A/N: Late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I will keep on trying to update more frequently. Thank you all so much for still following this story, it really means a lot. Review responses will be at the end of this chapter. Thank you lovelies again and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Everything you recognize goes to the amazing JK Rowling.

The treats devoured and the compartment settled down, Harry way perfectly content in a way he hadn't been in a very long time.

The atmosphere was calm and soothing, not completely quiet but not overly loud at the same time.

Harry curled up in his seat by the window and eventually closed his eyes, slipping off into a peaceful slumber.

Theodore Nott looked away from his conversation with Blaise and Pansy to find Harry curled up on the seat and sleeping, his breathing even and his face looking relaxed and at peace, an expression Theo hadn't seen on Harry in a long, long time.

A smile came to his lips as he thought about the usual commotion of extreme stress and depression that raged a storm in Harry's mind, overtaking his thoughts and emotions quieting into a gentle, relaxed peace.

It was a rare occurrence and Theo was glad that he and the others had provided that peace, even if it was just for a little while.

Blaise gazed curiously at the sleeping Harry, not wanting to disturb him but knowing at the same time he had to.

He slowly reached out and touched his shoulder, shaking him lightly.

"Harry?"

His eyes fluttered open to reveal a green so clear and startling that Blaise's own eyes widened.

There was a look of vulnerability on his face as if he was still in a hazy sleep-fog.

"Mmm?"

The child-like look of just waking up that Harry's usual calm face sported was too much. Blaise smiled. He looked adorable.

"What are you smiling at?" Harry questioned, fully awake and sitting up. His eyes were narrowed with suspicion as he rubbed the sleep away.

Blaise just shook his head, hiding his smile behind his hand.

"Get up. We have to change into our robes. We'll be arriving soon."

Harry stretched his long limbs smoothly, grace in every movement. He stood up and extracted his robes from his trunk, quickly changing into the flowing robes that bore the Hogwarts crest, right over the heart.

The rest of the ride continued in a relaxed fashion, the same excitement thrumming through each of the First Years' veins at the prospect of finally attending the famed Hogwarts. Finally.

Hagrid, who Harry personally thought of him as an oaf (due to him talking about Damon consistently as if he wanted to hear about the heroic deed his brother committed when he was four) led the crowding First Years down a narrow, shady path, muttering to himself about timing.

They eventually descended onto a large, spacious clearing, close to the edge of a large lake.

The water of the infamous Black Lake was an eerily reflective ebony, the water's edge lapping gently onto the side of the land.

Small, steady boats appeared in the still water, Hagrid directing four students per boat.

Harry had lost all of their small group in the large crowd, save for Draco.

When it was their turn, Harry and Draco stepped gracefully into the boat, one after the other, stoic masks fixed onto their faces.

A girl with bushy hair and long teeth climbed in after them, nearly losing her balance and falling on Harry. He glared at her, causing her to flush a bright red.

An unattractive cocky-looking boy stepped in afterwards, smiling winningly at the girl, who turned away, miffed.

As the last of the First Years had clambered into the boats along with Hagrid, the boats suddenly lurched forward, startling many people.

Hogwarts, in all of its powerful glory, towered above them, the magnificent castle glowing with obvious magical strength.

It was placed on a large, jagged piece of rock next to the lake, the structure both exhilarating and frightening.

Harry heard many 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from other First Years, their wide eyes dreamy.

The boats, like a platoon of army ships, continued forward, heading to what looked like under the castle.

"Duck!" Harry heard Hagrid yell.

Luckily he had heard Hagrid. Draco looked down at him questionably.

"What are you-"

Harry took a hold of the front of his robes and physically pulled Draco's body down, narrowly escaping the beam of rock.

Releasing Draco's robes, Harry straightened up and brushed off any possible dust off his robes, raising a careful eyebrow at the dazed look on Draco's face.

"Uh.. Thanks."

Harry just nodded, waving off the very rare apology.

As people unloaded, Harry saw the boats dissipate into thin air.

Finally, Harry stepped up onto the stone platform, relieved to have stable ground under his feet once again.

Once the First Years were all there, now clumped into small groups and whispering to one another, Hagrid rapped on the large wooden door that stood in the dank cavern.

A taut-looking woman opened the door, surveyed them with one look, and allowed everyone to step in.

They were taken to a small corridor, their first glimpse inside Hogwarts.

"Wait here. The Sorting Ceremony will begin in a few short minutes. Behave yourselves. My name is Professor McGonagall, and I will be your professor for Transfiguration."

Professor Mcgonagall's voice was brisk as she turned her back and walked away, both her and Hagrid leaving.

To that, the students were left to themselves.

"I heard from my brother that in the Sorting Ceremony you have to fight a troll!" Harry heard Ron boast.

Draco and Harry exchanged look.

"Salazar, people couldn't possibly become more stupid if they actually believed that we have to fight a troll to be Sorted," Draco mocked, rolling his eyes in the direction of Ron.

Harry smirked, mocking as well.

"The Headmaster wouldn't do anything to put his precious students in danger, now would he?"

Draco shook his head, amused.

Harry felt a hand on his shoulder.

He turned, expecting Theo. To his surprise (and his group of admirers) it was Damon.

"Hello, Damon. I take it the ride here wasn't too uncomfortable?"

Damon nodded his head, looking nervous.

"Ron fell into the boat and almost tipped it though," Damon said, his brown eyes flicking to somewhere behind him.

Harry gave a laugh.

"I wish he would have. It would of been amusing to see him attempt to swim in his robes."

Damon smiled, laughing a little.

"Damon?"

Ron, followed by Neville, had pushed his way to where they were standing.

"Oh, hi Ron. I was just talking to Harry."

Ron gave a glare, attempting to intimidate him.

"We should get back to where we were before. A few other people want to meet you."

Harry raised his eyebrows, yawning exaggeratedly.

I'm not afraid of you.

Damon nodded, his eyes apologetic.

"I'll see you after the Sorting, okay Harry?"

Harry nodded his consent, vibrant eyes burning into Damon's.

Ron and Neville pulled him away, students parting the way for Damon as if he was royalty.

Finally, McGonagall reappeared, giving a nod before motioning for them to follow her.

As Harry stepped into the famed Great Hall, he surveyed the room without expression. It was truly beautiful.

Four long, wooden tables spanned across the Great Hall, each table decorated elegantly in its House colors.

There were floating candles speckled around the ceiling, casting a light, warm glow around the whole Hall.

Looking up at the ceiling, Harry felt as if the ceiling was open instead of a conjured illusion. A universe of stars were laid out to see, twinkling as if they were winking at him.

McGonagall led them right between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables, the upperclassmen surveying the First Years with appraising eyes.

They were led to a clearing in the very front of the room, a stool with an old, tattered hat sitting on top of it was all that gave a hint to what the Sorting Ceremony consists of.

Suddenly, a crease appeared in the hat, and seemingly opened its mouth.

"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 your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The Hall applauded at the Sorting Hat's song, save for the confused First Years.

"When I call your name, come sit on the stool and I'll place the Sorting Hat on you. Abbott, Hannah." McGonagall murmured.

The list continued on, Hannah being Sorted into Hufflepuff and so on.

Harry noticed that the bushy-haired girl (her name was Hermione Granger) was Sorted into Gryffindor.

Neville Longbottom, one of Damon's moron friends, was surprisingly Sorted into Gryffindor.

"Malfoy, Draco."

Draco gave Harry a haughty look as he sauntered up to the stool. As soon as the Sorting Hat touched his head, it immediately called out,"Slytherin!"

He smirked and shot Harry a look that said,"see you on the other side!"

Harry shook his head in response, giving a small grin.

Theo was called, the Hat taking a few moments to finally decide,"Slytherin!"

Pansy was next, the Hat automatically Sorting her into Slytherin. She wore a cat-like smile.

"Potter, Damon."

McGonagall's voice hitched at the end, the Hall falling completely silent.

Stepping out of the way (like royalty), the First Years allowed Damon to walk straight to the stool, his head held high.

McGonagall placed the Hat on Damon's head, the Hat calling out after a few seconds,"Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables cheered, the roar in the Hall deafening.

"Potter, Harry."

Going from the loud, boisterous cheering, the Hall quieted into a series of angry whispers.

"He has a twin?"

"There's another Potter?"

"He looks nothing like the Boy Who Lived!"

Harry gritted his teeth and made sure his mask was fixed on his face carefully, Harry stepping up to the stool and sitting on it gingerly, not trusting McGinagall.

She placed the Hat on his head, his eyes falling closed. He heard a whisper in his ear.

"Harry James Potter, younger brother of the Boy-Who-Lived. What an extroardinary mind you have. In fact, one of the most interesting I've seen in a long, long time."

"Sorting Hat, what a rare pleasure. I am quite honored to meet you."

Harry, instead of saying the words aloud, thought the words instead, giving the same effect.

"Likewise. Quite a surprise, the twin of the Hero of the Wizarding World is on the path of becoming a Dark wizard. You have a mind full of secrets, though only two others know of your plans. The difficult question here, is where to put you."

Harry was aware of the moments ticking by.

"I am expected in Gryffindor, though I know I belong nowhere in that brainless sea of idiotic fools."

"Ah, rebelling against your family name? You do seem to deserve it, anyway. Let's see. You do possess some bravery, although next to the amount of cunning and intelligence it is nothing. You are loyal, but I do not believe you belong in Hufflepuff. Where to put you?"

"Place me wherever I will do best in. Slytherin and Ravenclaw are honorable House, more so than good-for-nothing Hufflepuff and moron Gryffindor."

"Ah, my choice it is then. It was a pleasure."

"..Slytherin!"

From his spot at the Head Table, Severus Snape's eyes widened and his mouth nearly dropped open with shock, along with the rest of the dead silent Hall.

Harry's mouth twisted into a triumphant smirk as his emerald eyes met Dumbledore's usually sparkling blue ones.

A/N: Thoughts? Questions? Leave a review! Thank you again for reading. :)

Review Responses: Thank you to delenda est, Super 9, Kampe, war sage, Guest, Alice, jayyfallen, Kendra Dhyanna, lotusalchemist, Justified Singer Prince Fan, Guest, stella-pon, another Guest, Baakaru, and Rial Black for reviewing. It means a lot!

Kampe: I guess we'll find out which Dumbledore will be :) Thank you so much, your review means a lot.

Alice: Right now, I am leaning more towards slash because this story would, as you said, fit slash a lot more but it could change later on. Thank you for your continuous reviews, they are very helpful.

Kendra Dhyanna: Yes, I know it is quite contradictory, but I think that's what makes it so great. Your reviews always helps me gain new ideas, so thank you so much.

Rial Black: Ahh, your name. From one of my most favorite fanfictions on this site :) Yes, I was thinking the same thing, and I believe it is possible to add Sirius and Remus into the story. Thank you for the input :)