The young girl looked at the columns and high ceilings in awe. This place was huge. She rubbed her wand (holly and unicorn hair) and tried not to gawk at the sheer size of Hogwarts. She still couldn't believe her incredible luck. Amy, because of her small size and large intellect, stuck out like a sore thumb. Now, being the only American at an English school, she was an extra-sore thumb. Amy figured that her best bet was to lay low and not talk to anyone.
"Hello."
Amy jumped about a mile in the air. She spun around to see a girl with red hair and green eyes staring at her behind horn-rimmed glasses. Amy gasped and clutched at her chest. "Don't do that! You almost gave me a heart attack!"
The girl smiled. "I can see we got off on the wrong foot. Let's try again. Hello. My name is Lily."
Amy looked at Lily. "Pleased to meet you, Lily," she said. "My name is Amy."
Up by the front table, a hat was placed on a stool. "Oh, my brothers say that I'll like this part."
Amy recoiled in surprise and shock as the hat began to sing. She only half listened to the words. Something about a coming danger.
After the song, a teacher started calling out names. About halfway down the list came, "Potter, Lily." Her new friend stepped up as a ripple of excitement passed through the room. No way, she thought. My first friend is Harry Potter's kid? Amy was Muggle-born, but Harry Potter was mentioned in just about every wizard history book out there.
"RAVENCLAW!" the hat declared. Amy went back into her thoughts as she watched her friend go to the correct table.
"Sparrow, Amy." That was her. Amy stepped up to the stool and sat down.
Ah, what do we have here? Not Slytherin for you, no. The hat spoke into her mind. You work hard, and are very kind, so Hufflepuff, then. But you have much fire and courage for your size, perfect for Gryffindor. Ah, but wait! Amy could have sworn it was smiling. You have intelligence and wisdom which you hide from the world. This points to…
"RAVENCLAW!" the hat bellowed. As the hat was removed, she could have sworn she heard, Good luck. She went to the table and sat next to her friend, knowing nothing of what would happen that year.