A/N: This has not been thoroughly read by me from after I wrote it. I feel that my readers however may just want something since it's been two weeks or so. Oh, did I mention my macbook came in!? I call him macbaby!

Throwing Down the Gauntlet, Taking Up the Ax

By Miss Eliza Azraelian

Chapter Six

Harry Potter made his way to the Great Hall, a few minutes tardy for dinner. He had gone to the library and scoured the shelves for something interesting and though he found a few he couldn't get into the mindset to read. This revelation of his own attraction to Draco, that it was more than simple admiration for the blonde's body, had upset his equilibrium. He was now set with nervousness inside about how he's going to act around him and whether or not any advancement is unwelcome.

Stepping into the Hall he was met with an unusually quiet crowd. It wouldn't be vain of him to assume it had to do with him; he was famous, much to his displeasure, after all. However, the population of Hogwarts was not looking at him standing just inside the doors. The focus was on something at the front of the hall.

"Ah, Mr. Potter," the voice was familiar, "pleased you could finally grace us with your presence."

The sorting hat, held in Fawkes claws lightly, was in front of the Teacher's Table. The hat was never seen anywhere but the shelf in the Headmaster's Office besides the Sorting at the beginning of the year.

"Well, come up here."

What a demanding hat, Harry thought as he made his way up there, rather confused, and yet moving with motions as if he knew what was to occur. As he arrived before the head table he caught a glimpse of the old man's expression, before the hat went on his head and fell down over his eyes even six years later.

'Tricky one you are. You knew more then I could read back then, a true snake. You understand more now, that this is where your heart belongs. Fate always finds a way. Be who you were born to be in SLYTHERIN!" The sorting hat spoke the last word out loud, and then continued to rectify the watchers' confusion. "Mr. Potter has been resorted into Slytherin house. That is where he has always belonged. Have a good day everyone."

With that last statement Fawkes took hold of the hat and they were gone in a flash of flames leaving a stunned audience. It wasn't long before loud whispers rose up in the hall from the students and even a few Professors.

Harry was stunned for a brief moment before the feeling of joy encased him. With an indifferent expression he looked up to what the Headmaster may be thinking. Dumbledore was furiously glaring at him with anger steaming behind the sparkle. The old man then opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Harry thought he faintly heard the trill of a phoenix. Instead, his old head of house stood up and quieted the room. She simply said that the sorting hat knows what it is doing and that from now on Harry Potter would be in Slytherin. She took out her wand and motioned for Harry to come closer with that she tapped the patch of a griffin and it morphed into the snake.

"You may sit with your housemates."

It was not lost on the observant that he'd already been sitting with the Slytherins a lot anyways. Turning away from the head table and heading toward Draco, forgetting the tension between them.

The Slytherins that he had not made amends with stared at him like he was a fish out of water. Draco didn't share his amusement to that effect and demanded of them to return to their own business.

"Where have you been?" The blonde asked as Harry scooped himself out mashed potatoes.

"Library."

He was returned a look that said, 'And that proves your point how?' Harry ignored it turning to Neville about an Herbology assignment that was do next week.

Draco sighed, in his mind only of course, picking at his dinner. Hunger left him and for a while he struck up a conversation with Blaise. When that failed to keep his attention he bid goodnight and left for his room.

Near the end of dinner the Potions Master and Head of Slytherin house walked over, an indescribable expression plastered on his pale face. Coal black eyes peered down at his Seventh year snakes, two Gryffindors, and a former Gryffindor-turned-Slytherin that he could find no words to describe.

"Come with me Mr. Potter." There were no pleasantries and no warmth to anything he said. Harry's friends gave him a share of pity and amused looks. The ebony hair student stood up, laughing silently at Pansy's keen interest and giving a small smirk.

Harry followed the Professor out of the Great Hall with a brilliant smile. Professor Snape was one to notice things, even as subtle as they may be, he therefore did not miss this smile and that he had never seen the boy smile such as this.

The path to the Slytherin common room was walked in silence, bothe wary of the other. The older man spoke the password and when entering the common room began his routine speech he'd give newly sorted students. It was easier to deal with this not thinking that this is Potter and how in the nine levels of hell he became a Slytherin. Well, more so that he was a Slytherin this entire time and Severus never took notice.

The Professor then turned away beckoning Harry to follow him once again. As they stepped out into the hall Harry paused.

"What about the dorms?"

Snape turned to him in vexation while giving a surprisingly informative reply.

"The Slytherins have dorms outside of the common room. Not all of them are even in the dungeons."

He turned away and Harry followed… again. They stopped in front of the entrance to Draco's room to which Harry simply turned towards the Professor and raised an eyebrow. Severus gave an audible sigh as he explained something once more when all he dearly wished to do was have a nice reunion with a bottle of sherry. Hm, or find Potter torn to pieces and such I wouldn't have to deal with this.

"Draco is the only seventh year student with his own room because of the odd number. You will now be rooming with him."

"What?" The loud call came from behind the two and they turned to see a frenzied blonde.

A/N: Reviews are appreciated and cheer me greatly. Criticisms are welcome! Thanks for reading!