A/N: First off, I want to thank everyone for reviewing.

Okay, now for some explaining.

The reason why I ask (see that I ask, not demand) for a certain number of reviews is just to see how many people will actually review. See, I lost the hit counter, so how can I tell if people enjoy it? The reviews I have gotten have been wonderful, except for LL, but criticism is wonderful as well!

And the summer holiday will influence their school year, I understand I'm drawing it out, I mean to. Don't worry though, this chapter they leave.

But, you all are right, no more requirements, just read my story.

Also, as a final note, I did repost an Inuyasha story. Just go to my bio and please take a moment to read it. There's only one chapter, and it's short.

Disclaimer: Nothing mine

Author's notes

.-.-.-.-.-.-17-.-.-.-.-.-.

TWO DAYS LATER

Harry rose, and quickly packed. Today, they were boarding the Hogwarts Express. At least, he would be. Snape and Remus had both expressed a sense of worry over the matter, Snape even going so far as to saying the Dumbledore planned on having him followed. Harry only laughed; the bastard had been doing that for forever.

So now, with his trunk packed and he himself ready to go, Harry went downstairs. He levitated his trunk behind him, with Oswarae swooping down past his head with a cackling caw. Why the bird was in such a good mood was a mystery to Harry, but he himself had a newfound sense of urgency to go.

Leaving his trunk at the front door, Harry went into the kitchen, to see Snape reading the Prophet and Draco reading the front page of it, leaning over the table to do so. His eyes were wide with surprise; silver eyes alight with nervous anger.

"'Escapees from Azkaban still not found'," Harry mumbled as he read the headline. So the Ministry chose to let the public know two days later. Harry snorted; "About time," he muttered; "So, when do we leave?"

"You've known?" Draco asked, looking at Harry critically.

Harry rolled his eyes and sighed, tapping at his forehead; "I can't help it," he said; "Besides, just because your father and Dolohov got out doesn't mean—"

"With his two most powerful Death Eaters free again, the Dark Lord will now have more doors opened again," Snape said, lowering the paper. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, now feeling as if he were thirty years older; "I received an owl from Albus before the paper came," he said, looking at Harry; "You're not to board the train. The Order will escort you to Hogwarts."

"Bullshit!" Harry said angrily; "I'm not afraid! Damnit, Lucius is nothing to me, I can handle—"

"Dumbledore still doesn't know you are a vampire," Draco interjected; "Stop acting like you're king of the world and come back down to the bloody earth. You'd be powerless because you couldn't attack my father the way you want to," he paused; "Just go along with it for appearance's sake."

Harry paused, averting his gaze to glare at the wall. He finally sighed; Draco was right. "Fine," he said, "But when will they be here?"

"Any moment, I presume," Snape muttered, rising; "Draco, are you packed?"

"Yes, Severus, I am," Draco replied; "Why?"

"Just checking," Snape said; "We'll need to leave when The Order escorts Harry."

"This is a load of bull," Harry mumbled irately, his fine attitude stomped into the ground by irony. "I'm gonna go into the sitting room and wait, I guess..." he mumbled, then he left.

"Ooh, have I a bone to pick with you," Draco called, getting up and following him.

Harry walked into the sitting room, turning to see Draco enter as well; "What?" he asked.

"Oh, shut up," Draco said; "Just because your 'plan' isn't going to work out just yet doesn't mean you've the right to throw some fit."

"I'm not going to," Harry said as he sat down on the couch.

"Oh please, I know you too well," Draco said, crossing his arms; "And another thing," he said, "You're fine, right?"

"Of course," Harry said, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"So, you could safely say no suicidal thoughts?" Draco asked.

Harry shrugged and shook his head; "No," he replied; "Why the interrogation?"

"Good, now I can stop acting like a sodding girl," Draco continued to say, sighing.

"Acting?" Harry asked, smirking when Draco looked at him darkly; "I know, Draco," he said; "You were just giving me what I wanted, to feel like I had, have, someone, who's willing to go the distance," he paused, then grimaced; "Great, moment..."

"Well, I'm flattered," Draco said, brushing his hair back; "Anyway, who do you think will come to get you?"

"Well, it won't be any Weasleys," Harry said, "Dumbledore won't, he's too busy with Hogwarts, Hagrid won't... Dumbledore probably won't let Remus... so that leaves Kingsley, Tonks, or a random Ministry official."

"Wow, what numbers you all have," Draco said with dulled sarcasm; "Well, I'm off to pack..."

"Thought you did?" Harry asked, getting up.

"I lied!" Draco said, and then he was gone, up the stairs and to his room.

Harry smiled and shook his head, and he was about to go back into the kitchen, but he heard a knock on the front door. Groaning, he went into the hall, and saw Snape coming from the kitchen. Draco was at the top of the stairs, watching. They all glanced at each other, and then Snape opened the door.

Clang... click... clang... click... clang... click...

The lighter was opened, then it was closed, a monotonous distraction for an otherwise anxious mind. Jabez Wilscott looked around, dark eyes taking in everything that happened at the Muggle train station. He was leaning against a railing of the overpass, which went across and over the tracks. But his eyes were on a certain platform, well, two, but more so on the middle pillar between them.

Platforms nine and ten... the vampire thought, smirking as he watched a woman and her child, who was pushing a very laden cart, towards it. The child appeared timid, no more than eleven. But his mother was kind as she directed him, at a great rush, through the pillar.

Nine 'n' three quartahs, Jabez thought.

He still waited, watching as trains came and went. It was still early in the day, barely eight thirty. Supposedly, the Hogwarts Express didn't pull out and leave until nine thirty. Jabez thought of using his Muggle money to purchase coffee, but then thought against it. He needed to save it just in case.

Some coffee would be nice, though, he whined mentally, brushing his auburn hair from his face and eyes. He yawned absentmindedly, covering his mouth with his hand as he turned around to watch the other side of the station. Back against the stone, he crossed his arms.

Muggles're so peculiar, he thought, desperate to avoid boredom. He watched as a rather large woman tried to round up her three children, though it was not working. Jabez suppressed his mirth over the situation, looking elsewhere.

It was then his senses detected another vampire. Jabez looked around, keen eyes picking through the crowds like a hawk searching the fields for that single mouse. At first, he thought it was just a hunch, but then he saw Damien Riggs, dressed in Muggle attire and making his way off of a train and stepping onto the platform.

/Damien, ya fool, what're ye doin' here?/ Jabez projected to the fellow vampire.

Damien appeared unfazed as the voice filled his head. He made his way off to the side, and commenced with looking around. /Jabez, where are you?/ he projected the reply, still searching.

/The bridge.../

Damien looked, and spotted Jabez waving at him. Damien quickly made his way through the growing crowds, and reached Jabez; "What're ya doin' 'ere?" Jabez asked before Damien could greet him.

"I'm here for the stake-out," Damien said; "Got off work today and Sable asked me to join you, in case something were to happen."

Jabez shook his head at the codename for Sabet, turning to absently watch a train pass below them; "Well, this stake-oot's a bust," he said; "We cuhd jus' wait ah tha pla'form, buh..." he shook his head; "Too risky."

"I might as well do that... Hey, do you know how Morgan's fairing?"

"Wot's wrong wit' 'er?" Jabez asked, head snapping towards the other vampire in nervous surprise.

"Well, after she an' Amos returned, she left. No one's heard from her. Amos went after her, but... he's gone too."

"Prob'ly off together," Jabez mumbled, sighing; "Ye know those two. They're a team, wot's ta stop 'em?"

"Sable's worried that Vandal has them," Damien whispered as he leaned against the railing as well; "He can't even make contact with them."

"Well, Morgan an' Amos are tha best ah Legilemins. They're prob'ly jus' up ta somethin'..."

"Sure hope you're right, Jabez..."

Harry sighed as Kingsley walked in, watching on as Snape shook hands with the black man; "Arthur thought I'd be best for the job," Kingsley stated with a smirk; "I'm supposed to transport Harry from here, to Hogwarts," Kinglsey looked at Harry; "Ready, Harry?" he asked.

"Yeah, let me get my shoes on," Harry said, turning to walk up the steps. He found the Draco had already gone to his room to continue packing, and he went into his to put on his boots.

After doing so, Harry walked into Draco's room, to see the blonde folding clothing with his back facing the door. Harry walked up; and wrapping his arms around Draco's waste he leaned forward to place a gentle kiss to Draco's cheek.

Draco closed his eyes and smirked, leaning back on Harry; "Don't kill anyone unless I'm there," he whispered, looking at Harry placidly.

"Kill anyone?" Harry asked, laughing quietly; "Now why would I ever do that?" he asked sarcastically.

"Oh, I don't know," Draco said, turning around in Harry's arms to face him; "Perhaps you might run into a certain redheaded arsehole?"

"Which one?" Harry asked, and Draco laughed.

"Yes, indeed," Draco said; "But don't have all the fun, okay? And miss me."

"Oh, if you insist," Harry said, rolling his eyes before he kissed Draco again. It was heated, yet gentle, leaving both in need of air; "Miss me," Harry whispered breathlessly, pulling at Draco's bottom lip with his teeth barely as he took his hands from the Blonde.

"Who wouldn't miss that?" Draco asked as he did the same; "Hurry, Kingsley's waiting."

"Yeah, I know," Harry said; "But at least it's not someone else."

"True, true, now get going!"

Kingsley and Snape watched Harry depart, then Snape turned to Kinglsey and fiercely whispered; "Whatever you've been instructed to do..."

"Arthur only said for me to get Harry from points A to B, Severus, trust me I wouldn't have accepted the job if it was anything else. I still think I should let him take the train, but with Lucius and Dolohov out of Azkaban..."

"No, you taking him yourself is far safer. How are you going to do that, get him from A to B?"

"A car."

"A what?"

"A car. You know, the Muggle contraptions that take them down the road?"

"Where on earth would you get a hold of one of them? And WHY?!"

"Because, Severus, I own one for I live in a Muggle apartment, and I know how to drive one. Tell me, what Death Eater would think that the Order would risk that?"

"...Was it Arthur's crackpot idea?"

"No, it was mine."

Harry smirked as he heard the last three frames of the argument, and made his way down the stairs. Kingsley and Snape turned and watched him, "What?" Harry asked.

"Nothing," Kingsley said; "Ready?"

"Yeah," Harry said, and he turned to Severus; "Thank-you, Severus," he said; "For... everything..."

"Not a problem, Harry," Severus said, smirking slightly; "Just be sure to keep your head on your shoulders. It's a different world, now..."

Harry nodded, and held a hand out to his trunk. The object stopped its gentle rotating, and as Kingsley opened the door and left, it followed Harry out as he too, left.

"And I'd advise you not to do that around anyone other than us!" Snape called as he watched Kingsley and Harry load the trunk into the back of the car.

"Yeah, yeah!" Harry said as he got into the passenger side, Kingsley in the driver.

Harry sighed as he sat back in the cushioned seat, staring ahead of him. Kingsley soon had then driving down the country road, away from Hogsmead, but Harry noticed that they were going faster than average speed.

"What did you do to this thing?" Harry asked as he looked out the windows, trying to follow bushes and trees as they passed them in a blur.

"Locamortis," Kingsley said; "And I'm not the one who placed the spell... Dumbledore did."

"So, you're not really driving?" Harry asked, settling back and looking at Kingsley.

"No, but having my hands on the steering wheel gives me some sense of power on the situation," Kingsley replied simply; "It'll take us to the leaky cauldron, and we'll floo through one of their private fireplaces to the school. Then, you're on your own I guess," he paused; "Remus accepted the job of the DADA professor, so you won't be totally surrounded," he smiled wryly as he glanced at Harry.

"Tell me about it," Harry said; "It's starting to sink in how risky this is, us breaking from the Order an' all..."

"Hey, your side's got the right motives, Harry," Kingsley said; "Manuel... he doesn't deserve what's he's been given, it sickens me. To hell if the Order tries to kill me, I will not work for them anymore..."

Harry nodded; "I've never met these people that you and Draco speak of," he said quietly.

"You will," Kingsley said; "Trust me Harry, you'll be around a lot longer than I, you and Draco will probably replace the Council one day."

"Wouldn't that be something..." Harry mumbled as he leaned against the door and took in the comfortable silence.

They arrived at the Leaky Cauldron almost three hour later, and both got out. Harry and Kingsley unloaded the trunk, ignoring curious looks from Muggles driving and walking by. Since they couldn't magically, Kingsley and Harry carried the trunk in, walking into the Leaky Cauldron.

"Shacklebolt, just the man I've been wanting to see!"

Kingsley and Harry froze in the crowded pub, Kingsley looking around for who had called his name. Dedalus Diggle made his way over, adjusting his hat. Kingsley glanced at Harry.

"Ah, Mister Potter, glad to see you as well!" the overly-chipper wizard said; "Now, Kingsley, I have important business to discuss with you revolving around a certain vamp—"

"My obligations at the moment far exceed yours, Dedalus, not to be rude," Kingsley interjected; "I have important matters to attend to," he nodded his head in Harry's direction, who sighed.

"Yes, well, be that as it may..."

"No, Dedalus, I must finish this then we can talk. I shall meet you at the Three Broomsticks..." with that said, Kingsley began to walk away, Harry having no choice but to follow as the tall black man made his way up to the far side, where there was a hall leading to private rooms.

"He wanted to talk to you about Manuel," Harry whispered after they entered a private room; "Kingsley, what would Dedalus want to do with your branch of work? Isn't he—"

"Things change, Harry, and the Ministry is no exception," Kingsley cut him off as he went to the fireplace. He took a green jar from the mantle a little too roughly, pulling the top off with more force than intended. Harry knew the man was angry, and he knew why. Dedalus had ruined the day for them both by his own innocent unknowing.

Secrets were far too cruel, Harry knew. Kingsley did, as well. He realized that if the madness escalated too far, lives would be torn apart, the world would shatter. Once again, the giant rock of Irony had crushed what little renewed hope and happiness he had.

Harry was drawn from his thoughts as he was given a fistful of Floo Powder; "Harry, come to!" Kingsley said; "Come on, take this, and saw 'Common Room, Floor seven, Hogwarts. It will take you to Gryffindor Tower..."

"I don't want to go there," Harry said bitterly, but under Kingsley's stern glare, he complied. As Harry said the words, his trunk was shoved in after him, following him through the intricate paths of the connected system.

Harry shouted out with indignant pain as he fell through the fire place and came into contact with the coffee table, stubbing his toe and knee. He barely avoided being bowled over by his trunk, falling to toe ground on his stomach as it shot out after him. The trunk crashed into the wall, and as it thudded to the ground, Harry sat up. He then burst out laughing.

The trunk had collided with, and totally destroyed, the portrait of Godric Gryffindor. Harry laughed, the hollow sound filled with malicious mirth. "Serves you," he said after his laughter had subsided.

Draco stood on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, Trunk at his feet. Snape had dropped him off before getting onto the train alone for a staff meeting, leaving the Slytherin Prince to his own. Draco didn't mind. In fact, he didn't have to wait long, for Pansy and Blaise soon appeared.

"Zambini!" Draco called, catching the two's attention. With blatant smirks on their faces, Pansy and Blaise approached, their trunks having already been loaded onto the train.

"Draco, darling!" Pansy squealed, giving Draco a breath-stealing hug.

"Gah, off me, woman!" Draco protested, knowing he could have thrown her from him in a moment. But he let pansy remove herself, and he gasped for air.

"So, where uh, is your charge, eh?" Blaise asked with dulled curiosity, looking around, as if checking for spies.

"Bumblefuck had him whisked away after news of the escapees," Draco drawled, taking his trunk. He explained, briefly, had the summer had gone to his two closest associates, leaving certain events out that would have otherwise said bad for Harry and him. He loaded his trunk onto the train; well, shoving it on board, knowing it would be taken care of.

"So, in other words," Blaise said after Draco was finished; "You and Harry...together... on no side of this war... in the middle?"

Draco sighed and shook as he drawled; "Yes, to put it simply. Come on, the train whistle should be sounding and I want a good compartment."

Blaise and Pansy nodded, but as the triad moved to get into the Train, they heard a very angry, very loud, and all too familiar cry.

"MALFOY!"

Draco was halfway up the ladder-steps when he heard the shout, and he groaned as he turned his head and saw Ron walking over to them, flanked by Dean, And Hermione, though she seemed unsure. Dean and Ron, no, they were angered, immensely. Dean of course was more than likely under the influence of Ron's anger, and Hermione was along to show support for her boyfriend.

"What now, Weasel?" Draco drawled, hanging onto the high-bar along the awning as he leaned back elegantly, a clear show of defiance and higher authority.

"What the fuck have you lot done with Harry?" Dean asked, malicious intent ringing through his voice.

"Ooh, language, Thomas," Blaise chided; "There are women in our presence."

"Oh Blaise, it's fine," Pansy swooned, holding onto his arm; "I don't care what the arseholes say, they are just fuckheads after all," she added quietly, grinning snidely.

"You haughty bitch!" Hermione exclaimed, a look of outrage on her face.

"Watch what you say, mudblood," Blaise said dangerously.

"Children, honestly," Draco said dryly, rolling his eyes; "The threat was issued to me from the Weasel. Let the riff-raff have his say. It's the most I could do," he added pessimistically.

Ron was fuming, hands balled into fists as he glared at the Malfoy; "Where has Harry gone?" he asked irately, trying to sustain the anger building inside him rapidly. Any second and he was sure to be finding himself ripping into the arrogant blonde.

"Well, why don't you ask your beloved Headmaster?" Draco asked tamely; "He's the one who indicated that Harry be brought to school by means other than the train. I only know that an Order member came to gather him," he laughed haughtily at Ron and Hermione's shocked expression; "You think I forgot? Oh, you thought I didn't know about Dumbledore's little gathering?" he asked arrogantly; "Please, I was staying with the Savior of the Wizarding World and my godfather. Don't expect me to not notice what goes on, I'm not as slow as you, Weasel."

"You pompous—arrogant... bastard child—" Ron stammered in his anger, barely being held back by Dean and Hermione.

"Yes, I'm aware of what my father is," Draco said cooly; "But if that is an insult to my mother, I will have to kill you here, regardless of Azkaban."

"Look, it's obvious you're not keen on helping," Hermione said; "But it's obvious that you've also turned your back on the Death Eaters."

"I've done no such thing, mudblood," Draco said; "And keep your voice down before I have to hex you."

"So just tell us if Harry's fine," Dean said through gritted teeth.

"Yes, he's 'fine'," Draco said, "Now, come along, Blaise, Pansy, let's get a good compartment..."

The blonde stood on the small platform, and entered the train. Blaise glared at the Gryffindors as he assisted Pansy up, then they both went in as well.

"Ron, what are we to do now?" Hermione asked in a feverish whisper as Dean groaned and departed to find Seamus.

"We'll find him and knock some sense into him, that's what we'll do," Ron muttered; "Come on, 'Mione, let's find the others..." he took her hand as they walked along the platform to find Ginny and Neville.

"I swear, why don't we just curse them all?" Blaise asked once the three had found a compartment and he had successfully closed the door and made sure they wouldn't be overheard.

"Because none of us want to go to Azkaban," Draco mused, crossing one leg over the other as he leaned his elbow against the window and sighed.

"Draco, what's the matter?" Pansy asked; "Is it that Equinox thing again?" she asked quietly, barely a whisper.

"No," Draco nearly snapped, but his tone remained calm; "I'm... oddly troubled..."

"Oh, do enlighten us," Blaise as he sat beside his girlfriend, who sat across from Draco; "It's not everyday you're troubled."

"Sarcasm can have a man killed, Blaise, remember that," Draco said, glancing at him dangerously. But, he sighed again as he looked out the window; "This year will be a living hell. What a fun time we will have..."

Harry put on his school robes, not looking at the Gryffindor emblem that adorned it, and then shrank his trunk and placed it in his pocket. Checking the clock on the wall, he saw that it was only three. Sighing, he went to the window, looking outside and sighing again. He had to admit that the tower had a pleasant view of the grounds and mountains, and the lake. He smirked as he saw a lengthy tentacle rise out of the water and swat at the air, before submerging once again.

Harry sighed, and, sitting down in the nearest armchair, he then sank back and closed his eyes. His mind traveled over Hogwarts, past the boundaries, the wards, searching for his target. The edge of his vision was blurry and he was seeing through a tunnel, the darkness taking him before a flash of light.

And so, Harry had entered his soul's sanctum once again.

Draco woke from his rest as the train came to a halt, the brakes emitting the horrid, high-pitched noise as they stopped the locomotive. Draco stretched, and since he had put on his school robes prior, exited the cart silently, Blaise and Pansy, who had also redressed earlier, following him. They all set apathetic looks on their features, silently leaving the train. Crowds parted to let Draco through; though his father was an escaped Death Eater on the loose, he was still Draco Malfoy, regardless, and as The Ice Prince, his demand for respect was given to him. No one had quite forgotten his power.

"Ooh, look at the looks we're receiving;" Blaise muttered with an amused chuckle; "Such fools..."

"Indeed," Draco said as he selected a carriage. He suddenly stopped as he opened the door, and turned to look at Blaise; "Where have Crabbe and Goyle gone?" he asked.

"Oh, somewhere," Blaise said; "Goyle told me that they'd meet us in Great Hall, so let's get a carriage and get to school before we get left behind."

Harry snapped out of his subconscious with the chiming of the clock. Six times it chimed, and Harry smirked as he rose. By now, Dumbledore would have preached about the third floor, the forest, any updates, possibly the war, Harry didn't particularly care what the windbag said, so long as hot air got out and he could put into motion the first act of his stratagem.

Like a shadow, he snuck through the portrait, walking gracefully down the hall to the stairs, evident power in his gate. He looked every part the handsome Golden Savior, his emerald eyes masking his cunning. His smirk played on his lips, but it disappeared once he met the Entrance Hall. Harry stood outside the closed doors that would open to Great Hall, and sighed once to collect his thoughts.

"...Zorrick, Adam!"

The last child hurriedly jogged to the stool, sitting anxiously upon it and literally vibrating from excitement as the hat was lowered onto his head. McGonagall stepped away with a slight smirk, amused at the young boy's eagerness.

"RAVENCLAW!!!!!!!!!!!!"

After the hat's bellowing proclamation, the child removed the hat and rushed off to his new House, to sit down at the cheering table. Dumbledore rose, a fake twinkle in his eyes to mask his otherwise morose emotions and worries. He gazed at the student body of his school, missing one very important face. Harry had not shown, and Dumbledore as at a loss as to what he should be expecting out of the boy.

"Now, with sorting done, and all announcements said and all past issues cleared," Dumbledore began with a false smile; "Let the...the..."

The candles the hovered in the air below the imitated sky ceiling began to flicker, stopping their individual revolutions around the room. There was a gust of wind that formed out of nowhere, and the flames flickered and cast dancing shadows along the walls. Several first years screamed, younger students cowered together, though some bold ones joined the older of the masses in taking up their wands, ready for attack.

Draco sat at his place, at the head of the Slytherin table, smirking as the scenario played out. Blaise and Pansy were surprised into fear, but upon seeing Draco's look of ironic expectance, they calmed dramatically.

"Show-off," Draco muttered sarcastically as his head turned to stare at the door. /Any day now/ he thought irritably, fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden table.

Dumbledore rose when the wind harassing the flames blew them out completely, sending the Great Hall into total darkness and eliciting screams from scared students. The other professors rose, save for Remus and Snape, who both knew almost immediately what was going to happen.

The doors flew open, the light from the stain-glass windows flooding in, casting a lone figure in a pool of yellow-gold, like that of sunlight. Many students jumped up as well, wands at the ready, thought most hands shook with fear. Harry Potter stood there, emerald eyes seeming to be swirling in silver. His face seemed set in determination, yet his eyes seemed to yield no emotion, save for a lurking rebellion.

As Harry walked down the four steps, and then down between the tables of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, the candles came back to life, following in the wake of the extensive magic he'd just preformed, wandless. Everyone watched, too shocked, fearful, or nervous, breaths catching in throats and all eyes on Harry.

But Harry kept his eyes on Dumbledore, now clearly showing arrogant defiance of the man who had ruined his life intentionally to cause him to become what he had been. Harry walked up to the teacher's table, standing in front of Dumbledore, who looked at him with a mixed gaze of worry and looming defeat.

"Mister Potter," Dumbledore said with a sigh, sitting down; "So glad that you could finally join your fellow students, but I would like an explanation for this... show,of power you have just graced us with."

"I demand a re-sorting on my place as a Gryffindor," Harry said, his voice resonating throughout the Great Hall. His very blatant and bold statement was greeted with gasps, from everyone.

"That is quite impossible!" McGonagall said suddenly, her voice easily an octave higher; "Mister Potter, you know that once you are sorted you stay in your House throughout your seven years attending!"

"But ruling is that, under circumstances regarding the welfare of the student, the student has the option to be resorted into a House that is not their own," Harry said, not looking at her; "And I believe that my circumstances are valid to this ruling," he said, and he mentally smirked as he saw the twinkle fade from his Headmaster's eyes.

Dumbledore coughed, unwillingly showing his defeat; "You've no choice but to agree to my request, sir," Harry said, containing the venom he longed to allow to drip in his voice; "If you think I'm lying, then you could just read my mind. GO ahead, my walls are down."

/Harry, you fool, don't risk anything!/

Harry showed no reaction as Draco's voice filled his head. He continued to gaze at Dumbledore, all the while knowing he was entering his mind. Harry allowed it, though he blocked several things and replaced them with false scenarios. Dumbledore took it all, buying every single show. Finally, he withdrew, and Harry purposefully swayed on his feet, as if to show he had barely kept control from falling over.

"Minerva, I consent to Mister Potter's request," Dumbledore said wearily, eliciting gasps from several in the hushed crowd.

Harry smirked slightly, turning to McGonagall. The look of utter disgrace and failure was on her old face, causing a very slight wave of guilt. But Harry knew that she too, had consented to his life, that she had known about every swing Vernon took, and had still done nothing.

In his opinion, she deserved no pity, no remorse, and no loyalty from him. Harry held out his hand, and Minerva, with shaking hands of her own, gave him the Sorting Hat. Without so much as sitting down, or giving anyone a glance, the hat was lowered onto his ebony locks.

Ah, Harry Potter, it has been quite a while, has it not? The hat's voice was conversational and calm, as if glad to have a familiar mind to talk to.

Harry crossed his arms as he closed his eyes. It has, he replied. But I need to be resorted.

Ah, finally, come to your senses about my first placement?

Yes, could you please skip the gloating and put me in the right House?

...And so it begins, then...

Before Harry could question the last statement, the Hat's voice boomed loud and clear, a stark serenade of the future...

"SLYTHERIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And Draco smirked, amidst the horrified gasps. The school hadn't known that their Golden Child, their Savior, was anything but a Gryffindor. What a callous mistake, he thought sardonically.

And Harry gently removed the Hat, holding it out to a shocked McGonagall, who took it, barely able to grasp the ragged and patched rim. Harry turned his head, staring at Dumbledore and reveling in the man's attempt to hide his defeat. He knew that Harry's rebellion had only just begun.

Harry then faced forward, and walked down between the two tables, looking neither proud, arrogant, nor pleased. His face was emotionless, eyes baring no truth of feeling, his steps sounding through the deathly silent hall, the only sound that carried. The candles began to flicker as he passed beneath them, though none were extinguished for the gust had yet to be conjured up again.

As Harry walked up the steps again, intent on leaving, he looked at Draco, their eyes meeting and exchanging knowledge and commendable words. Harry then looked away, and was gone from Great Hall, the doors creaking shut behind him, slowly, leaving a lasting impression of sound and meaning.

As the Hall erupted with talking, McGonagall rushed to the table, slamming the hat down upon it as she spoke to Dumbledore feverishly; "Dear God, Albus, what will we do?!"

Dumbledore shook his head wearily, looking down the table. He was surprised to see his Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher apparently deep in conversation, and he knew it instantly revolved around one Harry Potter.

"I don't quite know, Minerva," Dumbledore finally reply, looking at her

TBC

A/N:

I ask all of you who read to forgive me of my arrogance. I should not be asking for so much, it is obvious that my story is enjoyed by the masses and that is what matters.

I will update as soon as possible!!!!