Twins: A Different Life

Sorting Drama

The rain had dried by the time they stepped off the train. Two large children moved aside to clear a path for Draco, allowing him to walk through. Harry, who didn't like turning down gifts, walked alongside him to avoid the crowd.

A towering man called out cheerfully to the first-years, fawning over Rosalie as she approached him, then guiding them down to the boats. Harry smiled in remembrance; Godric had taken him on the boats first. He climbed in, sitting next to Draco, both keeping their masks in place.

As soon as Harry caught sight of the magnificent castle, he felt as if all the stress and tension that had built up since reuniting with his parents washed away. The sight of the castle, still standing in all its glory and beauty, its magic saturating the entire area and making Harry's magic sing, was beyond what words could describe.

They were introduced to Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House, and Transfiguration teacher, who led them into the entrance hall. Harry was nearly beaming when he noticed that hardly anything had changed. The place looked more worn, and there were many more portraits, but other than that, it remained the same. Hogwarts was still standing proudly.

They received a brief speech about the basics of Hogwarts and what they should prepare for before being left alone for a moment. Harry was surprised when a group of ghosts floated through the wall; he had never seen any ghosts in the castle before.

When the Professor returned, they were led into the Great Hall. Harry immediately looked up at the ceiling, smiling when he saw Rowena's amazing spellwork still in place. He couldn't wait to explore it and try it for himself.

Harry nearly gaped when Professor McGonagall placed Julius on a three-legged stool, and he burst into song; had he become a Sorting Hat?

Harry almost laughed out loud at that. Julius had been created as a joke: a hat that made decisions because Godric never seemed to be able to do so. It was Helga who had crafted him, and Harry honestly couldn't believe he was still around. The Founders were truly incredible.

Harry looked around the hall, observing the similarities and differences from what he was used to. He then turned his attention to the head table.

It wasn't as ornate as it had been in the past, but the large Hogwarts banner still hung in its usual spot, and the Headmaster's chair remained large and throne-like. The only notable change was the man seated in it.

With long white hair and a long white beard, the aged figure had a lined face and wore half-moon glasses that framed twinkling blue eyes. Harry felt his lip curl at the sight of the great Albus Dumbledore.

Moving on, Harry spotted his mother and father sitting together, a man in a purple turban nearby. His gaze then froze in surprise. The man he focused on was older than he remembered, yet time had not altered him significantly; his godfather still looked handsome and somewhat roguish. Beside him sat his Uncle Remus, a scar on the left side of his face adding to his strong presence.

Harry shook himself out of his thoughts. He knew he had to focus on the sorting before worrying about his godfather and uncle. All he needed to do was stay calm for a few more hours.

Harry wasn't the only one surveying the room. At the top table, one man was critically observing the new arrivals with a sharp gaze. Sitting next to Sirius Black, Severus Snape easily spotted his Godson, Draco, whose platinum hair gleamed in the candlelight.

Snape watched as Draco was called up and sorted into his house before the Sorting Hat even sat upon his head. He nearly rolled his eyes at the smug look that spread across the boy's face as he pranced, much like his father, over to the clapping Slytherin table.