DISCLAIMER: I don't own shit. This is pure, unadulterated fanfiction.
AN: Harry finally gets to Hogwarts! I'm really trying to nail the characterizations of the main cast, and with Hogwarts starting much later it's been fun to try and imagine what they'd all be like if they had more of life behind them before Hogwarts, while retaining their identity and not being just an OC or caricature. I, for one, think it will be far more interesting, and I hope you will too! Enjoy the train ride!
Part One: The School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Chapter I: A First of Friends & Foes
September 1st, 1996
"Funny thing isn't it? Wizards like you needing to take the train. Wonder what happened to all the flying carpets, got holes in them?" Uncle Vernon chuckled to himself. His latest barb was one of many he had been making over the summer. Treating him better seemed to exclude the verbal jabs, but he had been rather neutral otherwise. The prospect of sending Harry off to school for most of the year, and especially not paying for it, had made him more amicable. After the scare from the headmaster's threats had worn off of course.
Funny thing, I wonder what happened to your waistline, Harry thought to himself. Stuck in the backseat of the car he was patiently waiting to get dropped off at King's Cross Station. It was still early in the day, but Harry had wanted to get there early as to avoid the rush. That, and getting away from the Dursleys earlier was always a good idea. No reason to risk anything.
He leaned back and ran over the things he had learned since his visit from Dumbledore. He had combed over most of the textbooks for class and the others that he had gotten. There had been a lot of interesting things in the culture books, the wizarding world seemed like a mix of ancient customs and high society in the strangest possible ways. He wasn't looking forward to the tall task of not offending anyone. The history books fascinated him as well, it seemed everything he knew was but a mere footnote on a much grander story.
Despite all the tried, The First Art still remained blank. He assumed there was some trick to it, and had tried everything from heat to water to even some rather unsavory things he heard worked on things like invisible ink. Nothing. I guess I'll have to try something magic on it, once I get to Hogwarts. Dumbledore seemed to think it was important I have it. Tied to my wand maybe? Harry turned the thing over in his hands, he hardly kept it elsewhere. He hadn't tried to use it, fearing the warnings about underage magic, but it felt right to wield it. There was a squawk from the cage resting beside him, and Harry slipped a few owl treats from his pocket into the cage.
"Boy! I told you to keep that ruddy bird quiet! Bad enough it's stinking up my car, I'll have to get it detailed after this," Uncle Vernon grumbled.
"Sorry Hedwig, just a little longer," Harry whispered. He had named her Hedwig, one of the nicer sounding names he found. I guess he's still sour about the fight.
There had been a fight earlier in the morning when Vernon had wanted to bring the whole family to London, so they could have a normal outing in the city after they dropped him off. Petunia was having nothing to do with it and insisted that she and Dudley were going nowhere near that platform, or any of Harry's 'nonsense' and they would be remaining at home. The resulting argument between them had been long, and loud. By the end of it even Dudley had seemed put off. Harry had never heard his aunt and uncle speak like that to each other before.
"Here we are, boy, King's Cross," Vernon said gruffly, "Get your things and get out. You had better not get up to any trouble at that school either! I won't be having you back here any sooner than the summer and I will not be tolerating this rubbish bothering me and Petunia during the rest of the year."
"Yes Uncle Vernon," Harry responded mutely, not much caring. He had long become numb to his family after they settled into the routine of ignoring each other as much as possible. He was surprised Dumbledore's message had been so effective. He dragged his trunk out, and stacked it on a cart, placing Hedwig's cage on top. "I bet you'll be able to get some sleep on the train, maybe I will too." He had stayed up all night, too excited and anxious for the day to come, and was looking forward to resting on the ride there.
Talking to her didn't seem weird to him. Despite no response on the level of a snake, he had a feeling she understood his meanings, as she often nipped or screeched at what he said. Or what the Dursleys said to him.
He navigated the station until he came to the platforms where he expected his to be. A great big plastic 9 was on one side, and a 10 on the other. Nothing else. Well what the bloody hell am I supposed to do now? I should've asked Dumbledore when I had the chance. Harry walked up to one of the attendants.
"Excuse me sir, can you tell me how to get to platform 9¾?" He asked, hoping to not sound as stupid as he felt. Hopefully this doesn't break the Statute.
"9¾? Think you're being funny do you?" The attendant scowled, moving off to help another person while shaking his head.
Harry took out his ticket again, hoping there was some clue or instruction he missed. He was positive the letter said King's Cross, and Platform 9¾. He moved over to sit on a bench, and panic started to set in. I'm such an idiot, I can't believe I didn't ask about this, I should've known. Harry's leg was starting to get restless and he was turning his head constantly trying to find something he missed when he saw them. A boy and an older woman walking in the crowd. She looked entirely out of place, a rather audacious stuffed vulture stuck to the hat on her head, and there was a terrarium with an abnormally large toad on top of the boy's trunk. Not normal, thats a good sign. He strained to listen to what they were saying.
"Hurry up Neville, the sooner you're on the train the sooner I can be sure you won't get lost on the way to Hogwarts," the woman said.
"Yes, grandmother," Neville dutifully replied, his tone suggesting such a phrase was often repeated. He was tall, much more so than Harry, with a rather young face and seemed to wilt in the presence of his grandmother, slouching and sighing as he responded.
Hogwarts, he's going there too. Harry discreetly got up and started following them, staying far enough back to not disturb them. He watched from afar as they approached the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10. They both began walking swiftly towards it, until they disappeared, moving straight into it. Harry looked around the other side, not seeing them. It must be like the bank. Harry followed suit, getting himself steeled and then running straight into the barrier.
He was through. The air felt alive, a clear sunny sky shone down on a magnificent stone platform, circular in nature. He had come out from a barrier in the center of it all and he turned around, taking in his surroundings. Strangely there were several large fireplaces encircling the barrier he exited from, absent of any logs. Several tracks were empty, but on one of them a pristine silver and green train lay.
Neville and his grandmother were lined up near the front of the train, where there was a short line of people entering, while she scolded him. An attendant stood next to the door. Harry did his best to ignore all the families and parents that were already lining the tracks alongside the train, crying and waving goodbye to the few students sticking their heads out the windows and doing the same. Things will be different. You'll have friends here, hopefully. He didn't feel very convinced at the thought. His mind jumped to thoughts of his parents, what they must've been like when they first got sent off to Hogwarts. Harry shook his head in agitation. I'll find out more about them, I'll make them proud.
He went up past the two he followed onto the platform. "Yes, yes you can join the choir but you can't drop transfiguration! What would your father think?"
"Looking to get on the train firstie?" the man in the doorway said. He was grotesque. Scars and burns littered his body and his hair was stringy and down to his shoulders. His smile was wicked with rotten teeth, and he was a great deal taller than Harry. There was also the strange smell of cats that hung about him. He gave a glare as Harry handed him his ticket.
He eyed it suspiciously for a few seconds before taking out a ticket punch and dotting a strange pattern on it. He then took it and dropped it into a box next to the door. There was a lot of whirring, mechanical and musical sounds blending together as the number above the doorway, which Harry just now noticed after getting up close, changed from a four to a one.
"Go on now, hurry up! Better not be any contraband in that trunk!"
Harry hauled his luggage up the steps and opened the door. He started going down the hallway, rather wider than the train itself, and kept his head down, not wishing to be recognized by his scar.
There was a decent amount of students filling the place already, but Harry didn't feel like mustering up the energy to try and be social. He went the full length of the train, taking the last compartment for himself, by the caboose. He shuffled in and stowed his things, letting Hedwig's cage rest next to him. She seemed to realize they had reached their destination, as she stuck her head under her wing and began to sleep.
"Finally," Harry muttered. Stretching out, he leaned his head against the window, his mind filled with thoughts of Hogwarts, a fresh start with new challenges. A smile graced his lips, and his heart yearned for the hope of new friends that, unencumbered by the Dursleys and their ilk, he might finally be able to keep. At peace, and unburdened, he joined his companion in slumber.
The train lurched, and Harry woke up.
He was not alone.
A gangly redheaded boy was sitting across from him, splitting a sandwich with his pet rat. He noticed Harry wake and swallowed. "Finally awake are you? Thought you'd sleep the whole way there."
Harry was momentarily startled he was no longer alone. Well, here's hoping he's not like Dudley. He shifted in his seat, cracking his back and settling in, "Er, yeah, couldn't sleep last night. Too excited."
The boy nodded, "Yea I get that. Name's Ron by the way, Ron Weasley. Probably heard of us, there's a million Weasleys out there, even a few second cousins on the muggle side of things. You a muggleborn? I haven't seen you around. Nothing wrong with that of course, I'm not one of them. Anyways, this is my rat, Scabbers. Bit of a useless lump but I love him, nothing like your owl though, it's beautiful, what it's name?" The words came out one after the other, barely a time for breath in between as Ron blurted out his words.
"Uh, yeah, she's Hedwig—"
"Hedwig! Great name. Much better than our family's. Errol's gone a bit barmy in his old age, always running into things. What'd you say your name was?" Ron said, interrupting Harry, nervousness lacing his tone.
It's going to be a long train ride. Hopefully he doesn't gawk. Harry stuck out his hand awkwardly, remembering to be polite when introducing oneself, "I'm Harry, Harry Potter. Nice to meet you."
The boy did a double take, and his eyes widened at the scar he now noticed. He mutely shook Harry's hand for a second before snapping out of it. "Blimey, are you really? That's wicked! I didn't notice the scar under your hair. What's it like being famous? Wish I was. Bet the girls line up for you eh? Don't have to worry about me of course, but next year when my sister, Ginny, gets here, oh Merlin you better watch out. She's had a crush on you for ages! Anyway, where have you been! Some sort of hermit? Nobody's seen you around since, well, ever!"
Harry felt uneasy, his fame and notoriety was beginning to irk him. He was saved from responded as Ron continued on, apparently too nervous, or awkward, to stop his rambling. He began to talk about his family, which was apparently quite large, and Harry grew even more uncomfortable. It always hurt to be reminded of what he didn't have.
Ron looked at him concerned, "You alright mate? You don't have ghoulmonia or anything right?"
Harry shook his head, embarrassed and feeling guilty. It's not his fault I don't have parents, or siblings. "Er, no. Just uh, trainsick?"
Ron shrugged, "Well anyways, back to what I was saying, if you can believe it, my brothers, the twins I was telling you about, tried convincing me we have to fight a troll to get sorted into our Houses! Imagine that, making first-years fight a troll to get sorted." He shook his head ruefully, "Still would take it over spiders of course, I hate those damn things. Anyways, I might be a bit thick but even I'm not stupid enough to believe that. Although I suppose some types of trolls wouldn't be too unreasonable, especially if they paired us up, maybe a group of 3, or 4 and make it one per House, do it in a controlled environment…"
"Hold on, hold on," Harry said. "Do you actually know how we get sorted? I read about the Houses but nothing I found told me about it." His reading had told him of the four Hogwarts Houses, where students were sorted in for their stay, but never much more detail beyond the barest of descriptions.
Ron rolled his eyes, "Well of course not, its a big secret. Tradition to let first-years go in blind, its not like schools spill their secrets to anyone. I suspect it's got to be one of those quizzes you see in the Prophet or Quibbler, you know the ones that change as you take them, and have a million different answers and questions."
"Uh no, I don't get any subscriptions."
"My parents read The Prophet every day, Percy does too but mainly because he's just a ponce. The Quibbler is a bit out there, really we only get it 'cause my sister, Ginny, is best friends with the daughter of the guy who runs it. Anyways, no idea on the sorting, do you know what House you wanna go to?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I don't really care about it, I'm just happy and excited to finally be able to learn some magic. It's all I've been thinking about since, well ever really."
Ron groaned, "Ugh that's such a Ravenclaw answer! You should try to join me in Gryffindor! We Weasleys have been there as far back as we go, and we go waaay back let me tell you. Well, I guess I don't have to, Potters go back even farther than us. Anywhere is better than Slytherin or Hufflepuff I suppose."
We go back even further? Must've been why our vault was so deep, Harry thought. He knew his family was old, Dumbledore had told him as much, but everything that entailed still eluded him, families seemed to keep their details and histories rather private in the magical world. "What makes Slytherin and Hufflepuff bad?"
Ron turned to him, surprise evident on his face, "You're kidding right? Slytherin is the worst." He said this with a jerk of his head to Harry's scar. "As for Hufflepuffs, well, they're not bad per se, it's just they're so lame. Gryffindor is the House of the brave and the loyal, so that speaks for itself." He puffed out his chest a little at this and gave a big grin. "Ravenclaw is all about wit and wisdom so you get a whole mixed bag of oddballs and know-it-alls. And then Hufflepuff is just kind of…there. I mean, I guess its about friendship and all that but really its just whoever's left. There's this bloke, Cedric, who comes over to hang with us sometimes and he's a Puffer, let me tell you. Dullest person ever! Even if he is kinda talented."
"Hm," Harry said. The Gryffindor he had met at the shop hadn't given him a good picture of the House, although his parents had gone there too so there was some connection pulling him that way. "So what is Slytherin about that makes it so bad?"
Ron grimaced, "Look mate, if you of all people go there?… I mean, they're supposed to be about greatness and cunning, you know all that stuff, but nowadays they're just the purebloods and anyone who agrees with their stupid views. I'm sure some of them aren't bad, but I bet you anything most of them are bigots."
Ah, so people who fought with Voldemort in the war. Well, according to him. If it is the House of the great, that doesn't sound too bad… Changing topics, Harry said, "So, if your family's all magic have you gotten to do any spells yet? I tried looking at all the interesting ones but I haven't had the chance to practice yet cause my relatives are muggles."
"Muggles you say? No wonder people don't know what to think of you, you've been out there the whole time! Well no Dark Lord ever came from muggles so I guess were safe then," he said with a nervous laugh. "Dad's obsessed with muggles, does a lot of work involving them too," Ron said while shrugging, "Mum's pretty strict about us doing magic at home, at least with the twins and I, but Dad sometimes sneaks us out to his garage and tries to show us some pointers. Here, I'll try and show you the one I'm good at."
Ron pulled out his wand, a rather rugged one covered with chips and cracks, and cleared his throat. Pointing it at his trunk above in the racks he intoned, "Wingardium Leviosa!" and with a haphazard swish and flick…the trunk wobbled a bit. Ron looked sheepish and shrugged, "Well that's why we're first-years. It's supposed to levitate it completely but I guess that it is a pretty heavy trunk."
Harry smiled, "Well it's still more than I've ever done. Do you think the others are like us? Or is there going to be a lot of catching up to do?"
Ron shook his head, "Nah, its not worth it to mess with your magic before school that much. Really, it's just this summer Dad's been letting me use his wand. Well, this is actually Charlie's old one, but same difference."
"Charlie's old one? You can use other people's wands?" Harry asked. Immediately he knew it was a sore subject, Ron's face quickly changed to match his hair and he muttered something about "maybe after O.W.L.s". Feeling awkward at the other boys troubles, Harry stood up. "Er, I'm just going to go grab some air, maybe find the restroom."
He left the compartment, closing the door behind him. Seeing the rear door he opened it and stepped out onto the deck of the caboose, leaning forward against the railing. That bloke has a mouth on him, I wonder how he does it. At least he wasn't talking about me the whole time, or my scar. Harry started to relax, the crisp evening air was refreshing and the countryside disappearing behind them made for a pleasant sight. He got lost in his thoughts, fantasizing about what Hogwarts would be like, about which House he would get sorted into. He was glad the first classmate he really met hadn't been too starstruck, and had treated him far better than other person he had tried to befriend in the past. Before he realized it, the sun had set and the night air had taken on a chill, his absentminded daydreaming distracting him from the passage of time. Better head back. Harry rubbed his hands on his arms to warm himself up a little and went back inside, heading over to his compartment.
As he opened the door, he was met with three new people occupying the place, none of them friendly. Two boys, their faces and robes roughed up, were holding Ron up by his arms, his own face sporting a black eye. Harry was staring at the back of a rather lean kid, taller than himself. The two dropped Ron to the floor and took a step forward as the other turned around. Harry felt his stomach churn as a bad feeling took root. I guess things aren't so different after all. Great.
"There you are. Harry Potter, our savior. My father had told me you were living with muggles, but I had still hoped you'd have more common sense than to hang around a Weasley of all people. There are expectations for you, you know." The speaker was pale, with cold gray eyes and slicked blond hair.
Harry met his eyes unflinchingly. "And you are?"
Ron staggered up, sliding back to lay on the seats while they had their attention on Harry. "Ugh. A giant, bleeding, arsehole, that's who."
"Shut up, blood traitor." The larger of the two in the back snarled at Ron. He had a bruise forming on his face as well.
The pale boy ignored them and extended his hand to Harry. "Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. You might have heard of my father, Lucius Malfoy? He's Senior Advisor to the Minister after all. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
If he didn't look like that I'd almost think this was Dudley. "Sadly I haven't," he said while reaching for Malfoy's hand. As the other boy went to grasp it Harry shifted it slightly as to return to the door handle, pulling it outwards and stepping back into the hallway, still holding the door. "I have heard of bullies however, and think that both Ron and I would rather you leave. After all, someone like me should have, expectations was it?" He glanced at the two thugs, who Malfoy had neglected to introduce, before meeting the other's gaze again. There was a moment between them, where Harry briefly considered that he made a mistake in alienating someone based off one interaction, but he held firm. Anybody worth anything wouldn't treat someone like that. Harry withdrew his wand from his pocket, keeping it by his side and ready, hoping his bluff wouldn't be called.
Malfoy stood there, smirking, "Rather brash Potter. Unsurprising considering the filth you apparently live with. You think you could take us all on?" He withdrew his own wand, a twisting brown one.
Harry raised his own. Someone like him won't take confrontations when he's not in control. If not…well at least I have practice with the muggle way of things. "I think my record speaks for itself."
A look crossed over Malfoy's face, followed by a tense moment. Then he shrugged and brushed past Harry, beckoning to the others. "Crabbe, Goyle, let's go. Pansy's probably frantic without me, it seems I'll owe her a galleon after all with the waste this has been."
They exited the compartment and Harry collapsed on the bench opposite Ron, who was now petting Scabbers on his chest.
"It's okay buddy, they're gone now." He looked up at Harry, "Great time to get back mate, three against one is a bit much. You got some gobstones on you though, didn't even flinch. I got a few licks in on Crabbe, but he's really more weight than wizard if you know what I mean. You alright? You were gone so long I thought you might be retching over the side or something. You're not homesick are you? Mum thinks I'll be within in a week but let me tell you, I'm overjoyed to be getting here. I—"
"Just, shut up a moment yeah?" Harry interrupted. He ran his hand through his hair, the untidy mess not bothered by additional displacement. I can't believe he's not pissed at me yet. And that I already have to deal with bullies, so much for that. "Uh, yea, something like that. Sorry about them, I know what it's like. My cousin's like Malfoy, except he looks more like two Crabbe's put together."
"Really? Well that's the worst. Don't worry about it. Malfoy's got it out for me, all of them do really. Some sort of family feud our grandfathers started, we've had at it a few times in the alley. You shoulda seen the fight our dads got into once, I still think about it sometimes," Ron said, a wistful smile on his face. "Well, anyways, thanks for helping out with Death Eater junior. I get that you could've ran off to any other compartment, you know, you being you and all."
"Hm," Harry said, "Death Eater junior? What's that?"
Ron looked flabbergasted. "You're kidding right? He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's followers? Malfoy's dad was one of the higher ups, got off on bribes though. That's how he got his cushy job."
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? "Do you mean Voldemort?"
Ron blanched awfully, a shudder running through him. "You, you actually said it. I figured you of all people wouldn't." Hesitance showed as he talked, "We don't really say that name, at least not most people and definitely not in public. Everyone just calls him that or You-Know-Who. Bad memories from the Blood War when there was a taboo on it. People are still a little scared, even if they don't seem it."
"But, it's just a name right? Dumbledore—"
"Harry, Dumbledore is the only one he ever feared, of course he's gonna say the name." Ron paused, and seemed to think about it before continuing, "Although I guess if you have to follow anyone's example its best to be Dumbledore's, and you already offed the man so I guess you get a pass." He gave a nervous chuckle, "Others are gonna tell you to knock it off though, the war got really brutal towards the end. Bill, my oldest brother, said Mum and Dad had nightmares for years after it ended. A lot of families still haven't recovered."
It was that bad? I guess that explains why Dumbledore is so hesitant to speak about Voldemort still being alive. They settled into a comfortable silence after that, the mood had soured quickly.
It soon became dark outside, and an announcement went out over some sort of speaker system alerting them to leave their luggage on the train, and that arrival was imminent. The two boys changed into the robes and cloaks of the uniform and got ready to leave. As they exited the cabin the rest of the students were in a frenzy, chatting excitedly and bumping into one another as they all made their way out onto the platform.
"First-years! Gather round, follow me! First-years over here!" A loud, baritone voice bellowed across the station, belonging to the biggest man Harry had ever seen. Taller and wider than even Uncle Vernon, he towered over the crowd as he gathered the new students around a pathway at the end of the platform, booming out instructions. "Come on now, first-years with me!"
Harry and Ron joined the throng and followed them and the giant man down some stairs to a small set of docks. Dozens of boats were floating around them, absent of any oars or mooring. Small lanterns affixed to their prows gave the scene a warm glow. They quickly filled the space in front of the man and Harry began to wonder if there'd even be enough boats. Wow, there were a lot more new students on the train than I thought.
"Alright you lot listen up! For those of you who don't know, I'm Hagrid, the Warden and Gamemaster of Hogwarts and I'll be ensuring you make it safely across the lake to the castle," he bellowed out across the sea of smaller heads. "You all are gonna fill up these here boats, no more than four apiece to each, and stay inside of them as we cross the lake. Plenty of nasty buggers in the thing and I won't be losing anyone today. Now, once we're there I'll hand you over to Deputy Headmistress McGonagall and she'll take you from there."
Awkward pushing and bustling ensued, and Harry and Ron found themselves in a boat with one other person. Hagrid scanned the bay to make sure nobody was left behind before fiddling with something on his boat, one much larger, causing them to lurch forward before settling into a graceful glide across the lake. The tranquil black surface of the water provided a beautiful reflection of the night sky, with ominous woods lurking on the shoreline to their right. They began to turn, the lights from the village dimming as they exited the bay, and audible gasps broke out.
Hogwarts Castle stood tall, rising up and out of a cliff that jutted into the lake. Glorious and inviting, lights flickered in windows and towers and spires that disappeared up into the night sky. The sight captivated Harry, his eyes looking for details, and before he knew it they had crossed the lake, going under a bridge and through a sheet of ivy to dock in a small cove that was hidden. The rocky cavern was bare, save for a small set of stairs and a doorway.
"Alright first-years, through that door there and Professor McGonagall will be waiting for you. She'll take you from there, off you get! Oi! You there! Is this your toad?"
There was laughing as the boy Harry followed into the station, Neville, ran up to take back his impressively large toad from Hagrid. Harry hung back from the initial frenzy to get off the boats, not wanting to be in the thick of it. Ron followed him, bringing up the rear of students to enter the circular room behind the door. Majestic suits of armor were poised in alcoves that encircled the room, and in the center a very stern and elderly witch was waiting, wearing a fine set of black robes with scarlet and gold detailing. McGonagall, she's the one Dumbledore mentioned, the Transfiguration teacher.
The professor scanned the crowd, seemingly counting heads despite the large number of students. Her eyes briefly found Harry's, and he swore he saw the corners of her mouth twitch upwards, before she moved on.
"Gather round, gather round. Attention all new students. Let me be the first to welcome you to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Professor McGonagall, Master of Transfiguration, Deputy Headmistress, as well as Head of Gryffindor House. I'm glad to see you all here and ready to begin the adventure that is your magical education."
A few cheers went up from some of the kids, while others rolled their eyes.
"In a few moments, I will lead you into the Dining Hall where you will be sorted into one of four Houses." Professor McGonagall started pacing in front of them, delivering her well-practiced speech. "Gryffindor, where honor and courage live in the hearts of all who dwell there. Ravenclaw, a sanctum for those who seek the answers. Hufflepuff, where the doors are always open and a friend is never absent. And Slytherin, the home of ambition, where talent and resolve are tested." As she said each of the name, crests burst forth from the walls, aligning themselves in the spaces between alcoves. A golden lion on a shield of scarlet, a bronze raven in blue skies, a black badger amongst its den of yellow, and a silver serpent, in a field of grass.
She continued, "While you are here, your housemates will be like family. They will help you with your successes, and comfort you in your defeats. The friendships and memories you make here are those that will last a lifetime. Each House has its own long history of traditions, merits, and qualities, and I urge you to go into the sorting with an open mind. It takes 5 years for the average witch or wizard to earn their O.W.L.s here, and a further 2 for your N.E.W.T.s. During that time it your housemates that you will learn with, live with, and lean on."
Harry nudged Ron and whispered to him, "I know what O.W.L.s are, but what are N.E.W.T.s?"
He whispered back, "Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests, important for jobs and masteries and stuff like that."
Professor McGonagall went on, "I'm sure you all have your own notions as to what House you should be in, as well as influence from your peers and parents, but I encourage you to discard them in the wake of the sorting. The first step to a Hogwarts education is trusting us, and magic, to lead you where your best self lies. For those of you new to the world of magic, I hope you all feel welcome and adjusted, for after tonight you are formally a part of it. To those already acquainted, I ask you to guide them as they embark on this journey with you. Unity among the Houses is a foundational principle of our school, being founded by four friends ever so long ago, and its something we all too often forget."
She leveled her gaze around the crowd, narrowing it and spending a tad longer on the section where Malfoy and some of his friends were lounging against the wall, not paying attention. Sighing, she withdrew a wand from her inner sleeve and waved it towards a blank section of the wall, the stone melted away until a staircase lead upwards. "Now you will follow me to the Dining Hall. When I call your name you are to step forward and put on the Sorting Hat, it will determine where you shall go."
She started up the staircase, the horde of first-years behind her, all talking excitedly. Ron looked over to Harry, "A hat! Imagine that, all we have to do is put on a bloody hat. Oh that's rich, I can do that."
They came out at the end of a long hallway, and several people in front of Harry shrieked. The Entrance Hall was wide, with similar suits of armor lining it in alcoves like the floor below. The source of the commotion, even as many of the other students kept moving, were the ghosts floating around two massive wooden doors. They were shouting congratulations and welcomes to the students, most of them looked rather young and several were near the ground, waving energetically to the first-years.
"Oh I know that one!" Ron said to Harry as he pointed to a ghost with a ruffled suit, swinging a sword about. "That's Nearly-Headless Nick! He's the ghost of Gryffindor Tower, Fred and George say he gets real miffed if you mention he's not actually headless."
Harry was a little unsettled by them, but soon they were ushered into the Dining Hall by McGonagall.
A cacophony of cheering and clapping broke out as soon as the doors opened to them. Four long tables were packed with students, each one bearing colors associated to their House and under a large banner featuring their crest. Harry spun his head around, there were massive candlelit chandeliers throughout the chamber and a starry night sky was above them, as if the building simply merged with the air around it at that height. Ron was busying waving to his family, who were seated at the Gryffindor table. My parent's House. He smiled. I'm going to love it here, things will be different.
An elevated platform at the front of the hall held the staff, dozens of seats were arranged around a slight semi-circle of a table with a podium in front of it. The professors were cheering and surveying the new arrivals as well, and Harry spotted a teacher who he swore was a goblin. Headmaster Dumbledore sat in the very middle, on a large ornate chair more akin to a throne than anything fit for a dinner table. He spotted Harry and gave him a smile as he clapped.
Harry eyed up the other professors, many of them wearing diverse and rather odd clothing, although a fair amount had the same formal black robes that McGonagall wore. They sat above the students, their presence washing over the room as they exuded an air of competence and superiority. He had heard the headmaster boast that they were one of the best schools in the world, with some of the best teachers, but he could practically feel the truth behind it as he gawked at them. Ever since visiting Diagon Ally he had relished that sense of magic, the feeling of it that surrounded everything in this side of the world and gave him comfort. That reminded him he belonged here. I never thought I'd be excited about school again. Harry smiled and looked back to the Deputy Headmistress.
A bare stool with a large pointed hat resting on it stood by Professor McGonagall, who was now clearing her throat and unrolling a scroll of parchment in front of the podium. It unraveled until it hit the floor, and then rolled quite a bit further. She spoke up once again in her stern voice, it carrying across the hall, amplified, "Quiet down, quiet down. After the Hat sorts you, please head to your new House table." She looked over the murmuring first-years before returning to the parchment.
"Abbott, Hannah!"
A chubby brunette stepped up to the stool, taking the hat and putting it on her head. Its wide brim fell over her eyes, and after a second the hat shifted until a face formed, the brim becoming a wide mouth that bellowed out with a deep voice, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
More cheering and loud claps broke out, particularly from the table where the students in yellow and black were slapping her on the back and welcoming her. Her robes had shimmered and adopted the yellow trimmings the moment the Hat spoke, beckoning her to her new home.
"Arnolds, Jeffery!"
A boy with dark skin and hair nervously approached the hat. He had barely donned it when the mouth formed and shouted out, "RAVENCLAW!" and sent him over to the silver and blue regiment.
Thus it went, McGonagall calling out students one after the other, the Hat never taking more than a few seconds to decide after it wriggled its way onto their heads, often even less. Harry wasn't paying attention, there were too many of them and he doubted many could see past his fame to form a friendship. But maybe they can. I have to give them a chance. He leaned over to Ron and whispered, "Hey, how many of these people do you know?"
The other boy tilted his head to the side in response, "Well, in our year not too many actually. I know of them of course but I don't really know them, you know? Most of the purebloods I've seen or heard about 'cause they stick to the magical world like us, but it looks like we got a big class. Oh, I know that bloke, that's Neville Longbottom. His Uncle Algie's been talking at the ministry how his nephew is practically a squib, I bet he's a puffer, just you wait."
Just a few moments later Ron was proved right, as Neville headed off to the Hufflepuff table, looking rather glum. The sorting went on for a bit before Harry recognized anyone else, but he took note that the rude boy from the train, Malfoy, had gone and went to Slytherin with his friends in one of the faster sortings.
Finally, Harry's name was called. The entire hall quieted, even the faintest of rumblings gone. The hair on his neck stood up and he felt a blush rise on his face as all the eyes in the hall turned to him. He approached the stool to sit and put on the hat. Time slowed down, and the Dining Hall faded out of view as the Hat slunk down over his eyes. A voice echoed in his mind, thrumming with an unfamiliar pressure.
"What do we have here…a Potter…Harry. It's been a while since one of you put me on your head."
He felt nothing. It was if he was suspended in space, darkness all around him and panic dominated his thoughts as memories of being confined to the cupboard came forth, of nightmares clad in darkness and evil laughter, of being alone. Who said that? He tried to speak, but it came out as a thought, dancing around his mind as if echoing in an empty cavern. Where am I? What kind of test is this?
"Hm, hm! You're in your mind of course, or rather we are, together. No test, you've just got to let this old Hat get to know you a little better, and there's so much of you to know Harry. A bit too much…hm…"
Harry felt the hat squirm on him, and he heard the barest hints of mutterings somewhere distant. The Hat spoke again. "I haven't been this confused since…yes…hm… It's more difficult when one doesn't know themselves, but I sense you do, deep down. You have all the makings of a classic Gryffindor, like your parents, plenty of bravery and self-confidence to boot. The nerve to not balk at challenges and bask in love for your accomplishments. Yes, hm, perhaps Gryffindor…but Slytherin! Ah Slytherin, where you can seek the greatness you desire with the cunning and tenacity it requires! You dream of respect, of freedom, of power! Ambition such as that makes it a good fit as well, perhaps better. Difficult, difficult!"
Harry was shocked. The Hat was evaluating his feelings, his thoughts, his dreams, dissecting them and opening them up to be laid bare in front of him. He felt trapped. I, I don't need whatever this is. Just put me in Gryffindor, where my parents were, and Ron will probably go there too. Slytherin didn't seem so bad to Harry, despite what Ron had said, but he really didn't want to go there after he had seen Malfoy get sorted. In Gryffindor he'd have to suffer with the arrogant boy from Madam Malkin's but at least he was friendly with someone else. If the Hat had narrowed down the choices, he knew which one he'd pick. He had already been given a friend by pure chance, and an enemy by equal measure. Going to Slytherin would be terrible on both fronts. I didn't really care where I went until now.
"Hahaha! That's not how this works Harry, your mind is mine for this brief time we have together. Don't worry, It all stays with me. Hm, hm! Not even the headmaster can pry secrets from this old shabby cap. Going to Slytherin would be terrible eh? What was it you said all those years ago, about power, and magic? Do you think you'd be satisfied with yourself, sailing along in life knowing you could've been more? Done more? You might lie to yourself now, but I feel it within you, you would not be happy with a wasted life full of regrets, and Slytherin House is all too helpful in that regard."
Harry's nerves were on fire. Faced with the harsh inner truth he had no recourse. Surely Gryffindor could help me as well? Didn't Dumbledore go there and he's the greatest alive, some say. The one friend I have will go there and the one enemy I've made went to Slytherin. Let me join the House of my parents, please. It'll be easier that way.
"Too right, too right! Greatness comes from within, you shall strive for it wherever you go. But this is about what would best help you down that path, and Slytherin is home to all who seek it, the harsh yet fertile ground on which talent like yours is best cultivated. You ask for the easy choice? That's not what greatness is about. How can you desire it and reject the path most suited towards it?"
The Hat was quiet for a moment, pondering what else it could say, "Hmm, he was sorted there too you know? His classmates and peers looked down on him before he entered these halls. He proved everyone wrong and became great, even if it was in the wrong fashion. The one you call Lord Voldemort. Of course he went by a different name then…
He was in Slytherin?! Harry's mind was instantly made up. He was not going to be in the House of his family's murderer. I don't want to go there. Please, I'll find another way! I don't need to prove anything to anyone!
"No, no, not anyone. Just yourself and Lord Voldemort. Hmm, hmm! You're both quite alike you know, lofty goals, wanting to be recognized for more than what you are, to make a name for yourself absent of any past and stand peerless above those who wronged you…"
Harry felt as if his whole body was shaking. Comparing me to him? That murderer! I'm not like him. No, no! Put me in Gryffindor, I'm not like him!
"Yes! You'll find greatness there Harry, you'll soar above your past and achieve your goals, prove that you're greater than him! That for every way you're alike you're different too, and better, in the Most Ancient and Noble House of…SLYTHERIN!"
Harry heard the Hat shout the last word as it relaxed on his head and brought the Dining Hall back into view. There was a silence heavier than anything Harry had ever felt. There was barely any response to his sorting, only a few scattered claps from the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins. He sought out Ron's face in the crowd of remaining first-years, his face covered in a look of betrayal and shock. That one brief look was all it took to know the budding friendship was instantly lost. Professor McGonagall took the Hat from his hands and knocked him out of his stupor. It was over. He was a Slytherin. Like him. He looked up to Professor Dumbledore, who was gently clapping, a tight smile on his face.
He walked over to his new table, going to the back where the other new students sat. A few of the older students sent him glares along the way, some looked rather pleased, one even did a slight bow of his head, but most just had curiosity on their faces. There was a clear divide amongst the first-years, Malfoy and those gathered around him took up one part, mingled with some older students, while other little cliques separated themselves. It was easy to choose where to sit. He sat down in between a tall kid with glasses and a scrawny boy, far away from Malfoy.
Several people around him were looking at him oddly, but soon enough they turned their attention back to the sorting. The rest of the students were sorted without much fanfare, with the last one coming over to Slytherin a few seats down from Harry.
Dumbledore rose form his seat to address the students as McGonagall rolled up the parchment and took her place. "I'm sure all of you are excited to be back here at Hogwarts for yet another year of learning and growth." He paused as there were cheers and clapping, and some rude remarks that he chuckled at. "Yes, or perhaps not so glad Mr. Ernstone, I certainly wouldn't object to a few more weeks at the beach myself! Before we go over the start of term announcements I have a few words to say. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
As soon as he finished speaking he went to sit down, and food came into existence all along the tables. Dishes of all variety that smelled wonderful, most of which Harry didn't recognize, pitchers of water and pumpkin juice that students eagerly poured, only for them to refill themselves. His mouth watered at the sight, food having been something he was denied often. No more, he thought to himself, I'm not going to struggle anymore. Not in anything. He went to start filling his plate and almost dropped it as he picked it up. The plates and utensils were made of a polished stone, but the feeling, the feeling. It's almost like my wand, like they're made of magic. He picked up a goblet to get some water and found it the same.
A million conversations had broken out at each House, and Harry relaxed himself to the sensation of magic around himself as he began eating and looking around his table. Everyone had already started making friends, talking excitedly, and eating. He did so too, much more slowly, not wanting to embarrass himself. He could feel eyes on him. Despite his wish for friends, he had no urge to initiate, not after he had just seen what could still happen. Not after everything that had.
Nonetheless as he ate he felt them, heard them. A few mentions from the upper years as they openly assessed him, he met their gazes briefly to start with, and then less and less. The first-years that were muggleborn were openly gawking as he heard them talking shout his life as if it were nothing more than a story. To them, it was. A few others in his year were silent, but he caught them glancing at him every now and then. Malfoy had done it a few times, an inscrutable look on his face each time.
Eventually, the sounds of silverware and eating died down a little as the dishes vanished and were promptly replaced by desserts. As Harry was helping himself to some treacle tart he felt something strange within him. Like noticing an insect on your arm before it bit you, but too late to stop it. He looked up and around, and found someone staring at him.
A pretty girl was eying him, her soft green eyes meeting his harsh bright ones. She had long brown hair that was up in a ponytail, and her face was blank as she met his gaze and arched an eyebrow. She was farther down the table, near Malfoy but she didn;t seem to be talking to his group. Harry was confused, what did she do? She turned away and daintily began eating a biscuit. He shrugged it off, it was probably nothing and he had never been one to understand girls.
The hall quieted again soon after that, Dumbledore had risen to once again speak to the students. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I have a few announcements for the upcoming year. First and foremost, as far as staffing changes go I would like to welcome back Professor Quirrell from his sabbatical abroad, who will now be taking over as the Head of Defense Against the Dark Arts with his new mastery after the unfortunate early retirement of Master Hardridge." A man in black robes with a purple turban around his head rose and raised his hand to the students, who returned the gesture with scattered applause.
Dumbledore patiently waited for it to die down before continuing, "Returning students are reminded that placement results will be delivered with their schedules, and that you have until the end of the week to change or petition your classes. Additionally, third-years should bear in mind that electives cannot be dropped past the end of September, and that they should plan accordingly. For new students, I would advise you to stay away from the Dark Forest, which is strictly forbidden, as well as keep an eye out for the staircases which will be waking up from their long summer nap and are bound to be a little restless. Our Caretaker, Argus Filch, would like to remind everyone that the complete list of banned items can be found posted outside his office and that no exceptions will be made."
Harry looked at the man who Professor Dumbledore had indicated, the same man who took his ticket at the train, although now he was dressed differently. Better avoid him, he seems bitter.
"A new rule for all to abide with this year, is that the third-floor corridor on the western side of the main staircase is out-of-bounds for all who do not wish to die a very, very painful death. The door leading to the corridor has been locked, to prevent accidental mishaps." The headmaster appeared unfazed as he delivered the news, even as the students began gossiping. "With that all taken care of, I would like to invite the prefects to lead your Houses back to your common rooms, where your Head of House will see you all settled in."
There was a ruckus as the entirety of the student population was freed from the hall and went off in all directions, many of the older students ignoring the prefects and rushing ahead, while they were loudly shouting their House names over the crowd and directing the first-years where to go.
Harry stuck towards the front of the new students, as an older student shouted out "Slytherins! Slytherin first-years over here!" They exited the main hallway with the rest of the throng, and were lead down a flight of stairs to an open room.
Harry stopped walking. Malfoy shouldered him into the railing as he passed, a muttered "Move it, Potter" that was much nicer than what he expected. Harry was in awe, a sense of vertigo washed over him as he craned his neck up and down the room they were in. A massive room by proportions alone, it was amplified by the towering ceiling, faintly seen far above and formless depths that held naught but specks of torchlight. Staircases and platforms connecting floors moved and rotated in every way, including upside down, as students either traversed the chaos or waited for the right one. A multitude of hallways led down wide corridors and the walls were adorned with an abundance of antiques and paintings. Many of the paintings astounded Harry, animated and talking with students as they passed, as if they were alive.
A few older Slytherins chuckled at him as they passed, and Harry shook himself out of his stupor, feeling embarrassed at being caught by the new sights, and increased his pace to catch up with the rest of the first-years. Their trek lead them down, deep into the dungeons of the castle were the stone turned from a warm gray to a cold dark slate. The first-years eventually congregated in front of a suit of armor nested in a small circular alcove like all the rest, where the girl in charge was speaking, backed by six older students.
"Alright firsties, I'm Head Girl Isabella Zabini and this," she gestured to the armor, "is the entrance to our common room, Every week the password resets, and you will need it to enter. Do not disclose the location to anyone outside Slytherin. The first week's password this year is Ambition."
The word left her mouth and the alcove spun, a passageway now present. They all followed her through and it closed behind them. Inside, a spectacular room awaited. A window dominated the rear wall, displaying the depths of the lake. Couches and chairs dotted the room, many filled by older students who had rushed ahead and were now lounging and catching up. Greens and silvers were present in the entire decor, and snake imagery adorned things like armrests and picture frames. Two massive fireplaces stood on either side of the room. Isabella faced them and directed their attention to a bulletin board on the wall next to the exit.
"This is where we post announcements, so expect things like House meetings, password changes, and news about events and clubs to be here. You'll receive your schedules tomorrow at breakfast and if you look at the board, there's a pinned guide to finding your way around the castle, feel free to take one, they'll replenish themselves. Back to my right is where the girls' dormitories are located, through those doors, and there on the left the same for the boys'. If you have any questions feel free to ask me or one of the prefects and we'll be more than happy to help you out. For now, wait around in the common room until Professor Snape delivers his introduction." She finished with a gesture behind her to the others, and they all nodded before walking off.
The group scattered, most of them heading off to one corner, where Malfoy sat down with some upper years. The rest broke into cliques that stood around or found seats on the chairs and couches. Harry walked over to the board and removed one of the maps to the castle, putting it in his pocket. Don't want to get lost on the first day, that would suck.
He stood around, feeling like an idiot while everyone else socialized, and spied the girl from before sitting with a small group of people. He debated going over and asking her about what she had done, but he didn't want to cause a scene, or get rejected. He instead focused on the room itself. There was magic in everything, just as the entire castle had been so far, and even here there were a few portraits who were conversing with older students. He hadn't spotted any ghosts since their first appearance, but assumed he'd be seeing them much more often.
Who would've thought all of this was real. Magic, ghosts, all of it. It was one thing to read about it, it was another to live it. The books he had studied over the summer had prepared him for much, but now it was time for the real show, to actually begin his life anew.
He wandered over to a group of chairs where some of the other first-years were sitting and took a seat. They gave him a glance, some longer than others, and then paid him no mind. Harry closed his eyes in thought and crossed his arms.
The noise in the common room started to die rather quickly, and Harry spun around in his seat. He felt him before he saw him. Their Head of House had arrived.
The man was tall, with a sharp hook nose and slick black hair that hung back below his ears. His eyes were black and cold, and he ignored everyone as he walked into the common room, his black cloak softly billowing out behind him. He strode to the back of the room, and turned to face them in the middle of the window. His robes matched those of McGonagall's, except with silver and green trimmings. Everyone was giving him their attention. There was silence.
"I am your Head of House, Professor Snape, Master of Potions." He said, his voice quiet and piercing. "You shall address me as such. For those of you that have dwelled in our House before, I remind you that first-years are to be taught our standards and kept in line. We have retained the privileges of the House Cup for 6 years and I do not expect to lose it this one."
He paused, and glanced over the older students, his gaze sharp. "I will also add to the headmaster's warning. Should any Slytherin be caught in the newly restricted area, a painful death shall be the least of your concerns. The games the headmaster plays are not to be encouraged by any of us. I will not indulge any mistakes in this regard."
Games? What's he talking about. There was a small amount of whispering that broke out, until he spoke again.
"For those of you who are new to Hogwarts this year, you are to remain behind. Miss Zabini, prefects, I shall expect you in my office after this. Everyone else, you are dismissed."
The upper year students dispersed, heading into the dorms while the helpful students from before left through the main entrance. The remainder of them moved closer and gathered round the professor. He waited before speaking, looking at each one of them before crossing his arms behind his back.
"Hogwarts is not a school," Professor Snape began, with a steady gait as he paced in front of them. "It is not a home, it is not a castle, it is not a playground. It is an opportunity. Other institutions might tolerate the childish behavior you have exhibited up until your arrival here, but we shall not. Others might have held your hand and made sure you reached the bare minimum of what is acceptable, but we shall not. Our standards are high, we are one of, if not the best, magical institution in the world and we aim to keep it that way. Our staff has little patience for those that waste our time with frivolities." He stopped pacing and looked to them, "Am I understood?"
There were a few muttered acknowledgments.
"In the future, I shall expect a verbal response when I pose you a question, that is your one warning." He said, resuming his walk. "The Sorting Hat has chosen all of you to be sent here, to Slytherin. Not to Hufflepuff, not to Gryffindor, not to Ravenclaw. As such, I expect all of you to show me that it did not make a mistake."
His eyes locked on Harry as he made the final remark, almost too fast for him to notice, but slow enough that it had to be intentional. What could I have done already.
"This is not a House of friendship, of bravery, or even of knowledge. It is a House of ambition, of skill. I, and other alumni, did not achieve what we have by lacking it. Slytherin is made, cultivated, to ensure that you are pushed to your limits, that you do not slack on the road to success. You are here, in these dungeons, for no other reason than to achieve your full potential, to seize every opportunity given and devise the means to acquire more. Some of you will fail at this, some of you will not. I suggest you all think about which one you'd rather be."
He stopped in the middle again, facing them. Harry noticed that many of his classmates were looking nervous. He himself just felt excited, I can feel it too, this is it. This is why I'm here.
"If you are familiar with our world, with magic, you are dismissed to the dormitories. Your belongings have already been delivered. Those of you unfamiliar, stay behind."
Harry was panicking. Fuck, this is going to be awful. They'll see I don't know anything and they'll desert me. It's going to happen again. Most of the crowd left. Malfoy looked back as he entered the dorms and smirked at him, his friends doing the same.
There were still a fair amount of people left, most of them had been the ones looking nervous. Professor Snape, however, was fixated on him once again.
"Potter," he said, a note of harshness in his tone that wasn't present before, "what exactly are you still doing here?"
Its a new start, don't treat him like the teachers at St. Brutus's, Harry reminded himself. "You said for those unfamiliar to stay behind, sir."
The professor's gaze turned colder and he stared at Harry for a long moment. "I see," he said, and turned around. He spoke without facing them, "Given that you all are new to our world, I shall show you a semblance of charity. Further questions should be directed to the prefects, or your classmates. You should have all had a representative explain the basics of our society to you, and I shall indulge you with some more specifics concerning Hogwarts."
He turned to face them again, and Harry thought the man's face was slightly paler, his eyes warmer.
"You have 5 years to earn your O.W.L.s, the tests that allow you to be free to do magic as you please, and as Slytherins we do not tolerate any of you failing to pass them on time. Over the course of the year I suggest you adapt to a routine that will see that come to fruition." He paused, and looked over them once again.
Ok he's definitely lingering on me. Is it because I'm famous?
"Breakfast begins at 6 and ends at 8, when classes begin. I expect all of you to show exemplary attendance, tardiness is not a trait suitable for us. Maps were pointed out to you by our Head Girl, so there are no excuses. Any rule-breaking will cost our House points, and potentially the Cup. This is not tolerated."
I still don't get why that's a big deal, Harry thought to himself, eyebrows furrowing at the fuss everyone was making about it. A few looks of confusion shone through on the others as well.
"Some of you, are undoubtedly wondering why such a thing is important. Other than the prestige which our House demands, which should be sufficient enough a reason for anyone here, the Founders of our illustrious school ensured that those who worked hard were rewarded. In the days of old, students would compete directly to earn their Master's favor, as back then it was rare for such talented mages to gather in one place and freely give their learnings away. As such, they devised the competition to reward those who worked the hardest, those most promising students that had earned the right to learn from them. It also served as a way to weed out those who were serious about the study of magic, and those who were just seeking some level of knowledge."
Professor Snape resumed pacing as he elaborated, "Over the centuries the nature and benefits of the Cup have changed and evolved as our society has, Hogwarts's own magic fueling it to foster motivation for its inhabitants. Having the Cup means better dormitories, ideal practice times for clubs, more access to the library and its archives, the best workstations for when you're an upper year and are pursuing N.E.W.T.s, and countless others. The other students will make it very clear that this is not a boon to be tossed aside, and I can assure you that by the time you graduate and venture out into the world, you will glad for the diligence and respect shown to our traditions."
He glanced over them, noticing one first-year had a hand raised, slightly shaking.
"Yes, Mr. Folk?" Professor Snape said.
"U-uh professor? We saw ghosts earlier, can they, I mean, can they come into our dorms? Are they going to bother us? I'm rather scared of them," he said with a tremor in his voice.
Professor Snape stared blankly at the boy for a moment before walking off to the exit, shouting "Dismissed!"
That was brutal, Harry thought as he walked into the boys dormitory with the others. Better not get on his bade side, I can't afford to have the teachers here hate me too.
There were 7 doorways with numerals over them, and they proceeded to the "1" door. Behind it, lay a much smaller version of the common room, a multitude of doorways lining the outskirts. A few of the doorways were open, showing bedrooms inside.
Some of the others doubled up into the larger rooms, and Harry went to claim one that was smaller. As soon as he was through and looked over the room he knew he was about to have the best year of his life. The room was bigger than Harry's one at home, with a work table and dresser at the foot of the bed. The bed itself was much larger than he was used to and covered with green sheets. A window to the lake took cover under thick black curtains, and the whole room was softly illuminated by candles on the walls. Harry walked forward, off the tiled stone floor and onto a large rug with the depiction of a snake, and spun around. A door to the side led to a bathroom blinding him with marble and jade.
"Wow," he murmured, "This is the nicest place I've ever seen."
His trunk was at the foot of his bed, and Hedwig's cage was on the desk. A note informing him where the Owlery was located waited inside the cage. He began to unpack his things, and soon, he was falling asleep in the bed. More comfy than he had ever been, and similarly more content with what tomorrow would bring. Today went better than expected. I guess Ron didn't really want to be my friend, and Malfoy sure isn't worth it, but maybe there are others. Harry yawned and closed his eyes. No more indifference about school. No more taking shite from teachers and classmates. I have to be better. My parents would want that, I want that.
AN: If you hadn't picked up on it yet this is a Slytherin!harry fic! Yes I know, another one added to the masses, but I think I'll do a good job of tackling it. It's also not to be confused with dark!Harry or evil!Harry or !darkandevibutifIcallitgreythenthatmakesitok!Harry. I really wanted to explore the themes of Harry being a mirror of Voldemort since it was a let down in canon and I believe it lends itself to good beats. A few lines around King's Cross I took directly from the movie cause they're just too perfect, and for some characters (cough Snape cough) I'm definitely leaning into their movie counterparts more than the book as they're deeper, especially for the demo/genre I'm going for. Next Chapter will probably drop on 11.11.23, around 2000 EST, but I might not make that so we'll see. Let me know what you think so far!