Severus shut the common room door behind him and gave a deep sigh. He had spent the last hour calming his snakes over Potter entering their house. They'd had concerns, and rightfully so. There were tantrums, mainly from the third years. But what really surprised him was that his godson was not one of them. He sat silently, watching the shouting around him until he, not Severus, had reminded them about the ultimate rule. Severus was proud of Draco, He had natural leadership skills but often hid behind his fathers power. Maybe spending the majority of the summer with himself had matured the boy somewhat.

Making his way back to the office, he found Potter slumped over his desk snoozing. His first instinct was to smack him across the back of the head to wake him and serve him detention for daring to sleep when he should have been doing his homework. That was when, as he stood behind him, he noticed the completed essay under his arm. He had always been a mediocre student, but from what he could read, it was a relatively decent essay. It puzzled him, and he was curious as to whether this would be the one he handed in. He decided to leave the boy asleep. There was still an hour before dinner, and although he wanted to reintroduce Potter to his snakes first, he could allow the boy a little longer. Even he wasn't oblivious to the bags under the boys eyes and the obvious emotional overload he must have experienced that day. Lowering the lights slightly, he sat behind his desk and continued marking.

Half an hour later, he'd finished and looked at the time. Turning to the boy , who hadn't moved an inch since he had returned.

'Potter.' Severus startled as the boy went from asleep to alert in less than 3 seconds.

'Sir.. im sorry, i didn't mean to fall asleep. i..'

' Potter, stop your yammering. If i were angry, i wouldn't have left you to sleep.' Harry opened his mouth to apologise again but then noticed how the lights were dimmed.

' Now, I will show you to your dorm, you will be sharing with Malfoy, Nott, and Zabini, who you will try and get along with.' Again, Harry opened his mouth to complain but shut up with a snap and nodded. Hadn't he thought just the day before that he didn't want the animosity any longer?

'Good, now follow me.' They walked in silence to the common room enterence. It wasn't a portrait but a blank wall space. Harry, remembering from last year when he had snuck in, tried not to show where it was. As they neared,Harry could hear whispering.Looking around, he noticed two small snakes engraved in the wall by the torch.

'Hello, are you okay?'

'A speaker! Where have you been? You're not little enough to be a first year, although you're not far off, i suppose.' Harry chuckled,

' No, i have been in the house of lions the last two years, but i am now a snake.'

' As you should have been to start with! those worthy of the Serpent tongue should be in the snake pit. Never fear snakling. We are the guardians of the house, and we shall let you inn without the password.' The wall slid open and thats when he saw his professor looking at him strangly, He blushed.

' Sorry Sir, I..'

' I had forgotten you could do that.' Harry looked up.

'Oh um.. yeah, i try not to do it.'

' Dont hide it. it is a gift.' With that Snape walked into the room, leaving Harry no choice but to follow. Stopping once inside, quickly scanning thr room for exits, Harry took on the expressions of his new housemates. There were a couple of seventh years who looked openly hostile, however the majority just looked wary and suspicious. He didn't blame then. The professor coughed pointedly.

' I will leave you to it, behave.' And with that he swept from the room. Silence ensued, nobody knew what to say until... suddenly Harry was tackled by a blonde blur who wrapped thier arms round his middle, Automatically catching the little whirlwind he looked down at grinning first year.

'Hi Harry! I'm Astoria Greengrass! ' He looked around shocked, his year mates and upperclassmen seemed to hold thier breath. Kneeling to her height he smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

'Hi Astoria, are you excited to start Hogwarts? ' A collective breath was released across the room. Everybody bar his fellow third years going back to what they were doing.

' I can't wait! Daphne has told me so much!' Harry looked to the couches where Daphne Greengrass sat. He knew of her but had never intereacted with her. She shrugged and continued reading her book as her little sister skipped off to her room. Malfoy stood up and walked towards him. Harry tensed but all he did was hold his hand out.

'The names Malfoy, but my friends call me Draco.' Harry didn't say anything. He watched Malfoy, who on the outside looked as calm as could be, but Harry could see the slight hesitation in his eyes, could they really get over the hatred of the last two years? Thinking hard Harry grasped his hand and shook it. He was going to have to live with the boy, he doubted he would get resorted again.

'Potter, but my friends call me Harry.' Draco smiled, not a smirk but an actual small smile.

'Come on, i'll show you the dorm. ' Following his new roommate, they made their way down a dark corridor until they came upon a door with the four surnames engraved on a plaque. Opening it, Draco sat on the nearest bed, which Harry expected was his. The dorm was much bigger than the one in Gryffindor. Instead of being circular, the room was rectangular, Four Fourposter beds sat in the middle, two on each side, They had dark green hangings and what looked like a soft green idodown. A desk and wardrobe sat next to each bed with a small shelf for books. A door sat at the end of the room, which Harry assumed was a bathroom. Three beds had trunks at the end bar, the one next to Draco, which the boy promptly pointed at. Setting his shrunken trunk at the base, he watched as it resized. Taking a seat on the bed, he placed his head in his hands, forgetting the other boy was there.

Draco watched him in silence.' Potter seemed different. He looked tired and held himself differently. More hunched in on himself. He had a feeling it wasn't just because of the resortm though he was sure that was also a big shock.

'Pot.. Harry, have you told your friends yet?' The boys head whipped up, and Draco just caught the look of dread before his face smoothed over, completely blank.

'No, i haven't seen them since Herbology, I don't know how they are going to react.' Draco grimaced.

' Look, your a Slytherin now, we look out for our own, i can't say i'll be friends with Weasley or Granger, but i'll be civil so long as they show the same courtesy. '

' Thanks, Draco. I think Hermione will be okay, I'm not sure about Ron.'

Harry pulled his legs up and rested them in front of him. Wrapping his arms around his knees, he looked over.

'It's all going to change, isn't it?' Draco looked straight back and said simply.

' Yeah, it is. Come on, let's go get the others and get to dinner. There is no point in delaying it longer.' Nodding Harry followed him back to the commons where most had already left, leaving the third year cohort. After they all introruced thereselves they went to face the school.

Harry lagged behind as they neared the great hall. Trying to calm his racing heart, he ran a hand through his hair, making it stand upright more than usual. He felt, rathen than saw, Drado placed a hand gently on his back and pushed him forward. Harry winced, but hoped Draco hadn't felt it. Too bad for him, he had, and Draco's eyes narrowed. He watched the other boy as the same blank mask he wore earlier replaced the worry, and he stood up straight. Walking confidently beside Draco, they made their way across the hall to the Slytherin table. Harry sat in the space Zabini had left him while Draco slid next to him. It didn't take long for the whispers to start, then he heard the voice he was dreading the most.

'Oi Harry? What the bloody hell are you doing sitting over there?!' Harry winced and looked over at Ron, whose ears were bright red and his fists were crunched up into fists. Before he could reply, however, the headmaster spoke.

' Good evening, students. I have an announcement to make. Mr Potter has been resorted into Slytherin for the rest of his time here. I hope you will join me in wishing him good luck and happiness in his new house.' He and the teachers started clapping. Draco, seeing none of the students following, started to clap, the rest of the slytherin follwing suit. It was very one-sided, as the other 3 houses just stared at Harry in horror. The noise died down, and dinner started. Harry slouched in his seat, trying to disappear.

'Dont do that Potter, it will add fuel to the fire, sit up and show them your stronger than thier glares.' Harry looked at Greengrass, She wasn't looking at him, just buttering a bread roll. Looking around at those he was sitting with, he saw them nodding. Taking a deep breath,he sat up straight and started filling his plate. He was shocked when Gregory Goyle addressed him.

'Is that all you're going to eat, Potter?' Harry grimaced and looked down. He had a small piece of chicken, two potatoes, and a few carrots. It usually took a few weeks for his stomach to get used to eating food again, especially Hogwarts rich food. He didn't see Draco slyly listening in.

' Er yeah, not feeling hungry, i guess. It's been a long day.'

'Suit yourself, can you pass the peas?' He did so and slowly started on his meal. He couldn't eat it all but did give it a good try. He had become an expert at moving food around his plate to make it look like he was eating. He settled down to listen to the conversations around him.

'Mother and father are hoping to be able to meet in hogsmeade on the first trip. When do you think it will be?'

'Two weeks tomorrow Pans, im excited, i want to buy a new dress from Gladrags. Potter, are you excited for Hogsmeade?' All heads turned towards him. Hogsmeade? He'd never heard of it.

'Er.. What's Hogsmeade?' They looked at him weirdly before Draco spoke up.

'Nearby wizarding village, third years get to visit. Didn't your family sign your permission form?'

'No, did it come with the supply lists? I never received mine.'

'Yeah, is that why you had no books today? I saw you sharing with Granger.' Harry looked at his hands and nodded, feeling ashamed. He turned his head as a prefect a few seats down, spoke.

'Don't worry, i'm sure we can get together the correct books until you get some ordered, you have an owl, don't you?' At Harry's nod, he continued.

' Easy then you can owl order them, i'll show you how later. Names Higgs, by the way, Terrance Higgs, 6th year prefect.' He held his hand out, and Harry shook it.

'Thanks, that would be great.'

Conversation flowed freely after that, the Slytherins made sure to include Harry, nothing surprising him as much as when the boys were talking quidditch. Draco had taken a sip of pumpkin juice.

' At least with Potter as our seeker this year, the cup will be returned to us.' Harry looked at him wide-eyed until he continued.

' I actually prefer chaser,now that pucey has graduated it leaves a space open. You will play, won't you?'

Before Harry could respond, they were intercepted by a fuming redhead.

'Already fraternising with the enemy Potter? Look at you, already turned your back on us?'

Astoria, who was sat further down the table, piped up.

'He isn't fraternising. Why can't he play?'

'Shut up, snake, nobody asked your opinion.' The Slytherins were about to say something, especially as Astoria had ducked her head to hide the tears that had sprung to her eyes when..

'Ron, that's enough. She's just a little kid. Leave her alone.' Harry spoke loudly, cutting them all off. Cormac Mclaggen, who was stood behind Ron, sneered at him.

' Oh, look, already sticking up for slimy snakes? Maybe you should have been here all along, you better watch it Potter, we don't like traitors. I bet your parents are rolling in their graves right now. They'd be so ashamed of you. They're probably glad to be dead.'

gasp

Harry sat stock still, Even the upper years looked horrified. They may not like Potter, but that was out of order.

'Detention Mclaggen, 15 points from Gryffindor Weasley for misconduct towards a fellow student. Do run along before i make it 30.' Weasley gave Harry one last glare before stalking off towards the oak doors. Hermione scurrying after him.

'Potter? Potter?' Harry faced his new head of house.

'Sir?' Snape placed a small vial with purple liquid swiling inside, in front of him.

'Drink.' He swept out the doors, leaving Harry puzzled.Draco leaned towards him and whispered.

' Don't panic, its a stomach soother, try taking it and eating a bit more.' He turned away and started a conversation with the others, taking the attention away from Harry, who moments later swallowed the sweet concoction and reached for a piece of bread. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad here.

Once dinner had ended, they made their way back to the common room. They did the homework they had received that day, Blaise allowing Harry to use his books and gave him a stack of parchment to use. Terrance then helped Harry fill out an order form and promised to send it off for him while he did his rounds in the owlry that night. At about 8:15 pm, Harry bid them all goodnight, saying he was exhausted and traversed across the common room towards the dorm.. What he'd really hoped to do was shower quickly to avoid any of the other boys seeing his injuries. He hadn't anticipated an angry upper year deciding to try and humiliate him by vanishing his shirt and casting finite. All the Slytherins had noticed the glamour, but they didn't know why he had it. Snape had been planning on confronting him in the morning if he hadn't taken it down. Nobody was prepared for what happened next.

Harry felt a sudden woosh of magic and a tingle telling him the magic he had performed that morning had disappeared, His shirt vanished and he bolted quickly for the exit. Hearing shouts of his name behind him.

'Potter! Harry!' Magic rippled behind him. He ran, ran as fast as he could out of the dungeons and out of the castle. He contemplated running into the forest but decided to go to the owlry to find Hedwig instead. He slid down the wall and buried his face into her small feathery chest, slow agonising sobs wracking through his half naked, injured body.

It had been going so well. How was he supposed to return now? He may as well leave Hogwarts. He didnt belong here anymore.

Severus had been getting ready to turn in when the wards he had up let him know that powerful magic had been used in the common room. Rushing in through the entrance in his office, he found chaos. girls were crying, one of his 7th years were being held at wand point while his 6th and 7th year prefects were sending spells at the door, trying to get it open. Gathering himself he boomed.

'ENOUGH!' Silence reigned.

'Mr Higgs, would you care to explain what on earth is going on here?' His prefect straightened, sending a glare at the cornered 7th year.

'Sir, Potter was making his way to bed when Biggins decided it would be funny to cancel his glamour and vanish his shirt. Potter freaked and bolted, we tried to follow him but somehow he's managed to seal the door. ' He lowered his voice.'Sir, Potters hurt, badly.' He stared into his head of house eyes, and Severus knew he was giving his permission to see his memories. He gently skimmed them, feeling horror crawl up his spine. Potters face was so swollen he was surprised he could see where he was running. There were dozens of lashes marring both his chest and back, dry blood crusted over. A paticularly nasty gash looked swollen and infected. But the worst part for Severus was the old scars he could see, telling him that wasn't a one time occurrence. How had he missed this? had he really let a rivaly with a dead man cloud his view of an abused child? The answer hit him like a tonne of bricks,. Yes he had. Feeling sick he retreated from his students mind.

'Thank you Terrance, keep trying to open the door. I expect its accidental magic so it shouldnt last too long. I will find Mr Potter.' Before he left he surveyed the other students. Young Astoria Greengrass was sitting on her sisters lap in tears, the third years were watching him with grim expressions. His godson looked as if wanted to cry. they were just children. Taking a breath, he addressed the room.

'I understand this is distressing, if anybody would like to talk about what you have e and see me tomorrow. However this is NEVER to be spoken aloud, not to each,not to anyone outside this house. If i hear even the slightest hint, i will have you expelled. Do you understand me?' They all nodded solemnly, Even Biggins looked ashamed of himself. Deciding to deal with the boy later he set off looking for his wayward snake.

After searching for an hour he was starting to worry. He wasn't sure of Potter knew about Sirius Black, mass murderer having escaped seeing as it appeared hed had no contact with the wizarding world that summer. Just as he was going to contact the headmaster he saw a patronus make its way towards him. The dog spoke in Higgs voice.

'Sir, weve got the door open. Sha'll i start my rounds in the owlry or wait until you return?' Snape could of smacked himsel if it wasn't so uncouth. He knew Potter had an owl, but hadn't bothered to check there, sending his Doe back to tell the boy to stay put he hurried his way to the grounds.

Entering carefully, wand held aloft he could hear sniffling coming from the far side. sighing and making his way over he sat next to the boy, ignoring the violent flinch. He sat there, not making a sound, and waited for the boy to muster the courage to stop hiding in his owl. When she sniffles gradually ended he turned his head to find a bright green eye staring at him, the other too swollen to be able to see. At that moment he knew he couldn't carry on hating the boy. He was just a child.

'Come Harry, lets get you seen to.'