Um…ok…5 reviews came much faster than I thought they would lol. In fact I got 8. GOOD JOB GUYS! KEEP IT UP ;) hehe

"Rose Lily Potter, we're going to be LATE!" Lily shouted. She stood in the doorway to their home tapping her foot impatiently while her daughter was still throwing things in her trunk. "Honestly, I could've sworn we did this all last night, together!"

"HA no," Rose replied. "We packed all of my school things. But we neglected somehow my everyday wear, my prank books which were CONVENIENTLY HIDDEN IN THE CUBOARD and Hedwig!" Rose ranted.

"Fine, fine, fine, just hurry up. It's twenty to eleven! You're going to miss the train!"

"You know," Rose started, heaving and pulling and yanking her trunk down the stairs, "this would go a whole lot faster if you just levitated it out to the car."

"Oh, yes of course," Lily replied, snapping out of her trance like state.

With the trunk in the car and James in the driver's side, Lily went back to staring out the window in the passenger's seat.

"Mum, are you ok?" Rose asked tentatively from the back seat.

"What?" Lily snapped up. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, love, you've been spacing out constantly. What are you thinking?" James inquired softly, placing once hand on hers.

"Nothing. It's nothing," Lily insisted.

"Lily, with you, it's never nothing," James laughed.

Lily rolled her eyes but cracked a smile nevertheless.

"So what's wrong, Mum?"

"Well, you're going off to Hogwarts, which means we only have you for another seven years until you go off and be your own person, maybe get married, maybe have children, get a job and move out! And for three quarters of each year you won't even be home!" Lily cried. Small tears were forming in her eyes just as they pulled into Kingscross.

They all rushed out of the car and Rose enveloped her mother in a gargantuan hug.

"Mum, it doesn't matter! Even when I move out, I'll still be sure to come back every week! EVERYDAY IF YOU WANT! And as for school, I'll be sure to owl you every week, and let you know everything that's going on. I'll tell you all about the new people I meet, the new friends I'll make and of course I'll send you a picture of Gryffindor Common room just so you can see how much it's changed. It'll be just like I'm home, I promise!" Rose cooed, her arms still wrapped around her sobbing mother.

James too had tears in his eyes, but managed to control himself where his wife did not. Still, he felt the need to pull his daughter away from her mother and wrap his own, much more muscular arms around her, squeezing her half to death. But this one time, Rose didn't mind.

**********RLP***********

On the platform Rose met up with Neville and Pansy, all opting to get a compartment at the back of the train. Their parents kept them for a few more sorrowful goodbyes, but the students were quite happy to get their trunks on the train and their butts in the seat.

"So, what do you think it'll be like?" Pansy asked her friends, and excited bounce taking over her whole form.

"I don't know! I hear the dorms are really nice. I can't wait to see the Tower!" Neville commented and Rose nodded in agreement.

"I can't wait to see the Dungeons! I hear that it's right under the Lake, and that it's all stone. Apparently there are still some shackles on the wall," Pansy told her friends, a devilish smile on her face. The other two gulped quite audibly and shared a quick glance. Oh dear. It wasn't good when Pansy got like this. It meant someone was going to regret not being dead.

"Oh calm down you too, I'm not going to use them," she clarified. The two potential Gryffindor's relaxed into their seats after that.

About two second after the train took off, a red haired boy entered their compartment with an apologetic smile.

"Mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full."

"Not at all!" Rose chirped. She scooted over quickly, making room for the newcomer.

"My name's Ron. Ron Weasley, and I want to be in Gryffindor!" he announced proudly.

Rose giggled and held out her hand. "Well, Ron, my name is Rose Potter, and I want to be in Gryffindor as well!"

"Me too! My name's Neville Longbottom by the way." Ron quickly shook his hand as well.

"And I'm Pansy Parkinson. And hopefully, I'm as Slytherin as they get," she told him quickly.

Ron gave her a wary glance, silently asking the other two if she was ok. He was taught to never judge people before he got to know them, and he knew the Slytherin prejudices weren't what they used to be, but still. With a nod from the other two, he took her hand and shook it.

"If you don't mind me asking, how do you three know each other? Usually two wannabe Gryffindor's wouldn't be with a wannabe Slytherin. No offence of course! There's nothing wrong with it, it just doesn't usually happen, is all."

"Well, Ron," Pansy started cheerfully. If he was going to be friends with her family, she would try to be his friend too. For their sake at least. "Our parents were best friends in school, and we were all born at roughly the same time. We grew up together, literally. Apparently Neville was even there the day Rose was born. I was at home with my father, but I met her the next day. We've gotten along like siblings ever since!"

"Ah yes. Siblings without the hassle of living with each other. Lucky. Very lucky," he agreed sagely.

"So you have siblings?" Rose asked.

"Yup. I've got six. Five older brothers and one younger sister. In fact, three of those brothers are in school now. My brother Percy's a fifth year Prefect, and my brothers Fred and George are in their fourth year. Wait, did you say Rose Potter?" Ron asked, quickly turning in her direction.

"Um…yes?" Did she do something?

"Your dad wrote the Transfiguration text books! Merlin, those things are hilarious! My mother made me read through the first chapter of mine, and he actually made it…fun! I don't know how, but he did it. How on earth did he get McGonagall to use them for her class? I've heard she's as strict as they come!"

"Well, she asked him to do them, gave him the curriculum, and he wrote them. His way. And she couldn't refuse, because he followed her requirements," Rose giggled. She had read the book too. It really was quite amusing.

"And your mum works at the Ministry, right? In the research department for the Unforgivables?" he asked.

Rose nodded, slightly hesitantly. How did he know so much about her parents?

"My dad works in the Ministry. They've run into each other from time to time. Apparently he was Head Boy when your mum and dad were starting Hogwarts," Ron explained.

"No kidding. Huh. So you're Arthur Weasley's son?"

Ron nodded eagerly. "That's me!"

Rose was becoming quite excited. Now she had three friends in Hogwarts! And she had only been on the train for five minutes!

"Well Ron, how do you feel about pranks?" she asked sending a sly smile to her other two friends. They snickered.

"Well, my brothers Fred and George are huge pranksters. McGonagall once sent a note home saying they were the worst the school has seen, after the Marauders, whoever they are. They must have done some pretty spectacular stuff to beat Fred and George. In fact, I think they have two of their books that they treat sort of like their bible!"

"Well, Ron, your brothers are about to be taught a thing or two," Pansy smirked.

Ron gave a harsh smile. "I don't think so. They really are brilliant."

"Yes well we're better," Pansy stated. And that, as they say, was that. Ron sat back giving her a skeptical look, but went along with it.

"I propose we get on all the teachers good side before we do anything," Neville suggested. He looked rather nervous for someone who had been doing this their whole life and Rose and Pansy knew why.

Neville had always been the shyer one. In all honestly, Pansy was the only one that shown in a strangers company. Rose had a tendency to be a tad awkward, and Neville had a tendency to be a tad quiet. He really was quite afraid of judgment.

But above all he feared punishment. The only pranks the trio had ever pulled were on their parents, and frankly, they expected it.

"I guess that would be a good idea," Pansy complied. For the sake of her friend she would indulge him in this little comfort. Besides, it really was the best way to get in the smallest amount of trouble. And of course that meant more free time.

For the rest of the train ride, they didn't talk about pranks and different plans as they had anticipated. Instead they talked of tactics, which teachers would have to be worked on, which ones were easy to please, and which should really just be avoided at all cost.

********RLP**********

The train pulled into the platform at Hogsmede station, and the entire student body emerged.

"Firs' years! Firs' years, follow me!"

Rose whipped around and saw a man. A man about the size of a truck, anyway.

"Hagrid!" she exclaimed.

"Well, 'ello Rosie. 'Ow are yeh? Yer mum and dad doing ok?" he inquired.

"Right as rain," Rose beamed. She had only met Hagrid a few times, but they got along famously whenever he stopped by for a visit.

"Good, good. Now we must be going. Firs' years! Follow me!"

He led the crowd of the accumulated eleven year olds to a long line of boats. The entire group shared a mutual look of uneasiness.

"Uh…Hagrid. Why boats?" Ron asked, giving him quite the disgusted look.

"Why not? Trust me, yeh won't feel this way once yeh see the firs' few of the castle! It's more magnificent from the lake than from the carriages. An' that is saying somethin'," Hagrid assured her. She nodded, a small grimace still attached to her face.

But he was right. Oh Merlin, he was right. As soon as they all ducked under the tree branches, the water gilded smoothly towards the castle.

And what a beautiful castle. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of lights were shimmering out from every window, lighting it up with the most magical glow. In fact that's just what it was. It was magic.

The turrets and towers all hovered ominously over the grounds, and the awe the first years felt was contagious. Every second something exploded inside them, a realization that these would be the best years of their life.

*******RLP******

The wait for the sorting was excruciating. And McGonagall's speech didn't make it any better. Everyone was talking anxiously about what it would be.

"I hear you have to wrestle troll," Ron told Rose, turning absolutely green. Rose, Pansy and Neville rolled their eyes.

"And who told you that?" Pansy demanded.

"My brother, George," Ron stated nervously.

"Well that is a load of tosh," Rose assured him. "All you have to do is-,"

"First Years, follow me please," a stern voice commanded from the doorway. Ron was especially anxious now, as Rose never got to finish her sentence. Would it be worse than wresting a troll? Easier? Harder? Lethal?

"When I call your name, step up and try on the hat please, and let it sort you into your House," McGonagall told the bunch.

Honestly though, not many people heard. The Great Hall had their full attention, with the different tables, the sheer size, and honestly, that ceiling was rather amazing.

"It's not really open. It's charmed to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History," a young girl commented. She looked rather…frazzled. No one was sure if that was because she was nervous or because her hair was just naturally….uncooperative.

A hat was placed on a small wooden stool, and to a few peoples surprise, it started to sing.

I'd like to tell you in advance

Because I may know how your seven years go

Houses under pressure to be the best

But I know how the winds will blow

A few may give example

But it means nothing if others don't follow or bless

Take heed; all the houses are very different

But the founders meant the students to love nevertheless

Some may belong to the home of the brave

Where loyalty is the basis of love

If this is you then in Gryffindor

You will fit like a glove

Ambition and success may be what you want

And if power is to you a wonderful taste

I know who you are and Slytherin

Will befriend you with haste

Where kindness and fair play is important

And there's nothing hard work can't handle

Then there will be a reason I put you in Hufflepuff

You will glow like a candle

There's a place where wit is good

And intellect is important to get along

To a Ravenclaw a mind is a place explored

And as long as you can think, your friendship will be long

But there is something in common

That I tell you I can place

A love for each other

And a friendly face

Acceptance is wanted

Approval is what they crave

So just maybe I was inaccurate in the first

Summary that I gave

The Houses that are separated

By a color and a name

Are really not so different

In fact they're really quite the same

Applause was abundant, but short and McGonagall started calling people up.

The names slowly passed by. Some went to Gryffindor, some to Hufflepuff, some to Ravenclaw and some to Slytherin.

"Neville Longbottom." Rose and Pansy both gave their friend a supportive smile and he tentatively stepped up.

The hat at first did startle him, but he listened nonetheless.

You really are underestimated. You would get yourself killed to save a friend, even a stranger maybe. Interesting. Like mother like son. I know exactly where to put you.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Rose sighed in relief as the boy flounced over to the cheering table.

And Pansy was up.

"Pansy Parkinson."

Rose hugged her quickly for luck and she rushed up.

She placed the hat on her head and calmly listened to his words.

Ah. I see. You do have courage. And I see your friends are very dear to you indeed. You'd do anything to protect them. But I have to say you have quite the thirst. A thirst to prove you're better than everyone else. That you can go far where others cannot and for that it must be-

"SLYTHERIN!" the Hat cried. The table burst into applause.

Neville and Rose were slightly disappointed, but weren't really very bothered by it. They knew this was coming, and they were plenty prepared for the year.

"Ronald Weasley," was called up and Rose watched in interest. She had a good feeling about this boy. He could fit in QUITE easily with her little group of friends. In fact, he could be quite an asset. And on the plus side he sounded like a wonderful friend.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

It took all of 10 seconds to place him, and he beamed at the red and gold table. She saw a few people who looked quite similar to him waving and cheering. Rose smiled. Those must be his brothers.

"Rose Potter!" I gave a shaky sigh and stepped up.

Ah I was wondering when I would sort you. Your parents were interesting to place. Both so eager for acceptance, yet not very eager at all. Wanting to blend it yet wanting to stand out. I can see you are exactly the same. Except…hm…I suppose I could see you in Slytherin…you have a need to prove yourself, and it's quite strong…yet…no. I stand by my instinct and I am sure you will do well where I place you. You could do well anywhere, but I think you will particularly shine in-

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Rose beamed just like Ron had and rushed to join Neville and Ron. She made sure to sit facing the Slytherin table. Pansy was there, with a big grin and a thumbs up. And Rose knew she always would be.

I am going to raise the bar a little here. I want 10 reviews before I update! *gasp*

Yes, I know. 10. two whole reviews more than I got last time! But I believe in you guys ;)