Work Text:
On the day that Harry Potter found out he was a wizard, he came up with a million questions. Is it possible to curse someone? Can I fly? Are dragons real? All of them dimmed into insignificance, however, as he wondrously held up his very own ticket for the Hogwarts Express.
'Hagrid, sir, it says platform 9¾ here on my ticket but, um, I don't remember a platform called that.'
Harry grinned as he strode through the barrier separating the Hogwarts Express from the muggles half an hour early. He slowed to a stop as he took in the sight. On the other side of the platform, an almost continuous stream of people walked out of what appeared to be a fireplace with green flames. A few older students stood by the train doors—already in their school uniforms—and Harry watched with wonder as they levitated a parade of trunks onto the train. Harry blinked out of his astonishment as he realized he needed to get on the train soon. A familiar head of blond hair approached just when he began to head over to the red steam engine.
'You're Harry Potter!' the boy from Madam Malkin's declared.
'I am,' Harry did not feel the need to talk with him.
The boy continued on, blind or uncaring towards Harry's tone—perhaps a bit of both. 'Why didn't you say so earlier? My father would have been willing to show you around the interesting places. Oh, and the names Malfoy—Draco Malfoy.'
Seeing the extended hand, Aunt Petunia's years of conditioning kicked in.
'Uh, pleased to meet you, Draco.'
Harry had no idea how he had gotten into this situation. His eyes swept over the compartment once more as his newly acquired acquaintance, Draco Malfoy, droned on.
'...three seats on the Wizengamot, and lastly, I'd like you to meet Theodore Nott. His father and mine go way back.'
Harry snapped back into reality as Draco concluded his speech.
'A pleasure to make your acquaintances,' Harry forced a smile, thankful the introductions were finally over. If it dragged on any longer, he would have fallen asleep. Wasn't the magical world supposed to be more... exciting?
Apparently, these people all had important government connections, kind of like the people Uncle Vernon invited to dinner. While Harry would like nothing more than to take a nap, staying on their good side seemed a bit more important. It is with this thought that he sat down to play something called 'exploding snap' with them.
Harry tensed as Sally-Anne Perks was sorted into Hufflepuff, and sure enough, 'Potter, Harry!'
'Is that him?'
'He's kind of short.'
'He looks so serious up there.'
Harry's mask of indifference from during the Express had yet to drop, hiding his nervousness—and sleepiness—from the hundreds of eyes. Before he knew it, he was sat on the little wooden stool and the Sorting Hat was covering his eyes making the world pitch black. Combined with the quiet murmuring from the students trying to catch a glimpse of him, he suddenly felt exhausted.
'Difficult… of courage… oh my goodness, yes… So where shall I put you?'
Trying to stay in Malfoy and his friends' good graces was exhausting. He could barely focus on the hat's voice. 'Put me wherever.'
'Excellent!' the hat whispered. 'You'll be able to achieve many great things in SLYTHERIN!'