"Zabini!" Draco called, poking his head into the hall.
"Just a minute, Malfoy," a groggy voice replied, followed by a boy Harry hadn't met yet.
"How come you weren't with us on the train?" Draco asked, rounding on Blaise once he was near.
"Mother's husband died last week. She made me attend the funeral."
"You don't seem too bothered," Harry commented.
Blaise levelled him with a look. "It happens often."
Harry merely blinked in response, unsure what to say. Maybe remarrying was extremely common in the wizarding world?
Draco elbowed Harry before responding. "My condolences," he hollowly offered.
Blaise nodded. "He doesn't know, does he?"
Harry tilted his head at Blaise's gesture.
Draco just shook his head, giving Harry a now recognisable look. The blonde would explain soon. Hopefully, that is. Harry didn't doubt that Draco would explain, he just doubted that it would be soon. They were tired after arriving at Hogwarts, but it was mid-morning now and Draco had yet to mention anything he promised to last night.
Harry just decided to ignore Draco's reluctance to share right now. He would find out what he wished to somehow, regardless of Draco's feelings on the matters involved.
Another elbow from Draco brought Harry out of his thoughts. "We're going for breakfast, you coming?"
Harry nodded, asking, "Are the girls coming?"
Draco shrugged, "Probably. They'll be waiting for us if they haven't left already. We are rather late."
With that, the three left their dormitory corridor. They passed Theodore, Crabbe, and Goyle tugging their robes on as they left. "We're not waiting for Theodore?"
"No. I can't believe he's later than us. His father never would have accepted it," Draco retorted, not pausing in his stride.
Harry caught up, choosing to speak to Blaise now. "How did the professors handle you being late?" Harry asked, peering in front of Draco, over to Blaise.
"They didn't, really," Blaise answered. "Mother sent a letter ahead, so they knew I would be late. I was sorted late last night, and then Professor Snape escorted me down here."
Harry nodded. "It's good you didn't get punished for being late. Some of the professors seem really strict."
"They couldn't have done much to me anyway," Blaise added. "I am a Zabini."
Harry was confused, but chose not to verbally respond. Instead, he just offered another falsely understanding nod. Maybe his family was important like Draco's? They must be, as Draco seemed less... carless around Blaise than he had around Harry himself.
Harry just added the Zabini family to his list of things to look into.
Finally the trio reached the great hall. Blaise greeted Pansy and the blonde next to her with a kiss to the hand, and took a seat across from them.
"Daphne," Draco greeted, giving Harry the new blonde's name.
"Harry Potter. Hello," Harry greeted, bowing his head.
Daphne looked surprised before replying, "Draco, Heir Potter."
"Harry's fine," Harry corrected, smiling at Daphne.
"Then you may call me Daphne," the blonde girl responded, tone warmer than before.
Harry nodded before turning to Pansy. "Morning, Pansy," he greeted.
"Morning, Harry," Pansy replied, blushing as everyone near looked toward her.
Pansy ducked her head down, reaching for the jar of jam.
Draco sat on Blaise's right, leaving room for Harry beside either boy. Knowing the blonde better, and seeing he was further from the glaring upper years, Harry took the seat beside Draco.
Theodore soon came in, followed by Crabbe and Goyle. He took the seat to Blaise's left, leaving Crabbe and Goyle closest to the upper years.
Theodore greeted the girls, before brining up complaints on Montague's snoring. Crabbe and Goyle offered grunts as greetings, and eagerly dug into their breakfasts.
Soon enough Snape passed by, handing out schedules. Harry smiled at Snape, startling the dour man when he received his schedule. Looking past Snape, Harry saw a seemingly skittish man in a turban. Harry winced as their eyes met.
"Who's that?" Harry asked, turning toward Draco.
Draco glared. "Honestly, Harry, you should have been paying attention last night."
Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and instead only blinked at Draco. He knew the blonde would tell him anyway, so why did he have to be difficult?
Sure enough, Draco sighed before replying. "That's Professor Quirrel. He's teaching Defence this year."
"Got an awful stutter," Theodore tossed in, overhearing.
Blaise tilted his head in agreement.
"Why?" Draco asked, wondering why Harry cared about that specific professor.
Harry gave a one shouldered shrug in response. "I don't know."
Harry quickly forgot all about Professor Quirell and his sudden headache, getting caught up in his classmates' chatter.
"We have potions first thing tomorrow," Blaise mused, reading his timetable.
"But it's with the Gryffindors," Pansy complained.
"Professor Snape is teaching potions, right?" Harry asked, looking at his own timetable. First years had pretty much identical schedules, as they couldn't choose their own courses yet.
"Honestly," Draco sighed. "Yes, Harry. And do try to pay attention tomorrow."
Harry did roll his eyes this time, exasperated with Draco's mothering already.
The students of Hogwarts had the day after their arrival free, so everyone could get settled in, and the first years could prepare. Normally Hogwarts would resume on a Monday, giving the students a weekend to settle in. However, this year was different for some reason, and courses began Friday. Harry wasn't complaining though, considering tomorrow's schedule.
Harry was looking forward to potions. It didn't seem all that different from cooking, which was the only chore Harry enjoyed at his aunt's house. He had looked at some of the material earlier, having woke up earlier than Draco, and was fascinated.
Herbology also seemed promising. Harry liked plants. His aunt didn't have him water them much anymore, as he always accidentally made them grow too fast. She didn't want the neighbours to notice.
Harry smiled behind his pumpkin juice - a rather delightful drink he had discovered at the welcoming feast. He had a bed, a nice room, friends, food, and opportunities to do what he wished. He very much enjoyed Hogwarts.
A/N
Apologies for the wait, I have been quite busy as of late. Not sure when the next chapter will be published, as my muse is fleeting. If you've notice, I changed Theodore and Blaise's situations. I had them wrong at first, so I went back and fixed it, in case you wonder why Blaise is just now being introduced - it's because I had meant Theodore before. Ta. xx
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Hatred
FanfictionHarry Potter runs into Narcissa Malfoy before Hogwarts first year. With Draco and fellow Slytherins as his new family, just how different will Harry be? Unfortunately, the boys (Harry and Draco) are discriminatory toward "lesser wizards" (they use t...