The Difference One Choice Makes
1st September 1991
Later that night…
Harry who was walking next to Ron and Neville followed Professor Mcgonagall now dressed in her usual green dress like robes and black hat holding onto a rolled-up parchment scroll as she led all of the first years up between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff House tables in the Great Hall towards where the Sorting Hat and stool stood proudly in front of the long high table where all of the Hogwarts staff were seated.
Sat at the large throne-like chair in the centre of the table was the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw House Filius Flitwick, Herbology Professor and Head of Hufflepuff House Pomona Sprout, DADA Professor Jeremiah Keaton, Gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid, Professor Snape now dressed in his billowing black teaching robes, Astronomy Professor Aurora Sinistra, Arithmancy Professor Septima Vector, Ancient Runes Professor Bathsheba Babbling, Muggle Studies Professor Charity Burbage, Healer Madam Poppy Pomfrey, Divination Professor Sybill Trelawney and Care Of Magical Creatures Professor Silvanus Kettleburn as well as two empty seats one of whom was for Professor Mcgonagall while the other was for the Caretaker Argus Filch.
As Professor Mcgonagall gave her usual small speech about how each student will be sorted with the Sorting Hat when their name is called Professor Dumbledore silently thanked magic itself for the fact that as of a year ago, Voldemort had been defeated for good.
After viewing the memory belonging to Horace Slughorn which contained his Horcrux conversation with Tom Riddle, Dumbledore, Elphias Doge, Mad-Eye Moody and Severus had set out to find and destroy all of the Horcruxes Voldemort had made.
Though it had taken them four years most of which were studying Tom Riddle's past and both his Father's muggle family and his Mother's Gaunt Family ancestry trying to find any information pertaining to possible Horcruxes.
In total they had found five Horcruxes that had been made by the Dark Lord which were the Gaunt Family ring (actually the Resurrection Stone Deathly Hallow in disguise) in the old Gaunt Cottage, Helga Hufflepuff's locket in Bellatrix Black's personal vault which they only gained access too via a meeting with Lord Arcturus Black who obliged after hearing their reasons for wanting access to one of the Black Family vaults. By coincidence, they also found Salazar Slytherin's locket which had been turned into a Horcrux at Twelve Grimmauld Place of all places.
It was only after they got the truth out of the Black Family House Elf Kreacher did they finally learn the truth of how he gained possession of the Horcrux thanks to Regulus Black who by the time he died in 1977 had become aware that Voldemort had made Horcruxes.
To the utter shock of Sirius and his Parents. Regulus and Kreacher had gone to the cave in Dover where Voldemort had hidden Salazar Slytherin's locket with Regulus poisoning himself in order to retrieve it.
Knowing his death was close Regulus made Kreacher promise to destroy it before he was pulled underwater by the Inferi guarding the Horcrux while Kreacher made his escape. The crying Kreacher finished his story by lamenting how he had failed Regulus by failing to destroy the Horcrux.
With three Horcruxes in their possession and still trying to figure out how to destroy them they were sure that Voldemort had more Horcruxes out there and focused all of their efforts on finding any remaining Horcruxes.
After searching through his own memories Dumbledore remembered a diary that Tom Riddle had always kept with him during his time at Hogwarts and correctly deduced that it was a Horcrux. Visiting some of the Death Eaters imprisoned in Azkaban, Dumbledore used Legilimency on them to discover not only where the diary was, but that Voldemort might have hidden another one of his Horcruxes in Hogwarts itself on the same night he returned seeking the DADA job.
The diary was in the possession of Lucius Malfoy who was arrested for possession of the Horcrux when Dumbledore and Mad-Eye made an impromptu visit to Malfoy Manor to retrieve it. Unfortunately, Lucius was able to secure his freedom once again by bribing several Members of the Wizerngamot as well as the Minister For Magic Cornelius Fudge with further insinuations that he was under the influence of the Imperious Curse.
While Dumbledore and Mad-Eye retrieved the diary from Malfoy Manor Severus, Elphias Doge and Professor Mcgonagall managed to locate another Horcrux in the Room Of Requirement shockingly finding it to be Rowena Ravenclaw's Lost Diadem which had been missing for nearly a thousand years.
Gathering all of the Horcruxes together Mad-Eye managed to destroy them all using the Killing Curse which purged each essence of Voldemort's soul with each Horcrux destroyed.
Wanting to discover if Voldemort had indeed made six or even seven Horcruxes, Dumbledore and Mad-Eye Moody paid another visit to some of the Death Eaters in Azkaban only to discover that the Dark Marks on their arms had completely disappeared with only cursed black burns remaining where they once were.
This only confirmed to them what they had been waiting twelve years to hear. Voldemort was finally gone and had been since they destroyed the last of his Horcruxes in April 1990.
Snapping himself out of his thoughts Dumbledore returned his attention to the Sorting Ceremony as "Abbott, Hannah" and "Bones, Susan" were both sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Black, Jennifer!" Professor Mcgonagall called out as she read from her parchment scroll in one hand with the Sorting Hat in the other hand.
Jennifer composed herself and made her way over to the stool taking her seat before the Sorting Hat was placed on her head feeling it probe her mind.
"Ah you have a great thirst for knowledge, but I sense ambition to prove yourself in your young mind as well… but there can only be one choice" said the Sorting Hat in her head.
"RAVENCLAW!" called out the Hat.
As the Ravenclaw table erupted in cheers along with students from the other tables as well as Harry, Jennifer waited for Professor Mcgonagall to remove the Hat from her head before making her way over to the Ravenclaw table to take her seat.
Boot, Terry and Brocklehurst, Mandy joined Jennifer in Ravenclaw while Brown, Lavender was the first to be sorted into Gryffindor followed by Bullstrode, Millicent who was sorted into Slytherin. Clearwater, Matthew also went to Ravenclaw before Coote, Francis went to Hufflepuff and Corner, Michael was sorted into Ravenclaw.
Crabbe, Vincent and Davis, Tracey were sorted into Slytherin while Davies, Dylan and Desford, Talbot went to Ravenclaw with Farley, Jeanette went to Slytherin. Finch-Fletchley, Justin was sorted into Hufflepuff before Finnegan, Seamus became the second person sorted into Gryffindor and Goldstein, Anthony was sorted into Ravenclaw. Goyle, Gregory was sorted into Slytherin before Granger, Hermione was sorted into Gryffindor after a two-minute sorting with the surnames beginning with the letter "G" ending when Greengrass, Daphne was sorted into Slytherin.
Hopkins, Wayne and Jones, Megan were sorted into Hufflepuff while Karasu, Melissa went into Ravenclaw followed by Lee, Mason and Lestrange, Felix who were quickly sorted into Slytherin. Li, Su went next being sorted into Ravenclaw before Neville took nearly three minutes to be sorted into Gryffindor with Harry applauding his childhood friend.
Macmillan, Ernie went next being sorted into Hufflepuff after a quick sorting before a comment from Ron as Malfoy, Lucan was sorted into Slytherin before the hat touched his head served to confirm Harry's suspicions about Ron from earlier.
"My Mum says there isn't one witch or wizard from Slytherin who didn't go bad in the end" said Ron as a smug Lucan Malfoy made his way over to the Slytherin table.
Though feeling slightly insulted at the fact that Ron was openly being prejudiced against Slytherins even after Harry had told him that his Brother Edward and Mother Narcissa were both sorted into Slytherin, Harry chose to remain quiet for now as Morrison, Ellen was sorted into Gryffindor.
Nott, Theodore and Parkinson, Pansy both went into Slytherin next before a pair of twin sisters were called up to be sorted with Patil, Padma going to Ravenclaw while Patil, Parvati went to Gryffindor. and Perks, Sally-Anne was sorted into Hufflepuff before finally.
"Potter, Harrison!" called out Professor Mcgonagall.
Harry composed himself and made his way up to the stool taking his seat where the Sorting Hat was placed on his head.
"Ah yes, young Mr Potter, born to a Father who thrived in Gryffindor and a Mother who did the same in Slytherin, so where do we put you, with your Brother in Slytherin, or will you follow in the footsteps of your Father?" said the Sorting Hat in his head.
Harry closed his eyes for a moment mentally giving his answer hoping the Sorting Hat would take it into account.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the Hat as said table erupted into cheers.
Glancing across the hall Harry sent a small smile at Edward and Cassiopeia who were on their feet applauding his Sorting despite the few glares of disapproval coming from most of the Slytherin table.
Professor Mcgonagall removed the hat from his head and congratulated him before he made his way over to the Gryffindor table taking a seat on the bench next to Neville who congratulated him.
Once Sloper, Joshua had followed Harry into Gryffindor Hermione felt a wave of disappointment wash over her as her new friends Eileen and Rose Snape went into Slytherin and Ravenclaw respectively feeling that it would affect their friendship with her in a negative way.
Spinnet, Janet became the latest new Gryffindor before Stebbins, Danielle was sorted into Hufflepuff and Thomas, Dean was sorted into Gryffindor followed by Turpin, Lisa who was sorted into Ravenclaw. Ron was sorted into Gryffindor making his way over to the table and sitting down in the empty seat next to Harry as Wenlock, Amy joined Hufflepuff with Zabini, Blaise finishing off the Sorting as he was sorted into Slytherin.
Once the Caretaker Argus Filch had removed the Sorting Hat and stool from the Great Hall Dumbledore got to his feet.
"To our new students, welcome to Hogwarts, to our returning students, welcome back… now I have a few words to say before we start our illustrious feast… Nitwitt, Blubber, Oddment, and Tweak!" said Dumbledore.
As he finished his small speech food of all shapes and sizes appeared on the tables ranging from pies and pasties, chips, potatoes and wedges, steaks, chicken wings and thighs, large bowls of vegetables and flagons of gravy with large Yorkshire puddings and flagons of pumpkin juice and water.
Harry helped himself to some of the steak pie, potatoes, broccoli, carrots and peas along with a small amount of gravy with a goblet of pumpkin juice to complete his meal.
However, as he bit into his pie he found himself wishing Ron had sat somewhere else as the two chicken wings he was eating dropped crumbs very close to his plate.
Turning to Ron, Harry cleared his throat slightly.
"Ron" said Harry quietly.
Ron ceased eating and turned to Harry.
"Can you try and be more careful… your getting crumbs very close to my food?" said Harry politely.
Ron swallowed the mouthful of chicken and apologised.
Harry nodded his head before turning to Neville who was taking a drink from his own pumpkin juice.
"What classes are you looking forward to Nev?" said Harry.
Neville turned to him as he cut into a piece of his breaded chicken steak.
"Herbology and Charms mostly, Dad tells me I spend too much time in the greenhouse at home though" said Neville before popping a piece of chicken in his mouth.
Harry nodded knowing of Neville's great fascination with Herbology.
"Given how good my Dad was at Transfiguration, I think he's hoping I inherited his natural talent for it" said Harry.
"I would say I can't wait for Flying Class… but Fred and George told me the brooms you get to use are ancient, so I doubt it would be too fun" said Ron interjecting himself into the conversation.
Harry and Neville turned to him.
"My Brothers, Fred and George, they're both in their Third Year and play as Beaters on the House Team" said Ron thankfully using his knife and fork and using some proper eating habits now.
Deciding to include Ron in their conversation Neville asked him what other subjects he was actually looking forward to getting a reply of how he was not really thinking about the other subjects.
The feast, which included a large variety of deserts carried on for the next hour before Dumbledore stood up giving another speech about the general rules of, no magic in the corridors, no entering the Forbidden Forest, how First Years were not permitted to play for their House Quidditch Teams as well as a list of prohibited items most of which were joke products which could be found on the door of Filch's office.
After his speech, he called for the Fifth Year Prefects to lead the First Years up to their dormitories.
The 16-year-old red-headed Percy Weasley and 16 year old blonde haired Allison Toole who were the assigned Fifth Year Prefects for Gryffindor stood up and called for the First Years to follow them.
Harry and Neville walked together followed by Ron as they followed Percy Weasley and Allison Toole out of the Great Hall and up one of the many moving staircases leading up to Gryffindor Tower.
After several minutes of walking, they finally reached the Fat Lady portrait concealing the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Password" said the Fat Lady.
"Caput Draconis" said Percy clearly.
The Fat Lady gave him a slight curtsy before the portrait door slowly opened granting them entrance into the Gryffindor Common Room.
Walking through the entrance they arrived in the large Common Room.
A large roaring fire and multiple chandeliers provided light and warmth to the room with red drapes and curtains covering the windows with red rugs and patterned carpets covering the floor. On top of this, there were multiple red armchairs and settees around the fireplace with several tables and chairs in one corner of the common room for students to use when doing their homework and studying.
"Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room" said Percy Weasley.
"Boys dormitories are up the stairs on your left, girls the same on your right, you'll find all of your belongings have already been brought up to your rooms" said Allison Toole.
"Curfew is one hour, though you are just required to be back in the Common Room after curfew I suggest you all get some sleep since classes will be starting tomorrow" said Percy Weasley.
He and Allison Toole then left the First Years to explore the Common Room as some of the older years started to arrive back in the Common Room in small groups.
Harry, Neville and Ron made their way over to one of the tables introducing themselves to the other First Year Boys, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas and Joshua Sloper who were listening to the Muggleborn Dean Thomas who was telling them some of the rules of the Muggle sport of Football and his favourite team West Ham United though Neville and Ron struggled to understand any of it.
The six boys spent the next hour talking before one of the Sixth Year Prefects advised them to go up to their dormitories since classes would be starting tomorrow.
Meanwhile…
As Hermione made her way into the dormitory she saw that her fellow female year mates Lavander Brown, Ellen Morrison, Parvati Patil and Janet Spinnet were already ready for bed and talking amongst themselves.
The dormitories were circular in shape with five single four poster beds surrounding a magical wood burning heater connected to the ceiling with a single pipe while there was another doorway opposite the dormitory door that led to a private bathroom.
She opened her trunk and took out her pyjamas, toothbrush and toothpaste making her way into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
When she emerged from the bathroom five minutes later and got into her bed she heard Janet Spinnet address her.
"It's Hermione isn't it?" said the short blonde haired Janet.
Hermione sat up in her bed looking at her feeling slightly nervous as all of the girls were looking at her.
The reason for her nerves was the fact that growing up, she had struggled to make friends with other children her age who disliked her bookish attitude and mild thirst for knowledge while some even bullied her for it.
"Yes" said Hermione nervously.
"Tell us about yourself Hermione" said the long black haired Indian descent Parvati with a kind tone.
Hermione felt her nerves ease slightly as she started to open up to her year mates.
By the time she went to sleep that night, Hermione felt as though she had at least made a few friends but a small part of her could not help but feel a small sense of dread that what happened with the children in her old school would happen again with time.
2nd September 1991
"Your timetables Mr Potter… Mr Longbottom… Mr Weasley" said Professor Mcgonagall handing each of their boys their timetables in turn.
Harry took a bite of his toast and strawberry jam before looking down at his timetable to see what lesson he had first.
"Your first lesson is with me Mr Potter, classroom 1B… don't be late" said Professor Mcgonagall in a soft voice that turned into a stern one when she saw him looking down at his timetable.
Harry and the others nodded before Professor Mcgonagall carried on walking down the table handing out timetables to the rest of the Gryffindor's.
Once they had finished their breakfast Harry, Ron and Neville joined the rest of the Gryffindor First Years in leaving the Great Hall heading to their Transfiguration class.
Not long after leaving the Great Hall Harry and Neville heard Ron scowl.
Turning to face him they saw him digging through his book bag with a scowl on his face as the rest of the Gryffindor First Years carried on walking in the direction of the classroom while the First Year Hufflepuffs followed close behind them.
"I haven't got my Transfiguration book" scowled Ron.
Harry sighed.
"Your gonna have to go back and get it… and hope you're not late" said Neville.
Ron kicked his foot on the floor and turned to Harry.
"Come back to Gryffindor Tower with me mate so I can get my book" said Ron.
Harry shook his head.
"I can't mate, me and Neville have to get there as well" said Harry firmly.
"Come on Harry, we're best mates, don't let me be late on my own" pleaded Ron.
Harry froze up slightly while Neville looked a little disappointed at Ron's statement.
After a few seconds Harry just mumbled at Ron to hurry up and get his book before heading off in the direction of the Transfiguration classroom.
Ron turned to Neville with a confused look on his face.
"What was that about?" said Ron curiously.
Neville sighed.
"I don't know what you think about your friendship with Harry Ron… but your not best mates" said Neville.
Ron's ears turned slightly red with embarrassment and slight anger.
"And what makes you his best mate then?" said Ron.
Neville straightened up.
"The fact that we've known each other since we were 4 and spent most of our childhood together, that's why we're best mates Ron, you haven't even known him for a day and your acting like you're best mates" said Neville flatly.
Ron looked at the floor in slight embarrassment.
"Look, you better go and get your book and run back quickly or you'll be late" said Neville kindly, feeling a little sympathetic towards Ron's embarrassment.
With that, he turned around and carried on walking in the direction of the classroom while Ron ran back in the direction of Gryffindor Tower to retrieve his Transfiguration textbook.
Neville caught up with Harry outside of the Transfiguration classroom stood with a slightly frosty look on his face.
"I had a word with him Harry" said Neville warily.
Harry just shrugged his shoulders.
"Doesn't matter mate, he went back for his book?" said Harry flatly.
Neville nodded.
"So he's gonna be late then, that'll probably cost us a few points" said Harry making reference to House Cup awarded at the Leaving Feast in June to the House which has been awarded the most points.
Ron did indeed arrive a few minutes late to their Transfiguration lesson though thankfully the usually stern and strict Professor Mcgonagall declined to take any points from him or give him detention simply telling him to find his seat where he found one next to Wayne Hopkins.
After a quick explanation on Transfiguration, Professor Mcgonagall tasked them with turning a matchstick into a needle which Harry admittedly found difficult only managing to make it glow a shiny silver.
The first student to complete the task was Hermione who earned ten points from Professor Mcgonagall for doing so.
4th September 1991
A Harry and Neville made their way into the Great Hall for breakfast that morning before they would have to go to their Potions class which Harry was slightly dreading knowing of Professor Snape's long standing grudge with his Father from their school years he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
"I hope you are behaving yourself Little Brother" said Edward Potter who was standing near the doors of the Great Hall with Cassiopeia and two of their fellow Slytherin Third Years Darren Petrie and Andrea Farley.
Harry and Neville turned to the Slytherin Third Years before Neville told Harry that he would save him a seat and walked into the Great Hall as did Darren Petrie and Andrea Farley.
Making his way over to his older Brother and Cousin Harry managed a small scowl.
"Of course" said Harry icily.
Edward chuckled while Cassiopeia smirked.
"What's getting you down Harry?" said Cassiopeia amusedly.
Harry sighed.
"I've got double Potions this morning" said Harry bitterly.
Edward chuckled.
"Don't worry about Snape, he might single you out for a few questions but he's not that bad, just don't give him any reason to give you trouble and you'll be fine" said Edward amusedly.
Upon hearing that Harry felt some of the dread he had towards his upcoming Potions lesson fade away.
He spent the next few minutes talking to his Brother and Cousin before they left him and went into the Great Hall for breakfast.
As he went to go into the Great Hall he heard a voice call out to him from behind.
"Are those slimy snakes bothering you Harry?" said Ron as he made his way towards Harry who turned to meet him with an icy look on his face.
Ron was not alone however as Hermione and Janet Spinnet were walking close behind him.
"What?" said Harry icily which made the two girls behind Ron look slightly uncomfortable with Hermione also looking slightly confused as well.
"Are they bothering you mate, we should do something to them if they are" said Ron clearly not thinking about how Harry might be offended by his words.
"What's wrong with Slytherins?" said Hermione in slight confusion.
"There's nothing wrong with Slytherins Miss Granger, despite what Ron thinks" said Harry gritting his teeth slightly which caused Ron to gulp knowing that Harry was clearly angry at what he had just said.
"I didn't mean it like that mate… it's just… you know most of them go dark in the end" said Ron feebly as Janet and Hermione walked past them making their way into the Great Hall.
Harry stepped closer to Ron with an angry look on his face.
"I told you the other day that my Mother was in Slytherin when she was at school, and my Older Brother Edward is also in Slytherin, are you actually insinuating that they will go dark just because others from Slytherin have done just that?" said Harry icily.
Ron suddenly looked nervous before a sharp voice making their way towards the two boys made them jump slightly.
"What trouble are you causing Potter?" called out the sharp and slightly angry voice of Professor Snape.
Harry and Ron turned to face Professor Snape who was making his way towards them with a hostile look on his face.
Harry straightened up.
"No trouble on my part Professor… Mr Weasley made some rather ugly comments about my Mother and Brother about being sorted into Slytherin and I wasn't having any of it" said Harry politely hoping that the Potions Professor would not put the blame on him.
Professor Snape turned to Ron who looked shocked that Harry would tell on him to a teacher.
"Would you like to repeat what you said Mr Weasley?" said Professor Snape in an amused voice that made it clear that Ron was in trouble.
Ron spluttered slightly.
"I thought not… five points from Gryffindor for causing a disruption Mr Weasley, now I advise the both of you to join your friends for breakfast without another word to each other" said Professor Snape frostily.
Harry walked past Ron into the Great Hall without another word to him and took his place next to Neville and helping himself to some cereal.
When Neville asked Harry what was wrong, Harry just brushed him off telling him that it did not matter since it was sorted.
Five minutes later…
As Harry was eating some of his scrambled eggs the sounds of hooting owls and flapping wings could be heard around the hall.
He along with nearly everyone in the hall looked up to see hundreds of owls fly into the Great Hall through a small open window in the ceiling as they delivered the morning post.
All around the hall owls were dropping letters, parcels and newspapers into the hands or laps of students who opened them with earnest and audible reactions around the hall.
After nearly a minute Hedwig swooped down and landed in front of Harry with a small parcel and letter for him.
Harry gave her a small piece of bacon and stroked her feathers before taking the letter and parcel from her so she could fly out of the great hall back to the owlery.
He opened the letter first finding it to be from his Parent's asking him how he was doing in school as well as his Mother imploring him to stay out of trouble and make new friends before they finished the letter by sending their love. Opening the small parcel he saw it to be a small collection of sweets including a chocolate frog.
As he placed the letter and the box of sweets in his book bag he saw Neville pull a clear plastic rememberall out of a small box which his Parent's had sent to him.
"Hey look, Neville's got a rememberall" said the sandy brown haired Irish Seamus Finnegan who was sat in between Harry and Dean Thomas.
"I've read about those… when it turns red, it means you've forgotten something" said Hermione who was sat opposite the boys with Janet Spinnet and Parvati Patil as the rememberall started to turn red.
"The only problem is… I can't remember what I've forgotten" said Neville which resulted in a few chuckles from up and down the table.
If people are wondering. Yes, Lucan Malfoy is basically the canon Draco Malfoy, I changed his name because I could not see Lucius naming his Son Draco which is in reference to a star constellation that the Black's would use to name their children.