Chapter Three-The Sorting Hat
Minerva eyed the weary, wet first years. She smiled and folded her hands together.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, in a moment you will pass through these doors where you shall be sorted into your houses. Now, your houses will become your family, your triumphs will earn you points and you failures will lose marks. We do not tolerate rule breaking, now please follow me." She said.
The first years slowly walked through the Great Hall, Harry smirked as he watched his two boys looking up at the ceiling above them as they passed between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables. He spotted his son Jamie standing beside one boy and gasped quietly as pain seared through his scar, he looked at the boy again in curiosity. Severus didn't miss his son's actions.
"Harry, Harry what's wrong?" He asked.
"I… I don't know, damn, that hurt," he whispered rubbing the scar. Sighing he straightened slightly as the pain lessened, getting looks from his wife, Albus, Minerva and Caden.
"I'm fine," he mouthed towards them. Dumbledore nodded and slowly rose.
"Welcome, for those of you who have never been here before some simple rules. Mr. Filch asks you remain out of the restricted part of the library. The Forbidden Forest has been named that for a reason, so please stay away from it." He said. He looked at Minerva who nodded and placed the hat on the stool. The first years jumped as the stitching opened and the hat began to sing in a melancholy voice.
"You may not think I'm pretty,
you may simply see a boring hat,
but I assure you I'll eat myself if I
don't place you in the right house.
Thousands of years ago lived four wise
Wizards, each from their own separate
place. Bold Gryffindor from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw from the glen
Sweet Hufflepuff from valley broad,
And Shrewd Slytherin from fen.
Sharing Wishes and dreams they built
this school, unsure how to separate
the students, they made me, and now
I'm left to do the rest. Each had
Different values in which they had to
Teach. In Gryffindor the brave at heart
Dwell, prized highly above the rest.
Hard workers were worth of admission
To Hufflepuff. The cleverest were in
Ravenclaw where they would always
Be the best. Slytherin, the power hungry
And loved those of great ambition.
For I have placed some greats, and
Broke a few, place me tight about
Your ears and let me in, for I can
Places you where your heart lies."
They waited until the hat was done, then Minerva unrolled the parchment and began calling out the names. Harry felt his hand being squeezed by his wife as they looked over and saw the boys standing side by side.
"Cranston, Stephanie," Minerva called. The hat was placed upon her head.
"Ahh, you are a strong one, many things you wish for, one is your mother. You will make a good place in GRYFFINDOR!" the hat yelled. Steffi smiled at Alex and hurried over to sit next to her brother.
"Lupin, Rachel," Minerva called Ginny and Draco's eldest daughter.
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat yelled.
"McCoy, Patrick," the boy didn't even get the hat on his head before…
"SLYERTHIN!"
"Riddle, Fredrick," Minerva said slightly hesitant. Harry's eyes widened as he watched the boy step up.
"Good lord he looks like Tom," Harry whispered. He felt Severus touch his arm gently.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat yelled instantly.
"Snape, Alexander," Alex stepped up towards the stool as he looked at his mother, father and family. Albus smiled at him softly. Sitting down he closed his eyes as the hat slid over his head.
"Ahh, you are a smart one, you would do well in Ravenclaw, but no, that's not your home. Hufflepuff may be to humble. How about Slytherin, yes you are very much like you father. He would have been a Slytherin, but that's not where he belonged after all, and I don't think you do either. GRYFFINDOR!" The hat yelled. Alex relaxed immensely as he looked back at his father who was beaming and clapping. Smiling he made his way over to Steffi and sat down.
"Snape, Jamieson," Jamie slowly walked towards the stool, he wanted to be with his brother, but at the same time part of him knew that wouldn't be where he was placed.
"Yes another Snape, yes, but you are different from you brother aren't you. He has bravery, where you have more of your grandfather. You wish to prove yourself. You could do great things in Gryffindor, but that shall not be your home. SLYTHERIN!" There was silence, even Harry seemed dumbfounded. No one had expected the son of Hermione Granger and Harry Potter to be a Slytherin.
"Sutter, David," a nervous McGonagall continued. Harry watched his son saunter towards the Slytherin table smiling widely.
"Harry, Harry son," Snape whispered.
"He can't be a Slytherin," Harry whispered.
"Why not, you almost were, I am, your brother is."
"Yes, but I'm not, and… he just can't be, dad, what if something happens?" Snape looked at his son.
"Relax, There's a reason he's in Slytherin," Snape said calmingly.
"Weasley, Harold," Minerva called out. A small red headed boy stepped forwards and looked at the stool. Harry watched the son of his best friend. The best friend he and Hermione hadn't seen for thirteen years.
"Yes, another Weasley, but different you are, not a brother, but a son. You hold great promise, and more courage than your father at times. I know where you shall be. GRYFFINDOR!" The hat screamed.
Finally after five more minutes the sorting was finished. Dumbledore rose again and smiled.
"Allow the feast to begin," he spoke. The tables were quickly lined with amazing looking food. Harry stared at his for several minutes.
"Harry eat something," Severus whispered to his son.
"I'm not hungry," he whispered.
"Why, because your son is a Slytherin?" Hermione asked.
"No, I have a horrible headache," He whispered truthfully.
"Harry, why don't you go lay down," Hermione suggested.
"I'd rather stay here, where I can watch my children," he said slightly nerved.
"Harry, are you sure you're all right?" Severus asked.
"Yeah dad, I'm fine," Harry whispered as he watched Jamie talk and laugh with the Slytherins.
~~~~~
Harry sat in front of the fire in he and Hermione's privet chambers. She touched his shoulder, causing him to jump.
"You have visitors," she said lightly. He looked up and saw Alex, Demi and Jason standing in the doorway.
"Hi guys," he whispered. Getting up he smiled and hugged his sister tightly.
"Behaving yourself, my dear sweet sister?" He asked. She was a head shorter than Harry and had beautiful long sandy blond hair.
"Always, just wanted to come by and wish you a goodnight."
"Goodnight sweetheart," he said kissing her cheek. She smiled and waited by the door.
"Hey Jason, where's Jamie?"
"He was busy, sorry Harry," Harry smiled forcefully and gave his baby brother a hug.
"I've got DADA with you tomorrow morning, be ready, we're jumping right in," he said ruffling the boy's hair.
"Yes sir," Jason smiled and hurried off back to his dorm. Alex looked at his father and then hurled himself into his arms.
"Hey, what's this all about?" Harry asked, worried as the boy started to cry softly.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault, I didn't ask him to stay with me on the train," he cried.
"Alex, listen to me, the sorting hat put you both where you BELONG, if you were placed there your meant to be there. Now, you get back up to that common room where you belong, I know for a fact Gryffindors play lots of fun games until midnight usually the first day of school," he said smiling.
"Okay, I love you dad," he said looking at his father. Harry looked into those bright green eyes.
"I love you too sweetheart." He said kissing his son's forehead. Alex hugged his mother tightly around the waist and then headed off with Demi. Hermione came and sat down beside her husband.
"Sometimes, I wonder if you were in the right house or not?" She whispered. He looked at her and raised an eye brow.
"Really, may I ask why, Mrs. Potter?"
"Oh I don't know," she said smiling.
"Yes well, you belong in Ravenclaw so don't even talk to me about improper houses."
"Let's go to sleep," she said kissing his lips.
"Yes, let's." He said smiling as he followed her.
A/N:Thanks guys for all the wonderful reviews, I was blown away, you guys are great guessers! Hope you enjoy the next chapter.