As the Train arrived at Hogwart Station, the many students filtered out, a few already trying their best to flirt. As Harry stepped off the train, Draco's voice greeted him. ''See? I told you he was quite handsome.''
Harry responded with a chuckle, Taking Alison's offered hand he kissed her knuckles softly, the beautiful cheeks lighting up softly. She always enjoyed his formal way of greeting, maybe he could convince her father to offer her up as well?
Then, he took Daphne's hand. ''Lady Greengrass.'' He spoke formally before he kissed her knuckles as well.
''Daphne will do, we are at a school, not a business meeting.''
''Then you can simply call me Harry, I heard from your father that you're gifted in Arithmancy. I look forward to asking you for some help with the homework.'' He chuckled softly, and he saw the faintest twitch at the corner of her mouth of a smile.
''My father and friends speak quite highly of you Harry, I look forward to the school year, shall we go? The herd has moved.'' She said, turning her gaze to those surprised at the beauty of magic, and its creatures around them.
As they walked to the boats, some sort of tradition or some sort, he gazed over at the carriages. Feeling a connection to the horses magically pulling each carriage, he would make a note to visit the Thestrial den later.
''FORWARD!'' Bellowed the half-giant as the boats lurched slightly and began to move.
They crossed the black lake, well named due to the night causing the waters to appear as ink, he could feel a presence beneath the water, or more accurately multiple. It was full of life, but deep down was a more powerful creature that took interest in Harry's boat, It seemed he had another creature to visit in his off time.
As they came under a bridge, Hogwarts 'Magically' appeared, and he felt the trace of his registered wand fall over it.
The boats would eventually reach the other side of the lake and Harry and Draco were the first one off.
While Draco took in the castle he released a low huff through his nose. ''You can feel it, right? The sickening magic that taints this place... It almost reminds me of home.'' He said with a chuckle, Harry helping both women off the boat at the same time.
''Their wards are... Lack Luster for being a magical school, with one of the strongest wizards of our time backing it.'' Harry commented as he gazed up at the magic that covered the school, granted Being able to see magic might be a cheat.
But he could already see parts of the barrier he himself could improve... Of course, rarely do students like him have the level of knowledge he does, he was attending school as a formality, to build friendships and to eventually get the fancy little paper that he could hang in his office to show he was better than everyone.
As they moved behind the herd Alison whispered to Harry.
''How many do you think know you're attending this year?''
''A Few, of course, you Malfoy's, Daphne, Crabbe, and Goyle families, as I promised to help teach their heirs some swordsmanship while I'm here, the Boots... The Herbalist professor knows as well, since I've found dealing with her quite pleasant, my Garden after her advice has never looked better.''
''Oh, can we come to visit your garden this next weekend? I've been wanting to pick some apples from your tree.'' Alison asked, excitement evident in her hands.
Alison had a tick, a few actually that made it easier to tell how she was, not that Harry needed physical cues to be able to tell. Her excitement despite her strong mental shields came off her in waves, showing her strong ability to mental arts...
The same arts that sensed him earlier, even if he wasn't originally hiding himself.
''The Grounds Keeper might know.''
''Hagrid? Ah, that's right you used his help to register your owl, Something about special feed for it?'' Draco commented as the large man knocked on the door, which they opened. They were to far to hear the word exchanged, but they did follow the herd in.
''It' a meat eater, so I let it eat raw meat, I was wondering if he would allow me to keep a few squirrels on the grounds, of course after I agreed to let him name them he agreed... Though, poor gentle giant, after the first 5, he started to struggle with names.'' Harry said with a chuckle, they would breed quite quickly, but at the rate his Falcon could hunt them.
Their number would never go above 20 or so.
As they entered the great hall, Harry quite enjoyed the enchantment decorating the hall, now These were enchantments meant for a magical school, and the intricacy of the illusion enchantments decorating the walls and ceiling to show the night sky was impressive.
Gossip started immediately with the new wave of students, a lot of gossip centered around how cute people were, Hermione moved to his side, a question on her tongue. ''How will we know our houses?''
Harry responded as his little group turned to look at her.
''They will put that old, dusty hat onto your head, and it will read your mind, pick your greatest trait and then apply you to the house it thinks you would fit in.''
''...Ravenclaw will most likely be my go to, Harry?'' She asked, turning to look at him, his eyes squinting at one of the professors.
Two failed attempts to breach his mind, one he allowed through since it was from the Headmaster, and it was a 'how much trouble will this kid be' type scan, so he didn't mind.
Quirrell however hit his shields hard and tried to wrestle against him.
''Someone's fighting Harry?'' Daphne said softly, looking around, Her family was quite well known for their mind arts, so she understood that look immediately.
She followed his eyes just in time to notice one of the Professors cough blood quietly into a handkerchief.
Harry was unable to contain the... Smile of satisfaction from his face, rarely did he get to test his mental shields, let alone teach an insolent fool a lesson.
''A Professor tried? Harry that's...'' Daphne began before he simply held a hand. ''They'll begin calling names now.'' He turned to Hermione who seemed to still be waiting for an answer. ''I will most definitely end up in Slytherin, along with the three here.''
''So Sure...? I guess you would be, hm?'' She said with a smile before melding in with the crowd, it was funny to Harry how well she was accommodating her new abilities, it seemed he made a good choice in turning her.
The sorting goes... Normally, until they call his name. A hush came over the hall as THEE Harry Potter stepped forward, his handsome appearance quite noticeable to many as they gawked at him.
Stepping forward, he simply waved his hand. A massive amount of magic left him suddenly, surprising a few people the hat began to become clean, the seals surrounding it magick, and the magick keeping it alive seemed to repair as well, The hat seemed to clear its throat a few times before it spoke, it's voice far... Smoother on the ears once he spoke.
''Ah, thank you! I was beginning to think no one would clean me...'' Placing the hat onto hi head he sat on the stool, Setting the back of his left heel onto the stool he lifted his right leg to rest it on his ankle, seeming to get quite comfortable as the hat began to speak.
It spoke of his qualities, of his strengths, and of his many talents before it simply asked.
''What House?''
''Slytherin, my new Fiancee awaits me.'' He said simply and the Hat bellowed it out.
''Then it must be Slytherin!'' The tables erupted into cheers, some louder than others as he moved to go sit next to Daphne, Draco raising a brow. ''Oh, you sit with her, but not me?''
''You're not that pretty Draco.'' Harry teased and the sorting continued, only when Hermione's name was called out did he take an interest, his eyes looking over the witch as she sat there.
After a few moments she looked between the tables, and when her eyes settled onto Harry's, she grinned as the hat bellowed out 'Slytherin!''
(End)
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