Drarry O'Clock- Part 1

1: Harry's Choice

Harry's perspective

Harry had only known Ron Weasley for a few hours, yet he already knew he would make an excellent friend. Draco made a comeback about Ron's last name, one which was much worse, in a way that let a Harry know he was used to insulting people. Harry felt a gritty feeling at this exchange. He had thought Draco was not like this.

At Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occassions, Harry had taken one look at the doll-looking boy with his charming smile, his composed vibes, and his perfectly combed platinum blonde hair, and was so filled with embarrassment, the kind he got around boys that he found pretty, that he could hardly speak in response.

It was disappointing that for a few seconds at Madam Malkin's robes Harry had actually been flustered by the smiling boy.

The boy grinned proudly at Harry as he offered his hand. Behind him Harry could sense eyes of the other first years on him, all wondering what the boys were talking about. Harry knew Draco was the type people admired, already noticing those other boys hovering around him and conversing with him even as McGonnogal was talking.

There was also that odd vision that he had while on the train, making him feel unsettled about Draco and who he really was.

He wanted to make sure Ron, a sweethearted soul with the cutest freckles, would realise he was undoubtedly on his side, while still matching Draco's shrewdness. He extended his hand. And smacked Draco's offering hand away.

"I think I'll stick with people I like, thanks."

He threw a heated glare and raised his eyes and then looked at McGonnagal that was looming over Draco from behind. He smirked at Draco's nervous look.
Proudly he shared a grin with Ron and they followed McGonnagal. He was stunned by how large the hall was. Hagrid had forgotten to introduce Harry to the details of what the inside of Hogwarts looked like. Ever since Hagrid had come crashing on the door of the ship on his birthday, Harry had been met with a never-ending chain of surprises. Even before his birthday, there was the incident with the snake that he had talked to. If Hagrid had never intervened to rescue him from the Dursleys that birthday night that could have been lonely, Harry would have thought he was just a weird child forever.

Well, now he could figure out what magic was about. It had seemed glamorous so far, if you didn't count the warning about Voldemort that plagued the minds of even wizards he was supposed to look up to. There was no time to think about that, he decided, especially as he noticed his fellow pupils looking close at his half-covered scar. He sort of liked the attention and intrigue aimed at him, even momentarily.

He watched the girl from the train get accepted into Gryffindor. The hat screeched "SLYTHERIN!" for Draco before it even touched his head. Ron turned his nose up at the Slytherin table and they watched Draco be welcomed to his spot with many full-hearted handshakes. Harry wanted to ask if Ron was okay after the altercation between him and Draco, but then the hat called out "Ron Weasley!"
Ron's head disappeared under the dark material. The hat seemed to pause just a tad long and the nervousness extended.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat called out and Ron beamed, his siblings also cheering as he arrived to join with them.

Harry's name was called out, and he walked hesitantly to the stage. He felt the fluttery hat engulf him. All he saw was darkness and out of the darkness came a voice.

"You'd make a great Slytherin. It's a perfect house to bring out your qualities. What do you think?"
He thought about Ron that was waiting intensely at the Gryffindor table. He thought about the way Ron and Draco had mocked each other just by hearing each other's family names.

He didn't have to speak but the Hat read his thoughts and called out "SLYTHERIN!". There was abrupt silence that extended. Finally, finally he heard the cheers coming from the Slytherin table. He barely could register the Slytherin faces that grinned at him and shook his hands.

He dared not look towards the Gryffindor table.
He gulped and hid his face as he realised Draco was looking towards him. To avoid his gaze he looked up and accidentally met eyes with a certain Gryffindor.

Ron's serious face softened and he smiled and shrugged and Harry was relieved to see that it wasn't going to be as awkward as he thought at first.