A/N: Hey guys! This will be my first Harry Potter fic. I will hopefully update again in the following week, but things are kind of hectic right now. Review if you want to, but I'll probably post anyway regardless. I don't like begging for reviews. Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or places mentioned in this fanfic. Unfortunately.

Rose

Rose Jeanne Weasley stood amidst her kin at the crowded 9 ¾ platform of King's Cross Station. Her family darted to and fro, bustling around her and the rest of the crowd.

Rose, in all her eleven and ½ years of life, remained the only one in her very extended family that could stand to quietly observe people without always having to be doing something. The rest of the Weasleys, Potters, Delacours and Lupins all seemed to be unable to find inner peace. She contemplated that fact as she leaned against her cart, which was neatly packed with her trunk, along with her cousin, Albus, and his brother, James's. She had volunteered to watch the cart, partly because she wanted some alone time and claimed she needed to load the trunks on the train, and partly because she was often looked over anyway, and didn't want to waste anyone's time saying goodbye to her.

That said, she was sad to leave her family, and the only home she had ever known. Not that she wasn't looking forward to Hogwarts, of course, but that still seemed like a far-off dream at the moment. Rose sighed as she lifted the trunks into the storage car, wishing she had taken Albus's offer to help her. She finally managed to fit them in as the whistle on the train blew. Ten minutes to departure.

"Rosie, where are you?" A familiar voice called through the crowd. She smiled before responding.

"I'm right over here, Mum." She said, right before her mother wrapped her up in a hug.

"You weren't going to leave before saying goodbye, were you?" Her mother asked in a teasing tone. Rose rolled her eyes, smiling.

"Of course not, Mum. Though I would have liked to escape Dad's teasing about 'inheriting your brains'" She joked, letting her mother lead her back to the rest of her family. The rest of the ten minutes was spent with rushed goodbyes and hasty hugs, before the children boarded the Hogwarts Express. Her father did indeed say something about, 'Thank god you inherited your mother's brains', but what interested Rose the most was when he told her to beat a certain Malfoy in every test. At the time, she had laughed and joked along with her parents, but her attention stayed on the mysterious white-haired boy as she and her cousin began the journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"What house do you think you'll be in?" Albus asked nervously as the train sped along the countryside. "I mean, I know I'll probably be in Gryffindor, but you never know…" He trailed off, noticing his cousin's obvious distraction. "Rose?"

She started, blinking a couple times. "Oh.. um, I really don't know, Al. Could be any of them." Truth be told, she hadn't really given a lot of thought to where she would be put. Any house would be fine with her, though her family was another story… "I guess Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, most likely." Albus stared in confusion.

"But not Slytherin, right?" He asked quietly. "I mean, you wouldn't want to become one of those bloody Pureblood worshippers, right?"

Rose's eyes narrowed. Though the Weasleys had a long-standing dislike of Slytherin house, Rose hadn't expected the prejudice to carry on through Harry Potter's son. The auror was one of the most open-minded people Rose had ever met. Furthermore, Albus was literally named after one of the most notorious Voldemort worshippers in history, and he was also a Slytherin.

"Excuse me, All?" She said sharply. Her cousin looked surprised.

"Well, everyone knows that Slytherin's the worst house there is. I mean, pretty much all dark wizards come from that house. Plus, I'll bet that Malfoy kid is sorted into it, too." Rose gazed at her cousin sternly.

"That may be true, but I really don't' think we should stereotype it so quickly. We've never even been to Hogwarts. It could be totally different than we've heard." She told him, slightly angry. True, if she was sorted into Slytherin her father would probably disown her, but that was mainly because of the rarely mentioned Malfoy-Weasley feud. She had just never expected to hear such a strong aversion from Al. He was her best friend, for god's sake, and Rose had never heard him mention anything like this.

"Let's not talk about this right now," Albus murmured. "Want to play a game of Exploding Snap?"

A collective gasp was issued from the first years as the doors to the great hall opened.

Rose had never seen anything more magnificent. Candles danced in the air, beads of wax slowly descending down their sides. The ceiling was a world of shimmering stars, no clouds in sight. On each side of the massive room there were two long oak tables - Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. The crowd of first-years oohed and awed, completely mystified by the colorful paintings and eccentric teachers. At the front of the room stood a long table, running parallel to the back wall. In the center there was a slightly elevated section for the headmaster. It was, overall, the most stupendous thing either cousin had ever witnessed.

It suddenly hit her then, that this was real, that she was actually at Hogwarts, where she would practice magic for the next seven years. The stakes had never seemed so high. Perhaps Rose had overlooked the importance of the Houses, but she now realized that whatever the Sorting Hat shouted would determine where she lived, who she hung out with, and what she would be stereotyped as. Would she be a noble, brave, hotheaded Gryffindor? A sweet, shy, carefree Hufflepuff? A clever, sharp-witted Ravenclaw? Or, now most looked down on of all- a sly, cunning, evil Slytherin? Everything was at stake in the next hour, where her future would be determined.

Up at the front, a shabby, torn wizard's hat sat on a three legged stool. It suddenly shifted, and a large fold opened up on its front. The eleven-year-olds watched in wonder as it began to sing.

Some may call me shabby, well, they're sadly misinformed-

For I was a great wonder before they were even born-

I can tell you where you'll be for the next seven years-

But who you are and what you'll be is what you cannot hear.

A bold, daring Gryffindor, loyal to the core-

Just the famous attributes, you are so much more-

A sly, cunning Slytherin, determined to the end-

It doesn't mean you have to greet the dark as an old friend.

For sharp, clever Ravenclaws, intelligence is best-

However, gaining wisdom is not their only test-

Finally, you Hufflepuffs, so patient and fair-

It doesn't mean you're useless, or that you always care.

Though our great four founders thought these qualities were leading

It isn't always others that we need to be defeating-

For sometimes though House qualities is what we truly cherish-

We must embrace our other sides, or we will surely perish.

Now all of you students, take my warning to the heart-

Set aside past differences, and old plans you want to thwart-

For I have something important that needs to be said-

A house does not define you, at least not in the end.

A smatter of applause broke out as the hat finished its final verse. Rose and Albus looked at each other, confused. The song had sounded an awful lot like a warning. However, there was no time for conversation as the first name was called.

"Abbott-Longbottom, Alice!" Professor McGonagall called from the front. A woman of at least 90, the headmaster was still going strong even after 70+ years of teaching. Right now she was at the front of the great hall with a list of names. A small, brown-haired girl raced up to the front and put the hat on. It had barely been on her head for two seconds when it suddenly shouted.

"Gryffindor!" The girl jumped off the stool she had been sitting on and darted over to the Gryffindor table. Rose listened boredly as "Abernathy, Vanessa" was sorted into Slytherin, and "Calsin, Margaret" was sorted into Hufflepuff. Though her eyes widened in surprise when a, "Dursley, Rachel was called up to the front. Almost every Weasley or Potter in the room gasped. McGonagall looked around disapprovingly.

Rachel walked up to the front of the room. She didn't seem pudgy like her uncle had described Dudley, and she had a big smile plastered on her face. Her hair was a pretty auburn color, tinted red but not at all like Rose's curly, vibrant mess. She was a bit tall, too, and had dark eyes, as far as Rose could tell. She, overall, looked nothing like how Dudley had been described. She sat on the stool and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head. It seemed to take forever to decide, but finally shouted, "Gryffindor!". There was a smattering of applause as she joined the red-and-gold clad table.

Rose zoned out a bit after that. The process of sorting seemed to take hours (Though there were about two hundred first years) but she focused again when Albus pinched her arm and muttered, "Malfoy." Through gritted teeth. She studied the young boy as he walked. He was about the same heights Rose, and had messy white-blonde hair. He was also very pale.

The entire student body watched in apprehension as the hat was placed on his head. Albus muttered,"Slytherin. Once a Malfoy, always a Malfoy." until Rose kicked him in the shins just as the hat's mouth (?) opened.

"Ravenclaw!"

Malfoy looked stunned. He, and apparently everyone else, had expected Slytherin. Nonetheless, he took off the hat and sat down at the Ravenclaw table. After "McLaggen, Thomas" was sorted into Hufflepuff, Albus's name was called. Rose whispered, "Good luck!" As he raced toward the stool. She held her breath as the hat screamed, "Gryffindor!" He smiled and joined the Gryffindor table, where his older brother ruffled his hair and smiled too.

It took a while, but, finally, Rose's name was called. She strode to the Headmaster, smiling nervously. She knew she was being watched by everyone-a child of ⅔ of the Golden Trio, she was used to it. However, she could not help but wonder what they saw.

Rose had inherited her father's vivid red hair, but it fell in her mother's curls. Depending on the day, it could either be frizzy or just impossible, but today it was tied back in a ponytail. Her eyes, unlike either of her parents, were a startling blue-green colour. She had freckles all over her face, but they weren't too big, rather like small dots of brown everywhere. She also wasn't exactly short, but not too tall either.

When she reached the stool, she squeezed her eyes shut and hoped for a good house. She really didn't want to have to tell her father that she wasn't in Gryffindor.

The hat covered almost her entire face. Rose startled as it began to speak into her mind.

Hmm… You are certainly brave, but… Gryffindor doesn't seem like such a good fit for you. Rose mentally gasped. What would her dad do? Definitely not Hufflepuff, but maybe Ravenclaw, you take after your mother, you know, she was a hare's breath away from being sorted into Ravenclaw, too. But- Suddenly, the room felt twenty degrees cooler. (A/N- Farenheit, sorry, it got like 30% cooler, I guess.) The old hat stiffened. It seems I have a message for you. Open your eyes, child.

Rose opened her eyes, and gasped. The sorting hat was hovering above her head, lifeless. The students, which moments ago were whispering, had gone silent. It took a moment for her to realize why.

Every single person in the Great Hall had frozen. One student was in the middle of turning her head, so her hair was fanned out behind her. They hadn't literally frozen-like, with ice, but nobody, even the teachers, was moving.

Fear shot through her. What could be powerful enough to freeze time for over one thousand wizards?

But what terrified her most were the wizards that appeared in front of her. There were four of them, and though they were lively, they seemed almost transparent. One of them had red robes on, and his hair was a red-grey transitional colour. Another was clad in dark blue robes, and looked peaceful and ethereal. She had dark brown hair streaked with grey, and studious dark grey eyes that pierced Rose. Another was a witch with yellow robes and a cheerful smile. She was short and plump, and overall seemed welcoming and easygoing with her light blond hair and light blue eyes. The last wizard frightened Rose. He was tall and grey-haired, with emerald robes and dark obsidian eyes. His mouth was twisted into a frown.

"Hello, Rose. It's very nice to meet you." The witch in yellow said. "My name is Helga Hufflepuff."

The redhead blinked, dumbfounded. There was absolutely no possible way for that to be true. The four founders were long dead.

"W-what?" She stuttered, glancing at each of the wizards. The one in red-Godric-spoke up.

"We haven't seen a student like you in decades." he said. "You don't fit into any one of the houses. It's almost like you fit into all of them." Rose just stared, dumbfounded. The blue witch-Rowena, she supposed, began to speak.

"Rose, although it would be best that you were in my house-" She earned a glare from the rest of her group,"There is one house in particular that needs you the most. We need you to bring our school back together. Inter-house harmony has been off for almost a century, and we need you to fix it." The witch stepped back, satisfied. Rose narrowed her eyes.

"No way. Not Slytherin. My family will disown me." She said, surprised at her calm voice. She still couldn't believe this was real. Maybe she'd wake up in St. Mungo's tomorrow, and this will have all been a dream.

Salazar Slytherin, the wizard in green, had been silent so far. Yet he now decided to reason with Rose.

"Ms. Weasley," he stated flatly. "Although I would like to insure my house remain pureblood, my colleagues have forced me to agree on this subject. It will just grow smaller and smaller until there is no Slytherin left in the entire school. Which is unacceptable. You, of course, will be the first half-blood to ever join Slytherin house. However, we need you to heal our school and make Slytherin great again." he hesitated, drawing in a breath. "Ms. Weasley-please- Save our school. Be the Savior of Slytherin."

You could have heard a pin drop, it was so quiet. Rose studied the group with careful eyes, contemplating the decision. From what she could tell, this would be a difficult task that most likely wouldn't succeed. Still, for some unfathomable reason, she found herself locking eyes with Salazar Slytherin and saying, "I will."

The relief was obvious on the four founders faces. Rose stood and asked, "What do I have to do?"

Helga Hufflepuff smiled radiantly. "From the four houses you belong in, we will each present a gift to aid your mission. I give you my Room of Requirement, which will conform to your wishes." She stepped back with a bow. Godric Gryffindor stepped forwards, eyes twinkling.

"I give you a helper, which will appear in due time. It's a good thing you don't have a pet." He said smiling. Rose frowned, confused. Rowena Ravenclaw stepped forward.

"Rose," She started. "I give you my diadem, which will clear your thoughts and protect you from corruption." A simple silver tiara appeared in hand. It was simple goblin-made silver, and had a dark blue jewel set in the middle. The gem had a large crack in it, but it was still beautiful. She waved her hand, and it turned into a silver necklace, the blue jewel hanging from silver chains. She waved her hand again, and it appeared on Rose's neck, beneath her robes. Finally, Salazar Slytherin stepped forward.

"Weasley, I give you the gift of Parseltongue, which nobody alive is capable of speaking. Inadvertently, that also gives you access to my Chamber of Secrets. Use it well." He winked and stepped back with his co-workers.

"It's time to unfreeze time, dear. See you soon." Helga Hufflepuff smiled and disappeared.

The noise of her fellow students calmed Rose as she sat with the hat on. It resumed its talk.

-You don't seem quite right for Ravenclaw, either. You are quite ambitious. Better be-

"SLYTHERIN!"

The Great Hall was dead quiet. Then, suddenly, a deafening bout of applause exploded from the Slytherin table. Rose caught sight of Albus and James's identical gaping mouths as she walked over and sat down.

Turning around, she saw dozens of emotions flit across Albus's face, but one stuck with her for the rest of the night.

Betrayal.