Albus Wulfric Brian Dumbledore paced up and down his office, as jumpy as the proverbial cat on a hot tin roof. Harry Potter had been missing from the wizarding world for almost a decade, today would see his return. Today was the beginning of stage two of his plan: getting Harry Potter under his thumb.

He had devised a master plan, which began when he had witnessed the prophecy by Sybill Trelawney. He had quickly deduced that only two children fitted the criteria: Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter. While the Longbottom boy was weaker of the two children, his biggest obstacle was, the boy's grandmother; Madam Longbottom. The old witch was too smart for her own good. The woman even had the audacity to say no to him.

So in the end Harry was his choice, but the boy was powerful performing magic even as a toddler, hence the need for magical blocks; the boy couldn't be allowed to grow powerful now could he? It was after all the boy's destiny to die at the hands of Lord Voldemort so that he, the great Albus Dumbledore could once again emerge as the hero.

For that he first had to insure that the prophecy reached Tom. That's where Severus Snape came in. The dillusioned man was always, obsessed with Lily while hating James Potter; the perfect combination Albus could exploit. Delivering the prophecy to Voldemort was, the perfect opportunity for Severus Snape to extract his revenge. So, stealthily Dumbledore arranged for Snape hear the first half of the prophecy, never giving Snape any opportunity to be suspicious of his plans.

The most difficult part of his plan was to get the Potters separated from their friends. He couldn't have Sirius and Lucius conspiring with James. God knows what the trio was capable of. Moreover the wards at Potter Manor were extremely powerful, no one in their right mind would dare trespass them. This couldn't be allowed, a slight memory modification and a compulsion charm on James saw to it that the Potters left their ancestral home and resided in Godric's Hollow cut off from the world. Where Albus himself had placed the Fidelius charm, changing the secret keeper was tricky. However he had successfully tricked Sirius, making him believe that he would be too obvious of a choice.

In the end everything played out according to him. The Potters died leaving young Harry orphaned with Voldemort's Horcrux inside him. Sirius in his rage towards Pettigrew had chased him leaving Harry to him. As for Lucius, well the world believed him to be a death eater, and without anyone to testify, no one in there right mind would believe him. Albus then placed the boy with Lily's sister Petunia knowing how much she hated magic.

The boy would enter the magical world years later. Weak and abused looking up to him the Great Albus Dumbledore for guidance, an opportunity which Dumbledore would readily use to mould him into the perfect sacrificial lamb.

With these thoughts in mind Albus Dumbledore sat comfortably in his chair waiting for the Hogwarts express.

****Line Break****

Today was September 1st, the day at which Harry had to leave for Hogwarts. He was quietly sitting in the dining hall eating his breakfast and reading the morning's Daily Prophet. He was packed and dressed, his Hogwarts robes lying on the top compartment inside his trunk.

As he finished his breakfast he called his familiar. "Morgan."

In the next instant the majestic bird appeared with a crack of lightning. "Yo, Boss all ready for Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. "Of course just waiting for you," With that the thunderbird vanished merging inside him.

He grabbed his trunk and walked towards the floo, "King's Cross station." He shouted appearing in a secluded room on the platform.

No sooner had he stepped outside, he heard a voice that made his blood boil.

"- Packed with Muggles, of course -"

Harry swung round. The speaker was a plump woman who was talking to four boys, all with flaming red hair. Each of them was pushing a trunk like Harry's in front of him - and they had an owl.

"Molly Weasley" He observed bitterly.

The family was extremely poor and the members were considered blood traitors by the old influential families. They were a typical 'light' family, blindly worshipping Albus Dumbledore. Director Ragnok had informed him about them. Apparently they had tried to steal money from his vaults, but were unsuccessful as even the Chief Warlock couldn't take money from his vault, only a Potter could access them. When this did not work Albus had pushed for a marriage contract between Harry and the youngest Weasley girl, Ginny was her name. This effort was also in vain as once again, no one outside a Potter could create a contract for a member of the family.

"Now what's that platform number?" Seriously! She attended the school for seven years and had been sending her children there for the last nine, how could she possibly forget the platform number? Was Dumbledore truly so desperate, that he had sent a mediocre pawn into the game? And what the hell happened to the statue of secrecy, honestly the woman was screaming like a banshee someone was bound to notice.

"Nine and three-quarters!" piped Ginny looking around for someone.

Humorously Harry crossed the barrier to platform nine and three quarters leaving the family to its musings.

A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to the platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, eleven O'clock. Harry looked behind him and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on it.

Stepping onto the platform, Harry's senses were assaulted by the smell of burning coal, the tang of steam, and the sounds of lots of children and their parents both greeting each other and saying their goodbyes.

Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every color wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks.

The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some fighting over seats. Harry pushed his cart off down the platform in search of an empty seat.

He came across Neville saying, "Gran, I've lost my toad again."

"Oh, Neville," he heard the Madam Longbottom sigh.

He cleared his throat drawing their attention, "I believe I can help with that." He said cheekily.

"Ahh Harry you are here." Madam Longbottom greeted enveloping him in a hug. Harry smiled and shook Neville's hand.

"Accio Neville's Toad" He casted a silent summoning charm drawing the toad to himself. In the next instant the said toad was in his hands.

"Here you go my friend." He said handing the toad to Neville. "Your toad, as promised"

Neville took the toad, eyes wide at the advanced display of magic.

But before he could voice his question, Harry led him towards the Hogwarts express saying his goodbyes to Madam Longbottom.

Climbing on board Harry placed his and Neville's trunk inside a compartment. Then put a locking charm on the door, reserving the compartment.

"Neville you sit here for a while I have to go greet a friend." Harry said as he stepped out of the compartment, climbing down from the train waiting for the Malfoys.

"Harry" He heard Narcissa Malfoy cry from a distance.

Smiling Harry walked forward to greet them. He politely shook Lucius' hand then brushed his lips over Narcissa' hands when she held it in front of him.

"Greetings cousin, ready for Hogwarts" He asked Draco.

Draco nodded enthusiastically.

"All right boys on board now." Lucius barked looking at his pocket watch. Narcissa gave both of them a hug while Lucius shivered at the sentimentality.

Harry nodded and led Draco on board the express.

"You go ahead Harry I have to meet up with a few of my friends. I will see you in Hogsmeade." Draco said motioning for him to continue.

Harry nodded and patted his cousin on the back before stepping inside his compartment.

A whistle sounded in the distance signaling the departure of the train. He engaged in a conversation with Neville till he heard a knock o the door. With a snap of his fingers he disabled the lock. A petit young girl stepped in. "Do you mind if me and my friend sit here?"

Harry simply shook his head. "No problem Miss. Go ahead."

****Line Break****

Daphne Maria Greengrass the heir presumptive of the Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass; stepped inside the Hogwarts express alongside her best friend Tracy Davis.

Daphne was always a quite child, always keeping to, herself not trusting others easily. For as long as she could remember, Tracey was her only friend. Her status as the eldest daughter of the house Greengrass attracted the wrong kind of attention to her. People saw her not as a girl but as a tool to snatch her family's wealth and political influence. Unfortunately in her case money wasn't the only issue. Though she was only eleven she already showed promises of an attractive woman. Thankfully for her, her grandmother who had been through the same problem in her days had taught her some useful, hexes and jinxes to protect herself.

Daphne followed Tracey into the compartment. The first thing she noted was the incredibly handsome boy sitting inside. Upon seeing him she had trouble believing the person sitting there could possibly exist.

His blue coat had silk lapels. It also had to be wide at the shoulders and narrow at the waist to accommodate the body it clothed, his chiseled muscles being clearly highlighted through his shirt, an effect that the young witch appreciated. His jet- black hair styled fashionably glowed with a blue hue, accentuating his high cheek bones and aristocratic feature, but those wonderfully expressive almond shaped green eyes melted her heart.

She reinforced her Occlumency shields to control her emotions. She couldn't act like this in front a boy. She was about to lift her trunk to place it when she heard the boy's voice.

"Allow me Miss." The boy said.

He silently raised his hand as both, her and Tracey's trunk floated up arranging itself in the rack.

"Wow" She thought dreamily. "Handsome and Smart"

"Thank you." Tracey said as they both sat down.

"You are welcome, Miss?" He questioned.

"Oh sorry, I completely forgot." Tracey apologized. "I am Tracey Davis, but you can call me Tracey"

He gently took her extended hand and kissed her knuckles. "Pleased to meet you Tracey"

He looked at Daphne questioningly, but she was too busy staring at him to notice. The sound of Tracey clearing her throat brought her back to senses.

"Daphne Greengrass" She replied impassively.

"Pleased to meet you Miss. Greengrass" He replied. He took her hand and gently kissed her knuckles. Daphne had to fight a mad blush. This boy infuriated her. He was rich by the looks of it, not to mention smart and incredibly handsome. Before she met him, she wanted to create a cold reputation for herself to keep the boys away from her. But this boy had thrown her completely off the loop. Just when she thought he would start flirting with her he took his seat and began reading a book.

"Aghhh." She mentally screamed. "Who the hell was this boy?"

Luckily it was Tracey who voiced her question.

"May we please know both of your names?" She asked hesitantly.

The boy smiled politely. "Of course Miss. Davis, I am Harry Potter and my friend here is Neville Longbottom."

Daphne felt her eyes widen, the boy-who-lived. He was nothing as she expected. He was supposed to be an arrogant, scrawny Gryffindor. Not some bookworm! A handsome bookworm, she corrected herself.

After a few minutes there was a knock on their compartment door. Stepping inside were, a young, petit redhead girl and a thin young blond girl with hair in pigtails: Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott.

"Hi Harry." Susan said, each sitting next to Tracey and Neville respectively.

"Hello Susan. Who is your friend?" Harry asked, greeting the redhead.

Susan said, "Harry, this is my friend, Hannah Abbott. Hannah, this is also my friend, Harry - Harry Potter."

Hannah squealed, "Really you are the Harry Potter. You look nothing like the books said."

Harry smiled and said. "Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment. And yes I am really Harry Potter."

The rest of the train ride was spent getting to know each other. The first intrusion into their compartment was made by the youngest male Weasley.

The boy took a look around before his eyes alighted on Harry. Stepping through the door he said, "Can I sit here? Everywhere else is full."

Harry shook his head at the boy's blatant lie. He may have allowed him to sit here if he boy had told the truth. "You are lying I saw many compartments less filled than this one on my way."

The boy looked like a deer caught in the light. "Err. I. mmm." He stammered.

"Get to it boy." Harry snapped.

"They have Slytherins sitting there." The boy replied hesitantly.

This statement made the Daphne's blood boil. She was about to retaliate but Harry beat her to it. "I assure you boy there are Slytherins sitting here too."

"But.. but you are Harry Potter." The boy exclaimed, "You can't be sitting with snake you are supposed to be a noble Gryffindor like me. Come off it mate, you can't sit with them they are all evil"

At this statement the temperature around the compartment dropped significantly, ice began to creep on the windows responding to Harry's anger. He could tolerate many things but not such disrespect of his ancestor.

"Listen here boy, let me make you one thing clear I am not your mate, never was and never will be. As for my company nobody asked for your advice, so keep it yourself. Lastly if you ever disrespect the house Slytherin in front of me again, you would wish you were never born. Slytherin is the house I admire the most and it is the house I want to be in. Now, get out before you find yourself thrown out!"

With a face reddening with embarrassment, the boy rushed to get out, wetting his pants in the process. Harry closed his eyes and leaned back on his seat as the door of the compartment shut itself.

"Sorry." He said seeing the concerned expression on everyone's faces. "That boy just pushed all the wrong buttons."

"It's all right Mr. Potter." Daphne assured.

"Call me Harry please." Harry requested.

"Then please call me Daphne, Harry." Daphne replied.

"So Harry," Tracey spoke trying to change the topic. "If I heard correctly you want to be in Slytherin?"

Harry nodded smiling. "Yes Tracey, I for one find myself quite ambitious. Also I don't agree with people who find it 'evil' due to te reputation it has gained. I intend to change that. I want to see Slytherin restored its former glory, like it was meant to be. A place for ambitious people"

All five stared at him with newfound respect. "Wow Harry that is one heck of a goal, it sure won't be easy." Susan pointed.

"I know Susan. But it is a goal I intend to achieve." Harry vowed.

While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of London. Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. They were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.

Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"

All four of them, except Daphne, jumped on their seats eyes shining at the prospect of candies, amused Harry purchased Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, chocolate frogs and Licorice wands.

"Anyone for candies" He asked seeing the hungry look in his friends' eyes. Both of them lunged snatching the candies from his hands.

Harry went back to his back till he was interrupted by Neville, "Umm Harry."

"Yes Neville." Harry asked.

"Why aren't you eating the candy" The boy asked shyly.

Harry looked amused. "Sorry Neville but I don't east candy."

"Why Harry are you on a diet or something." Tracey asked horrified at the prospect of someone not eating candy.

"No Tracey" Harry replied chuckling, "I am not on a 'diet' as you said, but I find nothing wrong with eating right from a young age."

Daphne's eyes lit up at hearing his words. "Finally someone who thinks like me"

Tracey shook her head in mock horror. "You are just like Daphne here. I don't understand how someone can say no to candy."

Harry smiled knowingly at Daphne.

With that smile the blonde haired girl had no room for doubt in her mind. Daphne Greengrass was truly smitten.

The countryside now flying past the window was becoming wilder. The neat fields had gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, and dark green hills

There was a knock on the door of their compartment and a young bushy haired girl stepped in. She looked tearful.

"Can I please sit here?" She asked in a soft voice.

Harry nodded politely. "Of course, please come in."

The bushy haired girl muttered a thank you, then entered shutting the door behind her.

Her trunk appeared to be quite heavy as she was having difficulty dragging it.

"I'll help you with that Miss." Harry said and levitated the trunk onto the rack.

"Wow." The girls exclaimed in awe. "I didn't know they taught wandless magic in the school curriculum. Which year are you."

Harry looked. "I am a first year much like you Miss?"

"Granger, Hermione Granger." She replied sheepishly.

"Miss Granger." Harry began once the girl was seated. "I didn't mean to come off as imposing, but I noticed that you looked distraught when you entered. Is something wrong?"

"Some of the older students up there," she indicated towards the front carriages of the train, "called me names and laughed at me, when I said my parents were muggles. Then they threw me out of the compartment. I don't know what I did wrong," the girl sobbed.

"Nothing," Daphne spoke up "You did nothing wrong Miss. Granger. If I had to guess I would say they were calling you some 'M' word."

The girl nodded frantically.

"You will find, Miss Granger, that there are those in the wizarding world who allow their bigotry to rule their lives. They think of muggleborns, such as you, as beneath them." Susan said calmly.

"But why do they hate me?" Hermione questioned.

"They do not hate you Miss. Granger, they are scared of you." Upon seeing her confused expression he elaborated. "Think about it Miss. Granger, all of them have, grown up always knowing about magic, it has been taught to them from a young age, that since both of their parents are magical they are destined to be stronger. Now you a muggleborn witch who doesn't have any magical in their family comes into their world, they are afraid as you could very well destroy their lifelong believe."

"But that is not right." Hermione cried.

"It isn't but that is how their mind works. Halfbloods and muggleborns will always be considered inferior in their eyes. "

Hermione nodded silently absorbing the facts, "Oh! I completely forgot, may I know your names?" She asked impulsively.

"Sure I am Harry Potter." Harry replied smiling, "And these are my friends, Daphne Greengrass, Tracey Davis, Neville Longbottom, Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones." He gestured to the other five occupants.

Suddenly, her eyes widened a little in surprise. "You're Harry Potter!" she exclaimed. "I've read all about you. I got a few extra books for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century" and her voice trailed off.

Harry felt himself stiffen at her words. His eyes got a distant look as the expression on his face changed to sadness.

Hermione felt the tension in the room, realized she said something room. "Umm I am sorry that came out all wrong."

"It's all right Miss. Granger." Harry said offering her a small smile, "I am just not comfortable with my fame. It is a sad reminder of the night my parents were brutally murdered by a psychotic wannabe Dark Lord right in front of my infant eyes."

"Oh God" Hermione exclaimed "I am so sorry. I didn'tâ€Ĥ"

Harry raised a hand cutting her off, "No one really thinks of it like that Miss. Granger. For them it is a day for celebration, a day on which they got rid of Lord Voldemort. To me it is a day for sorrow."

When he finished speaking Daphne reached forward and squeezed his hand gently. Harry smiled blushing at the contact.

After things started to settle down again, Harry, again, tried to read for a while.

But as was the tradition, he was yet again interrupted by the door being yanked open. Three boys stood in the doorway. The one front and centre was of average height. He had dark slender features, dirty brown hair, a pointed noise, a chubby face and a protruding belly.

"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yes," said Harry.

He was looking at the other boys. Both of them were thickset. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards. "Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly, noticing where Harry was looking. "And my name's Nott, Theodore Nott."

Tracey gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigget. Theodore Nott looked at her. "Think my name's funny, do you Davis? Didn't your father teach you to keep quiet in front of your betters?"

He turned back to Harry. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

Harry calmly regarded the boy. "Really Mr. Nott you have me at a disadvantage there you say you are better than us. You must have learned some advanced magic then. Why don't you show us a levitation charm? It must be simple for someone of your caliber."

The boy's face reddened as he muttered something under his breath.

"Did you say something?" Harry asked.

"I said I didn't know. I haven't read it yet." The potbellied boy said.

"Shame" Harry said with a look of mock pity. "Can't say I am surprised though, Miss. Granger can you show us the levitation charm please?"

Hermione looked hesitant but, with Harry's show of support took out her wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa." She said casting the charm.

Harry's book floated upwards, following Hermione's wand movements before settling down on the seat.

"So you see Mr. Nott." Harry said once again addressing the boy. "We here are in no need of you 'expert' guidance. I'm sure your parents seeing as they are purebloods, taught you better manners than to just barge into the compartment of your social betters without even knocking first."

"Now, seeing as I am indeed Lord Harry Theseus Potter Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, I am sure you are most pleased to finally meet me, but next time exercise caution."

"And to answer your previous question seeing as I'm sitting with my friends Neville Longbottom, Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom; Miss Daphne Greengrass, Heiress Presumptive of the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass; Miss Tracey Davis, Heiress of the Noble House of Davis; Miss Hannah Abbott Heiress Presumptive of the Noble House of Abbott and Miss Susan Bones Heiress of the Ancient and Noble House of Bones. I have not made friends with 'the wrong sort', as you put it."

Face reddening in anger and in shame, Theodore stepped out of the compartment his two goons following him.

A few moments later Neville burst out laughing and was soon followed by everyone.

"That was brilliant Harry." Hannah said then cracked up again.

Harry s chuckled in his seat. "That was kind of fun."

"But how did you know I would be able to perform the charm Harry?" Hermione asked once the things had settled down.

"Come on Miss. Granger you just told me you had read three books about me. It is obvious that anyone who could read extra about me must have at least begun reading their schoolwork." Harry explained

"And umm I noticed you call each other by their first name but you call me Miss. Granger. Why is that so?"

"Ahh" Tracey exclaimed, "That would be because you haven't given us permission to use your first name Miss. Granger."

"Ohh" Hermione said sheepishly. "Please call me Hermione everyone. I am sorry for addressing you all by your first name without your permission."

"It all right Hermione." Harry said waving off her apology. "You are amongst friends here but you should remember this in front of adults."

"We should change we are almost there." Said Neville as they were nearing their destination, the boys went out while the girls changed.

A voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately."

Hogsmeade station hardly deserved the name, it had a platform to allow people access to and from the train and that was it. It also appeared to be in the middle of nowhere, with the few lit lamps fighting a losing battle against the rapidly encroaching darkness as evening fell. It was to be expected that the temperature in the Scottish Highlands would be considerably lower than that of London, a fact that saw most of the older students pull their robes tighter around them and head directly to the waiting carriages.

The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to the platform. Hermione shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Harry heard a familiar voice: "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!

The towering figure was soon surrounded by all the first years. He appeared to be looking for someone in particular. It was also obvious from his expression that he didn't find who he was looking for. "C'mon, follow me — any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much.

"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

There was a loud "Oooooh!"

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black take. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry, Daphne, Tracey and Hermione sat in their boat while Neville went to sit with Susan and Hannah.

"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then - FORWARD!"

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

As the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

Harry being a perfect gentleman escorted all the ladies out of the boat.

A flight if steps led them to a large oak door.

Hagrid banged his massive fist on the door.

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. "Professor McGonagall" Harry recalled from his memory.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall, but he was not among them" said a teary eyed Hagrid.

Professor McGonagall pulled the half giant to a side where no one could hear what they were saying.

"Pull yourself together Hagrid, you counted them didn't you."

The teary half giant nodded, "O' course I did Professor, everyone is accounte' for." It was then that McGonagall's implication hit Hagrid, every child mentioned on the list was present so the person they were looking for must be amongst them

After Hagrid left Happy, Professor McGonagall led them in. The entrance hall was quite large. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. They were led into a small empty chamber of the hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."

She left the chamber.

"Talk about house spirit." Hermione snorted from behind Harry. "Aren't they taking the concept of Houses too far?"

Harry chuckled lightly. "That they are Hermione, but this is how it has been for centuries. Call it tradition if you will."

"How are we sorted into the houses" Asked a first year from beside them, "I heard some people on the train say we have fight a troll of some kind to pass the test." The boy clearly a muggleborn appeared quite shaken.

Harry gently placed his hand on the boys shoulder. "Calm down my friend. Deep breaths" He instructed. The boy did as was told, appearing much calmer now.

"I assure you my friend you don't have to fight a troll or anything for that reason. You are sorted by an ancient artifact which judges your qualities with those of the four houses and designates the best possible one." Harry explained as the boy sighed in relief, thanking him.

The people around him gasped. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk was saying: "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance -"

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost - I say, what are you all doing here?"

A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.

Nobody answered. Suddenly a long haired ghost appeared in front of Harry, kneeling in reverence. Its body covered in silvery blood.

"Let me be the first one to welcome you to Hogwarts my great Lord Slytherin. I am Bloody Baron, the ghost of Slytherin, at your service." The ghost's voice sounded in his head.

"Thank you my friend. You don't need to bow to me. I don't need your worship. What I need, is your guidance in my times of need." Harry replied mentally.

"You shall have it my Lord." The ghost said without hesitation. "I have got to go now but I hope to see you in Slytherin soon."

With that the ghost went to rejoin his associates.

Around the hall everyone was watching him in disbelief and confusion, but before they could voice their opinions Professor McGonagall returned.

"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." Professor McGonagall said.

One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.

"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."

Following the stern witch, they entered the great hall. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. All eyes searching for a single person Harry Potter. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. The ceiling appeared velvety black, dotted with stars.

He chuckled when Hermione whispered, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."

Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat: the sorting hat.

For a few seconds, there was complete silence.

Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth - and the hat 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'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 Hufflepuffis 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 whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"

A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moment's pause –

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.

The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table.

"Bones, Susan." Harry wished her good luck as she nervously approached the hat.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" came the shout.

Susan smiled then went to join her friend on the Hufflepuff table.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

The table second from the left clapped this time.

"Brown, Lavender"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Harry found himself getting bored at the long wait, till the next person in his group was called.

"Davis, Tracey"

Harry reassuringly patted the girl on her shoulder. She managed a small smile.

Nervously she lifted the hat placing it on her head. The hat thought for a minute, before shouting.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Smiling happily Tracey went to sit on her table.

"Granger Hermione"

Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head.

"RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted

Hermione eagerly joined the Ravenclaw table.

"Greengrass, Daphne" Professor McGonagall called.

Harry squeezed the girl's hand, giving her a smile, "I'll see you soon Daphne"

The girl blushed before nodding her head.

Daphne calmly walked to the stage and placed the hat on her head. After a minute, a shout came for the hat, proclaiming,

"SLYTHERIN!"

Harry smiled as he watched Daphne join her friend on the Slytherin table, the next name called was:

"Longbottom, Neville"

The shy boy approached the hat.

"GRYFFINDOR!" came the response.

"Nott, Theodore"

Upon hearing the name Harry put his newly developed plan into action. He concentrated on the boy, testing his Occlumency shields. They were virtually non-existent, just as he expected. Using mild Legilimensis and a compulsion charm he made Theodore believe that Slytherin was not the house for him. He would be better suited elsewhere.

So, when Theodore Nott placed the hat on his head, the following response shocked everyone.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Cancelling the charms Harry let the boy regain his full consciousness. The boy as if out of a daze shouted, "WHAT! That is not possible." He said disbelievingly. "I demand to be resorted."

"Be silent Mr. Nott" Professor McGonagall scolded. "The sorting is never wrong is its choosing so I suggest you, get going and join your peers on the Gryffindor table." The boy looked ready to protest but a look from the stern professor and he complied sulking the whole way.

"Malfoy, Draco"

"HUPPLEPUFF!"

The result again surprised everyone, but this time no one spoke. Not wanting to be on the receiving end of Professor McGonagall's glare.

Finally after the long wait came his name.

"Potter, Harry"

As Harry stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall.

"Potter, did she say?"

'Is that the Boy Who Lived?'

'He looks nothing like what the books said he would'

'Where is his scar? I can't see it'

'He looks so handsome!'

As Harry placed the hat on his head all whispers ceased to exist. "Ah Welcome Lord Slytherin," The hat greeted, "You are a difficult one to sort. Loyal to a fault but only to those who have earned it, you could definitely do well in Hufflepuff. And what do we have here, an eidetic memory, I'll be damned, Rowena's most prized talent. So Ravenclaw is an option too. You are brave without a doubt seeing your life till now, you would do well in Gryffindor as well and I would say that old fool has tried to bewitch me into forcing you into the house, but I know better. You certainly have big ambitions my Lord, not to mention such wits and cunning. Slytherin is definitely the place for you, if that is ok with you?"

"It is Mr. Sorting hat. It'll be my pleasure to be in the house of my ancestor." Harry assured. "Also I can't pass the opportunity to rub it in the face of that old coot now can I?" He finished with a smirk.

He could hear the sorting hat laughing merrily in his head. "Things are never going to be dull around you my Lord. I would love the see the old man taken down a notch or two, it's high time of you ask me. He no longer thinks clearly and believes he is absolute. Now, seeing as everyone is starting to stare at you I'll not take any more of your time."

"SLYTHERIN!"

The entire hall was silent no one even dared breathe. Suddenly whispers started:

"Impossible!"

"The boy-who-lived in the house of snakes"

"He should have been a Gryffindor"

And so on and so forth.

The house with green banners broke into a thunderous applause, "We got Potter", "We got Potter" he could hear his friends shouting. The Gryffindors looked like someone had killed their puppy. The Ravenclaws were mostly silent analyzing the pros and cons of the situation at hand. Hufflepuffs were happy nonetheless.

Harry calmly walked down and sat between his friends at the Slytherin table.

The sorting ended when Professor McGonagall called 'Zabini, Blaise', the last name before folding the sheet of parchment.

Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there. Harry knew better, he was sure he was going to be called into the headmaster's office soon.

"Welcome," Dumbledore said.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

"Thank you!"

As they began eating, Blaise commented; "A Potter in Slytherin? They probably think that, hell just froze over. I am Blaise Zabini by the way pleased to meet you," Extending his hand.

Harry shook Blaise' hand with a wry grin and said, "People shouldn't assume things. Besides - how much does it really matter what House you're in? The hat chose your most prevalent trait, but really, everyone has every trait. It's about the degree to which that trait is present – no?" Some of the older students nearby nodded their heads and flashed small approving grins when they heard Harry's mini speech,

At the high table two staff members were angrily cursing one, Harry Potter.

Severus Snape was livid at seeing the son of his most hated enemy and the woman he loved. The boy even had the nerve to be sorted into his house. Wasn't it torture enough to see the boy in classes, now he had to tolerate the boy in his house too. He would admit the boy looked nothing like he imagined. He had though Harry Potter would take after his father, he was wrong. The boy was a splitting image of his grandparents, embodying the best of both worlds. But those eyes, those were definitely Lily's eyes. For that reason alone Snape judged the boy guilty, determine to make his life a living hell.

Dumbledore on the other hand was furious. The boy had just ruined his years of planning, by being sorted into Slytherin. This wasn't how things should have proceeded; the boy was supposed to be a Gryffindor, charging headfast into trouble thus making him the perfect weapon for the light.

Just earlier that day he had been notified about the Weasley's failure to locate the boy at the station. If that wasn't enough, the Weasley boy had then aggravated Harry on the train, further diminishing any chances of allying the boy with the light. But this was Albus' own fault. He had trusted the Weasley's too much. The family was nothing but a bunch of puppets. For now Dumbledore would bid his time, he was in no hurry. He had waited almost a decade before. A few more days wouldn't hurt. It was for the Greater Good, after all.

At last, the desserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.

"Ahern - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you."

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden, to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley

Twins.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all, that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor;

On the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

"A painful death," Harry snorted. "The hat was right after all Dumbledore has clearly lost it."

They followed a Slytherin house prefect Marcus Flint, to their common room.

They were led to the dungeon corridor, from where a staircase led them downward to the dungeons of Hogwarts castle. They came to a stop in front of a wall that had the outline of the Slytherin crest carved into the wall. The prefect muttered the password "semper commembratus" and a portion of the wall faded to reveal a passageway into the Slytherin common room.

The common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling, from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. The dungeon extends partway under the lake, giving the light in the room a green tinge. The common room had lots of low backed black and dark green button-tufted, leather sofas; skulls; and dark wood cupboards. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece with a portrait of a serpent, ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in carved chairs. It was decorated with tapestries featuring the adventures of famous Mediaeval Slytherins. It had quite a grand atmosphere.

"Attention everyone" Carl Douglas, a seventh year prefect shouted. "All of you please assemble in piles. The first years up front, seventh years at back," All the students rushed to get assembled.

A few minutes later, a tall seventh year boy entered boy entered the room. He was the Slytherin Head Boy; Aaron Gates.

"Welcome everyone to the Slytherin House." He greeted, "For those of you, who don't know me, I am Aaron Gates, this year's Head Boy. Congratulations on being sorted into the house of cunning, but be prepared to face the hardships. Now that you are in Slytherin house majority of the school will label you as dark or evil. For that reason we have only one motto in Slytherin 'unity', be warned, I follow it very strictly."

"Now, I don't care, if there are problems between some of you present here, they will be sorted in this room only. No word of it shall travel outside. To anyone not in Slytherin, you all shall appear as a one big family, at all times. As, some of you might know, we Slytherins have been winning the house cup for six last years, in a row, and I plan to keep it that way. So, be cautious in everything you do, your decisions are what will determine our fate. I'll let all of you retire to your rooms, as I am sure you are all tired from the long trip. Goodnight." With that he departed.

When the meeting was over Daphne, Harry, Blaise, and Tracey continued to talk for a while before Daphne caught a glimpse on the clock.

"Shoot. It's almost eleven." She shouted.

"Good night everyone," Harry said making his way to the first year boys door. Inside was a hallway with nine more doors each with a name of student. This was another unique thing about Slytherin house; every student got his own room. The room albeit not quite large was comfortable and well furnished. There was a small fireplace, a large desk, a closet, a four poster bed and a bathroom. The room was done in a rich green shade with the Slytherin crest on the ceiling.

Satisfied he changed and went to sleep.