Prologue
Harry is excited to get to a new school away from the Dursley family. He's escaping from a harsh life and coming to a magical place. Hogwarts looks so huge, and the sky is so cool to see in the Great Hall. Of course, hearing what his new friend Ron Weasley tells him about having to wrestle trolls makes him nervous—until he sees a hat on a stool.
An old, worn hat starts singing a song that explains what the houses are. So far, everything seems great until his name is called.
Harry notices everyone in the hall looking at him while the Sorting Hat is placed on his head.
He is surprised when he hears the Sorting Hat's voice telling him he has a thirst to prove himself.
"Ah, it's all in your head. Plenty of courage, and even a thirst to prove yourself. I see it..."
"Not Slytherin," Harry thinks. He recalls what Ron told him: that not a single witch or wizard who went bad wasn't in Slytherin.
The Sorting Hat chuckles after hearing Harry's thoughts. "Are you sure? I can see how Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness. You have it there—the drive, the wit—and greatness awaits you. You'll do well there. And find a home."
Harry wonders if this is what he wants. He wants to know what a home is. And he wants friends—friends who will want to be friends with just Harry, not the famous Harry Potter, because he's not sure what it means to be "famous." He doesn't want fame. But he wants to belong. Harry doesn't see himself as brave. He thinks: What if the Hat is right? What if he needs more courage to help face what he needs to face in the wizarding world?
The Hat decides after hearing Harry's thoughts of wanting to belong and says, "Better be...Slytherin!"
The room falls silent. Harry heart drops. He feels sweaty and scared. Why is there no applause?
He notices that not many people applaud for him until he walks toward the Slytherin table. He feels like everyone is watching him, sizing him up like he's some kind of specimen as if he's a bug. He sees Draco Malfoy smirking, which he doesn't enjoy, but he sees some people clapping—and some people at the table looking at him with surprise or calculating expressions.
His heart sinks, and he wonders if this was a mistake in the first place.
He doesn't notice the reactions at the staff table. He doesn't see Severus Snape narrowing his dark eyes, leaning back in his chair, and wondering what in the world happened to make James and Lily's son be sorted into his house.