Reden

A/N: Just to explain...Ron isn't gay. And he's not dating Harry, they're just really good friends. Also, the time-line for my story is off a bit. HP & Co. are 16, but it's not 1996. It's more like...2008ish. It's sort of a non-time, but some stuff that doesn't exist until between 2007-2009 is going to exist, so seriously – no complaints. I don't want any of this 'That's not supposed to exist in 1996!' crap, okay? ^_^ Thanks. Also, only certain students from Hogwarts will be at Drenton, because Boarding School (especially sending your kid overseas) is pretty expensive. Hence Ron being Harry's public school friend. So sorry if I cut a character you like; it couldn't be helped. There will also be a number of OC's because of this, so yeah. Hope you like it! ~ FA

~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry sat, staring, at the imposing black iron gates. The cab driver lowered his window and reached out, hitting the button on the intercom. A very polite female voice said. “Can I help you?”

“Dropping off a kid.” The cabbie replied. “Harry...” He turned and looked at Harry, having forgotten the last name given to him.

“Potter.” Harry said softly, not taking his eyes off the huge gates that loomed in front of the car.

“Right. Harry Potter.” The man said to the intercom. “Do I drop him here or pull up to the doors?”

An annoyed sigh filtered through the speaker and the gates swung silently inward. “Follow the driveway up to the circle. Once Mr. Potter unloads, you can follow the driveway back down. The gate will close behind you, so you'll have to buzz to get out.”

“Thanks.” The cabbie said before pulling forward through the gates. “Pretty fancy digs.” He commented.

Harry nodded. “Yes, I suppose so.” The car followed the winding drive through thick trees – practically a small forest – for about five minutes before the trees thinned and a sprawling lawn appeared. On a small rise sat a huge mansion – it looked nothing like a school to Harry. It looked like it had about 200 rooms, if the sheer size and number of windows was anything to go by. He clenched his teeth, hating it instantly. And still Harry felt something tugged him onward. Not that he had much choice.

The cab pulled up in front of the doors and Harry climbed out, sullenly dragging his two trunks out of the back, as well as an enormous suitcase and the messenger-style side backpack that had been hi carry-on on the plane. Once he'd taken everything out of the trunk and closed it the cab drove off. Harry stood there, on the bottom step, staring up at the huge stone building. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't more his things by himself and he didn't want to just leave them there. After a few minutes of Harry just standing there, staring, one of the huge double doors opened.

“You planning on coming in or what?” The girl who'd opened the door looked to be about his age.

Her black hair was streaked with pale purple and was pulled into a high ponytail at the crown of her head – and it still fell down nearly to her knees. Her eyes were a pale purple as well, which Harry found fascinating. She was about 5'3” and slender, with only the gentlest of curves showing she was female. She wore a grey plaid schoolgirl skirt with a short-sleeved white button-up shirt. It only had 3 buttons buttoned, revealing a hint of cleavage and a flat stomach, as well as the silver barbell that pierced the girl's navel. She had on knee-high leather boots that zipped up the inside and had high, chunky heels.

Harry smiled weakly at her. “Er, I didn't want to just leave my things here...”

“Oh don't worry. One of the staff will bring them to your room while I'm giving you the tour.” She smiled brightly. “You're a Brit, then? Gorgeous accent!”

“Oh, er, yeah. Thanks.” Harry climbed the stairs and smiled down at the girl. He was about 5'10” himself, so even in her boots he was a head taller. “So, we have uniforms here?”

She laughed. “Good gods, no!” She laughed again, a bright and bubbly sound. “I just dress like this sometimes. Plus classes don't even start for another few days. You'll have all weekend to settle in.”

“Oh. Right.” Harry sighed and followed her inside. “So I'm Harry Potter. What's your name?”

“Oh, gods, I'm sorry! I'm Vidia, but you can call me Abyss.” She shit him a smile over her shoulder as she headed out of the foyer and down a hallway on the left-hand side. “So, Harry, what brings you to Drenton?”

“My godfather forced me to come. Said it's what's 'best' for you, you know?” Harry sighed again. “I hate being so far from home.”

Abyss nodded sympathetically. “It's a bit of an adjust for everyone, really. Most of us aren't from the immediate area.” She gestured to a pair of open doors to her left. “That's the dining hall.”

Harry peeked into the room, which had a long table that seated about 50 as Abyss pointed to a door on the other side of the hallway. “You can get food pretty much whenever from the kitchen, which is through there, but meals are served in here. For the most part, we all eat together.”

Harry nodded. “Okay. So why'd your parents send you here? I mean...er...” He sighed once more when Abyss giggled. “Sorry, I'm a bit nervous. I mean why Drenton, not why ship you off.”

She smiled at him again as she pointed out another door. “I knew what you meant, Harry. This is the library. It's three stories tall and any book you can think of is in there. Help yourself, but don't make a mess.”

She walked a bit further down the hallway, turned left at a 'T' and opened a heavy wooden door, revealing a staircase. As she led him up it, she answered his question. “Drenton Academy is the best.” She said it factually, like it was as simple to understand as 'The sky is blue.' or 'Grass is green.' and added. “I actually begged my 'rents to send me. I love being here and I've learned so much over the last 4 years. I couldn't imagine going to school anywhere else.”

“4 years? Wow!” Harry couldn't imagine going to Boarding School that young. “So you were, like, 12?”

“Mhmmm.” She nodded absently as she led him down another hallway on the second floor and stopped in front of a door. “That's why I give the tours.” She grinned cheekily. “That and I'm nicer than the few kids who've been here longer than I have. There will be a map on your nightstand to help you get around.”

She knocked on the door and a bored voice called out. “Come in!” in a distinctly British drawl.

“Hey, Drake.” She said as she opened the door to reveal a blonde boy lounging on one of the two beds in the room. “Your roommate just got here.”

“I assumed he had when his things were brought in.” He drawled, a faint sneer in his voice. “Think I'll be able to stand this one, Abyss? Or no?”

“Well, he's a Brit like you.” She said as she stepped into the large room. “Except, you know, nice and not snotty.” She said it in a tone that screamed teasing. “Harry Potter, meet Draco Malfoy.”

“Hello.” Harry said softly as he entered the room. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Malfoy.”

The blonde boy raised one eyebrow, a smirk sliding onto his lips. “So formal. We're going to be roommates, Harry. Besides, you're in the US now – last names aren't really used here. You'll get funny looks if you try.”

“Oh.” Harry sat gingerly on the edge of his new bed. “I didn't realize...”

“Don't feel bad.” Abyss smirked and put her hands on her hips. “There's a few Brits here besides you and Drake and they all did it at first. Including Drake.”

“And I got weird looks for it.” Draco said pointedly to Abyss before turning back to Harry and adding. “No need for you to have to learn the hard way.”

Abyss clapped her hands together and smiled. “Well then, I'll just leave you boys to get acquainted. Harry.” She nodded encouragingly to him. “If you have any questions, ask Drake. He's been here nearly as long as me. Or just dial '4261' on the phone.” She gestured to a corded phone on the wall near the door. “That's my room. If I'm not there just leave a message and I'll get back to you.”

With a quick wave, she slipped out of the room, leaving the boys to study each other in silence.

Draco, still sprawled comfortably on the large canopy bed, eyed his new roommate. Harry was perched tensely on the edge of his mattress. He had dark hair that was fairly long – past his shoulders, or so Draco assumed. It was pulled back into a low ponytail which made it hard to judge the length accurately. His eyes were almost impossibly green and were framed by thick, dark lashes so long that any girl would envy them. His face was almost angelic in it's perfection and Draco momentarily wondered what that full, pouting mouth would taste like before he caught himself. Harry was tall – or at least taller than Draco since Draco only had about two inches on Abyss and Harry had been a head taller than her. He also had an impressive body – slender but toned, from what Draco could see of his arms and from how his jeans and tee-shirt clung to his body. All-in-all Harry certainly wasn't the worst-looking roommate he'd had. Only time would tell if his personality lived up to the same level of promise that his looks did.

As Draco analyzed Harry, Harry was studying Draco just as intently. The other boy's hair was so blonde it was practically white and fell just past the tops of his ears. He was pale, with grey eyes and delicate features so Elvin they bordered on feminine. Wide, almond-shaped eyes and high cheekbones and pale, pink lips that were just full enough to make Harry wonder what they'd look like after being kissed. He was slender and, from what Harry could tell by the fitted black slacks and snug green button-up he wore, toned – but not bulky.

Draco watched as Harry's eyes darkened from emerald to a deep forest green while staring at him and had to stop himself from chuckling. “So, Harry...” He drawled. “You're 16, right? A but late to be starting at Drenton. Most of us have been here since we were 13 or 14. Some even longer, like Abyss. Why the wait?”

Harry flushed, unsure of what to say. “Siri – my godfather – didn't think I was ready to go away to school. And, to be honest, I didn't want to. He actually forced me to come.”

“Your godfather?” Draco arched an eyebrow. “What happened to your parents?”

“They died, when I was a baby.” Harry explained. “I was raised by Siri. It's difficult – being away from him. And my friends.”

Draco nodded. “I see. Well, you'll make friends here, I'm sure.” He smiled warmly. “I'm sure we'll be friends, after all, and I can introduce you around.”

Just then the door was flung open and five kids burst in, followed by a harassed-looking Abyss. “I'm so sorry! I tried to stop them, but you know how they are!” She glared at the newcomers, then smiled apologetically at Harry and Draco. “I really am sorry.”

Harry had a feeling it was going to be a very long day.

~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Well? What do you think? In case you're lost, Harry took a late flight Thursday, got to the US (not sure where...maybe in Maine?) early Friday. Classes start Monday. And Harry has contacts, not glasses. So...yeah. Hurray for OC's – did you like Abyss? I'll be introducing some more soon! Please review – they totally make my day! Also I alert to updates – leave your e-mail and I'll send you one! ~ FA