Disclaimer: I own nothing.

They were waiting outside the great hall before their feast and sorting ceremony, when a stream of ghosts floated in. Marian was terrified. What if he wasn't sorted in with one of his friends. Severus it seemed had been a second year and was in Gryffindor. The boy who'd been outside their compartment had been a seventh year named George Weasley. He'd also been in Gryffindor and was apparently one of Severus' many cousins.

Marian, Larry, Kevin, and Mathilda didn't seem the least bit surprised by the ghosts, though several of the other first years were. It was strange for them. They didn't know what they were doing there, but they knew whatever it was was important to the war against the Millennium Earl. They were there on a mission, one that could take more than seven years to complete. If that happened they already had new stories to start over with. Finally an old witch walked in front of them.

"I am Headmistress Juniper. You will line up before entering the Great Hall. You will be quiet as you wait your turn to be sorted."

Nobody spoke even as they followed the witch single file.

The first years looked at a chair that sat in front of the Hall. On it sat a black wizard's cap. Marian was suddenly covering his left eye as it changed from mouse brown to red and black, focusing on the hat. The only ones other than the teachers who noticed were Larry, Kevin and Mathilda. They looked at each other worriedly even as Marian kept that eye both covered and closed. They were all quiet as the hat spoke.

Welcome to a new year

Something special lingers here

Centuries ago I was made

To help to choose for the greats

Gryffindor the brave

Daring deeds and thorough too

Hufflepuff the loyal

The just and tolerant

Ravenclaw the wise

Brains and smarts are their life

Slytherin the ambitious

Sly and cunning through and through

Where will you go

What is your home

Never fear

They made me

To help make that choice

For I can see

What they hunt

Though they live no more

And now you are

With that all said

It's time to begin

A new year to sort

So take a seat

Pop me on

And I'll tell you where

You're meant to be

Marian looked up after it was done speaking after taking a deep breathe. It seemed as though he was terrified of opening his left eye. The students went up to be sorted one by one in alphabetical order. Larry was the first of the four exorcists to be sorted into Ravenclaw. When it was Kevin's turn the hat surprised the spectators by placing the angry-looking boy in Gryffindor rather than Slytherin. Mathilda was placed in Hufflepuff.

Now it was Marian's turn. He was the last and each of his friends were hoping he'd be placed in the same house as them, but they feared he would be on his own.

What's this? the hat spoke to Allen. It won't do you any good trying to hide who you are.

Aah, but he's not trying to, Mr. Hat of the Ages, Neah spoke.

What's going on, Neah? Why did I have to come here? Where's Mana? Allen asked the voices in his head timidly.

You'll learn soon enough. It seems there are some problems in this school? Neah directed the last at the Hat.

You are well-versed on problems, aren't you? Well, well if you're so concerned about it, I guess I should put you in¾

You'll put Marian in Slytherin.

I want to be in the same place as Kevin, though, Neah. Or Larry. They at least talk to me easily.

Aah, but we have a promise to opposing sides to keep, remember, Clown?

But Neah, I don't want to be left alone. Besides, what if I slip up?

You truly are able to keep things from me, aren't you, Neah? the Hat asked surprised. Not even Harry Potter or Dumbledore were able to but you, Hammer, Sword, and Tailor have secrets hidden deep and memories that shouldn't exist. At least they didn't have multiple personalities. I guess I'll put you in

"SLYTHERIN" the Hat yelled out after what seemed like an eternity.

Go to the table with green and don't even think about activating that arm of yours on me. I'm not here to hurt people and I wasn't created by what those creatures that you must fight were created by.

Marian placed the hat on the chair and bowed to it in thanks. "I'll keep my promise, Mr. Hat," he whispered, not knowing what he'd meant about his arm or fighting creatures, before going to the table he was told to.

"Now that that's over, you should probably eat," the headmistress spoke, "but first I must remind you that Muggle items that have no sentimental value are not allowed among first years, nor are brooms. The Forbidden Forest has it's name because it is forbidden to students. Do not go in there without a teacher. Also, those who have animals who are not on the approved animal list are to be sent home tonight."

At that moment, an old man walked in carrying what looked like a plant.

"Professor Juniper," he said holding the plant out, "this just arrived for a kid whose last name is Walker. It won't stop trying to bite me."

Larry began laughing. It was almost hysterical laughter.

"Marian, your master surely hates you to send you that here, aah, but I know you love the thing!" he called from his table.

"Of course," Marian managed to stutter as he stood to accept the plant. To the plant he said, "I know it's been a long time, Roseanne. I really do love you, you know. I didn't mean to leave you for so long. I promise that I do love you, Roseanne," he moved to give the plant a hug.

Surprisingly, the plant let go of the old man and latched on to Marian in happiness.

"You'll need to put that plant in the greenhouse," the headmistress frowned at the boy.

"I won't forget about you, Roseanne, I promise," the boy ignored the headmistress, "I love you."

Larry couldn't stop his laughter, until Marian walked over to him with the plant. Then suddenly he was professing his love for the carnivorous plant as well, causing Mathilda to laugh and even Kevin grinned. Marian smiled.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Larry," he said politely. "I only have Mana and Neah. And you guys and Komui. I don't remember¾"

"Marian," Kevin spoke, "We're waiting on you to eat."

Marian immediately went back to the table he'd been at and eagerly waited, drooling a little as he did. The headmistress looked at him a little strangely before continuing with her announcements. Finally she told them she had three more words to say. They were words that the foursome didn't recognize, but immediately afterwards, food appeared. Marian didn't even seem surprised at how it appeared. He immediately started digging in like he hadn't eaten in a year, but he ate elegantly and with little extra mess, like some of the students might have. It seemed as though Marian was the center of attention for only a few seconds before he heard their laughter, his friends.

"Always had a huge appetite, didn't you, Marian?" Larry was heard.

"Leave him alone, Larry. Can't we at least eat without you trying to piss someone off?" Kevin yelled at him.

"Don't fight, guys. We had heard that he always had that huge appetite, remember? We at least were prepared. We kind of forgot to warn the others," Mathilda sighed.

"I'm sorry. I thought we could eat our fill," Marian apologized.

"Idiot, you're fine," Kevin growled. "Eat up, so that we can go to bed."

"Okay," Marian grinned.

They ate ignoring the strange looks from everyone else. In all actually, there weren't many problems their first year and even though they were in different houses, they managed to eat together and spend time together. When Larry made the others in his entire year get mad at him, they saw a strange glint in his eye. It was like the hyper boy wanted them to get angry at him. When they finished that year, they had found no trace of problems in modern times, only far back in history, though it really wasn't that far back compared to when they were from. They had found the secrets Harry Potter and Tom Marvolo had found, plus some. They hadn't been trying except when they needed a secure room to talk about their mission in. When they had heard about the Interhouse Quidditch tournament, they all agreed not to join their house teams. They already had enough, and even though both Mathilda and Marian were offered spots on their house teams, they both declined, keeping their promises. They managed not to have any arguments that first year and after that first night no one thought about harassing Marian or the other three who hung out with him.