Death is but the Next Great Adventure

First Years: A Guide to the Idiotic and a Most Painful Death

In the last chapter: Harry and Draco take the train together. Harry is sorted into Ravenclaw, where he meets his new house mates, including Hermione Granger, Anthony Goldstein, and Michael Corner.

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When his classes started up, Harry felt a renewed sense of anticipation knowing that his scores would actually reflect what he knew and could strive for more than 'no better than Duddlykins.' Harry found himself actually engaged in his lessons. That didn't mean that he was suddenly outgoing and answering every question, big or small, in class. Ravenclaws, it seems, are rather competitive when it came to academics and Harry would rather not bring so much attention to himself during class. There seemed to be a metaphorical war between Michael and Hermione for who could answer the most questions and rake in the most house points. So far, Hermione was winning.

There were bumps, of course. Such as the potions professor, Severus Snape. The man had been anything but subtle in his dislike for Harry. Harry didn't care for being the center of attention, it meant no privacy and people thinking that they have an opinion on his life. So, when Snape verbally berates him for fame he didn't ask for and tries to undermine him and everything he says, Harry finds it hard to hold onto the indifference he'd told himself he'd keep at the very first feast when he resigned himself to being the possible target for the older man's hatred.

Snape always tried to catch Harry on something he 'should' know during his potions class, even if Harry knew for a fact that the topic couldn't be found anywhere in the textbook. The first time that happened and Harry was about to state as such, he was beaten to it by Draco, leveling his Godfather with an unimpressed look for such antics. Both Snape and Harry had been shocked by the young Slytherin's quick defense of Harry.

Another individual that was causing Harry undue stress was Michael Corner. When he was around, Anthony had taken to acting as Harry's buffer from Michael and his sidekick, Terry Boot. When Anthony wasn't around, though, Michael took every opportunity he could to insult and antagonize Harry. By the end of his first month at Hogwarts, Harry had acquired an extensive and colorful list of oaths and insults and threats to add to his vocabulary.

All in all, the entire situation served more as entertainment than anything. Michael knew that he couldn't do anything that would physically harm Harry or would leave any evidence to be used against him later, which left him with only words as his weapon of choice, for now.

Other than a few bumps here and there, Harry's time at Hogwarts was all quite enjoyable. After the first feast, Draco had practically dragged Harry over to the Slytherin table and pushed him down into the seat next to his. The older Slytherins didn't look happy if their sneers and glares were anything to go by, but the youngest generation of snakes that Harry had met briefly on the platform in Hogsmead all seemed glad—or at least tolerant—of his presence.

After the first few meals at the Slytherin table, Harry's new acquaintance, Anthony, had begun joining them. Out of all of the houses, Ravenclaw seemed to be the most amicable house towards Slytherins, and the Slytherin house apparently had the fewest members, so space wasn't an issue either.

It only took about a week and a half for their company to be expected at the table under green and silver banners. And only a few weeks more for Draco and a few of his Slytherin friends—mainly Pansy and Blaise—to start sitting with Harry at the Ravenclaw table as well.

They switched back and forth, but no matter which table they sat at, it always ended with Harry, Draco, and Anthony sitting together. Aside from just meals, they could usually be found together in library or out in the courtyard while the weather still allowed it. The three boys grew closer over time and for the first time, Harry had friends. He had people his age that he could talk to and laugh with and actually feel comfortable around.