Anne anxiously looked around platform nine and three-quarters, anxiously chewing on her lower lip. Her eyes continued to dart around, searching through the chaotic scene. A relieved grin spreading across her face as she spotted her mother running up to her. Harry followed at an only slightly more dignified pace.

"Anne! What took you so long?" Brooke asked, enveloping her daughter into a massive hug.

Anne laughed. "Kevin had to convince me that the barrier wouldn't bite. I can't believe I'm going off to Hogwarts!" Her voice warbled slightly as she said this - it had only just dawned on her that this would be the last time she would see her parents in months.

"We'll kick out the boarders when you're ready to come home," Harry replied, attempting to lighten the tone. "But seriously, you're welcome home over every break."

"And send us owls all of the time," Brooke added. She gave Anne one last peck on the cheek as the rumble of the train's engine grew increasingly louder. "Get on the train now! We wouldn't want you to be late for your first day."

Anne nodded, giving her parents her last pecks on the cheeks before dragging her trunk after her up to the train. She was one of the few students not boarded yet – the majority of those around her were friends and family bidding loved ones farewell. Anne suddenly caught sight of Kevin's vibrant red hair. He was holding a compartment door open, beckoning for her to get in.

"Hurry up!" he cried. Anne took off at full sprint, taking Kevin's hand and leaping onto the train in a less-than-graceful manner. She was sprawled on the floor as Kevin let the door slam shut and the train swiftly started off.

"That's attractive," a girl seated near the doorway teased. Anne looked up, slightly annoyed, but grinned when she realized it was merely another old friend.

"Jen! It seems like it's been forever!" she exclaimed as she was helped up by Kevin.

"Seriously! I haven't seen you since, what, school ended?"

"Oh my God, an entire month!" cried Ian, feigning horror at the idea. He glanced at Kevin, raising his eyebrows meaningful at him. "How did they survive?"

Kevin grinned, yet turned his attention back to rifling through his book bag. "Crap, where's my Transfiguration book?"

Jen furrowed her brows curiously. "Why so eager to learn? That's not the Kevin I know."

Kevin flipped aimlessly through the pages before finally slamming it shut in disgust. "How boring! Isn't Hogwart's supposed to be fun?"

The laughter and chit-chat continued as London whipped speedily by, gradually turning into lush green countryside as they grew nearer and nearer to Hogwarts . . .

"Follow me," Anne cried over the intense noise level. She grabbed hold of Kevin's arm, dragging him after her to the small fleet of rowboats. Ian and Jen had already claimed one, waiting impatiently for Anne and Kevin to join them. Once the four were uncomfortable seated on the hard wood, Kevin and Ian took up the oars and rowed after the rest of the first-years. Once away from the remainder of the students, the noise level decreased dramatically. However, the children did not take this opportunity to restart their discussions. A far more majestic sight had claimed their attention - the towering, and awe-inspiring sight of the Hogwart castle.

The fleet finally reached the opposite shore, and all of the students proceeded to unsteadily get out of their boats. Anne caught Jen's eye, a nervous grin mirrored on each of their faces. The small foursome followed the rest of the first-years up to the massive double doors. The teacher, a pretty young woman, fumbled a moment with the handle before pushing open the door. A collective gasp rippled through the group, and an amused smile appeared upon the lady's face.

"Wonderful, isn't it? The rest of the students are already in the Great Hall, and they're all waiting to meet you," she added with a wink. "We must proceed with the Sorting, and you'll get further instructions from your house prefects."

"What's she talking about?" murmured a nervous girl to her left. Anne glanced at her curiously before it dawned on her. This girl was Muggle born - she had always taken it for granted that everyone knew about Hogwarts and its customs.

"Come along, you'll understand once we get started," the teacher replied. She set off at a brisk pace down a cavernous hall, the footfalls of the pack echoing off of the walls. They reached a final doorway at the end of the hall, and the teacher led them through it. The nervous group drew tighter together, staring up in awe at Hogwart's entire student body.

Anne looked apprehensively around the Great Hall, catching sight of familiar faces and older friends. On a stool in the center of the room was the tattered old Sorting Hat - Anne assessed it, an insanely girlish thought racing through her head. Where has that hat been?

The young teacher stepped up to the stool, and with a flick of her wand a piece of parchment appeared in her hands.

"Acany, James."

James was promptly sorted into Hufflepuff, and sat down with his new house amidst great cheering from his new "family". James was followed by Alina, Kim, and Brown, Curt. Anne observed with glee as Ian and Jen were sorted into the Gryffindor, and with wary curiosity as Mark Malfoy was placed into Slytherin. However, that didn't pertain to her so long as the "gang" was together. Finally, she was called up before the school.

"Potter, Anne."

Anne strode confidently up to the stool, taking the Sorting Hat and placing it over her head. The wide brim fell past her eyes. A tiny voice was heard only to her ears as it mused over what to do.

"Hmm, another Potter. I haven't seen one of you since your father went to this school. Yes, two of a kind - clever and daring, with that extra thirst to prove yourself. It has always been obvious where he should have been placed, now you as well. The house that would lead you to greatness would definitely be Slytherin!"

The last word was shouted for the entire school to hear. Anne remained immobile, finding it impossible to move. Her, in Slytherin? That couldn't be! She remained seated, waiting for the hat to utter a retraction to its painfully obvious error.

"Prenell, Ray," the teacher called out. It was what Anne needed to be shaken out of her stupor - she stood up and placed the hat back on the stool, keeping her head down as she walked hastily towards the Slytherin table. It seemed to her that every eye in the Great Hall was boring in on her, whispering and hissing under their breath.

Anne finally raised her gaze as she walked up the stairs to the table. She caught sight of Mark, sitting there and appearing very much at home. There were no other semi-friendly faces at the table. With a sigh she sat next to the young man, staring fixedly ahead of her.

"You never told me you were a Potter," Mark startled her by whispering into her ear.

"You never told me you were a Malfoy," Anne shortly replied.

"A Potter shouldn't be in Slytherin. It seems as if the universe must be totally out of whack."

Anne finally turned to look at Mark, her expression shocked and furious. "That would be correct," she snapped. "I'm not meant to be with people like you."

It was Mark's turned to appear angry. "People like me? Watch what you say - you are surrounded by people like me, and it appears as if you will be for the next seven years."

This realization hit Anne hard. It was true - all of her dreams had been shattered with one simple proclamation, uttered by a typically inanimate object. However, the world didn't stop as she sat at the Slytherin table, friendless and alone in hostile territory, anguishing over the fact that this is how it would be for the remainder of her school years.

A/N – Hey, too those of you who read this far before – see how I changed it into longer, yet more action-packed chapters? Yeah, go me! Anyways, this sets the scene for the rest of the book . . . now let's start on the fun stuff! ;^)