I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter Eight — An Age Old Tradition

Hours later the arrived at the train station that was outside Hogwarts. They were told to leave their belongings on the train. A man who was about eight feet tall called the First Years to follow him. Harry felt another wave of familiarity when he saw him. He introduced himself as Hagrid, the keeper of keys and grounds of Hogwarts. Harry was sure that he knew him. He committed to himself that he would talk to the giant of a man.

Hagrid led them all to a fleet of boats Ron was jabbering about how the twins told him that they had to wrestle a troll to determine what house they would be in. That made no sense to Harry and told Ron as much. Others were saying that had to use magic to find their House. That made even less sense.

The first time Harry saw Hogwarts he gasped at its magnificence. It was a brilliant castle. Hagrid led them to the front door and knocked three times. It was answered by a strict-looking woman that gave him the same feeling that Hagrid did. He decided to play with her.

"Good evening Professor. How are you this beautiful night?"

The professor held back a groan when she realized who was speaking. She thought she was seeing things when she saw Potter. She ignored him and went on with her normal speech. But she couldn't help but notice the traditional Potter smirk that plastered Harry's face. She knew she was in for a long seven years.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. In a few moments time I will lead you into the Great Hall where you will be sorted. The four Houses are Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Four the next seven years your House will be like your family. You will try to earn your House points by following the rules and doing well in your classes; while wrong doing will lose your House points. I must leave you for a few moments."

When she left Harry looked around at his classmates. He laughed at the nervous looks on their faces. Apparently, they all heard Ron talking about the troll.

"Why are you all so nervous? Nothing bad is going to happen. I really doubt that we have to wrestle a troll. For one, that would likely get someone killed and two we are all two small to do much damage to a troll; especially me.

"We will most likely have our thoughts examined to show what qualities we show. I read in Hogwarts: A History that the founders prided certain attributes in those they taught. For example, Gryffindors are known for their bravery. So no harm will fall upon us while we are being sorted."

No one liked the fact that Harry was sounding very cocky. It was true that Harry could have been wrong but he wasn't. Professor McGonagall led them to the Head Table; Harry was the only one who was smiling. In front of the First Years was a stool with a very old hat on it. To everyone's surprise besides Harry's, the hat began to sing.

"Oh, you my not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if ou can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your blowers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Ser Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind:

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

Harry laughed at the end of the song causing everyone to stare at him. All they had to do was put on the hat and it would decide what house they would be in. Professor McGonagall pulled out a list and began to call out names in alphabetical order. He noticed that the hat took a while on some students and only a few seconds on others. In fact, the hat didn't even touch Malfoy's hair before calling out Slytherin, which wasn't a surprise from what all that Remus told him about the Malfoys.

It was a long time before time before he heard his name called. He walked up to the stool with such confidence that it surprised everyone.

"Another Potter, I see. But you are very difficult, very difficult indeed. You could be great in any House I put you in. You are loyal, intelligent, brave, and very ambitious. You have talent like I haven't seen in years. Slytherin will give you unimaginable opportunities."

"I can't be a Slytherin. I won't be a Slytherin. I really don't care what House I'm in as long as its not that one."

"Not Slytherin, eh. Then it should be... Gryffindor." The hat shouted the last word out like it did for the other students. The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers as Harry let out a sigh of relief. He truly wanted to be a Gryffindor after reading about their history.

Some time later, Harry and Hermione were talking to Percy about the lessons that were going to start the next day. Ron was completely bored and began to talk to the other First Years in Gryffindor. It was during that conversation that Percy pointed out each of the professors. It was during that conversation that the first sign of something odd was about to happen. When Percy pointed to Professor Quirrell, Harry's scar began to burn. It was for only a few second but it caused him to grab his head in pain and scream.

The Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, noticed that Harry was clutching his scar and looked as though he were about to get up. But when Harry looked up a moment later, it was as if nothing happened.

"Harry, are you all right? What's wrong with your head? Why did you scream? Is something wrong?"

"I'm fine Granger. It was just a headache. I'm fine now. It was extremely painful, that's all. There's no reason to worry. If it happens again I'll go down to the Hospital Wing."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

The rest of the meal went by normally. They all acted as if nothing happened and told jokes that Ron couldn't understand why they were funny then the subject of the sorting was brought up by Ron.

"So Harry, how did you know? Did someone tell how we were going to be sorted? You must have noticed that you were the only one who wasn't nervous."

"No one told me. I just thought it was obvious that they weren't to make us do magic; we don't know any... at least were not suppose to. It wouldn't be fair to those who grew up in Muggle homes such as Hermione and me. And having us wrestle a troll would be brink of murder if we didn't survive."

"How come you're so smart? And what do you mean that you lived with Muggles? I thought you said you lived with your Uncle Remmy."

"How can I not be smart when you have parents like mine? Uncle Remmy told me that they were at the top of their class and where Head Boy and Head Girl. I have only known I was a wizard for a month. Before that, I lived with my Muggle aunt, uncle, and cousin. And will you all stop staring at me."

Everyone was staring at Harry. The whole hall was very quiet for the start of the term feast. The only table that was making noise was Slytherin; which was ignoring the fact that Harry Potter was at Hogwarts. When everyone went back to their own conversations Harry went back to talking with his new friends. During dessert, Ron asked the question that everyone wanted to ask.

"Is it just me or does it looks like Professor McGonagall is close to tears? She's been that why since the sorting."

"It's because she's feeling the dread of having another Potter at the school. On the last day my dad was here, she was covered in red paint. She must be afraid I'll turn into some sort of a marauder."

After the feast, Harry was cornered by the Weasley twins in the Gryffindor common room. Fred was the one who broke the ice.

"How do you know about the Marauders? Not even our brothers know about their existence."

"I'll tell you my secrets if you tell me yours." He waited until redheaded twins nodded. "I know them on a very personal level. Biological in one case." The twins were confused. "Let me just say that one is dead, one is presumed dead, one is in Azkaban and I live with the last and he's not my father though one is."

"Wait a moment, that's a riddle of some kind."

"Well since your dad was one that means that James Potter was one,"

"Then that also means that your Uncle Remmy was one as well."

"Everyone knows that Sirius Black was James Potter's best friend and that he's in prison."

"But the fourth isn't as clear."

"Who is it?" They said this at the same time.

"Have you ever heard of Peter Pettigrew?"

"Everyone knows about him since he was the reason that Black was sent to Azkaban in the first place."

"He was incompetent at best but very loyal to his friends."

"He sought out Black after your parents died and then Black killed him."

"Biggest piece of him that was found was his finger."

"But you said 'one is presumed dead'. Why did you say that?"

"He was blown up." They said this together as well.

"I really don't want to get into this tonight but I just have this feeling that what everyone believes isn't the truth."

"You are nuts, kid"

Harry just laughed and went to bed, glad that the day was finally over... or so he thought.