Chapter Four: The Sorting

"Take care of Harry, and Nymphadora," Dora cringed as Andi said her full name. "Study hard," Andi finished as she patted Dora fondly on the cheek.

"I will Mum," groaned Dora in obvious embarrassment. She quickly moved to her dad. Andi embraced Harry fiercely. Harry hugged her back thankful for her comfort which did a great deal to calm his nerves.

"Whatever House you get sorted into will be lucky to have you," Andi said sincerely as she pulled away. Harry nodded his head in awkward thanks. Andi's eyes briefly darted over to where the Malfoy's stood a great distance away saying their goodbyes to Draco. "Be careful."

"I will, Andi," said Harry. "I promise," He added after she gave him a hard look. She patted him fondly on the cheek and gave him a smile.

"Stop giving the lad a hard time, Andi. He's supposed to get in trouble the first year," chuckled Ted, clapping Harry on his shoulder.

"Don't be giving him ideas," retorted Andi. Ted just laughed.

"You remember what I told you about the school brooms?" asked Ted mischievously.

"Of course," replied Harry excitedly. Even though first years weren't allowed brooms, the school never locked away their brooms.

"Good lad," Ted laughed as he ruffled Harry's already messy hair. "Go on now, I'm sure you're eager to see your friends."

Harry waved one last goodbye before he turned around and trailed after Dora, who was walking hurriedly to the Hogwarts express. She held his owl, Hedwig, as he climbed the stairs onto the train. Dora smiled at him as Hedwig hooted happily as her cage was handed back to Harry. The snowy owl had been a gift from Andi and Ted, and Harry had grown rather fond of her already.

"Do you want me to come with you to look for your friends?" asked Dora.

"No I'll be fine, you go on ahead," said Harry, shaking his head.

"Alright, if I don't see you before the sorting aim to get in Hufflepuff. I have ten sickles on it," finished Dora with a chuckle.

"No promises," smirked Harry. Dora glared at him, before letting out a short laugh.

"Fine, just don't be a Slytherin. I couldn't stand losing to Mum," finished Dora with a groan. She leaned down and gave Harry a brief hug. "I'll be making rounds later if you need anything."

Harry nodded before he scurried off to either find his friends or to save them an empty compartment.

Harry found Neville sitting nervously in a compartment a short time later. Neville's grey-green eyes quickly darted to the door as Harry entered.

"Thank Merlin, Harry. I thought no one would find the compartment," sighed Neville in relief.

"If we hadn't I would have at least come looking for you," Harry explained as he sat Hedwig's cage on the seat opposite Neville, before he began digging through his pockets.

"Where's your trunk," asked Neville.

"Right here," Harry exclaimed triumphantly as he pulled the shrunken trunk from his pocket.

"How are you going to get it unshrunk?" asked Neville.

"Like this," Harry said as he sat the shrunken trunk on the floor of the compartment. He pointed his wand at it. "Engorgio," intoned Harry. In an instant the once shrunken trunk grew to its normal size. "Wingardium Leviosa," said Harry with a swish and flick of his wand. The trunk lazily floated higher and higher until it rested on the rack above the seat.

"Blimey, Harry!" Neville exclaimed as two others entered their compartment.

"What did Harry do this time?" Susan asked as she closed the door behind her and Hannah.

"Wingardium Leviosa," Harry responded as he levitated Susan's trunk beside his.

"Well done, Harry. Now mine," said Hannah dryly. Harry rolled his eyes but obliged his friend, and levitated her trunk beside Neville's.

"When do you learn that?" Susan asked as she plopped herself onto the seat next to Harry.

"A while ago," answered Harry noncommittally with a shrug.

"Aunty practically forbid me from even thinking about doing magic," huffed Susan.

"Mummy and Daddy said that they didn't want me to have a warning for underage magic yet," explained Hannah.

"Gran would box my ears if she caught me doing magic underage," sighed Neville.

"The Trace isn't applied until you arrive at Hogwarts," explained Harry. His three friends looked at him in confusion, but before they could say anything else the door to the compartment slid open.

"Everyone else excited?" asked Ernie who was dragging his trunk behind him.

"Can't wait" said Harry, who was more than happy to move the conversation on.

"I know, right? Dad was telling this morning how much fun he had," Ernie explained as he hefted his trunk over his head and placed it next to Hannah's. "What House do you think you'll be in?"
"Hufflepuff for sure," answered a beaming Hannah.

"Mornin'" yawned Terry as he entered the compartment.

"How are you tired?" asked Susan incredulously.

"Cut me some slack, I just woke up 'bout fifteen minutes ago," groaned Terry, hefting his trunk next to Susan's "Now make some room," Terry commanded as he forced himself between Susan and Harry. Harry couldn't but help to laugh at the withering glare that Susan gave the other boy. "How's it going, mate?" Terry asked Harry, completely ignoring Susan.

"Good. How about yourself?" asked Harry with a chuckle.

"Never better, except the fact that Bones here is trying to will me into non-existence," laughed Terry, which caused the rest of the compartment to laugh, except for Susan.

The compartment door opened again, this time Morag loudly stepped inside. Her trunk thudded behind her.

"How's everyone?" she asked while breathing heavily.

"I'm doing well, Morag. Would you like some help?" asked Harry, gesturing behind her to her trunk.

"Please, Daddy said I overfilled it and I'm starting to think he was right," she complained. The rest of the compartment laughed. Then Harry pulled out his wand and levitated her trunk next to Ernie's.

"Why didn't you do that for me?" asked Terry while Ernie nodded his agreement.

"A gentleman always helps a lady," explained Harry with a snicker.

"Well, next time help your fellow gentleman out as well," demanded Terry.

"I'll take that under advisement," replied Harry.

The door opened once more, this time Daphne entered first but another girl followed behind her.

"Good morning, everyone," said Daphne formally, a smile just barely on her lips.

"Good morning, Daphne," the compartment responded in unison.

"Told you I had them trained," laughed Daphne. The brown haired girl following Daphne chuckled and handed her a few Sickles.

"Should've trusted you on that one, Daph," the girl said with another chuckle.

"Everyone, this is my friend Tracy Davis. Tracy Davis, this is everyone," introduced Daphne. Tracy gave a small wave to the compartment and was met with a smattering of greetings and waves.

"Would you two like help with your trunks?" Harry asked as he withdrew his wand once more. Tracy's eyes darted over to him and ever so briefly to the scar on his forehead.

"Of course," replied Daphne, Tracy responded in kind. With a swish and a flick Tracy's trunk was moved next to Morag's and Daphne's moved next to Terry's.

HP

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Harry had been amazed by Hogwarts as soon as he had seen it while on the train. Then he had been amazed again as they crossed the Black Lake on their small boats, and not only by the incredible view of the castle but by the wards. They were ancient, complex, and unbelievably powerful. He could make out a multitude of different magics interwoven to provide protections for the school and its students. Harry knew at once what everyone meant when they said Hogwarts was the safest place in Britain. Then he felt a less elegant ward wash over him, it must have been the Trace. He would have to see if he could remove it from himself or if Gellert would be willing to teach him how.

Harry paid little attention to Mcgonagall's lecture, as he was too enamoured with his surroundings. He had the unquenchable desire to discover everything there was about the castle. He remembered that in Hogwarts: A History that the school's interior could shift, and that passages could appear where none had been before. The excitement of exploring the castle was and going to classes was nearly enough to distract Harry from the amazing Great Hall. The ceiling was a perfect replica of the outside. It was unbelievably realistic. He hoped that he would be allowed to study the enchantments. It was a shame that the founders' knowledge had seemingly been lost forever.

"Abbot, Hannah," called Mcgonagall. Harry hadn't even realised that the Sorting had started. He looked back towards the front of the hall and watched as Hannah nervously sat on the stool. Mcgonagall placed a ratty looking leather wizard's hat on her head.

"Hufflepuff!" shouted the hat the moment it touched Hannah's blonde hair.

"Anne-Perks, Sally," called Mcgonagall. Harry ran a hand through his hair. What house would he be in?

"Gryffindor!" shouted the Hat. Hufflepuff would be a good house. He would meet quite a few people there.

"Bones, Susan," called Mcgongall. Harry watched as Susan sat on the stool and the Hat was placed on her head, covering her steel grey eyes and auburn hair. If all his friends were placed in Hufflepuff then he knew he would enjoy his time there. But what would he gain? Yes, Hufflepuff was the most friendly House which meant plenty of opportunity to meet people that could help him, but there were people in the other Houses who could help him as well.

"Hufflepuff!" shouted the Hat. No, Hufflepuff wasn't the House for him.

"Boot, Terry," called Mcgonagall. Terry practically ran to be sorted. The hat had barely been on his head when it shouted "Ravenclaw!"

Harry's heart was pounding, his thoughts running too fast through his head to make sense of. He watched in silence as his friends were sorted before him. Tracey ended up in Slytherin, where Daphne soon joined her. Neville went to Gryffindor, much to Harry's pride. Ernie joined Hannah and Susan in Hufflepuff, and Morag joined Terry in Ravenclaw. All his friends were in completely separate houses, a blessing and a curse.

"Potter, Harry," called Mcgongall. The Great Hall fell silent, nary a whisper could be heard. Harry walked towards the stool and received the faintest hint of a smile from the older woman before she placed the hat on his head which promptly covered his eyes.

"My my, Mr Potter. You're quite nervous aren't you," stated the Hat's voice inside of Harry's head.

"Well, this does determine where I'll live for the next seven years," replied Harry.

"True, but people are more than their House, Mr Potter."

"But it determines quite a bit."

"True, but I think you needn't worry about your House limiting you. Now where to put you… Quite the sense of loyalty you have. Hmm, but it seems it is not earned easily, and you are not one for second chances. You're a hard worker, no doubt about it. Patient, but eager. Not above cheating or bending rules though. No Hufflepuff isn't for you.

"Perhaps Gryffindor, the home of your ancestor, the lions would no doubt welcome you with open arms. Very brave, yes very brave. Hmm, but you are not above manipulating others for your own gain. More than willing to do the wrong thing for the right reasons, how does your mentor put it? Ah yes, for the greater good. No Gryffindor isn't for you.

"Maybe you belong in Ravenclaw, you have quite the mind. Yes, very intelligent. You crave knowledge, but you crave not just to learn it but to use it to your advantage. Mhm, you're an inquisitive fellow. Immensely creative and crafty. Rowena would be most happy to have you. Perhaps Ravenclaw is for you.

"What about Slytherin, eh? Oh yes, you have quite the ambitions. That alone would allow you to do well there. A knack for leadership for sure. Very resourceful. And cunning to boot, but not one to care about self-preservation if those you care about are in danger. Oh what's this? My my, Mr Potter. A parselmouth, oh yes you would do well in the home of Salazar. He would be most pleased with you. What say you Mr Potter?" asked the Hat.

"I'd be dead in Slytherin within the week," said Harry.

"Oh, I think you'd more than manage," laughed the Hat.

"The Prophet would have a field day," added Harry.

"Hmm, Slytherin does have quite the reputation now doesn't it? But you could fix that, oh yes with hard work you would make Slytherin great," said the Hat.

"No, I'll be safer in Ravenclaw. I'll be able to focus on being better rather than playing at politics or being shunned by the rest of the school," said Harry.

"That thought alone proves you should be in Slytherin," argued the Hat.

"But wouldn't I be the better Slytherin to not be in Slytherin," argued Harry.

"Oh, Salazar would have loved you," chuckled the Hat. "Very well, better be… Ravenclaw!" the Hat shouted the final word before Mcgonagall plucked it from Harry's head.

The table with blue-lined robes erupted in cheers as Harry's robe transformed to match theirs. Harry briefly looked back at the head table, a diminutive professor was clapping so hard he nearly fell out of his seat, a giant of the man was applauding thunderously, and Dumbledore raised his goblet to him in a subtle toast.

Harry scrambled off the stool and made his way to the Ravenclaw table, but not without stealing a look at Dora who mouthed 'Nerd' at him. He smiled and shook his head before heading over to his new housemates. Dozens of them were all trying to shake his hand, and he must have had another dozen try and introduce themselves to him. Finally after a stern look from Mcgonagall and Dumbledore clearing his throat, the Ravenclaw table finally settled, but not without Terry clapping him on the back one more time. Harry felt exhilarated. Gellert had been right, Hogwarts would allow him to do great things.