Harry stared at the Great Hall in disbelief. The hall was the epitome of magic to the young boy's mind, with thousands of candles illuminating the vast room. Hundreds of older students sat at the four House tables, all either talking quietly to each other or staring intently at the new students.

Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the waiting first years, then placed a dirty and frayed wizard's hat. The hat twitched for a second before its mouth opened from its brim and it burst into song, explaining the four Houses and their traits. The room applauded once the hat finished its song. Professor McGonagall stepped forward, now holding a roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." She glanced up to appraise the first years, her attention returning back to the parchment after a moment. "Abbott, Hannah!"

Harry watched as a slightly pudgy girl with blonde ponytails stumbled nervously out of the line, put the hat over her head, which fell instantly passed her eyes, and took a seat.

A moments pause before the hat reopened its mouth and shouted to the room, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Hannah stood up and calmly removed the hat before walking to the Hufflepuff table, and Harry could have swore for a split second she looked directly at him.

A few more names were yelled as the students were sorted, with Ron groaning loudly as Hermione was placed in Gryffindor.

Malfoy was the next name that Harry recognised. The smug blond swaggered with confidence when his name was called and he sat the stool and placed the hat on his head and waited. It took a few seconds but the hat called Slytherin and Malfoy stood up and eyed his House's table before walking to it, his confidence seemingly gone.

Harry realised there were few names to be called before him once the Professor reached the names starting with 'P'. He watched as Padma Patil left her identical sister and was sorted to Ravenclaw, tearing up as she looked at her sister in the line to be sorted. Parvati Patil went next, but to Gryffindor, then Sally-Anne Perks to Hufflepuff.

And then it was Harry's turn. As he stepped towards the hat, the Great Hall broke into hushed whispers as people craned their necks to gawk at him. The hat was placed over his eyes and he saw the dark, empty inside of the hat.

All at once he felt it. The memories, the power, the emotions. All rushing and returning to him. The hat spoke, its voice echoing inside his mind, 'Hello again, Mister Potter. The others have already explained what the future was like.' The hat paused before asking, "Do you think you can stop it?"

'I hope so," Harry replied.

'Well then. The only way to get started is sorting you back in GRYFFINDOR!' Harry heard the final word being shouted to the entire room, which cheered loudly at his sorting. He made sure to glance at Hannah, Draco, and Padma as he walked to the table. Percy shook his hand vigorously while Harry grinned at the Weasley twins, both young and so full of life, as they chanted, "We got Potter, we got Potter."

Looking at the staff table, Harry saw Dumbledore sat in his gold chair and at the far end of the table was Professor Quirrell, his purple turban hiding the remnants of Voldemort.

Harry smiled as Ron collapsed into the chair next to him and the pair turned to look at Dumbledore as he stood and gave a speech. "Welcome students, both new and old, to another year at Hogwarts!" He announced. "I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit!

Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you." He returned to sitting in his seat as the room clapped and cheered at his words.

Once the applause had stopped, Harry saw as the food appeared, all manner of meats, vegetables, sauces and extras, and Harry realised just how hungry he was.

Harry half-heartedly listened to and joined the conversations around him, ranging from magic, to ghosts, to families, but focused on making a plan. He glanced up at Padma who was talking to the ghost of Helena Ravenclaw and then to Draco who was nodding politely at whatever Crabbe and Goyle were talking about. He spotted Hannah, who was talking animatedly to Cedric DIggory, who looked far younger than Harry had ever seen him.

First point of order was the Horcruxes, hopefully they should be easy to remember the location of, find them, and destroy them. He debated talking to Dumbledore but decided to at least see what the others thought first. Secondly there was-

Harry's scar burned with a sudden sharp and hot pain as the hidden remains of Voldemort stared at him. Harry looked at Quirrell and Snape, both of whom were talking to each other, the back of Quirrell's head pointed directly at Harry.

The pain stopped, just as sudden as it started.

Dumbledore once more rose to his feet and the hall went silent. "A few words, now we are all fed and watered. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And some of our older students should make note to remember that also." His eyes flashed briefly in the direction of Fred and George. "I have also been asked to remind you by Mr Filch, the caretaker, that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held the second week of term. If anybody is interested in playing for their house team, contact the Flying teacher, Madam Hooch. And finally, I must inform you all 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 added the Philosopher's Stone to his mental list of tasks. He paused, a thought coming to mind. If the Mirror of Erised is in one of the classrooms right now, that means the traps and protections for the Stone aren't complete. Which means, if I want to save the Stone, I should do it soon."

Soon the new students were escorted to the dormitories, Harry feeling oddly nostalgic as he looked at the Gryffindor common room as they passed. The room was large and cozy, with armchairs and sofas centred around the fireplace. The dormitory was round, with crimson curtains covering the five four-poster beds.

Once in the dormitory he felt out of place as Seamus and Dean began to strip off their robes to get into their pajamas. He ducked behind his bed curtains to get changed, and to not see a group of underage children getting undressed.

Ron's voice sounded, groggy and tired, from behind his bed curtain. "Great food, isn't it?" Harry heard the rustling of Ron's bed. "Get off, Scabbers. He's trying to chew my sheets."

Pettigrew Harry thought to himself. Another thing for the task list. He waited until he was sure the others in the room were soundly sleeping before he pulled a piece of parchment from his trunk and began to write.

Souls

Rat

Godfather

Stone