Harry Potter and the Darker Path

Chapter 2: The Sorting Hat

The Great Hall was more magnificent than Harry had ever imagined. Floating candles illuminated the room, casting a warm glow over the long tables draped with the colors of the four Hogwarts houses. The enchanted ceiling above showed a vast night sky dotted with stars. 

Harry stood nervously in line with the other first years, his eyes drifting from the Gryffindor table to the one lined with students in green and silver. The Slytherins sat with an air of quiet confidence, their faces unreadable. Draco Malfoy stood among them, smirking slightly when their eyes met. 

Soon, Professor McGonagall called out his name. “Potter, Harry.” 

The hall fell into a hushed silence as Harry stepped forward and sat on the small wooden stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head, and the brim slipped over his eyes, hiding the hall from view. 

"Ah," a small voice whispered in his ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see, yes. But not quite what we usually find in a Gryffindor." 

Harry tensed. Gryffindor? That was where Hagrid had assumed he would go. But... was it really the right place for him? He didn’t feel like a hero—he felt like someone who needed to prove himself. 

"I see," the hat continued, as if reading his thoughts. "Yes, there’s ambition here. A desire to make your mark. Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness, Harry Potter." 

Slytherin. The thought of being in Slytherin no longer filled him with dread. There was something about it—something that felt... right. After all, hadn’t Draco been right? Slytherin was a house where people with drive, with ambition, thrived. It was a place where Harry could prove himself, not just live in the shadow of his name. 

"Yes," the Sorting Hat whispered with certainty. "Better be SLYTHERIN!" 

 The hat barely finished speaking before the hall erupted into whispers. Harry took off the hat, his heart pounding as he walked toward the Slytherin table. As he approached, Draco Malfoy and the other students greeted him with smirks and approving nods. 

"Welcome to Slytherin," Draco said smoothly, sliding over to make room for him. 

Harry sat down, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze on him. He caught a glimpse of Ron Weasley, looking utterly shocked from the Gryffindor table. Hermione Granger was frowning slightly, as if puzzled by the choice. 

But Harry didn’t mind. He could feel the change already—this was where he belonged. No more being the unwanted boy shoved in a cupboard. Here, he could be someone else—someone powerful, someone who mattered. 

As the feast began and the Slytherins welcomed him into their fold, Harry’s mind buzzed with possibilities. Hogwarts was his fresh start, and in Slytherin, he would make sure it was a great one.