Authors note: Thank you all who have reviewed and even just read this! I am so happy with how much people like it! I was really worried when I posted it, I hope I keep meeting your expectations. This is the third chapter and Harry is a bit different but what do you expect? He was raised by Sirius! And don't worry you will find out what happened to Sirius soon! I hope I got Hermione and Neville down right, if they are acting in a way that's not right, just tell me, and I will try to fix it! I would like to tell you that if anyone wishes to ask any questions or give feedback, I will try to answer in the next chapter! Thank you so much for the support! Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter Three: The Sorting

Silence fell over the compartment. Hermione and Neville stared at Harry with a mixture of confusion, shock and awe.

Neville was surprised. He had said everything so calmly and carefree. Only then did is register what he said. Neville's eyes went wide.

Hermione stood up, dusting herself off. She frowned at the badge. "What is a prefect?" Harry gave her a smile. "You're a first gen right?" he asked, his eyes seemingly sparkling with humor.

Neville wondered how he did that.

Her frown deepened. "First gen?" Harry nodded before rolling his eyes, which Hermione huffed at.

"I forgot, Britain." Neville was confused, was Harry not from Britain?

He explained anyway, moving to sit on the seat. "First gen is what we call Muggleborns where I'm from. It stands for first Generation, meaning you are the first generation that is magical. Make sense?" he finished, giving them a grin.

Neville didn't know, but if anyone else had said that with the same tone, it probably would have sounded insulting, but Harry had said it in a tone that indicated he wasn't trying to insult them but trying to help them learn.

Hermione seemed to accept this but still frowned at the badge. Harry raised a hand. "I'll explain, a prefect is a fifth year student, basically they are like a Hall Monitor, and they report and give out detentions for breaking the rules. Each of the Houses, there are four by the way, have two, a boy and a girl."

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "You stole the badge for one of the houses?"

He nodded and said "Yep!" and popped the p.

Hermione glared. "That's not right! That is going to get you in trouble and we've not even reached the School yet!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "It's not like I did it just to be mean, He did deserve it."

Hermione huffed, already not liking this boy but as she was about to go off, Neville stood up and looked curiously at Harry. Hermione watched as he gave harry a hesitant frown. "What did he do to deserve it?"

Harry gave looked annoyed look at the entrance to the compartment, as if giving it to the prefect who wasn't here. "I saw him with some First years, like us. He was telling them idiotic stuff," Harry gave a mocking snooty look and spoke with a high pitched sound. "I am so much better than you, I am a pureblood and a prefect, you better listen to me or I will give you detention!" it was so overdramatized that Neville laughed and Hermione hid her smile.

He gave them a grin before he frowned angrily and huffed. "No one should abuse their power, not prefects, not teachers, not parents." He said the last part quietly and turned his head to the side. Neville didn't catch it but Hermione did and she frowned but didn't comment, in case she upset him.

He suddenly gave a dramatized gasp and gave them a cheeky grin. "So, what were you guys running away from?"

The mood took a turn for a worst. Hermione clenched her fists and bit her lip, trying not to scream.

Neville began to get teary eyed and looked away. Harry sensed something bad had happened.

Hermione and Neville both remembered their conversation with Hayden Potter and his cohorts. The Death of Trevor and how he had threatened them.

Harry frowned, concerned. "You guys don't have to tell me, but at least, let me ask you something."

Hermione and Neville looked at him, curious as to what he had to say.

He grinned, sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head. "What are your names again?"

Hermione looked flabbergasted at him. That was right, they knew his name but he didn't know theirs. That was when Neville let out a small chuckle, a bright look on his face.

That was when Hermione realized the effect Harry had on them. He had managed to cheer up Neville with one sentence, got him smile and laugh.

This was someone she would want to be friends with.

Hermione took a deep breath and tried her best to sound honest and genuine. She realized that she often came across as a know it all but this time she wanted to make a good impression.

She gave him a smile. "My name is Hermione Granger. This is Neville Longbottom. It's a pleasure to meet you harry."

Harry gave her a weird look then gave them a grin, standing up and reaching out his hand.

"Alright then, At least I don't have to keep calling you First Gen." Hermione struggled to keep her smile on her face, and not look condescending. Harry smirked at her. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Hermione," he turned to Neville. "Neville."

He sat down and gave them a grin. "So you guys like books?" he asked as they sat across from him. Neville hid a smile as Hermione's eyes lit up with excitement.

"You read? What kind of books do you like! Do you read wizarding books or normal books? Do you have a favorite? I read everything I could get my hands on. Have you heard of the Lord of the Rings series?" she said this all very fast and Neville's head began to spin, unable to keep up.

But as he turned to harry, he could see he was listening and understanding it all. Harry smiled and smirked at the right moments; he gave a chuckle as Hermione switched topics and answered back with his own questions.

Neville envied him; he was so confident, so charming and relaxed. Neville wished he could be like that.

"Neville!" Neville jumped as the voice shouted. Harry was waving a hand in front of his face. Hermione stared at him, a smile on her face.

"Yo, Nev, whets up with the spaced out look?" Neville blinked at the odd language but answered anyway.

"I, uh, I was just, Just thinking." He cursed himself for fumbling on his words but harry seemed not to notice, or just didn't care. Harry grinned. "Well, Hermione here asked me for a demonstration on some spells. You looked down so I thought you would like to learn as well."

Neville looked at him surprise showing on his face. Did this boy know everything? But he nodded and sat beside Hermione.

Harry pulled out a wand; it was black and had red accents on it, with a tint of gold. Hermione leaned forward, eager to learn as always.

Harry grinned and flicked his wand up in the air. "Lumos!" he shouted and a bright light came from the tip of the wand, blinding them briefly. Both Hermione and Neville watched, amazed as a light seemed to float on top of the wand.

Hermione stood up, shocked, until the white light turned blue. She gave him a huge smile, excitement on her face. "Can you teach me to do that!" even though it was phrased as a question, harry knew it wasn't.

He nodded and turned to Neville and watched his amazed face as it turned purple. Harry dropped his wand and muttered "Nox!" and the light disappeared.

"What was that spell, harry?" Hermione asked, nearly bouncing on her feet. He grinned at her, "Lumos, it brings a light to a dark room. I simply made it change colors by concentrating. I turned it off with Nox."

Hermione nodded and brought out her wand, but harry gave her a look and a smirk. "I'll teach you to use Lumos, if you tell me what happened to make you run down here."

Hermione's look dropped and she looked, unsurely at Neville, who once again looked down.

But Neville looked at harries wand. He had just wanted to be like harry and now he was backing down. He might as well tell him. Maybe he'll warn harry to stay away.

Hermione and Neville recounted what happened with Trevor and Hayden and watched as Harry listened carefully, a deep frown on his face.

Hermione thought she heard him murmur something about Hayden but she shook it off. If he wasn't from Britain, he wouldn't know Hayden Potter.

When the finished, Harry was quiet for a while, making Neville nervous.

Harry spoke, a sad smile on his face. "I'm really sorry, Neville. When we get to school, we'll make a memorial for him, I promise." Neville looked tearfully at Harry. He gave him a shaky smile.

Harry sat beside Neville, in between Hermione and him. "I know it won't replace Trevor, but if you want, I can go with you to get a familiar over winter break."

Neville looked at him, tears welling in his eyes. Harry grimaced but waited for Neville's decision.

"My grandmother and Uncle will be mad at me. Trevor was a present."

Harry nodded, understandingly. "Don't worry about that, I will right to your grandmother and tell her what happened. Trust me; if I back you up, she won't be mad."

Hermione smiled and chimed in. "I don't know if it will do any good, but I will back you up as well."

Neville looked teary eyed between Hermione and Harry, his lip trembled and he gave them a genuine smile. "Thank you, Harry, Hermione."

Both nodded before Harry got a scary look on his face. His face twisted into an eerie smile that made both Neville and Hermione shudder.

And don't worry. Potter had no right to mess with my friends, so I will personally make sure he won't do it again." The smile twisted evilly and Neville and Hermione almost felt bad for Hayden.

Almost.

That was when Neville perked up; he stared, awestruck at Harry. "Friends? You mean we're friends?"

Harry gave him a curious look. "Well, of course. Both you and Hermione were cool when you entered this compartment." He gave them a bright grin. "That makes you friends of mine!"

Both Neville and Hermione had to stop tears from falling from their eyes.

It was a few hours later.

Harry stared contently out the window, a liquorices wand hanging out his mouth. He took a peek at Neville and Hermione.

Neville had fallen asleep. Harry suppressed a chuckle, remembering Neville's face after eating 20 pumpkin pasties, on a dare from harry.

He certainly did look green. He had rushed to the bathroom and fallen asleep soon after that. Hermione was reading a book that harry could make out as Hogwarts, A History.

He almost smiled but turned to look out the window once again. He wondered what would happen when they arrived. What house would he get?

He knew what he wanted, but that didn't mean the hat would let him go there. Sirius had let the secret of the hat slip one day; Harry had to drag it out of him with a tickling hex. He still remembered the disappointed face Sirius had on his face.

Sadness welled over harry, Sirius was gone now. He wasn't here to see Harry getting put into Hogwarts, or sorted, or to meet his new friends.

Harry saw Hermione look at him from the corner of his eye and gave her a brief grin. She smiled back and harry could have sworn there was a hint of pink on her cheeks.

He gave a small smile, turning back to the window.

He wondered how Melanie was doing.

Hermione snuck a look to harry. She just couldn't figure him out, he was so kind but funny and Mischievous at the same time.

And every time he smiled, it reminded her of something. She just couldn't place it. He reminded her of someone and she couldn't remember what it was.

She shook the thought out for now; it would come to her in time.

That was when the train skidded to a halt. Harry and Hermione shared a look, Excitement and worry over their faces. Harry stood up and Shook Neville awake.

Neville sat up in the seat, and blinked around, dazed. "Hey, Nev. Have a nice nap?" harry gave him a teasing grin.

Neville blushed before looking out the window. "Where are we?"

Harry gave a smirk but before he could reply, Hermione answered, shooting harry a dirty look. "We stopped. We're at Hogwarts, I think."

A faint buzzing sound came from above and a voice appeared over the loudspeakers. "First years please proceed to the nearest exit. Please gather in front of the boats."

Harry, Neville and Hermione quickly stood up and left the compartment before Hermione asked "What's going to happen to our stuff?"

Harry gave her an amused smile. "Don't worry; they won't throw it in the lake. It's probably going to be sent to our rooms, once we are sorted of course."

"Sorted?"

They exited the train and jumped down to the platform as Neville asked the question with fear in his voice.

Harry gave them an innocent look. "You didn't know? We have to fight a troll!"

Neville and Hermione paled and stopped in their tracks. Harry let out a bellowing laugh, unable to control himself.

Hermione caught on and gave him an angry look. "That's not funny!"

Neville seemed not to hear, he had gone so pale. Harry gave him an apologetic look and grabbed him by the sleeve. "Sorry, Nev. I had the chance and I took it. You don't have to fight a troll, I promise."

Some color seemed to come back to Neville's face and gave a relieved look, so relieved that harry actually felt bad for joking with him.

Harry rubbed the back of his head, sheepishly. "I was just joking. Don't worry about it. It is a secret though, but it won't hurt, I promise." Neville gave a sigh of relief and gave a shaky smile.

Hermione had already walked off; Harry and Neville gave a confused shrug before following her to the boats.

They didn't see anything but rocks, harry figured there must be a spell keeping you from seeing the castle until you crossed the line.

They turned to the large giant who had stumbled to the group. Most backed away but harry just tilted his head, curious.

Three boys stood in front of the giant, A boy with red hair and hazel eyes, joked casually with him, while a another boy with red hair stood off to the side, looking in fear and awe.

The third boy had sandy blonde hair and an Irish accent.

Despite all his mental preparation, Harrys eyes narrowed and his fists clenched.

Hermione looked worriedly at harry upon hearing a small growl come from his lips. She felt fear run up her side as she followed his gaze to the group of boys talking to the man.

She didn't have time to question him for the giant bellowed out "First years! First years, over here!"

Once the giant was satisfied that all the first years were there, he yelled out "Follow me! Hogwarts it just around this bends here!"

They turned around some large rocks and found small row boats waiting for them. There was at least 10 or more. Harry heard many loud gasps of delight and looked up to feast his eyes on Hogwarts.

It was a castle with huge glittering windows that illuminated the outside, towers and turrets stood high into the sky.

Harry couldn't help but awestruck look that fell on his face. It was beautiful.

"No more than four a boat!" the giant bellowed out, harry really needed to know his name.

Hermione, Harry and Neville entered into a boat together and harry watched as both Neville and Hermione couldn't take their eyes off the school.

A girl with blonde hair joined them and harry gave a polite smile, but she didn't look at them; too busy staring at the school with delight.

"Everyone in?" upon getting murmurs and nods of agreement, the giant bellowed "right then, forward!

The boats began moving, starting towards the castle and harry wondered how they were controlled.

What spells had they used to make the boats go on command?

He shook the thoughts of his head; he put his head down when the giant specified him to and watched as everyone else did.

Hermione was seemingly bubbling in her seat, anxiously awaiting their arrival. Upon the boats landed on shore, Hermione nearly jumped out of boat, forgetting momentarily about harry and Neville, who gave amused looks.

She turned to them, excitement all over her. "Come on!"

Both boys hurried to catch up to the girl who was first in line behind the giant.

They stopped in front of a gigantic wooden door; the man raised his giant fist and knocked three times on the door.

The door swung open, revealing a tall witch with black hair and emerald green robes. She had a stern look on her face and Harry hid his smirk.

This must be the professor Sirius had told him about. Professor McGonagall, he would have fun driving her nuts with his pranks.

He kept a neutral face though she narrowed her eyes at the first years.

"The first years, Professor McGonagall." The man said to her, gesturing to the children.

"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here." harry passed a brief look, now knowing the giant man's name was Hagrid. He gave him a slight smile but he didn't look at him, he was too busy looking for someone.

And harry couldn't help but think it was a certain boy with a scar.

Harry just moved inward, determined not let anything get him down.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall stated. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points.

At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

Her eyes lingered on Neville for a minute before switching to the boy next to Hayden.

"I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." With that she turned and left.

After a minute, of which Hermione was whispering quietly, harry expected it to be spells from the first year book. He gave a sigh, was he the only one who knew it wasn't a test?

He heard someone nearby say "Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurt a lot but I think he was joking."

Neville gave a gulp, apparently having heard it, Harry gave him a reassuring smile but it didn't calm him.

That was when the students seemingly gasped. Harry turned to see the room flooded with ghosts.

The ghosts stopped in front of them.

"New students! About to be sorted, I suppose?" a ghost wearing tights asked, smiling happily.

A few people nodded but harry just raised an eyebrow. If he didn't know, then why was he coming through all the trouble of going through the door and just not go through walls?

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff, My old house, you know!" he continued, a reminiscent look in his eyes.

Harry gave a smirk. He opened his mouth to retort but someone sharply called out "Move along now. The sorting ceremony's about to start."

He turned to see Professor McGonagall had returned all of the eleven year olds lined up in a two file line, Harry being placed next to Neville, Hermione In front of them with a brown haired girl.

The doors opened and the children followed Professor McGonagall, all staring in wonder.

There were four long tables, going all the way to the front of the room, students of all ages stared at them as they passed, some giving smiles, some giving frowns, some just not caring.

A long table was placed across the front of the room, men and women dotted on the table, harry figured it was the Professors table.

The sky was glowing, a starry night with tons of candles floating in the sky. The other first years were giving amazed looks.

Harry gave a smile as Hermione whispered back at them. "Its bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A history."

Harry caught sight on the farthest right table of purple and polka dot hair and couldn't stop the smirk that wound up on his face.

Professor McGonagall halted in front of the long table and told them to wait. She then walked up to a stool and on the stool, sat an old hat.

Harry grinned as the other first years murmured and harry saw Neville give a confused look.

Silence filled with room before the hat began to twitch and the brim opened looking like a mouth and began to sing.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!

Harry gave an amused smile as he heard the other students sigh in relief.

Professor McGonagall pulled out a long list of parchment and harry gave a confused look.

Did they not use paper like normal people? He almost snorted until she spoke.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." She cleared her throat and called out "Abbot, Hannah!"

Harry recognized her as the girl who sat on the boat with them.

The hat fell over her eyes and the hat then called out "Hufflepuff!"

Many names later, harry was getting impatient but stood up tall when he heard "Granger, Hermione!"

He and Neville watched as she took a calming breath and then eagerly ran over and placed the hat on her head.

It took a moment before shouting "Gryffindor!"

Harry gave a grin as she passed and sat on the left table.

The hat then called "Longbottom, Neville!" Neville froze before harry gave him a small push and he walked cautiously up and sat down.

The hat took a minute before shouting "Gryffindor!"

Neville almost stood up and ran off but harry pointed to his head and Neville put the hat back down. He blushed as people laughed.

But he ran off to join Hermione at the Gryffindor table. He gave them a grin, as they looked anxiously at him.

Many other names were called before a name was shouted. "Potter, Hayden!"

People began whispering, talking about the great Hayden potter and Harrys expression went blank. He would not give Hayden the satisfaction.

Hayden grinned and sat on the stool, the hat falling over his eyes.

It took a minute, which saw Hayden frowning and getting angry until he gave a pleased look upon announcing "Gryffindor!"

Harry could hear the strain in the hats voice.

Hermione stared in shock from her seat. That was it! She had just realized who harry reminded her of!

She gave a look at Hayden's face before turning to harry, who had his back turned to her.

He looked just like Hayden.

All her suspicions were confirmed when the Professor McGonagall gave an odd look at the parchment before announcing two words that had the whole hall in Silence.

"Potter, Harry?"