Harry and Draco were both excited to start school. Harry was a bit nervous because of Albus. He didn't like the feel of the man. Nicholas had taught him well enough he could shied out the blackness of Albus but it still made him shiver. Nicholas thought it would be easier at school. Harry would be surrounded by the magic of his family which would help. Severus would continue working on legimency with him when he could. He would miss his Uncles, his cats and the paintings. Uncle Moony assured him he would take care of the cats for Harry. He and Regulus were better about cats than Sirius was. He would miss Luna as well who he was reminded would not start school for another year. Harry's shields and false memories were tested again and secured. Luckily he was fluent in French. His grandmother thought he needed to speak two languages. It would seem odd if a child raised in France since he was four didn't speak French still even if fluent in English.

His Uncles were coming to the train station to see him off. Again they had taken a potion to be with him. It wasn't thought odd that his sisters weren't there as Fleur would be at Beauxbautons. Gabrielle was said to be staying with her grandmother while her parents had come.

Harry looked at the train. "Almost time."

Remus saw his nerves. "You will be safe."

Sirius added. "And have fun."

Harry nodded. "I know."

"Remember you can trust Poppy, Filius and Hagrid if you can't get to Severus."

Harry nodded. "And Fawkes."

Remus smiled. "I am sure he will visit."

"Nicholas told the others they can't come visit me at school. It wouldn't be safe."

The Weasleys appeared and Molly smiled. "The boys should be getting on the train."

Ron grumbled. "Just what I need."

One of the twins whispered to Harry. "If he gives you too much trouble, we can lock him in the toilet."

Harry giggled a bit. "Thanks."

Molly hugged Ron. "Remember what the headmaster said, he needs direction."

Arthur reminded his wife. "The boys will find their own way."

Sirius hugged him one last time. "We will expect an owl soon to tell us how it is."

Harry got on the train and went into his compartment where his trunk and owl had been placed. He was somehow not surprised to find Ron was with him. He could see that Ron was not entirely happy with whatever the plan was. His Uncles had warned him to be cautious. The Weasleys were good people but they were close to Albus and they would be easily used at times. Harry wondered how Ron had been convinced to try. He didn't look at all pleased with the prospect. Harry wondered if he could find the twins and take them up on the offer they had made.

They were joined by a portly boy and a girl with bushy hair as the train was leaving the station. Harry wished he could sit with Draco but he couldn't let it be known he knew Draco yet. He turned to the other two and simply hoped they were better company for the ride.

The boy spoke. "I am Neville. Hope you don't mind."

Ron grumbled. "A porker and a beaver, just what I need."

Harry motioned. "Ignore him."

The girl smiled. "You're Harry Potter aren't you? I read about you in the books. I am Hermione."

Harry went red. "Yes."

Ron piped in. "Don't bother, he doesn't remember or so he claims."

Harry looked at him. "If you are going to be so sour you are welcome to sit elsewhere."

Ron stood and went to leave. "Rather sit in the loo."

Hermione went pink. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to….I just didn't know about magic so I have read all the books I could."

Harry smiled. "Muggle born? I haven't spent much time in that world but a bit."

Hermione watched him. "You lived with your relatives?"

Harry shook his head. "I ended up in France with my new family."

Hermione beamed. "France? We spend our summers in Marseilles."

Harry nodded. "Our main home is in Bordeaux."

Neville and Hermione were genuinely friendly and he didn't mind telling them. He of course had to tell them his cover. He one day hoped it would be safe for people to know the truth. When he spoke about his parents he had his Uncles or his grandparents in mind. The paintings part was of course left out as well. When the food trolley came Harry bought some for all of them as he was happy to share.

A red head appeared in the door. "Need help in here kiddo?"

Harry turned to one of the twins. "He didn't last long."

The kid grinned. "Didn't get into trouble already did you?"

Harry shrugged. "Tempted."

The other twin appeared. "Fred by the way and this is George."

Harry knew from Luna. "Harry, and this is Hermione and Neville."

George looked at his twin. "He seems to be hiding."

Harry tossed some chocolate frogs at them. "Here."

Fred smiled. "Thanks. Why?"

Harry had a coy smile. "In case you pass a bathroom when you are on the way."

George smirked. "May like you kid."

Hermione eyed him when they were gone. "Bathroom?"

Harry shrugged. "They offered to help their brother find his way."

Neville and Hermione both laughed when they heard that. Harry and Hermione joined when Neville got out a game of exploding snap. Hermione had to be taught but she soon got into the game. Neville was a bit shy and Hermione was a book worm but they seemed nice enough to him. Harry was so happy when they arrived at the school later. He may have been a bit worried about coming, but he was excited as well.

Hagrid smiled as he motioned. "First years come with me."

Harry felt this odd feeling when the boats approached the school. He had been told how his family was descended from Godric Gryffindor. It was where the powers he and his grandmother inherited were from. He was reminded that didn't mean he would be a lion. His Uncle Siri had been one of the only ones in memory. Most had been Slytherins, but Aunt Andromeda and Tonks had been Hufflepuff. Harry knew his mother had been a Gryffindor as well. Harry wouldn't mind the lions except he knew it would mean he would be stuck with Ron likely for seven years.

Harry shared a look with Draco when they were in the hall. Draco had no doubt that he was going to be a Slytherin. He hoped his cousin would be in Slytherin with him but Draco promised to be friends either way. He wasn't sure how Uncle Paddy would take it if he was a Slytherin.

He watched as the hat started and he watched Hermione go. "Ravenclaw."

Neville stood by him. "She does seem like a book worm."

Harry nodded. "She will be happy."

Neville was pale. "I won't be a Ravenclaw. I'm not smart."

Ron snorted. "Pathetic piggy the hat may just send you home."

Harry assured Neville. "Don't listen to him. Just sour as he has no friends."

Neville smiled. "Thanks."

Harry watched as Neville was called. He went and the hat called. "Hufflepuff."

Ron was relieved. "Good, not stuck with the porker."

Harry looked at the kid. "You could be a Hufflepuff."

"My family are always lions. We're going to be roommates."

Harry hid a groan and thought to himself. 'Not with my luck.'

McGonagall called. "Potter, Harry James."

Harry went up front and was surprised when the hate spoke. "Ah Mr. Potter. Now you are an interesting one."

Harry was surprised. "Interesting?"

"It seems you would do good in any house but the headmaster is quite insistent you be a Gryffindor."

Harry was pale. "I thought you were meant to put us where we belong."

The hat chuckled. "That I am. But it seems you would be good in Gryffindor or Slytherin."

Harry nodded. "I am descended from Godric, but I belong in Slytherin like my family."

The hat agreed. "It seems you have a cunning side to prove. Better be Slytherin."

Harry was relieved when the last part was shouted to the hall. He took off the hat and when and joined his cousin who had a seat open for him. He was relieved that they were in the house. He would have been happy in any house, even Gryffindor, unless he was stuck with Ron. But it would be much easier to be friends with Draco. And to get his extra training from Severus who he knew was his head of house. He was even more relieved when he saw that Ron sure enough joined his brothers in Gryffindor. Neville and Hermione he would still talk to but Ron was a no.

Draco clapped him on the back. "Good you are with us."

Harry smiled. "Definitely."

Blaise said. "Are you as good at flying as Draco says?"

Harry shot his cousin a worried look. "No one…."

Draco laughed. "No worries in this house."

One of the older boys looked. "Good flyer?"

Harry turned his way. "I guess I am."

Draco smirked. "He learned from Viktor Krum."

The kid smiled. "You should come to try outs. Adrian Pucey by the way."

Another reminded him. "Don't have an opening for seeker but could use a reserve."

Harry was a bit unsure but nodded. "I will."

Draco reminded him quietly. "You know most of their parents are friends with my dad and your Uncles."

Blaise added. "We all have your back."

It was one reason that even Sirius would be happy he was in the house. The Slytherins always took care of one another. And Severus was far more hands on and encouraged it. The house often got prejudice because of the war even though it was long over. They stood up for one another. Harry could feel Albus' eyes on him during dinner and he tried to focus on his house. He thought he was going to get away but as he was being lead out, the man came his way. He felt like trying to disappear into the group but he knew it wouldn't work and he would have to see the man.

Albus stopped him. "Harry, I was a bit surprised you are a Slytherin. Your parents weren't."

Harry reminded him. "My parents attended Beauxbautons."

The man sighed. "Your real…your birth parents."

Harry nodded. "Why I am here, to see where they grew up."

"I can look into perhaps resorting you."

Harry tried not to look worried. "My house seems nice."

Severus appeared. "Is there a problem Albus?"

Albus smirked. "Harry and I were just talking."

"Surely he should have gone down with his house. He has class tomorrow."

Marcus came up. "I will take him down professor."

Albus tried to stop him. "We are not…."

Severus cut in. "Thank you Mr. Flint."

Albus turned to Severus. "James Potter's son in your house?"

Severus smirked. "One can hope he will not be such a trouble maker."

Albus went to leave. "Not likely in your house."

Severus stalked out of the hall and was ready to say something but held his tongue. He knew even Albus had those opinions of his house. The war ended before some of his kids were even out of diapers. Most of their families had never been involved with the rare exception. It was younger sons often and most had not had kids. He was relieved that Harry was in his house, it would be easier to keep an eye out for the boy.

Albus grumbled as he took the hat up to the office. "Why couldn't you just put him where I wanted?"

An: So only 4 votes, 2 Slytherin and one for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw a piece.

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