Chapter 5: surprise sortings

Harry was so excited when he got to the train station, for he would soon see his brother full time, and he would not have to pretend not to know them. He was still not supposed to let on about how he had lived, at least for this year, to ensure he for sure went to his dads. There were some discrepancies, it was in his parent's will he should have been with his godfather, but Albus proved Harry would be safer with his relatives. The fact both his godfathers were married to former spies, even if they had pardons from day one and were in the order, had worked against them. This summer no room and hidden day trips, he and Dibby would be at the manor, for good, well except their usual trip. They were going to the US was their idea for next summer, and as always the Krums were coming, the three boys were always close.

Harry found the Weasleys waiting for him, and he was at least happy to see the twins, but Ron was another matter all together. He knew the entire family was Gryffindors, and though it would be cool to be with the twins, he prayed he would join his brother in Slytherin. He knew his birth parents and the marauders had been lions, but even Sirius assured him he'd be happy if he was Slytherin, he was married to one after all.

Fred turned to him when they were on the platform."Here let us get your trunk on board. Don't want you to fall on your face, on your first day, do we?"

Harry sent them a grateful smile. "Thanks."

Harry watched the couple with Ron, Molly upset her youngest son was starting school already, and now all she had left was her daughter. Harry would have thought after seeing five others off for their first years of school, she would be used to it by now. He was not certain why she was so upset, he would have been grateful to have some months away from Ron, and he was only around him twice. Seeing the family together, he was reminded of his own though, and he felt a pang.

He saw Draco arrive some time later, and it was hard for both of them, to pretend they didn't know each other. Once again he just hoped they were in the same house together, or he had no idea how he would explain them being close friends, but they would.

Ron pulled him towards the train. "See that kid over there? He is the kind I told you about before. He is a stuck up pureblood, and sure to be a Slytherin."

Harry knew at least on that Ron was right. "I will make sure to keep an eye on him for sure."

Molly and Arthur waved to both of them, and Harry had been told when Molly hugged him before, he might be able to come and spend the summer with them. Harry groaned at the thought, for he was not certain even the twins could make that bearable, but he was reminded, he was assured he could go home this summer. He and Draco had a new sibling on the way, due the end of March, and were certain it was a little brother. Harry would actually get to spend the summer with him.

They found a pudgy boy with a toad, and a girl with large front teeth, waiting in the compartment where their things were. He wondered from the look on Ron, if all three had been chosen as his train mates, doubting it was random. He knew the boy was Neville, and he thought the girl looked to be a muggle born.

The girl spoke. "I hope you don't mind but the rest was full. I am Hermione, and this is Neville."

Ron spoke up. "Ron, and this is of course Harry Potter."

The other two were of course not surprised due to the scar on his head, and Hermione who was indeed muggle born, regaled him with knowledge of him. Harry thought this was a perfect set up from Albuss; the muggle born, the son of heroic aurors, and the paragon of pureblood virtue. Ron was a hypocrite, he was as pureblood as Draco was, in fact related to Sirius by both parents, the only difference was, he was not rich like the others.

As the train ride went he wondered if any of them would be in the same house, and the only one Harry could see being friends with, was maybe Neville. Hermione was a bit of a know it all, which made Harry laugh, for he could have corrected her a few times, but he had to be careful. Neville seemed nice though.

Ron looked out the window when they came back from putting their robes on."I can't wait to be sorted. Harry and I are of course certain to be Gryffindors."

Harry had walked into the Great Hall, and could see eyes on him every where, and tried to focus on the song the sorting hat was singing. Harry shared a secret look with his Uncles, Remus able to be at the head table with his husband, Johnny home with an elf. Spouses were always allowed, and while Remus sometimes ate at home instead, but he would not miss the sorting of his nephews. Uncle Sev would teach till the end of November, and come back in January, for Remus stayed home.

Hermione was the first from their foursome to be sorted. "Ravenclaw." Was soon called, and Harry was not surprised, for the girl was a bookworm

Some time later Neville became a Hufflepuff, and Harry found himself praying either they were all separate, or Harry was with one of those two. Harry shared a side ways glance with his brother when Draco went up, and to the surprise of no one, he was a Slytherin.

Ron smirked. "I told you, you know all dark wizards have come from that house. You and I will of course be lions like our families"

Harry put on a fake smile. "Yeah."

As it finally came his turn, he saw every eye on him, and he saw the old coot watching him as well. Harry for one was relieved that the sorting hat could not be tampered with, for he had little doubt Albus would have, for he wanted Harry with Ron. As he sat down and was about to put the hat on, he was reminded that he could still end up a Gryffindor for it was in his blood, and he simply would have to find a way to live with Ron.

The hat spoke to him. "You are a hard one to place. You have the cunning of Slytherin, the loyalty of Hufflepuff, the brains of Ravenclaw and courage of Gryffindor."

Harry took a chance for the hat seemed to be undecided."Please not Gryffindor."

The hat actually seemed to chuckle. "I see, you would do great things in Slytherin. If not Gryffindor, better be Slytherin."

Only the last word was shouted, and Harry could see and hear the shock in the room, as Harry went to join his brother. Ron looked ready to hex someone, and Harry was again relieved not to be in Gryffindor, especially when Ron was sorted there. Harry shared a smile with his Uncles, and he and Draco were relieved, they could be real friends now. Blaise was the only one who knew about him, he had been friends with both Harry and Draco, and took up the seat on Harry's other side.

Draco snorted when he saw Ron had his plate suspended where he could not reach."Seems the twit has already got on someone's bad side. Didn't take him very long."