Lily Potter had never been more nervous in her entire life.

True, she had grown up listening about all the wonders of Hogwarts, and, for the past four years, had heard both of her brothers babbling about their own experiences, but the nervousness remained. For Lily, all the excitement of the previous years of wanting to go to Hogwarts had vanished, and instead the one haunting fact remained; that she would have to stay in the ancient castle for an entire year.

"You okay, sweetheart?" The kind voice of Ginny Potter asked. Lily looked up at her mother, and gave her a faint smile.

"I guess so." Lily replied, while staring ahead at her two brothers who were arguing viciously, while pushing both of their trolleys. James was teasing Albus and telling him that he would sneak up at him at night, in the Gryffindor dormitory, and take a picture of him, and give it to their cousin, Stella, who had taken after her mother, Fleur, and was part veela.

"Lily, don't worry about it. You'll be a fine student." Harry, her father, smoothed her shiny red hair, and sighed. "You're worried about what house you'll go into, right?"

"That too." Lily answered Harry, who had continued to smooth her hair. He always told her how much her hair reminded him of his own mother's. But that wasn't what was bothering her. Hopefully she would go into Gryffindor right? But what if…?

Lily looked up just in time to see Ginny flashing a look to Harry. Harry frowned, obviously aware that he had just planted a new fear into Lily's mind.

"Don't worry, Lil!" James called from ahead. "Chances are, you might be in Gryffindor! With me, Al, Victorie, Rosie, Stella, and the rest of our cousins. But if you don't…than mom and dad will disinherit you! Not so bad, right? But don't worry, I'll make sure to give you food and shelter—"

"James Potter!" Ginny interrupted James. James was laughing so hard, that he was holding onto his stomach. "You know very much how sensitive…" Ginny stopped talking, as she looked at Lily, who was biting her lip.

"Will you disinherit me?" Lily asked Harry quietly.

"No, Lil, never. Whatever house you're in, that house will be honored with you. Don't worry! Every house has good people that emerge from it."

"I'm not really worried about what house I'll go into, though." Lily whispered to her father. "I don't wanna leave you, and Mom, and our house…"

Lily silently wiped a tear.

"We'll write! Trust me, Lil, you're going to have an amazing time." Harry smoothed Lily's hair, and than smiled. "You'll write back, right?"

Lily nodded, and smiled faintly, once more.

"Come on, kids!" Ginny said, who was now helping Albus. James had 'accidentally' tipped his brother's trolley over, when Al had called him a "dimwitted dork".

"Harry, do you mind helping Albus pack his trolley? I'll take Lily and James into the platform."

"Okay." Harry walked over to Albus, and grabbed the trunk and stuffed it into the trolley. "Your brother sure loves annoying people…"

"I heard that!" James called, before disappearing into the pillar. Ginny sighed, rolling her eyes, glanced at Harry, and than looked at Lily.

"Come." Ginny began to pull the trolley and Lily ran after her. For the second time in her life, Lily was now at the train station that led to Hogwarts.

The red Hogwarts Express train was depositing steam which was dimly spread all around. Lily sighed, and glanced back to find her father and Al, with Al's trolley.

"Oooh!" James called. "There they are!" James pointed at Rosie, Hugo, along with their parents, Ron and Hermione.

"Hello, mate." Ron patted Harry on the back, and than smiled down at Lily. "Ready for your first year?"

"Not really." Lily said.

"You'll do fine, Lil!" Hermione came next to Lily, and patted her on the shoulder. "Trust me!"

"Yeah, you better trust your Aunt Hermy." Ron said. "Last time, me and Harry didn't, we ended up taking pathetic losers to the ball…" He grinned mischievously.

"Ronald!" Hermione said, although she was laughing. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Hermy?"

Lily smiled and than turned towards Hugo, who would also be attending his first year with her. He was right behind her, with Rosie, who nodded towards Lily, and was off to talk with Albus. They would be attending their third year at Hogwarts, while James would be in his fifth year.

"Hey, Lil." Hugo said, and than smiled. "I'm kind of nervous, but excited." His brown eyes twinkled, and matched his dirty blond hair, which was the same color as his mothers. "You?"

"Nervous all the way." Lily giggled. Hugo always made her feel better. He was probably Lily's favorite cousin. They had grown up together, always doing things they weren't supposed to, in times least expected…

"Hurry, kids! Come on!" Hermione called out to the four of them, panic arising in her voice. She grabbed Lily and Hugo by their arms. "We have a minute left!"

"Hurry James! Make sure to write!! And take care of the other two!!" Ginny called to James, as he boarded the train first with his trolley. Harry and Ron walked over to help Lily, Albus, Rosie, and Hugo with theirs.

Ginny and Hermione joined the other two in saying their good-byes and farewells to the kids. Ginny sighed when the train began to run and turned to Harry.

"There. The last one of our children attending Hogwarts..."

"Hope James doesn't give Lil a hard time. For some reason, all James are very…difficult."

"Troublemakers, but loving at the same time." Hermione whispered, as the four of them watched the train until it was out of sight. "Don't worry Harry, they'll be fine.

Harry couldn't help but thinking that everyone had thought the same about himself, but his childhood had been anything but fine…

--

"Lily! Let's sit here." Hugo suggested, as he pointed at an empty compartment. Its seats looked comfortable, and there were vast spaces to place their trunks in.

Lily sighed, and than said, "Okay. After you, Hugo.

Hugo entered the compartment, placed his trunk and owl in the space above, and helped Lily's with hers. He plopped down on the seat and spread his legs out below him, slouched. Lily sat on the seat across from him, and than sighed once more.

"I'm…nervous." Lily said, taking a deep breath.

"Don't be. Come on, its school! We'll have fun, we'll meet new people, we'll learn magic, so we can jinx James and Matthew when they annoy us."

"Matthew isn't that bad. I mean, Uncle George and Aunt Katie are really strict on him."

"Still. He's been annoying to me loads of times…he deserves some…slight jinx, don't you think?" Hugo smirked.

"James does." Lily said softly, and than giggled. "He loves teasing everyone, and sometimes its annoying, but other times its quite funny…"

Hugo laughed with her, and they stopped, when a boy of around eleven peeked his head into their compartment.

"Mind if I join you?" He questioned. He had brown hair, with bangs that swished around his navy colored eyes. He was wearing a black shirt, and black baggy pants underneath.

"Yes." Hugo muttered under his breath, while twining and un-twining his fingers.

"No, you can come." Lily answered, fighting back a laugh. "What's your name?"

"Gregory." Gregory answered, sitting down next to Hugo. "First year, you?"

"First." Hugo and Lily replied.

"I was nervous before, but I'm fine now." Gregory said.

Oh god, no ones nervous except me… Lily thought. Why was she so different and weird? Her father called her special, and so did all of her aunts and uncles, and her older cousins…but Lily thought she was anything but special. Oh, she was unique…a very unique crybaby, like James liked to call her.

"What are your names, then?" Gregory asked, as he leaned back on his seat. He crossed his legs, and stared at Lily, waiting for her to reply.

"Hugo Weasley." Hugo replied, when Lily didn't. Hugo pulled out a pack of gummy worms from his pocket. He popped one into his mouth, and offered Gregory one. Gregory took one, and they began to chew. Lily was glad that Hugo didn't offer her one; she hated the gummy worms.

"You?" Gregory looked at Lily. He gulped down his gummy worm, and smiled at Hugo, who offered him another.

"Lily Potter."

"Potter?" Gregory leaned forward, leaving his reclining position, and quickly gulped his worm.

"Umm, yeah." Lily answered, looking at Gregory. What was so amazing about her last name, Potter? Lily felt her face go slightly red, she hated attention…

"I heard it someplace, that's all." Gregory looked down, his eyebrows knitted together, as if he were trying to remember where he had heard the name. "Potter….Potter…Potter…"

"Yeah, she's a Potter." Hugo said, annoyed. "We know." He chomped on yet another gummy worm.
"I know you know." Gregory rolled his navy eyes. "Thing is, I've heard my older sister talk about some Potter and a Dark Lord or something. I think you're descended from some famous celebrity."

"Hmm." Lily shrugged. "Maybe. Although I doubt it. My dad would've told me."

"You never know." Gregory grinned. "You just might. Well then, if you become famous, make sure to include me in your interviews."

Lily laughed. "Kay, whatever you say, Gregory."

Hugo slouched farther into his seat, and sighed, after finishing his pack of gummy worms. He gazed at Gregory and than asked him, "So, half-blood, pureblood, or what?"

Gregory's expression hardened. "Umm, my parents were Muggles."

"Oh." Hugo said. "I'm a half-blood." He sat up in his seat, and than continued to stare at Gregory. "My cousin, Lil, is also a half-blood, or you could say a three-quat--"

"You're cousins?" Gregory asked.

Lily nodded. "No one believes it. We don't look alike, right?"

"No, you don't." Gregory smirked.

Just then, a beautiful girl, with long white-blond hair sweeped into the room. Her hair was tied in a long ponytail, and she had already worn her school robes. Her sea green eyes resembled her Mother's (Aunt Fleur) and her tall body towered over the three of them.

"Hello," Stella said, flipping her hair. "I was asked by Dad to check on both of you." She rolled her eyes. "Oh well. It's your first year isn't it? The three of you?"

Stella plopped down on the seat next to Lily. She carried a beautiful scent, along with the gorgeous looks she owned. Lily glanced at Hugo and Gregory, who were both staring at her.

"Yeah, Telly, you didn't know that?" Lily asked her cousin, trying to distract herself from the boys attitudes.

"I knew about Lil and Hugo, not you." Stella snapped at Gregory.

Lily rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. Stella was obviously as proud as her twin, Megan. Both resembled their Mother; part veelas. It was quite annoying when they acted as if they were better than everyone else.

"I'm Gregory." Gregory ignored her previous comment. "What year are you in?"

"Hopeless." She got up furiously, and stormed out of the room, leaving a very shocked Gregory.

"Did I...?" Gregory started, shocked and confused.

"Don't worry, she's like that." Hugo rolled his eyes.

"She thinks that if any guy starts a conversation with her, it's for her looks." Lily explained. What a stupid attitude, she had always wondered who she thought she was.

"But I wasn't! I'm seri--"

"I know, I know." Lily said. "I hate her." She added.

"Are you sure you won't talking to her for her looks?" Hugo smirked at Gregory.

Gregory smirked back.

The two of them began to laugh. Lily sat, watching them, irritated. Guys. she thought to herself. So retarded...

"So what year is she in then?" Gregory asked after they were done.

"Sixth." Hugo giggled.

Just then, Rosie entered the compartment with Albus. "Guys, hurry, put your robes on! We're almost at the school!!" Her tinted cheeks went beautifully with her gray eyes, and her robe was already clasped onto her body. "Oh, who are you?" Rosie asked Gregory, as her gaze was fixed on his face.

"Gregory." Gregory said, friendly. "You?"

"I'm Hugo's sister, Rosie." Rosie smiled, sticking out her hand. "This is Lily's brother, Albus."
"Hey." Albus nodded. "Third year."

"First." Gregory nodded back. "Well, we better get our robes on." He said, turning to Lily and Hugo. Lily was still sitting, while the rest of them were standing. Lily hadn't even noticed them getting up.

Rosie and Albus left. Hugo grabbed his trunk and took out his robe. Lily stood up, and followed with hers, quickly tying hers around herself. Gregory put his on as well, and the three of them got ready to leave the compartment, and out of the train.

When the train finally stopped, Lily stuggled to pull her trunk down. While looking at Hugo, she rolled her trunk behind her. Hugo, look back. I need reassuarance...Lily sighed, trying to get her cousin's attention. In the end, when Hugo did not return her glance, she kicked him on his foot, since he was walking in front of her.

"Ow wha--" Hugo turned around, but silenced himself immedietly. He saw Lily staring at him with a pained expression; her hazel eyes dull, her full lips formed into a frown. Her red hair was hanging beautifully on both sides of her face, and stood out remarkably against her white skin.

No words were needed--Hugo knew Lily too well. He sighed, and than gave a big, friendly smile. "Don't worry, Lil." He whispered.so she alone could hear her "You'll be in the same house as me."

It was seriously amazing at how much Hugo knew Lily. Just an hour ago, the sorting had not been on Lily's mind. But now it was.

They had grown up as kids together, since they were cousins, and their parents had 'gone to school together'. Although Lily did not know much about her parents' past, she was glad two of them had falled in love, and had gotten married (Ron and Hermione) and provided her with a brilliant cousin, Hugo. And the thought of being seperated from him by the division of houses was quite scary and unbearable...

"Lil! Come on!" Hugo pulled her arm, while struggling to pull his own trunk. Lily came back to her senses, and followed Hugo out of the train, and onto the vast property of Hogwarts.

"First years, follow me." said the stern voice of a woman, around the age thirty-five, to the huge group of eleven-year-olds. The children, whom Lily, Hugo, and Gregory were among, obeyed her, and, in a single file line, followed her. The woman stopped in front of two grand wooden doors, and faced them all. Lily noticed that she was wearing chocolate colored robes, with a matching bow on her perfect and tidy bun.

"My name is Professor Jaquel." she said firmly, as if questioning anyone to question her authority. "I am the Hufflepuff's head, but have been given the job to take you to the Grand Hall, to tell you the procedure of the sorting." Her beady black eyes glanced around the crowd. "You will remain in the single file line you are in now. One by one, the sorting hat will be placed on your head, and you will wait until it calls out the House for which you are to remain in for the rest of your stay at Hogwarts. You are then to proceed to your House's table. Follow me."

With a swish of her cloak, she tapped her wand on the wooden doors, and they opened, as if a king were entering the Hall. Lily looked around and saw that the Hall was filled with older kids; kids in their second, third, fourth, and all the way up until seventh. They were all staring at the first years, and Lily felt herself go red. Why are they staring at me?! she thought. Oh, why did she hate attention so much?

Professor Jaquel grabbed a black hat from the table in front of her, and stared up at the chubby man who was sitting behind it. Professor Jaquel nodded at him, and he stood up.
"My name is Professor Thomas." He said. His dark skin was a beautiful color, and went well with his dark eyes. He was around her father's age, but Lily noticed that several of the older girls (sixth year), were looking up at him quite dreamingly. "I am the headmaster of this year, and I welcome the newcomers this year. Please give a round of applause for the first years!"

Clapping filled Lily's ears, and she sighed. It would almost be over, she would hopefully be sitting in the Gryffindor table, with James, and Hugo, and Gregory, and Rosie...

Lily spotted James snickering at some joke Matthew had made. Lily rolled her eyes, and giggled softly to herself. She really couldn't wait until this was over...

"Gina Reder." called out Professor Jaquel. The girl named Gina had blond ringlets, and blue, big eyes. She looked out into the hall, delighted, and sat on the chair. When the hat was placed on her head, it called out "Hufflepuff!!"


Gina skipped off happily to the Hufflepuff table. The students were screaming and cheering their new member.

"Casie Yereg." The Professor Jaquel once again announced a name loudly into the Hall. There was silence for a few seconds, and when Casie finally sat on the chair, the hat yelled, "GRYFFINDOR"


"Sabereth Malfoy." The next student was a boy, with light brown hair, and gray eyes. His stride showed that he was full of pride, and when he sat on the chair, the hat screamed "Slytherin" before it even touched its head.

Cheers from Slytherin were heard. Lily glanced at the amount of student that were to proceed...she sighed with nervousness. Hugo was behind her, and therefore had a longer wait...Only four more...she thought.

"Janet Parkinson." said the Professor. A girl named Janet, with blond hair which was divided in two ponytails, was sorted into Slytherin. The next girl, Sophie Kingsley, was put to Gryffindor. A boy named Dave was joined into Ravenclaw.

"Lily...why, Lily Potter!" Professor Jaquel stared at her, her eyes suddenly shining, and her skin glowing. several teachers turned towards her, and smiled, like she was some disabled girl. Lily sighed, trying her best not to turn red, and walked over to the chair, and sat down.

The sorting hat took the longest time to sort her. It whispered thoughts that, Lily knew, were only meant for her to hear. "Hmm, very difficult, like your father. You would do very well in Ravenclaw, with your brains. But then again, Hufflepuff; you're beyond caring. Actaully, Gryffindor; you're brave and loyal." Lily felt a pang of relief that was washed instantly with panic. "Wait, Slytherin! That's good, SLY—"

"No, no, no!!" Lily felt tears in her eyes, and bit her lip. Please, please, don't sort me in Slytherin! She thought.


Your father had the same wish...


He did? It was a silent conversation with her and an old hat...

He never told you?


No. Lily felt regretful. Why hadn't her father told her that?

You would do well in Gryffindor. That my second choice. Good?


Lily smiled, and said, "Yes.", just as Professor Jaquel was about to question her.

"Gryffindor!!"

Lily beamed, as she walked down to the table. But before she took off the hat, she whispered into it, and said, "Thank you." She than went off to join the rest of her fellow House-mates, and for the first time in her entire life, didn't mind the attention she was receiving.