Hello everyone, sorry for the chapter being uploaded one day late, I was working on another project yesterday and it took forever, in fact as soon as I finish cleaning my room and uploading this I have to go right back to work on it. Anyway, thank you for reading and please leave comments (I know it's ridiculous that I'm begging, but I read them all and it's nice to know people are reading and offering feedback). I hope you enjoy and the next chapter will be up next Saturday. :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 4: The Sorting Hat

The days between the Diagon Alley Trip and leaving for Hogwarts went fast and were enjoyable, but I couldn't wait any longer. I some how survived and was now at King Cross Station watching them one by one running through the wall on to what they called Platform 9 3/4. When it was my turn, I just copied what everyone else did and ran forward. I had to close my eyes because everything inside of me wanted to slow down and stop before I hit the wall, but after a while I opened my eyes and saw I had made it through and was now on the Platform. The plat form was full of chaos as kids said their last goodbyes and parents did a final check to make sure their kids had everything. Their was crying from mothers, laughter from kids, and quite a bit of noise coming from the animals as well, like they could feel the excitement of going to Hogwarts as well. Arthur and Molly followed behind me and ushered me forward as I desperately searched for what I had started referring to as the group that contained the Weasely's, Harry, and Hermione.

"Thank you, Molly and Arthur." I said hugging both of them, knowing it was time to board the train. "I've had a really nice time."

"It was no problem dear." Molly reassured me. "It was actually nice having someone distract Fred and George. They barely apparated and pulled pranks this week because of you."

"I'm glad I could help you in some way." I said. "And I might write you too if you don't mind."

"Of course dear, whenever you like. It's not like my own kids do it that often." I hugged her once more and walked closer to the train where I could see Harry and Ginny waiting by one of the doors.

I grabbed my things and weaved my way through the crowd to get to them. Together we got on the train and started looking for a place to sit. It wasn't long before the train began moving and we could hear the final goodbyes coming from both the students and their parents, but we wouldn't get to shout to Molly and Arthur because we were stuck looking for seats. Each one we passed was full and it seemed almost impossible that every cabin was taken.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?" I asked continuing down the isle, still unsuccessful.

"They went to the Prefects car." Harry explained following close behind me, sounding a little bitter.

"Fred and George?" I asked.

"Yeah they probably have a car and if it isn't already filled with two girls or Lee then they might have a seat left." Ginny said. "But that would leave me and Harry."

"Who says they would choose me?" I asked.

Stifling a laugh the other two stopped to look at each other then back to me. "Everyone." They said in unison, and then continued walking.

It seemed as if we were walking forever before we saw the first seat open, it was of course in Fred and George's cabin, along with another boy. As soon as they saw me the twins went wild and started knocking on the door and waving me in, they were also mouthing words but I didn't understand what they were trying to say. I looked back to Harry and Ginny to say I was sorry, but they were laughing and mouthing, "I told you so."

No apologies for you, I thought opening the door and entering the cab. Fred and George were sitting across from each other closest to the door and the other boy was sitting next to George. With a little help from Fred I placed my things on the shelf above my head but kept the box with the box of food next to me. They continued talking but I just listened and watched the landscape fly by outside the window.

"Auden." George called and I turned away from the window. "This is our friend Lee Jordan."

"It's very nice to meet you." Lee said as he held out his hand.

I shook his hand, but after what he just said, I had a hard time with it. "Yeah, um, you too."

"Don't worry he does this with everybody." Fred said and all three continued talking.

Meanwhile a woman walked past pushing a tea trolley, I leaned over to Fred and asked, "What's that?"

"It's the Hogwarts Express tea trolley, you can buy sweets." He explained.

"Like what?"

"Well, chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Bean, Licorice Wands and Pumpkin Juice, just stuff like that." Fred said.

"Chocolate frogs? Are they just chocolate shaped like frogs?" I asked.

"Right, you've never had any of them." Fred remembered. "They are better then that, I'll be right back."

And a few seconds later he was, with enough sweets to last a lifetime, but for us it took less then 20 minutes to finish it all. I had tried a bit of everything and concluded that my favorites were the cauldron cakes. With still hours to go and feeling sleepy and stuffed, I started to curl up in my seat, but Fred invited me to use some of his seat as well. I laid my head on his lap and closed my eyes. He gently rubbed my back and before I knew it I was asleep.

"Come on it would be funny." I heard someone say as I started waking up from my nap.

"No, it's immature." A different voice said.

"Since when did you care about immaturity?" The first voice asked. "I know! You like her!"

I lifted my head from Fred's lap and sat up straight. "Who likes who?"

"Fred likes you." Lee said, Fred started to interject but Lee kept talking. "When I wanted to draw on your face Fred said no."

"That's not him liking me, that's him being nice." I defended Fred, not really knowing what else I should do. "How close are we?"

"Almost there, but you should get changed into your robes." George suggested and I looked around noticing all of them in their uniforms.

"Mine didn't get those patches." I said pointing to the red and gold patches on their robes.

"You'll get sorted into a house, probably Gryffindor because everyone knows it's the best." Fred explained. "And then you'll get your badge or patch or whatever you call it."

Then I quickly changed into my uniform and returned back to the cabin. Where they were oddly silent.

"Yes?" I said, expecting something to happen so I stood cautiously.

"We were just wondering what was in the box?" Lee spoke eventually.

"Oh just muggle food my mom packed." I explained returning my normal clothes to my trunk. "I was thinking that all of us could have a picnic Saturday and you guys could try some, since I got to try your wizarding food."

"Sounds great." Fred said. "And just in time."

Like he could predict it, the train stopped and we all got up from our seats, gathered our things, and made out way out of the train and on to the Platform that was now flooded with kids of all ages.

"First years! All first years over here!" A woman was calling and the shortest kids were following the voice while the rest were headed in a large group to get off the Platform.

"Auden Pendergast!" I heard someone call in a rather dull tone. So I followed the voice and found it came from a man who looked a bit like a bat in his dark robes. His dark eyes looked down his beak-like nose at me as if he disapproved already. He had greasy shoulder length hair that only made him look even paler. "Come with me." He said in a calm, yet pompous sounding voice that revealed his yellowing, un-even teeth.

"Why can't I go with everyone else?" I asked, following his quick pace.

"Because you need to be sorted." He said.

"Then why don't I just go with the first years?" I asked jogging up along side him.

"That accent, you're American right?" He asked, avoiding the question.

"Why am I going alone?" I asked. "Where am I going?"

"Going into year 5, right? Do you know what your best at or what your favorite subject might be?" He said still avoiding the question.

"Yes I'm in year 5 and I don't know what I'm good at and Potions, I like potions." This made him stop and turn to me.

"Really?" He asked. "Interesting."

"Yes, now where am I going?" I asked this time no going with out an answer.

He started walking quickly again. "Professor Dumbledore wants to see you."

"Why?" I asked, still not getting enough.

"I don't know Ms. Pendergast, if I did I would tell you." He said, obviously getting irritated.

I stopped asking questions and followed him straight to Dumbledore's office. I didn't have a good look around the parts of the castle that we walked through, but already I couldn't wait to spend all year here. Dumbledore's office was just as amazing. It was a large circular room with lots of windows. Moving paintings were hung around the room of different men and women. Around the room there were strange things everywhere I looked and all I could think was how I wanted this to be my office.

A tall thin man stood from behind his desk to welcome us. His hair matched the color of his long beard, a long crooked nose, and as he came closer I was able to see that the color of his twinkling eyes were a beautiful shade of blue.

"You must be Auden Pendergast." He said.

"Yup." I said.

"I trust you got to the Burrow safely and were able to get all your supplies from Diagon Alley." Dumbledore said. "And you've met Professor Snape as well." I nodded. "I have invited you up here to talk about your schedule. I have of list of tutors that have agreed to help you through each one of the subjects. Of course if you would like another person then I'm sure if you asked them, they would be more willing to help." He handed me a piece of paper.

I took the piece of paper out of his hands. "I know I can do this." I assured him.

"I was not questioning you, I just wanted to impress Professor Snape." Dumbledore said with a smile, his eyes shining even brighter.

"Yes, Headmaster, I'm very impressed." Professor Snape said in a sarcastic tone, although it was hard to tell when he is already constantly condescending.

"Well let's all go to the feast. Severus, I'm sure you will help Auden find where she is suppose to be." Professor Dumbledore said.

Back down the way we came, I followed Snape all the way to the entrance of what I guessed was the dinning hall given all the students I saw through the crack between the doors. They were all staring up front where the First years sat down on a stool, a women placed a hat on their head, then a round of applause followed and each of the students took a seat at one of the four tables. It was a long time before all the students were sorted and I grew anxious waiting and apparently so did the students, who were constantly shifting in their seats. I looked around the tables trying to find the face of anyone I knew, but it was so crowded I gave up quickly. Professor Dumbledore stood up after the last student was sorted; his loud booming voice was easy to hear even from where I was.

"I welcome all of you back to Hogwarts, or welcome you to Hogwarts if this is your first year. I am glad to see so many eager faces ready to start this school year. I will remind you, no matter what you may see or hear that is different or any events that happened last year, outside of the schools walls, this year will be the same. However, we have a special case this year and have accepted an additional student this year who is entering their first year. So please give a warm Hogwarts welcome to our new student Auden Pendergast."

The doors swung open and I was finally able to see everyone in the hall. I made my way down the center isle and continued with my search for the group. Luckily I could hear them first, even over the applause I could hear them calling my name and when I looked to where the source was coming from, I could already see Fred and George easily over the standing ovation, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione raised their hands and Ginny jumped and wave. It gave me more confidence and even got me to smile.

I took a seat on stool in front of the whole hall, where I could get a complete look at the people I already knew. I even saw the three girls that gave me a hard time in Madam Primpernelles, who I noticed were less enthusiastic then everyone else. Except for one boy who had sharp pointed features and sleek white-blonde hair, he had them beat by far. He was pale and thin and even from this distance I could see his cold grey eyes staring me down. Then out of nowhere he gave me a small smirk. I looked away as the old pointed hat was placed on my head and everyone went silent.

"What do we have here?" The hat first started talking. "Odd, very odd indeed. Such a mix of all four houses, you could easily go in all four. You have the Bravery of a Gryffindor, imagine the courage it takes to come such a long way for schooling."

I'm not brave, I thought.

"You're not brave, so you say, there is no thought I can not see, but maybe you're not a Gryffindor." The sorting hat said and I hoped it could see I was taking that last comment back, but it moved on. "You are hard working and loyal, like a Hufflepuff, but intelligent and Creative like a Ravenclaw."

I don't belong there. I'm not either one of those, I thought. My insecurities were getting the best of me in this room. All around me were people who were far better than me and already I felt like I was regretting my decision of coming here. I shouldn't be here at all, I don't deserve this chance.

"I know exactly where to put you now." The sorting hat said. "You need a house that will help you to greatness. You belong in…SLYTHERIN!"