TW: PANIC ATTACK

Harry walked down the corridor with Ron as they headed towards the lunch hall.

Harry told Ron about the events of what had happened in Reform class. Ron informed him that Umbridge had been placed in the school by the government and reported back to the Prime Minister.

"That guy Seamus, who you have detention with, is pretty chill. He's one of my close mates," Ron said. "And his boyfriend Dean."

Harry's eyes widened. "They're gay?"

Ron's eyes narrowed. "You have a problem with it?"

"What? No!" Harry hurriedly said. "I'm just a little surprised they can be so open about it."

Ron nodded in understanding. "Yeah. But everyone here is cool with gay people. There are hardly any homophobic people here. And when there are, they get beaten up."

Harry winced. "Oh. I mean, they deserve it."

They continued walking, and Harry spoke up again. "Is there anyone I have to avoid?"

Ron's face paled a little, and he nodded. "One guy. His name is Draco Malfoy."

Harry looked at him in confusion. "Draco Mal-"

His new friend clamped a hand over Harry's mouth. "Don't say it so loudly! You don't know who's listening! If he targets you, then you're screwed. He's got Snape and Umbridge on his side, and he can get anyone expelled within seconds!"

Harry sucked in a breath. "You sure you're not exaggerating a little?"

Ron shook his head. "No. I knew a guy named Terry Boot. He was in Ravenclaw's House, though, so we didn't have many classes together. Terry told me he had found out something about, you know. He wouldn't tell me. You Know Who found out that Terry knew and got him kicked out."

Harry gaped like a fish. He was definitely keeping away from that guy.

They reached the doors, and Harry looked inside with apprehension. There were four long tables inside the room and a high table at the very back.

"How do I know what table to sit at?" Harry whispered.

"There's a table for each House. You're in Gryffindor since roommates are in the same House."

They to the far right of the room and sat down with the bushy-haired girl from the night before. She rolled her eyes when she saw Harry.

"Ron, what did I say about taking in strays?" she said, annoyed. Harry chuckled a little.

"I'm not stray. I'm just desperate," Harry said. He clapped a hand over his mouth. "I mean-"

"See?" Hermione said. "This guy's not even grateful. He doesn't deserve our friendship."

Harry frowned a little. He opened his mouth to reply when a shadow fell over the table.

"Who's the newbie?" an amused voice said. Harry turned around to see a girl with short black hair and a green tie.

"Fuck off, Pansy," Ron said tiredly, putting food on his plate. "He's not some pushover for you to play around with."

"You watch yourself, Weasel," she seethed. "You wouldn't want me to report back to Draco."

At this, Ron shrunk a little in his seat. Pansy turned back to Harry with a sweet smile on her face. "Draco has sent me to extend a hand in friendship to you. All you have to do is ditch the dead weight."

She glared at Ron in distaste. Harry's eyes widened. "Why me? He doesn't even know me!"

"What are you talking about?" Pansy laughed. "Of course he does!"

She was absurd; he'd only been here for a day! Maybe she was only doing this to humiliate him. "Well, tell him no thanks. I'm good with Ron."

Pansy shrugged and gave him a look that said suit yourself before making her way over to the far side of the room. Harry dragged his eyes away from her and looked at Ron, who was shocked and slightly awed.

"Still think that I'm ungrateful?" Harry smirked at Hermione. The bushy-haired girl didn't say anything and turned an ugly red, making Harry laugh.

"You chose us over him," Ron said, eyes still blown wide. "Even after everything, I said about him. Oh shit, Harry, what if he takes this personally and now wants to blow up your head?"

Harry paled a little. "I wasn't really thinking about that."

"I don't think you do that very often," Hermione commented. "You know, think."

"Hermione, come on," Ron said, putting a warning hand on her arm. "Be nice."

She huffed and leaned back a little in her seat. "She doesn't really like new people," Ron explained.

"Really? Who would've thought!" Harry said, feigning shock. Hermione stuck her tongue out at him.

They ate in silence, and Harry finished his food in less than ten minutes.

"I'll be off then," he said to Ron, who was adding more chicken to his plate. For school food, the food here was surprisingly good. "I'm pretty sure I know the way."

"There are signposts as well if you get really stuck. They're pretty hard to use, though," Ron said around a mouthful of chicken. Harry thanked him and left the Hall promptly.

He made his way upstairs and down a few corridors and was beginning to think he was lost when he finally saw his dorm room at the other end of the hallway.

"So? Rejecting me, huh? I suppose your little Weasel friend still hasn't told you about what I can do, Potter."

Harry yelped and turned around to see a tall boy with glistening blond hair and cold grey eyes. He was sneering at Harry.

"How do you even know me?" Harry exclaimed, confused. "Don't you have bigger things to deal with than memorize the name and face of every new student?"

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "So he did tell you. Why aren't you afraid of me? Of Umbridge?"

Harry snorted. "You tripped me up to ask that? Umbridge is a fucking toad. Forgive me for not cowering in fear at the sight of her pink bow."

The blond's eyes narrowed demeaningly. "I could get you expelled."

"Go on, then," Harry challenged. Malfoy scowled.

"What makes you think you're worth the effort?" he asked. Harry opened his mouth to retort, but Malfoy cut him off. "Why are you even here?"

Harry looked flabbergasted. "Ron said that you aren't supposed to ask people that!"

"Ron's a fucking pussy, now tell me," Malfoy growled. Harry raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why do you even need to know? You don't know me, for fuck's sake!"

"I was there when your parents died," Malfoy seethed. "You've forgotten already? Who do you fucking think let you out?"

The statement ripped out the air from Harry's chest.

And the screams and shrieks that he had been to block out for five years flooded his mind, and he couldn't breathe. Why couldn't he inhale? His lung felt full, yet there was no air in them. His throat felt flooded with oxygen, so why wouldn't his body use it?

"Potter! Shit!"

~~~
<3

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