Just like Brothers

Chapter 12

Harry's heart dropped and breath clawed at his throat.

He looked down to see that he indeed was wearing a Slytherin tie.

He quickly yanked it from his neck, looking across the hall to see a panicked blond doing the same thing, they made brief eye contact but Ron quickly caught Harry's attention.
        
"And why were you not on the train? You didn't miss it again did you?" Ron raised his eyebrows.
       
"Please tell me you didn't do something idiotic like fly a car to school again, Harry?" Hermione added at a hushed tone for the sorting had begun.
       
"No, Dumbledore just brought me to school early," Harry quickly lied, relieved that they had dropped the tie incident.
       
"Probably because of Sirius Black." Ron said. The trio retook their seats. 
        
"Sirius Black?" Harry asked.
        
"You mean you haven't heard?" Ron looked shocked "he's a mass murderer that escaped from Azkaban." His voice dropped down to a whisper only Harry and Hermione could hear. "My dad wasn't supposed to say anything but he thought you oughta know," Ron said.

Harry's throat clenched knowing whatever was coming out of Ron's mouth next wasn't going to be good.

"They're saying Black is after you, Harry, he was one of you-know-who's most loyal followers."
       
Harry groaned, of course someone wanted to kill him, when did people not want to kill him?
      
"That's bloody brilliant," Harry complained, sarcastically.
      
"There was an incident with dementors on the train," Hermione stated matter-of-factly, "the new defense professor warded them off, he asked about you too,?Harry."
          
"Maybe he wanted to kill me too, wouldn't be the first professor that wanted to." Harry said bitterly.
         
"Speaking of Professors," Ron interjected, "Why is Snape looking at us like that."
         
Harry's eyes shot up to the head table and saw that Snape was infact staring directly at him with an emotionless expression.

Harry groaned, "it's because I don't have a tie on."
         
"Why would the slimy git care if you have your tie or not." Ron laughed.
         
"He just cares about appearances, there's nothing bad about that." Harry snapped at Ron before realizing who they were talking about.
       
Hermione squinted her eyes at Harry, trying to read him as Ron just looked at him with blank shock.

"What happened to you this summer, Mate?" Ron asked, astonished.

"Nothing, we just have more important things to do than hate someone who has saved our lives before," Harry explained.

"Yeah but it's Snape, next thing you'll be saying is that your friends with Malfoy." Ron looked unsettled.

Hermione went to say something but was cut off by Dumbledore rising to the podium.

"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin who's kindly consented to fill the post. of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, professor." Dumbledore smiled.

Harry looked up to see a man with sandy brown hair and scars littering his face.

"He's the one that warded off the dementors." Hermione whispered, "rather odd that a professor took the train, don't you think Harry."

"It was for extra security," Harry whispered back, turning his attention back to the headmaster.

"Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid."

Hagrid's cheeks warmed as he stood. The Gryffindor table exploded into cheers.

"Finally, on a more disquieting note at the request
of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the dementors of Azkaban until such a time as Sirius Black is captured. The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt
our day-to-day activities a word of caution. Dementors are vicious creatures. They'll not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason
to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. But you know,
happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."

The student body gave the headmaster hesitant applause, unsettled about the fact dementors would be infiltrating their grounds.

Shortly after the opening words had been spoken, the feast appeared on the house tables.

Ron shoveled food into his mouth and Harry was relieved that the ginger was no longer questioning him about his summer.

"How was your summer Hermione?" Harry asked the girl.

"It was fine, I traveled a little with my parents but other than that I just did my school work and read," Hermione shrugged.

Harry chuckled, that reminded him of his roommate who spent most of the summer reading.

"What about you, Harry, you seem different, what happened this summer?" Hermione looked at him suspiciously.

"The usual, Dudley was horrible this summer, my aunt and uncle are still pretending I don't exist, the only good part of my summer was going to Ron's for Ginny's birthday and coming to Hogwarts early," Harry's words were only half lies.

The feast ended and the trio made exited the hall, the were about to climb the stairs when Snape exited the hall behind them.

"Mr. Potter, if you will follow me please," the professor called.

Harry turned to his friends, "I'll catch up with you guys." He gave them a hesitant smile before walking over to the potions master.

He followed Snape in silence down to his classroom where Draco Malfoy was already waiting. Harry walked to stand next to the blond and they quickly exchanged ties.

"Now that school has started, I still expect the two of you to hold yourselves in a respectful manner. That means adequate attire," he paused, giving them a disapproving glance, "and behavior. You two now reflect on me and your wrongdoings will be brought up with me. You two are both capable of great things, don't mess it up by being stupid. You are dismissed."

Harry tried not to look shocked, Snape just complimented them, he must be dreaming.

The two boys parted ways, Draco turning to go to his common room while Harry trekked up the staircases to the 7th floor.

He swore under his breath when he got to the Fat Lady's portrait, he wasn't there when they were told the password. He knocked on the door, hoping there was still people in the common room.

To his relief, the portrait hole swung open seconds after he knocked to reveal Ron grinning at him.

"Thanks for waiting up for me," Harry climbed into the common room to see Ron and Hermione where the only ones who didn't go up to bed.

"No problem, Mate, what did Snape say?" Ron asked.

"My tie," Harry yawned slumping into a chair by the fire.

"That's odd, don't you think." Hermione's eyebrows furrowed.

"Nah," Harry resolved, "he's been on me about holding myself in a respectful manner since I got here."

Hermione and Ron just stared at him and Harry began to feel uncomfortable.

"I'm really tired guys, I think I'm just going to head up to bed." Harry said getting up and walking towards the staircase that lead to the boys dormitory, "Goodnight, guys."

"Goodnight, Harry." Ron and Hermione chorused, still watching him with suspicion.

Harry groaned, keeping this secret from them was going to be harder than he thought.