The train ride was much different that Hermione had expected. For one, she didn't find Harry, Malfoy, Luna, and Neville. It was like they had disappeared. Then, Ron, Ginny, and her had to squeeze into a compartment with three 4th years because by the time they had given up, all the compartments were full. That also meant that they couldn't talk about Harry and the others at risk of being overheard.

So, no, this was not going how she had expected at all.

When it was time to get off of the train, Hermione was just about ready to scream. How could this had happened? She and Harry had been so close. And she had a library full of books that she didn't deserve. She had never felt so conflicted.

When they were walking towards the school she caught a glimpse of messy hair that she could recognise anywhere. But just as she was about to follow it, it was gone.

Harry, on the outer hand, had expected the ride to go exactly this way. The three annoyances had walked passed their compartment five times, each time forgetting what they had been doing, until they finally gave up.

Hermione looked especially put out. He almost felt sorry for her. Then he remembered how she had betrayed him. How she looked sorry about it and wanted to go back to the way they were, as if she hadn't sold him out to Skeeter.

As they walked to the school Harry lifted the new notice-me-not charm he had put on them for a second. He saw Hermione's eyes drift towards him and put it back on. She looked wildly disappointed.

They still had the charm on them as they headed to their tables. Harry gave Draco a kiss before he left and Neville did the same to Luna. They sat down at the far end, away from the head table as Dumbledore would be able to see through the charm and deactivate it with a miniscule flick of his finger.

The opening ceremony seemed to go on forever. There were way more kids this year than last, Harry concluded. But before Professor Mcgonagall removed the hat from the chair it called one last name.

"HARRY POTTER!"

Everyone gasped. Harry had already been Sorted; this was unheard of. Neville patted Harry on the back and said "Go, on, Potter. Show 'em what you got." Harry punched him and got up, heading to the Sorting Hat.

He sat down on the stool and Professor Mcgonagall put the Hat on his head. He risked a glance to the Head table. Snape was watching with disbelieving eyes, masked in coldness. He looked over to Draco who was watching, almost wide-eyed, as the Hat was placed on Harry's head. The Hat spoke.

"Ahh, Mr. Potter. I see you've undergone a serious loss," it said.

'Wow, very original,' Harry thought back.

"I would hope so," the Hat said. "Last time you were up here you asked to be in Gryffindor, even though I wanted to put you into Slytherin."

'Yes,' Harry thought. 'I remember.'

"Well, you've had some changes over the summer, Mr. Potter, haven't you?" the Hat asked Harry.

'Only a few.'

"Would you say that you've gotten more picky with your loyalties?"

'Yes.'

"What about your sense of self-preservation? Has it gotten stronger?"

'Yes.'

"Well, then you can't possibly disagree with my choice this time," the Hat said. "Better be...SLYTHERIN!"

The Great Hall was silent. Harry looked over at Snape and saw that he had a look of concealed satisfaction in his eyes. He looked at Neville and Luna, who were both smiling, and at Draco, who was in too much shock at the whole situation to say anything. Of course, it didn't show. He was a Slytherin after all. And now, so was Harry.

He got down off the stool and sauntered over to the Slytherin table. He saw Draco mutter something to Goyle, and he immediately made space for Harry. He sat down next to Draco and smirked at him, though only a little. He didn't want the entire school to see that he was happy about this Sorting.

Dumbledore went up to the stage and said a few words regarding the new year. As soon as he was finished, the food appeared on the tables and all worry faded away as everyone feasted.

Draco casually and discreetly leaned into Harry and Harry wrapped an arm around his waist. He cast another notice me not charm and kissed Draco's forehead. Draco blushed a little but said nothing as they continued eating their food.

When dinner was over, everyone was sent to their dorms. However, Luna and Neville met up with them in an (now, heavily warded) empty classroom.

"So, how does it feel to finally be a true Snake, Harry?" Luna asked him. He smiled.

"Absolutely wonderful, Luna," he said. "Now my robes match my eyes."

The four laughed and continued talking for another two minutes until Draco said that they had to go to the beginning of the year speech for the Slytherin First years.

Draco was a prefect and already knew the password to the common room. When they walked in, however, it went silent.

Zabini spoke first. "What are you doing in Slytherin, Potter? Last I checked you were quite happy with being a Gryffindor."

"Well, Zabini," Harry started. "Last you checked you were also on Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad so I don't really care what you think."

Zabini scowled. "Pfft, Potter. You think you're big and bad?" he took a step forward. "You think you're better than us?" and another. "Well, you're nothing," one last step "you filthy self righteous half-blood."

"Oh, I'm self righteous? That's rich coming from a pure-blood snob," Harry retorted.

"That's enough," Snape said from the front of the common room. "Be quiet as I give the first years the annual speech."

After he gave the speech Harry was surprised that the Slytherins got their own rooms. He was conveniently (though let's be honest. Snape just didn't want anyone else to come in and find Drarry snogging on their bed) roomed with Draco. They spelled the two beds together and got in.

"I love you, Draco," said Harry.

Draco's heart fluttered. They had been together for two months but those words were exchanged every night. Others might say that they were moving too fast but Draco knew that they had always known, in the backs of their minds, that they loved each other. And he would never be used to it. No matter how many times Harry said those three words.

"I love you too, Harry," Draco replied, and fell into a peaceful sleep.