Chapter 2

Tyler couldn't help but look at the students as they passed to their next classes, and they couldn't help but stare at the four strangers accompanying the groundskeeper. Genna was skipping almost merrily after Hagrid, while Courtney and Nikki scanned the halls, looking around with barely contained grins of excitement.

"Blimey, Hagrid, what happened?" a red head asked as he fell into step beside Hagrid.

"Had a bit of a fall, just taking 'im up to Pomfrey as we speak." Hagrid nodded as he started up the stairs.

"Well, that's poor luck for him, see you after lunch," he called out and rushed toward a set of stairs, running down them.

"How much you bet, we follow him, we find Harry." Courtney hissed looking at Nikki. Nikki grinned wickedly.

"Let's go." Nikki whispered as they turned around and raced down the stairs, Remi still following Hagrid, both of them oblivious.

"So Miss 'How Much You Bet Ron leads to Harry,' where are we now!" Nikki snapped as they wandered a darker hallway.

"I never said you had to follow me." Courtney snapped as she peered into open doors. The sound of a dull voice echoed the hall, growing louder as they bickered and walked toward it.

"Well with what you said you might as well have!" Nikki snapped now.

"Well who's the fool for following me?!" Courtney snapped.

"You know what!" Nikki stopped and stared at her. "I hope, that if we are really here, Snape gets you!" She said folding her arms.

"Isn't it you that wants to get him? You think he's soo sexy." She sang out as she skipped down the hall. "You want to kiiiiss him, you want to looove him." She giggled as she skipped down the hall before stopping, oblivious to the fact that she was standing in the doorway of the only class in session in all of the dungeons. "You got a crush on Snaaape, you got a crush on.." she didn't see it coming, and neither did the class, now watching threw the door. The hall seemed empty to the onlookers until Nikki rushed Courtney, throwing herself at her.

"You wench!" She screamed as they rolled around on the floor fighting. Seconds later, someone cleared their throat, and Courtney looked up from strangling Nikki, who in turn had a handful of Courtney's hair.

"If you will follow me to Dumbledore's office," the man glaring down at them cleared his throat again. Courtney eyed him and smiled.

"I guess you're right, he is kind of cute," she tried not to laugh as she stared up at the notorious teacher. "I got one question... scientifically I mean." Nikki looked like she was going to kill her, but it wasn't stopping Courtney. "What color and style are you undergarments?" Nikki lunged up at her friend and they rolled around again before Severus Snape cut them off again.

"The two of you, with me!" he snarled and turned to his class. "Dismissed."

"Ohh.. two of us.. with you.. my my.." Courtney snickered.

He hissed something under his breath, most likely vulgar, and stormed off. Nikki and Courtney followed with their heads down, wondering what sort of trouble they had started. As the class stared, Courtney chanced a glace up at them, spotting the redhead and his famous friend.

"Told you Ron leads to Harry," Courtney grinned. Nikki just growled something under her breath and stormed off.

"Ahhh," the elder voice said as the two entered Dumbledore's office. "I've been looking for you both. Seems to me you rushed off on Hagrid."

"Sorry, sir." Nikki said quickly. "It was Courtney's idea."

"And if it was my idea to jump off of a bridge, would you do it?!" Courtney snapped.

"No, I'd watch you and laugh!" Nikki snarled back, then remembered who she was growling in the presence of, and regained her posture.

"Sorry." They said in unison, bowing there heads as if ashamed at what they had done.

"No need to be sorry girls," Dumbledore comforted them with a smile. "I can only imagine what was going through your heads. The fact is, we have been trying to reach you for some time now. Almost six years. We've sent numerous letters each summer, but none have seemed to reach you, until recently."

"Well, if they follow us, im always traveling in the summer." Genna said quickly.

"I travel alot, too," Courtney shrugged.

"Camping," Tyler yawned.

"I live with my mom instead of my grandma in the summer," Nikki looked up to meet his confused eyes and couldn't help but smile. So it was true then, they were really enrolled at Hogwarts School!

"Well then, all your supplies and books are here, now the problem is, where to place you," Dumbledore rubbed his chin as he thought. "Normally we do not sort students this late into the year."

"Dumbledore you can not be serious, to take such unlearned students, and to stick them in with the other sixth years!" Snape seamed outraged at Dumbledore saying such a thing. Dumbledore eyes locked with his, as they exchanged unspoken words,

"Their tuition, travel, and books have been paid for, and they will try their hardest to catch up to there class. Won't you?" he turned with a wink to the foursome now bickering about what house they would end up in. Dumbledore cleared his throat as the four suddenly turned quiet. "Now, I will hold a meeting after dinner, just for the sixth years, at which you will be sorted into your houses. So, if you'll follow Professor McGonagall, she'll show you where you can clean up, and change." He went back down to working on a scroll of parchment. She cleared her throat and the foursome, feet dragging, followed after her.

Genna looked as if she would be sick as she stood there, waiting. The entire 6th year class had remained seated after dinner, and waited, to see what Dumbledore had proclaimed as 'Very Important'. Tyler couldn't help but sneak peeks of the backs of all those students.

"So where you think I'll end up..." Genna finally whispered, breaking the silence. "You better not leave me!" Her voice now more menacing.

"You're smart, I would think Gryffindor." Tyler muttered now. "And Nikki too, after all the hat said last time..." Tyler nearly chocked on his own tongue, as Nikki stood there, hand still where it had been when she cuffed him hard upside his head, as though poised to strike again if he didn't learn from the first hit. Courtney and Genna both just giggled.

"Ravenclaw is the house for smart people, you twit," Nikki sighed. "Gryffindor is for self righteous pricks like you."

"Even in Slytherin colors, it said you belonged there, say hi to Harry for me," Courtney winked and went back to watching the hall.

(The reason behind their teasing was a trip to California in which Nikki had gotten to go to the Warner Bros studios, and got to be sorted with the stool and hat from the film. Only then, a cheesy overhead speaker had proclaimed her a Gryffindor, which she was later assured was the only thing the hat said nowadays, as when it had originally been programmed with all four, too many little kids cried when they didn't get Gryffindor.)

The sound of Dumbledore's voice echoed over the nearly empty hall as he spoke of the foursome. It was when the door opened wide - and Tyler nearly fell on his face, as he had been leaning on the door- that all four faces went pale and ridged. Genna's face of mild nervousness turned to one of absolute fright, as she tried to keep her cool, but it didn't work very well. Nikki's own hands balled into fists as she tried to calm herself. Courtney's face was now blank, her eyes dull, almost sleepy, so no one could see behind her mask. Tyler almost matched her, except for a slight twist at the side of his mouth, that gave away almost a eerie smile. The foursome advanced, tired, and almost frightened of what was to come.

"Conception, Genna!" Professor McGonagall's voice echoed of the stone of the hall. Genna nearly stumbled, as Nikki nudged her friend forward. She wandered toward the stool, and took her place. It was seconds later she felt the hat atop her head.

"As usual, late, your grandmother was late, and you cousin, no punctuality!" the hat spoke to her. Genna nearly choked in shock, part of her still not expecting the hat to talk. "Well then, lots of wisdom, oh yes, you are smart. But you second guess yourself, and do not jump into things so quickly, but play them out, then you decide what to do... Ravenclaw!" it nearly screamed out the name, as Genna clutched her ears. She could barley walk forward as Ravenclaws cheered, welcoming her as if she had always been part of there class.

"Cartin, Courtney." McGonagall's voice rang out as Courtney took her seat, staring straight ahead as the hat was placed on her head.

"my, my, haven't seen one of your clansmen in years. Not since your great grandmother. Holding out on us I see, well, lots of courage, bold and cocky, too."

"I am not...!"

"stubborn, and smart, smart enough for Ravenclaw, if you would actually work that is..." The hat seamed to ponder. "But plotting, fighting, that's what makes you tick. A few interesting traits I haven't seen since the early four walked these halls. Slytherin!" the hat screamed, Courtney getting to her feet the moment Professor McGonagall lifted the hat. She walked as if she was numb, toward the table, with the sneering Draco and his friends.

"LeComte, Nicole." McGonagall's voice seemed louder now as Nikki took the seat. The hat nestled around her head and chuckled.

"Ms LeComte, I was wondering when I would finally see you." The hat chuckled, it seemed to be almost smirking at her, not that she could see anything but the inside of it. "Well then let's see shall we? To work in shadow is a brilliant thing, not everyone works that way. Courage, intelligence, loyalty, yes... much like your father. Well then, this is settled.. Slytherin!" it cried out again. Nikki clutched her ringing ears as she stared at the hat now in McGonagall's hands, before walking to her seat beside Courtney.

"Ewart, Tyler!" McGonagall announced as he jumped into the seat, excited.

"Slytherin, here I come..." he smirked, rubbing his hands together as the hat came down.

"Strange, very outgoing, a bit too outgoing..." the hat muttered.

"Wonder if he'll end up with us?" Nikki leaned in, whispering to Courtney.

"Hope he gets Hufflepuff, it would be so funny!" Courtney whispered back. Nikki paled at the thought.

"It would be a slaughter, he'd kill them all. You know his..." she muttered, not noticing Draco leaning in more to listen. "..Short temper against people like that."

"He puts up with me," Courtney snorted, shrugging.

"He knows you're just kidding, whereas they really are that dumb," Nikki pointed a thumb toward their table.

"You've got brains to pull of some of these tricks, but, alas you don't think them all threw..." the hat continued silently in Tyler's head, the others looking on impatiently.

"This is taking longer then usual," Goyle huffed sitting back. "Maybe he's just a squib, stupid to think they can just..."

"Shut your mouth unless you want it sewn shut then stapled!" Courtney snarled at him before returning to Nikki. "He isn't!" She nearly gasped as she looked back toward the stool. Tyler's eyes were closed and he was breathing slowly as the hat seemed to fret to itself.

"He's.... sleeping..." Nikki giggled as she realized this, before hiding her face to keep her laughter quiet.

"Have a good night sleep?" Nikki stretched as she walked out of the sixth year's girl's dormitory in a green tank top and black pants.

"Please, I'd much sooner sleep in a cobra pit!" Courtney threw herself into a black leather armchair, looking into the fire.

"At least we have our own room," Nikki shrugged.

"As entertaining as your conversation may be..." a cold male voice drawled, approaching behind them. Nikki looked over to Professor Snape, who was standing right behind Courtney's chair. "You have to catch up to your classmates. This week you'll be allowed to do as you like, and I advise studying. Your books," He pointed his wand toward the table as it filled up with books rapidly, followed by a tray of vials, cauldrons, robes, quills, ink, and parchment. Courtney's jaw nearly dropped.

"I... more... homework...no..." she looked as though she would burst into tears.

"It wont be that bad," Nikki shrugged, picking up one of the books and flipping through it. " I mean look, think of it as fun, before you got nothing out of homework. This time you can learn.."

"How to torture my sister!" Courtney piped up excitedly as she reached for her books.

"Well then, breakfast will start soon. I recommend you run along," he spoke with his arms folded. "We will be leaving for Diagon Alley to get you your robes and wands right after."

"We?" Courtney asked.

"Yes," Snape drawled. "I have been given the task of bringing you two and your friends shopping, as I am the only teacher that doesn't have any classes this morning."

Courtney and Nikki exchanged glances, Courtney looking excited, Nikki looking like she was dreading the trip.

"I will be waiting for you at the front doors at the end of breakfast. Do not make me wait long," Snape snarled, then stalked off. Nikki could tell by the way he walked that he wasn't any happier about the trip than she was.

"He's still up there." Genna huffed as soon as her two friends strolled in.

"Still."

"Probably slept all night there!" Genna sighed before moving to her seat. Courtney and Nikki took their seats and began to eat, they were almost halfway threw there meal when the hat stirred, as if letting out a heavy sigh.

"Gryffindor!" it bellowed. The students went silent as the sound of a crack echoed the hall. Tyler had fallen backwards, sending the stood flying.

"Get away!" Tyler jumped up looking about, as if someone was after him. He stopped and rubbed his head. "Hi.."

"Please take your seat at Gryffindor, Mr. Ewart." Professor mcconigal said gently extending a hand pointing toward them. Tyler jumped off stage and started to walk their way. He paused right before them and leaned over Nikki's shoulder.

"I had a dream, that the flying monkeys were coming to take my pants again," he whispered. Nikki nearly burst out laughing, as Tyler moved taking his seat right beside Ginny.

"Never misses a opportunity to flirt does he?" Courtney's managed to say without laughing.

"Tyler... Tyler will be Tyler."