CHAPTER 2

Lily and Seth got into a boat that was rowed by a huge man with black hair and a black beard.

"Ello kids," he said. "Welcome to Hogwarts." He looked at Lily for a moment. "You must be Arry Potter's girl." She nodded.

"I'm Lily Potter," she said.

"I'm Rubeus Hagrid," he said and shook her hand. Then he turned to Seth.

"You must be Dean's boy," he said. Seth nodded but said nothing.

"If you kids ever need someone to talk to, I live in a cabin by the Forbidden Forest," he said

Then the boat came to the castle. A man with long hair walked up.

"I'm Professor Longbottom you're Herbology teacher," he said. "Now when Headmaster Slughorn gives his speech sit quietly."

Then he opened the door and led them into the great hall. Lily actually gasped. It was enormous and decorated well. It was better than she had ever dreamed. She sat down at the first year's table and found sweet pumpkin juice waiting for her. A short chubby man stepped up to the podium.

"Attention old and new students, this year I hope will be better than any year before," he said. "There are some rule changes." "The Forbidden Forest is still forbidden," he said and older students groaned. "But first years may try out for the Quidditch team." This was surprising but most were happy with it.

"If that is all let the sorting begin!"

Headmaster Slughorn held the sorting hat and placed it on the first student's head.

"Ravenclaw," the hat shouted. The students were called in alphabetical order. Then Lily heard "Potter, Lily.

She walked up and the hat was placed on her head. "Not Slytherin," she whispered. The hat laughed.

"That's what your dad said, even when I told him he could be great there," the hat said. "You're much like your father but no you are not a Slytherin," it said. Then it said "but not a Gryffindor either you seem to be… HUFFLEPUFF."

Lily was stunned. She had been sure she'd be a Gryffindor. She'd had the tiniest worry that she'd be a Slytherin. Hufflepuff hadn't crossed her mind. Gryffindor House seemed shocked. She walked to the Hufflepuff table hypnotically. She watched the rest of the students being sorted. Both Seth and Hugo were sorted into Gryffindor. Lily choked back a tear. She had no friends in Hufflepuff.

Then a voice said "Cheer up, our house is ok when you get to know it."

It was a second year girl. She was tall and skinny. She had clear tan skin and curly black hair.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I have no friends here," Lily said. The girl smiled "Now you do, my name's Jane Macmillan."