Chapter 4: In Which a Ceremony Occurs as Well as Plot Development

The rest of the train ride occurred in complete boredom, as did most of the buggy ride to the castle.

Lily looked out the window, watching the hilly landscape go by. Alanna and Sara were playing a game of "word association."

"Ok…erm…Muggles."

"People."

"Alive."

"Being able to see...things."

"Eyes."

"Staring."

"Staring out a window."

"Lily… Lilyyyyyyyy? Helloooooooo?"

Lily jumped up, turning to Sara, who had, albeit purposefully, brought her into the game.

"Hello, Lily," Alanna started. "Is there anything interesting outside the window?"

Lily smiled. "No, not exactly. I'm just a bit nervous."

"What house do you want to be sorted in?"

"I'd really like to be in Gryffindor, or possibly Ravenclaw. If not one of those, Hufflepuff would be nice, I guess, that is, if I am remembering correctly. I've been researching Hogwarts ever since I found out I would be going there. There's a great book about Hogwarts: Hogwarts: A History. Have you read it?"

"Ah, yes," Alanna said. "It's a great book." She smiled. Sara, listening to the conversation, pulled a face. Luckily, no one saw.

Lily looked at the school uniforms of Sara and Alanna. They were stitched with gold and red thread with a tie to match. "So… I'm guessing you are both in Gryffindor?"

Sara nodded. She looked at Lily's uniform, still unbiased and tie-less.

At this point, the buggies stopped and everyone got out. Saying goodbye to her new friends, Lily followed a wiry, old witch carrying a three-leg stool directly to the Great Hall.

Meanwhile, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter, were entering the Great Hall with the rest of Hogwarts' population. Sirius looked at the long line of first years in the corner, waiting to be called up. He noticed, at the very end of the line of 4-foot kids, a girl that seemed to tower over them, not wanting to be noticed, turning away from the crowd and to the wall. She was failing badly.

Lily felt eyes staring holes into the back of her head. She sighed and turned around, not really expecting anything less than humiliation of being a 15 year old in an 11 year old crowd. As soon as she turned, she saw the culprit: a dark, shaggy haired boy, staring at her with his icy, azure eyes, as if mystified. Somewhere along the line, she realized how mystified she was as well.

Time seemed to stand still.

Lily could hear soft music playing in the air around her. With every note, people (and the noise they made) surrounding her seemed to disappear, until the several meters between her and the boy became mere centimeters.

She began to step forward, out of the line, to touch his face, when the room began to cheer enthusiastically. The boy was gone from her reach and back at his own distance. Reality pouring in, Lily turned away to see the cause of the cheering, trying not to blush. The boy, in somewhat of a despair, turned to his table once more.

The Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, stood and greeted the students as a whole, silencing them. "Hello," he said. "Welcome to all, whether you are veterans of our halls or still being acquainted with them; welcome to Hogwarts!

"As you may know, the threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is growing stronger. Not only has he attacked and killed many wizards, he has killed many Muggles as well."

Lily shivered as she thought of her half-wizard family.

Dumbledore smiled. "This is, however, not a cause for alarm." The crowd began to whisper, but only slightly. "We are safe inside these halls, and I feel our students can hold there own with their knowledge. If not, I know we can all find a light amongst the darkness to follow.

"On that note: Professor McGonagall? Will you please lead the new students to the Sorting Hat?..."

Dumbledore, from behind his back, pulled out a battered old hat and placed it on McGonagall's stool. It opened its weary eyes and faced its audience as McGonagall read names off an equally battered scroll.

Once the last first year scampered to his table (Hufflepuff), Dumbledore took the stage again. "Students, there is one last Sorting to occur. In order to follow regulations, we had to leave her until last, unfortunately. Lily Levin-Evans will now be sorted into her house, where she will begin her 1st year in her 5th. Miss Evans?"

Lily walked to the stool, trying to keep her head up high. The Sorting Hat was placed upon her head, and her thoughts were invaded.

Let's see, began the Hat. What have we here… MY GOD! Who is this!

Lily thought to the Hat, My name is Lily. What's wrong?

You're a Levin, aren't you!

Yes, sir. Several of my ancestors were in Ravenclaw.

And why not Beauxbutons?

They never told me. It must have been their residency in Great Britain. But…please! What does this have to do with anything! Tell me!

A mistake was made, child, pure and simple! I know what house you belong in: SLYTHERIN!

Lily's eyes went wide. No! No, you can't! I don't belong there! What about Gryffindor? Or Hufflepuff? Or Ravenclaw? Anywhere but Slytherin, please, I beg you!

I have no choice. It would cause more trouble to put you anywhere else! The Sorting Hat opened its mouth wide. "SLYTHERIN!"

Lily walked slowly to her table, picturing herself walking to the gallows. That's what it was to her, really. She saw her friends looking at her with surprise. She thought she saw Alanna mouth something her, but it was unrecognizable. It's probably some curse, Lily thought in dismay. I'll wake up tomorrow covered in boils or something. At that moment she saw the mysterious boy from what felt like years ago. He was staring again, mouth slightly gaping and eyes sorrowful. Lily turned away from his burning glare. Lily sat down, practically in tears of desperation, refusing to make eye contact with anyone.

The next morning, she woke up, in a slightly better mood and, thankfully, not in boils. On her nightstand were her school uniforms, now stitched with emerald and silver threads, and three freshly washed Slytherin ties. Beside those were two owls, one from the Owl Post on the first floor. Lily took the letter from a snowy, white one: the one she suspected wasn't from the Owl Post. It was from Dumbledore, asking for Lily's confirmation on her electoral classes: Muggle Studies, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. She scrawled a quick note confirming them, smoothed the owl's feathers a bit and sent her back.

She now turned to the last owl, a small, tawny thing with a Muggle envelope in her beak. Lily took the envelope out, immediately recognizing it as from her family. Her bad mood faded away like Dumbledore's owl flying into the distance.

Lily opened the envelope and began to read. She stopped dead in her tracks after the first sentence. The paper fell to her feet. She wasn't happy anymore.

A/N: CLIFFHANGER! WOOHOO!

That's really all I have to say right now. Don't ask me about the Sorting; the answer will come in time. And I promise there will be more humor/beginning of SB/LE…eventually…some time... And Les Miz quotes; there will be plenty of Les Miz quotes the way this plot is going. And West Side Story quotes, too.

Until then, ¡Adiós! ...and ¡Yo quiero ser una cebolla rosada caliente! Yes, that had absolutely nothing to do with anything...

Sirius Orion Black II