A/N SORRY for the long wait. I wanted to make it longer before posting to make up for that but I just got tired of getting sidetracked from writing by life. So here it is and rest assured that I already have started the next chapter and will hopefully get it updated quicker this time.

When Ron stood up there was a silence so thick it would suffocate a lesser person. Ron felt every eye in Hall burned into him and it was wonderful. For a boy who spent the majority of his life being overlooked having every eye seeing him as he was for the first time was exhilarating. He was not just another Weasley, another class clown gryffindork, no way. His fingers buzzed with excitement as he turned toward Harry's smirk and returned it with one of his own and made his way toward the Slytherin table.

The Slytherins seemed to be taking his sorting in far better stride than anyone else. They started clapping as he made his way toward the table and only stopped as he sat down next to Harry and across from Hermione.

A white faced Mcgonagall slowly said the last name 'Zabini' who was sorted to Slytherin, no surprises there, then she packed up the Sorting Hat and stool with little fanfare and made her way out of the Hall to store them during the feast. Meanwhile everything in the Hall was still and silent and the longer that silence went on the wider the smiles grew on Harry and Ron's faces. It was clear to everyone that they were enjoying the reaction they were getting.

The shocked stares were especially enjoyable to Ron but when he looked over to see his brothers' reaction… they weren't looking at him. Everyone around them were craning their heads to see Ron and Harry but the three Weasleys were staring at anything but him.

Mcgonagall walked back into the Hall and sat next to Dumbledore who stood and made some stupid speech about… something. Ron couldn't be bothered to listen all he knew was it was short, it contained some incongruous words, and his brothers were making it a point not to look at him. A humpfing sound brought his frustrated attention away from the Gryffindor table to their bushy haired associate sat across from them.

"You'd think such a respected school as this one could afford a better headmaster. I mean seriously.. 'Blubber, Oddment, and Tweak'.. just what is he doing spouting gibberish to students insteading of guiding and teaching them." She shook her head slowly but that didn't stop some of the curls from popping out of the ponytail she had corralled and falling into her eyes. Harry looked up from the food he had been studying since it appeared after the speech. He looked at Hermione and remarked harshly,

"I wouldn't be throwing stones if I were you Granger. After all, you're the very definition of oddment." She narrowed her eyes at that, batted her hair out of her eyes and started filling her plate.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" Ron was quite hungry so he started filling his plate too but he noticed that Harry wasn't touching the food, just looking at it and playing with the utensils in his lap. Ron didn't focus on this detail too much, distracted as he was by the continuing conversation.

"I'm just saying that I don't think I've ever seen someone stare so hard at a lake before. Just what was so fascinating?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Hermione snarked back quickly. Glaring at the tablemates that kept sneaking glances at the three.

"I would actually. If we are going to be allies I think I need to know if you're the type to go hallucinating things." Hermione did a double take at this and just looked at Harry, who was silently looking at the knife and fork he was still messing with in his lap. Then she turned her attention to Ron who smiled knowingly to hide his shock. He wondered briefly if The Hat had said the same thing about Hermione to Harry as he had to Ron. Hermione was just as confused but refused to show it.

"What makes you think I'd want to be your ally?" She said haughtily. Harry rolled his eyes in exasperation before looking at her and stating quite plainly.

"Lack of choice. Look surely you know that someone of your blood status is going to have a very hard time in this house even without your attitude. Add in the attitude and you can count anyone else out when it comes to helping you survive the inevitable bullies. I already know you don't like bullies and the more I talk to you the more sure I am that it's because you have some past experience with them." She looked away at that, ashamed at her obviousness.

"Hey" She looked up and he said softly, "I do too." It was probably the kindest thing he'd ever said to her. She didn't know how to react to that so she simply asked,

"And, what's in it for you?" Harry looked at Ron and smiled.

"In exchange you will help us with anything we might need. Like Homework or whatever."

"So basically I'm your slave." She said incredulously, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe you want me to pick up after you too, or bend over and act as your chair if there aren't any chairs available. Is that it?!" She was clearly getting angry now and Harry was obviously offended at the accusation so Ron stepped in.

"Not at all. What I think Harry is trying to say is that if you stick with us no one will mess with you and in exchange you back us up with your clearly superior intellect." He gave her a flattering look that, had he been a bit older, would have come across as flirty. Since they were eleven neither Harry nor Hermione noticed that aspect of the comment. Harry though seemed a little miffed about something. Ron, suspecting what it was, said,

"To anyone else we might even appear to be friends but that doesn't mean we have to like each, just work together." A pointed look to Harry got him a small smile from both Harry and Hermione. In unison they said,

"Okay."

"Snape, Snape, Severus Snape. Snape, Snape, Severus Snape…"

"What!?" Severus Snape looked over at the new Muggle Studies teacher Charity Burbage in exasperation. Charity laughed lightly and said,

"You have been staring a hole into your house's table long enough for something to burst into flames. Are you curious about them too?" She went back to her dinner after saying this, stealing curious glances his way while waiting for an answer.

Severus looked back toward the three first years whom he had been staring at before. They had just finished what looked like an intense conversation and were relaxing into their seats, eating peacefully. Seeing that he wasn't going to answer her question Charity continued casually,

"I mean have you ever heard of such a thing?! A muggleborn, a Weasley, and the boy-who-lived! All in Slytherin and in the same year to boot." She shook her head and Snape finally looked over at her.

"Just what does it matter that they are all in Slytherin? What are you really trying to say?" He said this with an edge, knowing just what she was implying. In fact, it stunned him as much as anyone that they were all sorted into his house but he refused to show it.

Slytherins were known to be a back-stabbing and conniving lot, only out for their own self interest but what most people don't realize is that with most people looking down on them Slytherins did tend to be loyal to each other. Every year the senior prefect tells the first years that no matter the problems we might have with each other, Slytherins must always put forth a united front for the rest of the school.

If we didn't do that then we'd be at the mercy of all those nosy do-gooders who look down on us simply because we prefer a different way of life than the majority. He thought nastily. Slytherins had to stick together because no one else will ever stick by them and that is why Snape is finding this new development so hard.

Charity's face had turned white at Snape's questions and seemed to decide her best course of action is to end the conversation and ignore him. Perfectly fine with that Snape turned to look at Dumbledore and was annoyed to find a cheerful smile aimed at himself. No way Dumbledore was not upset about the was he just being smug about Snape's inability to punish Potter as he had been planning?

Snape was known for favoriting his Slytherin's and that wasn't a lie; he had to favor them because no one else was going to give them the points they deserved. When he heard the boy was coming to Hogwarts he was really looking forward to taking away all the points his father never got taken away because of everyone's favoritism. Now he couldn't do that without damaging his own House and it really pissed him off.

Looking back at the spitting image of his childhood tormentor he could feel himself getting worked up, seeing not Harry Potter but everything he represented for Snape. The pain and loneliness of his own childhood, the abandonment and rejection of the one person who ever really did give a crap about him, and the gut wrenching feeling of loss he felt when that person was truly lost to him forever. Intellectually, he knew this wasn't right, at the very least it was unprofessional. But he couldn't stop staring at the boy with all the hate he had ever felt pouring out of his eyes.

He hadn't intended to be caught but it turns out he stared a moment too long because all of a sudden that familiar face is looking at him and it contains the most damning pair of green eyes imaginable. He looks away unable to face Lily's eyes of all things and he comes face to face with Quirrell. He had clearly seen where Snape had been staring and he looks at Snape with a nervous smile.

Snape wants to slap that smile away or.. something… hit something. He's hot with shame and guilt and it's makes him uncomfortable. Oh yeah, tonight's going to be a firewhiskey kind of night. Unable to show what's he's feeling or doing anything that would bring attention to his plight Snape returns Quirrell's smile and starts a meaningless conversation that he doesn't remember as soon as he's done and waits to be dismissed so he can have a drink and figure out what he's gonna doo.

Fucking Sorting

As the Sorting Hall stomped through the last legs of it's feast Harry, Ron, and Hermione ate in silence. Or in Harry's case, played with his food in silence. He had skillfully pretended to eat while slipping small pieces of food into his napkin for later. Hermione and Ron had not noticed. And having no such compunctions about food, they happily were eating away. Well, Hermione was at any rate.

There wasn't much to say and so none of them felt the need to talk. The atmosphere was pleasant for all involved as it gave them time to regroup. Hermione thought of this sudden change in the boys' behavior. It seemed strange that they were willing to stand by her against the inevitable bullies. Even for help with whatever they wanted; it seem a uniquely magnanimous act and the warm feeling she was starting to get when she thought of a possible friendship was disconcerting.

Ron was torn between trying to catch his brothers' attention- though no matter how long he stared they didn't even twitch in their seats toward his direction- and thinking about the room on the seventh floor. How was he going to find it? The hat made it seem as if the door would only appear if he completed the task He described so is there nothing there the rest of the time? Ron was going to have to figure out how to get to the seventh floor and then he would need to spend some time trying to find the special wall.

All of which sounded daunting but the reward would surely outweigh the additional work it would take to find… whatever it was that lay beyond the mysterious door. He looked briefly at his brothers and wondered what they thought of his sorting, then he cursed himself for being stupid. They won't even meet my eye what do you think they think? He went back to his meal in brooding silence.

Harry appeared calm to anyone who was looking, and there were a lot. He continued to play-eat his food and observe the room around him in a calm detached manner but inside he was seething. Everyone looked so normal and happy. Laughing and talking and eating without a care in the world. He hated them all instantly.

The staff table was no better. Harry just knew these teachers were going to be the same as in the muggle world. They would ignore any destructive behavior on his part while demanding respect they hadn't earned. Even now, he thought while looking up at them, they commanded the room without participating in it. Eating on a platform like they're fucking royalty…. Does the Wizarding World even have royalty?- That's not the point!

Shaking his head at himself he looked up again to scan the teachers and immediately his eyes fell on a daunting man with greasy hair and mean eyes that burned through him. Literally, Harry started to feeling a scorching sensation in his scar that lanced through the rest of his head and he had to tear his eyes away from the table before he did something stupid like cry.

His head hurt but he'd been through worse and Harry did not want to give any indication that…. whatever that was, whatever he did to me, hurt him as much as it did. So he just scratched at his scar, eliciting whispers from those people nearest their part of the table, and huffed in annoyance. Leaning back he looked Hermione over again. What did the Hat mean she could help him find the answers he was looking for?

"You know, you never answered my question." Hermione looked up in surprise. It took less than a second to think back.

"You mean about the lake?" She said, putting aside her dessert.

"Yes, what was so fascinating?" Harry said as he studied her. She paused before slowly smiling and she said,

"Mermaids. They were swimming alongside us. One even looked up at me and, I think it smiled."

"Whoa"

"Wow"

Harry and Ron were both amazed. Ron knew how rare a mermaid sighting was and was suitably awed that they had chosen to show themselves to Hermione. Meanwhile, Harry just couldn't believe they actually existed and was excited, as only a child could be. He started asking questions about their appearance and what else could be in the Lake and the three settled into a comfortable and light hearted conversation about which mythical creatures were real and what else might be on the grounds. He was so wrapped up in the conversation, in fact, that he forgot about the strange burning in his scar.

Ron and Hermione knew more about the subject, which frustrated Harry, but he couldn't bring himself to be too mad with his first real friends. Hermione in particular seemed fascinated by the forest on the grounds and what creatures were there but wouldn't tell them why. Ron was in the middle of a telling them all about dragons and the people who protect them, like his brother Charlie, when Dumbledore stood up.

Dumbledore started talking about rules and the Forbidden Forest but Harry and Ron were only half paying attention. Hermione, of course, was listening intently to everything the Headmaster said. Harry didn't understand that. Dumbledore was the leader of the school, sure, and an extremely powerful wizard if the legends Ron told him were accurate, but it wasn't as if everything out of his mouth was some wise saying that should always be remembered. Or an important piece of information that will help him achieve his life-long goals.

Most of what the old man was saying could probably be learned through experience so why bother paying attention now? Ron agreed with him because suddenly, at the start of the headmaster's speech, he was engaged in a battle with Ron. The goal: make the funniest face and cause the other one to crack up first. Harry had nearly won too, when Dumbledore actually did say something important.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third- floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

The trio was very quiet, staring at the man who seemed as jovial as ever. There was no hint that his previous words held the weight of seriousness that they did. It unnerved Harry that someone who was supposed to look after their well-being had just said they were in danger and didn't even seem to mind. Confused Harry looked to Ron and asked,

"Is that normal? For something dangerous to be in the castle and for the headmaster to announce it to the students like that." Ron just shrugged.

"Why are you asking me? This is my first year here too. My brothers have definitely never mentioned anything like this happening before."

"Well, what have they told you about the teachers?" Hermione asked, curious. Again Ron shrugged uncomfortably,

"Just that Dumbledore's a kook but brilliant-"

"That remains to be seen." Harry said with some doubt, Hermione snorted in agreement and smiled at him.

"-Mcgonagall is tough but fair, and Snape is always unfair towards Gryffindors and favors his own house, Slytherin."

"We're in luck there then, which one is he?" Hermione asked scanning the teacher's table.

The one with the greasy hair, dressed all in black. Next to the guy with the turban."

"Him?!" Harry said alarmed, forgetting himself for the moment. Ron and Hermione looked at him strangely.

"Yeah," Ron said. "He teaches potions. He's the best potioneer in Britain and, supposedly, all of Europe. Why, know him?" Harry quickly composed himself.

"No, he just… doesn't seem the type to favor anyone besides himself." They didn't seem convinced that that was it but they didn't press him. Hermione looked like she wanted to but Dumbledore was talking about some school song and everyone was standing to sing it, so she let him be... for now.

After an extraordinarily long and silly song, Harry thought irritably, people began moving in droves toward the doors. The trio moved towards the prefect calling for the first years to gather round.

As they were waiting for the other houses to leave first Harry felt a sharp nudge in his back. It barely registered at first, he was so used to being poked and hit at home. But when he was pushed again and the hand hit one of his newer bruises it was all he could do not to hiss in pain as he turned to glower at the culprit.

There was Malfoy sneering at him hatefully which was just ridiculous to Harry. It's like he thinks I've personally slighted him. Did I? Who cares what a juvenile. Harry thought all this as he studied and Malfoy and his goons before turning to face the prefects again. They had finally started to lead the first years out of the Great hall and toward a side corridor off of the Entrance Hall.

The corridor sloped downwards and Harry was trying to remember the twists and turns they were being led through but Malfoy kept hitting his back and distracting him. His face was contorted into a grimace and Harry felt sure that if looks could kill, all the people in front of him would be dead by now. But he refused to turn around and give Malfoy the satisfaction of seeing that it bothered Harry.

By the time they got to a rather plain section of wall where the secret entrance to their dorm would be, Harry was holding Ron's hand under their robes in a bruising grip. Whether from anger or pain his grip was strong and had to be painful but when he looked up at Ron's face, completely missing the password while he was at it, Ron didn't show any outward indication of anything happening under their robe sleeves. Curious, he thought. Forgetting his annoyance at Malfoy for a moment.

Malfoy finally stopped when the prefect cleared his throat and started giving a speech about the honor and integrity of the house and the importance of having a united front against the rest of the school. Harry was bored and tired from a long day of moving around from place to place and started nodding off at this point. He did manage to catch a few interesting tidbits, like the fact that Merlin himself was in Slytherin.

It was only when he was being led off to the first year's boys dorm that he not only realized that the speech was over and it was finally time for bed, but he also noticed that he and Ron were still holding hands. Curious he looked up at Ron questioningly. Ron just shrugged and smiled, letting go of his hand. He waited for the other boys to get ahead of them before whispering slyly,

"Don't worry about Malfoy, we'll get him back later. Nobody messes with us, right? Not here and not ever again." He sounded so sure, his smile slightly broken but hopeful, and his eyes desperate for this whispered wish to be transformed into law. Since Harry kind of wanted that too, in this case 'kind of' meaning really wanted, so he nodded his agreement. A mischievous glint in his eye and an evil smile on his face as he looked toward the other boys getting into bed. Harry followed their example.

Disrobing took place behind the curtains of his bed and he discreetly took the food from his pockets and stashed them in the pillow cases. Soon enough he was off to sleep. Comforted by the familiar nightmares and sleeping peacefully through the horror.