Chapter 3

Good afternoon everybody! Hope you're all having a wonderful day sure welcome back to Tribulations, support for chapter 2 was even more overwhelming than chapter 1 and you all have no idea how happy I was to hear that so many had enjoyed the chapter after the wait. Let's hope chapter 3 lives up to the same standard then shall we :)

In regards to chapter length, this wound up being around 12k despite my intent for it to be around 7k, once again I just couldn't skip over stuff too much as there was alot to set-up or acknowledge.

Now onto the reviews!

Nathair1: Thank you very much for the review, i'm really glad you enjoyed it :D Can't answer all your questions without getting into spoiler territory no matter how much i want to so i'll just clarrify one, it was James who spelled Sirius in Diagon Alley in chapter 2

lorhob09: Thanks so much for the review and compliment :D Who knows, but I hope you enjoy this chapter ;)

Canute66: Thank you for the review and the kind words, I hope you find this chapter equally entertaining!

KuroKatBone: I appreciate your review alot and i'm glad to hear how excited you are, makes me excited to write!

Kaijin36: Thanks for the review, glad I could wow you :)

Kazikamikaze24: Thank you very much for the review sure it put a huge smile on my face, glad you're enjoying it!

JeremiahKelley93: Thanks alot for the review, love to hear that you're enjoying it :)

Darkshot99: Thank you so much for the review! That's really sweet of you and it's great to hear your enjoying it, hope you enjoy chapter 3 just as much!

Carmon246: Thank you for the review sure i'm happy to know i've caught the readers attention, hopefully chapter 3 continues that trend :)

WOLF-GOST: I appreciate the review but I can only write so fast sadly

Harrypotterpercyjacksonfan90: Thank you for the review and i'm trying, these blasted chapters are surprisingly tricky!

Bigrig56: Thanks alot sure I really appreciate the review! It's going to be quite a scene I can say that lol

"Expecto Patronum!" = Speech

'Expecto Patronum!' = Thoughts

"What is a 'Hero' though?" = Speach with a quote

*BANG* = Important Noise?

-Flashback- = Flashback setting

"I love you" = Written words

{4:00am} = Important Time/ Date

Disclaimer: Harry Potter, My Hero Academia and related IP belong to their respective owners. The author of this story owns jack-shit and holds no fantasy that they ever will.

The sun shone through the clouds and into a room in the Leaky Cauldron, the rooms occupant curled up pleasantly under the warm blankets whilst a snowy white owl hooted at the shaggy black haired individual.

"Whoooo, whooooo!"

"Ugh...thanks Hedwig, couldn't let me have those extra few minutes." Harry said sleepily as his thoughts dragged themselves from the land of Morpheus. 'Nearly a month later and i'm still not used to going to sleep and waking up in a warm bed'

Harry dragged himself out of bed, taking a glance outside at the sun and estimating the time to be around 7am, his usual hour of rising out of the bed in the mornings despite how much he'd wanted to sleep in these past 28 days.

This was due to his unquenching thirst for knowledge as he poured over his first year books, "Hogwarts a History" and "An Introduction to the Wizarding World, its Customs, Traditions and Culture" in his attempt to achieve his ambition.
Afterall, the way Harry thought about it was that covering "Hogwarts a History" would hopefully give him valuable information about the place he'd be residing in for 9 months of the year for hopefully the next 7 years.

Similarly, the first year books would ideally provide some valuable insight to the power that he imagined fueled Decay, that being magic, and something which would also help him be prepared for the upcoming classes he'd soon be not only attending but hopefully thriving in.

They'd already come in handy too, particularly "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" which he'd used to search for more information about his wand core, the heartstring of a Basilisk.
What he'd found was that the Basilisk was apparently referred to as the king of serpents with a gaze and venom so deadly it was said to lay waste to all in it's path. The book also revealed that the ability to talk to snakes was indeed magical and that someone who could speak it was a parselmouth, that was all it really said about the ability but it was something further for him to research when he found the time.

Finally, "An Introduction to the Wizarding World, its Customs, Traditions and Culture" would hopefully provide some much needed information about how to act politely, something he was paying special attention to considering his only basis for how to be polite were the Dursleys and the streets, neither of which being ideal sources and would likely serve to create more enemies than friends should he not seek to remedy it.

This was especially true given the whole brand new world and culture fact which he'd otherwise be entering completely ignorant of, something which he doubted would endear him to the magically raised in particular.

Heck his worries on if there was specific events or traditions in the wizarding world turned out to be true, for example witches and wizards apparently got gifted watches on their 17th birthday to signify their maturity and adulthood in the eyes of wizarding society, hence why the Trace was removed from wands at this age which is how a country's government tracks its citizens under-age wizadry.

It was regretful he couldn't touch upon the other two books he'd acquired in Flourish and Blotts as much as he'd wanted but "101 Jinxes for the Mischevious Witch or Wizard" had provided him with the knockback jinx Flipendo, a non lethal way of dealing with anyone who provoked him and if living on the streets taught him anything, it was to always be ready to fight for your life even if said fight in this case was just a schoolyard brawl.
Harry just didn't think the professors would appreciate a Decayed student...atleast multiple, multiple disapearances would be pretty hard for him to fight against after all if there was any evidence linking the students back to him.

'Granted that doesn't mean I won't hesitate to Decay someone if they put my life in danger, I'm going there to prove who I am and master my abilties, not get killed by any idiots trying to get to me because of...him' Harry thought to himself before finishing with vitrol in his voice as he gazed at the newspaper clipping hung up on the back of the rooms door.

"Sirius Black attacks Potter family in Diagon Alley, Boy- Who- Lived laughs in the face of danger! By Rita Skeeter" Was the title of the article, below it a moving picture of the family of three, the cocky looking James Potter accompanied by his slightly too wide eyed wife Lily as they both smiled at the camera and down between them at the source of Harrys ire. Charlie Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived to take everything from him, standing there with a brave face as he smiled into the camera cockily just like his father.

The Potter family clipping had been stuck to his door ever since he'd spotted it in the newspaper one evening downstairs after dinner, it was sensationalised rubbish from what he'd read, depicting Sirius as this madman who'd come barrelling through the crowd with his wand up swearing revenge for Voldemort only to stopped in his tracks by the unwavering resolve of Charlie Potter and vigilant protection of his father James.

As you can imagine, it left him furious when he'd seen it, his first glimpse of the family that'd abandoned him for his messiah brother, the golden child who'd saved the wizarding world and was loved and protected by the majority whilst he was thrown away like trash to be forgotten and abused...needless to say Harry had ventured into muggle london for the night, decaying the idiots who flocked to him thinking he would be prey as a means of relieving both the itch from Decay wishing to be released and his stress from that days events.

Plus the realisation that he was likely going to become a target by simple association but with none of the protection of the Potters put a shiver down his spine...the streets made it used to for him to watch his back but atleast in the muggle world he knew what to expect, here it was a whole new kettle of fish.

Ripping the clipping free from the door, Harry took great delight in watching as it decayed in his hand, clapping both hands together with a satisfied smile once he was done, much to Hedwigs nonplussed look.

"There we go Hedwig, trash taken care of just in time for breakfast." Said Harry as he carefully grabbed his trunk and Hedwigs cage, herself inside it, making his way out of the room he'd been staying in until September, now on his way downstairs for breakfast and then off it was to Hogwarts!

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"Taxi!" Harry called out to a passing taxi cab that was going by the muggle side of the Leaky Cauldron, putting his trunk in the boot and Hedwig in the back with him after the taxi pulled over.

"Where to then?" The cab driver asked as he looked in the mirror back at Harry's shabby black clothing, as if wanting to ask if he could even pay for the trip atleast that was until his eyes danced over to the ornate bird cage Sirius had gotten him where Hedwig stood quietly, her chest puffed out proudly.

"Kings Cross please." Harry replied back, watching out the window as the driver simply nodded before pulling into traffic and beginning the journey towards his destination.

A destination which didn't take too long too reach thankfully as according to the clock hanging on the wall nearby it was {8:06am}, early morning traffic having been quite disastrous that particular morning at some points.

Walking through the station as he carefully he pushed the trolley he'd acquired near the entrance, which was now carrying Hedwig and his trunk, through the slight crowds of people rushing to make or get off the early morning commute trains.

'Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, If I remember right on the way to Flourish and Blotts Sirius mentioned the entrance was between the barriers for platform 9 and 10, just gotta head that way before I Decay one of these blithering bastards.' Harry thought to himself as he remembered the golden ticket he had stowed away in his shoe, handy homeless trick for keeping things safe since that ticket to Hogwarts was worth way more than it looked and was something he wouldn't risk loosing unless there was an incredible reason.

Soon enough Harry had made it to the barrier between platforms 9, and 10, the solid brick stone looking the same as everything else but apparently hiding such a massive secret in plain sight...Sirius was once again proven right, when it comes to magic, expect the unexpected.

Seeing that there was no one really paying attention to him at the moment, everyone else looking down at their phones, reading a magazine or if you were that one rastafarian guy further up the platform just jamming with his headphones on, Harry decided to get ready for his run-up to...through? The barrier.

Four fingers of each hand held the trolley as Harry locked eyes on the barrier before he pushed off and began zooming towards it, fighting the urge to dive to the side or use his hand to Decay the obstacle in his path, Harry pushed through and suddenly in a blink it was as if he'd vanished, the shabby looking black haired kid with the emerald eyes was gone.

Atleast that's what it appeared like to the muggles had anyone been watching, if there had of been a wizard watching it would of been a common but momentous affair though as a witch or wizards family guides them through the barrier for the first time...but in the case of our young protagonist it went unnoticed by all except a large shaggy black dog who'd been waiting since the crack of dawn.

Harry shivered a little from the odd feeling of not hitting something solid when he expected to before that uncomfortableness was swiftly wiped away by the incredble sight before him, the beautiful crimson magic, steam powered locomotive, pure white smoke billowing from her pipe to drift into the air and onto the platform of the magnificent train, The Hogwarts Express!

Making his way down the platform Harry very nearly dusted the bar of the trolley he was holding as he watched off to his right side an older student, probably in their 6th or 7th year, come out in a flash of green fire from an an off to the side fireplace before quickly making their way onto the train.

'The fucking Floo! Sirius explained it and everything, yet I still forgot about it.' Harry thought to himself, angry that he'd forgotten a potentially easier method of travel for this mornings journey, drawing a blank on the wizarding method of travel as he went for the muggle way instead.

Shaking his head away of the frustration Harry got about three-quarters of the way down the platform before he decided to board the train, putting his trolley near the right hand side wall in what seemed to be the designated area if the "Trolleys Please" sign was anything to go by before he made his way onto the train, a deep sense of anticipation filling him for the journey ahead.

Surprisingly the first few compartments he looked into were lay claim to by a few students, none that looked to be starting their first year but then again looks could be decieving.

Finally passing by the compartment of a rather meek looking 12 year old who jumped in fright when he spotted Harry's piercing eyes as they briefly brushed past him and to the next compartment.

Thankfully this compartment was empty, so seeing the opportunity to sit down and begin reading Harry stepped in and placed his things on the rack, but not before taking out the book by Alphonse Greengrass on Wizarding culture and customs.
Afterall he was here now so the train couldn't leave without him, no matter what, he was going to Hogwarts.

This is how the next few hours went by as Harry sat there passing the time with his book, now on a chapter about how marraige contracts came to be and how they were designed to protect one or both parties after a slew of cases where one of the couple attacked, in some cases even murdering, their spouse.

The protection worked based on a set of clauses acknowledged by magic that when broken would allow for a witch or wizard to perform the divorce spell "Divortium" without any of the usual backlash for the user, instead giving the ex-spouse double the backlash.
It was a handy spell that was said to have origins with the Druids and Romans, created with the differences of the cultures in mind but wanting to foster relations, a group comprised of members from both civilizations came together and found a way to seperate the two individuals magc who had promised themselves to each other.
It was quite a revolutionary discovery to be honest in the eyes of many, even though the backlash of the spell was viewed as something rather painfull there were still a few who were willing to bear the extreme pain if it meant freedom from a dangerous marriage.

Fully engrosed in the book Harry was deaf to the world as the clock outside on the wall struck {10:45am},a loud commotion coming from further up the train as a crowd gathered unaware to Harry.

Atleast that was until someone knocked on the door, a question on their lips.

"Excuse me, you wouldn't mind if had a seat would you? Everywhere else appears to be full atleast according to their occupants." A slightly sheepish but polite voice came from the dark skinned boy slightly taller than Harry standing in the Doorway, his fancy ebony and peltygone cornered trunk in his hands.

Harry's first instinct was to turn the fellow student away, after all on the streets he'd gotten used to being alone, it was safer that way, but now... well he had gotten the book on wizarding culture to try be more social.

"Yeah, that's alright. Have a seat." Harry replied awkwardly as he marked the page he was at in his book while the black boy let out a sigh of relief as he made his way inside the compartment, putting his trunk up on the rack before sitting down across from Harry with a thankful smile and an outstretched hand.

"Thank you for the help, i'm Blaise Zabini, pleasure to meet you...?" The now named Blaise asked with his hand outstretched as his eyes finally took in the sight of Harry's worn clothes, something passing through his eyes before it quickly flicked away.

"Sorry...I don't shake hands" Harry said ineptly replied to the silently asked question of a hand-shake, something that caused Blaise's eyes to go slightly wide, clicking his tongue in slight irritation at being rebuked before he continued listening, and dang was he glad he did. "Nice to meet you though Blaise, my name's Harry Potter"

"Harry Potter?! As in those Potters?" Blaise asked incredulously but still dignified.

"Sadly." Harry replied regretfully, he knew this was going to be the reaction to his name but it still sucked even if he'd been expecting it.

"No offence but I didn't even know the oh so illustrious Boy- Who- Lived had a brother." Blaise said with a sarcastic tone near the end that Harry simply waved off as he took zero offence.

"Yes well I'm something of sore topic i'd imagine, bastards told the world I was dead as a baby whilst they left me to rot in favour of their so-called golden child." Harry spat, the sore topic burning as bright as ever.

"Tch, that does sound like them, i've been to some of the same functions as them and i've seen the 'If it goes against The-Boy-Who-Lived, it's wrong' narrative in full swing.
He's infallible in the eyes of almost everyone, with that level of worship it's not too farfetched to imagine they could do something as heinous as abandon another child if they too worshiped him after he supposedly destroyed He-Who-Was-Never-Kissed." Blaise elaborated his own thoughts and slight mocking joke to the intently listening Harry, after all this was the first time Harry had heard someone elses thoughts on why he'd been thrown to the wolves so it was interesting to hear another outlook even if it was impossible to know the truth at the moment.

"Interesting theory Blaise...is psychology one of your hobbies?" Harry asked appraisingly whilst the boy across from him simply scoffed as something dark flashed through his eyes.

"After this summer it might have well as become one with how many books on it I read, the beach gets boring on your own eventually." Blaise informs casually but with an underlying edge to his voice.

*BANG*

Both boys were slightly distracted by the sound of a loud bang coming from somewhere nearby but the sound of what could only be other passengers in their cabins all chatting excitedly amongst themselves and out the window at their parents on the platform made it too hard to make out what exactly was going on.
Shaking his head, Harry went back to the conversation.

"Doubt you were here for the summer then, 'ruddy weather was terrible" Harry replied, barely refraining from responding with 'aboslute shite' instead of 'terrible', thankful that the culture book was already helping his manners out.

"You'd be correct. Me and my mother spent the summer in Sicily, sadly she grew a fondness for the local... cuisine, which took up most her time and nearly caused us to miss the international portkey home to England this morning, hence why I nearly missed the Hogwarts Express" Blaise elaborated, the edge to his voice staying within it as the train began to let out a whistle and began moving along the tracks away from the platform.

Harry nodded as he searched his memory for what a portkey was, remembering it had come up in "Hogwarts a History" and the culture book by Alphonse Greengrass, the book he'd just been reading.

"You must be pretty annoyed at her after that I'd imagine." Harry said with a raised eyebrow as Blaise seemed to frown, his eyes watching the buildings and streets of London as they flew past the train window.

"Annoyed but not surprised, this wasn't the first time and I doubt it'll be the last but it atleast gave me time to read." Was Blaise's sharp and scornful response, his head turning back into the carriage and laying eyes on the book Harry had been reading.

"Interesting choice of book, one I whole-heartadly approve of might I add, but is it a refresher?...or perhaps, new knowledge?" Blaise asked as he subtly, for an 11 year old, inquired as to whether or not Harry had been left to rot in the Magical world or the Muggle world.

"New knowledge i'm afraid, thought it best to read up on the world I was returning to after my so-called 'parents' decided to banish me from it." Harry replied, his voice turning bitter as he thought back to what his parents had stole from him, the wonders of magic, his safety, his innocence all gone like the wind because of someone on this very train...the thought made his blood boil as he began to scratch his neck whilst glaring out the window not making eye contact with Blaise.

"Ah I see, well it's good that you're reading it, it's important to know about our wizarding traditions...afterall, how else can you avoid the Troll marriage at 16 if you don't know about it?" Blaise said as he nodded his head with the straightest face imagineable, thoroughly managing to shock Harry.

"You're having me on now right?" Harry said astonished as he looked at Blaises amazing poker face before he quickly picked up the book he'd been reading with four fingers, scimming through it frantically for the mention of such a horrific tradition...he'd come across a Troll in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" during his search for the Basilisk after getting curious of other beasts and dear lord they looked repulsive.

The slight upturn of Blaises lips followed by the chuckles that erupted into full blown laughter coming from him were soon matched by Harry's own as he realised his leg was being pulled, the slightly tense atmosphere that had been building between the two shattered by the lighthearted joke.
With the tense atmosphere shattered the two young boys began talking in earnestly as the train trudged along, Harry asking all sorts of questions about the Magical world as Blaise clued him in on what he could whilst he asked similar ones about the Muggle world.

This is how the two spent the next few hours until they were interrupted by a pleasant surprise.

"Anything from the trolley?" A kind elderly woman inquired as she made her way up the train towards the front pushing a trolley, loads of what Harry assumed to be wizarding confectionary treats left on said trolley even if some items did look a bit scarce, there must be a glutton or three on train.

'Why do I feel this isn't going to be like any old Cadbury's chocolate?' Harry thought to himself as he rummaged in his pocket carefully for a galleon or two once his stomach gave a quiet rumble.

Blaises similarly took out two galleons, a small smirk on his lips and a slightly mischevious look dancing through his eyes as he took a quick side glance at Harry who was inspecting the cart in question for what looked appetizing.

"Harry might I suggest a Cauldron Cake, a box of Berties Every Flavour Beans and a Chocolate Frog? They're staple wizarding sweets and they're relatively good." Blaise informed as he ordered the very items he just listed from the Trolley Lady, something that spurred Harry on, afterall what harm ever came from eating sweets?

"There you two dears go, the last two Chocolate Frogs too, oh I do hope you get lucky with the cards, welcome to Hogwarts!" The caring lady said as the door to the compartment closed, quieting the noise outside quite a bit whilst she continued on to do her job leaving Blaise the task of explaining the sweets they'd just bought, something he was going to take great pleasure in.

"So first of is the Cauldron Cake which isn't too hard to explain, it's just a bit of nice tasting chocolate cake but the next two are a bit trickier, you see-" Whatever Blaise had been saying was interrupted by the sound of the compartment door once again opening, this time rather forcefully much to Harry's irritation as he flexed his fingers.

"Oi squibs! The Trolley lady said you two took her last few chocolate frogs, give 'em here!" A rude and entitled voice came from the open doorway. It was already giving Harry a headache as his eyes took in the somewhat familiar form of the red-head before him who looked as rotund as Harry remembered that landwhale Dudley being, a shocking difference from the boys lanky and equally red-headed brother who then decided to speak up.

"You better listen to Charlie or else Hogwarts is gonna be really uncomfortable, he's the Boy-Who-Lived!" The tall red-head with a smudge of dirt on his nose said, his clothes obviously hand-me-downs or from a thrift shop like Harry's.
Nonetheless it was his words that garnered a reaction from Harry, his fingers cracking audibly as he glared daggers at the boy who he finally recognised, his green eyes practically glowing as they bore into one of the reasons for his suffering.

"Get out of here Potter, we don't owe you anything!" Blaise spoke up calmly but firmly as he spotted out of the corner of his eye Harry looking positively murderous, clenching his fingers into fists, something that he could understand why though.

"Zabini, almost didn't recognise you there hiding in the corner, how's your mother, still spreading her legs across europe?" Charlie Potter, the rotund red-head who had his hair parted to show off the famous if not rather plain straight scar that adorned his forehead said to the silently fuming Blaise who now looked as murderous as Harry, something Charlie laughed about as he took in Blaise's fury before looking at Harry.

"I can understand why Zabini here would be angry but what i'd do to you, you some sort of Dark Lord supporter?" Charlie asked confrontationally and dear gosh it was taking all of Harry's willpower to not dart his hand up and grab his face with all five fingers, wait a second... a smirk grew on Harry's face as he remembered something and a devious plan was concocted within his mind.

Looking across from him at Blaise, Harry met his gaze and the two nodded at each other slightly whilst Charlie and his lanky red-headed friend continued on their spiel about how he must be the child of one of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's lackeys, oh if only the little ponce knew.
Discreetly palming his wand, careful not to let all five fingers touch it, Harry turned his eyes back to Charlie and decided to take the magical approach to something after having failed to do so earlier in the day.

"Flipendo!" Harry said firmly as he brought his wand up to point at the surprised Charlie, a loud bang resounding out before it was as if Charlie was dropkicked in the chest with the force he was sent back, crashing into his gangly friend as they collapsed outside the compartment dazed and confused.

Meanwhile Blaise was quick to leap up and close the door to the compartment, quickly waving his own wand and saying "Colloportus." as he did so that was followed by the sound of locks going of and soon enough also the useless bangs and muffled complaints of the two boys who'd just been so rudely but justifiably evicted from Harry and Blaise's compartment.

The two boys in the compartment looked at each other before erupting in laughter, their previous murderous intent replaced with joy at the look of utter confusion and indignation that had been on Charlie and his posé's face as they'd been evicted.

"That was bloody brilliant Harry, I won't leave you floundering should they bring this up with a professor, ruddy git deserved to finally get knocked down a peg and thanks to you it was literally, ha!" Blaise said voicing his support of Harry that unknown to him was appreciated more than he could understand before he finished his words with a quick laugh of joy as he recollected the moment Harry's spell hit Charlie.

Meanwhile Harry was at a loss for words, he'd been expecting a castle of sheep who either ate out of the Boy-Who-Lived or Voldemorts palms based on Sirius' description of the recent wizarding climate and so far Blaise struck him as neither so it was quite the pleasant surprise to be proven wrong.
Harry couldn't help but wonder if the rest would be like Blaise or if he would turn out be one of a few exceptions, only time would tell.

"Well before I was so rudely interrupted, I was going to go over the last two sweets we purchased. First off, since those two buffoons seemed so adamant on getting them, I'll demonstrate the Chocolate Frog, unwrap it like I do and then open this like so-" Blaise instructed with a smile on his face as he cheekily went through everything step by step before he was interrupted by Harry.

"The fuck!?" Harry shouted as he just barely managed to catch the Chocolate Frog that had made a jump for the open window with four fingers, his fifth one accidently coming close to the confectionary...creature?

"It's not real you know, just an animation spell. It's pretty wild what some branches of magic can do like personally i've always had a fondness for the ideas of apparition, I find it criminal we don't get to learn until our 6th year" Blaise remarked, the head of his frog already bit off and the magic having worn off on his frog.

Harry followed suit and chomped down on the delicious creations head, chewing away as he enjoyed the Chocolate Frog.

'A tasty murder, so that's what it felt like for Cannibal Connor before I killed him...funny how the world works' Harry thought to himself as he finished the confectionary treat before he noticed the thing it used to be sitting on, a sort of card?

"That's a wizard collectible card, there's one for nearly every famous wizard, they come free with every Chocolate Frog." Blaise informed before a small grin found its way onto his face as he picked up a red and white box labeled Bertie's Every Flavour Beans whilst Harry turned the card over.

' "Albus Dumbledore: Considered by many to be the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark Lord Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the 12 uses of dragon blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner Nicholas Flamel." ' Harry read silently taking in the information of the guy who helped persuade his parents to abandon him...to say Harry had a bone to pick with him was an understatement.

"Now these ones are a dangerously deliscious treat, when they say every flavour they really aren't exaggerating. You could get the most delectable mango or an absolutely detestable flavour the realms of...well the bean is enchanted to let you know, swear I got soggy socks flavour once!" Blaise explained, his indignation at the end known as Harry opened his own box, taking out a blue and white stripped bean that looked like an innocent jelly bean in his hand.

"So it's like Russian Roulette then?" Harry asked fascinated about the kind of dark mind to have concocted such a deceptive mind game that was then marketed to witches and wizards of all ages, it was all harmless fun until someone got a terrible flavour afterall.

"Don't know what that is i'm afraid but how about a challenge, on the count of three, we both eat a bean that we have to swallow no matter what flavour we get?" Blaise proposed to the curious Harry who smirked in response and said two simple words.

"You're on!"

Blaise smirked back and took out a grey and purple polka dotted bean to match Harry's blue and white stripped one, both boys holding the box of Bertie's Every Flavour Beans in their left hand whilst the bean was in their right, naturally Harry being carefull not to touch anything with all five fingers.

"1"

"2"

"3, Go!" Blaise said louder than normal as both boys threw the Berties Beans into their mouths, chewing as they did so and in that moment a few things happened.
Blaise smiled as the taste of coconut met his tastebuds before his eyes went wide at what they were baring witness to, that something was Harry's reaction whos eyes clenched shut in horrific pain almost instantly alongside his hands as his tastebuds registered the flavour of dog vomit. As one can imagine when Harry's hands clenched, so to did all 5 of his fingers, all 5 of which which were now resting on the Bertie's Every Flavour Bean box causing Decay to be unleashed on it, hence Blaises now wide eyes as he bore witness to Harry's most dangerous secret.

"That. Was. Fucking. Vile." Harry spat out after swallowing the bean, staying a man of his word only to take in Blaise's wide eyed look and finally realise the destroyed box that used to be in his hands. "Oh fucking hell."

'This is how Decay gets exposed, through a fucking dog vomit tasting sweet!?' Harry thought to himself incredously as his mind in its fearful state couldn't help but naturally go towards the thoughts of decaying Blaise, he was the only one who knew but soon his rational mind kicked in and he remembered the time he'd spent with Blaise... particularly his words of support against his brother.

"What was that?" Blaise asked a bit spooked but fascinated, never having seen or read anything like it before.

"That was Decay, it's... a curse I was born with but didn't awaken until I was older, anything I touch with all five fingers is turned into dust." Harry explained sadly as he picked up a bean that had fallen to the seat after its container was destroyed, touching all five fingers to the bean Harry gave a demonstration to Blaise who watched intently.

"Wow, to hold such a deadly ability must make things pretty rough for you...I'm sorry to imagine how much worse that's probably made your already difficult life...If it's any consolation I don't think of you any differently." Blaise said honestly and saddened much to Harry's shock, first Sirius, now Blaise? Harry couldn't help but be amazed at his good fortune, he'd found two people already who hadn't cared about Decay and though it was hard to notice, a tenseness that had been in Harry eased just ever so slightly.

"I know not to judge someone for something outside of their control like something their born with or who their family is afterall I'm sure you recall the comments from Potter about the rumours of my mother...sleeping around, yes well that reputation, judgement and more has followed me since I was born. It would be the height of hypocrissy for me to judge you for something you were born with whilst all my life I have been judged on the actions of my mother." Blaise said sadly.

"If it's any consolation Blaise, I don't think of you any differently either, you aren't defined by your parents or their actions, only yours, trust me I would know." Harry said resolutely back to Blaise who gained a small smile at the reassuring words, the train chugging on as it made it's way through the British countryside towards Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

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It was nightfall by the time the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmede station, students being told to leave their luggage as they disembarked all dressed in school robes, the older years heading towards the carriages whilst the first years...

"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here! " An absolute giant of a man, his magnificent beard illuminated by the bright lantern he held aloft in his hand as he guided the wayward students towards him, Harry and Blaise included.

"C'mon follow me! Mind yer step, now!" The giant said loudly as he used the lantern to light the way for everyone along a dark and shady path, all the while some students began to whisper amongst each other in hushed voices on what awaited them.

Meanwhile Harry kept his eyes and ears out as he walked alongside Blaise, they'd spotted Charlie and his lanky friend by happenstance in the compartment beside them where Harry could've sworn that meek looking 12 year old was originally, him and Blaise speculated the loud bang from earlier was said boy being ousted by the rude pair.
Nevertheless given the close proximity, Harry and Blaise weren't letting their guard down incase round 2 were to suddenly spark off.

It didn't take the group long to get to whatever the giant was leading them too, something that turned out to be a fleet of boats!

"No more than 4 to a boat!" The giant called out loudly, the full moon shining down on the expansive lake before them with water so dark it looked black, a number of boats waiting patiently on the shore ready to cast off once full.

Harry and Blaise were quick to lay claim to a boat of their choosing yet as Harry sat down a melodic voice dragged him from his thoughts and made him turn around.

"Do you mind if we join you?" A long blonde haired beauty with blue eyes as vast as the ocean, swimming with a frozen over but volcanic warmed current stood there in her unmarked Hogwarts robe leaving Harry in a slight stupor whilst the girls equally long black haired friend shyly waved from her spot beside the blonde.

"T-that's fine." Harry said a bit awkwardly whilst turning back around to face the front of the boat as the girls got in the back behind them, the blonde taking the seat behind Harry as his face flushed despite his poker face something which Blaise noticed if the smirk he was giving was any indication.

The boats took off gently into the water as if by magic once everyone was sat down, their lanterns lighting the way as the giant lead the way in his boat onwards deeper out onto the lake.

The boats sailed silently across the lake, Harry more than a little nervous, afterall he'd never had to learn how to swim and when your touch Decays things, like the boat keeping you alfoat, it gets a bit nerve wracking.
These nerves were shared across all the first years for different reasons but soon the giants voice cut through them once again.

"Eyes up everyone, she'll be in view soon." The large man said mysteriously as they came up to a bend along the lake, the water rippling softly as the boats sailed their precious cargo along the ancient waters of the Black Lake.

Gasps suddenly began to ring out from the boats as the 1st years got their first glimpse of something truly magical, the warm candle lit castle full of all sorts of marvels and mystery unqiue in a world of wonders, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry was in awe alongside the other three beside him, the castle before him looked like nothing he'd ever seen before, it was the grandour of the wizarding world in full display and Harry was mystified beyond belief by such a world, of a place he might yet call home.

The boats continued their steady drift through the water until they finally made it to a small dock where the students could disembark onto the dock, Harry and Blaise getting out first from their boat, with Blaise offering his hand to help the shy girl with long black hair whilst the pretty blonde looked at Harry expectantly.
Once again Harry could only wince internally at not being able to touch things with all 5 fingers, as he stood there awkwardly until he was pushed to the side by the black haired girl who helped her now frowning friend from the boat.

The two girls walked off to join the group of students before them whilst Blaise turned a snickering look towards Harry who looked both annoyed and depressed.

"You've pissed off your girlfriend Harry." Blaise cheekily whispered to his friend as they walked up to the crowd and followed the giant up the steps towards the school. "Why didn't you help her out of the boat?"

"Jellybeans." Was all Harry said as he brought Blaises attention back to a his recent memory causing his eyes to go slightly wide.

"Ahhh...is that why you didn't shake my hand initially as well?" Blaise intoned in understanding before asking curiously but quietly only to get a simple nod in response from Harry as they reached a set of large wooden doors.

"Wonder if we can find a way around it, it'd be nice to shake your hand even in the metaphorical sense." Blaise continued whispering, ignoring the conversation between the giant who he now knew was called 'Hagrid' before he left and the Deputy Headmistress 'Minerva McGonagall' who was now saying a quick speech about the 4 houses, something Harry had been most curious about during the train ride and seemed to be now.

"...-now in a few minutes I will come back to collect you for the sorting, i'd advise you all to think of how you want to present yourself to the rest of the school." McGonagall said with a disapproving frown at the dirt covered nose and hastily thrown on robes of the lanky red head who stood beside Charlie near the front of the crowd.
With her address finished for now, McGonagall turned around and walked through the large mahogany doors to where presumably the rest of the student body and staff were waiting for Harry and the other first years.

It didn't take long for the unsupervised students to do what unsupervised students do best: cause trouble.

"So Potter, heard you got blasted onto your fat arse on the train or did your niffler Weasley there break your fall?" The blonde ponce from Madame Malkins that day in Diagon Alley, Draco something or other, said from the front of the crowd as he tried to look intimidating by standing on a step higher than Charlie, two brutes behind him.

"Watch it Malfoy or else i'll knock you flat on yours!" Charlie growled with a clenched fist raised threateningly, Weasley looking livid beside him as Draco Malfoy looked down his nose at the two of them, seemingly reveling in delight at getting under the two boys skins as much as he did.

Meanwhile Harry and Blaise were just amusedly watching the exchange from the side, personally Harry saw it as a win win situation, either Charlie continues to get the piss taken out of him or he decks Malfoy in the face, which after the blondes insulting comments back in the robe shop would make today even better.

Sadly before the altercation could escalate, everyone's attention was thoroughly distracted by a most unnerving set of sights that just so happened to glide through the wall overhead.

"I'm telling you, we should give him another chance, he'll surely come around this time!" A rather rotund transparent looking man in monestary garb said as he floated above the students.

"And if he doesn't Friar?" A rather well dressed man, for someone in the 14th century, with curly hair said, equally as transparent and floating just like like the rotund fellow who blustered in confusion before his attention was drawn to the students down below.

"Ah First years! Oh please let me be the first of us to welcome you all to Hogwarts! I'm the Fat Friar and I do hope to see some of you in Hufflepuff house!" The Fat Friar said boisterously as he and a few other ghosts began chatting with the students briefly.

"Just what exactly does 'us' entail Blaise, what are they?" Harry whispered skeptically at the near see through people before him, was this a special ability of some wizards? They walked through the wall like it was nothing and unless that was a trick wall like back at Kings Cross then he doubted he'd be able to get a solid grip to Decay them should he be attacked...it was not a pleasant thought for Harry.

"Ghosts, dead witches and wizards who couldn't or wouldn't pass on." Was Blaise's simple but quiet response and Harry's eye's widened, he'd naturally heard of ghosts, during the first few months on the streets he'd sought warmth from fire bins surrounded by other homeless as they traded ghost stories but never did he think they'd be real!

"Well everyone i'm afriad we must be off, the sorting is due to start any moment now and we simply must not dilly dally, who knows perhaps there are some galiant young Gryffindors amongst you!" The well dressed man with the curly hair said before the ghosts moved on their way through the doors to places currently unknown for the first years.

Following the ghosts exit, the great wooden doors opened quickly once again to let out Minerva McGonagall who looked at the gathered students and simply nodded.

"The school is ready for you now."

With that the somewhat stern looking elderly woman in emerald robes led the group of 1st years through the large wooden doors and into a banquet hall the likes non of them had ever seen before.

"The ceiling isn't really missing, it's just enchanted to look like outside, I read about it in 'Hogwarts a History', did you know?" A bushy haired girl could be heard nervously whispering to a girl beside her as the group of students walked up the aisle in between a set of four enourmous tables filled with students all wearing robes of one specific colour under a starry candle lit artifical sky.

Overlooking the four tables was another table filled with presumeably staff, given by the sight of Sirius sitting up there looking bored out of his mind atleast until he spotted Harry, smiling in relief that his godson had infact decided to come to Hogwarts afterall.

Watching the approaching students with his eyes twinkling as he sat upon his orante throne like chair was the schools Headmaster, one Albus Percival Wulfirc Brian Dumbledore and as he watched the students with joy he couldn't help but get an uneasy feeling in his gut, one he just couldn't place.

McGonagall told the students to wait for a moment three-quarters of the way up the aisle whilst she retrieved something from the head table, a...

'...Ratty old hat? We just have to wear a hat?' Harry thought to himself incredulously, a quick glance to his left told him Blaise was having similar thoughts but then to all the first years surprise it tore a mouth into itself and before they knew it, it was singing a song!

Harry couldn't help but look at Sirius once the hat had finished his song, the applause was going wild and Sirius had been proven right once again, when it comes to magic you need to expect the unexpected.
Catching his eye Sirius gave him a discreet thumbs up before going back to applauding but soon enough that too died down and before anyone knew it, McGonagall was standing beside a stool holding the hat, a large parchment list in her hands.

"Now when I call your name, please come up and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head who will then decide which house will be your family for your next 7 years here. Hannah Abbott!" McGonagall explained succinctly before reading off the first of the names as a blonde girl squeaked before making her way up towards the stool.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The Sorting Hat delcared within ten seconds of being placed on her head as the house of the yellow and black backed badger erupted into applause whilst the hat was taken from her head before she ran down to sit at their table.

"Susan Bones!" And this is how it went for the next while as student after student was sorted into their respective house, some being sorted as fast as 2 seconds whilst others had to wait as long as 20 until finally someone Harry and Blaise recognised was called up.

"Tracey Davis!" The long black haired girl who'd shly waved at them from behind her blonde friend seemed to go ramrod straight before some quiet words from said blonde caused her to relax and make her way up to stool where the hat was soon placed on her head.

The hat seemed to deliberate for a moment, waiting 30 whole seconds before finally it seemed to make its decision when it let out a loud exclamation.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The house of the green and silver backed snake let out an appropriate amount of applause as she quickly made her way down to the table, a small smile on her face as her eyes found her friend who was still waiting to be sorted, giving the blonde a thumbs up from the Slytherin table.

Soon enough as more names went by, McGonagall called out for another name and Harry got the answer to an unasked question.

"Daphne Greengrass!" The blonde who'd flustered him as they all shared a boat ride reacted to the name as she elegantly made her way from the crowd towards the hat where it took but 5 seconds for the hat to announce its decision.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Once again the house of the serpent let out an appropriate if not slightly louder amount of applause as she made her way down to the space beside her friend Tracey who gave her a quick hug in her excitement once she'd sat down.

Meanwhile McGonagall continued with the list of students, eventually reaching the other notable blonde Harry had met so far in his life in the wizarding world and to say this one was a sharp decline was an understatment.

"Draco Malfoy!" The hat barely touched his head for one second before it shouted it's answer loud enough for everyone to hear.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The green robed students appeared to be making their loudest amount of noise yet, something Draco seemed to be reveling in as he pompously made his way towards a spot left open between his two brutes who were also sorted into Slytherin.

McGonagall kept calling names as the crowd of unsorted first years grew ever smaller until eventually ,through the diminshed crowd, people began to spot the celebrity in their midst, not that he tried to hide himself or his identifiable scar.

"No way, is that?"

"I'd heard rumours he'd be coming to Hogwarts in the next few years!"

"I can't believe i'll be going to school with the Boy-Who-Lived!"

Lily Potter watched her son preen at the attention whilst trying her hardest to ignore the uncomfortable presence of the person she'd been sat beside at the staff table, Severus Snape.
It hadn't been a concious decision on her part, simply where the Muggle Studies professor was supposed to sit but it was an unfortunate turn of events none the less yet for some reason she felt like it wasn't the only reason something was feeling off...she just couldn't put her finger on it, although her sons somewhat narcissistic behaviour wasn't helping things.

"Sally-Anne Perks!" Was the next name to be called, more people paying attention to the Boy-Who-Lived than the girls sorting as the hat sent her to Gryffindor to a spattering of delayed applause until finally, Mcgonagall called out the name these vultures had been waiting for.

"Charlie Potter!" The boy strutted up to the Sorting Hat as if he owned the place, somehow managing to look even more pretentious than Malfoy, a feat which Harry didn't think possible until his eyes saw it for themselves.

The Sorting Hat sat on Charlies head for 40 whole seconds, during which the red-heads face flashed through emotions such as worry, confusion and rage, something Harry noticed both gladly and a tad concerned...was there more to this Sorting Hat than met the eye?
Finally, right before it looked like Charlie would explode in a fury from how red his cheeks were getting, nostrils flared and everything, the hat let out it's answer.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The house of the red and gold backed lion erupted into thunderous applause, two identical looking redheads in their 3rd year shouting "We got Potter! We got Potter!" amongst the rampant applause.
Charlie basked in the attention as he made his way down towards the Gryffindor table that were clapping the entire way, sitting down with a huge self-satisfied grin on his face, the applause eventually dying down enough that McGonagall felt confident to read off the next name on the list...a look of shock and slight horror appearing as she did so.

"H-Harry Potter!"

Silence. It was deathly silent in the great hall, faces mared by shock as they all turned to the crowd of remaining first years, some eager, some curious, some desperate to see the face of a boy long thought dead.

With a whispered "Good luck" from Blaise, Harry took his first step with his head held high, the remaining first years parting like the red sea before him as he stepped up towards the stool, his footsteps the only sound echoing throughout the Great Hall until sudden whispers broke out amongst the student body.

"He's kinda scrawny, isn't he?"

"Look at that vicious scar on his lip! Do you think scars run in the family?"

"His eyes...are just like mine."

The last one came out as an ever so quiet sob from a long red-haired woman on the head table, the only person who overheard her respecting the womans privacy and acting as if he'd heard nothing at all...he owed her that much.

Catching a reassuring smile from Sirius as he turned to sit down, Harry felt the Sorting Hat be placed upon his head and so he waited with baited-breath to see which house he would belong to...for 50 seconds before he began to get irritated.

'What the hell is going on, is this bloody hat broken or something?' Harry thought to himself silently as his fingers twitched, the urge to scratch his neck growing.

'I'll have you know I'm doing my job as well as I can, thank you very much! Not my fault you're such a complicated student to sort.' The voice of the Sorting Hat could suddenly be heard within Harry's own mind nearly causing him to Decay the stool below him in reaction, the only thing that stopped him from exposing his secret then and there was his prior observations of the hat during Charlie's sorting and Sirius' catch all explanation, with magic you need to expect the unexpected.

'...I'll give you one chance to explain yourself hat, unless i'm mistaken this is in my mind which means you know about Decay...that also means you know that I can destroy you before any of these professors could save you if you lie to me, are you able to speak of what you see in the minds of students?' Harry thought seriously, he hadn't even thought about the potential for mind reading, yet another aspect where his ignorance of the Wizarding World could cost him dearly if he wasn't careful.

'How brave of you to threaten me whilst still ignorant to magics splendour, that would take a courage Gryffindor would be proud to see find its way into his house...so long as your murderous tendencies could be contained, but to answer your question, No. I am bound by the school to only use the information I see to sort the students, never to reveal it, not even to the headmaster himself.' The Sorting Hat explained honestly to the intently listening Harry, his fingers and shoulders relaxing ever so slightly...It hadn't been an idle threat.

'Now, let's get back to your sorting shall we? Gryffindor might even offer you the opportunity to attempt to reconcile your relationship with your brother, is that not a chance worth taking?' The hat proposed.

'Something tells me reconciliation is the last thing on the pricks mind.' Harry thought as he spotted his so-called brother at the Gryffindor table glaring daggers at him, for what he didn't know, was it the incident on the train or maybe like so many others he hated Harry for simply existing...either way, not Gryffindor.

'Not Gryffindor eh hmmmm, what about Hufflepuff yes? You've worked hard all your life, you know its value... but yet such little loyalty, it burns like embers in the snow capped forests of the north, so easy to snuff out but should it survive, who knows what may happen come spring.' The Sorting Hat pondered figuratively.

'And yet, not Hufflepuff either...there is a lust in here for the wonders of the wizarding world, you see these marvels and wish to learn as much as you can...so perhaps Ravenclaw?
But no you don't seek knowledge for knowledge sake, you seek it for its power! Its power to fuel what burns inside your soul, your...AMBITION!' The hat thought triumphantly before it continued.

'With an ambition like yours, willing to challenge the world itself, where else could you belong but-...'

"SLYTHERIN!"

Once again, the Great Hall fell deathly still, McGonagall robotically removing the hat from Harry's head as he stood up to face the gathered crowd, a bead of sweat building on his forehead ,that went unnoticed by all, before he walked down towards the Slytherin table where he took his seat like a pariah, a certain blonde haired ponce glaring at him the entire time.

The silence that had stretched on was broken by a quiet cough from McGonagall before, gathering her wits once again she continued down the list, applause once again continuing for the students sorted after the Boy-Who-Lived's brother.

Harry watched uninterested as a Ron Weasley was called up looking a bit scared, the gangly red-headed sidekick of Charlie being the owner of said name, and soon sent to Gryffindor like Charlie before him, much to the loud applause from the twin red-heads he'd spotted before...was it just him or was Gryffindor taking its red colouring a bit too seriously?

Finally, it was time for the last student to be sorted and Harry watched with interest as McGonagall began to read out the very last name on her list.

"Blaise Zabini!" Blaise walked up there with as much confidence as he could muster, the hat being placed upon his head for 40 seconds, all the while he tried his best to maintain his poker face to the best of his ability until finally...

"SLYTHERIN!"

Blaise was quick but composed getting off the stool, making his way towards the Slytherin table as Malfoy gestured towards the empty space on the bench across from him, Blaise noticing but ignoring him much to his chagrin as he continued walking down to Harry, sitting beside him as Dumbledore stood up to address the students.

"Now that everyone has been sorted I would like to say a few words before our banquet beginds, please welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, the infamous Sirius Black! And joining alongside him is our brand new Muggle Studies professor, the acclaimed Lily Potter!" As Dumbledore called out his name, Sirius stood, giving a silent toast to the school before sitting back down to finish his drink whilst Lily Potter stood and shakily waved at the crowd before she too sat back down, no doubt feeling the intense glare being sent at her from Harry.

"Now I do belive you've all been patient enough so i'll leave you these words for now. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you." Dumbledore said only for food to appear all along the tables at the end of his words...as if by magic.

Harry had never seen such a large amount of food before, the sight and smells causing his stomach to rumble in anticipation. Thankfully he knew to go slow, thanks to Sirius he'd been able to afford a roof over his head and a warm meal but that warm meal had been the first in a long time...he'd learnt the hardway not to overfeed a malnourished stomach that day.

The Great Hall descended into pleasant chatter as the students and staff all began enjoying the welcoming feast, some catching up with old friends after a long summer, others celebrating something new whilst some remained quiet after tonights turn of events, unable to find their voice.

Soon enough however it was time for the feast to come to a close and with an almost school wide attempt at the Hogwarts anthem, the two identical looking red-heads singing their version in tune with a funeral march being the last to a finish officially marked the end of the Hogwarts welcoming feast.

"First years, follow me! I won't be repeating myself." An aristocratic looking young woman in green robes who looked to be in her 6th year said, a gold badge marked with a 'P' adorning her robes.

Similar calls rang out amongst the other three tables as it seemed like everyone house had two people, a boy and a girl with those gold badges acting as a guide, to where? Harry didn't know but he was about to find out.

The woman with the angular and sharp face who'd spoken earlier led the gathered Slytherin first years through the ancient halls of Hogwarts, past moving portraits as she brought them all to down into the dungeons where the den of snakes was said to dwell.

The journey didn't take them too long before they were all stood before a bare stretch of wall, the only real thing of note about the area being the thick circular ven-diagram designs in the stone floor, one of which contained a nondescript snake statue that bordered said wall in a ring.

"Runespoor!" The young woman with the aristocratic features said proudly as the snake statue flared to life, its body waving high into the air to reveal a hidden door concealed in plain sight.

"This is the entrance to the common room of the great house of Slytherin, and 'Runespoor' is the current password, password changes will posted on the noticeboard every fortnight. I shouldn't have to say this but under no circumstances are you to reveal either the location of, or the password to Slytherin house's common room, to do so would incur some...severe punishments." The aristocratic woman explained and threatened, making her way into the common room, a long and low underground room with cold rough walls of stone that matched the ceiling from which round, greenish lamps hung by chains.

Of course their light was nothing compared to the bright warm light coming from the huge, elaborately carved, black marble fireplace that sat in the rooms center against the wall, plush green sofas spread out before it and around the common room alongside expertly carved pieces of furniture.

The space was largely full tonight, many sitting upon said plush sofas, on said expertly carved pieces of furniture or even in one of the many quiet alcoves that dotted the sides as they all watched the 1st years like vipers waiting to strike...or maybe one 1st year in particular.

That's how it felt to Harry anyway as he anxiously tensed his fingers incase someone should try something on him...and he guessed Blaise now too for associating with him, not that the cheeky bastard seemed to care if the calm smirk he was giving him was any indication.

"As you can see from the outcroping over there and the windows along it, the common room is infact located beneath the Black Lake, do not be alarmed if you spot some magical creatures on the other side of the glass, it is charmed to be unbreakable and thanks to one idiot last year who won't be named, that has been tested and confirmed." The sharp model faced woman said with a sneer before she moved to continue on with her tour, only for her to be interrupted by the arrival of a greasy haired man, his robes as pitch black as the hair upon his head, a crooked nose sat above an impasive face as his cloak billowed behind him.

"I shall take it from here ." The man also known as Severus Snape said before he turned to address the first years, his eyes wandering over the students he was entrusted with...his eyes lingering for but a milisecond longer on Lily's son and saw instantly the resemblance to the boys father.
The cold fury burning deep within Snape was only contained when he realised...he had her eyes.

"I am Severus Snape, head of Slytherin house and you all now represent the proud and noble house of Slytherin, you follow in nearly a millenium of acclaimed witches and wizards the likes of which are renowned across the globe... as such, I should only have to say this but once: Do-not-make-a-mockery-of-this-house." Snape paused to let his words sink in before continuing, no one daring interrupt him.

"I expect you all to work to the best of your ability both in and outside classes from now on, as you may have heard Slytherin has won the house cup for the past 6 years in a row now and I expect that to continue for the 7th." Severus Snape said in a slightly threatening tone of voice, a few of the first years being scared whilst Harry was barely fazed.

"Penultimately, I feel it is important to highlight the...reputation of our great house. The other three houses do not look favourably upon us, some will target you just because you wear the serpents crest but it is for that very reason why my next point is important: Disputes between Slytherins are to be settled either in the common room or without witnesses. Slytherin-must-appear-unified." Professor Snape informed, his voice stern at the end.

"Finally...should anyone require any assistance, my office is located in the dungeons down the hall from the potions classroom, I keep an hour for any students before dinner should they need any help but I warn you do NOT waste my time. Goodnight" Snapes coal black eyes swept over the assembled first years coldly, his tone icy and slick before he turned, his cloak billowing dramatically once again as he stalked back up the stairs towards the entrance to the Slytherin common room.

*CLAP*

"Well everyone, you heard him, off to bed! Boys on the left, girls on the right, your luggage will appear before your bed once you sit down at it." , otherwise known as the aristocratic young woman, said as she clapped her hands for attention, before pointing to the respective dormitories.

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The room that had been marked for the 1st years wasn't difficult to find and before Harry knew it, he and Blaise were sitting down on the last two four-poster beds out of six arranged in a circle around a warm metal stove.
Harry looked up at the green silk hangings that hung from his bed like the others then down to the emerald duvet...Harry saw alot of green in his future. Atleast the wooden nightstand beside the bed was a nice dark brown with silver studs.

Turning his head to the right inbetween where his and Blaise's bed sat, Harry took a glance out the window that looked out into the black lake, the lapping of the water against the glass and occassional fish swimming by serving to be quite relaxing.

Atleast, until Malfoy opened his big mouth.

"You're too useless for Gryffindor so the hat sent you here to die, a sacrifice to the great house of Slytherin, you better watch your back Potter!" Malfoy spouted, unknowingly insulting his own house and showcasing his great degree of wit as his two brutes laughed from their own beds either side of him.

"Trust me Malfoy better men than you have tried" Harry said ominously as he matched the the threat before he waved goodnight to Blaise who was subtly putting his wand back beneath his pillow from where he'd drawn it discreetly.
Getting a goodnight back from his newfound friend, Harry ignored the rooms other inhabitants and pretended to go asleep, waiting patiently for the sounds of their snores before he felt comfortable drifting off asleep himself.

The six boys slept soundly into the night, the only sounds being the lapping of the waves and the gentle snores, until that is, a soft pop was heard.

*POP*

"Dusty be's dusting for the little masters, better collect the clothes too." A quiet voice could be heard whispering in the dark room as a small shape with long ears wearing a pillowcase and carrying a duster made his way near silently around the room, vanishing clothes as he did so for the Hogwarts laundry pile.

The small creature dusted the bedside locker near Malfoy before moving on in the room, past Crabbe, past Nott...past Blaise, unaware that some dust in the air had disturbed Malfoys sleep, his bleary eyes opening in confusion, half asleep as he sat up slightly, spotting the creature on its path towards Harrys bed.

What happened next sent shivers down Malfoys spine, his eyes going wide in horror as the pillowcase clad creature, that even in his barely concious state he could make out to be a House-elf, made it's way close to Harry's bed, accidently making a noise when suddenly a hand shot out from under the covers to grasp the poor House-elf's head and before his very eyes Malfoy watched through the shadowy room as the creature seemed to disintigrate into nothing.

Choking back a gasp Malfoy soon found his eyes locked onto unmistakeable emerald orbs that seemed to glow in the darkness, a finger being brought to the obviously awake Harry's lips in a shushing motion before he lay down back down silently, closing the blinds around his bed as if nothing happened.

It would be many hours before Malfoy returned to the realm of Morpheus, his dreams plagued with nightmares of meeting a harrowing end as he struggled to identify reality from nightmare.

Harry meanwhile slept quietly, unbothered by the tossing and turning of Malfoy, the warmth from the covers and stove reminding him of how far he'd come since Sirius found him outside Pennyworth that day a month ago.
A content sigh was released from Harry as despite the coldness of the lake, the stone and majority of the students, he felt warm.

Wow that's it, chapter 3 everyone! Hope you all enjoyed, I know Slytherin Harry is a cliche as one reveiwer pointed out but i need it for certain character interactions so the cliche it is! Hopefully the rest of the chapter was a unique enough retelling of the classic stuff to keep everyone interested BUT most importantly, I hope you all enjoyed!

Don't know when the next chapter will be coming out tbh but it should be before the end of November, i've got a ton of writing to do for my main story sadly that will be taking up alot of time but I promise to work on this to! :)

Till next time, Goodbye and have a great day,

LovecraftianShaggy