Hey guys sorry it's been a minute wanted to know how I wanted to approach this chapter plus somethings came up in my life that I needed to address and take care of. SO here it is!

The rest of the train ride was in fact quite nice. Talking to Neville and Susan gave him some relief and they began to inform Hermione on most of the things in the wizarding world that were misunderstood or they even began to revise by her suggestion since this would be the first year that they would actually be okay. Harry was however lost in thought during the revision. One thing plagued his mind more than any other. The Sorting Ceremony.

His father had told him how the sorting was done with the Hogwarts Sorting Cap. He often thought about what it would decide for him. His father had stressed to him that in the end it wouldn't do anything if he got put in a house different from Gryffindor. He had said how one of his closest friends was in Hufflepuff and apparently his mother's best friend until something bad happened between them was a Slytherin too. The only one he had not heard about is Ravenclaw but that's besides the point. He thought about how in his opinion Hermione would probably be a raven, Susan without a doubt was a puff in his mind. Neville was tied in his head. He knew his best friend was loyal to a fault but if he could get over being put down that his family had done to him at a time then he'd have an even shot at not only as a Gryffindor but also a Hufflepuff.

"Harry… Harry!" A voice broke free through his thoughts and he turned looking at Hermione who saw the conflict on his face. "Are you alright?"

Harry blinked as he looked at her before nodding softly. "Yeah I think so sorry I was just lost there for a moment. The sorting ya know?"

Hermione gave a reassuring smile and reached over squeezing his hand. "You'll be alright. If anyone will be alright it's you. But you need to go out with Neville now." Harry raised an eyebrow before seeing Neville gesture to follow him urgently and mouth the words clothes for Hogwarts. Harry's face went red as the realization hit him and he coughed, nodding before following him out.

"Soooo.."

"Shut it Nev."

"Whatever you say Harry." Nev snickered a bit at his friends' continuing red face. "Maybe I should let your dad know." Harry looked at him in horror and began to contemplate what curses he should cast on him.

"I will get you back for this. I hope you know Neville."

"Yup."

"And you have no regrets?"

"Nope."

"Then I state this now, This…Means ...War."

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Potter." Neville grinned at his best friend who's glare had turned into a smirk as a declaration of a prank war was designated here and now. After a moment longer the doors opened and both Susan and Hermione came out in their robes and smiled at the boys.

"Glad to see nothing bad happened when we left you boys alone for a few minutes." Susan teased the duo who looked abashed by her comment before she raised an eyebrow looking between them. "Oh no…. Not again."

"Again?" Hermione looked puzzled by that comment and looked between the boys. "Am I missing something here?"

"Well if you're going to be part of this friend group Hermione you will learn one thing in particular with these two. We just missed the declaration of probably the greatest prank war in Hogwarts history." The boys simply grinned at them as they slipped by them to get themselves dressed. "My recommendation, don't help either side. It's better if they get it out of each other and it's even more incredible seeing how they are inventive."

"Understood ...though maybe we should plan something as payback for if their pranks do affect us." Hermione grinned causing Susan to double take on her.

"You're dangerous. I knew I liked you when Harry introduced you to us."

"Indeed." Hermione grinned before closing her mouth and scowling. "Sorry."

"What's wrong?" Susan raised an eyebrow.

"I….i don't like my teeth… they're too big." Hermione shyly admitted to Susan.

"If you want I could shrink them." Susan began to pull out her wand causing Hermione to shake her head quickly. "Why not?"

"I…I know about the spell but I wanna wait a bit before I resort to it. My parents are dentists and it feels like a slap to the face if I just went and did it. And-"

"Breath Hermione." Susan held her hand up in a way to try and stop her and giggled slightly. "I understand."

"You do?"

"Well not exactly but I understand that it's your choice and I'll honor it." Susan smiled and gently patted her shoulder.

"Thanks Sue." She smiled at her newest friend and turned around as the door opened once again and the boys let the girls back in. The rest of the trip was quite quick and soon they all saw the train station.

"Firs' years! Firs' years!" A voice shouted loud and deep as they exited the train. "This way! Don' worry abou' your trunks! They'll be taken ter the castle fer yeh!"

"Hey Hermione, wanna meet a real BFG?" Harry asked grinning as he took her hand and led her straight to one of his closest friends. "Hagrid!" He jumped up and tackled the giant in a hug.

"Omf" The giant grunted as Harry tackle the giant in the gut. "Oh Hiya there Harry! How was the train ride?"

"Good. I'm really glad to finally be here….er officially." Hagrid laughed and nodded at that.

"So who do we have here?" Hagrid asked leaning down to look at the first years.

"Hi…. I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger."

"Good to meet yeh, I am Rubeus Hagrid. Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts." The almost twelve foot tall half giant, then looked up at all the first years gathering. "Alright, Firs' years come this way. We'll be taking the boats." He turned and led them all towards the boats. "No more than four to a boat!" He shouted out to them. As they all began to load up which was perfect considering the four could hop in together.

Excited chattering in the boats died out as they beheld the enormous glory that was The Hogwarts Castle. The dark sky with the bright moon illuminating one side as the windows glowed in light and their paths gleamed with torches. The mist coming off the lake gives it such an ethereal glimpse. The excited whispers started back up as they entered through the grotto under the school.

"Alrigh' follow me this way to the Great Hall." Hagrid shouted at the kids as the boats docked themselves and began to lead them upward till they stopped before a set of doors and an elderly lady waited for them. "The firs' years Professor McGonagall."

"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here." She nodded to the half giant who continued his way in and to his seat at the staff table. "Welcome to Hogwarts, the start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very Important Ceremony because while you are here, your house will be like your family in Hogwarts. You will have class with them, sleep in the house dormitory, and spend free time in the common room.

There is Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has a noble history with outstanding witches and wizards that are produced. While you are here your triumphs will earn points for your houses, rule breaking will lose those points." Her eyes drifted to Harry briefly who looked away sheepishly, " At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House cup. I hope each and every one of you will be a credit to your houses."

"The Ceremony will commence shortly in front of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can." She glanced around the group. "I will return shortly for you when we are ready, please wait quietly." McGonagall turned around and began to head into the Great Hall. The whispers began amongst them until a voice was heard.

"So it is true, Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." A voice snobbish in definition was heard as a blond haired boy and two kids quite large in size approached the foursome as whispers of the fact the boy-who-lived was at Hogwarts. "This is Crabbe, and Goyle, and I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Neville leaned over and whispered in Harry's ear. "Pureblood families." To which he nodded.

"Heir Malfoy." Harry nodded to him. "This is Susan Bones, and Neville Longbottom, and Hermione Granger." He instantly saw the sneer at the last name.

"I've never heard of a House Granger…must be a muggleborn."

"Actually she is a first generation witch." Harry defended instantly.

"Well…how I see it, Heir Potter…you can be with the wrong sorts by people taking advantage of you… I can show you the right people." His hand stuck out towards Harry who looked down at it for a moment. He looked back up and reached his own hand out shaking it.

"Thank you for the introduction to you and your associates, however I do believe I will be able to decide who the right people are myself. May your school year be good." Harry held Draco's eye for a moment as he felt them both squeezing the grip. Slowly though Harry extradited his hand and extended it to the men behind Draco as well. "I didn't catch your first names gentlemen."

"Vincent." The one previous referred to as Crabbe spoke up taking Harry's hand.

"Gregory." The one known as Goyle said as well sharing the smile that Crabbe had at being acknowledged. Susan, and Neville proceed to shake hands with them as well, they even shook Hermione's ...except Draco who sneered at them when offered their hand.

"I do not shake the hands of blood traitors and Muggleborns." He huffed and turned returning to the spot he came from.

"Serves the git right." A red haired boy near them stated and smiled at Harry and the others. "I'm Ron, Ron Weasley."

"Nice to meet you." Harry smiled with the others before a voice cleared their throat. Everyone turned and saw McGonagall standing before them with a small smile.

"They are ready." She turned and led the assembled first years through the Great Hall that Harry instantly thought was too small of a name for this hall as he looked around at the four long tables leading to the staff table. However, the thing that caught all the children's eyes was the ceiling. The clouded night with the moon peeking through here and there with the stars was simply freeing. As if they could take a deep breath and feel themselves back outside.

McGonagall stopped the group as she walked up to the platform and picked up the hat and sat it on a stool. Everyone stared in confusion until the flaps on it began to move like a 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,

If you've a ready mind,

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!~"

"When I call your name, come up and the Sorting Hat will decide where you shall be placed."

The redhead who had introduced himself earlier shouted. "A HAT?! I was told it was gonna be a troll we had to face!" Harry and the others snickered as they had met and pretty much were sure that was in fact something the twins would do as they heard laughter around the hall.

"Then we shall begin… Abbott, Hannah!" A girl with blond hair moved up to the podium and smiled as she sat the hat on her head.

Harry was about to whisper to Neville if he knew how long it would take until.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The table where people were dressed in yellow shouted and cheered as they gained a new member.

"Bones, Susan!" Susan hugged Harry and Neville before going onto the stool and for a good couple minutes she stayed on the seat as the hat was silent until it moved.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Once again the table cheered and so on it went. And so on it went. The two bigger kids Vincent and Gregory were entered into Slytherin. A few into Ravenclaw and Gryffindor as well until Hermione came up.

"Granger, Hermione." Harry and Neville gave her a reassuring squeeze on her hand as she seemed to freeze for a moment before she walked up. The hat sat upon itself and again a couple minutes began to go by.

"Better be….GRYFFINDOR!" The table of red shouted in full energy at this proclamation. It wasn't long until Neville went up himself.

"Hmmmm…. GRYFFINDOR!" Neville looked at the hat in shock before standing and moving to the table sitting beside Hermione. SHortly after Malfoy came up and the hat didn't even hit his head when it was shouted . "SLYTHERIN!" He looked smug as he moved to his seat at the table of green wearers. Harry could have sworn he heard the redheaded boy say. "Of course he's an evil snake." Causing Harry to scowl slightly at that proclamation before returning to looking to the main stage. Soon enough it came.

"Potter, Harry." As the entire hall began to whisper in surprise and the desire for information Harry approached and sat down on the stool. He had noticed the staff table almost lean in as if they themselves were excited for this news.

"Hmmm Hello, Harry Potter!" Harry jumped slightly as he heard the voice and looked around a bit until realizing. It was the hat. "Yes yes it is I, the Sorting Hat, but you can call me Flopsie." Harry chuckled before shaking his head softly. "Now let's take a look at you. Mmmm Loyalty unlike any other I've seen before, yet a thirst for knowledge as wide as your mother's, but a desire. Mmmm a desire to prove you are more than the tales and stories they do on you. But deeper courage. A Courage to challenge any and all old traditions." Harry groaned slightly as he felt a headache coming on. "Ah forgive me Harry. I'm just trying my darndest to define you….I haven't had this much difficulty since your mother." This caught Harry by surprise. "Yes she was probably one of the only ones to go into a debate with me over what she could do in each… Ah….there it is. I can sense it there. The thing that will help you the most. Being close to your friends. Remember Harry friends can be gained no matter what the house is. And those that are truly loyal will not care for which it is ... .Let your brave heart, cunning skill, loyal soul, and brilliant mind guide you in GRYFFINDOR!"

Harry smiled as he took his seat at the table of Lions and thought about what the hat said as cheers sounded around him.