Chapter 3

Harry wanted to talk to his new friend Ron after dinner but when he tried to catch up to him, Ron narrowed his eyes in disgust and turned away. Harry's heart sank. He didn't understand. He thought they had gotten along well on the train.

A hand on his shoulder made him jump. It was just Draco, "Don't take it too personally Potter. No one talks to Slytherins, all the other houses think we're evil. One bad wizard and we all get a bad rep."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Anyway, you don't want to be friends with the red-headed weasel anyway. His family comes from dirt."

Harry nodded, although he wasn't sure someone's family being poor was a very good reason to not be friends with someone.

Their head of house called them over then, a tall man with greasy black hair and a crooked nose. He looked mean and had an expression on his face like he didn't want to be there. "First years follow me."

The unruly bunch did as they were told as they followed the professor into the cold, dark dungeons. Harry shivered, he wished he owned even a single piece of warm clothing. Underneath his robes, he had only a too-big pair of trousers and a threadbare shirt.

They entered a common room and he was pleasantly surprised to be warmed by a fireplace. The twenty or so first years gathered around their head of house and Harry listened intently as he began to speak.

"I am Professor Snape and you will address me as such. You will find I am unforgiving of disrespect and I hold each and every one of my Slytherins to the highest expectations. You will do your homework on time. You will respect all your professors. You will keep your dormitory tidy. You will bathe every day. You will have manners at meal times. You will not talk back." Harry was surprised to see Professor Snape making eye contact with him during his entire speech. Had he violated one of these rules by accident?

Snape continued, "If you break any of these expectations, you will serve detention with myself or another professor. Look to your elder Slytherins for how to act. That being said, I want you to feel comfortable coming to me with any concerns or problems you may face. You will find I can be understanding of any situation. I want you all to thrive and have fun while here at Hogwarts. But I express caution, as our house is looked down upon. Other houses may act unruly in public, we however may not. You may enjoy yourselves in the privacy of your dormitory and common space, but I expect you all to be on your best behavior around school. Am I understood?"

He was no longer making eye contact with Harry which made him feel more comfortable. Everyone nodded.

Professor Snape looked around at the first years who all nodded in acknowledgement. The Potter boy was surprisingly agreeable for a spoiled little brat. He couldn't believe the fool was his responsibility now. He'd induce some discipline into the boy that was for sure. He dismissed the students, "Go settle into your rooms now. Classes start tomorrow. Listen to your prefects."

Harry Potter thought the professor looked pretty cool as he left the room, his cloak billowing behind him.

Harry followed the other boys into a big dormitory with ten beautiful green and black beds. Harry wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing so he watched the other boys as they all claimed a bunk. When there was one left, Harry cautiously approached it. Draco was in the bunk next to him giving him a weird look, "Aren't you going to unpack? Why are you just standing there? Haven't you ever seen a bed before?" He laughed.

Harry hesitated, warmth building in his chest, "This…this bed is for me?"

Draco raised an eyebrow, "Duh."

Harry smiled and set his trunk at the foot of the bed, he ran his hand over the fine soft sheets. He got to sleep on a real bed here? It felt wrong. Freaks like him didn't get beds. They slept in closets on a cramped cot.

Maybe things were different here. Wizards got treated well here it seemed. First, he was allowed to eat dinner. Not only was he allowed to eat, but to sit at a table with everyone too! Now a bed…it was too much. He wasn't used to all this. He couldn't believe how well he was being treated here. It was incredible.

Emotions conflicted in his heart. He felt guilt for being treated so well. He felt like he didn't deserve this. It was too good for him. He didn't know how to feel and it made it hard for him to get settled and fit in.

He unpacked his school things and put away his few clothing items into the chest at the foot of his bed.

Despite his conflicting feelings, he was excited for his first day of classes tomorrow.