(Harrys pov)
It was nightfall by the time we stopped at Hogsmeade station. The announcer told us to keep our luggage on the train, because it will be heading to the school separately.
Wearing our new school robes, we stepped off the train wondering where we were suppose to go. Then we heard a loud booming voice calling us towards the boats. We walked over to where a tall man, probably a half giant judging by his size, stood.
He led us to what I assumed was the Black Lake I read about in my parents journals. There were several boats at the dock.
"No more'n 4 in a boat." He told us. I got in a boat with Draco, Daphne and Blaise while Tracey and Mandy ended up sharing a boat with a boy that looked dumb as a troll and a girl who Draco said was named Pansy Parkinson.
The boats began to move once everyone was seated. After ducking our heads as we passed an overhanging rock we caught our first glance of Hogwarts. We got to the shore and got out of the boats following the half giant to the entrance of the school where a stern looking teacher he called Professor McGonagall waited.
She led us inside and told us about the four houses and the sorting then she left us, saying that she will come for us when they were ready.
A few ghosts appeared, talking amongst themselves before noticing us and welcoming us to the school. The professor came back and told us to form two single file lines. With that she led us into the Great Hall. Draco stood beside me and I heard a muggleborn tell the girl next to her about how the ceiling is charmed to look like the sky. We stopped near the teachers table right in front of a old looking hat.
The brim ripped open and the hat came to life looking as if it had a face. Then it burst into song.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty, But don't judge on what you see, I'll eat myself if you can find A smarter hat then me. You can keep your bowlers black, Your top hats sleek and tall, For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat And I can cap them all. There's nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat can't see, So try me on and I will tell you Where you ought to be. You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve and chivalry, Set Gryffindors apart; You might belong in Hufflepuff Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true, And unafraid of toil; Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, If you've a ready mind, Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind; Or perhaps in Slytherin, Where you'll meet your real friends, Those cunning folk use any means, To achieve their ends. So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap! You're in safe hands (though I have none) For I'm a Thinking Cap."
Everybody clapped at the end and when I looked back towards the teacher I noticed the parchment she had in her hands.
"When I call your name, sit on the stool and the hat will sort you into your house. Abbott, Hannah." A girl with long blond hair stepped forward and sat on the stool where the Professor placed the hat on her head. It was quiet for a moment before the hat called out "HUFFLEPUFF".
This continued on as students were placed into their houses. Mandy Brocklehurst went to Ravenclaw. Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass went to Slytherin. The muggleborn girl, Hermione Granger went to Ravenclaw. Neville Longbottom went to Gryffindor. I recognized the name from my mums journal. I decided to make a mental note to introduce myself to him later.
It was no surprise that Draco ended up in Slytherin. Then after a few more names were called it was my turn.
"Harry Potter" I walked forward as the whispers began. I looked up at the Headmaster, who watched me with an expectant look. I sat on the stool and felt the hat on my head.
*You are certainly a popular one Mr. Potter. You have been on many minds tonight. Its good that you already know occlumency, but can you lower the walls enough for me to sort you?* The hat spoke clearly in my mind so I did the same.
*Can I trust you not to tell my secrets to the Headmaster?*
*Even if I weren't bound to the school by the founders to keep all information from a students mind secret,even from the Headmaster, I would never betray the thoughts of a Founders heir.*
*You know?*
*Yes Mr. Potter it was the same with your parents even though your mother didn't know about her heritage when she was sorted.*
*Ok. I can show you as long as Dumbledore doesn't find out.*
After going through my mind and muttering to itself the hat came up with its decision.
*For a warning Lord Hogwarts, beware of Albus Dumbledore. He can read minds and he will try to read yours. Also do not let him manipulate you. You can trust your head of House, he had been misled by Albus, but he knows not to trust him. You will be great where you are going. You have a hard path but you will have many friends to help you on that path. Good luck Lord Hogwarts. Come by anytime you need help.*
*What do you think of the Potions Professor, Severus Snape?*
*If you mean do I think you can tell your magical guardian what he is, you can. But be careful, he has a memory block. Before you tell him, have him say his secret word for his replacement memories. Replacement memories are like an extra copy of memories kept hidden in case the first memories get erased or blocked.*
*Ok. Thanks*
*Anytime Lord Hogwarts*
He spoke in my head before shouting my house to the whole school.
"SLYTHERIN!"
The whole hall was silent as I stood up and made my way to the Slytherin table, and sat beside a smirking Draco.
Then the whole hall burst into yells. The Slytherins were yelling 'WE GOT POTTER!' While Gryffindors were yelling about how the sorting hat had missorted me, and demanded that I get resorted because there is no way that The-Boy-Who-Lived belonged in the house of Dark Wizards, which angered the whole Slytherin House.
"QUUUIIIIEEEETTTTTTTTT!" A megaphoned version of the old coots voice rang through the hall as the students abruptly stopped yelling. After releasing the spell the Headmaster nodded over to Professor McGonagall who also looked shocked at my sorting. "Please continue with the sorting Professor McGonagall."
After a short while the last student, Ron Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor. It took every ounce of self control I had not to tense at the mention of the thiefs name, nor to lunge at him before he had the chance to be sorted.
(Dumbledore's pov)
I was silently fuming, though I hid it well. How did Potter end up in Slytherin? He was supposed to be a Gryffindor! No Potter has ever been sorted into another house. How had this happened? Molly and young Ronald should have been able to steer him in the right direction.
I had told the youngest male Weasley that when he sat with Harry on the train that he should tell him how evil the Slytherins are. He should have boasted about how great Gryffindor is. I looked over at the Gryffindor first year. He looked confused, and not like the others at the table.
I decided to have his Head of House tell him that I need to see him in my office after dinner. I will have a prefect escort him to my office and the common room.
I watched as the students finished their meals and I stood up to give the welcoming speech.
(Harry's pov)
I listened as the old coot gave the beginning of the year notices, about how the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students. How no one is allowed on the third floor. I waited patiently for us to be sent to bed.
Finally, the prefects stood up and led us to the dungeons. There, almost at the end of the corridor was a wall, with only a smaller version of Slytherins crest marking the entrance to the dorm.
"Ad miolra" The prefect gave the password.
'Towards better things.' I thought to myself mentally nodding in agreement. Perhaps now I can work towards that goal and have the life I should have had, had it not been for Voldemort and Dumbledore.
The prefect led us into the common room, which by the lighting, seemed to be under the black lake. The common room looked nothing like a dungeon with the green lamps and black and green sofas and chairs. A fireplace on the right side of the room filled the room with light and heat. It had a somewhat dark, but homey feel.
The prefect gave us the rules of Slytherin House, mostly on how we must behave, and how we must look united in front of the other houses. So even if we have a problem with some of our housemates, we have to leave the fights within the common room.
Then he led us to the 2 doorways opposite of the fireplace one was painted dark green and the other was silver. The silver door led to the girls dormitory and the green will take us to the boys.
I followed the other guys through the green door. Inside the door was a small hall. Straight ahead was another green door that had the words '4th year dorm' painted in silver. Then there were two more doors on either side. On the left was a door proclaiming to lead to the third year dorm and on the right was the dorm for the 5th years. On either side of the 4th year dorm was a staircase. The left went down and had a sign for 1st and second years. The right side went up and had 6th and 7th.
Going down the 1st staircase I opened the door to the first year dorm, expecting us all to have to share a room. Instead I found more doors, each with a single name. I opened the door with my name and found a room about the same size as my own bedroom in my trunk.
The room had black carpet and cream colored walls. There was a 4 poster bed with dark green sheets and silver pillows. There was a bedside table and a desk with a movable lamp sitting on it. There was a wardrobe next to the desk and across from the door was another door, and a window charmed the same way as the ceiling for the Great Hall.
The door led to a private bathroom, done all in Slytherin colors. I had a personal shower, bath tub, a loo, and a sink. There was a rack with green towels, wash cloths, and hand towels, all with a Slytherin 'S' embroidered into the corner in silver.
Deciding to turn in early for classes tomorrow, I quickly changed into my sleeping pants and went to bed.