A Million Things {Hamilton/Harry Potter Universe}

Chapter 2

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat boomed. There was a cheer from Severus's table. Alexander practically skipped over and sat next to the sullen second year. Older students patted him on the back and said their congrats. Lily clapped from the Gryffindor table and smiled.

Severus did not congratulate him. He didn't even look at him. "Hey," Alexander stuck out his hand. "We're going to be in the same house. Can we let bygones be bygones?"

The other boy didn't shake his hand. He turned away and muttered something under his breath. "A Mudblood in Slytherin."

Alexander didn't know what that meant but he guessed at the negative connotation. He scooted down the bench, away from him, and focused on the rest of the sorting.

After everyone had been sorted, they had a marvelous feast. Alexander spoke to the other Slytherins around him and they seemed to have a want to succeed as he did. Dumbledore gave a quick speech about school rules and dismissed them for bed. A tall boy with a pointed face and a girl stood up. They both had blond hair but Alexander could tell they were not siblings. "First years follow us!" the boy called in a pompous tone.

He scrambled from the bench to follow the other boy, not waiting around for Severus. He was done trying to be friends with him. Alexander pushed through the other Slytherin first years to reach the tall boy and the girl leading them down a staircase into the cold dungeons. He tried to make small talk with them. The boy called himself Lucius Malfoy and the girl was Narcissa Black.

"I'm a prefect," Lucius Malfoy said proudly.

"What does that mean?"

"We help with the first years, watch for rule-breakers, things like that. Only a few students get picked to be prefects for their house," Narcissa Black explained, turning up her nose a bit snobbishly.

"I'll be a prefect one day," Alexander said, puffing out his chest. "How do you become one?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Malfoy asked abruptly. "Didn't your parents tell you about Hogwarts?"

They both stared at him. A few of the first years who had been trying not to eavesdrop where now listening intently. Alexander didn't know what to do. To answer honestly was his initial instrict, but he didn't like the looks the prefects were giving him. He saw that Severus was inching closer around the crowd of Slytherin first years. A small panic was building inside him.

"They...they couldn't be bothered," Alexander said quickly. He shrugged, like it wasn't important. "They were never prefects themselves."

Malfoy and Black exchanged looks, but didn't persue the matter.

They stopped a blank stretch of a stone wall. "Belladonna," Malfoy said. It was a password. The wall slid back and they all filed into the common room.

It was quite dark. A green light flickered through the windows and the walls and floor were black marble. There was a gothic, victorian style with the high, black armchairs and velvet sofas. Emerald and silver snakes were emblemed here and there. Painting of creepy-looking witches and wizards stared down at them. Perhaps he was just tired because he thought he saw one of them move.

"It looks like death in here," Alexander muttered. He felt a flash of inspriation. Death, like dark and sneaky. It could grab you when you least expect it so you better have left a good legacy behind because that's all you will be reme-.

"Girls to the right, boys to the left," Lucius said, cutting off Alexander's silent monolouge.

The first year boys' dormitory was set for four. Alexander was delighted that his trunk was delivered next to his bed. The other boys were chatting with each other as they pulled on pajamas but Alexander pulled out a school book, A History of Magic, and began to read.

"You have to be careful," a voice said. Alexander looked up. One of his roommates had come over. He had black hair, intense blue eyes, and a sharp nose. "I'm Benedict Arnold," he introduced himself.

"Alexander Hamilton," he said warily, not sure what Benedict wanted.

"Are you muggle-born?" his roommate asked quietly. "I saw how you answered the prefects. Many wizards, usually Slytherins, are obessed with 'pure-blood'. That means they only have wizards in their families. No muggles. They think they're better than muggle-borns and half-bloods."

Alexander felt a twist of anger. "But that doesn't matter!" The other boys looked over at them, annoyed.

"I know. I'm a halfblood. My dad's a muggle-born. Just don't go around advertising it. You'll find yourself with a lot more enemies than friends if you do."

"Thanks," he muttered.

Benedict smiled. "You know what? I'll tell you all you need to know about the wizarding world. Then you won't have to worry."

The next morning he awoke with his face stuck to one of the pages. "Wake up," Benedict said. He left the room with the other two boys. Alexander yawned and rubbed his eyes. He had fallen asleep reading. He hadn't even changed into pajamas last night. Hungry, he left without putting on a fresh set of robes.

As he left the common room, he almost crashed into an older student who was standing in the doorway. A fourth year, by the looks of him.

"Pardon me," Alexander said as polietly as he could, his stomach growling.

The boy turned. He was black and broad-shouldered. "Can I help you?" A smile played about his lips. He didn't move.

"Yes, you're blocking the walkway and some of us have important places to be," Alexander said, dropping all signs of patience.

"Like you?" the boy said, crossing his arms, still not moving.

Alexander rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm not waiting around." He shoved past him and headed up to breakfast.

AN: No, I did not make up Benedict Arnold. If you know American history you should know who he is.