Without Draco [Harry Potter]

First Year

The Sorting

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I will return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly," said the old witch in green at the top of the stairs. Once she finished her speech she turned around and entered the room behind her, which smelled like heaven.

Harry turned to Ron and asked, "Who was she? Did your brothers describe her to you, or is she new?"

Ron mumbled an answer but Harry couldn't make out a word he said. "What was that? Speak up."

Ron apologized and spoke louder. "Sorry, I'm a tad bit nervous for the sorting. Also, I'm very hungry. Anyways, that was Professor McGonagall, Transfiguration teacher. Mighty strict, mind you. She's head of Gryffindor, but doesn't favor us at all. Meanwhile the head of Slytherin practically showers them in house points. They've won the house cup for the past six years. Personally I don't - bloody hell!"

At that moment several Hogwarts ghosts glided through the walls, talking amongst themselves on their way to the feast. They seemed not to notice the students until a girl screamed and pointed at them.

One of them, who was rather large, tapped his companion on the shoulder. "Look, they must be first years, waiting for the Sorting," he said. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know," he said to the students.

As they waited, Harry commented to Ron, "At least no one here is rude. That's a nice change."

The Flying Lesson

Everyone screamed as Neville's broom shot up. He seemed to have lost control and the broom was acting of its own accord.

"Mr. Longbottom! Mr. Longbottom! Get down right this instant!" yelled Madam Hooch, obviously stressed out.

No matter what he did, Neville's broom refused to comply and continued jerking around. Eventually, Neville's robes got caught on something on top of the wall. Everyone held their breaths, wondering what would happen next. Suddenly, his robes ripped, dropping him down to a torch, which ripped as well and sent Neville plummeting to the ground.

Neville whimpered and cradled his wrist, which appeared to be broken. Madam Hooch rushed over and helped him up. "None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch'!" said Madam Hooch. She helped him out and the class was left wondering what to do.

Harry looked around, bored. Something shiny caught his eye - it was Neville's Remembrall! Harry walked over and picked it up. He'd make sure to give it to him later.

Soon enough Madam Hooch was back and they got to flying.

Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall was in her office grading papers. She happened to glance out the window and noticed Harry's flying ability. She rushed to Professor Quirrel's class and got Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch captain.

"Now, tell me, Wood. Do you think he'd make a good seeker?" McGonagall asked hopefully.

Wood analyzed Harry's movements for a few seconds then nodded. "He could work. We'll just have to test him."

And that was how Harry Potter made the Gryffindor Quidditch team in his first year.

Norbert the Dragon

Harry and Hermione were at the top of the Astronomy tower. Hidden by the invisibility cloak, they held Norbert the baby dragon. He'd bitten Ron's hand, which ultimately convinced Hagrid to let him be raised by dragon tamers in Romania.

Ron's brother, Charlie, worked with dragons in Romania. They were waiting for a few of Charlie's friends to retrieve Norbert, for they were on their way to visit him.

Finally, at midnight, Norbert was gone and Harry and Hermione headed safely back to their dorms where they slept well all night. The plan had been successful, for luckily no one had found out about it and turned them in.

(A/N)

This is kind of stressful, only have 2 1/2 days to write something for this contest, and going for something pretty ambitious because it's going to be seven parts. I think I can do it though! Hope you enjoyed!

Have a nice day,

~Lia