Harry (September 1st)

Harry walked down the train Hermione at his side and Neville slightly in front. Harry had his face cloaked in his hood once more. He walked along with the intelligent girl. Harry walked along to door and as he stepped out, he was startled to hear a massive man shouting loudly.

"Firs' years o'er here! Firs' years come to me!" the man was shouting gruffly. Harry walked over as Hermione chattered madly to him and Neville.

"That must be Hagrid! He is the gamekeeper here at Hogwarts. They said he was large but honestly, that man is positively giant!" she exclaimed and Neville nodded nervously looking at the man warily. Harry shook his head and they were all lead to boats.

Harry Neville and Hermione set themselves down gently in one and rode along talking quietly amongst themselves. Hermione was telling Harry and Neville about some Muggle things that she had known about all her life. Harry nodded softly and turned his attention back to where Hogwarts should be. His gasp drew their attention and they followed suit.

"Oh my god, it's amazing!" Hermione said softly and Harry nodded slowly smirking at the way the other students started to gasp as well noticing it a bit after the first boat. Harry got out with the rest and strolled into the Entrance hall standing nervously with the others. He heard a mocking drawl and he glanced over listening in.

"Honestly Crabbe, Trash like that Weasley shouldn't be allowed here in Hogwarts." Harry growled about to defend Ron when Ron stepped forward and glared at the blonde boy.

"I'd watch what you say Malfoy…" He said slowly and then Crabbe and Goyle stepped forward to defend Malfoy.

"Or what weasel, you'll rub your dirt on me?" he drawled and Harry was next to Ron in a second.

"You are a disgusting waste of space Malfoy; the Weasley's are the greatest people I have ever met. They took me in when I was all alone treating me like a member of the family." He said slowly and then added as an after thought. "And at least the Weasley's don't look so…slick." He said shuddering at the boy's hair and attitude.

Ron burst into laughter and clapped Harry on the back. Harry turned to run and nodded apologetically.

"Sorry Mate, I didn't want to lie to you guys for so long but, if they found out to soon they would have forced me to go live with Muggles." He said and Ron nodded apologetically.

"Don't worry, Ja-Harry Me, Fred, and George agreed to forgive ye already anyways." He said slowly, laughed, and then added leaning into Harry. "And Ginny would skin us alive if we got her favorite brother mad."

Harry nodded and then they both walked over to where Hermione and Neville were standing and Harry introduced the both of them to Ron. Harry smiled softly and turned to look up at the door as McGonagall came out and led them all in.

Harry waited as the hat sang an amusing song. He applauded when it completed and then stood patiently as Professor McGonagall went through a list of long names.

"Abbott, Hannah!" … "Hufflepuff"

"Bones, Susan!" … "Hufflepuff"

"Boot, Terry!" … "Ravenclaw"

"Brocklehurst, Mandy" … "Ravenclaw"

"Brown, Lavender" … "Gryffindor"

"Bulstrode, Millicent" … "Slytherin"

At this point Harry tuned McGonagall until he noticed that the entire hall had gone silent and McGonagall had gone mysteriously Ashen. When Ron nudged him forward he knew why. He stepped forward noting that an old man was staring at him in disbelief.

He walked straight to Professor McGonagall and pulled his hood down revealing his features to the entire hall. The Hall was filled with whispers until Harry sat on the stool and McGonagall placed the Hat on his head. A voice began to speak to him.

"My, isn't this interesting. You have the Sharp Wit and Impressive Knowledge that Ravenclaw's dream of. You are intensely loyal and could return Hufflepuff house to its former glory. Hmm, you seem to be cunning and my look at the reservoir of strange and exotic powers you have accumulated." He said and then glanced.

"Well, look at that Bravery and Noble Spirit. You would do well in any house young sir. He said slowly and then he paused as if thinking. Harry thought to the Hat.

"Mr. Hat? What house am I in?" Harry thought and the voice startled him when it responded.

"Well, your friends and family have been mostly in the Gryffindor house so I guess it better be…" The hat started and then it finished in a loud shout.

"GRYFFINDOR" As the hat finished Harry stood and removed the hat walking down to the cheering gryffindors' and settled himself next to Hermione and Neville. The sorting continued till Blaise Zabini was placed in Slytherin.

Ron had been sorted into Gryffindor and was settled across from Harry as they all gazed at the headmaster and the man stood.

"Welcome," he said. "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!"

Harry and the rest of the great Hall burst into amused laughter at the headmaster and then plates filled with food and they all began to eat. Ron was eating at a disgusting pace and Hermione was looking slightly green next to him.

Harry smiled softly at the pair and continued eating slowly in the way his aunt had taught him. He smiled at the memory on her face at the presence of food. Harry had finished eating when the plates cleared themselves and Everyone turned their attention back to their Headmaster.

"Ahern -- 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 as well."

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."

Harry gulped softly and studied the man in front of the whole school. The man was serious. Harry decided to do his best to avoid that hall this year. He stood with the rest and followed the Prefect that led him to the common room and on up to his room and right into bed sleep overtaking him instantly.

Author's Notes

Sorry for the Short Chapter folks. I thought ending it there would be good. Now I thank al my reviewers. I am glad that you like my story and see fit to keep reading it. I think you should know I am aiming at 50 000 for this book so anyway now that we got that out of the way. I am off maybe to work on the next chapter.