A.N. ~ Well I don't own these characters. First fanfic so if you are going to review, please be nice. Constructive criticism is definitely ok, being an ass isn't. That said... Please leave comments, good or bad, so that I know what readers think. Thanks

Ch. 9 Sorted Priorities

McGonagall met the group of first years on the main staircase. Her eyes found her daughter standing next to Draco Malfoy, Harry and Ron standing just behind them.

"Tonight you will be sorted into your houses. There are four houses at Hogwarts, and they are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin. These houses and your classmates will become like family. Celebrating victories together and learning from failures together. During the ceremony, I will call you each up to the front of the Great Hall, there you will sit and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head. He will then look into your mind, your potential, and possibly your soul. Do listen to what the hat has to say to you. He has a bit more wisdom than he lets on." With her speech done, Minerva lead the group of forty children to a set of giant wooden doors. They seemed to open of their own accord. McGonagall continued walking to the very front of the Great Hall where she stood and waited for the first years to shuffle in and stand patiently waiting to hear their names.

Being called in order of birth meant Hermione was going first. She sat on the small stool in front of the Head Table while her mother turned and picked up a very shoddy looking hat. As soon as the Sorting Hat touched Hermione, she heard a voice inside her head.

"Hello little McGonagall. Let us see where you belong. Hmm, oh yes. You're every bit a Slytherin as you are a Ravenclaw. Such a bright future. You have come to Hogwarts to start that feature but first, you will visit the past. Do not overlook things that aren't always seen. I know just what to do with you, anything else would be an insult to the Ravenclaw name. Ravenclaw!" While only Hermione heard what the old hat had to say, everyone erupted into applauds when he shouted the name of her new house.

Soon enough Ronald Weasley was called, the hat telling him to follow his brave heart and listen to his strategic mind and sent him off to Gryffindor.

Draco Malfoy everyone assumed would be going into Slytherin like every Malfoy before him. "Ooo. A Malfoy you may be, but your heart is in the right place. Helping others solve their life's mysteries is a very noble thing, to find identities all but lost. You, Draco Malfoy, are one of a kind. Hufflepuff!" Draco felt his face heat upon hearing the hat shout out his new house. Father was never going to let him hear the end of this.

Neville Longbottom was called right before Harry. He looked slightly frightened and a bit ill but he sat and listened to the hat telling him that bravery comes in all forms and being afraid has no bearing on weather one is brave or not. After the hat shouted Gryffindor, Neville started to leave with the hat still on his head. Luckily McGonagall snagged it just before he could get out of reach.

"Harry Potter Snape." Harry finally heard his name and walked up to the front of the Great Hall. He smiled at his Nanny Minnie while he sat down to listen to the sorting hat's advice.

"Hello Harry. I hope your last summer of freedom was good. Let's see, hmm… oh yes, there we are. Harry, did you know you're not alone in there? There is a passenger inside your head. I had planned on placing you in Slytherin because you truly belong there, but now I think it wise to keep you close to your father. Slytherin!" Harry stepped down and let McGonagall take the sorting hat before he made his way to the other Slytherins, seating himself next to Blaise Zabini and across from Pansy Parkinson.

During the rest of the feast, Harry thought about what the old hat had said. What did it mean he has a passenger inside his head? Ridiculous nutter, that is what that hat was. Soon enough the Welcome Feast was over and Harry found himself, along with the rest of the Slytherins, being lead to the dungeons of Hogwarts by his Head of House who just so happened to be his father.

As Severus stopped next to the portrait of Salazar Slytherin that lead to the Slytherin dormitories, he watched the first years that all looked around with big eyes full of wonder. Of course Harry didn't look like a naïve twit, but he did have a confused expression on his face. "The password for this portrait is Basilisk. If you forget it, you will most likely be sleeping in the corridor. Mr. Snape, a word if you will?"

"Yes Dad?" Harry asked once they were away from prying eyes.

"What is wrong? You have a very confused look about you. What did that mangy hat say to you?" Severus asked with concern shining in his eyes.

"Well, he asked if I knew I wasn't alone. He said that there was a passenger inside my head. I don't know what that means but I don't think I like it." Harry confessed.

"Don't think on it. You know he says crazy things once in a while. He's probably just bored. If you need anything, you know where to go. Goodnight Son." With that, Severus spun on his heal and was off to his chambers in a flurry of black robes.

Harry headed to his first official night as a Slytherin. He had always been an honorary snake as long as he could remember but this felt different. Very different. Harry wished he could have his room back in the quarters he had shared with his father. They had made it a home away from home. The dorm room that he shared with Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabb, Gregory Goyle and Theodore Nott, was quite warm and cozy but it wouldn't be the same as waking up in his own bed in his own room. This would take some getting used to.