Ch 3

"Dean, how do they sort students anyway," Sam asked nervously when the train started to slow down.

"It's nothing hard or scary, trust me."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"No I guess it doesn't."

"Dean seriously what is it?"

"Sammy do you really think I'd let you do anything dangerous," the other boy countered.

"No," Sam mumbled.

"Okay then, don't worry about it. I'd tell ya but then that would take away all the fun," Dean said helping his little brother off the train.

"Hey Winchester you got yourself a boyfriend over the summer," a voice rang out.

"Shut up Flint before I shut you up," Dean called back.

"Oh what's the matter Winchester don't want everyone to know that you're gay."

"He's my brother, not that it's any of your business."

"Your brother, huh," the boy said eye Sam up and down sizing him up. "He as good of a fighter as you?"

"If you come near my brother and I'll rip out your lungs," Dean threatened stepping up blocking his brother from view.

"Yeah right, you goody-two shoe Gryffindor you won't do anything."

"Try me," Dean said getting into the other boys face.

"Dean, stop it," Sam exclaimed pulling on his brother's arm. He noticed that Ron and Harry were both out of the train and watching the commotion, the Weasley twins in the background ready to help Dean if need be.

"Sam back off," Dean growled.

"No Dean I'm not going to let you get in trouble over something as silly as him calling me your boyfriend."

"Good luck on that Runt," Fred called out to Sam.

"Yeah once Dean's started you can't really stop him," George added.

Sam just looked up at his big brother using his most powerful weapon, his puppy dog eyes. "Please Dean don't do this. I don't want them to kick you out for fighting," Sam sniffled a little and wiped his eyes with a sleeve. "I don't want to be here without you."

"Geeze Sam they're not going to kick me out for beating up this a-hole."

Sam let out a sob, saying, "you don't know that."

"Come on Sammy don't cry." When that didn't stop his brother's sobs Dean rolled his eyes before facing his opponent and saying, "You're lucky this time Flint. If I catch you anywhere near my brother you'll wish you've never been born."

Dean stalked off leaving everyone behind. Sam looked up at Flint all signs of tears gone and smirked. "SAM!"

"Coming," the small boy ran off after his big brother his two new friends following closely behind.

"Sammy, if he ever comes near you again, I don't care what his reasons are I want to know okay?"

"Okay Dean: thanks for not fighting."

"Yeah whatever. You know those puppy dog eyes won't work on me forever."

"Sure they won't."

"Dude what was that about," George asked standing behind Ron.

"Yeah I've never seen you like that before," Fred added.

"I warned you guys about how I don't mess around when it comes to my little brother's health and well being. Protecting Sammy is my number one priority."

"I can take care of myself Dean," Sam sighed.

"Yeah I know you can, I also know that you won't. You're too nice for your own good. Now come on I'll take you to Hagrid."

After a few minutes they younger boys were able to make out the outline of the giant man. Sam whispered a soft "wow," at the size of the man while Ron just gapped. Harry, already knowing the man happily greeted him.

"Hey Hagrid."

"Ya alright there Harry?"

"Yeah."

"Hey Hagrid," Dean called out.

"Oh Dean aren't you a little old to be over here son?"

"Yeah I just wanted to introduce my brother to you."

"Oh nice to meet you Sam," the giant man shook the small boy's arm "Your brother has told me a lot about you."

"Dean has told me a lot about you too," Sam replied recalling the stories his brother has told him about the beast loving giant of a man.

Hagrid smiled before turning to Dean. "Don't worry, I'll keep him safe."

Dean nodded before saying goodbye and good luck to Sam and the other boys before leaving.

"Alright there are only four to a boat. Everyone get in."

Sam, Ron, and Harry got into one of the small boats and were soon joined by a rather jumpy boy who couldn't hold on to his toad and the boys spent the entire trip trying to keep it from jumping into the lake. That is until they saw the castle. All four boys stopped and looked on in awe at the structure.

After being led up to the castle and left to nervously contemplate the sorting they were all lead into a big hall with all of the students in the school seated at four separate tables. The three boys stared up at the ceiling amazed at the night sky that was clearly showing through. "It's enchanted to look like the sky," Sam told the other two, unknowingly echoing the girl several feet in front of them.

Sam was too busy staring that he didn't notice anything until professor McGonagall said, "When I call your name please step forward and put on the hat."

Harry, Ron, and Sam all waited impatiently as the students were sorted into their houses. Until finally Harry's name was called. Harry was sitting with the hat on for quite a while before the hat called out a loud Gryffindor. He saw his brother along with his friends chanting we got Potter taunting the Slytherins who looked anything but happy. He noticed that Harry had received the loudest applause yet. He had to keep reminding himself that Harry was rather famous here. He watched as Harry quickly took a seat next to his brother.

'Well I guess I'll be alone in Hufflepuff after all,' Sam thought gloomily as Ron joined his brothers and Harry at the Gryffindor table. And then his name was called. He slowly made his way towards the stool and carefully put the hat on his head. He wasn't surprised at all when it slipped to cover his eyes. What was surprising was the voice that he heard in his head.

"Interesting, very interesting: You were meant for great things little one. Not necessarily good but definitely great."

"W-what do you mean?"

"I mean that you've been marked. But not to worry: you have a good heart and what you are meant to do is not always what you end up doing."

"Okay," Sam thought confused.

"I think that Slytherin wouldn't be kind to you. You are compassionate towards others, a trait that most Slytherins find stupid. No you won't do well in there at all. You are much to interesting to be in Hufflepuff."

Sam mentally gave a sigh of relief. The houses that his brother hated and made fun of were crossed of the list of possible options.

"Hmm… I see great tragedy in your past, not much confidence in yourself. You have a good mind and would do well in Ravenclaw. It would help you in many ways. But I see that the true desire of your heart is to be in GRYFFINDOR"

Sam realized that the last part was yelled out and quickly tore the hat off his head and ran to join his brother and new friends. Dean was cheering madly as Harry moved down so that Sam could sit next to his brother.