The background
Harry Weasley sat up out of bed and groaned. His hair was in complete disarray and his blanket was scrunched in like a ball on his legs. One foot had a sock on, the other was missing and the t-shirt he slept in had fallen off his shoulder. It was one of Charlie's old shirts, but Harry has a very different build to his older brother and therefore it didn't fit right. But that is what happened when you were one of the middle kids in a big family. You were ignored and had no new things. Sticking his arm out, Harry felt around for his glasses on his bedside table. Putting the taped together pair on, he sees his twined triplets asleep across from him, like they always were. The two were always closer, but ever since that fateful day when he was 11, it was like he became invisible.
The Great Hall was packed with students, as always for the welcoming feast. Everyone had on their robes and hats, and all were eagerly awaiting what comes next. The ceiling enchanted to look like the night sky, was being pelted with rain. The hat sat on a stool in the middle of the room, as hundreds of young witches and wizards watched in anticipation. Suddenly it’s brim opened:
Oh you may not think I am clever,
Or brave or kind or resilient,
But you know I shall endeavour,
To set you on a path of fulfilment.
I'm the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts, wisdom woven deep,
Into your thoughts, and secrets I shall look.
From Gryffindor's courage to Hufflepuff's keep,
Your future in my hands I see the guidebook.
The questions I ask myself, keep me up at night,
Do you carry Gryffindor's bravery, burning bright? (A)
Or Slytherin's ambition, gleaming in the night? (B)
Is it Ravenclaw's wisdom or Hufflepuff's loyalty
I'm the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts, Oh can’t you see?
In your house, friendships and memories await.
Underneath my worn brim, a truth running free,
To the spirit of your house, you will relate.
From the founders four, I draw my lore,
Under my spell, Hogwarts will never bore.
Within my song, your future's roar,
In the house I choose, you will explore.
So step forth, young wizards, come heed my call,
In Hogwarts, there's a place for you all.
Underneath my gaze, let your worries fall,
For in your destined house, you'll stand tall.
The great hall bursts into applause as Fred whispers to his triplets “I am going to kill Charlie. Fighting a kelpie, I say. How did we fall for that?”
Now, the Weasleys were a Gryffindor family, known and respected by the house. Everyone expected the triplets to continue the tradition that had been long standing for the Weasleys and Prewits for years.
Just then, as the three think about their future, Professor McGonagall walks forwards, and unrolling a scroll, begins the sorting. She started to call out the childrens names alphabetically.
One by one, the other kids disappeared from their group as they were sorted into each of the four houses. When suddenly: "Weasley, Fred."
The hat had barely touched Fred's head before it called out, "GRYFFINDOR!" The table clad in red and gold erupted in applause. Fred walked to the Gryffindor table, grinning ear to ear. He knew he could do it.
"Weasley, George."
Again, the hat barely had time to settle before it called out, "GRYFFINDOR!" George joined Fred at the table amidst enthusiastic cheers. Hugging each other tightly they smiled wide.
"Weasley, Harold."
Harry walked up to the stool. Instantly there was silence, this was the fabled mystery Weasley. With his incredibly dark ginger hair, that doesn’t even look ginger, and his bright green eyes, when all his family had brown, he was the child shrouded from vicious rumours. His walk was measured, the energy around him different from his brothers'. He knew he was going to have to argue for what he wanted, and it seemed the other students knew something big was coming. Everyone sat up straight and stared him down and he slowly sat on the stool. The hat was placed onto his head. Unlike his brothers, it didn't shout immediately. It took its time, causing a slight unease to ripple through the Great Hall. The people closest to Harry could see his mouth moving as the minutes ticked by, the unease grew.
Then, finally, "SLYTHERIN!"
There was a collective gasp from the students and staff. Silence.
Harry, Fred and George looked at each other, each shocked. “Is this a prank?” Bill yelled out. But he received no response. No one moved for a few beats. Turning their heads, the twins of the triplets looked at each other, and had a silent conversation as Harry was pulled up by McGonagall. Turning back to look at their brother. The two, with deadpan faces, clapped slowly along with their older brothers Bill, Charlie and Percy. The five of them were too shocked to believe what they had just heard, but knew family loyalty must be shown. Walking towards his new house table, Harry looks up towards the staff table. That was when he locked eyes with the man who had sent him a letter a few weeks ago with a task for him. The older male nodded towards Harry and instantly he felt like he had done the right thing again.
In time, Harry would strive to prove himself to be a Slytherin of a different stripe, demonstrating cunning, resourcefulness, and a certain ambitious streak, all while maintaining the Weasley sense of loyalty and love for his family. His placement into Slytherin would serve as a constant reminder to all that the house did not define the person, and that bravery, intelligence, ambition, and loyalty were not qualities exclusive to their respective houses.
However that didn't matter at the moment, nor did it matter to his family when he tried to talk to them. And so, from that moment on, Harry was alone.
Or he was, for a stage. Then he joined the order on his 17th birthday with his brothers, and met the most talented and perfect women ever. Who then introduced him properly to her friends, including the escaped convict and the werewolf, and a new family was formed.
But things still didn't stay how people wanted them to. As they never do. And the story begins on the 31st of October. The witches day.
But let's muddle the timelines a bit first.