McGonagall had done some brief explaining of the houses before she excused herself to leave for a moment. The chattering started as soon as she left, people nervously wondering aloud how they would be sorted. Harry found it funny he once thought they'd genuinely be given a test.

But to be fair, some kids were new to this world and would most likely believe anything in their worried state. Harry was once one of those kids, but the girl next to him looked on edge strange enough. She looked well versed in wizarding culture; he was puzzled at her expression.

He thought he should comfort her somehow; he felt a little guilty for some strange reason. "You know they're probably not going to test our skills, right?" She rolled her eyes at him, but maybe she looked a little relieved.

"Obviously! Of course, they wouldn't." As soon as the Gryffindor head came back, all muttering ceased. She was an intimidating woman, even to people who hadn't gotten to know her yet.

"The Sorting Ceremony is about to start. Form a line, then follow me." Harry looked around and noticed that the ghosts hadn't come to greet them. It was so strange to know what was supposed to happen, and it never comes—sort of like an altered memory.

McGonagall led them through the two double doors and into the great hall. Harry, too took in the sight. He felt at home once more after being away for so long. Not just while he was at the Dursleys, but while he was Horcrux hunting too.

It had been far too long since he'd seen this place. But as soon as he spotted that blasted man, he knew his face was drained of color. This is the first time he's seen Dumbledore since he found the truth. With that damned twinkle in his eye.

As the first years were led to line up in front of the dirty sorting hat, Harry met Dumbledore's eye. It was only for a second; Harry hoped the man couldn't tell who he was. But if he truly was a clone of his father, it was unlikely. Strange enough, the man's eyes left him. Harry breathed again.

The hats song started up, but Harry still was tense. He swore the song was different, but he couldn't pinpoint how it was. It felt less like a joyful start and more like an epic beginning, but maybe that was just him.

McGonagall started to call the names of students, and they went up. But the girl beside him was embarrassed to say he didn't recall her name from when she told him in the shop, noticed something was up.

"What's wrong, Harry?" He just shook his head; he couldn't explain it to the girl. He'd make up some lie later; maybe she'd just chalk it up to nervousness. Her concerned sky eyes never entirely left his face, though.

"Montemoose, Xira!" Called McGonagall, and the girl next to him, who he now knew was named Xira, went up to the hat. She gulped as she sat down on the stool. She was around his size, so he wasn't surprised when the hat covered her eyes.

There was silence for a good long while before the hat finally split open to deliver the name of Xira's house.

"Slytherin!" Harry was sort of surprised; she seemed to him, if anything a Hufflepuff. Maybe he misjudged her? She walked to the table that clapped for her. Harry waited patiently for the moment he felt it would all go downhill for him. The calling of his own name.

He already saw people looking at the remaining students and whispering, wondering who was the famous 'boy who lived.'

"Potter, Harry!" He had to admit his heart stopped; it was different last time when he was still new to it all. Back when it first started, he didn't have someone who thought he was just some random wizard instead of the one who apparently defeated Voldemort.

Last time he didn't know what a pain this fame would be. The last time he got sorted into Gryffindor. It would probably take a turn for the worse now. He'd most likely lose his first ally. It would be fine though, he'd be fine.

Harry summoned all bravery that existed within himself and stepped forward. The muted buzz rose in volume. He foolishly spared a glance at Xira; she looked hurt. He should have just told her straight up, but how was he to know the future?

He sat on the stool and was more than thankful that the hat covered his face. He didn't want to see anybody then; he felt what was coming.

"Harry Potter, is it? Wait... What's this? You've been sorted by me before, haven't you?" Harry sighed; he should have known.

"Yes, I live this life a second time." He felt the hat's curiosity immediately.

"You must be really something to earn another chance. I can feel your difference from the first sorting. Your still brave, but no not enough to be a Gryffindor. You're wiser than your years certainly, but you only seek knowledge for a purpose, not just to know. Yes, your hardworking but your kindness has to be earned. You're most definitely a Slytherin." Harry nodded, knowing even himself that was the truth.

"I believe you will do great things in Slytherin, Harry. But do remember to keep the good ones close." Harry had no clue what the hat meant, but there was no time to dwell on it as he felt it split open and delivered his house to the rest of the hall.

"Slytherin!" Not a clap, not even a noise. As McGonagall took the hat off his head, he saw all the shocked faces. He wasn't a Gryffindor, no, not even a Ravenclaw. They probably thought he'd at least be a Hufflepuff. Yet here he was, a slimy Slytherin.

He got off the stool and moved to his house's table, he didn't look at the staff, and he didn't spare a glance at any other students. Harry carefully slid into a relatively empty space at the table. It must have taken a second for it to sit in, but eventually, the Slytherins were clapping.

Not very hard, that is, most looked either dazed or angry. Harry felt that most of their parents were probably death eaters who thought well of Voldemort, so to have the kid responsible for murdering him sitting at your table was a bit of a slap to the face.

Eventually, McGonagall finished the sorting; nobody else went to houses they hadn't gone into before. Dumbledore gave his speech; Harry swore he sounded nowhere near as energetic now. The food appeared, and students started to chow down.

Harry didn't have much of an appetite, but the grumbling of his stomach said otherwise. He only got small portions of the food, not feeling he could eat more.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry had been chewing some of the chicken, but his eyes shot up from his plate to the girl that happened to be across from him. She looked both heated and somber. Her face may have been angry, but her eyes were deep and solemn.

"I don't know; I'm not used to being someone important." Her eyes flashed, but she never raised her voice from a hissy whisper.

"You didn't tell me the truth! You said you were a muggle-raised. You never told me you were Harry damn Potter!" He felt guilty about that now, but he still hadn't lied.

"I was muggle-raised..." Harry tried. She gave him an exasperated look, and he immediately shut up. He wondered why this girl had such a strange effect on him; he barely knew her.

"Even if you were, you still purposefully didn't give me your name. That is not right, Harry, and how will I ever know for sure you wouldn't do it again?" She seemed to study his face, a distant hope in her eyes. Like she wanted him to lie and tell her to just trust him. But he won't lie to her; he already felt bad enough.

"You can't know for sure..." Harry mumbled, but it was more to his food than to her. Xira heard It all the same. Harry didn't eat any more food after, though he only just befriended this girl. He felt as if he'd just fought with Hermione of something. He felt like he had been friends with her for years.


The food was soon all cleared away, and the prefects all led their first years away. Harry followed with the rest of them, this time without anybody by his side. It had been a long day; Harry honestly couldn't wait to just crash.

Harry had refused to meet a single eye; he didn't want to see it. The confusion, hate, or disgust on people who were once friends would hurt him more than it should. Harry was lost in thought until he realized he was in the Slytherin common room.

Blast! He missed the password. It was very doubtful that someone would give him the password now. He'd have to figure it out from someone else. Most had retreated to their dorms, full and tired they hadn't strayed to talk.

Harry knew he wouldn't be staying up late either; his eyes were heavy. He trudged up to his dormitory. He'd be sharing with a couple other Slytherins, unfortunately. When he walked in, everyone had already gone to bed.

Harry's old trunk was by the furthest bed from the door. He groaned at that and slowly lumbered to it. He crouched down and opened it, opening the cage and taking Rio out. The snake blinked wildly as Harry stood up, carried him to the four-poster bed, and placed him there.

"Why is it that you always interrupt my sleep? One of these days, I'll do the same thing to you..." Hissed Rio ominously, curling around himself and glaring at Harry. Harry smiled halfheartedly at the jararaca, not finding the heart to give a natural smile.

"What's wrong?" Of course, Rio picked up on it immediately. The snake had been with his true self longer than anybody.

"I'll tell you later, Rio; right now, all I want to do is crash." Rio gave Harry a slightly concerned look before he just sighed and rolled his eyes, coiling tighter and closing his eyes.

"You better..." The snake hissed quietly before drifting off; Harry grinned at that. He removed the robes, leaving him in his cousin's hand me downs. He stuffed the robes in the trunk and then went back to the bed, lifting the covers and snuggling under them.

He closed his eyes for a minute, then he sat up and closed the curtains around the bed. He hoped that he'd find some solace in sleeping tonight, but Harry felt that wasn't likely.

I need to get back on track, I should have updated this yesterday! I'm sorry guys! I hope you like it...

-Lemon Nugget