The first thing Harry saw when he came down from Dumbledore's office was Hermione, Ron and Malfoy- all in a heated argument. Draco was the one to spot him first and abruptly cut off Ron in the middle of what Harry suspected where an insult to the Malfoy family.

"What took you so long, Potter?"

His question caused the two Gryffindors to turn their heads towards him, and Harry both inwardly groaned and chuckled as he saw their horrified and shocked expressions at the sight of his changed colours.

"H-Harry?" Ron practically whispered, his eyes glued to his green-and-silver coloured tie. "Why are you wearing Slytherins colours? Is it some sort of a joke?"

"Really, Weasley, it amazes me how daft you are, even when the answer is staring you in the face. He got himself resorted", Draco drawled. Harry could tell from his tone that the Mafloy heir was delighted with his rival's horror. He shook his head at his friend's somewhat childish behavior, but couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his lips.

"Shut up, Malfoy, Harry would never get himself resorted into your slimy House! Isn't that right, Harry?" Ron shot back before turning to Harry with wide eyes, practically begging him to end this façade and change back to Gryffindor colours.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Ron, but Malfoy's right. I've been resorted into Slytherin", Harry said with a sigh, already preparing for the explosion he knew was coming.

"But... WHY would you do that? You're a Gryffindor, not a Slytherin!" Ron almost yelled, his face scrunched up with betrayal and fury. He had never been able to control his temper. Harry wasn't surprised, though. When you'd been raised by Mrs. Weasley, Harry would've been surprised if he didn't have a hot temper.

"Harry, don't you think you've taken this rebellion thing a little too far?" Hermione asked as she shook her head, as if tired of Harry's behavior.

It took a while for Harry to stop gaping at her, completely ignoring the still fuming Ron and the equally shocked Draco. "Excuse me?" He asked in a low, cold voice.

"What are you trying to do, Harry? To prove that you're free to do whatever you want? That you can take care of yourself, by distancing yourself from your friends and your House?"

By now, Ron wasn't the only one fuming. Harry stepped up to her, glaring at her with cold, emerald eyes, causing her to take a step back, confusion shining in her brown eyes.

"I've just gotten myself resorted into the House that I was meant to be in from the beginning, Granger. The Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, but after talking to Weasley I asked it to put me someplace else, and it did. But it was never my true House, and I so regret that I got myself sorted into Gryffindor. Then I wouldn't have to put up with you."

He knew it was below the belt, but he honestly couldn't take her attitude any longer. He was stunned that he hadn't seen it before. Had he been so desperate in making friends that he hadn't bothered to look below the surface? Boy, he'd really been pathetic back then, hadn't he?

Hermione gasped at his words and took a few steps back, tears glistening in her eyes. By now, Ron had regained his composure, somewhat.

"Don't you talk to Hermione like that, you slimy snake!" He growled and attempted to punch Harry, who easily avoided it by stepping aside, causing the redhead to fall to the ground in an ungraceful heap.

"Nicely done, Potter", said Malfoy and clapped him on his back, grinning as if Christmas had come early.

"Thanks", Harry replied with a grin of his own, "shall we?"

Without bothering to look at his ex-friends, Harry and Draco began to walk towards Harry's new Common room.

-00-

"I do hope what you said back there wasn't an act", Draco said as they entered their Common room.

"Don't worry, it wasn't. I think it all came down to repressed emotions. I've always felt a bit annoyed with Granger's attitude towards me, as if I'm the mudblood who doesn't know anything of the Wizarding world, and she's the half blood who says it's okay to be an obnoxious know-it-all", said Harry, feeling as if a huge weight had lifted off his shoulders. How hadn't he realized what a bother she'd been?

"If you ask me, I think it's her desperate need to fit in among us, reading all those books and acting as if she owns the place. Frankly, it disgusts me", said Draco and sat down in an armchair by the fireplace, nodding at a few other Slytherins in greeting.

Harry did the same, smiling in thanks as Theo moved over and offered him a place on the sofa.

"How does it feel to have been resorted as a Snake, Potter?" Theo asked, whilst smiling knowingly.

Harry smiled back and leaned back against the soft cushions, taking a deep breath. "It feels wonderful."

-00-

"My Lord, I've received some interesting news from my son", Lucius Malfoy said as he bowed in front of his Lord, secretly admiring his Lord's new appearance.

With the help of Severus, they had managed to create a potion that transformed the Dark Lord from his snake-like complexion to the looks he had before he'd undergone certain rituals to make his magic even more powerful, and thus changed his appearance. It had taken months to prepare, but Lucius thought it was definitely worth the wait, his Lord looked more handsome than ever. Elegant, regal looks now replaced his former intimidating appearance.

His Lord briefly looked up from the report he was reading, blue eyes telling him to continue.

"Apparently, young Mr. Potter has gotten himself resorted into Slytherin, My Lord. If what my son tells me is true, that's where the old Sorting Hat wanted to place in from the beginning."

That caught his Lord's interest. He put the report down and leaned forward in his seat behind the huge, mahogany desk.

"When did this occur?"

"On the first day of school, My Lord. It seems as if Mr. Potter isn't the 'Golden Boy' we believed him to be, going against Dumbledore's wishes without any trace of regret. Draco writes the old coot has supported a disappointed frown ever since the first night back at school", said Lucius, still kneeling on the floor. His knees ached, but he remained in his position. He'd seen what his Lord did to those who rose without given the order, and it had not been a pretty sight.

"That is interesting news", his Lord said. "Thank you for notifying me, Lucius. You may go."

Lucius bowed his head before getting up and leaving his Lord's study.

-00-

After Lucius had left, Lord Voldemort leaned back in his chair, lost in thoughts. Harry Potter, in Slytherin? He had always believed the boy was Dumbledore's pet, practically praising his every word, but that was clearly not the case.

This intrigued him. He thought he knew everything there was to know about his supposed enemy, but apparently Potter had hidden his true self behind a mask, like a true Slytherin. He wondered what could've happened that triggered the boy to wish to get resorted. Was it something Dumbledore had said, or done? Or had he just realized that Gryffindor wasn't the House meant for him?

He hated not knowing. He adored knowledge. If he wanted to know something, he made sure to learn everything there was to know about it, it was as simple as that. But Potter had never been an easy subject to learn. He had always surprised him, and he didn't like surprises.

Could he set aside their differences for just a moment? A simple letter couldn't hurt, could it? He didn't want to go trough Malfoy, that would be a desperate and pathetic move to make, and Lord Voldemort was neither desperate, nor pathetic. He was just very curious.

With his mind made up, he quickly summoned some parchment and quill and started to write. He secretly hoped Potter wouldn't burn the letter once he realized who it was from. If so, he'd just have to send another one. Lord Voldemort was many things, persistent being one of them.