Harry felt self-conscious at the hat's laughter, well aware that it wasn't limited to just his head.
The hat finally stopped laughing and spoke in an amused tone, once again speaking only to Harry. "You are not the only one who has tired of that phrase. Though we weren't really speaking of him, many people may want to use you. Some people, more honestly than others, such as Draco Malfoy."
Harry snorted internally, "I'm well aware that Draco gave that oath because he didn't want to die like he had before."
The hat gave a small burst of agreement, before it continued. "We caution you though, just because someone makes mistakes does not mean they're evil. But… our request was serious. Do not turn away someone away who would genuinely follow you. Keep them at arm's length if you can, and if you must. But do not turn them away."
Harry sighed a little bit, "I will do my best, but I will remain cautious." "Of course. One final warning. Just because someone was good, or evil on your past world, does not mean they are so on this world. There are differences." The hat said solemnly.
"I will remember that. I promise." Harry replied. Harry's mental voice trailed off with a frown. Something was slightly different about the hat now. It was speaking in plural, and listening closely Harry was able to hear different voices speaking in unison when the hat spoke.
As if sensing the direction of Harry's thoughts, the hat changed topic quickly, "Now, suppose we should get you sorted. Do you have a preference?" The hat asked curiously.
Harry frowned at that. "Not… really. Somewhere I'll be able to do what I need to." "Hmm. Normally we would say this is a tricky decision, but it's really down to two houses. Hufflepuff would drive you nuts and they would worry for you whenever you were alone. Your intensity would probably drive a wedge between you and them quickly. Gryffindor is out as well. For the same reasons. You would have no peace in that house." The hat pondered slowly, musing to itself.
"If I put you in Ravenclaw, they would… likely leave you alone whenever you were studying. And you would be able to study in peace. However that would put you in close proximity to Iris Potter and the Miss Granger of this world. I think it would also limit you. Those in Ravenclaw tend to seek knowledge for knowledge sake. Pure knowledge will not help you in your quest." The hat's voice was getting more firm as it talked through its thoughts. Harry swallowed. His momentary surprise at the mention of both Iris and Hermione in Ravenclaw was surpassed by the decision that the hat seemed to be heading toward.
Harry had come full circle. The first time he had sat on this stool he had begged the hat not to place him in Slytherin. Now the hat from this world was drawing the same inexorable conclusion the one in the old world had.
Harry didn't have quite the same problem going into the house as he did before. The first time his concern was mostly that he had heard Voldemort had gone there and had seen Draco Malfoy go there. He had desperately wanted to avoid that.
Harry's concern about placement in the house was much more elemental now. The question was whether or not he'd be able to resist the urge to slaughter a generation of future death eaters the first time one of them tried to prove their superiority to him or the first time one of them tried to cram a pureblood agenda down his throat.
It was the symmetry of the conclusions from the Sorting Hats in two separate worlds was eerie to him.
Once again people were stunned as the hat began to burst out in the same deep laughter for several seconds.
The hat's voice was amused. "Yes, in your last world, you successfully argued to be placed elsewhere. However, I don't think that will work a second time. You have a plan to save the world. What is that if not ambition?"
The hat's voice turned firm and Harry was surprised, he could hear actual anger in the hat's voice or voices. As the hat's emotions rose, Harry was able to pick out different voices in the hat's speech. The hat even seemed to tremble with rage on top of Harry's head. "We were wrong, Mr. Potter. We have a second request for you. You're going to the house of the ambitious and cunning for many reasons. The politics can destroy people in that house, but you have lived through far worse than anything you might be faced with by the members of that house."
"For too long that house has been a bastion of bigots and bullies. To be in the house is incredibly dangerous and it is known as a viper pit for a reason. What limited power the headmaster over the houses, has been unable to change it despite his attempts. Until now we have been powerless to do anything about it. No longer!"The hat's voices rose in Harry's head, and he could clearly hear the combination of two male and two female voices, though the hat hadn't said any of this aloud.
The hat seemed to cackle with glee, though this time Harry could tell it was only in his head. This time though, the hat spoke with only one voice. And it was noticeably different than the hat's normal voice or the four voices in unison. It was deep and rich, and sounded far more cultured than Harry had heard before. "This chance may never come again. I'm going to release a basilisk among the little vipers. Accept yourself and all of who you are. Above all I ask that you do not allow the atrocity that the house of the serpents has become, to continue any longer. The House I gave my name has fallen into disgrace. You have true power. Your potential is unlimited. Change my house Mister Potter. Change it and you make strides to saving the school and changing the world. I beg you to restore nobility to my name and to the house of Salazar SLYTHERIN!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you enjoy reading? Visit my site on Tiendup! There you will find the advanced chapter in PDF format, ready for your convenience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
https://fictiontopia.tiendup.com/