Disclaimer: I do not own these lovely characters...not one single one
belongs to me! Wait....that's not right...I can think of several that
do..But they are all Original Characters. All the characters from JK
Rowling's WONDERFUL series..well...this goes without saying, but uh they
belong to her hehe.
The boy finally stopped swinging her around and set her back down on the ground. He then looked deep into her eyes showing a mixed expression of excitement and confusion. "It's so good to see you again, Lily. It's been ages."
It was then and there that Lily looked back into the boy's eyes and suddenly froze. She smiled as her heart began to race with hopeful excitement. 'No it, it couldn't be!' she thought 'How could it be?'
"An..An...Anton?!" she looked at the boy hopefully, and jumped into the air when he replied with a nod. "Yes Lily it's me! It's so weird I was just thinking about you the other day, and wondering why we'd never gotten back in touch." At this Lily just squealed even more. "So was I!" she said enthusiastically.
"Well come on then! You can sit with me on the train if you'd like." He didn't bother for her answer he just picked up her trunk and started walking towards the train.
Darren was looking at some plans he and Anton had drawn up to try and make glue bombs. They exploded when thrown and when they did, well things got to be pretty sticky.
But just then the door to his compartment slid open. He looked up to find that he was staring into the face of a young redheaded girl as well as his best friend. Who, as a matter of fact, was carrying what appeared to be this girl's trunk and making his way into the compartment.
Lily walked in and sat down. She had noticed that there was another boy in the compartment and assumed that this must have been the friend Anton had talked about. But at the moment she was more interested in inspecting an old friend than making a new one.
She looked at Anton. He'd certainly gotten a LOT taller than she remembered. And she could tell that he had been either working out or playing a sport of some sort, as his arms where already very defined.
Anton sat down next to Lily and looked at his friend. "Well what are you two waiting for? Do you REALLY need me to introduce you to each other?!" Lily shook her head as she took her eyes off of Anton, and shifted her gaze to the dark skinned boy sitting in front of her.
"Hi," she started timidly. "Hi nice to meet you uh..." he let his sentence trail off as Lily scolded herself for not including her name in her greeting. "Lily, Lily Evans! It's nice to meet you as well.." se waited for a name. "Darren, Darren Jordan" He held out his hand for her to shake which she took gratefully.
Only at the station seventeen minutes and she'd already made a new friend and found an old one. "So," Anton started "Do you know much of anything about Hogwarts Lily?" Lily blushed when she replied that she really hadn't a clue.
Anton just laughed at her shy attitude. "What's happened to you?" he asked in a playful manner, "This isn't the girl I used to know who wanted to go randomly knock on the neighbor's doors and ask them for their names!"
Lily laughed. It was true. Once, when she was about seven, she had been complaining about how she and Anton didn't have many other people to talk to. It was just themselves and their parents and Lily's sisters. So Anton pointed out that there were other people and that they just hadn't met them or gotten to know their names.
So Lily had thought that if they just ran up to the people's doors and asked them what their names were that their problems would be solved. Now as she looked back she thought that it was good that Anton had said that they should go eat some cookies instead.
They talked of many more things on the way to Hogwarts. Anton and Darren told Lily just about everything she wanted to know about Hogwarts. And they even got to tell Darren a few of their childhood stories which involved several laughs.
They were having so much fun that when the train pulled up to the station Lily wasn't sure whether she was happy to be there or pouting because the ride was over.
Either way Lily stepped off the train and walked with her two friends as long as she could until she heard a booming voice calling first years to get into small boats. Lily didn't care who she sat with just as long as she was in a boat!
She waved good-bye to Anton and Darren as she made her way over to the water. And that's when she saw a familiar sight, a boy with dark black hair that he appeared to be growing out and pale skin entered a boat with three other people.
'He's the boy from Diagon Alley' Lily thought but quickly started moving again when some of the boats started to move away. She quickly jumped in a boat with three other girls. All of whom, Lily noticed had blonde hair in one color or another.
She looked around at them. She noticed that one girl had her nose stuck in a book that read Defensive Spells on the cover. She had straight blonde hair that was almost white with brown lowlights. Lily was surprised to see that her hair went all the way down to the middle of her back.
She then looked to another girl who sat there looking rather bored as they boat slowly moved across the lake. She kept moving her foot impatiently. She had white blonde wavy hair that rested a good inch above her shoulders.
The third girl was looking around excitedly and wore a big smile on her face. She had straight golden blonde hair that was just a little longer than Lily's. Lily was happy to see someone just as excited about coming here as she was.
When Lily took her eyes off of the excited girl she gasped in awe. There right before her eyes was a castle. Lily couldn't believe it. It was all like one big huge dream.
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Yes...that was the first time I saw it, that school. That wonderful school that I thought was so safe. Where I thought nothing could reach me or touch me or do any harm. I see now that there is more to being touched, reached, and harmed that I would have ever imagined.
I looked over to the music box sitting on my left. I pick up the tiny box and laid it inside my hand. I wanted so badly to open it to hear that sweet tune. But one quick glance at the boy I never expected to be with, stopped my thought.
If I opened the box then the music might wake him up. I sat there thinking about how it had all happened. How I had gotten here with him, but couldn't place my finger on where it all started..it just sort of happened one day.
Maybe I should go down stairs. I mean breakfast was probably ready. But I really didn't want to go ahead and eat without him so I decided to sit there some more. I wasn't really hungry anyway.
I looked over to his closet where there were a few dress robes and school robes hanging. I looked at the Hogwarts crest on one of them and started to once again remember. Yes I remember looking at that crest on the way to my sorting, not knowing what to think. Or what would happen.
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Lily felt as though she were in a daze. It was just too good to be true. First she's a witch, and now she gets to live in a magical castle! This really was sounding like a fairytale.
As the boats gently came to the banks of the lake, Lily carefully climbed out of her boat and on to the soft grass. She was still thinking about who much like a fairytale her life was turning into when the girl with golden hair from the boat suddenly came up to her.
"Hi!" she said her smile still on her face. Lily now noticed that she had braces. "Hi" Lily said looking interestingly at the girls braces, which where lime green and bright yellow. "My name's Leida! What's yours?"
Lily finally stopped looking at Leida's, bright choice of color and looked her in the eyes. "Lily, Lily Evans" Lily was now admiring Leida's bright brown eyes that looked as though they'd been sprinkled with golden flecks.
"Lily, huh? Well that's a pretty name. So Lily what house do you want to be in?" Lily was a little taken aback by Leida's sudden question. But answered all the same, "Oh well I think I'll shoot for Gryffindor...My friend Anton's in that house." Lily smiled at knowing that she now had her friend back. She couldn't wait to talk to him more and remember good times, as well as make some new ones.
"Really? I want to be in Gryffindor too! Although I suppose Hufflepuff wouldn't be that bad. But I really want to be in Gryffindor!" Leida once again flashed Lily a smile. She looked as if she was going to say something else, but, as Lily had now noticed, they were walking into the castle.
Lily looked around and found her mouth touching the floor for about the third or fourth time that day. The castle was even more enchanting inside! Even though there wasn't much to look at in the entry foyer, Lily could tell from the structure and the magnificent school crest on two huge doors, that there was something different about this place.
Lily was just standing there looking around when all of the sudden she felt something wet hit her nose. She looked up to see where it might have come from, only to have her face splattered with paint!
Lily quickly wiped the red liquid out of her eyes and opened them to a scene of colors. She apparently wasn't the only one who'd gotten splattered. She looked over to her right. There was Leida covered in yellow paint!
"Hey, who covered me in paint?! Oh well at least its yellow! That's my favorite color!" Leida said cheerfully. Lily looked up to see a poltergeist floating in mid air. Lily looked behind her where Professor McGonogall had just entered the room.
"PEEVES!" she shouted, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Peeves flashed a mischievous smile at the professor. "Why, I was just welcoming our new students to Hogwarts Professor." McGonogall just glared back at Peeves.
"And I suppose covering them in paint is supposed to help them feel welcomed!?" McGonogall then flicked her wand and all the paint, with a sigh from Leida, disappeared. "I believe that you should dismiss yourself from any FURTHER disruptions!" she said as she walked to the front of the group.
"Now off with you Peeves." Peeves just floated away with a smirking glare. "Now then, I was going to give you all a little more time before we started the sorting, but I'm afraid that Peeves has taken up that time. So I'll have to take you all with me now into the Great Hall to be sorted." And with that she opened the two huge doors in front of them and led them into what looked like an enormous dining hall.
Lily and a few others gasped in amazement. There they were, walking down the room which had five long tables and floating candles everywhere. Lily couldn't believe what was happening. She even pinched herself just to make sure this was real.
They all lined up and waited for the professor to come back with something. Lily was getting nervous. What exactly would they have to do to be sorted..Anton and Darren hadn't mentioned that to her. And she was extremely surprised to see Professor McGonogall return to the hall carrying a stool and a...hat???
The professor set up the stool and sat the hat on it. Everyone in the Great Hall seemed to be waiting for the hat to do something. Lily was fidgeting nervously on the spot and just about jumped out of her skin when the hat broke into song.
Don't be scarred and don't be shy I'm the only thing you'll have to try Yes try me on after my song Try me on I've never been wrong
Four houses of option we have for you And whichever I pick is right, it's true For I'm a hat that looks inside your heart Or perhaps I'll use your brain for a start
Perhaps you're clever and quick with your mind Well then Ravenclaw will do you fine
Or maybe you're kind, dependable, and to your friends you're true Then perhaps hardworking Hufflepuff will be the house for you
Or you might be one of loyalty, bravery and trust Then I must say Gryffindor, for you that house's a must
Or maybe you're one of ambition, cunning and style Then I think that Slytherin will keep you for a while
So go ahead and put me on I promises it's shouldn't take to long And once your fellow house, you greet Then we can finally eat
The whole Hall burst into applause as the battered hat finally closed its mouth with its last word. Professor McGonogall then stepped up to the stool and unrolled a scroll of parchment. "When I call your name, please step forward and place the Sorting Hat on your head." She said and looked down to read the first name.
Every first year in line was listening very carefully. "Black, Sirius" was the first name said, as a boy with black hair who was fairly tall for his age and who, in Lily's opinion, already seemed quite the looker stepped up to the stool.
The hat seemed to chuckle a bit. "Well now, this is a bit of a change, GRYFFINDOR!!!!!!!" Lily wasn't sure was that whole 'bit of a change' part had meant but didn't pay any more attention to it as the Gryffindor table erupted with claps and cheers.
Lily was so busy looking around the Hall that she almost missed a boy named Stewart Collins being sorted into Ravenclaw. From then on Lily decided to give the sorting her full attention. After all, she could look at the Hall all she wanted while she was eating.
Lily watched as two twins, Monica and Rachel Dickens, where both sorted into Huffelpuff. And smiled at the thought of how confusing that might get to their teachers when she heard the last thing she wanted coming out of McGonogall's mouth.
"Evans, Lily" Lily let out a shaky breath as she headed towards the stool. She felt like the whole world was watching her. And she was very glad once she was on the stool with the hat on her head so that she didn't have to walk anymore.
'Ah interesting very interesting' a voice inside Lily's head said. 'Where's that coming from?' Lily thought. 'Oh come now surely you knew that I could read minds and such didn't you?' the Hat, as Lily now knew, chuckled.
'Well what's so interesting then?' Lily waited for the Hat's reply. 'Well I think that you're most certainly witty enough for Ravenclaw, but you seem to have too much of a caring sense for me not to consider Huffelpuff.
'And I see that you will come to show much bravery in your future. I don't believe I've seen someone this diverse since I had to sort a young girl by the name of Tori Bradford many years ago.' Lily curiously wondered who this Tori Bradford might be but the Hat just continued on.
Lily then thought about Anton and Darren who were both in Gryffindor. 'Ah so you have some friends in Gryffindor eh?' the hat asked. 'Well yes actually I do. But say where did you end up placing that Tori person?' 'Well you're a curious one aren't you? That's alright. Miss Bradford? I placed her in Slytherin. As it turns out, she also had some friends that had already been placed in that house. She did quite well in school.'
With those last words Lily wished for Gryffindor. She even crossed her fingers. At this the Hat laughed. 'Well alright then Miss Evans. "GRYFFINDOR!!!!!" it is.' Lily quickly and happily jumped off the stool leaving the hat behind and ran over to sit next to Anton and Darren.
Lily then quickly turned her attention back to the sorting. After she had been pulled into a hug and hit playfully on the shoulder by Anton as a congratulation that is.
The next name that McGonogall called out was "Hotaru, Elizabeth" It was the girl from the boat that had, had her nose stuck in a book the whole ride. It didn't take the hat long to call out the word "RAVENCLAW" and soon Elizabeth was sitting at a table where several other people where in fact reading books between sortings.
The Professor called out a few more names, such as Vanessa Jones, who went straight to Slytherin, and Christina Louis who was sent to Huffelpuff. But then the Professor cam to a boy that caught Lily's attention.
"Lupin, Remus." she said, as a boy with sandy brown hair and a shy looking expression sat up in the stool. Lily thought that he looked a bit on the sickly side, but that was alright. He looked like a good chap all the same.
It was actually about a good four minutes before the Hat finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR!!!!!" and Remus headed over to their table. Lily also noticed that this Remus boy was friends with that Sirius boy. She smiled at the fact that he has already made a friend as well. He looked like he would like some.
The next name called was "Malfoy, Lucifer." This, for some reason, caused the Hall to irrupt into hushed whispers and such. The Hat had barely touched the boy's head before it didn't shout, but in Lily's opinion, screamed "SLYTHERIN!!!!!!!" And the long haired blonde boy took a seat at his table.
The Hat sorted a young boy named Richard Mellington into Ravenclaw before the list came to a girl by the name of "Mills, April." A young girl with long black hair and blonde highlights that went down to her waist approached the stool.
Lily noticed that the girl didn't seem worried at all. She seemed to be very calm and collected. The hat only took a few moments to answer what Lily had been wondering. "Why another surprise tonight, GRYFIINDOR!!!!!!!!!" Lily wondered what all these surprises where and made a mental note to ask Anton later.
Lily was starting to get hungry and was glad to know that they were down to seven students. The next name that was called out caught Lily's attention just by the unfamiliar last name. "Pettigrew, Peter." Lily watched as an extremely nervous boy stumbled over to the stool and shakily put the hat on.
I took the hat a fairly long time before it finally shouted out the word "GRYFFINDOR!!!!" To which Lily was very surprised and watched as he, too sat down next to Remus and Sirius.
The next name to be called out was "Potter, James". There where a few whispers about this name as well so Lily was quite interested to see who this was.
She looked up to see a boy, taller than her by only about an inch and a half with jet black messy hair and a nervous, but calm expression on his face. Lily looked the boy up and down and after much thought finally decided that he was rather cute and that she hoped he was in Gryffindor.
Sure enough just as the hat had touched his hair it shouted proudly, "GRYFFINDOR!!!!!!!" And Lily clapped along with the others. She was a bit surprised to see him also join Sirius, Remus and Peter.
Lily watched as a girl named Holly Richards was sorted into Hufflepuff and mentally kicked her stomach which was now growling quietly with hunger. But the next name mentioned quickly took her mind off food.
"Snape, Severus" several whispers quietly emerged throughout the hall and Lily looked up to see a familiar face. There he was! The boy from Diagon Alley. 'So his name was Severus eh? It sort of fits I guess.' Lily thought to her self as the straight backed boy with black hair and a bored expression sat onto the stool.
Once the hat had been placed completely onto his head it wiggled once before it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!!!!!" and Severus made his way over to the table. None of the names mentioned so far had caught Lily's interest more so than this one. The next name that was called was, "Starks, Leida."
Lily watched as her new found friend happily walked over to the stool. The Hat seemed to think for a moment and then it looked a tad bit confused and actually shrugged as much as any Hat could before finally shouting out the word, "GRYFFINDOR!!!!"
Lily was so happy! Her new friend was going to be in her house. This was great! Not to mention that they now only had three more people to go! Then they could eat. Lily's stomach growled at the thought of food.
The last three people where all sorted into different houses. Tara Thomas was sorted into Huffelpuff, Paul Clearwater was sorted into Ravenclaw, and Terrence Zeglander was sorted right into Slytherin.
Lily and the rest of the Hall clapped with approval as the last boy, and last first year for that matter, finally sat down. Lily looked around waiting for food but sighed as what appeared to be the Headmaster began standing up to speak.
"Firstly, I want to welcome all our new students. I hope that you will feel welcome here and that you find that you are getting along well with those in your house. After all, while you're here your house is your family." Lily and Anton turned to each other and smiled at the thought of being siblings.
"And I must remind you all that the Forbidden Forrest is well, quite Forbidden to all students. And Mr. Filtch has asked me to kindly tell you once again that no magic is allowed in the hallways." I few students chuckled at the statements before the Headmaster continued on.
"Well for now that is all I have to say and I do believe that all of you are getting a least a bit hungry so I'll leave you with these words which are not of wisdom...they are simply, Eat up!" And with that Lily turned to the table and gasped at the sight.
There sitting in front of her was almost every food she could possibly want. Lily wanted to try everything so in a matter of seconds her plate was full. Although Lily didn't manage to eat everything on her plate, she did mange to eat just about all of it.
Once everybody had finished eating, two people called prefects began leading them to their common rooms. Lily and Leida had both agreed that they would probably forget how to get there tomorrow because they were too tired to see where they were going.
Once they all finally stopped Lily found herself standing in front of a large portrait of a rather large lady in a pink dress. Lily would have jumped when the picture said "Password..?" If she hadn't been so tired. " Googlemitten!" one of the prefects replied to her as all the students of Gryffindor tower made their way up to their dormitories.
Lily had thought three hours ago that she'd be too excited to sleep that night, but found that for once sleep came quite easily TV or no TV. Lily snuggled into her covers and laid her head down on her soft pillow and as she began to drift off, she still couldn't help but wonder who that Tori Bradford really was.
A/N Well I think we all know that the big huge cookie goes to Dream! Hehehe Who I would like to once again thank for all her support and her reviewing. ^_~
I'd also like to thank Deathdragon and Millie Starr for their reviews as well! ^_^ And since I have your permission Millie I will add you to MSN messenger. ^_^
So who do you guys think this Tori Bradford person is? Perhaps she was a great witch who believed in peace..or Maybe she was once of the darkest witches ever!! Who do you think Miss Bradford might be related to? DO you think she's alive or perhaps she's dead! I can't wait to see your comments!
See you soon, Lils
The boy finally stopped swinging her around and set her back down on the ground. He then looked deep into her eyes showing a mixed expression of excitement and confusion. "It's so good to see you again, Lily. It's been ages."
It was then and there that Lily looked back into the boy's eyes and suddenly froze. She smiled as her heart began to race with hopeful excitement. 'No it, it couldn't be!' she thought 'How could it be?'
"An..An...Anton?!" she looked at the boy hopefully, and jumped into the air when he replied with a nod. "Yes Lily it's me! It's so weird I was just thinking about you the other day, and wondering why we'd never gotten back in touch." At this Lily just squealed even more. "So was I!" she said enthusiastically.
"Well come on then! You can sit with me on the train if you'd like." He didn't bother for her answer he just picked up her trunk and started walking towards the train.
Darren was looking at some plans he and Anton had drawn up to try and make glue bombs. They exploded when thrown and when they did, well things got to be pretty sticky.
But just then the door to his compartment slid open. He looked up to find that he was staring into the face of a young redheaded girl as well as his best friend. Who, as a matter of fact, was carrying what appeared to be this girl's trunk and making his way into the compartment.
Lily walked in and sat down. She had noticed that there was another boy in the compartment and assumed that this must have been the friend Anton had talked about. But at the moment she was more interested in inspecting an old friend than making a new one.
She looked at Anton. He'd certainly gotten a LOT taller than she remembered. And she could tell that he had been either working out or playing a sport of some sort, as his arms where already very defined.
Anton sat down next to Lily and looked at his friend. "Well what are you two waiting for? Do you REALLY need me to introduce you to each other?!" Lily shook her head as she took her eyes off of Anton, and shifted her gaze to the dark skinned boy sitting in front of her.
"Hi," she started timidly. "Hi nice to meet you uh..." he let his sentence trail off as Lily scolded herself for not including her name in her greeting. "Lily, Lily Evans! It's nice to meet you as well.." se waited for a name. "Darren, Darren Jordan" He held out his hand for her to shake which she took gratefully.
Only at the station seventeen minutes and she'd already made a new friend and found an old one. "So," Anton started "Do you know much of anything about Hogwarts Lily?" Lily blushed when she replied that she really hadn't a clue.
Anton just laughed at her shy attitude. "What's happened to you?" he asked in a playful manner, "This isn't the girl I used to know who wanted to go randomly knock on the neighbor's doors and ask them for their names!"
Lily laughed. It was true. Once, when she was about seven, she had been complaining about how she and Anton didn't have many other people to talk to. It was just themselves and their parents and Lily's sisters. So Anton pointed out that there were other people and that they just hadn't met them or gotten to know their names.
So Lily had thought that if they just ran up to the people's doors and asked them what their names were that their problems would be solved. Now as she looked back she thought that it was good that Anton had said that they should go eat some cookies instead.
They talked of many more things on the way to Hogwarts. Anton and Darren told Lily just about everything she wanted to know about Hogwarts. And they even got to tell Darren a few of their childhood stories which involved several laughs.
They were having so much fun that when the train pulled up to the station Lily wasn't sure whether she was happy to be there or pouting because the ride was over.
Either way Lily stepped off the train and walked with her two friends as long as she could until she heard a booming voice calling first years to get into small boats. Lily didn't care who she sat with just as long as she was in a boat!
She waved good-bye to Anton and Darren as she made her way over to the water. And that's when she saw a familiar sight, a boy with dark black hair that he appeared to be growing out and pale skin entered a boat with three other people.
'He's the boy from Diagon Alley' Lily thought but quickly started moving again when some of the boats started to move away. She quickly jumped in a boat with three other girls. All of whom, Lily noticed had blonde hair in one color or another.
She looked around at them. She noticed that one girl had her nose stuck in a book that read Defensive Spells on the cover. She had straight blonde hair that was almost white with brown lowlights. Lily was surprised to see that her hair went all the way down to the middle of her back.
She then looked to another girl who sat there looking rather bored as they boat slowly moved across the lake. She kept moving her foot impatiently. She had white blonde wavy hair that rested a good inch above her shoulders.
The third girl was looking around excitedly and wore a big smile on her face. She had straight golden blonde hair that was just a little longer than Lily's. Lily was happy to see someone just as excited about coming here as she was.
When Lily took her eyes off of the excited girl she gasped in awe. There right before her eyes was a castle. Lily couldn't believe it. It was all like one big huge dream.
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Yes...that was the first time I saw it, that school. That wonderful school that I thought was so safe. Where I thought nothing could reach me or touch me or do any harm. I see now that there is more to being touched, reached, and harmed that I would have ever imagined.
I looked over to the music box sitting on my left. I pick up the tiny box and laid it inside my hand. I wanted so badly to open it to hear that sweet tune. But one quick glance at the boy I never expected to be with, stopped my thought.
If I opened the box then the music might wake him up. I sat there thinking about how it had all happened. How I had gotten here with him, but couldn't place my finger on where it all started..it just sort of happened one day.
Maybe I should go down stairs. I mean breakfast was probably ready. But I really didn't want to go ahead and eat without him so I decided to sit there some more. I wasn't really hungry anyway.
I looked over to his closet where there were a few dress robes and school robes hanging. I looked at the Hogwarts crest on one of them and started to once again remember. Yes I remember looking at that crest on the way to my sorting, not knowing what to think. Or what would happen.
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Lily felt as though she were in a daze. It was just too good to be true. First she's a witch, and now she gets to live in a magical castle! This really was sounding like a fairytale.
As the boats gently came to the banks of the lake, Lily carefully climbed out of her boat and on to the soft grass. She was still thinking about who much like a fairytale her life was turning into when the girl with golden hair from the boat suddenly came up to her.
"Hi!" she said her smile still on her face. Lily now noticed that she had braces. "Hi" Lily said looking interestingly at the girls braces, which where lime green and bright yellow. "My name's Leida! What's yours?"
Lily finally stopped looking at Leida's, bright choice of color and looked her in the eyes. "Lily, Lily Evans" Lily was now admiring Leida's bright brown eyes that looked as though they'd been sprinkled with golden flecks.
"Lily, huh? Well that's a pretty name. So Lily what house do you want to be in?" Lily was a little taken aback by Leida's sudden question. But answered all the same, "Oh well I think I'll shoot for Gryffindor...My friend Anton's in that house." Lily smiled at knowing that she now had her friend back. She couldn't wait to talk to him more and remember good times, as well as make some new ones.
"Really? I want to be in Gryffindor too! Although I suppose Hufflepuff wouldn't be that bad. But I really want to be in Gryffindor!" Leida once again flashed Lily a smile. She looked as if she was going to say something else, but, as Lily had now noticed, they were walking into the castle.
Lily looked around and found her mouth touching the floor for about the third or fourth time that day. The castle was even more enchanting inside! Even though there wasn't much to look at in the entry foyer, Lily could tell from the structure and the magnificent school crest on two huge doors, that there was something different about this place.
Lily was just standing there looking around when all of the sudden she felt something wet hit her nose. She looked up to see where it might have come from, only to have her face splattered with paint!
Lily quickly wiped the red liquid out of her eyes and opened them to a scene of colors. She apparently wasn't the only one who'd gotten splattered. She looked over to her right. There was Leida covered in yellow paint!
"Hey, who covered me in paint?! Oh well at least its yellow! That's my favorite color!" Leida said cheerfully. Lily looked up to see a poltergeist floating in mid air. Lily looked behind her where Professor McGonogall had just entered the room.
"PEEVES!" she shouted, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Peeves flashed a mischievous smile at the professor. "Why, I was just welcoming our new students to Hogwarts Professor." McGonogall just glared back at Peeves.
"And I suppose covering them in paint is supposed to help them feel welcomed!?" McGonogall then flicked her wand and all the paint, with a sigh from Leida, disappeared. "I believe that you should dismiss yourself from any FURTHER disruptions!" she said as she walked to the front of the group.
"Now off with you Peeves." Peeves just floated away with a smirking glare. "Now then, I was going to give you all a little more time before we started the sorting, but I'm afraid that Peeves has taken up that time. So I'll have to take you all with me now into the Great Hall to be sorted." And with that she opened the two huge doors in front of them and led them into what looked like an enormous dining hall.
Lily and a few others gasped in amazement. There they were, walking down the room which had five long tables and floating candles everywhere. Lily couldn't believe what was happening. She even pinched herself just to make sure this was real.
They all lined up and waited for the professor to come back with something. Lily was getting nervous. What exactly would they have to do to be sorted..Anton and Darren hadn't mentioned that to her. And she was extremely surprised to see Professor McGonogall return to the hall carrying a stool and a...hat???
The professor set up the stool and sat the hat on it. Everyone in the Great Hall seemed to be waiting for the hat to do something. Lily was fidgeting nervously on the spot and just about jumped out of her skin when the hat broke into song.
Don't be scarred and don't be shy I'm the only thing you'll have to try Yes try me on after my song Try me on I've never been wrong
Four houses of option we have for you And whichever I pick is right, it's true For I'm a hat that looks inside your heart Or perhaps I'll use your brain for a start
Perhaps you're clever and quick with your mind Well then Ravenclaw will do you fine
Or maybe you're kind, dependable, and to your friends you're true Then perhaps hardworking Hufflepuff will be the house for you
Or you might be one of loyalty, bravery and trust Then I must say Gryffindor, for you that house's a must
Or maybe you're one of ambition, cunning and style Then I think that Slytherin will keep you for a while
So go ahead and put me on I promises it's shouldn't take to long And once your fellow house, you greet Then we can finally eat
The whole Hall burst into applause as the battered hat finally closed its mouth with its last word. Professor McGonogall then stepped up to the stool and unrolled a scroll of parchment. "When I call your name, please step forward and place the Sorting Hat on your head." She said and looked down to read the first name.
Every first year in line was listening very carefully. "Black, Sirius" was the first name said, as a boy with black hair who was fairly tall for his age and who, in Lily's opinion, already seemed quite the looker stepped up to the stool.
The hat seemed to chuckle a bit. "Well now, this is a bit of a change, GRYFFINDOR!!!!!!!" Lily wasn't sure was that whole 'bit of a change' part had meant but didn't pay any more attention to it as the Gryffindor table erupted with claps and cheers.
Lily was so busy looking around the Hall that she almost missed a boy named Stewart Collins being sorted into Ravenclaw. From then on Lily decided to give the sorting her full attention. After all, she could look at the Hall all she wanted while she was eating.
Lily watched as two twins, Monica and Rachel Dickens, where both sorted into Huffelpuff. And smiled at the thought of how confusing that might get to their teachers when she heard the last thing she wanted coming out of McGonogall's mouth.
"Evans, Lily" Lily let out a shaky breath as she headed towards the stool. She felt like the whole world was watching her. And she was very glad once she was on the stool with the hat on her head so that she didn't have to walk anymore.
'Ah interesting very interesting' a voice inside Lily's head said. 'Where's that coming from?' Lily thought. 'Oh come now surely you knew that I could read minds and such didn't you?' the Hat, as Lily now knew, chuckled.
'Well what's so interesting then?' Lily waited for the Hat's reply. 'Well I think that you're most certainly witty enough for Ravenclaw, but you seem to have too much of a caring sense for me not to consider Huffelpuff.
'And I see that you will come to show much bravery in your future. I don't believe I've seen someone this diverse since I had to sort a young girl by the name of Tori Bradford many years ago.' Lily curiously wondered who this Tori Bradford might be but the Hat just continued on.
Lily then thought about Anton and Darren who were both in Gryffindor. 'Ah so you have some friends in Gryffindor eh?' the hat asked. 'Well yes actually I do. But say where did you end up placing that Tori person?' 'Well you're a curious one aren't you? That's alright. Miss Bradford? I placed her in Slytherin. As it turns out, she also had some friends that had already been placed in that house. She did quite well in school.'
With those last words Lily wished for Gryffindor. She even crossed her fingers. At this the Hat laughed. 'Well alright then Miss Evans. "GRYFFINDOR!!!!!" it is.' Lily quickly and happily jumped off the stool leaving the hat behind and ran over to sit next to Anton and Darren.
Lily then quickly turned her attention back to the sorting. After she had been pulled into a hug and hit playfully on the shoulder by Anton as a congratulation that is.
The next name that McGonogall called out was "Hotaru, Elizabeth" It was the girl from the boat that had, had her nose stuck in a book the whole ride. It didn't take the hat long to call out the word "RAVENCLAW" and soon Elizabeth was sitting at a table where several other people where in fact reading books between sortings.
The Professor called out a few more names, such as Vanessa Jones, who went straight to Slytherin, and Christina Louis who was sent to Huffelpuff. But then the Professor cam to a boy that caught Lily's attention.
"Lupin, Remus." she said, as a boy with sandy brown hair and a shy looking expression sat up in the stool. Lily thought that he looked a bit on the sickly side, but that was alright. He looked like a good chap all the same.
It was actually about a good four minutes before the Hat finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR!!!!!" and Remus headed over to their table. Lily also noticed that this Remus boy was friends with that Sirius boy. She smiled at the fact that he has already made a friend as well. He looked like he would like some.
The next name called was "Malfoy, Lucifer." This, for some reason, caused the Hall to irrupt into hushed whispers and such. The Hat had barely touched the boy's head before it didn't shout, but in Lily's opinion, screamed "SLYTHERIN!!!!!!!" And the long haired blonde boy took a seat at his table.
The Hat sorted a young boy named Richard Mellington into Ravenclaw before the list came to a girl by the name of "Mills, April." A young girl with long black hair and blonde highlights that went down to her waist approached the stool.
Lily noticed that the girl didn't seem worried at all. She seemed to be very calm and collected. The hat only took a few moments to answer what Lily had been wondering. "Why another surprise tonight, GRYFIINDOR!!!!!!!!!" Lily wondered what all these surprises where and made a mental note to ask Anton later.
Lily was starting to get hungry and was glad to know that they were down to seven students. The next name that was called out caught Lily's attention just by the unfamiliar last name. "Pettigrew, Peter." Lily watched as an extremely nervous boy stumbled over to the stool and shakily put the hat on.
I took the hat a fairly long time before it finally shouted out the word "GRYFFINDOR!!!!" To which Lily was very surprised and watched as he, too sat down next to Remus and Sirius.
The next name to be called out was "Potter, James". There where a few whispers about this name as well so Lily was quite interested to see who this was.
She looked up to see a boy, taller than her by only about an inch and a half with jet black messy hair and a nervous, but calm expression on his face. Lily looked the boy up and down and after much thought finally decided that he was rather cute and that she hoped he was in Gryffindor.
Sure enough just as the hat had touched his hair it shouted proudly, "GRYFFINDOR!!!!!!!" And Lily clapped along with the others. She was a bit surprised to see him also join Sirius, Remus and Peter.
Lily watched as a girl named Holly Richards was sorted into Hufflepuff and mentally kicked her stomach which was now growling quietly with hunger. But the next name mentioned quickly took her mind off food.
"Snape, Severus" several whispers quietly emerged throughout the hall and Lily looked up to see a familiar face. There he was! The boy from Diagon Alley. 'So his name was Severus eh? It sort of fits I guess.' Lily thought to her self as the straight backed boy with black hair and a bored expression sat onto the stool.
Once the hat had been placed completely onto his head it wiggled once before it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!!!!!" and Severus made his way over to the table. None of the names mentioned so far had caught Lily's interest more so than this one. The next name that was called was, "Starks, Leida."
Lily watched as her new found friend happily walked over to the stool. The Hat seemed to think for a moment and then it looked a tad bit confused and actually shrugged as much as any Hat could before finally shouting out the word, "GRYFFINDOR!!!!"
Lily was so happy! Her new friend was going to be in her house. This was great! Not to mention that they now only had three more people to go! Then they could eat. Lily's stomach growled at the thought of food.
The last three people where all sorted into different houses. Tara Thomas was sorted into Huffelpuff, Paul Clearwater was sorted into Ravenclaw, and Terrence Zeglander was sorted right into Slytherin.
Lily and the rest of the Hall clapped with approval as the last boy, and last first year for that matter, finally sat down. Lily looked around waiting for food but sighed as what appeared to be the Headmaster began standing up to speak.
"Firstly, I want to welcome all our new students. I hope that you will feel welcome here and that you find that you are getting along well with those in your house. After all, while you're here your house is your family." Lily and Anton turned to each other and smiled at the thought of being siblings.
"And I must remind you all that the Forbidden Forrest is well, quite Forbidden to all students. And Mr. Filtch has asked me to kindly tell you once again that no magic is allowed in the hallways." I few students chuckled at the statements before the Headmaster continued on.
"Well for now that is all I have to say and I do believe that all of you are getting a least a bit hungry so I'll leave you with these words which are not of wisdom...they are simply, Eat up!" And with that Lily turned to the table and gasped at the sight.
There sitting in front of her was almost every food she could possibly want. Lily wanted to try everything so in a matter of seconds her plate was full. Although Lily didn't manage to eat everything on her plate, she did mange to eat just about all of it.
Once everybody had finished eating, two people called prefects began leading them to their common rooms. Lily and Leida had both agreed that they would probably forget how to get there tomorrow because they were too tired to see where they were going.
Once they all finally stopped Lily found herself standing in front of a large portrait of a rather large lady in a pink dress. Lily would have jumped when the picture said "Password..?" If she hadn't been so tired. " Googlemitten!" one of the prefects replied to her as all the students of Gryffindor tower made their way up to their dormitories.
Lily had thought three hours ago that she'd be too excited to sleep that night, but found that for once sleep came quite easily TV or no TV. Lily snuggled into her covers and laid her head down on her soft pillow and as she began to drift off, she still couldn't help but wonder who that Tori Bradford really was.
A/N Well I think we all know that the big huge cookie goes to Dream! Hehehe Who I would like to once again thank for all her support and her reviewing. ^_~
I'd also like to thank Deathdragon and Millie Starr for their reviews as well! ^_^ And since I have your permission Millie I will add you to MSN messenger. ^_^
So who do you guys think this Tori Bradford person is? Perhaps she was a great witch who believed in peace..or Maybe she was once of the darkest witches ever!! Who do you think Miss Bradford might be related to? DO you think she's alive or perhaps she's dead! I can't wait to see your comments!
See you soon, Lils