Chapter 9

He had wanted to argue, even bringing up the fact that there was a war and one of the professors was the catalyst of it.

"There has not been a Magical war in my lifetime Harry." She had gently countered, "There is no Voldemort, no Death Eaters or anything of that nature. There are old hatreds, of course, but this is one of the reasons Hogwarts exists, to try and teach children to let go of these prejudices away from those who taught them."

It made sense and answered a question Harry had always wondered about Hogwarts in his own world, why the students weren't allowed to return home at a more regular basis. But there was still mistrust in his heart, and he knew that no matter what anyone said Voldemort was Voldemort.

So, with a few hours left until the arrival of the other children he went to the library and did his bookworm friend proud, with research. He knew there wouldn't be anything about any wars or conflicts, but he also knew enough about Voldemort's past to know where to start looking for clues.

Looking back through the years he quickly found the years that Riddle was at school, and then looked for the names he remembered from his own world.

Ruby Hagrid graduated in 1947, along with Myrtle Warren. Harry looked further, but there were no unexplained deaths during those years, no risk of the school closing, no potential Basilisk attacks, or groups of evil mask-wearing terrorists.

It was almost as if Grace Riddle wasn't evil.

****

"Hannah Abbott!"

Harry squashed down the tension in his chest. He had done this before, this wasn't new, and there was nothing to worry about.

"Lavender Brown!"

Sit on a stool, put on a hat, wait to be placed into Gryffindor, then meet his friends. Sure, there were more females than he remembered, and looking at the tables, most of the seated students were girls as well, but from what he saw those closest to him were still boys.

Ron and Neville both looked, relatively, the same and even without the Hogwarts Express acting as the initial catalyst it should still be a simple task to befriend them. They would be the only three boys in Gryffindor for their year after all.

"Cleopatra Malfoy!"

Harry did his best not to snicker but failed and earned a bit of attention from those nearby before he was able to stifle himself. It wasn't his fault, but the idea that the great 'My father will hear about this!' Draco Malfoy was now a girl made him giggle just a bit more than it should.

"Amaryllis Potter!"

Whoops, he had missed a chunk of students again in his distraction, not that it really mattered. These next two were the most important to him anyway, save for Hermione and Ron, one of which had already been placed in Gryffindor as before.

"Gryffindor!"

He clapped along with those around him and smiled at the cheers from their table.

"Harriet Potter!"

Seconds later the Hat shouted once more, "Gryffindor!"

More cheers, more polite clapping, and then it happened.

"Harry Potter!"

The chatter seemed to die down as attention focused on him. For once, at least, they weren't staring at his forehead.

He stepped forward, sat down on the stool, and waited for the Hat.

Gryffindor

Gryffindor

Gryffindor

He mentally chanted his house even as it lowered down.

Gryffindor

Gryffindor

Gryffindor

The voice spoke in his mind, same as last time. "Hm now what do we have here, seems you've already been sorted once, very odd."

Yes, he had been, and to Gryffindor, which was why, he mentally argued, he should just go there again.

" Ah but with everything in your life, bravery is not the thing you need most. No, you will need to be cunning and clever to keep the past, present, and future separate. You need to find ambition to give yourself meaning in this world."

No, no he didn't, and he protested almost immediately. His friends were in Gryffindor and they…

"Are not your friends in this world."

The truth hit him like a Bludger to the chest. These weren't his friends, not really. Sure, they looked the same, but they likely had different upbringings, maybe they wouldn't even become friends with him without the life-or-death catalysts from before.

This wasn't his world, he didn't belong here, didn't fit in, and likely never would.

As his shoulder's slumped and he barely overheard the declaration of "Slytherin!" Unlike the others he made no attempt at moving, why bother after all? Moments later the Hat was removed, and a pair of hands guided him from the front of the hall back towards an open seat.

It was only after sitting down, and ignoring the stares from those around him, that he realized the one responsible for his movements was his new Head of House.

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