"Hats defined the head. They defined who you were." – Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad

Harry was finally sitting on the Hogwarts had come early enough to avoid the rush and had secured himself a compartment on the far end of the platform. He knew he had to interact with someone sooner or later. However, after his experiences in Diagon Alley he couldn't help but feel anxious. Would his classmates treat him differently? Would he be once again an outsider? Harry knew he was weird and he didn't have much experience in interacting with people his age since Dudley and his gang had scared away the few children who had tried to befriend him in primary school. And since Binky was getting to Hogwarts by herself Harry was on his own. He was just reading 'Hogwarts, A History' when he heard the compartment door open. Harry looked up and saw three older girls looking inside.

"Hey, are these seats taken?", asked a tall black girl.

"No, they are not", replied Harry and returned to his book.

Don't panic.

Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Danielle Mcdonald showed a visible reaction when Harry introduced himself. However, they weren't as rude as the people in Diagon Alley. After a bit of awkward small talk and a few hesitant questions on their part, the girls began to share their knowledge on how to survive Hogwarts with him. Harry had no idea if they were teasing him or if they were serious. They described the teachers and the classes and he also received an in-depth explanation of Quidditch. Lee Jordan and the twins George and Fred Weasley joined them an hour later. Lee had to leave immediately since Danielle didn't want his tarantula anywhere near her but the Weasley Twins stayed a little while longer. These two knew the castle like the back of their hands and told Harry about two lesser-known shortcuts to make sure he will never show up late for Potions. They considered Gryffindor to be the best House in Hogwarts and showed a certain dislike of Slytherin. Hagrid had felt similar about the Houses. However, Harry was determined to stay open-minded.

It was a sight to behold. Harry was standing on the edge of a great lake, staring in amazement at the dimly lit, black mass of walls and towers on the other side. He couldn't wait to explore every nook and cranny of the vast castle. A fleet of small boats carried the new students across the lake and – just when Harry thought things couldn't get any better – through a hidden entrance in the cliff face, leading to an underground harbour. It was amazing. Harry was able to feel the castle's magic. It felt ancient. Safe and welcoming. It felt...alive. Harry was sure of it. The castle was sentient.

Harry didn't really pay attention to Professor McGonagall's speech – something about being segregated into four houses and putting the students against each other in a year long fight. He was still overwhelmed by the complexity of this place. It was even haunted. After the professor had left a few students began to exchange theories on how they were going to be sorted. The Weasley Twins had tried to make him believe that he had to fight a troll to be sorted but Angelina, Alicia and Danielle had shut them up and admonished them for scaring the little firstie. Harry had taken offence at that.

Ignoring the whispers and stares, Harry stepped forward and sat down on the stool. Fortunately, the Sorting Hat obscured his view of the students in front of him.

"You are welcome", a voice whispered inside his head, startling Harry.

Sorting Hat?

"At your service, Mr Potter."

It's nice to meet you. Call me Harry. Do you...have a name?

"I'm a hat, Harry. I've never really bothered with names but you can call me...Hat."

Alright...so what's going to happen now?

"I'm going to look into your head and then I choose the house you belong most to."

Do you see everything?

Harry didn't want his secrets to be exposed.

"Don't worry, Harry. My lips are sealed", reassured Hat.

Alright.

"Let's get down to business then!", said Hat eagerly.

Wait, one last question. The castle? It's alive, isn't it?

"Hmm...what do understand under being alive?"

I don't know. It's hard to tell. I mean...in biology, there are traits which are shared by all life but with magic involved..who knows? Does it matter though? If something thinks, learns and remembers, and feels, is it really important that it isn't made of cells or can't reproduce?

"Interesting argument, Harry. It seems that you answered your own question", chuckled Hat."It's quite rare that someone your age has such control of their magic and can actually feel magic. But now be quiet. I have to think."

Silence.

"Hmm...difficult, very difficult. No stranger of hard work. Quite daring too. Curiosity and creativity. A nice sense of humour. And your own set of rules. Even if it's not your fault, it's your responsibility. Good, very good...but where shall I put you?"

Silence.

"No preferences?"

No, that's your job.

"Most students prefer one house over the other three."

I'm not most students.

"I know."

Harry had an idea.

Alright, let's look at this from a different angle. Which house would profit the most from my presence?

Hat laughed, "How selfless, Harry. However, that's not how it goes. I'll sort you based on who you are and what you need."

"Hmm...you don't like your fame, do you?", added Hat after a while.

Why should I? I'm famous for something I can't remember and probably didn't even do.

Harry halted.

Hat, you've been around for quite some time, haven't you?

"Yes."

So you probably know a lot too?

"I've spend a lot of time with the brightest minds of the Wizarding world."

So what's your opinion on this? The whole Boy-Who-Lived situation?

"I have to agree. You're not responsible. It was most likely your mother."

My mother?

"It's ancient magic, Harry. A life for a life. Your mother sacrificed her own life for yours. Her love for you and her will to protect you saved you on that day", explained Hat gently."Back to the sorting."

Is You-Know-Who still alive?

Harry had to know.

"I don't know. No magic can bring back the dead but if there are ways to cheat death he would have found them. Who knows the limits of magic?", mused Hat. "And now be quiet! Do you know what happens to lads who ask too many questions?", grumbled Hat.

Harry grinned.
No, what?
Silence.
"Damned if I know. Probably they get answers, and serve 'em right."

Both started to laugh.

"Well, it was nice talking to you, Harry. I hardly get the chance to chat nowadays since the current headmaster doesn't appreciate my input. Blasted Silencing charms!", swore Hat. "I think you're going to enjoy your time here. Pay me a visit sometime, will you?"

Sure thing.

"I think I found the right house for you. You were quite a challenge but you will do well in –"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Albert grunted. "Do you know what happens to lads who ask too many questions?"
Mort thought for a moment.
"No," he said eventually, "what?"
There was silence.
Then Albert straightened up and said, "Damned if I know. Probably they get answers, and serve 'em right."
– Terry Pratchett, Mort

"Even if it's not your fault, it's your responsibility." – Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky