A/N: Arthur's world is rocked when he breaks tradition and is not sorted into Gryffindor, but Slytherin! This is my attempt at a flowing and consistent five-shot for the Hogwarts Fair 2014 Challenge/Competition. Follow along with me on this crazy train ride. RxR. FxF.

Submission for:

Hogwarts Fair 2014 Challenge/Competition: Mini Golf. Prompt: Write about an alternate universe. AU - Slytherin!Arthur.

Represent That Character! Challenge II

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1 - The Upset with the Sorting

Young Arthur Weasley stood in line behind all the other anxious first-years waiting their turn before the Sorting Hat. They were all chatting animatedly to each other but Arthur found he was too nauseous to join in. He stared down at his hands nervously. He was a Weasley. Everyone in his family had been placed in Gryffindor: his dad, his mum, his uncles, everyone. It was expected of him to be placed into Gryffindor just like them, to continue the Weasley tradition. But he worried now: what if he wasn't? What if he was just different? What if he broke tradition, something he had always been told was important in their family, in every pureblood family?He looked longingly over at the sea of Gryffindor, wishing he could wear maroon and gold just like them. He wanted to be in Gryffindor more than anything else, to make his parents and his family proud.

The line was almost finished; only one boy, Peter Williams, stood behind him. The strict looking professor looked down at him through the small glasses perched on her nose, and read from the scroll, "Weasley, Arthur."

There was soft murmuring from the students, probably from some of the older years that remembered his Uncle George when he had still been here. A few of the Gryffindor students rose from their seats to look at him, they too expecting him to join their ranks.

Arthur walked slowly to the stool with his head turned down, scared to meet any students' eyes. The Hat was placed on his head and voice echoed through his mind.

"Ah, another Weasley. I've sorted a couple of those in my time, but are the most interesting I've sorted. You are brave, courageous and noble, like the rest of your family, and you would do great in Gryffindor. But there's something different within you. Though you may not show it, there is a deep-seated desire to prove yourself to others. You wish to show them that Weasleys are more than just 'muggle-lovers', as they say. They can be known for greatness as well. Slytherin would help you to do that."

Arthur's eyes widened under the wide brim of the hat. No, he was happy as a Weasley. He didn't care what others thought of him as long as he thought highly of himself.

"But you do, child," the Hat said, interrupting his thoughts. "You want to be a part of something bigger, something grander. You have a sense of unity and faithfulness to your own kind, another Slytherin trait. I think Slytherin would be a good house for your development. Please let it be SLYTHERIN!"

The Hall quieted as the Hat shouted the last word. Even the strict professor looked shocked as she removed the hat from his head. Arthur looked down as he felt a ripple across his body. Instead of the maroon he had hoped, trimmed with gold, his robes were now sporting green with silver trim. His tie striped with his house colours, cementing his faith. This was really happening. He was Slytherin, part of the house known to produce dark wizards and the like.

Arthur rose from the stool and walked quietly to his new house's table amidst looks of disbelief from the other houses and wary looks from the other Slytherins. He swallowed nervously as he approached his housemates, scared of what they would do or say. Just because he was now one of them, didn't mean they were now going to be accepting of the 'muggle-loving' Weasley.

Arthur took a quiet seat near the end of the table where he had seen a few other first-years sit. Even they were eyeing him strangely, not sure what to make of him. All purebloods knew of his name and his family. They had probably been warned against him. He looked to the boy on his right who seemed to have a sneer permanently on his face. He had a hooked nose and heavy brow for someone so young. His black hair was long and slicked back before feathering around his shoulders, a sharp contrast to Arthur's blazing red hair but to lay flat on his skull.

There was a stare-off of sorts, where Arthur just tried to survive the boy's intense gaze, while ignoring the others around him. But then the boy's mouth turned into a smirk. He extended a hand to Arthur, "Lestrange."

Arthur had heard of the Lestranges. Just because he wasn't as wealthy as the other purebloods, that didn't mean he hadn't been taught about the bloodlines and heritages. The Lestranges were known to be a bit darker than most families, and though this boy did not seem evil, Arthur felt a sense of unease set in. However, Arthur held his gaze while shaking the boy's hand and responded tight-lipped, "Weasley."

Lestrange nodded, of course he already knew who Arthur was, but then he said, "You don't seem that bad, Weasley. We'll have a lot of fun as schoolmates." With Lestrange's approval, the other Slytherins became more welcoming to Arthur, some even giving him small smiles.

The food appeared a few moments later and the students dug in, the Slytherins more demure and conserved than the other houses. Their conversation was light and mostly about their family lines, which Arthur just sat and listened. Arthur felt so out of place but there was nothing to be done. He was a Slytherin now and he would have to live with it for the next seven years.