Harry just about resisted the urge to sneer as the Hat finished its song and the hall erupted into applause, though the Slytherins looked rather reluctant to do so. As the applause died out, Professor McGonagall lifted the Hat into the air, the parchment now unrolled and floating before her.
"When I call your name," she began, her voice clear. "You will come forth to be sorted." After a moment's pause she continued. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A blonde girl with pigtails nervously hurried forward and sat down on the stool. The hat was on her head for a mere few seconds before it called out,
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry's gaze followed the new badger to the cheering table, before snapping back to the task at hand. Already more names were being called out, though Harry paid little attention. He was instead internally fretting on whether or not the Sorting Hat could give him away. He had faith in his Occlumency shields, of course, he was taught by the best Azkaban had to offer, but he was sure the four founders had thought of that little tit bit and found a way for the Hat to get past them with little difficulty.
"Potter, Harrison!"
The effect was instant as the hall fell into a cool silence and the lighting took on an eerie look. A smirk caused a twitch at the side of his mouth, and he allowed the madness within to cause a gleam in his eyes. He had a part to play after all.
He walked with perfect, lither grace up to the rickety old stool and with a graceful twirl, he sat down. The Hat was lowered onto his head, blocking out the rest of the world with old, dirty material infused with a magic almost as old as the castle. The side of his mouth twitched again.
"Can you tell anyone anything that you see in my mind?" He was straight to the point, there was no point dancing around the subject. The Hat would see it anyway.
"No, that was one thing Rowena and Salazar was very clear on when they first made me," the Hat said. "I am sure that comes as a great relief to you, considering what you plan to do."
"Of course," Harry answered. "But I feel anyone would be relieved to know that they're innermost thoughts could not be shared with the likes of the headmaster or their fellow students."
"You were wronged at such a young age," the Hat murmured. "Normally I would say not to go about revenge but…I see the revenge you intend to bring about is something the wizarding world much needs. Many of the wizards and witches of old would turn in their graves at seeing how magic is shunned in these times."
"It is truly disgusting," he agreed. "Muggleborns and the like have poisoned our world with their prejudiced ways for too long, just as weak minded individuals in power have bent over backwards to them for too long. I am sure I would be turning in my grave with them."
"It is strange, don't you think, that they imprisoned you falsely for murder, but now that they have you released you, you intend to go about just that."
"If they had wished me not to, they shouldn't have imprisoned me. Or perhaps I would have done so anyway simply because I had begun to loathe my parents even before my incarceration…That is something to muse about."
"I would not spend too long on that," the Hat advised. "You already know that I shall send you to Slytherin, and I see you wish to seek out the Chamber. My advice is to seek out the man who made it first, for only he will be able to tell you where it is in the little time you have."
"And how will I find him?"
"Slytherins always stick to their own."
"Hmm…"
"It was a pleasure looking into your mind Scion Potter, it was certainly a refreshing change."
"Glad my mind could be of service."
"Remember my advice Scion Potter…" The Hat pulled out of his mind and shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
As the Hat was removed from his head by a trembling hand, he looked out upon the silent, still hall. Inclining his head to them all, he walked over to Slytherin table with the same grace he had walked up to the stool with, as they slowly began to clap, each move controlled and dignified. Harry allowed a smirk to grace his features. He had, after all, earnt it.
....
Want to read ahead by more than 60 chapters. Then join my pa*treon now.
Link: pa*treon.com/Amelie796 (Remove the *)
Free members will get 2 chapters for free.