Once again, this is AU and Draco is good, which may make him a bit OOC.

Part Thirteen

The Sorting of the First Years

Harry examined the wall that stood before him before he glanced at Ron, Fred, George and Percy who were standing at his side. "And we're supposed to run straight through a brick wall," he said disbelievingly.

"It's just an illusion sweetie," Mrs. Weasley said smiling gently." Fred, George and Percy have done it before so just follow them. Percy, why don't you go first?"

The sixth year nodded before he grabbed his stuff and ran toward the wall before disappearing into it, startling Harry. Fred and George went next followed by Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley and Ginny, who had come with them to say goodbye to her brothers.

Harry glanced at Ron. "Well, let's get this over with," he said.

"Yeah let's," Ron agreed and the two of them ran together at the wall before they went through it and found themselves on Platform 9 ¾. The Hogwarts Express train rose up in front of them and Harry smiled.

"Looks like we made it," he said.

"Come on you two, the train is going to be leaving any minute now," Mrs. Weasley called and Harry glanced at Ron before the two of them immediately went over to join her.

After saying their goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Weasely as well as Ginny, the two of them boarded the train. It took Ron and Harry a while to find an empty compartment and when they did, they immediately claimed it by slipping into it. Ron gazed at the landscape as the train began to move.

"Are you nervous?" he asked looking at Harry.

Harry smiled. "The only thing I'm nervous about is how many people are going to be staring, whispering and pointing at me when I arrive," he said. He scowled before adding, "It bloody sucks being famous."

Ron nodded sympathetically as the train continued to move. A moment later, the door slide open and Draco slipped into it before taking a seat beside Harry. "Hi Harry," he greeted him as he placed his stuff down before he glanced at Ron and added, "Weasley," with a slight sneer in his voice.

"Malfoy," Ron retorted with the same sneer in his voice.

Harry sighed.

A few moments past by and, as the snack cart went by and the three of them bought some snacks, Harry found himself observing the chocolate frog card he got; he had already eaten the frog, before it had hopped away.

"Hey, I got Dumbledore…again!" Ron groaned tossing the card down.

Draco smirked. "I got Salazar Slytherin, this one is rare," he said showing the card to both Harry and Ron, the latter of whom scowled and muttered something Harry couldn't catch under his breath.

"Who'd you get?" he asked turning his gaze to Harry.

Harry examined the card. "Nicholas Flamel," he said holding up the card.

"That one's as rare as Salazar Slytherin's," Draco commented.

"Lucky," Ron muttered.

The door slide opened at that moment and a bushy haired girl with brown eyes poked her head into the compartment. "Hey, have you guys seen a toad around here?" she asked.

"Nope," Draco said.

"No sorry," Harry said.

"Oh, well that's too bad. Neville lost his toad," the girl admitted. "I'm Hermione Granger by the way."

"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron said.

"Draco Malfoy," Draco muttered reluctantly.

"I'm Harry Snape," Harry replied.

Hermione's eyes went wide. "I've heard that name. Neville talked about how he read about you in the Daily Prophet, how you survived a You-Know-Who almost ten or so years ago."

Harry groaned. "Please don't treat me like I'm a celebrity. I'm just a normal wizard just like you," he said.

Hermione was silent for a long moment before she nodded in agreement. "Do you mind if I join you?" she asked.

Harry shrugged before glancing at Draco and Ron, the latter shrugged while Draco sneered but didn't protest. "I guess so," Harry replied.

Hermione sat down next to Ron before examining Harry. "I don't really understand who this You-Know-Who is," she admitted honestly.

"You're muggleborn, aren't you?" Ron asked. Harry figured he guessed that because pure bloods and half bloods knew much of what happened ten years ago but muggleborn wizards were clueless.

Hermione nodded.

Draco sneered. "I'm surprised you managed to get into Hogwarts, muggleborn," he said coolly.

Hermione looked a bit surprised by the cold tone in Draco's voice while Harry frowned. "My mother was a muggleborn," he said. "At least that's what Dad says and he said that she was a brilliant witch in both Charms and Potions." He sighed sadly before adding, "I wish I had known her."

Draco glanced at Harry briefly before glancing at Hermione and, as if suddenly realizing something, said, "Well, perhaps you'll be different from other muggleborns who've entered Hogwarts."

Hermione smiled. "I hope so. I was still a bit shocked when I discovered that I was a witch," she admitted.

"I bet you were."

Harry smiled. He wasn't sure what had caused Draco to rethink his words and he had a feeling it was because of what he told Draco about his mother. He glanced toward the window as the landscape continued to flash past before Hermione, who was also examining the window, said, "I think we should get into our robes now. We're almost there."

The three boys agreed and they silently adjourned their robes before waiting as the train pulled to a stop. Harry told them that they had come to a stop at Hogsmeade, a small city that students who were in certain years were allowed to visit on certain days.

"How'd you know that?" Hermione asked curiously as they disembarked off of the train.

"My dad told me," Harry replied.

"Ah."

"All right, yer first years come wi' me," Hagrid called out as he met the train as it came to a stop. Hermione looked at the giant with wide eyes while Draco and Ron, both of whom had met Hagrid at Harry's birthday party, smiled before walking over to join the giant.

Harry glanced at Hermione. "Coming?" he asked the witch.

Hermione nodded before the two of them jogged over to join the giant as he led the way toward the boat that would take them across the lake and to the large castle that rose up in front of them.

"I can't wait to set foot in the castle again," Harry said smiling.

"You've been here before?" Hermione echoed.

"Of course he has, Granger," Draco sneered.

"Draco, there's no need to be like that. She is from Muggle London so she doesn't know the professors at Hogwarts yet," Harry reminded the blond wizard.

Draco frowned before snorting. "I knew that," he said before adding, "Harry, here, is the son of Professor Severus Snape, who teaches Potions here at Hogwarts."

"Ah that makes sense then," Hermione said smiling faintly although Harry knew the sneering tone in Draco's voice had cut her deeply.

Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco sat side by side with each other on the boat as it moved toward the castle and, once he reached the island, they both climbed out of it and followed Hagrid toward the school. Harry found himself pointing out several places he remembered going while he stayed there; the courtyard, the Great Hall, and so many other places.

"Whoa, the stairs are moving," Hermione commented examining the stairs curiously as they walked past them as Professor McGonagall walked over to join them.

Harry smiled. "You should see the ghosts," he said.

Hermione glanced at Harry as if to determine if he was serious or not before she turned her attention toward the Professor as she introduced herself before leading the way onward.

"They're ready for you," McGonagall said a little while later before she led the way into the Great Hall and Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco walked after her along with the others.

"What if we get into separate houses?" Harry asked quietly. "Do you think we can still be friends?"

Draco snorted. "I already know where I'm going," he said.

"I don't know where I'm going. My mum was in Gryffindor but my dad is a Slytherin," Harry admitted.

Hermione frowned. "Can't you be friends with someone outside your own house? It doesn't say anything against that in the rule book."

"I'm sure you've memorized the rule book," Ron muttered causing Hermione to flinch and lower her head. It was obvious she had memorized the rule book and Ron didn't seem to have noticed he had guessed the truth.

The hat that was resting on the stool in front of the four long tables was silent until it twitched and began to sing:

Oh you may not think me 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 folks 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!

"When I call your name, you are to come up here and sit on this stool while I place the sorting hat on your head," McGonagall said after the hat finished singing and she unrolled a large parchment. As she did that, Harry found himself looking toward his father who was sitting at the staff table. Snape nodded slightly at him as McGonagall began to read off the names on the parchment.

"Abbot, Hannah," McGonagall called and a blond girl with brown eyes walked over to the stool before sitting on it. McGonagall then placed the Sorting Hat on Hannah's head but Harry couldn't hear a single thing that was being said. Finally, after a long moment, the Sorting Hat suddenly shouted out, "HUFFLEPUFF!" and Hannah leapt off of the stool before jogging to the Hufflepuff table as the classmates cheered.

McGonagall went back to the parchment. "Bones, Susan," she called and a ginger haired girl jogged over to the stool before sitting on it and the Sorting Hat was placed on her head. The hat was silent for a long moment before it shouted out, "HUFFLEPUFF!" and Susan immediately went over to the Hufflepuff table while cheers came up.

A few others were sorted quickly after that and then McGonagall called, "Granger, Hermione," and Hermione took a deep breath before walking over to the stool.

"She looks nervous," Harry murmured.

Draco snorted. "I don't see why. It's just a hat," he muttered back.

The hat was silent as it was placed on Hermione's head and for a long moment, it did nothing as if it was trying to decide on something. Finally, the hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!" and cheers rose up as Hermione, placing the hat on the stool, stood up before jogging over to the Ravenclaw table.

"Looks like she's among her own kind," Draco sneered.

"I think she's nice," Harry said with a faint shrug.

Draco's reply was cut off by McGonagall calling out, "Longbottom, Neville," and a chubby brown haired boy walked nervously over to the stool.

"That's the boy who lost his toad," Ron commented as the hat was placed on Neville's head.

"I hope he found it," Harry commented wondering what he would do if he lost Hedwig; he had already gotten very much attached to the snowy owl.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted. The Gryffindor table cheered as Neville handed the hat back before leaping off of the stool and walked over to the Gryffindor table.

Draco sneered. "Gryffindors," he muttered

"Malfoy, Draco," McGonagall called.

"Let's see where you get sorted, Malfoy," Ron said before smirking and adding, "I think I'd die of laughter if you got put in Gryffindor."

"Oh shut it Weasley," Draco retorted as he walked over to the stool and climbed onto it as McGonagall placed the hat on his head. For a few moments, the hat was silent as it observed Draco's mind before it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

Draco, grinning and tossing a quick glare at Ron, leapt off of the stool before jogging over to the Slytherin table as cheers echoed throughout the Great Hall.

"Snape, Harry," McGonagall called.

The name of the Boy-Who-Lived caused even the muggleborns to become silent as they gazed at Harry as he slowly walked toward the stool. The air seemed to be filled with tension and apprehension as everyone seemed to hold their breath for Harry's sorting. Everyone knew of who Harry's parents were, those who were muggleborn likely learned it from their fellow pure blood or half blood classmates.

The hat was placed on Harry's head and it came alive before it started to speak within Harry's mind. Ah yes, a lot of indecision I see here. You have many good qualities inside of you, young one, the hat said. Hmmm? You're intelligent and like to learn, Ravenclaw could be for you. You seem to be very loyal but also understanding and forgiving, perhaps Hufflepuff? I can also see ambition and cleverness inside of you, perhaps Slytherin would be a good place to place you. But there is also a certain amount of bravery and certainty within you so perhaps Gryffindor? Hmmm? A tough decision this is. You would do well in any house but which one shall I place you in?

Harry frowned not realizing the hat was just as undecided as he was. Well my mum was a Gryffindor and my dad is a Slytherin, he thought although he forgot that the hat could hear whatever he thought.

Ah yes, Gryffindor and Slytherin blood. Yes, I do recall and I do see that. You would do well in your mother's house just as you would well in your father's house but which shall it be? Hmmm.

I don't care where, just someplace I can learn magic to the best of my ability and make my father proud of me, Harry thought.

Ah yes, you are a survivor, you've had a hard life. Yes, I see where to place you know. It was a tough decision but I have made up my mind, it better be… "SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted out loud.

Scattered cheers sounded as Harry, taking the hat off, handed it to McGonagall before jogging over to the Slytherin table. Draco clapped him on the back and Harry smiled before he glanced at his father who was watching him with a small smile on his face. Snape nodded once in reply before he turned his attention to the stool as others were called to be sorted.

"Congrats Harry," Draco said smiling.

Harry smiled faintly in reply before he turned his gaze to the stool as McGonagall called, "Weasley, Ron," and Ron sat down on the stool. McGonagall placed the hat on Ron's head and for a long moment it was silent, doing exactly what it had done with Harry before it shouted out, "GRYFFINDOR!" and cheers immediately rose up, mostly from the Gryffindor table.

Some people were still gazing at Harry in shock but the shock faded as if they were just remembering who Harry's father was. Harry found himself glancing up as the Slytherins glanced at him before they greeted him and welcomed him to their house.

Dumbledore stood up before making his beginning of the year speech and telling them to avoid the third corridor as well as stay out of the Forbidden Forest but Harry wasn't really listening as he found himself introduced to many of his housemates. There was Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Marcus Flint, Millicent Bulstrode (who preferred to be called Millie) and Daphne Greengrass.

The food appeared moments later and Harry smiled faintly; it would never cease to amaze him as to how the food always appeared like that thanks to the house elves who worked at Hogwarts. He and Draco immediately dug in to the food while their Head of House watched them from the staff table.

Severus shook his head as he remembered the startled looks on Minerva's face; she had been hoping that Harry had taken more of his mother's qualities rather than his father's and that he would be sorted into her house. Minerva, nonetheless, wasn't upset by the sorting, just surprised, and insisted that Harry would become a good wizard in the Slytherin House.

Severus was hoping that this was true; Slytherins were known to carry people who end up becoming Death Eaters or worse Dark Lords, such as Bellatrix Black Lestrange and Tom Riddle. Severus decided that since he wasn't going to serve the dark lord anymore, he may as well start calling him by his name rather than the title 'dark lord'.

He wondered if Lucius was still thinking about what Severus had told him when he first meet Harry. Severus decided not to worry about that; the dinner was over with and he had just finished greeting his first year Slytherins although he was still watching in the shadows to make sure they were getting settled in, especially his son.

Harry had quickly become friends with Draco, not much surprise there, but he also began speaking with Pansy Parkinson, who was the daughter of one of Tom's biggest supporters. Severus hoped that Pansy had enough sense to not follow her parents into the service of Voldemort.

The Slytherin common room was a low-ceilinged dungeon-like room with greenish lamps and chairs. The dungeon extends partway under the lake and the common room had lots of low backed black and dark green leather sofas with buttons, skulls and dark wood cupboards. The atmosphere was quite grand but also spooky and cold, which seemed to define Severus Snape.

Severus shook his head as he disappeared into his office after he greeted his first years as the first years continued to get settled in. Sitting down at his desk, Severus leaned back before closing his eyes briefly; his son was now a first year Slytherin and was now starting on the grand journey that was his seven years at Hogwarts.

Severus opened his obsidian eyes and for a long moment just sat there until he decided he'd go over his lesson plans. About fifteen minutes before curfew, Severus heard a knock on his door. "Enter," he called and the door opened to reveal his son.

Harry walked into the office before closing the door behind him. "Hi dad," he greeted him.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I'd thought you'd be getting to know your housemates," he said.

Harry shrugged. "I wanted to say goodnight, dad," he said in reply.

Severus smirked faintly. "Well good night son," he said. "You'd best get going and I also suggest you start looking at your Potions textbook for when classes begin. Who knows? There may be a pop quiz coming."

Harry's eyes widened. "You would do that? On the first day of classes," he gasped.

Severus chuckled faintly. "Perhaps, now go on, brat, and I'll see you tomorrow morning," he said.

Harry nodded before he turned around and jogged out of the office while Severus, shaking his head, decided he would pull a surprise pop quiz on his joint Gryffindor-Slytherin class on the first day of classes.

A/n what do you think?

Blaze: and that was the sorting

Darth: nice

Severus: yup, yay, Harry's a Slytherin

Harry: you know, in canon, I was supposed to be in Slytherin but I convinced the hat to put me in Gryffindor

Severus: YOU WHAT?

Draco: why?

Harry: you

Draco: what did I do?

Harry: (rolls eyes and sighs)

Voldy: (laughs)

Harry: (scowls, hits Voldy upside the heat with a sledgehammer and stalks off)

Draco: you've really got to stop giving Harry headaches, ol' no nose Voldy

Voldy: (scowls)

Blaze: (laughs) please review and I will post part fourteen as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it'll be anytime soon