S—S—S

Make Me Proud

By Dishonorable

Chapter One: Dawn of a Rebel

S—S—S

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The Prophecy below is based on the canon one.

Summary: AU. James Potter hates Slytherins and he has somewhat good reason to do so. Slytherins tore apart his family and tortured his wife, who resides in St. Mungo's. He's endlessly loved by his son, Harry, but when he tries to teach Harry about the slimy snakes, Harry has his own ideas. Intelligent!, Rebellious!Harry, Prejudiced!James, Slytherin!Peter, Disownment!.

Rating: T

Pairings: SB/BZ, SB/NL, DM/OC, HP/Multi, HG/undecided, LE/JP, RL/NT, and SS/AS! No main pairings will be slash, but a couple minor ones will be. I'm following JK in the aspect of Albus Dumbledore being gay. However, he will not be paired with anyone.

Warnings: This is rated T for language and adult themes including, but not restricted to strong language, abuse, possibly disturbing battle scenes, affections, and mentionings and insinuations of rape later on. Affections and rape will not be really graphic. There will be spanking of young children mentioned and if you have a problem with that, don't read. There will be character deaths. This is AU, Peter Pettigrew was in Slytherin. I think Susan Bones was a half-blood in canon, but she's a Pureblood in this story. James Potter in canon was an only child, but he wasn't in here. There may be some OOCs.

S—S—S

James Potter hated Slytherins. Slytherins tortured his wife so badly that she now resided in St. Mungo's. Slytherins killed his parents and siblings. Slytherins are the reason why his best friend, Remus Lupin, is belittled and looked down upon. Slytherins are the reason why his other best friend, Sirius Black, is in hiding. Slytherins are the reason why several other friends are dead or insane. One of his friends, Peter Pettigrew, had been a Slytherin; he had betrayed the Light, and was a death eater. Voldemort and his death eaters. Voldemort, the ultimate slimy snake, and his minions did all that and in James's eyes there were no worse people.

The prophecy was at fault too. 'The one with the power to defeat the Dark Lord approaches…The Dark Lord will mark this one as his equal, but this Potter will have the power he knows not…And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..'

It was the reason why Voldemort had wiped out the entire Potter house except for himself and Harry…Harry had been marked by a lightning shaped scar on his forehead when he was a year old. While James had been out on the fateful Halloween night on Auror business, Voldemort and his followers came -Peter, their secret keeper, had betrayed them without a second thought. As a result Lily, his wife, had been tortured to unconsciousness, almost to insanity, trying to protect their baby, Harry. Then they had moved onto the crib behind her body where a silenced, terrified green-eyed baby was crying soundlessly, but when Voldemort had risen his wand to deliver the killing curse amidst his exhilarated inner circle something had gone terribly wrong. The Dark Lord's spirit was thrown unwillingly from his body which crumpled and turned into green-gray ash in his dark robes while Harry continued to cry, a new wound on his forehead that would soon scar.

The Order of the Phoenix had arrived then, the secret of the Potter residence told frantically by Dumbledore, just in time to fight the disarrayed Death Eaters, but obviously too late to save Lily Potter from her fate. To the great relief of those close to her, especially her husband, she had made the night, but would have to spend all her time in St. Mungo's due to her state of health.

James had to raise his son alone with some help from his remaining best friends, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, while taking Harry every week to visit his mother. Every time he saw the graves of his family, or saw Lily on a bad day he cursed Voldemort and the Slytherin house...Along with Severus Snape, for he had been the one to inform Voldemort of the damning prophecy. James had to be forcibly restrained from murdering the bastard the first time James saw him after he found out just who was responsible for all his loss.

He doted on Harry, teaching him to fly and marveling at his natural talent that would soon surpass his father's. Harry was also taught by the remaining Marauders magic diligently and he acquired Lily's unsatiable fondness for books. (The combined efforts of the Marauders found a way out of the age restriction law.) In addition he was taught, (by James alone, -Remus and Sirius, who had grown up a bit, disagreed on the idea), that Slytherin was at fault for his mother's state of health and his lack of relatives and that snakes were evil.

Harry had listened dutifully with intelligent eyes even at such a young age. James had thought all was well and dandy until he caught Harry, who at the time was a clever seven year old, in the backyard petting a snake...

S—S—S

"Harry!" called James, "Where are you?"

He walked outside into the large backyard and headed for the Quidditch Pitch, one of Harry's favorite spots on the property.

"Harry!"

To his horror, James found his only son stroking a snake with a small grin on his face.

"Harry! Put that filthy snake down!" Harry jumped, having not heard nor seen his father approach. The snake slithered away to Harry's disappointment and Harry slowly looked at his father with a deceptively innocent expression which James ignored.

"What were you thinking? -Touching that snake after what I've told you!"

"But dad," protested Harry, "Garden snakes are completely harmless-"

"They are not harmless, Harry!" said James strongly, before breathing deeply as if to calm himself as he knelt next to his son, "They're anything but harmless...they're evil...Don't you remember why you don't have any relatives save muggles? Or why your mother isn't with us?"

Harry's rebellious stance wilted. His mother and her health was always a sore subject for him, whether it sought to dampen his mood or enrage him.

"What about those countless other victims of the war against Voldemort? The lives he and his Slytherin followers wrecked havoc upon, including ours?" Harry wilted more, despite his knowledge that even though Voldemort and a large majority of his Hogwarts followers had been Slytherin, all Slytherins and snakes were not necessarily evil. Upon seeing Harry's defeated nature, James decided it was time to wrap the scolding up, "I just don't want you to get hurt by them, Harry. Slytherin and snakes aren't like us...they're the complete opposite..evil."

Perhaps if he could prove to his father that not all snakes were evil and then he could freely speak Parseltongue.

Some time later...

"Dad...what are you doing?" Harry tried to peer around his father as he finished enunciating the banishing spell.

"Nothing, son," said James, smiling tiredly and ruffling Harry's inherited hair, "Just getting rid of a snake that was hanging around, "Did you need anything?"

Harry stared at the ground which had previously been occupied by a slim pet garden snake. Just as the time had stretched long enough for James to look questioningly at Harry, the Boy-Who-Lived answered in a odd voice, "No, nothing."

"Alright then," said James, this time smiling uneasily, "I'm going to call Sirius on the mirror, do you want to talk to him?"

"...No thanks."

Nobody, except for some Ministry Unspeakables perhaps, knew where banished objects went; they just knew that they never came back. No one deserved to be banished, especially Noelle. She had contradicted everything James had told Harry by being undeniably kind and definitely not evil, but she was gone, banished for being nothing but a reptile.

S—S—S

As the last remaining Potters, (and famous heroes at that), society greedily demanded them to appear at silly balls and events that James had not even the slightest desire to go to. Somewhat fortunately for Harry, after talking to the famous Boy-Who-Lived, the Purebloods and James would send him over to chat with the other children, most of which were reasonably likable.

However, on one occasion Harry had the misfortune to meet Draco Malfoy who was insulting Muggleborns to two other Pureblood children. Harry had promptly told him off and the two, who had lost interest in a ponce who was bested by a Halfblood Lightsider, left with a disdainful sneer at Draco. Draco had replied quite snidely that all Mudbloods were filthy garbage unfit to learn magic. Harry, whose wand was left at home, punched him hard in the face. They had brawled for several minutes until one child had returned from running to tell the adults. James and Lucius Malfoy had pulled them apart and the two Potters quickly left after making tight apologies.

Both of the boys were scolded soundly, Lucius telling Draco that he was ashamed that the Potter boy had gotten the better of him, while James, after telling him off, congratulated Harry on getting the better of a snake.

When the two had met again at another event they had coolly observed each other, until they found out that they both supported Puddlemere United. Although they disagreed on the topic of Blood, they became allies and decided that the new Puddlemere United seeker was absolutely terrible and that even the infamous Chudley Cannons' could do better.

Draco soon warmed up to Harry and kept his views to himself when around Harry. They had plenty in common, -both were members of prominent Pureblood families, both enjoyed Quidditch, neither of them liked Pansy Parkinson, and both thought that the Ministry was going to the dogs. James, and surprisingly Lucius and Narcissa, remained ignorant of their children's friendship. Harry, the banishment and James' overprotectiveness and prejudice in the corner of his mind, entered the friendship eagerly, one of his many rebellious acts that had yet to reach the ears of his father.

The duo also became very close friends with Blaise Zabini, Susan Bones, and Neville Longbottom. Harry alone out of the two was on good terms with the Weasleys who also attended the events on occasion. The animosity between Lucius and Arthur Weasley had unfortunately passed onto their children, but Draco had very reluctantly agreed to tolerate them and not insult them in Harry's presence...

When Harry's Hogwarts letter had finally come, they took a trip to Diagon Alley and James had told Harry how proud he was and how he was sure Harry would be a Gryffindor. Remus and Sirius had congratulated Harry, too, but Remus looked worried. He wasn't entirely certain that Harry would make Gryffindor; he had other house qualities. Remus shuddered when he thought of how James would react if his son were sorted into Slytherin. Honestly, the man's prejudice was simply disgusting, but Remus stuck with him, because he was James's friend and it was only natural James should have his faults.

After packing his trunk, James had taken Harry to see his mother one last time before going off to Hogwarts, wistfully imaging Harry playing pranks on the Slytherins like he had once done in his Hogwarts years.

"Are you excited?" asked Lily softly, hoping she didn't look as tired as she felt.

"Yeah," Harry replied, grinning, "My friend's been excited about it for months, driving his parents spare."

"Who's your friend?"

"I'm sorry," interrupted a plump healer apologetically, "But visiting hours are over."

"Alright," said James resignedly, kissing Lily gently on the lips as the healer left to give them privacy, "Come along, Harry."

Harry nodded and kissed his mother on the cheek.

"Make me proud," Lily whispered into his ear, giving him a hug.

Harry nodded again and was led out the door.

S—S—S

"Hey, Neville," said Harry, entering the compartment. His dad had been acting strange when he had sent him off with Remus Lupin and a shaggy black dog. Almost like he was more worried then a parent sending their child off for the first time to Hogwarts should. Like he didn't want Harry to go. Well of course he didn't want his son to leave, but he was acting like Hogwarts was extraordinarily dangerous. James had even taken care to warn Harry to be careful and at the first sign of trouble go to a professor. Harry passed it off for his dad being his usual overprotective self.

Neville Longbottom looked up from his Daily Prophet and grinned.

"Hey, Harry. Have you happened to see a toad, -answers to Trevor?" Neville had received a toad from his great uncle for making it into Hogwarts. Although he had a history of great ancestors, Neville wasn't the most talented young wizard and it was a great relief to his elderly relatives when his Hogwarts letter arrived.

Harry laughed in relief at the normalcy, Neville was always loosing things and had a terrible memory, "Sorry, I haven't."

"Oh well," shrugged Neville, though he looked a bit concerned, (there had been word that a boy had a frightfully hungry creature in a box), "He'll turn up eventually."

The compartment door slid open to reveal a tall girl with a trademark plait of auburn hair hanging down her back. She was rather pretty, but was square-jawed with features that could easily settle into a stubborn expression.

"Hello, Neville, Harry," greeted Susan Bones, clutching a decorative cat carrier that contained a bony gray short-haired. She sat opposite of Harry, next to Neville who seemed pleased with the seating arrangement, "How was your summer? Aunt Amelia was bawling earlier outside, talk about humiliating."

The two boys looked at her sympathetically and Neville managed to quickly stash away the Daily Prophet as Susan continued to talk, though she didn't appeared too bothered

"Don't see what got her so worked up."

"Her ickle baby niece is going to Hogwarts and growing up," cooed a mocking voice from the entrance. It was a handsome boy with dark hair and aristocratic features, "Of course she's going to bawl her eyes out."

"Hullo, Blaise," Harry said while Susan rolled her grayish-blue eyes, "Have you seen Draco?"

"Around here somewhere," said Blaise nonchalantly, "Probably clinging to his mother-oh hello, Draco!" Blaise said with a large smile as the compartment door slid open to reveal Draco Malfoy, a blonde haired boy with cold grey eyes whose general features silently said 'I am a Malfoy and therefore superior to you'.

"I heard that," scowled Draco, "And for your information, I was not clinging to my mother," his scowl deepened, "Father was just reminding me to act befitting of a Malfoy."

"Going for Slytherin, then?" Susan said mildly. Draco's characteristic of jumping uncertainly from trying to please his family and ideals to being best friends with the other four was a touchy subject.

Draco nodded, making sure to 'accidentally' knock into Blaise to sit down, "Father wouldn't accept anything less, but mother said she would be alright with Ravenclaw, though."

"Mommy's little sweetie," cooed Harry this time. Draco scowled and smacked his arm.

"Now really, Draco," grinned Blaise, "Malfoys never physically assault people in public." Blaise had been present for Harry's and Draco's brawl, (he was most disappointed when the adults had broken them up).

"He deserved it," muttered Draco, and it wasn't clear if he was talking about the past or present. He seemed to suddenly remembered something, "Oh! Neville, is this your new toad?" Draco fished in his pocket and held out a toad that croaked loudly.

"Trevor!" Neville said blissfully, taking the toad from the blonde boy, "Where did you find him?"

"Hanging around Lee Jordan and the Weasley twins. They were about to feed him to something in a box."

"Why would they want to hurt Trevor?" Neville smiled lovingly down on his toad.

"A bit more than fond of that toad, isn't he?" whispered Blaise with a suggestive look.

Harry and the others laughed, with the exception of Neville who was still busy with Trevor.

"What about you, Bones?" Draco asked, "Going for Hufflepuff? Or are you going to break generations' worth of tradition?"

"I don't care that much," Susan replied, pulling her cat out and settling her on her lap, "Any of them will be fine, I suppose, but my parents want me to go for Hufflepuff."

"Can you imagine what your mother will say if you break the tradition and get sorted into Slytherin?" laughed Blaise, "She'll be moaning about how she didn't know how she went wrong with her Susan."

"Can you imagine my father if I get sorted into Slytherin?" said Harry, grinning. The compartment grew quiet as if he had announced the terminal illness of a close friend.

"Don't worry," said Neville bracingly, "You won't be sorted there."

"You're too much of a Gryffindor for that," Draco remarked, smirking. He was the only one who wasn't too concerned about the matter of Harry's Sorting.

"But imagine him if I do," said Harry wistfully and Draco shook his head in amusement.

"He'll most likely disown you if you do," Draco pointed out.

Harry smiled uneasily and changed the subject, "What about you Neville, Blaise?"

"Slytherin," said Blaise without hesitation.

"My Gran will be pleased if I'm sorted into Gryffindor, but Hufflepuff would be okay," Neville sighed, "She's always going on about how I should follow in my parents' footsteps."

"At least you don't have to listen to her prattle on about the Ministry," said Susan darkly, stroking her cat, "That's all the adults in my family talk about, especially Aunt Amelia. Thinks Fudge is an idiot."

The train began to move...Several hours later...

Harry followed Draco and Blaise, along with Susan and Neville. Harry greeted Ron Weasley amicably, but stuck with the other four. Ron shrugged, a slight frown on his face, before walking off with a boy that had sandy hair.

"Firs' years follow me! This way!" called out a gigantic man Harry knew to be Rubeus Hagrid. They had been introduced by James when they chanced upon meeting him in Gringotts on the day they bought Harry's school stuff. He had accidentally dropped a small package when Harry bumped into him and seemed quite nervous when Harry handed it back to him, answering his curious face by saying it was Hogwarts business. Draco looked a bit disdainful, but kept his comments to himself.

The four climbed into a boat and set off, ready to have most of their first views of Hogwarts, which was supposed to be 'magical' in the words of Sirius' bad pun.

"Firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid to a stern looking witch once they had arrived at the doors of Hogwarts. The Marauders had taken care to warn Harry about the strict witch, advising to make a good first impression lest he suffer under her watch for seven years, (assuming he got into Gryffindor.) Harry grinned at her, unknowingly using the smile his father wore when having successfully pulled off a well done prank. Her stern features sharpened, though there was a hint of a smile on her thin lips, but didn't talk to him.

"Thank you, Hagrid," she pulled the entrance door wide open and they followed her across the stone floors. McGonagall gave the typical welcoming speech whilst explaining the houses and point system. After she left briefly, many of them speculated on how they would be sorted, and Ron Weasley was overheard saying that his brothers had told him that it hurt a lot which Draco snorted superiorly at. Suddenly a few people behind him screamed and Harry whirled around only to see with relief that it was just the school ghosts, arguing about Peeves, the school poltergeist. The Fat Friar, the Hufflepuff ghost, wished them luck and McGonagall returned.

Harry's parents and their friends had refused to tell him how the sorting proceeded, and although he did not believe what Ron's brothers, (probably the twins), had told him, Harry was relieved that they just had to try on a hat.

Insert first year sorting song…

"Abbott, Hannah!" called Professor McGonagall. Almost instantly the hat declared her a Hufflepuff.

"Bones, Susan!" Harry and the others watched carefully as Susan pulled on the hat. Several minutes passed while the four boys watched with interest until…

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Susan had indeed broken many generations' worth of tradition. She grinned and winked at Neville, Harry, Blaise, and Draco as the table on the far left burst into applause.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Brocklehurst, Mandy!" went to Ravenclaw too.

"Brown, Lavender!"

"GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindors once again burst into applause, the loudest house out of all four.

Millicent Bulstrode, a friend of Pansy's, and disliked by Draco and Harry for her snotty manner, went to Slytherin. Vincent Crabbe and Tracey Davis were sent to Slytherin, Savannah Fawcett to Ravenclaw, and Justin Finch-Fletchley to Hufflepuff. Seamus Finnigan sat on the stool for two whole minutes before the hat shouted out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Granger, Hermione!"

Hermione, a Muggleborn, jammed the hat on enthusiastically, but her enthusiasm was soon lost. She seemed to be arguing with the hat if her cross posture and air was anything to tell by.

The hat opened its mouth, then stopped, until finally, "GRYFFINDOR!" The Ravenclaws looked at her calculatingly before returning to the sorting. It was not often the hat changed its mind after starting to declare a house. Since she was a Muggleborn the Slytherins weren't interested in the least as they would be in the case of a Pureblood or perhaps a Halfblood.

Gregory Goyle and Daphne Greengrass, (a girl with a rat's nest for hair), were sorted into Slytherin and Neville, whose confidence had greatly risen after becoming friends with the others, was sorted into Gryffindor after a long while. Su Li, a girl with a camera hanging around her neck, took an even longer while until the hat eventually called 'RAVENCLAW!' Morag McDougal was promptly sent to Ravenclaw and then it was Draco's turn.

He looked stricken after a while, and, like Hermione Granger, seemed to be arguing with the hat, almost desperately. Finally…

"SLYTHERIN!"

A man with greasy hair that Harry knew from his father's stories was Severus Snape, gazed at Draco with piercing eyes as Draco walked to the Slytherin table, trying not to look too relieved. Merlin, if he had been sorted into that house he would've been disowned faster than you could say 'Hogwarts'.

After Moon was sorted, Theodore Nott went to Slytherin and sat next to Draco and shook his hand. Much to Draco's displeasure, Pansy Parkinson followed Nott, smiling demurely at him.

A pair of twins was separated, going into Gryffindor and Ravenclaw respectively. Sally Ann Perks, an nondescript girl, was sorted into Hufflepuff, and then it was Harry's turn. He had been paying attention to only a few students' sorting and was hoping for Gryffindor. -Certainly not Slytherin...Even though it would be funny to see Snape and his father's reactions, Harry did not want to be disowned. He loved his father, but his ideas…

Harry ignored the whispers and strode to the hat and placed it on his head. The Hall examined the Boy-Who-Lived curiously, -a little bit over average height and a healthy weight, messy black hair, with prominent Potter family features except for his glittering emerald eyes.

"Harry Potter," said a voice in his ear, sounding a tad bit tired. Draco and Granger must've given him quite the fight. It slightly brightened after searching through Harry's mind and it laughed a bit coolly for Dumbledore's taste. There was a pregnant silence as the Hall waited for the hat to scream a house name. Alas, it did no such thing yet.

"Alright, best get on with the sorting," sighed the hat regretfully, thinking that the likes of Malfoy and Granger should just accept his first decision and get on with their lives. The hat had a feeling it and Harry Potter would clash to terms of the sorting...

"Unfortunately difficult, aren't you? I haven't had this much challenge for a long while, any other year it would be nice, but after...well anyways, courage and bravery-"

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Cheeky. Gryffindor would do you well, rebellious…Intelligence, Ravenclaw's a fine candidate, though you certainly have a question of authority...Loyal to some …Cunning, a thirst to prove yourself, talent, and ambition, oh my yes, a great deal of talent and ambition…What is your opinion on the matter?" the hat asked, mentally scowling as it remembered that stubborn Granger girl.

"Not Slytherin, please, anywhere but Slytherin."

"Why not? Your father would not be that upset, but he'd have changed over the years, wouldn't he? I heard about the nasty business with the Potters and Voldemort, very nasty, indeed. I know what I am doing however…"

"SLYTHER-" The hat stopped suddenly, peaking everyone's interest. His friends were looking at him with questioning eyes…

"You put me there and I swear…" Harry thought some very nice situations that the hat had no wish for to occur.

"Are you sure? You could be great in Slytherin…"

"I'm positive."

"Fine," there was a resigned, almost disappointed tone in the hat's voice, "Ravenclaw then?"

"I'd prefer Gryffindor, if you don't mind."

The hat obligingly began to speak, "GRYFFIN-" then stopped abruptly again. Whispers began to grow loud and even the teachers looked at Harry with renewed interest. A person almost sorted into Slytherin and Gryffindor? How very...unusual.

"You have courage worthy of Gryffindor, but you wouldn't be suited there."

"Why not?! Just finish the damn word!"

They began to argue, until...

"Gryffindor is not the place for you, Mr. Potter," the hat said firmly, a tad bit annoyed. Honestly, everyone thought they could do his job. Bah! He was made for sorting. "This sorting defines you; you should be thinking of your future not your father."

"But-"

"I don't care. It is my job to sort you to the house best for you," Harry couldn't help but think that the hat sounded a bit bitter. Maybe it was a bit touchy after arguing with Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy? "Whilst you denied me the choice of Slytherin-"

"How come I can deny you the choice of Slytherin, but not Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?"

"You get limited input, Potter. I respect your wishes to not go into Slytherin, -you'd probably tear the house apart there, but I do not think Gryffindor is good for you. Your father should accept who you are, not what he wants you to be. Your ability-"

"He'll disown me if he finds out I'm a Parselmouth."

"Perhaps, your memories of him support that theory," the hat said a bit sympathetically, "Shame. James Potter was a fine student," the hat changed the subject, "Are you positive you wish to go to Gryffindor?"

"Positive."

"Too bad. You'll just have to be satisfied with Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. You're brave, but you shouldn't be sorted into Gryffindor just because you want your father to be happy."

"Wait!"

"I apologize, Potter." though the hat didn't sound that sorry, "But that house does not suit you as well as the other two I suggest. Ravenclaw is a very pleasant house... and you could help Hufflepuff's reputation..."

"I want to be in Gryffindor," said Harry loudly and crossly, drawing snickers from the Great Hall. McGonagall pursed her lips impatiently, though it was to repress a smile.

"Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff-"

"Those are nice houses, but I want to be in Gryffindor!" There were even more snickers and curious glances. Houses?

"Don't be such a whiner. And stop saying things aloud! I can read your mind."

"I'll talk aloud if I damn want to, then everyone will know what an incompetent rag you are."

"Detention, Potter," McGonagall interrupted.

"I do believe you beat your father's record."

"Woohoo, my all dreams have come true. Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffin-"

"SLYTHER-"

"I swear to Merlin-"

The hat tried again, "RAVEN-"

"Try again-"

The hat continued doggedly as everyone stared at Harry. What the hell was taking so long? "HUFFLE-"

"One more time-"

"Why not those instead of Gryffindor?" the hat demanded aloud and Harry beamed, yanked off the hat, and handed it to Professor McGonagall.

"Wait! I haven't sorted you yet!" called the hat as Harry happily trotted to the Gryffindor table, "Come back, Potter! Ravenclaw!" Harry ignored him, "Get back here!"

"Perhaps," -"The sorting hat commands you to return!"- "You should put on the sorting hat again, Mr. Potter," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling as the hat began to yell at Harry to get his arse back there.

"The sorting hat finished saying Gryffindor," Harry said calmly, loud enough for Dumbledore to hear, "The only way for me to be sorted into another house is if my parents demand a resorting."

"That's a minor technicality, Potter!" shouted the hat, "Hufflepuff! Raven -no, SLYTHERIN! Take THAT, you rebellious child, and don't you dare try to set fire to me-"

"Maybe you should carry on sorting the other first years," Harry called back and the hat paused as it noticed the remaining, now somewhat fearful waiting first years.

"You made an unwise enemy, Potter," said the sorting hat threateningly, trying to look terrifying but failing miserably, "Zabini will be lucky if I don't sort him into Hufflepuff because of you-"

"Now see here," interrupted Blaise, "There's no need to drag me into this. I fully plan on being sorted into-"

"I am the sorting hat!" exclaimed the hat, sounding overworked as the last straw broke the camel's back, "I don't care if you fancy Gryffindor or if you're a hoity-toity Pureblood or you don't like blue and bronze or if your father is a prejudiced, deluded man. I am the sorting hat and I was made to sort! So just shut your damn pie holes and deal with your lot!"

The hall stared at the hat in shock, (the Weasley twins grinning madly as they remembered their own Sortings.) The hat began to breathe (?) heavily, muttering about damn Purebloods and their stupid opinions.

McGonagall cleared her throat, "Well..."

The sorting shakily continued, Blaise staring at the hat beadily until his turn which was a long while, considering his name was last on the alphabetical list.

"Zabini, Blaise!" Blaise glared at the hat, and shoved it on, certainly not liking the gleam in the hat's eye.

"HUFFLE-" the hat began to shout, but was effectively silenced with a swish of Blaise's wand. They seemed to argue a bit before Blaise was able to calm down the hat. After a minute or two Blaise removed the silencing spell and the hat called out 'Slytherin' in a decisively placate manner, appearing to like Blaise Zabini, unlike Harry, who it felt tricked it and ought to go to Ravenclaw or Slytherin.

The hat was taken away, staring ominously at the Gryffindor table, in particular at Harry. Harry didn't care, though, he had, though in questionable means, made into Gryffindor! He was utterly relieved, his father would be proud and even if he did hear about Harry almost being sorted into Slytherin, he would overlook it in favor of being the proud father of a Gryffindor...Would't he?

S—S—S

The first week passed and Harry did very well in most of his classes. Hogwarts occupants in general were curious about Harry, not only because of his fame, but because the hat had wanted to sort him into other, (i. e. the plural words, 'those' and 'houses'), houses. While a fantastic student none of the house qualities seemed to jump out except for Hufflepuff's hard working and Ravenclaw's vast knowledge and thirst for it. So far he had took no Gryffindorish risks, except being friends with two Slytherins, nor displayed Slytherin slyness or cunning.

Though McGonagall would deny it to her death, Harry quickly became her favorite, just barely above Hermione Granger. Filius Flitwick, the Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw, seemed to like Harry too, disappointed that Lily's son had almost made it into his house. Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, in both Harry's and Draco's opinions, were utter rubbish, and Severus Snape predictably bullied Harry, causing Gryffindor to lose twenty points in Potions. With the combination of the lack of Potion study, (he held no love for the subject), and Snape's dislike, Harry did poorly.

Harry, declared by the hat to be a very interesting person and having all house qualities, and by his fame and general nature was naturally the most well-known first year and, though he didn't seem to notice, was well-liked by the majority of Hogwarts. He passed through the various circles of students with ease, getting along with almost everyone.

He kept being friends with Draco and Blaise despite them being in different houses, along with Neville and Susan, who received a howler for being sorted into Gryffindor. Numerous were quite shocked at the fact that Blaise Zabini and especially Draco Malfoy were friends with Harry Potter, and there were many whispers for a little while. Harry was still on good terms with the Weasleys, and now the studious Hermione Granger, though she was a little bossy and Justin Finch-Fletchley, a Hufflepuff Muggleborn. He also made friends with Su Li, a Ravenclaw.

Flashback:

A distinctly uncomfortable looking Dumbledore strode up to the head table, walking funnily. He cleared his throat and clapped his hands loudly and the Hall's noise died. Harry noticed a Ravenclaw first year, trying hard not to laugh and snapping photographs. She had black, red-tinted frizzy hair that was cut sharply at the chin, was neither ugly nor beautiful, and was of Asian descent.

"Excuse me, would the person who enchanted my underwear please step forward?"

Harry knew instantly it was her. Could she have acted anymore guilty?

"Ms. Li?" Dumbledore said, he had apparently picked up on it too as he was no fool. The girl stopped taking photos and looked up at the Headmaster innocently.

"Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore?" Her voice was syrupy sweet.

"Please undo what you have done," he said sternly, resisting the strong urge to scratch his butt.

"It wasn't her," Harry called out suddenly, and the girl turned to him with raised eyebrows, "She was with me the whole day, she can't have had time to done it."

Dumbledore sighed resignedly, "Messers Weasley?"

"It wasn't us!" The Weasley Twins protested, once they had managed to stop laughing.

Dumbledore looked slightly pained, "Would the person responsible please come forward, Madam Pomfrey is unable to aid me..."

"What is the matter, Albus?" asked McGonagall. Dumbledore bent jerkily and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened.

"Someone enchanted your underwear stronger than itching powder?" she repeated curiously and the students lost it.

"Hey," said Harry, walking up to the prankster after dinner ended, (Professor Dumbledore had headed out after five extremely uncomfortable minutes.)

"Hello," she said, flashing a grin of even teeth, "Thanks for in there."

"No problem, it was really funny."

"Thanks," she smiled again, "Was I that obvious?"

Harry nodded, "Just a bit."

The girl sighed, "That's something I'll have to work on then."

There was an awkward silence.

"Oh," Harry said finally, running a hand through his hair, "Is Ravenclaw nice?"

"It's all right, but a lot of people like to follow the rules a bit TOO much," she answered, "You were almost sorted there, weren't you? Along with Hufflepuff and Slytherin?"

"Yeah, I suppose you know who I am then..."

"Yup, nice to meet you, Harry Potter," said the girl, sticking out her hand, "I'm Su Li."

He shook her hand, "Likewise."

There was another awkward silence as Harry silently cursed his blank mind that was trying unsuccessfully hard to think of something to say.

"Isn't it silly how we have to sit at our house tables?" said Harry suddenly, "They're supposed to promote interhouse relations, but we can't even sit at different tables other than our houses."

"Yeah, that get's pretty annoying," Su agreed. She grinned again, "We should do something about it some day."

End Flashback.

She was a likable girl that took a lot to rattle and she loved a good laugh, but she had the sometime irritating hobby of taking photographs. Despite this, they became study partners in Potions and Transfiguration respectively, and traded 'ideas' regularly. Draco, Harry, and Blaise were disappointed to see that flying lessons had been postponed due to some unknown reason, though the Weasley twins swore that Madame Hooch had a bad case of shingles, whatever that was. A month passed peacefully at Hogwarts, the only significant events being a few pranks and the fact that the professors had to send Harry and his friends to their own house tables numerous times. Harry felt this was a bit hypocritical as the professors were supposed to promote inter-house relations. Deciding to set Hogwarts on its toes, Harry concocted a devious plan with the aid of one of his favorite professors. Hermione Granger was a bit reluctant at first, but later agreed at the last minute, Harry successfully convincing her to join them and not tell a teacher. The others agreed almost immediately, Su Li, more rebellious than her quiet looks led on, agreed a bit more eagerly than the others.

And lo and behold came the morning, Hermione fretting anxiously, earning a scowl from Draco. Madame Hooch, (who looked fine despite the alleged case of shingles), was the first one to head down to the Great Hall and she couldn't quite believe her eyes. She blinked and rubbed her eyes while the students looked at her determinedly, (Hermione a bit nervously).

"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, feeling the slightest twinge of amusement as she spotted Harry Potter. He looked so much like his father when stubborn...

"It's a protest, professor," said Blaise, rattling his chains righteously, "To promote interhouse unity."

"Well," Madame Hooch said unsurely, taking in the sight of children chained to the Great Hall doors, "I'm afraid I must unchain you."

"Do your worst," Ernie MacMillan replied gallantly, staring steadily head. Shaking her head slightly, Madame Hooch performed the unlocking charm.

It didn't work.

She tried again. And again. And then a different spell.

"Excellent work," she said, repressing the urge to join them. She was a professor now, not a student, "But I'm just the flying instructor so I'll have to get the other professors."

Sometime later...

A crowd was gathered outside the Great Hall, everyone talking excitedly or grumbling as the professors tried to unchain the first years.

"Promote unity!" shouted Su Li, shocking her teachers. She had always been such a nice, quiet girl, "Let us intermingle and sit with our friends!"

"Hogwarts united!" Hermione yelled and this time the teachers and all the students that knew her were stunned into silence. Hermione Granger? The rule abiding bookworm publicly rule breaking and protesting authority? Hermione blushed furiously and the others grinned.

"Hogwarts united!" took up Harry, and the first years began to chant, Draco, Theodore, and Blaise temporarily forgetting to act proper.

"Mr. Malfoy, Nott and Zabini! Unchain yourselves this instant!" hissed Snape menacingly, as his icy black eyes glared sternly at each first year in turn.

McGonagall, not to be outdone by the Slytherin Head of House, said strictly with the sternest face she could manage,"You as well, Potter, Longbottom, Granger, Bones, Patil, and Brown! Never in all my years!"

"Ms. Li, McDougal, and Patil! Mr. Boot and Entwhistle! Please cease!" But Professor Flitwick's heart didn't seem to be in his scolding. However it was the Hufflepuff Head of House that really joined the bandwagon.

"Ten points to Hufflepuff for loyalty and unity!" exclaimed Professor Sprout cheerfully. The other heads of houses, particularly grumpy at not being able to undo the chains and that Dumbledore would not return from the Ministry for several hours, immediately rounded on poor Professor Sprout.

Just then the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan, pushed through the crowd, each holding cameras.

"This'll make the Prophet!" said George, utterly delighted at the rebelling. The three managed to get a few snapshots before having to hide the cameras before they were confiscated.

"Where can we join?" asked Fred eagerly.

"You will not be joining!"

"POMONA!" Professor Vector suddenly shrieked. McGonagall turned around to see Pomona Sprout stand firmly next to Ernie MacMillan.

"Pomona?" said McGonagall weakly.

"We are supposed to promote interhouse relations, Minerva," Professor Sprout said kindly, "And I am promoting interhouse relations."

"Awesome, professor!" Megan Jones said eagerly, "Let's burn our bras!"

She blushed horribly as everyone who heard, stared at her.

"Or not."

"Hogwarts united!" Padma, Parvati, and Lavendar shouted, benevolently putting her out of her misery, and the students and now Professor Sprout started to chant again. Several students slipped away from the crowd and joined the group whilst others bemoaned their hunger.

"Hogwarts united! Hogwarts united! HOGWARTS-"

"What do we have here?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly. More than a couple of students faltered at the sight of the esteemed headmaster.

"We're having a protest, sir," Harry announced, rattling his chains as Blaise had done when confronted by Madame Hooch, "Promoting interhouse unity."

"You see, professor," Susan said earnestly, "We're sick of the teachers promoting interhouse relations and then being hypocritical by telling us we can't sit at other house tables and interact."

"Pomona?" questioned Dumbledore, turning to Professor Sprout with raised eyebrows. Professor Sprout looked back determinedly.

"I am behind them one hundred percent, headmaster."

A couple of first years chained cheered and the chant started up again.

"Hogwarts united! Hogwarts united! Hogwarts united!"

Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling merrily, at the urging of the other professors started to attempt to undo the chains. All the professors and students not chained or supporting stared as Dumbledore was unable to unchain the first years. First years!

"My, my, impressive spell work," said Dumbledore, "I don't think I've seen the likes of this spell."

"Headmaster?" Snape questioned, staring at Dumbledore, not quite believing that Dumbledore was unable to undo the magic.

Dumbledore sighed, though Harry thought he was enjoying the situation more than he let on and was secretly rooting for the protesters, "I suppose we'll have to give into their demands."

The first years cheered and Professors Sprout, Burbage, and Sinistra beamed.

The other professors grumbled a bit, but eventually agreed. Their demand to sit at other house tables wasn't that atrocious.

"You just want to be able to sit at other houses' tables, correct?"

"Hold on a minute, headmaster," Su Li said, "We have other demands."

"We do?" hissed Hermione. Harry shrugged.

"First," said Ernie MacMillan, catching on, "Hufflepuff wants to be treated with respect!" The Hufflepuffs cheered and the Headmaster nodded.

"Second," said Terry Boot, "We Ravenclaws want nicer chairs in the common room!"

The Headmaster nodded again as the Ravenclaws eagerly agreed. He had been meaning to replace them anyways.

"Third," continued Draco, "Slytherin would like better heating. It's freezing in the dungeons!" The Slytherins, (well, the less proper ones), yelled jubilantly.

"Fourth," said Harry reluctantly, at prompting from Susan, "Gryffindor would like better bathrooms and plumbing in general." There was some laughter, but a lot of girls looked decisively happy at his announcement.

"Fifth," Parvati Patil said, surprising the others, "We would like more social events at Hogwarts!"

"I'll see what I can do," Dumbledore replied. Parvati and her friends looked satisfied with the answer.

"Sixth, we would like the Muggle Studies section in the library updated!" exclaimed Professor Burbage, caught up in the moment, "The lack of books is disgraceful!"

"And the Astronomy section, I suppose," Professor Sinistra added.

"And I need another green house and more Dragon fertilizer!" said Professor Sprout, her eyes shining.

"I will see try to meet all the demands," promised Dumbledore. The chains promptly vanished upon his words and the protesters cheered wildly.

"But!" said McGonagall loudly, "You will all be accounted for your actions!"

The first years groaned and no one noticed Professor Minerva McGonagall discreetly winking at Harry Potter.

S—S—S

Remus Lupin was eating his porridge when his tattered, self updating, (he had charmed it himself), Hogwarts, A History vibrated. His brows furrowed and he set down his bowl. What had happened at Hogwarts? He pulled out the book and it immediately flipped to a page that's large title bore the words: The Breakfast Rebellion. Smack dab near the top in the center, was a picture of many first years chained to the Great Hall doors with a few professors standing by them, chanting something. What caught Remus's eye was that Harry Potter, the normally well behaving boy, seemed to be the leader. He was chained in between an Asian girl and Draco Malfoy, his eyes shining.

When dissatisfied whenst they were told they were unable to sit at other house tables and interact, several first years promptly decided to do something about the hypocritical matter. (The professors of Hogwarts are supposed to support interhouse relations.) The assemblage of first years magically chained themselves to the Great Hall doors, which has only happened once in Hogwarts history when Minerva McGonagall , now head of Gryffindor and the Transfiguration professor, protested the fact that girls were unable to play Quidditch for their house team and chained herself to a post at the Quidditch Pitch. (She was successful in her campaign.)

The first years of mixed houses were first discovered by the flying instructor, Rolanda Hooch. None of the professors, including Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, were able to unchain the group. (Spell unknown.) Therefore they were forced to meet their demands:

1, That all students be allowed to sit at other houses' tables than their own.

2. That the Hufflepuffs be treated with respect.

3, That better chairs be supplied for the Ravenclaw common room.

4, That better heating be supplied in the Slytherin dungeons.

5, That the bathrooms be bettered.

6, That more social events for students shall occur.

7, That the Hogwarts library be updated in the Muggle Studies and Astronomy section.

8, That another green house be built and more fertilizer be supplied.

Professor Pomona Sprout, the Herbology professor and Hufflepuff head of house, Professor Charity Burbage, of Muggle Studies, and Professor Sinistra, of Astronomy, supported the first years. It is unclear whether Professor Minerva McGonagall aided the group in their protest. Numerous other students stood beside them later though they were not chained.

The first year protesters:

From Gryffindor: Susan Bones, Lavender Brown, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Parvati Patil, and Harry Potter.

From Hufflepuff: Hannah Abott, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Megan Jones, Ernie MacMillan, Eloise Midgen, and Sally Ann Perks.

From Ravenclaw: Terry Boot, Kevin Entwhistle, Savannah Fawcett, Su Li, Morag McDougal, and Padma Patil.

From Slytherin: Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, and Blaise Zabini.

Remus stared at his best friend's son, and the determined look on his face as he chanted with the others. He looked completely comfortable next to Draco Malfoy of Slytherin. They looked like they were friends, -close friends. Remus hoped that James wouldn't find out about this, but Remus knew he would.

What happened to the obedient Harry that never went near a snake and thought all Slytherins were evil?

S—S—S

Draco looked uneasily at the regal looking owl that he knew to be his family's. (He was sitting at the Slytherin table that day with Blaise and few others.) It landed haughtily next to him and Draco took the letter with trembling hands. Surely his father wasn't upset enough to disown him if he found out, (which he most likely did), about the protest? (Draco knew that it was a bad idea to participate. It was probably a bad idea to even be friends with Susan, Neville, and Harry in public. But, nooo, they had to gauge their parents reactions and see if they would accept it. Honestly, there was such a thing as being too optimistic.) But what if he found out about how long his son's Sorting took and that Draco had to argue to be placed into Slytherin?

Draco,

Imagine my surprise when I turned to the fourth page in the Daily Prophet. There was a picture of my son, protesting with mudbloods and blood traitors, wanting to interact with filth! I am most disappointed in you Draco. Cease your 'friendship' with the mudbloods and blood traitors immediately or there will be severe consequences.

Your godfather has also informed me that you have been...friendly with Harry Potter. You know how I feel about the Potters, Draco. Act in the manner befitting of a Malfoy and do not disappoint me.

Your father,

Lucius Malfoy

Draco was surprised when a hired owl from Eeylops landed next to him the second he had finished reading his father's letter. It was a letter from his mother this time...

Dear Draco,

You should know by now that your father is upset about your little...protest. However, I find no wrong in forming alliances, Draco, dear. I suggest clearing up the matter with your father and telling him that you are just allies with the blood traitors, but not the mudbloods and imply that this may come of use in later years.

If your father still does not approve, than end the...alliances as quickly as possible for your own good and your allies, too.

Love,

Mother

Harry was also saw an owl headed toward him, but his was with a bright red howler, and another flew toward Susan. Did his father hear about him almost being sorted into Slytherin? Or just the so called 'Breakfast Rebellion'? Or most likely him being friends with Slytherins? Maybe this was his reaction? Maybe they had been too optimistic thinking that their parents wouldn't mind? Bah. How quickly they were proved wrong.

Harry's jaw tightened.

"Open it," advised Neville as it smoked ominously on the table, "Best get it over with."

Harry reluctantly opened it and his father's shouting filled the air, causing many to turn and look at Harry.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER!" the howler boomed as Susan opened hers,

"SUSAN AMELIA BONES!"

"WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU? HAVE YOU COMPLETELY DISREGARDED WHAT I HAVE TOLD YOU?! MAKING FRIENDS WITH SLYTHERINS OF ALL PEOPLE!" Draco and Blaise were expressionless and Harry looked angry, "MALFOY, ESPECIALLY!"

"YOU HAVE SHAMED OUR FAMILY NAME, NOT ONLY BEING SORTED INTO GRYFFINDOR BUT ACTING IN SUCH A VULGAR MANNER UNBEFITTING OF OUR DAUGHTER! I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU AUNT SEES IN YOU!"

He was now trying various ways to destroy the howler, Su Li attempting to aid him whilst Susan was being helped by Hermione. Neville just shrugged helplessly, he didn't have a clue how to stop a howler, "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! IF YOU STEP OUT OF LINE ONE MORE TIME I'LL COME AND TAKE YOU OUT OF HOGWARTS MYSELF AND SEND YOU TO YOUR MOTHER'S SISTER TO LIVE AS A MUGGLE!"

"YOU WILL HAVE A LOT TO ANSWER FOR WHEN YOU COME HOME, YOUNG LADY! HANGING AROUND SUCH TERRIBLE FILTH!"

Harry's howler took a deep breath and its opening widened-

"INCENDIO MAXIMUS!" Harry finally said and the howler burst into large flames, letting out a terrible shriek. His face was tight, and Su laid a hand on his shoulder. If this was how his father reacted when he made friends with Slytherins, how was he going to react if he found out about the sorting incident, not to mention Harry being a Parselmouth…

"IF YOU SUCH MUCH AS-"

"INCENDIO MAXIMUS!" Susan shouted, following Harry's lead, her face flushed. Unnoticed by the rest of Hogwarts, Dumbledore looked uneasy; a first year should not have been able to perform those spells...

"That was your father?" Su Li asked, a trace of disgust in her tone.

Harry nodded, unable to speak.

"No offense," she said delicately, "But he seems prejudiced and narrow minded."

Harry nodded again as Minerva McGonagall eyed her favorite pupil and Susan Bones, wondering if she should confront to them, "I suppose."

Despite being in each others company many times, and that many knew that they were friends, there was a large amount of whispering going on, both about Harry and Susan. Justin Finch-Fletchley looked sympathetic, but when Harry turned toward the Slytherin table, Draco and Blaise were nowhere to be found.

S—S—S

AN: For those of you who think Draco & Blaise became friends with Harry, Neville, and Susan too easily, don't flame me yet. They didn't just fight, find out they both liked the same Quidditch team, and become best friends. That's dumb and unlikely. How they turned out the way they are will be explained in later chapters. Also, Harry really loves his mom and dad, but he doesn't agree with James' prejudice at all and resents it. James' prejudice may also seem to just appear, but again it will be explained in later chapters as well as why Lily was not tortured into insanity like Alice and Frank Longbottom.

Edited 1/10/08.

S—S—S