A/N: SO here's the sorting. Please review! And thanks to all those who already reviews and alerted and favorite.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable.

Harry and Draco watched as the Grand doors of Hogwarts opened. Dudley's mouth was just hanging open. Ron Neville and Hermione watched in admiration. And then the six pairs of eyes fell on Minerva McGonagall.

"Thank you Hagrid, I'll take them from here." McGonagall said. She led the nervous first years through the entrance Hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. "

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

Her gaze lingered on Neville and then she said "I will return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."

As soon as McGonagall left, excited murmurs began.

"I wonder how we are sorted." A boy said.

"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot." Ron paled at the thought. Draco and Harry shared a knowing gaze and smirked. Dudley looked utterly terrified, so did Neville. Hermione was the only one talking as everybody quieted down.

Suddenly, hoards of Ghosts began swarming above the First years. Harry and Draco watched in amusement as the ghosts debated whether Peeves should be forgiven.

Mental note, befriend Peeves-thought Harry.

"Now move along." McGonagall appeared and began sorting everyone in a line. "The sorting ceremony is about to begin."

The Great Hall was still enchanting and Hermione kept babbling about the enchanted ceilings. Draco rolled his eyes. And I thought the older Granger was insufferable.

Soon students stopped and looked at the old hat. Opening its mouth, it started:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black

, Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

A loud applause broke into the hall as Ron whispered to Harry "I'll kill Fred! He was going on about how we have to wrestle a troll!"

Harry watched as Hannah Abbot, future Longbottom went to Hufflepuff, followed by Susan Bones. Terry Boot, like previously, went to Ravenclaw, and so did Mandy Brocklehurst. Soon Lavender was jumping towards the Gryffindor table and Millicent Bulstrode went to Slytherin.

"Dursley, Dudley."

Dudley rubbed his hands and took slow steps towards the stool. As he sat down, the hat gasped.

A time-traveler! Never had one of you before!

Well, Dudley thought, you will have two more.

Hmm, there isn't anything I can do. So, let's sort you. Brave yes, daring yes, but not a Gryffindor. Loyal, hard-working and fair, so I think you'll do well in HUFFLEPUFF!

Harry clapped the loudest as Hufflepuff table burst into claps. Dudley jumped off the stool and ran to join his future house.

Once the commotion dies down, McGonagall looked back at the scroll. Her expression was that of pure shock and Harry smirked. His work had been done. He watched as with a proud smile, she called

"Evans-Potter, Harry."

"Harry? Harry potter?"

"The boy-who-lived?"

Whispers began and Harry calmly went and sat on the stool.

Hmm, another one like the boy time-traveler. So, ah! You have already made your choice, have you?

I can't stop you from sorting others, but I'll go where I belong.

Indeed. Your plans show that you are a true GRYFFINDOR!

The whole Gryffindor burst out in the largest cheer, much like last time. He ran too sat down on his old house's table. He watched the others being sorted and then, he heard, "Malfoy, Draco."

Ah, the third one.

Yes. Now could you sort me?

No need to be irritated. So, where to put you? Gryffindor might work for, so could Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff wouldn't be bad, but Slytherin is where your heart is.

Slytherin is my home. I belong there.

Well, I think I agree. Well, so go and be a SLYTHERIN!

Harry clapped politely like the others as Draco joined his old house's table. He did not understand why Draco would go back there, he hated the place! But deep down, Harry knew it was something planned.

Finally, as Ron came to Gryffindor table and Blaise Zabini went to Slytherin, Dumbledore stood up and gave his old speech. Harry could only wonder whether this man was ever sane or not.

As the food appeared, Dudley dug in with enthusiasm. His dorm-mates, Justin, Ernie Macmillan, Stephen Cornfoot and Wayne Hopkins were all good. Ernie and Stephen, like himself, were Muggleborns.

Draco meanwhile laughed with his old friends. He was Daphne and wondered how Astoria was. He always loved his wife and respected her whole family for being neutral in the war.

Harry laughed at Seamus' story and frowned at Neville's tale. This time, things had to be different. He talked with Ron and Hermione both, hoping that the troll incident would never come to pass. He then looked up and saw Snape.

He wasn't talking to Quirrel, but instead looking at Harry, as if solving a puzzle. As he noticed Harry's eyes on him, he averted his gaze. But not before harry sent a warm smile towards him. Harry could swear that Snape had mouthed 'Lily' then, but who would believe him?

As the food disappeared, Dumbledore gave his speech about Forbidden Forest, banned items and third-floor corridor. Then they sang the school chorus, and then the prefects led them to the dorms.

As soon as Draco reached his old dorm room, he sat down to pen down a few letters.

Dear Father and Mother,

I have been sorted in Slytherin, as expected. I met Harry Potter and made friends with him on the train, though he was sorted in Gryffindor. Pity actually, he could have done well in Slytherin. Severus gave his usual speech. I am sharing my Dorm room with Nott, Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle. Everything else is going well.

Hope you both are well. Mother, I left my books, could you send it?

Your loving son,
Draco

Draco re-read the letter. It sounded good enough. He put the letter aside and started a new letter.

Dear Aunt Andy an Uncle Ted,

I was sorted in Slytherin. Thought of informing you all.

Aunt Andy, I read the Charms book you sent me. It was really informative. After your letters, I am really interested in Charms.

Uncle Ted, I did found the law we were discussing about. It was very cruel if you ask me. Nevertheless, I hope you and I are able to change it.

Hope you two are keeping well,

Your nephew,
Draco.

Taking a deep breath, Draco wrote the last letter.

Dear Dora,

I am not going to call you Tonks. It's worse than Nymphadora. You can tell others to call you that, but please not me.

I am a Slytherin. I don't know what Aunt Andy has told you, but our common room is below the lake and we see the Giant Squid. So, my common room is at a better place. And I WILL find the kitchens.

Hope you are keeping well.

Your cousin,
Draco

P.S.: I'll hex you the next time we meet. We just had to put a hat!

Satisfied with the letters, Draco put them under his pillow, ready to post them the first thing next morning. Sleep came easily after that.

Dudley was in awe as he entered the Hufflepuff common room. It was so beautiful! Professor Sprout herself had come to greet them all.

"Hello my little badgers!" she greeted cheerfully. "Welcome to Hufflepuff. For the rest of your school years, and even after that, Hufflepuff will be your home. Now, we aren't one of the, how to say this, Interesting bunch as the other students say it. But nevertheless, we stick together. The prefects will tell you everything. We are one family; we will always be there for you. If any of you have any problem, my doors will be open for you."

The people all were nice, and Dudley enjoyed the fact immensely that the kitchens were near the common room. He learnt that Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, Megan Jones, Lily Moon and Sally Smith were his batchmates.

As they entered the dorm room, Dudley ran to the last bed and said it was his. Everybody was so tired that they at once fell asleep. Dudley would write his letter the next day.

…..

The journey for Harry was more or less the same. With Peeves disturbing them to Percy's perfect speech. His dorm-mates at once fell asleep. Harry meanwhile, wrote a long letter to his ex or future wife.

Dearest Ginerva,

I am very happy you're back. Seriously, really, really happy. How are you with the family? I mean, I know I have been doing it very well, seeing the way I met them at the station.

Yup, Dudley's a wizard. And, oh, just so you know, Dudley and Draco are back with us. Dudley's Hufflepuff and Draco's a Slytherin. I really don't understand why, but well, you were the one who was close to him.

I am a Gryffindor (surprise surprise!). Ron's my best friend. Although I don't think he knows it yet. Dean Thomas was very interested in everything.

Tell Molly that I miss her cooking. Or don't. That will be a really awkward conversation.

Have you told anyone anything or changed anything? I have. McGonagall came to take us to Diagon alley. No Dudley's pig tail (unfortunately).

I have not really properly talked to Draco yet, but he was decent with Ron. So I guess you can expect him in Burrow sometime in the future.

What else? I miss you. I miss you a lot. I am glad that I won't have to lock up the Portraits anymore-they are not portraits anymore.

I need your help. It's about Sirius and Remus. I want to approach them, (and kill the traitor) but I don't know how. Can my cute little wife help me please?

Well, nothing else. I will inform Hedwig to only take this letter to you. I don't know why I am writing this, but just thought of doing so.

Your loving crush (presently)
Harry

P.S.: Dudley's got Crookshanks and he calls him Grumpy. Crookshanks or Grumpy chased the traitor around. He is very intelligent. Hermione was right. Don't tell her I said that.

As the moonlight shone on Harry's face, Harry smiled, waiting for this year to begin.