A week later she was entering into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, wearing her new robes, a big grin, and a small cat on one shoulder. The group of other wizards and witches-to-be pointed at her and whispered. She was a head taller than most of them, all but one boy, who was taller than her. "Is it just me, or is everyone staring at us?" she muttered, a little spooked by the kids, who were all younger than her. He glanced at her, brown hair falling over his face and shadowing his already dark green eyes. "Oh, you didn't get your later until late too, eh?" He asked, grinning at her. "I'm 2 years late. Blast, I forgot, I'm Jake, Jake Pierce." "I'm Aeris James, how old are you? At least that way I'll know how late I'm in." "I'm fourteen, but I'm old for my year, you look about my age, I'd say we're both in third year- but then, I'm not sure. That Potter boy is here, isn't he? You'll know the school is guarded by dementors now because Black is out of prison about now." "Yeah, I'm thirteen, unfortunately. So, we'll be in this. Potter's year? His first name isn't Harry, is it?" "Yes, it is, why do you ask?" "I know his cousin." She muttered dryly. "I hope they don't have much in common." At that point, the doors swung open and a green eyed woman with black hair tied back in a tight bun. Her lips were thin and tight, and she made Aeris excited. She looked exactly like Aeris's impression of a witch was. except maybe a little more stern and a little less misty. She wanted to hear what the woman had to say, but was pulled away, along with Jake, to a small room to the side, by a thin, tall old man with silver white long, long hair and dusty half moon glasses framing brilliant blue eyes. Aeris didn't know what to say, but apparently the man did. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Miss James, Mr. Pierce. I do not have time to explain, since you two must be sorted before the others. You are both to be inducted into the third year, the prefects will teach you how to get along just fine. You two are. special cases. This is a time in which we will need mature, but muggle-raised wizards. Voldemort grows greater in power." Aeris flinched, she had heard about Voldemort and how he purposefully hurt muggles. "We know you are a little late, and we usually do not accept those whose magic does not show so blatantly until in puberty. But both of you have proved to have very strong, and powerful powers." Here Aeris and Jake both flushed red with pleasure at the compliment. "There are four houses. uh, Slytherin, for the cunning, Hufflepuff, for the loyal and just, Ravenclaw for the witty, and Gryffindor for the brave. The symbols are serpent, badger, eagle, and lion, respectively. This-" he held up a weathered old hat. "Was Godric Gryffindor's own hat. He witched it to think for itself. It will sort you. Miss James, up on this stool, Mr. Pierce, the other. Thank you. And now." He split the hat and copied it magically and placed them simultaneously on their heads. Jake's automatically said Hufflepuff, Aeris's waited a long time. In her head, it was a ramble of words- clever, loyal, witty, just. "Argggh." the hat growled allowed. "I can't do this! Fine. Huffleclaw! Ravenpuff!" Aeris glanced up at the hat, confused, but suddenly it was gone. Dumbledore magically turned both hats into just one. "My. this is strange. Well?" he asked Aeris, who was clearly bewildered. "Begging your pardon, sir, but well what?" she asked, annoyed. "Well, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff." He lifted his wand and made the words form in gold ribbons in the air. "It's clear the sorting hat couldn't choose, and it's your own choice that determines-" The man, still unidentified, was interrupted with a loud sound of purring. Eos, forgotten until now, was rubbing against Jake's leg, and he laughed, and bent down to pick her up. "I think. Hufflepuff. It would be better to know someone." "Are you sure?" the man asked, questioning her again. "Yes, I am sure." "Severus won't be pleased when he hears one of his own relations." "Who?" she had heard the name before, but wasn't sure from where. The man gave a grin, eyes twinkling. "You will see." "Just one question sir, who are you?" Jake asked suddenly, just as bewildered as she was. "I am Albus Dumbledore. and now I must leave, I shall see you in the great hall." and he left. "He was the headmaster?" Jake asked her incredulously. It was a little strange. Aeris shrugged. "It makes me wonder what the other professors our like." She replied as they entered. "Uncle Snape?" And of course, we can all guess how the rest of the night went.