Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any associates properties or ideas. I am not now, have not in the past, and will not for the foreseeable future receive compensation for writing fanfiction.

Summary: There's not a single witch or wizard who went bad that wasn't in Slytherin… well at least according to Hagrid. A chance meeting with Professor Slughorn changes Harry's outlook just in time for the sorting.

EDIT: This is an edited version of the original chapter. Changes were made to keep Harry's earlier characterizations more in line with what I've written later in the series. I've also removed a couple of the more cringe worthy moments. And subsittuted the rather bland scene breaks with something more interesting. A Certain amount of credit for these changes goes to my new beta Snakefang93.

A/N So I know I shouldn't be starting a new series with two still uncompleted, but I ran into a brick wall when it came to Power Play. When this bunny popped up I just couldn't get it out of my mind so I figured I'd try it out.

At present I plan for this fic to cover all seven years of Hogwarts. I intend to breeze through the early years at Hogwarts. PS for instance is done by the end of this chapter, and CS will probably be only one chapter too, PA will probably be two chapters and GOF will almost definitely be four or more. The more my story moves away from cannon the more I'll write.

[Begin]

His first time at Gringotts would always be one of those moments that Harry would remember for the rest of his life. He was rich! Well not really the Potters had been rather middle class, but he certainly wasn't poor any longer. Harry never realized just how much he resented wearing Dudley's old clothes, until the second he realized that he would never have put on his cousin's hand-me-downs ever again . There was however one other instance that happened that day that irrevocably changed Harry's life, though he would never truly realize it.

"Hagrid! I say this is a surprise," called a plump old bald man as Harry and Hagrid walked out of Gringotts.

"Professor Slughorn sir, mighty good to see yeh." Hagrid sounded confused, Harry couldn't understand why exactly.

'It's nice to see you still remember me fondly," Slughorn said cheerfully. "I was afraid you wouldn't, given the circumstances the last time we met." Harry couldn't help but notice that as Slughorn talked to Hagrid his eyes kept glancing at Harry. He wasn't nearly as obvious as the other wizards had been, but he was still clearly excited to see the Boy-Who-Lived.

"Oh, weren't a problem Professor, yeh didn't 'ave a lot to do with that business," Hagrid replied.

"Still hardly pleasant, although I hear you haven't done too badly for yourself since?"

"No sir," Hagrid said proudly. "Professor Dumbledore did right by me sir, can't complain about my life at all, not one bit. S'matter of fact yeh could say he's trusting me with a rather lot of important things these days." The giant noticeably patted his pocket, where Harry had seen him put the package from Vault 713. "I was just at Gringotts picking up a little something on his behalf."

"My, my, he really does trust you nowadays," Slughorn said pleasantly. "You should be proud, Hagrid, Albus was always a fine judge of character and he wouldn't trust you with his vault if he didn't think highly of you."

Harry had never seen a man as large as Hagrid preen before and he never wanted to see it ever again. There was no doubt that Slughorn knew all the right buttons to push.

"If you don't mind me asking Hagrid, what was it that Albus sent you to Gringotts for?"

"Sorry Professor, that's between Albus Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel!" Hagrid said proudly.

Slughorn's eyebrows immediately jumped at the name, but he must have decided to let the matter rest as he said "well say no more my dear man, in any case I was rather more interested in your young companion here."

"Right yeh are Professor, say hi to Harry Potter, Harry this Professor Slughorn me old potions teacher."

"It's a pleasure to meet you sir," Harry said politely.

"No Mr. Potter the pleasure is all mine… My word you look like your father, and you have her eyes," there was a note of fondness in Slughorn's voice. Eventually Harry would grow tired of that phrase repeated over and over again by seemingly everyone over the age of 35, but at the time it was still fresh and he was still eager to hear of his parents.

"You knew my parents sir?"

"Oh yes," Slughorn said smiling fondly. "I confess that I didn't know your father very well, but your mother… They say that teachers shouldn't have favorites, but she was one of my mine. Oh I could go on for days, but I fear you two are probably busy," Slughorn looked very downcast at the prospect of leaving Harry.

"Yeh know Professor," Hagrid ventured cautiously, "I think I need to sit down for a bit. It's those ruddy Gringotts carts, they do horrible things to me stomach. Normally wouldn't ask but seeing how yer a friend of Professor Dumbledore and all… Yeh could take Harry 'round the shops and get his stuff for school if yeh got the time?"
"I'd be delighted to!" Professor Slughorn answered with a large grin. Harry had the distinct impression that the man had planned this, though the chance to hear about his parents made Harry eager to go with him anyways.

"Come on now, Mr. Potter, or do you prefer Harry?" Slughorn asked cheerfully.

"Harry's fine sir."

"Excellent, now what's first on your list? Robes I see? Well everyone usually swears by Madame Malkin's but Twilfit of Twilfit and Tattings is an old student of mine and he always makes sure to give me the good stuff." Slughorn gave Harry a conspiratorial little wink as he brought up his old student, as if to let Harry in on some sort of big secret.

"You said you knew my mother sir?" Harry asked hopefully. "I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about her?"

"I'd be delighted to." Slughorn paused to collect his thoughts. "She was a vivacious charming girl, quite pleasant to be around; she had a way of lighting up a room. She was a dab hand at potions too, as I recall. She and Severus always used to try and outdo each other, never let it get in the way of their friendship though… well at least not at first..."

"Severus?"

"Oh yes, I forget myself sometimes Harry. You of course haven't met Severus Snape, he's your potions professor, now that I've retired."

"Another friend of my mother's then?"

"Hmpff, you'll be hard put to find someone who wasn't a friend of your mother's. I always used to joke that she should be in Slytherin, my old house, cheeky answers I'd get back too."

"House sir?"

"Ah yes, raised by muggles, you won't know much about Hogwarts then?"

"No sir."

"Well there are four houses which you can live in. There's Slytherin, my alma mater, we're said to be the most ambitious of the lot. Then there's Ravenclaw, they're the smart ones. Hufflepuff, they value hard work. Your mother and father were Gryffindors, where the brave at heart dwell."

"How is the sorting done exactly?" Harry asked curiously.

"That my dear boy would be telling," Slughorn said with a friendly smile. "The sorting ceremony is a very well-kept secret, it's something of a tradition you see."

Harry was beginning to enjoy his time with the aging Professor; it helped that Slughorn was one of the first adults to genuinely pay attention to Harry. That is if you don't count Petunia's glares, and those rather pushy wizards and witches back in the Leaky Cauldron. It also helped that Slughorn was a genuinely interesting man who was willing, even eager, to indulge his questions.

Harry got the distinct impression that he wasn't the only one to have fallen for Slughorn's charm. As they walked down the street the Professor was constantly being recognized. "That's Adrian, Class of '78, he's a photographer for the Daily Prophet… I expected so much better out of him. Oh that's Barnabas Quickhop, Minister for Magical Transportation, Class of '67." It went on like this all the way down Diagon Alley, Harry felt like his head was about to burst trying to remember all of the people the Professor had pointed out by the time they made it to the robe shop.

Harry had only intended to buy school robes, but Slughorn insisted that he be outfitted with a complete wizard wardrobe.

"You're a hero Harry and you must look the part!"

Harry had wanted to protest that he was 'just Harry,' but it felt rather nice to be fawned over for once in his life. Besides he reasoned after years of wearing Dudley's old boxers he deserved to treat himself right?

After Twilfit and Tattings Slughorn escorted Harry to the Apothecary, where the Professor was greeted as a long lost friend.

"It probably has something to do with me introducing the owner to his wife," Slughorn told Harry as they were leaving.

There next stop was the bookstore, where the Professor insisted that Harry buy a veritable library on top of his normal schoolbooks.

"It never hurts to be well read my boy, and this book has some rather good insights to basic potion making. I really don't know why Severus insists on teaching you from that outdated piece of junk, Belby put out."

For his part Harry was thankful that Slughorn had no qualms about letting him buy a book on curses.

"It's a bit above your level, but it never hurts to be prepared" the Professor said when Harry had suggested it.

Slughorn also made a point of buying Harry a beautiful white owl, so long as Harry promised to write him. Harry who had neither received a true gift in his life nor had someone to write too eagerly agreed.

Finally it came to the purchase that Harry had been truly looking forward to, his wand. Ollivander's Shop was rather run down and dusty in comparison to the other stores in Diagon Alley. Harry said as much to Professor Slughorn.

"Hmpff, remember Harry appearances can be deceiving there's not a better wandmaker in the whole of Europe then Mr. Ollivander."

"I'm glad you think so," Ollivander said appearing right behind Slughorn, who jumped and let out a startled squeal.

"Horace Slughorn, 9 inches made of Yew, rather sturdy good for transfiguration as I recall?"

"Hmpff, that's correct," the Professor answered as he straightened his robe and tried his best to look like he hadn't just made a sound more suited to a schoolgirl then a potions master. An Hour later Harry emerged from the store with an 11 inch phoenix feather wand and the distinct urge to never, ever go back to Ollivander's. The man was plain creepy.

Hagrid met the pair at the Leaky Cauldron and Slughorn begged his leave. He made Harry promise to write him one last time he disappeared with a small pop.

"That was right odd him coming up to us like that," Hagrid said as they left the Leaky Cauldron. "Never did have much to do with old Horace Slughorn before."

"He seemed nice." Harry didn't exactly want the first friend he ever made, Hagrid, disliking the second friend he ever made, Slughorn.

"The Professor's a right charmer when he feels like it, just never tried to charm me. Wouldn't normally have let yeh leave me sight, but he was friends with Professor Dumbledore back in the day, and any friend of Albus Dumbledore is a friend of mine."

("There's not a witch or wizard who went dark that wasn't in Slytherin,"- Ron Weasley)

"The Sorting Ceremony's about to start now form a line," Professor McGonagall called. Harry queued up next to Ron Weasley a friend he had made on the train. "Not Slytherin, not Slytherin, also not Hufflepuff, but definitely not Slytherin," the redhead kept muttering under his breath to Harry's amusement.

Harry gaped in awe as the first years followed McGonagall into the Great Hall, he had never imagined such a strange yet pleasant place. It was lit by thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the Hogwarts population was sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets, far richer than anything Harry had seen in the muggle world. Even the Queen didn't eat off of gold plates!

Harry's heart started to beat quicker and his legs began to feel like Rubber as he noticed that nearly every eye in the student body was pointed towards him.

"That's Harry Potter!" one person sitting at the Ravenclaw Table said eagerly.

"I always thought he would be taller," a Gryffindor said in disappointment.

"Oh he's cute," whispered an older Hufflepuff girl. Harry blushed even more at the last comment. Harry quickly looked away from the girl which only seemed to make her giggle.

It was then that Harry noticed that everyone in the hall who wasn't staring at him was looking at a rather beat up looking hat. For a few seconds there was silence… Then a rip formed near the brim and the hat began to sing.

"Oh you may not think I'm pretty, but don't judge on what you see I'll eat myself if you can find a smarter hat then me."

For his part Harry stared in open mouth shock as the hat continued its badly rhymed, but informative song.

"So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap! You're in safe hands (though I have none). For I am a Thinking Cap!"

As the Hall erupted in applause Harry couldn't decide whether to be impressed that magic had created a seemingly sentient hat or horrified that said hat was being used primarily for singing.

"Abbot, Hannah," Called Professor McGonagall.

"Hufflepuff!" the Hat cried out after a second of deliveration.

"Bones Susan."

"Hufflepuff!"

"Boot, Terry!"

"Ravenclaw!" And so the sorting went slowly but surely the amount of unsorted first years dwindled. A rather bushy haired girl who Harry found annoying was sorted into Gryffindor as was Ron.

"Potter, Harry," McGonagall called at last.

The last thing Harry saw before the hat closed over his eyes was a hall full of people staring at him, it was enough to make his cheeks even redder. Then he was looking at the inside of a dark hat. He waited.

"Hmm," came a small whisper. "Difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage, there's no denying that. Not a bad mind to go along with it either. Loyalty to make Helga proud, and talent oh yes, so much talent… so where should I put you?"

"Not Slytherin," Harry muttered under his breath.

"Not Slytherin, eh?" the Hat asked curiously. "Now why would that be?"

Unbidden an image of Ron flashed to the front of his mind. "Slytherins are scum, the lot of 'em," Harry could practically here the scorn dripping from his friend's voice.

"Letting others make your choices for you Mr. Potter? Hardly something old Godric would approve of and really Mr. Weasley is steering you wrong. You have what it takes to be great, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin can help you on the way to greatness!"

Harry thought of Ron and Hagrid, and there warnings about Slytherin and he started to say "not slyth-," but then he stopped. His mind went back to Professor Slughorn. Kind, affable, popular Professor Slughorn, was he evil? Harry didn't really think so. Maybe Slytherin wasn't as bad as everyone had made it out to be.

"That's the spirit, Potter," the Sorting Hat whispered in his ear. "Any more objections? No? Then it had better be SLYTHERIN!"

The hat was removed from Harry's head and he could see again. It looked like the Gryffindors were rather disappointed but most clapped sedately; The Hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws were likewise polite. The Slytherins however were cheering wildly, Harry felt his fears melt away. 'They wouldn't be that happy if they planned to kill me right?' he thought to himself.

As Harry was about to sit down at the Slytherin Table a tall brown haired slytherin seventh year with a Head Boy badge on walked up and shook his hand. "Terrance Higgs, Just wanted to say welcome to the Dark Side."

"There are three simple rules to living in Slytherin," Higgs said to the first years later that night in the common room. "Number one; No one cares what your last name is."

Harry grinned at that, while Malfoy just gave the Head Boy a dark look.

"Number two; I don't care what you do or who you do it to, just so long as Slytherin doesn't lose points over it. But so help me God if Slytherin loses points I'll make you wish you were dead."

The threat seemed oddly serious to Harry, especially considering that Higgs had seemed nice enough at the welcoming feast.

"And rule number three; No dueling in the Showers. That's a new rule after what happened last year…"

Slytherin was a very odd House Harry decided after his first few days. Nearly everyone above fifth year was happy to have him, and went out of their way to do him favors. People closer to his own age weren't so welcoming.

"You don't belong here Potter," Malfoy said on the first night.

"It's all about what they can get out of you," Blaise Zabini had explained when Harry brought up the oddity. "They all think you have the power to make or break their careers, after all people listen to the Boy-Who-Lived."

"What about Malfoy and Parkinson?" Harry pointed out.

"Malfoy and Parkinson are just petty imitations of their parents. They haven't had the time to develop their own views or personalities so they'll just go along with whatever they think their mommy's and daddies would do in their place."

Blaise was darker in his thoughts then any reasonable eleven year old had a right to be, Harry found it sort of disturbing. He was however the only boy below fifth year who would talk to Harry and so the two had struck up an almost friendship. Malfoy apparently hated the black boy almost as much as he hated Harry.

"My mum married his uncle," Blaise said as if that explained everything.

"He means his mum killed Draco's uncle," said a pretty young girl from Harry's other side. She had bright blue eyes and shoulder length hair that was as dark as Harry's own.

"Allegedly, Tracey, allegedly" Blaise replied deadpanned.

Tracey Davis was Harry's only other friend in Slytherin, and seemed to gravitate to Harry out of a desire to be as unslytherin as possible.

"My mum's a muggle and I think my dad's not too happy about me being around people like Blaise," she had explained to Harry once

Blaise chose to ignore that comment. Harry rather got the impression that he bought into the whole blood supremacy thing at least to some extent, though the boy had never said as much.

"Harry can I talk to you," a nervous looking Ron Weasley asked as Harry and his friends walked up to the potions classroom.

"Sure," Harry replied as he let himself be led away, to the clear annoyance of Blaise. "What did you want to talk about Ron?" he asked once they were safely out of earshot.

"Well I just wanted to say… er… well…" Ron looked flustered. "I-I said some things… that er… I um…. Look I said stuff about Slytherins and all… But I mean… Well you seemed like a good bloke, so I guess they all can't be bad."

"So you're saying you still want to be my friend?" Harry asked half amused and half relived.

"Yeah," Ron replied with a nervous smile.

Harry decided to go to bed early that night, he was tired from his first week of classes and his stomach was rather unsettled from eating Hagrid's rock cakes. He awoke sometime long after the rest of his year had gone to bed. He rolled over and reached for his glasses only to see four figures far too tall to be his roommates slipping quietly through the door.

"Lumos," Harry said holding his wand aloft. The light showed six tall figures in dark cloaks and bone white masks staring back at him. He didn't have time to panic before a flash of red sent him into unconsciousness.

Harry awoke with a start he was in a dark dank room somewhere, probably in the dungeons. Around him his roommates huddled in terror, as the figures he had seen in the dorm hovered over them menacingly.

"We are the Fraternal Order of the Serpent," said an intimidating voice that Harry felt was familiar but couldn't place. "Over a millennia ago Salazar Slytherin himself charged us with defending this noble house from those who would seek to destroy it."

"The hat said ye'ad the right stuff to be Slytherin. We'll see if ye' got the balls for it," said another masked figure in an Irish brogue.

"You are low. Beneath muggles and mudbloods, because they at least have the decency to stay out of our way," said one of the others.

"My father is-!"

"We know all about yer daddy, Malfoy. He raised a garl for a son, I for one will enjoy beating the man into yeh," said the Irish one.

"My father will hear about this!" Draco replied standing up. Before he could leave one of the figures shot a burst of white light at him, Draco shrieked in pain and collapsed into Goyle.

"You'll go nowhere until we give you permission Mr. Malfoy," said the first man who had spoken. Harry gathered he was the levelheaded one of the group. "As for telling your father, I couldn't care less. He was a Slytherin once too; he'll have passed our test. What will he think of a weakling son who can't?"

Harry would never know for sure whether it was the stinging hex that cowed Draco or the comment about his father but either way the boy shut up.

"And if we don't go along with this?" Blaise asked from Harry's left.

"Oh the whore's son speaks," said one of the masked ones, as he threw back his head and laughed. "Tell me, what's it like knowing your mum killed your dad 'cause he weren't man enough to satisfy her needs?"

"I'd love to satisfy her needs," one of the other captors said while making a crude gesture.

"Bastard!" Blaise tried to charge at the boy, who looked like a seventh year from his size only to be hit by a stunner.

"No I rather think that's you," one of the masked men said with a harsh laugh.

"That's enough," the level headed one said as he waved his wand to revive Blaise. "To answer your question Mr. Zabini, anyone who thinks there too good for us is no longer Slytherin and will be silenced, for the rest of their time at Hogwarts."

Harry shuddered a little bit, even after only a week in Slytherin House he knew how discipline was maintained. When a Slytherin did something truly horrific or embarrassing, the House would silence them. That is to say that no one was allowed to speak to or acknowledge that student ever again. It was brutally effective. Most of the silenced chose to leave Hogwarts rather than continue on as a friendless nobody, a rare few had even decided to jump of the Astronomy Tower.

"You will each be assigned a master, they will help you grow to be true Slytherins and in return you will follow their every command."

"If yer master be wishing yeh to run naked through the Great 'all, yeh will," said the Irish one.

"Now for your first test, gentleman," said the one Harry thought was the leader. "Get back to the common room without getting caught… If you make it your masters will find you tomorrow."

("I swear on the graves of my ancestors if any of you idiots get me caught I'll kill you,"- Draco Malfoy)

"Come with me Potter," Terrance Higgs said the next day in the common room. Harry had just enough time to share a look of trepidation with Blaise and Tracey before he was whisked off by the Seventh Year. They traveled through a doorway to the side of the common room that Harry had never paid much attention to. The door opened to reveal a long hallway with doors on either side.

"This is my private study," Higgs said opening one of the doors. "You'll get one your sixth year assuming you have four or more OWLS." The room was decorated in a rich purple, with just enough green and silver to show that it was a Slytherin's room.

"Is there a reason you needed to see me?" Harry asked nervously.

"Yes, as you've probably guess I'm your designated Master," Higgs said with a small smile. "Now as long do your part this shouldn't be all that hard. Every Slytherin for the last thousand years has done this, so I'll be rather surprised if you break under the pressure."

"How does this work sir?" Harry hadn't called Higgs sir before, but since the boy now had real power over Harry it seemed like the smart thing to do. Judging from Higgs' smile he had done the right thing.

"This is rather simple Potter, and assuming you keep your nose clean and your grades up it won't even be that hard. Basically it's my responsibility to ensure you aren't an embarrassment to Slytherin, if you get into trouble I'm expected to punish you, and if you can't keep up in your studies I'm expected to tutor you."

"That's a lot nicer then you lot made it sound last night," Harry replied.

"Well there's another side to these things," Higgs said with a smile. "In exchange for me mentoring you you're expected to be my manservant. Clean my study, fetch me tea, hold my bag during Quidditch Practice, that sort of thing."

"That still doesn't seem so bad." Harry was used to cleaning up after three Dursley's after that one wizard didn't seem like too much trouble.

"Well maybe not for you, but I think a couple of your mates won't find it so fun."

Harry thought of Malfoy picking up after someone, and chuckled a little, that would no doubt set the little ponce off.

"Also a couple of the lads are taking it a bit farther than me. Malfoy for instance will be in for a rather miserable year under O'Neal."

"Bad Blood?" Harry inquired.

"He's Irish and practically giddy at the chance to humiliate a rich Englishman's son, and for the most part that's what this whole thing is about," Higgs explained. "You get people like Malfoy coming in thinking they own the place cause of their daddies. While those of us who've been here for seven years can't just let that happen so we knock 'em down a few pegs… If you're smart perhaps you can avoid that..."

("Look! It's that stupid thing Longbottom's Gran sent him. I think I'll leave it somewhere for him to find… Like up a tree."-Draco Malfoy)

"Longbottom!" Harry called entering the Hospital wing. "I've got something for you!"

"Eep!" Neville squealed as he caught sight of Harry.

"What the devil are you eeping for?" Harry asked confused. "Snape isn't behind me is he?" Harry resisted the urge to look over his shoulder it would be just his luck to run into the Professor outside of class. The man had an unnatural dislike of him and Longbottom too come to think of it.

"Come to make fun of me then?" Neville asked bitterly.

"What? Why would I do that?" Harry asked confused.

"Why else would you be here?"

"Malfoy nicked your Remembrall, I'm just returning it," Harry held out a little ball as proof of his claims.

"Thanks," Neville said taking the Remembrall cautiously, it immediately turned scarlet.

"Wonder what you forgot?"

"Password to the Common room," said miserably.

"Oh… well don't worry I'm sure one of your gryffindor mates will be around before too long," Harry said awkwardly in an attempt to comfort him.

"I doubt it," the boy said miserably.

"You never know Neville; Parvati stood up to Malfoy for you after Hooch sent you on your way."

"Really?" Neville sounded surprised.

"Yeah, I mean don't read too much into it, but she did."

"Oh…. Why does everyone hate me?"

"Not everyone hates you… most people don't even know who you are."

"Oh…"

"Listen Neville, no one really hates you… well besides Snape. Malfoy doesn't even really hate you; you're just a convenient target."

"How can I make him stop?"

"You've come to right place, Neville," Harry said with a grin. "I'm a right expert at dealing with bullies."

"But you're Harry Potter?" Neville sounded confused.

"Bullying effects all of us… plus being a saint in the wizard world doesn't exactly translate into the muggle one where I grew up. Now there are three ways to beat a bully. Number one; be more likeable…"

"Oh…"

"Don't look so down mate, if you were likeable to Malfoy then there would be something wrong with you. In any case the other two are closer to what you need. Number Two; outrun the bully."

"I'm not very fast," Neville said miserably.

"And third be stronger than the bully… or at least strong enough so he thinks it's not worth the trouble to fight you."

"Oh… I'm rubbish at magic…"

"Well of course you're rubbish at magic Neville!" Harry exclaimed in annoyance. "We're all rubbish at magic, if we were any good at it we wouldn't need to go to this school now would we?"

"I mean I'm more rubbish then everyone else."

"You're kidding right? I tried to get my bed sheets to fold themselves and the bloody things ended up trying to strangle me. You can't be any worse than that… look Neville magic is all about practice you just need to try a little harder," Harry tried to sound encouraging.

"That's what everyone says," Neville muttered darkly. "I'm trying as hard as I can… what if I'm just a squib?"

"If you were a squib they wouldn't have given you the letter." Harry paused for thought. "Maybe you just lack a bit of confidence… try getting a few easy spells under your belt and then moving onto the big stuff."

"D-do you think you can help me Harry?"

Harry paused at that. On one hand he did genuinely feel sorry for Neville and he even emphasized with him, having been bullied all of his life. On the other it would be a lot of work, and Harry already had too much on his plate.

"Alright…" Harry replied with a martyred sigh. "Come to charms club next week and I'll see what I can do."

("The first and most important part of any spell is confidence, if a wizard does not believe he can fly then he cannot,"- Filius Flitwick)

Dear Harry,

I can't express how pleased I am to see you in my old alma mater, Slytherin House, I always did say your mother would've done well there. No matter how much you look like your father I dare say your much more her son then James's.

Now the Order of the Serpent, I'm glad you mentioned it, I'd quite forgotten them. When I went to school all of the houses had organizations like that, but once Dumbledore took over he did away with those sorts of things. I did however always suspect that the Order was still active. Truthfully I never even tried to put it out of commission. It's a rather harmless rite of passage. I never could understand why Dumbledore hated the idea of it so much.

As for the Longbottom boy you mentioned, he wouldn't be Frank and Alice's son would he? Great people, two of my favorites though not as dear as your mother. They unfortunately aren't with us any longer, that poor boy; it happened a day or two after your parents. That war did terrible things, Harry, but the poor Longbottoms must've thought the worst was over, that they had survived… and then a knock on their door. The world is cruel. I can only hope that you and Neville can live the life your parents didn't get the chance to.

About Severus. I really think you might be exaggerating things, I don't mean to say you're lying, far from it, but things look different from the teacher's desk, as I well know. Severus after all was a dear friend of your mother's for a great many years.

Now what's with these rumors I've been hearing about a troll breaking into the school during Halloween? Surely that can't be right. Dumbeldore would never allow it!

Sincerely,

Horace Slughorn

(It's no wonder nobody can stand her, she's a nightmare honestly,"- Ron Weasley)

"No it's not Wingardium Leviosa Neville," Hermione explained harshly at the first year table in charms club. "It's Win-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the gar nice and long."

"Granger's got it wrong Longbottom, just say it however you feel comfortable," Harry said soothingly.

"He's not going to learn anything that way!" Hermione snapped.

"Oh calm down Granger, it doesn't matter how you say the words just so long as you say them."

"All the books clearly state that the incantation is the most important part!"

"And it is the most important part," Harry replied. "But you're wand will know what you mean even if your accent garbles it. How do you think German blokes manage to do magic? It's not as if they all go around with an English accent every time they cast a spell."

Hermione spluttered, but ultimately had no reply. Neville however still failed to get his feather to rise.

"Relax mate, it's all about confidence, you've got to believe the feather will rise."

"It's no use, I'm rubbish at this."

"Okay Neville that's the exact opposite of what I just told you to do," Harry's voice was beginning to show his annoyance. "Alright what spell can you do right?"

"While, not many… but I guess I'm okay with the wand lighting one," Neville said uncertainly.

"Alright then do it."

"Lumos!" Neville's wand tip glowed, but it was nowhere near as bright a Harry's usually was.

"Alright, now why can you do that spell and not this one? It's all just magic," Harry said encouragingly.

"But I'm rubbish at even that spell and it's a whole lot simpler," Neville moaned. "I think it's 'cause I'm not powerful enough."

"There's no such thing as magical power Neville," Hermione chimed in. "That theory was disproven year ago."

"I loath to say it, but Granger's right," said Harry. "There's no such thing as a lot or a little magic, either you have magic or you don't."

"That's easy for you lot to say, you're good at it."

Harry was about to snap at Neville, when he saw a flash of pink hair at the seventh year table. "Hermione keep working him I've got an idea."

Hermione gave Harry an odd look, but he was already gone.

"Hey Tonks, can you do me a favor?" he asked the seventh year Hufflepuff who had been his tutor at the first club meeting.

"Wotcher Harry," She said cheerfully. "What do you need?"

"Mind casting a cheering charm on my friend over there, I want to test a little scientific theory."

"What! Flitwick will have my head if he sees me cast something like that on a first year," Tonks whispered fiercely.

"Listen, he just has some confidence issues-,"

"Well then go get him a girl and a broom closet! That'll fix him right up."

"Tonks… he's eleven."

"Ok so forget the broom closet, either way I'm not going to help you."

"Please," Harry said giving her his best puppy eyes.

Tonks snorted. "Oh please Harry, that's not going to work on me."

"Pretty please," Harry continued tilting his head to one side.

"Not falling for it Potter."

"Please…" Harry made his bottom lip tremble just a little bit.

"Oh… Fine," Tonks said reluctantly reaching for her wand, "but never again, and you never tell anyone!"

'Wow women really fall for that?' Harry thought to himself.

She pointed her wand at Neville and whispered a few words under her breath, instantly the boy seemed to perk up.

"Thanks Tonks you're the best!" Harry chirped happily.

"Just don't ask me to do it again," Tonks said reaching out to ruffle Harry's hair affectionately.

"Harry I did it! I did it!" Neville exclaimed happily when Harry sat down with him.

"What happened?" Harry asked though he already knew the answer.

"Well I was just sitting here, and then I got like this feeling… like I was really happy… and I mean why should I be happy? But anyways I figured I'd give the spell a go, 'cause I was in a good mood and it worked! It really worked!"

'Let's see how far we can take this,' Harry thought to himself. He managed to get Neville to perform three new spells flawlessly before the cheering charm wore off. Harry hoped that Neville would be able to use the experience to bolster his confidence in the future, but only time would tell on that front.

("Seriously a nightmare! You get to run off to the dungeons after class the rest of us have to live with her!"- Ron Weasley)

"Think you can do better Potter!" Higgs snapped one day during Quidditch practice. Harry had been throwing small balls around as Higgs tried to catch them. Usually Higgs was excellent… today was an off day.

"Well I could hardly do worse," Harry muttered under his breath. He only muttered because he knew that as his 'master,' Higgs could've made Harry do things a lot more humiliating then helping out during Quidditch Practice.

"Alright then give it a shot Potter, I need a breather anyways."

Higgs took the bag from Harry and the two traded places in midair, Harry being mounted on one of the school's run down brooms.

"Go!" Higgs called as he threw the first ball.

Harry did a quick roll to his right and caught it with ease. The second ball went high and Harry had to lunge to grab it, but he somehow maintained his balance on the broom. The third one was a low shot, Harry did his best but it fell to the ground before he could catch it.

"Alright Potter," Higgs said clearly impressed. "That was pretty good actually, let's see if you can catch this." Higgs through the ball in a high arch.

Harry desperately scanned the sky for the little ball, and then he saw it hurtling towards the ground. He pointed the handle of his broom about 20 feet in front of the ball and then laid almost flat on the broom, the next second he was gathering speed in a steep dive, racing the ball to the ground. Wind whistled in his ears and Harry grinned wide, something about the experience just felt right. He reached out his hand and caught the ball, letting out a loud whoop of excitement as he pulled out of his dive mere feet from the ground.

"Oh Marcus," Harry heard Higgs call. "I think I may have just found next year's seeker."

("You on the Quidditch team? Brilliant! There's nothing more attractive than a man who can dodge Bludgers!"- Tracey Davis)

Harry was one of only seven Slytherins who elected to stay behind that Christmas. 5 of them were in their OWL or NEWT year respectively and didn't want to be separated from the Hogwarts library. Tracey Davis also elected to remain behind with Harry, "Mum and Dad are pretty much okay with me being in Slytherin by now, but Granddad's still not happy about it. I figured it best to avoid the family this Christmas."

Harry was ecstatic this was the first Christmas that he wouldn't have to go through alone. He took to the Holiday with fervor he never had before. He even went out of his way to mail-order gifts for all of his friends, and a few of the professors. What was the point to having money if you couldn't use it?

Harry wasn't the only one who seemed to be taking the Holiday seriously. Even though the majority of students had elected to go home the staff still decorated the castle. Hagrid could be seen bringing in large Christmas trees for display in the Great Hall. Professor Flitwick gave extra credit for all students who would help him levitate bulbs onto the trees. The upper years were even encouraged to enchant the suits of armor to sing Holiday carols at passersby. Harry had nearly had a heart attack when one of the suits had started singing Deck the Halls when he thought he was alone.

Harry went to bed the night of Christmas Eve, looking forward to the next day primarily for the food, as he didn't expect any presents. When he awoke however he was pleasantly surprised to see a small pile at the foot of his bed. Harry happily took his pile to the common room where he and Tracey had arranged to meet that morning.

"Look I have presents!" Harry said happily as Tracey came from the girls dorms, with a slightly larger pile.

"Wow!" Tracey said sarcastically. "You would almost think it was Christmas." Harry had made a point of not letting any of his Slytherin friends know about his home life. He trusted Tracey and to a lesser extent Blaise, but he somehow felt that the fact that his relatives hated him was private.

"Thanks Harry!" Tracey squealed happily as she opened his gift, a set of gobstones. "Now open one of yours," she demanded.

Harry's rather bad luck led him to pick up his gift from the Dursley's, a note with a fifty pence piece taped to it.

"That's horrible!" Tracey exclaimed as she read the note over his shoulder.

"Just don't bring it up again," Harry muttered throwing the present to the side.

"Why do you let them treat you like that?"

"What choice do I have? And seriously Tracey just drop it."

The rest of Harry's presents were more cheerful. Slughorn had sent Harry a book about the History of Slytherin House, along with a few pictures of his mother. Harry appreciated both.

Ron had sent him a case of Chocolate Frogs, Harry appreciated the thought as he knew the boy didn't have much money.

Neville gave Harry an introductory book on Magical Theory and thirty Sugar Quills. Harry grinned as he thought about Neville, the boy had come a long way, he wasn't by any measure the best one in the class, but he wasn't the worse anymore. Harry was sure that in a few months' time, the boy would be able to give a Malfoy a run for his money in a duel.

Blaise sent Harry a rather nice set of Self inking Quills. The accompanying note explained that he was sick and tired of listening to Harry complain about how much better pens were. Harry grinned at that, Blaise was still as high strung as ever, but he was beginning to think that the boy was loosening up.

Higgs had sent him a set of Seeker's Gloves with a note about how he would need him for next year. Harry once again thanked whatever powers there were that he had gotten the Head Boy as his master. Higgs for the most part left Harry alone outside of the occasional study session and Quidditch Practices. Malfoy's Master on the other hand had taken to following the boy around and making him loudly sing Patriotic Irish songs in the middle of the common room.

After Tracey's gift, a copy of The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, there was only one present left. A medium sized brown paper parcel. The note on it had a loopy handwriting that Harry didn't recognize. He unwrapped it.

Something fluid and silvery gray went slithering to the floor where it lay in gleaming folds. Tracey gasped.

"That's an invisibility cloak!" She exclaimed.

'Yes, it's been a great Christmas,' Harry thought with a grin.

(The Goblin Rebellions of the 1500s are interesting primarily because of their effect on the finical regulatory system," Professor Binns)

"Alright Potter, if you haven't gotten it yet I might just have to start beating it into you," Higgs said in annoyance. "Now for the last time, Gaspard Shingleton invented the self-stirring cauldron, why?"

"So he wouldn't have to stir the cauldron," Harry ventured hopefully. He was grateful that Higgs had decided to help him study for the end of year exams, but the older boy took History way too seriously.

"Yes, but why didn't he want to stir a cauldron?" Higgs asked dangerously.

"er… cause it made his arms tired?"

"He had no arms Potter!" Higgs snapped irritably. "The man was armless! A goblin named Grognack the Barbarian cut them off in the rebellion!"

"What's the matter Terrance?" usually the seventh year was a lot more helpful and a lot less moody.

"It's the bloody NEWTS you'll understand when you're in your seventh year."

"That bad?" Harry asked sympathetically.

"You have no idea," Higgs muttered darkly.

"It can't be too hard on you, I mean you don't even really need to pass your NEWTS right? You want to be a Lawyer and your dad owns his firm, so you have a guaranteed apprenticeship."

"The apprenticeship is guaranteed but the pay isn't. Apparently I'm getting paid based on my grades. So depending on my score in Transfiguration I may be forced to live with my parents until I'm 26."

Harry flinched in sympathy for his friend? Wait. Was Higgs his friend? Harry wasn't quite sure, the older boy always helped him and Harry did enjoy his company. Plus due to Higgs role in turning Harry into a 'proper Slytherin,' they had been forced to spend a lot of time around one another. Still Harry wasn't sure if the older boy actually cared about him or was only there out of a sense of duty.

"Wotcher Harry," came a cheerful voice from his left. Harry turned to see that Tonks had decided to go with turquoise hair today. The color was pleasant in its own way but he didn't think it quite measured up to the usual pink.

"Hey Tonks." Harry noticed that Terrance had suddenly become very interested in a First year History book the second she had appeared.

"Flitwick canceled Charms Club tonight, something about an emergency choir rehearsal."

"We have a choir? When did that happen?"

"I have no idea, they just appeared one day and I didn't bother to ask any questions. Anyways pass on the word if you can."

"Yeah no problem, see you next week then?"

"Yep, see you then," Tonks called over her shoulder as she walked away.

"So is there a reason you're suddenly so interested in my History Book?" Harry asked once Tonks was out of earshot.

"I'm trying to find out… er… when Shingleton died." Terrance replied nervously.

"How much reading do you think you'll get done when you're holding the book upside down?"

"Shut up Potter!" Terrance snapped blushing.

("If you're smart Harry you'll leave women to someone who understands them… Like me,"-Blaise Zabini)

Dear Harry,

The Mirror of Erised on top of a troll! I wouldn't believe it if anyone but you had told me. I have absolutely no idea what is possessing Dumbledore! He used to be a rather brilliant mind, and I was proud to call him my friend, but he should know that neither of those things have any place in a school. And although I know you don't need to be told twice, follow Dumbledore's advice! Many a good man has wasted away before the mirror and I wouldn't want such a promising young lad as you to fall for its spell.

Anyways about what you said on the Longbottom boy's progress, I'm impressed. I've never heard of a cheering charm being used for that purpose, but I must say it's quite ingenuous. Keep it under wraps that you used a mind altering spellon a first year though, that's generally frowned upon.

Now tell me you've been studying too Harry, exams are in a month's time and it wouldn't do for a wizard as bright as you to have to repeat his first year. I joke of course, but do be careful, exams aren't to be trifled with.

Also I am glad you liked both of my gifts, not many people your age appreciate knowledge as much as you do. I am also happy to say that I received the crystalized pineapple you sent me, and it is delicious!. How did you know it was my favorite? No don't tell me, a good wizard never reveals his sources… Was it Minvera?

Sincerely,

Horace Slughorn

("Unlike others in this school I have no intention of letting you coast by on your fame alone,"- Severus Snape)

"What are the uses of a bezoar?" Harry quizzed Blaise one night in the common room to help prepare for their upcoming finals.

"How the bloody hell should I know?" Blaise answered.

"Because Snape has only said it three times in the last month," Tracey answered before Harry could.

"I still don't see why I have to study! It's Harry who he hates; he'll just give the rest of us a pass. He always lets us Slytherins get away with murder you know that."

"My dad will kill me if I 'just pass,' potions. He's a healer you know, and, he still thinks I'm going to be one too." Tracey snorted a little as if to suggest the idea was ridiculous.

` "We should focus on more important things," Blaise continued.

"Like?" Harry asked curiously.

"Like our Master Gifts, I still can't figure out what the devil to give Parkins?"

"Master gifts?" Tracey asked confused.

"We have to get gifts for our masters as some end of year thing," Harry explained.

` "What do you get the devil anyways? A new pitchfork?" Blaise asked sarcastically.

"You're exaggerating Parkins isn't the devil," Harry chided lightly.

"Easy for you to say. You lucked out and got Higgs, at least he doesn't actively hate your guts."

"Higgs is alright," Harry admitted. "But look on the bright side at least you didn't get stuck with O'Neal."

"Yeah I guess things can always be worse," Blaise agreed while nodding sagely.

"You could be Malfoy," Tracey agreed solemnly.

"Do you have any idea what you're going to get Higgs?" Blaise asked Harry.

"Don't suppose he'd take an autographed picture?" Harry said hopefully.

Blaise snorted a little at the idea. "You could even get him his very own Harry Potter doll!"

"They actually make those!?" Harry blushed a little at the thought.

"Oh yes, no girls collection is complete without one" Tracey said deadpanned. "I even married mine once. My Daddy was the minister. We even trained my dog to be the ring bearer… you know so he's ready."

"Ready for what?" Harry asked confused.

"For when we marry for real silly," Tracey said leaning in as if to kiss Harry.

"W-what!?"

"THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE!" Tracey exclaimed as she collapsed laughing, Blaise not far behind her.

"I hate both of you."

("Women are like Dragons you see 'cause… er… no that don't make sense,"- Hagrid)

"Tonks!" Harry called as he saw the seventh year emerging from the great Hall one Saturday morning, her hair purple for the day.

"Heya Harry," she responded cheerfully.

"I need to talk to you about something important."

"Hair popping up in weird places?"

"No!" Harry snapped and then he stopped to think about it for a second. "Well actually yes. How did you know?"

Tonks seemed to find this funny for some reason that was beyond Harry's comprehension. 'Women,' he thought to himself and shrugged.

"Listen Harry as much as I would love to be the one to tell you about the Unicorns and Hippogriffs I think that might be a conversation for your guardian to have with you."

"Uncle Vernon's a muggle; he doesn't know anything about hippogriffs… or unicorns either now that I think about it."

"His poor wife," Tonks said desperately trying not to laugh.

"Oh Aunt Petunia doesn't seem to mind, I don't think she'd want a hippogriff rampaging around her garden after all."

"Harry, all women want a Hippogriff rampaging through their garden," Tonks replied deadpanned.

"Really? Odd, none of them ever mention it." Harry was clearly confused, and Tonks was clearly amused.

"Oh Harry, there are so many things I have to teach you and so little time," Tonks said solemnly laying a hand on his shoulder as the pair walked out of the Entrance Hall and onto the Grounds.

"Well can it wait? I did have to talk to you about something important before you got us all off topic."

"Ask away."

"Ineedyoutogoonadateforme?" Harry said in a rush.

"You need me to goon a dementor swarm?" Tonks asked confused.

"Sorry." Harry blushed red. "I meant to say, I need you to go on a date for me." Harry knew it was a rather awkward question to ask, but this was his last hope. He had spent weeks agonizing over what to give Higgs for his end of year gift, but he hadn't come up with anything. That is at least until he had found a pile of unsent love letters in Higgs's study.

"Harry." Tonks sighed and knelt down so they were face to face. She looked rather sad. "I knew this might happen when we started spending time together, boys develop crushes easily, it's nothing to be ashamed of, but me and you… we just wouldn't work."

"What?" Harry asked confused.

"Harry you're cute and the girls will be all over you in a year or two, but I mean I'm seventeen and you're still a kid."

"What are you talking about?"

"I know it's hard to take rejection Harry, but you'll get over me eventually. I mean it might take a year or two but in time you-."

"Ew! Tonks! No! You're like old enough to be my mother!" Harry exclaimed.

"Hey! I'm not that old!"

"Close enough!"

"Okay Harry I see how this is going to be, I reject you and now you're just going to insult me."

"Tonks, I wasn't asking you to go on a date with me! I don't even like girls." Then Harry thought about the butterflies he got in his stomach when Daphne Greengrass smiled at him. "Well at least not much…"

"Ok if you weren't asking me out, what were you doing?"

"I was asking you to go on a date for me, not with me." Harry sighed in exasperation; old people were so weird sometimes.

"I'm confused."

"Ok it's like this. I have a friend, who really likes you and I think you two might be good together and well I was thinking maybe you guys could meet up in Hogsmeade sometime."

"And how old is your friend?"

"Eighteen I think," Harry shrugged.

"Harry tell me now," Tonks said her eyes glinting dangerously. "Did one of the upper years put you up to this? I swear if one of those bastards dragged you into the 'let's all harass the Metamorphmagus game,' I'll kill them."

"No Tonks, no one put me up to anything."

"Don't worry if they threatened you Harry, I can take them."

"Listen Tonks if the guy even knew I was here, he'd probably kill me."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I think you guys would be good together, like I said."

'Real reason Harry?" Tonks said impatiently.

"What a guy can't want to see two of his friends happy?"

"First years don't go around asking things like that unless they have a good reason, now what's yours."

Harry sighed. "Alright here it is. We have this system in Slytherin where an older student sort of mentors a first year. In exchange we're supposed to give them a gift at the end of the year. My guy has been really good to me, and I know he has a thing for you and I mean… well if it means anything I do really think you guys would be good together."

"Harry," Tonks said softly. "I'm sorry to mess up your plans, but I'm not going to go on a date with some guy just because you recommend him. And if he likes me so much why hasn't he said anything himself?"

"He's probably shy… I mean don't take this the wrong way Tonks, but the older guys all seem to think… highly of you."

"That's one way to put it," Tonks said with a bitter snort. "Who's your friend anyways?"

"Terrance Higgs."

"The Head Boy?"

"And the Seeker for Slytherin," Harry added helpfully.

"He's cute I guess but he's a bit quiet for my tastes."

"It's only one date, and he's a really nice guy."

"Don't take offense to this Harry, but I generally don't take romantic advice from eleven year olds."

"Please?" Harry pulling out his secret weapon. Puppy eyes.

"Harry that won't work this time," Tonks voice betrayed her annoyance.

In response Harry merely tilted his head to the side and tried to look even cuter.

"Harry that really won't work this time, and I mean it."

Harry let his bottom lip tremble a little bit.

"Oh damn it!" Tonks exclaimed as she reached out to ruffle his hair. "One date! And you owe me! Big time!"

("Finals week is statistically the most dangerous time of the year to be at Hogwarts,"- Terrance Higgs)

Harry felt immensely confident about the outcome of his end of year exams. In transfiguration he managed to turn his rat into a snuffbox, it wasn't as nice as Hermione's but it was better than Tracey's which still had a tail. He had absolutely delighted Professor Flitwick when he managed to make his pineapple do a cancan dance. Herbology was easy enough after an afternoon of studying with Neville who was apparently a prodigy. Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, and Astronomy were all unimportant in Harry's mind though he was sure he had still done well in them. He might've been more interested in Defense, but Professor Quirrell's teaching methods left… something to be desired.

The only subject about which he held any reservations was potions. He was an average brewer on the best of days, but Snape had been breathing down his neck. Not only that, but the fumes from his Forgetfulness Potion, made him rather light headed. It had taken him nearly a minute to remember Tracey's name when he tried to ask her permission to borrow a knife.

Feeling rather faint after all the exertion Harry tuned in early that night.

When he awoke he wasn't in his bed, but in a familiar dark and dank room. To either side of him were his roommates, and in front of him were the black robes of the Fraternal Order of the Serpent. Their masks were absent this time and Harry could clearly see their faces, though he had already guessed who most of them were.

"Welcome back firsties," Higgs said calmly. "You've passed all of our tests so far, and if you pass the one tonight, you will be considered full members of the House of Slytherin. If you fail, then you can look forward to another year of torture."

Higgs paused for a bit to let that message sink in. "When I call your name come forward and present your gift to your master, if he deems it worthy you shall become a Slytherin. Crabbe, Vincent."

Crabbe approached his master and presented a rather ornate looking dagger. The seventh year admired it for a few second before nodding. "It'll do." And so Crabbe became the first Slytherin of the night. Next Goyle gave, a rather nice clock, which was accepted.

"Malfoy, Draco."

Malfoy approached O'Neal, with clear fear on his face.

Harry licked his lips and prepared to watch the humiliation unfold.

Draco reached out his hand and presented the seventh year with an ornate gold pocket watch. O'Neal disappointed Harry by accepting it, without any parting shots; apparently he thought he had tortured Draco enough. Harry disagreed.

After Nott had presented his gift Higgs called out, "Potter, Harry."

Harry strolled up to Higgs confidently. "Mind letting me whisper in your ear, I don't think you want other people to hear this one."

"What are you on about?" Higgs asked though he complied with the request.

"You've got a date with Tonks, next Hogsmeade weekend," Harry whispered in his ear.

"How did you find out that I fancied her?" Higgs whispered furiously turning the shade of a ripe tomato.

"You're about as subtle as a raging hippogriff mate," Harry chirped happily.

"But how did you get her to agree?"

"I'm Harry Potter, now stop asking stupid questions."

("So… Er… I see you like Pink?"- Terrance Higgs)

As Tonks and Terrance stepped out of the Hogwarts Express and onto Platform 9 and ¾ for the last time the former head boy pulled Tonks into a long and searing kiss.

A man Harry vaguely recognized as a muggle newscaster was glaring daggers at Terrance. Harry rather got the impression that Higgs was off to a bad start with Tonks's father. "Oi get a room you two!" Harry cried happily.

The couple jumped apart as if they had both received an electric jolt. "Oh piss off Harry," Tonks said with a Cheshire cat grin.

"You better be coming to my graduation party Potter." Terrance looked happier than Harry had ever seen him.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world Higgs, you might have to give me a ride though, I doubt my uncle would drive me to Warwickshire."

"I'll send you an owl with details," Terrance called as Tonks dragged him away.

"I'll miss you Harry," Tracey said as she came to stand next to him.

"You better not miss me Davis, 'cause that just means you haven't been owling me enough, and I do expect letters daily Tracey."

"Yes milord," she replied with a grin.

"Where did Blaise get to anyways?" Harry asked.

"Said his mother wanted to leave quickly or something," Tracey answered with a shrug. "Now come on, my dad has been dying to meet you."

"Speaking of dying, I wonder what happened to Quirrell?" The Defense Professor had been notably absent from the End of Term Feast, all Dumbledore said was that the man had, had an accident and wouldn't be returning.

"Who cares? Let's just hope the next guy doesn't stutter as much."

Looking back later Harry would always cherish his first year at Hogwarts. There were no bad guys, there were no plot twists, no dark lords, and no prophecies. He would always remember the long sunny days he and his friends had spent lounging by the lake or the cold winter nights curled up by the common room fire. For the first time in his life everything had gone right for Harry. Next year wouldn't be so peaceful.

A/N Well first off at just under 11,000 words this is the longest chapter I've ever written. Yay me! Now a couple of things:

The Fraternal Order of the Serpent was based off of the old system of fagging prevalent in British Boarding Schools up until the 1980s. I thought it added a sort of depth to Hogwarts, and since I didn't want Harry going after the Stone, the story needed some sort of connecting plot.

At first I was hesitant to include it as I couldn't see Malfoy consenting to be anyone's servant, but then I figured if the Duke of Wellington and the Prince of Wales weren't above tidying up after an older student neither was Draco Malfoy.

Harry recognizing Tonks's father as a muggle newscaster goes back to a theory I heard somewhere that Ted, the newsman from the first chapter of PS, was Ted Tonks. I liked it enough to include it, though for the record I do know he was a muggleborn not a muggle.

As for pairings there will be romance in this story at some point. It will be there solely to compliment the plot, and because I think ever good story needs some. That being said I haven't decided on a single pairing, I'll just let the characters write themselves if you will.

Now please read and review, I always love to hear from people who enjoyed reading my stories, and even from people who have suggestions on improvements.

Next Chapter: Year II: Or Harry Potter and the Secret Chamber Under the Girls Loo