The sorting started almost immediately after the headmaster commanded it. A small worn three legged stool was brought out and upon it a brown aged hat was placed. Harry scanned the room, it seemed they were waiting for something. Internally sighing and cursing the school for its love of tension Harry waited. He didn't wait long though before a seam opened on the hat, acting as a mouth. From this mouth a song poured out brainwashing the students into a dead silence. Harry snorted but only the elegant blonde heard, everybody else looked awestruck, surely this wasn't special? Surely a school for magic would have more, well, magic? Listening to the words Harry contemplated his different house options.
Firstly there was Hufflepuff. Harry knew that whatever happened he must not end up there. Hufflepuff was for loyalty and hard workers, it had no distinguishable features and pretty much like a left over house. After all, Ravenclaws had a thirst for knowledge and must put in the work to get it. Slytherins make precious bonds within their school years that will last a lifetime and Gryffindors were the brave and supposedly chivalrous ones. With no bravery, intelligence or cunning reflected within the House of Badger Harry could tell it wasn't for him.
Secondly there was Ravenclaw, the ones who desire knowledge. It's not that they are the only intelligent ones, every house has its smart and dunderheaded kids just these students always have their nose in a book. Harry did consider himself to be quite intelligent in the muggle world, just whether he could be in the magical world was his only hesitation. Harry held no qualms with the Ravenclaw house but he knew, deep down, it wasn't for him.
His final decision came down to two houses, Slytherin and Gryffindor. Both were powerful yet both opposing forces. From the little research he had been able to do over the summer he had found out that the two despised each other with a passion. While one defiantly had more influence and self-preservation than the other, both made a good case. So harry decided to leave it down to the sorting hat to influence him. He would make this decision and no one else.
When the song wound to a close the headmistress, McGonagall, called out the first name. "Abbott, Hannah" her tone was crisp and Harry knew she meant business, everything down to her impeccable hair told him that she run a tight ship and yet Harry could tell there was something underneath that…
"Hufflepuff" Abbott made her way towards a cheering table decked with yellow banners. When Harry looked over he saw that each student wore their house colours, it seemed that your house is everything here. Impress your house and you've got an easy ride, the houses certainly seemed… protective of their students.
"Boot, Terry" the headmistress droned on. A quite clearly terrified boy made his way forwards, god knows why, it was only a hat after all. A disgracefully kept one at that but still just a hat. "Ravenclaw!" the hat screamed. Harry soon got bored of the repetitive procedure choosing instead to scope out the teachers. Looking down the line few people piped his interest like the headmaster had. They all wore their heart on their sleeves, it wouldn't be worth the time to analyse now.
As he was about to give up his search he caught the eye of a teacher dressed head to toe in black. Harry gave him a quick once over, he was defiantly worth looking into, and all his flesh was covered apart from his face, neck and hands. His face was a mask of indifference, the only exception was a small smirk that graced his lips. His hands were neatly folded in front of him but the really interesting part was his neck. His neck was the same pale complexion as his face yet to Harry's experienced eyes harry could pick out several thin white scars poking from under the man's robes.
Harry looked back at the man's cruel, almost mocking, eyes and smirked. Now he finally had the man's full attention. Raising his hand subtly to his neck he traced a line mirroring the man's worst scar. Seeing realization dawn in his eyes he turned back to the sorting hat to watch "Granger, Hermione" go to Gryffindor.
Watching his predecessor all but run away from the stool he smiled to himself. He wouldn't show weakness over putting on a hat.
"Potter, Harry" the professors voice stumbled over his name and he sighed, he could work these people round his little finger it almost wouldn't be any fun. Almost. It was finally time to reveal himself to everyone though, taking extra care to elbow the red head from earlier he stepped up to his professor. The surprise on the gingers face was immensely satisfying and Harry sat on the stool with a smile on his face.
It was then Harry heard the sorting hat, inside his head. "So harry potter, I wondered when I'd be seeing you." the hat said, or thought. "Now where to put you? You'd do well in so many places. Ravenclaw wouldn't suit you, no. But how about Hufflepuff?" at this Harry burst out laughing, put him with those rejects? No thank you. "No? Well let's see, you'd do well in Slytherin Harry. Though not everyone would agree. Or perhaps in Gryffindor? Where you are expected to go. I leave the choice to you Harry Potter, make me proud."
The rest of the school watched in silence, everyone waiting for the Gryffindor to join his table. All but Severus Snape who, after his brief exchange with the boy knew he was a snake. Harry then burst into laughter, the first person to do so in all of Hogwarts history. With the entire school watching Harry stood up, took off the hat and gave it to the headmistress.
"Slytherin." he stated simply, leaving the entirety of the school in shocked silence. They had expected Gryffindor, Ravenclaw maybe but Slytherin? Harry calmly walked over to his new table and sat next to a rather smug looking blonde.
"Dumbledore's not going to like that." he said plainly.
"That's what I'm counting on. Harry Potter, who would you be?" harry responded neutrally.
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
And the two shook hands.
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