Bella took a seat next to a girl who looked about her age. The girl, like her, had reddish hair, but hers was shorter than Bella's. The girl was deep in conversation with a blonde-haired, tall girl sitting opposite her.

"Em, Potter is the biggest fart I have ever met." The girl with the red hair was saying, "as if I would EVER like him!"

"I just thought you should maybe give him a chance, he hasn't really done anything wrong…" The blonde girl replied

"Oh yeah?" there was a sudden tone of anger in the girls voice, "What about Severus then? All the stuff James and those turds he calls his friends do to him. I can't BELIEVE…YOUR DEFENDING HIM?" The wand in the girl's hand suddenly started emitting some red sparks.

Bella looked up at the sound of Severus Snape's name. It was only then that the two girls noticed that Bella was sitting there. The red-haired girl shot another angry look in the direction of her friend, but her tone changed and she smiled as she looked at Bella. Bella smiled back, and all the fear and nervousness she had been feeling left her. There was something comforting in the girl's smile.

"Hello, you must be Casabella?" The girl asked, holding out a hand for Bella to shake.

"Bella," Bella replied with a smile, and shook the girl's outstretched hand.

"I'm Lily Evans." Said the girl, "And this is Emilee Striddleneck." She added, pointing at the blonde girl.

"Nice to meet you, Bella" Emilee said, smiling. "The feast is nearly over, Lils; we should take Bella up to the common room." At that moment, the stern witch who had greeted Bella at the door appeared next to them.

"Miss Merrythought, I am Professor McGonagall. I teach transfiguration, I am deputy headmistress and also head of Gryffindor house. On behalf of the students and myself, I would like to welcome you to Gryffindor. Here is your new timetable. Evans and Striddleneck will show you where to go I am sure. I hope your time at Hogwarts is enjoyable." And with a curt nod, she walked swiftly up to the staff table. Students were beginning to leave the Great Hall now, yawning and stretching. Bella followed Emilee and Lily as they lead her up numerous flights of stairs and through a number of corridors. Bella tried to remember her way, but lost count of the many numbers of staircases and doors. Finally they arrived at a painting of a Fat Lady, who asked them for the password.

"Ditherdally," Lily said, and the portrait swung forward and the three girls stepped forward into a large, warm room where students were sitting, talking, doing homework and laughing. Bella felt the room had a comforting, family atmosphere, friendly and fun.

"Up here, Bella, I'll show you to the girl's dormitory." Lily beckoned. But before they could take another step, four boys appeared in front of them, blocking their way. One of the boys stepped forward; he had a haughty air about him, and was very good looking.

"Whats up, Evans," he said, looking at Lily with a kind of longing, "aren't you going to introduce us to your new friend?"

Lily sighed, and rolled her eyes, "Bella, this is James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew." She said, pointing to each of the boys in turn. Bella realised this must have been the "Potter" Lily had been arguing about at dinner. The boy who was called Sirius stepped forward immediately.

"Allow me to show you around the common room, Bella," he said politely, he was standing incredibly close to her.

"No," came Lily's voice, "Bella doesn't want a tour, do you?" And before Bella had a chance to reply, Lily had grabbed her arm and was leading her up a staircase and into a dormitory. Bella couldn't help feeling a little annoyed at Lily, Sirius had been nice enough to her. Emilee seemed to be equally ticked-off.

"Lily!" she retorted, "What was that for? Black simply wanted to show Bella around the common room. Whats your problem?"

"Em, this is BLACK we're talking about. He didn't want to show Bella around, he just wanted to get her alone so he can snog her." Lily replied angrily. Bella was shocked, "We both know what he's like, Emilee. Bella, I'm sorry if you wanted to go with Black, but trust me, that whole group is bad news. You'll soon see what they're like." Lily continued, moving towards Bella and putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "They call themselves the 'Marauders" and they're the biggest jerks in the history of Hogwarts."

"LILY! The only reason you hate the Marauders is coz of Potter! You haven't even given them a chance!" Emilee grumpily answered, pulling on her pyjamas.

"Oh yeah? A chance to do what, Em?" Lily was red in the face, "A chance for Potter to bewitch me into liking him? A chance for you to hook up with Remus? A chance for Sirius to ruin Bella's time at Hogwarts?"

Bella had had enough. "Look, guys. Nobody's going to ruin my time at Hogwarts. I'm going to have a great time here, and you guys have already been so helpful to me. Thanks heaps, but let's not argue, please."

Both Lily and Emilee hugged eachother, and it was then that the other two Gryffindor 6th year girls entered the dormitory.

"Hey guys," Lily said, greeting the two girls with hugs, "This is Bella, the new girl. Bella, meet Saskia Frethill and Jane Reaves."

The two girls smiled politely at Bella and exchanged greetings of welcome. Finally, feeling full and safe at last, Bella drifted off to sleep.