'Reason has never failed men. Only force and repression have made the wrecks in the world.'
~ William Allen White

Smoke billowed from the gleaming red train, the dense fog making Harry squint, trying to discern the mass of shapes before him. Dragging his trunk behind him, he quickly got his bearings and went over to his parents. Lily's face was tear streaked and more flowed down her cheeks, clinging onto her eyelashes and making her eyes sparkle slightly. James was faring better, he had the brave look on. Harry knew that when he got home he would be beside himself but, for now, he was trying to stay strong for Lily. It was almost admirable the way he kept his composure, Harry found himself slightly raising his impression of the man. Only slightly.

"Harry, remember you can come home for weekends, I'm sure Sirius will want to see you. Remus told us to tell you that if you have any problems then just go to him. I know he'll be your teacher but he's also our friend and therefore yours," said Lily, wrapping him in a hug. Harry held her, feeling her shake as she lost her composure even more. He felt almost sad, however he could hear his father sneering at how pathetic a scene she was making. Pulling back he looked around and saw other parents involved in similar exchanges. If it was this common would it really be pathetic? No, he stopped that thought before it had time to bloom. You can't let them get to you.

"We're only a fire call away and I'm sure the Weasley's could help you in the meantime. I might be away on a case but your mother will be there, either at the house or hospital. Here," said James, fishing out a small square parcel wrapped in brown paper, "Sirius and I used it when we had detention, just say my name into it and you'll reach me."

"Thanks Dad," said Harry warmly, shaking his hand and stuffing the parcel into one of his many pockets.

"No problem kiddo, have a good term and cause as much mayhem as possible, you're part Marauder and you have a reputation to uphold," replied James, earning a smack from Lily.

"Listen to your teachers Harry, if your stuck they are the best aid, well except maybe the library," contradicted Lily whilst James rolled his eyes. Hearing the whistle Harry gathered this things.

"Guess I better get going then," said Harry lamely, getting one last hug before ascending to the train.

Students swarmed about him, shoving into him and giving him the urge to break things. They were like animals the way they tried to find friends or the best compartment. He felt himself be swallowed up in the sea of them and dragged along helplessly. Feeling someone grab his arm he was thrown a lifeline and pulled into a compartment. Defences raised, he felt his fingers curl around his wand before realising that it had been Ginny. Immediately he felt soothed and looked around the rest of the compartment. Aside from Ginny he also noted Ron, a slightly chubby boy with a toad, a girl with dirty blonde hair and a dazed expression and another with frizzy brown hair, her nose tucked in a book. Moving his trunk to the side, he took a seat by the window next to Ron, immediately cursing himself as he realised that was opposite Ginny.

"Harry, this is Neville, Luna and Hermione," said Ginny, indicating each person in turn. Harry was partly listening, partly watching from the corner of his eye the way her lips brushed together as she talked, her voice making his heart beat slightly faster as he realised how close they were.

"What house do you think you'll be in?" asked Neville, placing his toad in the wicker basket next to him.

"I don't really know," hedged Harry, knowing that his desire to join Slytherin would not be welcomed in a group of Gryffindors.

"What house do you want to be in?" asked Ron.

"I don't know much about them to be honest other than the standard description, father never told me," confessed Harry, twisting the sleeve of his robe nervously. They seemed to buy his uncertainty and he mentally smirked.

"So it is true then," said Neville, awe ringing in his voice, "You were raised by You-Know-Who". Everyone seemed to look up at this, even Hermione, her brown eyes peeking over her book and gazing at him warmly, understandingly.

"Yes, I never knew I had parents until a few days ago," whispered Harry.

"That's so sad," said Hermione, her eyes glistening slightly. The atmosphere had become sombre, no one quite sure what to say.

"Well Harry at least you know now, I can't imagine what it would have been like to have been enslaved by that monster," said Ginny, her voice loud as it pierced the silence, the barrier dropping between them and conversation beginning once more. Harry however felt hot rage fire through his veins at this, skilfully controlling his expression and looking out the window. It angered him that Ginny would insult his father in this manner, everyone else he understood but her! Why would she…

Why would she think any different?

Why would he want her to?

His mind threw these questions back at him, the rage extinguished to be replaced with icy cold. It enveloped him, different from Lily's hugs, filling him with dread and guilt. It lapped at him, caressed his skin traitorously as it pulled him further into the anguish.

He was changing.

Steeling himself, he thought back to his lessons. What his father had taught him. How could the cleverest wizard alive get it wrong? He was just confused, thrown into an environment where he had to adapt to survive. It would make sense that he would need time to acclimatise, to separate the act from himself.

"Harry are you okay?" came Ginny's voice. Looking up he saw her cinnamon eyes were full of worry. Mentally taking stock he never noticed any cracks in his mask.

"Yes I'm fine, why?" asked Harry, looking at her unable to stop himself admiring the way her hair shone in the light.

"I would have thought you would be nervous," came her simple response.

"Oh, well I guess I'm a little," replied Harry, a little shocked, these people cared to much it appeared.

"You'll be fine, I remember when I first came. I was really nervous too but all you have to do is try on the Sorting Hat," said Hermione.

"The Sorting Hat?"

"It looks into your mind and assesses your qualities," explained Ginny.

"Daddy thinks it was created by the Elven mages for Gryffindor," piped in Luna, returning to her magazine that Harry noticed was upside down. Ignoring it, he smiled at them and turned back to the window.

The Sorting Hat would see what he was really like? Harry felt worry pool in the bottom of his stomach and gnaw hungrily at his intestines. If the Sorting Hat could get past his mental shields his mission would be very, very short. But surely his father had thought of everything? No, there was no question about it, he wouldn't send Harry into the Lions Den unprotected somehow and for some foolhardy effort. Yes, he would be fine. He had faith in his father and his father had faith in him. He would be fine.

"We're almost there," said Neville, rummaging in his trunk for his robes. The girls got theirs and headed to the bathrooms, giving the boys privacy to change. Harry was glad that he had already changed and just sat staring out the window, seeing the castle looming over the tree line. It truly was beautiful, the lights contrasting against the dark sky making it appear homey and welcoming. Once again Harry was reminded of how deceiving the Light could be.

Pulling to a stop, they exited the train and Harry was once again bustled about. A rough voice called first years towards it and Ron told Harry to follow it. Apparently rowing across the lake was some sort of rite of passage, one that Harry was not looking forward to. The others went away to the carriages, looking closer Harry saw that they were being pulled by thestrals, their silky black coats shining in the moonlight.

"Ye' must be Harry," Harry recognised the gruff voice and looked up to see what could only be a half giant. He was smiling friendly at him, his black eyes twinkling happily as he took in Lily and James's lost son.

"Yes," replied Harry.

"You'll ge' a boat of yer own, just follow th' rest 'o 'em," Harry found it hard to understand him but caught the gist of it. Stepping in a boat, he saw the nervous first years do the same, gawking at him when they noticed his presence. He had to smirk at the looks on their faces when the boats powered themselves, it almost made it worth having to do it himself. Many awes were heard when the castle fully came into view, before he had only been able to see the turrets and so it was now he got the full picture. His father had been right, it was huge. The old stone was laced with magic, mingling with Harry's own as he sped closer. It was almost as if the castle itself was welcoming them, more a sentient being than just a building.

Coming to a halt, he disembarked, climbing elegantly out of the boat. It was easy to see the mudbloods from the purebloods. The mudbloods stumbled out the boats whereas the purebloods moved more elegantly like himself, not as practised but gracefully enough for their age. Climbing the stone steps they entered the castle, again more gasps as a ghost glided past them. Harry rolled his eyes, spotting Professor McGonagall instantly. James had told him she would be severe, her lips pursed as she surveyed the new pupils. Seeing him, she waved him over and, slowly, Harry approached her.

"Harry, it's a pleasure to meet you. I can't say how overjoyed I am that you are back with us. You will head the line so that you can be sorted first. It isn't normal to get such a late starter but everyone is aware of your circumstances and so you shouldn't get much hassle," said the Professor, a smile breaking out on her face. Harry tried not to sigh, he had hoped that no one would really know of his origins but he should have realised that that was a secret that could never be kept buried for long. He'd have to work around it, now others would judge him before they knew him so he would have to act twice as hard to 'prove' he was Light.

With the train of first years behind him, McGonagall opened the door and walked in, when she was at the staff table he followed, feeling peoples eyes on him all the way. Finally he got to the head and sat on the three legged stool. McGonagall brought out a shabby looking hat, a wide rip at the brim that Harry supposed was the mouth. Did this mean everyone would hear or was that only to let them all know his house? Feeling trapped, she placed it on his head.

A/N: Thank you for the feedback! I'm not used to so many reviews for one chapter so I was blown away. Thank you for boosting my confidence in this story and myself - I know that sounds cliched but I was seriously having problems with my writing so I apologise if I was whining. This chapter came more easily so please keep the reviews coming! :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes contained within this chapter.

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