Standing in the Rain

By: Amanda Lily Potter

Summary: When Harry Potter needs to think and it's raining outside he goes to the astronomy tower. What happened when it was raining outside and Draco Malfoy goes up to the tower one night to find Harry Potter standing on the ledge, ready to take the last plunge of his life? Will he save him or only make things worse for the raven haired Gryffindor? Not Slash.

Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recongnize..and even some of the ideas that you don't recongnize may be my cousin's ideas so I can't take credit for that either. The only think I own is the plot.

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to one of my best friends, Diem, who is moving at the end of August and also to my baby cousin Delaney who was born last week.

NOW ON TO THE STORY!

Chapter 3: Welcomes and a Re-Sorting

Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise all nodded in agreement. Blaise got up from where he was sitting beside Pansy and sat on the arm of the sofa Harry and Draco were sitting on. He wrapped an arm around Harry and ended up sliding off the arm and onto the sofa beside Harry, "Yeah mate, welcome to Slytherin."

Harry was shocked at how easily the Slytherins accepted him without any questions. He had a strong feeling that it was because of Draco's presence. All the same he was glad they didn't ask questions because he didn't think he was ready to tell them the full story, not even Draco knew the whole thing.

Draco was pleased that his friends took to Harry so easily. He saw Pansy opening her mouth to ask Harry a question, but Draco shot her a look over Harry's head. Draco could tell Harry wasn't telling him something but he didn't want to push Harry into telling his secrets, because Draco had his own secrets that not even his friends knew. He wouldn't pester Harry into telling him unless it looked like the smaller boy really needed to talk.

Draco moved over and pulled Harry with him so that they could both fit comfortable on the sofa with Blaise beside them.

After making himself comfortable, Blaise slung his arm over Harry's shoulders, "We are gonna be the bestest friends ever! Have you ever seen jellyfish fly?"

Before Harry had the chance to answer, Draco beat him to it, "Who gave him the sugar?" he looked around and saw Pansy giving him a guilty look, "Never mind that, it just reminded me that I am owed some chocolate."

Harry looked at him and nodded, telling Draco in his silent way, that he would get his chocolate soon.

Draco smiled and shook his head, silently telling Harry that he was just kidding, "Actually we should go and get Harry a change of clothes or something for tomorrow. Even though we haven't told Professor Snape yet, I'm sure he would understand if Harry spent the night. Come on then, Harry, we'll be back."

Draco stood up and brought Harry up with him, Blaise stopped then before they could make it to the door, "Do you think that we should come in case the Gryffindors try something?"

Draco turned around and shrugged, "It's completely up to you. If you think it would be better then go right ahead."

At this Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and Blaise stood up and caught up with the other two. The six of them walked in silence to where the Gryffindor tower was. They were just about to leave the dungeons when they ran into Professor Snape.

"And just where do you think you are going," the professor asked, his voice not as cold as usual.

While his voice was warmer, the tone was still the same. Harry stepped back at the tone and Draco noticed.

After seeing Harry shrink back, Draco steppe up to their professor, "We were going to get Harry something to wear for tomorrow, seeing as how we didn't tell you our decision yet."

Severus gave them a look as f he was trying to see if they were telling the truth or not. As he was looking at them his eyes came to a rest at Harry. He saw the way the boy had backed away from him as though the boy was afraid. Severus stored that piece of information away for later use, "Alright, then what did you decide?"

Draco looked over at Harry and saw that the other boy was not going to answer the question so he did, "We have decided to get Harry re-sorted into Slytherin."

Professor Snape nodded, "Ok, but I must tell you that there is a big chance of the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall not letting this happen."

Draco just smirked, "Don't worry about that. I've got it covered."

Severus nodded, "Ok then, I'll talk to them tonight or, if you would prefer, you can all come with me now to talk to them."

Draco looked over at the other five people before answering, "Now, if possible."

Severus nodded and gestured for his students to follow him to Professor Dumbledore's office.

As they walked, Draco put his arm around Harry to help support the smaller boy Harry leaned gratefully on Draco's shoulder as they walked. Pansy, Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle formed a protective circle around the two while Professor Snape walked in front of the group. All in all, as a whole, the group looked pretty darn impressive.

Once they reached the gargoyle Professor Snape said the password, "Fiddle Sticks," and they all walked up the spiral staircase. They reached the top and Severus raised his hand to knock when a voice from inside told them to enter. The group of seven entered the office and saw both Dumbledore and McGonagall already sitting there.

"Ah, Severus, what can I do for you?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling like always.

"I would like a student to be re-sorted. I believe that the Sorting Hat made a mistake while sorting a student," Severus said, easily bending the truth more than just a little.

Professor Dumbledore nodded his head and stroked his beard, "Oh, and who would this student be?"

Professor Snape replied with the last name Dumbledore would have ever expected to hear at all, "Harry Potter."

The Headmaster's eyes lost any trace of that darn twinkle, "No, Severus, absolutely not."

Severus didn't even bat an eye, "Mister Potter, come here please?"

Pansy and Blaise, who were at the front of the group of students, separated so that Draco and Harry could pass by. Draco and Harry stepped in front of the Headmaster's desk. The two turned and looked at Professor Snape. The professor nodded at Draco, who turned to the Headmaster.

"Sir, my I see the Sorting Hat for just a second? I just want to ask it a question," Draco asked.

Though once the words left his mouth the hat jumped down from a shelf and shuffled itself towards them, "That would be my cue. 'Tis true what they say. This boy should have been in Slytherin from the start. In the house his parents were in is where he belongs."

At the last sentence, nine shocked faces turned to the hat. Seven people were truly shocked, while the other two just didn't want their cover blown.

"And Headmaster, it is against school rules to keep a student away from the house where they truly belong. Potter you are in Slytherin now. For house placement what I say goes so that means that nobody can change houses without me saying. Good day," with that the hat scurried off up to the shelf it came from.

"Unfortunately the hat is right," Dumbledore stood up behind his desk and pointed his want at Harry's chest, "I cannot change the houses or go against it. I have no choice but to change the crest on your robe and have the house elves have our belongings into your new room. The one thing I would like you to do is to inform the Gryffindors where you will be going and why you are free to go. Severus you are to join Mister Potter when he informs his friends. And you will go now Mister Potter. Good day.

Professor Snape herded his six students out of the office and into the main hallway. Once the gargoyle closed behind them the five original Slytherins, along with the professor, looked around curiously. None of them knew the way to the Gryffindor common room. Severus was about to turn around and go back to the Headmaster's office to ask for directions when all of them heard somebody laughing quietly.

They all turned to see Harry laughing to himself, "I'm sorry, but you all look so lost it's funny. Did you all already forget that I was a Gryffindor?"

The other students turned their eyes to the floor; the only one who didn't have a blush on his face was Professor Snape. The professor gestured for the former Gryffindor to lead the way. As they started to walk the stone gargoyle opened again and Professor McGonagall stepped out and walked towards the group. The stern Professor pulled Professor Snape aside.

The six students watched as Severus was pulled away before turning to each other, "Who wants to bet that she doesn't want Slytherins to know the password?" Pansy asked, leaning on a nearby wall.

Harry shrugged, "Yeah, probably."

Draco looked as though he had something to add but never got the chance as the two professors walked back over.

"Alright you may come, but you will each have to wear a blindfold and cover your ears when I say the password. Mr. Potter will assist me in guiding you all there. Once there, Mr. Potter will be obliviated as I can't have anyone outside of Gryffindor know the way."

Professor Snape broke in, "Now that really isn't–"

He never got the chance to finish as Harry interrupted him, "Then you should obliviate Ron as well then."

McGonagall looked confused, "Why would I do that? He's still a Gryffindor."

Harry nodded, "Yes, but he know the way to the Slytherin common room."

The Deputy Headmistress looked shocked, "Why would he know that, Mr. Potter?"

Harry shrugged, "We found out in second year."

McGonagall sighed and handed out the blindfolds, "Fine, I will talk to Mr. Weasley later tonight. Now put these on and follow me," she waited until Severus had his on before dragging him out by his arm.

Harry had the other students hold hands after they had their eyes covered. From left to right was Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise, Pansy, and then finally Draco. Harry took Draco's other hand and led them to the lion's den. With Harry warning them before they walked upstairs or around corners, it took them a while to get there.

Once they were finally there, Harry saw McGonagall and Professor Snape standing by the portrait of the Fat Lady. The head of Gryffindor nodded at Harry to go and help the others take off their blindfolds. Harry turned and took off Draco's blindfold and worked his way down the line, ending with Crabbe. He then turned to the stern faced professor.

McGonagall smiled sadly before pointing her wand at him and whispering 'obliviate' and then turned the entrance and whispered something. She then told them to go inside and that she would see them around. With that she walked back down the stairs, and Harry couldn't help but think that she was more than slightly disappointed with him.

The six Slytherins and their head of house walked into the room to have their eyes assaulted by red and gold. The five original Slytherins looked around with disdain while Harry just looked up at Severus. The Head of Slytherin, however, was looking at something across the room.

"Mr. Weasley, you will assist Mr. Potter in packing his trunk," the students whirled around to see Ron and Ginny sitting on a sofa near the fire. Severus turned to Harry, "We'll be down here, call us if you need anything."

Harry nodded and walked up tot the boys' dormitory. He heard Ron coming up behind him. Harry opened the door and saw Neville, Dean, and Seamus all sitting on their respective beds. The three Gryffindors gave Harry confused looks when they saw him pack up his trunk. Harry ignored them as he packed up his belongings and turned to leave the room again.

Dean saw him go to leave with his trunk and stood up, blocking the doorway, "Harry? What's going on? Ron told us that you were plotting against Gryffindors at breakfast with the Slytherins…"

Harry stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at Ron, "You told them WHAT?"

Ron didn't even blink, "Well, Hermione and I had to tell them something. We don't even know the truth and we're you best friends."

Harry just stared at him, "Fine, you want to know the truth? The truth is that I was resorted into Slytherin."

Ron looked like a fish out of water while Neville spoke up, "Are you telling the truth?"

Harry never got the chance to answer as Ron tackled him to the ground. Ron managed to punch Harry in the jaw a couple times before Seamus was able to pull him off as Dean helped Harry up. Dean and Harry left the room as Seamus cast a stunning spell at Ron to keep him down as he picked up the trunk and followed the other two out of the room. The three of them walked into the common room to see all of Gryffindor glaring at the Slytherins.

Harry took his trunk from Seamus and walked over to the Slytherins, "I'm ready."

Severus nodded and turned to leave but Draco's voice stopped him, "What the hell happened to your face?"

Severus turned to see Draco holding Harry's face upward so he could properly see the bruise now forming on the smaller boy's face. Dean, Seamus, and the other Slytherins stood just off to the side. The Potions Master walked over to them and took a look at Harry's jaw, he then turned to the two Gryffindors, "Who did this to him?"

Dean and Seamus looked at each other before Dean stepped up to their professor, "It was Ron sir; he went completely mental when Harry told him he was resorted. Tackled him right to the ground he did."

All the students present have never seen Professor Snape look so angry, "If you'll excuse me, I'll return shortly," and with that he stormed up to the boys' dorm.

Once the Potions Master disappeared from view all the other Gryffindors in the room started to bombard Harry with questions. They only stopped when they saw Hermione walking towards him.

A/N: ok sorry this took so long but I have been busy with my friend who's moving in August and my baby cousin was just born last week on Tuesday so...yea...I am working on the fifth chapter to Where He Belongs for people who are waiting for that. I'll be putting up that soon.

Answers to the reviews:
LNL: There you go I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well. I'm sorry about not knowing what Severus and Draco want to tell Harry but I don't even know what they are yet..I'm debating betweenfour ideas at the moment. And thatnk you for your encouragement to actually get this chapter up.
Susan Potter: HERE YOU GO!
Aisling-Siobhan: Thank you for the review. I'm not sure about what Draco wants to tell Harry at the moment but I have four ideas I'm playing with at the moment. You will find out what he will tell Harry in the near future...I think.
Rika-San:YAY does happy dance so glad you liked it. I always imagined Harry as the perfect Slytherin...especially with those green eyes of his. Thank you for actually giving my story a chance then, I'm glad you like it...even if there is no SLASH.

IMPORTANT A/N:
OK quick vote...should Draco and Harry be brothers, cousins, close friends, or arranged to be married ( I doubt this one but it's a possibility ). I highly appreciate all reviews..even if they are flames..and please take place in my vote mentioned above.

THANKS AND LOT'S OF LOVE:
Amanda Lily Potter