A Vacant Expression Chapter 1

A.N: This is my first ever Fanfiction and it's is one of those cliché stories, but with a twist. The story is mostly based around the things said in the books, but there will be quotes from the films too. Hope you enjoy and Review! Subscribe! Merci beaucoup

No one had noticed before. Harry Potter had always been a small boy; 'shy' his teachers called him. No one had noticed that he spaced out or didn't seem to be listening – why should they? He had always seemed that way and his guardians insisted that it was perfectly normal.

So, when a half-giant named Hagrid told Harry Potter that he was a wizard it was to be expected that he would be ecstatic and curious about this new world. Instead, Hagrid was met with a vacant expression as if he had not been heard.

"Yer a wizard Harry"

A blank look was on the face of the small 11 year old.

"Harry? Yer a wizard"

When no reply was made Hagrid took the silence as shock and proceeded on by passing over the Hogwarts letter with a beaming smile on his face. As the half-giant enthused over Dumbledore and Harry's parents the young boy didn't seem to take much notice.

Once the soliloquy had ended, Harry's whole countenance changed. The boy's face became lifelike and animated and he opened the letter in his hand.

After reading its contents he looked up at Hagrid,

"Magic?" He asked,

"Magic exists?"

A dumbfounded look appeared on Hagrids face,

"'Arry, I've been talkin' t'yer 'bout magic since I've been 'ere" he said.

Harry did not seem too fazed by his own unawareness and smiled serenely,

"Oh, wow how lovely" he proclaimed.

…

When Harry was left in Kings Cross station, he did not seem too perturbed.

When he followed the troupe of red-heads through the magical barrier, he simply smiled.

When he entered and empty carriage and sat down, he merely stared out the window with a glazed look on his face.

The door of the compartment slid open and one of the red-heads from before came in.

"Anyone sitting there?" he asked, pointing at the seat opposite Harry. "Everywhere else is full"

There came no reply from the black haired boy and so the red-head took it as his cue to take the seat.

"I'm Ron by the way, Ron Weasley" he said.

Yet again he was met by no reply.

Disgruntled, Ron sat back and stared out the window.

After a further 5 minutes of silence, Ron was obviously feeling awkward. He kept glancing across at the silent boy whilst fidgeting the entire time.

"Right, well, I'd best be off" he muttered, "someone else I've got to…er….speak to"

With that he hurriedly exited the compartment in the hope of finding a more talkative companion.

When Harry Potter came out of his trance, not 2 minutes later, he did not even notice that someone else had been with him.

Yet again, the compartment door opened, but this time Harry noticed. A blond boy entered.

"I'm Draco, Draco Malfoy" he said with a commanding air about his voice. A hand was offered to Harry, which Harry took and shook firmly.

"You are Harry Potter, correct?" Draco asked imperiously.

"Oh, yes I am" Harry replied, "How do you know me?" he asked inquisitively.

Draco's composure slipped slightly as he spluttered "How do I know you?! How could I not know you?!"

Once he realised what he had said he quickly schooled his expression, "I wanted to make your acquaintance before you meet the wrong sort" he professed.

Harry looked slightly confused at this, but answered nonetheless, "Well, it's nice to meet you Draco, but I must ask how you know my name?"

"You're famous in the wizarding world Harry" Draco exclaimed.

"Oh really, I didn't know… whatever for?" Harry replied

Seizing the opportunity to talk, Draco proceeded to tell Harry of his defeat of a 'Dark Lord' who had caused a great wizarding war to break out before they were born.

Harry was a bit at a loss at this proclamation, but took it in his stride and simply thought that there were many things he wouldn't know in this new world and rationalised that he couldn't be blamed for that.

After the subject had been discussed, Draco told Harry all about Hogwarts and what was to be expected of him there.

"Of course, I'll be sorted into Slytherin" Draco said "What about yourself?"

This was one of the things that Harry had heard from Hagrid when they made their trip to Diagon Alley, so he could answer this.

"I am not too sure to be honest" he said "they all sound good to me, but I don't feel that Gryffindor would be a good suit for me as I'm not very impulsive"

"Oh no definitely not!" Draco exclaimed. "Gryffindor house is for the foolish my father says. No you seem more of a Slytherin to me"

"I'm looking forward to it" Harry said with a smile on his face, his emerald eyes sparkling with anticipation.

….

"Potter, Harry" Professor McGonagall read out.

The whole hall went silent in a second. No movement came from the group of First years occurred though.

"Harry Potter?" was repeated again.

The boy standing next to Harry by the name of Blaise Zabini who had been introduced by Draco on the boat ride over, elbowed Harry and whispered

"That's you, you idiot. Hurry up and get up there!"

The blank look that had graced Harrys face not a second before was gone and he looked around surprised.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" He replied

"McGonagall called your name!" Blaise exclaimed.

"Oh, right" Harry said unfazed.

He stepped up to the stool next to the Professor.

"Ah, Harry. There you are" She said, "Hurry up and sit down please"

He sat down and the hat was placed on his head.

'Ah, Mr Potter' A voice in his head said. Harry was slightly perplexed, but sat still waiting for something to happen. 'Let me see' It said 'A good mind, but Ravenclaw is not for you…. Gryffindor is a no – you are not compulsive enough…. Hufflepuff could work, you are very honest and loyal, but… Maybe you would best suited somewhere else…' It deliberated for a while 'Yes, I think I know where you belong….

"SLYTHERIN"

The murmurs which were rife throughout the hall whilst the hat had been deliberating immediately disappeared. The silence was overbearing as Harry stood up and made his way over to the table decked out in green and silver.

Anyone who had looked at the Headmasters face would have seen a look of total shock before it morphed into one of curiosity. The clapping was started by Draco and quickly the rest of Slytherin joined in. the other houses were in uproar, particularly the Gryffindor table. Ron Weasley was staring at Harry with a shocked look on his face, but which then changed into one of intense disgust.

Harry sat down next to Draco and once the sorting had ended, began to tuck in to the multitude of different foods which were covering the table. Many curious looks were thrown his by the Slytherins and one Professor with lank black hair sitting up at head table seemed very interested.

"Who is that man?" Harry asked Draco, pointing at the Professor

"That's our Head of House, Professor Snape. He's my Godfather" Draco told him. "He might seem a bit strict to start with, but he's a great man" he added.

Harry nodded with an interested look on his face.

Later on Harry sank into bed, happy and excited for the next day. It would be an interesting year with his new friends beside him.

A.N: Woo, first chapter done… do tell me what you think and give any ideas for the story to come!