The weather outside the train was chilly, but not cold enough to shiver. She stuck with her brother, looking around at all the children that were filling up the platform.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" A voice yelled out, bringing Shaula's attention to a tall man with the biggest beard she had ever seen. She tugged in Sirius' robe.

"This way." She nodded toward the man, and started making her way towards him. The four all shuffled amongst the sea of people towards the tallest man on the platform, whom Shaula began to realise was Hagrid.

"All firs' years over here!" Hagrid said once more before looking at all the small 11 year olds. Satisfied that he had all the first years, he led them towards the boats. It was in the distance that everyone could see Hogwarts castle. There were 'Oohs' and 'Ahhs' coming from many of the children who were amazed by the castle.

"Right yer lot, no more'n four to a boat." said Hagrid as he waited for everyone to get to a boat.

Shaula and the three boys headed for the same one, determined to stick together. Well, Shaula made sure to hold onto Sirius and Remus, not wanting to lose Sirius and not wanting Remus to be alone. Allowing the three boys to get on the boat first, Shaula stood on the dock for a bit, shuffling her feet nervously.

"Shaula, you getting on? We might have to leave you behind if you don't hurry up." Sirius said cheekily, a grin on his face. James laughed slightly. Shaula looked at the slight gap between the dock and the boat and released a long whine.

"I don't want to go in the boat. What if I fall in the water and drown? I don't to fall in! You might push me in the water as well! I know what you're like Sirius." She exclaimed nervously, Sirius rolled his eyes at his sister. Remus offered a gentle smile and held out his hand.

"Do you want to hold my hand as you get in?" He asked, to which Shaula nodded at frantically. She goes to hold the younger boys hand before stopping.

"Can I sit in the back, away from Sirius? I don't trust him not to do something." asks Shaula in a both playful and serious manner. Sirius have a mock gasp, hand pressed to his chest. Remus moved from the back to the seat beside James in the middle. Shaula gave a slight sigh of relief before wrapping her hand tightly around Remus' slightly scarred hand. She gently and slowly climbed, warily sitting down, before the boat had began to move. She had apparently been the last to person to eat into a boat, Hagrid waiting patiently for them whilst many of the other first years either scoffed impatiently or weren't paying attention.

Shaula kept hold of Remus' hand as the boat moved, her chest tight as she worried about the boat capsizing.

"Sorry, I'm really scared. I can let go if you're uncomfortable." The young girl looked at the boy, who gave her hand a squeeze.

"It's okay. I don't mind." Remus replied. Everyone looked around, only hushed voices breaking the silence. The boat gave a sudden jerk and Shaula screamed loudly, ripping her hand from Remus to hold the sides of the wooden boat as if to secure a lifeline.

Sirius and James laughed as Shaula took deep breaths to calm herself. Remus tolled his eyes as Hagrid yelled out.

"Careful now. Heads down!"

Everyone suddenly lurched forward in their seats as they went under the ivy which hid the opening to the cliff's face. They sailed through the dark tunnel, the children beginning to talk among themselves in the dark. Sirius and James were still chuckling at Shaula's scream, who was sat tensely, hands gripping each side of the boat as she took multiple deep breaths. Remus placed a hand on one of hers, offering his silent comfort. She whispered a silent thank you towards him, to which he replied with a squeeze of her hand and then let go.

Upon reaching the underground harbour, Shaula shakily stood and clambered out with the assistance of her brother. Once firmly on solid ground, she released Sirius' hand and slapped him hard on the arm.

"OW!" He yelped as he rubbed his arm, glaring at her. She glared back. James and Remus snickered at the pair and so Shaula slapped James as well but only gave Remus as stern look. The four followed the rest of the first years into the castle and to the entrance of the castle. It was there that Shaula first saw Minerva McGonagall, a woman who she held a large amount of respect for.

"Thank you Hagrid." McGonagall says as she runs her eyes over everyone. Hagrid smiles at her from under his beard, or Shaula assumes, gives an 'Anytime Professor' reply and walks off.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room." Said Professor McGonagall after she lead the first years through the Entrance Hall to the large doors of the Grand Hall.

"The four house are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Each house has its own noble history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most amount of points wins the House Cup, a great honour." Professor McGonagall continues. Shaula wishes for her to hurry up so that she can sit down, she had never done well standing in one position for too long, always makes her feels dizzy and faint. She takes a couple deep breaths and Sirius gives her a side glance and grabs her hand.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place shortly in front of the whole school. I suggest that you smarten yourselves up as best as you can in the meanwhile. I will be back when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." With that, she left and quiet chatter filled the hall. Shaula relaxes and turns to lean her head against Sirius' shoulder, rolling her own in a way to create more blood flow.

"Are you okay?" asks James, concern written on his face. Remus stood next to him, also concerned. She gives a small shrug and nuzzles Sirius' neck. He gives her a back a little rub.

"She's fine, just feeling light-headed from standing up for so long. She doesn't do well without the support of a wall or person or something like that," answers Sirius.

"Why do you need support? Do you have an illness? Are you sick?" asks James. Shaula stands back up straight, no longer feeling faint.

"No I'm not sick, and I've always been like this. I can't even sit in a chair for long without back support as my back begins to ache as I naturally sit straight like an arrow. I've been tested at St Mungos but no ones figured out why though. It's not much of a problem really, as long as I keep moving about or I have a type of support I can lean on I should be fine." replies Shaula this time. James and Remus nod in understanding. It was then that Professor McGonagall returned and announced that they were ready.

Shuffling after the Deputy Headmistress, the nervous first years walked through the Great Hall, every eye on them. At the front sat a stool with an old hat on it and behind the hat sat a large table with all the teachers on. In the centre was Dumbledore, Shaula looked away from his gaze, not meeting his eyes. The hat began to sing.

'Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwells the brave at heart,

Their darling, nerve and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And I afraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind,

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means,

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hand

For I'm a Thinking Cap!'

Everyone clapped as the hat finished, except Shaula. Her brow was furrowed as she tried to place the recognition she felt from the hats song. As the clapping ended, Professor McGonagall took out a scroll and unfurled it. It was then, she began calling names to sort.

"Abbot, Finley"

Shaula's eyes widened, she forgot that out of the Mauraders, Sirius would be first. Yet now she would be first instead, as it was in alphabetical order. Nervous filled her chest as she gripped Sirius' hand tightly, Sirius gripped hers just as tight. She could tell he was nervous as well, knowing how much Sirius didn't want to be in Slytherin.

"Black, Shaula."

She took a deep breath, released Sirius' hand and slowly began making her way to the hat. She sat on the stool and the hat was dropped on her head, falling over her eyes.

"Well, well. I've never come across one of your kind before." The hat said in her head. Shaula stiffened. She didn't like the idea of the hat looking in her head. She kept quiet.

"Yes, yes. Not very brave are you, so not Gryffindor. Trust is very important though for you isn't it Miss Black." The hat continued. Shaula swallowed the little saliva in her mouth.

"Yes, it is. So is knowledge and creativity. Along with ambition as well." replied Shaula. She could feel the eyes of the Hall on her body.

"Yes I can see. I've never seen a reincarnation before. I can see everything you want to do and accomplish. However, the motivation in you is only driven due to the love you have for your siblings." said the Hat. It's silent in her head for a couple seconds. Then the Hat continues.

"Ah I see. Despite the war, you still want to be yourself. You want to be creative. Filled with knowledge." Shaula's eyes widen at this, she could feel where this was going. "Yes, you'll do well in RAVENCLAW!"

The Hat shouts and is then swiftly lifted off her head so she can see the clapping of the school along with the cheering from the Ravenclaw table. Shaula could feel the heated stares of her cousins from the Slytherin table and the happiness radiating from her brother at not going into Slytherin.

Shaula sat at her new table, people slapping her back in congratulations. She couldn't wait for the night to be over with. She could tell something bad was going to happen soon.