The castle was bathed in a homey golden light, sitting against the rocky hill. It looked so big that its towers seemed to rake the sky – which in itself was a sight. Stars already out, they littered the black backdrop. The moon shone bright, right above them on the extremely reflective lake. It seemed they were swimming in the sky towards their new home. Harry couldn't help his watering eyes. Never had he felt like he was going home before. Hermione reached her small hand from behind him, giving his shoulder a squeeze. Cho turned and smiled widely at them both.

The children made their way from the boats into the castle. They were stopped in front of two massive doors, and one could have heard the excited children in that room from the lake. The first years though, were nervous. None seemed to have any clue as to how the sorting happened. Hermione was taking big breaths, attempting to prepare for whatever test she was about to be taking. Cho gave Harry a quick shove with her elbow, chuckling at Hermione's seemingly unnecessary stress.

"Hermione, it will be fine. Mom and Dad said that it isn't horrible, and even a bit enjoyable. Try to relax," Cho tried to encourage. Hermione nodded slightly, taking in some deeper breaths. Cho gave her hand a squeeze, "You'll be great Hermione. I'm just hoping we end up together in Ravenclaw! If not, you'll do fine in any of them – and we can still be friends!" Hermione seemed content with the fact, and visibly relaxed some.

"So, you're Harry Potter then?" asked the young boy he had followed onto the platform – who suddenly appeared in front of them, "I really don't know what all the fuss was about."

Harry stared at the boy in front of him and held a shaky smile, "I really don't either. I assumed it was a joke." The boy looked a little shocked for a moment, and was interrupted before he could reply.

"And your name is?" asked the young witch at Harry's side, the one who'd warned Hermione earlier on the topic.

"Draco. Draco Malfoy. I would like to extend a hand of friendship. You wouldn't want to be making friends with the wrong sort," responded the boy.

"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thank you," Harry began. He thought back to the young boy asking his mother if it hurt to go through the wall on the platform. Draco was just as new to this school as Harry, and having a friend at the start could be good for them both. Harry extended his hand in return, smiling and repeating his later thoughts, "It wouldn't hurt to have a few friends at the start though. I'm Harry Potter, as you already seem to know. This is Hermione and Cho. We rode the train here together." Harry seemed to be warning the boy in front of him, of his loyalty to the two witches. Draco easily picked up on the fact, extending a hand to the two witches as well.

"Why would you shake his hand, Potter? The Malfoys are bigoted rich prats!" exclaimed another boy close by. He had a shade of red hair that matched his freckled cheeks.

"And your name is?" asked Harry in return, a little frustrated at the outburst.

"Ronald Weasley," he grinned, answering the question.

"And have you met Draco before?" Harry returned.

"Well, no, but his family is of the wrong sorts. For certain" Ron stated firmly.

"Well. It seems to me, that you are the one making judgement on a boy who you have never met – based on something he has no control over. Isn't that the mere definition of prejudice?" Harry easily reasoned out loud.

Ron stuttered out, "Th-th-that's different!"

Harry only shook his head, "No it's not. I have a feeling you are too stubborn in your beliefs already, that you wouldn't even consider getting to know him better. That is the, what did you call it earlier, Draco? Oh yes, the wrong sort." Ron looked so put out by the comment that he seemed about to blow, though was interrupted by a stern looking older witch.

"Are we quite finished with this conversation Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter? It is about time to go in," she stated firmly. The two understood quite well that it wasn't a true question.

"Trevor!" exclaimed a rather plump looking young boy. He ran from the side of another young witch that he must have made the trip with. Maybe they just met, as Harry, Cho, and Hermione had. The boy knelt down right by the hem of the elder witch, picking up a mucky looking toad. After seeing the stern look from the woman, he swallowed and stepped back quickly to his spot by the girl.

"Very well. I am Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor here – as well as Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House. I will be conducting the sorting. Now, hurry on. The others are anxious for the sorting to begin!" she finished, swirling to open the big doors.

Inside laid long tables, stretching all the way across the room. At the front stood a large table full of, what Harry had assumed to be, the professors. This sure looked like a wizarding school, Harry thought. They even had on the hats. Speaking of hats, one old and dirty looking on sat in front of them on a chair. Great, Harry thought, they would be fighting a hat.

Suddenly, the hat in question began to sing.

"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 am 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 be 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 folk 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 students all began to cheer, but were shocked when the hat wasn't finished. It must not usually have anything more to say, thought Harry.

"Oh, I am not done,

This year is much to fun,

I can see their minds already.

This an important time,

To forget the shun,

You once had in this blatant rivalry.

It is a time for teamwork,

Between all of the houses,

Oh Hufflepuff wipe off that smirk.

All of the virtues,

Necessary and True,

Will be needed

To get you though.

Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff,

Together you'll be, soon enough.

…Just as the founders intended."

It stopped. McGonagall coughed a slight sound, before mumbling something and pulling out her scroll, "Alright, it seems we are up for quite a number of surprises today. Let us begin!" she announced, calling out the first name.

"Hannah Abbott." The girl, who had earlier stood next to the boy with the toad, stepped forward. She made her way to the hat, sitting on the chair. It barely touched her head, "Hufflepuff!" The cheering began.

"Susan Bones." It was another young witch, she looked ready for the hat. It sat a little while on her head before also announcing, "Hufflepuff!" More cheering.

A few more names were listed before Cho.

"Cho Chang." It didn't wait long before determining, "Ravenclaw!" Her table looked welcoming, each and every one of them smiling ear to ear maintaining a polite clap.

More names.

"Hermione Granger." She looked ready to pass out. Harry gave her an encouraging smile, nodding to the hat. She took a deep breath, and sat on the chair. It waited quite a bit longer than usual. He wondered what they were going on about before it finally made a decision, "Ravenclaw!"

She looked content with the choice, and made her way to a very excited Cho. Hermione looked back at Harry, and smiled. He was feeling nervous now, not letting on anything of course, and smiled back.

"Neville Longbottom!" It called out. Neville looked even more nervous than Hermione had. It sat for a few moments and declared, "Hufflepuff!"

The table cheered. Harry supposed it was a good fit for him, having his friend there with him was a bonus.

A few were names were sorted before it got to Draco.

"Draco Malfoy." Once seated, the hat declared before even reaching his head, "Slytherin!" Draco looked happy. Harry decided for himself at that moment, that any of the houses would do.

"Harry Potter." He was finally called. The entire room went silent, waiting for his house to be announced. The hat plopped on his head.

"Oh. You're a tricky one boy. You have all of the strong virtues. But which one is strongest, eh? Do you have any preference?" it began. Harry didn't, "Well. It looks like I'm to do all of the work then. I think you would do well in…" It went quiet for a moment, "Let it be Slytherin!"

The Slytherin table all cheered. Most others seemed shocked by the ordeal. What was the matter? They didn't mind Draco or the others being declared Slytherin. Harry made his way over to Draco's side of the table, and took a seat. He was happy to be Slytherin he decided. The hat moved on, and it wasn't a surprise to find Ronald Weasley in Gryffindor. Prideful, that boy was.

Announcements were made quickly after that, with a massive spread of food following. Harry decided it was going to be a very good year, wanting never to go back to his uncle's house. Draco looked at him and smiled, before picking out his favorite treats. Harry's mouth watered at the sight, though new his stomach wouldn't be able to handle much. It wasn't use to all of this food. He had always been forced to eat the leftovers from Dudley, and only if the list of chores for the day were complete – and some days it was a very long list.

He picked only the essentials, sticking to a little potato and pumpkin juice. He did try some of Draco's Treacle Tarte, and found it to be extremely delicious. Maybe he could have an entire one someday.

Draco noticed Harry's odd dinner choice, though didn't comment on it. He would just store the question back for later.

After dinner, the children were to follow their prefects to their dorms. Harry was excited that theirs' was in the dungeon. It was so cool.

Their prefect's name was Gemma Farley. She seemed stern during the first part of their trek, but by the time they had made it to the dungeons she gave them a smirk while announcing the password. It would be changed every day, and no one who wasn't Slytherin was to know about it – nor was anyone who wasn't Slytherin to be present at any time in the common room. Harry wondered at the idea. He would just have to go to the Ravenclaw common room to see Hermione and Cho.

Harry got a good look at the room while she spoke about the rules. It was covered in stones and green light. Though dark, it was more relaxing than intimidating. Beautiful furniture sprawled around the room, and a great big fireplace burned green flames in one of the corners. Tapestries covered some of the stone, material that seemed older than the castle itself. Harry was excited to be there, his stomach turning again at the idea of this being his home.

"Slytherins have a very strict set of rules, that our Head of House holds highly. They are posed on the wall by the door of the common room – along with the password and announcements for each day. You are to read them sometime before breakfast tomorrow." She smiled and continued, "We take great pride in our house, and are to stick by each other throughout our years. As you might already know, not many like our house. So it is up to us to be there for one another. I am always here to talk about anything that may come up, no matter how dark or sappy. That is my job, and I am happy to do it."

She showed the first years to their rooms. Another prefect, Anthony Stuart, was usually the one to show the boys, but he wasn't feeling all too well at the moment and decided to go lay down during dinner. Gemma assured us that he held the same sentiment, and would be there for any need.

Harry walked into the dormitory. It was built from the same stone as the common room, and covered with matching tapestries. Beds, bigger than he had ever slept in before, lined the walls. Draped around them were massive, deep green cloths. They matched the very cozy looking set of blankets and pillows that adorned his bed. For a moment, Harry couldn't think of anything else but sinking into the piles of blankets.

The furniture was made of a dark wood. They were provided a desk and wardrobe as well. At the end of each bed sat their personal trunks, with the rest of their belongings sitting atop. Harry was relieved to see his owl, Hedwig he decided to name him, given to him earlier as a gift from Hagrid for his birthday. Hagrid really was a great fellow, just a little in the clouds it seemed.

Harry went to put away his garments and school supplies, getting ready for the next day. Draco was doing the same. "It's pretty great here, isn't it?" questioned the aforementioned boy, who held a grin so wide it seemed likely to fall off of his face.

"It is wonderful," Harry agreed with a matching smile. Finally, content with the state of his space, he made to change into pajamas and brush his teeth. Taking off his glasses, he thought them completely useless. They helped a bit, but not much at all. His pajamas sat down to his knees, being they were only a t-shirt provided by Dudley's fat body. His small frame, much smaller than anyone he's met, barely held up the material. He dashed to the bed hoping to go unnoticed by the others in the room. Quietly, he pulled close the drapes, and fell into a deep slumber. It was the first good sleep he was to have in all of his life so far.

Draco had noticed the strange pajamas, as well as the darkened skin on his knees and arms. Harry must have been in an accident recently, though Draco didn't think it proper to ask. That boy really did need some decent pajamas. It was his last thought before falling asleep as well.

(I should have noted this earlier, but the characters, world, and (most) of the major plot line were originally created by the wonderful J.K. Rowling . Also, the first bit of the sorting hat was not original.)

I hope you enjoyed the new chapter!