Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction based on the Harry Potter Universe. All recognizable characters, plots, and settings are the exclusive property of Joanne Kathleen Rowling.

I make no claims to ownership, nor am I making any profit.

Some lines have been taken from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone. I'm not the owner of Harry Potter else Harry would've been way more competent and Sirius would've never died.

Type: Self-Insert OC Fanfic

Pairings- Not decided yet.

Author's Notes: I'll be taking a lot of liberty with some canon knowledge of events, and certain facts have been liberally changed to better facilitate the plot of the story.

Special thanks to AJAvenger01, and Madness Immortality & Magic for being the betas for the chapter.

Also, special thanks to 1Valor1 for his considerate help in verifying the facts for the story along with the members of the entire Valor Book Club Discord Server. Their efforts are highly appreciated.

I also have a Discord Server where I talk more about the story and updates. Feel free to check it out. I also have plans for some more stories, which will be posted there soon. The link for the server is in my profile.

Sortes Qui Facit

by

Ares Alexander Potter

Year1: Rising Powers and Sorcerer Stones

Chapter4:Boarding Trains and Ancient Castles

Room 102

Leaky Cauldron

1st of September

Circa 1991

Ares woke up early in the morning. Taking ample time to get through his morning activities, he double-checked all his baggage to ensure he didn't leave anything behind and then added some books and butterbeer cans in the first compartment of his trunk. A few items here and there, and he was packed.

Ares donned a midnight blue dress-robe he had purchased. He brushed his hair into an acceptable style (he had grown his hair with a potion and had it styled during August) and swapped his glasses with magical contacts, something he immediately started using when Penelope told him about them. No wonder the magicals didn't usually wear glasses.

Belleza had all but declared that she was going to be in his sleeve, not that he minded. After feeding her a treat and watching her eat the prey with morbid fascination, he was ready to go.

Ares picked up his trunk and walked down to an empty Leaky Cauldron. Accepting Tom's offer for a Butterbeer and some fried eggs, he finished his breakfast and got ready to leave. Since he had already paid for the room in advance, he thanked Tom and gave him the key.

"Have fun, lad," Tom happily told him. The barkeeper had a soft spot for the second Potter twin and had kept his secret after the boy admitted to him that he didn't want to be bothered by the public for being the twin of the Boy-Who-Lived. Wizards did love their hyphenated titles after all.

Ares took the floo powder and threw it at the fire and with a cry of the location, arrived at the train station. He could hear Belleza look at the barrier on his right said "Platform Nine and Three-Quarters" on it. There was a red train with a steam engine and a sign above it, announcing that the Hogwarts Express would depart at eleven o'clock. Ares checked his watch. It was ten-thirty and the station was almost deserted. At first, this fact amazed him, however, he realized that the wizards could travel anywhere in the country with apparition or floo network. They could arrive ten minutes before and still catch the train in time.

Ares figured the train had to have enchantments on it. It wouldn't be able to seat more than six hundred students in a train with seven compartments otherwise. Entering the last compartment, he noticed that the train had the same space-extension enchantments as his trunk. He entered the third compartment from the end, stored his trunk, and asked Belleza to get comfortable until he told her to return to him. She coiled on the corner of the seat and started snoozing in the sunlight filtering through the window.

"Tell me if sssomeone isss going to enter the compartment," Ares instructed her.

Since he couldn't lock the compartments, a notice-me-not charm on the door would have to be added. It was not as reliable on objects as it was on people. Still, it would keep most people away unless they were truly desperate to either meet him or there were no empty compartments.

He took out his copy of "Arcane Mysteries: A Guide to Mastering Magicks". Penelope had advised him to read the book to understand the basics of magical theory. She had been a rather informative person to know.

"There's nothing more seductive to the ignored than someone who showers them with attention and values their qualities."

He was sure that she sometimes even forgot that he was just an eleven-year-old kid, from her ramblings of the pompous fool Percy Weasley. But he was polite and helpful to her and made her feel comfortable. Being close to a school prefect would not be without its merits.

Ares turned to the chapter titled Magical Power.

There have always been debates on the value of power when it comes to performing magic. Erebus said that the wizard's magic was inherited through blood. Some thinkers speculate that our soul is what carries our magic. However, the most accepted theory is of Arrhenius the Arrogant, who spoke of a magical core that was responsible for our magical abilities and that a powerful wizard had a bigger core than a mediocre one.

However, in a combat situation, it's not the powerful wizard that wins, it's usually the most knowledgeable and intelligent one. Power's importance is like a blasting curse from a powerful wizard. The powerful would block it, the mediocre's shield will fall apart and the weak will be torn to pieces. But, the intelligent will simply dodge the spell and deflect the debris. How your magic wor-

"Masster, sssomeone's outssside the door," warned his familiar before melting into shadows.

Ares looked up from his book to look at the girl who had entered the compartment. Judging by her looks, he assumed that she was a firstie like him. She had blonde hair, a lean and aristocratic face along with striking icy-blue eyes. Overall, she looked quite pretty and petite.

"Excuse me," she spoke softly. "Can I sit here?"

Ares observed her for a moment and then gave a curt nod. She came in and took a seat opposite him after taking out a first-year Charms textbook. He could tell she was wearing a neutral mask and he wondered what had made her develop such a personality.

"I am Daphne Greengrass." she extended her hand towards him. He took it and placed a small kiss on her hand.

"Enchanté" Ares replied "I'm Ares."

"Just Ares?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Ares nodded. He wanted to avoid unnecessary and annoying questions regarding his brother or himself. It's not as if they wouldn't know about him after the sorting, but he could have his peace until then.

After the initial awkwardness, they started discussing different topics related to Hogwarts, and he found out she was very knowledgeable about the Wizarding World. But then again, she was a pureblood from a rich family. He did, however, learn that Slytherins had private rooms and that Ravenclaw had a library in the common room. Ares didn't mind being a member of either house, as long as he could maintain good relations with Harry. Their conversations kept moving onto different topics as time passed.

The subjects they discussed were interesting, and he felt that he was sitting with a younger version of Penelope. Ares didn't mind conversing with her.

"Have you done any magic?" she asked him. She may have an excellent mask for her age, but he had adorned facades far before her. He could notice the gleam in her eyes, the twitch in her hands, and her barely noticeable excitement as she vibrated with energy.

"I have tried some transfiguration and charms. And the Killing Curse too, apparently," he told her neutrally. The last bit was added to his mind.

"Show me," she practically demanded him. Ares raised a single eyebrow at her words. She flushed in response. Ares smirked and with a flick of his wrist, had his wand in his hand. The yew wand practically vibrating in his hands, begging and whispering to him to use it. He pointed his wand at the empty can of butterbeer and visualized it transforming into a bird, burnt the image into his mind, and intoned.

"Avifors"

The can transfigured into a beautiful bluebird that started flying around the compartment, much to Daphne's amazement. As the bird settled on her outstretched elbow and started gently pecking her, he could see her coldness break into a pleasant smile as she fondly cooed at the beautiful bird. Ares couldn't help but stare at her carefree smile. If he didn't know any better, it was as if she was not allowed to smile at all.

His attention broke when Penelope entered the compartment followed by a chubby redhead with kind brown eyes. Ares looked at Daphne only to find her observing them with her cold mask back in place.

"Greetings, Penny. Glad to see you." Ares greeted her warmly. He could see the curious stares aimed at them by the other two members of the compartment.

She perked up at seeing him. "Hello Ares, mind if we join you?" she answered back warmly.

"Of course, if that is agreeable to you, Miss Greengrass?" Ares turned to her with a questioning look. The person in question looked at him strangely and then gave a nod. The others gave a relieved sigh and settled in the compartment.

"Hi, I'm Susan Bones" the redhead chortled. "Good to see you again Daphne."

"I'm Ares." At her questioning glance, he clarified "Just Ares for now." The redhead nodded and was clever enough to not ask anything further.

Both Susan and Daphne knew each other with the familiarity they were showing. Turning, he saw a troubled expression on Penelope's face. He could sense that she was upset over something.

"Not that I mind your company ladies, but we're midway to Hogwarts and I highly doubt that there would be a lack of space on the train," Ares asked them politely.

"Nothing, just a small incident. Nothing to worry about, Ares," Penelope told him with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"It wasn't nothing, the blondie insulted her in front of all those people" Susan growled. Then she started ranting about how rude and pompous the boy was much to the amazement of the others. Ares himself was surprised that she could fit all that in one breath. She turned red when she saw all of them looking at her with amazement.

"I didn't like that prat at all," Susan murmured.

"Looks like you had the pleasure of meeting Draco Malfoy," she told exasperatedly. Then looking at Penelope "You shouldn't mind what comes from his mouth, he is a stupid prat who's always throwing his father's name. Unfortunately, his father is a powerful lord and holds the minister's ear."

"What did he say, Penny?" Ares questioned.

"Mudblood," came the reply.

Ares growled. Looks like the brat had to be put in his place. This would prove to be a difficult task due to Lucius Malfoy being a Hogwarts Governor and the Minister's right-hand man.

"Listen, Penny, Mudblood," Susan gasped, "is just a slur used by prejudiced fools that think themselves superior due to their blood. You're the smartest witch of your year despite being a muggleborn and a Prefect on top of that."

He lifted her chin, "So keep your head high and look them in the face (not in the eye. Legilimency? Remember.). Blood may matter but your abilities matter more. It's what you achieve rather than what you're born with. Remember that and you'll be fine."

"We'll arrive soon. I'll leave you three to change in the compartment," he added before he took out his school robes and left. Not noticing that he just earned the loyalty of the Ravenclaw Perfect with his words. The others looked at him with appraisal before they closed the door to change into their own school robes.

Finding the nearest bathroom, Ares changed into his school robes, washed his face, and used a breath-freshening charm to clean his mouth. He returned to the compartment to find the two girls pestering the prefect about various tidbits of Hogwarts.

Ares resumed his seat the conversation flowed, with him answering whenever it directed to him.

A voice echoed through the carriages: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way towards the door and out onto a tiny, dark platform. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Ares heard a booming voice: "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"

Ares, Daphne, and Susan followed the moving students, albeit at a much-sedated pace. It seemed that it was a custom of some sorts to use the boats for the first years.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. The three of them occupied a boat and were later joined by a tall, dark boy who Ares introduced himself as Blaise Zabini.

"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then — FORWARD!" And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. Ares snorted at the statement. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle until they reached a kind of underground harbour, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

All four of them exited the boat, albeit a bit more carefully than most. Ares secretly cast a drying charm on the three of them, who looked at him with wonder and gratitude.

Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a stern face and carried herself regally. Her hair was shaped in a bun, and she was peering them from her spectacles.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid. "Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She pulled the door open wide. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts and the ceiling was too high to make out, a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Harry could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right – the rest of the school must already be here — but Professor McGonagall showed the first-years into a small empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

'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 honour. 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."

Ares did a once over and, apparently satisfied with his appearance, hummed in approval. He could see the nervousness in Susan, Daphne, and Blaise.

"Don't worry. The sorting is an easy task. Besides, we can remain, friends, even if we get sorted into different houses. There's no rule against that." he assured them.

All of them followed McGonagall after the ghost had finished terrifying the students. It was amusing, to say the least. He swore that the blonde boy (who he was sure was Malfoy) jumped at least three feet in the air, which was impressive for a five-foot brat. Passing another set of double doors, they arrived at the Great Hall.

It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight.

The sorting started after the hat sang a stupid song that in Ares' opinion was an insult to sound and music. Still, the lyrics weren't terrible.

(And the author is so lazy that he can't copy-paste a song)

The sorting started. Ares didn't mind since he already knew wherever they all would be sorted. He did notice that the order of sorting was completely random. He assumed that it might have been based on when they responded to the letter.

"Greengrass, Daphne!" called McGonagall. After a few minutes, the hat announced 'SLYTHERIN!' much to her relief.

Blaise also followed her to the Snake house, whereas Susan became a Hufflepuff. The rest of the sorting was not that significant. He did try to match the names and faces of his classmates. Only ten people were left to be sorted.

"Potter, Harry!" called McGonagall. He saw his brother walking towards the hat amidst the whispers of conversation all over the castle. He could hear words such as 'Potter, did she say?' and 'THE Harry Potter?'

After a few minutes of silence, the hat announced 'GRYFFINDOR!' to Ares' relief. The BWL in Slytherin would've created a disaster he wasn't sure he could comprehend, much less handle.

"Potter, Ares!" The person in question walked towards the stool among a cacophony of noises, the most prominent ones being that they didn't know that 'Harry Potter had a twin'. Well, it's not as if Harry himself knew about him before a few months ago. He sat down and put the ragged hat on his head. It was so big that it rested on his nose.

"Bloody hell." The hat swore in his head."I haven't sorted an adult before, and that too from where I'm in a storybook. Very interesting indeed."

"What's your name?" Ares questioned.

"You're a strange person Mr Potter." the hat told him.

"Says a ragged speaking hat who sorts children while looking in their minds," he informed it.

"Fair point! I'm Alastair. What you attempt to do, however, will require you to be extremely proficient in the Mind Arts. I see you have rudimentary defences, and they'll be able to hold a curious probe. Let's see, you are hard-working when you require it and loyal to a select few. You work from shadows then focus on outright conflict unless it's necessary. Not that you aren't brave of course. Knowledge is only a means to power for you. Ah, there lies the ambition. My, my, and a parselmouth to boot, Salazar would kill for you to have in his house. And look at that cunning, simply marvelous. I am curious about what you would achieve.

The hat suddenly became silent. Then it started cursing a storm that would've made a sailor envious.

"Wow, who knew that the Goddess of Death was so hot? Somebody may kill me, so I could join her in the afterlife. Oh, fairies and fair maidens! Come and reap my soul."

The hat didn't stop for another fifty agonizing seconds. They felt like an eternity to him.

"Sort me right now you damn infernal piece of rotten crap before I burn you down." Ares threatened the hat.

"AH! Yes, You should come to talk to me sometimes." the hat demanded him, completely dismissing the threat."The old coot's office is boring and lame and all that exists is his damn twinkle and his burnt fire chicken. Perhaps I'll call her KFC? Yes, fried chicken sounds much better."

"Anyway, better be... SLYTHERIN!"

The whole hall went silent. He took out his hat and looked at Professor McGonagall only to find her gaping at him. He looked at Susan to find her looking at him… was it sadness in her eyes?

He turned to see his brother looking at him with curiosity and hunger. Nodding to him, he walked towards the Slytherin table and seated himself between Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott.

Ares could feel the glare of the Slytherin upper years. Well, he doubted that they would actively harm him, although he was sure that he'd become a pariah in the house before the night ended. Fools! Their actions were so predictable. And they were supposed to be cunning and ambitious. They looked more like the house of bigots and dark wizards.

Well, it could prove to be both effective and detrimental to his plans. Being a pariah would grant him sympathy from the school and other students whereas not being one would garner him equality in the Slytherin hierarchy, which was clearly defined and visible as soon as he looked at the table. Well, if push came to shove, he could always reveal his Parselmouth ability. That would boost him to the upper echelons at the very least. Although he wished to prevent that.

Musing in his thoughts, Ares observed the rest of the sorting with a disinterested look. Afterwards, Dumbledore gave a short speech.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"

The feast started. All the house tables broke into murmured conversations. The Slytherin table, on the other hand, was relatively quiet with a few conversations going on. Selecting some food, he filled. his plate and started eating.

"So, a Potter, huh?" drawled Malfoy. "How come a half-blood like you got sorted into Slytherin?"

Ares could see the sudden interests in the eyes of the nearby students of the table. So they were watching him.

"I don't recall a rule in the Hogwarts Charter that Potters cannot be sorted into the house of Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy," he casually commented while picking up another serving of the rather delicious treacle tart.

Malfoy visibly stiffened. Ares could see the amusement in the eyes of his friends. Blaise hid his snort by covering it as a cough. Well, it was fun to play with pompous brats. All you had to do was stroke their ego and then break it entirely.

"The standard of Hogwarts really has fallen, if people like you are being sorted into the house of Slytherin, Potter," Malfoy said with a cruel smirk.

Their little back and forth had attracted the attention of almost the entire table, though some were trying to avoid looking too obvious. Well, he would provide them with a wonderful show.

"Isn't Father your father on the Hogwarts Board of Governors, Malfoy? I recall reading the name of Lucius Malfoy in the Hogwarts Governor list." Ares asked him in a genuinely curious tone, not even looking a bit bothered by the rather apparent insult. Bait.

He saw an older student with Raven hair with blue eyes and a prefect badge pinned on her chest smirk at him. Looks like she had realized that Malfoy had lost before he even started. Well, it was quite smart of her.

"Yes. He's my father. He's not only the governor but also the Lord Malfoy." Malfoy told him pompously, puffing his chest out and channeling all the arrogance he could, which wasn't much as a tiny first year.

Hook. Ares silently smirked to himself.

"Perhaps you should inform daddy dearest about your dilemma, Draco. I'm sure that he'd find a solution for you." Ares replied.

Everyone around the table burst into laughter. He could see Daphne's lips twitching. Zabini was openly laughing as was Nott. Bulstrode, Crabbe, and Goyle were openly glaring at him with hostility.

"Don't you dare insult Draco, As if an orphan like you would know anything about parents, Potter?" Parkinson snarled, coming to Malfoy's aid.

"My parents were the heroes that ended the war, Parkinson. More than half of the Wizarding world owes their lives to them. And that includes your weak-willed father who was a victim of the Imperius despite being the Lord of an Ancient House." Ares mocked her.

"My father is not weak-willed, Potter." Pansy Parkinson glared at him intimidatingly, or as fearsome as a pug could look.

"Are you implying that your father willingly supported the Dark Lord, Parkinson? That's not a very Slytherin thing to say in public." Ares chastised her.

"Do you not blame the Dark Lord for the demise of your parents?" The same raven-haired prefect asked him in a sweet voice of hers. It may be posed as an innocent question, but Ares knew better than to take it as such. The answer to it could make his stay peaceful or very painful for the next seven years. However, before he could answer the question, the food started disappearing. Ares took the last remaining swig of the pumpkin juice.

At last, the desserts disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent as everyone snapped their attention towards him.

"Ahem - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that too." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." Most students laughed, but Ares could see that several Slytherins and a couple of Ravenclaws had realized Dumbledore was telling the truth. "Now, off you trot to bed." Dumbledore sat back down, and there was a rumble as benches scraped along the floor and everyone stood up.

"First-year students, follow me." the Slytherin prefect commanded. All the first year filed out in a line, listening to the prefects tell them about the landmarks on the way. They also explained different corridors and shortcuts to hide or reach there faster. Since the rest of the Slytherins had already passed ahead, they followed at a more relaxed pace.

The group reached a rather plain-looking wall with a portrait of a serpent.

"All warfare is based on deception. Slytherin chose an entrance that would be easily overlooked as no one would expect him to not be grandiose and luxurious. Well, there's no doubt on the founder's abilities, but is it applicable to the students?"

"This is the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room. The password is 'Purity' You're not allowed to share the password with any other student except a Slytherin. If you forgot the password, you can ask a prefect or another student for the password. The password updates on the first of every month. It is posted on the Slytherin common board inside the common room." The Prefect explained before adopting a cruel smile, "If you forget the password, you will be remaining outside the common room until someone lets you in."

"Purity."

With the single word, the entrance opened to reveal the Slytherin Common Room. Well, he could deal with whatever they could throw at him.

He was aware of the dangers they could pose. Yet, he possessed a snake of his own, shifting in his sleeves and ready to defend him should the need arise. With that thought in his mind, Ares entered the lair of the serpents.

So, another chapter. I appreciate all your positive feedback and your patient support. I will strive to improve my writing even further and hope to bring you more fun and interesting chapters for this story. Join my Discord Server if you wish to communicate with me or know about the SQF world.

Note: My second story, Dulce Periculum, has been added to my current works. It's a Hellatrix story that I hope you might enjoy if you're into that rare pairing. Don't forget to check it out.

I wish my beta Calamity a speedy recovery and hope he's back to his full health as soon as he can. My sincere compliments to my beta team for an exceptional job and for dedicating their time to beta two stories.

Madness Immortality and Magic has been an exceptional beta and I can't thank her enough for her work in this chapter.

Yours sincerely,

With love,

Ares Alexander Peverell.

Comment Replies

Ch10m4- The shop was Baron's Beasthouse. It specialized in rarer species of Magical creatures. It was not a general all-purpose shop like Eyelops Owl Emporium in canon.

TehStorm- They will have a brotherly relation and I won't be bashing any characters. Make them hated yes, but my OC is mentally 17. It would be easy for him to consider them as an annoyance. Though I believe that they will survive the relationship with a few highs and lows. And no, this is no WBWL story or Super!OC or Super!Harry story. The OC will be a bit OP in the starting arcs due to his mental age giving him an advantage over others.

TupanHD- You're welcome. The updates won't stop. For more advanced updates, please join my Discord.

NazgulBelserion- Haha. Thanks for the awesome and motivating comment. It really motivated me to give my best.

Pewz- I'mglad you liked it :)