Narrator's POV

The group of five got off the train at Hogsmeade and followed the group of other first years into the small wooden boats and into the school as the sun set.

The first years were pulled away by Hagrid and they were introduced to Professor McGonagall, who explained the houses to them with an obviously clear favoring towards Gryffindor.

They were lead into the Great Hall and waited to be sorted.

Suddenly, the Sorting Hat began to sing, "Oh you may not think I'm pretty, but don't judge on what you see, I'll eat myself if you can find a smarter hat than me. You can keep your bowlers black, your top hats sleek and tall, for I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat and I can cap them all. There's nothing hidden in your head the Sorting Hat can't see, so try me on and I will tell you where you ought to be. You might belong in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart; you might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal, those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil; or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you've a ready mind, where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind; or perhaps in Slytherin you'll make your real friends, those cunning folks use any means to achieve their ends. So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap! You're in safe hands —though I have none— for I'm a Thinking Cap!"

It became very clear to Harry which houses were favored.

"Hannah Abbott." Professor McGonagall called out, reading from a list and small girl climbed up the steps and sat on the stool while the hat was placed on her head

"Hufflepuff!" The hat cried out

"Susan Bones."

"Hufflepuff!"

"Terry Boot."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Mandy Brocklehurst."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Lavender Brown."

"Gryffindor!"

"Millicent Bullstrode."

"Slytherin!"

"Michael Corner."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Stephen Cornfoot."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Vincent Crabbe."

"Slytherin!"

"Tracey Davis."

"Slytherin!"

"Fay Dunbar."

"Gryffindor!"

"Kevin Entwhistle."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Justin Finch-Fletchley."

"Hufflepuff!"

"Seamus Finnigan."

"Gryffindor!"

"Hermione Franqui."

"Slytherin!"

"Anthony Goldstein."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Gregory Goyle."

"Slytherin!"

"Daphne Greengrass."

"Slytherin!"

"Wayne Hopkins."

"Hufflepuff!"

"Megan Jones."

"Hufflepuff!"

"Neville LeStrange."

"Slytherin!"

"Su Li."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Luna Lovegood."

"Slytherin!"

"Morag Macdougal."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Ernie Macmillan."

"Hufflepuff!"

"Draco Malfoy."

"Slytherin!"

"Eloise Midgen."

"Gryffindor!"

"Theodore Nott."

"Slytherin!"

"Pansy Parkinson."

"Slytherin!"

"Padma Patil."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Parvati Patil."

"Gryffindor!"

"Harry Potter." Professor McGonagall called and Harry climbed up the two steps and sat on the stool, the woman placed the hat on his head.

"Hmmm. Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind either. And some loyalty in here too, along with a massive amount of ambition. Hmmmm. Any of the founders would have been honored to have you in their house, but I think the best house for would be..." The Sorting Hat said in Harry's mind "Slytherin!"

Harry got up and sat at his new table not looking back at the teachers table where Dumbledore was frowning.

"Dean Thomas."

"Gryffindor!"

"Lisa Turpin."

"Ravenclaw!"

"Ronald Weasley." Professor McGonagall shouted, and the Great Hall became silent and stared as the red-head walked up the steps and sat down on the stool

"Gryffindor!" The hat cried, not even touching Ron's head

"Blaise Zabini."

"Slytherin!"

Once the children sat at their new tables, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up and began to speak, "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I have a few start-of-term-notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked at the Weasley twins, Fred and George, "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Qudditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house team should contact Madam Hooch. 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. Thank you!"

And once he sat back down, food appeared on the tables and the students began to eat the delicious food and talk with their new housemates.

As Harry chatted with Draco about a very interesting sounding sport called Qudditch, he noticed that both Professor Quirrell and Professor Snape hadn't taken their eyes of of him while the other teachers watched Ron Weasley, who was being bombarded with questions by the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws.

Harry also noticed Draco roll his eyes when Lavender Brown asked Ron to lift his bangs to show his lightning bolt shaped scar that he had supposedly gotten from Lord Voldemort —he'd probably have to ask either Hermione or Draco for more details later.

***

After the feast ended, Harry glanced at Professor Qurriell and he could have sworn that the man's pale blue eyes had turned red.

He followed the others as the Slytherin Prefects led them down to the dungeons where the dorms were.

"The password is 'Serpentine'," Louis informed, "The password changes every Monday, make sure you know what the new password is before you leave for the Great Hall on Mondays. Ask a prefect and they will tell you."

The first years all nodded their heads then followed Victoria and Louis into the Slytherin common room.

The common room was a large rectangular room with a low ceiling; the floor was made of nice looking black and gray stones; there were four large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling; the room was full of black leather couches with bookshelves covering the walls in dark wood; it has four large roaring fireplaces; in front of the fireplaces were large black leather chairs and love seats with green and silver throw pillows; there were several large tables with high backed chairs; and several portraits hung on the walls.

The first years were led to a wide stone staircase that led further down.

"The boys' dormitories are down the stairs to the right and the girls are down the stairs to the left." Louis informed them pointing down the stairs. "Your luggage will be waiting for you when you go down."

"We know you're probably tired, but we have a few things to go over with you first," Victoria told them. "Now you all know that I'm Victoria Macnair and that's Louis Rosier, we're the sixth year prefects. If you ever need anything, you can come to me or Louis at any time. As sixth years we don't have to worry about OWLs or NEWTs like the other prefects do, so come to us for help first."

"If you have problems with other students, as it is bound to happen, we'll be glad to help you out," Louis said "The other houses, especially Gryffindor think that we're all evil. We tend to stick to ourselves and Ravenclaws, so just ignore everything the other two houses say; it won't do to dwell on the taunts of teenagers."

"Don't worry about getting lost, one of us Prefects will escort you the first week to your classes," Victoria said "Breakfast begins at seven-thirty every morning and ends at nine while dinner begins at six and ends at seven. Lunch is different for everyone, it depends on your schedule which you will receive tomorrow morning at breakfast."

"Slytherin is a noble house and we don't want you to do anything to disgrace it," Louis said "If you're going to break the rules don't get caught because Slytherins are cunning, we don't run around yelling about what we're up to like some hot-headed Gryffindors. Do your best in your classes and outside of this common room show a united front. If you have a problem with a fellow house mate don't bring it outside of the privacy of this room. It won't help us any if the other houses see us fighting."

"Now our head of house Professor Snape has a few things to say to you," Victoria finished

Snape walked up from behind them and stared at them each in turn.

"I am Professor Severus Snape, the Potions master here at Hogwarts and your head of house. The first thing you all should know is that students of Slytherin house stick together, loyalty isn't just for Hufflepuffs; the other houses are biased against us, assuming all Slytherins are evil. I will not stop you from talking to students of other houses, but you will come to find most other students tend to avoid Slytherins. No member of Slytherin house is to mistreat another in any way, if you have a problem with a fellow Slytherin, work it out in the house. The problems of Slytherin should stay within Slytherin. If you have problems pertaining to school work, other students, or anything at all, do not hesitate to seek out help or guidance from your Prefects. My door is also always open to any Slytherin. You will all receive your class schedules at breakfast. Any questions?" Snape looked to the first years but no one had a question for him to answer, "Good. I will see you all in the great hall tomorrow morning."

"You are all free to go to sleep now unless you have a question," Louis told them "Be here at seven-twenty and we will take you to breakfast, don't be late."

Harry and his fellow first years walked down the staircase, the boys went right while the girls went left.

They walked all the way down the hall until they came in front of a dark brown wooden door with the words 'Slytherin First Years' written on a silver plaque.

Harry pushed the door open and the first year Slytherin boys got a look at the room that would be their new home for the next seven years: there were seven four-poster beds hung with green, silk curtains; there was a trunk at the foot of each bed, the trunks they had left on the train; beside each bed were two night stands, one on each side; a long shelf hung above each night stand; wardrobe.

Harry smiled to see that his bed was between Draco and Neville's and all the boys quickly changed and prepared for bed...