Chapter 22 Sorting

Harry was nervous the morning of the first. He was exited to start school but there was still some butterflies. He was reminded he spent weeks away every summer with the elves. But he was with family even if not as close to Galrod as those who raised him. His friends though were going and he knew the staff. His family would visit including for his extra training along the way. Harry was assured by his Uncle and Papa that such nerves were normal at his age. They knew as soon as he was at school his excitement would set back in. His grandmother and grandfathers constantly reminding him of family honor was not helping. Fleamont in his usual way had assured his grandson he would be proud always.

The grandfathers had all stayed at Grimmauld the night before. Walburga would be returning to the manor at least until summer time. Fleamont though would remain even with Harry at school. He looked at both marauders as sons and would remain with his family.

Hermione met him at the station with her parents. "I am so glad you are here. We had no idea where this platform is."

Harry smiled as he led the way. "Someone would have met you if not us. My Papa and Uncle will help your parents through."

Jean looked a bit pale as told how. "You are certain we can go through that? We have no magic like Hermione."

Sirius assured her as Harry showed Hermione how to. "Muggle parents do it every year. I assure you that you are fine."

Hermione was amazed when she came out the other side and saw the train. "This is amazing."

Draco ran over as Hermione's parents came through with the marauders. "There you are. We have got a compartment."

Neville came over with his gran. "Just on time. You don't want to miss."

Sirius went to help his son with his trunk "You know you have to miss the year if you do?"

Hermine was all nerves as her trunk was taken on to. "Really?"

Remus laughingly assured her. "No. You would just have to take the bus."

The Weasleys appeared and Ron was grumbling. "Don't think about sitting with me."

Harry smirked. "You wish Ron. Our compartment is full."

Fred put Harry in a headlock. "Better not be Gryffindor."

Percy laughed when he saw Harry's confusion. "You don't want to be stuck with him. Unfortunately the rest of us will be."

George piped in. "Can still hang with us unless Slytherin. Though will have to beat you in quidditch."

Harry knew the twins were starting beaters this year for the team. The only reason he would be too sad not to be in the house was they had an opening for seeker on the team. He could fly nearly as well as Charlie who was on a professional team now. He knew the twins were honest and would be friends no matter what house he ended up in. Draco was the most worried. He knew everyone expected him to be Slytherin and he did know people like Blaise who was sure to be. Harry and the other two would keep their promise though to be close with him.

They all had a long goodbye outside with their parents before they got on the train. Fleamont had come to see him off as had Walburga. Orion and the other two grandfathers he said goodbye to at the house. He was surprised grandmother had come but happy.

She handed him a package. "Do us proud whatever house you are in. I expect an owl within the week. And not simply through your father."

Harry could have reminded her she was moving but held his tongue. "I promise Grandmother. On both."

Fleamont handed him one as well but also a pouch. "Make sure to treat your friends. Your Papa will tell me."

Harry laughed and kissed his cheek. "Thanks."

Sirius hugged him. "Did the same for Dad and me. Though he'd remind us to owl your grandmother and he'd hear through her."

Harry had a coy smile. "I only planned writing Uncle Moony since he'll watch Fox. I guess now I'll have to write you."

Sirius swatted his son. "Say goodbye to your Uncle brat and get on. You don't want to walk."

Remus assured him. "Fox is in good hands. And I will watch out for both of them for you."

Harry turned to Hermione. "We should get on."

Hermione was a bit more nervous. It was the first time in the magic world for more then two days. "I am ready."

Draco pulled away from his mom. "That means me too."

Augusta watched Neville get on. For a moment her usual public coolness slipped. "Frank would be so….."

Sirius put a hand on her. "I am sure he will make you as proud as his parents. James and Frank both would be."

Fleamont thought as they watched the train go. "And Alice and Lily."

Fleamont had never seen Lily with Harry but he knew her well enough. And heard enough stories. Lily had loved Harry every bit as much as his dads and would have been so proud. Alice and Frank Neville visited at the hospital a few times a year but they were never able to be a real part. The only parent he had memory of was Gran and he had every intention of making her proud. He would never be an auror but she actually found comfort in that even if she compared him to him. She had all but lost her son and his wife to it. She would be happy he chose a safe job.

Harry and his friends soon got into some snap. He bought a huge load of treats for them when the trolley came by later. He bought some for the twins as well. Even with what he got them they would all have some to take to school.

Hagrid was waiting at the train station. "Okay first years follow me."

George whispered to Harry as he went to go with the older. "If you feel like giving our brother a bath we would not hold it against you."

Fred agreed. "Just don't let Percy find out. Prefect and all."

Percy had come up behind. "We all should be going." But added. "I can't take points for something I don't see.'

Harry laughed a bit. "I knew I liked him for a reason."

Hermione pulled him along. "We don't want to miss."

Draco agreed. "You don't want to have to swim there. The squid and all."

"Or worse." Neville piped in. "Be stuck in a boat with him."

Harry laughed. "No only want to be in a boat with him to give him a bath."

Draco climbed into an open one. "Not going to try? The twins would be happy."

"Don't plan on missing the feast because of detention. He isn't worth it. Have to get him when not so obvious."

The four of them had a boat to themselves. They laughed when Ron had to go with Hagrid as no one else wanted him in the boat. He would be safe from a swim for now. First lesson of pranks from Papa and the twins, never get caught. Throwing the twit over board would be too obvious. They would have been allowed to sort and then sent from the feast. None of them planned to miss their first.

Hermione was amazed when she saw the school. "I know you told me it was a castle but still. This is incredible."

The castle was amazing even for magic born kids. Harry was one of the few who had been here growing up. He had not spent much time in the actual castle though. He normally was only in the woods, Hagrid's hut or he had come seen Charlie play a few times. He knew most of the staff but outside of school. He had been inside at times though like to see Severus and Poppy. Even for him it felt amazing to be here. He had been raised on stories and excited to start and not simply visit. He felt this odd reaction and he wondered if it was what Grandpa had meant. He said Harry may react to the school. Harry had not before but his age and powers may change that.

Filius greeted them and led them into the hall. From what Harry knew Minerva had done it for years but not since becoming headmistress. Severus was deputy as Filius turned it down but Filius took over this duty. Harry would be first from his friends, going by Black.

Harry held his breath when his name was called. "Potter-Black, Henry James Orion."

He sat on the stool a few moments before the hat called. "Ravenclaw."

Fred mouthed to him from his table. "Cool."

Hermione was next in their group. The hat shouted. "Ravenclaw."

Harry beamed when Hermione sat down with him. "This is awesome."

Hermione was happy. "I am glad same house."

Neville was up."Hufflepuff."

Harry waved at his friend. "He will be good there. Now for Draco.'

Hermione wondered. "Will he be Slytherin? I think he is worried."

Harry reminded her. "Me and Neville just proved that its not always in the family."

Draco was relieved when he proved Harry right. "Ravenclaw."

Hermione turned to him when he sat down."Happy?"

Draco put on a fake pout. "I wanted to be a lion. Hang out with Ron."

Harry snorted. "Yeah we know where he will be."

The big shock of the night was when Ron was called. "Hufflepuff."

Harry almost fell out of his seat and he could see the twins had too. They were sure Ron would be with them. He wasn't brave but their whole family was in it. Hufflepuff got a bad reputation as it got all the kids who never fit another house. Many of the kids were like Neville. They were loyal and patient like the song. Others lacked the brains, bravery or cunning to be in another house. Ron looked suicidal as he went to his new house. Harry didn't mind not being in Gryffindor even if Ron was not. But he felt bad Neville was stuck with him.

They soon got into the feast and meeting the others. Harry got drawn into quidditch talk. It turns out their seeker had graduated like Charlie. They had not had a reserve so there would be try outs. Harry knew no first year had made it in a century but he hoped to.

A girl a year older heard and shot a look. "Don't count on it. I will be."

Her friend agreed. "Cho was unofficial reserve last year. Besides you are a first year."

Draco smirked. "He trained with Charlie Weasley. He is nearly as good."

Harry blushed."I am not his level."

Rodger Davies spoke. "Weasley? That kid never lost. You know him?"

Harry nodded. "My cousin of sorts. Been teaching me to fly since I was two."

Rodger smiled. "You have to try out. Need to wipe the smug look off Wood if we beat them."

Cho turned away in a huff. "We will see. No first years make the team."

Draco turned to dessert. "Reminds me of another one of your cousins."

Harry groaned. "Not that bad."

Hermione was caught up in talk with a girl next to her. "I don't get the obsession."

Padma shrugged. "It's not too bad. We should have a flying lesson tomorrow. Can't be worse then my twin."

Hermione was surprised. "Twin? I'd have thought you'd be in the same house."

Padma pointed at Gryffindor. "Pavarti is a lion. The bravery must not be based on flying. Dad taught me but she never wanted to."

Hermione found Padma nice. She had never made many female friends. She wasn't a tomboy but more into books than clothes or such. Padma had a girly side but was certainly not the gossipy type her sister was. Harry and Draco were happy to see Hermione making friends with some of the girls. He and Draco got to know the boys. Anthony and Terry soon were drawn into quidditch talk with them. Jonah seemed a bit quieter.

Neville came their way before going to dorms. "I can't believe I am the only one not together."

Harry reminded him. "You will still hang out all the time you know that."

Hermione agreed. "You are one of us. Before me."

Neville smiled and went to join his house. "The guys in my house are nice. But best friends always."

Harry went to follow their prefect. "He will be happy. That house is best for him."

Draco thought. "We will have to write home. Dad will be a bit shocked."

Severus had come up behind the boys before the stairs. "He'll be happy. I on the other hand may have to disinherit my godson."

Draco laughed. "Wait till I can make quidditch and we beat you."

Severus looked serious but had a twinkle. "Detentions for a month look good."

Cho had her nose in the air. "You know he is a dungeon bat? He sabotages other houses."

Harry and his friends went passed her. "He is family. Maybe you just need to pay attention in his class."

They all wrote letters that night after their house meeting. Draco loved his Uncle but not sad to not be in his house. Harry knew Filius since a baby and they all liked the man. Hemione wrote a letter which Harry sent to his Uncle to send to the Grangers. She could use a school owl another time but they didn't go to the owlery that night. Hermione's parents didn't get the house rivalry but they'd be happy for news.

Harry assured her."Papa will send it on. Muggle mail comes through town post owls so your parents can write back."

It was Friday the next day so they had one day of class before the weekend, Fridays were a light day with flying in the afternoon. Those who didn't need flying class would have it off after a few weeks. Harry was looking forward to potions and the rest. He knew he was above the classes in charms and transfiguration due to his studies but potions would challenge him. He planned to be a marauder but also to be top in class or close. He loved Papa but he planned to be like Uncle Moony if he could. His Papa would be proud if he was.

At breakfast Harry was happy to get a message and was shocked to have gotten two. He had a further one for Hermione. Though late, Sirius took her letter to Hermione's parents and they had written her a response. Hermione beamed when handed it.

Harry found a letter from Arcturus but it was from all three Black grandparents. "They are happy. And not shocked."

Draco looked up from his. "Same here but for the not surprised part. Why? Book worm?"

Harry explained. "My Gryffindor blood and Slytherin traits mixed. Cunning but brave mixed with books."

Hermione motioned. "What is that? You forgot things?"

Harry shook his head. "Papa sent some treats Kreacher made. For our first weekend."

Anthony motioned. "We should go. We have transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs this morning."

They passed Ron as he headed out. "Great stuck with you first thing. Only thing worse would be potions first thing."

Harry snorted. "For your partners maybe. Less likely to blow up your cauldron if not half asleep."

Ron was fuming. "I will show you up. I'll be like Percy."

Harry coughed. "You almost burned down the kitchen boiling water. Potions are way harder."

Neville laughed. "Heard Fred say he lost his eyebrows."

Ron growled at him. "Forgot what house you are in? Don't think I will be your partner oinky."

Kid named Justin came up to Neville. "Ignore the prat. He will be the one begging."

Ernie agreed. "May be the first to get his head flushed by his own house."

Draco laughed. "Really wishing he was a lion now. No big brothers to save him."

Harry reminded him. "The twins would lead the charge. Even Percy wouldn't help."

It seemed even patient Hufflepuff had their limits. Neville had made friends with a few but Ron was not so lucky. It seemed one Zacharias was the only one who would give him the time of day. Ron had thought the only upside being in the house was not being in the shadow of his brothers. And surely he would be natural leader in a house like this. Not even in school a day and was finding that was not the case at all. Harry and his friends turned to the class. Professor Claymore was one Harry knew slightly but through the aurors. The man who replaced Minerva when she became headmistress had retired a year ago. Hugo Claymore was a former auror who Harry met through Papa and Uncle Moody. He always visited the older auror when he went to see Papa at work.

Harry and his friends were happy after lunch to head to flying lessons. Not they needed it but it was good laugh for some. Ron may not be Percy in the classroom but he was Percy on a broom. He couldn't fly better then Harry could at four.

Harry was relieved he had his broom when he saw school ones. "No wonder first years never made it. Can you imagine trying out on these?"

Draco agreed. "Thankfully the rule is over turned. All the descent brooms are reserved for team members without their own."

Neville was surprised when he and Hermione had descent brooms. "How?"

Harry grinned. "The twins let you and Hermione use them for the day. School ones but still."

Hermione looked a bit relieved. "I am not sure I want off the ground at all. One thing I think muggles have right."

Ron tried to take a broom. "They are my brothers'. If anyone should ride them its me. Porker can have mine."

Harry stopped him. "Maybe if your brothers could tolerate you any more then we do they'd have. Not that a broom would help."

Ron was spitting mad and turned back to his broom. "I will show you."

They were up in the air when Ron intentionally struck Neville's broom causing it to go wild. " Oops my broom slipped."

Neville was screaming as his broom went higher and was bucking him. "Help. Please help."

Harry watched in horror as the broom shot towards the lake. "We have to get him."

Harry shot out before anyone else could act and watched in horror as Neville fell 20 meters above the lake. Harry went into a dive Charlie taught him, snagging Neville before he hit. Harry pulled out but it was only the sudden arrival of Draco on a broom next to him which helped him get Neville to shore dry. Not only the class but some older kids had come their way. Ron was furious when he did the unthinkable and got a detention his first day. Harry got 30 points but his real reward came later at dinner. The news was all over school.

Sean, the quidditch captain called at the table. "There will be no try outs tomorrow. We have our seeker."

Cho was grinning. "I knew they would see sense. I was basically seeker."

Marietta looked at Harry. "You stood no chance."

Rodger laughed. "You don't seriously think he meant you."

Cho flushed. "Who else? Without try outs,"

"Seems you missed the news." Sean laughed. He turned to Harry. "Ready to break a 100 year streak?"

Harry gaped when he realized they meant him. "Really?"

Sean nodded. "Fools not to. Thought you were bragging about Weasley. Practice tomorrow."

Harry was shocked but nodded. "Yes."

After dinner Fred came over. "Heard the news. Friend or no friend you will be target practice."

Harry laughed. "Will whip you on the field. But off still friends."

George admitted. "Oliver is fuming that you are not a lion. And talking sending Charlie a howler for teaching you too well."

Draco clapped him on the back. "Should go send your Papa a letter."

The twins as well as Hermione and Neville accompanied him. He knew Papa would be amazed and proud. He and Dad made the team in their second year. James may have been an auror but he had wanted to play pro if not for the war. Harry may have his skill but like Papa he had other dreams. Maybe one day he would play National but he didn't see a career. But then again he was only eleven.

Harry thought of the treats Kreacher made. "May have been psychic. We have a celebration."

AN: Thanks for 2 people who bothered to vote. Hufflepuff or Ravenlaw were the votes. Must say my first with Harry as Ravenclaw. And certainly first Draco not Slytherin. Ron as Hufflepuff I couldn't resist. They tend to get those who don't fit other houses. Poor Ron, Neville out shines him.

Penelope, Cho and Rodger are the only older Ravenclaws of note. Maybe why never did house. Challenge but I like a good one.

And no I have not chosen pairing. People who have read my past know I do slash Harry. No Neville or Draco, they are not options.