An Eclectic Catalogue of Ideas

Harry Potter had always hated his relatives. They weren't his family; he refused to call them that, with how they treated him. Draco Malfoy reminded him of them. They all thought that the sun rose and set for their sake, and they were sure that nothing could ever go against them.

Sadly for Harry, the scars on his back showed that in some cases, this was true. Regardless of how many times he told a teacher or the school nurse, nothing had ever come of it.

It was because of this that Harry Potter learned to be smart. And in this new world, he had to be canny and cautious. And so, sitting with a red-haired boy in a train compartment, Harry willingly shook Draco's hand. "Well, I'm not sure we'd agree on who 'right sorts' are," Harry told Draco. "But feel free to join us. This is Ron Weasley. Ron, this is Draco Malfoy, I met him at Diagon Alley."

"I know who he is. His family are a bunch of blood traitors, Potter," Draco began.

At the very same time, Ron rolled his eyes, "Why are you inviting the junior Death Eater, Harry?"

Harry had started to like Ron, at least a little bit. He was a little too focused on Harry as The-Boy-Who-Lived, but he seemed a good sort. But he was not going to deal with this. Sighing, Harry looked at both of them for a long moment, "Seriously, I'm here to learn magic, not argue. I'd like to be friends, you know. You both seem like good sorts." A lie in Draco's case, but one he was more than willing to tell. "If you two want to fight each other, I'll change compartments." The first lesson he learned at the Dursleys: use whatever you could to change the situation. Both seemed to want to get to know him if only due to his name. He was using that.

Ron grumbled, but nodded, while Draco slowly lowered himself into a seat, glaring at Ron. His two friends looked confused, before settling into a seat as well and quietly introducing themselves.

"So," Harry asked, "What Houses are you two looking at? Personally, I predict I'll be in Ravenclaw or Slytherin," He said with a shrug, "My mum was really smart, and I like to think I am as well." Even if he'd had to hide it for the longest time.

"Definitely Slytherin," Draco said proudly, "My family are always Slytherin."

"Not surprising," grumbled Ron before looking at Harry, "Look, mate, you don't want to be in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was from there. You should go to Gryffindor; it's the best house. My family are always sorted there."

Harry laughed softly, "Ron, do you seriously think that a quarter of the Hogwarts population is evil? Do you think they'd keep Slytherin House open if that were the case?" He shrugged. "I wouldn't mind being in Gryffindor if it happens. Both of my parents were there. Heck, I doubt it'll happen but I wouldn't mind being in Hufflepuff, either. But I'm pretty sure I'll be Ravenclaw or Slytherin."

"Why do you doubt it'll happen?" Ron asked while Draco leaned back in his seat, listening.

Harry chuckled, "I'm really not sociable enough. Hufflepuffs seem to be people persons from what I read." That and I have few people I'd say I'm loyal to. Really just Moony at this point, Harry thought to himself.

"That makes sense. I am familiar with a few people whose family typically are Hufflepuffs, and they're very much the open sorts," Draco said with a nod. Even Ron was nodding, and looking a little ill that he was agreeing with the other boy.

Harry grinned, "So there you go. Ravenclaw or Slytherin for me. You're Gryffindor, and you're Slytherin. Now we just need a Hufflepuff." He looked at Crabbe and Goyle. "Either of you thinking Hufflepuff?"

"My da would be mad if I weren't in Slytherin," said Crabbe. Goyle simply nodded at the other boy's words.

"Too bad, then," Harry said lightly.

The boy was about to say more when the door of the compartment was opened, and an older woman could be seen looking in, "Anyone wants to purchase anything?" She was leaning against a large trolley with the word "Honeydukes" emblazoned upon it.

Draco perked up, "Oh, yes, I'll take a cauldron cake and two chocolate frogs. Same thing for Crabbe and Goyle."

Harry had to give the boy credit. Even if he was a prat, at least he was buying something for his friends. He glanced at Ron, "You want anything?"

Ron flushed slightly, and pointed to the bag sitting at his feet, "My mum packed me lunch." He looked embarrassed, and Harry could read him well enough.

It was how he had felt every time Dudley had purchased something during class trips when he had no money.

Turning to the witch, Harry considered. "I haven't had any wizarding treats, having grown up in the muggle world. Give me three of everything. Plus an extra two chocolate frogs and cauldron cakes." He pulled out his money bag from an inner pocket in his jacket and counted out the sickles for the candy. Soon he had a stack of candy on his lap and handed Ron two chocolate frogs and packets of cauldron cakes. "I doubt I'll eat all this, so once I've tried the stuff, you all can have some."

"Careful of the Every Flavour Beans," Draco said with a shudder, "They really do mean every flavour . I swear I got one that tasted like vomit."

"Eew," Ron said, actually smiling at Draco. "Worst I ever got tasted like ear wax."

"What I want to know," Harry said to them, "Is how you both know what those taste like." He popped a candy in his mouth and made a face, "Beef. Not as bad as other possibilities, but not my favourite. I don't think I'll like these. Anyone want?"

Goyle hesitantly held out his hand, "I like them. They're fun."

With this, Harry deposited the three boxes into the other boy's hand and opened a chocolate frog. It hopped into the air and even as his hand lashed out to catch it, Harry said, "Woh!"

Draco smirked, "They do that. They're charmed to act like frogs."

"They're really chocolate, right?" Harry made sure. At the nod, he bit into it, and considered, "I really like the chocolate. The hopping around is weird, but not too bad." He pocketed the other chocolate frogs, and continued to chew, finishing his treat.

Soon, Harry had worked through the mound of candy. He kept a few of his favourites and gave the rest to Ron and the others, having more than enough candy. Rising to his feet, Harry stuck the bits he kept into his trunk, packing it away. "We should probably get dressed for Hogwarts," He told Ron, and pulled out his robes, sliding them on after pulling off his jacket and slipping his money bag into an inner pocket in his robes. Packing the jacket away, he looked to the others.

"Good idea," Ron said, as he pulled his robes down. Behind him, Draco's lip curled at the obvious hand-me-down, but glancing at Harry, he didn't say anything on the topic.

"I have my trunk in another compartment. All I have to do is slip the robe on, so I'll do it when we arrive at Hogwarts," Draco said, and his two friends nodded with him.

"Works for me," Harry said, smoothing the robe. "I really wish there were more selection among school robes. I saw some robes I wouldn't actually mind wearing, but these are not my favourites."

"What sort do you mean?" Draco asked curiously.

"I saw a set that looked almost like a muggle trench coat. That looked cool," Harry said as he sat back down. "I'm used to muggle clothes, this robe feels almost like a dress. I suppose I'll get used to it."

Ron smirked, "That's not a dress. I should show you what--"

The door opened, and a brown-haired girl peeked her head in, "Hi! Have you seen a toad? I'm looking for one for a friend."

"I haven't," Harry said to the girl, "Have you guys?" As they responded, he shook his head, "'fraid not, Miss...?" He trailed off. He was trying to use the etiquette Moony and a book taught him, but it was hard. He wasn't used to talking to people like this.

"Oh!" The girl's cheeks pinked. "I'm Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you!"

"Harry Potter," Harry introduced himself. "This is Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle."

"Are you really?" Hermione perked up, "I've read about you in..."

"Granger? Are you related to the Dagworth-Grangers?" Draco asked the girl.

"I don't think so? My parents are both muggles," Hermione answered.

"Ugh, a--" Draco began to speak, but quieted when Harry spoke up.

"I was muggle-raised myself," Harry said brightly, offering a hand, "Nice to meet you, Hermione. I wouldn't believe everything you read, though. Most of what I saw in the books was bollocks."

Draco shot Harry a frown but didn't comment further, while the other boy listened to Hermione's answer, "That doesn't sound right. They're history books, shouldn't they be right?" She looked upset.

"Well, I lived it?" Harry told her with a shrug, "Trust me. I wasn't raised in a beautiful castle trained by powerful wizards." He didn't go on to say how he was raised, though.

"Huh," Hermione said frowning, "I don't like that. How do you think it happened?"

"My guess is someone said something they believed and it snowballed," Harry said with a shrug. Though I have my suspicions there is more to it, with the way everyone ignored what the Dursleys were doing, he thought. "We have room for another here if you want to join us?"

"Oh!" Hermione coloured again, "I can't, I need to help Neville with his toad. It was nice to meet you all." With that, she shut the compartment door as she left.

"Why were you so nice to the mudblood?" Draco asked him with a frown.

"Mudblood?" Harry asked.

"Dirty-blood," Ron said, glaring at Draco, "It's a name that people like him use for people who are muggle-born."

"Oh." Harry frowned slightly and said to Draco, "You do realize my mother was a muggle-born, right?" He made sure to laden his words with just a slight bit of hurt. It wasn't hard; he really didn't like people making fun of his mum.

Draco actually blushed slightly, "I hadn't thought of that." He paused, and managed, "Sorry." It sounded like it was the last thing he wanted to say.

Harry didn't push him. It was enough for now. He didn't need an enemy; he'd had enough of those with the Dursleys. "Accepted," he said with a smile, and then looked at Ron, "Do you like quidditch? It looks interesting, though I've never played it."

This seemed to be the right thing to say, and Draco perked up and joined in this conversation. Soon, the boys were discussing positions and who the best teams were, even as the train approached Hogwarts.

HPHPHPHPHP

As the train approached the school, a chiming could be heard. Draco got up, "That's the warning, we're going to be there soon. I should go change. See you two at school."

Harry grinned, "See you, Draco." He got up, smoothing his robes again and reaching into his trunk. He slid his wand into the pocket for it in his sleeve, and turned to Ron, "Let's get going then."

He made his way off the train and saw Hagrid near some boats. Making brief conversation with the tall man, Harry got on one of the boats, joined by Ron, Hermione, and a chubby boy who introduced himself as Neville.

Soon, they entered the entry hall and then led into the Great Hall. Standing with Ron, Hermione, Draco, Vincent, and Gregory, Harry murmured, "Wow. This place looks great."

"Doesn't it?" Ron asked with a grin, "I've heard stories from my brothers," He said pointing. Harry saw a pair of twins and another red-head over at the table he was pointing at.

Listening to McGonagall speak, Harry glanced at the others, "Well, here we go. Friends no matter what House we end up in?" He received nods, enthusiastic from Ron and more grudging from Draco, and Harry nodded firmly as he listened.

Both Vincent and Gregory went to Slytherin, while Hermione went to Gryffindor. Draco went to Slytherin, and when it was Harry's turn, he walked up and sat on the stool as the Sorting Hat was placed on his head.

He could hear a voice muttering in his head, Definitely brave, and very smart. Cunning and ambitious too! You do work hard but aren't loyal to many... My, this is a difficult choice for me. Do you have any preference?

Harry responded cautiously, I take it you're the Hat? I don't, no. Put me wherever you think is best.

Sure, the Sorting Hat complained. Make my job harder. In that case, better be, The cat called out, "Slytherin!"

As the hat was taken off his head, Harry saw the old woman - McGonagall, wasn't it? - staring at him in shock. He offered her a gamin grin and moved to the Slytherin table, sitting down at an empty spot opposite Draco. "Hey! Name's Harry, nice to meet you," he said to the others.

"Somehow," said a girl with long blond hair, "I was already aware." She sounded amused, "Daphne Greengrass."

"Pansy Parkinson," said a girl with rich brown hair, though she was looking at him in askance, a slight sneer curling her lips. "Aren't you supposed to be a Gryffindor?"

"Obviously not, or I'd be at another table," Harry said with a smile, "Nice to meet you both, Daphne, Pansy." He chuckled, "The hat said I'd fit in anywhere, so I told it to put me wherever it thought would suit me best." Another grin, "And here I am. Suits me fine. Like I told Draco on the train, I figured I'd be in Ravenclaw or Slytherin."

"You know Draco?" Pansy asked in surprise.

"I met him briefly at Diagon Alley, and we talked on the train," Harry said with a shrug. "Mostly about what House we'll be in, a bit about candy as I was raised by muggles, and then quidditch."

"You were raised by muggles?" Pansy asked, wrinkling her nose, "Why?"

That was something Harry often wondered, especially after reading a few books he'd picked up at Diagon Alley. "No clue. Most muggles are just like wizards, some good and some bad. But things can definitely be different," Harry said to her. He grinned, "Like I was telling Draco, I hate the robes they're making us wear here. It feels like a dress."

"Well, I can agree there," Daphne said from the side. "The school robes aren't the most comfortable. My parents had them tailored, so mine are a little better fitting, though."

"They can do that?" Harry asked. He considered. He did have a lot of money in his vault and frankly, he'd rather spend a little more to be comfortable. He didn't care a fig for fancy, but comfort? Yes. "I'll have to remember that for the future."

When Ron was sorted into Gryffindor, Harry clapped and waved to Ron. Ron's ears coloured slightly and he grinned at him before making his way to the Gryffindor table.

Listening to Dumbledore speak, Harry muttered to himself, "That fellow sounds like a nutter." He carefully began to place food on his plate.

"Oh, he is," Draco said dryly, "My dad says he's senile."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "I wouldn't say he's senile, but he does make some odd choices sometimes."

"So, Potter," this from Pansy, "What classes are you looking forward to?"

Harry considered, "I think Potions and maybe Transfiguration? Both looked really cool from the books. I picked up a few extra books on both." He added after taking a moment to eat, "One thing I wanted to learn was more on wizard society and culture. I picked up a few books, but I'm disappointed that there's no class. There really should be. Muggle Studies should also be a first-year requirement for those not muggle-raised."

Pansy wrinkled her nose, "Why would we have to learn about muggles?"

"Because there are thousands of times more of them than wizards, and even the Ministry and Diagon Alley are in London, a city with millions of muggles in it?" Harry shrugged. "Even if one wants to live separately, knowing how to act is a good thing to my mind. Same reason I want to learn about wizards in reverse. I don't want to insult people by opening my mouth."

Daphne smirked at him, "You're doing a fine job so far."

"Oh, well, thank you, my Lady Daphne. I live to serve," Harry quipped.

Daphne's cheeks pinked a bit before she returned to her food. Beside her, Pansy snickered slightly.

They continued to chat throughout dinner, and then Dumbledore rose to speak after dinner. Harry just stared, "He's talking about certain death? What the hell? Okay, I think Draco's right, he just might be senile."

"Told you," Draco said with a smirk.

Harry gave Draco a grin, "Well, in this it looks like you were right, or at least rightish." About to say more, he saw a young woman with reddish-blonde hair approach, "All right, Firsties. I'm Gemma Farley, one of the fifth year prefects. Follow me, I'll show you to the Slytherin Dorms."

They were led out of the Great Hall and down a series of staircases. At the foot of the stairs, Gemma turned and said, "The password for the dorms is 'Serpentine'." As she spoke, a doorway appeared and slowly opened. "Don't forget it, nor write it down. It can be found on the noticeboard over there if you need a refresher." Leading them through the door, they found themselves in a large common area; like the rest of the lower dungeons, the walls were solid grey stone. Set into the walls at intervals were dark green lamps, and a large fireplace was at the far end of the room. A variety of tables, chairs, and green couches were scattered about. "Everyone take a seat. Professor Snape will be here in a few minutes to welcome you all."

"It could use a bit more colour, couldn't it?" Harry murmured to Daphne.

"I agree. Though I do like the green, a bit of variety would be nice," she replied.

Moving, Harry sat down on one of the couches. Daphne sat in a chair nearby while Draco sat down beside him. "My dad says good things about Professor Snape," Draco said. "He's very protective of us Slytherins."

"Good to know," Harry began before a figure came into the room. He's rather dramatic, Harry thought as he noted the way the man's cape fluttered.

"Those who are returning, welcome back. New students, welcome to Slytherin House. I am Professor Snape, your Head of House. The man's gaze wandered the room, lingering briefly upon Harry before continuing, "I handle all disciplinary matters for the House. My door is always open for other matters as well. However, my time is limited, so that's only for important matters. More minor matters are handled by the house prefects. Miss Farley?" he stated, stepping back and walking to the far end of the room.

"If you need help with anything, that's what we're here for," Gemma said as she moved to where Snape had been standing. "My counterpart is William Shafiq. Just call him Shafiq, though."

A dark-skinned boy with blue eyes raised his hand, "That's me."

Four more students came to the front, "These are the other prefects," Gemma said, gesturing to each in turn and giving their names. "Tomorrow morning, we'll introduce you to whoever has volunteered to be your guide. Each new student gets one, to help show them around, usually a second-year or third-year student. For now, ladies, follow me. Gentleman, follow Shafiq. Don't try to enter each other's dorms, an alarm will sound if a boy tries to enter the girls' dorms, as well as the reverse."

The dark-skinned boy led the boys up the steps. "First years are here," he said, opening the door. "Your things should already be there. Feel free to swap beds if you want a specific one and the other fellow is willing."

Harry found his trunk in one of the beds by the door. Shrugging, Harry opened his trunk, looking through his things and pulling out a few books to put on the end table by his bed. He idly glanced up, asking those near him, "Is there any way to purchase books or such and have them mailed to me?"

"Blaise Zabini," said the dark-skinned boy on the other side of his bed. "Sure, most stores have owl-order forms. Just send your owl to a store and ask for one."

"Nice to meet you, Blaise. Harry Potter," Harry introduced himself. "Figured I should pick up a few more books on etiquette and stuff."

"Makes sense," Blaise said as he slipped out of his robes, folding them up and putting them on top of his trunk as he pulled a pair of blue pyjamas, and slipped them on. As they spoke, the lights in the dorm dimmed, and he grinned, "I guess that's our cue that we should sleep. We do have an early day tomorrow."

Harry changed as well, though he just slipped on a tee-shirt so he wasn't simply in his boxers. "Good point. Night, folks." He slipped into his bed and pulled the curtains closed.