Hi all. Sorry it took me a little while to post.

The winner of the quiz from the previous chapter is: ThymeWaster, since she got the most right. You get a poster of my two cats! To everyone who reviewed, thanks for reviewing and you all get cookies!

The answer to that quiz: Molly Weasley, Lee Jordan, Neville Longbottom and Mundungus Fletcher. I kept going back and forth on whether to add him or not. Now I decided I probably shouldn't have added him Oh well….

EXTREMELY LONG CHAPTER WARNING. I know I could've split it up more, but I didn't want to.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I don't own the Sorting Hat, I don't own the Sorting Hat's song, I don't own Ron's "midget" comment, I don't own Hermione's thing after that, I don't own…. Oh, let's face it. We all know I don't own anything related to Harry Potter. Please don't sue me.

Chapter 4

Sorting, Midgets and String Beans

Almost two months later, September 1 came around, and Lilly, Kevin, Richard and Rebecca were riding the Hogwarts Express. Rebecca decided to be the leader again, and showed the other three where to go and how to get through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾. That in itself was very eventful since Lilly and Richard were very skeptical about running into a brick wall and Kevin was disappointed that he went right through it.

"I mean, why did the wall have to disappear like that? It's fun to run into brick walls!" Kevin complained. The four of them were sitting in a compartment near the back of the train.

"You're more sick and twisted than I thought, mate." Rebecca moved sideways from Kevin as if afraid to catch something from him, then focused her attention on Lilly.

"So, Lil- is it OK if I call you that?"

"What-oh, sure."

"Right. Lil, you said you and Kevin are pureblood, right?"

"Yes, we are."

"Well… No offense, but I seem to be more familiar with the wizarding world than you do, and I'm only a half-blood."

"That's probably because my parents have been living as Muggles for many years."

"What?" Rebecca looked dumbfounded "You mean, as total Muggles? No magic at all?"

"No, not as total Muggles. They did use magic, but only when necessary. However, they didn't communicate by owl, for the most part, they cut themselves off from the wizarding world-my dad even quit his job as a Healer to become an accountant or something like that. And the fact that my older siblings were all Squibs helped conceal us as well."

"Wait-your siblings are all Squibs?" Rebecca now looked really interested. "How many siblings do you have?"

"Five, all older then me, only one female."

"Wow." Rebecca fiddled with her bracelet, then said "I have one older brother. I haven't seen him in forever though."

"Why?" Kevin asked.

"I'd rather not say." Now Rebecca looked quite uncomfortable. Sensing this, Richard spoke up.

"I have a younger brother and an older sister. My sister's Muggle, my parents are Muggle, and I don't know about my brother."

"Nice." Rebecca gave a thumbs-up, and then looked at Kevin with distaste. "What are you doing?"

"Making a rocket-stink bomb," Kevin said without looking up from his firecracker and stink bomb contraption.

"Sorry I asked," muttered Rebecca. She finished her Cauldron Cake that she abandoned, and then turned back to Lilly.

"So, what was that note about? That whole 'Mortal Dread' thing? You really seem worried about that note and I want to know why."

Lilly's heart sank. She had only just forgotten about it, and was hoping to go a day without thinking about it. She couldn't figure out why this had become an obsession. Still, she couldn't ignore Rebecca's question. She seemed to have a talent for getting at least some information from people.

"When I figure out why I'm so worried, I'll let you know. Right now, though…." Lilly hesitated. "All I have is a bad feeling about this. I don't want to think about it, okay?"

"Okay." Rebecca said skeptically. "If you say so. But I will make you confess sometime in the near future."

"You got it." Lilly grinned and absent-mindedly played with her necklace. Before she knew it, the Hogwarts express slowed to a stop.

"Let's go." Even though Rebecca's voice seemed confident, there was a nervous edge to it. The foursome all pulled on their Hogwarts robes and joined the crowd of students leaving the train.

Lilly timidly moved through the crowd, dodging students. Then she heard a drawling voice over all the others.

"Hey, you pale little midget! Move along there! I am a prefect, and if you don't step aside, I'm going to put you in detention."

Lilly jumped sideways, and tried to move to the side. She looked up and saw a tall, fifteen-year-old blonde boy almost as pale as she was. He had a Slytherin prefect badge and was glaring at her.

"Malfoy, knock it off! You have no right to bully the first years like that!"

Lilly saw a girl with long, bushy brown hair glaring at the boy called Malfoy. The girl looked about the same age as Malfoy, only she had a Gryffindor prefect badge. Malfoy muttered something rather rude under his breath and sulked off.

"Sorry about that. Malfoy's a Slytherin, has no respect at all. But don't mind him, he shouldn't bother you. I'm Hermione Granger, by the way."

"I'm Lillianna Graham," Lilly squeaked.

"Nice to meet you," Hermione smiled encouragingly at Lily. "Well, I need to go, but if Malfoy is being a git towards you again, don't be afraid to tell me."

And Hermione hurried off. Lilly got out of the throng of students and met up with Richard. There was a yell from somewhere in the crowd and someone shouting "Move it!" All of a sudden, about three older boys were knocked to the ground and Rebecca came out of the crowd, panting slightly. She stalked toward Lilly and Richard.

"Hey, if niceties don't get you anywhere, brutal force works."

A few minutes later, Kevin ran toward them. He tried to explain to the others that he met two seventh-year twins who really seemed interested in his potential mischief making, but no one really listened. The four of them went toward the woman saying "First years, this way!" and followed her to the lake.

HP

A few moments later, all the first years were lined up in front of everybody in the Great Hall. The boat ride to the castle was quite eventful, since Kevin had tried to fall into the lake on purpose, making Rebecca smack him in the head. Then while the headmistress Professor McGonagall was telling them about the four Houses, Richard had to restrain Kevin from letting off a Dungbomb.

Now, they were in the Great Hall, with Kevin on Lilly's left, Richard on her right, and Rebecca next to Kevin. Kevin was whispering very quietly and excitedly under his breath and both girls were regretting standing next to him. All were staring at the faces of older students and the old black pointed hat on a three-legged stool, and it didn't take a genius to figure out who was the most nervous. Lilly was shaking almost as badly as Euan Abercrombie, a boy four spots to her left.

"I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm am so scared, oh what was I thinking, I can't do this-"

"Just relax, Lil', I'm sure-hey, what's the hat doing?"

For the hat had suddenly opened its rim and being to sing:

In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Hey, that is wicked." Kevin looked at the hat. "The hat is singing! I didn't know hats could sing. Did you know hats could sing? But what's he singing about? It all sounds like mumbo jumbo to me. Does it sound like it to you? Do you think I could make my hat sing? Think it would sing well?-"

"Please. Shut. Up." Lilly hissed.

"Yeah, I think he's getting to the important part anyways." Rebecca, who was on his other side, was getting more annoyed by the second.

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

"Aww, isn't that sweet. But wait, what is he saying? That basically-"

"Slytherin is for those that are cunning, Ravenclaw is for those who are intelligent, Gryffindor is for those who are brave and Hufflepuff… I guess Hufflepuff is for wimps." Rebecca said all this in a very fast whisper.

"Oh, great, thanks. So I'll be in Ravenclaw then!" Kevin beamed.

"No way! The chances of you being a Ravenclaw are as good as me flying to the moon!"

"Oh, you're flying to the moon? When?"

"No! What I'm saying is-you'd be more suited for Hufflepuff."

"So you're saying I'm not smart, you're saying I'm-"

"A wimp!"

"Oh. Hey, that's not nice. I'm not a wimp."

"Deal with it, and yes, you are." Rebecca hissed.

"No I'm not, and what?" Kevin answered back.

"Forget it. Let's just say you'll be a Hufflepuff."

"But I don't want to be a Hufflepuff!"

"Too bad."

As Kevin and Rebecca continued to argue back and forth in a fierce whisper, Lilly tried to concentrate on the Sorting Hat's song. It was very difficult, since she could not ignore the stampeding butterflies in her stomach. Funny, Lilly thought, I didn't even think butterflies could stampede until now.

Lilly lightly smacked Kevin to shut him up. She was amazed no one noticed Rebecca and her brother fighting. Once again, Lilly attempted to listen to the rest of the song:

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you…

Let the Sorting now begin.

"Hogwarts is in danger?" Lilly whispered as she applauded with the rest of the school. "But-from what?"

"Beats me. Hey, that wimpy guy is getting sorted!"

"You mean, Euan." Lilly corrected.

"Whatever."

They all waited, and Euan was made a Gryffindor. A few more people were sorted, and then "Davis, Andrew" was made a Hufflepuff.

"Fisher, Rebecca."

Rebecca walked up to the stool only a little bit nervously. She sat down and placed the hat on her head. After only fifteen seconds (according to Lilly's watch), the hat shouted:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Rebecca ran over to the Gryffindor table, looking rather pleased with herself. A couple more people were sorted. Slowly, the line of first years was decreasing.

"Graham, Kevin", said Professor McGonagall.

Kevin went up and almost tripped over himself. It took almost a minute, but the Sorting Hat finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" Kevin went down to join the Gryffindor table. Rebecca shook her head in amazement and mouthed to Lilly "I was so sure he'd be a Hufflepuff."

"Graham, Lillianna", was the next name on the list. Lilly slowly went up to the stool, shaking from head to foot. With some difficulty, she lifted the Sorting Hat off the stool, sat down and shakily placed the Hat on her head.

Well, said a tiny voice in her ear; she practically jumped when she heard it. There is quite a bit of potential here. Plenty of talent… An excellent mind…Cool nerve… Fear of failure and taking charge… But courage nonetheless… I know exactly what to do with you. GRYFFINDOR!

Lilly took off the Hat, very relieved and somewhat confused. The Sorting Hat said that she had courage, and Gryffindor was for those who are brave, but she didn't consider herself brave at all. Still, she reasoned, Gryffindor is better than Slytherin. Lilly shyly walked over to the table that was applauding her. On her way over to sit next to her brother, she caught sight of an older boy. He had messy black hair, round glasses; and (she drew a sharp breath when she saw this) he had a lightning bolt scar on his forehead.

This must be Harry Potter! She thought. She quickened her pace to get to her seat. She didn't believe the Prophet's rumors that Harry was mad-at least, she didn't think she believed them-but that didn't stop her from being very nervous.

Lilly finally reached her friends & brother, and took a seat. She also noticed that just a few places down were a couple of red haired twin boys who looked like they were in their seventh year.

"Lilly, see those guys?" Kevin pointed to the redhead twins. "That's Fred and George Weasley! Apparently, they're very well known for being trouble makers at Hogwarts, and they're talking about starting their own joke shop! And they talked to me!" Kevin shivered in excitement. Rebecca gave Lilly a look that clearly read, "This could be trouble." Lilly nodded in agreement and turned to watch the Sorting.

"Graystone, Richard."

After thirty seconds, Richard became a Gryffindor. He quickly walked over to where Lilly was and sat down.

"Well how about that, mates? We're all in the same house!"

"Yeah, unfortunately," Rebecca said, looking sideways with disgust at Kevin, who had just put bubble gum in his mouth and was chewing it very loudly.

HP

"Hey-hey you lot! Midgets!"

Lilly quickly looked up. She had just finished a wonderful feast and had sat through an incredibly dull speech by that Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Umbridge. At least, Lilly thought that was the woman's name. Kevin was making a lot of noise during Dumbledore's announcements, so she found it hard to concentrate.

And now she could've sworn one of the prefects just called her a midget. Well, I am puny, she thought.

"Did that red-head, freckle-face, big nosed string bean just call me a midget?!" Rebecca was outraged. "Let me at him, I am going to get hold of him and-"

"First years! This way, please."

This voice belonged to the other Gryffindor prefect, the fifth year girl named Hermione. Lilly walked over to the prefects, trying not to be the leader. Actually, she realized, none of her friends were trying to be the leader. Not even Rebecca, which was strange.

"Why would I want to be the leader? I don't want to be responsible for leading the first years headfirst into a toilet. Besides, the prefects will show us where to go." Rebecca answered Lilly's questioning look under her breath.

"You can be very extreme sometimes," muttered Lilly. "I know," Rebecca grinned.

As they walked up the staircases following the prefects, Lilly asked Euan Abercrombie what it was that his friend told him. But before Euan could answer, Rebecca cut in.

"Look, you git, we all know you were talking about Harry Potter, we all know what the Idiotic Prophet thinks about him, and do you know what? We don't care! So shut your big fat mouth before you get yourself into trouble, got it?"

"Okay." Euan said in a tiny, meek voice. Lilly thought she saw a mildly impressed expression cross the red-haired prefects face. They reached a portrait; Hermione said "Mimblus Mimbletonia!" and the portrait swung open. They all climbed in and (after direction from Hermione) went up to their rooms. As Lilly climbed into her red and green starred pajama bottoms, she got a whiff of a scent that was a combination between Christmas cookies and butter cream frosting. She turned around and saw Rebecca in purple pajamas lighting a candle.

"Hey, Rebecca, what's with the candle?" Lilly asked.

Rebecca put out the match, destroyed it with a spark from her wand and sighed. "Well, you might as well find out sooner or later…. You see, I'm kind of afraid of the dark."

"You? Afraid of the dark?" Lilly was stunned; Rebecca didn't seem afraid of anything, let alone the dark.

"Don't laugh! I had bad experiences with it when I was younger. If I have just a tiny bit of light around, I'm fine. But total darkness…." Rebecca shuddered. "I hate it. I also hate thunderstorms."

"Wow." Lilly pulled back her covers, and watched Rebecca do the same. Both girls climbed into bed.

"Well, good night."

"Good night."

And Lilly went to sleep, wondering what her first day of school would be like.

All right, I just want to say that I do not think Hufflepuffs are wimps. So if you like Hufflepuff, please don't kill me!

If you actually MADE IT to the end of this chapter…. I give you more cookies! Please review?