Chapter 5- The Resorting

A/N: So, we are finally getting there! Back to Hogwarts and time for Harry to find out the truth he seeks! I know that I'm moving right along but this is FF and I'm no writer so best just to get right to it! Cheers!

Please Read and Review! Its very encouraging to hear your thoughts!

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Harry had returned the mirror to its velvet lined box and tied the ribbon sloppy around it then stuffed it to the bottom of his trunk. Today they were leaving for Hogwarts. Harry couldn't keep his mind from racing back and forth. Will he go through with this? Whenever Harry thought of the possibility of being sorted into a new house his stomach did summer saults. It almost made him sick. Harry had been a proud Gryffindor for so long, his entire time in the magical world. It was his connection to his parents, to his godfather, to his friends, and ultimately Dumbledore- the ultimate Gryffindor. Did Harry really belong there? Or was this all just circumstances. Dumbledore had once told him it was his choice that made him who he was. But what if Harry had made a different choice? Where would he have ended up?

Harry had continued to avoid any and all mirrors since Voldemort watched him open Slytherin's mirror. He wanted to think to himself and didn't want any outside influences. He knew though that there was no way Dumbledore would allow a resorting, especially if it was Harry. Perhaps he would say Harry was having a breakdown and demand that he visits a therapist? Did the wizarding world have therapists? Harry had no idea.

There was another part of Harry, the one that wanted to prove Voldemort wrong. He did belong in Gryffindor. Wasn't this the ultimate test of that? To request a resorting and it tell him that he was a true Gryffindor. This was the main driving force for Harry wanting to know, he wanted answers. Hadn't it been him, Harry Potter, that had pulled the sword of Gryffindor from the sorting hat? Would the sorting house take that into consideration? Once again, Harry didn't know.

Then there was the actual request itself. It had to be done in front of the whole school, public embarrassment at its finest. If Harry was resorted and remained in Gryffindor, would the Gryffindor's be mad at him, for almost betraying them? And if the unthinkable happened and he wasn't in Gryffindor, would his new house accept him? Or would he always be Harry Potter the unwanted housemate?

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Harry boarded the train after saying goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ron rolled his eyes at Harry as he and Hermione left for the Prefects compartment. Harry smirked at him back. He knew that at least Ron wasn't going to have a good trip on the train either. Ron would be dealing with confused and frightened first years, while Harry would be having an internal debate that would have to come to a close before the night was up.

Harry found an empty compartment in the back of the train. Just as Harry was putting up his trunk, Neville opened the door and came in with Luna.

"Hey Harry! You don't mind, do you?" Neville smiled at him.

"No, of course not. Was wondering if you would show up." Harry smiled back at him. It was good to see a familiar face that wasn't going to look at him like a depressed puppy. "How was your summer Neville? Luna?"

"Oh, it was great! Gran was so proud of me that she bought me this new plant look!" He pulled out a weirdly shaped cactus. Harry starred at it, "Does it do something?"

"Well yeah if you just poke…" He proceeds to poke the plant with his wand but Harry reached up and stopped him. "Not here Neville!" "Right! Sorry!" Neville lowered his wand and smiled abashed at him, "Just got excited for a minute, but your right it would cover us with sap and probably not best to show up first day like that… McGonagall would likely give us detentions! Even with it being our first night back!"

Harry gave him a small laugh, but internally his stomach churned. How could Harry have forgotten McGonagall? What would she think should he ask for a resorting? Shaking his head, he sat down opposite Luna and Neville.

Luna had made herself comfortable cross legged on the bench and reading her favorite magazine upside down. "My summer was good too. Me and Daddy went on holiday to France and…" She continued talking about various made up plants and creatures that Harry knew he would never find in any book and he tuned her out. Being polite Harry nodded and smiled at the right moments.

It was a good feeling, sitting here with Neville and Luna like nothing had changed. Luna was in Ravenclaw and while they were Gryffindors, they were all still friends. Luna had come with him, like Neville, to the Department of Mystery last year. Does your house really matter? Its just where you sleep, right? Unless you're a Slytherin, Harry thought, No one is friends with Slytherins except Slytherins…

It was a few hours before Ron and Hermione made an appearance.

Slumping down next to Harry, Ron turned to him, "This whole Prefect thing is totally not worth it mate. Rules and responsibilities… I just can't wait for the sorting to be over and then we can eat!"

"Honestly Ron! Your impossible!" Hermione exclaimed. "Food is always on your mind."

"Well, yeah…"

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The train pulled into Hogsmeade and dressed in his Gryffindor robes Harry's nerves started to hit. His feet felt heavy as he watched the first years run off to the boats where Hagrid was waving them down.

Harry boarded a carriage with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna. "So good to be back, isn't it?" Ron asked Harry. Harry nodded, Yeah, Harry thought to himself, for now.

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Sitting at the Gryffindor table, Luna having departed from them at the entrance to the great hall setting off towards the Ravenclaw table, Harry took his seat between Ron and Hermione. The sorting was moving along quickly, much to Ron's pleasure. Harry's palms were sweating. Could he really do this?

His thoughts were swimming back to his conversation with Voldemort.

"When the sorting ceremony is over for the first years, all you have to do is go up to Dumbledore in front of the whole school and ask for a resorting."

"That's it!?"

"Some things really are that simple, Harry."

"What if Dumbledore says 'no'?"

"He wont."

Harry saw only two first years left. "HUFFLEPUFF!" The sea of yellow and black roared with cheers. McGonagall yelled, "WESLEY, DARCY!" Harry craned his neck to watch the young blonde headed girl go up and sit on the stool, McGonagall placing the hat on her head. Take your time… take at least a few minutes… be a hat stall… take all night… "RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted and the Ravenclaws erupted in cheers. Shit.

Well, Harry thought, it's now or never…

Harry stood up and started to make his way to the front. He wasn't looking back as he heard Hermione say, "Harry what are you doing?"

He was halfway there, and people had started to notice. It took everything Harry had, every ounce of nerve to continue this walk. His eyes met Dumbledore, the headmaster was looking at Harry with a mixture of curiosity and sadness. It was the pity in his eyes that did it. Harry was doing this. To hell with it all…

The hall was deathly quiet. Harry looked right at Dumbledore. McGonagall was staring at him from his left, clearly without words… did they know? Did they know what he was about to ask?

"Professor Dumbledore, I want to request a resorting." Harry's voice was small but strong and due to the silence, it was carrying. Everyone could hear him. Gasps erupted. Whispers broke out, "What" "Resorting!?" "What's a resorting?" "Harry Potter asked for a resorting!" Harry tuned them all out.

Dumbledore nodded, "If you wish Mr. Potter, I cannot deny your request. Please Professor McGonagall, if you would…" He gestured to the stool. McGonagall looked in absolute shock but as Harry turned to the school and sat on the stool all whispers were drained out as the hat was placed over his head.

"Back again Mr. Potter? I haven't had the pleasure, or should I say displeasure, in resorting a student for over fifty years."

I want to know the truth, Harry thought, I want to know where I belong.

"I told you all those years ago where you truly belonged… but you thought otherwise."

I'm not going to interrupt this time… I will accept whatever you say. I need to know.

"Then Mr. Potter, your destiny awaits."

"SLYTHERIN!"

A/N: Please R/R its my birthday so here is a little cliff for everyone! More to come soon!