Harry was gasping for breath as He and Charlus had just arrived at Platform 9 3/4 by side along apparition. Though this was not the first time Harry had traveled via side apparition he still found it extremely uncomfortable. Once Harry got himself under control Harry took a look around. The scarlet and black steam engine was a sight to behold.
Harry couldn't believe how magnificent it looked. The platform looked like much of the other train platforms the only difference was along the wall were fireplaces so parents and children could arrive via floo. There were some people on the platform Harry noticed it was mostly older kids and their families. Charlus had them come an hour early claiming it would be less crowded and from what Harry could tell he was right.
Charlus helped Harry bring his trunk onto the train. After finding an empty compartment Charlus sat Harry down for one last talk before Harry went to school.
"Harry, I know you are aware of this but there are a lot of Heirs to families starting school this year. I expect some will try to approach you on their parent's orders so be wary of people's motives. I know it's going to be hard as people are only going to see you as the boy who lived but make some friends who like you for you, not your status. Be friends with who you want don't let house rivalries or political ideas stop you. You're a child be a child leave the politics to us. Most importantly I love you Harry study hard but have fun too."
Harry had tears in his eyes and try as he might there was no stopping them. He was going to miss Charlus. Charlus had been the only one in Harry's life that showed him love and affection.
"I love you too Grandpa." Charlus held onto the hug for a moment more than reluctantly let go and left the train. Harry found a compartment and decided to take a light nap since the Hogwarts Express wasn't due to leave for forty minutes
Harry was woken up from his nap with a loud steam whistle. Checking his watch Harry saw it was five to eleven. Looking out the window Harry was glad Charlus decided to come early. It was a madhouse on the platform. Harry saw a large red-headed family running through the barrier that separated the muggle train station and platform Nine and three-quarters. Harry found that odd that a magical family would come by the muggle way Instead of using the floo it seemed impractical.
Harry turned his attention away from the redheads and just looked around the platform. He saw a stern old lady wearing a green dress and a stuffed vulture hat practically dragging a pudgy boy towards the train all the while yelling about something.
Harry then turned his head to the other side of the platform, and he saw the Greengrass girl. Her father had a hold on her wrist while she looked down on the floor. Harry wished he could hear what was being said. Whatever it was made the girl upset as she just nodded and boarded the train. Harry decided he had enough spying on people and decided to try and drift off once again. Barely a minute later the compartment door opened. A boy who was tall for his age with short wavey black hair and dark skin came in
"Hey, do you mind if I share a compartment with you? I recently moved here and don't feel like introducing myself to a bunch of people. I saw you were alone so I figured we might be in the same boat." Harry just nodded. When The boy put his trunk in the rack he extended his hand.
" I'm Blaise Zabini."
Harry shook his hand and braced himself for the reaction he would get when he said his name.
"I'm Harry Potter nice to meet you, Blaise." The reaction Harry was expecting never came instead Blaise just sat down. The two boys sat in silence for a few minutes before Blaise finally spoke up.
" Thanks for letting me join you in here. I know you probably wanted to stay private. I'm sure if the rest of the train knew you were staying here, they would swarm you. I have a similar situation which is why I was searching for an empty compartment." This got Harry's interest.
"Really how so?" Harry asked genuinely curious.
Blaise suddenly looked away and sighed
"It's because my mother is Giovanna Zabini."
Harry just stared blankly not knowing who she was. Blaise just laughed and decided to explain.
"My mother Giovanna Zabini is a world-famous potion mistress. She invented the love potion Amortentia. There are also some nasty rumors saying she's been married 7 times and all her husbands died." The last part Blaise said so low Harry had to strain his ears to hear him. Blaise seemed to brace himself as Harry braced himself earlier. Harry decided not to ask about the last part it was none of his business anyway.
"That's a very powerful love potion I'm impressed. So, you mentioned you just moved here, where did you move from?"
Blaise let out a sigh of relief he thought he would have to defend his mother. Everyone always asks if she killed them. He was very grateful Harry didn't mention it.
"We lived all over I was born in Italy, but we spent time in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and France."
"So, what brings you here?"
"My mother wants me to go to Hogwarts. "
The two boys spent the next hour talking. Blaise told Harry about growing up part of a big family. Blaise was the oldest, but he had three sisters. Harry told Blaise about growing up with his grandfather. The two hit it off and knew they had both made their first friend.
They were playing exploding snap when their compartment door opened. A short girl with brown hair tied into a ponytail came into the compartment. Upon seeing the boys already in there she tried apologizing quickly and turned to leave. Both boys noticed her puffy red eyes and the redness in her cheeks. Harry was the first to speak up.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"I'm fine"
"Why don't you sit with us for a bit the food trolly just came and between me and Harry here we have more chocolate than we can eat why don't you share some with us."
The girl hesitated for a moment and then decided to sit down. Both boys were curious about why she was crying but both knew not to pry. The girl introduced herself as Tracey Davis. When Harry introduced himself, she was eating a chocolate frog. Upon hearing his name, she let out a surprised gasp and ended up spitting some chocolate on Blaise which Harry found hilarious. Blaise scowled and then he started laughing. Tracey just blushed with embarrassment but then gave in and started laughing as well.
While they were laughing the Compartment door opened again. This time Harry saw it was that girl Daphne from the bookstore.
"Tracey there you are I was looking for you. I took care of that Git Malfoy he had no right saying that to you."
" Daph what did you do you? You know he's going to run back to his father."
"Well let's just say he's going to have a hard time sitting down. I don't care if he goes to his father nobody messes with my cousin." As Daphne said that she finally looked around the room at the two boys who were just watching. Her eyes narrowed when they landed on Harry.
"Daph this is Blaise Zabini, and this is Harry Potter." Daphne barely acknowledged Blaise when he was introduced and when Tracey introduced Harry, she rolled her eyes both boys noticed she didn't bother to introduce herself.
"Come on Tracey we should go." Tracey shook her head.
"I don't want to go back to the compartment I rather stay here. You could join us you were saying how you wish you could be in a different compartment than Malfoy."
"No thank you sitting with Potter is just as bad if not worse than Malfoy." With that Daphne left the compartment. Tracey apologized for her cousin's actions and thanked them for the chocolate while saying it was nice meeting them. Then she left to go be with her cousin.
The rest of the train ride was uneventful the only thing that happened was a girl with very bushy brown hair came asking if either had seen a toad. Both boys said no, and she left. Both boys departed the train and were unsure what to do next. All the older students seemed to be heading off the platform while the first years all stood around like Harry and Blaise. Harry was just about to ask one of the older students when he saw the biggest man he had ever seen.
The man was well over seven feet tall and had long shaggy black hair and a matching beard. It was hard to tell where his hair ended, and his beard began. He was carrying a lantern and a pink umbrella.
"First years gather round." The man's voice carried but was surprisingly gentle. Harry and the rest of the first years started walking toward the man.
"My name is Rubeus Hagrid. I'm the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts. I'm here to take you to Hogwarts. Everyone get into one of these boats. No more than four to a boat or you might fall in. The giant squid hasn't been feeling too good so if you fall in it might not be too pleasant for ya."
Some first years nervously laughed about the Giant squid not sure if he was serious or not. Harry and Blaise got into a boat and were joined by Tracey and a reluctant Daphne. Once everyone was in a boat with Hagrid having one to himself, they were surprised the boats started moving on their own.
Tracey quickly started up a conversation about which house everyone was hoping to get in. Blaise said either Gryffindor or Slytherin Tracey said Slytherin or Hufflepuff. When it was Harry's turn, he said Slytherin or Ravenclaw. Daphne just cocked an eyebrow at him but said nothing. After much coaxing from Tracey Daphne said Slytherin or Ravenclaw same as Harry.
Hagrid warned everyone to duck as they went through the ivory but being so much shorter than Hagrid it was not needed. As soon as they were through the ivory Harry heard gasps from the two girls. Indeed, he was hard-pressed to stop his exclamation.
They were looking at a massive castle it was both magnificent and intimidating at the same time. Harry had heard stories from Charlus about the castle, but he could not appreciate it until Harry saw for himself indeed words do not do it justice.
When the first years arrived, they were greeted by a stern-looking witch. The lady had her hair in a tight bun and peered at them from up behind her spectacles.
"My name is Professor McGonagall I am the deputy headmistress and teacher of Transfiguration. Before you begin your stay here at Hogwarts you must first be sorted into one of four houses. The four houses Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw have their traditions, and each house has produced outstanding witches and wizards. Why you are here your house will be like your family your triumphs will earn you points while your failures will cost you points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup a real honor. "
Professor McGonagall led the kids to the great hall where all the other students sat at their house tables. Looking up Harry saw the night sky. He overheard the bushy-haired girl telling a red-headed boy how the ceiling was enchanted to look like the sky outside. Harry was impressed with the magic on display not only by the ceiling but everywhere. He couldn't wait to fully learn how to harness magic. Harry missed the sorting hat being placed on a stool so when the hat started singing Harry was caught off guard.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats are sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So, try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart.
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've got a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap"
The entire Great Hall burst into applause. Once again Harry found himself wondering how the magic worked to make the hat sentient. One by one names started getting called. The first was Hannah Abbott who went to Hufflepuff. Harry half paid attention to the names. He did notice Tracey went to Slytherin and the bushy-haired girl went to Ravenclaw. Next, it was Daphne Greengrass who to his displeasure was sorted into Slytherin as well as Draco Malfoy. Harry was seriously doubting if he even wanted to go to Slytherin.
"Harry Potter!" Once his name was said the entire hall erupted in whispers. Harry just ignored them and put the hat on his head. He knew everyone would be paying attention to him. Harry couldn't control his fame, but he vowed to do things how he wanted and not what other people expect.
Harry sat on the stool with the hat on his head for a split-second Harry feared the hat wouldn't work with him but then he heard the hat speak to him in his head.
[Ah Mr. Potter you seem most difficult to sort. Indeed, you have traits of all four houses. Hmm most interesting. You have the desire to learn all the ways you can manipulate magic your mother was the same. I also sense the same fire and Bravery in you that your grandfather has. It is hard to gain your trust but when they do you show the same loyalty that your father had about his friends. You desire to prove yourself and restore the Potters to greatness. I could place you in any house, but I think only one house will allow you to put all your traits to good use.]
"Slytherin!" The Great Hall went silent. No one expected the boy who lived to go to Slytherin. Harry didn't care what they thought. Everybody had informed opinions about him without even knowing him. The sorting hat was right Slytherin will give him the best chance at accomplishing his goal. The hall was still silent when Dumbledore cleared his throat. Professor McGonagall then called the rest of the names. Harry was happy when Blaise was sorted into Slytherin as well.
Harry and Blaise had just finished loading their plates with food after Dumbledore's odd words when Tracy sat across from them.
"You sure know how to make an entrance Potter. It hasn't even been a full day, and it seems you shocked the entire Hogwarts population."
Harry just shrugged.
"It's not my fault everyone made assumptions about me without even knowing me. They all assumed I'd be in Gryffindor and be its golden boy."
"So, tell me, Potter how will your grandfather react to you being a snake?" The question didn't come from Tracey as he expected but from Daphne. Harry was taken aback by the fact she was speaking to him, so it took him a second to realize what she asked.
"He will be fine with it seeing how his wife was a Slytherin when she went to school. He would have been happy no matter which house I went into. He was the one who taught me to do what's best for me and not everyone else."
"Hmm" was all Daphne responded and then went back to ignoring him.
Harry, Blaise, and Tracey laughed and joked around through dinner. Daphne sat with Tracey but refused to talk to Harry and by extension Blaise. The trio was just finishing up the desert when Draco Malfoy approached. When Tracey saw Malfoy, she gave him a dark look and dramatically in Harry's opinion turned her back.
" So, you're Harry Potter I thought for sure you would be with those bloody useless Gryffindors. I'm glad to see that you're beyond such useless tripe. I'm Draco Malfoy stick with me Potter and I'll show you the proper people to associate with. You wouldn't want to hang with the wrong sort." Malfoy's eyes drifted towards Tracey it was obvious who he thought was the wrong sort. Malfoy extended his hand thinking Harry would want nothing more than to take him up on his offer. Harry however was fighting an internal battle on one hand he didn't want to make an enemy right off the bat but on the other Malfoy had a serious problem With Tracey Davis whom Harry enjoyed talking to. Making up his mind he pushed Malfoy's hand away.
"No thanks, Malfoy. You see people like Tracey here beneath you which is wrong because she is a wonderful person, and I much rather hang out with her than with you."
"You're going to regret this, Potter." Draco then walked away, and Harry knew he made his first enemy. Out of Nowhere Harry was engulfed in a hug. Looking down he saw Tracey Davis.
"Did you mean that?"
" Of course, Tracey you have been nothing but nice since I met you. If Malfoy could think someone as nice as you were beneath him and made you cry, then he isn't someone to hang out with." With that statement, Harry knew he made his second friend. Daphne gave him an odd look that he couldn't place but Harry shrugged it off.
After the feast, the Slytherins were led down to the dungeons. The entire common room had a greenish grow that made it eerie. Harry assumed it was because they were under the black lake. The common room was tastefully decorated and had glass walls with a view of the black lake depths. The Slytherin boy's dorm had separate rooms for each bed. Harry was relived he valued his privacy. Harry changed into his night clothes and passed out as soon as his head hit the pillow, he couldn't wait for classes to start.