That next month Harry tried not to let what happened at Olivanders bother him. Instead, he leafed through his textbooks and asked Severus as many questions about the upcoming potions class as he could.

"You'll just have to learn it with all the other students, Potter." Severus drawled, going over his lesson plans for the year.

"But you know I'm rubbish at potions." Harry moaned, sitting across from him.

They were in the cellar, Severus had turned this into a makeshift home lab after he and Sirius were married. Books and potion ingredients lined the walls while a long table sat center, and a small desk was tucked in the corner. That is where they sat now.

"Then I suggest you start reading the book, if nothing else, you'll at least know what you're supposed to learn." Severus hummed sipping at his tea. "I don't intend on going easy on you just because you're my godson, even if you make it into Slytherin. I don't even intend to be so lenient on Draco, even though we both know he is already prolific when it comes to potions."

"Is that what house you want me to be in?" Harry suddenly asked. "Slytherin, like you were."

At this, Snape's hand paused and he looked up. He fixed Harry with an appraising look. Like he was trying to see if the boy would even fit in his house.

"You're cunning enough." He finally said. "But the compassion you have, that is something most Slytherin's see as weakness. If you want my honest opinion Harry, I have always thought you would be in Gryffindor."

"Really, why?"

At this Snape snorted.

"You are so much like your father." He shuttered. "First to stick your nose in everyone's business and poke around for trouble."

"That's not true."

"Says the boy who I just had to tell off for trying to take Sirius's bike out for a joyride."

"He said I could."

"When he got back home." Severus eyed the boy who had the decency to look sheepish. "But," he continued, looking at his papers now. "You also have your mother's compassion and gentleness to balance out all the bad habits of your father's genes. These traits made them Gryffindor worthy. I knew since you started walking that you would be in that house and I made peace with that."

"Was my mother that kind?" Harry asked, he had heard a lot about his father from Sirius, but very little about his mother. That seemed to be a sore spot for both men. "You never really talk about her."

Again, Severus paused in his work, a small sad smile creeping onto his face.

"She was the kindest person I knew. She forgave me in a time when I had done something unspeakable. She was even there to help me when I realized how I felt about Sirius. She was the greatest witch I ever knew."

"What did you do?"

Severus shook his head.

"That is a story for when you're older. Now go on," he motioned to the door with his wand, opening it. "I have plenty of work to do, and you have a book to read."

Harry scrunched up his nose at that but went anyway. Bothering Snape when he was working was always a gamble. One time he was spelled right out of the room, another time he distracted Snape long enough that a potion blew up. So he knew when it was time to leave.

He went up to the sitting room and just stood. He could go read like he was told. Or he could send a message to Draco and see if he wanted to come over.

So he got to work writing the message and throwing it into the fire. It didn't take long for a reply to come, but it wasn't what he was hoping for. In truth he expected the boy to just step through the fireplace like he had done that last hundred times he was invited over.

'Sorry, Potter

My parents are having me go over all my books and such. They want me home for the rest of the summer for some reason. See you on the train.

-Draco Malfoy.'

Well, that was a bust.

So instead he acquainted himself with Hedwig and leafed through his books.

This last month of summer was looking bleak.

The night before he would finally be going back to Hogwarts, he had another dream.

This one was less pleasant.

It all flashed before him, like the flash of a camera. The images were clear but flashed quickly before him, making it hard to make out some of them. What he could make out was a mirror, fire, and misshapen face.

The face is what sent him into a panic.

He started to try and run from the images. But they kept coming. He even started to swing at them, begging them to leave him alone.

But that face kept coming.

Closer and closer until it's gaping maw was ready to swallow him whole.

"NO!" Harry cried, sitting up in bed.

He panted for a moment, looking around his room confused and frightened.

"Harry?" Sirius called through the door, he sounded muzzy and drowsy. "Is everythin' alright in there?"

"I'm fine Sirius," Harry called, whipping his brow. "Just a bad dream, I'm fine, promise."

Sirius was quiet for a while, most likely contemplating whether he should come in and check for himself or not.

"Right, let us know if you need anything." He told him. "Try and get some sleep pup, big day tomorrow."

"Yeah." Harry nodded, laying back down, a small smile on his face. "Can't wait."

It took him a moment, after hearing Sirius's retreating footsteps, for him to fall asleep.

When he did, he was blissfully greeted by blank nothingness.

"You got everythin' 'en?" Sirius asked, holding the boy's shoulders so he had his complete attention.

"Yeah, got everything." Harry nodded.

"I'm sorry we can't come to see you off." Sirius huffed. "But the Ministry' got me chasing some undesirable, and well Sev's got to prep his class, you know how it is."

"I'll be fine, Sirius," Harry promised. "You told me time and time again how to get to platform 9 3/4, I'll get there."

"Right." Sirius nodded, patting the boy's shoulders and backing up. "Jus so you know, pup, I will be proud of you no matter what house you get into, so no need to worry about that. Severus feels the same."

"Severus thinks I'll be sorted into Gryffindor." Harry told him.

That got a laugh out of his godfather.

"He would be the better judge than me, bein' a teacher an' all."

"What if I'm sorted into Slytherin?"

"Well you'll have yur godfather looking after you 'en an' I'll bet Draco will be there as well." Sirius smiled than thought. "But just be warned. Most Slytherins are not like Severus. 'Ey can be very judgy. Yur godfather had a hard time in tha' house as a student."

"But he's still loyal to it?"

"Loyalty is something that comes from years of struggles, so I imagine so." he nodded. "You best be off, don't want to be late. I'll see you when I come to visit 'en. Off you go."

"See you, Sirius." Harry smiled, giving him a tight hug.

They parted and Harry made his way through the station, getting odd looks from all the muggles around. He found platforms nine and ten and the pillar between, but he hesitated. In all his excitement he hadn't had time to feel nervous. Not until now. Now he stood staring at the pillar wondering if it would work as his godfathers said.

In his hesitations, another group came forward lead by a bustling woman.

"Oh, every year." she huffed. "Packed with muggles, but what can be done. C'mon dears, this way."

Curious he watched them as the woman ushered each child through the platform. And to his great relief, they went right through. So he waited for his turn. Laughing to himself as the woman urged her twins through and they played a trick on her, switching their names. This caught her attention and she looked over at him.

"Oh sorry dear, were we keeping you?" she called, smiling in a way that only a mother could.

"Not at all," Harry assured. "I was just a bit nervous."

"Ah, first time to Hogwarts." she nodded, looking to her last son. "It's Ron's first as well."

"Would you like to go before me?" Ron, as the boy was called, offered receiving a proud smile from his mother.

"It's fine," Harry told him. "I'll go after you."

"If you're quite sure dear." The woman nodded to her son. "I'm Molly Weasly, and this is my daughter Ginny. She'll be going to Hogwarts next year."

"But I want to go now, Mummy." the girl whined.

"Oh hush, Ginny, you'll be there soon enough." Molly waved her off.

"I'm Harry, Harry Potter." Harry said before he could think.

The look of shock on her face had him taking a half step back.

"Are you?" Ginny cried. "Are you really Harry Potter?"

Now Harry was looking around to see if anyone had heard her.

"Hush, Ginny." Molly abashed. "It is good to meet you, dear. Now then, the two of you best be off."

"But I want to talk to him some more," Ginny whined again. "He's famous."

"Enough of that, you can talk to him next year." Molly tutted.

"But thas too long."

"Hush now." Molly shushed. "Off you go boys, write me when you're sorted, Ronald."

"Yes, mum." Ron called back before disappearing into the pillar.

Harry gave her one last nod of thanks before following suit. When he made it to the other side, the other boy was gone. Someone came and took his luggage and he made his way onto the train. He was hoping to see Draco, but couldn't spot him through the crowd. So he settled in an empty carriage and waited for the journey to begin.

"Sorry,"

He looked up and smiled seeing Ron.

"Do you mind, everywhere else is full?"

"Not at all." Harry nodded. "I'm actually just waiting for my other friend to find me."

"Oh." Ron looked dejected.

"No, you'll like him, he can be a bit of a snob, but he's a good guy," Harry assured. "Come sit."

Ron smiled back and took a seat across from him.

"So are you really, him?" Ron asked, looking sheepish.

"Him? Um yes." Harry said, furrowing his brow just slightly.

"Do you have the scare?"

Gulping, he lifted his bangs so the boy could get a good look at the scar.

"Wicked." Ron smirked sitting back in his seat.

"There you are, Potter."

Looking up, Harry's smile returned as he saw Draco. It faltered, however, when he noticed the other two behind him. Two lumpy looking boys.

"This is Crab and Goyle," he told his friend, pointing them out. "I've told you about them."

"Oh right." Harry nodded, looking over to Ron who looked uncomfortable. "This is Ron."

Draco gave him a once over before grimacing.

"I've told you about the lesser wizarding families," he nodded to Ron. "Well judging by his red hair and hand-me-down robe, he must be a Weasly."

Harry became puzzled, looking between Ron and Draco. Ron looked like he was rearing to sock the other boy. But this was all weird. Draco was a snob sure, but not this cruel. What was going on?

"Why are you acting like this?" Harry asked standing now so he was in front of Ron. "He's a good block, or at least from what I've seen so far. So why are you being so rude?"

Draco turned up his nose.

"We don't need to affiliate with his kind. C'mon, I'll take you back to our cart."

His kind?

"And what kind is that, Malfoy?" Harry demanded, getting angry himself. "The kind that doesn't scoff at everyone else."

"I do not scoff." Draco scoffed.

"You just did." Harry pointed out. "I don't know why you're acting like this, but I don't care for it."

"What are you getting at Potter?"

"If you're going to treat my friend like this then maybe we shouldn't be friends anymore."

It was just a flicker, but Harry still saw it. The look of hurt that flashed across Draco's eyes. Instantly Harry regretted what he said and wanted to fix it. Wanted to start over. He hadn't even meant to say it in the first place. But the hurt quickly morphed into rage, then arrogance.

"Have it your way then." he spat, turning on his heel and marching down the corridor his goons close at his back.

Harry watched him go, felt the loss of the bond keenly, and flopped back into his seat.

"You alright, mate?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, just…" Harry gathered his thoughts before looking at Ron. "He's never acted like that. He's been my friend since I was five."

Ron looked away, feeling guilty.

"Sorry."

"No." Harry made up his mind then, sitting back and relaxing. If he spent all his time feeling bad he'd never get to enjoy Hogwarts, he'd make this right, or he'd move past it. He could work out his feelings on the matter later. "If he is going to act like that then I don't want him as a friend. How about it Ron, want to be friends?"

Ron beamed at that.

"Sure, but you'll have to let me sock him next time."

"Deal." Harry smiled.

The boys spent the rest of the ride sealing their new bonds with mounds of candy- which Harry swore he would never tell Sirius and Severus about since he promised not to spend his money fruitlessly.

"My brother, Fred, gave me a spell that could turn things yellow." Ron said when their conversation veered toward spells they knew. "Want to see?"

"Yeah." Harry smiled, he only knew a few spells and even then they weren't all that impressive.

Just things like lighting candles and setting the hearth's wood on fire. He did learn how to make things float, but couldn't get them to go very high or to move in any other direction than up. Sirius was the one letting him use his wand for all this since Severus seemed convinced that his wand would bite him.

He wasn't wrong.

Without thinking, Harry grabbed Severus's wand and cast a fire spell for the kettle and he felt a jolt shoot up through his arm. Painful enough to make him drop it with a yelp. He never touched it again after that.

Ron cleared his throat.

"Sunshine-"

"Excuse me."

They looked up to see a girl, with unruly curly hair spilling over her shoulders, bright brown eyes standing in their doorway already in her robes.

"Has anyone seen a toad, a boy a few carts back has lost one." she said.

Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged.

"No." Ron told her, but she seemed to have forgotten her mission as her eyes zeroed in on his wand.

"Are you doing magik?" she asked excitedly. "Oh, can I see?"

The boys shrugged again and Ron cleared his throat again.

"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellows," he waved his wand over his pet rat, Scabbers, before pointing at him sharply with it. "Turn this stupid fat rat yellow."

A wave of yellow energy rushed from the wand to the rat, but all it did was disturb him from his snacking for a second. Otherwise, he stayed the same raggedy brown as before. They all watched him for a moment to make sure it wasn't a delayed reaction but he remained unfazed.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?" the girl asked.

"Bloody Fred," Ron grumbled. "Should have known he was having a go at me."

"It's alright," Harry told him. "I only know a few spells."

"Me as well." the girl smiled. "I've only tried a few simple spells from our books, but they've all worked for me." she then noticed Harry's glasses had a small crack in them, something he himself hadn't noticed yet, and went to sit in front of him. "Like this." she smiled pointing her wand in his face making him tense. "Oculus Repairo."

With a flash, the crack fused itself back to normal so his lenses were good as new.

"Whoa." Ron couldn't quite stop himself from saying around a mouthful of cauldron cakes.

"There you are, good as new." The girl smiled. "I'm Hermione Granger, by the way."

"Thanks, I'm-"

"I already know who you are, of course." she waved him off. "Your Harry Potter, everyone is talking about you." then looked to Ron. "You, I'm not familiar with."

"Ron Weasly." he told her.

"Pleasure." she looked him up and down. "By the way, you've got dirt on your nose."

She pointed on her nose to where it was, getting him to rub furiously at it.

"You two should change into your robes, I do believe we will be arriving soon." she smiled, taking her leave after that, presumably resuming her search for that toad.

The boys shared a look, shook their heads, and went on to do as she said.

"First years, this way."

As Harry stepped off the train, he was greeted with the sight of a towering man with a big lantern.

Smiling like a loon, he bolted for the man and gave him the tightest hug he could.

"It's so good to see you Hagrid." he said, though it was muffled as his face was buried in the man's torso.

"'Ello 'Arry." Hagrid smiled, wrapping a free arm around the boy. "Wasn' sure ifin' Ah bae seein' ya thes year."

"Of course I'd be here," Harry told him, backing up. "Wouldn't miss it for nothing."

Hagrid smiled at him, then batted him away going back to his job of guiding the first years.

Hogwarts at night looked just as beautiful as Harry remembered. It had been so long since he'd seen it. During the holidays, Snape made it a point to come home so he hadn't seen it since before primary school. As his boat came closer, he marveled at its silhouette against the moon with absolute joy. Glancing over at Ron he smiled feeling the awe through new eyes.

Soon enough he was walking through the oh so familiar halls, his shoes making a satisfying click as they went.

"Welcome to Hogwarts" Professor McGonagall called to all of them as she found them, her eyes brightening just a little as she spotted Harry.

"'Allow Professor." he nodded.

She nodded back, not wanting to out him just yet.

"Follow me to the great hall." she told them swishing on her heel and down the hall.

As they entered Harry smiled all the more at hearing the gasps and oohs and ahs from all the other students as they walked past the other students. Looking past all that, Harry locked eyes with his godfather. Snape nodded, though showed nothing else. Harry knew he didn't want to play favorites just because Harry is his godfather. So he nodded back and refocused on what McGonagall was telling them.

"When I call your name, you will take a seat on the stool, and the hat will sort you into your houses."

Before she called a name though, the hat sprang to life and began to sing.

They watched as it did, listened to the odd song then as it settled.

"Now, let's begin." McGonagall called. "Susan Bone."

Harry watched as they went, clapping with everyone as they were sorted one by one.

"Hermione Granger."

The girl looked completely freaked as she mumbled to herself all the way up to the stool.

"She is completely mental." Ron snorted.

Harry nodded in agreement.

The hat was placed, and with pride, it shouted.

"Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table roared with applause as she followed them to a seat at their table.

"I hope I'm sorted with them." Ron murmured to himself, but Harry still listened. "My whole family was Gryffindors, they'll be so disappointed if I'm not."

Harry understood his dilemma, he knew his godfathers wouldn't hate him no matter where he ends up and wouldn't be disappointed. But it was still a fear he, unfortunately, couldn't help but feel.

"Draco Malfoy."

Hearing the name, Harry edged closer to the end of his seat so he could watch as Draco marched head high to the stool. Even though he was sure he and Draco wouldn't ever be friends again he did hope that he got into the house he wanted. If nothing else, just so he didn't have to deal with his father's pureblood bull. Or at least, part of him wanted that for Draco. The other part was hoping that maybe the boy would be sorted with him. Then maybe he could mend their bond and even get Ron and him to become friends as well so they can all hangout. Though… he didn't think that was how this was going to go.

"Slytherin!"

The hat had barely been placed when it shouted.

The Slytherin table clapped and welcomed him with a reserved joy that only snobbish purebloods could manage.

Inside, Harry was also cheering him on.

They may not be friends anymore, but he could still be happy for the boy.

Draco took his seat and sneered at Harry, making the other boy look away.

He may have to rethink that whole being happy for him depending on how nasty Draco gets.

"Neville Longbottom."

This boy looked like he was ready to faint at the meer mention of his name. He was so nervous he tripped on his way up and slumped self-consciously in his seat.

"Gryffindor!" The hat roared after a short wait.

Neville was so released that he took off with the hat still on his head. It had to scold him and demand to be taken back. It made the whole room laugh.

"Harry Potter."

The room fell into a deep hush as the boy stepped forward, taking his seat. McGonagall gave him a small smile as she placed the had on his head, covering his eyes. The other students disappeared and all he had was the hat. Which would decide his future.

"Hmm, so many traits to choose from." the hat hummed. "Courage and ambition, and a thirst for knowledge. Where to put him, where to put him?"

"I… Slytherin, or Gryffindor, I don't know which." Harry told it, still thinking about his godfathers. "I don't want to disappoint them."

"I see, I see." the hat would nod if it had ahead. "You could fit in both, and they each can build on your talents pathing the way for greatness. But which one, oh which one."

Harry bit his lip, held his breath. Waited for the answer. Second by second, tick-tick-tick.

"But I think I know." the hat assured. "I think it best, yes, yes, it will be Gryffindor!"

The ruckus that exploded from the Gryffindor table was enough to shake the room. Harry smiled, hoping from the stool and jogging down, taking a seat next to one of Ron's brothers. He got plenty of pats and handshakes as he took his seat. When it died down, he glanced up to the professors to his godfather smiling proudly at him.

All his worries eased, he smiled back at him and watched the rest of the students get sorted.

"Ronald Weasly."

Harry smiled as his new friend was sitting, looking pale and about ready to pass out. The hat was on for a while, longer than Draco anyway, and Harry could feel the other Weaslys getting more anxious with every second. Harry himself, was even getting a bit tense.

And then,

"Gryffindor!"

Harry felt the tension release as he and the Weaslys stood clapping their hands together so hard it was comparable to thunder.

Ron beamed like the sun as he ran for the table, Fred scooching over to make room for him. Harry clapped him on the back as they sat down, calming down so the other students could get through their sorting.

"Now then," McGonagall called. "A few words from our headmaster."

The old mad, Professor Dumbledor, stood and Harry instinctively sat straighter. He had only met the man a few times out of the few years he spent at the school and every time he felt like he needed to show the man all the respect he possessed.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

Thank you."

And with that, Harry Potter was starting to question where he was placing his respect.

The headmaster was odd, but the food was excellent, just as it had always been.

"Ah, little Potter, you've finally joined us."

Looking up from his chicken Harry smiled at the see-through head poking out of the table.

"'Allo, Sir Nickolas." Harry smiled. "It's good to see you again."

"About time you've come. Welcome home." Nickolas nodded joining the other ghosts as they milled about.

"Yeah, I'm home." Harry nodded.

That night, instead of spending it in Snape's chambers, he finally, finally got to see the Gryffindor dorms. Along the way, he smiled and waved to all the portraits who welcomed him back with their own smiles. He would have to stop and talk to them when he got the chance. But for now, he was going to enjoy his time in his new room with his roommates.