A/N: This is a short one but very important.

Chapter Dedications: jameswolf109, mekio777, and CrazyMuggleborn44. Thanks for favouriting and reviewing :)

Chapter Seven

Unlike with the first years, the hat did not come down over her eyes, and as a result, she got treated to the stares of everyone in the Great Hall. Rain decidedly focussed on only four stares, the Marauders.

"Hmm, interesting..." said a voice in her ear. "Quite the strange predicament you're in. You're very talented...cunning...mischievous...hmm...vindictive."

Rain felt dread in the pit of her stomach. She looked at the Marauders with fear in her eyes. They looked back, their eyes suddenly mirroring her own.

"Yes perfect for...SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted the last word to the whole hall.

The shock coming from the Marauders was palpable from where she was. Rain stood, shaking, and handed the hat to Professor McGonagall before walking toward the Slytherin table. They were cheering for her, but they didn't know that she was a Muggleborn, yet.

Rain sat at the end of the table, next to the first years.

Dumbledore stood and addressed the students. "There will be time for my babbling after we've all been fed. Tuck in!"

Rain and the first years gasped as food appeared on the plates in front of them. She helped herself to some mashed potatoes. She looked across the Great Hall at her friends, they looked back sadly before starting on their food.

Not feeling very hungry, Rain only nibbled at her food as the first years next to her talked cheerfully.

"So," a boy next to Rain said to her. "What part of America are you from?"

Rain looked up at the friendly face Not friendly for long, she thought. "California," she said. "I lived there for four years. Before that, I was in Canada."

"Oh," said the boy. "So you're Canadian?"

"Born and raised."

"I'm Tanner Lewis, by the way. I didn't catch your name."

"Rainnina Bone, but everyone calls me Rain."

"That's an odd name," Tanner commented.

"Yeah I think my mum was reading too much hippie stuff when she named me."

Tanner laughed. "You don't sound American," he said. "You hardly have an accent."

"I try to hide my accent," Rain replied. "I've heard many stories from my friends back home about how the British don't like Americans much."

"True, Americans tend to be portrayed as stupid and lazy."

"Oh I know, I grew up in Canada, they have the same stereotypes there. But not everyone in the States are stupid and lazy."

"Oh I know that."

Their conversation was quite pleasant. Rain tried furiously not to mention anything Muggle-ish.

"So do you like Quidditch?" Tanner asked.

Rain reminded herself to thank James for blathering about the game on the train.

"Sure, I've never seen an actual game, though," she said. "It's not as popular in the States as it is here."

"Wow! You definitely need to see a game, it's the best sport there is! You know how to fly?"

"No, I've never learned," these half-truths were killing her. Rain hated deception, she just wanted to shout at the whole table 'I'm Muggleborn! Don't like it? Too friggin' bad!'

When desert (pudding!) came, talk turned to their families. This was the part that Rain dreaded.

"My mother is a Medi-Witch at St. Mungo's," said Tanner. "And my dad owns a potion shop in Knockturn Alley."

"Cool," said Rain, hoping he wouldn't ask what her parents did.

"What do your parents do?" he asked. Damn!

Rain couldn't come up with a lie. Well, it was gonna come out eventually.

"My dad is a Computer Programmer and my mum is an Accountant."

Tanner stared as well as four other first years who heard her.

"Your parents are Muggles?" asked a girl with stringy brown hair.

Rain first instinct was to cower, but then she realized that would just make them push her around more. "Yeah, so?"

Tanner suddenly looked disgusted. "You're a Mudblood!" he cried loud enough to carry down the table. Slytherin heads turned and stared at the new girl with shock and contempt. The word 'Mudblood' was whispered down the table and soon everyone knew.

Hostile glares were sent at her from up the table and all Rain could do was take it. She looked across the Hall at the Gryffindor table, catching the eyes of the Marauders. They were looking back at her, helpless looks on their faces.

A/N: Hah! Didn't see that one coming did you? I had actually planned for Rain to be in Gryffindor, I had the chapter written and everything, but then it just rewrote itself. I've posted an alternate Chapter 7 as a one shot if you're interested. R&R!