Thanks to sweet-tang-honney, Shorty653, and Lost-puppyEYES

Sorry this took me longer to update than expected it was just one of those weeks

Disclaimer: Not my property

When Hermione arrived at the entrance of the Great Hall, she saw Professor McGonagall speaking to a group of children. The new first years listened intently as the woman explained the Sorting Ceremony.

"When we enter I will call you up one by one and place the hat on your head. The hat will call out one of the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. You will then go to sit with your new house and wait for the Headmaster to start the feast." She turned and the large doors opened as she led the awestruck first years into the Hall.

Hermione stood outside the doors and listened to the Sorting Hat sing its song. It sung of Gryfindor's bravery and boldness, Ravenclaw's intelligence and wisdom, Slytherin's cunning and ambition, and Hufflepuff's kindness and loyalty. Hermione had taken the time to read Hogwarts: A History and felt the song was rather accurate except from what she picked up Hufflepuffs weren't always loyal and kind, many were just the leftovers. Most would never admit this out loud but everyone knew it was true.

As each child's name was called and their house declared, Hermione shifted her weight from foot to foot nervously as she waited for the Headmaster to call her into the Great Hall. Hogwarts had never had a transfer student before and she would surely be a source of curiosity and rumors until something more interesting happened. She could remember nothing of her own school or friends but she knew that teenagers in large gatherings created rumor mills.

Finally, Andrew York was placed into Ravenclaw and the sound of applause grew until suddenly being cut short. The next noise heard was the voice of the Headmaster booming through the Hall. "Welcome to our first years and welcome back to the rest. Before we begin our lovely feast I have an announcement." Murmurs filled the hall in surprise, what could the Headmaster possibly tell them? "A few days ago, we found on Hogwarts property a young girl. She was injured badly and unconscious. Our own Madam Pomfrey healed her wounds and nursed her to health. Unfortunately the accident caused amnesia. She has no memory of who she is or where she is from. Our sorting hat was able to find that her given name is Hermione Jean and until a last name is found she will be known as such. If any of you recognize her please tell us immediately, if she recovers any memories while in your presence please take note. Until her identity and family is found she will be staying here as a seventh year. She has already been sorted into Gryffindor and I hope that you will all welcome her here in our home. Now, Ms Jean if you would please come into the Hall?"

With his final words the large doors opened revealing a curios mass of students turned intently to the entrance, eager to see the mysterious girl. Cautiously, Hermione stepped into the Hall that was now filled with whispers which caused her to become self conscious. She already felt vulnerable enough without her memory, to be the center of attention just made it worse. Entering into the Hall for the first time in the school year gave her a strong sense of déjà vu. Hermione forced a smile to the table full of teachers, the members of which she had already become acquainted, before she timidly went to the Gryffindor table and sat down at the end where she was alone but still close enough to some students her age to be pulled into conversation if she wished.

"Now," Dumbledore's voice cut through the whispers, "It is time to eat!"

Food magically appeared on the tables and the attention was taken away from Hermione. She could understand why, the food was beautiful and Hermione had learned the food tasted as grand as it looked.

Hermione began to take food from the surrounding serving plates for herself when several beings suddenly were sitting around her. Hermione jerked her head up when one sat very close to her.

"Hey Hermione, you don't mind if we sit here do you?" The girl addressing her was beautiful with flowing red hair and bright green eyes. She wore a uniform identical to her own but upon her cloak was a golden badge showing that she was this year's Head Girl. "My name's Lily Evans and these gentlemen are known as the Marauders," the four boys to whom Lily was referring all grinned at the title. Lily was also smiling and hers was a smile that was contagious causing Hermione's small smile to be a little less forced.

One of the Marauders had a Head Boy badge and sat down next to Lily rather closely. He had messy black, glasses, and a face that seemed very familiar just like many of the Professors. But his eyes, his hazel eyes just seemed wrong and his obvious self confidence felt odd as well. "Oi, I'm James Potter, Evans' future husband," the Head boy claimed as he attempted to throw his arm around her shoulders.

Lily blushed as she shrugged him off, "In your dreams, Potter."

"True, true but we are heads now and we'll be seeing a lot of each other. Who knows what will happen?" he wriggled his eyebrows suggestively before clutching his side in mock pain after Lily elbowed him. As those two continued their banter, Hermione turned towards the rest of her companions.

On left side was a handsome young, aristocratic looking man with long black hair. He lounged beside her lazily and introduced himself as Sirius Black, a name that caused a feeling of recognition to once again nag at her absent memories. Sirius then gestured across the table to his two fellows and introduced them as Remus Lupin and Peter Petegrew. Remus had shaggy blond hair and tattered uniform. Like herself, he had scars but they were obviously of a different nature. Her intuition—as Hermione decided to refer to her odd feelings of recognition—told her the Remus was an intelligent young man that she could trust.

Peter Petegrew on the other hand was very much the opposite. Every one she met and 'recognized' so far gave her a vibe of friendliness and a vague sense of home, but Peter was very different. His small, watery eyes were pathetic; his shy smile made her cringe. She felt bad at reacting this way; he was much shorter than his friends and very much overweight. His self confidence was obviously low and was quite obviously begging for acceptance but every fiber of her being felt disgusted to be near him and begged her to shun him.

Hermione was grateful to Lily when she once again commanded Hermione's attention. "I'm so sorry to hear about your accident but I'm sure your family will turn up soon. Have you regained any memories?"

"No."

"Oh well, that's too bad," Sirius said, "I hope you like it here at Hogwarts. Now everyone says this about their own house but Gryffindor really is the best, you couldn't have been luckier with your sorting. We are good friends with the Hufflepuffs and get along well enough with the Ravenclaws, unfortunately the Slytherins are another story."

"They aren't that bad," Lily defended half-heartedly.

"They are and you know it better than anyone," James interrupted. Lily's face fell then filled with anger at something.

"I don't think we should judge based on certain individuals guys," Remus insisted. Hermione smiled at the shaggy blonde and began to ask him about the classes. The couple in denial returned to their banter as Siruis teased them while Peter pretended to listen to the conversation between the new girl and his neighbor.

Hermione could almost completely ignore the whispers and stares that had returned but one stare pickled her senses. It was not a constant stare, it felt like casual observation but Hermione could not help but turn to look at the source. It came from the Slytherin table where many were glaring daggers at her but one boy was clearly her culprit. He was tall, thin, pale and had shoulder length black hair in need of a thorough wash. His features were distinct and somehow fit his overly large nose. She saw that the boy glared at Sirius and James and was giving Lily a wistful gaze but he was not obvious about it. No one would notice unless they looked for it.

Before Hermione could ask any questions Dumbledore gave his speech and the students were dismissed to their dorms.

That night Hermione went to sleep once again wondering why her intuition was as strong as it was. And tonight she had some added thoughts as she listened to Lily's soft snores. Why did she naturally detest Petegrew? And why did the thin, pale Slytherin boy fill her with such confusion?

AN: I hope you didn't mind the wait, these things happen. Now I must write for Dearest Ferret since they've been waiting even longer than you guys