Important Note: The story's events, characters, and explanations may go against the Harry Potter continuity. I have taken some creative liberties in order to better tell the story. This story takes place 30 years after the seventh Harry Potter book and creates an alternate future for Harry Potter and the wizarding world, keeping the same characters while at the same time introducing new ones. I hope you enjoy! (A few descriptions of Hogwarts castle were taken from the sorcerers stone.)

Deep within the bowels of the ministry of magic, James Sirius Potter walked through various rows of glowing shelves. James was a handsome man, he had his father's messy black hair, but his mother's brown eyes and freckles. The chamber was as high as a church and full of nothing but towering shelves covered in small, dusty, glass orbs. They glimmered dully in the light issuing from dozens of candle brackets set at intervals along the shelves. The flames from the candles were burning a bright blue and was casting a large blue glow throughout the chamber. This Chamber was located in the Ministry of Magic inside the department of mysteries. In fact, his father was the one that helped shed light on the department of mysteries in the first place. The chamber James was walking through was known as the hall of prophecy. Divination is a very rare and powerful form of magic, it is the ability to accurately predict the future. Whenever someone with this rare ability happens to turn up and report a vision of the future, it is recorded in the hall of prophecy. James was called here to find and investigate a very specific prophecy. James couldn't help but feel amazed, he was walking the very halls his father did back when he was fighting Voldemort himself. Eventually, he arrived at his destination. At the end of the row, he saw two men scanning the shelves. The men were two other Aurors, one was his cousin Hugo, the other was a high ranking Auror by the name of Kalbur.

"So did you guys find it?" asked James, his breath fogging.

"Oh, there you are cuz," said Hugo happily, "What took you so long? I've had to stand here with Mister strong and silent for almost an hour." Hugo was a ginger-haired man and was very tall.

"Your lack of professionalism disturbs me Hugo…" said Kalbur flatly. Kalbur was a large built man with neck length black hair and a trimmed black beard.

"So did you two find it?" asked James.

"Yes, just now actually," said Kalbur.

Hugo then said, "So let's grab this thing and let's get out of here, this place is so bloody cold."

Kalbur reached up into the shelves and gently grabbed one of the glowing orbs. He brought down the magical object and held it between all three of them so they could all see it clearly. They then stared into the blue milky orb and watched as the mist slowly began to transform inside the orb. They stood in silence, once they had all seen the prophecy the air of relaxation vanished and was replaced with a cold deadly tension.

"So it's as bad as we thought…" James said, his face tense and serious.

"No kidding, this is a bloody catastrophe," said Hugo.

"The question now is who do we go to with this information first?" asked Kalbur.

"We should tell my brother Albus first, he will be able to better prepare the children for the danger."

"No," said Hugo, "we gotta tell the Minister of Magic, that way we can start preparations immediately."

"Hugo's right, we need to tell the Minister first," said Kalbur.

James was quiet for a moment, his face contemplative, "You two are probably right, who knows what Albus might do if we tell him first. I just hope we can get things in motion before the new year gets too far along…"

Meanwhile ~

12-year-old Vlad Kardash, with his messy brown hair and dark blue eyes, walked briskly into Kings Cross train station. People were casually towing their luggage and constantly checking their watches. The station was abuzz with chatter and the constant sound of rolling luggage. Vlad was at the station with his mother, his older brother who had just received his aparating license had already apparated to the castle. This being Vlad's first year he would have to take the Hogwarts Express like the rest of the first years.

"So where's the train?" Vlad asked.

"Oh, we have to get to platform 9 ¾" Vlad's mother said.

Vlad looked up at the platform numbers and saw 9 and then 10, but no 9 ¾.

"So where is it?"

"We have to pass through the barrier," said Vlad's mother while pointing to the wall between the platforms. She motioned for Vlad to follow her then picked up her pace, and ran straight into the barrier dividing the platforms.

Vlad was a little surprised, but then again his brother did tell him that there was a special way to get to the Hogwarts Express. Vlad took a firm hold of his suitcase and ran straight into the barrier. His body tensed for the impact, but there was none. Instead, his body passed straight through and he found himself on another platform. Vlad's mother gave him a smile and motioned to the platform sign. Vlad looked up and saw the sign read "Platform nine and three-quarters"

"Let's hurry Vlad, the train is going to leave any minute," said Vlad's mother taking hold of his hand and leading him through a crowd of people.

Platform 9 ¾ was packed full of Vendors who were selling various charms and trinkets, as well as busy witches and wizards all saying their goodbyes to their children on the train. The roar of the crowded station was deafening, but somehow the whistle of the Hogwarts Express was able to cut through it all.

Vlad then set his eyes upon the Hogwarts Express for the first time. He always assumed the train would be a lot more magical, but the train seemed so regular. He also noticed the train was on normal tracks, again he thought that perhaps the train would pass through a portal or maybe even fly through the sky.

"You'd better get going!" said Vlad's mother as she shoved Vlad along.

Vlad gave his mother a hug and made his way onto the train. He waved goodbye to his mother as the train slowly began to speed forward. He watched from the window as his mother grew smaller and smaller until the platform itself became nothing but a distant blur. Vlad walked through the compartments but they all seemed full. As he looked through the glass of the sliding doors he could see several kids laughing and talking excitedly. Just when he thought that there would be no empty compartments he saw that at the very end of the train, there happened to be two open. Inside the compartment to his right, was a young blonde boy sitting across from a young black haired girl. In the compartment to his left sat two boys, they both had black hair, although one of them was much darker than the other.

In the end, Vlad decided to join the blonde boy and his friend.

Vlad slid open the door and the two children stopped talking and stared at him.

The boy had short combed blond hair and light blue eyes, While the girl had black hair with even cut bangs over her forehead, Vlad couldn't help but think about how pretty the girl was, especially with those bright green eyes.

"What do you want?" asked the boy.

"Um, well… there aren't any compartments open really…" said Vlad nervously, "I mean this is one of the only compartments still open."

"Well, we're a little busy here, so how about you go sit with those other two guys." said the blonde boy.

Then the little girl spoke up, "Felix, why don't we ask his opinion then?"

"What, why him?"

"Me and you are getting nowhere with just the two of us, we'll be arguing all day if it's just the two of us. We need a third opinion."

"Fine, I guess…" said Felix motioning for Vlad to enter the compartment. Vlad went inside and hauled his luggage onto the luggage rack before sitting next to Felix and closing the compartment door.

"So what is your name if you don't mind my asking?" asked Octavia.

"It's Vlad, Vlad Kardash."

"Nice to meet you, Vlad, my name is Octavia Malfoy." said Octavia with a dazzling smile, "And my gloomy friend over there is Felix Mikhalkov.

"How about we just get to the point Octavia?" asked Felix.

"Fine then, so Vlad what do you think about the house sorting?"

"What do you mean?" asked Vlad.

"Well, as you know each person gets sorted into one of four houses when you start Hogwarts."

"Yeah, I know that."

"Well, me and Felix here have been having a bit of an argument about how the sorting hat works."

Vlad had heard about the sorting hat from his brother. There was apparently a magical hat at Hogwarts that handled the sorting of the first years. His brother had told him that the hat could talk, Vlad wondered if it was true.

Octavia then went on, "It is a well-known fact that families that go to Hogwarts are always sorted into the same house. From parent to child, the house they are sorted in runs in the family."

Felix then interrupted, "And I'm saying that that is just a myth, people can be sorted despite their families heritage, it just seems that it runs in the family because people in the same family often share the same views and ideals. But there is no guarantee that you will be sorted into the same house as your family."

Octavia then turned to Vlad and smiled, her eyes compelled Vlad for an answer.

"I'm pretty sure there is no family-based bias when it comes to the sorting hat," said Vlad matter of factly.

"See even he knows that," said Felix smugly.

Vlad saw that Octavia was wearing a green bow in her hair, and Felix had on a green necktie.

"Are both your families in Slytherin?" asked Vlad.

"Why of course!" said Octavia proudly, "It's the best house you know."

Vlad had heard stories about Slytherin house from his brother. What his brother had told him was that the students in Slytherin were a bunch of jerks with a superiority complex. Not to mention that most of the dark wizards from the past were Slytherin students. Vlad just found it strange that these two were so sure that they were going to get sorted into Slytherin, that they sought to attend the sorting ceremony already wearing Slytherin green.

"What about you Vlad?" asked Octavia.

"What?"

"I mean, what house does your family belong to?"

"Well, most of my family have been Ravenclaws," said Vlad.

"Oh, so you're a Ravenclaw then?"

"I think it might be a bit too soon to call me a Ravenclaw…"

"Just you wait Vlad," said Octavia confidently, "the sorting hat is going to make you a Ravenclaw for sure, just like the rest of your family."

"There is a good chance, yes, but you can't just say that I'm going to be a Ravenclaw for sure. I could be one of the other three."

Felix then spoke, "You better pray you don't get Gryffindor or god forbid Hufflepuff."

'What's wrong with Gryffindor and Hufflepuff?" asked Vlad.

"Well," began Felix, "Gryffindor is just filled with a bunch of self-righteous hero wannabe's, not to mention they're all a bunch of goodie two shoes. And the Hufflepuffs are just a group of special snowflake types and pretentious assholes who think that they're special because they can sing, or play an instrument or whatever…"

"How do you know all of this?"

"My family has made it very clear who I should associate myself with if I want to get ahead at Hogwarts." said Felix with pride, "You Ravenclaws are alright though, nothing wrong with being friends with someone who's smart."

"That's right," said Octavia, "you should just steer clear of the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. Stick with us and you should be fine."

Vlad, a little annoyed said, "I think I'll decide for myself who I hang out with if that's alright with you…"

"Suit yourself," said Felix.

The rest of the train ride, the three kids got to know each other a little better. Octavia was from the noble house of Malfoy. Before the dark time, the house of Malfoy was a truly respected family. But when Voldemort rose to power the house of Malfoy chose to align itself with the dark side. Once Voldemort Vanished the house of Malfoy had said they were guilty of no wrongdoing and had escaped persecution due to their connections. For years the bided their time until Voldemort had risen again. After Harry Potter defeated Voldemort nearly 40 years ago, the Malfoy's were for the most part imprisoned. All except Draco Malfoy, who was pardoned after a character reference by Harry Potter himself. The years after that were filled with the Malfoy's using their wealth to try and make up for the dark deeds of the past. Octavia was apparently the granddaughter of Draco Malfoy, and thus Octavia explained that there was much expectation set upon her. As for Felix, he was much more reluctant to speak about his Family. Vlad didn't like to pry, so he respected Felix's reluctance.

"What about your family Vlad?" asked Octavia.

"My family isn't nearly as well respected." said Vlad, "I know my dad was an Auror during the time that Voldemort was around."

Octavia and Felix then immediately went wide-eyed.

"What am I not enough for you guys?"

Felix then said, "No, it's just that you said the name of "He who must not be named" so casually. It's kinda strange is all."

"Are you guys seriously still practicing that old superstition?"

"It's not something you can just get rid of…" said Octavia.

"Voldemort died like 30 years ago or something, I see no reason to keep being scared of saying his name."

"Can we just stop saying his name please!" said Octavia, who was getting annoyed.

But Vlad persisted, "What's the big deal?"

"Vlad, just stop," said Felix, "not everyone sees that name like you do… It's a lot more sinister for some."

"I just don't get it… my dad fought the death eaters and he still says his name fine."

"Well good for you," said Octavia, "but I would really appreciate it if you would stop saying his name please."

"Fine, I guess," said Vlad still not understanding their fear.

The train ride continued for some time. The three eventually became enthralled in conversation. Then the sweets trolley came around.

"Finally something to eat," said Felix hungrily looking at the selection of sweets on the trolley.

Vlad looked over at the trolley and could see a large assortment of sweets, chocolates, and pastries. As Vlad took in the amount of sugar on the trolley, he suddenly became hungry for a real meal. Just then Felix tossed a chocolate frog to Vlad.

"It's on me," said Felix.

"Oh, so you don't buy me anything?" said Octavia.

"You're loaded Octavia…" said Felix flatly.

"Well so are you!"

"I'm not (Have homes in multiple foreign countries) type rich!"

Octavia bitterly bit into some licorice and went into a full pout. Vlad unwrapped his chocolate frog and bit into it. The frog was milk chocolate, he preferred dark chocolate, but he didn't feel like being rude and refusing the gift. As Vlad chewed on the creamy chocolate he could see that there was a card inside the wrapper. He took the card out and looked at the packaging. It was purple lined with gold, with the words "Great Wizards of the ages!" written in large golden print.

"Let me know which one you get Vlad," Felix said.

"I've been looking for a Kingsley Shacklebolt card myself, but those are so rare." chimed in Octavia.

Vlad peeled off the packaging and found himself staring at a small portrait of Harry Potter. He was smiling gently and moving around slightly the way all magical pictures did.

"Wow!" exclaimed Felix, "You got the Harry Potter card!"

"Those are so rare!" said Octavia with equal excitement, "You could get 200 Galleons for that if you sold it to the right place!"

"I want it back!" said Felix angrily.

"What?" said Vlad confused.

"I bought it so I want it back!"

"Felix! It's his, the card has already marked him as his owner."

"Owner?"

"Do you not collect chocolate frog cards Vlad?" asked Octavia.

"I don't really eat candy much…"

"Well, all the new chocolate frog cards imprint on the first person who opens the packaging, you know, to prevent stealing the card or making counterfeit copies. If you take the card away from the person who first opened it, the person in the portrait will keep yelling "THIEF" until the card is returned."

"Ugh, you're so lucky…" said Felix Jealousy.

"I guess, I mean 200 Gallons seems pretty good for a simple card," said Vlad while putting the card into his pocket.

Even more, time passed and the sun began to dip behind the mountains as they passed a vast countryside. It was then that Vlad exactly began to wonder where exactly Hogwarts was. It had to be somewhere hidden so that the muggles wouldn't be able to find it, but Vlad had no clue as to how they could keep such a large castle hidden. Then Vlad could see the train round a bend and descend into a densely forested area. As they chugged along eventually the train entered a large tunnel carved into the base of a mountain.

Octavia excitedly looking out the window said, "I've never been through a distortion field before."

"Wait, so that tunnel was the entrance to a distortion field?" asked Vlad.

"Yeah, I guess they have a large enough field as to hide the castle grounds from the muggles.

Magical barriers were common in the wizarding world. When a non-magical being came close to one, they suddenly became interested in something else. Or they would suddenly become very fearful of moving forward and run away, or they would suddenly remember something else they had to do and leave. The effect is different from person to person, but the field makes it so that it becomes impossible for anyone without magic to enter. It also allows for the objects within the field to be hidden from the outside view as well,. Not to mention it also blocks the use of electronics, which is why all electronics become useless while on the grounds at Hogwarts.

When they exited the mountain tunnel, Vlad could immediately sense the change. The forest suddenly became more dense and fogged. It became almost impossible to see past the tree line into the forest itself. Vlad looked at the horizon and could see that it was warped slightly so that it looked as if al large ring was surrounding the landscape. Eventually a voice came over the loud speaker telling the students to line up by year and get ready to exit the train. First years were instructed to wait at the back compartment for further instruction. As Vlad opened the door to their compartment, he could see dozens of other kids milling through the narrow hallway towards the back. As he watched the kids pass he could see the other black haired boy he saw earlier doing the same. They both waited awkwardly for the stream to thin before joining the convoy of eager children. Vlad noticed that the boy had on a muggle watch and was carrying a backpack with him, rather than a suitcase. Eventually the boy and his friend joined the stream and so did Vlad soon after. After a few moments all the kids had converged at the rear of the train. The children soon became restless and a low rumble of chatter began to fill the compartment.

Eventually, a large shadowy figure appeared at the exit to the train compartment. The chatter immediately stopped and the children stood in awe at what opened the doors.

A huge man was standing at the boarding doors of the compartment. He had a graying bushy black hair and was carrying a large lantern in his right hand. He was almost twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide. All the children stared wide eyed at the man's proportions, but none were afraid due to the gentle smile the man had on his face. The man's face went from a gentle smile, to a beaming grin as he said, "Y'all firs years come with me!" His voice was just as big as his physique and when he strolled into the dark forest the children followed him.

The children followed the large man for a few minutes before reaching a break in the tree line. Suddenly Vlad was staring at the place he would spend the rest of the year in. Across the lake was a large island that was the base of a massive castle. The children began a chorus of ooh's and awes as the kids drunk in the majesty of the magical institution. Eventually the large man came to the shore of the lake and pulled out a wand from his pocket. He dipped the wand into the water and suddenly dozens of small boats began to rise out of the water. Each boat could fit at least four kids, and each boat had a lantern attached to it.

"Alright," said the large man, "ye first years climb aboard, everyone picks a boat and enjoy the ride."

The students in a group of four began entering the boats. The vessels then by themselves began to move forward towards the castle and across the dark glossy water. Vlad and his new friends eventually found themselves a boat, but it would not move.

"Why isn't it going?" asked Felix.

Vlad looked to his right and could see the two boys from before again, except now they were accompanied by a black girl with curly hair and a girl with neck length red hair. Vlad watched as the girl with the red hair sat down, and their boat began to move forward.

"Maybe ours is broken?" suggested Octavia.

"We need a fourth person." said Vlad.

Felix then looked around and then spotted a nearby girl who looked apprehensive about choosing a boat.

"You! Girl with the black hair and the silver necklace! Come in our boat!" yelled Felix.

The girl looked mortified at being yelled at by Felix, it seemed she was so startled that she didn't even register the request.

"M… me?" said the girl pointing to herself.

"Yeah you!" yelled Felix, "Come on in!"

The girl looked around as if asking for permission and then cautiously entered their boat.

"Um… thank you." said the girl.

"Hi, I'm Octavia, the guy who yelled at you is Felix, and the guy with the brown hair is Vlad." said Octavia cheerfully, "What's your name?"

"Amanda, my name is Amanda Rembright."

Just then the boat shook and the girl fell over onto Vlad's lap. Amanda looked absolutely mortified at having fallen on Vlad and immediately scrambled off of him."

"I'm so sorry!" blurted out Amanda, her face crimson.

"It's alright…" said Vlad.

Their boat then began its journey towards the castle. Amanda had sleek black hair, not as straight as Octavia's and she didn't have straight cut bags like her either. The girl had white milky skin and a soft smooth complexion. Vlad hadn't realized earlier with the darkness, but in the light of the lantern, Vlad could see that the girl was quite pretty. Vlad thought that Octavia was beautiful in a sort of elegant way, but Amanda was cute in a girl next door type of sense.

"So Amanda, can I get your opinion on something?" asked Octavia.

"Ok."

"What house do you think you're gonna get sorted into?"

"Give it a rest Octavia…" said Felix rolling his eyes.

"Well, my parents were both Ravenclaws when they came here," said Amanda, "so I have to assume I'm going to be a Ravenclaw.

"Oh, well then you're going to be in the same house as Vlad over here!" said Octavia motioning to Vlad.

"Or not…" added Vlad.

"Just because my family are Ravenclaws, doesn't mean I'm going to be one…" said Amanda.

"Ha! Even she knows!" said Felix with a smug smile.

But before Octavia could rebuttal, there was a large splash and a scream to the right of them. It was the boat that the boys who were across from him on the train were on. The darker skinned boy had fallen into the lake and was treading water furiously.

"Someone Help him!" someone had screamed.

Then suddenly the boy was lifted out of the water by a massive tentacle. Several girls screamed, including Amanda, as the tentacle wrapped itself around the boy. The boy writhed and screamed as he was gently lifted out of the water and back onto his boat. After the boy was out of the water, the tentacle descended back into the black depths. Vlad's brother had told him that a giant squid lived in the lake at Hogwarts, but he didn't expect to see it his first day.

"Don't worry, someone falls in every year!" bellowed the giant man from a boat nearby.

Eventually, all the boats began to reach the rocky cliffs that lead to the castle grounds. The little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hung over the rocks which hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto the rocks. Vlad could see the boy who fell into the water was shivering. The large man came over and draped his massive coat over the young boy. The boy looked grateful, but he also looked ridiculous wrapped up in a coat three times his size. Eventually, the children followed the large man and his lantern up and out of the harbor and onto a large lawn at the front of the castle. Up close the castle was even more massive than he first thought. Huge towers and archways were accentuated by high standing turrets. Each window casted a warm glow into the dark night that made the castle strangely inviting.

"Welcome fir's years, to Hogwarts castle! My name is Hagrid and I'm honored to bring ya here!" bellowed Hagrid heartily.

Hagrid then guided the students up to a massive front door which lead to the castle close. Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door. The door swung open at once. A tall, gray-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had an old, stern face and Vlad's first thought was that this was not someone to piss off.

"Introducing Professor McGonagall, Hogwarts longest employed teacher." boomed Hagrid motioning towards the professor.

"Thank you Hagrid," said Professor McGonagall, "I will take them from here."

She pulled the door open wide revealing the castle close. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit a whole house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches and the ceiling was too high to properly see. A magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. They followed Professor McGonagall across the stone floor. Vlad could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right. Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small empty chamber off to the right of the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Said McGonagall addressing them all, "the start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the great hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has it's own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year the house with the most points will win the house cup. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The sorting ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all prepare yourselves as much as you can while you are waiting."

Her eyes lingered for a moment on the large cloak wrapped around the boy that fell in the lake.

"I suggest you take that coat off unless you wish to drag it around the rest of the hall." she said.

With some reluctance, the boy removed the coat and placed it on a nearby armchair.

"I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly," she said finally before stepping out into the banquet hall.

Once she was gone, the room suddenly filled with a thick nervous tension. Then something extraordinary happened. Out of nowhere, twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall, causing everyone to gasp and scream. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to each other and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing.

"New first years!"

"Have a wonderful stay!"

"Turn back now!"

"Don't say that or you'll scare them!"

"I hope they're smarter than the rest of these poor excuses for students."

It seemed each ghost had something different to say, they were all very different, but they all moved together almost like a school of fish.

Just then Professor McGonagall popped back in. "Move along now! The sorting ceremony is about to begin!"

Then all the ghosts glided through the wall and into the main hall.

"Alright, children form a line and follow me." said McGonagall as she opened the door to the hall.

Vlad felt a weird mixture of excitement and nervousness as he lined up with Felix and Octavia in front of him. He wondered where amanda had gone, but then spotted her further up the line. In unison the first years walked out of the chamber and back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the great hall. Vlad had never imagined such a strange and splendid place. The hall was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating in mid air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the Hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up there, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. When Vlad looked up he could see a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. It was as if there were no ceiling at all, and that the roof simply opened up into the night sky. Vlad saw Hagrid make his way up to the table where the rest of the teachers were sitting. The teachers themselves looked very imposing. There was the massive figure of Hagrid, then a black haired witch with very long sleek hair, then there was an asian woman with glasses and a tall bald man with a beard, among several other impressive looking wizards and witches. But the one with the most presence was sitting at the center of the table. The man in the middle rose up and proceeded to tap loudly on his glass, and the whole hall went silent almost immediately. The man was very tall and had a slender build. He had slicked back black hair and large round spectacles. His face was chiseled and hard, and his eyes were a deep green, but at the same time the smile the man wore made him seem kind as well. He wore elegant silver and white wizard robes that made him seemed to increase the man's presence even more.

"Hello Hogwarts students," said the man, "I would like to formally as the headmaster of Hogwarts, and on behalf of all the teachers, I… Albus Severus Potter, wish to welcome you back to Hogwarts. And to our first years, I bid you welcome and I hope you have an excellent and most of all, fun experience here at Hogwarts.

Then the room erupted into applause, then Professor Potter raised a hand, and the room fell silent once again.

"Now, we move on to our time-honored tradition of the house sorting." continued Potter, "The four noble houses of Hogwarts, created from the four original headmasters who created this magical institution. Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, and Salazar Slytherin. Who created the four houses of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. You will be sorted into one of these houses by the sorting hat. You will come up and place the hat upon your head and when it calls out which house you're in, you will be in that house for life. Once you are sorted there is no going back, because the sorting hat never makes a mistake. Whichever house you are sorted into, please do your best to make your house proud. Now without further lecture… LET THE SORTING BEGIN!"

The hall became filled with cheering as the four tables celebrated the sorting ceremony. Hagrid came to the center of the room, holding a dirty and ragged hat in one hand, and a small stool in the other. He placed the hat upon the stool at the front of the hall and walked back to the teacher's table.

"Once you are sorted, please join your house table and feel free to cheer for your fellow students." said Potter.

Then suddenly the hat began to hum a loud toon.

Then from a large tear in the hat, a booming voice began to sing.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry,

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin,

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means,

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

After the song, the first years began to be sorted. There were many Gryffindors as well as Slytherin, there were a decent amount of Ravenclaws and a few Hufflepuffs here and there. Eventually Vlad saw the boy from the train about to get sorted. The black-haired boy sat down nervously on the stool, and as soon as the hat hit his head the hat yelled.

"JAIME BAUTISTA, GRYFFINDOR!"

"A large amount of cheering came from the Gryffindor table as Jaime ran towards them and sat down with his house. Eventually, the boy who fell into the lake came up and he too was sorted almost immediately.

"RAMI JABER, GRYFFINDOR!"

After a few more students it was eventually Amanda's turn to be sorted.

"AMANDA REMBRIGHT, RAVENCLAW!"

Amanda quickly put the hat down and ran towards the Ravenclaw table. Then after a couple more first years, Felix eventually was up for sorting.

"FELIX MIKHALKOV, SLYTHERIN!" bellowed the sorting hat.

There was thunderous applause as Felix walked proudly towers the Slytherin table. Octavia turned and gave Vlad a wink before heading up to the sorting hat.

"OCTAVIA MALFOY, SLYTHERIN!"

Octavia jumped from her seat and ran towards the Slytherin table. Then it was Vlad's turn. He walked up to the stool where the hat lay. The slit in the hat morphed into a ragged smile as if to welcome Vlad. Vlad lifted up the hat and sat down on the stool. When he placed the hat upon his head, he was surprised that for a few moments nothing happened.

Then a voice rang out in his head, "Hmm, you're a tricky one, Vlad Kardash. You have a remarkable intelligence, yet you can be lazy. You are talented, yet you ignore your potential. You are brave, yet you are not in any hurry to risk your life. You are cunning, hmmm, quite cunning, I can sense a savage intelligence as well as a resourcefulness in you. I see the gear and mind of a champion in you Vlad Kardsash. Destined for big things, yes I see it now…

"VLAD KARDASH, SLYTHERIN!"