This chapter has been entered into the original Character Competition, using the prompts setting: Hogwarts, emtion: anxiety, era: next-get and bonus: dancing pumpkins.

It has also been entered into the If You Dare Challenge (581. One Word); 50 Different Friendships Challenge (27. Castle); Popular Song Competition (Die Young - Ke$ha) and the Legendary Gods and Goddesses Competition (Amaterasu-oumikami)

"Do you even know how we're going to be Sorted?" Mara asked Rose curiously as they stood in the Waiting Hall, looking for Uncle Nev- he was Professor Longbottom here unless they were in private, which was something that the two of them would have to remember.

"Well," Rose said thoughtfully, "James – my older cousin – tried to convince me that we'd have to duel a whole line up of Halloween themed creatures, including a couple of dancing pumpkins and candy-pelting skeleton. But it's obvious that the entire idea's absurd, so I didn't believe him, of course. Besides, my day had already told me that we're going to have to put on a Hat which will then Sort us into out houses."

Mara looked at Rose wide-eyed. "Dancing pump- what?" she cried, "But- But- I don't even have an appropriate response to that!"

"James likes to think he's a master prankster," her new friend informed, sorting disbelievingly. "I think it's rather obvious he has a long way to go before he can live up to him namesakes or our uncles."

"I'll say-"

Mara's words were cut off by the reappearance of Unc- Professor Longbottom.

"We're ready," was all he said before leading the new batch of students into the Great Hall.

As they entered, the girls looked around at their surrounding with wide, curious eyes, taking in all the new sights and sounds. The magical ceiling was so shocking that they nearly forgot to walk onwards for a moment.

Once they reached their destination and stood in front of the famed Sorting Hat, the two of them tuned out Professor Longbottom's explanation of the Sorting process to talk to each other.

"I hope we're in the same house," Mara whispered, looking at the Sorting Hat nervously.

"Of course we'll be in the same house," Rose whispered back. "Both Vic and Sam were constantly telling us how similar we are! There's no way that the Hat will separate us."

"But you can't be sure about that," Mara replied, her nervousness obvious in her voice.

"No, but I can be fairly certain," Rose replied cheekily, before shushing her new friend. "I think we need to keep quiet now – look, the Sorting's started."

The two girls watched the Sorting Ceremony quietly, Mara nearly vibrating with nervous energy, holding her breath until –

"Finnegan, Mara."

Rose watched Mara sit on the stool, the Hat placed over her head. She had her fingers crossed – she already knew which house she would be Sorted into, she just needed Mara to be a-

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Rose joined in the cheering, sending Mara a reassuring smile as she walked to the lions' table. She knew full well that she would be joining her friend there in a few moments. Now all she needed to do was wait until her name was called out.

Rose watched as boy after girl trudged to be Sorted and scowled. She hated the fact that her surname started with the letter W – it meant that she was nearly always the last to be called on.

And then finally – "Weasley, Rose."

As Rose climbed the stage, she flashed Uncle Neville – it was the last time she'd get to call him that, even in her head, so she was just going to ignore the fact that he was her Professor – a smile.

She closed her eyes as the Hat slipped onto her head.

"Ah," she heard a voice – the Hat, undoubtedly – say. "You're not a difficult one at all, are you Ms Weasley? So convinced you know where you belong, just like your father. And just like your mother, you are right. GRYFFINDOR!"

Rose hopped off the stool as soon as the Hat bellowed out her house and made her way over to Mara.

"I told you not to worry, didn't I?" she whispered as she took her seat, turning all her attention on Headmistress McGonagall.