Chapter 4

"What an arrogant toe rag! He bursts into our compartment expecting a seat and then proceeds to hassle me and insult Severus. Who does he think he is? And don't get me started on YOU!" Lily turned around sharply whipping Hermione in the face with her long red hair.

"Who exactly was that boy you were cuddled up with? I wasn't aware that my sister had replaced me with new wizard friends already."

Hermione studied Lily's red face as she continued to rant and noticed her eyes were beginning to fill with tears.

"Lil…what's going on? Why are you so upset? I know this is not all because of some random boy."

Lily eyes shot down to the floor and she shrugged slowly. Hermione pulled her sister into a hug and whispered comfortingly, "Don't cry, Lil. You know you can tell me anything."

"I just feel so lost already. What if people don't like me? What if I'm terrible at magic and this was all just a big mistake? What if we get split into different houses? We have never been apart except for the five minutes before you were born." Lily whispered into Hermione's shoulder.

"It's okay to be nervous, Lily, I am too. As for people not liking you - that is preposterous! You are the sweetest, most fun sister a girl could have and I'm sure everyone will see that. And terrible at magic? Since when has an Evans failed at anything? We will be the best witches in our year, but of course, with me being a bit better than you." Hermione finished with a wink.

"But what if we get split into different houses?" Lily asked meekly, feeling a tiny bit better.

"How about this…I solemnly swear that we will get sorted into the same house. I will make the sorting hat put us together - even if I have to stomp on it myself!"

Hearing this, Lily finally gave a little laugh, "I love you Hermie."

"I love you most Lily-kins."

Approximately an hour later, the train arrived at Hogwarts and the first years made their way to the edge of the lake surrounding the castle. Standing at the edge of the lake was a large burly man with a kind smile waving them towards the boats floating in the water.

"Firsh yers! Over here! Me names Hagrid and I'll be helping ya get onto the boats for your first trip to Hogwarts."

Lily pulled Hermione and Severus behind her as she made her way to the first boat.

"Hi Mr. Hagrid. My names Lily, this is my twin sister, Hemione and my new friend Severus. May we all ride together?"

"No need for that Mister nonsense. Yeh can call me Hagrid! Hop on in! We'll have to get one more to sit with yeh. Dumbledore always says four per boat."

Hagrid looked around and waved forward a shy first year who had been standing my himself.

"In yeh go! Off to the castle. I hope to be seeing yous around!"

Once the boat was full it started to move toward the castle and Hogwart's newest students looked towards the castle in wonder. For Lily seeing the castle felt like a new adventure, for Severus an escape and for Hermione it felt like coming home after a long day.

As Lily and Severus conversed quietly about what subjects they wanted to take, Hermione turned her gaze to their newest crew member. The sandy-haired first-year was staring at his hands ignoring the excitement going on around him. He looked lost and something inside Hermione urged her to befriend him.

"Hello, my names Hermione. What's yours?"

Startled, the boy looked up at Hermione, shook his head a few times and blinked slowly.

"Sorry, I was a bit lost in thought. I'm Remus. Remus Lupin."

"Well Remus Lupin, are you excited for your first year at Hogwarts?"

When the moonlight hit his face, Hermione was able to make out a few shallow scars that littered his face.

"I am excited but I guess I'm also nervous to be away from home."

"I know how you feel. I'm not used to being away from my parents but at least I have my sister with me. I would be lost without her, she's my best friend." Hermione gestured to the red-head beside her.

"That's nice that you have someone to talk to. I'm an only child and my parents aren't around much." Remus replied with a gloomy shrug. Seeing his sad smile, Hermione felt a strong longing to reach forward and console new friend. Although it may be a tad early to consider Remus her friend, something was telling her that this sad boy needed her and she was determined to listen. So with newfound resolve, Hermione pulled Remus' hand in her lap and said "I think we are going to become very good friends Remus Lupin and I always make time for my friends. If you ever need anything, you need only ask."

Just as the boats approached the dock, Hermione heard a splash and looked down to find herself soaked in lake water.

"OI MATE! You turned the whole boat over!"

Hermione turned her head to see James Potter helping Sirius and another first-year out of the lake. Once she had her feet planted on solid ground she marched over to James and Sirius, both of whom were laughing maniacally.

"What in Merlin's name did you boys do? I am glad you're both laughing and have a great time because I'm not! I look like the entire lake was dumped on my head."

The boys tried to calm down at her serious tone but their laughter started anew once they took in Hermione's appearance.

"I'm so sorry Hermione! James was in such a rush to get off the boat and find your sister that his boot got stuck and he took the boat with him." Sirius tried to explain between his giggles.

"I can see that your apology is very sincere." Hermione quipped, starting to smile a bit in spite herself. It was ONLY water and Sirius' laughter contagious.

"Hermione! Let's go already! The sorting is going to begin!" Lily yelled from across the way.

The wet trio made their way towards Lily and into the school, only to be met with a stern look from Professor McGonagall.

"I can see I have trouble makers already." McGonagall said, eyeing the children over the rim of her glasses.

"Trouble makers? Not us! Never us, right James?"

"Yea – what he said! We tripped over a rock and.."

McGonagall cut them off with a wave of her hand, "I do not have time for your excuses. We are now running late and I will not have you ruining the ceremony."

With a few flicks of her wand, the incoming first-years had dry robes.

"Awesome!" James and Sirius said in unison as they high-fived.

Hermione rolled her eyes and rushed after Professor McGonagall who was making her way to the great hall. The doors opened to revel a large room with four large tables, each of a distinct color; red for Gryffindor, yellow for Hufflepuff, blue for Ravenclaw and green for Slytherin. At the very front of the room sat a long table full of professors. Directly at the center sat an old man with a long white beard and sparkling blue eyes. This must be Headmaster Dumbledore, Hermione thought to herself. Looking at him made her brain itch.

Professor McGonagall lined up all the first-years as the headmaster stood. Once the dining hall quieted, Dumbledore began to speak.

"A warm welcome to our new students and a happy hello to our returning students. It is now my favorite moment of the welcome feast – the sorting. As I call your name, please step forward and sit on the stool you see before me. Once the Sorting Hat is placed on your head it will determine your new home for the next seven years."

As Dumbledore began the sorting, Lily turned to Hermione and whispered sharply, "Seven years is an awfully long time so you better keep your promise."

Hermione didn't get a chance to respond before she heard her sisters name coming from the front of the room.

"Evans, Lily"

Lily squeezed her sister's hand before squaring her shoulders and walking to the front of the room. Hermione watched as the hat barely grazed her sister's flaming locks before proclaiming –

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Lily jumped off the stool and ran to her new table giving Hermione a nervous smile as the sorting continued. James to Gryffindor. Remus to Gryffindor. Severus to Slytherin. A girl named Pandora to Ravenclaw. A few to Hufflepuff. So on and so forth until finally she heard her own name.

"Evans, Hermione"

Hermione walked more confidently than she felt up to the front of the dining hall and sat on the stool waiting to feel the weight of the sorting hat.

Ahhh hello Ms. Hermione Evans. I see many things for you. A great destiny to be fulfilled and a bond. Several bonds in fact. Desire to learn. Profound loyalty – a ruthless loyalty. You would do anything for those you love… perhaps even kill. Brave with little self-preservation. I also see a strong desire to remain with your sister. Twins are always so…fascinating. Well we better not have you break a promise.

"Better be…GRYFFINDOR"

Filled with both relief and confusion, Hermione made her way to her sister's side.

"Thank Merlin! I almost cried waiting for the sorting hat to finish. It was fifteen whole minutes, I was beginning to think you would never be sorted!" Lily cried squeezing Hermione's arm. As her other housemates introduced themselves, Hermione pushed her questions about what the sorting hat set aside in attempt to enjoy her first night at Hogwarts.

As a pretty blonde named Marlene began discussing her summer trip to Paris, Hermione felt an arm wrap around her shoulders.

"Miss me, love? I figured you'd be a Ravenclaw for sure with all that swottiness."

Hermione rolled her eyes but was sporting a large grin, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Sirius! I, however, knew you would be a Gryffindor. You're too loud and brash to be a Slytherin."

Sirius' smile grew even wider in response to hearing Hermione's deduction.

"I am most honored that you feel that way about me, love! No better compliment than being told I'm nothing like a snake. Though I'm sure Wally won't be too happy with me about this."

"She's your mother, Sirius. Even as awful as she was when I met her, she should be able to accept who you are."

"That's sweet, Hermione but Walburga is a right cow," James interjected. "At least that's what my mom says. Mom was a Black before she married dad so her and Wally are cousins."

"BORING! Enough family talk. Are we sneaking out to explore tonight or what?" Sirius said, desperate to move the conversation away from his family.

"I know I don't hear students from my own house talking about sneaking out of their dormitories on their first day." McGonagall said appearing behind Sirius who flushed at the sound of his professor's voice.

"Of course not, Professor! I was simply asking what to do if we need to use the 'loo in the middle of the night."

"Surely you know how to use the facilities, Mr. Black. If not, try asking a prefect." McGonagall said turning and walking away from the Gryffindor table.

Hermione and James looked at each other and starting howling at Sirius' misfortune.

"Shut up guys," Sirius said with a blush, knocking Hermione's shoulder with his own.

The group continued to joke around oblivious to the set a dark green eyes watching their every move.