A/N: I don't own HP. I do own Roani...and she told me I better get on with this because she's getting fidgety.

Roani didn't make any moves to open the door, and instead stared at it as if it had grown three heads. She had heard great tales of Dumbledore, of his kindness and incredible talent as a wizard. She never in all her years thought she would actually see him in person, let alone talk with him. The thought sent the butterflies in her stomach to flight, and she began to ponder if she should just run away now and hide until someone found her. Then she could say she got lost, and didn't think it was safe for her to stay at school.

Snap out of it Roe, she thought to herself. He's only the greatest wizard to have ever lived.

because that's reassuring.

Shut up!

You are the one having a conversation with yourself.

I realize that! But I wasn't expecting a response.

Hey, I'm just that little voice in your head. You control me.

Really?

Uh…yeah. Duh.

Shut up!

Again…all you.

Fine then! I'm stopping now.

Okay.

Okay. Roani shook her at the absurdity of the situation, and without really thinking lifted her clenched fist and knocked on the oak door with more force she thought she had in her. Barely five seconds had passed before a cheery "Come in!" responded. Hesitating, she took a deep breath and turned the knob. The sight that lay before her took her breath away.

The office was vast, every inch of wall covered in some way. Most were lined with bookshelves, tall ones filled to the brim with exciting manuscripts just waiting to be deciphered. Others were occupied by portraits, whom Roani recognized to be previous headmasters of Hogwarts. The rest of the room was filled with trinkets and miscellaneous items, some which she recognized and others that she didn't. In the center of the grand office was a large oak desk, and perched upon that, along with other random items and pieces of parchment was a raggedy looking hat. She was so entranced by the thing that it wasn't until he cleared his throat that Roani realized there was a man sitting at the desk.

He was an older wizard, long white hair and an even longer white beard divulging his wisdom. Even though he sat Roani could tell he was a tall man by the way his upper body towered over the desk. Donned in light purple robes the man looked like one of the ancient wizards that she had read of in her favorite books of the Dark Ages. Only his twinkling bright blue eyes, hidden behind crescent moon shaped spectacles verified that he was not over 200 years old.

He greeted her with a warm smile, one that made a sensation of ease wash over her and relieve her of her jitters. He motioned to the chair across from him, and without any hesitation Roani crossed the room and sat down obligingly. Dumbledore regarded her silently for a few moments, and while this action would have normally made her nervous, Roani just sat there unmoving, her eyes never leaving his face. Finally he spoke.

"Miss O'Quin, welcome to Hogwarts!" he said cheerily, his broad smile spreading contagiously to Roani.

"Thank you very much headmaster. It's an honor to be here."

"Please, please, Professor is just fine. After all, I'm really a teacher at heart," he assured her, his wide grin never faltering. Roani merely nodded in agreement and waited patiently for him to begin.

"I trust that your journey here was smooth?" he questioned.

"Oh yes, it was very enjoyable actually. The landscape here is absolutely beautiful," she lied. She meant it about the landscape, just not the part about it being enjoyable.

"You don't have to lie to me, Miss O'Quin. No one in your situation would feel much enjoyment right now," Dumbledore said solemnly. Roani inwardly cringed at the way he said "your situation" as if the death of her mother was in some kind of category. She did not get angry at him though; she was in fact quite shocked. She was a very good liar. After a few moments of awkward silence he stood up, and walked around the desk to settle himself on the edge by the old hat.

"Well, I'm sure you are tired and want nothing more than to get some food and go to bed. So we'll get down to business." Roani nodded in accordance, grateful that he didn't interrogate her about her feelings, or make horrible attempts at small talk. Excitement began to bubble in the pit of her stomach at the thought of being sorted. Would Dumbledore read her inner thoughts, seeing right through the true person she was? Would her spill her blood, and tell by its purity what house she belonged to? Would he…her thoughts were interrupted as he picked up the raggedy old hat with admiration.

"This, my dear, is the Sorting Hat. It is as old as Hogwarts itself, and sees deeper in into one's soul than wizard could dream," he explained. Roani stared at it in great interest, but still didn't understand.

"So…what do you do with it?" she asked, wondering if this was Dumbledore's way of punishing evil students.

He chuckled lightly. "This is how we sort our students into their particular houses. There are four of them; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." Roani could of swore he said the last one with a bit of aversion. She didn't have time to ponder it as he continued. "The houses are named after the four founders of Hogwarts. Now normally, first years are sorted in front of the entire school, but seeing as you are a late arrival, I have no intention of causing you any more discomfort. Are you ready?"

Roani could only nod as she processed all this new information. Before she knew it Dumbledore had placed the hat onto her head, and she waited expectantly for she didn't know what.

Then, abruptly, the hat began to speak.

"Well, well, well, a late arrival I see."

"Er…hi" Roani responded cautiously, feeling stupid as she did so.

"Let's see what we have here. Hmm…very interesting. Ah yes, I see. Yes, this is quite difficult."

"Umm…what's difficult?" she asked worriedly.

"You have wisdom beyond your years that's for sure," the hat continued. "Loyal as a dog you are. Watch it, that could come back to haunt you. Hmm…bravery I see. Yes, you don't see it now. But when the time comes, its there. Now where to put you?" Roani wasn't sure if that was a rhertorical question or not.

"Do I get a say in this?" she inquired. The hat moved around on her head, and she was beginning to get uncomfortable.

"As you wish."

"Well, umm…could you just put me where I'll fit in?"

"Where you fit in you say? Well, any specifications?"

"No, no. I just don't want to be an outcast. I want to be with people who are like me, whether I do well or not."

"Is that so? Well than, I'll put you in…"

TBC...dun dun dun! Cliff hanger! I know, I hate them to. Please review??!!