Ch. 2 Aboard the Hogwarts Express and the Sorting Hat

Lily thought September 1st could not arrive soon enough. Petunia, ever since she had heard "Lily's news," had been outdoing herself when it came to unpleasance. She constantly called Lily, "freak of nature" when she thought her parents' backs were turned, and she repeated constantly to Lily that if she kept burning peoples' breakfasts, no one would want to be her friend, to which Lily simply responded, "That's why it's called toast." To which, Petunia could only roll her eyes.

On the morning of September 1st, Lily jumped out of her bed, and ran downstairs, to see if her parents were up. Sure enough, her mother was already in the kitchen, cooking up a storm.

"Morning, Mum!" greeted Lily cheerfully. "What are you cooking?"

"Muffins, bacon, eggs. It's your last meal home."

"Smells great."

"I can't believe we're not going to be seeing you until Christmas."

"I'll write- I'll be back before you know it," said Lily, for the first time feeling a trifle nervous about the whole thing.

"I hope not," drawled out, Petunia, as she trudged down the stairs groggily.

"Petunia! It's your sister's last day here until Christmas! Don't you want her to remember the good things about you ?" reprimanded Mrs. Evans.

Fortunately for Petunia, Mr. Evans was walking in as Mrs. Evans questioned her, and she thus avoided the question. "What's cooking, Good Looking?" asked Mr. Evans, as he planted a kiss on his wife cheek.

Lily smiled. "Morning, Daddy."

"Morning, Angel. Excited about school?"

"YES."

Mrs. Evans served breakfast, and the family shared one last breakfast as a whole before Lily unceremoniously ran from the room saying something about some last minute packing.

A few hours, and several miles later, Lily Evans was standing where Platform 9 and 10 were divided. She kissed and hugged her parents good-bye; she even gave Petunia a hug. Then, she ran through the barrier, straightening her shoulders and holding her head high. 'Here goes nothing.'

The first thing Lily noticed about Platform 9 and ¾ was that the train itself was crimson. The second thing she noticed, or rather, felt was something running into her. She turned around, about to apologize, when she realized it was that maddening boy, (wasn't his name Potter?).

"Hey, Firehead."

"Go away, Spikey."

"Good job!" he said, his face breaking into a, if it was even possible, more infuriating grin. "I haven't heard that insult before! I sound like a weapon!"

"I'm not even going there," said Lily, rolling her eyes. Just then, she saw Emmeline, and turned back to her bag, when she realized it was gone. She looked at James, and barely saw him, sprinting towards the train. Glancing toward Emmeline, she ran. And Emmeline followed. Just as Lily was boarding the train, she saw the round-faced blonde girl she had seen at Madame Malkins'. So she decided to ask her. "Did you see a thin boy w/ messy black hair run by here perchance?"

"Are you talking about the boy carrying two trunks?" responded the girl curiously.

"That would be him. Which way did he go?" asked Lily breathlessly.

"He stole her trunk," added Emmeline for clarification on Lily's intents.

"Oh! Of course- I see. He went into that compartment, with both trunks. He really should have put them in the baggage compartment. I thought it was odd. I see why now."

"Thanks so much- uh- what's your name?" said Lily.

"Alice. What's yours?"

"Lily."

"And I'm Emmeline. Call me Em if you like."

"I think we need a plan," began Lily thoughtfully.

"We could just walk in and take it," pointed out Emmeline, "But that wouldn't be as much fun," she added with a grin. That being said, the girls found a compartment and began discussing the issue.

"Well," began Alice, "If we had a diversion, and one person operated the diversion, the other person could run into the compartment and grab the trunk."

"Brilliant," said Lily, brows furrowed in thought, "They don't know you, Alice, so he wouldn't be suspicious if you peaked into the compartment, asking if they, (because there's probably more than one), could help you get your trunk out of the baggage compartment."

"You could lay it on thick with, 'you strong boys' and 'I'm not able to lift it because I'm a girl' nonsense boys always lap up," suggested Emmeline with a devious smirk on her face.

"Sure, that'll be fun to do," winked Alice.

Meanwhile, when James had run into the first empty compartment he caught sight of, he had shut the door, and sat down, not really knowing what to do next. He wasn't really sure why he had just stolen the redhead's trunk, but it had been just too tempting when she had looked away. And she needed a little back for calling him "Spikey." A few minutes later, another boy cracked open the door. He seemed to be in an argument with someone, by the sound, a girl.

"I don't want to sit with you, Trix. Leave me alone," the boy had said, almost growling.

"Well, don't blame me if you have to sit with some dirty Mudblood," the girl, James assumed must be Trix.

"Oh shut it and leave me alone," he said, and with that shut the door and sat down. He looked up and said, "Mind if I sit here?" to James, as though James might think that he was something nasty if he did.

"No." answered James, wondering what kind of life the boy had lived after what he had just heard from 'Trix.' James stood up, and said, "Name's Potter. James Potter. What's yours?"

"Black. Sirius Black. Named after a ruddy constellation. My whole family's mad," Sirius looked up for the first time, "That girl you probably overheard me talking to is my cousin. Bellatrix Black. She's bad news."

"Black, eh? As in the 'Most Ancient and Noble House of Black?" asked James incredulously.

"That'd be it. Mind you, I'm not proud of it. My whole family is obsessed with blood purity and upholding the family 'honor.'" Sirius said bitterly. "Everyone in the family thinks I'm nutters."

"Nah- you're just the 'black sheep' of the family. No pun intended," laughed James, trying to lighten up the boy's mood.

Sirius laughed a bark-like laugh. "Just watch me not get into Slytherin like the rest of them." He saw James' eyebrows raise. "Yeah, they're all Slytherins. But it figures, doesn't it?"

"Well, mate, just 'cause they're that way doesn't mean you have to be. I want to be sorted into Gryffindor."

"Yeah- that wouldn't be bad. They're all expecting me to mess up. Getting sorted into Gryffindor, hanging out with someone with the last name Potter- might as well go whole hog."

Just then, a pale, exhausted boy opened the door and asked, "Alright if I sit here?"

"Sure," the other two boys replied.

"Remus Lupin," the new boy said with a smile.

"Sirius Black."

"James Potter."

Before more could be said, two other boys ushered in, looking slightly flustered. "The rest are full. Mind if we—"

"Go right ahead," said James, with a grin on his face.

"Peter Pettigrew," said the short, blonde one.

"Frank Longbottom," said the taller one, with straight brown hair.

James decided to introduce everyone there and then, or introductions could possibly last all day. "I'm James Potter, that boy there, with the black hair is Sirius Black, and the other whom you don't know yet is Remus Lupin."

The boys sat in awkward silence, until, Remus broke it with, "So,what's your Quidditch team?" Which instantly started arguments about whose team was better and so on and so forth.

Just then, the girls were leaving their compartment to fulfill their mission: Mission Lily's Trunk. Alice knocked on the door of the compartment, and it slid open, revealing five boys who looked slightly put out. "Sorry to interrupt, but could you all help me get my trunk down? It's so heavy, and I thought you strong boys could move it," asked Alice in a soft, sweet voice.

All five boys jumped up, and James said, "Sure. Where is it?" Alice beckoned to them, and they followed her, feeling very manly. After the boys were off "helping Alice," Lily and Emmeline scampered into the compartment, and grabbed Lily's trunk, giggling all the while about how gullible boys were. Safely back into their own compartment, the girls waited for Alice to return.

Alice felt like laughing at the boys, who she could tell were feeling quite important. She nearly felt sorry for them, but not when Sirius said, "It's a good thing we were here. A girl like you probably couldn't lift much." Alice almost said, "Oh you'd be surprised what a girl like me could do," then she realized that she was right next to the place where she had stored her trunk.

"It's right here," announced Alice, gesturing to the compartment above their heads. Frank reached for it, and said, "It doesn't weigh that much, guys. Here," he said, handing it to Alice, who forgot that she couldn't lift it, and held it quite capably.

"You said you couldn't carry it!" declared Peter, trying to understand why this was happening.

"Well, I guess I was wrong," shrugged Alice noncommitally. "Thanks for your help. I guess I'll see you later." And she walked off. But James wasn't satisfied with that.

"That was odd- let's see who she's sitting with," he realized suddenly what might just have happened. "But first, let's go back to our compartment."

They walked back to the compartment. "James! One of your trunks is gone!" cried Sirius, a bit worried that someone had stolen his new friend's trunk.

"I knew it!" exclaimed James. "It was a trap!"

"Wait- so that girl was just a ploy to get us out of here?" asked Remus, who was pretty quick.

"Why would she want to do that?" asked Peter, who was the opposite of Remus.

"Let's go find her," continued Sirius.

"You mean, them," corrected James with authority. "Look for a compartment with a redhead in it."

"Does this chick like you or something, James?" asked Sirius, his brown eyes glittering with mischief.

With a smirk on his face, James replied, "You could put it that way," and he opened the door to the suspect compartment.

Remus, ever the diplomat, began, "It seems that you have taken something that belongs to my friend, James Potter. Would you be so kind as to return it?"

"HIS TRUNK!" shouted Lily angrily. "HIS TRUNK MY ARSE! If you all had observed, it says, "Lily Evans" on it in gold letters."

"Oh, my apologies," said an astounded Remus, but to James he hissed, "Why didn't you tell us you stole the trunk?"

"We would have left a guard," added Sirius wisely.

"Like that would have saved you," snorted Lily furiously.

"One boy is no match for Private Evans and Private Vance," replied Emmeline saucily, tossing her long brown hair.

"You'll regret this, Firehead! Or should I say, Evans?" spat out James. She had just ruined his prank, and made him look like a fool.

"Oh no, I think it's you who will regret this, Potter," returned Lily.

"And you," said Sirius to Alice, who was shaking with laughter, "Are included on our hit list."

When Alice laughed at him, it didn't seem to dull his irritation.

"Now get out of here," said Lily, slowly but deliberately, her green eyes flashing dangerously.

"Okay," said Peter, starting to step back. But James stopped him, "Don't think this is the end, Evans, and you too, Vance. I don't even know you're name," he added, glaring at Alice.

"And you don't need to," returned Alice cheekily, a dimple appearing on her cheek.

"Now GET OUT RIGHT NOW!" shouted Emmeline. She was taller than Peter, who was right then cowering in fear behind Sirius, who was the tallest.

"C'mon, let's clear this joint," said James. "By the way, Evans, your trunk may have some surprises in it." And with a wink and devilish grin appearing on his face, he turned, followed by the rest of the boys.

When they had all gone, the girls sat down and congratulated each other.

"Way to deflate their egos, partners in crime!" said Emmeline proudly.

"Brilliant idea, girls. Don't you think, Evans?" said Alice, who had to tease Lily about what James called her.

"Very funny. Honestly, that boy doesn't know when to stop. He can make fun of my hair, but he shouldn't steal my things," stated Lily quite decisively.

"If I didn't know better, I would almost think that he had a crush on you, Lily," commented Emmeline with a smile.

"Ha! Imagine us trying to get along for more than 5 seconds. Very amusing, Em."

"So," said Alice as if changing the subject, "What house do you two want to be in?"

"House?" asked Lily and Emmeline blankly, waiting for Alice to clarify herself.

"You two don't know about the four Hogwarts houses?" asked Alice.

"We are muggleborn, you know," Lily reminded Alice.

"We'll probably not know well-known facts," said Emmeline, with a sigh.

"Oh- don't worry about it. You won't be too far behind. You two are smart. So do you want to hear about the four houses?"

"Yes!"

"Okay. Well, there's Gryffindor, that's where the brave ones get sorted. Then there's Ravenclaw for the clever, Hufflepuff for the loyal and hard-working, and Slytherin for the resourceful and ambitious. The first three will accept all different kinds of witches and wizards, but Slytherin only accepts purebloods and half-bloods. I want to be sorted into Gryffindor- my parents were, you see," explained Alice.

"I don't care where they put me, as long as it's not Slytherin," said Emmeline.

"Same- except, do people in the same houses have classes together?" asked Lily, with a shrewd look on her face.

"Yes, and dorms, and sit at the same table," replied Alice.

"Well then, I hope James Potter and I are in different houses."

"And some say Hufflepuffs are 'duffers,' but if I got sorted into it, I wouldn't mind," added Alice, feeling that she must educate her friends on all information she knew.

"Aren't they the loyal and hard-working? What's so bad about that?" asked Emmeline with a confused expression on her face.

"I guess people think they're pushovers."

"Well, I want to be in Gryffindor," declared Lily.

"Gryffindor or Ravenclaw sounds good," agreed Emmeline.

At that moment, an older witch stuck her head into their compartment. "You all need to get changed into your school uniform right now. We're due at Hogwarts very soon."

After she had departed, the three girls opened their trunks to get their robes out. Lily gasped. She had forgotten what Potter had said about "surprises." "Potter is going to die." She didn't say this in an emotional tone, she said it as if it were a fact that could be found in an encyclopedia, only witches and wizards didn't have encyclopedias.

The girls looked over at Lily. Then they saw it. The whole inside of the top was covered in "James is bloody awesome," and "Potter for President," and "James rocks my socks off." And it wouldn't come off.

"Don't worry, Lily, we'll make him pay," said Emmeline conspiratorially.

"It's too bad we don't like them," said Alice, "Because the one with straight, brown hair was cute. And I think he thought I was cute too."

"Honestly, Alice! At a time like this, you're thinking about how cute a boy is?" Lily could not believe this.

"Don't worry, Lily. I am completely on your side. But he did get my trunk down, and he wasn't really doing anything wrong."

"True. It was all James, with support from the tallest one," commented Emmeline.

Before the girls could say anymore, the train stopped. The girls had been too busy talking, but now, they noticed that there was a huge lake, and distantly, a majestic stone castle.

The girls closed their trunks, and opened the door to their compartment. The aisle was very crowded, since everyone else was just as anxious to get out of the train as they were. When they finally got out, they immediately saw a giant-like man with wild black hair, beckoning to them, shouting, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" The girls walked towards the towering figure, and waited for the rest of the first years to finish convening in the area by the man, who introduced himself as "Rubeus Hagrid, Gamekeeper and Keeper of the Keys at Hogwarts." He told them to board small boats anchored to the shore of the lake. The three girls took one, and when everyone was situated, though not by any means comfortably, Hagrid untied all the boats and, as if propelled by magic (and they probably were), the boats sailed smoothly towards the castle.

The first years arrived safely to the shore, and soon found themselves in the magnificent castle that would be their home for seven years. But the first years were not thinking of those seven years. They were dwelling on what was imminent and inescapable: the Sorting.

Lily recognized Professor McGonagall, and realized that she was approaching them. Her very presence seemed to switch off the volume the students had been creating a second earlier.

"In just a few minutes, you will be sorted into one of Hogwarts' four different houses. These houses will be like your families while you are here for the next seven years. Each is extraordinary in its own way, and I hope you will be a merit to which ever one you are sorted into. You may want to tidy yourselves up a bit," she said, eyeing James' hair, which as usual, gave the appearance of having braved a bad electric storm.

"How do we get sorted into the different houses if nobody really knows what kind of a person each of us is?" asked Lily, who was twisting a piece of hair out of anxiety for what was to come.

"My father said something about this talking hat, that can read your mind," said Alice, who looked quite nervous herself.

"Do we do it in front of the entire school?" wondered Emmeline aloud.

As if in answer to her question, the girls turned around to see Sirius saying, "So you put this ugly, patched hat on, and it tells you what house you'll be in, and shouts it out to the entire school. Then, you go to that house's table. At least, that's what my cousin Bellatrix said. But you can never be completely sure with her."

"That's not what my dad said!" said James. "I should have known he was joking when he said we had to drink Veritaserum potion while Professor Dumbledore asked us embarrassing questions in front of the entire student body."

"I don't even want to think about what I would have said," murmured Remus.

"Yeah- that would be really embarrassing. Don't know if I could ever show my face again," laughed Sirius shakily, who seemed to have grown jumpier as each minute brought them closer to being sorted.

Luckily, the students were to be in suspense no longer. Professor McGonagall gestured to them with her hand, and led them into an enormous room.

"This must be the Great Hall," whispered Alice to Lily and Emmeline.

Then, everyone hushed. A tall, ageless wizard with a long, silver beard spoke. "Good evening. Welcome to Hogwarts, both old and new. I have nothing more to say at this moment, except- let the Sorting begin!"

Everyone's attention veered from the wizard to a very old, frayed hat. Suddenly, it started singing. It's song described each house, validating what Alice had said earlier aboard the Hogwarts Express. After it finished its song, it began calling names of first years.

"Abbot, Andrew!" Andrew walked timidly towards the hat, which covered his head completely. A few seconds later, the hat was shouting, "HUFFLEPUFF!" and Andrew walked, more quickly this time, toward the Hufflepuff table, amid lots of cheering from his new house.

"Black, Andromeda!" A girl with strawberry hair was soon sorted into "RAVENCLAW!"

"Black, Sirius!" Sirius walked forward, very deliberately, as if to prove to himself that he wasn't afraid. He placed the Sorting hat on his head, and heard it say, "Ah, another Black. The 'Black Sheep,' are you? Not like the rest? I see you're very smart, very brave, I daresay- extremely reckless. Lot's of loyalty, too. I don't see much ambition, some resourcefulness. Yes, I know- you don't care about blood purity. Well, it's quite obvious that you should be in "GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius looked very relieved. He grinned at the cheering Gryffindor table. Then, he looked back at the Slytherin table. They seemed an unpleasant lot. He saw Bellatrix glaring at him under heavy-lidded eyes. But he just smirked at her, at which she narrowed her eyes. Although he was going to get heck for being in Slytherin's nemesis Gryffindor, it was worth it. He had never gotten along with his family- and they were all Slytherins. So why would things change now?

It was about to be Lily's turn to be sorted. Calm? Collected? Definitely not. She kept saying, "What if we don't get into the same house? What if I shouldn't be here at all? What if I don't belong in any of them? What if—" she began, but "Evans, Lily" was called out before she could finish. Emmeline and Alice nudged her towards the hat, and Lily walked trancelike forward. She put it on, and "Well, you're quite complicated. But I'm sure you realized that. Very smart, very loyal and kind-hearted. And very brave. I can see you're willing to take risks. Yes, even though your very smart, I can see that you would go with your gut before reason. Very well, I can see that you're meant to be in "GRYFFINDOR!" Lily, who had not realized she had been holding her breath, let it out, and walked back with her head held high toward the excited Gryffindors.

Several more students were sorted, and the next person to be sorted was "Longbottom, Frank." After about 30 seconds, he was sorted into "GRYFFINDOR!" Then it was "Lupin, Remus." Remus walked slowly towards the hat, and put it on carefully. The voice began, "A werewolf, eh? Very interesting. You've been through quite a bit, very brave and smart, aren't you? Ah, I see you wish to be with your new friends. Very well, better be "GRYFFINDOR!"

Remus walked happily towards the welcoming Gryffindors, who pulled out a chair for him and gave him a hardy pat on the back.

"Macmillan, Earnest!" Earnest became a "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Several students more, Peter wasn't doing too well. He was quite overcome with trembling, and when he thought about not being in the same house as those he knew, well, he didn't know what he'd do. "Pettigrew, Peter!" And Peter found himself walking toward the Sorting Hat. When he had put it on (with trembling hands), he heard it say, "Quite a bit of ambition I see, but you lack the resourcefulness, or pureness in blood that Slytherin admired. Not extremely intelligent, but not completely bereft of brains either. Loyal? I don't think so. Well, I see that you also want to be sorted with your new friends. So you'll be in "GRYFFINDOR!" Peter was over-joyed. He practically ran towards Sirius, Remus, and Frank. He flung himself on a chair at the Gryffindor table, not even noticing that "Potter, James" was walking up to the Sorting Hat next until Remus, Sirius, and Frank silenced his excited chatter.

James swaggered confidently towards the Sorting Hat. Sure, he was nervous. But he had a feeling that he was a Gryffindor. No one needed to remind him of what a reckless, impetuous boy he was. He put on the hat, and waited to hear its reply. "So you think you're a Gryffindor? Certainly enough nerve and bravery. You need to work on the chivalry. You're quite intelligent, but I don't think the thirst for knowledge is the key of your existence. Loyal, no doubt. Hard-working- not particularly. Resourceful, yes. Ambitious, yes. I daresay, you would fit into Slytherin, as well as Gryffindor. Eh? Not Slytherin? Ah, I see. They're not all that bad, you know. But your friends. Yes. I see. Godric would be pleased that his heir couldn't be persuaded to be a Slytherin. You didn't know you were? Of course not. Silly me. Go on and join "GRYFFINDOR!" James couldn't believe it. He was Gryffindor's heir? How—amazing. He had never known. And he had nearly been sorted into Slytherin. He shivered slightly, but smiled when his friends welcomed him with open arms. They didn't even hear Alice's name called.

Alice was shivering with excitement. The time had come at last when her true character would be revealed. Which house would she be in? She placed the hat on her head and listened intently to what her "fate decider" was saying. "Quite bright, very loyal, resourceful even, and a little daredevil. Seeking knowledge isn't your first priority, you are not particularly ambitious either. So you'll have to be in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. Very tricky, very tricky. What? You want to be in Gryffindor? Well, then, that speeds things along. "GRYFFINDOR!" Alice beamed at everyone as she walked towards the applauding Gryffindors. She went over to Lily, and sat down; both were waiting with bated breath for Emmeline to be sorted.

"Snape, Severus!' A round-shouldered, sallow boy with straggly, greasy black hair soon was joining the "SLYTHERIN!" table.

"Tonks, Ted!" A boy with curly, chestnut hair was sorted into "RAVENCLAW!"

After many more first years had been sorted, Emmeline heard her name called. With a last glance towards her friend's encouraging faces and thumbs up, she strode forward purposefully to the Sorting Hat. "Oh good, another muggleborn. So that rules out Slytherin. You aren't really an academic person, are you? So that rules out hard-working Hufflepuff, and knowledge- seeking Ravenclaw. So you'll be in "GRYFFINDOR!" Finally, she was sorted. As relief washed over her, Emmeline was nearly skipping toward the Gryffindor table, and her friends. They all hugged- very glad that they were all sorted at last.

A few others were sorted, and then, Dumbledore stood up. "Just a few, well-chosen words. Eat. Up." With a smile, he sat down, signaling everyone to begin.

The golden plates in the center of the table filled up with delicious-looking food, of which students served themselves family-style.

"Blimey! Look at all this grub!" exclaimed Sirius, in ecstasy, and with his mouth full.

"Seriously!" agreed James, packing his plate until it nearly reached his chest when he bent over.

"It tastes good too. And I see you're doing more than looking," teased Remus as he served himself some fish.

"It's better than my mother's," commented Frank with a wry smile. "Her intentions are good, but her cooking isn't." At this, they all chuckled.

Meanwhile, the girls were also enjoying the scrumptious meal.

"I didn't realize I was so hungry!" exclaimed Alice.

"I knew we should have had something on the train!" Lily said.

"It was because of you we didn't, Lily. Remember? We missed the trolley because we were doing "Mission Lily's Trunk," Said Emmeline.

"Oh, you're right. My bad," smiled Lily at her forgetfulness.

"Well, your friend Potter and his mates all seem to have gotten into the same house also. Funny how that happens, huh?" commented Emmeline.

"Oh, great," replied Lily, with her eyes to the sky. 'THE SKY?' thought Lily. "We're inside, so how come we can see the sky?"

"It's enchanted," responded Alice. "My mother told me," she added when she saw their looks of 'how do you know?'

Lily looked across the table and smiled at two girls, whom she recognized as first years.

"Hello," said one of them cheerily, "My name is Marlene McKinnon, "What's yours?"

"Lily Evans. Nice to meet you Marlene."

"I'm Dorcas Meadowes," said the other, who seemed quieter. Lily smiled at her in acquiescence.

As dinner ended, the tall man tapped his spoon to his glass, and the entire room grew quiet, except for a few whispers and giggles.

"Now that we have all filled our bellies, I have a few announcements to make. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Albus Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore to you," he added, his bright blue eyes twinkling behind crescent moon spectacles. "The Forbidden Forest is quite forbidden to all students, and we have a new caretaker, Mr. Argus Filch. He has made a list of forbidden activities that you can all take a look at on the door of his office." His eyes glimmered at this. "Now, all of you are dismissed to your dormitories. Tomorrow, classes resume, so it would be wise to get a good night's rest." His eye lingered on some 7th year Gryffindors, as he sat down again.

Lily, Alice, and Emmeline followed several older-looking students along with other Gryffindors.

"So many staircases and corridors," whispered Emmeline, wide-eyed.

"I know," said Alice, "How will we ever learn them all?"

"I plan to find out tonight," said another voice suddenly. The girls turned around to discover the five boys behind them.

"I'm going to sleep," yawned Lily, her green eyes fluttering with sleepiness.

"Did you like your trunk, Evans?" inquired James mischievously.

Lily replied innocently, "Quite clever, Potter. What charm did you use?"

"The graffita charm. Wait! I wasn't supposed to tell you!" exclaimed James, horrified.

"But you did, Potter. You did," said Lily, with a devious smile on her face.

"Nice one, Lils," said Emmeline.

"Thanks," she turned to James, "They say honeyed words win you more than bitter ones."

"Hm, I'll use that for future reference," murmured Sirius, who actually seemed to find the situation a little amusing.

"Well, won't fall for that again," said James, shaking himself. "I have to admit, Evans, you've got some pretty good comebacks up your sleeve."

"Why, was that a compliment?" asked Lily, pretend shock written all over her face.

"I do believe it was, Evans," replied Alice, winking roguishly at Lily, knowing that being referred to as "Evans" annoyed to her.

"We're here," declared Remus, who had merely watched his friend make a fool of himself.

They all stepped into a magnificent room, covered in scarlet and gold: Gryffindor's colors. They all breathed in awe. Then, the older students, called prefects, directed them towards their new dormitories. The girls went up one staircase, and the boys up another.

When the girls reached their rooms, they found their trunks had already been placed by their red, four-poster beds. It turned out that all the first year girls shared a dorm. They all undressed and got ready for bed. Most collapsed into bed. They were "home" at last.

The boys also went to sleep soon, despite what James had said about exploring. But Sirius couldn't resist commenting, as they got into their beds, "James, you certainly seem to make an arse of yourself whenever you talk to Lily Evans." James just rolled over and pretended to be asleep.