READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi guys! Thanks for your reviews! And while I'm at it I just wanted to make a few things clear.

On a few of my reviews the people pointed out that I made Harry into some kind of 'demigod', so to speak. I want to let you guys know that, that was not my intention. Harry, when it comes down to it, is powerful but that's because of his upbringing. You have to remember that he was brought up with the Elves and was therefore around varieties of powerful magical creatures. So in general in order to survive he had to develop his powers to an extent. So of course he'd be powerful, but he's not so powerful that's he's invincible. Like for instance someone like Voldemort or Dumbledore could probably beat him hands down. Not to mention the magical creatures like the Ancients, Leaders, or powerful beings in general could probably flatten him. The only thing that he could beat Dumbledore (though not Voldemort) and the magical creatures besides the Elves and Vampires at would be his mind magics like, Occlemency and Legenmecy, since he had to develop them to their strongest over the years. Otherwise it's like I said in the beginning; he's powerful enough to hold his ground but not to take on the world.

Also I understand that I made him out to be very rich and very powerful in standing. Once again I didn't mean for it to seem like that, I just wanted to let you guys know that he and Voldemort have a really powerful back round, being the descendants of the Four Founders (Harry being the direct descendant of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff and Voldemort being the direct descendant of Slytherin and Ravenclaw). Also, I made Harry the descendant of Merlin so he could control Merlin's Staff, which plays a key part in future stories, and the descendant of Grindelwald so that he can Shadaow (it's just like Apparition but quieter and by shadows). Likewise, he Inherited Gryffindor's, Merlin's, and Grindelwald's properties and vaults and stuff like that because it kind of goes with the package, you know. It wouldn't make sense if you were the direct descendant of some one powerful and not Inherit anything. And since his ancestors were so powerful and influential they'd of course have a lot of stuff. Sorry about the misunderstanding but there was know other way around it.

Moreover, he Inherited Ravenclaw's title because Ravenclaw was a 'Light' witch and so had the ring reject Voldemort the title since he's a 'Dark' wizard. So the title had automatically went to Harry, which Voldemort had accidentally marked as his heir (and since he has no blood heir). So Harry's Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's heir through magic, not through blood.

Anyway, I just wanted to straighten that out. Sorry if I confused you guys. Onto the chapter!

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"Oof!" a young black Sable cried out as she was flung ungracefully from the brick fire place and face first into the cold stone floor. Rowan Halisio placed her front paws over her stinging nose as a big wolf appeared out of the fireplace and landed elegantly beside her. Stephano Halisio gave her an amused look as their other companions joined them.

"I don't like that way of traveling." Rowan complained as she stood up rubbing her stinging nose with her right paw.

"It's the fastest way we have. If we had driven it would of taken us hours." Harry replied as he picked up his black trunk beside him and started pulling it toward the exit. Rowan pouted as Stenphano passed her snicking before she expanded her black furry/ feathered wings and flew over to Harry's shoulder, settling on it. Above her she could hear a light phoenix song as Kestrel flew above them, rejoicing in the thrill of flying once more. Rowan glanced back at the two humans that were with them. They smelled like her Kitt (Harry) and were very nice and accepting of Rowan and her friends.

Rowan remembered their other two companions that they had left behind at the den. Those two had smelled sweet and foreign and were what her Kitt referred to as Elves. They had to leave them because the Elves couldn't go where they were going. It was some kind of school or something. Rowan shrugged out of her thoughts before yawning.

"How much longer until we get there?" Rowan asked aloud.

"Not long, we just have to take a train to the school." Harry replied. Rowan groaned.

"More weird ways of traveling?" she said complainingly. Harry chuckled.

"No, this way's Muggle; but you might get motion sickness though."

Rowan cogitated that for a moment before Harry suddenly reached up and snatched her off of his shoulder and tucked her into his arms. Remus took his truck and owl cage that contained a bird named Hegwig from him as he called for Kestrel, who immediately flew down and settled on his arm next to Rowan. Then Harry drew them inside of his cloak to join Ebony, who was rapped around his waist. Rowan pouted and slumped in his arms.

"Why does Stephano get to roam free?" she sulked.

~Maybe because he is too big to hide.~ Ebony hissed to her.

"So? Stuff him in a trunk or something." Rowan pointed out but went silent when Kestrel ruffled her feathers. Where ever they were going, they had better hurry up.

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"Hurry up!" Sirius called over his shoulder at Remus, Harry, and Stephano as he ran toward the center of the crowded train station they were at. Harry broke into a light jog with Stephano at his heels and Remus beside him to catch up to his speeding godfather. A glance at the station's clock proved that Sirius was right; it was 11:55. Picking up his pace he sprinted to his godfather; only to stop dead to avoid smacking into him.

Sirius was standing in front of a large stone pillar with the numbers 9 and 10 on signs connected to it. Harry glanced up at the Animagus to ensure he was okay.

"Okay, we're here. You can go first Harry."

Harry glanced up. "Pardon?"

Sirius looked down at him for a moment before he gave a slight laugh.

"Oh, right. Sorry, my bad." he said and walked toward the stone pillar. Harry was going to open his mouth to tell Sirius to watch where he was going when suddenly Sirius connected with the wall; and walked right through it.

Harry blinked before looked over at Remus's bemused expression. Remus made a shooing motion with his hands and Harry turned toward Stephano.

"You ready?"

"You're kidding right?" Stephano said as he gazed at the wall. "I'm not going through that."

"Oh, come on Stephano. We don't have time to argue; the train is going to leave in 3 minutes!"

"All right, all right!" Stephano said and stood beside Harry before closing his eyes. "Tell me when it's over."

Harry shook his head and took a deep breath before walking forward, Stephano beside him, straight through the wall. Harry felt a pulling sensation and the wisps of magic swirl around him before his feet touched the floor once more.

Sirius smiled at the sight of his bewildered godson and his canine familiar. He remembered his first time through the portal; and when he reached the other side. Let's just say that he had become well acquainted with the floor. Waving his godson over Sirius made his way to the red and gold train, toward the front.

Harry trotted toward his godfather. Right as he got to the middle part of the train he suddenly heard a yell and the sound of fast moving footsteps. He quickly spun around to meet his attacker - when just as quickly his 'attacker' slammed into him, knocking them both down.

Harry twisted around in midair, landing hard on his knees. Just as he was going to fall forward, and knowing that he wouldn't be able to catch himself because he was holding Rowan and Kestrel, Stephano appeared in front of him, breaking his fall. Hearing Rowan's, Kestrel's, and Ebony's noises of displeasure at being jangled around he murmured a soft thank you to Stephano before struggling to regain his footing and standing up. Making sure that the others were okay he turned toward his 'attacker'.

A young girl laid sprawled on the ground, books spread around her, rubbing her head. She was small and looked about a year younger then him with long bright red hair and matching red robes. Shifting Kestrel onto the same arm as Rowan he knelt down and picked up her books before kneeling in front of her.

"Are you okay?" he asked. She looked up and he was met with bright green eyes.

"I think so..." she said softly before her eyes cleared and her head jerked up. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to run into you , I should have been watching where I was going, I-"

"Hey, it's okay. See, no harm done." Harry said indicating to himself before offering her his arm (his hand was holding her books) and helping her up. "I'm Harry by the way."

"Ginny." she said smiling. "You going to Hogwarts?"

"Yeah. You?"

"I have to wait till next year. You see, I'm ten right now." she explained. Harry smiled.

"Well, in that case, I'll tell you what to expect."

"Really?" she asked surprised.

"Yeah, I'll mail you every once in a while. Think of me as some kind of pen pal."

"Seriously? You'd do that? Thanks. I look forward to your letters." she said ecstatically as Harry handed her, her books. Then her eyes went wide.

"Oh shoot! I was supposed to give these to Percy! Well, see you later Harry! I'll wright you as soon as I can!" she called as she ran toward the train waving. Harry stood there slightly lost as she disappeared into the crowd, a part of him wanting to run after her. Shaking the feeling away and wondering why he had agreed to wright her when he didn't even know her, Harry walked the rest of the way to Sirius, who was smiling at him.

"You'll have to go on your own from here Harry. Remus and I have to sit up I the front with the other teachers. Just remember something; don't be shy and make sure you make friends, whether they be future Slytherins, Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, or Hufflepuffs. Just... be yourself."

Harry nodded at his words and Sirius smiled again before disappearing into the front compartment. Harry then made his way to the end of the train, not wanting to bring unwanted attention to himself, and opened one of the side doors. Stepping into the crowded hallway of the train Harry quickly darted into the nearest empty compartment, slamming the door shut behind him as soon as Stephano made it in.

Sighing as the sudden silence replaced the loud voices and engines he opened his cloak to release Rowan and Kestrel. Rowan immediately claimed the window seal as her own, curling up into a furry ball and casting her wide violet eyes to the window to gaze in amazement at the many people out side. Kestrel gave a soft chirp before flying up and perching on one of the luggage racks overhead. Ebony gave a small hiss as he peaked out of Harry's cloak. Seeing the coast was clear he unwound himself form Harry's waist and stretched before curling up on the seat next to Harry, immediately falling asleep. As Stephano plopped himself with his back against the wall under the window and laid down. Harry smiled at his familiars' antics before pulling out the book that was in his pocket and opening it to the marked page. A few minutes later Remus arrived and gave Harry his trunk and owl before saying that Harry should relax and leaving.

The train then began to move. A few minutes later in the journey the door opened again. Harry, thinking that it was Remus or Sirius, looked up to greet them. But stopped when he saw who was there.

A young boy stood in the doorway, fidgeting with the handle of a trunk. The boy was small and thin with a mop of messy red hair and wide blue eyes. He reminded Harry of Ginny, the girl he had met earlier. Must he a relative of hers, he bet.

The boy gazed from Rowan and Kestrel, who had looked up when he had entered, to Ebony and Stephano, who were pointedly ignoring him. Harry smiled as the boys' eyes widened..

"Yes?" Harry asked politely to the frightened boy as Rowan turned back to the window.

"Um...I... I was wondering if I could... if I could..."

"Sure." Harry said indicating to the seat opposite of him. At the look the boy gave his familiars he chuckled. "Don't mind them, they don't bite."

At those words the boy hesitantly walked over and sat opposite of Harry wide eyed as Stephano moved to make room for him. Kestrel then began singing a beautiful song, causing the boy to slowly relax. He then looked over at Rowan, who was intertaining herself by watching the trees go by.

"That's a Sable, isn't it?" he asked boldly. Harry looked at him from over his book, ignoring the triumphant look Rowan sent him.

"Yes, unfortunately she is." Harry said as he took his elbow and shoved a smug Rowan off of the ledge. The Sable landed on her feet and with a 'hmpf' jumped up into the surprised boy's lap, curling up into a ball and glaring at Harry. Harry smirked at her and looked back down at his book. Stephano, obviously giving up on sleeping, raised his head and gazed back and forth between the infuriated feline and their smirking owner.

Harry looked up after a few minutes to take in the glaring feline. The boy she was sitting on looked confused and uncomfortable, apparently not knowing what to make of the young Sable. Harry took pity on him.

"You can pet her, you know. She especially likes it behind the ears."

The boy look startled at the sound of Harry's voice, but hesitantly reached up and stroked Rowan's fur. Rowan immediately gave up glaring in turn of purring, which calmed the boy down. He then immediately became engrossed in petting her. Harry knew why; a Sable's fur was one of the softest things in the world.

"I'm Harry Halisio by the way. This is Ebony, Kestrel, Hedwig and Stephano and that furry ball of terror is Rowan."

The boy looked up from Rowan and shook Harry's offered hand. "I'm Ron Weasely. It's nice to meet you." He said before looking back down at Rowan. "You have some strange familiars."

"They have their moments."

"I'd bet." he said as he tickled Rowan behind the ear. He then glanced over at Ebony and up at Kestrel. "I don't get it though; aren't Phoenixes and Snakes supposed to be enemies?"

Harry looked up. "I suppose. But even though they're born to be enemies, doesn't mean they have to choose that path. You see, they could choose to be the fiercest of enemies; or the fiercest of friends. It's entirely they're choice. Just because they're opposite, doesn't mean they don't complete each other."

Ron nodded and looked back down at Rowan. Suddenly the compartment door was slid open and a figure quickly jumped in, slamming the door shut behind him and pressing his hands against it as if trying to keep something out.

Harry raised an eyebrow at the breathless boy in their compartment. The boy was wearing a set of silky black robes and had platinum blond hair and silver eyes. His pale skin was flushed from running and he looked exhausted, as if he had run the length of the whole train. Which he probably had.

Harry noticed that Ron had stiffened at the sight of the boy, who had apparently realized that he was not alone in the compartment. He turned toward them and opened his mouth before finally noticing Harry's unique familiars. He raised an eyebrow at the site of Rowan and Stephano and then widened his eyes when he saw Ebony and Kestrel. Quickly getting over his shock (probably a Pureblood thing) and straightened.

"I'm Draco Malfoy." He proclaimed as he leaned against the door. Harry nodded to him.

"I'm Harry Halisio and this is Ron Weasely." Harry said. Draco raised his eyebrow again.

"Weasely huh?"

"Yeah, you want to make something of it?" Ron snapped. Then looked shocked when Draco raised his hands in a sign of surrender.

"No need to get defensive. I was just making a statement." Draco replied. He dropped his hands and looked toward the door.

"Care to share with us the reason that you were running?" Harry asked.

Draco gave him a look before relenting. "Parkinson, she won't leave me alone. Something about a marriage contract between our parents." At that Ron snorted and gave Draco a sympathetic look.

"Boy, do I feel bad for you." he stated and sat back, still stroking Rowan's fur. Draco scowled before shrugging it off and sitting down on the seat a little ways from Ebony. Ebony raised an eyelid at the disturbance but otherwise ignored them.

"So what's your story for being in an almost empty compartment?" Draco asked. Harry shrugged.

"Well, for one I couldn't exactly be in a crowded compartment with these four." he said indicating to his four free familiars. "And for another I wasn't raised in the Wizarding world, so I don't really know anyone."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Muggleborn?"

"No, just clueless. Both of my parents were wizards."

"Ah." Draco said before turning toward Ron "And you?"

"I didn't feel like sitting with my brothers. Knowing them they'd make my life miserable until the end of the train ride. And since I don't really have any friends I was really glad when Harry invited me in." Ron blurted out before flushing. Draco raised an eyebrow but before he could open his mouth to reply the compartment door slide open for a third time and a bushy haired girl entered. She looked around the compartment, ignoring its eight inhabitants, before sighing.

"Have any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost one."

"No, I don't recall seeing a toad." Harry answered politely. The girl nodded before she finally focused on the four unusual occupants in the compartment.

"Oh, magical creatures! But weren't you only supposed to bring a toad, cat, or owl?"

"Well, yeah, but if you recall the letter said that you had to bring a toad, cat, or owl. It didn't say anything about not bringing anything else."

"Oh, I see, it's a loop hole in the rules. Though personally I wouldn't try anything like that. You might get in trouble. I'm Hermione Granger by the way."

"Harry Halisio."

"Ron Weasely."

"Draco Malfoy." Draco added reluctantly.

"Pleasure." she said. "You three need to get into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon." With that she spun on her heel and left the compartment, door sliding shut behind her. The two humans and one Lestran in the compartment exchanged glances.

"Okay." Ron said slowly. "Can someone say scary?"

"She is right though." Draco said grudgingly. "We are going to arrive soon. I'll see you guys later; I have to go change out." he added with a grimace before waving at them and exiting. Ron and Harry looked at each other before shrugging simultaneously and getting up, Ron placing Rowan gently on his seat. While getting into their robes they felt the train begin to slow.

"So, what House do you want to go into?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged.

"It doesn't really matter to me; they're all the same when it comes down to it."

Ron gave him a curious look. "Personally, I want to go into Gryffindor; there is no way I want to go into Slytherin."

Harry paused. "How come?"

Ron looked shocked. "Don't you know? That's where all the dark wizards are from."

"That's not true. One of the vilest Dark Lords, Pernical, came from Ravenclaw. And dark wizards in general come from all the Houses. When it comes down to it, it's not your house that matters, it's who you are. And did it even occur to you that it's because the wizarding world's view on Slytherin that makes some of it's inhabitants Dark?"

It was Ron's turn to pause. "I never though of it like that." he admitted in wonder.

"Most people don't."

Just then the train came to a halt. Harry and Ron grabbed their trunks, packing everything they had out away. Ebony slithered back around Harry's waist while Stephano stood and stretched, Kestrel chirped and flew down to land on Harry's shoulder, and Rowan settled on Ron's arm. Dragging their trunks out of the compartment and into the crowded hall, Stephano at their heels, they walked off the train and onto a platform in a small village. It was night Harry could tell, even though they were surrounded in a dome of light.

"First years over here! First years, don't be shy!" a booming voice sounded through out

the platform. Harry and Ron exchanged looks before walking toward the voice through the crowd. Harry noticed that the older students were walking to a small path that lead to carriages being pulled by strange winged horses. Harry shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling he got by looking at the horses and followed Ron toward a huge man with long black hair, a beard, and twinkling black eyes. Just as they got to him Draco joined them, shrugging off a girl with stringy black hair and brown eyes.

"Why aren't we taking the carriages?" Harry asked Ron and Draco quietly. Draco shrugged.

"Apparently, first years have to take a different, longer way to get to the castle while the older years get settled in for the feast and sorting. Well, that's what my father told me anyway."

"Well, it would make sense." Harry stated while Ron nodded. "Draco-"

"And then I shot a burst of power at him and BAM! He was gone." a loud voice cut Harry off. Harry closed his eyes and sighed before turning.

Chase Potter was in the middle of a ring of wide-eyed specters as he demonstrated his story using over-exaggerated moves and sways. Harry rolled his eyes at his brothers antics.

"Honestly, Chase. You were what, four? There is no way you could really remember what happened." Harry pointed out. Chase turned toward his voice and scowled when he saw him.

"Oh, it's you. Where's your pointed-eared little friend?"

"Not here apparently."

"Well, I can see that." Chase snapped. "Now go away; I'm talking."

"More like exaggerating."

Chase shot Harry another scowl before he pointedly turned his back on him and continued his story on how he was able to revive his mom and dad after they had been hit with the killing curse. Harry shook his head.

"Was that the Boy-Who-Lived?" Ron asked in confusion. Harry snorted.

"Unfortunately."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "And you know him?"

"Unfortunately."

"He's a bit full of himself, isn't he?" Ron asked bluntly.

"Caught on to that have you."

"Too bad the others can't." Draco said indicating to the entranced ring.

"Yeah."

"If you ask me it's a crock of bull." a feminine voice said from beside them. They turned to see Hermione Granger standing there with a shy looking boy, arms crossed over her chest as she glared at the ring. "Everyone knows that you can't bring someone back from the killing curse. Kind of makes you wonder what else he's lying about."

Harry, Ron, and Draco exchanged surprised glances before looking back as Hermione, who had apparently realized she had spoken aloud, flushed.

"Well, it does make you wonder." she said defensively. Then gestured toward the boy next to her. "This is Neville Longbottom, the boy who lost his toad."

Harry and the other's murmured their greetings as the giant man, who they learned was Rubius Hagrid, shooed them into some boats at the edge of a huge lake. Harry waited until all the other students were in the boats before taking the one at the end with Ron, Draco, Hermione, Stephano, and Neville. As soon as they were all situated the boats launched out onto the lake.

As they drifted away from the shore a edgy feeling surrounded Harry. He stiffened and shifted awkwardly, causing Ebony to hiss in concern and his other familiars to look at him in worry. Suddenly there was a sharp hiss and Harry got hit with a face full of fur, causing Kestrel to trill in annoyance at almost getting dislodged from his shoulder. Rowan ignored them as she scurried underneath Harry's cloak, which were over his robes, and attacked herself to his robed chest, much to Ebony's annoyance

"Rowan, what's wrong?" Harry asked as he tried to detach the frightened feline. The other human occupants of the boat looked at him in confusion.

Rowan finally retracted her claws from his chest and allowed him to drag her out of her hiding place. When she was finally out she looked at him with wide violet eyes.

"A hand... out of the water. A hand reached out of the water and tried to grab me! It was white, and slimy looking with black claws and everything! Don't let it get me, please don't let it get me!"

"A hand? Honestly, Rowan, you're going to have to be more creative then that." Stephano said bluntly. Rowan sent him a furious look.

"I'm not kidding! I'm serious, a hand reached toward me! If you don't believe me then jump in the lake yourself!"

Harry glanced at the still black water and shivered. Some how, he believed Rowan.

Stephano, mean while, scoffed, stood up, and strode over to the edge of the boat, looking over the side.

"Harry, can you understand them?" Ron asked suddenly. Harry looked up and sighed. Might as well tell them the truth; they'd probably find out anyway.

"Yeah actually, though I can't understand Kestrel, she usually just sends me pictures if she wants to communicate something. Rowan, Stephano, and Ebony on the other hand I can speak with directly."

"That's amazing." Hermione breathed as she watched Rowan and Stephano. Then she looked back at Harry. "What set Rowan off?"

"Apparently she saw a hand come out of the water and try to grab her."

At that Hermione raised an eyebrow. "That's not surprising, many creatures live in the Great Lake." A splashing sound resounded after those words as Neville yanked his hand, which he had been trailing in the water, out and put it into his lap.

"What kind of creatures-" Ron started before a sharp yelp sounded as Stephano jerked back and fell on his back in the middle of the boat. He was immediately on his feet and growling toward the edge of the boat.

"What did you see?" Harry asked. The canine emitted a louder growl.

"A face." He rumbled glaring at the edge. "A pale white face with empty eye sockets and green sea weed floating around it-"

"Okay!" Rowan yelped and hid back under Harry's cloak. "I don't need to know what the hand was attached to!"

Ron glanced between Harry, Rowan, and the growling Stephano. "I take it he saw something."

"Yeah, a face of a dead person apparently." Harry said. Suddenly a splashing sound could be heard a little ways away from them and they all turned to see something white and slimy, with the upper body of a person and the lower body of a octopus, jump out of the water and look at them with empty holes for eyes before it dropped back under the black murky surface.

Next thing Harry knew they were all huddled in the middle of the boat facing the edges.

"You know, that was not really the first thing I wanted or expected to see on my first night at Hogwarts. I'm going to have nightmares for a week." Draco said staring at the spot where the creature had disappeared. The others nodded in agreement.

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When they had finally reached Hogwart's shore Harry and the others practically jumped from the boat and bolted, as far as they could get without looking out of place, away from the lake.

Following the other first years into the castle in relief, they settled at the back of the group as Hagrid greeted a stern looking woman. She turned toward them with a frown on her face. She then started talking about Houses, points, and families. When she was finished she turned on her heel, told them to wait, and walked through two huge double doors.

"I heard we have to fight a troll to decide our houses." Chase declared to the group. Harry rolled his eyes and felt the other four beside him have similar reactions.

"Really? I thought it was a Dementor." Harry added sarcastically. His new found four friends grinned.

"No one asked you." Chase snapped just as the stern professor came back through the door.

"We're ready for you." she said and lead them through the doors.

In side was a great room with four giant long tables spread out through it and an 'enchanted ceiling' as Hermione quietly pointed out to them. The stern woman led them between the two middle tables to the other side of the room where a huge table lined the wall and stood, seats and all, several feet above the other tables. Harry recognized it as the Head Table due to the teachers sitting behind it.

The first years were led up to a platform in front of the Head Table where a stool with a torn old hat sat. They stood in front of the platform and waited.

Harry, bored, looked around and realized that each of the tables were different colors such as Gryffindor being red and gold and Sytherin being green and silver. He shook his head at their obvious House rivalries and looked up at the Head Table. Relaxing, he let his senses out.

The old man in the middle of the table had white hair and beard and twinkling blue eyes. This was who Harry guessed was the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Feeling the immense power the man held Harry made a mental note to stay away from him; he could tell that the old man was a powerful manipulator and very good at what he did. That and the degree of magic that surrounded the man was so strong Harry almost staggered backwards. Hmm, the man must have magical creature blood in him.

Moving his senses away from the old man before he noticed, Harry focused on the dark aura that surrounded one of the professors. The man was thin, had shoulder length black hair matted in what Harry identified as potion fumes, and shiny black eyes. Extending his senses Harry identified the dark aura; the man was a Vampire, though not a pure blooded one from what he could tell. Probably had vampire blood in him that he had inherited and didn't even know about it.

Glancing away from the vampire and the shaking man beside him Harry saw Remus and Sirius talking quietly with each other. They saw him looking at them and gave small waves, which he automatically returned. Then he noticed his parents.

They were sitting side be side talking ecstatically with each other. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Chase wave and them return it. Sighing he turned back to the stern woman, apparently Professor McGonagall from what he gathered from the other students, who had picked up a hat and a list.

"Now when I call your name you will put the hat on and be sorted into your houses."

"So much for the troll." Ron whispered as the other three chuckled and Hermione sent him a disapproving look.

"Hannah Abbott." at the name a scared looking girl walked up onto the platform and sat on the stool. The teacher lowered the hat onto her head and Harry watched with interest as the girl seemed to be having some kind of mental conversation with it. After a few minutes the hat yelled "HUFFLEPUFF!" and the girl jumped off of the stool and joined the yellow and black clothed house. Professor McGonagall looked back down at the list.

"Hermione Granger."

Hermione looked at them in panic as she walked up on to the platform. They gave her reassuring smiles as she sat down on the stool and the hat was placed on her head.

"RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted. Hermione jumped down from the stool and waved to them as she walked to the Ravenclaw table. Harry smiled and waved back, clapping loudly with the others.

"Draco Malfoy."

Draco looked at them as he walked up and sat on the stool. Though before the hat touched his head it yelled "SLYTHERIN!" and Draco smiled, waved at them, and joined his table.

"Ronald Weasely."

Harry mouthed 'Good luck' to his first friend as he walked over and sat down. After a moment it yelled "GRYFFINDOR!" and sent a smiling Ron to his new table. Harry saw Hermione and surprisingly Draco clapping hard. Turning he grinned encouragingly at Neville, who looked green, and clapped him on the back.

"No matter what house you go to we're all still going to be friends." Harry reassured him. Neville nodded though still looked green.

"Neville Longbottom."

Giving Neville one last pat Harry gently pushed the frightened boy toward the stool. Neville made it there, surprisingly not stumbling once, and sat down.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted after it was placed on his head. Neville gulped and headed toward that table, Harry's, Ron's, Hermione's, and Draco's loud clapping encouraging him.

"Harry Halisio."

Harry looked up at his name and walked over to the stool, sitting on it as the hat was placed on his head. When nothing happened he tilted his head.

"Can you please lower your shields." the hat's voice said, sounding across the hall and making a few people jump. Harry mentally flushed and lowered them, ignoring the curious and shocked looks every one was giving him.

"Ah, that's better. I must say, that has never happened before and was quite a surprise when I slammed into a mental barrier. A very good one at that, you could probably give the Headmaster a run for his money."

Harry mentally snorted. "I wasn't exactly expecting for you to actually enter my mind. Sorry."

"It is quite all right. Now, let's see what we have here. You're brave, yes, but not foolish because of your upbringing. Hum, curious. You've had a difficult life, I see, and... Oh? What is this? Well, I must say Mr. Halisio, or should I say Mr. Potter, the wizarding world is going to be surprised when they find out the truth about that night."

"Yes, but please don't tell them as of yet; I don't believe they are ready."

"Hum, you maybe right about that. Okay, anyways you have plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind either; there's talent and a lot of it. And the urge, though buried, to prove yourself. You're extremely loyal to those you call friends and family, and extremely intelligent since you had to learn all you could to survive in the world you are from. You're cunning and ambitious yet not self- absorbed enough to run from a fight to save yourself. I must say, Mr. Potter, you are my hardest student to place yet! And the fact that you are not biased against any of the houses doesn't help either."

"Just put me into which ever house you feel I will learn the most in and be the happiest in." Harry said. The hat gave a mental nod.

"Well in that case it better be... "SLYTHERIN!" the hat said switching to talking aloud for the last part. Harry gave a slight smile and went over to sit with Draco while waving at Ron, Hermione, and Neville. Hand-fiving Draco he sat down next to his House mate and looked back over at McGonagall as the clapping died down.

"Chase Potter."

Whispers immediately broke out as Chase sauntered over to the stool. After sitting for a few moments he seemed to be arguing with the hat. A glance at the Head Table showed Dumbledore leaning forward. Rolling his eyes at the Headmaster's obvious interest in his 'Golden Boy' Harry picked up his glass and, after automatically checking it for poisons and potions, placed it to his lips to take a drink.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

A stream of water shot back into his cup as he spat it out, choking on the little water that had went down the wrong hole when he had gasped. Seeing Harry coughing Draco slapped him on the back to help him as Harry breathed in a lung full of air. Looking around Harry could tell that he hadn't been the only one to choke; over half the school looked shocked.

Dumbledore and the Potter's looked furious, as did Chase, who yanked the hat off and walked out of the Great Hall. After McGonagall managed to calm the rest of the hall down the sorting continued on, ending with Susan Bones going into Hufflepuff. After the Feast had began Draco burst out laughing.

"Can you believe that? Our worlds supposed 'savior' going into Hufflepuff! Boy, I can't wait to tell my father about this!"

Harry shook his head at his friend and went back to his meal (which he had checked for poison and potions of course). After the feast was over Dumbledore stood up and announced that the Forbidden Forest and the Third Corridor were forbidden to all students who did not want to die a most painful death. Harry shook his head at that.

"And one last thing for tonight! Shae, dellow, betal, shalke! Have a good night!" The Headmaster said making some of the students look at him in confusion.

Draco shook his head. "That man really is crazy." He stated.

"Yeah," Harry thought. "Crazy yet powerful. Why does that seem to be the combination these days?"

"So, you're in Sytherin?" A soft voice asked and Harry and Draco turned to see Ron.

"Phoenixes and Stakes, Ron." Harry said softly. "Phoenixes and Snakes." Ron slowly nodded as Harry and Draco left the Great Hall, leaving him behind to choose.

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I couldn't resist. Really, I couldn't. And no, Draco isn't a asshole in this story. Sorry. I'm doing something weird; Draco and Ron are going to be friends! How strange. Anyway, R&R, please and thank you! (Also, I've decided to make medium sized chapters and post them when even I can. Thanks for your reviews!)