Lemniscate

One

  As I gain consciousness, I find myself n the Dursley's car, on our way to King's Cross station. I smile to myself. It worked. Of course it worked, why would I expect anything less?
I feel... odd. It must be the fact that my magic is still bound, and because this body is not yet in touch with my magical core. However, that's an easy fix. I can train myself to use it without a wand in a matter of days, and unbinding it will be a cinch, now that I know how.
The Dursleys sneer at me as they point out that there is no platform 9 3/4. However, the joke's on them, they just don't know it. It hits me that, if I hadn't found my way the first year, I would have been here, alone, with no way home. It still surprises me how abusive they were, and I thought it was normal.
I walk to the barrier, and push my cart up against it, sighing happily when I pass through easily. I haven't trusted the barrier ever since Dobby closed it on me in my second year.
The train isn't packed, yet, so I sit in an empty compartment after somehow managing to get my trunk into it. I look out of the window, for one person in particular. If I am to change the course of history, I might as well start now.
It doesn't take long for me to spot him, with hair so blonde that it's almost silver. Draco Malfoy was my first mistake. I intend to change that.
Rumors spread quickly that I'm on the train, and people openly stare at me as they pass. I smirk, knowing that they won't ever stop, not even when I'm an adult. I guess that it's a side effect of being the Boy Who Lived. Not that people will see me that way after this year.
Draco finds me quickly, ecstatic when he finds me sitting alone. Thank God that I took the time to study up on proper wizarding conduct before I came back.
"So. They're all saying that Harry Potter is in this compartment. It's you, is it?" I hold his gaze for a moment, before inclining my head.
"I am, indeed, Harry Potter. Thank you for pointing out the obvious. Your name is?" I say it with amusement in my head, and am surprised when Draco actually laughs. I didn't think that Malfoys could laugh.
"I'm Draco Malfoy. You're pretty funny, Harry."
This causes me to smile. Already, he's calling me by my first name. I was expecting it to take longer.
"Am I? I never would have guessed, but I suppose that when growing up in an abusive household, one must find any way to survive," I say it lightly, but my eyes darken. Draco's eyes widen.
"What do you mean? Those muggles... did they-?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry to have disturbed you with that..." I cast my eyes down, and I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"I'm honestly very sorry to hear that."
I nod, keeping my eyes down until he squeezes me.
"So, can I see your scar?"
I let my eyes darken again.
"Everybody always asks that, when they meet me. I'm not fond of showing it."
"Oh. I'm-"
"No, it's okay. Simple curiosity, that's all it was. I'm not going to be angry about it, just don't ask again."
"Of course," Draco says, and then he laughs.
"You know, when I heard about your father, I thought that you would be like him, but... You're not like those Gryffindor prats at all!" I smirk at this, knowing that it's true. I haven't felt more out of place than when I was placed into Gryffindor. That's another thing I intend to change.
To my surprise, another boy comes into our compartment as if he was looking for us. He seems to know Draco, and so I keep my expression passive as they talk.
"And who is this, Draco?" the male asks after a few moments of conversation.
"Oh. This is Harry Potter," the other boy's eyes widen.
"Oh," is all he says, and then he seems to regain his composure.
"I'm Dion Rose. It's nice to meet you," he holds out a hand.
"The pleasure is all mine, Dion," I say, taking his hand and bowing my head a little. Both males look surprised, and I smirk.
"What, do you think that I was stupid enough to not read up on how to present myself to other wizards?" I say in mock anger. This causes both boys to laugh, and Dion sits with us.
The rest of the train ride goes rather smoothly, and by the time we're getting off, I've made friends of both males. I want to congratulate myself, but I know that this is only the first step. The first real trial will come at the end of the year.
"Come on, Harry," Draco calls from a boat, startling me from my thoughts. I quickly go to sit with him and Dion, and a girl joins us. She's introduced as Redd, though I'm told that hr first name is Lily, and that she prefers to go by her last name. I don't remember her from my first year, but I'd made a habit of not associating with the Slytherins. Yet another mistake. Oh well, at least that can all change, now. No use to dwell on the past, or, future. This thought causes me to chuckle, and Draco casts me a questioning look. I smirk and point towards the castle, and the people who are oohing at it. Draco smirks, too, probably because he's seen the castle many times before, with his father.
Minerva McGonagall is as strict as usual when she ushers us to the hall where we wait to be sorted. I hear Ron Weasley muttering about how Harry Potter should be here, and how it was a shame that he didn't see him to Dean Thomas. I keep my face emotionless, but Draco seems to be angry about it. I put a hand on his shoulder, but it doesn't stop him from throwing a glare at the two.
Some people gasp at the ghosts, but I was expecting them. I almost laugh at the familiarity of this scene, but then McGonagall comes to collect us.
Draco and Dion are sorted into Slytherin, and I notice that Lily is sorted into Ravenclaw. A smile comes to my face at the hush that falls over the school as my name is called.
"Ah, Harry Potter. I was wondering when I'd be seeing you. You have such a... Thirst for power, it's almost overwhelming. I'll have to put you in SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouts the last part to the hall. There's a moment of silence, then Draco starts applauding, and the others join in. I smirk, and make my way over to the table, sneaking a glance back at Dumbledore's. He looks shocked.
Stupid old codger, I think, you'll see just how Slytherin I really am soon enough.