Sorting Things Out.

Lyra and Harry made their way on the train when they found themselves face to face with a couple of large boys, who resembled a pair of unshaved gorillas. Although maybe not as intelligent.

"Crabbe," Lyra said. "Goyle."

"Are you Potter?" Goyle asked.

"Yes," Harry said.

Lyra looked to be on her guard.

"We're supposed to stick with you to make sure no one tries anything funny," Crabbe said. "Mr. Malfoy insisted that it would be worth our while if we did…and our fathers said that if we didn't follow what Mr. Malfoy said, we would get our candy money cut."

"Actually, my father said he would eat all of my candy," Goyle said.

"Doesn't he do that anyway?" Crabbe asked.

Goyle just shrugged and nodded.

"So, you're like my bodyguards or something?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, make sure no one tries any funny business with you," Goyle said. "And you're Harry Potter…and I can't believe you're actually here. I mean, you're in a lot of books."

"You read books?" Lyra asked in astonishment.

"Nah, but the pictures looked neat," Goyle said.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you…Crabbe and Goyle," Harry said.

"We're going to beat up anyone who looks at you wrong, make sure no one poisons you, and bring you virgins," Goyle said.

Harry did the smallest of double takes at this.

"What?"

"I don't know what a virgin is, but that's just what my father told me," Goyle said.

'Isn't a virgin someone who doesn't eat meat?" Crabbe asked.

"Yeah, not sure why Potter would need someone who doesn't eat meat. Maybe they're useful as a sacrifice for a ritual or something? Dunno."

Lyra rolled her eyes and did not waste precious oxygen telling the two idiots that they mixed up virgin and veagan.

"Well, make yourselves useful and carry our trunks to the compartment," Lyra said.

Crabbe and Goyle both nodded and carried the trunks, doing so the hard way. Lyra and Harry levitated them, having mastered the levitation spell over the summer during their practice, along with most of the first-year syllabus, and part of the second-year as well.

"So, Crabbe and Goyle," Harry said. "Your father hired me bodyguards?"

"That's about all Crabbes and Goyles are good for," Lyra told him. "To be menacing, to follow orders, and to eat you out of house and home. And trust me when I say, they'll eat anything."

Harry took her word for it and they came across the train, when they saw Pansy and Autumn waiting for them.

"I saw one out in the wild," Pansy said who looked amused.

"What?" Lyra asked.

"Another Weasley," Autumn said. "You said there would be another one."

"It's a good bet that there always is one," Lyra said.

"Well, this one is a real winner," Autumn said. "He had a smudge all over his nose and his mother was wiping it off, in public."

"I bet he was embarrassed," Harry commented.

"Well, obviously, but his mother didn't care," Pansy said. "She just made a spectacle out of it. Along with yelling about Muggles being on a platform at the top of her lungs. No regard for the Statute of Secrecy at all, but the Weasleys cause a lot of problems and headaches for the Ministry. And the father is in charge of dealing with cursed Muggle rubbish."

"She was talking about Muggles at the platform? Oh, one might think she's up to something, wouldn't they?"

Daphne showed up, along with a brunette girl who had spoken. They were half dragging their trunks and struggling to do so.

"You don't have to do that," Lyra said.

"Right, you don't," Harry said. "Crabbe! Goyle!"

Crabbe and Goyle ran. Harry now knew why Dudley enjoyed having his gang.

"Take Daphne's and….I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name…."

"Tracey Davis," she said.

"We met in Diagon Alley," Daphne said. "Tracey's mother is a witch, her father is a Muggle."

"So, half-blood," Pansy said coolly.

"What's that got to do anything?" Tracey asked.

"Just a statement of fact," Autumn said, stepping in before Pansy could stick a foot in her mouth. "Your mother is Taylor Davis. She's a Healer and her service should be respected. Right, Pansy?"

Pansy nodded in response.

"Sorry, if I offended you," Pansy said. "Your mother's work is appreciated, even if I don't agree with her preferences for relationships."

"Your father did know who he was marrying before he married her right?" Lyra asked.

"Yes," Tracey confirmed. "No one wants to pull an Erin Finnegan."

"Crabbe, Goyle, carry Daphne and Tracey's trunks," Harry told them.

"And watch mine, it's more expensive than your house," Daphne said.

Crabbe and Goyle just nodded and they carried the trunks off while the entire group made their way to the compartment, where Blaise was already there, along with Parvati, Padma, and Mandy.

"Harry!" Padma called over. "How are you doing?"

"Pretty good," Harry said. "Excited for Hogwarts."

"Oh, we all are," Padma said.

"I'm nervous," Parvati said.

"That's normal," Mandy said. "It's nerve racking."

"Parvati, Mandy, Blaise," Harry said.

"Hello, future stepfather," Blaise said with a knowing smirk. "Nice to see you made it to the station, safe and sound. Carmen sends her regards and her disappointment that she missed the Hogwarts cutoff date by a few months."

"Astoria does likewise," Daphne said.

"As does Maria," Mandy said.

Crabbe and Goyle sat over off to the side, obviously just to keep a close watch on Harry and by his extension, his companions.

"Mr. Malfoy bought you some rent-a-goons?" Blaise asked in interest. "He must want to secure his investment."

"Well, if Harry didn't get them, then someone else would," Lyra said.

"Did you hear the news?" Blaise asked. "Well, it just dropped this morning, but someone broke into Gringotts."

This startled everyone in the compartment. Harry could have sworn that Hagrid mentioned you would have to be mad to break into Gringotts.

"What?" Daphne asked.

"You're pulling my leg, Zabini, that's impossible," Pansy said. "The goblins would skewer anyone that tries."

"See for yourself," Blaise said when putting the paper down in front of the group.

Harry and the rest of the group glanced at the paper but the date of the robbery clicked with Harry. July the Thirty-First. The same day that Hagrid took him to Gringotts.

"I was there, and it was just less than an hour after I was there," Harry said. "It says the vault had been….it had been emptied on the very same day."

"Oh, that's convenient," Autumn said.

"Which means it's not as daring of a heist as you would think," Tracey said. "The goblins would have it on low security."

"I don't know," Padma said. "Goblins still don't like people messing around in vaults that do not belong to them, it's a principle of the matter. They're prideful. Very prideful."

"But, the fact they didn't get caught, that's pretty impressive," Parvati said. "And daring."

"Is it though?" Tracey asked.

"The vault was emptied on the same day," Harry said.

"Yes, we heard you the first time," Pansy said.

"No you don't understand," Harry said. "I was there on the same day. The vault was emptied. After I went to my vault, after Hagrid took to me vault…."

"Wait the Hogwarts Gameskeeper took you to do your shopping and not one of the teachers?" Tracey asked.

"Tracey, focus," Daphne said. "That's not the important thing."

Harry smiled at Daphne, before recollecting his thoughts.

"Hagrid emptied a vault which had little more than a grubby little package," Harry said. "Vault 713."

"It doesn't say the vault number in the article," Blaise said. "But, it would be a hell of a coincidence if that wasn't the vault."

"He got the package because Dumbledore sent him for it," Harry said.

"Mmm, Dumbledore sent him for it, did he?" Lyra asked. "You haven't brought this up."

"To be honest, after everything that happened, it kind of slipped my mind," Harry said sheepishly. "A lot happened that day."

Lyra nodded, fair enough. Hagrid had been sent to get a mysterious package from Dumbledore, emptying a vault, and someone attempted to rob a vault that was emptied on the same day. It was lucky that Dumbledore just grabbed the package.

"Something smells funny," Blaise said. "And I don't mean Crabbe and Goyle."

"There's no conspiracies," Tracey said. "But, there are no coincidences."

Harry had been thinking about that. Suddenly, Lyra nudged him.

"You do realize that it was deliberate that Dumbledore made sure you saw Hagrid emptying that vault?" Lyra asked.

"Yes, I figured as much," Harry said. "But, why?"

"No one really can figure out why Dumbledore does what he does," Blaise admitted.

"And yet, we all go to his school," Tracey said.

"Well, Hogwarts is the oldest and most prestigious magical school in the world," Parvati said.

"Candy!" Crabbe called out in greedy glee.

And that brought them out of the conversation, as the Trolley Witch arrived, loaded with magical candy.

"You're going to buy all of the chocolate frogs again, aren't you?" Harry asked.

"I will not rest until I get a Morgana card," Lyra said.

"She really won't," Pansy said with a wink towards Harry. "But, none of us seem to get her ever, and I'm sure she would empty her trust vault for us if one of us did."

"She's rare," Padma said. "I've got way too many Ptolemys, but never a Morgana."

"Me too," Lyra said. "And Agrippa. Got a lot of him as well."

"Dumbledore, damn it!" Lyra yelled. "You are one of the most common cards ever."

"Isn't the chance that Dumbledore would always be your first card statistically high?" Blaise asked.

"It's almost like it's magically set up that way," Lyra said while distracting herself by actually eating a chocolate frog to drop her sorrows. "So Muggleborns see him as their first card and are introduced to his greatness straight away."

She hoped to get a Morgana, but there was nothing there. Lyra could have howled in frustration. The rarest card in the lot alluded her one more time. Harry just patted her on the shoulder.

"You'll get her," Harry said while patting Lyra's elbow.

"She's been trying since she was six," Autumn said. "Only about two hundred Morgana cards are made every ten years and no one seems willing to part with any of them."

The door opened up to the compartment and Harry's attention had been diverted to a brunette girl, with bushy hair, buck teeth, and a rather haughty demeanor.

"Excuse me, have any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost one."

"I would too if I had a toad for a pet," Pansy murmured underneath her breath.

Autumn just rolled her eyes, whether it was at Pansy or the fact that someone had a toad, Harry could be not certain.

"No, we haven't seen one hopping around," Autumn said.

"You might trying asking a prefect, they would be happy to help…." Parvati started. "Sorry, I haven't caught your name."

"Hermione Granger," she said simply.

"Oooh, any relation to Hector Dagworth-Granger, founder of the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers," Padma said.

"I don't think so," Hermione said. "I'm the first in my family to have magic, it's really exciting to do something that no one else can do…I mean it's really thrilling."

"Charming," Lyra said dryly. "Well, I suppose we should introduce ourselves since you're new. I'm Lyra Malfoy."

Everyone introduced themselves and Hermione nodded, but her interest obviously had been piqued.

"Are you really Harry Potter? You know you're…."

Hermione started to rattle off a series of books that Harry was in. Harry frowned, Lyra tutted, and Daphne's frown deepened. Autumn flashed Pansy a warning look.

"So, I am," Harry said coolly.

"You didn't know? Goodness if I had been you, I would have found out everything about myself…"

"And why would I want to learn about myself from people who didn't know me?"

Hermione stopped completely short. Harry stared at her and made the young witch shiver.

"Oh shit," Tracey murmured.

"Well, what happened…."

"Voldemort killed my parents," Harry said. "I was sent to live with my magical hating relataives for ten years after Dumbledore dropped me on the doorstep in the dead of night. I didn't have any contact with anyone in the magical world for ten years. That's all I need to know."

"The books didn't mention…."

"Which makes the books rubbish," Harry said, cutting her off again. "Just because you've read a few books, that doesn't make you smart and you don't know me at all."

"I didn't think that…"

"That's right," Harry said curtly. "You didn't think."

Hermione looked at Harry, at a loss for words.

"You don't know anything about this world," Lyra said, speaking up. "What house do you think you should go in at Hogwarts?"

Hermione paused and hesitated. Lyra just narrowed her eyes in annoyance.

"Come on, you wouldn't shut up a minute ago, speak," Lyra said. "What house do you want to go in at Hogwarts?"

"Simple enough question, I think," Daphne said.

"Gryffindor," Hermione said simply.

"Why?" Lyra asked.

"Because…well…um…."

"Do they teach you proper diction in the Muggle World?" Pansy asked. "Um is not an answer! Speak, Granger!"

"Pansy, that's enough," Parvati said. "We won't judge you."

Pansy had a look as if to say "speak for yourself" but she quelled underneath Parvati's stare.

"Take a deep breath," Blaise suggested. "And take your time."

A small part of Harry felt bad for Hermione, as it was obvious she did not do well under pressure at all. An even larger part of Harry was extremely, extremely annoyed at her for talking down to him.

"Well, I want to be in Gryffindor," Hermione said. "Because, I read that Dumbledore was there."

"Thank you for that candid answer, Granger," Lyra said. "We haven't seen your friend's toad, so leave."

Lyra was extremely annoyed at the way she talked down to Harry and upset him. The fact she seemed to be a Dumbledore loving zealot was another point against Granger's favor.

"Granger, I have some books you might want to read," Daphne said kindly. "It's about etiquette so you can avoid insulting the heir of two noble houses in the future."

"How did I insult someone?" Hermione asked.

"Honestly, if you have to ask, you proved Greengrass's point," Pansy said. "Leave. We don't want you here."

"Well, fine!"

Hermione walked off in a huff.

"Could you perhaps not be so abrasive to people we just met in the future?" Parvati asked Pansy.

"She started it," Pansy said.

"Still, you could be better than her," Autumn said.

"She's going to have some problems," Tracey said. "Alright, Harry?"

"I can't believe her," Harry said. "Telling me I should research what people who never met me have to say about my own life."

"She doesn't know any better," Padma said. "We really should have a class for first-years before they even go to Hogwarts so we can avoid situations like this."

"No, instead Dumbledore coddles them all and tries to make them feel comfortable," Pansy said while rolling her eyes. "Honestly, that stupid little Mudblood is going to be…."

Daphne slapped Pansy across the face before she could finish her sentence which actually startled Harry.

"Don't brand someone who hasn't even been sorted with that label," Daphne said. "Granger's problem is not her blood. No, she has no social skills at all. She may have been pressured by her family to do well and she's obviously excited to stand out for them."

"Huh, that might give her an ambition to get her sorted into Slytherin," Mandy said.

"Please, no," Lyra said, with a pleading look in her eyes. "I will demand Hufflepuff if that arrogant bint is sorted into Slytherin."

"She doesn't know any better, Lyra," Daphne said patiently but firmly. "And she's obviously malleable, given how she's formed an opinion about what house she could go on based on reading where Dumbledore was. And she's latched onto powerful wizards and wants to live up to their standards. She's obviously read a lot about Harry and about Dumbledore."

"Joy," Harry said.

"You hate her, don't you?" Parvati asked.

"I don't hate her," Harry said. "I'm just…she reminds me…of people at my primary school. Who had their opinion made up before…they met me."

Padma's jaw just set and she nodded.

"She better not get sorted into Slytherin," Lyra said.

Everyone responded with a nod.

"She could learn, or she could double-down," Autumn said. "There's a lot of Muggleborns who leave this world bitter, and they become problems for the Ministry when they try to expose our world."

"Which is why they should be brought into our world early and taught our ways," Pansy said.

"Some would say that their magic should be bound," Blaise said.

"That's extreme," Pansy said.

"I know, but that's just what people say," Blaise said.

The train ride went on without incident for the next hour. Well, until the train cars opened up.

"Great, Douchebag at ten o'clock," Lyra said.

"But, it's almost one," Goyle said.

"Wait, you can tell time?" Pansy asked.

"Just learned last month," Goyle said proudly.

Pansy's sneer grew even more prominent. Even Parvati and Padma did not look too happy, with the blonde, haughty boy making his way into the compartment. He was flanked by a couple of other first year students.

"Smith," Lyra said coldly.

"Malfoy," the boy, Smith said. "And Harry Potter."

"Yes, I'm Harry Potter," Harry said. "Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Zacharias Smith," Smith said in a haughty tone. "And I can't help, but think you're sitting in the wrong compartment."

"Oh, is that so?" Harry asked. "I think I'm sitting with my friends."

"I heard you were brought up by Muggles," Smith said. "So, you don't know any better. But, I can help you. I'm the heir of the great Helga Hufflepuff and you will never find a friend more loyal than me…"

Lyra just broke out into giggles. Daphne raised her eyebrow.

"Sorry, just thinking about how his great-aunt supposedly lost their precious heirloom, and the only proof he actually has to his heritage other than his arrogant claims," Lyra said.

"You'll find that people like Malfoy, are bad blood," Smith said. "My friends, Hopkins and Entwhistle will tell you that I'm right."

"He's right," Hopkins said.

"Is your name Hopkins or Smithers?" Tracey asked.

The group had been confused by Tracey's reference and Harry was not completely sure what she was referring to. Obviously Smith was equally confused.

"Your mother was a Hufflepuff," Smith said. "You should be more loyal to your house, Davis and not hang around these Junior Death Eaters."

"Hang around my friends or hang around your pompous arse and your lackeys?" Tracey asked. "Nah, I'm good."

"And I am too," Harry said. "I don't like you Smith, you remind me of my cousin."

"Well, your cousin must be great then," Smith said. "For, I'm the heir of the noble founder Helga Hufflepuff and…"

"Please, you're about as noble as Goyle's armpit," Lyra drawled in a bored voice.

Crabbe pointed at Goyle and laughed. Goyle looked offended for a minute, but then he caught a wiff of himself and wrinkled his nose.

"She's right," Goyle admitted. "Sucks to be you, Smith."

"About time for your yearly bath, mate?" Crabbe asked.

"You better make the right choice, Potter," Smith said. "Because, otherwise, people might think you're the next Dark Lord…"

"I'd happily be the next Voldemort if the alternative is being your friend," Harry said, ignoring Smith's shudder and the shivers of everyone else in the compartment.

"Who do you think you are?"

"Off hand, I'd say that he's the reason why you're still breathing today, given who he beat," Lyra said. "The Dark Lord would have killed an arrogant tosser like you by now."

"Daddy tell you that, Princess?" Smith asked.

"Well, if we have to talk about father's, let's talk about yours," Lyra said. "And the fact he made a pass at the Minister's undersecretary. I mean, I'm all about having open minds but…."

"Woof, "Goyle supplied happily.

"Nah, she doesn't look like a dog," Crabbe said.

"Woman looks like a toad," Pansy said. "I guess Daddy Smith is into beastiality."

"You can leave," Harry said.

"You'll be sorry that you spurned me," Smith said.

"Somehow, I doubt it," Harry said. "Crabbe, Goyle, show Smith and his friends the door."

"I wouldn't want to be here anymore," Smith said. "The Dark Lord Potter…it's such a disappointment. Pretty soon all of Hogwarts will know who you truly are."

"I really hope you get sorted into Gryffindor with the rest of the Red Shirts!" Tracey yelled after him. "What a wanker!"

"Tell me about it," Lyra said. "Don't worry about him. No one with any sense is going to believe his bullshit."

"Unfortunately that means all of Gryffindor and a lot of Hufflepuff and a few Ravenclaws," Pansy said. "But, don't worry, Harry, anyone who believes Smith isn't worth the oxygen they breathe."

And then, the train stopped and it was about time for them to make the trip up to Hogwarts.

The trip to Hogwarts was interesting. They went on boats. Something that Lyra did not particularly like. She and Harry shared a boat with Crabbe and Goyle. And Lyra spent the entire time clinging onto Harry, tight for dear life until they were safely to shore.

"Some traditions in the Wizarding World," Lyra managed as Harry helped her off of the boat. "Should be best left to the dustbins of history."

With that, they met Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress, the Head of the Gryffindor House, and the Transfiguration Professor, and Harry recognized her name from the letter. And really hoped that McGonagall did not notice the entire cupboard underneath the stairs address on that first letter.

She seemed to have way too many responsibilities. Then again, Harry noticed the sheer number of titles Dumbledore had and thought that was equally absurd.

McGonagall gave a speech, talking about the houses of Hogwarts and the house point system and how their houses would be like family. And suggested they would smarten themselves up, before joining the ceremony. Harry noticed a freckly ginger trying to remove a smudge from his nose.

"Weasleys," Lyra murmured while shaking her head.

"And it has a pet rat as well," Pansy remarked.

Lyra just flinched and sure enough, a rather worn looking rat poked its nose out of Weasley's pocket.

"Good thing it will be far away from the Slytherin dorms," Pansy said. "Lyra doesn't like rats."

"The disgusting vermin shouldn't be in Hogwarts, it's not on the approved list of pets," Lyra said.

"I'll eat it, if you want me too," Goyle said, almost hopefully.

"That's…fine, Goyle," Lyra responded with a wince.

"Oooh, it's enchanted to look like the night sky."

Lyra rolled her eyes. Bucktooth, bushy haired, brunette, and bossy was rambling about what she read in Hogwarts: A History, to try and make herself seem like she knew something about the Wizarding World. She was already in a sour mood to begin with.

"She's nervous," Daphne said knowingly.

"Because she seems like the type of person who won't shut up when she's nervous?" Blaise asked.

"Yes," Daphne said. "She's one of those."

Harry thought Daphne might have had a point. A ratty old hat had been brought out, and sang a song. Harry figured he could not do better.

"It has an entire year to think up a song and that's the best it can do?" Mandy asked in amusement.

"Hey, I don't think I could do much better," Padma murmured.

"I hope they clean that thing," Blaise said, with a slight wrinkle of his nose.

The sorting began and Harry did not envy the first girl, Hannah Abbott, who walked up to the hat. She found her way into Hufflepuff. Susan Bones was next, ah Bones, that was a name Lyra made sure Harry knew. The Bones family were not one to trifle with, given that Voldemort went after them personally.

She got sorted into Hufflepuff.

Mandy was the first of their group to get sorted and she was in Ravenclaw.

"Figured as much," Pansy said. "Ravenclaw's fine, all of her sisters were there as well."

A bubbly blonde girl named Lavender Brown made her way into Gryffindor and the entire table erupted, with two ginger-twins hooting and whistling at Lavender's sorting.

The first Slytherin was Millicent Bulstrode, a girl who was rather large compared to the rest of her year mates.

"She seems like she would be the top to grow into the build of an Amazon when she hits her maturity," Tracey remarked lightly. "You know, from Greek Mythology."

Harry would take her word for it. He noticed Millicent had been booed and hissed at by the same ginger twins and Harry's frown deepened.

"Typical uncouch Gryffindors," Autumn said. "And Weasleys."

Harry did not think it was right for a couple of upper years to boo someone just because of the house they went in. Michael Corner went into Ravenclaw, followed by Stephen Cornfoot going into Hufflepuff.

Crabbe was next, Vincent Crabbe to be precise. Harry was surprised that the trollish two had first names and this seemed to be a revelation to Crabbe.

"That means you, dunderhead," Lyra said.

Crabbe responded by walking up and naturally he was sorted into Slytherin. And the ginger twosome booed again, when Crabbe entered Slytherin.

"That will get annoying every time someone goes into Slytherin," Daphne murmured.

"I'm up," Tracey said.

"Good luck," Harry told her.

Tracey walked up to the Sorting Hat and there was a bit of a pause, with Tracey getting sorted into Slytherin. And cue the booing once again. Daphne and Autumn started to cheer, in an attempt to drown out the ginger idiots.

Fay Dunbar entered Gryffindor next. One of Smith's flunkeys, Entwhistle, had been sorted into Ravenclaw, much to his chagrin. And Smith just tutted in disgust when Smith made his way to the Ravenclaw table.

There was a long pause for Seamus Finnegan, whose mother Narcissa spoke less than favorably about. And he was sorted into Gryffindor.

"Good," Lyra said. "They can keep him."

Goyle, who was named Gregory, made his way to get sorted and sure enough, it was Slytherin.

Then, it was the bossy girl from the train, Granger, making her way up to the hat. There had been a long pause. Lyra was crossing her fingers and Pansy and Daphne joined her.

The hat bellowed Gryffindor and Lyra let off a sigh of relief. Harry never seen a girl look as happy as Lyra did right now. Although, the freshest Weasley groaned. They obviously met on the train.

"My turn," Daphne said.

Daphne made her way to the sorting hat and sure enough, it was Slytherin for her. And the boos echoed from the Gryffindor table.

"Oh boo yourself you ginger wankers!" Daphne yelled back.

"Miss Greengrass, five points from Slytherin," McGonagall said.

"That might be a record," Blaise murmured.

"But, she didn't tell off those two for being disruptive," Harry said.

"Not very fair, but that's Gryffindor for you," Lyra said with her eyes narrowed.

Smith's other flunkey, Hopkins, got sorted into Hufflepuff.

"There she is, Gwenog's sister," Lyra murmured in a low but excited voice as Megan Jones got sorted up.

"And she's a Hufflepuff," Blaise said. "Tough break."

After Su Li was sorted into Ravenclaw, a round-faced boy, who was named Neville Longbottom, had spent a long time under the sorting hat.

"That might be another record," Padma said.

"Gryffindor," Lyra said. "And he forgot to give the hat back."

"Not sure that's this fall's fashion," Parvati said. "Poor guy will hear about this for years to come."

"Oh, that's too much," Pansy said.

A pretty redhead, Morag MacDougal, had been sorted into Ravenclaw. Ernie MacMillian, and his nine generations of Warlock blood was in Hufflepuff next.

"Malfoy, Lyra."

"Good luck," Harry said.

Lyra tried not to betray how nervous she was. And there was a pause, before the hat bellowed off Slytherin.

"As if she would be caught dead anywhere else," Pansy said.

The boos intensified but Lyra just turned her nose up at them. She got a particular amount of venom and it took every bit of self control Harry had not to hex these Weasley twins for being obnoxious. And he learned some wicked ones in his summer at Malfoy Manor.

Another Slytherin, Lilith Moon, found her way to the group. Then a quiet boy, Theodore Nott, had been sorted into Slytherin as well. His grandfather was an important wizard on the Wizengamot, and wrote the book about the sacred twenty-eight, families who had completely pure lineage, or so Lyra told Harry.

Pansy was next and she walked up to the Sorting Hat. And it put her in Slytherin.

"Of course," Blaise said.

"That's a, well duh moment," Autumn said.

Patil twins came up next, one after another. Padma entered Ravenclaw, but after a brief pause, Parvati had been the first of their group to be sorted into Gryffindor. And Parvati looked like she was conflicted about the entire thing. Pansy looked at her, eyes narrowed, and in shock.

Sally-Anne Perks, who looked completely terrified, had been sorted into Hufflepuff next. And she had to be directed to the table.

Finally, it was Harry's turn. And now everyone sat up and paid attention.

'Well, well, well, quite the interesting mind we have here,' The Sorting Hat said. 'And, oh my, you do remind me of another young man, I sorted about fifty years ago.'

'You're not going to tell anyone what you see, right?' Harry asked.

'Of course, I'm bound by ancient and most powerful magic, to not divulge anything to anyone,' the Hat responded. 'Not even Dumbledore can break that.'

'I want to make him regret sending me to the Dursleys,' Harry thought. 'Keeping me from my world, treating me like an afterthought.'

'Well, that makes up my mind,' the Sorting Hat remarked. 'There's only one place to put you.'

The hat yelled "SLYTHERIN!'

For a brief moment, there had been silence. Harry took the hat off and Professor McGonagall took it, but she seemed distracted by something. It had been so silent for what seemed like an eternity, but was really less than a minute, that Harry thought he might have gone deaf.

Suddenly, many of the younger year Slytherins started clapping. Crabbe and Goyle started to hoot and holler.

"Fuck yeah, we've got Potter! Suck it Griffindorks!"

"Five points from Slytherin, Mr. Goyle."

The younger years were clapping, but there was a mix of shock, agitation, and also thoughtfulness on the face of the older year students. There had been a respectable applause from the Ravenclaw table, a smattering of Hufflepuffs here and there lightly applauded Harry. A blonde girl, fourth-year by the looks of her, from the Hufflepuff table was grinning.

But Gryffindor, shocked, did not even begin to describe it. The Weasley twins did not even boo Harry's inclusion into Slytherin, because they were so gobsmacked.

A girl named Sophia Roper had been sorted into Gryffindor, but everyone had been so shocked they could not say anything. And Autumn Runcorn followed, getting sorted into Slytherin.

Harry took his seat at the Slytherin table, and he noticed the reactions of a few people from the staff table. Professor Quirrell seemed oddly thoughtful for a man who was such a nervous wreck when Harry met him. The greasy, ugly, hook-nosed teacher sitting next to him looked as if he had been forced to swallow something nasty and putrid.

"That's Professor Snape," Lyra murmured. "Oh, and well done."

"Thanks," Harry said.

"Knew you could do it," Lyra added. "I didn't have a doubt in my mind."

"Which is why you were crossing your fingers and saying "please not Gryffindor, anything but Gryffindor this entire time, right," Tracey said.

Lyra just rolled her eyes.

Zacharias Smith ended up in Hufflepuff, but did not get the reaction he thought he did because everyone was still shocked and murmuring about Harry Potter.

"Welcome to Slytherin, Potter."

An attractive brunette girl, fifth year, with a badge pinned to her chest smiled at Harry. It was a pretty smile.

"Gemma Farley, fifth year Slytherin prefect, at your service," the girl said with a smile as she shook Harry's hand. "And it's a privilege to meet you."

"Likewise," Harry said, as he watched Lisa Turpin get sorted into Ravenclaw.

"If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask," Gemma said. "And this is Wallace MacNair, my counterpart in the Sixth Year."

"Potter," MacNair grunted.

MacNair grabbed Harry's hand and shook it, but he crushed it, hard. At least until the point where Harry slightly burned his hand in response.

"Damn it, Potter," MacNair groaned.

"That's what you get for trying to play power games with someone who beat the Dark Lord when he was one."

A brunette fifth year, with yellow teeth, smiled at Harry. Harry could not help but think he was being seized up like a particularly juicy steak.

"Marcus Flint," he told Harry. "Slytherin House Quidditch Team captain. I hope to see you on my Quidditch Team. Your father is a legend on the field. It would be funny if you got on the Slytherin team. James Potter would roll over in his grave. And the look on Wood's face would be hilarious."

"I swear you two should just fuck and get it over with," MacNair murmured.

"Why don't you sit on a broomstick vertically?"

"Not in front of the firsties, you two," Gemma said while rolling her eyes. "And that's Isabella Sewlyn, the Head Girl…and the Queen Bee of the Slytherin House."

Harry looked at the Head Girl. She seemed like she just walked off a modeling shoot, like one of those women who Petunia envied because of their figures. She was stunningly pretty.

"Hello," Isabella said. "Nice to meet you, Potter and we're all happy you ended up in a respectable house."

Although it appeared she was reserving judgment on how Harry would turn out until later.

"Weasley is a Gryffindor," Daphne told Lyra.

"Obviously," Lyra said.

"The day a Weasley ends up in Slytherin, is the same day I eat the Sorting Hat," Pansy said.

"And Blaise got in," Daphne concluded.

So, the Slytherin first years. The girls outnumbered the boys, with Millicent Bullstrode, Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass, Lyra Malfoy, Lilith Moon, Pansy Parkinson, and Autumn Runcorn for the girls in Slytherin. Theodore Nott, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Blaise Zabini, and Harry Potter were in.

Harry noticed Albus Dumbledore rising for the first time. He sat on a large red and gold chair in the midst of the Head Table which was elevated above everything else, practically a throne.

"Well after that eventful sorting, there's only one thing to do. And that is to dig into this wonderful feast."

"I really think he expected you to go into Gryffindor," Tracey murmured.

"I think a lot of people expected Potter to go into Gryffindor," a third-year student commented from the edge of the table.

The Opening Feast had been good and Harry ate everything that he could, while remembering to take his Potions.

"Good evening."

A low and menacing voice cut through the air. The Slytherin first years turned their attention to a gaunt looking ghost with chains wrapped around him. And he had been covered in a silvery substance.

Blood, ghost blood, apparently.

"Our Slytherin House Ghost," Gemma said. "The Bloody Baron."

Lyra shivered, and she was not the only one.

"I hope you all do the noble Slytherin house credi."

Harry would not have been surprised if that sentence ended with "or else." No one wanted to speak.

"So, how did you get so bloody, Baron?"

No one except Tracey Davis apparently, with Daphne and Blaise both looking at her as if she had gone nuts.

"A domestic dispute."

And with that, the Bloody Baron left.

"That's about as much as you're ever going to get out of him," Gemma remarked. "No one knows exactly how he became so bloody or why he wears those chains. And I doubt he will open up to that any time soon."

"Tracey, you really shouldn't be…." Daphne said.

"I really shouldn't what?" Tracey asked.

"Never mind," Daphne said.

"Snape keeps looking over here," Blaise murmured. "Why?"

"He has a history with my parents," Harry said.

Suddenly Harry felt a stabbing pain going through his scar. Which Lyra and Daphne both picked up, along with Gemma.

"Potter, are you alright?" Gemma asked.

"I'm fine," Harry said.

Lyra murmured "he's not fine" to Daphne who nodded.

"You don't need the hospital wing, do you?" Gemma asked.

"Just…a headache," Harry said. "It will pass."

"Are you sure?" Gemma asked.

"I'm fine," Harry said.

The only other time Harry's scar hurt like that when he tapped into that strange source of magic within it when doing his mind exercises. It did not hurt again other than that.

Was either Snape or Quirrell trying to use Legilimency on him? Harry just frowned, as he considered what happened.

"Maybe you should go to the hospital wing," Daphne suggested.

"I'll be fine," Harry said.

"Don't be a mother hen, Daph," Blaise said. "Harry says he's fine, he's fine."

Daphne just sighed. Having a sister who was stubborn and refused to admit something was wrong, she knew the signs well of someone who was downplaying an ailment.

"If you change your mind about being fine, let me know," Gemma said. "And I'll take you to the hospital wing."

Gemma was looking at Harry for a long moment, as if trying to convince herself that he was fine and Harry both appreciated the concern and found it annoying.

Dinner finished, along with dessert, and Dumbledore rose to give his speech. It was really nothing remarkable. Certain items were banned, Quidditch trials would happen, and the Forbidden Forest was in fact forbidden. Harry really did not pay the man much mind at that point.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of

bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Had Harry been drinking then, he would have sacrificed his drink to the edge of the table. Lyra, Blaise, and Daphne just had their eyes narrowed and Gemma frowned. MacNair's eyebrows raised for a second and he was not the only one who reacted to this.

"Nothing about this was mentioned to you, was it?" MacNair asked.

"No," Gemma said swiftly. "Izzy?"

"First, I'm hearing about this," Isabella said.

Harry scanned down the tables. The Hufflepuff girl who gave him the thumbs up rolled her eyes. A brunette Ravenclaw prefect was looking rather anxious and speaking to the Head Boy, who seemed just as shocked as Isabella was at this.

The two jeering gingers at the Gryffindor table were talking and unless Harry missed his guess, they were scheming away to get up the the third floor to see what the fuss is all about.

"Swift and most painful death?" Harry asked.

"Now, I'm curious," Tracey remarked.

"Schmuck bait," Pansy said simply.

"He would not put it that way, unless he wanted people to be curious," another older student commented.

"We'll talk about this when we get back to the Common Room," Gemma murmured, more to herself than others.

"We're just going to let this go?" Harry asked.

"I'm writing to Father," Lyra said.

"And I'll write to my mother," Blaise said. "But, I doubt anything will come of it."

"Isn't there a Bones in first-year? Her aunt works for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, doesn't she?"

Harry closed his eyes.

"Why doesn't anyone do something about Dumbledore?" Harry asked. "People almost seem used to this, like it's nothing new. Look at that fourth-year at the Hufflepuff table, she's…."

"Beatrice Haywood," Gemma offered helpfully. "And yes, she has stories to tell, believe me. There was a group of students…."

Gemma had been drowned out when Dumbledore called for the school-song. Harry was not quite in the mood for a sing-song after learning there was a death corridor they had to avoid.

Crabbe and Goyle rapped the school song quite badly, which cause Lyra to grow quite exasperated. And the song ended with the jeering gingers at the Gryffindor table finishing at a leisurely pace to a slow funeral march. And Dumbledore conducted the last few lines with his wand.

"Unbelievable," Lyra murmured.

"I agree," Harry said with a frown. "He really is."

Dumbledore dismissed them all to go to bed. Harry was not the man's biggest fan due to the Dursleys and he liked Dumbledore even less when he just casually announced the third-year corridor thing.

"Well, we better get up to the Common Room," Gemma said. "We've got even more to talk about this year than I thought and it's getting late. First years, with me."

Gemma maneuvered Harry so he was walking practically with her, with Lyra, Blaise, Daphne following closely behind and the other first year Slytherins following closely behind.

To Be Continued.