Then there was Neville. Harry had gambled that day on the train when he told Neville of their relationship, but the gamble had paid off in spades. Neville had changed a lot from the scared, shy boy that had first boarded the Hogwarts Express. He had gone from being unfit and overweight to a buff brick of a boy. He was confident. He always had Harry's back, or front when needed, Harry thought with a smirk, thinking of their presentation to the teachers. Magically Neville wasn't as strong as Harry but he still was one of the strongest boys in their year. He also worked harder than anyone except Harry. It was mostly due to Neville that Harry had built as many social connections as he had. Lady Augusta was synonymous with the light, but when one listened carefully it was clear she was a moderate and she was raising Neville to be the same. Harry was certain that if it came to a war, the Longbottoms would side with Dumbledore not Voldemort, but in every other way the Longbottoms didn't like or trust the so called leader of light. That made them ideal allies from his view. Although most Neville's housemates had trouble figuring out why he was in Gryffindor and not Hufflepuff, Harry knew why Neville was in Gryffindor. The reason was simple: when Neville had come to Hogwarts, despite thinking he was a squib, he had shown that at his core his courage was second to none. Neville valued honor and bravery, and he had an amazing work ethic, but he also had a bit of the charge forward without thinking mentality. Harry used his own leadership qualities to gently curb those impulses and to see that Neville never bit off more than he could chew, all while encouraging Neville so what he could chew was getting larger all the time. Harry might someday have to face again and fight Voldemort. He had no intention of doing so alone, no, he would have trusted well-trained allies at his side. Hence his careful cultivation and encouragement of his friends.
Harry was pleased with the people he had chosen to be his friends. They were polite, smart, hard-working, and in general fun to be with. Their priorities matched well with his own. While from a mix of light, dark, and neutral families, all were moderates. Hermione was probably the only exception, she had so much hero worship of the teachers, and was the proverbial lamb staked out for slaughter when it came to the politics of the wizarding world. She also seemed to believe life revolved around books, the rest were aware it didn't. The group's general consensus was Hermione had her uses but she couldn't be trusted to keep secrets from adults because she didn't have the common sense of a goose. She was, however, exceptionally useful in the studying department. Harry didn't need her help, but she freed him up to study his own things while she explained, sometimes to ad nauseum, things to the other second years, for that alone Harry could tolerate her. Despite the stigmas that came with being a snake Harry was mostly happy in his choices about this part of his life.
The problems seemed to arise when it came to the adults around him at school. Lupin, did Harry want a connection to his father enough that he was willing to overlook the man's failure to provide any connection while he was growing up? Snape, too posed a conundrum, last year he had been a complete bastard. This year he seemed to want to be a mentor, that the man used no people skills whatsoever when it came to him (and if he was honest to seventy five percent or more of the student body) didn't escape Harry. Of course there was also Dumbledore and McGonagall to consider. The Headmaster and his deputy kept a very close eye on Harry. Sometimes the suspicious way they watched him almost had him wanting to do something ornery just for the hell of it. Thinking about the adults around him once again had him thinking in circles.
Harry wondered if he had been less sleep deprived if his reasoning and planning faculties would be more inclined to operate better. Draco was up every night, two or three times a night, with nightmares. Snape gave him dreamless sleep one night in three. On those nights Harry slept well too, but the rest, well… Harry was currently trying to find a spell that would shut out the room noise. He was currently looking through the fourth year curriculum. He needed more sleep, if he didn't get it soon he might actually suffer a humiliating loss to Weasley. The two boys were at honors even at six wins each and seven draws in their chess games. Harry had lost the last game and was dreading this weekends match all courtesy of not enough sleep because of his damn roommate.
But Draco's sleep patterns weren't his only beef with the blond. Despite numerous reminders, the other boy's belongs were found strewn over into Harry's half of the room about half the time.
Harry had snickered madly when two days ago Draco had complained, "That ruddy owl belongs in the owlery not our room. She chalked on my homework".
Harry had inquired, "Where was it sitting, that Hedwig had a shit on it?"
Draco had frowned and replied, "I can't remember."
Which Harry translated to, it had been sitting somewhere it shouldn't and Hedwig had been trying to deliver an object lesson.
When Draco complained to Snape, Snape had looked at Harry who had given him a go ahead I dare you sort of look. He promptly turned to his godson and said, "I guess you'll be more careful where you leave your homework."
The next day after potions Snape called Harry up. "A word if you please, Mr. Potter."
"Yes, Professor?"
"I looked through the school rules there is no rule against owls being kept in their owner's rooms, however, I suggest you keep it where it won't shit on your roommate's homework."
"Professor I'm positive that if Draco's homework had been properly put away on his desk or bookshelf it would not have been marked thus. Hedwig usually limits herself to eliminating only on the litter in her tray. But if Draco had left it, say on the floor. Well, Hedwig might have mistaken it for trash and well ..she's only a bird."
"Indeed… well… I see. Dismissed, Mr. Potter."