1st September, 1991, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Highlands, Scotland

As Hagrid handed them off to Professor McGonagall, Harry smiled up at his old head of house as she stood there dressed in her traditional emerald green robes. She had been one of his favourite professors over the years. He listened as she made her short speech, having already made a lasting impression on the students. She left briefly to let the first years get smartened up at a bit.

"Harry" whispered Morrigan "I'm really nervous".

"Don't worry, my moon. I will be right by your side every step of the way. Right up until your name is called to be sorted. You're going to do just fine, I promise" He said taking her hand and stroking it softly in reassurance. "I know that this all must be very new and I'm sure your senses must be overstimulated by the new sounds and smells. But just remember I'm right here and if you feel that you need to leave for some fresh air at any point after the sorting. Tell me and I will inform your head of house and whisk you straight out of there" he promised.

Morrigan nodded and let out a shaky breath "Okay,".

Harry's little group gathered around him as he gave them a pep talk trying to ease their nerves "We'll soon all be placed into a house that is best suited to us, regardless of family traditions or what house each of us think that we should be in. Whatever house we get sorted into, take what you can out of it and become great. The expectations you all should worry about right now is the ones you set for yourself" He said with conviction "And just remember it's only a house. The foundations where we will build our legacy upon. It is nothing more than a starting point. It will be your actions and choices you will make in your time here far more than your abilities that will define who you truly are. Not a house whether you are sorted into Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or even Hufflepuff" He said loudly not caring who was listening in.

"I couldn't have said it better myself" Hermione chimed in.

"Together we will roar like lions, strike at the hearts of our enemies like snakes, stand united like badgers and challenge those who seek to oppose us like the ravens. Together we will show the houses that we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Now who is with me?" He said giving his small speech and placed his hand out.

"I am" Morrigan said strongly placing her hand on top of Harry as Hermione, Queenie, Neville, Lesath and Draco followed suit unaware that Professor McGonagall had returned until she cleared her throat "Now, Mr. Potter. If you're quite finished-"

Harry ducked his head "Yes, Professor".

"Good, now would you please form two lines. We're ready for you now".

Harry stood beside Morrigan and offered her his arm.

She smiled softly and linked arms with him as they filed into the Great Hall.

Harry had the same look of wonder he had the first time. The older students watched the first years pile in, as Professor McGonagall took the lead.

Hermione whispered to Queenie, "Its bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."

Queenie rolled her eyes in response and said, "Do you even have an off switch, Granger?".

Harry shook his head and shared an amused look with Morrigan who chuckled lightly as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of them. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. He wondered what the sorting hat would say to him this year.

After Dumbledore gave his speech. McGonagall then explained how the first years would be sorted.

McGonagall called the first name, "Hermione Granger".

Hermione took a deep breath and with more confidence than she had the last time around walked forward.

Ron whispered to Seamus "Mental, that one" He said at hearing Hermione giving herself a pep talk. The sorting hat was placed on her head and after a debate with the hat "Better be, Gryffindor".

Harry wasn't that surprise that Hermione ended back in Gryffindor. He knew that Hermione, despite her cleverness and love of books would learn to value bravery and friendship more.

Harry smiled and gave Hermione a small encouraging nod as she excitedly went over to the Gryffindor table to join her fellow housemates.

The list went on until it came to Draco who swaggered forward when his name was called. The hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "Slytherin!".

When Neville Longbottom, was called Harry grabbed his arm and whispered "Neville relax, take a deep breath and take your time. You're going to do just fine. Remember what I told you. It is just a house" He didn't want the boy to suffer the humiliation of falling over again "Oh and don't forget to take off the sorting hat, afterwards".

Neville nodded and did what he was told as he walked nervously up to the sorting hat and sat down on the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville. When it finally shouted, "Gryffindor,".

Neville looked over to Harry for approval. Harry smiled reassuringly and gave him the thumbs-up as the boy smiled back and rushed over to join Hermione at the Gryffindor table.

"Queenie Greengrass" Professor McGonagall called next.

Harry was interested to see where the girl would end up.

"Ravenclaw!" Declared the sorting hat.

Queenie removed the hat with a smug smile as she flicked her hair and proudly walked over to the Ravenclaw table.

"Lesath Rosier".

Lesath walked quiet, purposefully and with lofty brooding over to the stool. He sat down and folded his arms across his chest and waited for the sorting hat to be placed on his head.

The sorting hat didn't take long before shouting "Slytherin!" Lesath smirked and stood up setting the sorting hat back down on the stool and strolling over to sit beside his cousin who shifted over to make room for him.

"Morrigan Branwell".

Morrigan stiffened instantly at hearing her name being called. She looked to Harry for support. When their eyes met suddenly, they were alone in the crowd 'I'm right here, if you need me' He soothed and squeezed her hand lightly.

She gave a small nod 'I know'.

"Miss. Branwell, please. We are waiting" Professor McGonagall said softly.

Harry released her hand as Morrigan walked up to the stool and sat down.

Harry glanced over at Snape and Quirrell. A sharp pain shot through his scar. Harry winced and rubbed his scar and noticed that Snape shot a glance over at Quirrell. It was evident that Snape was already suspicious of Quirrell and now even more so. Harry was glad that his reaction had a desired effect as he didn't want Snape to let the man out of his sight.

The Sorting Hat took a long time to decide upon where to put Morrigan before declaring that she would be sorted into "Ravenclaw!".

Harry wolf whistled and clapped causing Morrigan to blush profusely as she headed over to the Ravenclaw table and sat down beside Queenie.

"Harry Potter" The Great Hall went silent, and Harry strode forward with confidence and sat down on the stool.

"Well, well, Harry Potter. You're an interesting one, aren't you? Hmm, difficult very difficult" Announced the Sorting Hat.

The Sorting Hat took over several minutes to finally decide where to put him. Harry groaned inwardly. He knew the hat was enjoying this far too much as he riffled through Harry's head. He was the first hat stall in nearly fifty years. "Better be Hufflepuff!" Bellowed the Sorting Hat.

There was a wave of shock. No one had expected this, except those that knew him.

Harry took off the sorting hat pleased and relieved at finally being sorted. He rose from the stool as a few more seconds of silence went by before the whole Hufflepuff table went wild and erupted in applause and celebration that they got Harry Potter.

Harry walked over to the Hufflepuff table, where he was greeted with a warm welcome. He sat down between Megan Jones and Susan Bones.

The sorting continued as much as it had before, albeit that Snape was looking at him with a puzzled expression. The man had no doubt expected him to be sorted into Gryffindor.

Harry made sure to position himself so that he was facing Morrigan. He promised to keep an eye on her. 'Remember, just say the word and I'll take you out of here'.

'I'll hold you to that and congratulations on making Hufflepuff'.

'You, too. Just wait until Barrett and Vermont find out that I've been sorted into Hufflepuff. Not that I mind since I'm in the best position I can be in right now. However, I'll have the embarrassment of walking around as a giant bumblebee for the next seven years. I can't say I'm too thrilled about that".

Morrigan giggled and whispered something into Queenie's ear who slapped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing during Dumbledore's speech as Morrigan made a remark about Harry having to walk around Hogwarts for the next seven years dressed as a giant bumblebee.

Harry rolled his eyes and scowled lightly.

When Dumbledore finished his speech Gabriel Truman, the Hufflepuff prefect asked "So, Potter what are your thoughts on getting sorted into Hufflepuff?"

"I think that people tend to overlook Hufflepuff because of our reputation for being just a bunch of leftovers. That is not true. Our house symbol is a honey badger after all. Did you know that the honey badger is an animal that is often underestimated because it lives quietly until attacked, but when provoked, can fight off animals much larger than itself, including lions. Which, they can fend off long enough to make an escape and that honey badgers are also known to eat snakes that are venomous because they have thick skin and are immune to the venom they spew out. They may not look like much, but they are fierce predators to be reckoned with. After all Hufflepuff is a mixture of all three houses. The only difference most Hufflepuffs don't show off like Gryffindors, we are not arrogant in our abilities and will defend not only ourselves in a time of turmoil, but the ones we care about to the death" Harry said with conviction "I'm proud to be a Hufflepuff, I just don't appreciate the colour scheme of our house though. I'd rather not walk around for the next seven years dressed like a giant bumblebee".

Gabriel said with a thoughtful expression "I hear what you're saying, Potter. I must say having talked to you. I'm surprised that you didn't very well end up in Ravenclaw. I'm curious why did it take that sorting hat so long to sort you into this house?".

Harry smirked "I'm a Chimera. I have the heart of a lion, the mind of a raven, the tongue of a snake and loyalty of a badger. I have an unusual combination of traits from all four houses. If you were the sorting hat wouldn't you have difficulty in deciding what house is right for me?".

"You raise an excellent point," Replied Gabriel "You'll have no problem fitting right in with us, Harry".

Harry grabbed his plate as the food appeared and made sure to check on Morrigan every few minutes to see how she was doing.

Once dinner was finished with the dessert finally made an appearance.

'Harry, I need to take a step outside for a minute? I'm getting a headache' She told him.

Harry nodded and looked over to Flitwick and pushed into his mind with ease 'Hello, Professor. I'm afraid that one of your claws needs to step out of the Great Hall for a moment for some fresh air. Please excuse us'.

Professor Flitwick dropped his fork in shock at the unexpected intrusion in his mind, by one of his students. The fork clattered down onto the table as the tiny Professor squeaked with surprise and his eyes widened.

Harry rose silently from his seat attracted the unwanted attention of everyone in the Great Hall. He left the Hufflepuff table and went over to the Ravenclaw table to collect Morrigan. Ignoring the whispers and curious looks. Harry offered Morrigan his hand and said, "Shall we?".

Morrigan smiled in appreciation and rose as she slid her hand into his own and left the Great Hall.

Harry through back the entrance doors and they stepped outside. He walked over to the grass and sat down patting the ground for Morrigan to sit next to him.

"Beautiful isn't it. To think this will be our home for the next seven years" Harry unfastened his cloak and placed it around Morrigan's shoulders and smiled as he gazed into those memorizing magenta eyes.

"Yes, the castle is indeed, very beautiful. I can hardly believe that I'm actually here. It's like a dream come true" She said with a sigh before resting her head against Harry's shoulder.

Harry placed an arm around her shoulder pulling Morrigan closer to him.

When dessert was over Harry and Morrigan went back inside. Dumbledore rose and looked over at them with

twinkling blue eyes as he called an end to the feast.

Harry and Morrigan waited behind as the prefects led the first years out of the Great Hall.

Harry went up to the high table "Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout. May we have a moment of your time. I believe we have some explaining to do".

Professor Flitwick spoke "Hello Mr, Potter and Miss. Branwell. I must say Mr. Potter I wasn't aware that you were an Legilimens. You startled me".

"I apologize sir, it wasn't my intention I assure you. I wasn't even aware that I was an Legilimens until this summer. I thought that it was just a part of being a wizard. I didn't know that it was a rare talent until Lord Vermont told me after I kept slipping into his mind. He was kind enough to teach me over the summer to occlude and avoid unintentionally breaking into other people's minds in future".

"Why did you feel it necessary Mr. Potter and Miss. Branwell to leave the Great Hall" Asked a stern looking Professor McGonagall.

"Morrigan isn't used to being in such a crowded place, Professor. Her senses became overstimulated and she developed a headache. And I was also having difficultly with not slipping into the minds of my fellow housemates" He lied smoothly "We needed a moment to ourselves so, we stepped outside. I didn't wish to disrupt the start of term banquet so, I used Legilimency on Professor Flitwick to tell him that we would be stepping outside for a moment".

Professor McGonagall accepted his explanation "Very well, Mr. Potter, but next time do not simply excuse yourself without verbally informing a Professor first. It doesn't set a good example for the other students who think you simply walked out of the Great Hall with Miss. Branwell in tow".

"Yes, Professor".

"Now, I believe you wished to speak to us about something, Mr. Potter" Inquired Professor Flitwick.

Harry nodded 'I did, sir. It is regarding Morrigan. She won't be able to get a wink of sleep without earmuffs and a dose of sleeping potion due to her vampire ancestry. I also must warn you sir in advance that Morrigan is not a morning person. And that is an understatement. She has a nocturnal body clock and tends to sleep late. It will be a challenge to get her up for morning classes without giving her a dose of Invigoration draught. When Morrigan has forgone her morning beauty sleep. She's scarier than Voldemort'.

Professor Flitwick chuckled lightly "Not to worry Mr. Potter. I will see to it".

"And a word of warning, Professor. Morrigan sleeps with her wand under her pillow. Sleeping beauty has a habit of firing first and asking questions later".

"Harry!" Exclaimed Morrigan in embarrassment.

Harry rolled his eyes and turned to Professor McGonagall "May I have permission to have a private word with you. It concerns two of your new lions".

Professor McGonagall's lips thinned "You may, Mr. Potter. But, I do not give you permission to invade my privacy. You may use Legilimency only as a form of communication when necessary".

"I understand, Professor".

'It's about Hermione and Neville. Hermione is very insecure about herself. Hermione doesn't think she's good enough to be at Hogwarts and is pushing herself to prove herself because of her blood status. I'm worried that she'll have trouble settling into Gryffindor because she'll come off as a condescending know-it-all. I heard Ron Weasley and Seamus Finnigan already making fun of her. The last thing I want is for them to start bullying her because she's trying to show off to everyone that despite, her blood status she is just as good as everyone else. All I'm asking is that you keep an extra close eye on her and see to it that if any bullying does occur that it will quickly be nipped in the bud'.

'I do not tolerate bullying, Mr. Potter. I can assure you, if I suspect any of my students bullying another. I will make sure that it is nipped in the bud. I will have a talk with Miss. Granger and now what are your concerns about Mr. Longbottom?'.

'Neville is very self-conscious and has poor self-esteem. His Gran has been trying to turn Neville into another Frank Longbottom and in doing so, Neville now believes he's almost a squib because he was a late bloomer. His lack of confidence and poor self-esteem will surely impact on his school-work. What Neville desperately needs is reassurance and encouragement. However, what most concerns me about Neville is his performance anxiety. I'm sure you understand, Professor that being overly anxious especially around potions is a dangerous combination'.

'Leave it with me, Mr. Potter' She told him 'I'll see to it that my students get the support they need'.

Harry nodded and clapped his hands "I believe that I've said everything that needs to be said for tonight" He turned to Professor Sprout "Would you please escort me to the Hufflepuff common room, Professor. I'm afraid I don't know about my around the castle just yet".

"Of, course Mr. Potter" She beamed down at him.

"Come along, Miss. Branwell".

Morrigan nodded "Goodnight my wolf" She kissed Harry on the cheek.

Harry fought down the faint blush that rose to his cheek "Goodnight my moon," He said placing a small kiss on her forehead as they parted ways.