AN: This is something that's been rattling around in my brain for a while. It introduces an original character, so you may or may not like it for that reason. And it will be going against cannon a bit. I tried to stay as close to the books as possible, but it was impossible for some things. This first chapter introduces my main character. I hope you like it. :)

The Sorting Hat

Emilia Kaminska stood shivering in the Entrance Hall with the first years, waiting to be sorted. She had been forced to take the boats across the lake with them, and they were all soaking wet from the rain. The smallest boy had even fallen in the lake, and was now draped in a furry black coat. All of the first years seemed to be looking up at her, obviously wondering why the fourteen year old was waiting in the Entrance Hall with them. A part of her wanted to yell at them to mind their own business, but she was mostly too embarrassed to even look at them. She tried to concentrate on the portraits on the walls, but she could feel herself blushing. She adjusted her ridiculous pointy hat for the hundredth time that day, and ran her fingers through her drenched wavy blonde hair. She normally wore it in a long braid down her back, or two if she was in the mood, but her mom had made such a big deal about her wearing it down on her first day that she'd given in.

Finally, a girl with short black hair and a large square build got up the nerve to speak.

"Excuse me, why are you here? You're not in first year," the large girl said, not entirely politely.

"My family just moved here from Canada, so I have to get sorted with you guys. Trust me, I'm not happy about it either," the fourth year explained. This made most of the first years nod and turn away, except for the black haired girl, who continued to stare contemptuously at Emilia.

She snorted, and replied, "You're from Canada? Shouldn't you have gone to Beauxbatons?"

"Not every Canadian speaks French you know," Emily responded, trying to keep her cool. Why am I arguing with an eleven year old? Hurry up, whatever this sorting thing is, she thought. Her teachers at the Upper Canada Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry had explained most things about Hogwarts when she told them she was leaving, but they said the sorting was best left as a surprise.

The annoying first year snorted again, "Whatever. Good luck anyway," she said in a way that implied Emily was going to need it. She rolled her eyes and began to turn away, but Emily stopped her.

"So tell me, how many spells have you done?" Emily asked the kid. She took out her yellowy-orange wand and twirled it causally between her fingers. The first year looked nervous for a fraction of a second, then opened her mouth to respond. But at that moment, a tall, stern-looking witch entered the Hall.

"Welcome, first years!" she glanced quickly at Emily, "and, Ms. Kaminska," Emily was happy to note she pronounced her last name right. "My name is Professor McGonagall. Please form a line, as we are about to enter the Great Hall, where you will be sorted into one of four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin! Each house has its own noble history, and while you are here, it will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will sleep in your house dormitory, spend free time in your house common-room, and attend classes with the rest of your house. Although fourth years may take elective classes which may or may not include other members of their house," the professor nodded to Emilia. She seemed distracted and frazzled, but determined to get through her speech. "Triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule-breaking will lose points. At the end of the year, those points will determine the winner of the house cup. I hope you will each be a credit to your house. Each house has produced great witches and wizards, and it is an honour to be chosen for any one of the four. Now, please follow me."

Emilia had met Professor McGonagall earlier that summer. Normally, only first year students received staff visits, but the Deputy Headmistress made an exception in Emily's case. A few days after her Hogwarts letter arrived, the Professor came to Emilia's house to explain some things more thoroughly, like how to get onto Platform 9 and 3/4. She even took Emily and her parents to Diagon Alley. The magical shops were breathtaking. There were wizarding streets and villages in Canada of course, but none of them had the same history. Compared to Diagon Alley, their stores looked plain and modern. But none if it compared to Hogwarts castle. It was like a fairytale come to life.

Emily was still looking around in awe as the new students walked across the Entrance Hall, when suddenly about fifty ghosts flew overhead. Most of the first years screamed and ducked, but Emily was quite used to seeing ghosts. But her school in Canada, which everyone just called U-CAWW, only had about fifteen ghosts, so even she was a little shaken to see so many all at once.

They walked through the giant doors into the Great Hall, and Emily gasped and stared along with the first years. This was definitely bigger than any room at U-CAWW. She looked up at the floating candles and charmed ceiling, which she'd read about in Hogwarts: A History. It was so much more overwhelming than she'd imagined. The glistening plates and goblets filled the room with a golden glow, and Emily felt a little warmer inside. The group climbed up onto a raised stage, and stood in front of the teachers' table. Emily felt every eye in the room on her, or at least she imagined she did. So far, she had only explained her situation to the first years, and the four sixth years who she had shared a cabin with on the train ride over. They had been nice enough, but they mostly left her alone the whole way. They had also heavily promoted Ravenclaw House, but Emily had specifically avoided reading about any of the houses, so she wouldn't be disappointed if she was sorted into one she didn't like. But the sixth years told her that Ravenclaw was where all the smart kids go, Gryffindors liked Quidditch and practical jokes, Slytherins were nasty and evil, and Hufflepuffs were particularly good finders (she was pretty sure that last one was a joke).

Professor McGonagall brought a little three-legged stool into the middle of the stage, and placed an old ratty witch's hat on top of it. A tear near the brim opened up and the hat began to sing a song about the founders of the school. Listening to the song, Emily started to think she wouldn't be sorted into either Gryffindor or Slytherin. She wasn't exactly a coward but she definitely wasn't brave. And as for Slytherin, well she really didn't know how any decent person could be sorted into that house. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff seemed okay though; she liked to think she was clever and hard-working.

The crowd of applauding students settled down as Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and unrolled a large scroll of parchment. Oh no, they really do use parchment here, Emily suppressed a groan. The wizards in North America used regular muggle paper and pens, so she was dreading getting used to parchment and quills.

The professor addressed the first years. "When I call out your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool. When the Hat announces your house, you will go and sit at the appropriate table." She then turned to address the crowd of students. "This year we have a bit of an uncommon situation. A fourth year transfer student from the Upper Canada Academy of Witchcraft And Wizardry will be joining Hogwarts, and she of course must be sorted as well. So, let us begin with," she raised her voice slightly, "Emilia Kaminska!"

Emily walked quickly towards the ratty hat. She could feel the warmth of a blush creeping into her cheeks, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. There was faint applause, and she noticed it was coming from the little group of Ravenclaws she had sat with on the train. Aw, that's nice of them, she thought, and smiled shyly in their direction. She sat on the stool and pulled the hat on; it rested just above her nose. The sound of the room was suddenly muted out, and she heard a pleasant voice coming from the hat. Or was it in her head?

Ah, so we have a new fourth year, do we? Well, don't worry, you're not the first to enter Hogwarts a little late! So, let me see…Hmm, definitely not Slytherin.

Emily did a little cheer in her head, and the hat chuckled.

Yes, most students are pleased to hear that. Maybe Gryffindor, but…no, no I think Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff would be a better fit…but which one…

I don't know, she replied subconsciously.

No preference? Well, you've definitely got the brains for Ravenclaw, there's no doubt about that. Top of your year at your old school, weren't you?

Well, tied for first...Emily corrected him.

Ah, and humble too, the hat mused.

Wait, how did you know that?

I know everything you know. Yes, smart, but…somehow I don't think you would be happy in Ravenclaw…

Emily remembered the conversation the sixth years had on the train. Yeah, they're a little too boring and stuffy, she told the hat. And sort of, umm, pretentious may be too strong a word but…she trailed off.

Yes, yes I'm sure you would excel academically no matter which house you joined. But I think you will have a lot more fun in, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The last word rang through the Great Hall, and there was a loud cheer from the table to Emily's left, which had black and yellow banners hanging over-head. She took the hat off and walked to the table in a daze. She made a beeline for the empty seats closest to the stage, which had obviously been reserved for the first year students. As she was about to sit down, she noticed three girls about her age waving her over, so she moved to the other side of the table and nervously took a seat in the space they opened up for her.

"You don't want to sit with a bunch of first years, do you?" a dark skinned girl with wild black hair whispered, and Emily shook her head happily.

"Ackerly, Stewert!" was the next name called, and he was sorted into Ravenclaw.

After two more names, Professor McGonagall called, "Bulstrode, Agatha!" to the stage, and the black haired first year who had interrogated Emily stepped forward. There were a few cheers, and Emily looked over to see a similar looking older girl cheering from the Sytherin table. When Agatha Bulstrode was sorted into Slytherin, Emily wasn't surprised, and she made a note to avoid the mean looking older girl who was most likely her sister.

When the sorting finished with "Whitby, Kevin!" joining them at the Hufflepuff table, a tall old wizard with long white hair and a long white beard stood up at the head table.

"That's the Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore," the blond girl to Emily's right whispered.

He smiled around at the students and opened his arms wide in welcome. "I have only two words to say to you. Tuck in."

"Hear hear!" two boys from what Emily now knew was the Gryffindor table exclaimed, and as she looked around at them she noticed one had messy black hair and round glasses.

"Oh my God," she whispered excitedly to the girls on either side of her, "is that Harry Potter?"

They laughed, and the wild-haired girl replied, "Yeah, yeah that's Harry. I guess you sorta forget he's the Harry Potter after a while." But Emily was excited and a little nervous. Even though she was muggleborn, she had heard about Harry Potter ever since her first year. And now that Voldemort was back, she knew Harry would be more important than ever.

"Wow! I mean, I know you guys are used to it, but I'm still a little star-struck," the other girls laughed pleasantly.

"I bet your friends back home will be really jealous when you tell them you're at school with The Boy Who Lived," a girl with shoulder length straight brown hair replied.

"Yeah, yeah probably," Emily replied.

"So I'm Megan by the way, Megan Jones," the wild-haired girl said. "And that's Hannah Abbot," she said and gestured towards the blonde girl, who waved, "and Susan Bones," she finished, nodding to the brunette.

"We're all in fourth year too!" Hannah exclaimed. "You'll be sharing a room with us!"

"Awesome!" Emily smiled shyly, not knowing what else to say. But Susan spoke up.

"Well I'm starving," she said, and turned her attention to the table. "I hope you like British food, Emilia!"

"Oh, you can call me Emily," she replied, and gasped as food suddenly appeared on the table.

The feast was so much grander than Emily had ever imagined. U-CAWW wasn't a boarding school; the students used the Floo Network or portkeys to get to and from school every day. They did serve hot lunch, but it cost extra, so Emily normally brought food from home. She had a feeling she was really going to enjoy the meals at Hogwarts.

The table was filled with roast chicken, pork chops, sausages, bacon, steak, and all sorts of potatoes and vegetables and sauces. Dessert was even better, with ice cream, pies, tarts, éclairs, donuts, fruits, and puddings. There was too much to try it all, and thankfully there was barely anything she didn't recognize. Her new classmates did convince her to try a couple of new foods though. She couldn't suppress the giggle when they presented her with "spotted dick," which she was relieved to learn was just a fruit cake.

The meal passed pleasantly, and Emily was quickly introduced to the fourth year boys in Hufflepuff, who were sitting across the table from them.

"So, are you muggle-born, pure-blood, or half-blood?" Justin Fitch-Fletchly asked right after they were introduced. Before she even had to time to react, he raced on. "I'm muggle-born. I was set to go to Eton before I found out I was a wizard," he said proudly.

Megan started to laugh and Hannah tried to hide a smile. Emily nodded politely but didn't know how to reply.

"She doesn't know what that is, Justin. She's from Canada," Susan said, half annoyed and half amused.

"She may have heard of it," Justin replied hotly. They all looked at Emily expectantly.

She felt nervous under all their stares, but then suddenly remembered something. "Isn't that the school Captain Hook went to in Peter Pan?"

The fourth years burst into laughter. Justin looked cross at first but then joined in despite himself. Emily laughed lightly, and the knot in her stomach loosened a bit. It seems she really was meant to be a Hufflepuff.

AN: This first chapter really reminds me of the style of the first few books. It's more cheerful and straight to the point. I do have more of this story written and I hope to post more soon. The ship really gets going in the third chapter. Please Review. :)