Welcome! :)
It's been a while since I last posted here. So, thank you for reading my story!
The story might feel a little fast paced (especially in the beginning), and it is somewhat intentional.
Enjoy! :))
(obviously, I have no ownership over any component whatsoever of the Harry Potter universe etc.)
(also, there might be gay pairings in later chapters... nothing too graphic though)
"Is this seat taken?" The blonde pale boy pops his head into the compartment occupied by another boy- green eyed, dark hair.
It was no coincidence that Draco Malfoy chose this compartment specifically. This morning he got to the platform with his parents, and looked around for one Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived! He found him and watched him fraternize with the Weasleys, until he hopped on the train. That's when Draco took his chance and followed him to his compartment.
Harry answered in the negative, and gestured as if to offer the seat facing him. "I'm Harry by the way." The boy introduced himself.
The infamous Harry Potter is either very humble or is pretending to be. Draco thought to himself. "And I'm Draco."
The two boys hit it together, and started conversing. Not long after, however, a third boy joined them. Draco could tell from his red hair and poor clothing that he was a Weasley. Ron, he says his name is. Draco heard a lot about the Weasleys. His father isn't particularly fond of them. He says they're traitors. However, before Draco could object to Ron joining them in their compartment, Harry offers him a seat. As much as he dislikes Ron Weasley, and everything he stands for… He must befriend Harry Potter.
"Anything but Slytherin! That's where You Know Who got sorted" Weasley said when the conversation eventually landed on the topic of sorting, obviously whispering the Dark Lord's name. Harry, having grown up among muggles, seemed to be absorbing everything that Weasley had been spewing at him. He needs to counter that so he's not brainwashed by the end of this train ride.
"Slytherin is an honorable house!" Draco objected, both heads turning towards him. "I wouldn't wanna be sorted anywhere else. Slytherin would be good for you too, Harry."
"How so?" Harry seemed intrigued. But then again, he seemed to be intrigued by anything slightly magical. What these muggles have done to the boy…
"You are destined for greatness!" said Draco, theatrically. "If you're gonna defeat the Dark Lord one day," Draco did not believe that for a second, but he had to be a part of Harry's inner circle, so here goes… "Slytherin will ensure you're ready when it's time."
"No!" Ron objected, very visibly annoyed with Malfoy "in order to defeat You Know Who he needs courage! He needs to be in Gryffindor!"
"Oh please… You need more than just courage to defeat the Dark Lord! Many brave witches and wizards died facing him… Just like your parents Harry." Draco paused. Let that sink in. The mention of his parents seemed to touch something in Harry because his expressions shifted from curiosity to blank. "They were very brave and courageous…" and foolish, Draco thought to himself. "You need more than that! You need to be cunning! You need to be ambitious!"
Ron was about to counter that, now slightly turning red, when the door to the compartment opened again. This time it was a girl with bushy hair and a very awkward chubby boy. Draco recognized the boy's last name- the Longbottoms are Pureblood, but he did not recognize the girl's last name.
"Have you seen Neville's toad by any chance?" the girl asked. They haven't.
"Where have you last seen it? I'll help you find it! Like a Gryffindor would!" Ron, very heroically, offered, obviously to make a point. Draco rolled his eyes. The girl seemed to notice, but she was just happy someone was willing to help. So Weasley left with Longbottom and the girl, leaving Harry and Draco alone.
"You really think Slytherin is the best house for me?" Harry asked, seemingly in deep thought.
"I definitely do!" Draco affirmed, happy to see that the Boy Who Lived already valued his opinion enough to ask for it. "I know it is for me…" He added.
"Is it up to us anyways?"
"No."
This seemed to somewhat relieve Harry for a little bit, before he was worried by it again.
"Don't worry! I am sure you'll be fine wherever you get sorted." Draco moved next to him, and tried to comfort him. "We can be friends regardless of what house you end up in." That was the plan anyways.
Harry looked up with a faint smile on his face. "I'd like that."
The rest of the journey went by quickly. Weasley never came back, which was great! This gave Draco time alone with Harry, which he used to get closer to him. They spent that time chatting and devouring the sweets they bought from the trolley, and before they knew it, they have arrived at Hogwarts!