Summary: The train ride to Hogwarts has reached its completion and it is time for Rose and Albus to make their way across the school lake to Hogwarts where they will be sorted into their houses. The question is which house will they end up in?

DISCLAIMER: don't own any of the known characters. The original characters are mine and I would like to keep them that way.

Rose watched Albus as her cousin skipped down the steps onto the Hogsmead Platform. The nervousness that the boy had shown at the beginning of the train ride were completely gone and they had been replaced with a jovial, almost hyper mindset. He was practically glowing with excitement.

"Hurry up Rose!"

"Our trunks." She snapped irritably.

"Will be taken to the castle for us. Didn't your mum and dad tell you that?" Rose frowned at him and sighed. They had told her that and she had forgotten.

"Come on Rose, let's go, he need to find Hagrid so he can take us to the boats! Morgain, Avedis, and Scorpius are going to save us seats. They promised they would." Rose frowned down at Albus. She did not really like the little group of students that had so easily captured Albus' attention. She did not think that Scorpius was one of the people who Albus should get close to."

"F'rst years, all f'rst years over 'ere, this way, f'rst years ta meh please!" Rose saw Albus' face light up when they caught sight of Hagrid's towering form as the half-giant moved through the crowd of students.
"Come one Rose! Hagrid is waiting!" The dark haired boy darted back up the small flight of stairs that led into the carriage and grabbed her wrist. "Let's go!" He demanded softly. "I want to find the others." Rose sighed in defeat and allowed Albus to lead her down the steps. There was not stopping him when he set his mind to something and right now he was dead set on finding his new group of friends.

Rose had to admit that the Morgain and Alise did not seem so bad, and if she remembered correctly Morgain had said that her father had been a Gryffindor, which meant that she might be a Gryffindor as well. Alisa was nice but a year ahead of them and in Ravenclaw, they were both going to be in Gryffindor and they would never see her.

"Hagrid!" The half-giant heard Albus' shout and turned to look in their direction. When he spotted them a wide smile split across his face and he started to make his way over to them.

"Albus, Rose, its good ta see the both of you. Ya look well. Albus 'ow's your father, 'ow's 'arry?" Albus grinned brightly at the man towering over him.

"Dad is fine Hagrid. He said to tell you hello and he reminded me that you wanted us to come for tea once we've settled into the castle." Hagrid nodded vigorously and smiled down at them.

"Ah course Albus, I can't..."

"Albus!" Hagrid's words were suddenly interrupted when Morgain practically flew herself against the boy. Her slim arms went around his neck and she clung to him. Albus beamed down at her and glanced around to find Scorpius and Avedis standing nearby. Avedis had his hand over his eyes and was shaking his head while Scorpius had crossed his arms across his chest and averted his gaze in an attempt to hide his small smile.

"She dragged us off the train." Said Scorpius.

"She's been pretty desperate to find you." Avedis added. Albus shook his head and moved to wrap an arm around Morgain's waist. She settled against him and twisted to grin at Scorpius and Avedis.

"I can't wait to get to the castle." She chirped excitedly. The three boys shook their heads and Albus moved closer to the other two boys.

"Albus?" The boy looked back at Hagrid and gave the man an apologetic smile.

"Sorry Hagrid. I will meet you for tea as planned an we can talk then." Hagrid frowned and raised his hand to stop Albus' departure but the small knot of first years was already moving towards the edge of the group.

"Hagrid?" Rose's soft timid voice drew his attention back to the young girl beside him. "Are you all right Hagrid?"

"What's 'e doin with a Malfoy?" Hagrid knew a Malfoy when he saw one. The bleach blond hair, immaculate robes, and steely gray eyes were dead give aways. Rose looked miserable as Hagrid spoke and her eyes dropped to the ground.

"He met them on the train. I tried to keep him from going into their compartment. It's all my fault." Rose felt tears perking at her eyes and she brushed at them awkwardly. Hagrid settled a large hand on her shoulder and patted her.

"Do n't trouble yerself Rose. Yer cousins a Gryffindor and 'e'll learn quick enough once 'e gets settled into the tower that them Slytherins ain't worth 'is time." Rose glanced upward hopefully and Hagrid patted her shoulder a final time. "Let's get you lot ta the castle. 'eadmaster McGonagall will have my 'ead if I getcha there late."

"Okay Hagrid." Rose gave the man a weak smile as the half-giant moved away from her and headed towards the front of the group of students. As he moved to the front of them the group quieted slightly and looked to him for directions.

"The lot ah you are ta follow me this way ta the boats. No more than three ta a boat now. This way." The towering figure gestured for them to follow him and the excited students crowded closer to him as he started to lead them down a side path that would lead them to the lake.

As he walked Hagrid could not help but glance backward. The last thing he wanted to do was lose any of the students. Every time he glanced back however his eyes managed to fall on Albus. The girl had still not let the dark haired boy go and the four of them were talking in hushed tones as they followed the group towards the dock.

Little Rose was alone in the middle of the group and she looked lost. More than once Hagrid was tempted to push his way back through the students and forcibly separate Albus from his new friends to remind him that he had a cousin who was looking to him for support. That would create a scene however, and delay their arrival at the castle.

He rounded the curve in the road and the docks came into view. Behind him the soft whisper of voices rose in excitement and Hagrid smiled to himself. These kids hadn't seen nothing yet.

"Three ta ah boat please, no more than three to a boat." The students surged forward as he spoke and Hagrid remained where he was. As he watched them he sought out Albus and Rose. He found them easily and hesitated as he listened to Albus speaking.

"We can't all go in the same boat Morgain. One of us has to go in a different boat." The girl pouted but finally slipped free of him as Albus glanced around at the two boys. "I think she wants to go with me so which one of you is coming with us?"

"But Albus!" The four students turned in unison to find Rose standing a few feet from them. "You promised you would share a boat with me." She looked like she was about to cry and Hagrid moved over to the group before she could.

"What's the problem 'ere?" Rose crossed her arms over her chest and turned her back to the other students. The girl sniffled pitifully and Hagrid turned his gaze towards Albus. "Ah asked what was wrong."

Albus frowned and took a step towards Rose. He looked upset for hurting her and aggravated that she was making a scene where everyone could see her. He did not know why she was acting this way. Rose had been fine when they had left the platform earlier this morning. She should not be acting this way now. Her behavior confounded him.

"Calm down Rose. Please." Albus glanced back at the others. "Come on Morgain. You can ride in the same boat as Rose and I." Behind him and unseen to him Rose stiffened. Morgain caught it where Albus did not and hesitated as she glanced back at Avedis and Scorpius.

"I think I'm going to go with Avedis and Scorpius. Thank you though Albus. We'll see you at the castle." The boy's face fell at her rejection and Morgain quickly grabbed the two boys behind her by their robes as she led them to the nearest empty boat.

Albus turned his attention back to Rose and frowned at her. If possible she looked more miserable than she had before. "Let's go." He whispered quietly. Rose nodded and moved to touch his shoulder as he swept past her. Albus ducked her hand and hurried to a nearby boat. When he was seated he helped Rose in.

"Are you happy now?" He hissed quietly.

"Albus..."

"What did you think you were doing? Were you trying to embarrass me?" Rose looked horrified.

"No! No! Albus I promise I wasn't." The boat suddenly lurched forward and Rose reached out to grip the sides. There had obviously not been enough first years to fill each boat with three students and they were mercifully alone.
"Then what were you trying to do? What is your problem?"

"Daddy said we should be careful who we become friends with." She said it so matter-of-factly that it made Albus' cheeks heat in anger. "Daddy doesn't like the Malfoy family. He thinks that they are bad seeds." She continued to explain, as though her reasoning was the only possible reasoning that could be correct.

"Because your dad said... that's why you are acting this way?" Rose nodded and Albus narrowed his eyes at her.

"Our parents sent us here to learn magic and make friends. You shouldn't judge them. You barely even know them."

"Neither do you!" Rose insisted angrily. "You barely know them and you are treating them like they are your new best friends."

"What if they are?"

"You only met them a few hours ago Albus."

"At least I tried to get to know somebody. If you had had your way we would have stayed in our compartment, by ourselves, for the whole trip."
"It would have been better than spending the whole trip in a compartment full of Slytherins!" Albus froze at her sudden outburst.

"That's not fair." He whispered urgently. "Dad says house doesn't matter."
"But it does Albus! James says it does. You don't want to be in Slytherin."
"Who told me when we got on the train that 'James is a big fat liar' ? That was you Rose. Why are you suddenly so convinced that he's telling the truth?" Rose's cheeks had turned pink and she looked miserable as Albus continued to throw her earlier words back at her and she turned a deeper pink as Albus continued. "My dad says that it doesn't matter what house I'm in. He's going to be proud of me no matter where I go."

"Don't you want to be in Gryffindor?" Rose asked suddenly.

Albus frowned. The answer that had always been an automatic yes suddenly was not anymore. He was so confused and he turned away from Rose to look over the lake. Almost as he did so the boat curved around a bend in the lake and the school came into view. Albus' breath caught in his throat and he was unable to speak for a moment as he stared at it. He had been to Hogwarts in the past of course, with his father, but it had usually been in the summer, and during the day. It was the first time he had seen the building at a distance. It glittered with lights and torches and the glitter reflected off the lake. It was the most amazing sight he had ever seen in his life.

"Look Rose!" The girl behind him had obviously not been looking at the castle until he spoke because he heard a delighted gasp from behind him as she took it in for the first time. He felt her small hands squeezing his arm in her excitement and the argument they had been having was forgotten.

"It's beautiful Albus! I can't believe we are going to school in someplace so pretty!" Albus nodded and glanced around at the boats that surrounded them. All the students were staring at the castle in rapt attention. They all seemed mesmerized by their first glimpse of the building that would become like a second home for the next seven years of their life.

His eyes landed on the boat that Morgain, Avedis, and Scorpius had chosen and he could see Morgain clinging to Avedis. She looked absolutely amazed and Albus found himself wishing that he was close enough to them to hear what they were saying. He was not however, and he glanced back at Rose. The girl was still staring at the castle and Albus decided to let her be. The comfortable silence was better than fighting with her.

It took a shorter amount of time than he had anticipated for the little boats to cross the broad expanse of water and it seemed to take mere moments for their little boat to bump against the dock most near the castle. Albus hopped up onto the dock first and then moved to help Rose up. She seemed to have forgotten that they were fighting as she thanked him and then started to follow him towards the castle.

As they walked Albus noticed that many of the students were much more nervous now than they had been on the train platform. He could understand why. Hogwarts dwarfed them and overshadowed them. It would be an intimidating place to live until they had all grown accustomed to it.

He glanced back towards the docks and stopped as he realized that Morgain, Avedis, and Scorpius were not following the group. The boys stood on either said of the girl and Morgain was staring up at the castle with an odd look on her face. She almost appeared to be in a trance and Albus felt himself inexplicably drawn to her.

"Guys?" Avedis and Scorpius looked up at him as he moved closer but Morgain continued to stare. "Morgain?" He reached the group and waved his hand in front of the girl's face. She snapped back to reality almost immediately and a peaceful smile spread across her face.

"I like it here." She stated quietly. She seemed entirely at ease with the looming stone structure and started skipping towards it before the boys could question her about her odd behavior. The boys looked at one another and Scorpius was about to say something when Morgain stopped and turned back to them.

"Come one boys. We need to hurry up. The others are leaving us." Albus glanced up towards the castle to find that sure enough they were. Hagrid had approached the castle and was busy leading the others inside.

"Let's go." He said quickly. Scorpius and Avedis nodded and the three of them quickly moved to follow Morgain as she once again started to skip towards the castle.

When they reached the doors Hagrid and Rose were waiting for them. The first year girl looked none too pleased with them and hurried into the castle before Albus could apologize to her.

"You shoulda stayed wit the group Albus. Ah almost left ya behind and woulda had Rose not pointed out that ya had fallen behind." Albus muttered a quick apology and slipped into the castle. The group was waiting for them and Hagrid quickly moved to the front of the group to lead them further into the castle.

As they neared the great hall they found Neville Longbottom waiting for them. He gave Hagrid a questioning look that asked why they had delayed and then turned to the children.

"I would like to welcome each and every one of you to Hogwarts. I am Professor Longbottom and I will be your Herbology teacher. For those of you who are sorted into Gryffindor I will also be your head of house." He paused for a moment and surveyed the group of students. "As I'm sure the majority of you know there are four houses and each of you will be sorted into one of them. Your house and your housemates will be family and your home during the years that you attend this school." He glanced around at the small group of eager face once more and continued. "Is there anyone here who is not aware of the houses?" A couple hands timidly rose into the air.

"Can you quickly tell us a little about each house Professor Longbottom?" The girl who had spoken sounded nervous to Albus but he was not close enough to her to see her face. Neville gave her a reassuring smile.

"Yes, I believe I can but I must be brief." He paused to collect himself. "Those in my house, Gryffindor, are known for their bravery and courage. Hufflepuffs are known for their loyalty, patience, and truthfulness. Ravenclaws are selected for their quick minds and intelligence while those in Slytherins are put there because of their ambition and their cunning." Does that answer your question young lady?"

"Thank you Professor Longbottom. It does." Neville smiled broadly and turned back towards the closed doors of the hall.

"If there are no further questions then I shall go announce your arrival to the Headmistress. I shall return in a few moments to escort you into the hall." Neville turned to Hagrid and nodded to him. "Professor if you would accompany me." The half-giant nodded and quickly moved to follow Neville as they made their way down the corridor in the direction of the Great Hall's side entrance. When they were out of earshot they started speaking quietly and Albus imagined that Hagrid was explaining to Neville why their arrival had been delayed.

When the two had disappeared from view Albus focused his attention on Morgain. The slim girl appeared as though she was trying to take in everything at once and her eyes finally settled on a narrow stairwell that led downward. She seem fixated on the spot and Albus gave her a concerned glance before turning to Scorpius and Avedis.

"What happened on the docks?" He asked curiously. The two boys shrugged and sent their own glances in Morgain's direction.

"Whatever it was it seems to be happening again." Avedis stated quietly.

"Morgain?" Scorpius addressed the girl quietly and waited. She finally turned back to them and their was an odd gleam in her eye.

"Morgain?" Now it was Albus' turn to address her. Her eyes seemed to clear and the same peaceful smile she had worn on the docks once again settled on her face. She moved close to Albus and hugged him excitedly. Her dark blue eyes were flashing with excitement.

"I can't wait to be sorted." She whispered to him. "We are going to have so much fun here." Her words almost seemed to ignite a fire in his belly and he felt warmth spread through him. Any doubt or nervousness he had still harbored left him instantly and he felt a small smile spreading across his face.

The castle that had, until now, felt overwhelming and unfriendly suddenly seemed inviting and familiar. Hogwarts would be home! He did not know how he was suddenly so certain of that fact but he was. Before Albus question why he suddenly felt the way he did Morgain had pulled away from him and was quickly pulling Scorpius and Avedis into similar hugs. By the time she was done with them they too were wearing small smiles.

"Would the students please follow me." The three of them were pulled from their momentary stupors by the sound of Neville's voice. A hush fell over the collected first years and Albus glanced over at Rose. She was watching him with a suspicious look in her eye and she seemed bothered by something. As the group started to move she stepped alongside him and caught the sleeve of his robe in her hand.

"What did that girl say to you?" She asked urgently. Albus shrugged. He had seen nothing wrong in Morgain's excitement.

"She said that she could not wait to be sorted and that we are going to have fun here." Rose did not look convinced. She seemed to believe in her heart that Morgain had told him something different.

"I don't trust her." Rose stated suddenly. "There is something funny about her."

"Funny?" Albus could hear the hint of disbelief in his voice as he spoke.

"Yes funny." Rose insisted. "When she hugged you Albus, when she hugged you it was like she cast a spell on you. She did the same to Malfoy and Harkiss."

"She didn't cast a spell on me. Look at me Rose. I'm not under any spell. I'm just excited is all." Rose was clearly not satisfied with his explanation but she said no more as they neared the double doors that led into the great hall.

They opened on what seemed like their own and their were gasps of delight and fear as the group started to pour into the hall. Albus glanced upward and grinned as he saw the enchanted ceiling for the first time.

"Look at the stars." He whispered urgently. They were beautiful and they twinkled merrily down at them as they made their way towards the front of the hall.

Rose seemed amazed by them and she smiled at Albus. "It's so pretty. Just like Mum said it would be. She told me that it changes every day. I can't wait to see it change." Albus nodded and came to a stop in front of the Hufflepuff table.

His eyes flickered to the head table and he watched as Neville moved to the table and picked up a scroll that lay in front of Headmistress McGonagall. He then moved a small stool into place and set an ancient ripped and patched wizards hat on it. When he had finished the headmistress stood and gave the assembled students a warm smile.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Each of you will now be sorted into your houses and then we will begin the welcoming feast. When the feast has completed I will give my start of term notices and then the prefects will escort each house to their common rooms." She clapped her hands smartly and there was a second of silence during which the assembled first years shifted nervously. They had no idea what awaited them or how they would be sorted.
The tension was broken when the battered, ancient old hat seemed to twitch. It twitched a second time and a rip formed near the object's brim. That rip expanded and the hat suddenly started to sing!

In the beginning there were four,
more daring than the rest.
Who believed that the educated,
should rise to be the best.
They strove to make that happen,
and would leave no stone unturned,
and from their hassle, rose this castle.

Now these four, their castle build,
needed a way to sift the silt.
They each had ideas you see,
about about what made one wizard
better than his brother.
These four they needed a way,
to sort their best from the rest,
and from that need came me.
For I am the sorting hat you see,
and sorting students was the job
the four founders gave to little old me.

I might put you in Gryffindor,
who favored bold and brave above the rest.
Or I might put you in Hufflepuff,
who sought the true and pure.
Though don't forget there are two yet,
to whose house you might might be swept.
If you have intelligence enough, to prove your stuff,
Then its to Ravenclaw that you should go.
Slytherin remains, perhaps the most picky of the lot.
He valued wit and cunning yes,
but those of ambition were his alone.

You have them now,
your Hogwarts four,
and where you go, is up to me.
I'll peek inside your head you see,
and know you sure and true.
I've never made a mistake to date
and will not fail with you.

The hat fell silent and bent at the middle in what Albus considered the equivalent of a small bow. As he did so the elder students and teachers burst into a short round of applause that ended when Professor Longbottom raised and began to unfurl the long roll of parchment in his hand.

"When I call your name step forward and sit on the stool. The hat will be placed on your head and it will peek inside your thoughts to determine which house you are best suited for.

"Appleton, Elizabeth." A girl with dark brown hair broke free from the crowd and moved to the sit on the stool. A moment later the hat cried out Gryffindor and Elizabeth moved towards the cheering table.

"Beckersteth, Mercutio." The timid boy was sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Bell, Alistor, Blake, Alinda" The next boy and girl to approach the sorting hat were both placed in Ravenclaw.

"Broadmoor, Nicolas." Moments later Nicolas was the first student sorted into Hufflepuff.

"Carrow, Maretta." A black haired girl took Nicolas' place and the hat had barely touched her head when it shouted out Slytherin.

Albus' attention quickly turned to things over than the sorting. He really did not care where the other students ended up. The eleven year old glanced over to the Gryffindor table where his brother was sitting. The fourteen year old waved at him and gave him a thumbs up. Albus returned the gesture with a smile and let his gaze shift over the rest of the hall. He saw Indu and Alisa talking in low voices at the Ravenclaw table and they clapped politely as Colin Dagworth was sorted into their house.

When his eyes finally traveled to the Slytherin table Sevak grinned back at him and jabbed his elbow into Ammon's middle to get his attention. The wave of encouragement Ammon gave abruptly ended when Klaron Dolohov was shorted into Gryffindor. Sevak elbowed Ammon in the ribs a second time and pointed down the table towards a teenage boy who wore a prefect badge on his robes.

The teenager looked dumbstruck and Albus realized that Klaron must have been the boy's younger brother. There was a light applause from the Gryffindor table as Klaron moved to join them. The poor boy looked a little disconcerted as he slipped onto the edge of the bench and Albus turned his attention back to the Slytherin table.

Sevak had gotten over his shock and when their eyes met a second time Sevak gave him an even wider smile. Almost on reflex Albus returned it.

"Finnigan, Morgain." Albus' eyes snapped back towards the high table to watch as Morgain moved forward from the line of students. She grinned at him as Professor Longbottom placed the hat on her head. It slipped down over her eyes and Albus resisted the urge to laugh. She looked ridiculous with her wide smile and the battered hat hiding her sparkling blue eyes.

A moment passed and Albus found himself biting his lip as the seconds ticked away. It seemed like forever before the hat happily cried out Slytherin. Morgain's grin widened as Professor Longbottom removed that hat from her head and a loud applause, led by Sevak and Ammon, rose from the Slytherin table.
Albus was slightly disappointed. He had hoped that she would be in Gryffindor.

Despite his misguided hope he still gave the girl a broad smile as she brushed past him. She returned it and gave his shoulder a brief squeeze as she moved past him. He followed her with his eyes and gave a nod to Sevak as the twelve year old made room for her on the bench beside him. He continued to watch the pair as Hilda Furmage and Alynn Greengrass were both sorted into Hufflepuff, they were followed by Bella Grimsby who was sorted into Slytherin.

"Harkiss, Avedis." Albus and Morgan turned towards the head table almost simultaneously and Albus saw Morgain give Avedis a small wave of encouragement as the brown haired boy moved to sit on the stool. Within seconds the hat had called out Slytherin and Avedis was grinning as he moved to sit beside Morgan.

Albus could feel his disappointment growing as he watched Morgain give him a brief hug. The girl was almost bouncing where she sat and Sevak was laughing softly about something she had said. He vaguely heard that Shinji Hidaki and Matillda Hopkirk were sorted into Gryffindor and Albus let his eyes travel back to his brother's table. The older boy was paying attention to their cousin Fred and Albus quickly averted his gaze. He did not know what to think. He had figured for sure that at least Morgain or Avedis would have
been sorted into Gryffindor.

The boy glanced down the line of remaining first years and watched with disinterest as Cassidy Jones and Cerberus Krumplepot were both sorted into Ravenclaw. He found Scorpius near the Slytherin table and sighed. Scorpius would be in Slytherin for sure, his whole family had been in Slytherin. When the blond's name was finally called Albus could not help but cross his fingers. There was always a possibility that he would end up in Gryffindor. The brief hope was dashed when the hat shouted out Slytherin and Scorpius moved to join Avedis and Morgain.

"I told you so." The soft whisper came from Rose who had moved closer to him as the number of students waiting to be sorted had decreased. "I told you they were all Slytherins." Albus tried to tune her out and succeeded. For a few moments he did not hear anything but his own thoughts and he completely missed it as Eliza Montague was sorted into Slytherin and Roshan Nott was sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Potter, Albus." The sound of his own name drew him from his thoughts and he hurried towards the stool. Before the hat dropped onto his head he caught Morgain as she waved and grinned at him. Albus could not help but return the smile. She really was a sweet girl and he hoped that he could remain friends even if they were in different houses.

"Let me see what I have here." The soft voice that he had heard singing echoed softly in his mind and Albus forced himself to pay attention.
"Albus Severus Potter. I would say that your family is automatically suited for Gryffindor but you are different my dear boy, so much like your father was, though I believe you are much more open minded than he was at your age." There was a pause. "You are proving a most difficult child to sort. You are not quite studious enough for Ravenclaw I do not think."

"Not Hufflepuff." The hat chuckled.

"No lad, no, most definitely not Hufflepuff. I would like to take the chance I missed with your father and place you in Slytherin though I fully expect you to protest such a placement. A Potter in Slytherin would be considered a disgrace upon your family would it not?" Albus hesitated and the hat chuckled again. "You think through your decisions. Very wise. It is a trait that will serve you well."

"So you are placing me in Slytherin?" All the doubt that Albus had felt when he had been at the train station was returning. What would James think, and his mother, Rose, and Uncle Ron. The idea of being the first of his family in a house his family despised scared him, but if he was really a Gryffindor than he would not be scared.

"Fear is not irrational Albus-Severus. Your father should have made that clear to you. The greatest Gryffindors feel fear and the truly ambitious are inherently brave." There was a pause. "You will do well in SLYTHERIN!"

It took a moment for Albus to realize that the hat had actually made its choice and that it had shouted Slytherin aloud. He pulled off the hat and his bright green eyes flickered around the hall in shock.

There was a moment of silence where everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Albus saw the shock on Rose's and James' faces and then the cheer rose from the Slytherin table. A small grin rose to Albus' face as he saw Morgain, Sevak, and Avedis cheering for him. Ammon stuck his fingers into his mouth and whistled loudly. Even Scorpius, who seemed the most shocked of the bunch, was cheering him on.

The applause brought back his confidence and he quickly moved to join his cheering house mates. They quieted quickly once he had joined them and Morgain made room for him on the bench beside her. When he was seated she hugged him and Albus heard her speak as Professor Longbottom called Larissa Quintin forward to be sorted. Albus was not sure but he thought he heard a slight tremor in Neville's voice but he was not sure.

"I knew we would all be in Slytherin! I just knew it! I told you we would have so much fun!" The girl clung to him and Albus nodded numbly. Being here, with his new friends felt right to him and he hoped that they would have many happy years ahead of them.

"You were right Morgain. I don't know how it happened but you were right."

"SLYTHERIN!" A cry from the front of the hall sounded and Albus turned his attention to welcoming Kaori Sato as the newest member of their house. The sorting continued and Ramses Verity joined them a few moments later. Albus' eyes traveled over the remaining students and he suddenly realized that only two students remained.

"Weasley, Rose." His cousin, he noticed, looked truly miserable and Albus tried to catch her eye as she moved to sit on the stool. It took almost nothing at all to realize that she was purposely ignoring him. The idea that he had upset her made him miserable and his misery grew when Rose was almost immediately sorted into Gryffindor.

The cheer from the table did not seem to cheer her much. She took a seat across from James and Albus could see his brother speaking to her even though he could not make out the words. Rose gestured towards the Slytherin table as she responded to him and suddenly burst into tears when James said something else.

The idea that James was angry at Rose made Albus angry but he resisted crossing the hall to tell James off. Doing so would only make James more angry and would serve no purpose. His only hope was that James would cool down and that they would find some time to talk.

There was a sudden flash and Albus turned back to the table to find that the food of the welcoming feast had appeared. He had been so concerned with the interaction between Rose and James that he had completely missed the remainder of the sorting. He glanced up at the head table to see that the Headmistress was watching the Slytherin table with an odd look on her face. At her left Neville was speaking quietly to her and occasionally she nodded. Albus was not sure but he thought that they were talking about him.

Morgain suddenly tugged on his arm and she pushed a plate piled high with food in front of him. "Eat!" The girl's grin was infectious and Albus gave her a smile of his own.

"Thanks Morgain." The girl nodded and turned her attention to her own plate. For nearly a half an hour none of them spoke as they sampled and tasted the vast array of foods that had been provided for them to sample. It simply amazed Albus and he realized that he was going to gain a ton of weight if he continued to eat like he was tonight. By the time dessert arrived he barely had space left in his stomach to shovel down a pair of chocolate éclairs.
He had just finished the last bit, and was wiping cream from his lip when Headmistress McGonagall stood and clapped her hands.

"Now that we have all had our fill I must make my start of term notices." She paused for a moment and her gaze took on a steely, almost hard expression. "The Forbidden Forest is forbidden for a reason. Anyone entering its boundaries without permission and a staff escort will face severe punishment. Magic in the corridors is restricted . All of you will refrain from frivolous wand waving between classes. It only tends to lead to trouble that none of you need. Argus Filch, the school's caretaker has asked me to remind each student that there are lists of restricted and prohibited items are posted in each common room. All of the Weasley Wizard Wheezes products are banned on principal."

The last comment seemed to be directed at the Gryffindor table, specifically at James and Fred. "I must also remind you that the school has a curfew for a reason. Anyone caught breaking curfew will receive detention." A small smile crossed her face. "Speaking of curfew it is about that time. I will dismiss you into the capable hands of your prefects so that you may retire to your common rooms. I bid that each of you enjoy your evening. Your schedules will be passed out by your head of house when you arrive for breakfast in the morning."

With that she lowered herself back into her chair and the hall was filled with the shouts of prefects and older students as they started to rally their houses so that they might retire for the evening.

REVIEWS are really important to me, especially with this kind of fic. I want to know what you guys think of my new characters. I would also love to know what you guys think of my sorting song. I'm not a poetry person so it was a bit difficult to come up with something that sounded decent.

I'll get the new chapter up as soon as I can.