Harry avoids Ron and instead befriends Hermione and Neville on the train, impressing them with his knowledge and magical skills. Upon arriving at Hogwarts, he is sorted into Slytherin, shocking everyone. He navigates Slytherin politics carefully, keeping a neutral stance with Draco Malfoy while maintaining his friendships with Hermione and Neville in secret. He handles Snape's hostility with calm indifference and focuses on honing his magical abilities. As he settles into his new life, he feels the lingering presence of Tom Riddle in his mind, reminding him of the challenges ahead.

--

The first day of September arrived, and Harry was ready. Wearing plain black robes, he made his way to King's Cross Station alone, slipping into the crowd with practiced ease. His green eyes flicked between people, noting faces he might have remembered, yet felt distant. He passed families exchanging hugs and laughter as they loaded their children onto the Hogwarts Express. He felt the tug of recognition when he spotted the Weasleys—a tall, gangly boy with a shock of red hair nervously glancing around, his mother bustling beside him.

But Harry looked away quickly, slipping past before anyone could notice him. This time, he reminded himself, things would be different. His heart pounded with anticipation and, if he was honest, a hint of nervousness. He knew what he was about to face, but the rules had changed.

As he made his way onto the train, he found an empty compartment and settled into it, staring out the window. He reminded himself of the changes he'd made already: he'd hidden his name from the Dursleys and dealt with them more decisively, secured his funds in Gringotts, and avoided detection from the wizarding world. But here, at Hogwarts, he couldn't afford to stay hidden. He would need allies, people who might help him navigate the treacherous waters he was certain lay ahead.

The compartment door slid open, and a young girl with a cascade of bushy brown hair and an air of nervous determination stepped in. "Hi," she said, her voice bright and clear. "Do you mind if I sit here?"

Harry studied her for a moment. She was different from the people he usually connected with, a spark of curiosity and intelligence glimmering in her eyes.

"Sure," he replied quietly.

She beamed, settling into the seat across from him, already pulling out her copy of Hogwarts: A History. "My name's Hermione Granger. Are you excited about Hogwarts?"

Harry's lips twitched into a slight smile. "I think I'm more… interested. I've heard a lot of things, but I don't know what's true."

"Oh, you're going to love it! It's supposed to be an incredible place. Magic, of course, but also history, and a chance to learn everything!" She was practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

Her energy was infectious, and Harry found himself listening to her rattle off facts about Hogwarts, spells, and magical creatures. It wasn't long before they were joined by a boy with a round face and an anxious demeanor. He introduced himself as Neville Longbottom, and the three of them quickly fell into conversation. Neville mentioned his forgetfulness, and Harry noticed the way his hand strayed to his robe pocket, as though checking for something.

"Are you missing something?" Harry asked, catching the flicker of concern on Neville's face.

Neville sighed, nodding. "Yeah, my toad. Trevor keeps wandering off, and I'm worried I'll lose him again."

Harry considered it for a moment, then glanced down at the wand he held in his lap. "I think I could try a tracking charm for you, if you'd like."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "You already know tracking charms?"

Harry shrugged. "I did a bit of studying beforehand."

With a quiet confidence, he cast a simple tracking charm. Sure enough, Trevor the toad was quickly retrieved from a compartment two doors down, and Neville's face lit up with gratitude. By the time the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Harry could tell he'd made a positive impression on both Hermione and Neville. And for the first time, he felt a sense of belonging, fragile as it was.

--

The castle loomed against the night sky, casting long shadows as the first years gathered in the Great Hall. The ceiling above was enchanted to look like the night sky, and hundreds of candles floated, casting a warm glow over the room. Harry glanced up at the Head Table, spotting Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore, each wearing expressions of warmth and wisdom.

The Sorting Ceremony began, and Harry watched as students were called one by one, each taking their place under the Sorting Hat. Hermione was sorted into Gryffindor, and Neville, after a brief moment of hesitation, joined her at the Gryffindor table. The two of them glanced back at him, giving him small waves and encouraging smiles. As his name was finally called, the Hall fell into a hush.

"Harry Potter."

Harry walked forward, his footsteps echoing in the silence. He took his seat and felt the weight of the Sorting Hat slip over his head.

Ah… the hat murmured, its voice echoing in his mind. Difficult, very difficult. Courage, yes. A hunger for knowledge, but not in the traditional sense. Ambition, and… quite a bit of cunning.

Harry held his breath. He wasn't sure where he wanted to be, but one thing was certain: he didn't want to repeat the same path he'd walked before.

Not Gryffindor, he thought.

Ah, not Gryffindor, the hat repeated, musing. You have a very different path in mind, don't you? There is something… darkened within you, though not inherently evil. Hmm… where should I place you?

For a long moment, Harry waited, his heart pounding.

Well, the hat finally decided, better be… SLYTHERIN!

The last word rang out across the hall, and a mixture of shocked murmurs and gasps erupted. Harry could feel the weight of a hundred pairs of eyes on him as he rose and walked toward the Slytherin table, taking his place among students who regarded him with a mixture of curiosity, admiration, and suspicion.

He spotted Draco Malfoy watching him intently from across the table, a gleam of interest in his eyes, though it was guarded.

"So," Draco said, his tone casual but probing, "you're the famous Harry Potter?"

Harry met Draco's gaze with calm composure. "Seems that way."

The two boys exchanged a long look. It was a strange feeling—Harry felt like he was meeting an old enemy, yet Draco had no memory of their future encounters. Here, in this timeline, they were simply two new students. For now, at least, Harry would keep it that way.

Over the coming days, Harry found himself settling into life at Hogwarts, navigating Slytherin politics with a quiet grace. He carefully avoided making enemies and kept his distance from Draco, treating him with cautious politeness. He continued to befriend Hermione and Neville, finding ways to meet them in the library and during free periods. Hermione's intelligence and Neville's quiet resilience made them ideal friends, and their presence grounded him.

In Potions class, Snape's disdain was immediate, but Harry responded with calm indifference. He knew what to expect from the professor and wasn't about to let himself get baited. Instead, he focused on his studies, pouring his energy into honing his skills with a discipline and subtlety that earned him grudging respect among his Slytherin peers.

One evening, after a particularly intense Potions assignment, Harry met Hermione and Neville in the library. Hermione was immersed in a thick tome on magical theory, and Neville was studying Herbology. They spoke in low tones, laughing over their shared struggles and discussing upcoming classes. Harry felt a growing sense of warmth toward them—a connection deeper than friendship, a loyalty forged by shared experiences and quiet understanding.

As he left the library that night, Harry felt the darkness stirring at the edges of his mind—the faint, shadowy presence of Tom Riddle. It was a reminder of the battles yet to come, the complex web he was beginning to weave.

But he was prepared.