Disclaimer: Again, none of this is mine- it's all JK Rowling's and the plot
is just my idiotic attempt to copy her…oh well :0)
Author's Note: Please forgive the Sorting Hat song- I was being lamely creative until I gave up and borrowed the end lines from Ms. Rowling herself. I didn't realize this was so long until I finished and it might be kind of boring- just a lot of explanations etc. :0)
Stepping off the Hogwarts Express Lily and Hope fell silent. They had changed into their robes and were now swept up by the crowd of pushing students.
Lily gasped as a man emerged from the darkness holding a lantern. Except, he couldn't be a man. Towering feet above the students with a wild mane of wire-like black hair and a beard to match, he looked more like a giant than a man. The first thing Lily always noticed about a person was their eyes. Lit by the glowing lantern, she could just make out the giant's small beetle eyes that looked strangely warm and friendly.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" he bellowed, beckoning them towards him.
Lily and Hope pushed their way through the crowd and over to the man- giant, who led them down a steep, narrow path. The blanket thick darkness surrounding the path seemed to Lily like a forest of trees but she couldn't be sure in the night.
The girls held on to each other as they slipped and stumbled in the darkness. The eerie silence of the outdoors pushed in on the group of first years, bunching them closer than they would normally allow.
Suddenly, the path opened up and revealed a stunning site. Before them an expansive, inky lake stretched to a cliff's edge. Set on its peak lay a magnificent castle with turrets and towers reaching up into the starry sky. Lily could make out the lit windows on various colors, giving the castle a warm glow.
"Welcome to Hogwarts! No more'n four to a boat now!" The giant boomed.
Lily and Hope scrambled into one of the many boats lining the shore and were soon joined by James and Sirius. Lily groaned, not bothering to keep her voice down. She didn't trust Sirius on land let alone water. Sirius grinned.
"Hello, ladies. Once again we cross paths with the lovely Lily and…?"
"Hope Michaels," Hope replied as the giant bellowed "FORWARD!" The boats began to glide magically across the lake.
"How cold do you think this water is?" Sirius asked a little too innocently.
"Don't even think about it," James warned.
"DUCK!" yelled the giant as the reached the cliff where the castle lay. Everyone ignored Sirius obnoxious "Where?" comment as they passed under a curtain of ivy.
The boats made their way through a dark tunnel and into a small harbor. They seemed to be underneath the castle. The giant knocked on a large wooden door, which was answered by a rather severe looking woman.
Looking at the group through square glasses, her black hair pulled in a tight bun, she said, "Thank you, Hagrid. First years follow me."
Grateful to move into the warmth of the castle, Lily scrambled after her. The woman, who Lily could only assume was a professor, led the students down a corridor of flagstone and into the enormous entrance hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. Soon you will pass through these doors to the Great hall and join the rest of your classmates," she replied sharply, pointing to a door behind her. "There you will undergo the Sorting, which will determine the House you belong to. There are four Houses- Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house is unique with its own history and attributes. Your House in an important part of your stay at Hogwarts as it will become like you family. You dine together, attend classes together, and stay in the same dormitory. You also win and lose points for your House, which determines who wins the House Cup and the end of term. So take a moment to smarten up and prepare." With that she left them alone.
Lily was feeling distinctly sick. Hope was now extremely pale, James look slightly green, and even Sirius looked somber. Soon Professor McGonagall returned and led them single file through a door to the right.
Lily stifled a gasp as they entered the largest and grandest room she had ever seen. The Great Hall could have fit two Platform nine and three quarters with room to spare. Four long tables were filled with students in their school robes and one table on the far end ran perpendicular to the others and was full of teachers in robes of various colors. Sparkling candle-filled chandeliers floated magically above each table and golden plates and goblets lay empty in front of hundreds of high back chairs, many already filled. All heads were turned to the entering first years.
Lily and the rest of her classmates filed in and remained standing and facing the rest of the school. Lily noticed that the giant, Hagrid had taken a seat on the far left of the teachers' table and was beaming at the new students. Professor McGonagall stepped forward and placed a single wooden stool down in front of the first years. On top she placed a patched and faded wizard hat. The whole Hall fell silent and all eyes were fixed on the hat. Then, a slit like a mouth opened and the hat began to sing.
"A thousand years ago
Four founders staked their claim
To build the Hogwarts school of craft
For wizards to learn as they may.
Old Godric had a hat they say
And thus the Sorting Hat became.
Just try me on
And do not fret
For I won't lead you wrong
Just put me atop your head
And I'll tell where you belong.
You may do best in Gryffindor
Where the brave and daring dwell
Their chivalry and nerve
Make the Lions pretty swell.
Or perhaps in gentle Hufflepuff
Where dwell the just and loyal
Through thick and thin
The Hufflepuffs are unafraid of toil.
Or maybe it is Ravenclaw
Where you should make your home
Their sharp minds won't lead you wrong
They'll always tell you where to go
You might belong in Slytherin
Where you'll make real friends
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put 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!"
The Great Hall broke into applause and the song ended and the Hat fell silent. Lily glanced at Hope on her right and then James on her left. Both seemed slightly queasy. Lily could relate- In front of the whole school?
"When your name is called, step forward, sit on the stool, and try the hat on to be sorted," Professor McGonagall said, stepping forward and holding a long roll of parchment.
"Abbot, Jeffery." A short blond boy stepped forward and tried the hat on.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Came the hat's cry. The table second from the left broke into applause.
"Anderson, Daniel." A dark haired and pale boy raced forward and put the hat on.
"RAVENCLAW!" The table second from the right cheered as he took his seat at the table looking extremely relieved.
"Andrews, Charles." A tall, handsome boy with thick dark hair that showed signs of curl and crystal blue eyes stepped forward.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted and the table on the far left erupted into cheers and a few whistles. Grinning, the boy joined the table and received a warm welcome.
Arthur, Caroline and Atkins, Bella joined Hufflepuff and Avery, John became the first Slytherin. The table on the far right broke into applause and Lily thought their table looked like a smug bunch. Boot, Michael joined Ravenclaw and Bennet, Lisa became a Hufflepuff and then-
"Black, Sirius."
Sirius seemed to have lost some of his jaunty step. Placing the hat on his head he waited a few seconds, idly tapping a foot on the floor. Finally-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Looking relieved, Sirius joined Andrews, Charles and the Gryffindor table. Before Lily knew it, it was her turn.
"Evans, Lily."
Shaking, Lily stepped forward, her face growing warm. Turning her back on the seated students she placed the Sorting Hat on her head. A small voice spoke in her head.
"Ah yes, I see. Plenty of courage, oh yes, and a wonderful mind. I can see a great destiny for you Miss Evans, but where shall I put you? I know- GRYFFINDOR!" The last word was shouted to the Hall. Relieved, Lily joined the Gryffindors, sitting next to Charles amid the applause. Several people slapped her on the back and shook her hand. Feeling the beginnings of giddiness Lily waited for the rest to be called.
Remus Lupin, a pale boy with light brown hair and circles under his eyes joined Lily and the others at Gryffindor. He smiled shyly at the group and was startled when Sirius gripped his hand in an exuberant welcome.
"Michaels, Hope." Hope stepped forward, almost calm, and placed the hat on her head. Lily crossed her fingers and leaned forward in her seat.
"GRYFFINDOR!" Lily joined in the cheers and Hope joined her at the table.
"Nice job," Lily said.
"Thanks, you too!" Hope replied smiling though she seemed to be shaking a little. Pettigrew, Peter joined the table. His watery eyes and pointed nose fit under a thin layer of sandy hair and his frightened and shaken look made Lily feel for him.
"Potter, James." James stepped forward and blazing eyes and calm stature stuck Lily with a sharp tingling in her stomach. He was made for-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius whooped as James collapsed next to him and across from Lily. At the end, three more had been added to Gryffindor- Raven Turner and Paisley Smith.
At the teachers' table a man stood from his chair in the center. He was tall, thin, and very old judging by his long, silver hair and beard. His bright blue eyes looked warmly down on the Hall through half moon spectacles. This man could only be Albus Dumbledore.
The Hall had fallen silent as soon as he had stood up.
"Welcome, to another year," he said loudly, his eyes twinkling. "It is my great pleasure to kick of the start-of-term feast and welcome our new students as well as our old. As I have nothing to say I will simply say Tuck in!" At the end of his speech the Hall applauded and food of every sort appeared from nowhere on each House table.
"Finally!" Sirius replied, his old exuberance returning.
It was a marvelous feast with everything Lily could ever want. The first years chatted happily away, swapping life stories and old jokes. Charles went by Charlie (a/n: if you've read my other fanfics this is not the same person Harry is friends with- they just have the same names-I have an obsession with the name :0)) and helped Sirius and James entertain the group with stories and jokes that brought Lily and the others to tears of laughter. Remus seemed quiet but he had a kind and understanding nature that Lily instantly liked. Peter was small and trembling, he seemed weak to Lily and she aimed to defend him when the others poked fun at him. Paisley and Raven were nice enough, with outgoing personalities. Lily thought that Raven was rather perfectly matched with Sirius' loud obnoxious self and together they seemed like a lethal combination. By the end of the feast Lily was exhausted, happy, and overly full. Professor Dumbledore rose again to give a few announcements and dismissed them.
Yawning, Lily followed a Gryffindor prefect up the grand marble staircase in the entrance hall. She was too tired to take anything else in and once overcoming her initial shock of the Gryffindor Fat Lady and the Common Room she fell fast asleep in her bed, dreaming of unicorns and the magic she would soon learn.
Author's Note: Please forgive the Sorting Hat song- I was being lamely creative until I gave up and borrowed the end lines from Ms. Rowling herself. I didn't realize this was so long until I finished and it might be kind of boring- just a lot of explanations etc. :0)
Stepping off the Hogwarts Express Lily and Hope fell silent. They had changed into their robes and were now swept up by the crowd of pushing students.
Lily gasped as a man emerged from the darkness holding a lantern. Except, he couldn't be a man. Towering feet above the students with a wild mane of wire-like black hair and a beard to match, he looked more like a giant than a man. The first thing Lily always noticed about a person was their eyes. Lit by the glowing lantern, she could just make out the giant's small beetle eyes that looked strangely warm and friendly.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" he bellowed, beckoning them towards him.
Lily and Hope pushed their way through the crowd and over to the man- giant, who led them down a steep, narrow path. The blanket thick darkness surrounding the path seemed to Lily like a forest of trees but she couldn't be sure in the night.
The girls held on to each other as they slipped and stumbled in the darkness. The eerie silence of the outdoors pushed in on the group of first years, bunching them closer than they would normally allow.
Suddenly, the path opened up and revealed a stunning site. Before them an expansive, inky lake stretched to a cliff's edge. Set on its peak lay a magnificent castle with turrets and towers reaching up into the starry sky. Lily could make out the lit windows on various colors, giving the castle a warm glow.
"Welcome to Hogwarts! No more'n four to a boat now!" The giant boomed.
Lily and Hope scrambled into one of the many boats lining the shore and were soon joined by James and Sirius. Lily groaned, not bothering to keep her voice down. She didn't trust Sirius on land let alone water. Sirius grinned.
"Hello, ladies. Once again we cross paths with the lovely Lily and…?"
"Hope Michaels," Hope replied as the giant bellowed "FORWARD!" The boats began to glide magically across the lake.
"How cold do you think this water is?" Sirius asked a little too innocently.
"Don't even think about it," James warned.
"DUCK!" yelled the giant as the reached the cliff where the castle lay. Everyone ignored Sirius obnoxious "Where?" comment as they passed under a curtain of ivy.
The boats made their way through a dark tunnel and into a small harbor. They seemed to be underneath the castle. The giant knocked on a large wooden door, which was answered by a rather severe looking woman.
Looking at the group through square glasses, her black hair pulled in a tight bun, she said, "Thank you, Hagrid. First years follow me."
Grateful to move into the warmth of the castle, Lily scrambled after her. The woman, who Lily could only assume was a professor, led the students down a corridor of flagstone and into the enormous entrance hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. Soon you will pass through these doors to the Great hall and join the rest of your classmates," she replied sharply, pointing to a door behind her. "There you will undergo the Sorting, which will determine the House you belong to. There are four Houses- Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house is unique with its own history and attributes. Your House in an important part of your stay at Hogwarts as it will become like you family. You dine together, attend classes together, and stay in the same dormitory. You also win and lose points for your House, which determines who wins the House Cup and the end of term. So take a moment to smarten up and prepare." With that she left them alone.
Lily was feeling distinctly sick. Hope was now extremely pale, James look slightly green, and even Sirius looked somber. Soon Professor McGonagall returned and led them single file through a door to the right.
Lily stifled a gasp as they entered the largest and grandest room she had ever seen. The Great Hall could have fit two Platform nine and three quarters with room to spare. Four long tables were filled with students in their school robes and one table on the far end ran perpendicular to the others and was full of teachers in robes of various colors. Sparkling candle-filled chandeliers floated magically above each table and golden plates and goblets lay empty in front of hundreds of high back chairs, many already filled. All heads were turned to the entering first years.
Lily and the rest of her classmates filed in and remained standing and facing the rest of the school. Lily noticed that the giant, Hagrid had taken a seat on the far left of the teachers' table and was beaming at the new students. Professor McGonagall stepped forward and placed a single wooden stool down in front of the first years. On top she placed a patched and faded wizard hat. The whole Hall fell silent and all eyes were fixed on the hat. Then, a slit like a mouth opened and the hat began to sing.
"A thousand years ago
Four founders staked their claim
To build the Hogwarts school of craft
For wizards to learn as they may.
Old Godric had a hat they say
And thus the Sorting Hat became.
Just try me on
And do not fret
For I won't lead you wrong
Just put me atop your head
And I'll tell where you belong.
You may do best in Gryffindor
Where the brave and daring dwell
Their chivalry and nerve
Make the Lions pretty swell.
Or perhaps in gentle Hufflepuff
Where dwell the just and loyal
Through thick and thin
The Hufflepuffs are unafraid of toil.
Or maybe it is Ravenclaw
Where you should make your home
Their sharp minds won't lead you wrong
They'll always tell you where to go
You might belong in Slytherin
Where you'll make real friends
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put 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!"
The Great Hall broke into applause and the song ended and the Hat fell silent. Lily glanced at Hope on her right and then James on her left. Both seemed slightly queasy. Lily could relate- In front of the whole school?
"When your name is called, step forward, sit on the stool, and try the hat on to be sorted," Professor McGonagall said, stepping forward and holding a long roll of parchment.
"Abbot, Jeffery." A short blond boy stepped forward and tried the hat on.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Came the hat's cry. The table second from the left broke into applause.
"Anderson, Daniel." A dark haired and pale boy raced forward and put the hat on.
"RAVENCLAW!" The table second from the right cheered as he took his seat at the table looking extremely relieved.
"Andrews, Charles." A tall, handsome boy with thick dark hair that showed signs of curl and crystal blue eyes stepped forward.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted and the table on the far left erupted into cheers and a few whistles. Grinning, the boy joined the table and received a warm welcome.
Arthur, Caroline and Atkins, Bella joined Hufflepuff and Avery, John became the first Slytherin. The table on the far right broke into applause and Lily thought their table looked like a smug bunch. Boot, Michael joined Ravenclaw and Bennet, Lisa became a Hufflepuff and then-
"Black, Sirius."
Sirius seemed to have lost some of his jaunty step. Placing the hat on his head he waited a few seconds, idly tapping a foot on the floor. Finally-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Looking relieved, Sirius joined Andrews, Charles and the Gryffindor table. Before Lily knew it, it was her turn.
"Evans, Lily."
Shaking, Lily stepped forward, her face growing warm. Turning her back on the seated students she placed the Sorting Hat on her head. A small voice spoke in her head.
"Ah yes, I see. Plenty of courage, oh yes, and a wonderful mind. I can see a great destiny for you Miss Evans, but where shall I put you? I know- GRYFFINDOR!" The last word was shouted to the Hall. Relieved, Lily joined the Gryffindors, sitting next to Charles amid the applause. Several people slapped her on the back and shook her hand. Feeling the beginnings of giddiness Lily waited for the rest to be called.
Remus Lupin, a pale boy with light brown hair and circles under his eyes joined Lily and the others at Gryffindor. He smiled shyly at the group and was startled when Sirius gripped his hand in an exuberant welcome.
"Michaels, Hope." Hope stepped forward, almost calm, and placed the hat on her head. Lily crossed her fingers and leaned forward in her seat.
"GRYFFINDOR!" Lily joined in the cheers and Hope joined her at the table.
"Nice job," Lily said.
"Thanks, you too!" Hope replied smiling though she seemed to be shaking a little. Pettigrew, Peter joined the table. His watery eyes and pointed nose fit under a thin layer of sandy hair and his frightened and shaken look made Lily feel for him.
"Potter, James." James stepped forward and blazing eyes and calm stature stuck Lily with a sharp tingling in her stomach. He was made for-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius whooped as James collapsed next to him and across from Lily. At the end, three more had been added to Gryffindor- Raven Turner and Paisley Smith.
At the teachers' table a man stood from his chair in the center. He was tall, thin, and very old judging by his long, silver hair and beard. His bright blue eyes looked warmly down on the Hall through half moon spectacles. This man could only be Albus Dumbledore.
The Hall had fallen silent as soon as he had stood up.
"Welcome, to another year," he said loudly, his eyes twinkling. "It is my great pleasure to kick of the start-of-term feast and welcome our new students as well as our old. As I have nothing to say I will simply say Tuck in!" At the end of his speech the Hall applauded and food of every sort appeared from nowhere on each House table.
"Finally!" Sirius replied, his old exuberance returning.
It was a marvelous feast with everything Lily could ever want. The first years chatted happily away, swapping life stories and old jokes. Charles went by Charlie (a/n: if you've read my other fanfics this is not the same person Harry is friends with- they just have the same names-I have an obsession with the name :0)) and helped Sirius and James entertain the group with stories and jokes that brought Lily and the others to tears of laughter. Remus seemed quiet but he had a kind and understanding nature that Lily instantly liked. Peter was small and trembling, he seemed weak to Lily and she aimed to defend him when the others poked fun at him. Paisley and Raven were nice enough, with outgoing personalities. Lily thought that Raven was rather perfectly matched with Sirius' loud obnoxious self and together they seemed like a lethal combination. By the end of the feast Lily was exhausted, happy, and overly full. Professor Dumbledore rose again to give a few announcements and dismissed them.
Yawning, Lily followed a Gryffindor prefect up the grand marble staircase in the entrance hall. She was too tired to take anything else in and once overcoming her initial shock of the Gryffindor Fat Lady and the Common Room she fell fast asleep in her bed, dreaming of unicorns and the magic she would soon learn.