Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine, although if J.K. Rowling wishes to give it to me, I certainly won't object. Also, except for the beginning and end, I'm quoting the Sorting Hat's song from Bk1 cuz I suck at rhymes, so don't sue! Enjoy!

Chapter Two: The Sorting

Lily didn't see her brothers again until she entered the Great Hall. Before then, she was always huddled with her new group of friends. It was amazing how short it took to become so close.

"Do you think we'll be in the same House?" Lily asked, wringing her hands nervously while they waited to be summoned into the Great Hall.

"I'm bound to be in Slytherin," Scorpius mumbled. Unlike all the other kids who were OS (Obvious Slytherins), he didn't sound at all happy about it.

"Blimey! And I thought you were alright for a Malfoy!" Will exclaimed.

"It's not like I want to be," Scorpius explained quickly. "It's just that my whole family's been in Slytherin." He looked glum.

"Lils and I'll obviously be in Gryffindor," Will boasted, swinging an arm around his friend. Lily didn't say anything.

"My dad was in Gryffindor, but my mom was in Ravenclaw," Diana mumbled.

"So if worse comes to worse, we'll be separated into three different Houses," Lily concluded.

"It doesn't matter what house we're in," Scorpius reminded them. Almost desperately, Lily thought.

"Alright first years," Professor Longbottom called. Will flushed at the Look his father sent him. "I will now lead you into the Great Hall, where you will be Sorted into a house. There are four Houses in Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each House has its own great history. While you are at Hogwarts, you will sleep in your House dorms and hang out in your House common rooms. So a word to the wise: don't make your housemates mad. Now. Single file please. We can't have a gang of first years bringing down the Hall before the feast even starts, now can we?"

Lily made sure that they were at the end of the line. Will wanted to get as far away from his dad anyways, and Scorpius and Diana didn't really care.

Even from all of the stories her parents and brothers told, Lily couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the Great Hall. Normally, the ceiling was enchanted, but this time, the transparent top half of the glass shown through and the bleak, black night sky contrasted against the warm feeling the floating candles gave. There was no other lighting for the five tables; candles were everywhere.

The first years filed up in front of the High Table and Professor Longbottom brought out a ragged hat sitting on top of a stool.

"I might be patched and worn

And sing quite odd songs,

But I'm the Sorting Hat

And I'll Sort you where you belong;

You might belong in Gryffindor

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chilvary

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw

If you've a ready mind,

Where those with whit and learning

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll meet your real friends,

These cunning folks will use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on and don't be afraid

I will help you decide where you will be,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I'll tell you what I see."

The whole Hall burst into spontaneous applause as the flap of the Hat closed once more.

Professor Longbottom then stepped forward with a roll of parchment. "Alston, Gina!" he called. A girl with curly brown hair and thick-rimmed glasses stepped forward, stumbling over her robes and almost falling. The Hat had barely been placed on her head when it bellowed, "RAVENCLAW!" The table of blue and bronze stood up and clapped as Gina hastily made her way down towards the end.

"Bentley, Victor!"

A broad-shoulder boy with bulging muscles stepped forward and lumbered over to the Hat. Lily felt quite intimidated by the guy, but couldn't help giggling as he tried to jam the Hat on his head with no success. He didn't have time to rip it though, since as soon as it had been placed on him, it shouted "SLYTHERIN!" Lily wasn't all that surprised, although the Slytherin table didn't seem quite happy and remained ominously silent as Victor sat down.

"Bowen, Rachel" was the first Hufflepuff and "Clark, Tiffany" became another Ravenclaw.

It was then Di's turn. She stepped meekly to the stool and placed the Hat on her head, her face disappearing from view. Gryffindor, Lily preyed. Gryffindor. The hat's mouth opened. "RAVENCLAW!"

Di hopped from the stool and went to join the table of clapping blue and bronze.

Lily sighed, but she clapped along with everyone else. She was happy for her friend: Di would achieve much in Ravenclaw. Lily then waited for Will.

"Longbottom, William!" Lily could detect the hint of pride in Neville's voice.

Will had barely placed the head on his head when the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" Good, Lily thought. At least half of us will be together.

"Malfoy, Scorpius!" There were murmurs in the Hall as Scorpius's last name was called.

To Lily's surprise, it took a while for the hat to finally open the fold on the brim once more. And when it finally did, it was to shout, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Lily beamed. The Hall was silent though. Then a few tentative Hufflepuff began to clap, followed by the whole table, and then Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. You could hear crickets chirping at the Slytherin table, but Scorpius looked like he couldn't have cared less. After recovering from the shock of finally breaking the Malfoy tradition, he hurried over to the Hufflepuff table and was greeted by a few hesitant claps on the back.

Lily then tuned out the Sorting, keeping an ear to Professor Longbottom so she wouldn't miss her name.

"Potter, Lily!"

Lily wasn't nervous at all as she stepped forward and sat primly on the stool, curling her feet under her. Professor Longbottom placed the hat on her head and she was so small that she disappeared under the brim.

Hmm. Another Potter. Interesting. You're not like either of your brothers, who I could tell were made for Gryffindor as soon as I reached into their minds.

Al could've done well in Ravenclaw.

Yes, but in the end, he was more Gryffindor than Ravenclaw. You, on the other hand...Every house would suit you well.

Even Slytherin?

You are very cunning and ambitious, not to mention sneaky. But you're also loyal to your friends and family. And look at that vast knowledge in your head! However, you're as much Gryffindor as anyone else who's been put in there. Hmm. Where shall I put you? This is quite difficult...Aha! I think I've got it!

"SLYTHERIN!"

Sky: I kept on debating whether or not they should all go into the same house or two into each or what. But, after much consideration, I thought it'd be more fun for each of the Quad to be in a different House and Lily to break the Potter Gryffindor tradition. Besides, you'll see later on just how "Slytherin" she is :D