September 1, 1971

The rest of the journey to Hogwarts was uneventful. Ellie and Ari reassured Lily that just because they were purebloods did not mean that they couldn't be friends. Snape spent the remainder of the ride with his long nose stuck in a book, occasionally whispering something to Lily and shooting glares at Ellie, but so long as he didn't talk to her she didn't mind.

They arrived at Hogwarts just after dark, and Ellie, Ari, Lily, and Snape shared a boat up to the castle. During the ride, each of the children stared in awe at the place that would be their home for the next year. Lily, excited for a life in this new world; Snape, happy to be able to call someplace besides Spinners End home; Ari, anxious for a chance to prove herself to her parents; and Ellie, hoping that Hogwarts would be the one place she'd finally fit in.

They followed a witch called Professor McGonagall into the Great Hall. Above them, candles were suspended in mid-air and the ceiling was made of stars. The second through seventh year students looked on as the first years were led towards an old, torn hat McGonagall had set atop a stool.

McGonagall addressed the children, "When I call your name, you will come forward and sit on the stool, I will place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your Houses. Let us begin."

As the children around her were called forward, Ellie found herself thinking seriously for the first time about which House she would be placed in. Though her parents had all but demanded she go to Slytherin, Ellie herself had no idea which House she belonged to. Her brain told her Slytherin. After all, it was the home of many Strouds' during their time at Hogwarts. It was the House her parents expected her to be placed in. But her heart…Ellie wasn't sure what it wanted, but it certainly wasn't Slytherin.

Potter and Black were sorted into Gryffindor; the former was predictable, but the latter was surprising. Who's ever heard of a Black in Gryffindor?

"Slytherin!" Ellie watched as Snape was sorted and made his way over to the green clad table.

"Lily Evans" The next name was called out, interrupting Ellie's thoughts. She watched the red-head approach the hat. Within moments it was placed on her head and an emphasized "Gryffindor!" echoed throughout the Great Hall. Lily hoped off the stool and made her way to join the growing group of Gryffindor first years. Gryffindor wouldn't be so bad. Despite those two awful boys…I mean, Lily seems nice enough, and Snape was placed in Slytherin…that's a plus. Maybe…

"Estella Stroud."

Ellie's eyes shot up to meet those of her sister's. Ari took her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. After returning the gesture, Ellie let go and made her to way to the Sorting Hat. Every step felt like a lifetime, but sooner than she'd have liked, Ellie found herself on the stool with the hat on her head.

Oooooh what have we here? A young pureblood! Mommy and Daddy want Slytherin I'm sure, however, that might not be the House for you. You are stubborn…yes…prideful…but loyal. You're going to have a long road ahead of you, girl. I hope you're prepared…

"Gryffindor!" Ellie let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. Hopping of the stool she made her way over to her new House's table and sat beside a very excited Lily.

"I'm so excited! We can be roommates! Do you think Ariella will get Gryffindor too?" Ellie's new-found happiness quickly left her. No, Ari would not be placed in Gryffindor. With their luck, she'd go to—

"Slytherin!"

Ellie's eyes quickly sought the student whose House had just been announced. Her eyes widened when she saw her sister making her way over to the Slytherin table. Mournfully, she watched as Ari took a seat next to the Snape boy and was immediately angered when he shot her sister a disgusted look and moved away from her. Ari looked up and met her sister's stare. Tears welled up in her eyes that were soon present in Ellie's as well.

"Oh, Ellie, I'm so sorry." Lily put a hand on her arm, drawing her attention away from her sister, "It's the same with Severus and I—"

"Are you and Severus identical twin sisters who have never in their entire lives spent a day apart and are now being forced to not only sleep in separate dormitories, but to also support a house rivalry that dates back to the Hogwarts founders?"

"Well, no, I just—" Lily stammered, surprised at Ellie's outburst.

"So who's the black sleep? You or sissy?" A third voice interrupted the girl's conversation.

"Oh greeeeat. It's you two." Lily bemoaned. Ellie's thoughts echoed the other girl's sentiment upon realizing that Sirius Black was the one who had asked the question. His shadow, James, was sitting next to him.

"None of your business, Black. Now bugger off," Ellie was in no mood to deal with Sirius's attitude or James's for that matter. Their encounter on the train made it clear to Ellie that James Potter and Sirius Black were not going to make her time at Hogwarts easy.

"Why don't the two of you sit next to someone who wants to put up with you?" Lily told the boys.

"Aw, Lily-flower, don't be like that," Potter whined. Sirius laughed at his new best friend's dramatics.

While Lily held off their new housemates, Ellie looked over to her sister. Ari looked slightly less miserable. Though Snape was still ignoring her, an older girl seemed to be taking her sister under her wing. In fact, she noted, the girl looked slightly familiar. Ellie let out a groan when she realized that Ari's new friend was none other than Narcissa Black.

Bugger. Ellie thought. That's not exactly who I'd have preferred she become friends with. Ellie shook her head. It seems like the whole Black family just won't leave us Stroud girls alone.

Ellie's attention was drawn from her sister as the Headmaster stood to make his start of year speech. Dumbledore was an old and kind looking wizard. There was something about him that had Ellie taking to him instantly. The children sat through his announcements about the dark forest and forbidden Zonko's products. Finally, he concluded and food appeared in front of the students.

"Oh my goodness," Lily exclaimed, "I've never seen so much food before! Where does it all come from?"

"Pretty sure there's elves that work a kitchen somewhere," Black replied with a mouthful of mashed potatoes, "I wonder where it is…" he chewed thoughtfully.

"You and me both, mate," said Potter. "Oi, Remus. Any mention in those books of yours about a kitchen somewhere?"

Ellie turned her attention to the boy Potter was addressing. He had hair much lighter that Sirius and James. His face looked pale and tired, almost sickly, and shabby clothes hung loosely from his body. She found herself concerned for him and wondered what a boy like this was doing hanging out with two gits like Potter and Black.

"Um, no," Remus replied, "I haven't come across anything about the kitchen."

"We'll just have to go looking for it ourselves then," Potter said with a grin. At the declaration, the three boys stuck their heads together to discuss exploration plans. To her horror, Ellie found herself wanting to listen in.

"Can you believe that?" Lily shook her head at the group of boys. "They're going to be trouble. Mark my words. Can you imagine? Sneaking about the castle in search of hidden rooms, they've got some nerve!"

Ellie gave her new friend a weak smile. That's exactly what I'm imagining. It would be so much fun! Her mother's warning at the train station came to mind. No, it was bad enough that Ellie was placed in Gryffindor. She could already imagine the punishment awaiting her at home. It would be best if Ellie just focused on her studies and staying out of trouble. Like Ari.

After dinner was finished the Prefects led the first years to their respective common rooms. The Gryffindor girls were shown to their dormitories. Lily and Ellie were indeed roommates along with a girl named Mary McDonald and another named Lucille Johnson. Mary seemed quite and friendly, she reminded Ellie of her sister. Lucille, or Lucy as she quite literally demanded to be called, was far more outgoing and opinionated, but was no less friendly. Ellie was very much looking forward to spending the next seven years with these girls.

As they prepared for bed, Ellie picked up a picture of her and Ari as young children. Placing it on her bedside table, she fought back tears. This was the first night in all their eleven years that she and her twin were sleeping in separate rooms. Lily sat next to Ellie on the bed and put a comforting arm around her shoulder.

"It'll be alright, Ellie. You'll see."

Forcing a smile, Ellie laid her head on Lily's shoulder. For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that her new friend was very, very wrong.