A Different Beginning

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters in this story, except for my own character Elizabeth Potter.

To Ghosts and Magical Feasts!

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." The stern looking Witch said as she caught sight of us with Hagrid. She led us into a huge hallway and disappeared through a small wooden door. I have to say for only just stepping into Hogwarts I am amazed I expected it to be amazing but not this amazing. I mean I read about the moving portraits as I skimmed through Hogwarts a history but I only thought they meant the holographic type the muggles have, well apparently it literally meant moving pictures as in they talked to you and moved in and out of each other's portrait and the architecture was just wow. I was always one for visiting old castles I find them rather interesting I have done ever since I was small and Hogwarts was like a dream come true for me I mean wow I'm speechless for once in my life I Elizabeth Lily Potter am speechless. Just as I was enjoying myself looking around this part of the castle there was a loud scream. A short blonde girl apparently just got the shock of her life when four ghosts drifted through the walls and boy that girl can scream I wouldn't be surprised if I've gone death did I mention that I was standing right next to her.

Anyway after the little Ghost incident and the girl had been calmed down the Professor had returned and was sending an un-amused look at the girl and had something to say "The four houses here at Hogwarts are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Every house has its own history and each one has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours." She said while looking at us all in turn " Wow that was a mouthful" I whispered to the twins "also" The Professor continued ("and she still has more to say" I muttered under my breath and the twins both supressed snorts)"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

I looked at the twins and they rolled their eyes but no the less they straightened themselves out well I helped them; turns out they are useless at that sort of thing. I sorted out my skirt and dusted myself down and when everyone looked ready the Professor led us in to the Great hall. For the second time in one night I was amazed of course I had already read about the enchanted ceiling and it was more beautiful than I thought it would be and the floating candles scattered about gave a very warm and homey feel to the place and I knew from that point onwards Hogwarts would be like a second home to me I just knew it. "Thank, you Professor McGonagall" said I old man with a rather long white beard who I can only Presume to be Professor Dumbledore the headmaster and I'm guessing that the strict looking women was Professor McGonagall speaking of whom then got out a long list " I will call out your name one by one and each time you are to sit on the stool where the sorting hat will place you in the correct house for you but first it is time for the sorting hat's song" and with that she sighed and a very worn looking hat on the stool opened its mouth and began singing.

"Ohh, I am not your normal hat,

Your Normal Hat I'm not

For when you place me on your head

Your House I will then sort

Will it be Gryffindor the house of brave

Where the strongest will take stand.

Or Hufflepuff the noble ones

Who all stand hand in hand.

Maybe Ravenclaw the House of Brains

Whose Knowledge wins the Game.

Unless you belong in Slytherin,

Where the sly and Cunning reign.

All four houses will lead you through

Your next seven years of School

When challenges rise

And friendship strives

Maybe even true love brews

For no one knows what the future holds

Not even I of old

But what I know is where you go

And where your heart stands true"

There was a loud round of applause as the hat finished its song and it seemed that Fred and George may have been the loudest. " Wow that was great, how did a hat come up with a song like that?" I whispered to the twins they both shrugged and McGonagall began to read out the names " Ackerley, Emily" was the first name to be called who was a small girl who seemed to be shaking quite a lot sat on the stool and not long after the hat cried out "RAVENCLAW" she jumped of the stool and the next name was called "Adams, Tiffany" it was the Blonde girl with pigtails who got scared by the ghosts earlier I held back a snort as the hat was placed on her head "HUFFLEPUFF" next up was Jake Atkins who was a rather tall boy and he was put in Ravenclaw. Amy Baddock and Jonathan Blake were the first ones to be placed in Slytherin and neither of them looked like very pleasant people at all. "Bond, Jack" "Hufflepuff" well I wouldn't have though anything different after all he was rather timid looking. Joseph Burns, Jasmine Caudwell and Laura Dobbs were all placed in Ravenclaw and after them was a rather Ugly looking boy (who reminded me of a troll) called Marcus Flint and by the looks of things he looked very much like a Slytherin to me and I was right surly enough not even seconds after the hat touched his head there was a loud cry of "SLYTHERIN". I wonder if it was just me or was it that whenever someone made it in to Slytherin the Gryffindor's seemed to hiss like snakes. A boy called Alex James made it into Hufflepuff and Next was a tall dark skinned Girl whose name was Angelina Johnson she walked up to the stool and placed the hat on her head it was taking quite a while to decide and the whole hall was waiting with anticipation until "GRYFFINDOR" there was a load roar like cheer from the Gryffindor table as she was the first Gryffindor to be sorted I couldn't help but smile and I also noticed a dark look cross the faces of the Slytherin's I'm starting to think there is something between both Gryffindor and Slytherin and I will have to ask the twins later. "Jones, Sophie" another petit blonde girl walked forward and when the hat touched her head "Hufflepuff" wow there are rather a lot of blondes going into Hufflepuff not that means anything. "Jordan, Lee" a lanky dark skinned boy who had just recently taken a liking to the twins walked up and once again there was a loud cheer at the Gryffindor table as the hat screamed "GRYFFINDOR" after Lee had been sorted so was Emma Madley (Hufflepuff) Edward Nott and Jenny Parkinson (Slytherin).

I was so immersed with the sorting I almost missed my own name being called until both twins elbowed me on the arm "Potter, Elizabeth" and then the hall went silent all I could hear as I was walking up to the Stool was whispers like " Potter, as in Harry Potter you don't think they're related do you" and "Ohh, I heard about her she was their when Harry Potter defeated You Know Who" You Know Who, who on earth is you know who and what sort of name is that anyway also I can't remember Harry ever defeating anyone all I remember is a strange man coming into my house and killing my parents . When the hat fell on my head I heard it start speaking and it almost made me jump " Potter ehh, I remember sorting your Mum and Dad yes a mixture of both I see you have your mothers looks and brains and your fathers knack for getting into trouble , yes very brave you are and after all the horrors you've seen you will stand up for the one you love and care for I know exactly where to put you, GRYFFINDOR" there was a loud cheer and I sighed with relief a small part of me was vouching for Gryffindor it seemed like the best place for me. I walked over to the table and sat next Angelina and we shook hands and she asked me "Is it true are you really Harry Potters sister" I nodded sadly I hadn't seen him for nearly eight years now she smiled at me and we carried on watching the sorting. Luke Smith made it to Ravenclaw and a small blonde girl Called Alicia Spinnet was the next person in Gryffindor and Andrew Walker was put into Hufflepuff (another blonde may I add). Next were the twins I crossed my fingers under the table and surely enough they made it in Gryffindor and they made quite a scene about it too which included running up to the Gryffindor table picking me up and started dancing around in circles(which I couldn't help but laugh at) until their older brother Charlie managed to calm them down. They both sat either side of me and we waited for the last person to be sorted who was Jessica Zabini who was placed in Slytherin.

When everyone was in their seats and ready Dumbledore stood up at his podium ready for a speech "I only have two words for you all and they are, Sherbet Lemon" and then he sat down. One second the table was completely empty the next piles of the most delicious looking food lay in front of us and my mouth was handing wide open. "Close your mouth girl you catch flies" George told me with a mouth full of Chicken and I shut my mouth and started Piling mash potato on my plate along with Chicken parsnips and a lot of gravy. Once we had finished eating all the food vanish from the table and Dumbledore stood up once more this time I presume for the actual speech. "Welcome all of you to Hogwarts, both old and new I hope you all had a comfortable journey up here and that you enjoyed your meal" there were some whoops from some of the tables but all he did was chuckle and carry on "I will remind older students and warn younger students that the forbidden forest is forbidden and it will remain that way so please stay away un don't go entering it for who knows what is lurking in the depths of the forest" there was a slight chuckle from different places around the room at these words as if they had heard them many times before. "And Mr Filch the school caretaker would like to remind you that magic is not permitted in the hallways and that the list of banned objects is on his office door if you would like to read it. I would also like to introduce the new Defence against the Dark arts professor, Professor Weatherby (AN: Couldn't resist) With that can the house prefects please lead the first years to their common rooms and enjoy a nice peaceful rest as class starts tomorrow morning". When he was finished the Gryffindor prefect led us to the common room and one of those prefects happened to be none other than Charlie Weasley.

Charlie wasn't extremely tall but he wasn't short either he was well built and quite handsome if I say so myself. "Alright first years follow me, This is the Fat Lady and the only way into the Gryffindor common room you need a password to get in and the Password happens to be Red Vines, which you will need to remember if you want access to the common room" as he said the password the Fat Lady's portrait opened and we walked into the common and there was a collective gasp as we saw all the Red and Gold furniture , the portraits and the fireplace, it seemed very cosy and warm I had a feeling I was going to enjoy it here. " The Boys Dormitories are to the Right and the Girls to the left and Boys let me warn you don't try getting into the Girls dormitories trust me it won't work" giving a pointed look to Fred and George. " Wow isn't this great" I whispered to Angelina roommates " I mean look at this place, it's amazing" she looked at me and nodded "I know it is isn't it" We all walked into our dorm where there were three four post beds and all of our trunks were in place. Someone must have let Socks out when they brought the things to the room because my little kitten was curled up on one of the beds which I guess is mine now. I sat on my bed and turned to Alicia the other girl in my dorm "Hello I'm Elizabeth Potter , but call me Lizzie for short, your Alicia aren't you" she looked at me and smiled slightly "Yes that's me , nice to meet you Lizzie" and from then on the three of us girls became great friends. We stayed up and chatted for a bit but soon grew tired and got into our beds. Socks found it the perfect time to curl up by my head and I scratched her head and soon fell into a deep sleep.