AN: This is my first ever HP fanfic! Actually, my first fanfic period, although I've written lots of other things before. Anyway, this fic was brought on by the fact that Harry is constantly betrayed by his house in the books, and it got me thinking. Aren't Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs supposed to be loyal? Why aren't the lions banding together and protecting each other? Why doesn't Harry have more friends than just Ron and Hermione (and later Neville, Luna, and Ginny)? This fic is going to explore what would happen if the Gryffindors realized their errors and started acting more like a family. I'm planning for it to go at least up through fifth year, and it starts at the very end of first year. Final word count before author's note: 1,443.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise.

Harry James Potter had just had the best year of his life, and now it was coming to an end. He stood at Hogsmeade Station with his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Most of the other children were straining to catch sight of the scarlet Hogwarts Express, but not Harry. He didn't care if it never came. Hogwarts was his home now, with Hermione and Ron and the ghosts and the castle. Everything in the place was magical, and at last, Harry felt as though everything was right. But soon, he'd have to return to Number 4, Privet Drive, Little Whinging Surrey. Although, Harry reflected, it wasn't so much the place he disliked but rather the people. The Dursleys were unlikely to still be afraid of him and his magic after nine months away, and so, he could expect quite a bit of nasty comments and snide looks when he got back.

"Harry!" A yell came. Harry turned, as did Ron and Hermione, to see Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain and keeper, running towards them. "Harry," he repeated, panting. "I wanted…to talk."

Hermione grabbed Ron by the arm and pulled him away. Harry shot her a grateful look. He wasn't entirely sure that Oliver had forgiven him for missing the final match of the season and costing the team the Quidditch Cup. Harry had desperately wanted to be there, but Madam Pomphrey wouldn't let him leave the hospital wing. He hadn't gotten the chance to speak to Oliver since, and hoped no one would be too angry.

"Harry, mate, listen. I know I haven't been the best friend to you lately, and I wanted to say that I'm sorry. I've been so focused on winning that I've forgotten how everyone on the team feels. I joined the team because I loved the game, but this past year, I…look, I just want you to know that if you ever need anything, you can come to me," Oliver finished, looking awkward.

"Wait," Harry blurted. "You're not angry with me for missing the match?"

"Seriously?" Oliver laughed. "Harry, if I ever had to choose between saving the whole school, and maybe even the whole country, from V-Voldemort, or going to the last match of the season, well…I'd choose my life."

"You said his name. No one ever says his name, except for me and Dumbledore."

"Well, I figured that if he was in the school the whole year, it seems kind of stupid to be that afraid of him. Besides we're all Gryffindors, but we don't seem to be acting like it."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Gryffindors are brave, chivalrous, and loyal. Yet we're all afraid of a lunatic, we start fights with the other houses just because we don't like them, and we turn our backs on our housemates. I don't think that's what Godric Gryffindor had in mind for his house when he founded the school."

"You should tell people that. It might improve the house," Harry said.

Oliver shuffled his feet and shrugged. "Maybe."

"Hey Wood!" Angelina Johnson called.

"Sorry Harry, I gotta go. Y'know, the Quidditch team's gonna sit together on the train. The twins are bringing Jordan, so you could probably bring Granger and Weasley," Oliver offered.

"Er, thanks. I'll go get them," Harry replied, taken aback by how Oliver actually seemed to be making good on his promise. It wasn't that the Scot had been mean before, just kind of…intense.

"Ron, Hermione, come on. Oliver said we could sit with the Quidditch team."

"Alright, but if Fred and George try to prank me, I'm leaving," Ron warned.

"I don't think Fred and George would be themselves if they didn't mess with you at least once," Harry said.

"You're probably right," Ron muttered.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione actually had a great time on the train. Hermione had planned to keep her nose stuck in Hogwarts: A History the whole time, but Katie Bell drew her into a conversation that Hermione actually enjoyed. Katie was very smart, and she didn't babble mindlessly about boys and make-up like all the girls in Hermione's dorm.

Harry, Ron, and Oliver talked Quidditch; or rather, Ron and Oliver talked Quidditch and Harry tried to keep up and absorb everything he could. Alicia Spinnet and Lee Jordan played wizard chess. Fred and George were on Lee's side and Angelina was on Alicia's side. All three were yelling out instructions and insults at the other team, making for a very loud game.

The compartment felt a bit cramped at times, but Harry got on well with everyone. Lee decided (after losing at chess) to start a game of Exploding Snap, and they all got into a very tight circle.

"Hey, Fred and George?" Harry called as a thought occurred to him. "Where's Percy?"

"Our perfect prefect of a brother-" Fred began.

"-is off preventing any mischief makers-" George added.

"-from having any fun!" They finished together.

Oliver sighed. "Do you have to do that?"

"Of course, dear captain," They recited together.

"Hey guys?" Ron interrupted. "D'you think Mum will let Harry stay for the summer?"

Harry felt his ears burn. "I don't think my uncle would let me come. He'd think I'd be having too much fun."

Everyone in the compartment gave him a sympathetic look which just made Harry turn pinker.

"I don't suppose he'll let you practice ever?" Oliver asked sheepishly.

"I live in a muggle neighborhood. I wouldn't be able to fly," Harry said, avoiding the question.

"Don't worry Oliver," Alicia spoke up. "If Harry could fly like that with no experience, he should be okay with no practice for two months. He's probably one of the best seekers in the world."

Harry smiled in spite of himself, and shook his head.

"You are, Harry," Katie said quietly. "We all know you would have won the Ravenclaw game."

"And we don't blame you for missing it," Angelina added. "I wouldn't have gone either."

"Let me tell you, the game was really boring to comment on without you there. No death traps or insane stunts," Lee joked with a wink.

Ron and Hermione just grinned up at him. Harry wanted this feeling to last forever. All of these people didn't like him for the Boy-Who-Lived, they liked him for Harry. Harry, the messy-haired seeker who just tried his best to keep going, who didn't have a family and had never had any real friends. But eventually it was all over. The train rolled to a stop, and all the Gryffindors stood and stretched and set out to leave.

"Would your uncle let you have muggle mail?" Katie asked.

"Er, yeah, I think so," Harry said confusedly.

"Great!" She smiled, tucking some hair behind her ear. "I'll write you."

"We all will," Oliver promised. "But probably not through muggle mail."

"That'd be great!" Harry beamed. He hadn't been expecting anyone to write him this summer, and now he had a whole group of people. If Harry had thought it a good year before the train, nothing compared to now.

All of the Hogwarts students had to walk through the platform barrier two or three at a time, so as not to arouse the Muggles' suspicion. As soon as Harry, Ron, and Hermione burst through the barrier, he saw the Weasleys. Fred, George, and Percy had already gone through and were waiting with Ginny and their mum.

"Hello Harry, Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley greeted them. "Ron's told me so much about you two."

"Mum!" Ron cried.

"Do you think you both had a good year?" Percy asked officiously.

"It was great!" Harry exclaimed.

"Hogwarts is lovely," Hermione sighed.

"I'll write you both!" Ron swore.

"I see my uncle now. I have to go," Harry said regrettably.

"Have a good summer, Harry!" Ginny squeaked, and then hid behind her brothers.

"See you Harry!" Hermione called.

"Bye!" He shouted.

Uncle Vernon didn't look very pleased to see Harry. He had somehow grown since Harry had last seen him. His face was just as red as ever, with the same beady eyes and somewhat ridiculous mustache.

"Did you have a good year?" Uncle Vernon grunted, not sounding as though he particularly cared.

"Great!" Harry burst out. There was that word again. Great, great, great. But everything was great. Harry felt amazing.

Uncle Vernon grunted again and put Harry's trunk in the backseat, along with Hedwig and Harry. Harry barely registered the tight space. He couldn't stop thinking about everything he seen and learned. It was funny, he mused, how he'd made one friend on the train to Hogwarts and seven friends on the way back.