A/N: This is the first HP fic I've written in 7 years. I got the inspiration for it after rereading DH. I hope you enjoy. Please review, even if it's negative I like to know what people think of my writing.

Serpents and Snakes

Albus Potter and Rose Weasley, sorted into the "wrong" house and now the laughing stock of their (rather large) family, (with the help of an unexpected friend) must find out the culprit of a terrible crime before it's too late. But what can a couple of first years do? Especially if they're just slimey serpents and snakes.

Chapter One: Traditions and Rivalries

"Potter, Albus" shouted the deputy headmaster, Filius Flitwick. He looked up from the long parchment in his hands and looked over the boy whose famous father had been a student of the professor.

Al stirred anxiously and reluctantly ambled up to the stool. He sighed and feigned a smile toward his cousins and brother, all of them sitting at the Gryffindor table awaiting the next Potter/Weasley child to join them. Before the Sorting Hat went over his green eyes, they met Rose's.

She was the only one besides his father to whom Al shared his fear of bring placed in the "wrong" house. James teased him just for fun, not really wanting to hurt the feelings of his little brother and never actually doubting that he'd be in Gryffindor. But growing up, Al did doubt it and, she being his closest friend, told his cousin Rose. Surprisingly, her feelings were the same.

Everyone in their family knew Rose was the smartest. She took after her mother like that. Not even officially at Hogwarts yet and she knew more spells than Al's older brother, James. She was book smart but also had a head on her shoulders and understood most things, even at eleven years old. Closer and closer to September, she had worried the Sorting Hat would say Ravenclaw and not Gryffindor.

Every Weasley and Potter had been in Gryffindor. To break the mold after so long would be an embarrassment. Sure, Al's father had reassured him it would be fine to be in another house but Al didn't want to be the odd one out. He was close with his cousins but was often teased by them. He didn't need something new to ignite their jests.

"Well, well, well the son of the great Harry Potter!" spoke someone in Al's ear.

The voice startled him since he had been deep in thought. Realizing it was the Sorting Hat, his body tensed awaiting the conclusion.

"Your mother was the only female Weasley I had seen in generations until your cousin Victoire. But I know what to do with Weasleys. Their chivalrous hearts speak louder than their brains. You, though, you're different from the Weasleys. I had once suggested to your father that he'd do well in Slytherin but he fought against it. You have that spirit also. Yes, it has to be

SLYTHERIN!"

For just a moment, there was a pause in the Great Hall as the students tried to comprehend what had just happened. There was a loud simultaneous gasp from the Gryffindor table, all from the Weasley clan and James. Then, an uproar of applause from Slytherin, greeting their new comrade.

Al's whole body felt heavy. He slid off the stool as if he would faint. His face turned a cherry red and he removed the Hat from his head and handed it back to Professor Flitwick. Slowly, Al managed to walk over to his place at the Slytherin table. He kept his glance away from his family. They all gawked at him awkwardly but his eyes stayed forward.

"I knew he wasn't really related to us. I bet he's adopted," he heard Fred say.

"Shush, you'll embarrass him," came the not so quiet whisper of Victoire.

"Don't shame him further!" scolded Molly.

Finally, what seemed like ages, Al sat down. He could still feel the stares from everyone in the room.

Is this really happening? He thought to himself. There's no way everyone in the school is looking at me now and thinking the same thing.

A groan escaped Al's lips as he put his head in his hands. He only half-listened as the Sorting Ceremony continued.

"Weasley, Rose."

She was the last and she quickly skipped to the stool. Flitwick placed the Hat on her. After a minute our so, Al held his breath as the announcement was made.

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Again!?" cried the red headed side of the Gryffindor Table.

"No!" shouted James, jumping out if his seat. "My brother is one thing, but Rosie, no way!"

Al started to feel nauseous. Everything became clear to him. He knew his relationship with his family was going to different from then on.

"Mr. Weasley you sit down this instant!" Professor McGonagall ordered, her eyes flaring.

Everyone of Al and Rose's family stood up and began protesting. In response, half of the Slytherin table rose and shouted back at them.

"That is enough!" roared the Headmistress. With a loud crack a spark of light flew from her wand. "This house rivalry must stop here! All of you settle down this instant or dinner will be cancelled. I have the power to send all of you to bed, regardless of privledges."

Never, in all my years here, have I seen such behavior at a Sorting Ceremony. Victoire, Head Girl, I thought you'd grow out of such a silly thing as house prejudice. Molly, a prefect. For some of you, you're parents weren't perfect angels but you all have been obedient since you've been here. 70 points from Gryffindor, 10 for each of you. I will be writing your parents tonight. I'm so disappointed."

The Great Hall was deadly silent after McGonagall spoke. The Weasley children looked down at their laps, shamed for what they had done. Other students squirmed uncomfortably in their seats. Al looked over at his brother, who avoided his eyes. James looked as if he was seething in anger. Did it really matter so much which house Al and Rose were placed in? Al felt almost helpless wondering if anything could repair what had been done that night.

"Excuse me, Professor," James said after a long moment." Every head in the room turned to him. Victoire and Molly glared at him, as if mentally warning him against talking back to the Headmistress. "But, can't Rosie and Al redo the sorting? Surely they aren't really supposed to be in Slytherin."

"Mr. Potter, it is an infallible tradition for students at Hogwarts to be sorted by the Hat. I'm sorry but your brother and cousin belong in that house. Perhaps, one day, the Hat's reasoning will become obvious to all of us. Now, on a much more important topic, welcome all to another year at Hogwarts."

At that moment, the food appeared and the students began socializing normally again. Al didn't feel hungry, since his stomach was still doing flip-flops. He looked at Rose, who put her arm around him.

"I have to tell you something, Al," Rose said quietly. "I told the Sorting Hat to put me in Slytherin. It tried at first to place me in Gryffindor, because I'm a Weasley, but then he said I'd do well in Ravenclaw and was almost settled on it. But I thought of you sitting by yourself, the only one of our family placed in Slytherin. I saw how miserable you looked. The Hat let me be with you."

Al looked at her wide-eyed but unsure what to say. "Thanks Rose." He smiled, feeling a bit better.