A/N: Hope this chapter is okay

Albus Dumbledore did not get his wish for a resorting. To make matters worse, he learned the hard way that Ron Weasley did not share the intelligence of his five older brothers. The child was the youngest boy and was coddled only slightly less than his sister. This, along with growing up being told that he would be the best friend of the last living Potter (therefore, having access to the Potter fortunes), ensured that the boy became entitled and a bully. When Dumbledore brought Ron into his office the weekend after the sorting, he had told him what he needed to do. He explained the importance of convincing Harry to request a resorting and stressed that he needed to be subtle about it.

Unfortunately, he should have realized that the idiot boy had no idea what the word subtle meant. He had barged up to Harry as he walked into the Great Hall for breakfast on Monday morning, grabbed his arm, and told him that he HAD to go to Dumbledore's office to get sorted into his proper house.

*flashback*

The lanky red head was surprisingly strong but Harry had been playing football and rugby since he was 5 so even though he was several inches shorter than the other boy, he was able to break his hold. He twisted his arm out of the Gryffindor's grip and stepped back.

"What are you talking about? Who are you?!"

The red head sighed as though he was tired of explaining things, "I'm Ron Weasley. You're Harry Potter. I'm your best friend. Now, come on to the Headmaster's office so you can be moved to where you belong."

Harry raised an eyebrow, reminiscent of his Uncle Severus, "Look Weasley, I'm not sure where you got these ideas from but you're acting kinda crazy. My name is Harry Dursley. My best friend is Draco. I am not going to get resorted because I am already where I belong."

"You're not some stupid 'Puff, Harry. You're a Gryffindor. And you can't be best friends with a Malfoy. He's a slimy snake and probably Death Eater."

Ron made an attempt to grab him again but Harry stepped to the side, causing the taller boy to stumble.

"A slimy snake? A Death Eater? You really are a few a cards short of an Exploding Snap deck. I don't know why you're doing what you're doing but please stay away from me."

Harry continued his way to the Hufflepuff table and took his place between Susan and Hannah, leaving Ron to turn red with anger before storming off to sit with his house.

*end flashback*

From that day, Dumbledore never saw Harry without one of his friends or a housemate with him. Any time the Gryffindor would try to approach, whomever was with him at the time would step between them and glare until Ron would give up and walk off.

The headmaster's Plan B also failed him. He had summoned Severus to his office a week after the incident at breakfast. He hadn't even been able to broach the subject of changing the classes around. When he asked Severus how things were going so far, he expected the usual rant about the house rivalry, instead the younger man went on about how Dumbledore had been correct at never changing the Gryffindor/Slytherin potions classes. The rivalry between the two houses was actually pushing the students to work harder. There were still fights but neither house wanted to fail for fear of the other house being considered "better". Severus had told him that the first, second, and third years cared more about the house rivalry than the upper years but he was sure he could talk to the older students so that they could explain that petty rivalry didn't trump showing up the other house in grades. An exasperated Dumbledore could only sit back and smile as Severus talked, trying not to show his frustrations. Making a change couldn't be forced by him. It was one of the few things all the Head of Houses had to be unanimous on.

After failing twice, the Headmaster was feeling a bit lost. It may be time to figure out how to use Hermione Granger. After talking to Minerva about her meeting the Grangers and seeing the girl's educational records from her Muggle school, he was certain she would be the brightest witch of her age. He had paid her a visit on his own a few weeks after Minerva's. By then, she had already read all her books and it was apparent she held him on a pedestal. He wasn't above manipulating people and she definitely wouldn't be the first student he brought under his wing. He originally thought he could use her to tutor Harry but even this early in the school year, it was obvious Draco Malfoy and Harry would constantly be fighting for the top spot amongst the first years. She wasn't even the top female, barely being beaten out by Susan Bones. He slowly sucked on a lemon drop. No. No. Now wasn't the time to use her yet. He needed to mold her a bit more. Perhaps he could use the Mirror of Erised. He could cast a spell or two and direct the boy to it.

The old man sighed. On top of everything else, it was nearing Halloween. He had waited years for this day. He had word get out regarding the stone being moved to Hogwarts. The moment Voldemort crossed through the school's wards, he knew that his plan to lure him worked. His wards around the third floor corridor had yet to be trigger though, which was making him nervous. Hopefully, given the man's penchant for symbolism, Voldemort would make some type of attempt on the anniversary of the Potter's death.

Thinking of the stone and Voldemort had Albus briefly thinking of the Flamel's. The Obliviate he had cast on them after using the Imperious Curse to get the vault key may have been a little too powerful. He had been distracted by the excitement he felt knowing he nearly had the powerful artifact in his grasp and he lost a bit of control when casting. Now, neither Nicholas nor Perenelle had any knowledge of ever meeting him. It seemed, instead of ridding their memories of his visit, he wiped the last 15 years from their minds. He had realized he had made a mistake after they both passed out. After entering their minds to see the damage he had done, he quickly left their home. He was grateful that he had the foresight to Apparate directly into the manor so that no one would know of his visit.

He sighed again. He probably could have returned at least the memories up to the visit but it seemed pointless now. They had stopped using the stone months before Albus had met them so they wouldn't even miss the thing and they stopped leaving the manor 10 years prior to that. Eventually, once he got everything he wanted, he would consider fixing things.

Harry found it strange that Halloween was celebrated at Hogwarts to ensure Muggle-borns didn't feel awkward or left out but didn't actually celebrate it the way the Muggles did. The Great Hall was decorated and there were a lot more treats but the food wasn't anything special. Trick-or-Treating wouldn't have been an option but dressing up and having a proper party would have been nice. Maybe they could have incorporated it with Samhain traditions also. He didn't understand why making the Muggle-borns feel better about their new world had to come at the expense of the Pure-blood and Half-blood students. All it seemed to do was create a deeper divide between the groups. If he noticed all of this as an 11-year-old, why couldn't the Headmaster and the Professors? He would need to remember to talk to his uncles about it.

Even though he was disappointed with the celebrations, he was grateful for the box of his favorite sweets his da had sent him. He had mentioned that he was missing that little piece of home and Vernon had wasted no time ensuring he had an overflowing package a few days later (along with a note reminding him not to eat it all at once). After finishing his meal, he pulled a Lion bar from his robe pocket but before he could unwrap it, the large doors to the Hall flew open and Professor Quirrell ran in.

"Troll – in the dungeons – thought you ought to know."

The man promptly fell face first onto the floor after his startling announcement.

The professor's all stood and the Headmaster cast a Sonorous upon himself.

"Prefects, please escort the students to the dormitories. The elves will bring food to your common rooms."

Harry froze in fear. The Hufflepuff and Slytherin common rooms were in the dungeons and the Headmaster just wanted them to go there?! He turned to the head table, hoping to catch the attention of Professor Sprout or his uncle. Unlike Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick, they didn't chase after the Headmaster. Before any of the students could leave the Great Hall, Severus cast his own Sonorous.

"Everyone stop. Sit back down. Do not leave this room. We will come and get you after we figure out what is happening and any threat is neutralized."

The students all sat, though loud and angry mumbling came from the Gryffindor table. They all watched Professor Snape speak briefly to the remaining professors before leaving. Harry saw Professor Quirrell sit up and try to follow him but Madam Pomfrey refused to allow it. She fussed over him and when the large doors closed behind Severus, Professor's Sprout and Sinistra proceeded to perform a series of extensive charms on them. Harry noticed how angry Professor Quirrell looked when he was forced to stay but thought nothing more of it when he felt magic flare around the room. It felt as though he was being enveloped in a blanket of calmness and judging by the sighs he heard around him, his classmates felt the same.

It was nearly an hour later when a silver phoenix made its way into the Great Hall and towards the professors. Headmaster Dumbledore's voice was heard by everyone.

"Madam Pomfrey, please come to the Hospital wing as soon as possible. The troll has been taken care of. Please send all the children to the dormitories. All professor's please meet me in my office."

Harry tried not to panic. His uncle was one of the strongest wizards he knew but fear sunk deep into his stomach. He caught Draco's eye and made a hand motion, signaling that he would write. He barely sat on his bed when his "Uncle Sev" journal flashed, letting him know that he had a message.

I'm okay. Get some sleep. I love you.

Harry let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He wrote a quick reply and then grabbed his "Draco Journal".

Did you hear from Uncle Sev too?

Yes. What do you think happened?

I don't know. I guess we will find out tomorrow. You okay?

Yea. Better now that we know he is okay. You?

Same. Gonna go to sleep. Night.

Breakfast the next morning seemed to be a somber affair, especially at the Gryffindor table. Once everyone was settled, the Headmaster stood up.

"I am saddened to have to inform you that one of your fellow classmates, Ms. Hermione Granger, was injured in yesterday's incident. We are unsure why Ms. Granger was in the girl's bathroom at that time so if anyone has any insight, please speak to your Head of House." He clapped his hands, signaling the start of the meal, and then spoke to Professor McGonagall before leaving the Hall.

Harry was eating in silence, deep in his own thoughts, when Susan leaned towards him.

"Will you go up to Professor Sprout with me?"

He looked at her, concern in his green eyes, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "I think I know why Granger was in the bathroom last night."

"Do you want to go now or wait until after we eat?"

Susan thought about it for a moment.

"I'd like to go now." She lifted her head just a bit higher, brown eyes glancing over at the Gryffindor table, "I don't care if anyone knows about it."

Harry took one last gulp of water and stood up, holding his hand out to her as he did so. She smiled at him and took it, whispering quickly in Hannah's ear before she tugged him towards the head table.

Professor Sprout gave them a small smile as they approached.

"Ms. Bones. Mr. Dursley. How can I help you?"

Susan took a deep breath and Harry squeezed her hand.

"Yesterday after lunch I was walking across the courtyard. Ronald Weasley, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnigan were out there. I thought it was just them but as I got closer, I noticed Hermione Granger sitting on the ground. They were saying really cruel things to her. I stepped in and told them that if they didn't stop and apologize, I would tell you. They tried to start in on me but she got up and pushed passed them which distracted them enough for me to leave. Before the Halloween Feast, I heard some Gryffindor girls say that they had seen her crying in the girl's bathroom. I meant to tell you after classes were over but I forgot. I know that isn't a good excuse and I'm sorry."

Susan hung her head. She felt so guilty about not immediately going to an adult and letting them know what happened but she was almost late for potions by that point. Then, by the time she had remembered about the incident, Professor Quirrell had already announced the troll and things had gotten so hectic.

Harry squeezed her hand again and she squeezed back but didn't look up. He could see the tears rolling down her cheeks. He knew her well enough to know that she was blaming herself for what happened to the Granger girl.

"Ms. Bones, please look at me."

Susan lifted her head and quickly wiped her tears with the back of her free hand. Professor Spout smiled at her.

"Ms. Bones, thank you for telling us this. While I do wish you would have informed a professor about what happened immediately, I don't want you to blame yourself for any of this, okay?"

Susan nodded though it was obvious it didn't change her opinion.

"Ms. Bones, could you tell us some of what the boys were saying to her?"

She turned to Professor McGonagall, who had been sitting on the professor's left.

"I – I can't remember it all. I'm certain I heard one of them call her a bucktoothed know-it-all but there were also a few things that I don't feel comfortable repeating. Can you just take the memory, please, ma'am?"

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and gave her a sharp nod, "We will need to get your Aunt's permission first. I will contact her and send for you once we've spoken. Why don't you both head to class."

They thanked the professor's and left the Great Hall. Professor Sprout sat back in her seat and turned to the Deputy Headmistress.

"Do you need me to send the note to Madam Bones?"

"No. I'll send it after talking with Albus."

She excused herself and quickly left.

Severus sat in silence throughout the conversation. He had no doubt that since the incident involved one of Albus' pets, everything would be swept under the rug. Even though Granger's injuries were so severe she would be unlikely to return to finish off her first year, the boys would probably only be given a day or two of detention. He doubted Dumbledore would even face an inquiry about what happened.

He longed for the day when Dumbledore no longer held so much power and influence and prayed to the gods that it happened before it got someone else Severus loved killed.