Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
$Parseltongue$
Chapter 13
The sorting hat
When they finally arrived at Hogwarts, he could see the castle again after so many years. A wave of nostalgia hit him, everything is just like he remember it.
When they entered the great hall, hundreds of memories came to his mind from all of his seven years in this place. The place where He discovered the wonders of magic.
The loud voice of professor McGonagall thundered over the thousand voices of children happily chatting.
"SILENCE! We are about to start with the sorting ceremony. First years stand ready and quiet. When your name is called, approach this stool and put on the sorting hat"
The first-year students could be heard whispering about what houses they wanted to be sorted in.
"I'm definitely going to Griffindor, the best house, like the rest of my family. I am sure you will go there too mate." Ron said, looking at Harry.
"The best house? sure. Maybe a couple of blood traitors will be the perfect house. But is nothing compared to Slythering" Malfoy claimed, a bit too loud. When McGonagall gave him a look, he quickly lowered his head.
Harry was not paying attention to any of this. Instead, He was looking at the teacher's table. He recognized several of the staff members. But the one that surprised him the most was the dark-robed man sitting next to the headmaster.
'Severus?. What in Merlin's name is He doing working at Hogwarts and sitting next to the old man. Did that bastard betray me, or did he start working here after my death?. I will need to find an opportunity to take a peek at his mind, and if I don't like what I see…well, I have dealt with traitors before.'
Soon enough the professor started calling names, and the children sat on the stool and put on the hat.
"Neville Longbottom..Gryffindor"
"Draco Malfoy….Slytherin"
"Hermione Granger…Gryffindor"
"Padma Patil….Ravenclaw"
"Susan Bones…Hufflepuff"
"Ron Weasley….Gryffindor"
And finally, the professor said,
"Harry Potter"
The number of murmurs increased tenfold. One could discern some of what they were saying.
"Harry Potter? Is that really the boy who lived?"
"That's Harry Potter? he looks nothing like the books said"
"Yes. He looks like an arrogant pureblood. I bet he gets sorted in Slytherin"
"Shut up. Don't say that. He's a hero"
Harry finally sat down and McGonagall smiled at him and put the hat on top of his head.
Everyone in the hall was looking at him intently, especially the Headmaster who did not take his eyes off him for a second like he was looking for something in particular.
A familiar voice resounded in his head.
"ummm Harry Potter uh?... Could you lower your mind shields a bit? I cannot sort you if I cannot see what kind of person you are."
"That's not happening Mr. Hat. Just put me in Ravenclaw. After all, I would rather study in peace."
"Many would expect you to be sorted in Gryffindor. And it seems like you have already made some friends from that house." The hat pointed.
"I have no need for friends. I can walk the path to greatness and achieve my goals by myself."
"That sounds very ambitious. I believe you would fit well in Slytherin. Don't you think so?" The hat asked, with amusement in his voice.
"Slytherin is too obvious…I mean.. just stop messing around and put me in Ravenclaw. You do not want to make me angry, Hat. I would hate to burn a relic of the founders." He was getting tired of this hat wasting his time.
"ummm threats uhh? . Very well. I will put you where you belong then." The hat claimed and Harry thought 'well finally.'
After a few minutes of silence. Everyone in the hall was eagerly waiting which name was the sorting hat going to say. And then...
"BETTER BE HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat loudly proclaimed. To the surprise of everyone. Especially Harry, who opened his eyes widely.
Before he could say anything, the hat said.
"I do not appreciate threats. Hopefully, the house of loyalty can mellow that attitude a bit. Ohh and by the way… I am fireproof."
Professor McGonagall removed the hat from his head and hushed him to move to his table. While most of the school was clapping, despite the surprise.
Dumbledore looked at him with a smile. 'Well I was hoping for Gryffindor, but I suppose Hufflepuff is the second best. I will also have to make a few changes for this year…emm test.'
Professor Snape, who was sitting next to the headmaster was also looking at Harry, but there was no smile on his face.
Harry was still too shocked to notice this. He slowly made his way to the Hufflepuff table and sat down next to a blonde first-year girl.
"Hi. I'm Hannah Abbott'' She introduced herself. Then pointed to the redhead next to her. "And this is my best friend Susan Bones."
Harry looked at the girls. He vaguely remembers the Abbots, they were some small pureblood family. He does however remember the Bones very well. They were a huge thorn in his side during the war. 'I thought my death eaters killed them all. I guess there was a survivor or two.'
He didn't let his thoughts reflect on his face. One of the advantages of mastering occlumency is having more control over your emotions and facial expressions.
He gave them his best charming smile and said. "A pleasure to meet you, my ladies. I am Harry Potter." The girls blushed slightly and smiled at him.
Susan then said. "You know Mr. Potter? Hannah here is a huge fan o-"
"SUSAN! shut up" Hannah put her hand on Susan's mouth while blushing, less slightly this time.
Harry paid them no mind and focused on his dinner. Answering politely if they ask him something. He was very used to getting attention, especially the female variety. Back in his days at Hogwarts as Tom Riddle, he was considered a very charismatic boy. In fact, many of his first followers were gained with his charms and not with his magical prowess.
After the feast was over the headmaster stood up and said.
"It is time for everyone to go and get some rest. But before you go I have some announcements to make. First, the forbidden forest is… well forbidden, hence the name. Second, the room at the end of the third-floor corridor is also forbidden, unless you want to suffer the most horrific of deaths!, and finally, third…no wait, there were only two. You can go to bed now. Classes will start tomorrow. First years follow your Prefects. FlAPITY FLUPITY FLUUUUU!" He loudly proclaimed before disappearing in flames.
"Is…is he insane?" Hannah asked no one in particular.
"He is just a bit eccentric. You get used to him" A seventh-year girl with pink hair answered.
'It seems like the years are getting to him... Good. Maybe I get lucky and he just drops dead of old age.' Harry smiled briefly.
'Although…a forbidden room at the end of the third-floor corridor. That rule never existed before. What is he hiding there?'
"C'mon Potter, we have to hurry before the prefects leave," Susan said while giving him a tap on the shoulder.
'Well. Today has been a long day. Let's get some rest.' Harry thought before following his classmates.