SHOUTOUTS/ANSWERS
Nanettez: I am aware that in canon Snape wouldn't call Tom Voldemort but as stated in my last author's note, some things will be different than the books. That being said, I have plans for Snape that I can't divulge at this time.
Lalez: I'm sorry that it came across cluttered. It's always hard to know what to add or leave out, but hopefully, it helped to set the scene. I'm glad you liked the insights that I've provided as I have plans for the Malfoys that can't be divulged at this time.
DISCLAIMER
This is inspired by a fic I read a couple of years ago where some Slytherins had fought against Umbridge and Voldemort's forces and the thing that I remember most is that when Umbridge came to power, Blaise (who I seem to recall being a girl in this particular story) and some other Slytherins banded together with the other houses against her, even going as far as to stop each other from placing hexes, curses, and jinxes on Umbridge so that no one would get in trouble. The other thing that I remember is that Snape often told them that they could trust him but they found out that he was actually a Death Eater and had no redemptive arc. If this is your story or you know who wrote it, let me know and I'll give you your proper credit. Belongs to J.K. Rowling. I only own the plot.
As the commotion continued, Albus, Severus, Minerva, Filius, Sybil, and Argus turned and went to the Great Hall to see Rubeus Hagrid leading the first-year students in. immediately, the teachers went to take their places. And another year starts, Severus thought to himself. This was going to be just great. He was not the best with kids he knew this, but he did his best. Well, he supposed that this year would be interesting as Lucius' son Draco was starting his first year. It'll be interesting to see where he gets sorted, he mused. Lucius of course was bragging that he was going to be a Slytherin, just like his relatives before him, but Severus knew that precedent didn't necessarily mean anything when it came to being sorted. While the Hat took a person's feelings into consideration, it ultimately placed you in the house that suited you the best. So again, it would be interesting to see where the boy actually ended up. His eyes then flickered as Albus took his spot at the head of the staff's table and stood up.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. For those who are returning, welcome back. For those who are here for the very first time, welcome and we hope you enjoy your first year here at Hogwarts," he stated and everyone clapped. And an additional announcement, regarding Slytherins. For those who have not yet heard, the Slytherin dorms on the third floor have been flooded in such a way that magic has not been successful in restoring them to their natural state. We are attempting to fix this but we're unsure of how long it may take, therefore, for the time being, all Slytherins have been paired up with other houses in terms of rooms. Please see myself or another teacher for your assigned rooms," he finished.
At this, Minerva stood up and a raggedy brown hat that seemed to have a mouth at its brim appeared in her hands.
"The Sorting Hat. My brothers Fred and George told me about it. It sorts a person into the house that fits them best," Ron whispered to Harry as the woman placed a small brown stool in front of the first years.
"How does it know?" Harry wondered.
"A bit of mindreading if I remember what I read correctly in the book of for the History Of Magic," Hermione replied, betraying the fact that she had overheard the conversation. Harry nodded and focused his attention on the hat that had opened its mouth.
"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 than 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,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make 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!"
Once the Hat's song was done everyone burst into applause and the first-years looked at each other expectantly. Then Professor McGonagall began calling names and once called, the student went up, and after being sorted, went to their respective tables, which Harry and the others learned were Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor.
Draco watched as Vincent and Gregory were sorted into Slytherin. I hope I get there too. Father will be most displeased and disappointed if I'm not, he mused.
"Slytherin?" Ron queried. "My brother Percy says that there hasn't been a witch or wizard that hasn't gone wrong once they're in Slytherin," he commented.
"Well that sounds like a load of rubbish," Hermione stated with a frown. Honestly, judging someone just because of where they came from house-wise, she silently fumed.
"Really," Susan agreed. "It's just a house of Hogwarts like any other. My Aunt Amelia says it's crap like that that gave You-Know-Who the edge he needed to gain followers," she continued.
"Susan Bones," Professor McGonagall called interrupting the conversation and nervously, the girl went up to the stool and sat down.
"Don't be nervous, my dear," the Hat soothingly said in her ear.
"I just don't want to let Aunt Amelia down," Susan replied. She took me in after my parents died and she didn't have to. If I don't get into her house, she'll be so disappointed, she thought to herself.
"Disappointed?" the Hat echoed. "Not at all, my dear. She'll be proud of you no matter what house you're in," he assured and the girl nodded.
"Okay then. Whatever you think is best," she stated.
"Hufflepuff!" the Hat called and grinning, Susan went to sit at the table as the rest of the school clapped. Then it went on down the line.
"Neville Longbottom!" Professor McGonagall summoned and the boy went to the stool, sitting down nervously.
"Oh, you're an easy choice, my boy. You'll flourish quite nicely in Gryffindor!" the Hat exclaimed and the boy quickly went to the table.
"Ron Weasley!" Professor McGonagall called and the boy went to sit on the stool.
"Ah yes. An adventurous spirit, much like your brothers," the Hat mused. Great. Another way I'm being compared to them. Just once I want people to see me for me, the boy moped.
"Make no mistake, my boy, you will make your own mark on the world," came the assurance. "To best do that, better be….Gryffindor!" There were cheers and yells and the boy went to the table where the house was.
"Excellent, Ron!" Ron's older brother, Percy, congratulated him.
"Thanks," Ron said with a grin. Just hope that he doesn't try bossing me around just because we're in the same house, he thought to himself. He didn't need his brother trying to ruin the experience for him.
"Draco Malfoy!" Professor McGonagall yelled and eagerly, Draco went up and sat on the stool. Please let me be in Slytherin. My father expects it and I don't want to embarrass him or Mother. I want them to be proud of me, he pleaded silently.
"Well, well, well. Lucius' son," the boy heard softly in his ear. "Like young Weasley, you want to make your own mark on the world, but at the same time, you want to make your parents proud of you," the Hat noted. At this, Draco's eyes widened. He had just been thinking that! How had the Hat known? Was it as that girl said? The Hat was telepathic? "You are meant for great things, Mr. Malfoy." At this, the boy preened. That was a good thing to hear. "Best way to go about it, is in…Slytherin!" With a grin, Draco hopped off the stool and sauntered over to the Slytherin table, taking a seat, grinning as the house greeted him.
"Great to have you with us," one of the upper classmen, Marcus Flint, told him.
"Violet Morninglight!" Professor McGonagall summoned and the girl nervously approached the stool and sat down, her eyes flickering as the Hat rested on her head. Oooh..what if this is a mistake? What if I'm not a witch? My parents had no knowledge of this world beforehand, she thought to herself.
"Ah, my dear. Don't be nervous," the girl heard in her ear. "There are many that find themselves thrust into this world unawares. Just because you're not born to magical parents that doesn't mean that you won't be a great witch." At this, the girl visibly relaxed. "Now then, down to business. I see a desire and thirst for knowledge. Best be Ravenclaw!" With a smile, Violet hopped down from the stool and went to the table and Harry and Hermione looked at each other, an expression of anxiousness on both children's faces. They were the last two left. Where would they end up? What if they were split?
"Hermione Granger!" Professor McGonagall summoned and the girl went to the stool and sat down, trying not to tremble with nervousness or excitement. I want to be somewhere where I can learn all about Hogwarts and how to be a good and kind witch, she mused.
"Ah, yes. A thirst for knowledge. That would suit you well in Ravenclaw," the Sorting Hat noted. "But you also have a deep devotion to your friends and an adventurous spirit that would suit you well for Gryffindor," it continued. "Hmm….where's the best fit for you, my dear?"
As the Hat pondered, everyone watched and Harry took the time to look around. The Slytherins were apparently discussing things amongst themselves, not even paying attention to the sorting that was going on while those at the Ravenclaw table were watching Hermione and the Hat with rapt attention. Harry's eyes flickered as he looked at them and then turned his attention to the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables who were also talking amongst themselves, but would occasionally turn back to watch Hermione. Poor Hermione. She looks so nervous, Harry thought to himself.
"Gryffindor!" the Hat finally bellowed and with a wide smile, the girl went to sit at the Gryffindor table.
"Harry Potter!" Professor McGonagall called, and almost immediately, the entire hall became silent and turned to the boy who stood up and went to the stool and sat down.
"Harry Potter?"
"Harry Potter is here?" Hearing the not-so-whispered questions, Harry shrank into himself. He hated being noticed.
"Relax, dear boy. They mean you no harm. They're all just merely curious," he heard in his ear. "And where do you best fit?" came the murmur and the boy bit his lip. I hope I'm put somewhere where I won't bother people. I'm no one special and don't want to make waves, Harry thought to himself. "No one special?" the Hat queried, its voice changing to show its disapproval at the thought. "Oh dear boy, you are very special. You have the potential to become one of the greatest wizards in history," the Hat continued and Harry's eyes widened. Was this thing serious? No, it couldn't be! He wasn't anyone special. This was all a dream or a big mistake. Any moment now he would wake up and find himself back in his cupboard under the stairs. His life wasn't meaningful or important. Why were they pretending that it was? The Hat made a noise of discontentment. He didn't like how the boy was viewing himself. He needed someplace that he would learn his worth. "You could fit very well in either Slytherin or Gryffindor, but best be…..GRYFFINDOR!" Harry smiled and went to the table as everyone clapped and cheered. Watching this, the Hat seemed to smirk. This year is going to be very interesting, it thought. The one interesting side effect of the magic within him was that in reading the minds of the kids he sorted, he also sensed the friendships that would be formed, and there had been six students that had caught his attention. He had a feeling that they would become fast friends and very important to the wizarding world, he just didn't know how yet. Maybe he'd never know, but regardless, he had a feeling that the wizarding world wouldn't be the same with them in it.
As Minerva went to say the spell to return the Sorting Hat to the shelf that it usually resided at during the rest of the school year, the Hat made a noise as if clearing its throat.
Oh now you know where you belong
You heard it through the sorting.
And soon the rules of magic,
You will be courting.
Rules and regulations
Parties and friends,
Your new life at Hogwarts
Will soon begin!
But take heed and don't despair!
There is all sorts of magic in the air!
Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor,
And Slytherin, houses in need of unity;
And to be apart would certainly be a pity.
We all make friends have cohorts,
There are witches and wizards
Rich, poor, tall, and short.
And never forget, we are….Hogwarts!"
After finishing, the Hat bowed, seemingly ignoring the surprised and confused stares of the students and faculty.
"Okay then," Professor McGonagall stated and then said the spell for returning things, causing the Hat to disappear as she sat back down at the staff table. I wonder what that was all about, the woman mused. The Sorting Hat usually just stuck to that, sorting. Not that it didn't give advice when asked, but it wasn't usually so spontaneous. Unaware of the woman's thoughts, the students watched as Albus stood up.
"Now that you've had your assigned houses, let me tell you what that entails. Each house is like a family and you're expected to act like such. You will study, eat, and room together, rely on each other for many things," the man said. "But of course, you will learn more about that as the year goes by. With that said, tuck in!" At this, the older students began eating and the new students mimicked the upperclassmen. As they ate, Harry's eyes clouded. Family, the headmaster had said. Would he be expected to wait on his fellow Gryffindors the way that he waited on Dudley and his aunt an uncle? I thought this place was going to be different, he mused. What if he had made a big mistake coming here?