Chương 56: Chapter - 56 : Confronting Prejudice part - 2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enjoying the fanfic and hungry for more?

Dive deeper into the story with over 85+ chapters ahead! Your support on Patreon keeps the adventure alive. Visit my Patreon page to unlock exclusive content and support the continuation of this fanfic journey!

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

http//patreon.com/Kun_kanshi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry was greatly relieved to find that Quirrell wasn't among them and that none of the teachers wore a turban. Voldemort should have no reason to try and infiltrate the school this time round, but it was still nice to know that the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher didn't have Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head. Although with Quirrell gone, Harry wondered which Professor had been given the job. There were a few new faces amongst the staff, but most of the Professors were ones he recognised, Snape included.

Harry didn't quite know what to expect from the Potions Master. Even if events in this world had progressed exactly the same way as before, with Snape being in love with Lily and never forgiving himself for handing Voldemort the information that lead to her death, the other Harry Potter dying would surely have changed everything. Snape might not be prepared to risk his life spying for Dumbledore if he didn't have to keep his promise of protecting Lily's son. He also wouldn't have a reason to hate Orion Black to quite the same extent as he had the Boy Who Lived. While Snape thoroughly disliked Sirius, his deepest loathing had always been reserved for James Potter.

Harry was startled out of his thoughts as the whole hall burst into applause at the end of the Hat's song. Professor McGonagall stepped forwards, holding a long role of parchment in one hand and picking up the Hat in the other.

"When I call your name, you will put on the Hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said sternly, inspecting the first years for any signs of disobedience. "Good. We shall begin. Abbott, Hannah!"

The blonde and pig-tailed girl stumbled forwards and put on the Hat, her knees jigging nervously as she waited for it to make a decision.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Hat shouted, just as Harry had expected it to. The Hufflepuff table cheered loudly as they accepted their new member and Harry waited for his name to be called - it was nice being one of the first in the alphabet for a change.

"Black, Orion!"

Harry moved to the front and sat down, trying to make up his mind about where he wanted to be sorted. He'd been thinking about it a lot but couldn't quite decide. He would always have a soft spot for Gryffindor, but it might be better for him to get into Slytherin so as to be accepted as a proper Black. Ravenclaw was almost certainly out – Harry was not the studious type – but there was always the possibility of Hufflepuff. Harry did consider himself to be quite loyal and defeating a Dark Lord took a lot of hard work…

He was still going through all the benefits and drawbacks of each of the Houses when the brim of the Hat fell down over his eyes and he was left staring at the faded black lining.

"Hmm… difficult, very difficult," the familiar voice of the Sorting Hat said in his ear. "There's talent, oh my goodness, yes - and the will to use it. You could be great, you know. With your power I'd say it's almost inevitable. Hmm, there's really only one place for you. Better be… SLYTHERIN!"

Harry froze for a split second, then stood up and handed the Hat to McGonagall. He gave the teacher a smile before heading off to the far table, where the Slytherins were clapping for their first new member. Harry sat down in one of the empty places reserved for the first years and tried to get his head round the Hat's decision.

As he looked at his new housemates - an alarming number of whom had been Death Eaters in his old world - Harry hoped he wouldn't end up wishing he'd begged the Hat for a different House. Though he was surprised the Hat had treated him as just another student and hadn't given any sign of discovering his real identity. He'd always assumed that students were sorted using some sort of Legilimency, but apparently that wasn't case. Thankfully that meant there would be no chance of the Hat betraying his secrets to Dumbledore.

Harry relaxed and sat back to watch the rest of the Sorting, deciding to worry about the consequences of his placement later. Susan Bones became a Hufflepuff and then came two Ravenclaws and a Gryffindor, before Millicent Bulstrode joined Harry at the Slytherin table. Harry gave her a polite nod and a smile, getting a scowl in return. Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to look at the first years huddled at the front of the hall.

As Justin Finch-Fletchley was called forwards to try on the Hat, Draco caught Harry's eye and gave him an approving nod. Harry smirked back and mouthed 'Good Luck'. The blond boy was a conceited brat, but Harry found he was growing on him.

"Granger, Hermione," McGonagall read out from the list of names in her hand.

Harry's attention immediately snapped back to the Sorting. Hermione was looking incredibly nervous, so he sent her a thumbs up and an encouraging smile. It seemed to give her courage as she marched up to the Hat and jammed it on over her bushy hair.

Harry expected the Hat to quickly call out Gryffindor or maybe Ravenclaw, but Hermione ended up sitting on the stool for many minutes, long enough for the students in the hall to become restless. Whispers broke out as they wondered what was taking so long. Harry was wondering that himself since he didn't remember the Hat having so much trouble in his old world.

Finally, the brim of the Sorting Hat opened. "SLYTHERIN!" it shouted. Harry thought he could detect a note of uncertainty in the Hat's voice, something Harry sympathised with since he himself was absolutely gobsmacked.

Harry stared in shock as Hermione smiled triumphantly and hurried over to sit beside him. With a sinking feeling, Harry realised that he was the reason for her being Sorted into the predominantly pureblood House. Of course Hermione had wanted to be with her first friend and had argued with the Hat until she got her own way – just as he, Harry, had argued with the Hat to put him in Gryffindor the first time round. Hermione had always had problems making friends and was fiercely loyal to the few she had. After he'd befriended her on the train, she'd probably been determined to follow him into whatever House he was Sorted into, even if that meant she ended up in Slytherin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enjoying the fanfic and hungry for more?

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

http//patreon.com/Kun_kanshi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~