Thank you for being patient everyone. It's been too long. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I loved writing it!

Bellissia knew she was going to like Hogwarts. The minute she could first see the castle from the train, she gasped like an eleven-year-old. She loved the turrets, towers, and gothic styling. Her old school was just a building similar to her old apartment complex; simple and brick. This was breathtaking. She felt Remus looking at her.

"It's bewitched to look like an abandon warehouse to muggles."

"Wow," was all she could muster.

As the train screeched to a stop, she and Annie somehow got separated from Remus and the others. Annie said something to her, but it was impossible to hear over the chatter of the students, the notice of the carriages and the big man shouting "Firs' years!" The carriages caught her attention. Harnessed into them, like horses, were—thestrals. She shivered. She had only read about thestrals in her Magical Creatures books. She had hoped she would never have to see one. Annie noticed her odd expression and pulled her away from them. She yelled in Bellissia's ear.

"Don't worry, the thestrals are perfectly safe, the older kids ride in the carriages, but you have to ride in the boats with the first years. It's so you can be sorted into a house. Cross your fingers for Gryffendor!"

The girls waved bye to each other and headed their separate ways. She, of course, wanted to be Gryffendor like her cousin and his friends. She figured she'd get it too, from what she had heard about the houses. She was not evil, sure, she didn't mind teasing a bit or a nice joke, but that was no reason for her to be in Slytherin. She was not especially smart. She did alright grade-wise, but it's not like she would ever waste time studying when there was fun to be had! So Ravenclaw was out of the question. She didn't feel she belonged in Hufflepuff either, the catch-all house. She was NOT an "everybody else." She was Bellissia. She was the one who had the nerve to make out with any boy, and then never acknowledge him again. She took any dare. Always. She never backed out on her word. It there was anything she hated, it was liars. Gryffendor had to be her place. Her feet led her to the big, shaggy man with a lantern.

"Ah, new student, eh?" the giant man asked.

"Yeah, I'm Bellissia, Remus Lupin's—"

"Cousin, yes, I know. Dumbledore's told me. Well, hop in a boat, lassie!"

Gingerly, she climbed into a rowboat occupied only by a boy with blonde hair and thin glasses. He told her his name (John), but she quickly forgot it. She was so bad with names. Their boat crossed the lake and gave the newcomers the most spectacular view of the castle yet. When the ride was finally over, John scrambled out and graciously offered a hand to Bellissia. She grinned at his flushed cheeks as she slid her hand into his. When they were standing side-by-side, she felt very tall indeed. She was nearly a foot past him! The students clumped together in the entrance hall, waiting to be let in. Everyone looked nervous, especially what's-his-name.

"I better get into Gryffendor. All my family before me has, my mum, dad, and my sister. Do you know my sister? She's in seventh year. Her name is Annette, Annie? Bellissia smiled.

"Yes, I know her. I just met her on the train. She's dating my cousin Remus."

"Wow! Remus is your cousin! That's so cool! Annie always talks about him. He's a Prefect!" John said with awe. Bellissia suddenly regretted forgetting this kid's name. Was it Josh? No. Jeremy? No, it was shorter. Joe? That sounds right.

"Don't worry, Joe. I'm sure you'll get into Gryffendor. Hopefully that's where I'm headed as well." He smiled up at her. Mentally, she congratulated herself on give some kick-butt advice, and for remembering his name.

"Thanks, but my name's John."

As Bellissia cringed, she took back all of her mental praise and replaced it with a scolding for calling John the wrong name. The students were all lead into the Great Hall by a man with a long silver beard and half-moon glasses. He introduced himself as Professor Dumbledore. He said a few words about the sorting, but, honestly, who was listening? Everyone was looking at the ceiling (which looked like the night's sky or at the many students looking at them. Bellissia scanned the room and quickly foundd her friends. She caught Remus's wave, James's smile, and Sirius's wink. She smiled back at all of them. She was John wave at Annie and her return the favor. Then the old man unfurled a long list and stepped aside to reveal a worn out hat resting on a tool. A large rip near the bottom of the hat opened wide and a strange song was emitted. He (assuming the hat was of the male gender) sang about the different houses and the founding of the school. When he finished, the hall burst into applause. Bellissia was impressed. Then, the professor began to read off the names from his list. Bellissia quickly figured out that the names were in alphabetical order. She prepared herself to go after "Allen, Brittany," but the next name called was "Boyd, Andrew." She stood there, slightly puzzled. She turned to her new friend, but right at that moment "Canterby, John," was called up. She wished him luck as he passed by. The hat was quiet for a while, but then shouted "GRYFFENDOR!" She saw her boys cheering loudly, especially Remus, as John went to sit down. Her mind then wandered to her previous dilemma. Perhaps she had been registered as "Bellissia Lupin." That was it. She waited and waited. Finally, "Kroner, Stephen" was called. Again, she braced herself. Again, she was disappointed. As Stephen stepped down and "Matterhorn, Wesley" came forth. Ok, that wasn't it. She kind of figured she would not be a Lupin. Antonia knew she wanted to keep her last name. Angenelo is a great last name. Antonia herself kept it too, kind of. The only explanation was that she had been forgotten. Pure and simple. Oh well. She would just wait patiently for the old man to finish, and then she would waltz up there, inform him that his list was faulty, and grab that hat. No big.

XXXXX

Back at the Gryffendor table, the Marauders were wondering why Bellissia was not being called.

"Maybe they forgot her," James mused.

"How could you forget about Bella?" Sirius asked him pointedly.

Remus chuckled. "I doubt she was forgotten. I'll bet Dumbledore's just saving her until the end. You know, introduce her and all. Make sure everyone know she's not just some first year."

"Hey!" John shouted, who was sitting next to Remus with only Annie separating them. "That girl's...nice," he said, a pink tinge rising in his cheeks.

"Looks like you may have some competition, Padfoot," James said as he punched Sirius in the arm. Sirius just laughed, but Remus swore he could see the same rose color in his face.

XXXXX

After the very last name on Dumbledore's list was called he rolled it up with a flick of his wand. Bellissia started purposefully marching toward him, but he put up a hand to stop her.

"Students, that is all the first years. However, we have one new addition to the seventh years. Bellissia Angenelo. Bellissia, I trust the students and staff members will welcome you kindly. Bellissia moved here over the summer from New York City. Now, if you please..." Dumbledore gestured to the hat. Bellissia slowly walked over to the stool taking confident strides. She purposefully looked at each table and gave her best, "You know you want me" smile. Look out the top of your eyes. Tilt your head slightly. Give a half-smile and make the rest of your face soft. Her shoulders were rolled back. She did everything just how her grandmother had taught her. Grandmother had been a beauty queen in Italy. When she reached the stool she knew she had the attention of every person in the hall focused directly on her. Well, at leas the attention of all of the boys, and that was how she liked it best. She perched herself on the stool and crossed her ankles. She then placed the hat on her head.

"Hello Miss Angenelo. How I remember your cousin and uncle! I see that sense of independence and the confidence," said a little voice in her head.

All she could think was "Will you put me in Gryffendor with Remmy?"

"Of course I'll put you in Gryffendor. All you have to do is ask." And then, out loud, the hat shouted "GRYFFENDOR!"

There was roar emitted from the Gryffendor table. Bellissia stood up, smoothed her skirt, took off the hat, and walked over to the boys, smiling her cocky smile. Remus caught her around the middle in a swinging hug. James and Sirius both high-fived her. Annie smiled, but it looked pretty forced. She was obviously jealous that her sorting had warranted much more attention from Remus than John's. John was positively beaming. As soon as Remus put her down she winked at him and messed up his blonde hair. She attempted to sit down, but there really wasn't much room. The boys tried to scoot to make room, but it was useless. She simply settled one butt-cheek on Remus's knee and one on Sirius's knee. It was not entirely comfortable, but, hey, it worked for the remainder of dinner. The food was delicious, but Bellissia felt Antonia could cook better. She voiced this opinion to Remus and he smiled and nodded in agreement. When the feast was over, they all started back to the dormitories. James and Lily had to lead the new students to the tower. Annie followed, dragging Remus, as well. Peter murmured something about the library. Sirius and Bellissia were alone. They started walking towards Gryffendor Tower, but Sirius decided now would be the perfect time for a tour of the castle. Bellissia readily agreed.

They walked all over, staying out way past curfew. When they finally made it to the tower, the common room was empty. Amid the stacks of books and the strewn school supplies, was an old-fashioned record player with a turntable and everything. Bellissia grinned.

"Hey now, that could be somebody's personal stuff, they might not want you messing with it," Sirius protested as Bellissia fingered the needle.

"What are you going to do, report me?" she said lowly. She dropped the needle onto the spinning record. The smooth voice of Billie Holliday filled the room. She closed her eyes and danced to the rhythm. She soon felt a pair of strong hands wrap around her waist. Unsurprised, she looked up at a pair of clear blue eyes gazing at her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed herself to be moved around the room. His hands slipped from her waist down to her hips. He dipped her. As she came up she pressed her body onto his. Then she grabbed one of his hands. He raised his eyebrows. She nodded as he began to spin her. He stopped her with the other hand. Then he stretched her far out and whipped her back into his arms. The song ended. They were both breathing heavily, but they did not let go of each other.

"Nice moves, Black."

"Same to you, Angenelo." They looked at each other for a couple of seconds. Bellissia then jumped on him, wrapping her legs around his waist. She kissed him hard. Sirius, slightly shocked at first, soon recovered and grabbed her butt (partly to hold her up!). Bellissia's hands immediately went to his hair, messing it all up. Sirius staggered back and fell onto the couch, still passionately kissing Bellissia. Soon it turned from plain kissing to full-on tongue action. As, he no longer had to hold her up, his hands wandered to other regions. At last, they pulled away.

"Nice lips, Black." Bellissia whispered in his ear as she got up and walked toward the dormitory labeled "Seventh Year Girls." Sirius just gaped at her as she disappeared inside. Oh man, Moony was going to kill him!