The next morning, Harry woke bright and early, very eager to start his classes. He wasn't the only one. Draco was already up and dressed when he came out of the bathroom.
"Harry! I wrote to mother last night to send me her owl order books, they should be here by breakfast this morning."
"That soon?"
"Yes. Eagle owls fly fast, Harry. You'll be able to choose what you want, and then send off for it. Your owl will know which store to take the orders to. You can also use school owls. The stores take your letters to Gringotts where they authorize payment. You usually get your order by the next day. At least, that's what mother tells me. Anyway, she's sending the books that she orders my stuff out of."
"Thank you, Draco, truly. I appreciate it." Draco smiled and shrugged.
"Don't worry about it, Harry. That's what friends are for. Now, let's go to breakfast." Harry and Draco followed the older students to the Great Hall for breakfast. Everyone was very polite to them, something Harry wasn't used to. Draco promised to start giving him etiquette lessons in the mornings and evenings so he wouldn't feel so out of place. He told Harry that their housemates would cut him some slack for a couple of months, seeing as how he had been forced to live with muggles.
"How does everyone know about that?"
"Well, Harry, in the wizarding world, you are very famous for what happened that Halloween night. Everyone knows Dumbledore took you to those muggles. What many people don't know is why. Even I don't know why, although I think mother does. She won't tell me though." Harry nodded, not entirely understanding, as he ate his bacon. Suddenly, a massive noise made Harry jump. He looked around, not understanding, until hundreds of owls came flying through the windows near the ceiling. "Relax, Harry, it's only the mail." They watched as the owls swooped down to find their owners. Harry spotted Hedwig easily.
"Why is Hedwig here? Who would send mail to me?"
"She might just be here to nick your bacon." A voice from behind them said. The two boys turned around to see Alexander standing behind them. "They do that, sometimes. Even non owl birds do. Willow, my Augurey does that nearly every morning."
"Aren't auguries bad luck?" Draco asked. Alexander shrugged.
"Maybe, but Willow's never brought me any." Alexander replied as he sat on Harry's other side. Before either boy could say something about that though, a large eagle owl suddenly landed in front of Draco just as Hedwig landed in front of Harry. The owls exchanged glances and even hooted a couple of times before paying attention to their owners. Hedwig nudged Harry's hand. She wanted to be petted. Harry complied and even offered her some bacon. She hooted gratefully and gobbled it down. Orion allowed Draco to untie the parcel from his legs then helped himself to Draco's breakfast. Hedwig, seeing the other owl get away with it, helped herself to Harry's plate. The boys looked at their owls and shrugged before turning to the books.
The first one was for all types of night clothes: dressing gowns, pajamas, caps, slippers, etc. Harry picked out a few of his favorites, and Draco wrote the first letter to show Harry how to do so. He also made sure to include a request for the newest book each year to be sent to him.
"That will help make sure that no matter where you are, you have the ability to purchase new clothing. The best part is that if you use your owl, you can't be easily traced. She'll know when someone is following her and will be able to avoid them. " The second book was all sorts of muggle clothing.
"Why do you have this, Draco?"
"Mother likes to go shopping in certain muggle shops. She often wears muggle evening dresses under her dress robes. So, of course that means I have to have muggle clothing as well. I admit that the jeans are rather comfortable." They flipped through the book quickly. Harry had enough muggle clothes for the time being. They did write a letter requesting a copy of the book, however.
The third book was dress robes. Although Harry couldn't comprehend why he would possibly want dress robes, Alexander suggested he get a couple of different styles, 'just in case'. Harry chose a green and silver set, as well as a lush black velvet. Draco wrote the letter again, as he was appalled by Harry's penmanship.
The last book was for typical wizarding day wear. Harry didn't need any of this, as he already had his school robes. He did decide to request a book, however. They then sent off the letters. They sent one each via Orion and Hedwig, and they also borrowed Vincent and Gregory's owls: a barn owl named Cliodne and a screech owl named Alberic. The were rather hesitant to use Willow though, so Alexander tied it onto her for the boys.
By now, the Great Hall was full of students. Harry noticed Professor Snape walking along the table. He was stopping to speak to each student for a moment. Harry noticed he tended to speak to the oldest student a bit longer.
"Draco, what is Professor Snape doing?"
"Dunno, Harry. I suppose we'll find out soon enough though. You should eat some more. Your owl took nearly everything on your plate. Although, apparently she doesn't like eggs."
"Probably makes her think of the ones she'll lay someday." They both laughed as Harry served himself some more bacon and potatoes. However, when he took a bite, his face fell.
"It's all stone cold now. Wish I knew a warming spell. I'd feel terrible tossing all this."
"Estus." Harry saw a red light engulf his food and looked up. "It is a heating spell, Harry." Professor Snape stood with his wand pointed at Harry's plate. He kept it up for another moment then muttered, "Finite. Try your food now, Harry." Harry did so. He smiled; his breakfast was as warm as when he'd first served it.
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate that."
"You're quite welcome, Harry. Now, I have your schedules here. Draco, Vincent, Harry, and Gregory. If you have any questions, feel free to come see me after breakfast. As for you Mr. Potter, back to your own table." They all nodded and thanked him, Alexander just stuck out his tongue playfully at the man, who smiled back at him.
"Okay, I'll see you later Harry, 'kay?" Alexander said. Harry nodded and smiled as Alexander hugged him and walked over to the Gryffindor table. The four first years then looked at their schedules.
"It looks like we have all of our classes together."
"Of course, Harry. We're in the same year and the same house. Didn't you hear Professor McGonagall yesterday at the sorting? Anyway, I'll see you all in Charms." Hermione continued down the house table and out the doors to the entrance hall.
Draco stared after her. "She's amazing, mate."
Harry laughed. "Whatever you say, Draco. You might want to try talking to her though."
"Good point. Come on, let's get to class, I can sit next to her." Harry, Vincent, and Gregory all laughed and followed Draco back to the dormitory to collect their school things. Draco thought to very politely ask a fourth year where to find the charms corridor, so they were able to make it to class without any problems. Draco eagerly rushed to the seat next to Hermione. Harry took the seat next to him, and Vincent and Gregory chose to sit at the back of the room. Harry turned to look at them.
"Why don't you sit with us, guys?" They both shrugged, looking down at their desks. Draco leaned over to him and whispered.
"They aren't that great with school work. They don't want to be up front to call attention to that fact." Harry nodded in understanding then turned and smiled at the guys. He'd have to talk to them. With some tutoring, he was sure they would do just fine. Harry pulled out his charms book and read until class started. He was looking forward to charms; the most useful spells seemed to be considered charms. Finally, Professor Flitwick called the class to order.
"Now, I know you are all looking forward to casting your first spells, however, there is quite a bit of theoretical work to accomplish first. I hope to have you started on true spell work by month's end." And with that, he launched into a lecture about proper wand movements. Harry took careful notes, as he noticed that Draco spent a lot of time looking at Hermione.
When class ended, the classes went back to their common room, as they had a free period. Hermione expressed an interest in finishing the essay on proper wand movement they had been assigned. Draco instantly suggested they all go to the library to finish it. Harry sighed. He didn't particularly want to do homework at the moment, but he figured it was probably best to get it out of the way.
Hermione finished her essay within a half hour, much to everyone's surprise. She then spent the rest of their free period helping Draco with his essay, much to Draco's delight. Harry managed to finish his essay rather quickly, considering he didn't have any help, so he assisted Vincent and Gregory. He was pleasantly surprised when by lunch they had finished half of the essay length required.
Very hungry, they all hurried off to the Great Hall. Harry enjoyed the selection of sandwiches available to them. They amicably discussed their first class during lunch. They all expressed a hope that their lessons would quickly pass out of the theoretical phase. They were all looking forward to starting practical lessons. Alexander came over during this time and talked to the five friends, giving them advice on classes, and even helping Vincent and Gregory finish their essays. After this he bade them all goodbye as he headed to his transfiguration class.
Very soon, it was time to head off to their double Herbology lesson. Harry was glad that they shared the lesson with Ravenclaw. He wasn't looking forward to the lessons with Gryffindor.
Professor Sprout spent the first half of the lesson going over all the different ways plants could be used in the magical world. She explained how mandrake could restore a person who had been petrified, how bubotuber pus could help cure acne, and how Gillyweed allowed the eater to breathe underwater. She also explained how some plants only had magical properties if picked at a certain day or time.
After her lecture, Professor Sprout took them on a learning tour of greenhouse one. She stopped and explained the type and use of each plant they passed. Before their class ended, she assigned a six inch essay to them. They were to choose one plant as their favorite, explain why they favored it, and what magical properties and uses it has. When they were dismissed, both the Ravenclaws and the Slytherins rushed off to the Great Hall for dinner. A few of the Ravenclaws hung back to speak with Harry.
"Wow, so you're Harry Potter. It's great that we have class together. I'm Terry Boot."
"I'm Mandy Brocklehurst." She smiled shyly at Harry then winked. Ok, maybe not so shyly. The Ravenclaws kept this up until they separated at the Great Hall to go to their respective tables. Draco once again sat next to Hermione.
"Hello, Hermione. How are you doing?"
"I'm good, Draco. And yourself?"
"I'm wonderful. So, we haven't really had a chance to talk. Tell me a bit about yourself. I've never heard of the Grangers before."
"No, I don't suppose you would have. My parents are muggles." Everyone who was able to hear her froze. Draco looked absolutely flabbergasted.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"My parents are muggles."
"But that's impossible..." Harry knew instantly that was the wrong thing to say. Hermione's eyes flashed, and her voice took on a hard edge. He noticed everyone was pretending not to listen.
"And why is that, Draco? Just because there has never before been a muggle born student in Slytherin? Yes, I know all about the house, and your pure-blood ideals. But the Sorting Hat placed me in Slytherin. Me, a muggle born. I am officially the first muggle born in Slytherin, which makes me pretty special. Obviously, the Sorting Hat thought me worthy, so I see no reason why anyone else in this house should feel any differently." She turned back to her plate and finished dinner quickly, although still with perfect manners, then left for the common room. Slowly, talk resumed at the table. Draco turned to Harry.
"Did you know she was muggle born?"
"No idea. But what difference does it make, Draco. She was chosen for Slytherin. That's good enough for me. Besides, I thought you fancied her."
"Well I did, er, do. But she's muggle born, mate. My parents would never accept her."
"Well, first of all, nothing's going on between you two, so I don't suppose there's anything to accept. Second, she's got a point. To be the first ever muggle born placed in Slytherin, she must be pretty special. I suppose she must be a spectacular witch. And if that is the case, then I certainly wouldn't want to get on her bad side."
"Spoken like a true Slytherin." Harry turned to look at the newcomer. Theodore Nott was standing directly behind them. "I don't think I've introduced myself yet. I'm Theodore Nott."
"Harry Potter." Harry noticed a few people wrinkle their noses at the name Potter. He filed that bit of information away to ask Draco about later. "Listen, I need to get back to the common room to work on the homework we were left. Would you care to come with me?"
"Of course. Thank you."
"Draco, Vincent, Gregory, are you all coming as well?" Vincent and Gregory shook their heads. They still had full plates in front of them. Harry noticed that although they always ate carefully, they took several helpings.
"Sure, Harry, I'll come along. Maybe I can apologize to Hermione. I didn't mean to offend her. I was just so amazed. And her answer was classically Slytherin. The Sorting Hat definitely got her in the right place.
However, when they got to the common room, Hermione was no where to be found. Dejected, Draco sat with Harry and Theodore to work on his homework. They managed to get everything done before they went to bed. As they all changed into their pajamas (Harry was still borrowing Draco's spare set), Harry turned to Draco, remembering what had happened at dinner.
"Draco, do you know why everyone avoids using my last name? I even noticed that when I mention 'Potter' people react oddly." Draco winced slightly. "See, just like that."
Draco looked down and away before answering. "I'm not entirely sure what you mean, Harry. Are you sure you aren't imagining things?"
"No. Even the Sorting Hat mentioned it."
"I'm sorry, Harry. I don't know. We should get to sleep though. It's been a long day. Good-night." Draco climbed into bed and closed the hangings.
"Good-night, Draco." Harry closed his hangings as well. He lay awake for awhile pondering the mystery before shrugging. It wasn't worth staying up all night.