The next morning, Sophie was out on the terrace mirror in hand chatting with Hiro who was awake at 2 am New York time for some reason.

"So you're having fun so far?" he asked as he pulled the blankets over his shoulder more.

"Yeah. Harry's pretty awesome. So is Sirius. He's not really trying too hard, which is pretty cool, you know? He's not pushing me to talk to him too much and he's letting me do my own thing for the most part."

"That's good babe. We're all missing you like crazy around here."

Sophie smiled softly. "I miss you guys too…but on the bright side, there are only 136 days until my plane lands in JFK and I get to see you guys again."

"So that's only what? 3,264 hours, give or take a couple." He smiled.

"I miss you so much Hiro. As cool as this place is, its way too quiet. I just….it's not home. Home is New York. Home is with you and Cassie; with Austin and Danny. I mean, it's getting better and worse here at the same time. "

"How?"

"As much as I'm starting to like it here, I feel guilty because I should hate it and want to come home. And I still miss you guys like crazy."

"It's gonna be alright, Star. We'll see each other soon, right? You're still coming home for Christmas, and all of the great things that come with it."

"Yeah. Cassie's mom's White Party, the snowball fight in the Park, shopping for gifts; I can't wait to get home." She smiled sadly.

"I'm getting beat. I'll call you later on, okay? Stick to the mirror."

"What time?"

"Uh, around 5 this afternoon my time. I'm supposed to meet up with Danny and Austin to shop for Cassie's birthday gifts."

"I can't believe I'm missing her birthday." Sophie pouted.

"I know, it sucks. But hey, you'll be here next year." He smiled encouragingly.

"Toshihiro…." She trailed off. She didn't call him by his full name often, but for some reason, Hiro knew exactly what she'd been trying to say.

"I know. I miss you too. Be good. Try to make the best of it?"

"I will. Talk to you later."

He waved goodbye to her, blew her a kiss and then disconnected the call on his end. Sophie smiled sadly before walking back into her room to find Ginny coming out of the bathroom.

"Hey Gin. What do you wanna do today?"

"I don't really mind what we do, as long as we don't end up in the library all day."

"Well it's a really nice day out. I was thinking we should go out by the lake, maybe go swimming.

Ginny's face broke into a grin. "I know the twins will want to go. Why don't you go ask Harry and Ron and I'll go ask Hermione."

"Sure. That's an awesome idea." Sophie nodded before going to knock on the door across the hall. After about a minute of knocking a disheveled Harry answered the door.

"Hey we're going swimming after breakfast. You and Ron coming?"

"Um, yeah, sure. Let me wake him and we'll meet you for breakfast." Harry nodded, still rubbing his eyes. She went up the hall and knocked on the door belonging to Fred and George and one of them answered.

He was shirtless, and years of playing beater had clearly done his body well. A sleepy smile was on his face and his brown eyes twinkled. Sophie noticed a small scar on his hip bone right above the pajama pants he wore.

"Hey, we're gonna go swimming after breakfast. Do you and George want to come?" she asked.

"Sure. How'd you know I was Fred?" he asked sleepily.

"I didn't." she smirked. "Lucky guess on my part."

"Ah. Well, Gred and I will meet you at breakfast with our swim things." He nodded.

Sophie went back to her room and took a quick shower. She changed into her favorite silvery-blue bikini set; the bottoms were shorts, and the top tied at the neck and back and still kept her moderately covered. A white tank top that skimmed her navel and a pair of denim shorts that stopped mid thigh covered her suit. She slid her silver flip flops on and pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail on top of her head. When she came out of her closet from dressing she found Ginny dressed in a simple purple one piece with a cut out that made the back look like a bikini. She had a pair of denim shorts on over her bottoms. Hermione however was sitting on the bed.

"What's up, Hermione?" Sophie grinned. She liked the brown haired girl even if she was a bit quiet.

"I didn't bring a suit. I think I'll stay here and read in the library."

"No way, chica. I've got like, 4 other suits. Just pick one. You can borrow it for the day."

Sophie had the black two piece with pink and purple hearts, a bright purple tankini set, a black one piece just like Ginny's covered in tiny green polka dots, and a rainbow striped two piece that was a lot like the one she was wearing.

"I don't want to impose," Hermione protested.

"I offered. Just pick one. I think that the rainbow one would be cute on you."

"No, no, that would show way too much skin." She reached for the polka dotted one piece tentatively. Sophie showed her to the bathroom and once she changed, Hermione was given a simple pair of black board shorts and a pair of black flip flops. Ginny and Hermione both pulled their hair back, Ginny in two plaits tied off with elastics, and Hermione in a tight French braid. The three girls made it to breakfast to find only the twins present.

"Morning," they chorused, each saluting with their forks as they ate.

"Hey, where's Sirius?"

"He left a note." George pointed towards Sirius's usual seat.

Sophie and Harry

I've gone into London today to do some work at the Ministry. I'll be home in time for dinner. Have some fun, and don't let Fred and George blow up the house. Moony should be by for lunch.

Padfoot

"He's in London for the day apparently. Where are Harry and Ron?"

"Who knows? Should we go get them?" Fred asked with a smile.

"No." Ginny said jumping up. "Who knows what you two have planned. I'll get them."

Hermione and Sophie sat down to eat, the Twins telling a story about something that they and Lee Jordan pulled off in their second year.

"So then Snape pulled Flint off of the table, but Flint kept singing that song for like, two more hours up in the hospital wing."

"Where did you two even learn about the Spice Girls?" Sophie laughed.

"Angelina and Katie." George replied.

"They'd sing it in the common room all the time."

Harry and Ron came down the stairs, both dressed in t shirts and swim shorts. The seven teens walked through the field and over to the pond. The girls lay out towels and started to apply Sophie's special sun tan lotion to their arms, legs, backs and anywhere the sun might hit. Fred and George used a bit on their arms and torsos, and Harry used it all over. Ron however, announced he'd be fine and dived right in the water.

Hermione turned over on her tummy and opened a book. Ginny and Sophie stretched out and listened to the sounds of the boys wrestling in the water. Soon, one of them got the idea of bringing Harry's Firebolt and his new hoverboard out and they started flying around the pond, just skimming over the surface with the broom, causing waves of water to hit the girls. Sophie and Ginny jumped up, and on Ron's next trip across the pond, Sophie jumped and tackled him right off of the broom. Harry snuck over, and silently grabbed Hermione; tossing her right into the lake and diving in after her. All 7 of the teens were in a vicious water war, the teams switching, morphing and changing so fast that soon it was every man and woman for themselves.

Remus Lupin walked out of the Entryway to a silent house.

Never a good thing when the Weasley Twins are involved.

He searched the guest and family floors before catching a glimpse of the back gardens out of a library window. All of them were enjoying the nice weather out by the pond. Sophie was tanning with Ginny. Harry and Hermione were splashing each other until Ron snuck up behind her and the boys began to team up on her. Fred and George hovering their brooms over the water holding what looked like foam versions of beater's clubs hitting each other viciously with them. Remus smiled and began his walk to the kids.

"Hey! You lot come in for lunch!" he called when he was close enough. Fred knocked George off his broom, Sophie and Ginny both stood up, slipping their shorts over their suits and rolling their towels up. Ron helped his sister up and Harry and Hermione's hands were intertwined for the briefest of moments before they let go, both blushing slightly.

"Hey Moony, how was work today?" Harry asked, smiling brightly. All of the teens were a couple of shades darker he noted.

"Not bad, nothing to talk about. Come on you lot, let's get something to eat. The house elves made pasta salad, and it's amazing.

They ate a light lunch of ham sandwiches and pasta salad. They all washed their meals down with sodas.

"It's going to get hotter out there today. You all might want to come up with something to do inside." Remus cautioned them.

"I should probably go read that Arithmancy book for class this year. See if I know everything in it already." Sophie joked.

"You're taking Arithmancy?" Hermione brightened up.

"Yeah. I was gonna be in the Advanced class with the seniors at NYAMA, but I don't know how that works at Hogwarts."

"I'm taking Arithmancy too," she replied. The two went to the library after stopping in Sophie's room for her text books.

"Chess anyone?" Ron asked.

"I'll play." Fred agreed.

"I'll play the winner." Harry piped up. Ginny and George followed them to the Library as well.

Sophie, under Hermione and Ginny's tutelage, practiced writing with a quill, something that she found both difficult and novel. "Why can't we just use ink pens and paper with lines again?"

"That would be too easy, Sophie. I'll show you a little trick when we get back to Hogwarts. I found this transfer spell in second year. I can write out my essays with a pen on notebook paper and the spell will transfer my straight neat writing onto the parchment exactly as I wrote it. No one is ever the wiser." Hermione smiled.

"I think I love you." Sophie smirked. She had quite a few empty notebooks, and planned on using one for each class to take notes. She also had massive amounts of loose leaf paper for essays and assignments, and now was eager to pack them into her truck for school.

According to the twins, Sophie was smart enough to be in the NEWT level Arithmancy class, and right on par with OWL level Runes. She probably wasn't that strong in Herbology, but she was average in Potions. Sophie held strong that her best classes were Charms, Arithmancy, and Runes; but she wasn't half bad at Transfiguration.

After a few hours in the library with music courtesy of Sophie's Discman, they went down to dinner with Remus and Sirius.

"Good day all?" he asked.

"Well, Ron's sunburnt, and the twins and Harry came up with a new way to try and kill each other. Gin and I worked on our tans, and Hermione read." Sophie reported with a smirk. "I'd say we were pretty productive."

"Sounds like fun. Tomorrow, we have to make a trip though, Cublet; just you and me."

"Where to?"

Sirius handed a letter over to his daughter.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore

Dear Ms. Black

You have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please note that the school term starts on September 1.

Starting his late in you education at Hogwarts is very rare. In this special case, we request to have you at Hogwarts on August for placement testing and your Sorting.

We would like for you to floo directly into the Headmaster's Office promptly at 9:00 am

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Sophie looked up confused. "Sorting? I thought I was just gonna be with Harry and you guys."

"Well, you have to be sorted still, Cublet." Remus smiled at her. "You have the makings of a true Gryffindor though, so no worries."

"I don't know…she could be Ravenclaw," Hermione looked at the girl thoughtfully.

"Well, we'll find out tomorrow one way or the other." Sophie shrugged, going back to her chicken.

August 3, Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry – Headmaster's Office

Sophie tumbled out of the fire into a large circular room. She brushed the soot off of her top as she surveyed the room around her. She was wearing one of her old NYAMA skirts, a white tank top with the I love New York symbol on the chest, and her favorite denim jacket.

Standing in the room were 5 people. The oldest of them looked just like Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings books that Austin was obsessed with and forced her to read. One woman wore deep blue robes. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, and she was wearing square glasses. The other woman was dressed in brown with fly away hair and quite a bit of dirt under her fingers. But she was wearing a very welcoming smile. One man was shorter than even Sophie, and the other man was as tall as her dad, with black hair and a huge nose.

"Miss Black I presume?" the Gandalf look-alike asked, smiling at her.

"That's me," she smiled, extending her hand just as Sirius came through the floo.

"I am Albus Dumbledore, and I am the Headmaster here at Hogwarts." He shook her hand before turning to the other four teachers. "This is Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, Transfiguration Professor, and Head of Gryffindor House." The woman in blue gave her a small nod. "Fillius Flitwick, Ravenclaw Head and Charms Professor." The tiny man gave her a cheery wave. "Pomona Sprout, Herbology Professor, and Head of Hufflepuff." The happy little witch shook her hand.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, young lady."

"And this is Severus Snape, our Potions Professor and Head of Slytherin House."

The dark haired man narrowed his eyes at her before switching his gaze to Sirius and sneering.

"It's nice to meet you all," Sophie gave them all a slight nod before turning back to Professor Dumbledore.

"Lord Black, glad to see you again."

"Good to be here, Professor," Sirius nodded to everyone, giving Snape a nasty glare in the process.

The group took seats at a round table off to the side of the fireplace and tea was poured for the table at the flick of Dumbledore's wand.

Sophie added lots of sugar and a splash of cream as the Teachers began to ask her questions about her former school.

"NYAMA was a day school," she started. "I took about 15 classes over the school year, all of them cycled throughout the year. I took Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Charms, Herbology, Potions, Transfiguration, Defense, Wizarding Practices and Etiquette, History of Magic, American History, Magical World History, Science, American Literature, and a music class. We usually take between 8 and 10 subjects at once."

"We'll be putting you through a series of tests today, Miss Black, to determine what year level your learning is at. The American School System differs from our own in so many ways that you may be taking Advanced classes in some subjects, and Remedial classes in others." Professor Flitwick explained.

"First however, we'll sort you." Professor Sprout finished.

"How are we sorted? My friend Fred wouldn't say how, but his twin George says that it hurts a lot." Sophie voiced her worry aloud for the first time.

Professor McGonagall tutted. "I see you've met the Weasleys then." Sophie nodded. "The two of them enjoy a laugh. I assure you, there is no pain involved in the sorting. I'll have words with them when the term starts."

Professor Dumbledore produced an old wizard's hat from a shelf. It wasn't dirty, but it was patched and frayed, and clearly had seen better days.

"It's a little too early for another Sorting, isn't it? I still have a few weeks to work on my song!" the hat protested.

"Now now, we don't need you to sing. We just have a student who we wish you to sort before the school year." Dumbledore argued with the hat. Sophie's eyebrows rose. She was watching an old man argue with a HAT! Dumbledore placed the hat on Sophie's head.

Ah, I was wondering when I'd finally meet you Miss Black. The hat chuckled in her ear. Let's have a look, shall we? So much Ambition inside of you. Such a thirst to prove yourself! But there's Courage as well. Where should I put you my dear?

"No offense, but isn't it your job to pick?"she asked the hat quietly.

And witty too, the hat added. You want to be important. You want to change the world. You want to warp this entire world's way of thinking. You want to show that you're just as good as the people who started out here. With that much Ambition there's only one place for you dear.

SLYTHERIN!

Sophie pulled the hat off and handed it back to Dumbledore. She looked over at her father.

"Sirius?"

He didn't say anything.

Snape was too busy glaring at Sophie to say anything. How dare the little chit end up in his house? The girl clearly was going to be more trouble than she was worth.

Testing started soon after. It turned out that she qualified in most of her classes to be a 5th year except for three of them. She was at 7th year level for Arithmancy, a 6th year level in Runes, and a 4th year level for Herbology. Professor Sprout told her she would assign her a tutor to work with her in Herbology to help her keep up.

Sirius sat to discuss some things with Dumbledore while Sophie was shown around the school by Professors Flitwick and Snape.

"Let's get one thing clear, Miss Black." Snape started when Flitwick was preoccupied with a suit of armor that'd fallen over. "You are now under my jurisdiction. I will not tolerate any behavior that isn't fitting of my House. If you're anything like your useless attention-seeking father, and I know you are, then I'll be watching your every move. Do not cross me young lady, and I'll survive this experience with minimal damage done to the reputation of my house."

Sophie stared up into the man's eyes and narrowed her own.

"Considering I barely know my father, sir, I doubt I'm much like him. I'm Sophie, not Sirius, and any beef you have with him, you should take up with him, not me."

And Sophie walked away from a stunned Potions Master.

This year was going to be interesting after all.

Well, there's round 1 of Black versus Snape. How do you guys like Sophie so far, now that she'd interacted with many different characters? I want her to have a couple of solid friendships heading into Hogwarts (Ex. Weasleys, Hermione and of course Harry) so that when she gets in the snake-pit, she doesn't feel so alone.

I hope you guys will give me some constructive criticism, and let me know what you do (and don't) like about this story so far. This fic will cover all of 5th year. The year will very vaguely follow cannon (DA meetings, DOM and such) but with a new Character involved, how much do you expect it to stay the same? We're 2 chapters away from Hogwarts; anyone want to place bets on the team of Black and Potter vs. Umbridge?

-Nique