Dear all,

I did have to do some rather frustrating researc for this chapter and nearly reread half of the books, because the information is somewhat inconsistent. The result is an additional chapter that I shall replace as I go - as I have finally found the button that says 'uploade/replace chapter'. It will always be the last chapter, so it will be a double uploade this time. Some of the information is somewhat of a 'spoiler' at this point because it is more than Harry knows but then again, it is information that we probably all know and information that I am not about to change or temper with.

I also had to do some background research as I intend to do a twist on a twist that has in a way been done before. I did not like it, though. That's why I'm still researching options to make some things more plausible. One warning ahead, I already introduced it. See if someone can recognize it. ^^°

And then I finally lost my patience with open office and typed in a 'Harry Potter '. X3~

Well, I hope you'll enjoy the next part:

Harry Potter, a Slytherin in Gryffindor

Chapter V: Setting in

The four kept together as Hagrid led them in the opposite direction of the older students. The sun had sunk some time ago and made walking the slippery and steep path difficult. It got so dark, that Harry could hardly make out his hand before his eyes and after slipping and tripping for the third time on the cobble stone, he was fed up. Harry pulled out his wand and resolutely commanded:

"Lumos."

That rather nifty spell was somewhere in their charms book. He had come across it upon reading it in his mum's books. The main reason Harry even remembered it was the tiny sarcastic comment written next to it. Apparently his mother had found the Potion's classroom to dark to read without additional light.

"Oh, of course", Harry heard a female voice before him, while the others behind grumbled because they had shortly been blinded by the light. Then an other wand lit up – Hermione's, if Harry was not mistaken.

The same happened a few people behind him.

"Hey Draco, give a guy some warning, will yeh."

Well, that answered the question of who had done it. But the voice of the boy that had complained was new to Harry. Maybe Draco had more friends than just the three that had sat in the same compartment.

With the additional light of three wands, their little hike became a lot easier. Unfortunately it also meant that Neville, who was walking next to Harry, got a lot more nervous. Harry had probably overpowered the charm, as his wand was brighter than the other two. That meant, that some of the Trees and bushes next to the path became visible. And the students could catch one or two eyes of animals which reflected the light. It was a bit eery.

When they went a round a final bent the students there were loud 'Oh' and 'Ah'. Their first view on the brightly lit castle was magnificent. Against the dark blue sky, under the light of the first stars, perched on top of a mountain sat Hogwarts – vast castle with many towers and turrets and light. The picture was mirrored in the black and unruffled water of the giant black lake.

A soft hoot startled Harry out of his admiration. He turned to the tree that it had come from and a moment later a snowy white owl swung itself into the air. Hedwig flew straight over the lake to the castle. She would arrive way before them, as they had jet to climb into the many boats, that were tied to the peer.

"No more'n fore to a boat", called Hagrid over their heads.

Shortly after Hannah, Harry, Neville and Susan sat in one boat of the little fleet that brought the first-years over the lake. Hagrid who had a boat to himself was at the front. The boats moved alone and without help, they did not even have rows. All of the students were silent, still mesmerized by the castle.

"Heads down", shouted Hagrid, when they reached a cliff. They went through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening. They passed through a dark tunnel and only thanks to the lit wands it became evident, that this was not man made. It was a naturally formed one. Only the end, a small underground harbor was partially artificial. It was probably right under the school.

They clambered out of the boats. As they clambered up a passage in the stone, coming out at last onto smooth and damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. Their journey ended in front of a big oak door. Where they stopped and Hagrid waided until everyone had gathered around. Than he lifted one of his large fists and knocked loudly three times.

It opened instantly and without a noise. A tall, thin and dark haired witch in emerald green cloths stood on the other side. She had apparently been expecting them. Her features were stern and some wrinkles were all over her face. Her eyes were hidden behind rectangular glasses.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall", said Hagrid and confirmed Harry's suspicion. His mother and father had given great detail in her description of the professor. Obviously the comments were as different as one could imagine. Lily had made some reasonable and useful observations while James had mostly written about her reaction when ever he and his friends had pulled another prank.

"Thank you, Hagrid, I will take them from here", she answered and gave a short sharp look to the students that had lit their wands.

"Nox", said three voices. Harry could not imagine that they had done something forbidden but could not help to share a slightly uneasy glance with the others.

When they entered the hall Harry had trouble keeping his mouth from hanging wide open. It was big enough to fit the whole Dursley's house in there and still have room left. Flaming torches hung from the stone walls and lit the whole hall. The ceiling formed a beautiful arc with ornaments that were to high up to make out clearly. A marble staircase went up to the upper floors. Several doors and arcs lead from and to the Entrance hall. One was half hidden behind the stairs, and filled with an other oak door that was currently closed. Another, visa vi to the entrance, had no door in it. Harry could see the steps leading down into the dungeons. The biggest, however, was a set of huge double doors.

Harry could hear the other students from there. They must have arrived faster then themselves. He half expected that they would join them but the Professor led them to a small side chamber. They had to stand rather close together, much to close for Harry's comfort.

"Welcome to Hogwarts", she greeted them. "The start-of-term banquet will start shortly. Before you can take your seats with the other students, however, you need to be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is considered to be a very important ceremony. While you are attending Hogwarts, your house will be something like a family. You will attend classes together with your house mates, sleep in your house dormitory and spend your free time in it's common room."

Harry raised his hand but the transfiguration professor was not yet done.

"The four houses are Gyffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has it's own history, each has it's own honorable traits and each produced outstanding witches and wizards. During your time at Hogwarts, all of your deeds can either earn or loose your house points. At the end of the year the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope that you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. Yes?"

Harry saw a short glint of recognition, but as she had not asked for his name he did not volunteer it.

"Where are we to spend time with friends from other houses? And what happens if we do not get along with our house mates?"

"While the Hogwarts rules state that you will not be allowed to enter the common room of an other house, you can be invited. However, your head of house has to be asked first and permission will not be granted again should your visit disrupt the other members of the house. If you have trouble with your house mates you can got to one of the prefects. There are six for each house, two of them are head girl and head boy."

Harry bit his lip, harshly. This was not some snotty fifteen year old but his future professor. She had probably lived with all of these biased views for a long time and grown up with them or at least used to them.

He raised his hands again and waited for the professor's confirming nod that he could speak.

"Does that mean that we are out of luck if our house mates are as biased as the ones I've met on the train? I mean, what if I ended up in, let's say, Gryffindor and had a friend who's in Slytherin." Harry chose to leave out his two little run ins with Percy. She was the head of house Gryffindor and had probably chosen this bit head.

"If that should be the case, I would suggest that you visit me in my office then", she said in a neutral tone but her lips formed a thin, hard line and when no further questions arose she left them to 'smarten up as much as they could'.

"How exactly do they sort us into houses", someone asked.

"Some sort of test, I think", answered the Weasley boy. "Fred said it hurt a lot but I think he was joking."

Harry snorted and looked to Neville, Hannah and Susan. They had overheard that as well. Neville looked pale but Harry put a hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down. The mere idea of any test is ridiculous. We haven't had any classes yet."

"Harry's right, Neville. No Muggle-born would ever be able to pass a test. They hardly know anything."

"Besides Hermione you mean, Susan."

"That just proves my point, Hannah. Hermione is clearly an exception to the rule. It is just not normal how much that girl..."

"Okay, okay, stop it you two", interjected Harry who saw another of their verbal spars coming. "I take it, that you, too, have no idea how the Sorting is accomplished."

Both shock their heads.

Harry almost jumped a foot into the air when suddenly several people behind him screamed. He turned around to see if something had happened but was relieved when he just saw some girl pointing at some pearly-white, slightly transparent figures gliding through the room, not even taking notice of the first-years. His mothers description had not done them justice, thought Harry as he observed them conversing.

"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance", said what looked like a fat monk.

"My dear Frair, we have given Peeves all the chances he deserves. He gives us all a bad image and he's not even a real ghost – I say, what are you doing all here?"

When the students stayed entirely silent Harry sighed.

"Waiting, we are hardly the first new students that end up waiting here."

"Ah, that is true", another ghost chimed in.

"About to be sorted, I suppose", the fat monk, whom they had called the fair, spoke again. "Well then, I hope to see you in Hufflepuff, my old house, you know."

"Move along now", came Professor McGonagall's sharp voice from the door and the ghosts floated away in the direction of the other students.

"The Sorting ceremony is about to start. Form a line and follow me."

The two boys placed themselves somewhere in the middle. Harry had nudged the girls to the front. Upon their curious looks Harry had calmly pointed out that their surnames started with A and B, so they might as well be the first to be called.

"You know about the sorting", Neville whispered to Harry.

"No, but I was told the whole name was called. It just makes sense to order them by surname, doesn't it?"

Most students looked as nervous as Harry felt. He was not so sure he liked being sorted in front of the entire school. There were to many unknown factors that could go horribly wrong. Of course he had studied as much about the Wizarding world as possible in order to get an understanding of what others expected him to be like. He was also very sure that he did not want to fulfill half of these expectations, if not more. But what he could hardly ignore was the fact, that he was pretty much a pure Slytherin – growing up with the Dursleys had ensured that. Unfortunately most people would expect him to be a Gryffindor, like his parents. He could probably hope for Ravenclaw. If his parents diaries were anything to go by Lily would have fit there rather well.

Harry desperately tried to calm himself and mold his face into an impassive mask as the line of students followed Professor McGonagall out of the chamber, through the entrance hall and the double door. However, it was of no use. Even reading Hogwarts, a History had not prepared him for this. To know that the ceiling was bewitched to look like the sky outside and to see it was definitely a difference. It looked amazing. There had been no clouds, when they entered the castle and by now the sky had turned into a color somewhere between midnight blue and black. Even with all of the floating candles the stars were clearly visible and looked closer than ever. It was hard to believe that the ceiling was there at all.

The students sat on four tables clearly distinguishable by the house colors on the uniforms. The younger years looked rather curious towards the line of students that entered, while the older were more relaxed if not half bored. Harry imagined that the novelty wore of after seeing it five times. They rather observed the tables that were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. It looked stunning and Harry got the impression that it was done to show off the wealth of the Wizarding world. If this had been done since the opening of Hogwarts at least all of the Muggle-borns would have been stunned speechless by all that gold – especially as it was something rather rare in the Muggle world.

The ghosts they had seen earlier were present, too. Frair hovered at one end of the table where all the students with yellow and black ties sat. Hufflepuff, Harry reminded himself. He and three other ghosts stood at the far end from the table where the teachers sat and were the only for ghosts on the ground. The others glided along the walls a bit higher up.

Their procession through the tables stopped in front of the three steps that led to the pedestal where the teachers sat. In front of their table was some space on it and they had placed a small, wooden, four-legged stool there. On top of it sat the shabbiest hat Harry had seen so far. It looked so old, extremely dirty and tattered that Petunia would not have even let it on the grounds before setting it on fire. Nevertheless, the whole halls attention was now on this patched, frayed and dusty object.

For a few seconds there was complete silence. Then suddenly the hat twitched and a moment later the brim opened wide like a mouth and the hat 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 you head the sorting hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you where you ought to be.

You might belong to Gryffindor where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry, set Gryffindors apart.

You might belong to Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil.

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you have a ready mind,

Where those and wit and learning, will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin you'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use many means to achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap!

You're safe in hands (though I have none) I'm a Thinking Cap!

Harry had gone white after the verse where the Hat had said that it could read minds and not paid much attention to the rest of the song. But he was startled out of his musings when the whole hall started applauding. On the one hand he was slightly relieved that it was only one object who would be privy to his thoughts. Maybe he could reason with the Hat or concentrate on all the daring things he had done right under the Dursleys' noses. He did not want to spent the rest of his Hogwarts years always answering why he was not like his parents. It would get immensely tiring.

On the other hand he had to keep in mind that he still had not found all evidence necessary for the trial of Lord Black. It just would not do to draw any more attention to it. Telling Moody had turned out to be more of a help than a curse but the former Auror was still looking for Pettigrew. That traitor apparently kept moving, at least at night. And sometimes he would move during daytime as well. In short the scared man was rather frustrated. He had just sent Harry a letter that he had finally located the man in Devon, or more precisely close to Ottery St. Catchpole.

Harry sighed and forced his concentration back to Professor McGonagall who now stood next to the stool, a parchment in her hand.

"When I call you name, you will come forth and sit on the stool. I'll put on the Hat so you can be sorted", she said and continued without further ado. "Abbott, Hannah", she confirmed Harry's hunch of the girls being sorted first.

His new friend stepped forward and sat down. Thanks to Harry she was somewhere at the very front and had been somewhat forewarned. They all waited in silence again, but it only took a short moment and the brim of the Sorting Hat opened again.

"HUFFLEPUFF', it shouted and the second table from the right, where Harry had also spotted Cedric earlier, cheered loudly. She gave Harry a small wink, when McGonagall had taken of the Hat and went to sit with here new house where she was welcomed warmly. Frair even waved merrily at her and Harry got the impression that the ghost was was an overall friendly and cheery fellow

"Bones, Susan."

This time it took even less time before the Hat shouted:

"HUFFLEPUF!"

"Boot, Terry"

"RAVENCLAW!"

This time the table second to the left started clapping and to welcome the first new Ravenclaw. Several of the older students stood up to shake hands with him. Maybe they had known each other before, Harry mused.

"Brocklehurst, Mandy", went into the same house.

"Brown, Lavender", however, became the first new Gryffindor which startled the table to the far left into cheers. Harry could see the red haired Weasley twins catcalling and just shock his head at their antics

"Bulstrode, Millicent", after her became the first new Slytherin. Unsurprisingly the the table to the far right started clapping. Their attitude was, however, more reserved then the rest. Harry guessed that a lot of pure-bloods ended there and all these lessons on proper etiquette diminished their joy a little.

"Finch-Fletchley, Justin."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Harry continued watching but did not bother to remember all of the names. He would get them soon enough. He did, however take notice, that Draco's friends Crabbe and Goyle were sorted into Slytherin and found himself surprised that Hermione ended in Gryffindor. He could have bet that she would be a Ravenclaw.

"Longbottom, Neville", was called before him and Harry payed close attention. For some of the students it had taken longer than others. Hermione was one of them. Maybe she had argued with the Sorting Hat and Harry wanted to see if that theory proved true. He guessed that Neville would make a very good Hufflepuff but maybe he was wrong again.

It took indeed a while until the new house of his friend was shouted into the hall:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Neville literally jumped of the stool and could just manage to stop himself from running of with the Sorting Hat. He had told Harry during changing that his father had been a Gryffindor and his grandmother had expected him to become one, too. But he himself also wanted to go their in hopes of becoming a bit braver. So, Harry silently cheered with his friend and the Gryffindors as they clapped.

"Malfoy, Draco", was the next name to draw Harry's attention. But this time the Sorting was over before the Hat sat completely on Draco's head.

"SLYTHERIN!"

That left Harry with only two more students among the waiting that he had already met on the train. One was the girl that had sat with Draco, which probably meant that he should keep an eye out for her – if only to not make an unnecessary enemy. The other was Weasley and the only reason Harry would pay attention to him was to avoid him later.

"Parkinson, Pansy."

"SLYTHERIN", shouted the Sorting Hat shortly after.

Next were a set of Indian looking twins that curiously ended up in two different houses. The first was a Ravenclaw, the second a Gryffindor. Harry assumed that they were treated much more like individuals instead of a package deal which may have led them to grow up with different values. They were followed by "Perks, Sally-Ann" who became the forth Hufflepuff girl and then came the dreaded call of his own name:

"Potter, Harry."

Instantly murmurs started to go through the hall. Harry took a moment to exchange short but all saying looks with his new friends. All five of them, yes, even Draco looked at him with a bit of pity, though the blond somehow managed to pull of looking rather smug at the same time. He was accosted by his other year mates who had just understood that they had already been introduced tho Harry on the train. The Weasley twins on the Gryffindor table looked just as dumbstrucked as them, and the Hufflepuffs around Cedric had all putt a bit of money on the table. They had apparently gone through with their betting pool, as a tiny stack of bronze Knuts sat on the table, waiting to be collected by the winner.

Harry breathed in deeply and made his way to the stool. There was no use in delaying the inevitable. All eyes were on him as McGonagall placed the Hat on his head and thankfully then everything vanished as the overly large hat slit over his eyes.

"Hm", said a small voice in his ear that made Harry almost jump from the stool in surprise. "You've quite the head on your shoulders, Mr. Potter. Difficult. Very difficult."

"Good evening, Sir." Harry tried concentrating on this sentence to see if the Hat would react. "I apologize but I did not quite catch your name earlier."

"I should think, Mr. Potter that I introduced myself earlier as the Sorting Hat. What could you have possibly been busy with at that time?"

Oh, no. That was not a question Harry wanted to answer, so the quickly thought back that he did not believe that to be an actual name but just a title.

"Very well", chuckled the Hat. "You may call me Owin Griffith."

"You were a human?"

"Why yes. Of course I was. Were do you young people think I get my brains from. There always has to be a source. Magic can do great many things but while it's sentient it is not intelligent in the way humans are."

"So, who were you then?"

"My, you would definitely fit into Ravenclaw with a quizzical mind like that. I was Godric's mentor and we shall leave it at that. You, Mr. Potter are here to be sorted, not to have an idle chat."

Well, a boy could try, thought Harry.

The Hat chuckled.

"Slytherin was rather adapt at that too. And I do see great ambition in you. You've got the thirst to prove yourself. There's also a great deal of mistrust towards the headmaster. I say you'd fit in rather well, and you little talent of speaking with snakes wouldn't be feared there."

"Are you going to tell him that?"

"Oh, no. I'm sworn to secrecy. I can only tell if your intention was to harm Hogwarts. Though, dare I say, you may just bring the needed wake up call and we shall enjoy watching you."

"We?"

"Oh, Hogwarts and I", Griffith waved him of. "Now, shall we put you to the snakes."

"No!"

"And why not?"

"I want some quite years while I'm at school at least. Getting my workload done and making some honest friends."

"Ah, yes, mustn't overlook your loyal streak and the willingness to put in a lot of effort. But Hufflepuff would probably be to quiet for you."

"Send me to Gryffindor. Everyone practically expects me to go there. And I wouldn't have to deal with the whole Wizarding world thinking they could stick their noses into my life just because I didn't live up to their standards."

"Sneaky, Mr. Potter and a valid argument. But that house is rather brash. They'll be the cause of mayor headache, that much I'm sure of."

"I'll cope. I always do."

"True enough, but I'm not so sure I should do that to poor Minerva. She already has to deal with the Weasley twins and putting the son of a marauder who has the mind to pull of a prank and get away with it is laying it a bit thick."

"McGonagall? So the twins are pranksters? Or are they just bullies like my father?"

"That would be Professor McGonagall for you, young man. And no, they tend to harass their family more than others but the other targets are mostly students who have bullied others or just needed to lighten up."

The image of Percy flashed through Harry's mind and he heard Griffith laugh.

"Well, if you are sure, then better be GRYFFINDOR", he said shouting the last word into the hall. "Do come for a visit some time, little Slytherin", was the last Harry heard before the Hat was taken of.

While the Gryffindor table cheered louder than ever Harry ignored them in favor of sweeping his eyes fastly over the Hufflepuff table. He was confronted with an accusing look from Cedric who pointed at the Slytherin table. The other four looked rather sullen to. But the silent boy who had sat next to the door had a huge grin on his face as he collected his winnings. Harry shock his head, shrugged and grinned back.

The exchange didn't go entirely unnoticed if Draco's raised eyebrow was anything to go by. The blond had probably expected him to end up in Slytherin. Though, for obvious reasons he could not just walk over and talk with him now.

"Lunch", the blond mouthed and Harry nodded back, as he sat down on the Gryffindor table between Neville and Hermione, skillfully avoiding everyone who wanted to shake hands. He only introduced himself to his other year mates that he had not known until now. Lavender, Fay, Lily, Parvati, and Seamus seemed nice enough. Together they watched as the rest of their year was sorted. A little later Dean Thomas and Ronald Weasley joined them.

"Well done, Ron", congratulated him Percy pompously as the last student Blaise Zabini was sorted into Slytherin and Professor McGonagall rolled up the scroll. She went to take the stool and Owin Griffith away. She then returned and took her seat next to a man with long white hair and beard. He looked very old and had blue eyes that shone brightly behind half moon glasses. During the sorting he had sat on the largest chair in the middle of the head table. He was the headmaster, as Harry knew from the Chocolate Frog Cards that he had gotten during the train ride that this was Albus Dumbledore. Now the headmaster had gotten to his feat. He was beaming at his students, his arms wide open like in a gesture that preceded a hug.

"Welcome", he said and his voice did not sound nearly as old as he looked. Harry reminded himself that Bathilda Bagshot hat told him the headmaster was into his hundreds and a rather eccentric fellow.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Here the older students clapped, though not Harry. He could see that Mrs. Bagshot had been right with her assessment but could not see anything noteworthy in it.

"Thank you", the old man said and sat back down again.

"Mrs. Bagshot was right, he has quite a few loose screws", Harry muttered under his breath. Hermione elbowed him for that.

"Harry", she looked rather scandalized. "That's the headmaster you are talking about."

"What, I just said that I agree with Mrs. Bagshot's opinion and she is the author of A History of Magic."

"Oh, argue later you two. Potatoes?"

"Thanks Neville", Harry answered absentmindedly while starring rather speechless at the amount of different dishes that had appeared out of the blue. There were things that he had only ever cooked or seen on the pictures of Petunia's cookbooks. And they all looked so delicious and steaming hot. Harry forewent the roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, sausages, beacon and steak in order to try some lamp chops. He had cooked them for the Dursleys but did not get to try. They were to good for someone like him and so Harry had only gotten a piece of bread with some butter an a small slice of cheese. He also tried Yorkshire pudding and tasted his way through all the different kinds of vegetables which earned him surprised looks from the other boys. Though the girls seemed to approve of his choices.

"Harry", Dean seemed to remember his manners and swallowed before he continued. He was a big black boy, even taller than Ron, though, not as lanky. "Out of all of us, you'd be the last who has to worry about what he's eating. I mean, you're probably the smallest and thinnest in our whole year."

Hermione and Neville beside him stopped eating. They carefully looked at Harry. Dean's comment probably reminded them of the conversation they had had in the compartment after lunch.

"I'm not worried about my weight. I'm just not good with fatty foods." Not after growing up like I did, thought Harry bitterly. He would have loved to try some of the more unhealthy things, but he had no intention of spending the first night hanging over the toilet. That was a mistake he had only ever made once when he had gotten to eat some very rich food after being confined to his cupboard for four days with only a little stale bread and water.

"That does look good", the ghost in the ruff, he had seen standing on the other end earlier, sadly.

"Can't you..?"

"Oh, no. I haven't eaten for nearly five hundred years. I don't need it of course but one does miss it, especially if it smells that good", answered the ghost. "I don't believe I've introduced myself yet. Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, at you service."

"I know who you are", Ron suddenly piped up with a full mouth, still chewing. "My brothers told me about you. You're the nearly headless Nick."

"I'd prefer if you would call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy", the ghost replied stiffly but got interrupted by Seamus.

"How can someone be nearly headless?"

Sir Nicholas looked extremely miffed but did not get to answer as Harry decided to put an end to that topic.

"You know, you are extremely rude – both of you", the smallest of the first-years scolded with an icy glare. "Take a closer look at Sir Nicholas' cloths, Seamus and keep in mind that he was killed almost five hundred years ago. I'm sure you can come up with a few reasons. If not, you can always read Hogwarts, A History. As for you Weasley, I can't say I'm surprised after meeting you on the train, considering just who your brother is."

The ghost gave Harry a surprised look. It seemed students called him by that name quite often.

"Thank", but again he got interrupted, this time by Ron.

"As if you'd be the one to talk about manners. You even lied about your name when we met."

Harry snorted.

"I only omitted my last name. I'll not endure poor manners of everyone around me because they want to ogle me like an animal in the zoo. I'm a living person and not some icon or scar", fumed Harry and continued to eat.

Ron stared open mouthed at him.

"Speaking of which", Lavender picked up where Harry left off. "Where is that scar anyway, every book say's it's on your forehead. Did you vanish it?" There was honest curiosity in her voice and she did look at him, rather than his forehead. For that Harry decided to answer her question.

"Waterproof Muggle make up." He grinned brightly.

"They've got something like that", the girl gaped.

Harry blinked owlishly.

"You're a wizard raised or pure-blood."

"Pure-blood. The Browns are one of the oldest families, though we've never been a noble house or something."

"You might want to ask Hermione then. I don't know all that much about Muggle make up and stuff."

"Hey, don't push that on me. I've never cared for it. Though, there is a lot."

For the rest of the meal the discussion was mostly about their family background, how they had discovered magic or how they had grown up with it, the most hilarious magical accidents. Though all of them contributed, it be came obvious that Harry kept mostly to himself.

When they had finished the main course. It just vanished and made room for all kinds of sweet deserts. There was ice cream, Jell-O, apple pie, treacle tart and many more things. Once again Neville and Harry convinced Hermione that she could brush her teeth once they reached the dormitories and that she could eat sweets, if she just applied the correct dental care. They got some odd looks but in the end even the bushy haired girl ended up with some vanilla ice cream and strawberries.

The other boys got themselves a second helping of sweets and Hermione opted for more strawberries. In the Muggle world the season for the fruits was already over but they seemed fresh here. Harry, however, was full after his piece of treacle tart and leaned back. For the first time he opted to observe the other teachers sitting at the head table.

He recognized the small Professor Flitwick right away from his mothers descriptions. He just seemed a little older. He sat next to a woman who looked rather earthy. Professor Quirrell stood out with his turban and appeared just as nervous as he had in the Leaky Cauldron. Next to him sat a man, dressed completely in black. He had shoulder length oily looking hair and a large nose. It was crooked and had probably been broken at some point. He was talking lazily with Professor Quirrell but seemed to have noticed Harry's stare. Hard, cold, black eyes returned it.

Harry felt like someone had emptied a bucked of ice cold water over him, with ice cubes. That could not be. He felt a wave of dread washing over him and was under no illusions that he looked probably just as white as the ghost. Both of his parents had described him. His mother much more in a solely character based way. His father however had ranted over the appearance.

"Sir Nicholas, the teacher dressed completely in black wouldn't by any chance be Severus Snape, would he?"

"Why, yes, he is."

Harry groaned and hid his face in his hands. This were going to be so bloody long seven years.

"Is everything all right, Harry?"

"Yes, Neville, everything's fine."

Harry carefully peaked in the direction of Professor Snape. The man was still looking at him. Though this time it was not a blank stare. One eyebrow was subtly raised. Harry was not sure if this meant that he was sneering or inquisitive. What ever way it turned out, he hoped that his Potions class was still very far away.

A short, sharp, hot pain shot through his scar and left him gritting his teeth for a moment. It had never done this before. But Harry refused to show to many emotions. So he burrowed his fists in his robes and breathed through it. Tears shot into his eyes and he closed them.

Harry was tired and ready to drop dead asleep when the desserts finally disappeared, too. However, the headmaster rose again.

"Just a few start-of-term announcements, now that we are all fed and watered. The first years should know that the forest on the grounds is off limits to all students. And a few of the older would do well to remember that." Here his gaze flickered towards the Weasley tins. "I've also been asked by our caretaker, Mr. Filch, to remind you that no magic should be used outside the class rooms. Now, Quidditch trials will be held during the second week of term. Those who are interested should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds for everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Harry frowned. If some of the older students threw all warning into the wind despite the ban on entering the forest would this not encourage them to try. Sure, some had laughed. It seemed rather irrational to hold something dangerous in a school full of children. That just asked for a horrible accident.

"That's just asking for an accident", he muttered his last thought out loud. Percy, who had sat close to them overheard him. The red head, too, had frowned. For once it seemed they more or less shared the same opinion.

Hermione looked rather quizzical as well.

"Does he really mean that", Seamus asked.

"So it would seem", Percy answered him. "It's odd, because he usually gives us the reason why we are not allowed to go somewhere, like the forest. It's full of dangerous creatures and everyone knows that." He, too, shot a rather nasty look at his younger twin brothers.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song", beamed Dumbledore but Harry could not help to notice that each and every other teacher looked very stiff and uncomfortable. The smiles had frozen in place and seemed rather forced.

Dumbledore flicked his wand, as if he wanted to get a fly off the other end. Then a golden ribbon made his way out of it. It floated up over the tables, twisting and turning until it formed a line of words.

"Everyone pick their favourite tune and off we go!"

And the school actually sang, or more like bellowed, while Harry had hastily clasped both hands tightly over his ears.

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, teach us something please

Whether we are old and bald or young with scabby knees.

Our heads could do with filling with some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air, dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things things worth knowing, bring back what we forgot,

just do your best, we'll do the rest and learn until our brains all rot.

When Harry finally saw that the others had stopped moving their lips, he took his hands down. How dare someone call that music, he thought disgusted. It had been noise and chaos. Music, as far as Harry was concerned, was meant to be enjoyed, even if it sounded as pitiful as the funeral tune that the twins had chosen to sing to.

Percy had made his way to the front of the new group of Gryffindors. Some of the older students had already left, as they made their way through the chattering crowd, out off the Great Hall, and up the marble stair case they had seen earlier. Percy lead them through various corridors full of moving and whispering paintings. Harry hardly managed to remember where he had lead them through hidden doorways behind sliding panels and hanging tapestries. How where they ever to find their way around here. He dearly hoped for a map, if that would be of any use at all. He could swear that he had seen one of the stair cases moving.

A sudden halt came to their trip when Percy stopped in front of a bundle of walking sticks. It floated in midair ahead of them until Percy stepped a bit closer and they started throwing themselves at him. But the red head dodged them rather easily and stepped back.

"Peeves, a poltergeist.", he explained whispering. Then he raised his voice. "Peeves, show yourself!"

A loud rude sound, like air being let out of a balloon, answered him.

"Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?"

A little man with a wide mouth and wicked dark eyes appeared with a pop. He clutched the sticks as he floated cross-legged in the air.

"Oooooh", he crackled. "What do I see? Ickle little Firsties!"

"Go away Peeves or the Bloody Baron will hear about it."

Harry could not help but snort. Obviously no one had ever found out how to deal with the little troublemaker. Well, no one but one single friend of the Marauders. He had not shared the secret with his friends while in school, but Harry had found his notebook of the school times in his fathers study, along with the other three. He had obviously asked them to leave the books with him when he and Harry's mother went into hiding. Moony's Mandatory Mischief Making Manual, was most certainly a treasure trove. It did not only hold ideas for pranking but it was also filled with all kind of spells and useful knowledge that could come in handy. In addition it held the information on the Marauders Map, which Harry knew had been confiscated by Filch. For now, Harry knew very well how to deal with Peeves.

With a flick of his wrist the wand shot from his holster into the hand. He carefully repeated the movement trice while Percy still argued with the poltergeist. It was truly unlikely, that he would manage to pull of such a difficult charm, but Harry was sure that a simple reminder of the prank played on Peeves would be enough to rain him in. Then he started to hum the melody Moony had hexed him to constantly sing for a whole month, Panis Angelicus, and in correct tune, too.

Neville, beside him, shot him a questioning look, but Harry shock his head. When he had first read about this he had taken great effort to learn the first few verses and the basic tune of that old song. He needed to concentrate.

It worked. Though, not quite as Harry had hoped. In stead of flying away the poltergeist stopped right in front of him. He eyed Harry very critically and then said:

"Peeves will not be hexed to sing this song again." The words lost a lot of his menace because the little man couldn't help but keep a close eye on the wand that waved in a complicated pattern before him.

"James Potter was not who pranked Peeves."

Harry interrupted his sining.

"But that doesn't mean that I don't know who did it and how it was done." The poltergeist staggered back a little. "If you like I can give it a try", Harry grinned just as wide as Peeves had earlier. "You have to keep in mind it would be my first try, though, I can not promise you that it'll last a whole month."

Faster than anyone could keep track their little attacker had gone, including his walking sticks.

Percy gaped. Again. It was probably something Harry would have to get used to.

"H-H-How", he stammered, sounding like Quirrell.

Harry did not get a chance to answer. A portrait in the corridor made himself known by speaking up.

"Young man, we would all very much appreciate if someone finally rained Peeves in but please do not make him sing that horrible Muggle song again. The last time was more than enough and I speak for all Portraits and ghosts, when I say, we do not wish for a repeat performance."

"What happened", asked Percy who probably expected not to get an answer from Harry – which would have been true.

"A student took revenge on Peeves and hexed fore destroying his last chocolate or something similar. That was some fifteen years ago, just shortly before his OWL's. The only good thing that came out of it was, that he could not sneak up to someone because the charm forced him to sing loudly all the time. For a whole month we had to endure that dreadful Muggle the Catholic church had dreamed up."

Harry bit his lip, That was not quite all that had happened. A second charm had also prevented Peeves from coming to close to living beings. Which meant, when he finally got bored of being alone all the time, he took it out on the portraits and ghosts. Moony had dreamed up a combination of five charms and a couple of runes to make that work which was also why Harry was so sure that he could not replicate it, yet.

Percy shot a final glance to Harry and then continued his way. The others followed him again and not long after they finally stopped in front of a portrait at the very end of that corridor. It showed a very fat lady in a pink silk dress, which just happened to strengthen the effect.

"Password", she said.

"Caput Draconis", said Percy, loudly and clearly. The portrait swung open and revealed a round hole in the wall. They all climbed through it and found themselves in a very red but rather comfy common room. It was filled wit cozy looking couches and squashy armchairs that someone had arranged around smaller and bigger tables.

The girls were taken by a female prefect to their dormitory. Harry and Hermione had just enough time to clear up that they would meet here at quarter past six, the next morning. They both were sure that they would need the extra time to navigate the castle. Then Percy lead them up to the boy's dorm.

It was right under the roof, on top of a spiral staircase. They were, it seemed, in one of the towers. If Harry had not lost count the entrance to the common room was on the seventh floor. Five four-poster beds with deep red velvet curtains were aligned along the tower wall. Next to each was a bedside table, big enough to hold some books. Four windows divided the beds from each other. There were no chairs in the room but the thick tower wall allowed for comfortably wide windowsills that were cushion. A closet with five doors stood on the wall with the door through which they had just entered. Another small door lead into a bathroom.

Their trunks had already been brought up. Well, Harry still had his shrunken in his pocket but instead he found his picnic basked, Hedwig's cage and school bag. At the foot side of his bed at the fare end of the room. Neville's was next to it.

"Hey, did they forget your trunk", his friend asked, as Harry greeted Hedwig who sat perched on the foot board.

"No, it's still shrunk in my pocket." He pulled it out and let it resize.

"Wow, what's that", asked Seamus from the other side of the room.

"It's a multi-compartment trunk. I can't afford to leave anything behind with the family that raised me. They absolutely hate magic and anything connected to it. A standard Hogwarts trunk just doesn't have enough space."

"Looks cool", agreed Dean. "But why they hate magic?"

"I don't know."

Neville who had seen the trunk before was not at all surprised when Harry got out a whole perch for Hedwig and jumped into one of the compartments, where he put the picnic basked in the refitted office. He claimed out a little later coming face to face with Dean, though.

"How does that work."

"Mr. Baggis said that it's within the laws of wizard space, like with Diagon Alley. He did not explain, in detail but said that it had to do with Arithmancy."

"What's that."

"One of the electives you can take in third year", answered Ron for Harry. "It's got lots to do with numbers and is rather boring."

"Well, I'm beat." Harry gathered his pajamas, toiletries, towel and went into the bathroom. A few minutes later he emerged clean and ready for bad. The towel would dry over the free standing heater in the middle of the room. One after another the others followed Harry's example and shortly after the only thing that could be heard in the room was soft snoring.

The next morning came earlier than Harry would have liked. He was still tired as the searched his way through the dorm. Only after taking a shower he finally woke up enough to put his things in order and also wake up Neville. The other boy was not in any better condition.

"Should we wake up the others? It's only six", he asked Neville in a hushed voice.

"Go and get ready, I'm going to wake them. If they don't get up they're on their own."

In the next few days Harry, Neville and Hermione stuck mostly together. It was only logical to do so, as they shared all their classes and always went to the same places. While it had taken them almost forty minutes to make their way down to the Great Hall, they had gotten faster each time they went, and three minds and pairs of eyes remembered they way faster. Hermione turned out to have an incredible memory but lacked sense of general direction. So in the end it turned out, that Harry and she worked tandem when they navigated the castle. Neville was the mediator between the two. He was shy but the glue in their formation. Harry was pretty sure that the plumb boy was not even aware that he managed to get the other two to protect and guide him. In return Neville turned out to be the most loyal friend one could wish for. He looked over all of their characteristic flaws and forgave them easily enough.

Another good reason for Harry to stick to the other two was to avoid being caught alone by older students. They reacted in a very similar manner to the way the people in the pub had. Harry had been extremely uncomfortable walking the corridors, sitting in the Great Hall to eat and the only girl of them had finally snapped at the whole common room full of older students when they had tried doing their homework on the first evening as the older students pointed and starred at Harry. Ever since most of the Gryffindors left them alone. The bushy haired girl had quite a temper and, if she wanted, a vocabulary that could make a sailor blush. That left them to deal with walking the halls and, therefore, Hermione and Harry had taken to completely close their robes and hide their faces behind their hoods. The two had a similar statue and made use of it. Only Neville and ironically the twins could tell them apart, as Hermione went so far as to research an obscuring charm for their faces and voices.

The classes turned out to be mostly theoretical. They did not get to cast any spells in the first charms or transfiguration lesson. In stead they had went into great length about the theory behind the magic they were doing. It was fascinating but Harry also thought it a tiny bit boring. Harry thought it would just complicate things overly but did not voice that thought. His magic had almost always done what he wanted it to do when he wanted it to do something, but the Professors only ever called it accidental magic. Harry asked Professor Flitwick at the end of the first lesson, if intend and knowing the limitations would not be enough to cast charms even without knowing the charm. He even went as far, as to take out his bottle of water and freeze it by just tipping his wand against it when the Professor argued that for first-years doing something like this was usually a fluke. The tiny man had then kept him back and questioned him intently about what he already knew, obviously believing that he had read ahead. Harry had, but only their course book for this year. Any question beyond that he had not been able to answer. After that Professor Flitwick had given him a slip for the library stating that he could take a charms book from the restricted section for the weekend. It was the written work of a Canadian charms master who thought along the line of Harry's question. It would be a bit advanced but would give Harry a great goal to work towards to.

Herbology, as Harry had expected turned out to be Nevilles strongest subject by far and for all her knowledge, Hermione was pants with plants. Then again she was best at Transfiguration and the only one to take usable notes in Defence. That subject had turned out to be a joke. Everyone was disappointed after the first lesson with a terribly stuttering Professor Quirrel. So she was the one to take most notes during that class. Neville and Harry returned the favor by teaming up in History – it turned out to be the only thing to do for staying awake anyway.

They also shared other workload between them. Hermione usually understood the theory in the books the fastest, so she would be helping the boys to get a sound understanding before they started on their homework or when they prepared for class. Meanwhile Harry was the best with argumentative structures and would point out flaws in their essays. Neville took it upon himself to teach Harry and Hermione as much about Wizarding customs as could. He even owled his grandmother for further books from home or advice about topics he should cover. He told them that he was determined to do a through through job, not that he had to do it entirely alone.

During lunch on Monday they had met up with Draco. Well, Harry had, with some help, managed to get his picnic basked refilled. So it turned into a big picnic on the grounds by the lake. They had also fetched Hannah and Susan. Draco had brought Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini along.

The later turned out to be the one who had been the one to complain when Draco had lit his wand on the first evening. He was also rather closed minded on anything connected to Muggles or Muggle-borns. It had taken quite a bit to convince him, that he should at least form an opinion based on knowledge to back it up. In the end they could only get him to not voice his insults and keep cordial until he had more facts.

Daphne on the other hand turned out like a much more sophisticated Hermione and the two girls hit right off. It stunned everyone as the Slytherin girl was rather cold to everyone else, so far that she could be called icy. She to admitted to being opposed to bringing Muggle-borns into the Wizarding world. But her main argument was their ignorance to tradition and culture. She seemed rather pleased to discover that both, Harry and Hermione, were eager to learn about the correct mannerism of greeting, writing official letter and a very long list of other things. In turn the two of them made it a point that he pure-bloods should also learn about the Muggle world.

This of course sparked a whole new argument which the strongest skeptics, namely Draco and Blaise, lost when Harry retold his experience on the first of September. They could all easily agree that they did not want to accidentally expose the Wizarding world. So the boys had no choice but to bow to the fact that they could not do magic outside of school and had to learn the very basics as to not stand out to much.

The eight of them even started sitting together during meals, much to the dismay of some rather close-minded older students and year mates. It had started when Harry, Neville and Hermione had just turned up at the Slytherin table during lunch on Tuesday.

"What do you want here", one of the older students had asked. It was a boy, with a bulky build. He seemed to be the type who had more muscles than brains.

"Not, that it's any of your concern", Harry had answered while removing his hood and the charms and turned to the first-years. He then turned to greet everyone the way Daphne had explained. It was most likely a bit clumsy but he somehow managed to get through the traditional request for a save place to hide from the deplorable table manners of Weasley number five.

For a moment all the Slytherins within earshot hat looked very perplex but then Daphne and Draco had burst out laughing. Blaise, was even amused enough to personally get up and offer a chair to Hermione, who thanked with all formality.

During dinner they were practically dragged to the Hufflepuff table by Susan and Hannah, who had taken up on Harry's and Hermione's way of taking a mickey out of the pure-blood tradition and formally complained about not being invited over for lunch.

Cedric and his friends had become their protectors from any negative responses at that table and when it was time to sit at Gryffindor the Weasley twins had taken up that mantle.

"So, it's only Potion's today", Harry asked as they all filled their plates for breakfast.

It was Friday and they would have the afternoon off, once they got through the double period. Slytherins and Gryffindors would share that class. The two Hufflepuff girls had had it yesterday, together with the Ravenclaws.

Susan and Hannah shared a look, than the redhead spoke:

"I wouldn't call it 'only'. You've got no idea what you're getting yourself into."

"Yeah, if not for Draco's quizzing on Wednesday afternoon, Susan and I would have been absolutely lost."

"You don't think Hermione hasn't made us reread the whole introduction and the first chapter at least twice", Harry shot back, but their was no malice in his voice.

Draco rolled eyes and Daphne hid a smile behind her goblet while Blaise snorted. They had gotten somewhat used to Hermione always looking for all the answers in a book.

"That might help her. I'm not saying that Professor Snape isn't a good head of house for the Slytherins. But he has no patience for anything that isn't a simmering or boiling cauldron.:

"He nearly had Zacharias in tears. And I know for fact that he has had tutor for Potions before he attended Hogwarts", agreed Hannah.

"Well, he is the youngest to ever achieve his mastery in potions. It's probably normal that he has very high expectations especially if he uses his own works during his school time as measurement", Hermione reasoned.

Hannah put a comforting hand on Neville's arm.

"Just remember, that what ever happens that half of your potions grade is theoretical work and try keeping it together."

Harry scowled.

"Stop that. Neville will do just fine. He knows more about plants and their uses in potions than even Draco."

Now it was the blond who scowled at Harry.

"If you don't mind than let me propose a curse of action", Daphne prevented any argument that could have come up. "Blaise and Draco will work together, as will you and Neville. Hermione, let's team up in potions. It's not my best subject but I'm decent in the practical aspect and have brewed some before."

Harry observed Daphne closely. Pairing them up the way she had done was rather clever. Hermione and Blaise would clash horrible, as would her and Draco. While the blond was more tolerant of her than the other boy, their stubborn personalities would grant a disaster. Hermione was also to bossy to work with Neville. The soft spoken Herbology genius would not be able to learn to become more self-confident in a surrounding that might turn out unfavorable for him. That left them with only two options. If Daphne paired up with him, then Hermione and Harry would have to pair up, which might turn out to be as difficult as pairing her with Draco, though for different reasons.

The bushy haired witch was to much of a rule sticker to actually use the additional notes from Lily Evans' books. She thought it cheating, as they had been written by two different people. Harry had no such problems and had just started confirming the notes he had found and added check marks with a pencil to keep track. Neville had turned out to be a great source of information for any type of plant and their preparation.

"Professor Snape may be strict but you have to keep in mind that he has to keep his eyes on twenty students and ten cauldrons", said Draco, as he put his napkin down.

"He's also the only potions master who had no seriously harmed or killed students in his class", Blaise added his two Knuts. "Also any decent family teaches their children to properly prepare ingredients. Potions is a dangerous subject."

Seamus snorted.

"You mean, Zabini, any purely magical raised children. I'm half and half and I went to school, just like Harry and Hermione, and I tell you, they ain't teach you anything like it."

"It's hardly my fault that you and the rest of the Muggle-borns", he shot a nasty look at Dean, "don't take any chance to learn all you desperately need to. The Ministry has summer classes."

Dean just shock his head and prevented Seamus from answering, in stead he did that himself.

"You may think yourself superior, Zabini, but in reality there are a lot non-pure-bloods that are way stronger and intelligent. Look at Hermione and tell me you could come even close when it comes to understanding and learning new theories and Harry is way more powerful. Though, he insists that it was all his mothers doing, when he survived that night."

Zabini grumbled and shot a glare at Harry. He was probably dissatisfied that a half-blood could be stronger than a pure-blood. But if Harry insisted that it had not been anything that he could have done, that only left his parents. James Potter had been a pure-blood but his mother was a Muggle-born witch.

"You can argue that later, if we do not get moving we will be late and that is not a prospect any of us would be looking forward to", Neville pointed out.