Sarah peeked out of the shadows hesitantly, watching the activity in the Great Hall with a slight amount of fear. Normally she wasn't afraid of crowds, but right now she wanted nothing more than to curl up in a little ball and hide. The Dining Place back in New Orleans couldn't even come close to comparing to this!

Finally, Dumbledore seemed to notice her to the sides, and with a twinkle, he stood. The dull roar of laughter and conversation faded away to silence as the Headmaster held up his hands.

"Now that we are all properly fed and watered, I'd like to acquaint you with our last new student. She's just transferred here from the New Orleans School of Voodoo, Witchcraft, and Sorcery, and has managed to make quite a name for herself in Muggle London. Ms. Evans, would you please step forward and introduce yourself?"

The students now turned as one to face Sarah, who smiled and graced them with a small wave as she floated gracefully to the front of the Hall, strawberry colored fire bouncing softly behind her, Mogget marching purposefully at her side.

She stopped to the side of the hat and turned towards the student body. Her plain black robes were open, and the light-blue shirt she'd been wearing when she ran into Hermione was now a light green sleeveless tee with 'no, I won't give you my autograph' screened on the lower right edge. Her blue hip-huggers now had a light green flower embroidered on the left jean pocket, and her hair was held back with a green and white headband. She smiled once more, showing off brilliant white teeth.

Hermione nudged Harry. "That's the girl that ran me over outside the train."

He nodded, taking his eyes off of the ginger-haired girl across from him, leaning over to continue the whispered conversation. "You mean that girl you told our compartment was enchanted and would kill anybody other than us? I was wondering about that."

"Yes, well, something about her seems off to me." Hermione whispered back, watching the girl venemously. "First off, listen a sec, where did that Southern American accent come from?"

They both grew silent, and the aforementioned accent washed over them as clear as a bell. "...and I'm just so excited t'be here with y'all?..."

Harry frowned. "Okay, so she's an American transfer student with an on again, off again accent."

Ron leaned over, mouth still full of a roll he hadn't yet swallowed. "And in case you missed it, Harry, she's claiming her last name is Evans. She's your aunt."

"What? But...but I thought the Dursleys..."

McGonagall looked over at that moment with a particularly withering glance aimed at the Trio (how she'd known they were talking was anybody's guess), and the three immediately quieted, although Harry vowed to learn more about this strange transfer student.

Sarah caught the tail end of the Transformation professor's look, and winced. "But, that's enough 'bout little ol' me."

Dumbledore smiled to her, blue eyes twinkling ever brighter. "On the contrary, my dear. It was quite interesting. However, time is quite the flighty mistress, and we would hate for her to make fools of us. If you'll place the Sorting Hat on your head, we can finish the feast, and head up to bed."

Sarah nodded, picking up the dingy old Hat and placing it gingerly on her head.

Well, well, it's been quite a while since I've sorted another Evans. Your sister was a Gryffindor, just like her son, you know. But, you aren't your sister, are you? The hat grew silent for a moment. Let's see...you're intensely ambitious, and very brave. Your past has proved to make you kind and gentle, the perfect Hufflepuff. But, that thirst for knowledge! Oh, Rowena would have loved you!

Ah, beggin' your pardon, but what does all this mean?

The hat snorted in amusement. It means, my dear child, I don't know exactly where to put you. You could succeed equally in all of the houses.

Would it be okay if I tried to choose, then? Sarah asked silently.

I don't see why not. Where do you want to go?

Well...I would love to be among people willing to work for their goals - that's Slytherin, is it not? - but I cannot stand stupidity, or cheating. I like bravery, but, yet again, bravery normally indicates foolhardiness, and I cannot stand that. Hufflepuff...well, they're kind, and sweet, but you mention nothing about brains...

Ah. A true Ravenclaw - logical, methodical, and intelligent. Well, with that settled, I guess I know where you go now. The hat replied happily; Sarah swore she could feel it smile. Better be RAVENCLAW!!

The Ravenclaw table erupted in applause as Sarah sat the hat back down, curtseying slightly to it, and heading out to meet them. A pretty Asian girl with straight black hair moved her, motioning for her to sit next to her, and Sarah obliged.

"Hi, I'm Cho. I recognized you - you play Daisy Duren on 345 Privet Way, right? My mom doesn't watch much of the telly, but she loves that show."

Sarah nodded. "It's nice t'meet you, Cho. Beg your pardon for askin', honey, but aren't you the Seeker here? I've read about y'all."

Cho nodded, beaming when Sarah mentioned she recognized her. "You play Quidditch?"

Sarah nodded, blushing modestly. "I don't think I'm near as good as y'all though - I was Keeper back in N'Orleans."

"That's great! We need a new Keeper." Cho's smile didn't decrease at all as she hugged the surprised American. "Oh, I think you'll fit in perfectly here!"