Snakelet

Little, cute, fierce baby snakes

The Great Hall was stunned in silence.

Harry felt like he couldn't breathe, his body went rigid, and he didn't dare to open his eyes. He knew, if he does that, he will be sure that it isn't a dream, and he wasn't ready to face off reality.

"Every bad and dark witch and wizard once was in Slytherin." Hagrid's words rang in his ear.

But the hat said, Slytherin is not equal with evil, right? And the witch also described it as ambitious and proud, not only as cunning.

"The Malfoys are the epitome of Slytherin," he remembered Ron's comment on the House.

Will this mean Ron won't be nice to him anymore? He clearly hated the idea of being placed there, and his brothers also booed at freshly sorted kids who joined the House. He hoped this won't be the case, he enjoyed the Weasley's so far and would like to get to know them better.

Another thought bothered his mind. Does this mean he's somewhat like Malfoy? That he's similar to Dudley, who is a muggle but would be surely sorted into the House? He couldn't believe that,didn't want to. He never hurt others intentionally, and he didn't view himself as an arrogant prick, who constantly held their nose up like they are some upper life form.

Maybe the hat was wrong? It's most likely super old, it definitely looks like that, so there is a possibility it doesn't work flawlessly anymore.

And what does your heart is a Gryffindor's, but the place where you could explore your potential is Slytherin mean? If his heart is brave or whatever, shouldn't he go there then? And why can he only explore his potential in the latter?

Loud cheering interrupted his thought.

"We got Potter! We got Potter!" People yelled, and he knew it was from his House.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind and failing at it, then slowly started to take off the hat. He opened his eyes and met the witch's gaze, but he couldn't read anything into it. He stood up and shakily started to walk towards his table, where people were still clapping and cheering for him.

He didn't dare to look at any of the other Houses.

When he finally arrived at the table, a few people shook his hands, congratulated and patted him on the back.

"Maybe they won't be so bad," he thought, "maybe they are actually nice."

Then he sat down at the end of the table, right across Malfoy's smug face.

Or maybe not.

"Got to your senses, eh?" he started with a grin, "realised on your way where the best people are?"

Harry frowned at him. "Well if I sit at the table consisting only of the best, then I don't know what are you doing here." he said.

Laughter erupted around him, and he quickly realised every Slytherin around him heard his comment.

"Moody, are we?" grinned the blond boy. "You know, after the train I thought you are going to be just some stuck-up, arrogant little hero, but you seem to be a lot more interesting than that."

Arrogant!? Harry being arrogant? Has Malfoy ever seen and heard himself?

"Now, now!" interrupted a brunette girl, "Hush little one! You don't want to cause any trouble on the first day, do you?" she scolded them. "There is a lot for you to learn, but until then, sit down, have a feast, and try not to murder each other."