Harry kept his head down the rest of the meal and didn't even glance up as dessert was served. Draco and the rest of the Slytherins grew nervous and worried at Harry's behavior. When the meal was over, Draco shook Harry's shoulders and pulled him along to the front, right behind the Slytherin prefect. Harry and Draco were led to the dungeons where almost all the first years except Harry and a few others drew their robes tighter around themselves.

"How are you not cold Harry?" Draco asked tentatively not knowing if Harry was calmed down. Harry smiled at Draco and replied with a simple but quiet phrase of ,"I got used to the cold. I like it sometimes." Draco shook his head and walked a little faster causing Harry to laugh loudly. Everyone close enough to Harry was entranced by his angelic laugh that could make even the toughest man crack a smile. Draco though seemed unaffected and pulled Harry along, just happy that Harry was out of his mood.

They all stopped in front a small alcove of flat smooth stone. The prefect turned around and addressed the first years,"So this is the entrance to the Slytherin house. To enter you must say the password which is 'sanguis' for this week. You are not allowed to bring anyone in here and if you have any issues you are to speak to myself or any of the other Slytherin prefects or our Head Of House Professor Snape. He may seem a bit hard to approach but as long as you don't call him out on it during class he can be very fatherly towards us." He turned around and whispered the password and the stones shifted around until a doorway formed. He lead them through it and stopped in the middle of a large room with green couches and armchairs all around the room with small and large tables accompanying them. On one wall were four huge windows showing the dark shadows of the lake and an abundance of creatures swimming past. The windows cast an eerie blue hue through the room and was accompanied by the green fire of the torches placed along the walls. On the wall farthest from the entrance we're two hallways and between them was a large fireplace made with black quartz. In front of the fire place was a tall man with all black shoulder length hair and all black robes with his back to them. He slowly turned and smiled softly, his onyx eyes lighting up, at the new batch of students. His gaze travelled to each of them and stopped on Harry for a rather long amount of time before moving on.

"Welcome to the Slytherin house. I hope to see you all grow as individuals through you time here and I hope to be a part of your change. We all are supportive of our house and can only truly trust other snakes and occasionally a raven or two. We are usually classified as the dark house but really we just produce the most powerful wizards and witches. The boys dorms are on the right and the girls on the left. You will all get your schedules tomorrow morning at breakfast and will have until next week before classes start. Get a good nights rest and don't mind the creatures in the lake we can only see them they can't see us. Goodnight my snakes." With that Snape walked out his robes billowing behind him. Harry smiled, He did seem rather fatherly didn't he?

Harry and Draco were the first to the dorms and noticed a set of ten rooms all with two beds each. The boys walked off into a random room and claimed beds. Their luggage appeared magically and their names engraved into the door. They both got changed and climbed into bed whispering goodnight before drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

The next morning

Harry woke up to the silent but urging hisses of his snakes telling him to wake up. He groaned and looked over to see Draco still asleep. He got a glint in his eyes as he walked toward the sleeping Draco, he paused looking at his peaceful form before smirking. Harry put his hands lightly on Draco's back before he started pushing Draco roughly screaming loudly in his ear " WAKE UP DRACO! WAKE UPP!!" Draco sat up with a start making Harry jump away from him grinning like an cat. Draco's blonde hair was sticking up in odd places making Harry snort. Draco narrowed his eyes at Harry before throwing the blankets off his legs and attempting to tackle Harry. Harry squealed and ran away from him jumping over his bed and around the room effectively avoiding Draco until he stumbled over Draco blankets that were now on the floor. Draco caught Harry around the middle his hand clutching too tightly around Harry's scars causing him to cry out in pain. Draco dropped his hands immediately only to have Harry drop to the floor clutching his side. Harry was breathing hard and bit his lip to avoid making any noise. Draco kneeled next to Harry softly touching his shoulder.

" Harry?" Harry just shook his head vigorously. Draco breathed deeply before reaching to Harry's hand gently prying it away from his side making Harry whimper. "Is it ok I look?" Harry's eyes widened in fear and shook his head again. " Come on Harry I need to make sure your ok?"

Harry sighed and looked at Draco, "Your not going to let me leave this room until you see huh?" Draco just shook his head stubbornly. Harry sighed again and allowed Draco to look. Draco nervously pulled Harry's night short over his frame, his cool fingers brushing Harry's warm stomach making Harry shiver. Draco gasped as he saw multiple yellow patches and long dark lines all over Harry's stomach. "What happened to you?"

"When my parents died I was sent to my muggle relatives and they weren't very nice to me. They punished me for my magic, kept calling me a freak." Harry looked down and sniffled,"I understand if you don't wanna dorm with me anymore or want to be my friend anymore." By now Harry has fat tears rolling down his cheeks at the thought of already losing a friend. Draco's heart broke at the sight and he pulled Harry into a tight hug.

"Harry you are not a freak. You don't deserve what you were given. I will always be your friend and I will never leave you I promise." Harry was full out sobbing into Draco's chest clutching his shirt tightly as if he were going to disappear. Draco's rubbed his back muttering comforting things into his ears. Harry calmed down to a few sniffles and Draco pulled back looking Harry in the eyes wiping away the remaking tears from his face.

" Promise?" Harry whispered his voice cracking slightly. Draco pulled Harry into one more warm hug which Harry leaned into.

" Promise." It was here that Draco vowed to protect Harry and never leave him and that his stomach decided to rumble in hunger. Harry started laughing and Draco blushed. Harry pulled out of the embrace and wiped his face removing any tear tracks. Draco and Harry both stood up and shared a small smile before rushing to change and go down breakfast.

The two boys walked side by side to the Great Hall pausing outside the doors to put masks of calm over their laughing faces. The loud chatter quieted down immediately as they walked in and started back up in hushed whispers.

' Oh my god HarryPotter' 'Why is he with Draco Malfoy?' 'Can't believe the Lights savior is in the dark wizard house'

Draco tensed and Harry frowned at the last comment but made their way to the Slytherin table nonetheless. As Harry and Draco sat down next to Blaise, older and younger alike the Slytherins stared at Harry with sadness and pity. Harry frowned thinking they were still on about last nights episode. Harry leaned over to Blaise and whispered,"Why are the rest of the Slytherins staring at me like that? Is it because of last night? If it was I'm fine just a bit overwhelmed." Blaise looked hesitant to tell him but realizing it was for the best he told him. "Its not about last night," Harry frowned,"It's about this morning. Everyone was waiting in the common room for you guys and the prefects and a few others went to your room and they heard everything and came to tell us to protect you from everybody especially the Gryffindors, their know to be really nasty to us Slytherins." Harry's face had paled so much you would think he was dead had his eyes not been rapidly scanning the table.

"Does anyone else know?" Harry asked in a quiet voice, fearfully calm. Every Slytherin who was taking stopped immediately and looked towards the trio.

" Just Snape and the Slytherins that's it and no one would tell so you don't have to worry." Upon hearing Snapes name Harry looked towards the staff table to see the professor looking at him with a grim expression. Harry stood up and walked out of the Great Hall with no place in particular to go except away from the pitying snakes. Almost in unison every Slytherin stood up and followed Harry. Every house watched and looked towards the Potions Master. He ignored the curious glances and grabbed about her plate and put together a simple breakfast before following his house. No one noticed the sudden chill of the room and what sounded like a longing cry of despair that's source was from the staff table.

Harry was on his way to the second floor(not that he actually knew where he was going) when he bumped into two familiar snakes coming towards him.

~Master we've been looking for you we got a little lost after we stopped talking to Venenuma~ Anguis and Nigrum spoke. Harry tilted his head.

~Who?~

~The basilisk in the chamber under the school~Harry gaped at them in shock. Harry remembered reading about basilisks in one of the books he had bought. They were extremely dangerous and rare creatures. They could kill anyone who looked directly into their eyes, petrify through indirect eye contact and their venom was the most poisonous out there. It was practically invincible only able to be killed by its own venom.

~ Take me to her I want to meet her~ Anguis and Nigrum turned around and led Harry down the corridor. Harry heard rushed footsteps and his name being called by various voices.

~Hurry~ They quickened their slithers and Harry started to run quietly after them. Harry faltered slightly when they reached a girls lavatory but followed nonetheless.

~Speak to the sink in our language Master then it shall open~ Harry quickly said open and was in shock when the sinks started to separate and leave a long dark tunnel that went straight down. Anguis and Nigrum had already disappeared down the tunnel and Harry turned to look back at the door and hearing the nearing footsteps, jumped closing his eyes to be safe from Venenumas gaze. Harry heard the sickening crunch of bones under his feet and promptly gagged at the smell. He shook his head and, wishing the place to be clean, was pleasantly surprised when a rush of magic flowed through him completely getting rid of the smell and all bones and shed skin of the basilisk.

~You can open your eyes Master we aren't there yet~ Harry opened his eyes and looked around. He was standing in a round room with a circular door with snakes decorating the lock. He walked up to it and repeating what he did at the sinks and watched in wonder as the silver snakes disappeared into the door. He pushed the door open and pulled his beloved snakes onto his shoulders before stepping through. He kept his eyes down as he walked through the cavernous chamber listening to his pets instructions on where to walk. Finally Harry stepped into a larger room(judging by the echo of his footsteps.)

~Back already Anguis and Nigrum. Well that was quick. Who is this you have brought you?~ Harry quickly dropped to one knee and spoke.

~I am Harry. My snakes of told me of your presence and I felt the greatest need to meet you~

~A speaker! My my and a hatchling of my master too, oh you make my cold heart grow warm~ Harry chuckled at the dry humor and stood up confused at her comment but said nothing.

~Why do you keep your head bowed hatchling?~

~I've read about your powers and as much as I would love to see you I cannot risk my life when it has barely begun~

~ But hatchlings anyone who is a descendant to my master can look at me. I granted him a gift that allowed him to look at me without any consequences and it was to be passed on through the generations~ Harry had no idea who her master was but decided to trust Venenuma and looked up slowly. His eyes widened at the sight of a silver scales and heterochromatic eyes of emerald green and blood red.

~Wow I must say I favor your green eye~ Harry laughed lightly and tensed when she came closer and closer and closer. She finally stopped when she was six inches away from Harry. Harry tentatively raised his hand to the place between her eyes hesitating before rubbing and petting her scales. She closed her eyes and hissed happily. Harry smiled and moved from between her eyes to her snout then her and to the small spikes. Harry admired them before he was suddenly thrown into the air and landed very ungracefully on Venenuma's back thankfully not getting hurt. Harry screamed in a very ladylike pitch before realizing that he was now fifty feet in the air.

~Bloody hell Venenuma! What was that for?~

~Oh I'm sorry hatchling, did you not appreciate that~ There was a teasing tone in her voice that made Harry cross his arms and pout. Three amused hisses followed and Harry rode down Venenumas back like a slide. He glared at the basilisk and saddened when he cast a time telling charm.

~I'm sorry but I must be going I am probably worrying my housemates~

~Don't worry you can come back anytime, use the exit by the statue it's easier to access and less noticeable.~ Harry walked toward the statue and spoke to it in Parseltongue before waving goodbye and stepping into a part of the dungeons that seemed vaguely familiar.

He followed his gut and walked down a corridor smiling as he found the alcove. He stated the password and was met with a furious and worried blonde and a distressed Potions Master.

"Where were you? Do you know how long you've been gone? We had the whole house looking for you? We were gonna 'Accio' you here if you didn't show up within the hour!" Harry looked at Draco with a blank look on his face before responding with a smile.

" I was just walking around Draco. I don't like pity so having the whole table looking at me was upsetting so I left." Harry walked up to Draco and gave him a hug, stepping up on his tippy toes to bury his head in his shoulder. Draco tensed before returning the hug full force. Harry pulled away and looked at Draco bemused.

"What are you looking at me like that for?"

" Nothing it's just.. who knew you could be such a mother hen." Draco flushed as everyone in the common room laughed, Snape even let loose a small chuckle.

Snape handed Harry a slip of parchment and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Should you ever need anything know that you can always come to me. I trust that all of my snakes will do their best to defend you from those stupid lions."

Harry scoffed playfully," As if those lions could do anything to me, my bite is venomous and much worse than theirs." Everyone laughed at Harry's comment, happy that the young boy was still smiling.

Snape left soon after and everyone dispersed to their separate activities. Draco smiled at Harry and playfully shoved mumbling something along the lines of 'don't ever do that again'. Harry laughed and pulled Draco towards an empty loveseat and they continued to talk and went over their schedules finding out that they had the exact same schedule. They went to the wall across from the windows and looked at a school map that was put up every year to help the first years find there classes. Only once the boys had memorized the different ways to the different classes did they notice a small note inside the space labeled 'Slytherin Common room'. It read: Dear all first years, on the Friday before official classes start there will be a half hour introduction period throughout the day. You will follow to each class as labeled behind your schedule paper. Please don't miss these introductions they are very important to most teachers.

Harry and Draco took out their schedules from their pockets and sure enough there was a list of classes and times next to them. Again both Harry and Draco's mini schedules matched.

Herbology 9:30

Charms 10:20

History of Magic 11:10

Potions 1:00

Transfiguration 1:50

Defense Against the Dark Arts 2:40

The next day

Herbology was definitely an interesting class. There were plants that constantly tried to kill, hug, or poison you.

Charms was entertaining when Professor Flitwick had everyone try a simple levitation spell. Draco and Harry succeeded easily and a girl with bushy hair and big teeth wasn't far behind.

History of Magic was going to be a pain for everyone when they realized that the teacher had a monotone voice AND was a ghost.

Harry and Draco are currently at Potions eagerly waiting in their seats at the front. Both had agreed that this was one of their favorite subjects. Suddenly the doors slammed open and Snape walked, more like strutted, in. He instantly took roll and began to speak.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word-like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death-if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

More silence followed that little speech.

"Weasley!" said Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"I don't know, sir," said Weasley.

Snape's lips curled into a sneer.

"Let's try again. Weasley, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Thought you wouldn't open a bok before coming, eh, Weasley?"

Harry forced himself to keep from laughing during this exchange along with Draco and the rest of the Slytherins.

Snape was still ignoring Hermione's quivering hand.

"What is the difference, Weasley, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"I don't know," said Weasley quietly. "I think Granger does, though, why don't you try her?" Harry couldn't hold it in anymore he let out a small fit of giggles immediately drawing attention to himself.

"What's so funny Potter?" Weasley asked.

"You are." Weasley looked confused and Harry looked to Snape with a questioning look on his face and got a nod in response. "I mean how do you not know these answers."

" What and you do?" He asked incredulously. Harry nodded.

"Asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomack of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite." Shocked silence followed Harry's mini lesson before Snape broke it.