Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I own my original characters and my plot twists. I am not trying to pass any of these characters or copyrighted ideas off as my own and therefore it isn't plagiarism or copyright infringement.

Chapter Nine – Kings Cross

The following day everyone gathered in the parlor to continue with cleaning. Armed with spray bottles filled with Doxycide and covered faces, they tackled the doxy ridden moss-green velvet curtains. The spray paralyzed the little buggers and Leo noticed Fred and George smuggling a few specimens for their inventions. They hoped to use them in their Puking Pastilles as they still needed some work. Leo overheard their whispered conversation with Harry regarding them. After a couple of visitors ringing the door bell setting off Mrs. Black's portrait and lunch, they started ridding the room of nasty items in a cabinet. At some point a silver instrument that resembled an insect version of tweezers scurried up Harry's arm and attempted to puncture him before Sirius destroyed it with a heavy volume of Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy.

Leo looked at the book in Sirius' hand, "Hey, were you planning on keeping that book?"

Sirius bark-laughed, "Why would I keep this book? It's filled with that vial pureblood propaganda the lot of my family believed in."

Leo fidgeted, "Do you think I borrow it?"

"Why would you want it?" he quirked an eyebrow.

"Well, I have an interest in studying the correlation between the inbreeding in pureblood lines and infertility, insanity, and death at a young age. I mean, I understand that many of the very young are more likely victims of murder, but have you noticed that many of the black family members who live until older age die in their fifties and sixties when many wizards are known to live well into their 100s?"

Hermione contributed, "He's been discussing this with me. He's interested in incorporating the muggle science of genetics to help with his hypothesis. He wants to do a blood analysis between purebloods, half-bloods, and muggle born wizards."

"Yes, I have a feeling what I'll find is that severely limiting the Wizarding gene pool is causing for more squibs to be born in pureblood lines. I also think that perhaps some muggle born witches are actually decedents of disowned squibs and that it took a few generations to diversify the genetics before magic reappear. Thus we have a muggle-born. I'd love to look into your family tree Hermione and yours as well Harry. You know on the Evans side. I'm not saying this is the reason for all muggle born witches and wizards, however how would one explain muggle born siblings? I think there's a magic producing gene that may mutate in more genetically repressed lines," Leo mused aloud.

Sirius' eyes widened, "Leo, are you sure your fifteen? Yes, you can have that book if you're planning to use it to disprove my family's absurd belief in blood purity."

He looked from left to right, "I'm thinking about becoming an Unspeakable to study this in the department of Ministry, however I don't know if that would be well accepted in the current political climate with so many pro-pureblood laws on the books. So, I'm kind of torn between it wanting to work in the Department of Law Enforcement and research the biased laws in favor of pureblood wizards. I could always to the other research in a private lab." Leo wondered toward the House of Black Family Tapestry that Sirius had muttered about his mother probably affixing it to the wall with a permanent sticking charm as well earlier and explained his relationship to Tonks, the Malfoys, and many other pureblood families including the Weasleys, "Is this thing magical?"

Sirius shrugged, "I'm not sure about how names were added to that thing, but I know that the burn marks were done by dear old mum."

Leo stared down at the burn mark between Bellatrix and his mother before following the gold line between her and his father. The line came down and split into two lines, the first one said Draco Malfoy and the other one had his name and shared birthday of June 5, 1980, "I only ask because my name appears right next to Draco. I was just trying to figure out if my name appeared at my time of birth or if she might have added it when she heard the news before the memory charm was performed on my parents."

"It's an ancient tapestry. I wouldn't be surprised if it's somehow linked to the Black Family blood line and perhaps it has something preventing it from being affected by memory charms."

They continued to clean the rooms of the house and when the parlor was finished the only undesirable item left was the tapestry, which apparently was affixed to the wall with a Permanent Sticking Charm. Over the next few days they'd moved to cleaning out the dining room and soon it was time for Harry's hearing. Leo spent the day of that trial in the Library continuing his research. He noticed that he had a bit of a shadow in the library since he told Sirius about his interest in the genetic abnormalities of pureblood families.

"You can have whatever books from this library that will assist you in your research," he shook his head. "I'm a bit surprised that someone like you came from Narcissa and Lucius."

He shrugged looking through the stacks at the titles of the books, "I wasn't spoiled?"

It was at lunch that everyone heard about Harry's hearing and the verdict. Luckily Harry wasn't thrown to the dogs much like Sirius had been fourteen years prior when he was sent to Azkaban without a trial. However, he was forced into the same old courtrooms used for the trials of Death Eaters after that fateful Halloween night and subjected to a full criminal trial. It was fortunate that Fudge didn't get his way and that Harry was cleared of all charges. Then there was also the topic of Lucius being seen speaking with the minister and the sound of gold shaking. The Death Eater had returned to his master when he was called and was present when Harry escaped.

The days began to run together after that. Leo continued to eavesdrop on the Order conversations and continue to try and piece things together. He did hear on many occasions that people were doing night duty and he finally surmised that what they were guarding was most likely at the Ministry of Magic. He spent his time between, helping with the continued cleaning of the dilapidated family home and studying in the library. In fact, he was in the library reading up on transfiguration and discovering the spell necessary to become an Animagus when the Hogwarts letters arrived. Hermione came into the library and handed him an envelope with his name on it. He quickly read over the book requirements when she gasped at the prefect badge present in hers and quickly ran out of the room. That night's dinner was a celebration party for Hermione and Ron for being made prefects. Leo continued to go around the room listening to bits of conversations.

The next morning came with a rude awakening, Molly yelling at Fred and George for knocking Ginny down the stairs with their spelled trunks, which of course set of Mrs. Black. He swore that woman had to have been related to a banshee with the way she screeched. Then again it could've just been a misrepresentation of the woman, however from the way Sirius talked, it seemed to be quite accurate. He managed to follow Harry down the stairs with his trunk concealed in his shoulder bag. So even though Molly told everyone that Moody would get the luggage, Leo ignored them. He really did love the invention of the Undetectable Extension Charm.

Harry left with Molly, Tonks with the guise of an old woman, and Sirius in his big black dog form. Leo followed Arthur with Ron and Hermione. Moody had the luggage on a luggage cart, and the other three went with Lupin. It took them twenty minutes to walk to the King Cross station and Leo was a little apprehensive when it came to going through a wall. He was quickly pulled through by an eye rolling Ron. On the platform he was disconnected from the rest of the group and soon stood face to face with an older version of himself.

Lucius Malfoy looked down at him with disdain, "Why haven't I seen you here before?"

Leo took a deep breath and used the thick accent, "My family 'ave moved 'ere from France. Zo, I'm a tranzfer from de Beauxbatons Academy."

"Who are you're parent's? Maybe I have met them."

"I'm afraid de train is leaving zoon. I do not 'ave time to zpeak wit you," Leo turned away from his father and hurried toward the train. Part of him hoped to bump into his mother more than his father and at that thought he literally bumped into Narcissa.

She stared at him with her blue eyes. She gasped as if she recognized him, "What is your name young man?"

He cleared his mind by shaking his head wondering if his mere presence could do damage to a memory charm, "I'm Leo Rosier. I zorry dat I don't 'ave time to zeak with you but I 'ave a train to catch."

As he hurried toward the train he heard Narcissa mumble, "Leo's a constellation and that's what I would've named our second born son, if we were able to have one." He quickly found Harry and Ginny on the train just as it pulled out of the station. He was busy with his own thoughts that he missed the conversation going on between the prefects and Harry, but soon he was jostled from his thoughts when Ginny pulled him in a different direction to locate an empty compartment. They soon bumped into Neville and found a compartment only occupied by a curious blond girl reading a magazine upside down. Leo followed everyone into the room returning to his thoughts as he sat next to Harry.

Soon a musical voice interrupted his thoughts, "I know you. You arrived with the Beauxbatons for the tournament last year."

Leo blinked a couple of times and stared at the girl, "Yes, my parents moved to England and so I transferred. My mother didn't want me too far away in the south of France, when I could go to school a few miles north of where we moved."

She tilted her head from left to right, "What happened to your accent?"

"Oh, English was my first language, but I spent so much time in France speaking French I began to lose it. After spending a few weeks in England surrounded by it, I managed to reacquire proficiency in the language. It probably would've happened faster had I not used that translation charm throughout last year." Leo's facial features didn't even betray the lie as he kept it well hidden behind a smile and had all his mental walls up like usual.

It wasn't long before she returned her attention to the magazine and Leo return his mind to his thoughts and worries. Soon Hermione and Ron arrived in their compartment talking about the requirement of being a Prefect. They also share the other same year prefects of the other houses. Of course the Slytherin fifth year prefect was Draco Malfoy. This caused Ron to look at Leo, "Are you going to be okay with him holding a position of power?"

Leo smirked, "No, it's great! All I have to do is transfigure my robes and hair and I could pretend to be him and had out punishments to unsuspecting Slytherins." As if on cue, the compartment door slid open and one haughty Malfoy stood sandwiched between his two goons Crabbe and Goyle.

"Manners, Potter, or I'll have to give you a detention," Malfoy drawled. "You see, I, unlike you, have been made a prefect, which means that I, unlike you, have the power to hand out punishments."*

Leo crossed his arms and stared at Draco who was too focused on goading Potter to notice him while Harry popped back, "Yeah, but you, unlike me, are a git, so get out and leave us alone."*

Everyone except for Luna laughed causing Malfoys lip to curl, "Tell me, how does it feel being second-best to Weasley, Potter?"*

Hermione sharply warned, "Shut up, Malfoy."*

"I seem to have touched a nerve," Malfoy smirked. "Well, you watch yourself, Potter, because I'll be dogging your footsteps in case you step out of line."*

Leo found himself jumping to his feet at the same time as Hermione and yelling, "Get out!"*

Draco noticed Leo for the first time and raised an eyebrow before leaving the compartment with his cronies in tow. Leo noticed the unasked question of what are you doing here in Draco's gray eyes. However, he noticed a more telling look pass between Hermione and Harry. The dogging comment had bothered him as well and Leo decided a discussion with his twin brother was in order for later.

The Hogwarts Express pulled into the Hogsmeade station. Ron and Hermione left to perform their Prefect duties, leaving Ginny and Harry to look after Crookshanks and Pigwidgeon. Luna offered to take Pig's cage off of Harry as Leo made his way toward the kindly elderly woman who was, "First years over here."

Leo knew that he was much older than the scared eleven year olds he was following; however Dumbledore had advised that he'd have to come in with them since he needed to be sorted as well. He looked on the bright side that he'd be sorted first since he was a fifth year transfer student. He climbed into the row boats with the other first years and they made their way across the lake and by a waterfall as the looming castle on the hill came into view. They reached the castle foyer where they were instructed to line up. The older woman looked at Leo, "You look a bit old for a first year, and you resemble another student already sorted."

He crossed his arms, "Now I know Hogwarts rarely receives transfer students but Dumbledore is quite aware that I'm a fifth year. However, since I wasn't here my first year to be sorted, I am expected to this year."

She shook her head, "Well then everyone, follow me, the great hall is this way. It's time for the sorting ceremony."

Leo followed behind the replacement Care of Magical Creatures instructor and saw Professor McGonagall place the stool with the dilapidated looking sorting hat sitting on it in front of Leo. With it being his first time seeing the sorting hat, Leo didn't know what to think when a rip near the brim opened up and began to sing:

In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted;

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning,

"Together we will build and teach!"

The four good friends decided

An never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach all those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name."

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A House in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

An only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

For several happy years,

But then discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four,

Had once held up our school,

Now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

Must meet an early end,

What with dueling and with fighting

And the clash of friend on friend

And at last there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And thought the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

Were whittled down to three

Have the Houses been united

Al they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

An must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you….

Let the Sorting now begin. **

Leo watched as the hat was motionless once more and a burst of applause erupted around him. He knew the warning the hat gave was true and he looked over at the Slytherin table to find Draco staring right back at him. A nervous bubble formed in the pit of his stomach, as he thought about the external deadly foes including both Fudge and Lucius Malfoy.

Soon the gossiping whispered died down when McGonagall gave her stern look and held up the scroll with the first year names on it. She gazed down at the parchment before looking back up at everyone, "This year we have a fifth year transfer student so we shall sort him first, Leo Rosier."

Leo approached the stool as she picked up the hat. He took a seat and she set the hat atop his head. The hat began to mumble, "Where shall we put you? There's more to you than it seems. You're quite cleaver and cunning. You come from a long line of Slytherin and the purest ancestry, but you're different from the rest. You're brave and bold as brass, so I know exactly where you belong." The hat then bellowed, "Gryffindor!"

Leo stood up walking toward the Gryffindor table. He took his seat next to Neville as Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat across from him. Several people he met the following year patted him on the back and he made eye contact with Draco once more. Draco's eyes narrowed and he quickly broke eye contact sticking his nose in the air. He turned his attention back over to the first year sorting as the hat called out "Gryffindor!"

A/N: Did we ever question what house Leo would end up in? Other questions have been running wild through my mind but that was one clearly defined. If Slytherin and Gryffindor were once friends could twin brothers overcome the later rift?

* All of this dialog is quoted from chapter ten of The Order of the Phoenix (2003) and thus belongs to JK Rowling, page 194 of my copy respectively.

**The sorting hat song comes from chapter eleven of The Order of the Phoenix (2003) and thus belongs to JK Rowling, pages 204 – 207 respectively.