Snake Raised Lion Cub

Harry laughed at a joke the twins had told, though he noticed how Ron squirmed and stared at him a few times, "Everything alright?" he finally asked after the twins left to find some of their friends.
"Is it true?" Ron finally asked, "Are you really him?" he swallowed with eyes blown wide, "Do you really have the," he paused.
"The scar?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow, Hagrid had told him and his Mum that some people would react like this, he'd really hoped the gentle half giant had just been joking, "Yeah I do," he moved his messy bangs so that the lightning bolt was visible, "Mum says it looks like a mirrored version of a wand motion for a certain spell, but she wouldn't tell me which one."
"Bloody hell," Ron murmured in awe, "And did you really do what they say you did?" at this Harry sighed.
"I don't know what they say I did," he stated, "But I was barely a year old, Mum says that I was barely even saying any words yet," there was a list on their refrigerator of words he'd kept saying that his Mum thought were names, or at least nicknames, that she planned on trying to find for him, "So whatever it is they say I did, is probably grossly exaggerated." with an air of finality to that conversation Harry bent over to pick up Hedwig from her spot at his feet.
Ron flinched slightly, "I really wish you'd kept that thing in it's cage," he stated, wincing again as the family rat he was currently hiding in his jacket scratched him while trying to get farther from the Kneazle, "Ouch Scabbers cut it out."
Harry glared, "One Hedwig is a she, not an it or a thing don't call her that, two maybe don't bring a rat to a school where cats are an approved animal if you don't want issues," he tilted his head, "How'd you even get him approved anyway?" he asked curiously, "Mum had to jump through hoops to get Flash approved as my ESA," and hadn't that been interesting because it had been the assistant headmistress and the head of the hospital wing she'd dealt with and not the headmaster himself.
"Dunno," Ron stated with a shrug, "We've had him forever," he suddenly sat forward with an excited look on his face, "Fred even showed me a spell to turn him yellow, you wanna see?" Harry bit his lip, he knew from Mum that underaged magic wasn't allowed outside of school, but surely no one would mind one spell on the train right?
"Sure," he stated finally with a huge smile. Mirroring Harry's smile Ron dug out his wand and rat, and just before he could begin to try and cast the spell their compartment door flew open.
"Excuse me," a bushy haired brunette stated as she hung half in half out the door, "Have either of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one." both boys shook their heads no, "Oh are you about to perform magic? I can do a few spells myself, I've read the entire Hogwarts a History cover to cover." she plopped herself on the twins vacated bench seat, "Go on then."
Harry raised his eyebrow slightly, his Mum would have a field day with this one, then quickly turned his attention back to Ron who looked a little flustered at the new audience member, "Right well," Ron cleared his throat and pointed his wand at Scabbers, "Sunshine, Daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow." a small charge left the wand tip, but the only change was a slight lightening of Scabbers fur rather than the color change that was expected.
Before Harry could say something to make Ron feel better about the failed attempt, the girl who'd joined them spoke up instead, "Are you sure that's a real spell?"
Ron scowled at her, "Well you do something if you're so great then," he snarled in catempt.
The girl raised her eyebrow at him, "Did you know you have dirt on your nose?" she asked him instead of rising to the bait, "Anyway," she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the broken buckle of Ron's carry on bag, "Repairo," the buckle was suddenly good as new. She smiled at the result, before softly gasping, "I almost forgot I haven't introduced myself," she stuck out her hand, "I'm Hermione Granger," Harry shook her hand.
"Harry Potter," he stated, secretly happy when Hermione didn't react.
"Charmed," she stated with a smile, "And you are?" she asked Ron.
"Ronald Weasley," he stated, his mouth half full of the candy Harry had bought to share off the trolly.
Hermione cringed before promptly standing to depart as abruptly as she had entered, "Well I'm going to go change, you'd best do the same, we'll be arriving soon."
Sure enough Hermione had been right, the boys had barely gotten changed when they could see the front of the train pulling into a station.
"First years over 'ere!" a familiar booming voice called, "First years over 'ere!" Harry was quick to grab Ron's wrist so he didn't get trampled or lost and led him over towards the towering form of Hagrid.
"Bloody hell," Ron breathed out in a mix of awe and fear.
Harry smiled back at the startled ginger, "Come on, he's really nice."
"Harry!" Hagrid boomed a smile splitting his beard, "Glad to see you made it safe!"
"Sure did," Harry smiled back, "Thanks again Hagrid." the half giant waved him off, but he'd swear he saw a slight blush there for a second. He smirked as he led Ron over to the rest of the first years, he'd have to remember that blush, especially if his mum was the reason behind it.
They stood there waiting for the rest of the first years to finish gathering, which took all of three minutes and then Hagrid was striding through the crowd. "Okay you lot, let's get a move on."
Moments later they were standing at the edge of a large lake, "Pick a boat and get settled, four to a boat please!" Harry and Ron quickly scurried into their own boat, soon followed by Hermione and a mousy brunette boy who introduced himself as Neville Longbottom.
It seemed both mere moments and yet it was also a lifetime as they crossed the lake and arrived at the Hogwarts Gates. Here they were met by a tall willowy looking woman, her brown hair pulled up in a tight no nonsense bun at the back of her head. His mother would have called her strict or stern looking, Harry called her familiar, he didn't quite know why so he simply attributed it to his great grandmother and moved on.
"Welcome first years," she started, a small almost imperceivable smile on her face, "To Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry," she looked around at the gathered children, "Over your next seven years here we will do our utmost best to turn you into upstanding wizards and witches. In just a moment you will be led through these doors and sorted into your houses, your house will be like your second family while you are here."
Harry zoned out for just a second, his mum had talked to him about something like this from her days at Ilvermorny, though where his mother usually got a lost far away look to her eyes during those conversations this woman looked proud of the houses here at Hogwarts, he wondered how they would differ.
"And at the end of the year the house with the most points will be awarded the house cup!" the woman stated, throwing her arms wide, a large toad at her feet letting out a loud croak.
"Trevor!" Neville called out rushing forward to scoop the toad up. "Sorry," he whispered at the shocked look the woman gave him.
"I'll go see if they're ready, please try not to make too much noise." She then turned, her robes billowing around her, and strode through the large doors.
"So it's true then," a slightly familiar voice drawled from behind Harry and Ron, "What they were saying on the train, Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts," Harry turned around and his eyes lit up as he recognized the blonde boy from the robe shop.
"It's you!" Harry smiled, "Sorry about running out that day," he blushed, "But when you said what you did about Hagrid I got upset."
The blonde looked slightly taken aback at having been recognized, much less at the fact that 'the' Harry Potter had been friends with the man he'd inadvertently made fun of that day. "Oh, it's alright," he stated the wind taken out of his sails slightly.
"I never did get your name," Harry gently prodded, hoping his mum was right and he was about to make a new friend.
"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," Ron let out a snicker, earning a glare from Harry, "Oh you think my name is funny do you?" Before Draco could continue Harry stepped in once more, surprising the blonde.
Harry reached up and lightly smacked Ron upside the head, "Ron shut up," he hissed between his teeth, "Sorry about that Draco, I think the excitement is starting to get to all of us."
Draco blinked then nodded, "Right," he eyes Ron slightly, "Your last name is Weasley right?" he asked, suddenly very aware of Crabbe and Goyel behind him, though based off the fact Harry had stepped closer to him, so was he.
Ron nodded, also unsure how to proceed with how Harry was acting, "Yeah, I'm Ron," he looks over Draco's shoulder, "Um, is there a reason the walking boulders are glaring at you?"
Draco winced heavily casting a small glance over his shoulder at Crabbe and Goyal, both of whom were indeed glaring at him. Draco seemed to pale, though with his natural palor that was a feat, causing Harry and Ron to share a look. Ron noted the way Harry's eyes hardened and very quickly decided he was never getting on the wrong side of that look.
As such when Harry quickly, quietly, and quite firmly wrapped a protective arm over Draco's shoulder Ron also stepped forward, placing himself between the two larger boys and the blonde he had the distinct feeling he would soon be calling a friend, whether he liked it or not.
The two walking statues took a menacing step forward, only to be stopped by the Professor walking back through the double doors.
"It's time," and soon the were all moving.
Harry, Ron, and Draco quickly used this as an opportunity to move away from their pursuers. They were halfway into the Great Hall when Harry and Ron both suddenly felt wands pointed at their backs.
"Mr. Crabe, Mr. Goyles just what-" the professor was cut off.
"Shut it hag!" one of the aggressive boys snarled, "Mum and Dad says you're washed up anyway." the other snickered at this response, only to yelp as seconds later both of their wands were pulled away.
"I'd watch my tongue if I were you," a male voice drawled.
"Quite right Severus," a wizard older wizard stated from the front of the hall, "Perhaps it would be better if these two didn't attend our school after all." there was an uproar from the previously quiet tables. "Silence!" and there was.
"Very well Headmaster, I will escort them out." the drawling voice stated, and with that they were gone.
"Shall we begin the Sorting Minerva?" the headmaster asked calmly. The professor from before nodded, her face looking slightly more pinched than before.