"So you don't care what house you get?" Severus asked again, for what seemed like the millionth time.
I shook my head at Severus, "No. I really don't see a point to them. Yes, it makes it easier for house points, the Quidditch teams, and classes, but they tear families and friends apart. A family full of Gryffindor's would look down on a Slytherin, or the other way around, won't they? Even more so during times like these." I took a piece of the candy bar that all of us where sharing, while Midnight had made home in the middle of all the candy and was purring like mad.
Lily tilted her head "I never thought of it like that."
I smiled softly and rubbed Mid's tummy, "Most people don't, to be honest. I just have a lot of time on my hands to think, I guess."
It felt weird talking to people, because most of the time I stayed in my room only coming out when Wolfy was over. Outside, the sky had started to darken, "I better go change into my robes." I said, getting out of my seat.
Lily nodded, "Okay. We'll start cleaning up."
"And please, if you don't mind, try to get Midnight back in his carrier." I said on my way out. Before I exited the room, I noticed Severus smiling at my lazy cat.
I smiled at myself before headingto the bathrooms to change, the whole time praying that I wouldn't run into my brother. When I entered the bathroom, I could hear girls laughing and talking to each other as I looked for a empty stall to change in.

While I changed, I heard the girls gossiping to each other,
"I think James may fancy me," one would say, excitedly.
"Black is going to pay for breaking my heart!" Another one would say, angrily.
"Do you think Lucy will ask me out?"
Their words where cut off by the door of my stall closing and a quick silence charm. Was this really going to be a good thing for me? Being with all these people? What if they found out? Although the possibility that anyone would discover my secret, it didn't stop the questions and anxiety to start bubbling up within myself. There are so many things that could go wrong, I thought. As soon as that statement entered my mind, I was forced to realize the terrible reality of what was to come. As soon as Lily and Severus find out who I am - who I am related to, they won't want to talk to me anymore! Although the thought of what was most definitely to come, depressed me, I sighed and grabbed my robes to change into, before I decided to head back to where Lily and Severus were waiting my return.

"You'll keep to yourself, right?" Mum asked, helping me get dressed that morning. "Yes, Mummy," I replied, nodding my head.

~oOo~

Students filled the Hall as everyone started to quiet down for the Sorting. Lily waved slightly at me before everyone turned their heads to the hat as it twitched a little and started to sing. The other first years looked at it, as I glanced around the room. The castle seemed to be alive, I could feel it's heart beat beneath my feet, it's breath each time the candles flickered, and the warmth it gave out to welcome returning students back and new one into it's arms. Clapper broke through my thoughts as the song ended. The middle aged witch that led us in stood back up.
"Now, when I call your name, you will come up and be sorted into a house."
She unrolled the list that I assumed held the names of the new students, and started calling forth the names of people to be sorted. From the other side of the hall, I could see Severus whispering to a blonde haired boy. A shiver ran up my spine the longer I looked at the two of them, something didn't sit right in my gut about the unnamed boy. Take a breath, you don't need to start anything. I slowly closed my eyes, and allowed the life of the place I was to stay at fill me, as I listened for my name to be called. Every turn there was something new, a secret that no one noticed or a story that know one heard. The stories that these walls have seen, the number of famous witches and wizards that it has seen who have started from the bottom and worked their way up to the top, and into the History books. The fights, blood, love, hate, anger, revenge... it was all here, hidden away in the history of these walls . Everything that others would forget, it was sitting, waiting. Waiting for someone to take the time and listen. I hear, I see. Let me know. The air around me seemed to warm up a bit, Hogwarts had found that someone who was willing to listen.
"Potter, Charlotte,"
The second the words left her mouth, whispers spread throughout the older students. Their minds raced with questions and remakes that I had to slam the door on. A quick glances at Severus told me that I was right about him not talking to me again, Lily sat there in shock. "Well, let's get it over with." I mentally told myself. Slowly, I made my way up to the stool, every eye seemed to be on me and I felt the need to run..to hide from all of those who were watching. Don't run... Ignore them. They don't know anything.
The hat was placed on my head and something tried to gently pry away from the mental shields that I had kept up for so long.
"Hm, you are every smart. It is rare that a first year knows how to block someone out of their mind." A deep voice, which I realized belonged to the Sorting Hat, stated.
I flinched. "It wasn't tough if that is what you think. I just can."
"Maybe Ravencl-"

"No!" I interrupted.
He chuckled as the students waited to see what house that the sister of the infamous James Potter was going to be placed in.

"Then you must let me see what is in your mind, child." The Hat argued, gently.
"No. No one can see." I replied, coldly.

My nails dug into the underside of the stool, students started whispering about how cold the school was getting and how long it was taking to place a Potter.
"Then how am I to see what house are you to be in?" The Hat demanded.
"Gryffindor. Please."
"How do I know that you are not meant to be in Ravenclaw or Huffepuff? Even Slyther-"
"NO!" The hat went flying off my head and was heading to the other side of the Hall, before the Headmaster called it back. Everyone was staring at me as I took deep breaths, keeping my eyes to the floor, thankful that I could use my brown hair to hide my face.
"Are you okay, Miss Potter?" Headmaster Dumbledore had come to stand in front of me, the Sorting Hat in his hands.
"Sorry, Headmaster...I really didn't mean to do that." The walls that had been up had fallen down, letting everything in that the others where saying. Freak. Weirdo. Little Monster. What on earth is she? How does she have that much power? She's dangerous! Why is she in this school? The words kept coming and coming, worming their way into every corner of my mind.
"Stop it."
Freak.
Monster.
"Stop it!"
Loser.
Creep.
Weirdo.
Nothing.
"Miss Pot-"
"STOP IT! ALL OF YOU!"
I ripped through the first three rows of first years waiting to be Sorted before running straight to the doors and flinging them open. "Charlo-"
Remus' and James' words where lost as the door slammed behind me and I took off down the halls, with no destination in mind, other than to get away from the hurtful words.