Chapter One: The Unexpected Classification

Harry Potter stood nervously in front of the large, wooden sorting door, his heart racing with anticipation. It was a familiar feeling, one he hadn't experienced in years, but it still brought back memories of his first year at Hogwarts. He had returned to the school for one reason: to finally get classified. At eighteen years old, most students had already known their place in the world, but Harry's unique circumstances had delayed his classification. As a result of the extreme stress he had endured during his years as "The Boy Who Lived," Harry's presentation had been put off. Now, he was about to discover where he fit in the world. The Sorting Hat, a magical artifact that could read the thoughts and abilities of each student, had been replaced by a more modern classification system. The Ministry of Magic had introduced a new way to categorize students based on their inherent characteristics: alpha, beta, omega, caregiver, and little. The atmosphere around him was filled with the chatter of students, all of whom had already gone through the classification process. Some were anxiously waiting for their friends, while others were confidently striding towards their designated groups. Harry, on the other hand, was clueless. The classification process was simple: each student would step in front of a large, crystal orb, and their inherent characteristics would be revealed. It was a magical process that couldn't be influenced or altered. The orb would show a bright, shimmering light, and a soft voice would announce the student's classification. As Harry stepped in front of the orb, he felt a strange tingling sensation, like his magic was being stirred. The orb began to glow, and a soft voice spoke, "Little." The room fell silent. Harry's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the orb, wondering if it had made a mistake. He was Harry Potter, the famous wizard who had saved the world from Voldemort. He was a hero, a warrior, not... not a little. The term "little" referred to a rare group of individuals who possessed a pure and young soul. They were known for their innocence, kindness, and unique ability to bring people together. Littles were extremely rare, making up only about one percent of the population. As Harry struggled to comprehend the situation, a group of students approached him, their faces filled with concern and curiosity. Ron Weasley, his best friend, was among them, along with Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood. They all had a caregiver designation, which was common among alphas. "Harry, are you okay?" Ron asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We didn't expect... I mean, we thought you'd be an alpha or something." Harry shook his head, still trying to process the information. "I don't understand. I'm a little? What does that even mean?" The group exchanged worried glances, and Hermione spoke up, "It means you have a... unique personality, Harry. Littles are known for their innocence and kindness. They often have a special headspace, a mental state that's similar to a toddler's." Luna added, "And they often use comfort objects, like pacifiers or stuffed animals, to help them cope with stress." Harry's mind reeled as he tried to imagine what this meant for his life. He was a little, and now he had to navigate this new reality. His friends, now his caregivers, looked at him with concern and a hint of curiosity. "Hey, Harry, let's get you to the little's area," Ron said, guiding him towards a separate section of the school. "We'll figure this out together, okay?" As they walked, Harry couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. He was no longer the confident, brave wizard he once was. He was a little, and that realization brought both fear and curiosity. "Guys, can I ask you something?" Harry said, looking up at his friends. "Of course, Harry," Hermione replied. "How do I... how do I act like a little? I don't know what I'm doing." His friends exchanged gentle smiles, and Ron said, "Don't worry, Harry. We'll take care of you. We'll be your... mom and dad, for now." The term "mom" and "dad" was a common way for littles to address their caregivers, and Harry felt a mix of emotions. He was grateful for their support, but also worried about losing his independence. As they reached the little's area, Harry saw a group of students who were all classified as littles. They were playing with toys, using pacifiers, and laughing together. Harry felt a pang of curiosity and wonder. What would his life be like as a little?