A/N: I am so, so sorry! I seem to have forgotten the disclaimer! Here it is: I do not own the characters or setting, or ideas of the Harry Potter series. They all belong to the Amazing J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own the plot, and all seven books, some in duplicate. But, I don't think that counts…

On with the story. More Authors Note at the bottom…

They were led by Professor Longbottom into a grand, huge room, a hall, at least a million miles high (James was prone to exaggeration) and full of more people than he ever thought he'd see in one place. The first years were led to stand in a straight line at the very front of the Hall, just below the table that (as far as James could see) had only professors sitting at it. He then looked out at the Hall, and gulped, before pulling himself higher, and standing tall. All of his family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, elder cousins, all of them had faced the multitudes of staring eyes. He could too. As long as they didn't see him shaking as he stood tall…

The Hall quieted as Professor Longbottom stood at the head of the room, obviously waiting patiently for quiet, before he began. Soon, the table by the door, under the red and gold banner, was quiet, followed by the blue table, and then the yellow, over to the other side of the room. That was the Slytherin table, James knew, and they seemed to be taking it upon themselves to make it difficult for the Gryffindor Head of House to gain control. However, the strict looking, older woman at the center of the professor's table (James knew from family this was Headmistress McGonagall) sent a glare to the green and silver clad students that prompted them to immediately stop talking. All was silent in the hall, and it seemed the most magical thing James had ever seen, even growing up in a full wizarding family.

The ceiling was enchanted to look like the sky outside, right now full of stars, with a glittering half moon. The only light, besides the moon, were the candles floating above the four tables, sending light glancing off the empty golden plates set in front of the students. It looked like something out of a dream.

As soon as everyone was silent, Professor Longbottom waved his want, and a small step stool appeared in front of him, directly beneath Headmistress McGonagall, and in front of the entire school. Another wave, and a tattered old wizard's hat appeared on it. James knew what it was, what it was for, but had no idea what it would do. Neither did most of the other first years, by the look of it. James jumped in surprise- landing rather heavily of Art's toe- when a rip opened near the rim, and the hat began to sing.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge by what you see

I'll eat myself if you can find a smarter hat than me!

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts sorting hat, and I can top them all!

There's nothing hidden in your head the Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I can tell you where you ought to be!

You may belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart!

Their daring nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart!

Or you may belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal.

Those sorted there and kind, and unafraid of toil.

Or you may belong in Ravenclaw,

Where brains and smarts are needed.

Those Ravenclaws are in the front, and hardly ever leaded.

Or it may be in Slytherin that you'll meet your true friends.

Those cunning snakes will use their wits to achieve their very ends.

So try me on, don't be afraid, and don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a thinking cap!

(A/N: So, so sorry! I tried to write my own, but was having soooo much trouble, so I decided to use most of the one from Harry's first year. Unfortunately, I didn't remember it very well, and my book one was lent out to a friend. I had to make up some lines. So, that's the best I could do for now. I can fix it later. Oh, and sorry for the interruption. )

The entire Hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song, gave a small bow to each of the four tables, and became still again. James distinctly heard woops coming from the Gryffindor table, and saw that it was Fred, and some of his friends.

Professor Longbottom was stepping forward again. "Now, as I call your name, please come up here and put the hat on. It will let us know which House you belong in, then you will go join your Housemates for dinner." He unrolled the scroll, cleared his throat, and began.

"Abbot, Liam!" a small, round-ish boy stepped nervously up to the hat, and put it on. It took about a minute, then the seam opened again and the hat called to the whole Hall- HUFFLEPUFF! The boy (Liam) hurried over to the correct table, and all the students cheered.

Professor Longbottom continued down his list, and eventually got past the A's, and B's, of which there were quite a few Ravenclaws and a Hufflepuff. He waited for quiet after "Bones, Andrew" (Ravenclaw), and continued on.

"Crabbe, Victoria" was the first Slytherin, and she proudly walked to her table. After everyone settled down, the list resumed.

"Creevey, Colin!" James was surprised when Colin Creevey was the boy from his compartment. He thought for a moment- he remembered hearing that name somewhere… He was so deep in thought he almost missed the Hat calling GRYFFINDOR! And Colin walking to the table that was cheering the loudest. After that, he zoned out a bit, hearing that there were a couple more Slytherins, a few Ravenclaws, a couple more Hufflepuffs, and some new Gryffindors. He noticed that they were on the P's, for Longbottom was going in alphabetical order. The girl on the stool was the same small, scared one from the boat. She had been called as "Patil, Albie", and the hat had deliberated for quite a few minutes, making people start to fidget, before calling to the Hall- GRYFFINDOR! The table with the red and gold cheered for Albie, as she almost ran to her new seat at her table, and collapsed.

Professor Longbottom cleared his throat for silence, and soon the Hall was quiet again. James was beginning to shake again, as he guessed who was next from Neville's quick glance at him.

"Potter, James!" Suddenly, the Hall was not silent. People didn't even bother to whisper, but actually talked aloud.

"Potter?!"

"Bloody hell, really?"

"What did he say? Not what I thought, right…"

"Wait, the potter?"

"He had a kid?"

"What did he say?"

"Which kid is it?"

"Wait! There he is!"

James had been nervous with all the talking and shouting, and had just now begun his way to Neville. He suddenly found about fifty fingers pointed at him, and every single person in the hall staring at him in surprise and fascination. Of course, this was Hogwarts, so every person was bright enough to be able to point, stare, and talk at the same time, so the noise level just went up. Not down. Unfortunately. Finally, Professor McGonagall had had enough.

She stood up at her seat. "Quiet! She snapped, her voice somehow magically magnified. The Hall fell silent immediately. "Good." She looked around at the students. "Next one who speaks at the wrong time will get a detention and a letter home." With one more look of satisfaction around the Hall, she sat. Professor Longbottom motioned for James to come forward, as he had frozen in place. He walked on shaky legs to the stool, and sat down. Neville gave him a kind look, then placed the hat on his head, where it fell straight over his eyes, and he looked into the black interior.

Well, well, well. The Hat could talk! What have we here? Surely not a Potter?

What do you know about my family? James thought back, not wanting to seem like a moron talking out loud to a hat. Or himself. He wasn't sure which would be worse.

The first Potter that I was remembering, though I have sorted them for generations, was James Potter, and he turned out to be the greatest troublemaker, brightest student, and most brilliant wizard that Hogwarts had seen in that generation.

I was named after my grandfather? James thought, forgetting the hat could hear. It just chuckled- or the equivalent of a Hat chuckle.

I would assume so. Then, of course, was your father, and I had trouble with that one. Same trouble with you. Brilliant, your mind, I mean, and Ravenclaw would make an excellent match. But, bravery is deep in there, along with a strong loyalty to your friends. However, you seem to be brilliant in a sly way, and Slytherin might be just the place for you!

NO, NO, NO! Was all James was capable of thinking for a moment. Then, Please, no. I'd much rather be in Gryffindor. My father's house. I'm a Potter, and, and, please no! I've heard all sorts of things about Slytherin, and I don't think I'd fit in! Of course, that was James's more polite way of saying 'No, not Slytherin! I hate them and all they stand for!' But, he didn't think the Hat would go for that.

Well, I suppose if you don't want Slytherin…

Please, no…

Very well, better be…

GRYFFINDOR!

Out of the silence the Hall had been in, the greatest cheer of all came up, with several Gryffindors seeming to be yelling at friends/foes at other tables. James took off the Hat with a relieved sign, thanking Merlin, God, or whoever else was worth the thanks, and headed towards the table that was where he would be eating for the next seven years.

When he got to a seat at the end, he collapsed into it, then realized he was next to Colin. Colin clapped him of the back, with a nod, and turned towards the front. James realized that this was just Colin's quiet way of showing he was happy James was there, without having to speak over the hubbub. For, there was still cheering, shouting, and singing going on in the Hall, started, James saw, by Fred Weasley. Of course. After a few firecrackers from the end of McGonagall's wand, the hall quieted, and she gave them a stern look.

"Last warning. No more noise. Understood? The sorting is almost over, and we would prefer quiet." Which was her way of saying they demanded quiet. The Hall stayed the quiet it had been, and she sat again, with a nod at Professor Longbottom. James looked down the long table, and saw Fred and Vicki smile at him, and Fred gave him thumbs up. James grinned and looked back to the front, where thankfully, they were almost done.

There were only four more students standing in front, and Art was one. Come to think of it, James realized he didn't know Art's surname. Well, he'd find out soon. Sure enough, a moment later, after a tall girl ran to the Slytherin table, Neville cleared his throat and read,

"Thomas, Arthur" and Art walked slowly but surely up to the stool. He folded his long legs underneath him, and took the hat from the Professor. He let it fall low on his forehead. Apparently the Hat had an idea where to put him, because it didn't take nearly as long as James's sorting did. After just a moment or two, the hat cried

GRYFFINDOR! To thunderous applause. James clapped as hard as the rest of the table as Art handed the Hat back, and came running to the table. He looked relieved, and pleased, as he threw himself into the chair next to James. He looked as though he wanted to say something, but they needed to continue with the sorting.

Finally, at the end, "Zabini, Blair" went to SLYTHERIN! And everyone was ready for the feast. McGonagall stood up.

" Now, there are many start of term notices this year, but I don't want to keep hundreds of children and teenagers from their food. Not the brightest idea." There were several laughs around the room. "So, for now, I will just say- DIG IN!" There was clapping and cheering to this, but it quieted as the empty golden plates on the tables suddenly filled with food, and everyone was eating. It was more food than James had ever seen in one place (even at Weasley family dinners) and all he could do was fill a plate, and tuck in!

A/N: Ok, I promise to try and make this short!

First off, I may be uploading again today, which is where we'll find out teachers for the year, etc. BUT, I would like some reviews first! So, keep that in mind! Everyone who reviewed already, thank you! And please, everyone who has reviewed or not, please review this one!

Also, I would like to apologize for the authors note in the middle. i felt it was necessary, but I try not to do that. I hate interruptions in stories. Also, I'm not sure if it's an apologizing thing, or a 'your welcome' thing, but these chapters seem to be getting long. is that a problem? because I was going to cut it off earlier, but at that point it was only 600 or so words. I felt like that was too short. opinions, please!

Oh, also, I am not the best at making up names, and such. So, I will be bringing old characters for teachers (mostly, i hope thats ok with everyone...) and a lot of students are going to be decedents/offspring of old characters. I felt because all wizarding families seem to be connected in some way, it wouldn't be a issue. However, it would be great to hear if there are any children of past characters from the HP books that you'd like to see as first years, or older students? I need just last names, unless, of course, you have a perfect first name. The I'd love that, too! Or, names for any made-up characters. I can do personalities, but names would be super helpful. Thanks!

Lastly, Thank You for all the support! I appreciate it so much, and it really keeps me going. That is actually what inspires me to write more and more!

-Books