with the houses they were all in. The large group of students made their way up to the front of the hall where a large table sat horizontally on a slightly raised marble floor with much older witches and wizards sitting at it, Harry could only assume that they were the professors. As they were walking Harry couldn't help but look at the velvety black of the ceiling that was dotted with stars. Somewhere behind him he could hear the girl Hermione he had met on the train saying," It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts a History." Harry was intrigued to find out what else the girl knew because it seemed she liked to read just as much as him, although if he was being honest he was more interested in the enchantment used on the ceiling more than the history of the school.

Harry caught site of Septima waving at him as she sat at the head table next to Hagrid, smiling Harry waved back before professor McGonagall silently placed a four legged stool in front of the group of first years. On top of the stool she placed a pointed wizards hat. It looked frayed and patched in various spots and also looked as if it hadn't been washed in years. Absentmindedly, Harry thought that Aunt Petunia would never let the filthy thing anywhere near the inside of the house and just as suddenly as it had come the wonder of the school and its exoticness flooded from his head as he once again ruined the moment with thoughts of his aunt. She seemed to love ruining his experiences even when she wasn't present. For a second there was complete silence, then the hat began to twitch. A rip near the brim of the hat opened wide like a mouth and the oddest thing happened, it began to sing.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be,

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

Harry just stared in utter bewilderment as the whole hall burst into applause around him at the awful song the raggedy hat had just sung. It bowed in each direction as the applause began to die down and it slowly became quite still. He was rather dumbfounded at the concept of a talking hat deciding his future for the rest of his school life but assumed he didn't really have a say in the matter.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward before saying," when I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."

Students came forward a few took no longer than a seconds pause for the hat to sort and a handful it took the hat several long seconds to decide. The students who had been called were; Hannah Abbott Hufflepuff, Susan Bones Hufflepuff, Terry Boot Ravenclaw, Mandy Brocklehurst Ravenclaw, Lavender Brown Gryffindor, Millicent Bulstrode Slytherin, and after her there was a pause in Professor McGonagall's name calling. "The next student has exchanged from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France, and she will be starting her fourth year at Hogwarts. Delacour, Fleur!"

Fleur stepped away from Harry looking at him anxiously before she elegantly made her way to the stool so that she could sit and be sorted. When the hat slipped over her eyes he assumed it would be just a few seconds pause like with the other students but the hat took exceptionally long to sort Fleur for some reason that Harry could not figure out. He could see was fidgeting nervously as if someone was speaking to her before the had suddenly opened its mouth yelling for all to hear," Ravenclaw."

A cheer came from the black and blue clad table as Fleur made her way over smiling slightly. Harry also noticed some of the leering gazes the boys at the table gave her that promptly vanished when she didn't sit near any of them in favor of sitting next to a girl on her right and the edge of the table on her left obviously not wanting anyone to sit next to her.

Professor McGonagall continued her list of names to be sorted; Justin Finch-Fletchley Hufflepuff, Seamus Finnigan Gryffindor, Hermione Granger Gryffindor, Neville Longbottom Gryffindor, Draco Malfoy Slytherin, a few names were called that Harry had begun to tune out before he heard," Potter, Harry!"

Harry stepped forward amid the loud talking and craned necks to get a better look at him. All of the attention people were giving him made him so rigid he walked stiffly to the stool and in front of professor McGonagall who promptly slid the old wizards hat on his head and over his eyes sending him into darkness with the murmuring of the hall still in his ears.

"Hmm," said a small voice in Harry's ear. "Difficult, very difficult. I see you have courage and a desire to use it but also hesitance to do so. Not a bad mind either, very eager to learn and be filled. There's definitely talent, and my goodness a nice thirst to prove yourself, and also hope, for friendship interesting... where shall I put you? Gryffindor perhaps they could put your courage to great use."

Harry gripped the edges of the stool and suppressed the growing want of saying Ravenclaw where Fleur had been sorted, he didn't want a hat of all things thinking he was to cowardly to be on his own.

This elicited a small chuckle from the hat," wanting to be with those you hold dear isn't a bad thing young man," the hat said fondly to Harry," in fact Ms. Delacour was quiet worried about you not being near her so she could protect you. Are you sure though if Gryffindor isn't your cup of tea Slytherin could no doubt help you on your way to greatness you may not see it now but it's all right here, in your head ready to be brought out. But I suppose if you're insistent on staying with your girlfriend I won't come between the two of you."

That last statement caused Harry to go pink around the ears and another chuckle to come from the hat before it yelled for all of the hall to hear," Ravenclaw!"

A loud cheer came from Ravenclaw yet again, but this time slightly louder than when Fleur had been called over. He made his way to the table seeing Fleur smile at him and moving over slightly more to the right so Harry could take a seat at the edge of the table on her left knowing Harry wouldn't want to be sitting pressed up against two people he didn't know.

As the last of the students after Harry were sorted he looked around himself at the plates of food just now realizing how hungry he was, he and Septima had forgotten to eat before they left The Leaky Cauldron. Before he could reach for some of the food the old wizard in the middle of the table stood up to speak," Welcome, welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak," there was a pause of silence that Harry swore he could have cut through before the old man finished," Thank you!"

The old man sat back down smiling beneath his sizable beard. Everybody began to clap and cheer as if he had said something incredibly moving and intelligent, Harry and Fleur looked around confused not knowing wether to laugh or not.

"This place is weird," Harry said to Fleur.

"Oui," she simply responded back to him.