Harry's sleep was fitful. The green curtains kept startling him awake. When morning came around, he was almost grateful. 

As Zabini and Malfoy got themselves ready, Harry took the moment to properly look around their room. From the door, Malfoy's bed was on the left, and Zabini's on the opposite wall. On the other side of Zabini's bed was a sofa and coffee table. Opposite of the miniature living room was Harry's bed, next to Malfoy's.

Then, across from the door was a private bathroom. Harry figured all the dorms in slytherin were like this. He didn't recall seeing a big washroom off of the common room. Harry would have to get used to that too. In gryffindor, you'd had to go to the common room, and then to the boys' toilets, or the girls'. 

Zabini was out of the bathroom first, and then Malfoy took a fair deal longer. Harry was sure it was because of the hair. Zabini's hair was shorter, and curled in a way that it looked purposeful. 

"Malfoy, would you hurry up? I need to brush my teeth." Harry said.

"And not do anything about that atrocious hair?" Malfoy countered.

For a moment, it was like Harry had the future Malfoy. "No, I think I'll leave it just to bother you."

Harry felt very out of place in the slytherin green robes. "I knew it would bring out the eyes." Zabini said.

Snape walked in, catching the both of them by surprise.

"I need to have a word with Potter." Snape said.

"Right." Zabini said, and made for the door. "See you at breakfast."

Harry waited for Snape to speak.

"I am told you are in possession of a dark object." Snape drawled.

"Well, I'm not." Harry said.

"And that is what someone in your position would say." Snape returned. "Hand it over."

"I don't have whatever you're talking about." Harry said, crossing his arms.

Snape narrowed his eyes. "If you don't hand it over, I will have to search," He drew out the words, "And take it."

"Well, you'd be looking for a long time," Harry said. "Because I don't have a dark object."

"You're not wearing it." Snape said, eyes narrowed. "Unlock your trunk."

Harry did, and then sat on the sofa. It was more of a loveseat, really- too small to be called a sofa. Harry watched as Snape levitated the objects out, and didn't find what he was looking for.

"So Dumbledore's going to ignore me." Harry said.

Snape looked at Harry as his belongings settled back into place.

"That's fine." Harry said. 

"How are you settling?" Snape asked.

"Well, I don't think Malfoy or Zabini are going to kill me." Harry said. "I think that's the best I can get."

Snape turned to the door. "Welcome to slytherin."

"Thanks, I guess." Harry frowned.

~~~

Ron and Hermione were waiting outside the Great Hall for Harry, and made a beeline to him.

"Are you okay? What happened? Oh, bloody hell, do you have to wear those robes?" Ron fired off in rapid succession.

"We'll have to talk to Dumbledore. He has to help, he has to know how dangerous this is." Hermione said.

"You don't understand." Harry said to them, tugging at the green on his robes. "Dumbledore doesn't have the power you think he does."

"He's the headmaster-"

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm stuck in slytherin. We can't change that. Any of the slytherins that are on Voldemort's side know that he wants to kill me himself. The others will leave me alone, ignore me, or just act like they always have."

"Surely Dumbledore can make an exception- That's slytherin we're talking about-" Ron looked distressed.

"He won't." Harry said firmly. "He's manipulative and cruel. Now, I'm going to breakfast. I'll talk to you when you stop talking about trying to get me put elsewhere." 

Harry spun and took off for the slytherin table. Malfoy was closer than Harry thought he'd be.

"Manipulative and cruel?" Malfoy asked as they walked. "I thought you were his golden boy."

"Was." Harry said.

"Oh? Did you do something to piss the old man off?" Malfoy asked.

"I'm not talking about this right now." Harry said, taking a seat and serving his plate of breakfast.

Snape started passing out their schedules. The other Heads of House did the same. Harry got his with a light stare from Snape.

Double herbology, double potions, care of magic creatures, double dada. Harry ate what he could, pushing food around on his plate. Then they headed off for herbology.

Malfoy was oddly interested in it, paying careful attention to the details. Harry found Malfoy more interesting that the actual lesson. It didn't help that Harry had already done this in the past. They were put off in pairs, and Malfoy had ended up just telling Harry what to do.

Then they were off to double potions. Malfoy had seemed entirely at ease. Harry recalled that many of the plants were used in potion making and healing. That would explain Malfoy's interest in herbology.

"Do you think Snape will still chew me out for every mistake?" Harry asked.

"What?" Malfoy asked.

"Do you think he'll keep singling out my mistakes specifically, or will he stop because I'm in slytherin?" Harry asked.

"I dunno." Zabini said. "Why does he hate you so much?"

"He hates my father." Harry said.

"Your father's been dead a long time." Zabini frowned. "Why's he gotta hold it against you?"

"I don't understand it." Harry said. "You'd think that his hate of my father and love for my mother would cancel each other out..."

"His what for your mother?" Zabini's jaw slacked.

"Oh, he fell in love with my mother when they were students at Hogwarts." Harry said. "Uh, you probably shouldn't tell anyone else that."

"Snape loved your mother?" Malfoy asked.

"Yeah." Harry said. "Have you ever seen his patronus?"

"Once, when I was younger." Malfoy said. "Why?"

"Sometimes your patronus will take the shape of the one you love's. My mother had a doe." Harry said.

Malfoy actually looked surprised.

"Draco?"

"Snape's patronus is a doe." Malfoy said.

"You're kidding!" Zabini exclaimed in a whisper.

Malfoy shook his head. "It's true."

"Whoa." Zabini said, shaking his head. "That's some of the juiciest gossip I've ever heard."

"If you tell anyone, he'll... Well... You can probably figure for yourselves what he'd do." Harry said.

"Blimey, now I have to sit through double potions without thinking about that." Zabini said. "Curse you, Potter."

"I don't see you casting one." Harry replied.

"I can fix that." Malfoy said.

"But you're a prefect!" Harry said, with mock horror on his face.

Malfoy glared at him.

"Besides, we're in the corridors now," Harry said. "It wouldn't do for anyone to see a prefect attacking his housemate."

"I think I'm starting to see how you got shoved in with our lot." Zabini said appreciatively. 

Malfoy glared at him. Zabini shrugged.

"Hello, Harry!" Cho greeted him, and she was alone, not surrounded by her usual gang of girls.

"Oh, hi." Harry returned.

"You got that stuff off, then?" Cho asked.

"Yeah. Ginny took care of it." Harry said. He almost asked her about her summer, then remembered that her summer following Cedric's death must have been just as rotten as his.

"Well... Um, see you, Harry." Cho said.

"See you." Harry replied.

Zabini tried to hide a chuckle.

"What?" Harry frowned at him.

"She fancies you." Zabini said quietly, "And you have the tact of a toad."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I know she does. I just don't want to lead her on."

Zabini gasped. "You're turning her down?"

"I'm not interested." Harry said.

"Not interested... In girls?" Malfoy asked. "Now I'm thinking about our conversation on the train in a very different light."

"No." Harry said. "I am- I am not having this conversation with you."

Zabini laughed and Malfoy grinned. Harry glared at them.

When they filed in and got into their seats, Harry could see Ron and Hermione glaring at the slytherins flanking him. They were whispering harshly, Harry didn't know if they were arguing or mad at something else. Possibly both.

"Settle down." Snape said coldly, closing the door. It was redundant for him to say so. The class usually went quiet with his very presence.

"Before we begin today's lesson," Snape said, sweeping over to his desk and staring around at them all, "I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'Acceptable' in your OWL, or suffer my... displeasure."

His gaze lingered on Neville, who gulped.

"After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me." Snape went on. "I take only the very best into my NEWT Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying goodbye."

His eyes rested on Harry, and his face didn't show absolute disdain, but mild distaste. Harry's face was indifferent. 

"But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell." Snape said. "So, whether or not you are intending to attempt NEWT, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the high pass level I have come to expect from my OWL students.

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned; if you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing." On Harry's left, Hermione sat up a little straighter, her expression one of utmost attention. "The ingredients and method are on the blackboard. You will find everything you need in the store cupboard. You have an hour and a half... Start."

He punctuated his instructions with flicks of his wand. The instructions appeared on the blackboard, and the store cupboard opened.

Harry paid careful attention this time. He also watched what Malfoy was doing. 

"A light silver vapour should now be rising from your potion." Snape said, with ten minutes left.

Harry grinned internally. His vapour might not have been light silver, but it was most definitely silver. Hermione's silver vapour earned no comment from Snape, meaning he couldn't find anything to criticize. Snape didn't comment on Harry's either.

In the hallway, Zabini hooked his arm through Harry's. "C'mon, we didn't get to finish that conversation earlier."

Harry yanked his arm free. "And I said I wasn't talking about it."

"You know, your reaction tells us everything we need to know." Zabini said quietly, leaning close to Harry's ear.

Harry shoved him back. "You're talking like we're friends."

"We're not friends, we're roommates." Zabini said.

"Not by choice."

"You're going to have to deal with us for the rest of the year." Zabini said. "Might as well accept it."

Harry stopped walking and faced Zabini. Harry was used to Ron being taller than him. Malfoy was taller than Harry, and Zabini was taller than Malfoy. Harry felt short standing next to them. He felt short in general. He hoped his growth spurt came soon.

"I have accepted it, Zabini. Why do you think I haven't gone running to Dumbledore, throwing a tantrum?" Harry snapped. "I don't want to fight you, either of you. But don't think that because the color of my robes has changed, I have changed." Harry stormed ahead.

He avoided Ron and Hermione, grabbed something small to eat, and left as quick as he'd arrived. They followed him out.

"Harry." Hermione said.

"I don't want to talk." Harry said.

"Please." Hermione said.

Harry turned around.

"We just have to raise enough complaint. If we get enough students to protest- They'll get to their families, and they'll protest too-"

"You still don't get it." Harry said. "Umbridge's the High Inquisitor. She'll get power over the school. She'll worm her way into things. She'll manipulate and twist information, to suit her narrative. She'll paint the professors as incompetent, the learning materials as improper, unnecessary."

"What are you talking about? There's no such thing as High Inquisitor." Hermione frowned.

Harry sighed in frustration. "The ministry is in charge now. Umbridge is going to build up her power and there's nothing we can do about it. I'm in slytherin."

"Bloody hell, mate!" Ron said. "You're talking like you want to be there!"

"I don't." Harry said.

"Then why aren't you fighting back?" Ron asked. "Why haven't you gone to Dumbledore, he can fix this!"

"Because Dumbledore can't fix this!" Harry exclaimed.

"You know that's a load of rubbish." Ron said. "What's gotten into you? You suddenly hate Dumbledore, and you're all chummy with Zabini and Malfoy-"

"I'm not chummy with Zabini or Malfoy!"

"I saw you with your arms linked!" Ron said. "That looks pretty chummy to me."

"That wasn't what it looked like-"

"Like hell it wasn't." Ron said. "And you didn't deny that you hate Dumbledore-"

"Maybe I have a reason to." Harry spat.

"What reason could you possibly have to hate him?" Ron exclaimed. "He's saved you loads of times-"

"For his own purpose!" Harry snarled. 

"What are you talking about?"

Harry went rigid. "I can't say."

"You can't say?" Ron exclaimed. "You can't say? What a load of codswallop!"

"It's not." Harry simmered. 

"If it's not, then tell us!" Ron demanded.

"I can't."

"Why the hell not?"

"It has nothing to do with you!"

"Oh, because it's all about you?"

"I wouldn't wish this on anybody!" Harry snarled. "That's why I'm not telling you!"

"Bloody hell, Harry." Ron said, and turned away.

Hermione looked between the two of them with indecision.

"Go with him, then." Harry said. 

"Harry..."

"I'm not changing what I said." Harry told her, and headed straight for his next class.

A/N

Ey, drama!

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!
PS: What's your favorite candy?

PPS: A miracle happened today. I found a non-mint adult toothpaste. This is the first time I've had adult toothpaste in years. Goodbye Crayola Tropical Twist! You will not be missed!