Chapter 1
thump thump thump
Harrys heart pounded against his chest as his eyes darted about the room, scanning each face, praying for a smile, a smirk, any hint that this was all just an elaborate prank. Fred and George really outdid themselves this time that’s for sure.
But no, the infamous Potter luck didn’t work that way. Dumbledore, Mcgonagall and even Snape all looked more serious than harry had ever seen them (and that was saying something).
“no- there must be another way”
Dumbledore’s smile was pitying, “I am very sorry my boy but hogwarts insists a resorting. Without a house you are not technically a student at this school and we can’t have that now can we?”
Harry blanched at the thought of not being a hogwarts pupil. Hogwarts is his home and he would do anything to stay. Even if that means the risk of a new house.
“no” mumbles Harry, begrudgingly accepting his fate. It’s all he’s ever known after all, never having any control over his own life.
Almost a year has passed since the resorting was announced and Harry had completed not only his 4th year at hogwarts and the Triwizard tournament but also his final year as a Gryffindor.
He remembered the day he told his two best friends the news, they weren’t nearly as concerned as he was.
“Oh don’t worry Harry, it’ll be okay, i’m sure nothing will change”, Hermione had said confident as always.
“Yeah”, Ron continued, “You’re the most Gryffindor of us all!”
But they didn’t understand. There was absolutely zero chance he was getting put back in Gryffindor. He had cheated his way in the first time but there was no way he could do it again. Life just didn’t work in his favour like that. Often Harry wondered if he had done something in a past life. Something horrendous, unforgivable even, that he was now paying the price for. That made him deserving of all the shit that happens to him.
Either way, Harry sat at the end of his bed attempting to take mental pictures of his dorm room. He never wanted to forget this. Some of his best memories were made here and he’ll never see it again. No more all nighters being stupid with Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville. No more laughs over Seamus setting the curtains on fire for the millionth time. No more being woken up by Trevor hopping on his bed.
That thought alone was enough to bring a tear to his eyes (though he’d never admit it) but that isn’t all weighing on Harry’s mind.
Although rationally Harry knows he has people in his life that love him unconditionally.
Ron, Hermione, Sirius, Remus.
A small part of him, perhaps the part still locked in his cupboard, feared that his new house would change it. That they would love him less, see him as different, forget about him. This worried Harry especially as he had a sinking feeling he already knew where he would end up. The hat had wanted it the first time and even said it again in his second year. Slytherin was quite literally waiting for him.
Would he be seen as a traitor? The next Dark lord? A death eater? Would he be shunned and hated yet again?
Harry didn’t think he could handle that. Not if it was from his family. His real family.
The thought sped up his breath and clammed his hands.
‘No’, Harry thought definitely, ‘they wouldn’t’.
But optimism does nothing to comfort a boy constantly let down by the people he’s supposed to rely on. So when it time to say goodbye at the station Harry held his hugs a little longer than usual, hoping desperately that this wouldn’t be the last one.