The train stopped but their journey was far from over.  Following the giant-like man in front of them, the first years made their way towards a small pier-like area, by which several boats were tied.  Being half-way between the front and middle of the group, Lily and Alex were able to get a boat fairly quickly and were soon sailing towards the school.

"So how long have you been going out with Sirius for?" Lily asked interestedly.

Alex responded automatically, as though she'd been practicing this conversation in her head for a while.  "One month."

Lily nodded; surprised at how good they seemed together, considering the small time they'd been a couple.

"How long have…"

"We went to the same primary school, our parents are friends and we've known each other since forever." She answered the question Lily had not been able to ask.  She then answered the next question before Lily asked it.  "I don't know how much I like yet…This transition from friend to girlfriend, I'm still getting used to it." She sighed, giggling slightly at the look on Lily's face.  "Sorry, I just don't like being asked questions." She smiled slyly.  "I do, however, like asking them.  What do you think of James?"
Lily stopped breathing for a second, not expecting the question. Fortunately, she was saved from answering as the boat reached the grassy banks of the Hogwarts Grounds and a loud voice shouted, "Firs' years, follow meh."

Stepping into the Great Hall and seeing a hundred students sat expectantly at one of four long tables with a slightly shorter one set up on a stage was enough to make Lily feel terrified.  Wondering what lay ahead of her, she was surprised when an old man stood forward, placing an old hat on a stool.  Confusion changed to shock for most as the hat burst into song;

"Nigh on five thousand years ago,

        Four founders built this school.

        Gave me brains to pick the students

        'Cos they knew I was no fool.

       

        Four Houses to put you in,

        Where will you succeed the most?

        I'm the only one to decide,

        Though I try not to boast.

        Should you belong in Gryffindor,

        You're anything but cowardly.

        Making a home in Hufflepuff,

        Gives the chance to show your loyalty.

        Those belonging in Ravenclaw,

        Are wise with a thirst for learnin'.

        And those of daring and cunning

        Can only be a Slytherin.

        So put me on,

        Like those before you,

        And those still yet to come.

        Now we'll see who belongs with whom."

The first years stared at the hat as the rest of the hall broke into applause.  Slowly smiles crept onto their faces as they started to clap.  Once they had finished the hat spoke again.

"Andrews, Jacob."  Jacob sat on the stool.  "Hufflepuff."

"Black, Narcissa.  Sly…Gryffindor."

"Black, Sirius," he took his seat, giving a wide grin to the audience watching him.  The hat spoke again, "Gryffindor."

"Buckley, Anita" became the first Slytherin, while the first Ravenclaw was "Burton, John."  Several more people were sorted and with each one came a stronger feeling of nervousness from Lily.  Finally she heard the call "Evans, Lily" and sat on the stool with an awkward anxiousness.

A voice in her head telling her that she could do well wherever she went didn't help her.  She'd hoped for a simple sit on the stool and then off again.  Obviously that was too much to ask for.

"Ah, so you're a feisty one then?" The voice that Lily assumed was the hat asked.  "Then I guess you'll be a…Gryffindor."

The whole table erupted into applause as Lily walked over.  She sat beside Sirius, who clapped her on her back.

The next person called was "Fentworth, Alexandra."  Scowling, Alex took her seat to be told that she, too, was a Gryffindor.  There were two more Gryffindors "Glover, Marie" and "Howard, Alice" before the next Ravenclaw, "Jordan, Edward."

A few letters, and about 7 people, later, came yet more Gryffindors.  This time "Longbottom, Frank" and "Lupin, Remus."  It was no surprise, to James and his friends, at least, when "Malfoy, Lucius" was announced to be a Slytherin.  It was, however, when "Pettigrew, Peter" became a Gryffindor.

Next was "Potter, James."  Slowly but confidently James walked up to and sat on the stool.  With a self-assuredness his classmates would come to recognize as arrogance, James was thinking it was already a given that he would be sorted into Gryffindor.  It was a shock to him when the hat spoke, casting doubts in his mind.

"Hmm, Mr Potter, you're a tough on to sort.  Ravenclaws good knowledge, Slytherins wicked side, the loyalty and caring of Hufflepuff and, of course, Gryffindors courage.  Yes, where to put you."

James' eyes flicked towards the Gryffindor table.  He looked at his friends and smiled unsurely.

"Ah, yes.  Your friends.  You seem to thrive among them…Though not as much as you will with a certain young lady."  James frowned at these words, wondering who the hat meant.  "But for now, your friends will be your strength, that and your arrogant persistence."  James grinned wickedly.  "And you're going to need it to be a…Gryffindor"

James walked over to the cheering table, brushing past Narcissa as he went.  He smiled at her to show his apology then sat with his friends.

The next person sorted was "Snape, Severus" who became a Slytherin.  A couple more people were sorted before, finally, a semi-old man in light blue robes stood up, introduced himself as Professor Dumbledore, head teacher of the school, and announced the feast had started.

It passed pleasantly, with the new Gryffindors making a name for themselves as tricksters.  After the feast, they retired almost immediately, preparing themselves for the next day.