Lilith peered around her suitcase nervously, boarding school wasn't a new experience for her neither was the wizarding world. This country was however and it was incredibly scary being in the legendary Hogwarts. Lilith was a sixth year witch and why her parents had chosen now to move from the United States to the England made no sense to her. It was the night of her sixteenth birthday when her parents told her that they bought a flat in East London, she sobbed the entire night through. Moving halfway through the year could only be made worse by the fact that it was a boarding school; she wouldn't have any of the comforts of home to help her cope. A woman who introduced herself as Professor McGonagall led Lilith through the deserted hallways. Staircases moved of their own accord and she swore that one of the empty suits of armor had been snoring. The school's caretaker Mr. Filch followed with her baggage and Belladonna her mischievous black kitten. They stopped in front of a set of gargoyles at what Lilith could only assume was the headmasters office.
"Pepper Imps" The tall woman said commandingly at the leftmost gargoyle. "Good evening ma'am" it replied. Then with a large groan and the sound of grating stone a stairway just beyond the pair opened. Professor McGonagall lifted her skirts and ascended the stairs making motions for Lilith to follow. She took a deep breath and stepped into the dark stairway. There was a warm fire colored light directly at the top of the stairs coming from the crack of a heavy oaken door. Lilith entered the room after the Professor. The room was alive with talking paintings and wiring, puffing instruments. There was a bluish glow coming from a cabinet in the corner and a beautiful red bird perched just behind the desk. She was so taken by all the wondrous things in the office she failed to notice the older man in the corner. He let out a polite cough and Lilith whirled at the sound.
"I'm awfully sorry I didn't notice you sir, I've never seen so many amazing things in one room." The man was so tall and wise looking she felt out of place in his presence. "That's quiet alright my dear, I often find my own mind wandering in this exquisite room. I am Headmaster Dumbledore and you are Lilith Koray I presume, our transfer student. Which as I'm sure you know is rather unheard of." He paused a moment to smile serenely down at her, " We have, by that I mean Professor McGonagall and I, that it would be best to have a privet sorting ceremony. Im sure youy are aware the Hogwarts is home to four proud houses Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Our trusty sorting hat will decide which house you belong in and they will become your family away from home for the remainder of your time here. Have a seat and we'll begin!" with a flourish he directed her to a chair in front of his desk and brought an old tattered hat down from a shelf.