Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling has full rights, the story is a work of fanfiction and all mine

again, sorry that it's moving slowly

Chapter 4: The Sorting Ceremony

"Alina, wake up. We're almost here. Look outside. It's beautiful." Rubbing her eyes, she peered into the darkness and saw the moonlit lake and the castle which was breathtaking in size and grandeur. So meday when she had the time she would attempt to paint the enchanting scene.

"You had better get ready quickly. I'll got to check on where we go once the train stops." Selena left.

But nights like this seem to be slowly fading

they disappear, as reality comes crashing through the floor

Her iPod was still on and she left it be as she changed. She didn't feel like thinking so didn't bother using magic. She had the gotten the skirt on and was about to put on the shirt when the the door slid open. She didn't hear it open, and was humming when she turned around, with her shirt on, and started to button the shirt when she slowly froze and gradually looked up with dread.

"Sorry," he grunted. "Didn't know anyone- I thought it would be empty. I apologize." he said so formaly, and looking at her he closed the door quickly. Alina stood there like a fool, shocked. Her face, she was sure, made her look like a dumbfounded idiot.

'Dang it, dang it, dang it. Crap. Why is it that one person always happens to be half-naked? Well, I guess I deserve it.' Alina grunted and pulled the gray sweater vest over. She had no clue what her house was so went without a tie and cloak. Wait. Why had she even bothered changing yet? 'You're so stupid Alina, let me tell you.' Finally focusing, she changed back into the clothes she was wearing before. In the meanwhile, Selena returned.

"Selena- you will not believe it..." She told her shocked sister the whoel sotry, including how she had run into Draco earlier. She started laughing incessantly.

"It's not funny Selena, it's humiliating and embarrassing." said Alina defiantly.

"Oh come on. Think for a second. It's hilarious." Alina just shook her head but a smile was playing on her lips as she picked up her bag and as they rode in the carriage, she felt ready to start a new life.

Everyone filed into the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall told Selena and Alina to wait with the other first years. They stood behind them all, towering over them by a good several inches. Selena smiled but Alina fidgeted. It wasn't like Alina to show so much outward anxiety but there it was, all the same. 'Calm down. It's fine. Think about Mom and Dad.' but the thought only started to make her upset. 'Think about the first kiss with David.' She felt even worse. ' Think about Sean, Emilie and Matthew.' Aah, Matthew. Such a cutie. The summer had seemed to heal Selena's pains and desperation, but not her own. She had held it all in. For who, she didn't quite know. The only way she had escaped those days of pretending was down in Diagon Alley, at Flourish & Bott's, reading and writing while viewing the passerby. Returning from her reverie she exhaled and stood straight.

"Atta girl" smiled Selena, reassuring her. "Let's hope we're in the same house." Alina only nodded. 'Oh no- something else to worry about. We better be in the same house.'

Soon they were called into the Great Hall. All heads turned, somewhat surprised by the appearance of two new girls, apparently not first years. "That's her," Harry whispered.

"Amazing. Merlin's Academy is the most prestigious wizarding school in America and the most expensive in the wizarding world."

"Positive?" Ron asked.

"Very."

Alina could feel all the eyes staring at them. Selena ws bubbly and exciting, noticing the attentino but hardly unnerved.

"And now I'd like to introduce two very extraordinary students here to Hogwarts. They both come here with a special, priviledged honor. Please welcome Adelina Scarlett and Selena Eleanor Thomas." There was polie applause as the two cringed at their full names being said. "Selena, simply sit on the stool as you saw." Selena sat, thrilled and excited as the battered hat was placed upon her. It took a few seconds before it announced with a loud shout "Gryffindor!"

There was a multitude of applause and settled down as Dumbledore called Alina. She sat, feeling more awkward and out of place than ever and waited. The Sorting Hat had puased a few moments. It couldn't seem to figure out where to place her. "Plenty of goodness, love, care. Great intelligence, that is also obvious." Alina was slightly startled by the voice she heard inside her head but she figured it was a different school, meaning different traditions.

"But what's this? Bitterness and resentment. More pain than one would imagine... even hidden from those you love, I see. Well, you lack no courage. Or shall I say had lacked no courage or sense. But there's always a chance you'd do marvelously in Gryffindor either way. Ravenclaw appears to be an option, as well as Hufflepuff. Slytherin you may become notorious in, although it may not be for reasons you'd appreciate now." The Great Hall was silent for a long time. Students began to whisper. What was going on? Did the hat still work?

"Suffering indeed... you aim to please at your own cost, self-neglect while you gradually breakdown. An obvious resistance to pain and insults- but that's all reserved. A true strenght, but a weakness. Where to put you..." Then it did something odd.

"Which house would you like to be in?" it asked. Was it supposed to do that? Alina had no clue.

'I don't know. I guess.. put me where I'll be able to be myself, get through this one year. Somewhere where I'll succeed to help my family.' Alina saw her siter, who was looking eagerly up at her out of the sea of faces. 'Put me with my sister.'

"If that is what you wish- but I'll warn you that doing that may not guarantee everything else." Alina closed her eyes. Everyone was watching- inside she truly hurt.

'I need to help her, be with her. I can live with limitations' she let out an exasperated sigh. It really was a question of her own goals and wanting to help her family at the same time. 'I'll deal with it.' she thought. 'I always have.' Finaly, after a very long eight minutes, the Hat announced

"GRYFFINDOR!"

She opened her eyes.