AN: Wow, so sorry this took sooooo long. I keep thinking that I've posted chapters I haven't. Chapter 3 will be posted very shortly. Please enjoy Chapter 2 and don't forget to review :)

Chapter 2

"Morely, Calandra," Professor Longbottom called from his list. They were halfway done the sorting; Armstrong thru Montgomery were already sitting with their houses. Cal took a breath and whispered, "Well, here I go," to Lily and marched up to be sorted. The hat deliberated for a moment, the whole that served as its mouth opening and closing in quiet mumbles, and then it yelled, "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindors cheered as Cal hopped off the stool and ran over to where the red and gold banners were hung.

"Potter, Lily," was the next name to be called. Lily walked up, a little nervous, but comforted greatly by the man that stood waiting for her. Professor Longbottom was more like an uncle than a teacher, and his smile was very encouraging. Very carefully, the old, scorched sorting hat was placed on her head.

Fizzing Whizbees, another Potter eh? You're all so hard to place, well except James—no not your brother, the original James Potter; though he had his moments that would have made him a right Slytherin, just like your father had. I suppose your brother was easy enough to place, almost identical to his namesake. I see you share in his glee in bending the rules eh? But then again, there's the loyalty, smarts, and thirst for power that makes all you Potter's equally difficult to place… No, not Slytherin I think—too many morals in yeh. It would be so much simpler if they'd just make a fifth house and call it Potter. Oh well, best be off to Gryffindor!

The name roared through the Great Hall and the Gryffindor table cheered so loudly Lily thought her ears would explode. The cheers came mostly from her family members that filled a significant portion of the table. There was Louis Weasley, the Gryffindor Prefect, Fred Weasley II and Roxanne, Molly Weasley II, the other Gryffindor prefect, and Lucy, her sister, and of course James and Albus. As she made her way to the Gryffindor table, she searched for Hugo, but she couldn't find him.

"Congrats sis," James patted her on the back as she sat next to him and Albus; Cal was sitting across the table.

"Didn't I tell you there was nothing to worry about?" Al beamed.

"Where's Hugh? I can't find him anywhere."

Al choked on his pumpkin juice, and James looked confused but there was a glint in his eye. "Blimey, he hasn't told you?"

"Told me what?"

"Hugh's a Hufflepuff. Thought he'd of told you of all people."

"But I saw him on the train in Gryffindor robes, and I'm sure that the owl said Gryffindor, not Hufflepuff. Uncle Ron was so proud."

"Exactly, you don't think he'd take it all that well to find out his own son is a Hufflepuff, do you? Every Weasley for generations has been a Gryffindor. When Rose was sorted it was okay because everyone knows she's smart, but Hufflepuff's don't have a whole lot going for them, do they?"

"Then why was he wearing Gryffindor robes?"

"Managed to get 'em off the house elves in his first year. He hides his real robes in the common room; or at least that's what I've heard. No wonder he didn't make Gryffindor," James sniggered.

"Don't say that about Hugh! He's plenty brave, braver than you. Last year when you broke Mum's broom, you said Kreature did it." That house elf was ancient, none of the Potters knew how he had lasted so long, and some of them wished that he had kicked it years ago. It was true, he was a crotchety and a pain to have around most of the time, but Lily liked him. He always had a soft spot for her, or at least as soft as the wrinkled elf ever got, and she thought he was sweet, in a way.

James stuck out his tongue and crossed his eyes, the best way to get Lily out of a mood. With Al, it usually just annoyed him even more, but Lily was at the mercy of the goofy look. She gave up on being angry and giggled.

The sorting was nearly done, just Vogel, Anders left – Slytherin - and then Headmistress Baldermora rose to greet the children. "To our first years, welcome to Hogwarts; to our returning students, welcome back. Before we eat, there are a few things that stand in need of saying. I urge you all to listen as many of you may have forgotten these things over your summer holidays," her blue eyes caught James's green ones for a moment. He smiled; a mischievous smile, to be sure. "Firstly, the Forbidden Forest is indeed forbidden to all students. Yes, that means you as well, Jeremy Plinkett." The Ravenclaw table laughed, apparently Jeremy belonged to them. "Secondly, there is to be absolutely no dueling. Anyone caught doing so will be severely punished. Students are to remain in their common rooms during the scheduled quiet hours found posted on each house's notice board. I suggest making a study of it and using the loo accordingly. There is no excuse to be out of bed during those hours. Finally, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products are restricted from all classrooms. Now that that's all over with, please, eat up."

Food miraculously appeared on all the empty trays. It didn't come as a shock to Lily as much as it did some of the other first years. She had ample family members telling her about the occurrence at the Welcome Feast, her uncle, Ron, had even attempted it once. The food had all turned nearly transparent and tasted like sawdust. This food definitely didn't taste like saw dust. It tasted delicious. Every bite was absolutely scrumptious.

When all the students were well and truly stuffed, the headmistress rose to the podium once more. "Another grand feast, wouldn't you all agree?" The Great Hall filled with the applause of both students and staff.

"Aunt Hermione insisted that the house elves receive recognition for their work here," Al whispered to Lily.

When the clapping subsided Professor Baldermora continued, "Now, off to bed with you."

"First years!" Lou called from the head of the table, gesturing for them to gather round him. Lou looked a lot like his mother, Fleur Weasley, with his silvery blonde hair, blue eyes, and handsome face, but his height rivaled that of his father's. Lily joined the pack of eleven year olds clumped around her cousin. "Welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Louis, and this is Molly, we're your prefects. If you ever need anything, I would encourage you to find either Molly or myself, and we will do our best to accommodate you in your first year here. Now, if you would kindly follow us, we will lead you to the common room where you will be able to meet the other Gryffindors and find your things."

Lou started off, leading the pack of awestruck children behind him. "You will notice, as we ascend this staircase that…"

"You're Lily Potter?" A first year boy asked the girl in a whisper, cutting out whatever Lou was talking about. He had straw-like hair and a mass of freckles covering his face.

"Yeah, who are you?"

"Bernie Hopkins. Is your father Harry Potter?" he asked; a twinkle of awe in his muddy brow eyes.

"So?"

"Is it true that he survived the Killing Curse, twice, by the most powerful dark wizard in history?"

Lily almost laughed, sure her dad had fought hundreds of dark wizards across the continent, but no one survived the Killing Curse – that was kind of the point. "No, that can't be true, can it?"

The boy looked like she had just killed his owl, "Well then, is it true that he –"

Whatever he was about to ask, Lily didn't hear it. Fred had stalked in behind her and swept her into his arms. Her cousin held her close in his arms, somewhat like a person held an infant, and rocked her back and forth. "'Ickle baby Potter is all growed up," fake tears dribbled down his cheeks. "Wee, 'ickle Lilykins is going to learn spells." He choked back sobs as he hugged her even tighter, and then, as though just noticing the crowd that had formed, his eyes snapped forwards, sobs stopping in their tracks. "What are you nosy prats looking at? Bugger off will you? I'm trying to embarrass my cousin. Honestly, people these days. They never give a bloke a break." A lot of the onlookers had to do a double take. Cousins? Fred looked like Lily about as much as a quaffle looked like a snitch. Fred was tall, dark, and handsome next to Lily's somewhat pale skin and petit frame. He had hazel eyes that contrasted nicely with his skin, and his dark, corkscrew hair had the very slightest hint of red at the tips. He was quite well built and muscular from all his years training as keeper for the Gryffindor team, he had made captain in his fifth year.

"Do you mind putting me down now?" Fred kindly obliged, but pulled her into a tight hug as soon as her feet touched the ground.

"Congratulations on making Gryffindor."

"Thanks, but you made me miss Lou's speech." The pack of first years was long gone off to the common room.

Fred laughed, "Its okay, I have it memorized." Lou had been muttering it under his breath and practicing it in front of the mirror since he received the badge with his Hogwarts letter that summer. "That portrait over there is of…," he pointed at a portrait of a rather regal looking man. The man in the portrait drew himself up proudly. Fred scratched his head, "Never mind, he's not really that important. All you've really got to know is 'owl droppings'."

Lily giggled, "What?"

"It's the password, though they prefer you say 'noctua merda'. I guess it sounds more sophisticated."

"Right, well I suppose you should lead the way."

"Of course!" Fred puffed out his chest, held his elbows out, and marched forth with all the importance of the Supreme Mugwump himself. However, after a few flights of stairs he tired and gave up the act.

"So," he puffed, climbing another staircase, "do you think you'll – " he was cut off when he ran straight into a pair of Ravenclaw boys that had stopped short in front of them. The boys had identical wavy, honey brown hair. In fact, as they made their way around Lily saw that they were identical; from their pale blue eyes, to their strong jaw. "Lorcan, Lysander," Fred nodded to the pair as he tried to rush Lily by.

"Oh, hullo Fred, was that you just now?" Fred sighed and put on a smile, turning back to the twins. "I'm afraid we should have given some warning."

"Yes, shouted or something," the other twin agreed. Their voices were even identically smooth and dreamy.

"Might be something to think about. This is my cousin, Lily. Lily, this is Lorcan and Lysander Scmander. They've led the Ravenclaw quidditch team to the cup three years running." Fred couldn't quite keep the frustration out of his voice.

"That's impressive, what to you play?"

"Oh, we don't play."

"We design the plays."

"It's very exciting."

"That's…um yeah." Lily didn't think that it sounded very exciting at all. She much preferred being on the pitch.

"Well, it's been good seeing you chaps, but I've got to get this first year off to bed. See you on the pitch."

"Yes, we'll see you then," the twins' smile was almost eerie.

"They're a bit –"

"Mad, loony, strange?" Fred joked.

"Yes, that."

"Now, as I was asking before, are you going to come out for quidditch tryouts this year? We have a couple of opening, but I'm always looking for talent all over the pitch."

"Freddy, I'm a first year. I'm not even allowed a broom."

"I'm aware of the rules, Lilykins, after all, you have to know 'em if you want to break 'em. However, there is nothing in the rules about your father sending me a broom that happens to be remarkably similar to the one you have at home. There is also no rule against me letting you ride said broom. Just promise me you'll think about it. Oh, and talk to Al will you? There's a beater opening, and he'd be great next to Liam."

"Fine, I'll think about it." Their discussion had stopped them at the top of a staircase. A rather large lady listened to their conversation from within her portrait frame, hoping to hear some gossip.

"Good, and don't forget noctua merda."

The portal opened to reveal the Gryffindor common room.