Evie followed Ginny and Luna and sat with them in the boat. She kept an eye on Katherine and Astoria Greengrass. She waved to Story, but turned around before Katherine noticed. They hadn't really hung out together. After Rory was born, Cissy only allowed Bella to come for special days like Christmas and birthdays. Bella, in turn, did not allow the girls together.

Evie resented it, but since Cissy moved them, she hadn't been able to sneak out without flooing, and that was off limits now. Hearing a splash Evie turned to see a boy in the water. She let go of Ginny and Luna's hands and was about to dive in when Hagid pulled him out of the water.

She pulled out her wand and muttered a quiet drying charm as the poor boy shivered. Now focused on the present she put her wand away and took Ginny and Luna's hands again, enjoying the comfort that she wasn't by herself, that she had friends, that she knew people.

The girls helped each other out of the little boat, awed by the sight of the castle which would be their home for the next seven years.

Professor Minerva McGonagall came in and made a short speech, then disappeared again leaving the children to talk. Ginny knew she would be in Gryffindor, Luna hoped to be a Ravenclaw like her mother, who passed away years ago. Evie fully expected to be a Slytherin like her cousins.

As McGonagall came back the room hushed and all was quiet as they passed the arches into the Great Hall.

Evie was shocked as a black witch's hat, which sat upon a stool in front of the whole school, began to sing.

A thousand years ago,
four founders felt a call,
to build a school of magic,
which opens every fall,

the four were bound together,
by the hand of fate,
and the bonds of wizards,
did those four create,

though I wish I didn't need too,
each year as you arrive,
I do my only duty,
and each year you all divide

Weather you belong to Gryffindor,
who never once said "can't",
or to cheerful Hufflepuff,
who was famous for her plants,

Or are you a child of Ravenclaw,
who did so love to learn,
or perhaps to Slytherin,
whose cunning did discern,

the day those bonds were broken,
by an awful fight,
which left our world divided,
as Slytherin took flight,

So as I sort you out tonight,
I ask that every morning,
when you awake in the light,
I ask you - heed this warning.

Applause burst from the table and Allan, Alexi stepped up to the stool and sat down. She was shortly pronounced RAVENCLAW

Evie clapped politely and waited for four more people before hearing "Black, Genevieve!" Evie stepped up and let McGonagall cover her eyes with the old hat.

"So you are the daughter of Sirius Black. Yes, I was wondering when I'd meet you. Good mind, resistant to the point of stubborn. Reckless, very reckless, determination, Hmm... a gardener, I think...

GRYFFINDOR!