NOTES: Longer chapter as promised. Thank you all so much for the specific reviews, they help more than you know!
Glad you guys liked Remus. We actually know so little about him in the books, so he is a challenge and a joy to write as a three dimensional character. I see him as a calming presence to Sirius's intensity, but I hope to show in later chapters that he isn't controlled to the point of being a Vulcan. ;) As for Houses for Harry, if you've read "Good Intentions" by neutral you know where he will end up. Harry is in for an exciting year and I will keep up with the fairly steady posting, hopefully with no more than several days in between new chapters barring emergencies. Finals are over but work is starting. Sigh.
LaurelRose- Ah! Someone at last caught the chapter title and guessed the correct movie. I love Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, a great old film. Thank you for your comments.
CHAPTER IV: The Houses the Founders Built
Brushing past other students, Harry searched for an empty car and entered. Climbing up on one of the seats he examined the window and pulled it down several inches. Sticking his head out he spied his guardians and waved.
The clock struck the hour and the train whistled and began pulling out of the station. Harry kept waving not bothering to call out goodbye since it couldn't be heard over the sound of the train, but he saw Padfoot and Moony waving back as the station grew farther and farther away.
The noise of the compartment door sliding open startled him and Harry slithered back inside and sat down. A red headed boy stared at him anxiously from the door. "Can I sit in here? All the others are full."
Harry nodded and gestured to the free seat. He had expected to take the ride to Hogwarts alone when he found an empty compartment yet now he had company.
The boy plopped down with a thump. "Thanks. Three of my older brothers are down further, but I don't want to sit with them. I'm Ron by the way," he said sticking out his hand.
Harry shook it. "I'm Harry."
"You're a first year too?" Ron asked.
Harry nodded, trying to keep the surprise off his face. This was the second time someone his own age had just started talking to him out of the blue. Dudley had never spoken to him but to insult him and had made sure that no other children did either. Harry decided he should say something more this time than just answering questions. Recalling his "conversation" in the robe shop he thought frantically for something appropriate to say.
"Are all your family wizards then?"
"Yes, I think so," Ron said. "I think my Mom has an accountant cousin floating around somewhere. We never talk about him."
Ron's family was obviously one of the pureblood families then, but he seemed quite different from the boy in Diagon Alley.
The snack trolley came by and per Padfoot's most serious instructions he bought it out completely, more than happy he had something to share and someone to share it with.
Harry started with the chocolate frogs, pulling apart the box to see who the card was.
"Who'd you get?" Ron asked around a mouthful of pumpkin pasties.
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, pleased, though it was not a card he was missing. He turned it over anyway and read the back before tucking it into his pocket.
"I've got six of him," Ron announced, swallowing.
Suddenly the door to the compartment slid open and a girl their own age already dressed in Hogwarts robes stood there looking official. If Harry didn't know better he'd say she was a Prefect.
"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost his," she said in a bossy tone.
Harry looked at Ron who shrugged. The green eyed boy leaned down and check the floor and in the corners of the compartment.
"No, sorry. Er, have you tried a locator spell?" Harry asked tentatively.
"A locator spell?" she echoed with interest. "I didn't see a locator spell in our course books and I've already memorized them. What is it? Where did you read it?"
Harry backpedaled quickly. It was not a good idea to broadcast that he was already well past first year material. "W-well, I just thought there should be some sort of spell that you could do."
"Oh, I guess I'll continue to look." The girl sighed. "Thank you. I'm Hermione Granger, I'm a first year. I was ever so surprised to get my letter. I'm looking forward to practicing magic in a classroom setting, though I did some spells at home and they all worked for me."
The compartment was silent after that very fast pronouncement; Ron look properly steamrolled; Harry didn't know if he was supposed to say anything at all so he settled for introducing himself.
"I'm Harry, this is Ron. It was very nice to meet you."
That seemed to be the right thing to say. "I'll see you at Hogwarts. Please let me know if you find a toad."
"We will," Harry assured her.
The compartment door slid shut. Ron rolled his eyes. "I hope she's not in my House. She reminds me of Percy, my brother," he added seeing Harry's blank face. "She's practicing for Prefect already."
Both boys settled back in their seats staring out at the scenery and Harry listened in awe as Ron discussed at length his many older siblings. He couldn't imagine having so many siblings, but despite Ron's halfhearted grumblings it sounded wonderful.
Once again the compartment opened, but this time it wasn't the lady with the food trolley or Hermione but another boy with two heavyset bodyguard types flanking him. If they were first years, Harry would be very much surprised. He didn't recognized the two towering boys, but Harry immediately recognized the pale, sharp faced boy from the robe shop. He looked slightly out of breath as if he'd been in a hurry, even though his school robes were unruffled.
He pointed his finger at the black haired boy and announced. "You're Harry Potter!"
Ron who was taking a sip from a bottle of pumpkin juice choked, eyes bulging in shock.
Sighing internally at being found out so soon, worried that the now stunned Ron would start to treat him like a freak, he answered softly. "Yes. I'm Harry Potter."
"Ha! I knew it," the pale boy crowed. "There was this commotion on the platform that you had arrived."
Ron had recovered his breath. "You're Harry Potter? The Harry Potter?" he gasped. "You've got the-the scar and everything, right?"
Harry fidget uncomfortably as Ron leaned forward to stare at his fringe covered forehead as if Harry had become invisible except for the hidden mark.
The boy in the doorway snorted at the redhead's behavior and stepped completely into the compartment leaving his silent behemoth bodyguards outside. "You should have introduced yourself at the robe shop. I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron sat back, halting his inspection of Harry's forehead to stifle a snigger.
Grey eyes rounded on the boy and Malfoy sneered. "Think my name is funny, do you? No need to ask your name. Red hair, Hand me down robes . . . you must be a Weasley." He said the name with such disgust that Ron turned as red as his hair.
Draco Malfoy then returned his attention back to Harry. "They say that you've been out of wizard society for years, hidden in seclusion. Now that you're back you should know that there are some wizarding families that are better than others. I can--" but he broke off as Harry interrupted.
"Last time you said wizard families were somehow better than ones that were muggleborn just because they've been in wizard society longer," Harry remembered, brow furrowing, "and now you're saying that some wizarding families are better than other wizarding families. That doesn't make any more sense than what you said in Madam Malkin's."
Malfoy gaped for a long moment, and then shut his mouth with an audible snap. Whatever response the boy would have finally come up with was lost above the rising noise outside in the corridor. Hermione Granger had run into Draco's entourage.
With a strength of presence that was stronger than most and reminded Harry of Professor McGonagall dealing with a rowdy Padfoot and Moony, she stuck her head into the compartment.
"You two had best get dressed. The conductor said we will be there soon."
"Thanks," Harry said.
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she took in the two seated boys and the third, Draco Malfoy. "Is something going on here?"
"No," Harry responded quickly before the sneer on Malfoy's face no doubt turned into something horribly vocal and insulting. He really didn't need the headache of famous rivalries that were the lifeblood of Padfoot's many Hogwarts stories. "We were just using the opportunity of the train ride to meet some of our year mates. Bertie Bott Bean?" Harry said offering Draco the package, the picture of politeness.
Malfoy took one coolly.
That seemed to placate Hermione. "Very well. You should hurry."
Malfoy watched her go for a moment before turning back, arrogance mostly recovered from his previous shock. "See you at Hogwarts, Potter," he said as he spun around on his heel and exited the compartment.
"You've met Malfoy before?" Ron asked incredulously.
From the corridor Malfoy's voice rose. "Brussels Sprouts! Yergh! Thbptptptptpt! Yuck!"
Fighting down a smile Harry returned his attention to Ron. "Briefly," Harry said cautiously, uncertain how Ron would treat him now that he knew who he was. "I didn't know his name though."
"And he didn't know yours," Ron said smugly as if it were a personal victory. "You're Harry Potter. Why didn't you say anything?"
Harry shrugged, staring out the window. "I didn't think it was important. Just because Voldemort-"
"You said his name!" Ron exclaimed. "I can't believe you of all people said his name!"
The green eyed boy stood. "It's just a name. It's what he calls himself." Wanting to avoid the topic of the Dark Lord, Harry motioned towards the baggage car. "My robes are in back. I'm going to go change."
"Mine too," Ron said, jumping to his feet, balling up their sweet wrappers to toss them out in a dust bin.
Harry headed towards the other car, Ron following behind. As he passed other compartments, other students pressed their faces in the glass to stare, others stuck their heads out and pointed. News had already spread. Fighting the urge to duck his head, Harry hurried towards the back knowing that at least Hedwig would be happy to see him for just being Harry.
They had arrived in the Great Hall after a boat trip across the lake. Harry had greeted Hagrid, happy to see a familiar face. Now in the castle proper lead by Professor McGonagall, Harry could relax. It was safe here; the magic of the wards felt like Moor House but stronger. It was enough for Harry to push aside the images in his mind of the war ravaged castle he had seen a few years ago.
Now he stood along with the other nervous first years. In between the shoulders of his taller classmates he looked at the teachers at the head table trying to see where Professor Dumbledore was.
He caught sight of a purple turbaned head in deep conversation with a black eyed, black clothed scowling man.
For a moment the world slipped sideways. Harry drew a deep breath and forced the vision back. He could not have a dream in the middle of the Great Hall, not if he was to keep as low a profile as possible given his name.
Rubbing his now burning scar absently, he turned his attention to Professor McGonagall.
Padfoot and Moony had told him many things about Hogwarts like the way to the kitchens, the location of key secret passages, and other very clever enchantments around the castle, but they had refused to tell him how students were Sorted into their Houses. Faced with the patched, dilapidated old hat Harry could understand why; Harry wasn't sure he would have believed his teasing and prank loving guardians if they told him a singing hat was responsible for the job.
Professor McGonagall had began reading off names. Hermione Granger was in Gryffindor as was the boy who had lost his toad, Neville Longbottom. Draco Malfoy got his wish and was placed after barely a moment in Slytherin. Then it was his turn.
"Harry Potter," Professor McGonagall announced with a faint smile. Harry took a deep breath and stepped forward. All around the Great Hall voices rose in whispers and gasps. Making his way easily through his year mates, most of whom had turned to stare at him, he saw Professor Dumbledore at the head table now that the taller heads no longer blocked his view. The Headmaster nodded in greeting, and so ignoring the other students Harry took his place on the stool, gripping the sides tightly.
He stared out at the four Houses wondering where he would be in just a few moments. Hundreds of eyes stared back in silence. A slightly sick feeling filled him and Harry fought the urge to fidget. He took a deep breath and turned his attention to the hat in the transfiguration teacher's hand. He looked up through soot black lashes as the shabby thing was placed on his head.
Ah-ha!
Harry nearly fell off the stool as the voice echoed in his head.
It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter.
It is nice to meet you too, Harry thought back deciding being polite would be best. He closed his eyes as he felt the magic of the hat seem to seep into his skull. Unable to curb his curiosity he ventured a question. What are you looking for?
Many things. You certainly are complex, both old and young. You are . . . familiar, the hat said with a note of wonder.
Familiar?
You remind me of another.
Who?
But the hat didn't deign to answer. You have found safety and peace I see.
Thanks to Padfoot. I mean Sirius. Sirius Black and Remus too, Harry explained quickly, most grateful to his guardians.
I remember those two. I remember your parents as well. Your loyalty to them is great. You have done many things to protect them, keep them safe though you are very young. Helga would be proud to have you in her House.
Hufflepuff? Harry opened his eyes and glanced over at the Badger's House, seeing anxious eyes watching him. He shut his quickly. I only did what anyone would do.
No, the hat laughed. You have always done what other could not do, though not what you had to do. Not everyone has your sheer knowledge of spells and magic.
I have good teachers.
But mostly you taught yourself, the hat countered firmly reading the truth in Harry. You never wanted to be vulnerable again, you or those you love. Such dedication to learning is what Rowena prized in her students.
Ravenclaw then, Harry thought quietly.
Hmm . . . such strong magic, so much experience already . . . familiar.
Who? Who do I remind you of?
You aren't the same at first glance, mind you, oh no! Not from my point of view at least. But underneath all the peace and safety you have found, it runs deep, an undercurrent of power that you already know how to hide, how to use to your advantage. Some scars simply cannot heal, the hat said sadly, not even in Hogwarts' magic walls.
Just put me somewhere, Harry pleaded, growing anxious. He didn't like this, didn't like the hat prying into his mind seeing old nightmares, old wounds. Some things Harry had never spoken about, not even to Padfoot. Speaking things aloud made them real.
Possibilities, Mr. Potter, possibilities. Sorting is done only once and Houses are together for more than to perpetuate rivalries, despite what you may have heard. You have no need to prove yourself, you know better than anyone the scope of your potential and your destiny. You already have a place you belong. You have already demonstrated what you are capable of. Bravery on the battlefield, the hat said with surprise, stumbling upon that memory. Not in centuries have a seen students already so experienced in combat magic. Not since the Founding.
Not bravery, there was no bravery on a battlefield. Only pain. Only death. Only green.
Harry cautiously opened one eye. Students in the Great Hall were beginning to get restless. He had been up here even longer than the other boy, Seamus Finnegan, who had taken almost a minute. The Hall that was once silent was beginning to fill with whispers.
"What's taking so long?"
"D'you think it doesn't know where to put him?"
"Maybe he's not a wizard at all, maybe You-Know-Who was a fluke. Maybe he's a squib."
"Maybe he's not Harry Potter at all."
"Will he be kicked out?"
Harry shut his eyes tight. Please, I must belong somewhere.
There's what's in your head, what's written on the skin you can't shed, and there's what's in your heart. Your heart speaks above the rest. It says you're . . .
"GRYFFINDOR!" Harry sighed in relief. He wasn't the only one. Professor McGonagall looked relieved as well. She plucked the hat from his head and shooed him to the cheering House table that was still yelling out that they had gotten the "Famous Harry Potter."
Harry sat in a spare seat while older housemates pounded him on the back and shook his hand, introducing themselves in a flurry of names and faces. Harry wished he could sink beneath the table and hide. They were congratulating him and thanking him and all he wanted to do was tell them that he didn't do anything.
He wanted to say that it was his mother and his father who were the heroes. That Remus deserved to be remembered, that Sirius was a hero, that hundreds of others fought and died when Voldemort rose. But he realized with a sinking feeling as he stared into the eyes of person after person who shook his hand, that they didn't look at him but at his scar visible at the moment amid his tangled hair.
He tried to focus his attention back on the Sorting and clapped when Gryffindor got a new member and was relieved when Ron joined the table. He, at least, wasn't as bad at staring as the others because he got some of it out of system on the train.
"Didn't think you'd make it there, Harry," said Ron. "You sat up there for an awfully long time."
"The longest time in Hogwarts history," Hermione said butting into their conversation. "No one's longer than two minutes; you easily surpassed that. I read it in Hogwarts: A History."
Ron rolled his eyes.
Dumbledore stood and the Hall fell silent except for growling stomachs.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! A few start of term announcements--"
Harry listened to the Headmaster warning all the students away from the Forbidden Forest and the Third Floor Corridor unless they wanted to die.
"And now before we begin the feast, I would like to say a few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweek! Thank you."
Harry laughed under his breath and as food appeared, he filled his plate.
That night, asleep in his new bed that reminded him of his old room filled with reds and golds, the vision rose again and this time Harry could not push it away.
There was something on his head and for a moment he thought it was the Sorting Hat, but the voice in his head was hissed, low, cold.
Harry, it whispered. Harry.
He reached up and his fingers found not the Sorting Hat but a turban like that one a professor at the head table was wearing.
Harry.
Get off, he muttered.
Harry you must transfer Houses. Gryffindor's not for you. Slytherin, Slytherin is where you belong. You are the snake that cannot shed his skin. Slytherin is where you will make your true friends.
The hat tightened around his head and Harry reached for his magic to pry it off, managing it at last.
He threw the turban aside and was very nearly sick when he realized it was not a turban but a severed head rolling, rolling, rolling down the stairs.
Someone started laughing. Harry whirled around to see who. It rose in pitch, and the stone chamber started to flicker out, other places flashing through.
A fallow field.
There was a green light.
A room, a baby's nursery.
Someone was screaming.
The laugh.
"Not Harry! Not Harry! Haaarrryyy!"
Then everything fell away.
Harry woke with a jolt and found morning had come. His heart racing and sweat making his pajamas stick to his chest, Harry sat up. The dream meant something, but it seemed to be a mix of both vision and nightmare. Parts of it were familiar, the green light was a constant in his dreams . . . but the laugh, the laugh was new.
So was the woman's voice.
That was enough to convince Harry that something was going on at Hogwarts even if it wasn't clear what yet. The feeling of necessity had morphed to one of anxious anticipation.
There was danger here. He had to find it before anyone else got hurt. It was his duty to take care of it, especially if it was related to Voldemort.
After all, his duty was the reason he hadn't died ten years ago, the only reason he was still living in the first place.
I was a worried how Ron, Hermonie, and Draco came out. I wanted to focus on some of the things I noticed in the book like how whenever people introduce themselves they mention what their background is. I also especially wanted to skew the Draco and Harry "rivalry" a little. Let me know what you think.
