The Re-sorting Hat.

Don't Be Ashamed, Potter.

Time had passed but Harry had no idea just exactly how much had as his mind had been stuck in his maddening and relentless thoughts. They were like the mermaids in the lake, never getting tired and screeching when he eventually came up for air. His life was a mess at the current time: His godfather being hunted down, his friends gone and his nightmares worse than ever.

Harry was so engrossed in his thoughts he didn't hear footsteps approaching.

"Seems strange of potter to run off like that, honestly doesn't he know how great Slytherin is? He really is as stupid as he lo..." Draco Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks, he could see a shadow of a person in the corner. "Lumos maximus" muttered Malfoy as he tentively stepped closer.
There was a mass of black curly hair sitting statue still in the corner of the dusty owlrey. "Potter?" Malfoy questioned but there was no response. Malfoy crouched down and examined the boy in front of him, Potter was resting his head on his knees and his knees were drawn in tight. It was almost like he was trying to disappear.

"Blaise? Come here, I found him"
There was the sound of footsteps approaching and then Blaise copied Malfoy's position looking questionly at Potter. "Is he sleeping?" Blaise asked while poking potters arm. His question was answered when Potter raised his head a little to look at them, his eyes widened in surprised and he looked around him for a second but then just resumed his old position.
Malfoy and Blaise shared confused looks.

"Are you ashamed potter? There's no need to be... I mean we Slytherins are very clever and ambitious. I'm sure you too are very clever?... Blaise help me out here..." Malfoy trailed off.
"Uhhum... so potter What's the matter?.... okay not one for talking it seems. We should really get back it's freezing up here" Blaise then shuffled closer and tried to pry Harry's arms from his legs but to no avail.

It had been at least ten minutes and Potter had yet to move. "Blaise you should get a teacher" Malfoy suggested but that seemed to do the trick with Potter as his head shot up.
"Please don't" Harry begged, there was obvious desperation in his eyes.
"Only if you come with us down to Slytherin" Blaise said.
Potter frowned at this and then thudded his head against the stone wall behind him closing his eyes as if weighing out the options. Sirius chose not to so does that mean Slytherin is that bad? What would he think if he was still.... no. He shook his head minutely. I shouldn't think about that. What about Voldemort he was in Slytherin and well. Wait did this mean he could be in more danger? Would Dumbledore allow this? People wouldn't trust him anymore it would be like the snake thing again.

Harry opened his eyes after a few minutes and regarded Malfoy. "There's no way out of this is there?"
He asked clenching his fists at the thought of Umbridge who had caused this in the first place. Malfoy answered the truth "no" , Harry could tell because that was the answer he had got himself. Well I am brave and there's no way to get out of this so why hide?

"Fine. Let's go." Harry declared while standing up on his numb legs. Malfoy and Blaise didn't seem to anticipate this and scrambled up after him. It was hard to walk when you can't feel your legs thought Harry as he nearly slipped falling into Draco Malfoy. He's warm.
"Merlin you're freezing Potter!"
"Sorry" Harry gave a sheepish grin and tried standing again, this time with more result as he remained upright.
"Come on before Potter dies of hypothermia" Malfoy said and then added "not that you ever do die though"