Once docked, Dean, James and Roxanne burst forth from the boat, along with the rest of the first years and quickly followed Hagrid up to the breathtaking school. Once everyone had arrived at the front doors, silence ensured once again.

Hagrid opened up his coat, retrieving a rather large umbrella and knocking it against the doors thrice. Not a moment later, the ten foot tall doors seemed to open on their own accord, revealing a tall and regal looking witch.

Dressed in dark, nearly black, purple robes, her midnight hair woven into a braid, all topped with a matching violet hat, she appeared to be in her mid forties, and looked as calm and collected as she did professional.

"Hello students." She greeted them in a prim and proper voice. "My name is Professor Rowan. Now in just a few moments, we will be walking through the Great hall. In order to be a Hogwarts student, you will be placed into one of four houses." She paused and smiled. "Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryfindor or Slytherin. Now based on the actions of its students, each house earns points for exceptional behavior and loses points for disregard of the rules. Am I perfectly clear?"

Several nods and yes ma'ams later, she turned around and led the first years through another set of doors. This time, James was much more impressed with the view. Four long mahogany tables stood in front of him, stretching as far as the eye could see. A table of professors sat at the very end of the room.

The sky, yes the sky, stood above them, stars shining brightly with seemingly no ceiling to separate them from the outside world. Meanwhile small candles floated aimlessly about the area. And of course, therehe entire room was filled with students.

Reds and blues and greens and yellows covered every tie. Smiles and curious faces turned to look at the James and the rest of his fellow first years, as if trying to decide who would join their house. Rather than be intimidated like many of the others, James puffed out his chest and beamed right back at them, waving to several of his relatives along the way.

Once all the eleven year olds had made their way to the front of the room, James finally noticed a three legged stool, where an old fraying hat stood in front of them. Confusion plunged into his mind as it dawned him that while his older cousins had mentioned a lot about Hogwarts, no one had actually told him how they were sorted!

Bloody gits, he thought. Surely they did this to him on purpose. He looked up, seeing an older woman stand up beside Professor Rowan. Hair pulled viciously back into a tight gray bun, complete with a classic black hat and matching robes, he actually recognized the witch.

"Hello first years," she greeted, a weathered yet present smile on her thin lips. "My name is Professor McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts." James watched as she gestured to the old hat. "Now in order to be sorted, Professor Rowan will call out your name, the Sorting Hat will be placed upon your head, and you will be sorted." She nodded to the younger witch as returned to her chair with the other professors.

James's bright brown eyes returned to Professor Rowan and he could've sworn she nodded to the hat. Then, before he could guess anything, the hat started singing. Not talking. Not yelling, but singing at the top of its lungs!

'Some of you may recognize me

While others have not a clue

But I don't care, step right up

And I'll decide what to do with you!

I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,

Far older than any man.

I was made by the four founders

Ages ago, back when this school began.

Now perhaps you're one of those Gryffindors

And while they don't always behave,

Their courage, heart and chivalry

Makes them the house of the brave!

Or maybe you will be a Ravenclaw,

Whose gift lies in the quill

With a bright young mind full of wit

Wisdom is their greatest skill.

Then there is Ol' Slytherin,

The house of the cunning and clever

Ambition may come to mind,

But determination's their main endeavor.

And let us not forget the Hufflepuffs

And all their magical diversity.

Though honest, kind and fair,

Their famous trait is loyalty.

So come one, come all

I have never once been wrong.

I'll show you what this old hat can do,

And pick the home where you belong!'

Several bouts of laughter and applause filled the room as the hat finishing its solo. Professor Rowan stood up, unrolling a large piece of parchment as she cleared her voice. After a brief scan down the names, she quickly called out the first one.

"Hannah Aberly."

A few moments later.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

A loud applause sounded off from the Hufflepuff table as tiny dark haired girl dashed off in their direction.

"Blimey, it's alphabetical." James groaned, shoulders sagging in realization.

"Ugh, it'll be forever until we get to S." Dean sighed, sharing his newfound friend's disappointment.

"Speak for yourselves." Roxy muttered besides them. "Least you're not W."

From then on, the trio didn't really pay attention to the students. James regained his focus if a Gryffindor was called out, but barely remembered their names otherwise. Instead, the boy found himself staring longingly at his desired table. He would surely be a lion, right? He had bravery and courage, didn't he? .

"Benjamin Arlington"

"RAVENCLAW!"

On and on it went, cheers going out whenever a house was sorted.

James watched at the crowd of first years diminished and mentally cursed. Why did his last name have to start with P? If he'd been James Abbott, he would've been decided ages ago!

Beside him, Dean seemed to be thinking along the same lines and he didn't dare look as Roxanne's reaction. It was likely to be the epitome of impatience.

"Tessa Harrow."

It wasn't the name that caught James's attention and if he hadn't been looking in the general direction of the hat, he might not have noticed her at all. But he did.

Light blonde hair. Fair skin. And he couldn't see from his spot in the crowd, but he knew those eyes were the same the bloody irritating hazel.

"Ugh, it's her." James groaned, causing his fellow Quidditich addict to toss him a curious glance. "Ran into her on the train. Annoying, that one is."

They watched as she placed the ancient hat onto her head, its fabric nearly covering her eyes it was so big. Silence commenced for all of ten seconds before

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Well, I suppose you'll have to get used to her now, mate." Dean said, chuckling at his friend's slightly peeved expression.

Time continued and James nearly lost it at letter N, but finally managed to wait for his name.

"James Potter." He smiled. Finally! Moving his way through the crowd, his eyes intent on the hat, he couldn't help but notice the silence that followed his name. And then the whispers.

His smile wavered slightly as he felt all eyes on him. Walking up to front, he sat down on the three legged stool, trying to ignore the surprised and stunned faces staring back.

Even Professor Rowan shot him a curious look before plopping the large hat onto his head.

'Ah, a Potter! Been quite a while since I've had one of you!' James's eyes widened at the voice and quickly glanced around. Was the hat talking? Was that how his house was decided?

'Yes to both questions, my boy. Now let's see here, endless supply of courage, plenty of confidence, a fair bit of mischief. You'll do anything to protect your loved ones. Much like your namesakes, I suppose.'

My namesakes, James thought, puzzled. But before he could think a moment longer, the hat cried out a house.

"GRYFFINDOR!" And just like that, the room erupted into applause once again. He gasped, a huge grin spreading from ear to ear on his face as he jumped up and punched his fist into the air. Several laughs followed his actions, but James didn't care the slightest as he proudly marched off to the Lion's table, the word still boldly ringing in his ears. Gryffindor!

"Well done James!" Teddy grinned, clapping the boy on the back as he took a seat beside him. The eleven year old beamed, the praise from his cherished should-be brother only boosting up his pride.

"One Potter down. One Weasley to go!" Fred laughed as they turned back to the sorting. James barely even heard the names after that, his mind still in awe. Of course, he'd been boasting about getting into Gryffindor all summer, much to the annoyance of his siblings, but there had been a tiny hint of doubt with that hat on his head.

Nonetheless, he had achieved his life's goal, or rather his life's goal for this year. He almost didn't notice Dean sitting on the stool until another shout of Gryffindor sounded. A bright smile appeared on his face and he too came bounding over to the beloved table. James waved a hand over to him, calling him over to sit beside him.

"Congrats mate." James told him, noticing that Dean too looked ready to explode in happiness. Nothing in the whole world could take away the joy on his face.

Nothing except

"Roxanne Weasley!"

"Hufflepuff!"