DISCLAIMER: As much as I would like to, I do not make any money off of writing this because, as much as I want to be, I am not JK Rowling—but I don't think she makes any money off of fanfiction, either. This disclaimer was not well thought out, oops! Uh…I don't own Harry Potter. There.

A/N: Hellooo! Thanks to all for reviewing, favoriting, following, and really just viewing this story. I am so grateful for all your encouraging reviews!

Also, this is the moment you've all been waiting for—or not. It's the Sorting! Yay! Enjoy, review if you want to, laugh at my poor attempts at humor, cry if you don't like it, review if you don't like it, review if you do like it, review 'cause I need reviews…um, sorry, I'm rambling. I'll stop trying to be funny (and begging for reviews) and get on with what we're all here for.

OoOoO

A prominently-chinned woman with a severe haircut greeted the first-years as they stepped off the Hogwarts Express. "First years line up over here, please! All first years to me," she called.

A group of small kids flocked over to the woman. She led them off to the side and then down a dark and steep path surrounded by trees. Somewhere behind Cass, a girl whimpered, "Ugh, it's too cold! I feel like my toes are freezing off!"

Cass rolled her eyes at Rose, who could just be made out in the darkness. Rose narrowed her eyes for a second and Cass watched as her lips turned blue, as if she were cold. Rose then pretended to pout, her bottom lip quivering. Cass snickered quietly. Rose's lips turned back to their normal pink as she giggled, too.

The group reached the bottom of the path, stopping so suddenly that Bello ran into Cass's back.

"Oof! Sorry, Cass," he mumbled, taking a step backward…right onto another girl's foot.

"How dare you? These are Lovely Loafers, they were voted Witch Weekly's number one in witch's footwear!" she shrieked, flipping her long, curly-brown hair behind her. Cass recognized her voice from before, the one complaining about it being too cold.

However, Cass didn't get the chance to retort, as another girl muttered, "Merlin, Sasha, leave the boy alone. It was an accident, honestly, you act as if he ruined your life—sorry, he probably did." Cass laughed, immediately deciding to be the girl's friend. The girl had very curly, very dark hair that was cut just below her shoulders and framed her brown face.

"Hey, I'm Sarah," she introduced herself to Bello and Cass, ignoring Sasha's indignant look.

"I'm Cass. I was going to tell off Princess over there, but you beat me to it," said Cass, rolling her eyes at Sasha once again.

"My name is B-Bellerophon, but my friends call me Bello. Thanks for that," stammered Bello.

"Uh-huh. Don't mention it, someone has got to do it," shrugged Sarah. "I like that nickname—Princess. Fits her." The aforementioned Princess harrumphed, which was widely met with more eye rolls.

Rose and Brooke turned around to look at Sarah and introduced themselves. Brooke looked as if she wanted to say something, but the group emerged from the trees and her comment was cut off as they all stared in awe of the beautiful castle before them.

Oh...it's magnificent, thought Cass in amazement. It was a castle of many turrets and towers, of huge windows and arching doorways. All the windows sparkled with inner light and the castle was reflected on the large lake in front of the wide-eyed first years.

"It is wonderful, isn't it?" said the woman who had led them down the path. She allowed them to gawk at the castle for a few more moments before clearing her throat and saying, "Listen up, first-years. My name is Professor Grubbly-Plank. You will follow me across the lake in these rowboats," she gestured to small, wooden boats behind her that Cass hadn't noticed, "…and make sure to be careful, you do not want to fall in. Also, only four to a boat, please," Professor Grubbly-Plank finished.

All at once, the first-years rushed to the boats. Rose, Brooke, and Sarah got into a boat with a golden and frizzy-haired girl with blue eyes. Cass and Bello chose the boat to the right of theirs and climbed into it. A few seconds later, two boys joined them. One was very tall and gangly, with brown eyes and blond hair. The other was smaller, with blond, curly hair and hazel eyes. The tall one introduced himself as Nick and the hazel-eyed one said his name was Euan.

Cass sat down in the front of the rowboat, pulling her dark hair around her shoulders and tightening her scarf; however annoying Sasha is, she was right about it being cold. Cass looked around the small craft for the oars, getting confused when she found none. How are we supposed to move? She questioned to herself. As if in answer, the boat launched forward on its own, being pulled by nothing. No, not by nothing. By magic.

The herd of boats glided across the lake, leaving large ripples in their wake. Cass sensed rather than saw something in front of them, something radiating power and security and magic. However, none of her year-mates seemed to notice, so she said nothing. The closer they got to the school, the more nervous Cass became. She had read all about the four Houses of Hogwarts, but had not found a single thing about how they were sorted into them. On the train, Rose had said that were tested in some way, but she didn't know how. To be safe, Cass ran over things she had read about in her head.

Suddenly, Cass felt something warm pass over her body, spreading to every nerve, every cell in her. Somewhere inside her, something awoke, filling Cass. She gave a shudder and an unnatural, hot breeze ruffled her hair. What was that?

Cass cast her eyes around the boat. Thankfully, none of her boat-mates seemed to have noticed what had happened. Looking around at the other boats, Cass noticed Professor Grubbly-Plank looking at her strangely, appraisingly. Had she noticed?

The professor must have noticed Cass's look of confusion, for she said, "We have just passed through the wards of the school. These are the protections placed around it and, over the years, they have accumulated. Some of them are as old as the founders; some have just been placed on the school within the last century. So, if you felt a crackle of magic…that is why."

All around Cass, people started muttering.

"Did you feel anything?"

"Guys, I think I did feel something…"

"Merlin, I think I felt something calling for me, whispering to me, wanting my power." Cass picked this voice out from the rest; it was Sasha. Cass rolled her eyes (again), but kept silent throughout everyone's mutterings.

Behind Cass, Euan and Nick were whispering to each other. "So, mate, did you feel any magic?" Euan asked.

"Of course I did, did you?" Nick replied, puffing out his chest. Cass made a gagging gesture to Bello on her right, who snickered. But then he looked at Cass funny; uh oh, had he noticed after all? Thought Cass worriedly. She didn't want to bring attention upon herself on her very first day. However, the look melted off of Bello's face and he smiled, pointing to somewhere ahead of him. Cass didn't have to turn her head to know that they had arrived at the shore of the lake, she just did.

Welp, here I go.

OoOoO

Professor McGonagall greeted the first-years just inside the huge oak doors Professor Grubbly-Plank had led them through. She wore the same expression that had always appeared on her face; a very, very stern one.

Cass's head was still spinning over what had happened with the wards of Hogwarts. Why had she felt like that? Did anyone else feel it? Cass had a hard time believing Sasha had actually felt it, but what about Nick? Soon, all thoughts of the wards faded from her mind, for Professor McGonagall had started speaking.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, students. In a few moments, you will take your seats in the Great Hall for the Welcome Feast, but only after being Sorted into your Houses—Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. You will do well to bring pride upon your House, and would do well not to defile its name. In Hogwarts, your House will be like your family, so I—and every other Head of House—expect you to treat it as such.

"Between the Houses is an annual competition called the House Cup. The House to win this House Cup is the House with the most points at the end of the year, which are earned through triumphs. Be forewarned; points can be taken away, and will be if any of you break the rules." Cass was intrigued by the idea of the House Cup. She wondered if the House that won received anything or if it was just an honorary thing. But then her thoughts returned to how they would be sorted into their House. Nervousness threatened to overcome her, but Cass pushed it off, thinking, Stop being a baby. It can't be that bad.

Immediately, Cass's vision blurred and was replaced with something else, something not of this time, but of a time somewhere…farther. The future.

An old hat sat atop a three-legged stool. An almost mouth-like rip was at its base and, suddenly, it was a mouth. It spouted words from this 'mouth', words like "GRYFFINDOR!" and "SLYTHERIN!"

Cass was pulled back to the present by Professor McGonagall saying, "I shall be back when we are ready for you." The stern witch walked off, leaving behind the nervous first-years and a very bewildered Cass.

Cass's eyes were watering and she blinked multiple times, trying to adjust her sight back to…right now. Ohmygod, ohmygod! I just Saw the future! Cass had just Seen the future! She thought back to what had happened in the lake, that feeling of being awoken. What if her Seer ability had always been there, lying dormant except for a few instances? What if…so busy with the fact that she had a vision, Cass had forgotten about what the vision was.

An old hat is placing me in my House? What? How does that even work? Cass questioned. However, a collective gasp came from the crowd of first-years, and Cass was pulled from her thoughts as shimmery, transparent beings floated into the entrance hall.

"Eek!" Bello jumped at the ghosts, who were talking amongst themselves. At the sound of terrified students (honestly, it isn't that bad, Cass thought), what looked to be a round, small monk turned towards them.

"Ah! New students! Say, are you guys about to get Sorted?" asked the ghost-monk.

No one seemed like they were going to answer, so Cass said, "Yes, sir."

"None of that 'sir' business. I'm the Fat Friar, but you may call me Friar. I hope you get Sorted into Hufflepuff. That was my old house, you know," the Fat Friar beamed.

Cass just smiled back at him, though she was a little disturbed. Despite what she had thought to herself, these people, these ghosts were dead. No amount of cheeriness on the Fat Friar's part could change that.

Cass turned her head to see that Professor McGonagall had come back. "We're ready for you now. Form a line, students." The ghosts disappeared through the wall behind Professor McGonagall, and the Fat Friar gave a small wave to the students in goodbye.

Cass walked to the front of the line that was forming. Even if I don't feel confident, I can very well act it. The small boy that had previously been there looked relieved that he would not be the first to walk into the Great Hall. Seeing Cass, Brooke, Rose, Bello, and Sarah walked over to her, standing just behind Cass.

Professor McGonagall looked over them once, and, seeing them fit to be viewed by the school, led them through the large doors.

The Great Hall was enormous and filled with candle after candle, each floating in the air. Wow. Four great tables filled the main area, with a smaller one towards the back. Each of the four main tables held students with lined, black robes, with each table's students' robes lined with different colors. Those must be the house colors, thought Cass. In the middle of the table at the end of the hall—which Cass assumed was the teacher's table—sat a cheery man in bright, silver robes. The man was older, with a long, white beard—long enough to tuck into his beard—and twinkling eyes. Albus Dumbledore.

Cass had read all about the Savior of the Wizarding World, the Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock, Grand Sorcerer, Headmaster to Hogwarts—my goodness, too many titles. Of course, it was very hard not to know who Albus Dumbledore was, what with everything he had done. Cass was impressed by what he had done, but, seeing the man in person, she gained real respect for him. Headmaster Dumbledore didn't look arrogantly at the students, or the teachers—even with all his accomplishments. He looked genuinely happy about being there, wearing a warm, welcoming, and benign smile.

Cass looked up, and her mouth fell open in shock and wonder. There wasn't a ceiling! It was just the beautiful night sky, lit with thousands of tiny, sparkling stars. Her awe lasted all of five seconds before her logic caught up with her; there hadn't been an open ceiling on the outside, so how could there possibly be one on the inside? It just didn't make sense…Cass recalled one of the books she had bought called Hogwarts: A History. In it, Cass had learned about the enchanted ceiling of Hogwarts' Great Hall. And you couldn't remember that when you were gawking at the ceiling like an idiot?

The first-years walked between two of the tables filled with students. Many of the older students smiled warmly at Cass and her year-mates, but that did little stop Cass's anticipation. What House will I be in? Gryffindor? Ravenclaw? Hufflepuff? Slytherin?

The line halted before the students at the tables, with the teacher's table behind the first-years. The faces of the students were very pale in the light of the candles, and all of them were looking at the first-years with mild interest. Cass did her very best not to squirm under their gazes.

Professor McGonagall placed a three-legged stool in front of the gathered first-years, and on that she placed a battered-looking hat.

Cass very nearly choked. That…that is the hat from my vision. It was just then, in front of hundreds of students, that Cass fully comprehended what had happened. I really did See the future…holy mother of treacle tarts.

Why am I even worrying over what House I will be in? I can just… Cass concentrated, but did her very best to appear nonchalant on the outside (she didn't want people to think her mad). Future, future, future…

Nothing. Of course, nothing had happened. I suppose I'll just have to wait.

A rip at the bottom of the hat opened and it began sing its song. The only sound in the Hall was that of the Sorting Hat's voice. It sang of grand Houses and threatening dangers, and Cass found herself completely entranced by its hoarse words. It was warning the school of something, a dark something, an evil something.

Cass stared at the hat in amazement and confusion as the hat stopped singing and became inanimate once more. Her vision had not shown her that… what was that? Applause broke out across the Great Hall, but with it were many mutterings and whispers. Many of the students seemed perplexed, suggesting to Cass that this was not a normal song for the Hat. She exchanged a glance with Rose, who had turned her hair to a ceremonious brown. The Metamorphmagus had her eyebrows raised, confirming Cass's beliefs that, even for wizards, the Hat's warning was unusual.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, sending a glare to all the whispering students. She shook out a roll of parchment and called out,

"Abercrombie, Euan!"

One of the boys Cass had shared a boat with, the smaller one, walked to the stool nervously, stumbling a bit. Poor bloke, Cass thought. Euan sat down on the stool gingerly and the hat was placed on his head.

When placed atop Euan's locks, the hat became animate again. After of few seconds of contemplation on the hat's part—and a lot of nervousness on Euan's part—a loud "GRYFFINDOR!" was called out. The table on the far left exploded in cheers for their new Housemate.

"Barnes, Nick!" The other boy from Cass's boat walked confidently forward and sat on the stool. The hat came down on his head, a moment's pause and—

"GRYFFINDOR!" Applause erupted once more at the Gryffindor table. Two red-haired boys that looked to be twins were shouting, "Two for two, baby! Yeah!"

"Chare, Katie!" was followed by a, "HUFFLEPUFF!" The table on the right cheered and clapped, welcoming their new Housemate.

"Conrad, Andrew…Crespo, Rachel…Cubrusi, Janelle!" Names were being called fast and Cass found herself getting more and more anxious. Any time she would be going up there…

"Glaucuson, Bellerophon!"

Next to Cass, Bello jumped, causing a few snickers from the students at the tables. Cass glared in the general direction hard enough to rival even Professor McGonagall (who was also glaring) and gave Bello an encouraging nudge. To Cass's right, Brooke patted Bello's shoulder. Emboldened, Bello walked to the stool and sat…only to miss the seat and fall on his bottom.

Oh no! Poor Bello! Cass thought, trying to keep traitorous urges to laugh at bay (in her defense, it was rather funny). Red-faced, Bello got up and sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall put the hat on his head, which soon shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Professor McGonagall continued to read from the list of students, "Kirkus, John!" went to "SLYTHERIN!" After him was "Li, Christopher!" and "RAVENCLAW!" received a new Housemate.

"Lyonslatter, Cyrene!" A frizzy, golden-haired girl with blue eyes walked to the stool and sat down gracefully. Cass recognized her as the girl who had ridden on the boat with Rose, Brooke, and Sarah. About thirty seconds later, the hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!"

"MacDougal, Sarah!"

Sarah broke off from the gathered group of first-years, her springy curls bouncing with her steps. She eyed the hat warily as it was placed atop her head.

The hat sat there for a moment, oddly contemplative for an object. Well, duh, it is a magic object and contemplating is its job. What else is it supposed to do?, Cass thought to herself. Finally, the hat yelled, "SLYTHERIN!" The table with students with their green-accented robes cheered. Cass cheered in her head for her new friend, not sharing the same prejudice that most had when it came to the Slytherin House.

One "Mackey, Oliver!" and "RAVENCLAW!" later, and Professor McGonagall called out,

"McGarther, Cassandra!"

Cass felt spikes of apprehension shoot down her chest, but she forcefully shoved them down and walked up in what she hoped to be a confident manner. She sat on the stool lightly and tried not to be intimidated by the faces staring up at her. Cass felt the hat being placed on her head, then immediately her world went dark as the brim covered her eyes.

"Well…you are interesting," a voice whispered in Cass's head. She shivered, despite it being quite warm in the Hall as a result from all the candles.

"Yes, very interesting…unique. You have a gift, child…where to put you in order to exploit that gift?" Cass felt as though every part of her was being inspected—no, more than that. Judged. She did not like the feeling at all. "Most do not like it, but you are right about being judged. I am the Sorting Hat, it is what I do.

"I sense intelligence in you. Ravenclaw would serve you well…" The hat trailed off, lost in its thoughts. No, lost in my thoughts, Cass amended. "But would it serve you the best?

"I see much ambition in you, too. You want to know all you can, you want to do your best, you want to be the best…but you are not a Slytherin. You lack the bias towards Salazar Slytherin's Noble House, unlike so many other people…this shows your kindness,"

The Sorting Hat seemed to be talking (thinking?) to itself now. Outside the warm hat, Cass could hear murmurs of "Hatstill" all around the Hall. She decided to file that away for later and thought, "Mr. Sorting Hat, what did you mean by me being unique? Surely there have been other Seers before?"

"Well of course there have been other Seers before! But you, you are different. You See not only the future, but the past and present. Therefore, you are different." Cass almost denied it (how could she be different?) but then she recalled her vision from the Knight Bus, the one with the man falling to a green flash and a woman screaming. She had puzzled over that in the two weeks since, and if what the Sorting Hat said was true…had Cass Seen the past?

"Right there! Right…no, that isn't right either! Hufflepuff? No, too cunning. Slytherin? No, too kind. Ravenclaw? No, too daring. Gryffindor…just maybe."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Light flooded into Cass's eyes as the Sorting Hat was plucked off her. The table adorned in red burst into cheers, stamping their feet. How long was I under that thing?

So absorbed in the fact that the hat had finally been taken off the first-year, none of the students ha noticed the wide grin that had stretched across Cass's face before it happened.

OoOoO

A/N (part two): For any wondering about why Cass could See the Sorting Hat but not what House she will be in (at least not until right before the Sorting Hat called it out) it is because CASS IS NOT OMNISCIENT! I cannot stress this enough. I REALLY don't want an OP character on my hands.

Cass is able to See the immediate and most sure-to-happen future quite easily. The surer something is, the sooner Cass can See it. Because of the Sorting Hat's debate over which House to put Cass in (this is called a Hatstill, and no, I didn't pull it out of my head. I read about it on Pottermore), Cass could not see its decision.

So, since the Sorting Hat was going to Sort Cass no matter what, Cass was clearly able to See it. However, because of the many variables that went into which House the Sorting Hat picked, Cass was not able to See that.

Just wanted to 'show my work' and clarify on Cass's vision.

Until next time,

Inis'sPromise