Disclaimer: I don't own the characters and am making no money off of this book.
Chapter 2: Hogwarts
As the headmaster and Harry approached platform 9 ¾ Dumbledore was taking the opportunity to tell Harry to make sure he makes the right kind of friends. "You must be wary Harry. Not all of the students at the school are good. Many of them side with Tom Riddle and would take any opportunity to deliver you into his hands. Be careful of Slytherins in particular. More of them are on his side than not." At Harry's audible gulp he added, "I daresay you will end up in Gryffindor though like your parents so you need not worry too much. As a rule Slytherin and Gryffindor don't mingle"
Harry nodded as Dumbledore showed him how to get onto the platform. "Ah there are the Weasely's. A wonderful family. Their sons will be able to teach you who the right sort of friends are" the older wizard explained to the child. Harry was beginning to feel a bit stifled. 'It's just like the Dursley's' he thought. 'I may be allowed to have friends this time but this man is picking them out for me. I'll just have to be careful not to be caught with the friends I pick' Harry thought disgruntled. Luckily he had a lot of pratice hiding his real feelings with his family so to all outward appearances he looked grateful for the help.
After the introductions with the Weasleys, Harry went to get on the train with them choosing a compartment with the youngest, Ron as they were both first years. The train ride went fairly amicably, though Harry didn't particularly like the rude, tempermental, lazy attitude of the other boy. Then the Slytherins found them. A regal looking blonde walked into the compartment with two other boys who appeared at first glance to be something akin to shadows for their clear leader. They two shadows looked nervous.
"Hello you must be Harry Potter. I heard you were on the train and just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Draco Malfoy and this is Vincent Crabbe and Greg Goyle" The blonde said as he held out his hand. Harry thought a moment. This boy seemed a little stuck up but he could see that it was mostly false bravado to cover his nerves. As he stuck out his hand to greet the boy, Ron jumped in front of him and shoved Draco down. "We don't need you here Malfoy" Ron practically spit the name out. As Drao and his friends left the compartment with plenty of glares for the redhead, Harry smiled apologetically and waved while his "friend" wasn't looking.
"Should've known they'd try to get to you" Ron grumbled as he took his seat. "Harry, those were Slytherins Draco's father is a major supporter of you-know-who, but they haven't been able to catch him at it yet. Be careful around them."
"I thought we didn't know what house we were going to be in until after we are sorted?" Harry enquired.
"Well we don't for sure, but most people have a good idea. People usually go to the same place as their families, but sometimes they go somewhere else. Take me for example, My whole family is Gryffindor. I think I have a great great Uncle that was a Ravenclaw but that's the only one that wasn't Gryffindor. My mum told me that your parents were both Gryffindor so you'll probably be Gryffindor also" Harry nodded his thanks for the explanation as the announcement came that they were nearing the school and should change into their school clothes.
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Dumbledore arrived back at the castle shortly after seeing Harry on the train for a staff meeting. "How did it go Albus?" A stern faced woman asked him as he arrived.
"All went according to plan professor McGonagal. He was ever so grateful for my retrieving him from the Dursely's listened with rapt attention and abject fear to the story of Tom Riddle, and took to the Weasleys easily. We just have to keep an eye on him and make sure he keeps a good distance from the Slytherins. That should be easy with him in Gryffindor."
Severus wondered at that whether the old man gave the hat the order to place him in that house or if he was just doing as he usually did and pretending he knew everything before it happened. "Surely you can't be positive of that Headmaster. The hat has been known to surprise us at times" Severus said trying to feel out the situation.
"Too true, Severus, too true. I seriously doubt the hat would consider putting the child of two such noble Gryffindors into Slytherin however. That is almost unheard of. All of the houses are wary of Slytherin though, Gryffindor would just be easiest since they are downright hostile with the snakes"
Severus made sure to school his features so that they wouldn't betray his true feelings of his headmaster's views of his little snakes and smiled sweetly. "I do my best to keep them in line but I only get them after eleven years of their parents brainwashing so there is little I can do about their loyalties."
"I know you do your best my boy. No one can fault you for that." Dumbledore smiled at the cold man. "Well it is almost time for the students to arrive. Everyone to your places" He clapped excitedly.
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The children piled off the train in the town proclaiming itself to be Hogsmeade by the signs all over town. The muggle-born children along with young Harry looked around in excitement at the clearly magical village. There were murmurs going up from them "Where is the school?" They watched as the older children got into carriages as a large man called out. "First years over here" As they were all assembled in front of him his eyes dropped to Harry. He let out a huge grin. Hi there Harry! I'm Rubeus Hagrid, but you can call me Hagrid." The murmurs from the other students brought Hagrid back to the present. "Right then. No more than four to a boat. Hurry along all of ye"
Hagrid had a boat all to himself at the front of the procession. Harry and Ron got a boat together along with a girl name Hermione proclaiming herself to be a muggle born and another boy named Neville who according to him was almost a squib. Harry wondered what a squib was but decided to wait till later and ask someone he really liked once he knew who that someone was.
They all lined up for the sorting as a stern faced witch who introduced herself as Professor McGonagal called their names one by one to try on the sorting hat. First though the sorting hat sang a song talking about all the houses. Gryffindor was considered brave, Ravenclaw was considered smart, Hufflepuff loyal, and Slytherin ambitous. Harry had just decided that it didn't really matter to him which house he went to as long as he was able to make friends there. He didn't think he really wanted to go to Gryffindor though. He didn't like the gryffindor family he met so far, though Fred and George Weasely, the twins hadn't seemed so bad.
The muggle born Hermione was sorted into Ravenclaw, the almost squib Neville was sorted into Hufflepuff. Draco Malfoy went to Slytherin just like Ron predicted and then finally it was Harry's turn. He put the hat on his head and the hat called out almost immediately "Slytherin!" The entire hall went silent. There was no applause for him from the room except for the Slytherin table. Harry tried to ignore that and stood with his head high and walked toward the only people who accepted him after the hat's decision and was happy for it. He had enough of people pretending to be his friend for some other reason. Usually in his life the reason was to lure him close enough for Dudley's gang to attack him. He felt oddly at ease though. Like Slytherin was where he was supposed to be even though the rest of the school didn't seem to think so.
He took the opportunity at the table to apologize to Draco for Ron on the train and told him Dumbledore was trying to make him be friends with the prat. Draco brushed off his apology and said he should have expected that. Harry was confused by that, but he supposed it was because of what Dumbledore and Ron said about how no one trusts the Slytherins. Harry didn't see why. They seemed like perfectly nice people to him, and after the way his life had been he refused to shun people just because of what other people thought. No one had ever tried to get to know him. They had always just believed what Dudley and his aunt and uncle said about him.
Harry glanced up at the head table to see the headmaster glaring at him like he had betrayed him and most of the staff had similar expressions. Harry decided he didn't want all the teachers to hate him again and decided to look duly remorseful about ending up in the hated house and stopped talking to everyone except a quick explanation out of the corner of his mouth to Draco who passed it along. When he glanced back up at the staff they looked less angry and more sympathetic. He did notice that one of the professors with long black greasy hair gave him a half smile and seemed pleased.
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After the feast they were led down to their house common room by their prefects. As soon as they entered Harry began talking animatedly again with the others and explained the warnings he had gotten from the headmaster. They all understood his not wanting all the professors to hate him and applauded his "Slytherin" actions in preventing it. Silence overtook the room as the door slammed open and the same greasy haired teacher walked in. The older Slytherins took a seat on the floor in neat rows and the first years followed their lead hoping that they weren't expected to sit in a certain order.
"Welcome to Slytherin," the professor began. "There are some house rules I expect you to be aware of. This will be your only verbal warning though the rules are listed on the bulletin board over there," he pointed at the wall. "First of all, I'm sure you have all noticed that Slytherin house is not trusted nor liked by the rest of the school. As such you will all be on your best behavior and show proper manners at all times outside of the common room. Anyone who has not been schooled in manners please see me before breakfast in the morning for the beginning of your instruction." Everyone laughed at this wondering who on earth would not know basic manners. Harry forced a laugh along with everyone else but looked up with an almost scared look at his head of house. It was so quick he may have imagined it but he thought the man nodded and smiled at him. But again his face was stone almost immediately. " The second rule: If you have a problem with anyone in your house keep it in the house. There is to be no fueding outside of the common room and dormitory's. Anyone found to be so much as arguing with a house member outside of these areas will have a most severe punishment. With the rest of the school against us we must not allow them to see any dissension in our ranks. That is all. You are dismissed. Potter a word in my office please"
Harry wondered if his behavior towards his housemates at dinner had gotten him in trouble already and followed the man without a word. "Harry," he began much kinder this time, "I understand your behavior at dinner and I would like you to continue that way in public. I know I said that we all have to stick together, but for you it is different. I still want no hostilities mind you, but you are free to ignore your housemates. The headmaster will be watching you closely and I fear for your safety if he thinks you are getting too close to the Slytherins," he held up his hand to silence Harry's questions. "I cannot tell you any more about that at this time you understand. Perhaps later we will go into that. I merely wished to say that you may want to tell your housemates what you are doing so that they do not percieve you as being rude and unapproachable."
"Yes sir. I already told them. I whispered it to Draco at the table and he passed it around then I explained better when we got here."
The professor really smiled at that "That's good Harry. You really are a true Slytherin." Harry couldn't help but be proud at those words. "I admit I don't know much about the home that the headmaster placed you in but knowing him I can imagine that you didn't get much direction about manners much less wizarding custom so I want you to read these books. Read the one on manners tonight and see me before breakfast with any questions you have. The one on wizarding customs and society can be read at your convenience over the next month then you will be having a test on it given by me."
At this point Draco rushed in the door after being voted by his housemates as the one to do so. "Sir, Harry explained to us what happened at dinner and we are all okay with it. We don't want him to get in trouble for being friends with us by the other teachers." Draco said almost with one breath and stared at his shoes visibly frightened of his strict head of house.
"I'm aware of that Mr. Malfoy. I was in fact telling Mr. Potter the same thing."
"Oh okay then. I'll just be going now sir." he scrambled out of the room before he could get into trouble.
"Mr. Malfoy," Snape called stopping the boy in his tracks. "ten points to Slytherin for your concern for your housemate, but if you ever burst into my office like that again I will take away points.
"Yes sir." Draco said unsure whether to feel proud that he gained points or afraid of losing them. He again started for the door at a much more stately pace.
"You may go as well Mr. Potter. And don't forget your reading. Welcome to Slytherin"
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Tom Riddle was sitting in his study when he received the owl.
Tom,
Harry has been sorted into Slytherin and despite the fact that he looks just like his father I believe that I really do like the boy. He is a true Slytherin and may have ended up here anyway even if I didn't tell the hat to put him here. He is also not very attached to our favorite headmaster despite his excellent acting skills making the old man think so. He seems very happy to be in Slytherin and has made friends with Draco Mafoy already and everyone else seems to like him at least so he will most likely be making more friends soon. He hates being manipulated by anyone and has caught onto what dumbledore is trying to do. If all goes well you may be able to meet him at Christmas.
Yours,
Severus
Tom sent a quick reply with the delivering owl.
Severus,
I am very glad to hear that you have taken a liking to the boy. The old man's meddling may work in our favor after all. The fact that Harry has not grown up to fear me is a good thing, and while most abused children (I don't doubt that is what he is being that it was Dumbledore that chose his home) are easily manipulated, I'm glad to hear that Harry is fighting back. From your description I would have to agree that he is a true Slytherin. Keep an eye on him though. Don't let the other staff and students bully him too much over it. He seems like a good kid. About Christmas, don't push it too fast. We are in no hurry. It's not like I'm going to pit him against the dark lord this year. He will have to much older and more able before I would be willing to put him in such danger. If it takes a little longer for him to come to terms with the truth that's okay. I would never put a child at risk anyway. Teach him well and thank young Mr. Malfoy for me. Ask him to help look out for Harry as well. Discreetly of course. I shudder to think what would happen if Harry was known by everyone to be friends with the Slytherins.
Yours,
Tom.
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Lucius Malfoy was leaving the ministry as three owls decended upon him. He opened the one from his son first.
Dad,
I met Harry and he's really cool. He's a Slytherin luckily so we can be friends in private. He can't let Dumbledore see though so we have to be careful. Thanks for telling me to make friends with him. I would have anyway though.
Love,
Draco
The next one was from Severus.
Lucius,
You will be glad to know your son followed your suggestion and made friends with Mr. Potter. You will also be glad to know that they have both been sorted into Slytherin. I know that will make you proud. Even more so since Draco risked my temper and burst into my office when he thought that Mr. Potter was in trouble with me. I figured that would make you laugh. Don't worry. I awarded him points but with a warning not to interfere again. I hope all is well is with you.
Severus
The final one was from Tom.
Lucius,
Thank you for asking your son to befriend Harry. I just heard from Severus that he has done a wonderful job of that. I also wanted to ask you if you would be able to do some shopping for me as I am running low on some of the neccessities. See the enclosed list. Don't go too much out of your way, but if you can get them to me within the next few days that would be wonderful. Merlin I hate being stuck here all the time. Thanks old friend.
Tom.
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Dumbledore sat in his office after the feast and pondered the situation. 'How could this have happened. He was so sure that the hat was going to put Potter in Gryffindor or barring that anywhere but Slytherin. He seemed to not like his housemates, so that was good. Perhaps he would be able to salvage this. He would definitely have to keep a close eye on things though. He may have to take more drastic measures.' He put his head in his hands and groaned.
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AN: Sorry if the letters at the end were a little redundant. I wanted to show how close the three men are though. Also do you think I should tell everyone in the next chapter exactly who the dark lord really is (though i'm sure many of you have guessed already) or should I try to keep it secret for a little longer? Do you want Harry to meet Tom at Christmas or wait a while? I will be updating the next chapter once I have some responses to these questions to go off of.