Harry spent the next month at the Weasley's waiting for the day he would start his first year of magical education. Harry spent the first couple weeks going over his textbooks, to the praise of Percy and the annoyance of Ron, who hated every time Harry cracked open one of his textbooks, wanting to hang out and have fun before school instead of reading. The twins took note of this and remarked, "If you're not careful you'll end up a raven for sure."

"What do you mean by that?" Harry asked.

"The school is divided into 4 houses. Which are meant to represent key qualities that the founders wanted in their students. Percy, and us are in Gryffindor the house of bravery and chivalry. Then there's Hufflepuff home of the loyal and the patient, Ravenclaw the house of creativity and wisdom, and finally Slytherin with cunning and ambition."

"That last one sounds like I would fit." Harry answered.

"You can't be a snake!" Ron shouted at Harry.

"Why not?"

"They're evil!"

"And your brothers are saints?"

"He's got you there Ron." the twins said as they began laughing. Ron's face turned red in anger as he stomped off to his room. "Do you think if I end up in Slytherin, we can't hang out anymore?" Harry asked hoping that wouldn't be the case. "Well, the only one of us I could see not accepting you, just left the room so other than that I think you're fine, but hey if you get into Slytherin you can help get our pranks into their dorm." Harry then joined them in laughing, and the rest of the day went on without trouble. The rest of the month was uneventful, and soon Harry was off with the Weasley's to King Cross Station.

The family got to the wall between Platform 9 and Platform 10, and Harry looked perplexed. 'Where's Platform 9 ¾?' Harry thought. Then Mrs. Weasley saw Harry's expression and explained, "To get on, you have to walk straight at the wall between the 2 platforms. Percy why don't you go first so Harry sees what he's supposed to do?" With that Percy got in front and ran straight into the wall and vanished behind it. Then Fred, then George, and then it was Harry's turn. He ran hoping he passed through like the others and he did to his own amazement. He got on board and joined the Weasley twins, Percy had left because he apparently was chosen as Prefect, and Ron did not want to spend any more time with his brothers.

The train ride had been mostly uneventful, except for one thing that happened near the end of the journey. The twins and Harry had been enjoying some sweets from the trolley, which Harry had paid for, when a witch opened the door asking if any of the three had seen a toad. "No, I haven't but I have an idea," Harry said getting up and walking over to the witch, "What is the toad's name?"

"Trevor"

"Let's see if this works, accio Trevor the toad." Harry said and soon after a toad flew into Harry's hand, which Harry offered to the witch, "Here's your toad back."

"Oh, it's not mine, it's Neville's I was just helping him look. Thank you. Oh, I didn't introduce myself, my names Hermione Granger."

"I'm Harry Potter."

"Really? Is it true? Do you have a scar? What was it like?"

"No, I don't have a scar anymore, and what was what like?"

"Defeating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

"I was one when I 'defeated' He-With-Too-Many-Hyphens, so no I don't really remember it, nor would I care to. I lost my parents and was forced to live with horrible people for 10 years after that." Harry replied growing slightly irritated.

"I'm sorry, there's so many books written about you."

"Based off what? Theories, and hearsay? Don't believe everything you read."

"Well, yes I suppose you're right. Well see you at Hogwarts then, I've got to go take this little guy back to Neville."

Soon after that Harry and the twins had to get changed into their school robes, and they departed from the train. They got split as the first years followed a large man towards the boats; 4 students to a boat, except for the large man, who got a boat to himself. The boats seemed to move on their own as they glided through the water and Harry got his first look at Hogwarts. To say that Harry thought Hogwarts looked beautiful was an understatement, it kind of reminded him of Lady Magic in a way.

After the boats were docked, they went inside and up the stairs where they stood outside of two large doors and a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood before them with a stern face. "Welcome to Hogwarts." She said, "Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points, any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup. The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily." After she was finished, she exited through the main doors leaving the group of students there until they were told otherwise.

As the students waited for sorting to begin, everyone except Harry and Ron kept searching around for something or rather someone. Everyone had heard rumors that The-Boy-Who-Lived would be in their first year as well, but no one was able to find him. Eventually the woman returned and said, "We are ready for you now, follow me." All the first years followed her into this enormous room with what looked like the night sky as the ceiling, floating candles throughout the room, and fiery braziers decorating the walls. As they walked to the far end of the room where sat an old hat. Which to Harry's surprise, began to sing:

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

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers 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

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuff's 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 folks 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!"

All the students and faculty applauded the Sorting Hat as it finished its song, Ron then tapped Harry's shoulder saying, "This is it? Fred and George said we had to fight a troll."

"And you believed them? Not only that, but if you were to fight a troll did you study any of the spells in our textbooks to help you during the fight?" Harry responded, fully knowing the answer to be no, which made Ron's face turn red in anger and embarrassment. After their short conversation, Dumbledore stood up, "I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note, that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the third-floor corridor, on the right-hand side, is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." Harry couldn't help thinking, 'Why the hell would he announce that? He has a house full of the courageous, saying something like that will almost guarantee one of them gets curious and goes there anyway.'

Once more the women who lead them into the hall started speaking, "Now when I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses."

"Hermione Granger"

Hermione got up, the hat was placed under her head an in a minute at most it shouted, "Gryffindor!"

"Draco Malfoy"

A blond boy, with a smirk on his face got up, the hat hadn't even touched his head when it shouted, "Slytherin!"

"Susan Bones"

A girl with long wavy brown hair got up, the hat debated for a minute and shouted, "Hufflepuff!"

"Ronald Weasley"

Ron got up with a look of worry on his face, the hat immediately shouted, "Gryffindor!"

"Harry Potter"

At this name the entire school felt tense, Dumbledore readjusted in his seat, and many of the first years who were searching for him were surprised when Harry walked up. Harry sat down in the chair, the hat was placed on his head and it spoke to him.

"Ah, welcome to Hogwarts Lord Potter. I'm sure my makers would be glad to see two of their families coming together, and before you ask yes, I know what you are." the hat whispered in Harry's head.

"Don't tell Dumbledore."

"Don't worry, the founders enchanted me to keep the secrets of all the minds I see. Now on to your sorting, I think we both know what house you belong in."

"I think we do, but I'm worried about Dumbledore. He'll be suspicious if I end up in Slytherin, and I don't need him investigating me. If he figures out too much too soon it would be very bad."

"Well you are both a Slytherin and a Gryffindor by blood, so I'll let you into the house of lions. Before you go, I have one last thing to give you, a message from Slytherin to his descendants, 'Go speak to the portrait that guards Slytherin dorm, it will lead you to my hidden sanctum.' Now good luck to you," the hat whispered to Harry before shouting, "Gryffindor!"