Harry glanced around the great hall nervously. The sorting ceremony had just started and he was unsure of where he would fit. He glanced up at the head table and took in the professors. They were all so unique and nothing like the teachers he had in the past. One in particular stood out among the line of muted or dark robes. The professor wore an open honey yellow robe that faded to black at the hem. A badger pin was settled neatly on the collar. His shiny black trousers were tucked into a pair of bright yellow doc martens. A snug fitting tank top with writing Harry couldn't make out completed the laid back blend of muggle and wizard clothing. Their hair was a bright teal and twisted on top of their head with their wand holding it together. A gentle smile painted their face as they spoke to a woman adorned in a hat covered in constellations.

At that moment pale mint eyes turned and caught his gaze. The professor turned to fully face the front and offered Harry a bright a welcoming smile. Harry blushed and couldn't help but smile back. He teal haired professor tipped their head to him and mouthed something that nearly made the boy tear up.

'Welcome Home'

Harry soon had his name called, drawing his attention away from the head table. The room had gone still, but there were countless whispers. His name was on everyone's lips. He slowly sat on the stool and shifted nervously as the worn old hat was placed on his head.

"Ah, Harry Potter finally at Hogwarts I see. Such a bright mind, but so difficult to place. There's courage in you, but also cunning, loyalty, and a thirst for knowledge."

Harry squeezed his eyes shut. Biting at his lip he nervously begged the hat not to place him in Slythirin, afraid of being near the pompous blonde he met earlier.

"Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness, but I sense you want little to do with all the attention given to you. "

Thoughts of the smiling professor entered his mind. There was a confidence in their posture that Harry wished he could achieve.

"Ah, Noel LeClair, or should I be calling him professor now. I remember sorting him in this chair years ago. You couldn't have chosen a better man to emulate Mr. Potter. I dare say your Loyalty is just as hard earned as his. You are dedicated and despite the misfortunes in life you still wish to smile. Would you like to travel the same path your professor did?"

Harry perked up at the thought. Could he be that way? Could he be so happy and comfortable in his own skin just like that professor? If this hat could give him that he would be beyond grateful.

"I see. Then I will place you in…"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Harry grinned, but it wavered a bit at the silence of the room. He looked at the sea of shocked faces with trepidation. Why was everyone looking at him like that? Did he do something wrong?

A sudden clapping behind him startled him and many out of their frozen states. He looked back at the head table to see the smiling face of Professor LeClair as he applauded Harry's sorting with a wide grin. A plump woman next to him starts clapping as well. The Hufflepuff table follows suit with cheers going all around.

The hat was removed by a disappointed looking McGonagall. Harry quickly hopped down from the stool and moved to join the cheering badgers. Two first year girls patted a seat between them with soft smiles. He wedged his small form between them giving a small smile in return.

"Susan Bones." A girl with auburn hair in a long plat smiled holding out her had.

Harry shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you." He replied shyly.

"I'm Hannah Abbott." The blonde girl on his other side grinned.

"and I'm Megan Jones wicked to meet you." A girl with dark skin and braided buns beamed at him from across the table. "Your eyes are very pretty."

Harry blushed at the girl's blunt words causing the other two to coo over his shy demeanor.

"He's adorable!"

"We have to protect him. That sweet face of his will no doubt attract unsavory types."

"My aunt taught me this spell that can set a perverts bits on fire if they think impure thoughts."

Harry stared at the girls that surrounded him in disbelief and a healthy amount of both fear and hope. They had only known him for a few moments and they already declared him their responsibility. They wanted to be his friends and to protect him. Was this what it was like to have friends?

"Harry, you ok? The food appeared and you haven't moved to put anything on your plate." Susan said breaking Harry out of his thoughts. He glanced around the table in awe before speaking.

"I wouldn't even know where to start." Harry said.

"You're too tiny, not that anything is wrong with that because you're absolutely adorable, but you could use a little meat on your bones." Megan Jones stated putting various foods on his plate.

"We're going to take care of you Harry. We are puffs now and we will always look out for each other." Hannah told him softly patting his back, but frowned when she felt the ridges of his spin through his robes.

"Now let's eat." Susan chirped.

Noel grinned with pride at the boy now seated at the Hufflepuff table.

"Isn't it wonderful tante Pomona. We have Harry Potter in our house." He chirped to his former head of house. "The petit lapin looks so shaken to all the attention."

"Poor dear." Pomona Sprout cooed. "We'll be sure to take very good care of him.

"Absolument." Noel agreed as he watched 3 girls hover over the boy who lived with the intent to mother him.