Chapter 4: Welcome to Hogwarts

Harry boarded the train, giving a small wave to his mother and father. The two of them waved back, Lily having small tears build up around her eyes. It was sad to see her babies go, but even more so, with Harry's condition, she feared for Matthew's safety. She knew the boys weren't on the best of terms, but as long as Harry stayed calm, everything would be fine. She wiped her eyes, and looked to her husband, who turned to her with a smile on his face. James loved going to Hogwarts, so it was no surprise that he was excited to see his kids go too.

The loud horn sounded, and all the parents gave their final waves, before they lost sight of their children on the horizon. The bright sunlight gave the train an almost holy glow, as it took off into the distance, leaving the older generation behind. It was time for the new generation to take their shot at life.

Harry found his way onto the train, and was looking for his brother. He was curious, because it seemed as if Matthew was trying to avoid him, but Harry didn't know why. He finally found him sitting in a compartment with Neville, Susan ,and Ron. Harry scowled slightly, as he didn't like the redhead for a reason that he still couldn't grasp. But before he had the chance to ask if he could sit with them, Matthew spoke up.

"Harry, leave. I don't want you sitting with me." Matthew said blatantly.

"Did I do something to you Matthew? I don't remember us having any differences that we didn't resolve?" Harry asked, making Matthew grit his teeth. His parents said that he wasn't supposed to find out, so Matthew had to hold his tongue.

"Just leave, Harry. I don't want you around me. As far as I see it, we're only brothers, not friends." he finished with a cold expression on his face.

Harry was taken aback slightly, mostly because he didn't know what he had done to his brother to make him antagonize him so much. But, Harry complied nonetheless, and bowed his head, before leaving their compartment. Susan looked at her childhood friend, and gave Matthew a confused look.

"Did something happen between you and your brother? I mean, he seemed nice when we met him over the summer." Susan said, making Matthew look at her with a cold expression, before giving a deep sigh.

"Look, just trust me on this one, okay guys? There's something really off about Harry, and I don't want any of you guys getting caught up in whatever is so weird about him. I like you guys, and I wouldn't want you to get hurt." Matthew said, making his friends nod their head in acceptance.

They all had a fierce look of loyalty on their faces, showing Matthew they were touched by his sentiments. Matthew sighed, thanking whatever higher power there was that his friends listened. If Harry went berserk, and one of them got hurt, he wouldn't be able to live with himself. This was safer for them.

Meanwhile, Harry had found himself another compartment, and it was empty, save for a blonde haired girl with icy blue eyes. She gave him a harsh glare, before looking at the girl who had come up behind him.

"Do you want something, guy?" the black haired girl, with red eyes asked him. Harry looked shocked for a second, taking in the color of her eyes, before regaining his sense of self.

"Yes, I was wondering if you would mind if I sat with you?" Harry asked, making the two girls look at each other, before looking back at Harry.

"You're not just going to ogle at us are you? Or lose your capability of speech? Because I have dealt with too much of that today. It's really annoying." the blonde haired girl said, making Harry flash a small smirk.

"You'll find that I'm not so easily swayed, even by a girl as pretty as you." Harry said, making the black haired girl scowl.

"Don't try to cozy up to us either. Boys are the enemy, right Daph?" the black haired girl said, making the blonde haired girl sigh.

"My name is Daphne, Tracey. Stop calling me by that dumb nickname. And you can come in, although, I don't know your name yet. I'm Daphne Greengrass, and this spitfire is Tracey Davis. Who are you?" Daphne asked him, making Harry grin at them.

"My name is Harry Potter. And before you ask, yes, I am the brother of Matthew Potter." Harry said, making the two girls in front of him just stare for a minute. That was when, before they had the chance to react, their compartment door opened up again, and another boy was at the door.

He had platinum blonde hair, and his eyes were a bluish-gray mixture. His eyes had a nonchalant expression, as if very little could bother him in his current state.

Harry studied the boy curiously, and that's when he realized. His aura had brought him to the people it had sought out earlier. Was it fate, or was his aura pulling these people toward him. For right now, he just figured that he would observe, and see if he made friends with them or not.

"Greengrass. Davis. Would you mind if I took up seating with you? I went to find Matthew Potter, but he was a terrible ass. I'm surprised the other houses associate with him. All I was trying to do was bloody introduce myself, and the redheaded weasel pounced." the blonde haired boy said, making Daphne nod her head.

"I'm surprised that you're not slinging around blood purity insults, Draco. I thought that your family hated anything that didn't inbreed." Tracey said with a hard glint in her eyes, and for the first time, Harry was lost in the conversation. He had not been briefed on this blood purity concept by his parents, so he had no information at all. The blonde haired boy sat down next to Harry.

"You know what they say when you assume, Davis. Do not take me for my father. I have read many books on the theory of blood purity, and my godfather Severus is a half-blood as well. I would be a hypocrite if I were to still spout that nonsense about blood purity. However, for my safety in the Malfoy manor, I keep my opinions to myself. I believe I can trust you two though, seeing as you deal with the same issue. After all, Davis, you're a half-blood, and Greengrass is your best friend." Malfoy said, making the girls nod their heads.

Everyone that was part of an Ancient and Noble house knew that Lucius Malfoy was a blood purist from his head, down to his little toe. They could understand how Draco needed to keep his head down, especially since he didn't believe in his father's ideologies. Although why the boy suddenly had a change of heart eluded the two girls in front of him. The fact he brought up their own families was a sore point as well, as Daphne's family were also blood purists. Tracey's father had decided to sleep with a muggle hooker, only for her to become pregnant. He took Tracey and killed the hooker once she was done delivering, making Tracey a half-blood in a pureblooded household. All the purebloods knew, but it was muggle, so no harm was really done, as far as they were concerned, plus, Davis had a lot of pull in the Wizengamot.

Draco turned his head toward Harry, who he just took notice of. He couldn't believe he just spouted his real beliefs in front of this boy, but he didn't think he'd encounter his father. He'd have to be more careful from now on, and pay attention to his surroundings better. He gave the boy a once over, and narrowed his eyes, making Harry grow curious at the change in the boy's expression.

"Would you happen to be related to Potter by any chance? A cousin, or distant relative? You two look really similar, if you know what to look for." Draco said, making Harry nod his head.

"I'm his brother. I'm Harry Potter, and it's a pleasure to meet you." Harry said, extending his hand. Draco took it, and the two shook, making Harry smile.

"At least you have some manners, unlike your ponce of a brother." Draco said, making Harry smile lightly. He then brought up a topic that was bugging him ever since Draco had mentioned it.

"I was completely lost during the conversation you had about blood purity. Would you mind explaining that concept of your society to me? I was kind of brought up in a place very far away from here."

Before Draco had the chance to open his mouth, a girl with bushy brown hair and equally brown eyes, had opened their compartment door, and looked as if she had been scolded by an adult. She had a downcast look to her, but she looked up in renewed determination, before speaking with a deliberate tone.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I've been looking for a compartment with people to sit with. Would you mind if I joined you for the remainder of the ride?" the brown eyed girl said, making Harry smile. It took real guts to lay yourself bare like that. The girl must have really wanted friends, and she took the most direct route to it, if also the one with the most backlash, should they refuse.

"I'd love to have you sit with us, but I'm not the only person here. What do you all think?" Harry asked, really hoping that they didn't turn her away. There was something strange going on, and Harry wanted to figure out why the people his aura pointed out kept popping up, minus Tracey. Plus, he had a good feeling about the girl from the bookstore, and figured she couldn't be all that bad.

"I've got no problem with it. She doesn't seem annoying." Daphne said with an aloof expression on her face. Tracey nodded in agreement.

"You heard them. Join the club...I don't believe I caught your name." Draco said, as he paused to think back to the meeting.

"I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger." she said with a bright smile on her face, making all of them except Harry pause in thought for a minute.

"Are you a muggleborn, Miss Granger?" Draco asked, making Harry look even more confused, and making Hermione nod her head in agreement.

"I thought so. I didn't recognize the name, which meant you were muggleborn, born and raised, or a family not of merit. Don't take this the wrong way, but you'll find that most pureblood, and even half-blood witches and wizards will react the same way, except with a more harsh reaction than what we just did." Draco paused for a moment, letting the information sink in. He waited for a few seconds, before resuming his dialogue to Hermione.

"We merely confirmed what you were, and then relaxed. Some more brutish individuals would outright hex you, if they deemed you of lower status." Draco said, making Hermione gasp.

"Surely not? I've heard that it's illegal for wizards and witches in Hogwarts to use magic until the age of emancipation, which is 17." Hermione said, making Draco sigh.

"It's way too much to explain in just this one train ride. This actually goes back to what you were asking Harry, about blood purity. It's a tradition passed down from generations of wizards and witches who have been in a secular society for too long. It infuriates me, to think that our society has fallen behind muggles so drastically." Draco said, making Hermione and Harry blink twice, before forming a confused expression on their faces.

"How so...um...I didn't get your name either." Hermione said, making Draco blink, before he apologized swiftly.

"I can't believe I've forgotten my manners. My mother would flay me alive for such a blunder. My name is Malfoy. Draco Lucius Malfoy, of the House of Malfoy. I may not believe in the bigotry, but I will always introduce myself with pride." Draco said, shooting her a smirk. She turned to the girls, and Daphne sighed.

"Damn it, Malfoy. You set the damn bar, and merlin knows I'm not being shown up by you. I am Daphne Greengrass of the House of Greengrass. It's a pleasure to meet you." Daphne said, extending her hand, and making Hermione take it, and shake lightly.

"I'm Tracey Davis, from the House of Davis. Like Daph said, we're not gonna be shown up by Malfoy." Tracey said, making Hermione shake the girls extended hand toward her. She looked expectantly at the boy who had first accepted her into their compartment, and realized that she recognized him from the bookstore.

"I've met you before!" she said with a start, making Harry smirk. He then extended his hand toward her.

"Pleasure to meet you again, Miss Granger. We have a habit of running into each other." Harry said, making the girl smile at him.

"That we do, Harry. I can't believe I didn't notice you before now." Hermione said, making the other three in the compartment confused.

"You two met before?" Draco asked, making Harry nod his head.

"In the bookstore. She wanted the last copy of Hogwarts: A History, and being a gentleman, I was more than obliged to give it to her." Harry said, making Hermione blush slightly.

"You know, a gentleman never says that they're a gentleman. It's already understood by everyone around them. You're probably just a braggart." Tracey teased, making Harry rub the back of his head with right hand.

"Probably, bu-" he was cut off when the compartment door slammed open one more time, and there stood three figures, each of them glaring angrily at Draco.

"You disregard our invitation to sit with these cretins. You can already tell she's a mudblood." a boy with perfectly styled hair pointed at Hermione. His robes already had shades of green highlighted on them, and his wand was out in his other hand, as if he wanted confrontation.

"The boy behind you looks absolutely clueless, as if he has no idea who I am, or who Crabbe and Goyle are. I get why you ditched these two," the boy said, his wand pointing behind him, to two brutish looking boys, that looked way too big for their age, "but at least step up your lackeys. Then there's Greengrass and Davis." the boy said, as his dark brown eyes laid eyes on the two girls in front of him.

"I'd watch your tongue, Nott. Lord knows I'd love to give my father reason to tear yours apart." Daphne said, making the boy scowl.

"I don't think so Greengrass. Dad's stepped up in the ministry. Soon, your family will be nothing compared to mine, and trust me, I can't wait for the day. How about you be my woman now, and we can avoid the unpleasantness. Lord knows I don't want to be betrothed to Parkinson." Nott said, making Daphne scowl, but she didn't get the chance to speak up, as Tracey had jumped in.

"I don't know who you're fooling, Theodore, but you can drop the tough act. Even if you have those two brainless oafs behind you, we still outnumber you right now." Tracey said, making Nott scowl at her.

"I'd watch your tongue half-blood. My father won't take-" he was cut off as a blue sphere was slammed into his chest, and threw him back into the other compartment. The same thing then happened to Crabbe, and Goyle. All three boys were thrown into the empty compartment, knocked unconscious by the aura spheres. Everyone in the compartment looked at Harry, who shrugged.

"I don't know what happened. It wasn't me." he tried to lie, albeit unconvincingly. Everyone merely gave him a deadpan look, before he sighed.

"Alright. But I need you guys to keep this a secret. We just met, but I have a good feeling about all of you. Even you Tracey." Harry said, making the girl look affronted for a minute, before catching on that he was teasing.

"I can use the power of aura. I've been in training since I was old enough to walk and talk. That's why I was never mentioned with Matthew, because I've been training in the Kaios Mountains of Japan. That's all I'm willing to share right now." Harry said, making everyone nod.

"That power was bloody cool though. I saw Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle slammed into the other compartment like he weighed nothing. Here I thought it was a spell." a dark skinned boy said, standing in the middle of their compartment doorway, which was now open again. None of them had even heard the boy come in, except for Harry. But this was the last person that his aura had pointed out, so he didn't mind. He had a good feeling about this boy too.

"Merlin Blaise! I didn't even hear you come in. It's been a while." Draco said, reaching up to shake his friend's hand. The black boy shook his hand before flashing a smile at the ladies in the compartment, showing off his perfect teeth, and winning smile. His yellow eyes only added an allure to him, that was inexplicable.

"You may as well join us Zabini. We've only got about an hour left, until we reach Hogwarts." Daphne said, making the boy smirk, before sitting next to Tracey. The girl blushed slightly, before turning back toward Harry.

"Oh, by the way, since I'm assuming you just heard all that, keep it to yourself, or us. We've got to discuss theories on Harry's upbringing after all." Daphne said, flashing a rare smirk at the black haired boy. Blaise smiled at her, and then nodded his head.

"Don't worry. I find myself interested in this little group, for some strange reason. It's outside of the norm, and I'm all about that." Blaise said, making the others nod their heads.

With that, the hour passed by too quickly for any of their liking. The small, unorthodox group had been chatting as if they were old friends. Discussing topics from both muggle and magical worlds, seeing as Blaise had experience in the muggle world through his mother who was a fashion diva, and through Blaise, Draco also got experience in the muggle world.

Tracey had researched the muggle world, trying to find a connection to her mother, and the girl talked animatedly with Hermione, who seemed to have a vast wealth of knowledge that she was willing to share with the girl. Harry and Daphne talked about aspects of mind magic, to which Harry merely chuckled. Everything she was describing was something a beginner aura user would be able to do with a few years of training.

Suddenly, their movement pulled to a halt, and they all looked at each other, before nodding their heads.

"I really hope that we're all in the same house. It would be a shame if we were split up now." Draco said, making them all nod in agreement.

"What happens, happens. I'm sure that fate will pull us in the right direction. Even if we're in different houses though, that shouldn't stop us from associating. I won't let it." Harry said, a determined glint in his eye, making the rest of them look around with a weary expression.

"Harry, nobody has ever heard of inter house mingling, unless you were dating the other person. And even then, it was rare. You just found someone in your house, your year or higher." Daphne said, making Harry grin.

"There's a first time for everything then, isn't there?" Harry said, before he left the compartment, and headed for the outside of the train.

"I'm with Harry. Even if we're split up, I still believe that we'll find a way to make it work." Hermione said, before leaving the same way Harry did. The other four looked at each other and sighed, hoping by some twist of fate, that it wouldn't have to come to that.

Harry walked outside, and what he saw astounded him, by far. There were about 70 small, wooden boats that were lined up on the water outside of the castle, small lanterns illuminating the pitch black night on each one. He looked around, and he also saw the older students walking toward carriages, but they didn't have anything attached.

However, he blinked, and turned on his aura sight, and realized what he was feeling. There was something there, but it was preventing him from fully viewing it for some reason. He could only see the dark blue aura around the creatures.

From the entrance of the train, Hermione came out, and upon seeing Harry, she smiled and walked over to him. Harry saw the rest of his newfound friends follow shortly after. They all formed a group, and that was when Matthew saw Harry, and walked over to him, only to have a look of disgust on his face.

"I kick you out, only for you to join up with snakes. I guess you really had no choice but to sink so low." Matthew said, making Harry glare at the boy.

"I'd watch who you're speaking to, Potter. Just because your family chooses to ignore the old ways, doesn't mean that our families do. And that seat your father has on the Wizengamot, well that means he's just as invested in pureblood customs as the rest of us are." Tracey said, making Matthew scowl at the black haired girl.

"You're not even a pureblood Davis!" Matthew yelled at her, making her smirk.

"True. But my family is still pure. So I'd watch your mouth. Because right now, you're insulting about four noble families. Not a good look for you. After all, you're hanging around the weasels. You've got no right to complain about your brother's better taste in company." Tracey finished, making Matthew scowl even deeper. Ron, who was right next to him, went as red as a tomato, and then faced the girl who had just insulted his family.

"At least my family doesn't hang around snakes. You're all gonna go dark anyways!" Ron yelled out, making Tracey smirk at him, and Blaise and Draco couldn't help but snicker.

"Brilliant comeback, weasel. Maybe when your family-" she was cut off by Harry putting a hand on her shoulder. He then stepped up, and looked at both Matthew and Ron, his eyes shining with his aura, ready to come forth.

"I couldn't have chosen better people to sit with. You don't even know them, but just assume things based on what you've heard. Leave me alone, brother, or next time you'll see just what I can do." Harry said, making Matthew's knees shake a little, before he walked away, taking Ron with him. Harry then turned to Tracey.

"While the insults were entertaining, there was no need to sink to his level. Although I'm starting to see how this blood purity concept plays a big role in our society. Through all the customs, and families knowing each other before Hogwarts...it's very convoluted." Harry said, making them all nod.

"You've only hit the surface Harry, now let's go. I can't wait for this feast." Blaise said, making Harry nod, and the small group walked over to the boats.

When they got to the edge of the water, they were met by a giant man, towering over them by at least six or seven feet. His brown fur coat, and large mane of a beard made the children stare up in awe at the monstrous man. He looked down at the children, a large grin showing through his massive facial hair.

"Hey there, kids! I'm Rubeus Hagrid! Gamekeeper and keeper of keys of Hogwarts! If you'll follow me onto these boats, we'll get going to the castle!" Hagrid said, making the children follow his instructions and get onto the boats. The boats held six kids a piece, so Harry's group got onto the boat, and they started to make their way toward the castle.

It was a slow ride through the chilled air, as the children marveled at the magnificent castle in front of them. The lanterns on the boats illuminated the night sky, and gave the castle an ethereal glow that couldn't be explained in mere words. Harry took in this wonder, and couldn't help but anticipate what came after this, also if the scenery would be as beautiful.

They finally arrived on the other side of the water, and climbed out of their boats meticulously, trying not to accidentally fall into the water. Once they climbed the steps, a woman in a forest green robe, and brown hair tied in a bun was waiting for them. The woman's stern expression brought all of the side conversations to a halt, as the children focused their attention on the elderly woman.

"Greetings young ones, and welcome to Hogwarts. I am the Transfiguration professor, Minerva McGonagall. Now, the feast has not yet begun, as you children must get sorted, before we begin. There are four houses. Gryffindor. Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw. And Slytherin." she finished with a tone of disdain lacing her voice. However, it was only for a moment, as she continued her opening speech.

"When you're put into your houses, it will be like your family. If you are well behaved, and studious, you stand to earn points for your house. Should you misbehave, and break the rules set in places, then you shall lose points. Bear in mind, that the house with the most points at the end of the year, earns the house cup. Now, I shall lead you into the Great Hall, where the sorting will take place." she said, before walking through the two giant doors behind her. While walking, she briefly explained the house traits to the children in her charge.

The children followed, and it was when they entered, that the scene before them took their breath away. The ceiling depicted the image of the night sky, star soaked, and bright. The candles weren't actually on the table, but floating slightly above them, giving the whole school a sort of haunted house appeal. Not only that, but ghosts suddenly phased through the ceiling, making some of the children jump in fright, but mostly entertaining the others. They all lined up, and waited for the stern faced professor to give them further instruction. The whole hall grew silent as McGonagall picked up an ancient looking scroll, and began to speak.

"When I call your name, you will come up to the stool, put the hat on your head, and wait for your house to be called out." McGonagall said, making the children gulp, knowing that for some of them, this was a defining moment for them.

Gryffindor was for the brave and bold. Hufflepuff was for the hard working and loyal. Ravenclaw was for the studious and intelligent. And Slytherin was for the ambitious and cunning. This was explained to them by the professor, but they were anxious to see what qualities would define them in order to put them into their house. Some were hoping for Ravenclaw, while others knew they were destined for Gryffindor. Those who favored Slytherin merely had a smug expression on their faces.

Harry didn't really care what house he was in, as long as he would be able to spend time with the friends he had made. He still hadn't figured out why his aura had pointed them out when he was at the station. He continued to ponder this for a few moments, before he was suddenly pulled into his mindscape, coming face to face with his internal aura being. They both stared at each other for a moment, only for Harry to take in the new features of his aura. The being now had tendrils protruding from its back, and they each seemed to have a mind of their own, showing a complete disinterest in what was going on at the moment.

'I see you have noticed my new attachments, annoying as they are.' the being said, making Harry nod, unable to figure out how he even got them.

'Let me sate your curiosity. You won't be figuring out how I got these, because you are still not ready. You have shown that your emotions are far too wild, as well as your magic side being too temperamental in order to coexist with your aura completely.' the being said, making Harry scowl.

'I've done everything I could to make sure that I kept my emotions in check. I haven't lost control once.' Harry said angrily, making the being sigh. He knew that he couldn't tell Harry of his lapses of control, and that if he did, the boy would break from the shock of almost killing his family and friends.

'Look, that's not what I've brought you here to discuss. It's about the ones I pointed out to you earlier. The ones you met on the contraption that took you to school.' the being said, making Harry snicker.

'You mean the train?' Harry asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

'Don't get smart with me boy. Anyway, the reason they were pointed out to you, is because their auras are almost a perfect match with yours.' the being said, making Harry tilt his head to the side, before crossing his arms over his chest.

'Did that blasted guardian teach you anything?!' the being yelled at him, making Harry give him a sheepish expression, before rubbing the back of his head.

'We didn't really discuss too much theory. It was mostly a lot of me learning to control my aura. He kept saying there's a lot to learn about aura, and in the time I have, it was better to learn how to use it, rather than learn about it.' Harry said, making the being sigh.

He couldn't help but agree with the guardian's reasoning, but that meant that it was left on him to teach the boy everything. He wished that Aaron had at least explained his purpose for being in the boy, before the boy rejoined his parents.

'Alright, listen to me closely. Everyone in the world is capable of using aura, but not everyone is capable of the things that the guardians are trained for. These are the people that guardians such as, Aaron and Lucario search out and find. You know this already, but pay attention.' he said harshly, as he felt Harry's thoughts start drifting toward what house he was going to be in.

'Hey, how does time pass in this place, since it's actually my mind?' Harry asked, making the being sigh.

'I'll answer that, once I'm done explaining about aura matches. Basically, everyone not taken in by the guardians, keeps their aura dormant. The power lays in wait, for the time that it will be awakened. However, because it lays dormant for so long, in most humans, the power fades to point of it not being anything substantial, once they reach their early adulthood years.' the being said, making Harry look confused again.

'You mean around 18 to 20 years old?' Harry asked, making the being nod his head.

'If those are early adult years for you humans, then yes. Now, normally people with awakened aura abilities, such as yourself, find yourself being drawn to people with similar auras. However, because you hold the aura of darkness, or the black aura, you encompass every color. You were told of the two situations that this occurs, right?' the being asked, making Harry nod his head.

'Either have my unholy aura, or have the most holy aura of them all, the aura of the rainbow, otherwise known as Arcabaleno. Can you get to the point already? I think it's my turn to be sorted right now.' Harry said impatiently, making the being snarl.

'Hold your tongue, and listen boy! Now, the five others who were drawn to you, were drawn to you because of your aura. Although you encompass every color, there's a degree to which other colors will match. Sort of like your humans' concept of a percentage. The children I have pointed out to you, have an almost perfect match with your aura for some reason. Normally such occurrences are rare, but for five to happen at the same time, is just plain madness!' the being said, his expression one of shock.

'You didn't point out Tracey to me though. She just happened to be sitting with Daphne, so is she one of my perfect matches too?' Harry asked, making the being nod in affirmative.

'Even I am prone to miss some things boy, for I am not omnipotent. I just happen to see more than you by the use of your third eye.' the being said, making Harry instinctively rush to his forehead. The being actually gave a small snicker at that.

'You're not a triclops. What your third eye is, is actually your subconscious picking up on things that you normally gloss over, or completely ignore. I just enhance it through the use of aura.' the being said, making Harry ponder silently for a few seconds.

'Two things. One, I don't have a name for you. We need to come up with one. I'm going with Question, because you make me come up with a lot of them.' Harry said, making the being sigh.

'That's a stupid name. If you wish to have something to call me, you may call me Nirvana, for I am your inner peace , while also your center of all knowledge.' Nirvana said, making Harry ponder again.

'Question makes more sense. I have another one. I thought you said that you're based off of my personality, and I'm nowhere near inner peace." Harry said, making the being sigh.

'That's when the darkness aura is fully unlocked, and either you're in control, or it controls you. That's when your personality starts affecting mine, but as of right now, since you only use your secondary aura, I'm in full control of myself.' Nirvana said, making Harry nod.

'One last thing. Why are you inside me? When I asked Aaron, he said that he never had a being of his aura manifest like you do for me. So why are you here?" Harry asked, and the being merely remained silent for what felt like minutes, despite being seconds.

'You asked me how time moved in your mindscape. Well, our dialogue is taking place in milliseconds. About the same speed as a thought going through your mind. Therefore, our whole conversation took about the whole of a minute. I believe you wanted to get back to your sorting. I will contact you again, soon.' Nirvana said, making Harry scowl at being ignored like that.

He was then pushed out of his mindscape, and brought back to the bright lights, and students nervous about getting sorted into a house that they didn't want to be in. He closed his eyes, and pulsed his aura out slowly, trying to get a feel on the different emotions around him. That was when he picked up a large source of malice on his right. He opened his eyes and looked up, only to see a purple turban and a frail looking man underneath it. His hands consistently shook, and his mouth quivered slightly, making him look terribly weak, and terrified to be where he was. Harry couldn't understand how such a man held such a great malice, but he didn't question it. He'd have to look into it during the year.

"Abott, Hannah!" McGonagall called out, making a girl with freckles on her pale face, shyly walk up to the stool, her blonde hair frazzled slightly, giving the appearance of her being a little anxious. Harry toned out the sorting of the girl, as well as the others that were being sorted, keeping an ear out only for his friends that he met on the train, as well as any other name that sounded familiar.

"Bones, Susan" was called out, and Harry raised his head, seeing where the red headed girl would end up, only for his shock to be evident on his face. He hadn't realized that the hat itself was actually calling out the names of the houses, where the children were being sorted.

He found that really cool, as he paid more attention to Susan being put into Hufflepuff. The girl did seem like she wasn't afraid to work her butt off, and he also figured that she'd be really loyal to Matthew, since they were friends since diapers.

"Davis, Tracey!" making Harry perk up again. Wherever she was going, Harry hoped that the rest of his friends followed. His expression was slightly offset when he heard what the hat had called.

"Slytherin!"

The table with the green collared robes burst into loud applause, as the girl slowly made her way over there, looking back with a saddened expression at the line of other children waiting to be sorted. She didn't think Harry or Hermione were Slytherin material, and she really wanted to be with her friends that she made on the train. A few more children went by, before she heard another name that caught her attention.

"Granger, Hermione!"

Slowly walking up to the stool, mumbling to herself, she elicited a few chuckles from some of the tables. Some of the Slytherins had looks of disgust, as they couldn't recognize her name, figuring that she was a muggleborn.

"Better be, Slytherin!" the hat called out, and not only was Tracey shocked, but so were Hermione, Daphne, and Draco.

Hermione knew the reputation that Slytherin had toward intense muggleborn discrimination. Blaise kind of just went with the flow, and Harry didn't quite get why she was so surprised, as she slowly got off the stool, and walked toward the table, seeing the collar of her robes slowly turn green. She hoped she wasn't getting in over her head.

"Greengrass, Daphne!"

The blonde walked toward the stool with purpose in her step, acting as if she already knew where she was going to end up. The girl merely had a smirk on her face, as the hat called out her results.

"Slytherin!"

She walked up, and sat between Hermione and Tracey, happy that at least she was with people she already knew, and weren't completely incorrigible to be around.

"Longbottom, Neville!"

Harry didn't know where the stout boy would end up. He seemed like he would be in Gryffindor, but then again, from what Harry saw, he figured the house of the loyal was where Neville stood. And sure enough, the hat agreed.

"Hufflepuff!"

The boy got off the stool, wondering what had happened. He believed that he was going to Gryffindor. He knew that Matthew and Ron would be in Gryffindor, so he wanted to be with his friends. He sighed, and watched as his collar turned yellow, before sulking over to the Hufflepuff table.

"Malfoy, Draco!" the woman called, and Draco sauntered up to the hat, brimming with that same confidence that Daphne had moments ago, only not trying to hide it as well. The hat barely went on his head, before it called out what the boy knew all along.

"Slytherin!" was all it had to say, before Draco's collar turned green, and he walked over to where Hermione, Tracey, and Daphne were sitting, joining their small group. A few more students were sorted, before the whole hall grew silent at the next announcement.

"Potter, Matthew!"

The boy walked up to the hat, strutting just as much as Draco was, with the full confidence of knowing where he was going. The hat didn't even touch his head, before it yelled out its choice.

"Better be, Gryffindor!"

Matthew got off the stool, and looked at Harry with a glare, before walking over to the Gryffindor table, where two boys were doing a jig yelling, "We got Potter, we got Potter." It was actually quite humorous for Harry watching his brother blush in embarrassment. Finally, it was his turn.

"Potter, Harry!" the elder professor yelled out, before she gave the boy a significant look.

Students were whispering all around him. Rumors of him being related to Matthew were already starting to form, and Harry couldn't really find it in himself to care about that right now.

He didn't know what to think of that, but put it at the back of his mind as he only thought of one foot going in front of the other. He wondered if he would also go to Slytherin like his friends, or maybe Gryffindor, because of his lineage. All these thoughts pulsed through his mind, and before he realized it, he was sitting on the stool, about to have the hat on his head.

'Hmm, you're very gifted child. I cannot remember the last time I have had an aura user within my presence.' a voice spoke in Harry's mind.

'The hat?' was all Harry could get out, making the hat chuckle at his lack of articulation.

'No, Godric bloody Gryffindor. Of course I'm in your mind boy. I don't just sort on a mere whim. Now, looking through your mind, you possess too many of the house traits for me to make a good suggestion. However, that need to show your parents you're worthy of their love. That deep seated fear in the back of your mind that you don't believe you can amount to anything, and a thirst to prove it wrong. That may qualify you for Slytherin, moreso than any other house.'

'I'll take it.' was all Harry thought, before the hat gave its answer to the hall of students.

"Better be, Slytherin!" the hat said, causing Harry to come off of the stool, and walk over to his friends. Matthew glared as he watched Harry's collar turn green, and realized that he needed to let his parents know about this as soon as possible. More names were called from the hat, and the last one on the list, was the one Harry was waiting for.

"Zabini, Blaise!" was called out, and the dark skinned boy made his way to the stool, looking around as he walked up, taking in all of the gorgeous women around him. He was only eleven, but being around a mother, who was still sexually active, tend to leave a boy more knowledgeable than most of his peers.

"Better be, Slytherin!" the hat called out, and Blaise walked over, wondering how in the world their little group survived the odds, and found themselves all in Slytherin. Each of them couldn't be ambitious and cunning, or at least, so he thought.

Meanwhile, back on the Hogwarts Express, which was heading back to London, three boys were just waking up, wondering why they weren't at Hogwarts yet, realizing finally, that they had been left behind.

Fin.

A.N: Did I make Draco OOC? Damn right I did. I'll file that under creative liberties. Also, it bothered me how Hermione was never in Slytherin. I mean, I get the whole pureblooded discrimination, and hatred thing, but she was the most ambitious girl in her whole year. Also, as you can see, the whole pureblooded customs will be a part of this story, but only to show Harry's group breaking them down.

Now, as for his group. Did I make them a little chummy to start? Yes. But when you get to a new place, don't you kind of cling to people that you connect with first, regardless of how they act later. I think it was reasonable.

Lastly, as per usual, any grammar issues, or story inconsistencies, let me know, and it will be fixed immediately. I beta myself, so it's kind of hard to catch everything.