Why, why, why.
He hated the old man in the yellow dress.
Why?
He hated some. For reasons. But normally the reasons were reasons.
He didn't have reasons, for hating this Thing. But he hated, nonetheless.
The magic man, who twinkled and worried worried.
Harry wanted.
Needed.
To peel his wrinkled hide.
But he can't.
Yet.
He had to think. Had to keep his mind in place.
Had to keep his fake mind in place.
Occlumency.
He didn't know why he knew the word.
He had too many eyes.
He just knew, he sup-pos-sed.
How to keep the facade sturdy and strong while he writhed.
Don't forget. To. Smile, Harry.
Don't let the big bad wizard see you.
You have so so far to go, before he can Burn.
"Do you remember the fire at your aunt and uncle's house, Mr Potter?"
Oh yes. The cat lady was speaking.
Harry liked cats.
He did remember the fire. Such wonderful warmth. Such lovely memories, to dribble into his empty.
Empty.
Empty what?
Oh right. Speak, Harry.
"Yes, ma'am. It was quite horrible. I woke up when they started… started screaming. And I tried to help, but my door was blocked. I climbed out the window. I didn't know what to do, so I just… ran away."
"Oh goodness… I'm so sorry, Mr Potter."
Don't tell tell about the cupboard. They would ask. Ask questions. More more questions. Better to hide.
Yes. Better to be a good boy.
Harry was good. To Him.
"It's hard, sometimes, but I'm happy that I found my way here. Miss Jackson takes excellent care of everyone, she's very nice."
Yes yes she was. After she had so many eyes opened.
So much fun.
Everyone loved Harry, at Wool's.
Wasn't it lovely?
…
"Oh, that's alright, no need to go to so much trouble. I can find the Alley and do my own shopping. I help out around the Institute all the time. I don't mind being on my own."
McGonagall smiled down at the charming boy. "Well, if you're sure, Mr Potter. Do you have any questions about your school supplies or how to find the train?"
"No, thank you. I think that I'll be just fine."
…
Harry grinned widely at the pile of gold in the vault deep beneath the city.
There was power, in the vices of others.
…
A wand.
Hmmmmmmmmm.
What is a wand?
Why is a wand?
The wandmaker stared at him, as he selected.
So many choices.
He didn't like how the olive man Looked at him.
Seeing so very very much.
A single stick sung for him, a sweet melody so alike to the screams that's soothed the ravenous void.
Yew, and innocent Unicorn.
An unholy combination.
It screamed under his touch.
Beautiful.
He smiled at his new friend.
The milky eyes saw too much. Too much.
Lock, lock, lock the door.
Silence, so the music can be savored.
Sweet, beautiful symphony. To fill the emptiness.
Great and terrible,
Within.
…
Albus pondered the article in front of him.
Where had Ollivander gone? There were other wand shops, but having the best and brightest closed down so suddenly was inconvenient.
He hoped that Harry had managed to get a wand before the wandmaker left.
…
Ron Weasley saw the raven-haired boy alone in his train compartment and knew that he was in luck.
"Anyone sitting here? Everywhere else is full."
The child with the famous scar looked at him with glowing verdant eyes.
"Yes, can't you see them?"
Why did the walls of the compartment have eyes?
For an instant, just breathing felt like swallowing a red-hot branding iron.
He tried to scream, but he choked on the burning metal.
His heart thundered like a freight train, each beat forcing knives through his veins.
What was he doing here?
Oh right. This compartment was full, he would have to find another one. The Boy-Who-Lived was already popular.
He left. Maybe Fred and George would let him sit with them?
…
"Sorry, but have you seen a toad at all?"
"...No."
…
Hermione Granger stuck her head into the next compartment in her search.
There was a single occupant. A small, thin boy wearing a black suit.
That was odd. She hadn't seen any other wizards in suits. Was he from the muggle world, like her?
"Have you seen a toad, by any chance? Neville lost one."
The boy looked up and she briefly fell into his emerald eyes. She was falling for so very, very long…
"No," he said. His high voice was an entrancing melody. Like beautiful chimes. "I could summon the toad, if you know his name. Has no one else offered?"
Hermione blinked. "What? No, they haven't. You can do that? What year are you in?"
"This is my first year."
"Me too! I've read all of the first-year books, but I haven't found any kind of summoning spell."
"It's a fourth-year spell."
Hermione gaped.
"What's the toad's name?"
"Trevor…"
The strange boy held out his hand.
A toad flew past her face and into his open palm.
What.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Hermione Granger."
"You're welcome, Hermione Granger."
She was holding the toad.
She needed to get back to Neville with the good news.
She left, wondering why she was daydreaming about emerald symphonies.
…
"I'm looking for Harry Potter. Is that you, then?"
Harry looked up at the blonde boy and his followers.
So weak, to be playing at Lord.
But at least he played.
Look look look into his little mind, his brain so soft and fragile and…
No, no breaking this one. This toy. He could be useful.
Malfoy. Draco Malfoy.
He liked Malfoys. Red eyes in the dark. They made good pets.
Minion minion slave minion.
Little dragon.
"Yes. Good morning, Draco Malfoy."
"You've heard of me?"
"Oh yes…" Harry stood, his eyes glowing with quiet power. "You have potential, Heir Malfoy. You can be great… in your own right, tower tall over even lovely Lucius and his silver tongue. Is that what you want?"
He didn't know how he knew just what to say. The eyes in the walls opened.
Malfoy paled. His fear and awe were delicious.
"I… what… I mean, yes, I suppose… Heir Potter."
"Good. I look forward to our time in Slytherin, together, Heir Malfoy."
He offered his hand.
"Together, we can do so many great and terrible things. Won't it be fun?"
The blond nodded mutely and shook his hand.
"Excellent. Well done, Draco."
Malfoy nodded again.
Well done, indeed.
…
"You weren't there, Theo. I'm telling you; we need to keep an eye on Potter. Two eyes, as often as we can."
Draco sat with Theo and Blaise in their compartment.
"I don't know, Draco. He's Dumbledore's golden boy, right? Vanquished the Dark Lord? Remember?"
"You don't… I… Mark my words, he'll be in Slytherin with us, and he'll be an ally that we need to befriend as soon as possible."
Theo still looked skeptical, but Blaise just leaned back and grinned.
"So, he's pretty, is that what you're saying, Draco?"
"I'll kill you in your sleep."
…
The Hat screamed and screamed.
Such beautiful music. He could sit here and bask in it for hours.
Unfortunately, the hall was already whispering.
I'm so very sorry that my head is a difficult place to be.
You really should have asked before you came to visit.
I could have brought out the fine china.
Rude, to barge in when I'm not prepared for company. It's your own fault that you found… well, me.
You have to stop sobbing now, Mr Hat.
The rest of the children still need you.
Slytherin.
…