Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything to do with the Franchise.

A/N Hi everyone please enjoy chapter nine of Two is Better Than One. This will be the last update till the end of June as I will be moving soon, so all my efforts will be on that. Please enjoy and review.

Ravenclaw Tower

While Harry was getting used to the snake pit, Rose was getting to know her new housemates. In all, there were four boys and five girls who had been sorted into Ravenclaw this year. Rose was sharing a room with all four other girls, these were Hermione Granger, Padma Patil, Sue Li, and Lisa Turpin. The girls were seating on the edge of their beds telling each other about themselves. Rose and Hermione had already become friends both being from muggle backgrounds. Rose had learned that Hermione was a muggle-born witch as neither of her parents was magical. She had told Rose about getting her letter and her parents thinking it was just some big prank, but when Professor McGonagall had shown up at her home to take her shopping for school supplies, it had taken the professor several hours to convince her parents that magic was in fact real and that Their daughter was also magical.

Rose had then explained how Harry and herself had rediscovered the magical world, and how their aunt and uncle knew that she and Harry were different and magical but had hidden the truth behind several lies. Rose then spoke of her time in the alley and meeting the Goblins at Gringotts and finally meeting their Godmother in Madame Malkins.

Rose didn't tell Hermoine about the time bubble as Clyde had told them that normally time manipulation wasn't allowed but the Goblins had no problem providing the service long as the witch or wizard could afford the fee. According to Clyde he only four families who might be able to afford the service, they were the Longbottoms, The Blacks, The Bones, and her family The Potters. Those four houses were known as Most Noble and Ancient and had the biggest swing in wizarding politics. Rose hadn't paid much attention after that as it was unlikely she would need to know anymore. After all, Harry was considered the head of the Potter Family he would be the one deal with all the boring stuff.

Both girls had then begun to speculate what their classes would be like. That was all they had time to discuss before the headmaster asked them to leave the Great hall. Rose and the other first-years had then been led by their fifth-year prefect Penelope Clearwater towards one of the towers where Ravenclaws house was situated. instead of a password they had to solve a riddle to enter the common room, it was Rose and Hermione who had worked it out between them.

Now though both girls were meeting their other year mates.

There was Su Lei, a petite Chinese dark-haired beauty who was the House of Lei. As her family roots were considered foreign the House of Lei didn't have a seat on the Wizengamot as the British Magical Government didn't recognize house Lei as important, however, in Magical China the name Lei descended from Chinese emperors and was considered a very famous and prestige house to be part off.

Next was Lisa Turpin. Lisa had light red hair, and blue eyes, she was around 4ft 9 and was also quite pretty. Unlike Su's family, the Turpin family did have a seat on the Wizengamot but it was only a minor seat. Her father and mother worked in the Ministry. Her father in magical transport and, her mother in record keeping. She was a lonely child just like Su Lei

Finally, Padma introduced herself, she was a daughter of the House of Patil again due to their foreign routes they were looked down on by the British Ministry but in India where the house of Patil was born, they were quite famous especially in the fact of their skills as merchants and dealing in potion ingredients. They were able to get their hands on the rarest items no one knew how they did it, but it was a family secret. Padma then told her new roommates about her sister Parvarti who had been sorted into Gryffindor, due to always rushing in headfirst to a situation where Padma took the more cautious approach thinking about what consequences her actions could cause and was the best way to resolve the issue with as little conflict as possible.

Not long after the prefect came around calling for lights out, Rose slid under her quilt with Tigger who cuddles up next to her. Rose laid awake worried about Harry and hoping he was okay in the snake pit.

Meanwhile, in his tower, Dumbledore was pacing back and forth his enslaved familiar following his every step. Fawkes knew the man was plotting against the Potter twins, he had tried to use his influence over the sorting hat to make sure the Potter twins were placed where he wanted, actually, the old man didn't care about the girl only the boy interested him. Fawkes had been enslaved to this human for over 70 years he had witnessed the rise and fall of young Tom Riddle, how the headmaster molded the poor child into a dark Lord so that he could conquer. Fawkes witnessed many of the lessons the old man taught the boy and the more he learned the more twisted the boy became. The old man had been hoping he could do the same to the Potter boy and had deliberately left the children in hands of humans who despised magic and who would do everything in their power to make sure the children knew nothing of their heritage or being magical.

Fawkes had been present when the old man had met Hagrid. The old fool had wanted the kind-hearted giant to meet the Potter twins and take them shopping for their school supplies thank goodness someone else had stepped in, someone who had a history with the child's parents and would immediately recognize the signs of neglect. Although the kind-hearted giant was a pure soul and a kind being, He was quite clueless in other matters he wouldn't have even noticed the twins' silent cry for help. The old man had even set up a meeting between a goblin he had bribed and the Potter twins, so no questions were asked and they would immediately be taken to their vaults. This was the old man's second mistake the goblin on duty hadn't been the one Dumbledore bribed and had taken the twins to see the one person Dumbledore didn't want them anywhere near.

The old phoenix and silently chuckled to itself at the dressing down the stern but the fair witch had given the old man, the final nail in the old fools coffin had been the fact the twins had met their Godmother and now both twins was staying with someone the old fool had tried to keep away from the twins. Even having the Potter's parents' wills sealed couldn't stop fate messing with the old man's great scheme. The boy was powerful now and was also a Lord of one of the founder's houses of this school. The old man's plan was in tatters and the Pheonix couldn't help thrill in laughter.

Albus turned to look at the Phoenix in the corner his eyes narrowed, his wand swished casting a silencing charm on the blasted bird. Meanwhile, his eyes trialed towards the tatty old hat on the shelf. How the old fool wanted to burn the ancient relic to ash, but it was protected by Hogwarts herself. Albus had been aware that the school was actually sentinel when he had taken over as headmaster. Hogwarts had seen the man's heart and she wasn't happy for someone like that to be in charge of her. So the old man had bound the school under different enchantments with the help of the elder wand it had been no issue. He had disabled all the safety wards the founders had erected to protect the students. He knew what the oldest students got up to and didn't care any who bought a complaint against him or the professors were obliviated and sent on their way. Albus saw everyone as a pawn even the professors of this school were his playthings. Unfortunately, one of those pawns had tried to gain promotion on the board and was now being spiked loyalty potion in her goblet at every meal.

If only she had stayed out of his business then the boy would have arrived weak and nieve easily mouldable. He would have met the young Ronald who would have turned his opinion against the Slytherin preventing the boy from ever wanting to go there. He would have opted for Gryffindor afraid to be away from his new friend Ronald. Albus had much influence over the Weasley family they were blind and naive believed they were following a Lord of the light. That is how Dumbledore wanted all his pawn oblivious and nieve sheep that would follow their Shepard to the slaughterhouse no question asked.

The old wizard felt his ward tripped and moved behind his desk before taking a seat, his spy was arriving with the latest news on the blasted boy. Albus heard the knock on the door,

"Enter Severus"

Severus entered the room closing the door behind him he took a seat opposite the old man who offered him a bowl of lemon drops. Severus refused he knew the sweets were laced with truth serum so that any who took one couldn't lie to the headmaster.

Albus placed the bowl back in his drawer, "Well Severus tell me about the boy, I do hope he settled into his new house without any issues"

Severus crossed his arms against his chest, "The boy Albus has already made his move in the house. I was informed that he has already disbanded the council of seven as you know a tradition that has been part of Slytherin's house since the Dark Lord walked these halls. The boy is a parcelmouth and has a snake as his familiar this alone has helped him establish his claim of being Lord Slytherin. The boy is far from what you expected Albus he smart, cunning, and above all else not afraid to ask questions. Lord Greengrass has coached the boy well I am afraid to say."

"More importantly there is no arrogance or believing he better than anyone else he is humble and the only similarities I can see between him and his father is the looks. He very much like Lily in all other aspects of his personality. He has grown quite fond of Miss Greengrass and asked that she was allowed to accompany him to see me. Also, the boy has basic mental shields again no doubt the influence of Lord Greengrass. Miss Greengrass also has them."

Albus was furious the boy wasn't anything like he was hoping he would have to think of a way to bring the brat to heel and quickly. " Severus you are to make the boy life hell isolate him from his house by deducted points anything that might turn the boy back to me. Is that understood!"

Severus lowered his head so the old fool couldn't see his grin, he wasn't going to do what the old man asked, He would help the boy in any way he could. However, to keep up a facade his replied to the headmaster.

"Of course headmaster, I will now take my leave." Severus hurried out of the door and closed it behind himself leaving the old man to come up with a new scheme once the boy was back under his thumb.

Next Morning Slytherin house

Harry woke from his sleep used his wand to cast the tempus charm. it was 6.30 am Harry wondered if Daphne was up yet. If not then he would use the bathroom first. Rex was coiled up at the bottom of his bed and Hedwig was asleep on her perch. Harry walked across the room and opened the door. he had grabbed his towel and wash bag from his trunk. luckily the bathroom was free and he slipped in casting the locking charm on the door.

30 minutes later Harry was in the common room, he had taken a seat in one of the large green plush chairs by the fireplace, he was reading a text book while his bag was placed by the leg of his chair, Rex had already returned to his tattoo form. Harry was disturbed by the sound of someone calling his voice,

"Potter!"

Harry looked up to see Theodore Nott and Blaize Zabini was standing in front of him he closed his book, he had quickly learned that most in this house referred to each other by their last names unless the person was on familiar terms with each other. Harry didn't actually know these boys personally only what Daphne had told him. So he decided to address them in the same manner.

"Nott, Zabini what can I do for both of you?"

Nott took a seat opposite Harry. " We were just wondering what happened to you and Daphne last night, you went down that corridor and just vanished. The seventh-year who you socially castrated last night tried to follow but was bounced back. By the way, nice play that Potter."

Zabini added his two cents worth. "I say, from what I got the jest of from the reaction of the room last night no one dared stand up to one of the seven and you literally removed his authority in the blink of an eye. I have to admit I like many was surprised you were a parcelmouth."

Harry grinned. "Lord Greengrass taught me not to show weakness and said I should assert my dominance early as Lord Slytherin, As for where i and miss Greengrass was last night. Well, Slytherin quarters have their own private rooms but can only be accessed by those who kiss the Slytherin ring and swear allegiance to Lord Slytherin. Miss Greengrass eventually wants the children of all the neutral families to move in she said it would send a powerful message."

Nott Grinned. "I say it would, The Most Ancient Noble House of Slytherin and The Most Ancient Noble House of Potter supporting the neutral faction would send shockwaves through the house and the Wizengamot. Dad said I should stick by you and support you where I can, and I have to say he is right."

Harry smirked. "So I guess you will be kissing this ring and swearing allegiance to me. If you do that then you can be permitted inside Slytherin's private quarters plus you will both get your own room."

Blaise's eyes widened. "Really you get your own room that crazy, we have to share with Draco, Crabb, and Goyle. And let me tell you I had to use several freshening charms last night. I don't know what Crabb had eaten but damn he stunk."

"I see you three are getting on." The boys hadn't noticed Tracey and Pansy creep up on them, Harry where Daphne?"

Nott whistled in a teasing manner "On first name terms with Potter already Tracey that was quick."

Tracey rolled her eyes in annoyance she didn't like addressing others by their surnames, she personally thought it was rude but her father had told her unless you are familiar with someone then you use their last name.

"Actually Theo Harry gave me permission to call him by his first name when we boarded the Hogwarts express I shared a compartment with him, his sister, and Daphne and Samuel. Anyway where Daphne Harry? Pansy and I were expecting her to sleep in the dorms last night."

So Harry told Tracey about the private quarters and how he and Daphne had their own rooms and how Daphne heard a plan for all of them to move in soon.

"I will have to write home to my father to get permission but seeing how I will be supporting Lord Slytherin I don't think there will be an issue. ahh, here she is now sleeping beauty what time you call this Daph its nearly 7.30 am. The lesson starts in an hour."

Daphne was dressed in her school uniform with her bag over her shoulder. "I was waiting for Harry I heard him finish in the bathroom and thought he might have waited for me" Daphne's eyes narrowed dangerously at Harry, who had the brains to stick his nose inside his textbook over the years he had seen the expression many times before and it always ended him up on the end of her stinging hexes. Luckily she hadn't gone for her wand.

Harry apologized and promised he would wait in the future, it was also decided that Tracey, Theo, Blaise, and Pansy would write home to their parents asking if they could swear allegiance to Lord Slytherin and enter his private areas of Slytherin house.

All first-year was to meet up in the common room at 7.45 am where their prefects would lead them to breakfast in the Great hall. Harry filed in with his newest friends and followed the Prefect out of the common room and towards the Great Hall. On entering Harry saw his sister and left his house group and kissed her on the cheek.

"Morning sis, let's meet up after classes finish and we can compare lessons."

Rose appreciated the small gesture she was worried that Harry would let house rivalry separate them, but her fears were unfounded, both decided to meet outside in the front courtyard after school. Harry then shook Samuel's hand and followed the rest of his housemates to Slytherin's house.

Professor Flitwick smiled from his place at the staff table. "Five points to Slytherin house for having the courage to cross the house divide."

Harry acknowledge the small professor with thanks and then took a seat at Slytherin's table his first house points for Slytherin's house. However, a few of the sixth and seventh years gave him filthy looks, which he ignored and started to put food on his plate. After breakfast, they were handed out their school timetables by their head of house. It seems the first lesson was potions with Gryffindor. Harry looked over to the table of Lions and his eyes fell on Neville Longbottom, Clyde had told him he should try to make friends and allies in all the houses. He would start with Neville and then move onto Susan in Hufflepuff. Gryffindor was going to be the hardest to work with due to the history between Slytherin's house and Gryffindor's house. However, Harry wasn't going to let that stand in his way.

Harry and the other first years Slytherin was lined up against the wall waiting to enter the class when the first-year Gryffindors turned up being lead by a tall redhead who Harry remembered seeing on the Hogwarts express Ron Weasley if he remembered correctly from the sorting. Harry noticed Neville was at the back however he eyes narrowed as Ron began to talk.

"A Potter in house Slytherin, it's not right, those snakes must have a put a spell on you when you were on the train, by the way, why did you ignore me when I saw you yesterday and asked if you were Harry Potter?"

Harry stepped up to the redhead, Firstly Mr. Weasley the reason I am in Slytherin's house is because of being Lord Slytherin, with the title I had to be sorted in Slytherin's house, also those you call snakes are my friends who I have known a lot longer than you. lastly, the way you budged into our compartment yesterday and rudely interrupted us. I didn't feel the need to tell you I was, after all, I doubt you searched me out on your own accord. I heard you whisper about losing gold. So Mr. Weasley who was bribing you to find me on the train yesterday?"

Ron's eyes widened, he had thought no one could hear him, however, Harry had he would have to retreat and try to come up with another way to make friends with Harry after all his wish of owning a Nimbus 2000 depended on it. Just then the door opened to reveal Professor Snape.

"All of you inside, stand behind a bench take out your equipment but don't touch anything." Severus stepped out of the doorway and allowed the first years to file into the classroom, however, he was surprised to see Harry make his way across the classroom towards the side of the Gryffindors.

Harry noticed Neville was on his on so moved up a Longside the shy first year, "Hi Neville mind if I stand here with you."

Neville was surprised, "How did you know my name?"

Harry grinned. " Easy I remembered it from the sorting also I understand that the Potter and Longbottoms have been strong allies for countless centuries. I wanted to try to continue that tradition if you will let me try."

Neville looked across at the Snakes only a few were glaring, "Are you sure you want to stand next to me after all Snakes and Lions don't normally mix"

Harry waved off the comment. "Honestly house divides mean little to me, were all first years, I don't see it matters what house we're in."

Neville smiled he was pleased that Harry was speaking to him, his gran had told him that he should try to make friends with Harry after all it was true the Potters and Longbottoms were allies, he had thought with Harry being sorted into Slytherin then becoming friends would be harder, but seems Harry was proving him wrong.

Severus had watched the exchange it was unheard of for a Slytherin and Gryffindor to sit together in his class, however, he knew from history about the Potter and Longbottom alliance, and assumed this was more of Lord Greengrass influence, Severus had noticed Weasley was about to say something but holding his tongue.

"Good Morning class my name is Professor Snape and I will be instructing you in the art of potion-making for the next five years. only those who achieve an outstanding in their OWLS will be permitted to go to their sixth years and seventh years NEWTS

Now many of the potions will be looking at this year if not made correctly could cause you injury, so it is important you follow instructions correctly. I expect nothing but perfection in my class so please remember that. Our first potion is a simple boil cure potion, however before we begin let us see how much you actually know.

Mr. Potter, tell me what would I get if I added powder root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?

Harry replied confidently. They would create a sleeping draught sir called Draught of the living death."

Severus smirked the boy had memorized the answers "That is correct Mr. Potter, Where would you find a bezoar, and what is it used for?

Harry again answered without hesitation. "In the stomach of a goat sir, the stone is used to cure most poisons."

Severus was pleased, it was a shame he couldn't give Harry points otherwise the old man would be onto him. "Correct again Mr. Potter, and finally What is the difference between monkswood and wolfbane?

Again Harry answered, "No difference sir they both are the same plant which goes by another name Aconite."

Severus' eyes widen a little that hadn't been on the parchment that he had given the boy clearly the boy had read in advance. "Excellent Mr. Potter, now the instruction are on the board you may work in pairs if you so wish. Begin you have one hour."

Harry was pleased he had stood with Neville several times the Gryffindor first year had nearly mucked up the potion, it was clear Professor Snape looking in on what they were all doing was having an effect on Neville. Eventually, they bottled up a sample and presented it.

Unfortunately, Ron and another boy called Seamus had melted their cauldron and had forced professor Snape to banish their equipment and give them a T for their efforts.

"Class dismissed please write a three-foot of parchment on the various ingredients needed to make this potion correctly and instruction how you carried out each part of the brewing process."

Harry said bye to Neville and promised they would meet up later. He then joined his other housemates, their next class was charms with the Ravenclaws.