It was pure pandemonium.

People scattered, abandoning all pretense as they ran for their lives. Smoke billowed in choking, black clouds. Flames spiraled around a spot in the very middle of Platform 9 ¾. Several figures were lying very still in the proximity. I felt a thrill of horror at the carnage. They couldn't be dead. These people were just hurt, that was all.

But why was there so much blood?

"Come on." Remus urged, tugging me away from the horrible scene. Part of me wanted to stay and fight, to strike back at whatever evil had just happened, but Remus's iron grip prevented me from making any attempts. He dragged me back through the barrier between the magical world and the Muggle world, not stopping until we were outside of King's Cross. Cars surged by, the air filled with the sounds of horns and rushing vehicles rather than terrified screams and thunderous explosions.

I was trembling from head to foot, trying in vain to banish the awful images that kept replaying in my mind. Remus was moving his hands over me briskly; I realized he was checking me for injuries. I touched a hand to my burning forehead, which came away wet.

"You have a small cut," Remus said grimly. "Here." He tore off of a section of his shirt and pressed it against the stinging wound. I stared at him blankly, feeling cold in spite of the warm late summer sun.

"What… what happened?" I managed.

Remus was tight-lipped. He wasn't shaking, but he was pale and strained. He took a moment to answer.

"I don't know for sure," he began slowly. "But I think someone tried to blow up the train. That wasn't an accident. It couldn't be."

I thought of the lifeless bodies lying on the pavement, and had to fight hard to prevent myself from being sick all over Remus. "No." I said hoarsely. "It was more than that. I think it was an attack on the passengers. Not just the train… the timing of it... Students… families…"

"My God." Remus said, appalled. "Who would do a thing like this?"

My thoughts zeroed in on the faceless enemy I had never met. "Lord Voldemort." I said slowly. "And… Folsom."

Remus swore. "I can't believe Dumbledore was letting him teach! How could he…" he trailed off.

I shivered, my mind spinning with adrenaline and revulsion. "Maybe he wanted to keep his enemy close. Or maybe he just thought he wasn't evil. I mean, he must have seen him grow up, right? He probably never thought he was rotten to the core."

"I don't care." Remus growled. "It's easy to spot danger when it's right there in front of your nose. Damn it!" He swore again suddenly. "I hope James and Sirius are alright. We were supposed to meet on the train in ten minutes. I hope they were late."

The chances were likely in their favor. James and Sirius weren't known for being punctual for anything, except for mealtimes. But Peter…

"Peter was with me." I said quietly. "His parents too. They were right behind me."

Remus looked horrified. "They're fine." He said immediately. "They're okay." But he looked just as scared as I felt.

A moment later, a huge stream of wizards and witches wearing cloaks rushed past us and straight for Platform 9 3/4, not even looking at the gaping Muggles. Wizards only abandoned the delicate and vital caution of keeping our kind secret when it was life or death. The International Statute of Secrecy wouldn't matter as much when the lives of young wizards and witches were at stake.

"What should we do?" I whispered. "Maybe we should go back… help them…"

"No." Remus said instantly. "No way. I'm not bringing you back in there until it's safe."

"But our friends could be in there!" I protested. I thought of Lily, who could have been inside of the platform during the explosions. Tears pricked my eyes in fear. "What if Lily was hurt? I just lost Virginia, I can't lose Lily too!"

Remus looked anguished. "We can't Amber. We just can't. We have to wait just a little longer. Alright?"

I wanted to collapse into tears, but I wasn't a little kid anymore. This was serious and real. I had to be strong now. For Remus, and for my friends, who could have been been alright or injured, or worse. I didn't know, couldn't know, until we went back inside. So we waited, Remus's hand keeping steady pressure on my cut. Clusters of worried-looking Ministry officials kept blowing past every few seconds. I told Remus about seeing Folsom just minutes ago in Flourish and Blotts, unnoticed. I told him too of Mulciber and Avery beating up Peter in the alleyway. Finally, I couldn't take the waiting any longer.

"I have to try and find them." I begged. "Please, Remus. We can help."

Remus didn't look convinced. "What if Folsom is still around? What if he was the one to orchestrate… this? He might be looking for you, Amber."

But I didn't care. I remembered what Professor Smith had told me over the summer, when she was teaching me about vampires and Folsom. She had told me that I would be safe, as long as I had a werewolf with me. Remus fit the bill.

"How did you find me?" I asked abruptly. "On the train. I was alone."

Now Remus looked embarrassed. "I smelled you."

"Oh."

Now neither of us could look at each other in the face. Remus cleared his throat. "Let's go. Wand out."

Before we could walk through the barrier, a formidable-looking witch with her hair pulled back into a bun halted us. "Wait."

I jumped. "Professor Smith!"

She was holding her wand, wearing her usual black cloaks, making her look like a large, elegant bat. She looked just as intimidating and formidable as usual, but now, there was a hardness in her face that scared me. Whoever had done this was going to reap the wrath of her, the woman whose Patronus took the form of a basilisk.

I shivered again.

"Our friends." Remus implored. "We need to find them."

Professor Smith shook her head once. "It's a nasty scene in there, you two. I don't know if you're prepared for the shock."

"We were there when it happened." I said. "Remus rescued me."

Professor Smith surveyed me wordlessly.

"Please." I pressed. "You trained me yourself this summer. You know I can handle this."

She gave a tiny, curt nod. "If I tell you to leave, you will do it. Understood?"

"Yes." I answered.

"Yeah." Remus echoed.

"Very well." Professor Smith marched through the barrier without fear or hesitation. We followed.

The platform was nearly devoid of students and their families now. Most of them were hiding or had simply run away for their lives. Now, nearly a hundred Ministry officials were positioned inside. Half of them were milling around, searching the platform or examining various spots of the station. The fire that had blasted off close to the Hogwarts Express had been extinguished. The other half was standing around, talking in loud, urgent voices. I recognized Eugenia Jenkins, the tiny powerhouse woman who was the current Minister of Magic, standing in the midst of several tall wizards. Professor Smith had stopped in her tracks just feet from us.

"Professor?" I asked, hurrying forward. "What's the matter?"

She kept her back to me, rigid.

Remus let out a half-growl, half-gasp of horror. "What… what is that?"

I shrank against Remus as I followed his gaze. Rising from the faint white smoke where the fire had burned was a glittering green skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. Several Ministry officials cried out in fear. A few of them swayed on their feet or moved away from the evil-looking apparition. With a surge of dread, I saw that near where the explosion had occurred, there were several white sheets covering mounds. Human-sized mounds.

I couldn't breathe.

Professor Smith apparently couldn't either. She blinked hard, taking a huge exhale.

"That's the Dark Mark." She said very quietly, so that I had to strain to hear it, like she didn't mean for anyone else to catch her words. Then she hurried forward to the Mark, accompanied by many officials with brandished wands.

"There are bodies…" I said softly.

Remus said nothing. He stayed by my side, silent.

"Amber? Remus?!"

We both jerked around. Lily was flying towards us, her long flame-colored hair streaming behind her. Her eyes were red, and tears flew behind her as she collided into us. She crushed me in a desperate hug, and then treated Remus to the same.

"Ouch! Er, Lily, we're fine!" Remus choked.

"I was so worried!" She wailed. "We were late because Tuney couldn't make up her mind whether or not she wanted to come see me off. And then Mum wanted to buy me an early lunch… James and Sirius just told me that someone attacked the Platform!"

"James and Sirius?" Remus said sharply. "They're alright?"

Lily nodded vigorously, wiping her eyes. "Yes. They arrived just a moment before the explosions. Peter's with them."

Remus looked overwhelmingly relieved. He stumbled back slightly, passing a shaking hand over his face.

"I was on the train." I said numbly. "I was reading a magazine… I think I know who did this."

"You do?" She said incredulously. "Who? And what is that evil mark over there? That's terrible!"

Professor Smith and a few others were trying and failing to dissipate the green skull. The serpent hissed ominously, as if it was going to strike.

"I think Voldemort had something to do with this." I said. "And Folsom."

Lily clapped a hand over her mouth. "You mean that shady guy that went to Hogwarts years and years ago? And Folsom?"

"Yeah." I said grimly. "Who else?"

"I don't know." Lily whispered. "I don't know who could do such a thing."

"I do." I said quietly as I watched the snake wind its way through an empty eye socket of the evil green skull.

The three of us remained together as eleven o'clock neared, huddled like a group of penguins in the cold, numb with shock. Finally, Eugenia Jenkins pointed her wand at her own throat and said "Sonorus."

Her voice was magically magnified several times, so that it echoed across the platform, silencing the babble of Ministry officials trying to sort out the attack.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Jenkins said in a calm, collected voice, schooled free of any emotion other than control, "we have just experienced a terrible ordeal. The Ministry is working tirelessly to decipher the masterminds of the attack and take necessary action to punish those responsible.

"In light of the attack, we will be placing a Ministry official on each compartment on the Hogwarts Express. We will be continuing on schedule with sending our students to their next year at school."

"She knows Hogwarts is the safest place for us to be." Lily muttered.

"I don't know." I said dryly. "Folsom was teaching there last year. And the lake's full of jealous, murderous mermaids…"

"Amber." Remus reprimanded.

I fell silent, my sense of safety utterly shattered.

"Furthermore, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims." Jenkins continued. "In as calm and organized a manner as possible, please have your students board the express. The train has been fully inspected and has been deemed safe for travel. Thank you."

She pulled her wand away and was instantly swallowed up by the surrounding crowd of officials. Like a queen bee, she was hidden and protected by her hive.

Families emerged uncertainly from their hiding places or from the barrier that separated our world from the Muggle world. Every face was pale with fear and trepidation. I watched as a line of officials stood tactfully in front of the casualties, providing a human screen so no other children would see the horror of the attack. A cloud of steam issued from the express. Just ten minutes were left until eleven.

"We should go." I said shakily. "On the train."

Remus's hand found mine. "I'll stay with you."

"Me too." Lily said. "Come on."

The three of us made our way past the adults and boarded the express. Every muscle was tensed, ready for another attack, as we chose a compartment and watched the uncertain crowd outside.

But nothing else happened. Five minutes passed before any of spoke again. We had been listening, waiting, for another explosion.

"Do you really think we're safe?" Lily said at last, pale. "I mean, I know there's all those officials out there… but doesn't it seem… unsafe now? I feel so…"

"…vulnerable." I finished.

She nodded once. Nothing more needed to be said.

The compartment door slid open. James and Sirius, always a package deal, stared down at us. Instinctively, I pulled my hand free from Remus's. They weren't cracking any jokes now. In fact, both boys looked uncharacteristically serious.

"You're alright?" James said brusquely. "You're not hurt?"

I realized he was speaking to all three of us. "We're fine." Remus said. "Amber got a cut, but it's not serious. Where's Peter?"

"Here." said Peter, emerging from behind James and Sirius. He looked absolutely terrified, hunched over and wringing his wrists.

"Do you know what's happened?" James said as he sat down next to Lily, who rolled her eyes and promptly sat beside me. Sirius sat beside James, who was quickly flanked by a nervous Peter.

"Dark wizards, obviously." Lily said snappishly, still clearly not at ease with either James or Sirius.

"Professor Smith said something about a Dark Mark." I recalled. "That skull and serpent… it must mean something."

Lily gave me a highly affronted look. "Why are you talking about this in front of them?" She hissed in my ear. "We can't trust them!"

I shot her a meaningful look. "I do." I said quietly, so that only she could here.

Lily folded her arms and gave an angry huff.

"Whatever happened, it wasn't good." Sirius said hollowly. "Do you know what Death Eaters are?"

"Dark wizards?" I guessed, the name slightly familiar but shrouded in confusion. "I can't remember."

"They're the followers of Voldemort." Sirius said quietly. He was staring at the floor, his black eyes filled with shadows. "Most of them are pureblood supremacists. They prize the Dark Arts. I think they're the ones behind this."

"We think Folsom was." Remus said. "It fits, doesn't it? He's pure evil. And not just because he's a vampire. He was friends with Voldemort when he was younger. We learned that from his file."

"Professor Smith said it was a Dark Mark." I reminded them. "Maybe that has something to do with Death Eaters."

"It does." Sirius said dully. "It's their symbol."

"How do you know?" Lily countered. "What makes you so knowledgeable? I know your grades. They're so low I doubt you'll ever be able to get one O.W.L.!"

"Lily." I said, shocked at her venom.

Her green eyes flashed. "You'll have to excuse me, Amber. I don't really hold Black or Potter in high regard, considering how they treat Sev. I don't see how you can, either."

I stared at her. "Now isn't the time." I said at last.

Lily shook her head and let out an exhale. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little upset from… the attack."

"It's fine." James said, surprising all of us. He looked awkward, but then focused his attention on Sirius. "Go on. You can tell them."
Sirius looked uncertainly at Lily. "I don't know. You won't like it."

"Don't worry." Lily said scathingly. "There's no way I could like you any less that I already do."

I rolled my eyes. A muscle jerked in Sirius's cheek. "Fine. I'll tell you. I know this was Death Eaters work, and I know that thing was a Dark Mark because my father is one. My dad is a Death Eater."

Total silence met his words. Only James looked unsurprised. He must have already known.

But Lily's jaw had dropped open. I hadn't realized that I had placed a hand over my mouth.

But it all made sense. When we had gone through his office… when he had been dining with Folsom and Fenrir… the things he had said… he was a supporter of Voldemort. He was a Death Eater.

"I think Professor Smith may be one too." Sirius added grimly, shocking us all. "How else would she have known what it was?"

"That's ridiculous!" I retorted hotly. "She isn't a Death Eater, Sirius! That's rubbish!"

"I don't know." Sirius said darkly. "She seems awfully knowledgeable about Dark stuff, doesn't she?"

"Maybe because she's an Auror and she's also a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" I snapped. "Come on, Sirius, shove off. That's rubbish."

"What if Professor Smith is a Death Eater?" James pressed.

"She's not." Remus answered coolly. "Death Eaters can't produce a Patronus. She can."

"But it's a basilisk!" Peter objected. "She showed me this summer when my boggart turned into a dementor. She made it go away."

We all sat in tense silence. The train let out a piercing shriek and slowly rolled forward. The platform moved past slowly as we departed the station, leaving behind the carnage. The confusion remained, sitting in the middle of the compartment like a fat black crow.

"Look." I said quietly. "Professor Smith isn't Dark. She's not a Death Eater, either. Dumbledore trusts her, and so do I."

"Dumbledore's made mistakes before." James argued. "He trusted Folsom, and look where that went."

"Everyone makes mistakes." Lily flared up.

I rubbed my hands over my face. They were cold as ice. "Look, I know Professor Smith personally. She's had countless chances to harm any of us this summer, and did she? No. She trained all of us. We would probably be dead without her."

Peter let out a small whimper. "I wonder who did die…"

I felt the bile rise in my throat. I shook my head. "Let's not think about that right now, Peter. Let's just focus on getting back to school. We're all safe. That's what matters."

"I don't know." Sirius said, gazing out of the window as London blurred past in a flash of gray buildings and cloudy sky. "But I think we all know this isn't the end of it."

Just then, the compartment door opened again. Severus's pale face poked in, and promptly turned puce at the sight of his two tormentors sitting inside. Lily jumped up and flew into him, crushing him in a hug.

"Oh, Sev, you're alright!" She cried. "I was so worried! Come on, let's go. I want to hear about your summer."

Severus's black eyes glared at us over her shoulder, and he left without a word. I watched as James and Sirius' expressions changed from that of seriousness to predatory interest, like wolves sizing up a deer. Lily and Severus disappeared with the closing of the compartment door.

"I should go with them." I said, worried. "We're safer in numbers."

"Which is exactly why you should stay here." Remus insisted.

I sighed, touching my cut, which was slowly scabbing over. Peter looked worse for the wear with his injuries from Mulciber and Avery, but seemed to draw strength from the presence of James and Sirius. The compartment door opened once more. An olive-skinned thirteen-year-old with long, raven-dark hair froze in our compartment. It was a fellow Ravenclaw, Angelina Azadian, who I knew on friendly terms but did not know well, as I did with Lily. Her gray eyes widened. Angelina's gaze drifted over Remus's face briefly and turned slightly pink. I frowned, half-rising from my seat.

"I'm sorry." She stammered. "I was just looking for Lily. I thought she'd be with you."

"She was." I answered. "She just left with Severus. Come on. I'll go with you. I know where she went."

"Stay." Remus implored.

Angelina shuffled on her feet. "We can all stay, I guess. If that's alright."

I glanced between her and Remus, completely oblivious to the fact that James and Sirius were sniggering behind my back. I noticed the way she was shyly averting her gaze from Remus, and how she was nervously twirling a lock of shiny black hair around a finger. I felt a twisting stab of jealousy, surprising me more than anything else today had.

"No." I said firmly. For whatever reason, the last thing I wanted was proximity between Remus and Angelina. "I'll take you. Come on."

"See you on the platform in Hogsmeade." James said, looking amused behind his glasses. Sirius coughed, failing to disguise his own entertainment. Remus looked annoyed and picked up a book. I led Angelina away without a backwards glance.

The Hogwarts Express eased to a halt after dark. The sky glittered with pinpricks of light. It was breathtakingly beautiful, a stark contrast to the horrors of Platform ¾ back in London.

Lily and I emerged from our compartment, Severus and Angelina in tow, each of us donned in our school uniforms. Severus looked surly as ever when we descended the steps and onto the concrete. The towering figure of the gamekeeper, Hagrid, stood out against the lamps illuminating the platform.

"First years!" He called in his intimidating voice. "This way, please! First years only!"

"I remember that." Lily murmured, watching several nervous-looking first years assemble in front of Hagrid. "But I don't remember being that small."

"Neither do I." I agreed.

Each year past, the crowd congregating outside of the express and making their way towards the carriages had been loud and rowdy. This year, however, there was an unnatural hush. Only whispers filled the air. News of the attacks had traveled quickly, and every student looked wary and tense. A few sported slowly healing injuries, like me.

There was a sudden gasp of alarm. I looked behind me, staring at Peter, who was a few groups behind us, gazing in fear at the carriages that would take us to the castle.

"What?" I heard James demand. "What's the matter? Did you trip over your feet again?"

But a few students had screamed too. I drew out my wand, Lily brushing closer. "What's wrong?" She whispered, frightened.

"It's nothing." Severus growled.

Several Ministry officials were corraling us. They had ridden the Express with the students, and it was clear they were going to see us all the way to the castle. After several tense moments, one of them waved her hand nonchalantly.

"There's no danger!" She said loudly, a tall woman with angular eyes and a sweep of long, dark hair shot through with silver. "Some of you are just seeing thestrals for the first time. They are gentle creatures and won't harm you. They've been pulling the carriages since Hogwarts was incepted. Please continue to board and do not panic."

"Thestrals?" Angelina echoed.

"They're like giant black skeleton-horses." I informed her, as Lily opened her mouth to add, "and they're only seen by those who have…" she faltered.

"Seen death." Severus finished darkly.

Angelina clapped a hand to her mouth, looking appalled.

I shut my eyes against the images of the bodies on the platform. Even though I had been onboard during the attack, I hadn't realized that other students had been on the ground. Some of them would have seen it.

I took a steadying breath and climbed up into a carriage. To me and many others, it still looked like it was being driven by itself.

Lily looked shaken as she followed me inside. Angelina was rubbing her hands. Severus gazed out of the window, expressionless.

"This is just so awful!" Lily burst out at last. "How could this have happened? What do you think will happen to us this year? I mean, Platform ¾ is supposed to be safe. Really safe. What if Hogwarts is compromised too?"

"It won't be." Severus reassured her. "Dumbledore's here."

"He's one of the best Headmasters we've ever had." I added, even though I privately disagreed with Dumbledore trying to see the best in people. Like how he had tried to see the best in Folsom. How could wise, old Dumbledore been so blind to the darkness that emanated from Folsom like stench from overflowing garbage?

"I hope so." Angelina said softly.

The rest of the ride passed in total silence. Only the sound of the carriage wheels rolling over the stone path broke the quiet. We departed before the entrance of Hogwarts, greeted by two huge oak doors with brass, winged boars for knockers. They slowly opened by themselves, revealing the massive entrance hall and the gleaming marble staircase that would lead into the Great Hall. We entered, surrounded by other students in their black school robes. Whispers and a few sniffles punctuated the still air. I craned my neck slightly to gaze at the crowd of students behind me, catching sight of the other Marauder's faces and the four gleaming hourglasses that held the colored gems of each House. Awaiting us at the foot of the steps was Mrs. Norris, her large, red, lamp-like eyes never blinking as we filed past her up the steps and into the Great Hall.

The four long tables were covered with empty goblets and plates. Though there was no food, the strong scent of cooking permeated the air. I couldn't feel hunger. I only felt shock, and revulsion at what had occurred. By the silence of my classmates, I guessed that they felt the same way.

We all took our seats without a word. I couldn't even appreciate the beauty of the thousands of candles floating in the air, nor the rich tapestries of each House hanging at the front of the Hall behind the staff table. Already, several of the teachers were there. None of them were smiling.

The air of despair and grimness only intensified as the Hall gradually filled up. Slytherin was seated at the far side of the room, next to Hufflepuff. My own table of Ravenclaws was placed between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor this year. I watched as Severus took his seat and looked at Lily with a mixed expression of longing and concern.

Whispers rushed around the Hall like a quiet wind. But before it could get any noisier, Dumbledore rose from his high-backed chair at the center of the staff table. Instantly, the noise went out like a candle being extinguished.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." Dumbledore began, smiling wistfully. "Unfortunately, this is a start that I don't believe any of you have had before."

There were quiet murmurs of dissent among the tables, the loudest among the Gryffindors. I spotted James and Sirius, heads bent together, talking in inaudible, but clearly compelling voices. Remus gazed up at the staff table without blinking. Peter was transfixed by whatever James and Sirius were saying. Lily was perched next to Remus.

"Today," Dumbledore continued, and the whispers ceased again, "we witnessed a terrible attack on innocent lives. It is my greatest sorrow to inform you that four people were murdered today on Platform 9 ¾. Since the families have already been notified, the Ministry of Magic has given me clearance to inform you as well. Rufus Wiles, Jack Morden, Jericho Fleet, and Bellona Ramkin lost their lives in the attacks today."

I felt a cold wave of shock and recognition wash over me. A cry of sorrow broke out among the Ravenclaws.

"Oh, no." Angelina whispered next to me. "Jericho was one of our new Chasers. She was at tryouts last year, remember? She was brilliant!"

Other sounds of grief and shock echoed across the Hall until Dumbledore raised his hand once more. This time, it took longer for the noises to quell down.

"It is in light of the occasion that we will be changing the colors for a brief period, to honor the lives of those lost. The tapestries will be covered in black after the feast.

"I have spoken with the Minister, and she agrees that it is best that we continue your lessons as scheduled. Tomorrow, you will find those schedules for the rest of the year in your House Common Room. We are not entirely certain who is behind the attacks, but you may be assured that within the boundaries of Hogwarts, you are safe."

I wondered if anyone was going to clap at his speech, but no one did. A few girls down the table were crying. They must be Quidditch players, too. Her friends. I realized.

"And now," Dumbledore said, "it is time to Sort our new first year students."

At that precise moment, the doors to the Hall opened once more. A procession of terrified-looking first years were led in by Professor McGonagall, who was also carrying a tattered old hat, a roll of parchment, and a stool.

A quiet rustling noise alerted me to a new presence. Lily had reseated herself beside me. She brushed back her long sweep of red hair, inching closer so we could talk. She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off. "Wait," I hissed as the rip in the Sorting Hat opened. "He's going to sing."

The Hall was filled with silence, awaiting the Hat's customary song that he performed each year. McGongall placed it on the stool, a second before he croaked out:

In times of old, when I was new,

And Hogwarts barely started,

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted.

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we will build and teach"

The four good friends decided.

And never did they dream that they

Might some day be divided.

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw,

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there, so I can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry's purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name."

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light.

For each of the four founders had

A house in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning just like him.

And only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest

and taught them all she knew,

Thus, the houses and their founders

Maintained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

for several happy years,

but then discord crept among us

feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four

had once held up our school

now turned upon each other and

divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

must meet an early end.

what with dueling and with fighting

and the clash of friend on friend.

And at last there came a morning

when old Slytherin departed

and though the fighting then died out

he left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

were whittled down to three

have the Houses been united

as they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

and you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

because that is what I'm for.

But this year I'll go further,

listen closely to my song:

though condemned I am to split you

still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

and must quarter every year

still I wonder whether sorting

may not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

the warning history shows,

for our Hogwarts is in danger

from external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you...

let the Sorting now begin.

There was a smattering of half-hearted applause. I watched as Professor McGonagall called up the first student, a young girl named Avery Graves. The girl was quickly Sorted into Slytherin.

"Sorry." I apologized quietly as a boy was called up next. "Lily, did Professor Smith she try to teach you the Patronus Charm?"

Lily looked surprised. "No, but I thought we wouldn't have to start learning that until our sixth or seventh year. Why?"

The boy, Richie Sweeting, was placed in Hufflepuff.

"She says I need to learn it." I muttered. "In order to protect myself against Folsom. Since he's a vampire."

"She told me that much." Lily confirmed. "Over the summer. How often did you train?"

"A few times a week." I hissed. "Why?"

Lily was staring at my lap. "Why are you doing that to your napkin?"

My hands stilled. I hadn't realized I had been doing it, but I was methodically tearing a napkin into tiny pieces. I quickly placed the shreds of paper on the table. Lily tapped them with her willow wand. "Scourgify."

The shreds vanished.

"I only trained once a week, if that." Lily murmured. "Sometimes once every two weeks. Do you really think that Folsom is after you?"

"She said he holds grudges, and I know he's got it out for me." I said. "Professor Smith said that my only real protection is learning the Patronus Charm." I studied my empty plate. "The problem is that this is the one charm I can't do."

Lily's eyes widened. "But you're excellent with Charms. You're almost as good as I am!"

"Gee, thanks Lily." I said sarcastically. "That's really going to make me feel better."

Lily grinned sheepishly. "I'm sorry. It's just… it's not like you to not pick up a spell quickly. Maybe you should talk to Professor Smith. Or Dumbledore. I'll do some reading in the library myself and see if there's a reason why you're struggling with it. Maybe it's something to do with what happened to you."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

A fifth-year Ravenclaw girl gave us a nasty stare. I noticed that she was wearing a Prefect's badge. Lily and I huddled closer together, oblivious to the Sorting still occurring at the front of the Hall.

"I think… well, maybe this has to do with grief or something." Lily said, lowering her voice so that I had to strain to hear her. "Maybe it has to do with Virginia."

What little joy I had felt from being back at Hogwarts flickered and died. I dropped my gaze to the stone floor. "Oh. Yeah. That might be why."

Lily looked upset. "I'm sorry, Amber. I'm probably wrong. I'll talk to Flitwick too since he's the Charms teacher. We'll find out why. And don't worry about Folsom so much here. We're safe."

"Yeah." I said, not wanting to talk about this anymore with the Prefect glaring at us and with the knowledge that Virginia should had been here hanging like a ghost in my mind. If she had lived, she would have been a second year. I would have bet anything she would have been Sorted in Hufflepuff.

The last first year to be Sorted was Gytha Youdle, who joined the Hufflepuff table. Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment, picked up the Sorting Hat and the stool, and exited the Hall.

Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet again and spread his hands. "Without further ado… let the feast begin!"

Instantly, the plates before us filled with mountains of food. Different rumps of carved meat, sandwiches, soups, breads, and produce sat waiting, but didn't have to linger long as many pairs of hands reached forward and began heaping helpings onto their own plates. Lily dived for the treacle tart, her favorite, as well as a helping of mashed potatoes and bratwurst. After a moment, I selected the brown-broth soup that smelled of garlic and rosemary and ladled a full bowlful. It had barley grains and several aromatic spices. I took a hunk of sourdough bread and filled my goblet with iced tea.

Lily chewed thoughtfully, surveying the other Ravenclaws. "Do you think they mind that I'm here?"

"Honestly, Lily," I chuckled as I ate a spoonful of the savory soup, "after three years, I don't think it matters."

"It shouldn't." Angelina added, eating a falafel wrap. The Gray Lady, Ravenclaw's ghost, drifted over, her face as melancholy as ever, and settled between the Prefect and another teenage girl. "Even though there's four separate Houses, we're all united as one. We should encourage more inter-House friendships."

Lily nodded enthusiastically as she ate. As more students were distracted by the gorgeous offerings of food, the air of despair and fear was replaced with a sense of celebration and homecoming, and soon the Hall was filled with the sounds of laughter and the cacophony of hundreds of people talking at once. I felt myself relaxing more and enjoying my meal. Despite the horrors of the day, I still had my friends. Remus and Lily were safe. Angelina wasn't so bad. She had probably just been shy around several boys, who had grown considerably over the summer holiday, especially Remus.

After the food had been demolished, Professor Dumbledore stood up once more and waved his hand. The carcasses of meat and empty dishes vanished. He smiled appreciatively at the jovial mood.

"Now that we've all been well-fed and watered, I have a second announcement to make."

"Is it just me, or do the Hufflepuffs seem more excited than usual?" Lily observed.

I followed the direction of her green gaze to the table next to us. Sure enough, there was a buzz of activity and anticipation swarming the table. I frowned.

"I wonder what it could be." I muttered.

Professor Dumbledore smiled down at the Hufflepuffs. "Unfortunately, I will have to make that particular announcement later."

There were more murmurs of confusion and a definite moan of disapproval from the Hufflepuffs. Dumbledore raised his hands for silence.

"I implore you for patience. I would like to introduce someone very important, someone who many of you may already know from her brief foray into professional Quidditch." Dumbledore nodded to the front of the entrance Hall, smiling indulgently.

We all turned to stare at the figure wearing black standing in the huge archway of the Great Hall. Even from here, in the dim light of the candles, her face was thrown in sharp relief. I knew who it was before Dumbledore even opened his mouth again, because her long scar was so telltale. Apparently others could see it too, because there was immediately a wind of whispers and murmurs. I frowned as she swept forward, her head held high, regal as a queen. Her black cloak billowed behind her like swirling clouds of dark smoke as she made her way to the staff table.

"Merlin's beard," Angelina whispered, sounding horrified and awed. "Who is that?"

Dumbledore answered before I could.

"I would like to introduce your newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Willow Smith."