Everyone was practically stone-silent as they waited in a long line, awaiting the moment Headmistress McGonagall would call their name. She had giving the usual formalities, telling everyone how she was looking forwards to this school year, all that jazz.

She was going backward from the alphabet, and the first name she called was "Ainsley Chartreuse Zander." It was a pretty young thing, blonde hair to her waist, eyes bright and excited.

"Ravenclaw." Athena said quietly, and the people around her looked at her, brows raised.

"Ravenclaw!" The sorting hat called after a few short moments. Athena grinned, and high-fived the boy in front of her.

It took about twenty minutes to reach the "W's", but Athena's heart nearly jumped into her throat when Roses name was called.

"Rose Isis Weasley, please step forwards!" Headmistress McGonagall had a smile for Rose, and the young lass smiled back, beamed, practically. She sat down upon the chair, and she seemed to have an almost mental conversation with the hat, before the hat suddenly called out, to Athena's delight, "Gryffindor!"

Rose grinned, and was about to run to her houses table, before she turned back, running towards the line and throwing her arms around Athena's neck.

"Proud of you. Now go, shoo! Go meet the rest of your House!" Athena whispered, patting Rose on the back, and receiving a kiss upon the cheek from her friend.

It took them a bit before they got to the "P's" Why did so many people's names start with the blasted letter R? That is what Athena would like to know.

"Albus Severus Potter, please step forward!" McGonagall hesitated a bit on the name, and Athena could see that she was almost a bit... Emotional?

Albus walked up, obviously nervous. She silently sent him good vibes, and she hoped they had reached him.

The sorting hat was placed onto his head, and they could all hear what the hat said.

"Ahh... A Potter. It's been a long time since I've been on one of your heads..."

And that was all they heard. It took three minutes, before the sorting hat made it's final decision.

And it surprised absolutely no one.

"Gryffindor!" She clapped with the rest of them, smiling happily as Albus made his way to his brother and cousin.

Now, it was onto the "M"s. Athena watched in apprehension as Scorpius was called up.

"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy, please step up!" McGonagall called, and did Athena just hear disdain in the woman's voice as she uttered his last name?

Scorpius took his seat, and the second the hat was placed upon his head, they heard a large gasp come from the hat, but that was all. It took all of four minutes, when there was the loud call, of "Gryffindor!"

All of the teachers, and a bit of the students looked shell-shocked, but the room erupted into it's usual whoops and hollers, and sneers from the table clad in green and silver.

"Athena Faebar Glas, please step up!" McGonagall gave her a reassuring smile that did little to calm her nerves.

She sat down on the chair, and the hat was placed upon her head. It was a bit big, but it was comfortable.

"Ahhhh! A Glas! It's been decades since I've been in one of your heads. Always been a family of Hufflepuffs. Not another house in sight."

He called these words, and she grimaced.

He went silent then, his voice clear in her mind.

"But you're no Hufflepuff, Athena. You're much too determined, and you have little patience for trivial, petty things. You will have none, no, no, no. So my decision is made."

"Slytherin!"

The hat practically roared, and Athena felt her face flush in excitement, until she saw her friend's faces, at the Gryffindor table. They all looked devastated, and surrounding them were people on their feet, boo-ing and practically hissing not just at her, but at the Slytherin table, also.

Athena stood up, and turned to the Headmistress, tugging on her sleeve a bit so she could whisper in her ear.

"M-May I say something? To all of them, I mean." Her voice was small, almost timid, but McGonagall nodded, for the room had gone nearly silent, save for glares across the room from the two warring tables.

"What is wrong with you people?" She called out. Her voice was strong, and it only had a small bit of waver to it. They all looked at her, amazed at how this small girl's voice traveled across the entire room.

"Does it make you feel good when you immediately condemn an eleven-year-old to seven years of sneering glances, rude remarks, and maybe even physical confrontation, just because of the color of their robes?" She looked around at them, and she saw one or two open mouths. She looked at James, Albus, and Rose, and they looked like they were beginning to look like they were regretting sitting with her on the train. They obviously thought she was crazy.

"Maybe the reason so many bad things have come from Slytherin House, is because people keep expecting it! Slytherins are turning into the people you treat them to be, and that is no way to live. It is no way to live, when your peers sneer at you when you walk by, just because of the color of your scarf. It is no way to live, when people are caught in this never-ending loop of hate, because one wears green, and the rest don't. You're all fighting because two old blokes had a falling-out! Just because the man who made the house was a right bloody twit, doesn't mean we are! Maybe one day you will all realize, that the way you treat people, is the cause of who they become. So next time you want to throw out a mean jibe, or trip someone, because they're wearing green and silver, or red and yellow, just remember that actions speak louder than words. And some actions could ruin lives." Athena's emerald eyes shone with unshed tears, and she quickly blinked them away, not looking at anyone, she quickly started to walk away from the front of the room, when she heard clapping.

It was Professor Longbottom, and everyone looked at him shocked, when someone else joined.

It was Rose. And then Albus. And then to her very amazement, James. They all stood up, and suddenly the entire Great Hall was on their feet, clapping.

It was too much for her, and she immediately ran off to the room where she knew all their trunks would be.

She found Delilah's cage, which she thanked Merlin, (And James) was directly in front. She opened the carrier door, and the rabbit practically launched at her. She gripped the rabbit delicately, yet tightly, tears sliding down her face at an alarming rate. She was sobbing quietly, and she hadn't noticed that the door had opened, four figures stepping inside. When she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders, she gasped and jumped back, before she realized it was Rose. She looked around, seeing James, Albus, and even Professor Longbottom hanging by the door.

"S-So you don't hate me for being sorted into S-Slytherin?" She mumbled, leaning against Rose, and pressing her face against the girls' shoulder.

"No! Never!... Even though when we all heard the hat say it, we couldn't believe it, to be honest. And we even were a bit sad, because we thought we wouldn't be able to be your friend. But Athena, you surprised everyone. We'd all be lying if we said that you've immediately caused everyone to have a change of heart, but... You've started something. Something good. Something big." Rose was looking at her, and Athena nodded, wiping her eyes and holding Delilah to her chest.

"Just... Give me a few minutes? I need to gather my thoughts."

Rose nodded, turning around and dragging out her cousin and brother. Professor Longbottom looked at the fiery haired girl, a bit of confusion in his eyes as he stared at her back. Her words sounded too old, too wise for her age. As if she'd been though hell and back multiple times.

He vowed that he'd help the girl on her journey, no matter the cost.