Summary: Harry travels back in time to change the future, but something doesn't go exactly the way he planned. Neville is the boy who lived.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Words in this chapter: 5,040
Chapter 2
Tell the world that I'm coming home
"My dear Harry…" started saying James.
"I love you too dad, bye" Harry told his father and ran towards the train.
Knowing full well that James had been the leader of the Marauders for a reason, he didn't want to find out what his father was going to do to top Danielle's and Sirius' performances. He ran to the train, without giving him a chance to humiliate him any longer.
He couldn't get the smile off his face.
Even though it had been a very humiliating moment, he was thankful for it. He couldn't help but love his family, or what would his family be, if had had one.
He was loving this, and it had been only one night.
He was just starting to feel sad about the fact that he had to be away from them for months. The wish he had been hoping for had finally come through, and he had to let it go.
This train of thought only got him depressed, since he started to remember the reason why he hadn't had a family in his world/time. He wasn't sure anymore which was it.
The reason for everything that had gone wrong in his life: Voldemort.
Thinking of his worst enemy, he walked through the train's corridor until he found an empty compartment.
He entered and closed the door after him, sitting down and remembering his past.
Flashback
"Harry, we are your family, you are not alone" Hermione told him, while hugging him.
They were currently in Grimauld place.
It had been 3 years since Sirius had died.
Sirius had left Grimauld Place to him in his will.
The Order was almost nonexistent since the dead of Albus Dumbledore.
Grimauld place was quite and empty, except for the three friends inside.
It had been like that for some time now.
Harry was feeling lonely and desperate.
Voldemort was winning almost without effort.
They could actually affirm that Hermione, Ron and him were the only three wizards brave enough to oppose him.
The government had fallen almost 3 months ago.
There were no more aurors, or at least none they could see.
"Why keep fighting?" Harry asked himself, but Hermione heard him.
"For me and for Ron, but most of all for you" Hermione told him, making him look into her eyes so he could see the sincerity and seriousness of what she was trying to get into his head. "You know you can't live knowing you did nothing to stop the snake-faced monster. It's part of you to fight for what you believe in"
"We will always be here for you. We will fight with you. We will never leave you" Ron told him, in the most serious voice he had ever heard his best mate use.
"I don't know what I would do without you guys" Harry said sincerely, with a smile on his face.
"You wouldn't survive, even for a day, without Hermione" Ron told him.
"Yes, he would. We all have to promise each other we will never give up, even if one of us doesn't make it 'til the end" Hermione told her best friends, with a pleading voice.
"That won't happen Mione. I'll never let anything happen to neither of you" Harry told them both, but looked only at Hermione.
"Promise me Harry" Hermione pleaded to Harry.
"I promise I will never let anything happen to you Hermione" Harry promised her, feeling every word he said to her.
"Not that. Harry promise me you will never give up, even if I don't survive" Hermione demanded, in a pleading but stern voice.
"But Hermione…" Harry started saying, making Hermione take on an angry face.
"Hermione is right Harry. We have to promise each other" Ron interrupted.
Feeling defeated, Harry promised.
End of Flashback
He was planning on keeping his promise.
He was going to defeat Voldemort, even if it was the last thing he did.
He was going to do it for his sister, in every way but blood.
For Hermione.
The train started moving and he saw Danielle and his family get smaller, as the train was getting farther away from the station.
That brought a smile to his face.
He was going to do this for his blood sister as well.
For Danielle.
"Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full" Harry hadn't even heard the door to the compartment being opened.
A tall redhead, weird looking, eleven year old boy, was waiting for his answer.
"Of course, sit down" Harry answered.
"My name is Harry Potter" Harry introduced himself offering his hand as a greeting, once Ron had taken a seat.
"I'm Ron Weasley" the boy introduced himself, and shook Harry's hand.
Weird… No reaction after saying my name. Harry thought to himself.
"Do you want anything from the cart?" An old lady asked from outside the door of the compartment.
"No thank you. I brought lunch with me" Ron answered feeling a little ashamed. He took out what looked like a crushed jam sandwich from his left pocket.
Harry started looking for money in his pockets, but remembered his parents hadn't given him any. He didn't find any coins on him.
"Amm, no thank you" Harry answered, a little depressed that he wouldn't be having any candy for the trip.
The lady went on her way leaving both boys alone in the compartment.
"Mom always makes me a double lunch. Are you hungry?" Ron offered Harry another sandwich he had taken out of his other pocket.
"Yes, thank you" Harry took some of Mrs. Weasley homemade food, which he had missed for years.
"It's not the best, but is edible" Ron told him.
"I think its brilliant" Harry answered, with food on his mouth half chewed.
"Swallow before you eat" a bossy voice told him. "Have you seen a toad? Neville Longbottom lost his pet"
"Longbottom?" Ron asked with awe on his voice.
"Have you tried summoning it?" asked Harry.
"I'm a first year. That is very advance magic" the bossy girl told him, as if it was the most obvious thing.
"Accio Neville's toad!" Harry tried, and a toad flew straight to his hands.
"Wow, what year are you on? I thought you were first years just like me" the girl said, obviously impressed.
"First year, I've been practicing" Harry lied.
"But we can't do magic outside of school until we are of age. It says so in Hogwarts: a history" the girl lectured.
"Our wands aren't being traced yet. The put the tracking device when you get sorted" Harry explained to her.
"I didn't know that. I could have been practicing this whole time!" the girl started ranting, clearly annoyed at herself.
"My name is Harry Potter and this is Ron Weasley" Harry introduced him and Ron to the girl.
"Hermione Granger" the girl said, and walked out of the compartment taking the toad with her, before Ron or Harry could say anything else.
"Weird girl" Ron said.
Harry started laughing, seeing the Ron and Hermione he remembered, in this Ron and Hermione.
"Who are you?" a blonde, arrogant boy, was now in the entrance of the compartment.
"Let me guess secondhand clothes and redhead you must be a Weasley" the boy stated looking at Ron with disdain, "New robes messy black hair, and obviously no sight if you are wearing glasses. You must be a Potter" the boy stated towards Harry.
This was the boy that had taken Ron away.
He had watch helplessly as this boy took his best mate away, and killed him afterwards.
"Let me guess, white hair, and looks as if he is smelling something awful. You must be a Malfoy" Ron told the blonde boy, getting riled up.
"You are the son of Narcissa Black?" Harry asked, acting as if he didn't know exactly whom he was talking to.
"Narcissa Malfoy" the blonde boy answered, looking offended.
"You are my godfather's nephew" Harry told him as if he hadn't noticed. The boy now looked clearly offended.
"Your godfather was disinherited so he is not my uncle" the boy stated, as if it was something Harry should have already known.
"Actually that never happened" Harry told him.
The boy looked murderous of not knowing such vital information, and finding out about it from a third person.
From someone not even part of the Noble Black family.
"My godfather is actually Lord Black. You should get your information updated" Harry told the boy in a tone that was clearly a dismissal.
The boy left, slamming the door to the compartment after him.
"We should put our robes on" Ron told Harry, looking impressed at how Harry had handled the Malfoy heir.
"First years!" the voice of Hagrid was heard above all the noise.
Harry dragged Ron after him, towards where he knew Hagrid will be.
"No more than four to a boat" Hagrid told the first years.
Ron and Harry got into a boat, Hermione and another girl, Harry recognized as Susan Bones, got in with them.
"Go!" Hagrid ordered the boats, once he made sure everyone was in a boat. They started to move forward.
"There is supposed to be a giant squid in the lake" Hermione stated offhandedly, trying to find it.
"There is, a what where?" a now scared Susan shrieked. "Please get us to the shore!" Susan pleaded to the boat, willing it to go faster.
Harry was having the time of his life. He had forgotten how carefree a person could be.
"There is a giant snake as well in the castle" Harry said knowing it was the truth, but that at least Ron would take it as a joke.
"You are joking, right?" Susan asked, even more scared.
Ron couldn't stop laughing.
"It's not funny" Hermione reprimanded Harry.
"There is no giant snake in the castle" Hermione tried to calm Susan.
"But there is" Harry said seriously, thinking about the giant basilik, currently sleeping in the chamber of secrets.
Hermione directed a dead glare towards Harry; that successfully shut him up.
"You should be able to see the castle in a second" Hagrid told everyone with a beaming smile.
They did.
It was just like he remembered.
"It's bloody brilliant" Ron exclaimed.
"Language!" Hermione reprimanded.
"She is just like my mother" Ron told Harry in a hushed voice only he could hear. Harry couldn't stifle a laugh.
"Be careful Ron, they say we always fall for the girl that reminds us most of our mother" Harry half-joked.
The expression on Ron's face was priceless. It made Harry start laughing again.
Susan and Hermione were confused.
"Be careful when you get off the boat" Hagrid warned, once they had reached the shore.
Walking towards the entrance with all the first years behind, he knocked three times and waited for someone to answer his call.
A stern looking woman opened the door almost immediately.
"Professor McGonagall, the first years" Hagrid introduced the professor.
The lady looked at Harry, and saw the smile on his face.
For only a second she made an annoyed and amused face, that only Harry saw.
"Welcome to Hogwarts" Professor McGonagall welcomed them and let them in.
Just when Harry walked passed Professor McGonagall he said in a low voice only for her to hear "Hi Minnie" which surprised the Professor. Harry couldn't help himself he now had the excuse of having known Sirius for his whole life.
"Mr. Potter" The Professor greeted with an annoyed voice.
"Not even in the castle and you already annoyed a teacher? Wicked" Ron told Harry "I don't even think my brothers could have manage that. I'm so telling them"
"You should respect the teachers" Hermione told him in a bossy voice.
"I do. She is just an old family acquaintance" Harry told her, not bothering him in the least Hermione's bossy manner.
"You know her?" Hermione asked.
"Not exactly" Harry answered, leaving the girl confused.
"In a minute you will get sorted. You can be sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. The house you are sorted in will be your family for the next 7 years. You can get points awarded into your house as well as points deducted. I will leave you here for a minute to make sure the school is ready for you" Professor McGonagall told them and disappeared behind what Harry knew were the Great Hall doors.
"She is scary" Ron stated.
"She is" Harry said not taking the smile off his face, which made Ron think Harry was crazy.
"My aunt told me about the teachers. The man that brought us here called the professor, Professor McGonagall, that means she is the Transfiguration teacher and the head of Gryffindor house" Susan told them in a shy voice.
"I hope I get into Gryffindor" Ron exclaimed.
"Of course you do. Foolish and no brains just like your whole family" the blonde boy stated, with a bored tone of voice.
"I shouldn't ask you were you'll get sorted. You are obviously a snake" Ron told Malfoy angrily.
"Slytherin. A proud snake" The boy smirked after he answered.
"Slytherins are supposed to be cunning and ambitious, yet you act arrogant and impulsive, I would say you would fit in Gryffindor better" Harry told Malfoy with a serious face, which made Draco walk away.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed impressed.
"You shouldn't be having a fight when we haven't even been sorted" Hermione told Harry exasperated.
"I wasn't fighting, I was just making a valid point. Besides it is the perfect time to have a fight, since we haven't been sorted there is no house to deduct points from yet" Harry stated in a bossy voice trying to sound just like Hermione.
Hermione made an annoyed noise and turned away from the boys.
"Weird girl" Ron told Harry.
"I like her" Harry told Ron with a huge smile.
"Then you must be crazy" Ron stated.
"I won't argue that" Harry answered seriously and wondering how crazy he really was after everything he had lived.
"Follow me" Professor McGonagall told them. Harry hadn't noticed she was back. The professor opened the door to the great hall, the first years followed behind.
"My brothers told me we have to fight a troll to get sorted" Ron told Harry.
"If you fight it you are a Gryffindor, if you manage to talk your way through you are a Ravenclaw, if you confuse him and get passed without him realizing it you are a Slytherin and if you become his friend you are a Hufflepuff" Harry stated, as if fighting a troll was what they were supposed to do to get sorted.
"Fight a troll?" Ron asked scared starting to think that what his brothers had told him was true.
"Fight? I don't think I'm brave enough to do that. I'm thinking more about becoming his friend" Harry told Ron, remembering the time when he had actually fought a troll.
Professor McGonagall put a worn hat on a stool in front of the teacher's table.
The ugly old looking hat started singing.
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 tops 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.
Y ou might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell brave of 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 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 folk use any means
To achive their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And you won't get in a flap!
You're safe in my hands(though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
"When I call your name you are to sit in the stool and put the hat on" Professor McGonagall explained.
"A hat? That is it?" Ron asked to no one in particular.
"Too bad. I was already thinking of ways of becoming the troll's friend" Harry said looking disappointed.
Professor McGonagall started calling names from a list she had on her hands.
Harry was going to pay attention to each one this time.
"Hannah Abbot" "Hufflepuff"
"Susan Bones" "Hufflepuff"
"Terry Boot" "Ravenclaw"
"Lavendar Brown" "Gryffindor"
"Milicent Bullstrode" "Slytherin"
"Michael Corner" "Ravenclaw"
"Vincent Crabbe" "Slytherin"
"Justin Finch-Fletchley " "Hufflepuff"
"Anthony Goldstein" "Ravenclaw"
"Gregory Goyle" "Slytherin"
"Hermione Granger"
He knew Hermione was going to become a Gryffindor and he was looking forward to being in the common room with his two best friends "Ravenclaw"
What? Harry couldn't believe it. What was different? Why wasn't she a Gryffindor this time?
"Daphne Greengrass" "Slytherin"
"Neville Longbottom" "Gryffindor"
"Ernie Macmillan" "Hufflepuff"
"Draco Malfoy" "Slytherin" No surprise there.
"Theodore Nott" "Slytherin
"Pansy Parkinson" "Slytherin"
"Padma Patil" "Ravenclaw"
"Parvati Patil" "Gryffindor"
"Harry Potter"
It was Harry's turn.
No the stool and didn't wait for the Professor to put the hat on his head, he put it on himself.
"Mr Potter. What an interesting life you have lived" the hat said, for only him to hear.
"I guess you could say that. A sad one. But I can't argue that it was interesting" Harry thought, for the hat to hear.
"A brave thing you did coming here to save everyone you love" the hat told him.
"I want them to have a chance to live" Harry answered.
"Slytherin" the hat announced, for the school to hear.
"What?" Harry yelled after confused.
But before he could try to argue with the hat, Professor McGonagall took the hat from his head and shoo him to the Slytherin table calling the next name on the list.
"Zacharias Smith" seconds later the hat announced "Hufflepuff"
Harry sat, in shock, at the Slytherin table, without even noticing he was sitting next to Draco Malfoy.
"Dean Thomas" "Gryffindor"
"Ronald Weasley" "Gryffindor"
And finally Blaise Zabini became a Slytherin.
"9 girls and 15 boys" Harry said to himself "That is going to be a problem for when we start being interested in dating" only Draco heard him.
"You like talking to yourself Potter?" Draco asked him in a mocking voice.
"I actually do. It disappoints me when someone comes between me and myself talking. There are so many people that like to listen to someone else's conversation. It's sad. Don't you think?" Harry asked Draco.
Draco's face got red from frustration and embarrassment. He turned away from Harry, to keep talking to the rest of the first years Slytherins.
"Slytherin? What happened to being brave?" Harry asked to himself, almost hoping the hat would hear his question and answered it.
"And now for a few words before you can start eating" Dumbledore exclaimed.
Harry didn't hear a word after that and almost didn't notice the food that was in front him. Almost. He did notice it, and he ate as if he hadn't eaten in days.
"I'm Blaise Zabini" the dark haired boy sitting across from him, introduced himself to Harry.
"Harry Potter" Harry answered.
"Don't talk to him Zabini. He is crazy" Draco said playfully, for only the people around him to hear.
Draco being playful? Harry thought. The world is going to end.
"Don't mind him. He just loves to joke" Zabini told Harry laughing.
"Aren't the Malfoys supposed to be arrogant and superior?" Harry asked Draco.
"We are superior and act arrogant, true, but you don't actually expect me to act like that every second of my life do you?" Draco asked Harry.
"Yes, I thought exactly that" Harry said.
"Who else to act like myself than with my family?" Draco asked Harry talking about the Slytherin house "Everyone else get to see the arrogant and superior Malfoy"
"Sorry about before by the way, but I was sure you were going to become a Gryffindor" Draco apologized to Harry.
"No problem" Harry half asked.
"Now that we are full, some reminders for our older students and new notices for our new students" Dumbledore started saying after the food had disappear. "The forbidden forest hence the name is forbidden" he said, looking pointedly to the Weasley twins and then to Harry.
"Now that is new" Harry said to himself.
"Why is Dumbledore looking at you?" Zabini asked him.
"I may have an idea" Harry answered him.
"Mr. Filch asked me to remind you that you can't use magic in the corridors, and the list of banned articles is posted on his office" Dumbledore continued "This year the third floor is off limits if you don't want to die in a sudden painful way" Dumbledore said seriously.
"So the Philosopher stone is here" Harry said to himself.
"The what?" Draco asked him.
"Really, why do Slytherin's love to hear other people's conversations?" Harry asked to himself for Draco to hear. Draco turned towards Blaise and ignored Harry.
"Now off to bed" Dumbledore said, in a happy tone and with a twinkle in his eye.
How was he supposed to tell his parents he was sorted into Slytherin?
Everyone had always told him James hated Slytherins.
He had seen how James had treated anyone with green colors during his school years.
He had seen it almost first hand, through a memory, one of Snape's memories. He had been a bully.
He had hated, more than anything, anything to do with the snake's house.
What was going to be his reaction when he found out his son is what he hates so much?
Harry was actually scared.
He had always wanted a family, and now that he finally got one he was going to disappoint them.
He was going to make his father's worst fear, real.
He had been staring at the blank piece of parchment, for what felt like ages.
Well he better do it quickly, before they found out from someone else.
Dear Mom and Dad.
I love you.
I thought I would start with that.
Well, no one is dying, so you can calm down.
It is actually worse than that… are you ready?
I am in Slytherin!
Yes you read right. I'm a Slytherin.
Please don't throw me out! I don't know what happened.
I'm betting the Sorting hat is pranking me.
Dad did you ever do something to the Sorting hat for it to want to punish me like this?
Mom, kick my dad out for making the hat sort me into Slytherin!
Tell Danielle what just happen to me, so she can be prepare for when the hat puts her in Slytherin as well.
Oh, what a shame I am to the Potter name!
By the way I'm a parselmouth, so I'm going to need a snake to talk to.
I made new friends today, Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy.
I think they are going to become my new best friends.
Don't like the idea?
Get here quickly and make Dumbledore sort me again!
By the way, did I say I love you yet?
I love you
I do!
Say hi to Padfoot for me
And if not for me, do it for Danielle.
Dad, apologize to the sorting hat, and make everything normal again.
Your green and silver son,
Harry Slytherin Potter
P.S. Change my walls, door and carpet to green, my new favorite color.
He hoped that humor would help him in this case.
Harry walked all the way to the owelry and sent his letter quickly, before he could change his mind.
He walked back to Slytherin common room, before anyone could see him or notice he was gone.
Now that he was a Slytherin, he had to act like he was proud of it if he wanted to survive.
He didn't really believe James had anything to do with him becoming a Slytherin, but thought that this way he would make them laugh a little and not think too much about his sorting.
Random Facts:
I know Draco is not exactly canon, but he is a kid, he should act like one.
Besides none of them act exactly like canon, do they?
Harry doesn't expect his parents to actually believe he is a parselmouth, even though he is.
Ron, Hermione and him only were able to destroy the locket, the diary and the ring in his world, Harry doesn't even know he is a Horcrux yet, so he still has Voldemort's soul inside his head. His Voldemort, not the one in this dimension.
Date: 1st September 1991
Reviews are welcomed.