Disclaimer: I do not own anyone, or anything,in this chapter other than Wynter, Gwen, Thyra or Ian.

I know the story is going slow, but it is here to give background on a story I will be writing very soon. Please R&R and I shall give you cookies and hugs.

Chapter 2: The Verdict

When she lifted her head again, she saw Snape walking though the halls. She separated herself from the group and tried to catch up with him. When she finally did, she tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around quickly; his eyes looked at her accusingly.

"H-hi," she had forgotten why she had pursued after him.

"Yes? What would you like?" he asked, his eyes darting around to make sure no one saw them talking.

"I-I..I just wanted to apologize for my brother and his friends' actions."

"Don't bother me with this.. Go away" he said and he quickly turned, causing his robes to swirl behind him as he walked away. She figured there was no reason in following him so she, once again, went to catch up with the first years.

She finally found them all clustered together outside the dining hall. She rejoined them unnoticed and followed them in. Everyone stared at them as they walked between the middle of the tables. She looked around in awe as many of the first years were doing. They formed a line and were called up one by one to sit on a chair and have a hat placed on their head. The hat told them which house they were to belong in.

"Gwen Forgehorn."

The girl who had been with the boy who had bumped into her walked up to the chair, her long, wavy, dirty-blond hair waved behind her. She sat there for a few moments and was soon announced as a new member of Gryffindor.

"Vandathyra Forgehorn."

The boy who had bumped into her with black hair walked up to the chair. Wynter figured that he was Gwen's brother; twins it seemed. He was also put into the Gryffindor house; as was the other boy that had been with them, whose name turned out to be 'Ian Huntinghawk'.

Wynter stood patiently, watching her peers sit on the chair, be put into a house and be welcomed with cheers. She wondered why they all seemed so calm; she was wringing her hands in nervousness. She looked around for her brother and found him sitting quietly by James and Sirius, who were having an intense conversation.

"Wynter Lupin."

Wynter look forward, startled. She then walked up to the chair and sat down. The large hat was placed on her head, the rim coming down over her eyes. She wondered if something was wrong since the hat did not seem to be doing anything. In her mind she was pleading to be put into Gryffindor. Finally, a voice spoke in her mind.

"You want to be in Gryffindor? I think you would do better in Hufflepuff; you seem to have very pure magic and a kind heart."

"Please! Couldn't I go into Gryffindor?"

"Why do you prefer that house?"

"My brother is in it, sir."

The hat seemed to be considering it. She sat silent and still, waiting for the verdict. She was going to say something when she heard the booming voice of the hat.

"Gryffindor!"

She could hear whistles and cheers as the hat was pulled off her head. She looked around to see Remus, James, Sirius, Wormtail, Lily and the other girls from the cabin, standing and clapping. Wynter made her way over to the table. Lily asked Wynter to sit over near her; Wynter accepted the offer and sat next to her.

Lily told her that she was a prefect so she would be showing them to their dormitories. She explained to her that once Dumbledore was finished his speech, they would eat and then go up to their dormitories. Once all the first years were sorted into their houses, the man at the front stood. He had a long white beard and half moon spectacles.

He introduced himself as the headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. He then welcomed the first years and welcomed back all the other students. He talked about current issues and finished by wishing them a good year. Wynter was astonished by the food just appearing on the table. Everyone dug in and began eating. Conversations started up and the room was soon filled with laughter. Lily talked with her a bit before being distracted by a first year throwing up. She helped the girl out of the room and into the bathroom; only to throw up again at the appearance of Mertel.

Wynter finished her meal without speaking anymore. Dessert came around, though she did not eat much. She was not very hungry so she finished what she had taken and looked around. She inspected the banners above her that were red with a golden lion rearing up on it. Everyone around her seemed to be having a good time, so she continued to sit quietly until the meal was done.

Lily had come back in time to collect the first years from Gryffindor. They all were quiet as she led them up the ever-moving stair cases with the other Gryffindor prefect, Gregory. She gave the usual warning about getting lost. The finally arrived at a portrait of a lady; Lily turned around to face them.

"This is the entrance of our quarters. Please pay attention to the password. It will change every now and then so please be aware." She swung back around. "Pickled Plums."

The portrait swung open and they followed Lily inside. They looked around. There were already people inside, sitting in the chairs around the fire. Lily whistled to get their attention again.

"Your suitcases are already up in your rooms. Girls if you will follow me I will show you to your dorms. Boys, please follow Gregory," she said. She started up the stairs and began to point out each person's room. Wynter found she shared a room with Gwen and two other girls; Aletta and Elayna.

Wynter took a look around her dorms before going back down the stairs to the common room. When she got down there, a party was raging. She finally found her brother, who gave her a smile. James clapped her on the back before asking her if she had seen Lily. Wynter had shaken her head, and James wandered off in search of her. Wynter got a drink and went back to talk with Sirius and Remus. Wormtail seemed to have disappeared. She talked for a little while with her train mates before dozing off in the she was sitting in.

She woke up to voice talking quietly. The music was gone and it seemed that these people were the only ones still out of their rooms. Wynter kept her eyes closed, not wanting to disrupt their conversation. She recognized their voices.

"So, what's your room like, Gwen?"

"It's alright.. Sharing it with her and these other two girls.." Wynter figured Gwen had gestured towards her.

"It could be worse.." said another voice.

"I guess. What are your rooms like? Or are you and Thyra sharing one?"

"Pretty plain. The guys in our room seem kind of boring."

There was silence for a while. Wynter was unsure what they were doing. They began whispering in quieter voices; Wynter tried to listen, but stopped, realizing it was rude. She could hear a few people walked overhead as they were going off the bed.

"Do you figure we should wake her up? Sleeping like that must not be comfortable," said Thyra.

"I guess we should, said Gwen. There was a shuffle of feet, and Wynter could feel heat next to her. Her heart began to beat faster as a hand rested on her should and gave her a little shake. Wynter waited a few moments before opening her eyes. Her eyes would only stay half open as she looked around. Ian and Gwen were staring in her direction. She looked up to see Thyra looking down at her anxiously.

Wynter looked down at her watch. One o' clock? She had her first day of classes that day! Her eyes widened. She could hear Gwen cough, trying to mask her laughter.

"We thought you might want to head up to bed," said Thyra, causing her to look up into his amethyst-like eyes. They seemed concerned. She was confused; why would he be worried about her? She could not think of any thing to say, so she just blinked mindlessly.

"Sorry for waking you.." he said, his voice had lost some of the friendliness.

"It's okay," she said. She did not like how they were all acting. She rubbed her eyes and swung her feet to the floor. She got up and straightened out her robes. She thanked them before bidding them goodnight.

Well that's it for now, I know it was kind of short, but oh well. Remember to review because you love me -nods-

Response to Readers:

Jenna: Thanks for the taro cookie. And here is the next chapter for you, thanks for the review :)