As Harry was getting situated to tell the story, Poppy had gone off to her office to get some more work done while Filius and Pamona decided they were not needed for the story and departed the hospital wing. Severus was staying to hear what would happen, but he'd sent Draco and the others back to their common room with a promise of informing them of what took place.
Minerva was obviously there because Ron, Seamus, and Dean, along with Hermione and Harry were in Gryffindor house. Albus's reasoning was pretty straight forward; he had to set the punishment. Sirius and Remus had left, but Harry promised to update them soon. Poppy had released Harry from the hospital wing and everyone ended up in Albus's office to have this talk.
"Whenever you're ready, Harry?" Albus urged calmly.
Harry sighed and revealed to Albus, and those standing there around in the office of what happened when he arrived at Gryffindor tower, accounting for things said and the attack itself. When finished, Minerva got Harry a cup of water. "That's everything, Professor Dumbledore." Harry stated.
"I'm disappointed." Minerva had her arms folded.
"I'm disgusted." Severus scoffed. "I trust they'll be punished harshly?"
"It was completely uncalled for." Minerva said. "You three have no authority to throw someone out of the tower. And no one has the power to take someone out of their chosen house."
"Professor, he doesn't even want to be a Gryffindor!" Ron argued.
"Yeah, he told us the hat wanted him in Slytherin!" Seamus agreed.
"It doesn't matter as the hat chose Gryffindor." Hermione silenced them. "It's been proven Harry is a true Gryffindor, right, Professor Dumbledore?"
"Actually, Harry and I discussed that while he does have many qualities of a Gryffindor; he has just as many to also be a Slytherin." Albus informed.
"But in second year, Harry was able to pull the sword of Gryffindor. You told him only a true Gryffindor could have done that." Hermione said.
"But it does not erase what I previously said, Miss. Granger. Yes, being able to summon the sword and wield it marks your nature to represent Gryffindor…However, it means that Harry does indeed have true Gryffindor traits within him. It doesn't necessarily mean he is solely cemented to be a full Gryffindor." Albus remarked as Hermione shut her mouth. "Harry, can you recant what the hat told you during first year?"
"Not off memory, sir," Harry replied.
"I can!" The hat spoke from the shelf behind Albus's desk. "Hmm, difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes. And a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you? Then he said; Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin. I asked, not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head."
"And Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, there's no doubt about that. No? Again, he asked to not be placed there so I told him, well if you're sure, better be Gryffindor! And I only put him there because it's where his parents, godfather, and unofficial uncle had been. He certainly didn't fit Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw." The hat informed.
"Any particular reason you refused my house, Potter?" Severus inquired.
"I…Had met Draco on the stairs before the sorting and he came off rather arrogant and stuck up. At the time…I'd become friends with Ron and Draco insulted him, so I refused his friendship when offered. Ron told me in the hall as we waited to be sorted that there hadn't been a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin. I suppose I just…Deflected from the idea of being put there." Harry shrugged. "You didn't help my wondering if I shouldn't have fought the hat with how you acted towards me, Professor…"
"I suppose," Severus replied. "It was unfair of me to give you a hard time because of your father and godfather's antics during our student years."
"As overjoyed I am at you two working out your differences, we have a situation to remedy." Albus said.
"Would you fight the hat, Harry, if you could go back and be sorted again?" Minerva asked.
"If I went back? No, I don't think I would…" Harry admitted.
"See, doesn't wanna be a lion anymore." Dean said.
"Nobody said that!" Harry glared. "I just said I wouldn't fight that hat's choice. Hell, I didn't even know you could. I thought it put you where it felt you'd do best and a mere eleven year old's wants would be ignored."
"That is supposed to be the way it goes, but obviously…The hat takes your decision into account. We all learned something new tonight." Minerva remarked. "Now, Albus…Can we get on with the punishment?"
"Yes," Albus nodded. "I believe it's only fair to not only take points, but also assign detention."
"I don't think that's enough to account for what was done to Potter," Severus said.
"I agree with Severus," Minerva remarked. "You heard Madam Pomfrey tonight; Harry could have been seriously injured if he'd been unable to react from being stunned to throw up a barrier to take the cutting curse down from serious to minor…"
"Then I believe I will assign several detentions, take points…And revoke your Hogsmead visits the rest of the year." Albus informed.
"What?!" The three yelled.
"Be lucky this is all I'm doing when I have the right to suspend you." Albus said calmly.
"I still would." Severus scoffed.
"Severus…" Albus put up a hand for him to stop. "All three of you will be deducted fifty points for your uncalled and dangerous attack on Mr. Potter. And the rest of your house, forgive me, Minerva and you, Harry, for turning on a fellow housemate, will lose five points. From each student in Gryffindor at present, except Harry himself."
"That's…We'll lose everything." Ron argued.
"Do you believe you deserve to win the house cup when you've, as a house, turned your backs on one of your own?" Albus inquired. "Your triumphs will win you points, and rule-breaking will cost you points. It is meant to be a team-building exercise. Working together to ensure everyone within your house works together to win. You've cast one of your own aside for something he did not do. It is still early in the year, perhaps you can redeem yourselves and win points back…" He said. "As for detentions, you will serve two nights a week for the next three months and to add to the punishment list; I'm revoking your privileges to go to Hogsmead for the rest of this school year."
The males' mouths hung open. "You can't do that!"
"I can and I am, or would you prefer suspension?" Albus stared at them. "I will be writing to your families as well. I advise you to take this chance to do better…I am not convinced you should even be allowed your wands unless you're in classes." The males shut up. "That will be your next step if there are any more problems."
"Yes, sir," The males replied.
"Now, I believe it's time for you five to return to Gryffindor Tower. It's quite late." Albus said.
"Just a moment, Headmaster…" Severus interjected. "Is it safe for Potter to return to the tower?"
"There won't be any more problems." Minerva informed.
"You cannot be assured of that, Minerva. They turned their backs on Potter the moment his name was called from the goblet…This may be the first time there's been a physical attack against Mr. Potter, but…I'm sure there have been plenty of other mishaps within the house. If Potter cares to confirm?" Severus looked at him.
"The shoving, the dirty looks, the comments…The overwhelming feeling of being unwanted. I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall…" Harry said as Minerva looked at him softly, maybe sadly. "If your house is supposed to be…Your home while we're here, I don't feel at home anymore. I don't feel at home, and I don't feel safe. I'm already constantly looking over my shoulder for Voldemort…I shouldn't have to do it with the people who are supposed to be family." He admitted.
"I've been miserable since, enough that just a month after being told I have to compete; I'd lost the people I saw as family, I was done and asking myself if competing to save my magic was worth it. If I should just give up fighting because Voldemort wants me dead anyway. If any of them would give a damn if they woke up one day and learned I was dead." Harry paused.
"The boy who lives takes his own life because of things he couldn't control. That's where my head has been for weeks. And not a single person noticed. Not a single person cared. And the only one who actually did something was someone I'd been considering an enemy for the last three years." He confessed.
"We've all asked if you're alright," Minerva told him.
"But did anyone do anything? Sure, anyone can ask…Draco was the only one who took action. Who made me talk, who made me want to come down from that ledge. He didn't just see how miserable I was, he did something to change it. The person I saw as an enemy did something, a student…A boy my own age. I don't know about anyone else, but that's pretty sad to know and it's half the reason I still feel the way I do." Harry stated.
"But Draco, and the rest of Slytherin, have also made me want to keep fighting. They've given me their support, their loyalty, their friendship. They've surrounded me like a protective shield just so I won't ever feel alone. The only reason I haven't tried to kill myself again, with plenty of opportunity to cause no one else knew or noticed, is because of them." The teenager mentioned.
"The people I know care and have proven that they do. Not saying you teachers don't. Not saying my godfather or uncle don't. But no one else except Slytherin has been showing me that they'll do anything to keep me here because they don't want to lose me." Harry continued calmly.
He paused now. "Gryffindor isn't home to me anymore, and I refuse to stay in a place that's not home. I won't be surrounded by lying, traitorous people. They are the reason I got as low as I did. I won't go back to them. I won't go back to Gryffindor Tower." Harry said firmly. "I don't care if I was sorted there, I won't stay. I'd rather be dead, and that's being truthful. If you put me back in that tower with them then you're enabling the problem and my depression, and mark my words…They've shown their true colors, it's not gonna stop."
"In all this revealing of how they made me feel, they only look angry that they got caught and hate me more. I can feel it. So I won't go back. Don't make me…Or here's your warning now, I swear to Merlin that you will find me at the base of the Astronomy tower tomorrow morning and I will be dead. I will not deal with it, I shouldn't have to feel like the people who are supposed to be my family are the people I want to get away from badly enough that death looks like my only option. You don't want me to feel this way, give me another option." Harry revealed truthfully.
"A fair request." Severus said. "I understand he issued a suicide warning," He added upon getting several worried looks. "But he's right. If you're going to put him back in the place that's causing his fragile mental state to be fragile, then you're only making the problem worse. And those who feel like there's no way out make their own exit, even if it's from life itself. Those suffering from depression are supposed to be going in the direction of healing, coping…Not backwards into the problems causing everything. I agree with Potter that he shouldn't return to Gryffindor Tower."
"That's his house," Albus sighed. "There's nothing I can do…There are things in this school I can't change. A student is to remain in their house from their sorting to their graduation. I do not have the power to alter such laws. There's nowhere else to put him. It's not as if there are spare bedrooms lying about the castle." Albus informed. "Harry, I'm sorry. Even if it's just to sleep there, you have to stay in-,"
"No, he does not." Spoke the sorting hat's voice. "You may not have the power to change the housing assignments, but I do." It added. "I choose where the students go, I have the power to change them. And by all rights, Harry Potter is not in the house I selected for him. He's in the one he subconsciously chose because his friends, at the time, were there. I said Gryffindor because those are the only other traits he has. None of Ravenclaw, not Hufflepuff."
"Sorting hat, what are you saying?" Minerva asked.
"I said it first year, and second…My decision has not wavered. There's only one place he can go to ensure he has everything he needs, the place he'll be truly great and himself. The place that has already taken him in as their own. So I'm going to do something I never have before, but the only one with the power to do." The hat informed as eyes began to widen. "Harry Potter, you are hereby resorted to Slytherin House." The hat announced.
"WHAT?" Hermione, Ron, Seamus, and Dean yelled.
"Resorted?" Minerva went stiff with shock. "H-he can't leave Gryffindor. I understand not…Wanting to be in the tower anymore, but…He's also Gryffindor's seeker."
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall…" Harry couldn't meet her eyes. "Thank you," Harry told the hat, who nodded to him.
"I expect great things from you, Mr. Potter," The hat informed. "Now that you are where you truly belong."
"And with that, it's quite late." Severus stood next to Harry. "Come along, Mr. Potter…Time to join the rest of your house."
"I need my things from Gryffindor Tower, sir," Harry informed.
"I will take care of that." Albus assured. "Your things will be in Slytherin boy's dormitories for the fourth years by the time you and Severus arrive."
"Thank you, Headmaster." Harry said to the man.
"Harry…" Minerva looked like she might cry.
"I'm sure I've disappointed you, but…I have to do what's best for me. And…Gryffindor isn't that anymore. It used to be…It honestly did. But now…It just hurts and…I don't want to hurt anymore. I want to stop feeling like everything is my fault there, like I'm some kind of enemy to the other lions. I hope you'll forgive me one day, Professor McGonagall." Harry told her.
"Oh, Potter…I'm not disappointed in you at all, dear boy." Minerva put a hand on his shoulder. "I am extremely disappointed with my house, and also ashamed. I am sad to see you go, but I am happy that it means you will be alright." She assured. "You will always be a lion to me and it still shows that you have it inside."
"It took courage to admit how you truly feel because not many would openly admit such. You're bold and very brave, Harry. I will miss you in my house and I may not be your head of house anymore…But you can still come to me if you need anything, I am still both your teacher for Transfiguration and the Deputy Headmistress of this school."
"Thank you, Professor." Harry replied, then he looked over to Severus. "I'm ready, sir."
"Then we leave for the dungeons." Severus nodded as he led Harry out of Albus's office and they moved down the spiral stairs and through the halls, which were quiet due to what time it was. Nearly 11:30 pm. "Now, Potter…It's late and I don't want to keep you up later, but be your warning now that I run a very strict house. I expect you to behave the same as the others."
"Draco and the others have told me how things are in Slytherin, Professor. And I've admitted to them that I wish it was like that in Gryffindor, there'd have been less problems. You don't have to worry," Harry promised. "I won't cause any trouble in your house, sir."
"Excellent, then you and I should get along…Better." Severus said. "We will discuss more in depth about things in my house tomorrow, or the weekend. It's not just about house rules, Potter. I am your teacher and head of house, we'll be having a talk about your depression. The welfare of my snakes is a priority to me."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied calmly, then a yawn escaped.
Soon, they got to the dungeons and Severus stood before the wall. "Pure Blood." Severus spoke clearly. The wall shifted to reveal the door to the Slytherin Common Room. "I'll enter first." Harry nodded as Severus opened the door and walked in; Harry kept hidden behind the man.
"Uncle Severus!" Draco was first off the couch. "How is Harry? We know we're awake still, and not in our dorms but the rules don't say we have to be. Just in our common rooms by curfew…Please, how is Harry?" It seemed everyone was still awake and sitting around for news on how Harry was.
Severus stared at them sternly for a moment, then gave a small, barely noticeable smile. "How about you ask him yourselves?" Severus stepped aside and revealed Harry to them.
"HARRY!" The room cheered, but was also in shock.
"Wait a second…Why is…Harry in here? He's a Gryffindor, in the Slytherin common room. Surely, there's rules against that?" Pansy was first to speak up.
"You are indeed correct, Miss. Parkinson. A Gryffindor would not be allowed into another house's common room…" Severus agreed as he waved his wand down the front of Harry's figure, allowing the Gryffindor patch to change to Slytherin, and then the gold and red tie shifted to silver and green. "But a Slytherin can enter their own common room."
It took a minute to process, but soon, the looks of shocks showed. "Harry is…A Slytherin?" Draco asked.
"As of tonight, Harry Potter has been resorted into Slytherin House." Severus announced.