Hey, guys, you might nave noticed I changed my name...the only reason I have for that is that I was twelve when I picked the name and two years later I think it's lame...

Anyway, this update goes out to TwilightPhantomDragon, for yelling at me for not updating when I have the chapter saved on my computer...it might be awhile before I get the next chapter up, I've got a plot bunny running rampart in my brain though I'm getting the feeling that I'll be writting myself into a corner with it...oh well, I've got tomorrow off and I'll probably spend part of the day starting on formating that story...If I think it'll work out I'll put a preview in the next chapter...

Disclaimer: I disclaim


Harry, Ron thought to himself as they climbed the stairs up to the castle isn't a bit like anyone expects Harry Potter to be like

Harry seemed shy and instead of regaling Ron with tales of how he had saved six muggles from Lucius Malfoy, Harry didn't seem to want to talk about anything but the Wizarding world, eager to know everything there was to know. He had been fascinated by the stray chocolate frog that Fred had left spelled to the luggage rack by one foot (though Ron too, had to admit that it was pretty strange to see sweets hanging from luggage racks, though perhaps not with Fred and George for brothers) and instead of positively reeking of money, self assurance and leadership, Harry longed for a brother.

It was all very confusing. On the one hand, there was the Boy Who Lived, and on the other hand, there was Harry Potter, small and timid.

Ron decided he would sort it all out later, if he and Harry were even in the same house. Though where else would the Boy-Who-Lived go, but Gryffindor? And where indeed, would a Weasley go but Gryffindor?

His insides still squirmed slightly at the prospect of the sorting. He would probably go last, what ever happened because alphabetically, he was near the end.

Ron slipped on the last step to the top and took out five other first years sliding down the slippery steps to the ground. He groaned, standing up quickly and offering an apologetic smile and a hand up to the other students on the ground around him.

A blond girl with a pug like nose sniffed and pushed him back down. Ron ground his teeth, but knew that he could never hit a girl. Besides Ginny maybe, if she got annoying enough. A sandy haired boy with hazel eyes grinned as he rolled back up to his feet and spoke rather quickly with a decidedly Irish accent "Cheers mate. That's some introduction. I know you were just dying to meet me, but that's a little much" Then he laughed in a friendly matter and wiped dirt off his face with his sleeve, offering Ron his hand

"Seamus Finnegan"

"Ron Weasley" Ron mouthed, making a face as he tried to force the sounds out, to no avail

Seamus looked taken aback but recovered quickly "No matter, just scribble it down later, come on let's hurry or we'll be left out here. Met a fantastic bloke named Dean on the train, muggle born but boy can he draw. Maybe he can make you a name tag or something"

Ron felt a half exasperated grin growing on his face as he and Seamus hurried up the stairs where Harry stood waiting as the rest of the First Years were being herded inside by Hagrid, the enormous Game Keeper.

"Okay Ron?" Harry asked as he and Seamus reached him

Ron nodded grimly and gestured to Seamus who introduced himself, offering a hand

"I'm Harry" the short brunette said softly, biting his lip slightly as Seamus shook his hand.

"Harry Potter?" Seamus asked, looking at the smaller boy's forehead

Harry nodded shyly.

Seamus seemed to look at Harry's hand and make an odd face, but then all fell silent as a tall stern looking woman started to talk. Ron didn't think there was anything all that interesting to what she was saying, but he had heard it all from Bill when he was little. He could remember Bill holding him close as he was recovering from Dragon Pox and talking about Hogwarts in thrilling detail, telling him about each class, describing the excitement in the air right before a Quidditch game. If he hadn't wanted the glamour and mystery of Egypt, Ron though Bill could have been a good writer.

As Professor McGonagall left, Seamus introduced Dean Thomas to Harry and Ron. Harry told them all Ron's name quietly and Ron reflected again, that Harry was far more quiet than most eleven year olds.

Well…except for him…

When Professor McGonagall lead them all into the Great Hall, Ron realized that even Bill's vivid descriptions couldn't do the Great Hall justice. The huge endless sky above, tables shinning with gold platters and goblets, many candles floating in the air. All of the black robes looked surprisingly gothic, slouching side by side, and the teachers all sat up at the front of the hall, looking very impressive and wizardish…

But, looking totally out of place among all the shiny plates and glowing candles, sitting right in front of the teacher's table on an old three legged stool was a shabby old hat with a tear near the brim. Ron could hear Hermione muttering under her breath "do we have to fix the hat? Well those spells aren't taught for a while…"

But even as Ron was wondering what the hat was for (unsure what to make of Hermione's words) the tear opened and the hat began to sing

Much longer ago than any of you

Can ever remember

A witch in a dress of blue

Sitting by a dying ember

Sewed me with meticulous care

Never daring to pray

That a wizard with this hat to bear

Would create something here to stay

That young Wizard in red and gold

Had heart and courage

And was almost too bold

And impossible to cage

Another founder of this school

The witch of bronze and blue

Was far from a fool

And of her beauty everyone knew

The next founder was loyal

A sweet and pretty witch

And her colors royal

Bright Yellow and Bold Black

A shrewder fellow came next

A man of great ambition

Who used people and objects

To achieve his green and silver mission

Four times the founders tried and failed

To find a way for houses to chose

Once they last exhaled

For who as well knows?

That Godric Gryffindor taught only

Those who did brave deeds

And Rowena Ravenclaw was lonely

Without wisdom's seeds

Helga Hufflepuff loved loyalty

In her kind, hard workers

And to Salazar Slytherin, true royalty

Were in his pureblooded rule twisters

I was given brains to reason

And some eyes to see

So no matter what the season

I think you will agree

That I can tell you where to go

And perhaps I'll tell you why

This is more than just a show

And your wish I could defy

But I make no wrong choices

So come and listen quite inside

No need to use voices

On your head is your guide

And I know Hogwarts well

I must sort you all

Before I say farewell

And your house I must call

Professor McGonagall was holding a long list on a scroll of parchment. Ron looked around and guessed that there were about forty first years in all. His stomach lurched unpleasantly as he looked out at the vast number of older students and their eager curious eyes. He saw Percy, smiling when he saw that his brother was touching the gold plate in front of him with feather light hands, instead of listening to Professor McGonagall. She had just started on the A's, Ron realized in alarm, focusing back on his teacher as Hannah Abbot joined the Hufflepuffs.

A tall blond girl named Lavender Brown was the first to join Gryffindor and Ron smiled as he saw Percy trying to listen intently to her footsteps over all the clapping. He grinned even harder when he saw his brother throw up his hands in exasperation and join in with the applause.

One of Maloy's thugs named Crabbe was sorted into Slytherin with much hissing from the Gryffindor side of the room.

Rather sooner than Ron thought possible, Seamus was sorted into Gryffindor, a broad smile spreading across his honest looking freckly face. He was soon followed by Hermione, Ron wasn't sure how he felt about this. She was clearly kind, helping Neville find his toad, but she seemed to be a bit bossy.

Neville himself followed soon after, Ron had thought he would be a Hufflepuff, but the hat surprisingly sorted him into Gryffindor. Ron shrugged. Maybe there was more to Neville than was expected.

Malfoy was sorted into Slytherin before the hat even touched his head and Ron caught himself starting to hiss with his brothers. A thin boy with black hair followed Malfoy soon after, though the hat took much longer sorting Theodore Nott, and sounded almost uncertain when it called his house.

After that, a pair of twins, Padma and Pavarti went into Ravenclaw. Ron wondered about Pavarti, she seemed bolder, as if she should have ended up in Gryffindor, but Ron chided himself gently. She was very pretty, no doubt that was what had him thinking that.

The blond girl who had pushed Ron down (Pansy Parkinson) was sorted into Slytherin and went and sat next to Malfoy, looking very pleased with herself to be in this place of honor

After that, Ron found Harry leaving his side, looking even more small and slightly sick walking across the suddenly large gap to the hat. There was a hushed silence, broken only by many whispers sprouting all over the Great Hall Ron suddenly swallowed hard. What if Harry was Ravenclaw? he thought suddenly. He was probably pretty smart, or at least didn't seem stupid. He was picking up sign language quick enough, but…no…still, what would he do with out Harry? It wouldn't be near enough fun and he felt an odd friendship with the small boy already…

But then his worries abated as the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" and Harry slipped off the stool, walking to his seat in a huge roar of applause, slipping into a seat beside Seamus and glancing over at Ron who flashed him a thumbs up. Harry smiled suddenly, for the first time since Ron had me him, his face suddenly looking younger and stronger.

Then the rest of the alphabet seemed to quickly slip away from Ron. It seemed that one minute, Dean left his side to join the Gryffindor table and the next he found his legs walking dully toward the stool. Were his foot steps always so loud? Was he always as short?

The hat seemed to come over his head ominously.

Ahhh…another Weasley…

Yeah Ron thought savagely

The hat seemed to chuckle I think I might actually like you. That was exactly what your brother Charlie's reaction was

Bully for Charlie

You don't like Charlie? No that's not it…you don't think Charlie likes you…

Listen…please just send me to Gryffindor…

Ahhh…there's Bill…

Well, I'm Ron…not Fred, not George, not Percy, not Bill and defiantly not Charlie…

The hat seemed to smirk Ambition to distinguish yourself...that belongs in…

I swear I will burn you if you finish that sentence…

The hat yawned. It would make life so much more interesting…but I guess I'll just send you along to your brothers if you're so sure…

I am Ron thought firmly

Alright then "GRYFFINDOR"

Ron grinned broadly and pulled off the hat, putting it back on the stool as Gryffindor table applauded.

Ron walked over to the table quickly and slid into a seat next to Percy, grinning at Harry who was sitting across from him. He found Percy's hand under the table and traced a heart into his palm. Percy grinned and squeezed Ron's hand.