For the Life of me Chapter 9: Through the Barrier, a harry potter fanfic

A/N: Good news and bad news. Good news first. My computer died, the motherboard fried and so I had to get a new one. Now this sounds bad (and it was) but there is some good to it, my files were all saved! Yay! So I didn't lose and of this story, or my other files. Very good news. Now the bad news, not a single person responded to my last author's note. So I really don't know if anyone reads this or not. I don't want to sound needy or beggy, but it would be really nice if I knew whether the 9 hits on ch. 8 were actually 9 people reading or not. And Writers love feedback, positive and constructive. And I need help, this is a massive project, and you guys are the ones reading (I think!). So please respond for me, let me know how I'm doing, or I just might stop posting! Haha! Just kidding of course, but let that thought resonate in your minds. More good news, the characters get to meet each other today! Yay! Stuff is starting to get good, so please read! Thanks!

Through the Barrier

Any moment, everything can change,
Feel the wind on your shoulder,
For a minute, all the world can wait,
Let go of your yesterday
-"Fly" Hillary Duff

Miss Burr kept to her promise to escort Princesse Adrianne to Kings Cross on the morning of September 1st. The drive to the station was short, and the trio remained silent all the way to King's Cross. When the arrived at the station, Miss Burr unloaded princesse Adrianne's trunk and placed it on a trolley for easier mobility. They walked into the station and Miss Burr led them to the area between Platforms 9 and 10. Mr. Laverte watched her apprehensively, waiting for any sigh on Platform 9 am ¾ to materialize. Princesse Adrianne was looking around anxiously, she had flown almost as much as she had driven places but she had never been in the presence of a real train. She didn't notice that the platform she was searching for appeared to have not been built yet.

The Black family traveled the short distance across London to Kings Cross station together. Narcissa and her parents came along with Sirius and his family. Thankfully, Bellatrix did not want to come to the train station, and Sirius had to deal with only six unbearable Blacks. They made it to the train station and headed to the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10. Narcissa went through first, then Aunt Elladora and Uncle Aidan, then Regulus and Mrs. Black. Finally Mr. Black went through expecting his son to join him. Sirius hesitated long enough to be left alone on the muggle side of the barrier, contemplating whether or not he really wanted to go through with this.

The Evanses left their house in Surrey early in the day, in order to make it to Kings Cross station. Petunia was dragged along, even though she had refused to this point in the summer to be in the same room as her younger sister. Mr. Evans parked his car in the parking lot at King's Cross station and led his family into the train station. He found a trolley for Lily's school trunk and wheeled it to the area between Platforms 9 and 10, not really sure what came next.

James nearly dragged his parents out of the house on the morning of September 1st. He was so anxious to get to Hogwarts that he nearly walked out of the house without his left shoe. Once James was fully dressed, and the car Mr. Potter had procured had been loaded, they made their way to Kings Cross. James dragged his parents through the station and to the Platform between 9 and 10. He didn't even notice the little girl, old man, and middle aged woman standing in front of the barrier, each with different looks on their faces.

Remus's mother fussed over him for a full half hour before they were able to leave for the train station. Remus was worried this would make them late, but they still managed to arrive in London with plenty of time. The taxi they had called for dropped them off at the front entrance and found a trolley for Remus's trunk. The Lupin family arrived at the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 and prepared to cross through to Platform 9 and ¾.

Mrs. Sinclair woke Jena and Chrissy up early, wanting to make sure they had everything they needed for school. She figured it was inevitable that she would have to send the girls something once they left, but wanted to minimize the load on the family's old owl. The entire Sinclair clan, plus Chrissy, crammed into Mr. Sinclair's car, which had been magically expanded for comfortable seating inside. Adam, Frank, Jena, and Chrissy all had their school trunks in the back of the car, which, even with the magical expansion, was still a tight fit. When they arrived at the train station, Mr. Sinclair found a few trolleys and loaded them with the children's trunks. They made it to the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 with more that a half hour to go.

Mrs. Hagsby lent Mrs. Pettigrew her car for bringing Peter to Kings Cross station. They were running behind, so they barely made it to the station in time, let alone through the barrier. The reached the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 at 10:55, just five minutes before the Hogwarts Express was set to leave.

-o-

Miss Burr walked them over to the large barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 and explained in a quiet voice, "All you have to do is walk straight through this barrier and you will come out on Platform 9 and ¾." Mr. Laverte stared at her like she was mad, and Princesse Adrianne stared into the thick wall wondering how she was supposed to walk right through it.

Suddenly a family of three, a mother, father and young son, all with jet black hair and glasses walked past, through the barrier and disappeared from sight.

"Now do you see how simple it is? We can take it at a run if you'd like, Adrianne?" Unable to find the words Princesse Adrianne simply nodded. Miss Burr put and arm on the trolley and led Princesse Adrianne at a run through the barrier. Mr. Laverte watched in shock as his granddaughter disappeared when everything he even knew was telling him she should have gone "Splat."

Sirius figured it was now or never. A large family was approaching and if he didn't hurry up he would get stuck behind them. He wheeled his cart right up to the barrier and through it.

"How—how do we get through it again, Mum?" Lily asked her mother.

"I think, I think we just walk straight through to the other side, or at least that's what the letter said." Mrs. Evans answered. Petunia let out a noise of disgust, as if something like walking though barriers was the most ridiculous idea in the world.

An old man who had been staring in shock at the barrier turned to them and said, "My granddaughter just disappeared through this barrier with her mother's old friend. It looks simple enough." The man had a very think French accent.

"Thank you very much sir. You said your granddaughter went through?" Mr. Evans said to the kind old French man. "Don't you want to go and see her off?"

"Yes, I was about to when I heard you and your daughter discussing how to get through."

"Well thank you very much, please, go through first then." Mrs. Evans said. The man gave a slight bow and then walked through the barrier, feeling incredibly stupid as he ran straight through a wall.

"Well I guess that's all there is to it then. Come on Lily, we can go though first. Mark, bring Petunia along next, will you?" Mr. Evans nodded. Mrs. Evans took Lily's hand and they both held on to the trolley. As they ran, they picked up speed, and went straight through the barrier to the other side.

James was so anxious to get going that he brushed past all the people on the platform. "Come on mum and dad!" he whined. When his parents caught up with him, the three Potters crossed through the barrier onto Platform 9 and ¾ together.

Mrs. Lupin told Remus to take the barrier at a run, it would give him less time to second guess doing it. She took his hand and ran with him through the barrier, instructing her husband to follow with the trolley.

Mrs. Sinclair sent Adam and Frank through the barrier first, following a boy with dark hair and a pale face who was apparently alone. After Adam and Frank went through, she went though herself with Caden and Joey. Then it was Jena and Chrissy's turn to run though the barrier. They each had their own trolleys in hand as they flew past muggle travelers and straight through the barrier.

Mrs. Pettigrew grabbed her son's hand and told him to run. Peter had a tendency to dawdle, and needed the extra tug to understand the time constraint. They ran though the barrier onto Platform 9 and ¾.

-o-

The Hogwarts Express was a large red steam engine train. Mr. Laverte soon found Princesse Adrianne and Miss Burr waiting for him. "Sorry about the delay, I helped another family through." He explained after hugging his granddaughter. Miss Burr didn't say anything, she just smiled at the old man.

Miss Burr led Princesse Adrianne into the train and helped her with her trunk. They found an empty compartment and Princesse Adrianne set her things down before going back outside to say her goodbyes.

"Have a good term Adrianne." Miss Burr said, giving her a hug.

"I shall miss you Princesse Adrianne." Mr. Laverte said hugging the small girl. "Have a good term and I shall see you at Christmas."

"Au revoir Grand-père!" Princesse Adrianne said to him before leaving to reboard the train.

"Au revoir princesse." Mr. Laverte said almost in a whisper to his granddaughter's retreating back.

Princesse Adrianne made herself comfortable in her compartment. She watched her grandfather and Miss Burr through the window of the train, waving and smiling at them. On the platform, children of all ages were saying goodbye to their parents and finding their friends. She saw the boy with messy black hair and glasses whom she had followed onto the platform say goodbye to his parents. His mother seemed to be trying, unsuccessfully to flatten his hair. She gave him a big kiss and a hug, both of which he tried to pull himself away from. His father said something and ruffled the boy's hair, which earned him an angered look from his wife.

Farther along the platform, Princesse Adrianne spotted a short girl with wild red hair saying her goodbyes to her parents and sister. The sister, who was tall, skinny and blonde, looked as if she would rather be anywhere but here, and wouldn't speak to or even look at her sister.

Sirius couldn't find his family anywhere. He shrugged them off and climbed onto the silver steam engine train, lifting his trunk into the luggage rack and finding himself a compartment to sit in. He was early enough that most of the compartments were empty and he was able to choose from many. Glancing out the window, he spotted his father, and sunk lower in his seat to avoid being noticed. Luckily, Mr. Black walked straight past Sirius to where the rest of the Blacks were gathered nearby.

Lily was in awe of the sight she saw on the other side of the barrier. A scarlet steam engine train was pulled up to the platform, with the name Hogwarts Express painted on the front and sides. Lily turned to see her father and Petunia coming though the platform. Nearby was the French mane that had helped them with his granddaughter and another woman. They were saying their goodbyes. Lily thought she must have heard wrong, but she thought he had called the young girl Princess.

"I guess this is where we say goodbye." Mrs. Evans said to her youngest daughter.

"Goodbye Mum." Lily said, wrapping her arms around her mother. "I'll write often, and let you know everything I learn!"

"Goodbye Lily dear and I can't wait for those letters. Have fun, and we will see you at Christmas." Mrs. Evans said.

"Goodbye spunky." Mr. Evans said, giving his youngest daughter a kiss on the forehead.

"Bye daddy." She said, smiling at him. "Bye Tunia."

Petunia didn't return the goodbye, and Mrs. Evans let out a "Petunia!" which made everyone jump.

Reluctantly, Petunia mumbled out a "Bye" to her little sister. Her parents seemed to be satisfied with this and let Lily board the train.

Mrs. Potter was in tears as she was saying goodbye to her son.

"Mum, I have to get on the train!" James said, trying to break free from his mother's grasp.

"Write often, and don't forget to wash your hands before all meals, and to clean behind your ears, and…" Mrs. potter was struggling to flatten James's hair as she spoke.

"Mum!"

"Ok," She said, kissing James's cheek. "Have a good term sweetie."

"Bye Mum, bye Dad."

"Bye son, have fun!" Mr. Potter undid all of his wife's hard work by ruffling James's hair as he said goodbye.

James left his parents to board the train. He walked though the train trying to find a compartment, and stopped at one near the middle that was occupied by only a small boy with dark hair who was staring blankly out the window.

Remus let his mother smother him with hugs and kisses until the train whistle blew and his father saved him.

"Have a good term Remus." Mr. Lupin said to his son.

"Oh Remus, be good, and have fun, and be careful." Mrs. Lupin said, fussing over her son in the way she always had.

Remus waved to his parents as he boarded the train. He walked down the length of the train to find somewhere to sit, stopping at a compartment that was only filled by a small girl with long brown hair that curled at the ends, whose face was pressed up against the glass as if she was watching someone.

Jena and Chrissy followed Adam and Frank onto the train. The four kids found a compartment together, and were soon joined by a few of Adam and Frank's friends.

Peter searched the train for a place to sit. The last compartment at the end of the train was empty so he sat down and made himself comfortable. Within minutes he was joined by older kids who explained that everywhere else was full, and sat down with him.

-o-

Soon all the students had boarded the train and only the parents and younger siblings were left. Princesse Adrianne waved goodbye to her grandfather one last time as he disappeared from view. She turned so that she was facing the door to the compartment. She watched the students walk past her door, some of them looking as young and frightened as she felt, others looking as if they were nearly done with their schooling. Several people poked their heads in, as if they were looking for someone but nobody stayed long.

A small boy with sandy brown hair knocked politely before entering. He asked her if she would mind if he sat with her as everything else was full.

"Sure. What's your name? I'm Adrianne Laverte." She said holding out her hand to the boy.

"I'm Remus Lupin." The two sat in silence together for a few minutes before another knock came at the door. This time the small red head from the platform walked in, also asking if they would mind if she joined them.

"Everything else is full. I'm Lily Evans."

"Adrianne Laverte."

"Remus Lupin."

"Are you all first years too?" Lily asked.

"Yes." Adrianne and Remus answered at once.

"I'm so nervous about coming here. My mother said I should try it out, and if I don't like it I can leave. I'm the first witch in my family." Lily explained.

Remus looked too scared to speak so Adrianne did. "My mother was a witch, but she died when I was a baby. My Grand-père raised me."

"Was he a wizard then?" Lily asked.

"No, he's my paternal grandfather. My dad wasn't magic, just my mum."

"What about you Remus?"

"Both of my parents are wizards." He said quietly. Remus looked as if he hadn't slept in days, and was deeply in need of a square meal.

The three young students sat in silence for a while until the Witch with the food cart stopped in. Remus was the only one of the three who knew what she was serving and gave them suggestions on what was good.

After eating, Remus seemed to perk up a bit. He explained some things about the Wizarding world to Lily and Adrianne. Lily seemed very nervous about being far behind the other students, but Remus assured her that he didn't know much magic either and Adrianne pointed out she was in the same position.

Sirius heard his compartment door open. Dreading that it would be Narcissa and her friends coming to bother him, he hesitated to look towards the new arrival.

"Can I sit here?" came the voice of not Narcissa but a young boy. Sirius looked over to see a tall, skinny boy with jet black hair and glasses, wearing a goofy smile.

"Suppose." Sirius answered.

The two boys sat in silence for a while. Sirius was looking anywhere but at the boy sitting across from him, but he could feel the boy's eyes on him.

"My name is James Potter, what's yours?" The boy asked. Sirius's immediate thought was that this boy was annoying.

"Sirius Black." He mumbled.

"Black, I don't know that name, are you muggle born?" James asked, sounding entirely too cocky for Sirius's liking.

"No!" Sirius said, a little more forcefully then he intended. "I'm a pureblood, the purest of purebloods. I can trace my family back to the middle ages, all pureblood witches and wizards."

"Oh so your one of them." James said. Sirius was starting to get annoyed. Why was he defending his family's honor to this kid? He didn't even care about being a pureblood. Actually, he wished he was a mud—what was it he called them, muggle borns?

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sirius asked, getting angrier by the minute.

Before James could respond, the compartment door opened again. Sirius groaned when he saw Narcissa standing there, with that smug look of her face, and her shiny prefects badge pinned to her robes, two dark haired girls standing on either side of her.

"Oh there you are, Sirius. I promised my mother I would look out for you." Narcissa said, sounding both bored and obligated.

"Well then, there, you looked out for me. Now you can go run to your Mummy and tell her that Sirius is being a good boy playing nice with the other kids." Sirius responded, sarcastically.

"I'm warning you Sirius, one toe out of line and your mother will hear about it so fast—"

"So go tell her I talked back to you. What is she going to do? Come up to Hogwarts and send me to my room?"

"I'll – I'll put you in detention you little brat!" Narcissa screamed before storming out of the compartment.

"Older sister?" James asked after Narcissa and her friends were out of sight.

"Cousin, but close enough."

After the encounter with Narcissa, James was a lot more bearable. Except when they talked about Quidditch.

"My dad took me to loads of games, and I was in this league last year, and the captain said I was the best player my age he had seen. He reckons I could make my house team at Hogwarts by second year, which is supposed to be really hard to do."

"I'm not really a Quidditch fan myself." Sirius lied. It wasn't so much that he wasn't a Quidditch fan, more that he had never really been exposed to it. It wasn't really high on his father's list of thing to do to take his rebellious son t sporting events.

"Oh, well you're really missing out. My dad, he owns Quidditch Weekly, so he gets wicked tickets to matches all over the country, and to the World Cup…" Sirius stopped listening after James starting to ramble about his dad. Sirius hated when people brag about how much better their lives are, even if they don't realize they are doing it.

Jena and Chrissy were playing a game of wizard's chess when the food trolley came though. The girls bought a few Chocolate Frogs, and pulled out the sandwiches Mrs. Sinclair had made. They traded their Chocolate Frog cards, although they both had several of the ones they got already.

Adam and his girlfriend Reagan, both sixth years and Gryffindor prefects, were talking animatedly next to the girls about N.E.W.T classes, which they both would be starting that year.

Frank and his two friends, all fourth year Gryffindors, were telling jokes and stories of their summer holidays.

Peter listened to the conversations around him, but pretended to be too caught up in the view out his window to care about what was going on around him. He could tell these students were probably sixth or seventh years, and knew a lot about the Dark Arts.

After a while, a pale blond girl came storming in, followed by two girls with dark hair. The blonde sat down besides a boy with white-blonde hair that reached to his shoulders.

"What's wrong Cissy?" The boy asked the girl.

"I just went to see my cousin, that little brat!" said the girl, Cissy-was that what he had called her?

"Don't let that little brat upset you Cissy. Your mother will understand that you can only have so much control over him here. You have your own studies, and your own friends to be worrying about without babysitting your brat of a cousin."

The witch wheeling the food trolley stopped in, and Peter helped himself to a heaping pile of sweets, using the money Mrs. Hagsby had secretly given him. The older students in the compartment laughed at his pigginess, seeming to find it cute rather than disgusting.

-o-

Just before the train arrived in the Hogsmead station, a voice echoed through the train "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave you luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

When the train stopped, Adrianne followed Lily and Remus out of the compartment and off the train. Once they got out onto the platform, Adrianne realized just how many students there were. She felt so small in the center of the crowds of happy students getting ready for the new term. She tried to keep an eye on Remus and Lily as they were the only people she knew at all.

James and Sirius walked off the train together. James had shut up for the moment, and Sirius was thankful for the sudden silence. They walked together through the crowds, and even though to this point James had been nothing but annoying to Sirius, his presence made the crowds seem a little less intimidating. James was also thankful for the company, as he didn't know anyone either, and to be honest he was terrified.

Jena and Chrissy followed Adam, Reagan, Frank, and his two friends off the train and onto the platform. There were so many people bustling on the platform. It seemed ten times busier then Platform 9 and ¾ had been.

Peter waited until the compartment was cleared before leaving it. To be honest, he was terrified of the older students who had sat with him, even though they had been pleasant with him. He walked by himself through the groups of friends talking and laughing, and heading towards their destination. Peter felt lost, in the middle of a crowd, unnoticed by all.

-o-

Suddenly over the bustle of students came a large friendly voice shouting "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" The speaker was a giant man with a long shaggy mane of hair and a wild tangled beard, and beady little black eyes. He was more than twice the height of the first years he was directing, but they followed him anyway. The giant man led the first years to a small fleet of row boats on the edge of the lake. Beyond the lake, was a castle sitting atop a high mountain.

"No more'n four to a boat." The giant man said climbing into the lead boat himself.

Adrianne climbed into the same boat as Lily, Remus and a small mousey looking boy. The mousey boy introduced himself as Peter Pettigrew.

James and Sirius climbed into a boat together. They were joined by two girls, who seemed to be very good friends, and were chattering away barely noticing that anyone else was there.

Jena and Chrissy followed two boys into a boat. They were deep in conversation about the stories that Frank and his friends had shared with them on the train about Hogwarts, speculating on how many of them were actually true. The other two boys just stared ahead, not speaking to each other.

Peter found a group of three people climbing into a boat, and joined them. He didn't want to get left behind. There were two girls and a boy, and they seemed very nervous. The boy looked like he was the walking death. He introduced himself, and found out that their names were Remus Lupin, Lily Evans, and Adrianne Laverte.

-o-

Once everyone was in, the giant man called out "FOREWARD" and the boats lurched forward all at once. As they sailed across the lake, the castle loomed closer. Soon, the front boats were reaching the cliff the castle was standing on, and the giant called out "Heads down!" The boats floated down a dark tunnel that took them under the castle, and stopped at a small underground harbor. The first years all climbed out of their boats.

The giant man led the first years up a stone passageway, coming out on smooth grass in the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge oak front door. The giant man knocked on the door three times, and the door swung open.

A tall black-haired witch in emerald green robes stood at the open door.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." The giant man said to the witch.

"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here." Professor McGonagall said to the giant man, indicating that this man's name was Hagrid. Professor McGonagall opened the door wide enough to reveal the entrance hall. It was a huge room with stone walls lit by flaming torches. The ceiling was so high it seemed to go on forever. A magnificent marble staircase was facing them and led to higher levels of the castle.

Professor McGonagall led the first years into a small empty chamber of the side of the hall. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

The first years all looked around at each other nervously. Some students were whispering spells they had read about under their breath, while others were sharing stories about that older students had told them the sorting was about. Someone mentioned something about wrestling a troll, although almost no one believed them.

Professor McGonagall returned and led them through a door into the magnificent Great Hall. The room was lit by thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among students where misty silver ghosts. Somewhere down the line someone made a comment about the ceiling and how it was enchanted to match the sky outside. It was dark, as it was night, and there were a few dark clouds rolling across the starry sky.

Professor McGonagall set a ragged hat down on a four legged stool in front of the first years. The first years stared at it wondering what it was doing there and how it was related to the Sorting Ceremony. Suddenly a rip opened up in the hat and it began singing.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can top them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a steady mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

(a/n: I know that in the books the sorting hat has a new song every year, but I am not creative enough to make up my own song so I am borrowing the song from SS)

When the hat was finished with its song the entire Great Hall exploded with clapping and cheers.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding a list of all the first years' names.

"Ackerly, Darwin" was called forward first. He sat down on the stool and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on his hear. The hat seemed to be thinking and after a short silence it called out "HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Black, Sirius," was called up, and Sirius left his spot in line to try on the ragged hat. He smiled nervously as he sat down on the stool. The hat took a long time with deciding where to put Sirius. The hat seemed to think that Sirius was conflicted, and would do well in any house. Sirius talked, or rather thought himself through whether or not he wanted to do what was expected of him, or what he truly wanted. In the end, the hat decided for him. Eventually it called out "GRYFFINDOR!" Sirius was somewhat distraught but also happy. He walked over to the table on the far left wall which was cheering.

A few more students were called to the stool before "Evans, Lily" was called. Adrianne flashed a small smile at her friend from the train, who looked as if she might faint. Lily sat down on the stool and the hat was placed on her head. The hat had a hard time placing Lily. It said she would do well in Ravenclaw, she defiantly had the thirst for knowledge, but she would also do well in Slytherin as she was cunning and had drive. In the end it was Lily's bravery and courage that came out the strongest and the hat called out "GRYFFINDOR!" Lily joined the Gryffindor table, sitting near Sirius.

After "Macnair, Walden" was sorted into "SLYTHERIN!" "Laverte, Adrianne" was called to the stool. Adrianne walked slowly to the stool. It seemed so much further away now that she was trying to reach it. She felt every eye in the room settle on her, which made her stomach do summersaults. She finally reached the stool and sat down. The hat sunk down and covered her eyes. Inside her head a voice started speaking. "You have a brilliant mind, and a desire to learn, but you also have a strong amount of courage. You could do well in any of the houses, but let's say GRYFFINDOR!" Adrianne heard the crowd in the hall burst into applause and walked over to the Gryffindor table. She sat down next to Lily and looked up at the stool to watch the rest of the sorting.

Just after Adrianne was sorted, "Lupin, Remus" was called forward. Remus was shaking pretty violently. He kept thinking the hat would shout out to the entire school that he was a werewolf, or that it would tell him there was no house in Hogwarts for monsters. Luckily, neither of these happened, and the hat decided almost immediately to place him in "GRYFFINDOR!" and he joined Adrianne and Lily at the Gryffindor table.

After a few more students were sorted, the then "Pettigrew, Peter" was called. He nearly had to beg the hat not to place him in Hufflepuff, and ended up in "GRYFFINDOR!"

Next "Potter, James" was called forward. The hat called out "GRYFFINDOR!" almost as soon as the hat was set on James's head. He sat down between Remus and Sirius at the Gryffindor table.

"Sinclair, Jena," was called up, and she sat down on the stool. The hat deliberated briefly with her, but then called out "GRYFFINDOR!" Jena flashed Chrissy a smile before joining the Gryffindor table, sitting next to her brother.

A few more students were sorted, and then "Valwick, Christabel" was the last one. Chrissy was nervous as she set the hat on her head. She didn't even know where her parents had been sorted in their school days, and was sure they would never know where she got sorted. The hat took a long time placing Chrissy, saying that she was one of the more difficult minds. After what seemed to Chrissy as an eternity, she was sorted into "GRYFFINDOR!" and went to join Jena.

After the sorting was finished, the man sitting at the center of the teacher's table with long white hair and beard, and half moon spectacles stood up. "Welcome to this year's Welcoming Feast," he said. "Before I say anything else, let me say this...Dig in!"

Food appeared on the plates on all five long tables, and students and teachers alike started to scarf down food.

When everyone had eaten all they could, Professor Dumbledore rose again. "Just a few announcements before I send you off to bed tonight. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch to remind you all that no magic should be used in the corridors between classes.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house team should contact Madam Hooch."

After making his announcements, Professor Dumbledore released the students to return to their house dormitories. The Gryffindor prefects led the first years to the tower where the Gryffindor house is located. They were told the password ("Gillyweed") which opened the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, concealed behind the portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress. The prefects led the first year students into the Gryffindor common room, a cozy round shaped room filled with cushy armchairs and warm inviting fireplaces. The girls were directed to a staircase at the right and the boys to the left.

Adrianne, Lily, Jena, and Chrissy made their way up the spiral staircase to the door that was labeled "First Years." Lily and Adrianne chose beds close to one another, and Jena and Chrissy took the remaining two beds. The room was circular, and near the top of the Gryffindor tower. Four four-poster beds lined the walls and were hung with deep red velvet curtains. Their trunks had already been brought up to the room and placed at the end of their beds. The girls changed into the pajamas and went to sleep, each of them falling asleep almost immediately.

James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus went up the stairs to their room, entering the door that was labeled "first years." Each boy chose a red canopied bed in the circular shaped room, and went to sleep.

A/N: That was a long one for ya! I had to have seven points of view in this chapter, and as you could tell there was a lot of overlap, but it's their first meeting! Before this chapter Jena and Chrissy were the only ones who knew each other, and now they all know each other, even if only by sight. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, more exciting stuff (I hope!) to come soon!

DISCLAIMER: I do no own any of this nor am I making any profit, this is just my way of passing boring summer nights, and I'm sure eventually it will become another way for me to procrastinate once school starts up again. All names, places, ect. From the Harry Potter world belong to JK Rowling and the publishers ect. and the song quotes belong to their respective artists and the correct rights owners