The boy stood almost apart from the others, except for the thin boy and a beautiful beside him. There he was, standing along with the other first years in the middle of the four House tables. He looked as if he was bewildered with everything around him, astonishment was more like. Severus Snape, the Potions Master, studied the boy's face intently, he seem to be not of Potter stock, although he was handsome and has his mother's eyes. Black hair, unruly, with round glasses, it's as if James Potter was alive yet younger. And yet…

The boy shifted on his feet, he fidgeted as he studied his surroundings. The ceiling was enchanted, he remembered some girl in front of him said. He watched as the dark clouds on it shifted, revealing in little detail the starry sky they hid. His eyes explored the suits of armour standing in attention in the sides of the great hall where they were escorted. He stared at the stone walls, some having chink on them. Harry Potter, nephew of Edward and Petunia Potter and the Boy-who-lived, had finally come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft an Wizardry.

"Harry," the girl said beside him. Harry turned, and then smiled. "Hello, Daphne."

Daphne Greengrass, one of the few friends he has, turned towards him, her flowing black hair hanging loose behind her. She was beautiful, being one of the Pure-blooded Wizarding families left.

"You're drifting away, Harry," she said. "So, do you think we would be in the same House?"

"House?"

"Yeah. You know, like Slytherin, Ravenclaw,…"

"As if," the thin boy muttered.

"What are you trying to say, Greg?" Daphne said to the thin boy.

Gregory Potter, son of Edward and Petunia Potter, sniffed and turned away. He was dark-haired, slightly taller than Harry and he eyed everyone with a knowing glance, as if he knew what each person was thinking of. He looked at Harry, and winked. Harry smiled.

"So Harry, do think we would be in the same House?" Daphne said, hopeful.

"Oh, yeah. I kind of… like to be in the same House as you."

Daphne blushed and smiled. "Oh, Harry. You always say unnecessary things."

Greg rolled his eyes. "What did I say?" Harry asked looking at her, puzzled. She looked at the floor, casting furtive glances towards him. He scratched his head. He turned his attention back to the front when the old lady who escorted them cleared her throat.

"Attention, please. The Sorting will now begin," she said. Numerous murmurs were heard from everybody except from a group of old people at the head of the hall. They were situated on a raised dais, their faces a mirade of expressions.

"They must be the professors," whispered Daphne to Harry, straining her neck as to see what Harry was looking at. Harry was still studying the faces of the people on the dais, (there were two people who were also staring back at him, a very old man and a greasy-haired man with a repugnant expression on his face), when he saw someone bring out a battered old hat and put it on a stool. It was unusual, but then again, he remembered his letter of acceptance to this school was delivered by an owl, and that was unusual.

He stared at the old hat when it suddenly burst into song. He listened intently, however he never particularly liked old rhymes ever since as a child, so he did not remember the whole song.

After the hat's song, (which when ended, was met by loud clapping from everybody, even from among the first years), the old lady started calling out names from a long list of paper. Each person called, all from the first years as he saw their numbers dwindling, put the hat on. The hat would then shout a name of House, to which the student would be assigned.

"Greengrass, Daphne," the old lady called.

"See you later, Harry," she said, as she walked towards the front. Daphne sat on the stool and put on the hat. After a while, a horizontal slit on the lower part of the hat shouted, "SYTHERIN!"

Daphne danced towards the Slytherin table, amidst the clapping and cheering. Many names were called after her, each student eager and afraid at the same time.

"Malfoy, Draco," called the old lady. A boy with sleek-backed blonde hair and a haughty expression on his face marched towards the front. He sat on the stool, but before the hat touched his head it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

"That was quick," Greg muttered to Harry, who only nodded as he watched the blonde boy take a seat in the Slytherin table. Finally, it was the Potter boys' turns.

"Potter, Gregory."

"See you soon, Harry," he said as he waved. He sat in the front and sighed as the old lady put the hat on Greg's head. It was awhile before it said anything, and it suddenly burst out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Gryffindor table welcomed loudly the new addition to their students, clapping and congratulating him.

"Potter, Harry."

The hall became silent, no one stirred, spoke, or even moved. Harry felt all the eyes in the room watching him as he walked towards the stool. when he had sat down, the old lady put the hat on him. He was startled when he suddenly heard a voice.

"Hmmm, Potter eh. You're not a Potter, as far as I can see. Nevertheless, you have great courage, cunning and intelligence to boot, and a will to prove yourself. Ah, I know where to put you…"

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted. Everyone was astounded, no one moved until the Headmaster, (the old man that was watching Harry), clapped his hands. Everyone followed his example, although reluctantly. They were thinking why Harry Potter, the one who vanquished He-who-must-not-be-named, be put in the same House as the Dark Lord. It was not right.

Harry made his way towards the Slytherin table, and took his seat next to Daphne, who smiled and held his hand. He smiled weakly at her, and then glanced from across the room to his cousin. Gregory was talking to some older students, but he caught Harry's glance and winked at him. He gestured about something, and Harry nodded.

After the Sorting, the Headmaster stood up and said a few words. Food appeared before the students after the speech. Harry and Daphne ate enthusiastically, there were dishes that they have never tried before and they sampled them as much as they can. They turned to look at Gregory and saw that he too, was eating with much gusto. So, they turned back to their food and ate more heartily, and they seem to rather enjoy themselves.

After dinner, they were led by their respective prefects to their dormitories. Gregory waved at Harry and Daphne as they passed by each other, Gryffindors were going up the stairs towards their tower, while the Slytherins were led downwards towards the dungeons. Daphne gripped at Harry's sleeve as they went ever down, the passages dark save for the light of the torches on the walls. They walked in silence, the prefects explaining and directing the group towards the common room.

When the first-years arrived in the common room, they were amazed with the grandness of it. The wall to their left as they enter was a smooth black, "A mirror to the Black Lake," explained the girl-prefect. To their right were two flights of stairs, and directly in from of them was a large fireplace, over which was a tapestry of a sallow-faced man with a grim countenance. He was dressed in shades of green, silver, and black, and he was holding a snake's head while its body wound around his. It was Salazar Slytherin, as the boy-prefect had said to them.