"I knew there was something off about that guy." Ron said, frowning through a mouthful of mashed potatoes and gravy.

Magnus looked down in surprise at his robes, which were now green and silver. He turned to walk back toward the Gryffindor table, but McGonagall put a hand on his shoulder and whispered something to him. A heated debate seemed to ensue, but then Magnus looked at the Gryffindor table, and saw the looks he was getting from many of the students there. His face flushed, and he turned and walked toward the Slytherin table.

The look on Draco's face made Harry want to punch something - ideally, Draco's face. The only empty seat at the Slytherin table was next to Malfoy. Harry was sure this was no accident. The Slytherins crowded around their new member, so Harry couldn't see Magnus' face.

"I can't believe it." he said.

"C'mon mate." Ron said. "You shake hands with a Malfoy, you're a Slytherin. It's not complicated. I mean, you knew Draco was slime the moment you saw him, and you grew up with Muggles!"

"He was just being polite." Hermione said. "Didn't you see the look on his face when Draco introduced himself?"

"Oh, do you fancy him?" Ron said with a guffaw.

Hermione slammed her fork down on the table. "I think it's wonderful that he's so concerned about the Demiguises! We could use more people like him!"

"More Slytherins?" Ron said. "You know what they think of Muggle-borns."

"You don't have to be a Death Eater to be in Slytherin!" Hermione said.

"No, but it helps." Ron said.

"Look, maybe the Sorting Hat made a mistake!" Harry said. "I mean, it was made to sort eleven year olds, right?"

Hermione seemed to latch onto this. "Maybe!" she said. "Maybe we should talk to Professor McGonagall."

"Guys! Guys, wait up!"

Harry turned to see Magnus break away from a knot of Slytherins and dash up to them.

"Hey." he said. "Hey, do you three want to play Quidditch tomorrow?"

Harry honestly had no idea what to say. Ron, unfortunately, did.

"No thanks." he said. "Why don't you borrow a broom from your buddy Malfoy?"

"He's not my-you know what, forget it. Harry, how about it?"

"Er, well…" Harry saw that Ron was shooting daggers at him. "I, err, have a lot of homework, but-"

Magnus looked crestfallen. "Yeah. Yeah, I understand."

"Er, well, I don't really play Quidditch...but if you need help with any of your classes I'd be happy to help." Hermione said.

Magnus brightened at this. "Awesome! I'll hold you to that, you know." he said with a shaky grin. "Well, see you." He turned and followed after Malfoy and the Slytherins.

Hermione turned and shoved Ron in the chest with both hands.

"Why do you have to be so hateful?" she shouted.

Ron regained his balance. "I'm hateful? Hermione, do you remember what Malfoy called you last year?"

"That was Malfoy, mate." Harry said. "C'mon, you're being a bit ridiculous."

"You didn't want to play Quidditch with him either!" Ron said.

"I knew how you'd react if I did." Harry replied hotly.

"Oh, so this is my fault." Ron said.

"Look, I still think the Hat might have made a mistake!"

"Oh, that's a laugh." Ron said. "One of the most powerful artifacts ever, made by all four Founders of Hogwarts, can't handle sorting someone three years older than usual! Yeah, I'm sure that's it."

"Maybe his Sorting took so long because the Hat was trying to choose between Gryffindor and

Slytherin!"

"Oh please. That would never happen."

Harry reeled back as if Ron had slapped him in the face.

"Yeah." he said. "Yeah, you're right, Ron - how could that possibly ever happen?"

"What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?" Ron shouted as Harry turned and stalked away.

"I'm sorry, Potter." said Professor McGonagall. "The Sorting Hat is not in the business of making mistakes. Every child has the right to refuse a house."

"But he's fourteen. Normally Sorting happens at eleven. Maybe-"

"The Hat has sorted older students before." she said, holding up a hand to cut him off. "Might I suggest that it is possible for you to be friends with Mr. Tolby, despite the fact that he is a Slytherin?"

"I know, but what if he tried the Hat again-"

"Absolutely not!" she said. "It would throw the school into chaos. Students would be demanding to be resorted every time they had a conflict with another student in their house, or if they fancied someone in another house. I'm sorry Potter, but Mr. Tolby will remain a Slytherin."

Harry left feeling worse than before. He wasn't sure why Magnus' Sorting had affected him so. The boy had seemed an agreeable sort, but if he was Slytherin, wasn't that the end of the matter?

"Harry!" Sirius' voice shook him out of his reverie. Sirius was in his office, motioning for him to come in.

"Oh, hey Sir-Professor Black." he said, entering and plopping down into the chair on the other side of Sirius' desk.

"We're not in class. Call me Sirius." Sirius said with a wink. "Something on your mind?"

"No." Harry said.

"Should be interesting having an Ilvermorny student at Hogwarts, no?"

"I guess."

"Too bad he's in Slytherin."

"Yeah."

"I noticed he was sitting at the Gryffindor table before he got Sorted. Did you have a chance to get to know him?"

Harry shrugged. "A bit."

"I wonder if he had a House preference. He seemed quite surprised to be put in Slytherin."

"He was hoping for Ravenclaw."

"Ah. And what were you hoping for?"

"Gryffindor." Harry said automatically.

Sirius nodded. "Must have been disappointing."

"Yeah." Harry said, fidgeting in his seat.

"I know inter-House friendships are difficult." Sirius said. "Especially between Slytherin and Gryffindor. But you could still be friends."

"Not according to Ron."

"You're afraid Ron will be angry if you choose to be friends with Mr. Tolby?"

"I know Ron will be angry." Harry said bitterly.

Sirius nodded. "Well, I understand not wanting to risk your relationship with Ron. He's your best mate. Whereas you just met Mr. Tolby today."

Harry said nothing.

"But if he's really your best mate, he'll get over it if you choose to be friends with Magnus. I would also add that Hermione was being quite chatty with him. He might have to learn to deal to get over it regardless of what you decide."

"You think she fancies him?" Harry asked, his head snapping up.

Sirius shrugged. "I'd say there's a good chance."

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well that's just bloody great."

"Something else to consider…" Sirius said. "Malfoy and his goons are doubtlessly going to attempt to sabotage the demiguise colony at some point. It might be useful to have a friend in Slytherin who could give us a heads up before it happens."

"Do you think we can still trust him?" Harry asked.

Sirius pondered this for a moment. "As a professor, I'm supposed to say yes. As a Gryffindor...well, let's just say I'd trust him less than if he had gotten sorted into a different house. But he's our only option."

The next day, Harry saw Magnus in the hallway after Charms and made sure to greet him. Magnus greeted him back with enthusiasm before being surrounded by a swarm of other Slytherins.

"Are you still trying to be friends with that Tolby bloke?" Ron asked with a growl.

"He hasn't done anything to me." Harry said.

"Or you, Ron." said Hermione.

"And, have you considered that Malfoy will probably try to sabotage the Demiguise project?" Harry said. "It'd be nice to have a warning before it happened."

"Well...yeah." Ron said.

"Look, all I'm saying is - let's give him a chance, yeah?" Harry asked.

"I did give him a chance." Ron explained patiently. "That's what the Sorting is. And need I remind you of his deviant views on Quidditch?"

Harry decided not to respond. Ron wouldn't change his mind without hard evidence. It was up to Magnus to provide that.