"Difficult. Very Difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes – and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting….So where shall I put you?" The talking hat thought out loud as it landed on the boy's head.
'Slytherin! Slytherin!' The boy wished inherently.
"Slytherin, eh?" Said the small voice. "Right you are! So you know that you could be great and Slytherin will be your ride to greatness. Well, if you're sure - better be SLYTHERIN!"
The boy heard the outcry and placed the hat back onto the stool. He was pleased to be put in the house he'd wanted to go. He also noticed that the cheer for him was the greatest out of all his year-mates who'd gotten sorted before him. At his right most, was the table of green. He moved over to the Slytherin table.
***
After much squabble, Uncle Vernon had agreed to take Harry to the zoo where he found a large snake lying peacefully in a tank. When Dudley had taken to disturbing it, Harry despised them for it. He felt that the two of him were in a similar position and so, Harry stayed in front of the snake tank even after Dudley had changed his mind.
The snake slowly opened its eyes and looked at him. After a very long pause, it winked at him. Harry was surprised.
"Where do you come from?" Harry asked the snake in the tank.
It jabbed its tail to a sign next to the glass.
Venomous Adder, UK
"Oh! So you were born here in the zoo?" Harry's eyes sparkled with curiosity. It jerked its head in response and jabbed its tail at the sign again. The sign said:
Venomous Adder, UK
Held in captivity.
Harry's eyes dilated with pity and he said: "Sorry. You must miss them. Your family, I mean." The snake's dark green eyes showed a hint of sadness.
What happened after that was all a blur, Dudley pushed Harry aside, making a fuss over the adder's movements when suddenly, the glass vanished and it leapt out of its tank.
"Thank you, Harry Potter. I mussst never forget thiss kindnesss."
Harry was flustered. How come the snake was talking? Where did the glass go? The question which stayed in his mind for another week to come was: 'How did it know his name?'
****