Disclaimer: NOT Blonde, Not rich, not living in Britain, initials are not JKR therefore don't own. Love the characters and the setting so am just playing, I get nothing but the reviews my readers give me. Authorship shared with Darkshadowedrose.

A/N: Because I already had this chapter done despite rewriting the conversation with the sorting hat a dozen times, (I'm not kidding I really did.) and because you all were so incredibly nice and gave me so many wonderful reviews.( A hundred reviews on a chapter is quite a bribe) And also because everyone has been dying to know which house despite I said in the first chapter author notes. I give you the sorting.

Trust is a Relative Thing

Chapter 7 Sorting Not According to Plan

Albus Dumbledore was feeling quite happy as he sucked on a lemon sherbet at the Head Table. Hagrid told him that the boy who lived was healthy, respectful, and seemed smart. That his aunt and uncle had done well by him which was good. Hopefully they hadn't spoiled him much, Albus was relieved they hadn't lived down to Minerva's expectations. He'd have been hard pressed to face his deputy if she found out he had by passed her guardianship, and they had. Not that Albus couldn't have worked that into his plans. He was anxious to see the boy himself but didn't want to draw too much attention to him yet.

He had been mildly concerned when Ollie had written and said there was some difficulty with the boy's wand. Even the Holly wand with a phoenix feather from Fawkes had not matched. Ollie had of course sorted it out. Albus figured that when Severus saw the custom wand he would put it down to Albus spoiling Harry instead of the necessity it was. He would have to keep a sharp eye on things. The stone being in the castle was sure to draw undesirable attention. But he needed a mysterious challenge to test the boy, how better than to hide the stone in a trapped maze in the school. He hoped that the boy had as much courage as his father and as much heart as his mother. He supposed he would find out as Minerva led the first years in.

He listened to the names and houses as they were called. Bones no surprise there. Goldstein he would have thought Hufflepuff. Ah, how nice Neville Longbottom in Gryffindor. Malfoy in Slytherin big surprise, not. Now finally the name he'd been waiting for Harry Potter. Why was the hat taking so long, it shouldn't take long. The boy was meant for Gryffindor and surely Molly had met him and helped him at the station. It was so fortunate Hagrid forgot that tidbit of information. Thereby allowing more influencing of the boy further towards Gryffindor. Albus had the measure of Ron Weasley and he was relatively sure that the boy would cozy up to Harry and influence him still further towards Gryffindor.

Meanwhile under the Sorting Hat. Harry and the Hat were having quite the discussion.

"Slytherin" Harry ordered the hat.

"Are you out of your mind young fellow? Slytherin is for people who want to prove something, and are usually willing to play fast and loose with the rules to do it. You understand manipulation and calculation. I must admit you are quite accomplished at it, you understand planning but you also have a moral code, most children there while totally loyal to certain ideals are not attached to law abiding behavior. No you are far better suited for Gry-"

"Put me in Gryffindor, and I swear you'll be in too many pieces to sort another student."

"Not Gryffindor hmm...You are a puzzle. Slytherin huh? Why? You could have so much more influence from Gryffindor. You are cunning I'll grant, quite the planner and not afraid to manipulate others, but you have such an determined moral code and I sense no strong desire to prove yourself. Not to mention all the enemies you'll have in Slytherin. I'm sorry I just don't see it. Hufflepuff, maybe? You are totally loyal to those you trust few though they are, no stranger to hard work, and unafraid to make friends... But you are not eager to trust and, therefore are no Hufflepuff... Not to mention with your determination to win and fierceness….I suppose you would eat them alive. Hmm... You are as intelligent as your mother, and have a mind Rowena herself would gladly claim... But Ravenclaw isn't right for you, you would terrify them. Too practical, and physical by half... Surely you see you have courage in such abundance, you are brave enough to combat even those you fear, and you are already a warrior at heart. Such a sense of right and wrong... Godric would be thrilled to have one such as you. It really is the best-"

"Not Gryffindor." Harry growled.

"Why not?"

"I am here because I have been given no choice. Almost my whole life has been living as others have chosen for me. They don't care if I am happy nor unhappy. Any happiness I have had came in stolen increments. My Aunt too has been denied that which would have made her happy. I'm not happy to be a puppet. By the same token neither am I unhappy to be here, because here I will have opportunities I don't have at my relatives. You say I am both brave and cunning, then let me be cunning enough and brave enough to thwart those that would control me. Slytherin."

"You do not want to be controlled by others, and I suppose you do lack the usual hardheaded plough ahead idiocy. But if I am to place you elsewhere you must show me what it is you want. I see... but the scope is so simple. You merely wish to have a happy, simple life and have love. That's not ambitious it's actually rather Hufflepuffish of you. I really can't see Slytherin as being the place for you. You are confident in yourself but not stupidly so; Slytherin house is marked by those seeking to prove themselves. Besides you already despise many of your potential housemates."

"Granted. But it is ambitious to want a simple life, when you have someone like Albus Dumbledore attempting to steer you into some grand, glorious, predetermined destiny. Glorious destinies in books inevitable lead to grand funerals so no thank you. Any house but Slytherin, and he will have grounds on which to maneuver."

"You have a point. And you do have a by stick or by carrot determination to win that won't quit. Not Gryffindor hmm, disappointing, but I guess it can be SLYTHERIN!"

In the silence that followed that pronouncement, it would have been possible to hear a pin drop.

Minerva was crushed the child of two of her all-time favorite students wouldn't be in her house. Severus Snape who had been sipping from his goblet sprayed wine across the table. Albus Dumbledore lost his famous twinkle and just blinked in shock. Harry removed the hat from his head and moved through the silence to the Slytherin table. The rest of the sorting happened in relative quiet as everyone tried to absorb that the Boy-Who-Lived was in Slytherin.

Harry started off the year using the map to learn his way around. He rapidly grew to appreciate it even more, as it allowed him to mostly avoid his fellow students. Harry was as used to poor treatment from others, but if he'd have been dark like so many of his schoolmates called him he probably would have committed violence by now. For some reason almost everyone took offense at his control was greater than their provocation so far. Someone had been pranking him since the second day of term. Given the red and gold he was sometimes turned he assumed it was some Gryffindors. And it wasn't just the other houses, no, even the students that were his housemates occasionally shoved him and called him names. Slytherin House had semi private rooms. Theodore Nott who was supposed to be his roommate had moved in with Blaise Zabini and Gregory Goyle because he didn't want to share with a halfblood or so he claimed. Harry knew he wasn't the only halfblood in the house so he figured it had more to do with the fact that Harry was the Boy-Who-Lived than anything else. Harry just shrugged and kept to his room in the hours he was required to be in the dorm.

Hedwig helped, he had no idea how but she had somehow found a way from the owlery to his room in the Slytherin dorms. As Harry looked at Hedwig, he couldn't figure out how she did it. She got to the dungeons every single day, no one let her in. Harry had finally pulled her perch from his trunk so she had a place in their room and supposed it was just as well that Theodore Nott refused to stay in the same room with him since owls were supposed to stay in the owlery. Taking her from the dorm back outside had become a nightly ritual.

Thankfully Neville didn't shun him. The two boys partnered for potions. Snape sneered but he ignored both of them. He gave points to every Slytherin but Harry but he also took points from every Gryffindor except Neville. Harry sighed it was hard to figure out potions on his own but thanks to the extra books he could. Neville wasn't much help but so far they hadn't melted their cauldron which was more than some could say. Harry was grateful for Hermione and her tendency to be oblivious to the social side of things, it meant when he sat next to her in the library at least she didn't move away. It wasn't the same as having the acceptance he had in primary school but it was close enough. Harry focused on treating everyone with respect even those who treated him poorly, to do less would de-value the lessons Sensei taught. Harry kept to a schedule: up early go to a deserted classroom practice martial arts, come back shower dress, revise his study notes before and during breakfast, visit with Hedwig as the owls delivered mail, go to class, to lunch, to class, to the kitchens for a snack, thank heavens for the map. Of course that activity had its odd moments some of the school elves behaved very, very oddly towards him. To the library, to dinner, back to the library until almost curfew, take Hedwig out, then back to the dorms. On the Saturdays he substituted a run around the grounds for his morning classes and doing art and writing letters for his afternoon classes.

Harry got two points in transfiguration for being the first to change his matchstick to a needle. He felt proud until he heard Hermione got five for the same trick, stupid prejudiced old bint looked at him as if he was cheating. Charms wasn't bad so far all they were studying was magical theory. Harry found that his dicta-quill came in handy for History of Magic he set it to write what Binns was saying while he napped. Defense was awful he didn't know who was behind it but every time he walked into the classroom he got a headache and his pendant heated up. He guessed that jumped finding a book about Occlumency up the importance chart. Herbology he did okay all the experience gardening with Aunt Petunia helped and studying with Neville also helped. Harry rapidly found himself teaching Neville how to study for other classes but the two boys steadily grew closer despite opposition from their housemates.

Astronomy wound up being baby stuff from Harry's perspective name the stars and planets kind of stuff. Harry had learned most of that when he was younger. He had read The American Practical Navigator thanks to Sensei and that dealt with the maths needed to navigate a ship using the stars. As result he had devoured books on astronomy written by modern scientists. He found he could usually complete his astronomy homework faster than even Hermione. Although he couldn't believe a school like Hogwarts didn't have a planetarium. Outside of class he was mostly miserable though, between being the target of pranksters and being shunned by everyone except Hedwig, Neville and Hermione. He almost regretted his decision to be in Slytherin.

His letters to his Aunt were by necessity brief he mentioned in one that he really wished Latin had been offered at primary school. He sent her sketches of Neville and Hermione and his teachers. He was working on an 18''x24'' canvas he intended to send her for Christmas, since she had always wanted to see Hogwarts. He also sent letters to Sensei. Talking about his grades but not what he was learning in class. His letters were forwarded via Aunt Petunia, Harry told Sensei it was to save on Postage.

Finally the day of first flying class arrived. Draco Malfoy and Ronald Weasley seemed to be in a boasting contest of which of them were better but it didn't stop either of them from mocking Harry and his two friends. Madam Hooch corrected Draco on his grip. She nodded approvingly as Harry helped both Neville and Hermione. Then came time to push off. Between Ron and Draco's mockery Neville was too nervous, and pushed off to soon. He had no control and Harry wouldn't standby and watch as something happened to his god-brother. Ignoring Madame Hooch, Harry pushed off.

"Neville look at me, eyes on me." He said as he drew level with the terrified boy.

On the ground one of the Gryffindor girls screamed "Look at how high he is, if he falls he'll die."

Neville looked down and blanched the color of rice paper. Harry wanted to slap her, whoever she was. He watched as Neville's grip faltered and he started to fall. Harry instinctively locked his legs around his broom and maintaining his grip with his weaker arm he lunged with his other to catch Neville as he started to fall. Mentally swearing "this is gonna hurt." for they were forty feet above the ground.

Neville was no lightweight Harry managed to grab his arm but when his weight was arrested it caused three things to happen. Harry felt Neville's shoulder pop out of joint. He felt his own strain almost to the popping point if he were one iota less strong it would've, and it caused his broom to flip so he was now hanging from it by his legs and his one arm. Harry willed his broom downwards. It was more of a controlled plummet than an actual flight but when they reached the ground neither boy hit hard enough for anything more than a small bruise.

Madam Hooch hustled over "Are you boys alright?"

"Neville's arm is dislocated at the shoulder, I felt it pop. Mine is strained. But other than that I think we're okay."

"Could you escort him to the infirmary?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good job Mr. Potter. Twenty points to Slytherin for saving a classmate."

"Thank you Professor."

Twenty minutes, four potions and one spell later the two boys sat having a cup of tea. Madame Pomfrey had fixed Neville's shoulder given both of them a dose of potion to fix the soft tissue damage and a dose of pain reliever. She allowed Harry to stay with the understanding that if Neville dropped off Harry was to leave. Neville would be spending the night in the infirmary because he showed signs of shock.

"I thought I was gonna die Harry."

"Not going to happen Neville. Not if I have anything to say about it, I haven't got enough family that I can afford to ignore what family I've got. Ditto for friends. But I've got one request before I save you again, can you trim down a little? That was hard on my shoulder."

"You don't seem to have that problem, can you show me how?"

"Sure, you've got sweats and trainers right?"

"No."

"Fine, over Christmas go to Lillywhite's in London they have tons of stuff. Have, say about one hundred fifty pounds, which is like thirty galleons. Find a pair of trainers have the staff help you choose. Tell them you want cross-trainers, they'll do the rest. Get a pair of sweat pants and a sweatshirt. In the meantime I can teach you some tai chi that will work you on strength and balance. Eat less sugary foods, eat more fruit and vegetables, drink more water, less Pumpkin juice. Neville?"

"Yeah Harry?"

"Do you know where I could find some books on Occlumency? I've checked the library here at school, there's nothing."

"Have you tried Owl order with Flourish and Blott's?"

"Owl order is that anything like mail order?" After a few minutes Harry was sure owl order was exactly like mail order. Harry noticed Neville starting to drift off so he said goodbye to his friend only to meet Hermione on the way out. After reassuring her Neville was fine but asleep. He listened to how Ron and Draco had managed to smash Neville's rememberall. Harry was partly saddened because his friend regarded it as proof of his Gran's love. Harry thought it was more like a reminder of how low her opinion was.

A week and a half later, Harry ran across two lions and an eagle picking on a slightly older solitary Slytherin. One of the Lions was pinning the Slytherin boy. When he saw Harry he said "This doesn't concern you keep moving and nothing will happen to you, firstie."

"Gees. Sorry to disappoint you, but I really can't do that."

"Course you can pipsqueak. Or we'll make an example of a little snake as well."

"No I am afraid I can't, you see I just have this thing against bullies. I see one and it's all I can do not to rip their heads off and use them like chamber pots. Let him go and walk away, that is your best option."

The older of the lions pointed his wand at the other Slytherin "incarcerous." Then his wand shifted to Harry. "I think it's time for a little fun with the baby snake. Those were some awfully big words pipsqueak. Rictum-"

Harry didn't wait for him to finish he quickly ran forward and shifted the wand away from his attacker's ability to use it on him treating it for all intents like a knife in the fight. Harry smoothly moved so he could do a disarm and do a modified hip throw. Ten seconds later the lion was on the ground and his wand had been thrown to the far end of the hall. Harry followed through with a punch that left his opponent trying to remember how to breathe.

"Leave!" Harry ordered. The other two boys looked unsure the youngest one raised his wand but his grip was loose. Harry closed his eyes and reached for his core on opening his eyes he whispered "Accio wand!"closing his hand in a grasping motion. He realized it was unlikely to work but he was also reluctant to draw his wand on another student. Something about snakes not getting the benefit of the doubt from most of the teachers and prefects. The boy fumbled his wand badly. The eagle decided this new snake was more of a threat than he first appeared, turned to say to his cohorts, "Come on Cameron, Cormac, us McLaggens can get our revenge on the Yaxleys another day."

It took a moment but they left. Harry pulled out his wand, he had learned in his readings that a simple Finite canceled most spells. He canceled the spell holding the other boy.

"Thanks I owe you."

"Harry Potter."

"Aaron Yaxley."

"Why did they..?"

"In the last war, the main line Yaxley's followed the dark lord. The MacLaggens got attacked and hurt badly; one of the Death Eaters caught was an uncle of mine another was my grandfather. My father stayed neutral mostly cause he married a halfblood. To the rest of the family we're considered blood traitors but to people like those gits all they see is the last name and the house and that's enough for them. Bastards." He spat some red tinted spit to the floor. "Normally I stick with our house group like I'm supposed to, you know? But I had some questions on the charms assignment and I'm not exactly Mr. Popular back in the dorms. In fact the only one worse off there, is yourself." He paused. "No offense."

"None taken." It was true. Harry wasn't sure why that was, but it was and he knew it. Theoretically someone should have tried to cozy up to him he was the Potter heir, ancient and noble house and all that crap, not to mention the whole BWL crap. But since their Head of House basically ignored his very existence , unless it was to pick on him, the students in Slytherin seemed to mostly do the same.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Marcus Flint was furious with his Head of House. Six years ago the Professor had taken him and given him rules, reasonable consequences, expectations and when those expectations were met rewards. It had given Marcus stability, stability he didn't get from his half mad Death Eater father and his mother who was either a perfectionist (when sober) or a lush. Marcus had seen him do it for countless kids in Slytherin. He took each Slytherin aside in the first two weeks each year, helped them by setting reasonable expectations not the sometimes absurd ones their parents set, and gave them expectations they could meet and a plan to meet them. The Professor actually did what a head of House should do despite the demands it made on his limited time. Marcus knew from talking to students in other houses only Sprout did those meetings as well. Marcus had seen such potential in Harry Potter on the train, he figured his Head of House would be pushing the boy. Instead Professor Snape ignored him, completely ignored him. He didn't do the first of year meeting or even schedule the beginning of the year physical that the rest of the snakes endured.

Well if he wouldn't do it Marcus would. He was about to ask the firsties if anyone knew where Potter was when Potter entered with Aaron. Marcus was mildly concerned Aaron unlike Potter knew better than to wander the halls alone. He noticed Aaron's lip seemed a little swollen "You okay Aaron?"

"MacLaggens. Potter here came along and discouraged them." Aaron answered. He knew that unlike some of the snakes Marcus asked from genuine concern. They shared a first cousin, Sandra was his cousin on his father's side and she was Marcus' on his mother's. Sandra might be an almost squib but she was nice and both boys were fond of her.

"That was good of you, Potter." Marcus said. "But I was looking for you for another reason. Come with me." He led Harry to one of the alcoves on either side of the common room fireplace. Snape used these alcoves for his own meetings, putting up a privacy spell. Study groups used them at other times. "Have a seat." Marcus put up a privacy spell. "Okay I haven't done one of these before so please be patient with me. I don't know why the professor hasn't done this, but he hasn't and as I see it you've got to much potential to leave you floundering any longer." He pulled out some parchment so he'd have notes.

"Alright." Marcus remembered his first meeting. "How's your physical health? Do I need to take you to Madame Pomfrey for a physical?"

"I'm a little behind on my magical immunizations. I got them until I was fifteen months, then the ones after that I was missing. I got the first of the ones I'm missing a week before school started and I go to Madame Pomfrey in another month and again in five then I'll be current. As for the rest I'm wearing corrective lenses that I use eye drops for. Madame Pomfrey has records both from Medi-witch Chang, the eye specialist, and from Medi-wizard Shingleton. I exercise and eat right get eight hours or more of sleep most nights."

"Okay that was easy. Homelife?"

"I lived with my maternal aunt and uncle and cousin. They are muggles and afraid of magic."

"Did they ...do anything bad when you did magic growing up?"

"Depended on what happened, most times I got into some sort of trouble. But like I said it depended on what happened."

"Did they beat you, or starve you, or lock you up, did they leave any scars?" he hesitantly asked. Marcus felt bad asking these questions and was a little afraid of the answers but he knew very little about muggles and his father had always punished him with spells and told him to be grateful he didn't punish him the way muggles punished their children.

"No scars, sometimes being confined was part of my punishment, or missing a meal, or extra chores, and yes my uncle spanked me a few times. But my Aunt and Uncle did not abuse me. As long as I minded their rules and did my chores, I had what I needed. They were...they saw to it I had what I needed."

With a little relief at that answer Flint asked his next question."What are their expectations of you here at Hogwarts?"

"That I learn magic."

Marcus noted Harry seemed about to say something so he waited.

"In a letter from my mother she told me she expected me to be in the top ten of my year. I want that at least, I'd prefer top five given the size of my class."

"Okay, we'll come back to that. Do you know the school rules?"

"Yes, I wasn't about to come here without knowing them."

"House rules?"

Harry rolled his eyes.

Marcus winced, one of the things that hadn't happened this year had been the post sorting meeting in the house. Snape had been handing out the house rules in the individual meetings. "Okay first do your homework first." He looked at Harry who nodded. " Don't give anyone out of the house the password." Another nod. "Don't go anywhere alone." Marcus wanted to flinch because Harry was treated as a pariah by his year mates in the dorm and no one sat next to him or directly across from him at meals. Harry went just about everywhere alone.

"I don't think that one applies to me." Harry said in an amused tone.

"If you need help ask."

"No duh."

"No fighting with others in the dorm outside the dorm. Us snakes have enough problems outside these walls without presenting a divided front."

"I'll do my best, but no promises. Malfoy is a twit and has some strong bullying tendencies. If he does it much around me, it'll be hard to remember not to clean his clock.

"Okay." Marcus was unsure of the muggle reference. "Um. What things do you like?

"Art, flying seems good I like it."

"Anything else?"

"Not that comes to mind...oh, wait good books."

"What do you hate?"

Harry's green eyes glittered as he said the word "Bullies."

"You said you want to be in the top five of your class. Are there any subjects you need help with?"

"I think I could do better if I got a little help with potions. The books in the kit help but..."

"Aaron the boy you helped. He's tops in his year at potions, I'll help you set up some tutoring with him."

"Thank you. If you don't mind my asking, why are you doing this?"

"Because you have incredible potential. Because it's right. Because with a little guidance you could be the best thing that has happened in four centuries to Slytherin House, or if nothing happens you could become the darkness that snuff the light out and dooms us all. The way everyone's treating you it's...it's not right, sadly though it's typical.

"I was sorted into Slytherin because I was ambitious to change things for the better. My Dad's a Death Eater and he's nuts. Because of the way things are, if he's right and the Dark Lord is still out there or if another one comes along, I'll probably be forced into becoming a follower just cause I'm a Slytherin pureblood and not many paths are open for me. I'm bright but neither bright enough, nor handsome enough, nor connected enough that I can change things the way I wanted. I only made prefect cause my year is light in the intelligence department. I've learned my limitations since joining this house. What ambition of yours got you sorted here?"

"My ambition to be something other than a pawn."

"What?" Marcus didn't understand.

"Maybe I'll explain it to you, when I trust you."

Marcus could see with that answer why the BWL was sorted into Slytherin."Okay, Professor Snape usually sets a few goals with us and when we hit them we get rewards based on what we like. So ...if you get Exceeds Expectations or Outstandings on all your schoolwork for a month, I'll get you some art supplies or a book from Hogsmeade that you pay for or take you flying on the pitch. Ditto for keeping your nose clean for six weeks. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

" Given the way the Professor feels about me, I'm not sure he grades my potions work fairly. Can we say the exceeds or outstanding on my other classwork and acceptable on my potions? And I need to get a message to the Headmaster."

"That sounds reasonable, as to the Headmaster I see him at the weekly prefects meeting I could give it to him. "

"Tell him I know he has my father's special cloak. I want it back, and I won't wait much longer."

"Your Dad's special cloak,you want it back yesterday, got it. One last question do you have any idea why the Professor is treating you like this?"

"Maybe. My mum said in a letter she left me, that they were friends until he called her "mudblood" in a fit of anger fifth year. And that he and my Dad were legendary rivals mostly over her. I look like him."

In the common room, Draco was smirking at his year mates, "Bet Flint is giving Potter what for in there since he hasn't been following the rules and he's been associating with those two pathetic lions. Just wait in no time Potter will be begging the rest of us to accept him."