Shocking News

"Potter, Harry." Was all Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall had to say to start murmurs through the hall.

"Harry Potter?"

"The Harry Potter?"

"I wonder where he'll be sorted."

"He's a Potter, of course he'll be a Gryffindor!"

"He was raised by Sirius Black! He'll become a Slytherin!"

"Black? I thought the Boy-Who-Lived lived with Muggle relatives."

"Black tricked them into trusting him."

"Not only the son of one of my greatest attention-seeking enemies had to torment me with his presence, he also induces the dunderheads into speaking of my other greatest attention-seeking enemy." Snape silently moaned.

Ignoring the gossip mongers, Harry sit at the stool and the Sorting Hat has been put on his head.

"Hello, Harry."

"Hello, Hat."

"I see your godfather finally understands Slytherin isn't necessarily Evil. In fact, you have a potential for greatness that are most likely to be developed at Slytherin."

"I don't care where I'm sorted as long as it's where I can get allies that will protect me from being left to rot in Azkaban without a trial."

"In that case, SLYTHERIN!" Everyone except Harry's close friends and/or allies got shocked with this. In Dumbledore's case, however, it was more disappointment than surprise. Dumbledore was now afraid Black had turned Harry into the Dark Side. Horace Slughorn was ecstatic to have the Boy-Who-Lived at his House (Sirius Black had made it clear it'd make no difference for him but Good Old Sluggy was still happy) and failed to realize Severus Snape, his fellow Potions Master, didn't feel the same. "Oh, joy!" Professor Slughorn squealed. "Harry Potter a Slytherin! Aren't you excited, Severus?"

"Excuse me." Said an impatient Deputy Headmistress. "But there are other students waiting to be sorted."

"Certainly, Minerva." Snape replied. "We must not let some brat think he's more important than the other students."

After the sorting ended, Headmaster Dumbledore made a speech while trying to hide his sadness. "Well, now that all first-years were sorted, I have some important announcements to make. First, the Board of Governors decided Hogwarts should have two Potions Masters. Because of that, Professor Horace Slughorn agreed to come back from retirement and resume teaching Potions to the first-years." The round of applause somehow gave Snape the impression most of it was because they didn't like him. "Professor Snape will remain teaching Potions to the other students, however. Also, Professor Slughorn will act as Head of House for the Slytherin first-years. Second, I'd like to announce that former Muggle Studies teacher, Quirinus Quirrell, who left Hogwarts last year to go on a sabbatical, is now our new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts." This time, there was a more polite round of applause and some students wondering about the professor's turban. "What's with that turban of his?" Harry asked the Slytherin Prefect sitting near him.

"I have no idea." He answered. "I'm pretty sure he never wore any before leaving for a sabbatical."

"Also, I'd like to announce that, exceptionally this year, we'll have TWO Defense teachers. However, one of them has yet to show up." Dumbledore said as he showed an empty chair. Some students laughed at his comment. Harry, however, hasn't missed Snape frowning at the mention of the new Defense teacher. One might think Snape would be angry for being denied the post. However, Lucius Malfoy (if he can be trusted) mentioned that, by the time Severus Snape came to Hogwarts to apply for a teaching job, the Defense post was the only one he knew it would be available, for Hogwarts usually needs a new Defense teacher every year. He just happened to show up around the time Professor Slughorn retired. From this, a stupid rumor started about Snape willing to do anything for the Defense post.

After the announcements regarding new staff members, Dumbledore repeated the usual announcement about the Forbidden Forest being off-limits to all students and an unexpected warning about a painful death for whoever enters the third door corridor. Harry made a point to mention it in the first letter he ever owled to Sirius, who seemed to know what he was doing when he gave Harry an owl as a birthday gift. Harry's real shock was when Dumbledore started the Hogwarts song. He was so hoping his godfather was joking. Considering who the godfather was, it was a reasonable hope, after all.

After the song, the students were led to their common rooms, where Professor Slughorn gave them a welcoming speech. "Welcome, dear students! Well, unless there are Muggleborns here, I assume all of you are children of former students of mine." Some students shuddered at the idea of Muggleborns among them. "In fact, some of you were already acquainted to me from Harry Potter's birthday party last month. For the rest of you, I assume you heard about the Slug Club and would like to join." They nodded. "However, I must tell you that just being sorted into Slytherin House isn't enough. I only recruit those who have connections, prestige, wealth, and/or the potential to earn something on one's own merit."

Meanwhile, things were not quite so happy at Gryffindor Common Room. "Professor McGonagall, you must do something!" Ronald Weasley pleaded.

"About what, Mr. Weasley?" She sternly asked in reply.

"Harry Potter was sorted into Slytherin!" Ron answered. "His place is at Gryffindor!"

"Unless he feels unwelcome at Slytherin, there's nothing I can do." She replied.

"Professor, Harry's been raised by the man who betrayed his parents and is now betraying them by being a Slytherin!" Ron added.

"Mr. Weasley, however Gryffindors the Potters might have been, that shouldn't bind Harry into becoming one as well."

"If at least we had warned the Headmaster." Ron grumbled.

"What are you talking about, Mr. Weasley?" Professor McGonagall asked and then Ron explained about Harry and Percy meeting at Madam Malkin. "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter's sorting is none of your business. Now, does anyone here have anything else to say?" Her frustration increased as a set of red-haired twins rose their hands. "Yes?"

"We fear our brother might have unknowingly brought an unregistered Animagus as a pet!" Gred and Forge said.

"20 points from Gryffindor for lying to a teacher!" She yelled. "Goodnight!"

"For Merlin's sake, what were the two of you thinking?" Percy angrily asked after Professor McGonagall left.

"That Scabbers might be Peter Pettigrew's animagus form." Gred and Forge answered.

"WHAT?"

"Sirius Black accused Peter Pettigrew of being an unregistered Rat Animagus who left behind a finger at an explosion's scene to fake his death." Fred said.

"Scabbers came into our house soon after Pettigrew allegedly died by Black's wand and he's always missing a toe." George added.

"I don't even want to think about the number of points Professor McGonagall would have docked from Gryffindor if she heard this ludicrous tale." Percy replied.

"That's right, Percy!" Ron exclaimed. "Scabbers is no Animagus. Tell them, Scabbers!" Ron looked at his pockets and found no trace of Scabbers. "Scabbers!"

"He must have fled to avoid being exposed!" George commented.

"Stop it, okay!" Percy commanded.

Meanwhile, Scabbers the Rat was running around. 'Those stupid twins found me! I need another place to hide. I felt my left arm in the Great Hall during the Sorting. That must mean the Dark Lord is nearby. I must find him and hope he'll welcome me back. If at least I had the Map. Maybe it's still at Filch's office. Perhaps I could… who am I kidding? Filch's current cat is even more vicious than the one back from my day. I'm sure he must be giving them that stuff Muggles call 'steroids'. Well, Severus Snape was a Death Eater. Maybe he'll lead me to the Dark Lord. But I can't trust him not to turn me to Dumbledore. I'll just follow him until he meets the Dark Lord.'

Meanwhile, Albus Dumbledore and the year's second Defense teacher were having a small argument. "Headmaster, are you sure it's a good idea? Black knows about my 'furry little problem', as James liked to call it." The teacher said. "He'd have no problem having me fired."

"We have no choice, Remus." Dumbledore sadly replied. "Until he finds out, you'll have a chance to open Harry's eyes and save him from the Dark Side. You can approach him as an old friend of James Potter."

"You'd get in trouble for hiring me, Headmaster."

"I appreciate your concern, Remus, but you're the only one who might reach out to Harry and bring him to the Light." Dumbledore replied. "I'll take all risks."

"I see."

Meanwhile, Peter Pettigrew's search for Severus Snape got interrupted by Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat. For the first time ever, he felt like agreeing with the other Marauders when they told him a rat was the worst form he could get. It was a long (from the perspective of someone running for his life, at least) run until he finally passed through a space too short for her to follow. Upon taking the time to look at his surroundings, he realized he was inside Professor Quirrell's quarters.

"Does Dumbledore really want you to bring a troll inside the school to protect the stone, Quirinus?" Wormtail heard someone whisper but saw no one there other than himself and the Defense teacher.

"Y-Y-es, m-m-m-my L-lord, P-Prof-fessor D-Dumbledore c-c-c-c-called s-several p-p-p-p-professors to help with defenses for the stone." Now Pettigrew was curious. Not only about who Professor Quirrell was talking to but also about what's the big deal about a stone. "I'll t-t-try to f…"

"Wait!" The voice commanded. "I smell a rat!"

"Y-you s-suspect m-me, Master?"

"No, you fool!" The voice yelled, reminding Wormtail of Voldemort. "I mean a literal rat! Uncover me!" The Defense Professor then took of his turban, revealing Voldemort's face in the back of the Professor's. Shocked, Wormtail didn't move while Voldemort stared at his rat form. "Fancy seeing you here, Wormtail." Voldemort said with a scary smile.

Realizing it was no use staying in his Animagus form, Wormtail reverted back to his human form. "My Lord, I'm so happy to see you again!"

"Are you, Wormtail? For the last ten years, you've been misleading the Wizarding World into thinking you're dead." Voldemort replied. "Have you ever tried to find me during all those years?"

"I had no idea of where to start, My Lord." Pettigrew explained. "Not until I felt your presence at the Great Hall." He added while rubbing his left arm.

"True. But I also realize you'd never look for me if the Weasley twins hadn't finally made the connection between 'Scabbers' and Peter Pettigrew."

Surprised upon hearing that name, Quirrell turned around and faced Wormtail. "Are you Peter Pettigrew!" The Defense teacher was shocked. "Black was telling the truth about you faking your death?"

"Silence, you fool!" Voldemort ordered. "Yes, I'm as surprised as you about Peter, or Wormtail as the friends he betrayed used to call him, really being alive. I thought Black had accidentally killed those filthy muggles and accused Wormtail here of faking his death to get away with that."

"My Lord, I'd do anything for you." Wormtail pleaded.

"Even help me get the Philosopher's Stone?" Voldemort maliciously asked.

In the next morning, the first-year Gryffindors and Slytherins were at the Defense classroom waiting for Professor Quirrell to appear. However, another teacher met them. "Welcome, class. I know I'm not the one you expected. I'm Remus Lupin, and I'm teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts for the first-years." Not knowing about the sorting, Remus looked at the Gryffindors, hoping to see Harry. Assuming Harry didn't grow up to look like James, Remus started the roll call and got the shock of his life when a Slytherin responded to "Potter, Harry". "Oh, Merlin! How much influence does Black have on Harry?"

Professor Lupin has shown himself to be an excellent teacher. For homework, he told the students to write an essay on vampires. "Class dismissed. Mr. Potter, would you stay?" After the others left, Professor Lupin continued. "Mr. Potter, I don't know what Sirius Black told you about me, but…"

"Professor Lupin, I was made aware of the past friendship between you and my father." Harry replied with a formality that made Remus somewhat uneasy. "Which makes me wonder why you never visited me. If not for my godfather, I'd never know a thing about my father before getting my Hogwarts letter."

"I'm not sure Sirius Black is a reliable source, Harry. He betrayed your parents, remember?"

"PETER PETTIGREW FRAMED MY GODFATHER!"

"SIRIUS BLACK KILLED PETER!"

"PETTIGREW FAKED HIS DEATH!"

Remus Lupin then realized he'd never get anything good by telling a kid not to trust the man who raised him. "Fine, if you really want to believe Peter Pettigrew cut off a finger, you may go."

"What did he want, Harry?" Draco asked.

"He was an old friend of my father and tried to convince me not to trust my godfather." Harry answered.

"We can use my father to threaten him." Draco suggested. "Hopefully he'll be replaced with someone who wears better robes."

"With what I know about him, your father wouldn't be able to save Lupin's job."

Later on, it was potions time. "My brothers told me Snape favors the Slytherins. I hope Slughorn is different." Harry heard Ron say.

"Don't worry." Harry replied. "He is."

"Don't talk to me, traitor!" Ron harshly ordered.

"What?"

"You're a traitor! Becoming a Slytherin when you should have become a Gryffindor!"

"I thought Professor McGonagall had already told you to stop insisting on it, Mr. Weasley." A new voice said.

"Sorry, Professor Slughorn."

Professor Slughorn then started teaching Potions. "Does anyone know what I'd get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Slughorn asked. Several students raised their hands. "Mr. Potter?"

"You'd get the Draught of Living Death, Sir."

"Correct! Five points to Slytherin! Now, does anyone know where bezoars come from?" This time, he decided to pick a Gryffindor to answer. "Ms. Granger?"

"Bezoars come from goat stomachs and work as antidotes for most poisons."

"Five points to Gryffindors for answering correctly and two more for the additional info!" Professor Slughorn replied with the same enthusiasm previously shown with Harry's answer. "Ms. Granger, would you be related to Hector Dagworth-Granger, founder of the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers?"

"I think not, Sir. I'm a Muggle-born."

"Well, don't let it stop you. I've already taught a fair share of talented ones during my career." Then he made another question. "Does anyone know the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Again, some students raised their hands. "Mr. Malfoy?"

"They're the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite." Draco Malfoy answered.

"Correct! Five points to Slytherin and two more for mentioning the extra info! Now, I want all of you to form pairs and prepare the cure for boils."

The students complied and all went well until a cauldron blew up. "What happened, Mr. Longbottom?" A worried Slughorn asked.

"I don't know. I was adding the porcupine quills…"

"Did you remember to take the cauldron off the fire before adding the quills?" Slughorn asked.

Neville hesitated before answering. "No."

"Well, nothing Madam Pomfrey can't solve. Mr. Finnegan, please take Mr. Longbottom to her. The rest of you, please keep working on your batches." At the end of the class, Professor Slughorn collected a sample from each batch and, as homework, he asked an essay on making the Draught of Living Death. Hermione Granger offered to tell Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnegan about the homework.

Later one, the teachers were reunited to talk about the students when they got an unexpected visit from the Board of Governors. "Headmaster, I got word from a reliable source that you're keeping something dangerous at the third floor." Lucius Malfoy said.

"Nothing the Board needs to worry about, Lucius." Dumbledore politely replied.

"I disagree, Albus." Another Governor said. "We demand to know what you're keeping at the third floor that makes you consider it needed to caution the students about going there and mention the risk of a painful death."

Seeing he had no choice, Albus Dumbledore agreed to tell. "I'm keeping the Philosopher's Stone inside Hogwarts for protection."

"Are you insane!" Yet another Governor asked. "Whoever tried to steal it before managed to break in Gringotts! Do you have any idea of what anyone who does that might do to the students?"

"Hogwarts is the safest place in the world." Dumbledore replied.

"Hogwarts must be safe for its residents, not for objects that'd attract any danger inside the castle." Lucius Malfoy argued. "Couldn't you have just placed the stone inside a Gringotts vault with a higher safety level?"

"No! The stone must be kept at the safest place for the greater good!"

"Albus, you're making it seem like you're afraid He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is trying to steal the stone." Lucius commented. Dumbledore's reaction to the comment scared the whole board. "HE IS?"

"Unfortunately yes. He intends to use the elixir of life to restore his powers."

"We must destroy the stone before he gets it!"

"I assure you it's completely safe."

"I'd like to see it by myself." Lucius replied and the other Governors nodded in agreement. As they (Professors and Governors) went past the defenses, the Board kept pointing out faults. "Headmaster, that door should have more spells on it. Any first-year who knows Alohomora would be able to open it and meet that cerberus, which shouldn't be inside the castle anyway. Later on, they've reached the door that needs a winged key to be unlocked. "You shouldn't leave the key around here. Are you protecting a stone or testing somebody?"

Instead of dignifying the question with an answer, Dumbledore kept leading them to a giant chess set. "To pass, one must win the game."

"Do you do it every time you need to check upon the stone?" Lucius Malfoy's question caught them by surprise. "Or is there some secret passage an intruder might find?"

Later on, they've reached Snape's defense. Lucius Malfoy then picked up one of the potion vials he found near a poem. "Won't you read the poem, Lucius?" Albus asked.

"What for?" Lucius Malfoy replied. "It might be misleading. I'd rather rely on my ability to recognize potions. And what will you do if the thief decides to bring a potion of his own?"

"Or if he knows how to put out the flame?" Another Governor intervened and then stopped the fire barrier.

As they entered the final chamber, they found nothing but a mirror. "Is that the Mirror of Erised?" Professor Slughorn asked.

"Yes, Horace." Dumbledore answered. "I've hidden the stone there and saw to it that it can only be taken out by someone desiring to find it but not to use it."

Then, to everyone's shock, Professor Quirrell held Remus Lupin at wand point. "Give me the stone, or the werewolf is gone." He demanded.

"What's the meaning of this, Quirinus?" An exasperated Headmaster Dumbledore asked.

"Lord Voldemort wants the Philosopher's Stone and I'll get it for him." Quirinus answered. "You don't want him to be angry and take it on the students, do you?"

"If you're really a servant of the Dark Lord, how can you call him by name?" Severus Snape asked.

"I'm no mere Death Eater, Severus. I'm Lord Voldemort's greatest follower and will be placed above… aaaahhhhhhhhhh!" His speech got interrupted by a Governor who stunned him.

"Are you crazy?" Minerva McGonagall angrily asked. "Remus might have gotten hurt!"

"So what? He' s a werewolf."

Snape then took advantage of the distraction to bind Quirrell's body. "Have you really turned traitor, S-s-s-s-severus?" A new voice hissed from beneath Quirinus' turban. Snape and Malfoy quickly recognized the voice.

"How can you be alive?" Lucius Malfoy asked. "You've been destroyed by Harry Potter!"

"I've taken my precautions, Luciusssss." Voldemort said.

"Let the Dark Lord go or you'll be looking for a new Charms Master!" Peter Pettigrew demanded as he was now holding Professor Filius Flitwick at wand point. Everyone there who didn't believe him to be alive (meaning everyone minus Voldemort and Quirinus) was shocked at seeing him.

'Black is innocent! Sirius is innocent! He really didn't kill Peter! And I refused to believe him! I'm a lousy friend!' Remus thought to himself.

"That's Voldemort's wand!" Dumbledore exclaimed.

"Oh, yes. I had to leave mine behind when I faked my death. Fortunately the Dark Lord let me borrow his." Pettigrew explained. Then the wand was suddenly thrown away. "I'm not called Charms Master for nothing, Peter."

"Well, it seems Voldemort has been captured. And I must apologize to Sirius." Dumbledore replied.

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