Rose, Harry, and Lianne all recognized Minerva McGonagall, but those that did not were absolutely terrified of the thin-lipped old woman who glared at them from the top of the steps.

Leading them to a room and telling them to stay there, she swept off into the corridors of Hogwarts.

The soon-to-be students buzzed with excitement as soon as McGonagall left.

'I think they're going to make us do a spell!'

'No, we need to sing the Hogwarts anthem!'

Harry was amused. 'There isn't a bloody Hogwarts anthem,' he whispered. Lianne, Rose, Calder, and Lotte laughed.

McGonagall was back, soon, however, and quickly alphabetized them, giving a small wink to Rose, Lianne, and Harry. Then, following her, the petrified first years walked into the Great Hall.

Lianne's streak had changed to brown, to blend in with her hair, as it did when she was afraid. Harry's white face made his freckles and hair stand out even more.

Rose was afraid, but hid it very well. She was nowhere near any of her friends.

She shivered slightly. What if the hat suddenly stuck to her head and she was forced to go around with a hat on her head for life? What if – she kicked herself mentally. Worrying would do her no good.

A tattered hat sitting on a stool suddenly began to sing:

When I was new and stiff

Not a single patch had I

But rips and tears I soon did have

As the centuries passed me by

Now here I sit before you

Singing my same song

You think no less of me

You doubt I could be wrong

The houses grew divided

With each person the dark lord slew

And as the houses grew divided

So did all of you

For you all think that one who looks

And talks and thinks alike

Is superior than all the rest

And anything otherwise

Is deserving of your spite

But as you judge and as you grow

Think of the trust you place in me

For if you stop to look at something torn and tattered

You may find what you didn't expect to see.

The hall was quiet for a few seconds, but then McGonagall began to call names.

'Acherbee, Daniel!'

'Hufflepuff!'

The sorting had begun.

'Ducan, Elwood!'

'Ravenclaw!'

'Finnagan, Kevin!'

'Hufflepuff!'

Rose's stomach clenched tightly. A thousand what-if's swarmed around in her head, but she did her best to ignore them.

'Longbottom, Calder!'

Rose strained to see her new friend.

'Gryffindor!'

A man that looked almost identical to Calder clapped proudly from the staff table.

'Longbottom, Lotte!'

'Gryffindor!'

Rose went back to trying to ignore the what-if's, until –

'Lupin, Lianne!'

'Gryffindor!'

Now she really wanted to be in Gryffindor.

'Malfoy-Parkinson, Nicolette!'

'Slytherin!'

The girl from the train smiled smugly, and walked to the Slytherin table.

Rose glared at her back. Another reason for not wanting to be in Slytherin.

'Nielson, Lucas!'

This time, the sorting hat took an exceptionally long time. Gleefully, Rose thought that the boy really didn't belong in Hogwarts -

'Gryffindor!'

Every Slytherin in the room looked dumbfounded, but not so much as the boy. His face was sheet-white, but he walked to the Gryffindor table, head held high.

'He's the son of one of the major death eaters,' she heard someone whisper behind her. 'They had to change their surname to avoid capture, but everyone knows who the Nielsons really are. The Ministry just can't find proof. I can't believe he's in Gryffindor…'

Son of a death eater? Hell, Rose thought, wasn't it obvious?

She was completely caught off guard when she heard McGonagall call

'Potter, Rose!'

Surprised murmurs ran throughout the length of the hall. 'He had a daughter? Oh, but she has his eyes. He died too young to have a child! Guess not, heard her Mum's that Weasley girl. Really?'

Disguising her fear expertly, she walked up to the stool, sat down, and, feeling rather foolish, jammed the hat down over her eyes.

'Oh, look what we have here,' a little voice said. 'Like father like daughter, eh? You shouldn't be too hard to place – but wait! What's this? Oho, you'd go well in Slytherin, just like your father…'

Rose blanched. 'I do not want to be in Slytherin' she thought fiercely, 'and judge me for me, not my father.'

She heard the hat chuckle. 'Well, well, look at this fire! The brains to get into Ravenclaw, the loyalty for Hufflepuff, the ambition and cunning for Slytherin, Oh, but look – the bravery, daring, hotheaded-ness AND the intelligence for Gryffindor. Are you sure that's what you want, dearie?'

'Hell yes,' Rose thought.

The hat laughed again. 'I love the Potters.'

'Gryffindor!'

Blinking, Rose took the hat off her head, and swore she heard the hat chuckle behind her. Glaring at it, she walked to the Gryffindor table, where Lianne and some upperclassmen were actually cheering.

Lucas glared at her, and she glared back, then felt a twinge of sadness for him. It was clear no one at the Gryffindor table wanted him there.

Mentally, she shrugged. He had been awful to her on the train, and she was too proud to do anything about his current status.

Rose happily plopped down between Lianne and Calder, smiling at Lotte from across the table. Soon, Harry joined them.

Finally, with 'Zerlent, Dana' the sorting ended.

Aberforth Dumbledore stood up and surveyed the students. He wore bright purple robes with sequined carrots, and a bright blue hat with goats embroidered on it. Smiling cheerfully at them, he began to speak.

'The forbidden forest is off limits to all students that wish to keep their limbs intact. See Mr. Filch for the updated list of banned items. And, finally, Be your ears never green!' Waving at them, he sat down and began talking to Professor McGonagall. The feast began.

'Erm, Matt?' Rose asked her eldest cousin. 'Is he alright in the head?'

Matt looked up from shoveling food in his mouth. 'Nope! But then again, no Hogwarts headmasters are, really.'

Lianne looked at him in disgust. 'Nice, Matt. Your table manners are really gonna score you points with the girls.' Her streak was red and gold now, much to the delight of the rest of the table.

Harry and Calder were arguing happily about Herbology a bit further up the table. Lotte, who was sitting next to Harry, looked very bored. Rose decided to rescue her, but was rather disappointed to learn that Lotte hated Quidditch.

A poke in the back caused her to turn around, and she found herself face-to-face with a tall, muscular 5th year. 'Name's Wood,' he said delightedly. 'Casey Wood.'

Rose smiled back at him. 'Oh, you're Oliver Wood's son, right?'

Casey grimaced. 'Yeah, but don't judge me by him, alright? He's a great Dad and all, it's just so many people seem to think I'm exactly like him. But then again, you're Harry Potter's daughter, you know how it feels huh?'

Rose smiled wryly. 'Yeah. I won't mention your father if you don't mention mine.'

Casey grinned. 'Deal! Oh, but – excuse our pact for a second – if you inherited your father's flying ability, or if you can just fly straight, I'd be grateful if you tried out for the team. Y'see,' he said 'our team, well – our team sucks. And we need a decent seeker, and you've got the build and everything.'

Rose was delighted. 'That's my position, alright! I'd love to try out. Wow, you really think I could make it?'

Casey laughed. 'You look like it.'

'I'll definitely try, then. My friend, Lianne, is a great beater, if you're interested.'

'Both of you should come. Oh, the feast is over – see you later!'

Rose looked up. The feast was indeed over, and two prefects were calling 'First years! Follow us!'

Matt looked at her, open-mouthed. 'You were talking to Casey Wood!' He said, incredulously.

Rose grinned. 'Uh-huh,' she said, enjoying her cousin's look of shock. 'So?' And with that, she turned on her heel, and went to follow Harry and Lianne.