It's My Life

Just as it was planned to occur, at 9:30 am, Severus and Harry arrived at the Dursley home via floo because Severus had gone the night before to temporarily make it accessible. They couldn't take the chance of apparating to the door and Miss. Figg seeing them. Severus went first and Harry would go right behind him; his things already shrunk down for easy carrying, but would end up loaded into Vernon and Petunia's car for the drive to King's Cross. Harry came through after a few moments, and grimaced at being back inside the Dursley home.

"We only have to take him to the station for 11 am?" Vernon asked.

"That's all you have to do. I've arranged others to be waiting for him inside." Severus remarked.

"Fine," Vernon agreed, not that he had much choice due to fear of Severus's wand being present in his hand. Severus turned to Harry now. "I will see you at school when you deboard the train, Harry. Remember what I said?"

"Yes, Professor Snape," Harry nodded, recalling the warning that if Vernon or Petunia did anything to him, to report it to Severus once he arrived at school.

"Very good. See you-," He stopped. "Where are your things?"

"Shrunk down in my pocket like you told me to, sir," Harry replied.

"Get them out so I can re-size them. You can get away with magic at the manor, but not here in a muggle home." Severus informed. Harry got out his trunk from his pocket and set it down on the floor. Severus flicked his wand to restore it to normal size, then put his wand over Harry's right hand to apply the glamour to hide the rings. "There. Only you and I can see through it, me as the caster and you as being able to see past the surface as the person it's on." Severus put away his wand and nodded. "I will see you at school."

"See you then, sir," Harry replied calmly.

Severus turned and went back through the fireplace, only uttering Spinner's End as his destination. Harry glanced to the Dursley's, then just took a seat to stay out of the way.

. . .

Harry was grateful that nothing happened in the time he was with the Dursley's to when he got dropped off at King's Cross station. Harry did say goodbye and said he'd probably see them again in June when school let out, then he ventured into the station and found the platform. Harry sailed through easily and looked around with a sigh, seeing the beautiful engine made him happy.

"Harry!" Called a familiar voice as Harry located the Weasley group. Ron, Ginny, Fred and George, of course Molly and Arthur too.

"Ron," Harry smiled and the two hugged.

"Harry, dear. So lovely to see you again," Molly greeted him gently.

"You look good, Harry," Arthur shook Harry's hand.

"Harry!" Cheered a happy voice as Harry saw Hermione come through, immediately hugging him tightly.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry chuckled.

"Well, now…Let's get along to the train." Molly advised.

The group headed for where they waited in line to load up. Ginny, Fred, and George were already on and it was almost time for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to do the same.

"Harry, darling," Said a voice as Harry looked to see Narcissa, Lucius, and Draco Malfoy standing in line behind them now. Right away, Narcissa grabbed Harry into a hug, then checked him over afterwards. "You're alright?"

"Y-Yes, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry replied quickly, surprised she showed him the motherly affection in public like this.

"Narcissa, let the boy breathe…" Lucius sighed. Narcissa finally let Harry go and stepped back. "Good to see you again, Mr. Potter," Lucius held out his hand.

"You as well, Mr. Malfoy," Harry returned the gesture, for sure knowing that his friends, Molly, and Arthur were surprised.

"Potter," Draco remarked.

"Malfoy," Harry said in acknowledgment. It was merely to keep up with the normal for them because no one knew of the truce.

"Where's-?" Draco started to ask where Severus was and Harry quickly made a light head twitch to hush him.

"Already at school," Harry informed. "Easier to go ahead of me." He added.

"Ah," Draco nodded.

"Come now, don't want to miss the train." Molly informed.

"Go on," Narcissa urged Harry and Draco. "Have a wonderful first few months. We'll see you at Christmas, my Dragon." She hugged her son, then another one for Harry.

Ron and Hermione had boarded and Harry was right behind them, then Draco behind Harry. "Dragon?" Ron asked.

"Shut it, Weasley," Draco remarked, going by them to get to his usual carriage with his friends.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione got to their spot and sat down, finally relaxing.

"What was the deal with Mrs. Malfoy being like that with you, mate?" Ron inquired to Harry.

"Uh…" Harry thought for an excuse. "We met over the summer," He stated. "Mr. Malfoy took over my uncle's company and they had come to a business dinner in August."

"Seems to really like you," Hermione mentioned.

"She's very different from her husband and son; she actually adores me." Harry informed. "I don't mind, she's motherly…Like Mrs. Weasley is. It's a nice feeling considering my mother is gone."

"Of course, mate," Ron agreed.

"And you're alright with Lucius?" Hermione asked.

"We're…Civil," Harry stated. "Draco and I are still…What we've always been. He doesn't hate me, or so he says. We're just rivals due to our houses."

"You two actually got along?" Ron and Hermione blinked.

"Didn't have much choice when they were at my aunt and uncle's house. My uncle would have murdered me if things didn't appear like a perfect family." Harry stated. "Either way, he dislikes Dudley, so we have that in common." He laughed a bit.

The rest of the train ride was just them chatting about their summers, and what they looked forward to for this year.

. . .

Arrival to the school came around 6:45 pm and students unloaded onto the platform where, as he said he would be to Harry, Severus stood waiting with his arms folded over one another.

"Come along. First years to the boats with Hagrid, all others to the carriages with me." Severus informed. "Potter…You, Granger, Weasley and Malfoy will be with me." He remarked calmly since Harry was right in front of him with his friends and Draco had made it up next to Harry.

"Yes, sir," Harry replied.

The trip to the school was easy, and the carriage ride was mostly quiet. Others who joined in Severus's cart was a fourth year Ravenclaw, Luna Lovegood, and then Neville Longbottom. No one else was brave enough to sit with Severus Snape for the journey. While sitting in the carriage, though, Severus slipped Harry his nutrient potion, which Harry gave a subtle nod he would take when they arrived to avoid suspicion. When the carriages stopped and everyone was unloading, Harry got help from Draco to shield him so he could take the potion without anyone being able to see past him since Draco was taller than Harry. Students filed into the hall and went to their respected house tables and Severus went forward to the teacher's table. Harry tried his best not to look at Albus Dumbledore, still silently fuming over the man's actions against him.

Like it had been since Harry's first year in 1991, the students watched as the new first years got called up by Minerva McGonagall to be sorted into their houses. When the sorting was done, Minerva held the hat in hand.

"One moment…" Came the sorting hat's voice, halting Minerva's steps towards the table. "There's a student I'd like to see."

"Who?" Minerva asked. "And why?"

"I need to talk to him."

Minerva looked back at Albus, surprised, and the man only nodded to allow it and probably to cure his own curiosity. "Who do you need to see?"

"Harry Potter." The hat called out.

Harry looked around at how silent the room had fallen. "Come along, Potter," Minerva stated. "The hat wants a word with you."

Hesitantly, Harry got up off the bench and made his way to the stool. "Set me on his head," The hat stated. Minerva did so and stepped back. "Ah, Harry Potter…" It started.

"Sorting Hat," Harry replied.

"Something about you has changed, my boy," The hat informed. "I sensed it the moment you entered the hall, but no matter…I've summoned you up here for another reason."

"And that would be?" Harry asked.

"To fix a mistake I made five years ago." The hat said.

"What do you mean? What mistake did you make with me?" Harry pushed.

"What house you should be in." The hat remarked.

"I'm where I belong," Harry insisted.

"You are not," The hat countered firmly. "I told you five years ago that you were difficult to place and ever since…I've debated my decision. It is not that you don't have Gryffindor traits because you do…But they are only traits and you share just as many, if not more, with another house." It said. "Your views, ideals, and goals have changed. You will not thrive in Gryffindor any further."

"Sorting Hat…What are you doing?" Albus stood now.

"Something I should have five years ago…" The hat responded. "I'm resorting Harry Potter."

"You've never resorted a student since the dawn of this school's opening." Albus informed.

"I've never needed to. All my choices were what I believed…But you see, Albus…When I sorted Harry Potter five years ago, I did not place him in the house I decided he should be in. Potter was adamant about not going where I would put him, but from the moment he entered the hall tonight; I've sensed a change. Harry Potter does not belong in Gryffindor despite having the heart of one." The hat said.

"You cannot resort a student who has been in the same house for five years. It's simply unheard of," Came a female voice.

"And it is not in your power to tell me what I can and cannot do. Now, sit down you intolerable pink nightmare…" It scolded as Harry held back a snicker at the insult to a woman sitting at the head table, who was indeed wearing all pink.

"You are truly going to resort Harry Potter?" Albus asked. Harry heard the undertone of challenging, like Albus not wanting this to happen.

"I am. I was solely created to sort every student who passes those doors into their rightful house and Harry Potter is not in his. I put him in Gryffindor because he asked not to be put where I wanted him, so I sent him where his other traits lay. No more…It's time he embraces who he really is." The hat informed.

"You're putting me where I think you are, aren't you?" Harry asked. "In Slytherin?"

"Mr. Potter, you are most correct in your assumption. Do you have any objections this time?" The hat asked.

Harry saw Dumbledore looking furious at the change. Harry heard it many times over the summer, that he would make a good Slytherin. Why should he fight it anymore? It meant being away from Ron and Hermione, but like the hat said; he should embrace who he really is. "No, I don't." Harry replied.

"Then it's settled," The hat agreed. "I, the sorting hat of Hogwarts School, hereby am officially resorting Harry Potter into…SLYTHERIN!" There was a rush of magic that washed over Harry like a shower as he saw his robes crest change to the Slytherin emblem, then his tie shift from the red and orange to green and silver. "Off you go, Harry…I look forward to seeing you truly thrive where you belong."

Minerva pulled the hat off as Harry, in the awkward and shocked silence of the room, walked over to where the Slytherin table. Most of them were smirking at the turn of events, others were shocked. But it was Draco Malfoy of all people who stood up and before Harry. Draco offered his hand to Harry with a genuine smile.

"Welcome to Slytherin, Potter." Draco said. "You'll soon find out why this house is better than the rest. You don't want to struggle your transition into being a snake…I can help you there."

Harry, in front of everyone, took Draco's hand this time as it mirrored five years ago before their own sorting as first years, and shook it. "Thanks, Malfoy," Harry said.

"Come," Draco put a hand on Harry's shoulders. "Join your fellow snakes." He had Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe scoot down some as they sat down next to one another.

Harry looked over at Severus, who was inwardly grinning at things. Harry Potter had been resorted to Slytherin, what a wonderous turn of events; protecting and taking care of him would be easy now.

"I-I suppose," The headmaster actually stammered. "Let's continue the new year with some announcements."

Albus went on about the usual things and then introduced this year's defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge. She worked in the ministry, under Cornelius Fudge, the current minister of magic. Harry already didn't like her; he was getting a bad feeling and debated telling Severus. She hadn't done anything to him, but still; the feeling he had nagged him that she was going to be this year's trouble for him. The feast soon began as the chatter was low, surprise still around the room that a student, in all of Hogwarts history, had been resorted into another house. A former Gryffindor, now a Slytherin. Hermione looked positively stunned while Ron appeared more annoyed. Ginny looked heartbroken and Harry honestly didn't care as much as he thought he would.

"So, Potter…What do you think of Slytherin?" Asked a male across the table from Harry; he had very short black hair, shaved down almost right to the scalp and very dark-skinned.

"Very green," Harry remarked.

"Like it?" Asked Vincent Crabbe.

"Little put off by some of the glaring, but whatever. The hat said I belonged here, who am I to argue?" Harry shrugged.

"It said it wanted to first year, and you refused," Spoke a female voice now, she was thin, dark long hair.

"At the time, I was very new to the wizarding world and had been told that there wasn't a witch or wizard who went bad that wasn't in Slytherin…And the encounter with Malfoy before the sorting hadn't helped my beliefs." Harry informed.

"Oh, I made you not wanna be here?" Draco asked.

"You did come off exceedingly proud and arrogant, Malfoy. Come on, you can't deny it." Harry told him. "You insulted Ron and just because I'm here doesn't change that I still have many Gryffindor friends…" He added firmly.

"Hey, be friends with who you want…Just don't forget that you're in Slytherin now and the rules apply. None of your Gryffindor antics, Potter…Contrary to what most believe, we take things seriously. We have standards." Gregory Goyle remarked.

"No need to threaten him, Goyle…Potter will behave; he doesn't have a pushover for a head of house anymore." Draco chuckled.

"Hey, McGonagall was in no way a pushover. She was just as strict as Snape, maybe worse…The only reason it looks as though I got away with a lot is because more than half of it, she didn't even know was going on." Harry just remembered that Severus was head of Slytherin house. And to add to the watching himself factor…Severus was also his guardian; he wouldn't get away with anything.

"It'll be fine," Spoke the female again. "We'll teach him the ropes of being a snake."

"Indeed." Draco said.

"So…I know three of you and everyone knows me," Harry started. "Who are you three?" He motioned to the people who talked to him that he didn't know.

"Pansy Parkinson," The girl introduced.

"Theodore Nott, but prefer to be called Theo." Another male said.

"Blaise Zabini," The dark-skinned male informed.

"A couple others who got sorted in 1991 with us are Daphne Greengrass, just down the table there with her younger sister, Astoria, who is actually two years younger. Then Millicent Bulstrode," Draco pointed to who else he told Harry about. "I'm a prefect this year," He mentioned.

"Ron is one as well," Harry stated. "And Hermione." He remembered Hermione talking about it on the train ride.

"I'm the girl Prefect," Pansy smiled. "So Draco and I can teach you everything you need to know about being in Slytherin. The rules and whatnot."

"Looking forward to it." Harry replied.

The rest of dinner went easy, Harry just hoping to be accepted by the Slytherins. He was by Draco and his friends, but not the rest. And it seemed the other houses were shocked or disgusted at the resorting decision. When the meal ended, the Head Boy and Head Girl of Slytherin, who were seventh years, stood up to lead their house to their common room. It was mostly for the first years who didn't know and Harry, but he knew already and was keeping it to himself. Harry was somewhat glad to be in Slytherin, he'd wondered since second year when a young Voldemort as Tom Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets if the hat was right and he belonged in the snake pit. It would seem the hat also felt the same way all these years and believed Harry belonged there and so has made it happen. For the next three years, Harry would be a Slytherin.

"Slytherins, right this way." Claimed the Head Boy.

Harry walked with Blaise and Theodore since Pansy and Draco were helping the head boy and girl get the students rounded up. Harry worked at memorizing his way to this new common room. As they exited the great hall, Harry followed the Slytherins to the right of the entrance hall staircase and went through a door. Harry descended the stairs into the depths of the castle dungeons and Harry knew that Slytherin was partially under the black lake; he recalled from his second year when he and Ron went as Crabbe and Goyle to interrogate on finding the Heir of Slytherin. Harry wasn't planning on revealing that just yet; he liked having some secrets to tell at random. Harry reached a long wall as the head girl stood before it.

"Pure-Bloods," She spoke softly.

Harry watched as a door appeared and the head boy pulled it open to allow the girl to lead everyone inside. Once all were in, the door shut and everyone was paying attention to the head boy and girl.

"This is the Slytherin House common room. Boy's dorms are up the stairs to your right, and girls, to your left. You will find all your things have already been sent to your dorm. You will only go behind the door to your own year in the dorms and every dorm has access to a small restroom with three toilets and showers." The boy said.

"The password never changes, it's been what it is for years; do not give out the information to anyone outside of your house." The girl informed.

"Our head of house is Professor Snape, the Potions teacher. If you have any problems at all, you will see him. I am head boy, Lucian Bole. And this is head girl, Elina Sayre." Lucian informed.

"Your prefects are Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson." Elina stated.

"And with that said, it is now my duty to welcome you to House Slytherin." Came another voice as everyone looked behind to see Severus Snape there. "I look forward to another year with those of you returning, and also to the ones just joined. If you have any problems, you may come see me after class or in my office, which Mr. Bole and Miss. Sayre will show you later on once you're settled." Severus informed. "Potter…With me. I'd like a word…"

"Yes, sir," Harry replied and walked over to him.

It was a moment later when Severus guided Harry back out of the common room and into the hallway. Harry could only wonder why Severus needed to talk to him, but Harry suspected it was something to do with why Harry was suddenly in Slytherin House.