AN:

Thanks for the follows everyone, they make me happy, especially when they keep increasing.

LordOfWierdness: you will get an answer eventually, and thanks for pointing out that misspelling.

As far as the story goes, I'm planning on it being around 14 chapters maximum per Hogwarts year. If I don't hit that for a certain year, that'll leave room to make other years longer. If I don't keep to that, then this story is going to be long indeed lol.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 05, The One

Harry spent is remaining month at home reading, asking questions, and getting to know his familiar. He decided to name her Hedwig, a name he came across in A History of Magic.

The Dursley's primarily left Harry alone, but did give him unfriendly looks when ever he entered a room they were in.

Finally though, September first came, and Remus took Harry to King's Cross Station via the Knight Bus for 10:30. Once at the station, they grabbed a snack and drink from a local tea shop, and found a bench to sit and eat.

"Are you nervous?" asked Remus laying a friendly arm across Harry's shoulders.

"Yeah, kind of," he said. "I'm just hoping that people will be nicer at Hogwarts than they are back home."

"I don't think you'll have anything to worry about," said Remus. "Your as brave as a Gryffindor, loyal as a Hufflepuff, smart as a Ravenclaw, and as cunning as any Slytherin."

"What house do you'll think I'll be in?" asked Harry.

"Does it really matter?" asked Remus. "As long as you're happy, make friends, and do well in your studies, I'll be happy. Your Dad might say Gryffindor is the only choice for a Potter, but your Mother, who also was a Gryffindor, also had friends in other houses."

After finishing their snack, they quickly made their way in to the station.

"Remember what I said," whispered Remus. "Very casually walk between Platforms 9 and 10. Don't be afraid of hitting the wall, or be afraid that you'll be seen. There are enchantments around the platforms entrance to keep away curious muggles."

"Got it," said Harry.

Harry indeed had it. One moment he was walking between the platforms, and the next he found himself on a crowded train platform in front of a scarlet train.

"Very nicely done," commented Remus who was right behind him.

"That was pretty easy," said Harry smiling.

Remus helped him get a compartment, and sat with him until 5 minutes to 11.

"Well Harry, good luck at Hogwarts, and good luck with your sorting. Send me an owl any time," said Remus.

"Thanks for everything this summer Uncle Moony, I don't know what I would have done without your help," said Harry throwing his arms around Remus.

"I only wish I could have helped you out sooner," said Remus returning the hug.

Finally, they let go of each other and Remus waved and exited the train.

Harry pulled out a book, quite contented to just sit and mind his own business. Soon though the compartment door opened, and a rather plump looking boy entered.

"Excuse me," he asked getting Harry's attention. "You didn't happen to notice a toad hopping around would you?"

"No mate, I haven't," said Harry putting a book mark in his book, and setting it on the seat beside him. "Would you like some help looking for it?"

"That would be great, but I wouldn't want to intrude on your reading," said the boy.

"It's no problem, there's always time to read," said Harry getting up. "My name's Harry by the way."

"I'm Neville," said the boy, holding out a hand."Neville Longbottom."

"Great to meet you," said Harry retiring the handshake. "Do you remember where you last saw your toad?"

"No, not really," said Neville sadly.

"No worries, there are supposed to be school prefects on the train, maybe one of them could help," said Harry leading the way out of his compartment.

They walked down the train, looking for young wizards or witches with a prefect badge. Not seeing any, Harry knocked on the door of a compartment full of older students.

"Excuse me guys, have any of you seen a prefect? I'm trying to help my new friend Neville find his lost pet toad, and thought that maybe one of them might no a bit of magic that could help."

"Try the car at the end of the train," said a boy pointing to their right. "My friend Sedrick is a prefect, and I'm sure he'd be happy to help."

"Thanks very much," said Harry closing the door.

"How did you just … just … go up to them and talk to them?" asked Neville after they left the compartment of older students.

"It wasn't that hard," said Harry. "I just knocked, interrupted politely, and asked. Manners go a long way, as does some confidence."

"Wow!," said Neville. "I wish I was that confident. I didn't even know if I was a wizard, and it took me falling out of a window and bouncing to find out that I was," he said shamefully.

"I think my first bit of accidental magic was when I turned my math teacher's hair blue," said Harry. "She was being horrible to me, and it just happened randomly."

Reaching the larger compartment at the end of the train, Harry knocked and slid open the door.

"Hi. I'm looking for someone named Sedrick if he's here," said Harry confidently.

"Hi," said a taller boy." "What can I do for you firsties?"

"My new friend Neville here was looking for his toad, and I was wondering if you might know a spell or something that could help us find it?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, I'll try a summoning charm," said Sedrick, pulling a wand out of his robe pocket. "Accio lost toad," he said with a thoughtful look on his face.

Suddenly, a large tray toad zoomed in to his hand.

"Is this him?" asked Sedrick.

"That's Trevor," said Neville shyly taking the toad from Sedrick. "Th th thanks f f for your help."

"No need to be scared mate," said Sedrick putting a hand on Neville's shoulder. "That's what we prefects are here for, to help the younger students like you two."

"Thanks again for your help, and sorry if we interrupted anything," said Harry. "I'm Harry Potter, and this is my new friend Neville Longbottom."

"The others in the compartment all stood up at the mention of Harry's name and starred at his forehead.

"Yes, that's the scar where the dark lord hit me," he said. "Just so you know, it's rather rude to stare."

"Sorry," said a witch in the back. "It's just … your the boy who lived and all."

"It's fine, just please don't do it again if you can help it," said Harry.

"He is right," said the oldest wizard in the bunch. "It was rude of us to stare."

"Well I'm Sedrick Diggory," said Sedrick hoping to move the conversation along.

They shook hands with him, thanked him again for his help, and started walking back to their compartment.

You know Neville, you should probably get some sort of cage or tank or something for your toad. Most people I've ever heard of who kept animals like that had some sort of cage for them."

"Yeah, I'll write to my Gran to see what she thinks I should do. He does like to get away a lot," said Neville.

"Well well well, who do we have here," said a drawling voice. "An overly confident firsty, and a sorry excuse for a wizard."

"Who might you be then?" asked Harry.

"Draco, Draco Malfoy," said the boy smirking at them.

"Should I know who that is?" asked Harry.

"If you are who you claim to be Potter, you should no the Malfoy name. Purebloods for countless generations, always donating our money to those who are less fortunate, and Slytherin for generations on generations more."

"Unfortunately, I was raised with Muggles," said Harry. "I'm still getting to know the wizarding world. However, if most purebloods are as Arrogant as you, I'm glad I'm not one."

"How dare you Potter," said Malfoy, pulling out his wand.

"Put that away," said a cold voice from behind them.

Malfoy ducked back in to his compartment, and slammed the door.

"Thanks for your help," said Harry.

"Look Potter," said the boy. "I'd stay away from that one if I were you. He's not a fellow Slytherin yet, but he will be."

"Should that worry me?" asked Harry.

"Just watch your step is what I'm getting at," said the boy turning away.

Once back at their compartment, Harry turned to Neville and asked: "What can you tell me about Slytherins?"

"Well, Slytherins never just do something, there's always a method to their madness," said Neville. "If I had to figure out what happened there, I'd say that that boy was telling you to keep out of the way of Slytherin house."

"Thanks," said Harry.

The rest of the journey to Hogwarts was uneventful. A lady came by with a trolley of sweets for sale, a prefect came in every so often making sure everything was okay, and Harry and Neville got to know each other a little better. Finally though, just as the sky was starting to darken, the Hogwarts Express pulled in to Hog's Meed Station, and the students were instructed to leave their belongings on the train.

As they hopped off the train, a loud voice called: "First years. First years, over ere!"

It was Hagrid, the grounds keeper. He waved at Harry who waved back, and then prompted the group of eleven year olds to follow him.

The first years were lead down a stoney path to a great lake. There, tiny little boats were docked.

"No more than four to a boat," instructed Hagrid.

"Do you still have Trevor?" asked Harry as he hopped in a boat with Neville.

"Yeah, He's under my hat. I can't loose him as easy if he's there," replied Neville taking Harry's hand as he got in the boat.

Once all of the children were in boats, Hagrid commanded: "Forward!" All of the little boats slid in to the lake, and aimed for the castle that the students could just make out across the lake.

In no time at all, the students were able to see Hogwarts for the first time. There were many pleased and awed gasps at the sheer size and majesty of the glorious castle perched on a cliff above the lake. The little boats floated gently through a tunnel, and on to a tiny pier. As the students disembarked, Hagrid had them all line up on the shore. Once he was sure that everyone was there, he lead them up a stone path that lead up towards the castle's entrance.

A loud knock on the castle's doors later, and the students were ushered in to the entrance hall of Hogwarts, and then in to a chamber off the great hall.

After Hagrid left, they were soon joined by a strict looking witch.

"Good evening first years. I am Professor McGonagall, transfiguration professor, head of Gryffindor house, and deputy headmistress here at Hogwarts. In a few moments, you will be lead in to the great hall, where you will be sorted in to your houses. There are four houses at Hogwarts, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. Your house members will be like your surrogate family here at Hogwarts. There is a house point system here at Hogwarts, and the house with the most points will win the house cup. There will be many opportunities to earn house points, but there are also many opportunities to loose them just as quickly. While you wait for me here, take this opportunity to straighten your hair and robes as best as you can. I'll be back shortly."

Soon, the professor was back and lead them in to the grand and almost full great hall. They were lead to the top of this hall where a beaten up old hat was perched importantly on an equally old three legged stool. A stylized rip opened in the brim of the hat, and it began to sing. It sang about Hogwarts, the founders of the great school, and the houses. Once done, it closed it's mouth, and sat waiting for the first student to sort.

Professor McGonagall pulled a long list of names out of her robes. As she read names off this list, the named student went to the hat and put it on their head. The hat then shouted out the name of the house that student was best suited for. Some students were sorted immediately, and some took a little longer.

Neville Longbottom," called Professor McGonagall.

Neville accepted Harry's good luck squeeze to his arm, and went up to put on the hat. He sat there longer than most, but soon the hat cried: "Hufflepuff!"

Neville sat there stunned momentarily, but soon got up, took off the hat, and went to sit at the Hufflepuff table, where he was warmly welcomed by Sedrick amongst many others.

Several people were sorted while Harry waited his turn. Malfoy was immediately sorted in to Slytherin, as was another shifty looking character named Theodore Nott. Finally though, it was Harry turn. He plopped the hat on his head, and sat gingerly on the old stool.

"Ah yes, Mr. Potter," said the hat in his head. "Where should I put you?"

"I'd be happy anywhere," thought Harry to the hat.

Harry opened his mind to the hat, letting it see his life history, and making it as easy as possible for it to make it's decision.

"You are quite a tricky customer," said the hat. "I think that you'd fit in any house, just like Remus Lupin said to you early this morning. Time is growing short though, and I must make a decision."

Harry could hear whispering from outside the hat, and surmised that his sorting was taking quite a bit of time.

"Well," said the hat. "I'm going to make you something that the school has been needing for a long time now. I've always said that students should look passed house boundaries, and make friends based on people, not house loyalty."

Harry was confused. "What do you mean?" he mentally asked the hat.

"I mean this," said the hat to Harry. Out loud it shouted: "Harry Potter is of all houses."

Everyone gasped. The headmaster got to his feet, took the hat from Harry, and asked: "What do you mean my dear sorting hat?"

"I mean that this boy embodies traits of all four houses. He is as brave and reckless at times as a Gryffindor, He's as loyal and helpful as a Hufflepuff should be, He's very intelligent and loves books as a Ravenclaw would, and he can be just as cunning and strategic as Salazar Slytherin himself. This boy is what Hogwarts has needed for many years now. A student who has the potential to make friends in all four houses, and unite the school as it hasn't been sense the time of the founders. I name him a student of all houses."

With that, the had folded it's top and Harry could tell went back to sleep in preparation for the next year's sorting.

The hall broke out in to a cacophony of talking. Harry's name flowed from every mouth in the hall. It got so loud that the headmaster was forced to send a bang of sound from his wand.

"Quiet please. The sorting hat has spoken, and I'd never even contemplate questioning it's decision. Harry Potter is of all houses. I beg all of you to welcome him as a member. Because of this sorting, he will be unable to earn you house points, but he will also be unable to loose you points. Now, I'd ask Mr. Potter himself where he'd like to sit. The feast is getting cold after all."

"Please Sir, I'd like to sit with my first new friend Neville at the Hufflepuff table if I may," said Harry Shyly.

"That is a wonderful place to start," said the headmaster. "Might I suggest the Gryffindor table tomorrow morning for breakfast?"

"Thank you sir, I will be sure to do that," said Harry, bowing to the headmaster.

With that, Harry went and sat beside Neville and was welcomed by all of the Hufflepuffs.

The feast was amazing. Harry ate a little bit of everything, and introduced himself to everyone around him. Soon though, the headmaster banged his glass, and once the hall was silent, gave out the notices to start off the school year. Of note, the third floor corridor was off limits to all students. Harry made a mental note to not even go near there unless he had to. Finally, the students were dismissed to their dormitories and were lead by their prefects to their houses.

Harry went up to the head table and waited patiently to be noticed by the professors. It was the headmaster who noticed him first.

"Yes Mr. Potter?"

"Please sir, I'd just like to know where I'll be sleeping," said Harry.

"That is a very good question my dear boy," said Professor Dumbledore. "Might I suggest that we find you a private room for now, and then think on it for the future?"

The professors all agreed, and Harry was soon being lead by Professor McGonagall to a portrait of a phoenix which acted as a door to Harry's new rooms at Hogwarts.

Harry's rooms weren't very big, but were very well stocked. He had a living room complete with a fireplace, a few chairs, and a table that was perfect for studying, a small bathroom, and a small bedroom. Harry was quite happy with this all. After the Professor left him, he got ready for bed, and fell right to sleep. It had been a long day, and he wanted to be rested for the start of classes the next day.

AN2:

A few things.

1, I suck at poetry, and I'm not copying and pasting from the books for the sorting hat's songs. That's one thing that bugs me, when fanfic authors copy and paste a lot from the books.

2, I thought I'd work with what the sorting hat said about Harry in Book I, when it listed that he had all of the qualities to be in any of the houses. Plus, each of the houses are associated with an element, and the avatar can bend all four elements, so it all fit IMHO.

3, Neville will make a perfect Hufflepuff IMO. He's great with plants, gets along great with anyone who gets to know him, and gets along great with Professor Sprout. Plus, I feel like Hufflepuffs would treat him much better than the Gryffindors did, and that'll help him later on as you'll see.

4, Yeah yeah yeah, Diggory's a prefect, and he's older here than he is in the books. I like him much more than Percy the pr**k, and I could see Cedrick helping out little firsties so much more than I could see Big Head Boy. Sorry if you don't like it, but that's the way I want this to go.

Thanks for reading, and I'll be back with a new chapter hopefully soon.