Exactly one hour had passed since the Sorting and Alice Potter was inconsolable.

"I can't be in Ravenclaw... I can't be in Ravenclaw!" she squeaked.

"Oh Alice, don't cry," soothed Hermione, crouching down beside her and stroking her arm. "If the Sorting Hat's placed you in Ravenclaw, it's bound to be the best house for you. You won't be saying all of this in a week's time, I promise!"

"I don't know anybody in Ravenclaw! Who do we know who's in Ravenclaw?!" she shouted through her childlike tears.

"Luna Lovegood?" Ron offered, causing her to cry even harder.

Alice was sat in Dumbledore's office with Harry, Ron and Hermione after having refused to follow the Ravenclaw prefects to the dormitory. Dumbledore had kindly allowed for her to catch her breath in his office away from her new peers, but Harry sensed that he was not going to bend the rules for a scared little first year.

Alice glared at the Sorting Hat, which was perched on the top of the potions cabinet where it had been gathering dust all year. hats had minds, I bet you could change yours and put me somewhere else!" she shouted from her chair. Harry put his hand on her shoulder warningly. I told you before, you do not belong in Gryffindor," it told her wearily. e's eyes narrowed. "What about Slytherin?"

Ron and Hermione shot each other an uncomfortable look as Harry stared down at his sister in alarm. He'd always thought Alice would rather be separated from Elsie than be with the rest of that retched house.

"Miss Potter..." began Dumbledore from the back of his office. He'd been standing there silently since he'd sat her down. "Miss Potter, many students are surprised by their assigned House. Some have no relations in the wizarding world at all, let alone Hogwarts School. There is no shame in being scared or shy."

Alice pouted but said nothing.

"Here," Dumbledore opened the drawer on his right side and pulled out a small string-drawn bag. "I assume from your mother's infuence you're familiar with muggle confectionary. These are pear drops. They're not a favourite of mine, but I hear they're quite the fashion among muggle youths."

"I'm not a muggle," said Alice defiantly.

"Regardless, you might want to offer some to your Ravenclaw peers."

Another tear escaped Alice's eye.

"It would be a start," he smiled kindly. He stood up and wandered across his office towards the door. "I regret that I can't help you further, Miss Potter. The Sorting Hat's decision is final and I make it a rule of mine never to argue with hats."

He opened the door and a startled-looking Luna stood at the door, her wispy hair windswept from where Harry suspected she'd been skipping down the corridors.

"Ah, good evening Miss Lovegood."

"You asked to see me, Headmaster?"

"Yes. I wonder if you might take Miss Potter to the Ravenclaw common room. Unfortunately I've had to drag these four young people away from their feast in a matter of wizarding urgency, but all's right as rain again."

"Oh, of course, Headmaster!" Luna beamed. Her eyes sought the youngest Potter and held her hand out. Harry balked at the gesture. Alice rose to her feet and nervously took Luna's hand. Luna dragged her out into the corridor and the others were left with the sound of Luna's shoes echoing down the hall as she skipped. Harry imagined Alice was not skipping along with her. Rather, she was jogging awkwardly beside her.

"I'm sorry about her, Professor," said Harry glumly. "She's been a bit emotional about coming here this past year."

"Oh, it's no matter to be, Harry. I was considerably worse when I started at Hogwarts."

Dumbledore sat back down in his chair and leaned back, looking out nostalgically at a replaying memory of his. "I recall that I was pertubed about being sorted into Gryffindor because the colour red is not very becoming of my eyes. I nearly insisted that I be placed in Ravenclaw."

"What, really?" asked Ron, bemused.

"Indeed. Of course, I was refused. I was forced to face a future in which my school tie would make my eyes appear bloodshot. Those were sorrowful days, I tell you."

Harry smiled awkwardly.

"Well, you three should rest yourselves. Big day tomorrow, lessons and such."

"Yes, Professor, um... thank you."

The trio scurried out of the door. They would not get back to the feast in time to eat any more and silently agreed to head back to the Gryffindor common room before the others hearded in.

"Another year, another mental anecdote from Dumbledore," said Ron as they collapsed onto the sofas in the empty common room. "I reckon this year's going to be interesting. I mean, we've got Hagrid as a teacher. At least we know Care of Magical Creatures will be a doss."

"Ron..." said Hermione warningly. She silenced him. Harry poked the glowing embers in the fire grumpily with the poker.

"Poor Alice," sighed Ron. "She must be shitting bricks."

"Ronald. That is vulgar and unhelpful," Hermione scolded. "She'll be fine. She has Luna."

Ron nodded encouragingly before the realistic outcome of Alice's apprenticeship as Luna's junior fruitloop sunk in.

"Bugger this," said Harry suddenly, dropping the poker and standing up. "I'd better write to Mum and Dad. They'll want to know how she's settling in."

oOoOoO

It was pitch black and raining outside. Lily stood at the large cupboard & shelf unit at the back of her living room, gazing fondly at the old framed pictures of her family. There was one in which she and her husband were dancing together in a breezy autumn park. That was the guests' favourite. Hers had to be the one beside it: Harry aged 3, holding his arms out to a wadding baby Alice, who stumbled into her brother as she struggled to take her first steps. Milestones were a brutal joy.

Behind her, her fireplace roared with green flames and a tired-looking Sirius Black stepped out into the lounge.

"Evening!"

"Hi, Padfoot. Tea?"

"Something stronger."

"'Kay."

She tore her gaze away from the pictures and went through to the dining room. The house was so quiet it was almost painful.

"Well?" Sirius called from the lounge. "Have you heard from them?"

Lily sighed. "Yes. Have you?"

Sirius didn't respond. As Lily heard his footsteps coming towards the dining room across the hall, she pulled her wand out of her back pocket.

"Alohomora" she muttered at the drinks cabinet. The glass door clicked open and she reached in for the brandy.

Sirius came in and sat at one of the chairs.

"Elsie's in Slytherin."

Lily turned and saw his glum expression.

"Oh..."

She quickly turned back and reached for a tumbler glass. "Well, good for her."

When she turned back and placed the bottle and glass on the table, Sirius raised an eyebrow at her.

"Don't give me that look, Padfoot. I know what you're thinking, but not all Slytherins are bad eggs!"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "It's... it's just another bloody thing I've got to worry about."

He grabbed the bottle and poured some amber liquid into the small glass.

"What do you mean?" asked Lily.

Sirius downed the drink. "We're having a bit of a money crisis at the moment."

"Oh... how come?"

Sirius shrugged and leant back in his chair. "My kids eat like hippogriffs, my job's not too well-paying, my bloody house is falling apart in its old age..."

"... Isabelle can't say no to another diamond necklace?" Lily finished for him with a smirk. He grinned half-heartedly back at her.

"It would help if she was kept away from muggle London, that's for sure."

"I'll do my best," Lily smiled, pouring him another glass. "But why didn't you tell us sooner? We could've-"

"No, no and no, Lily. You and James aren't giving us a single sickle."

"But-"

"We'll find a way. I'll write more articles and we'll sell some bits of furniture. We'll be fine, honestly."

Lily was doubtful, but offered her friend a smile.

"I don't have much choice, Lily," he smiled weakly. "I've got to make ends meet, especially with the twins going away in two years."

"That'll be fine. We can give you Harry and Alice's old stuff. Aida can have Elsie's if she's in Slythein."

"Don't even start on the twins' sorting..." said Sirius darkly, taking the brandy bottle from Lily. "Aida's petrified now."

Lily frowned. Her jolly little goddaughter was never really one for taking steps backwards. It was a little odd hearing Sirius talking about Aida as an individual. Usually, she came in a package deal with her twin brother.

"Where did Alice get sorted into?"

"Ravenclaw."

"Ah..."

"Which is fine! She just... gets a bit anxious when she doesn't know anyone."

"I know."

"And I'm not there to comfort her."

"I know."

"Both my children are hundreds of miles away."

"I know."

"And this house is too bloody quiet and it's driving me mad."

Sirius stood up and walked past her. Lily didn't bother asking him what he was doing. Seconds later, he sat back down with a second tumbler glass in his hand. He poured out brandy in the two glasses and pushed one towards Lily.

Lily shook her head.

"Drink up, matey."

"No thanks."

"Oh go on, Lils."

"I can't."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. Lily looked up at him, shrugged and gave a shy smile. When Sirius opened his mouth to speak, Lily put an index finger to her lips and winked.

Sirius sighed, picked up her drink, downed it and pulled out his wand.

"Aguamenti"

Cold water filled the little glass and Lily chuckled.

"A toast!" she declared, lifting her glass of water. "To Elsie Black: An ambitious and intelligent Slytherin!"

"And to Alice Potter," grinned Sirius, holding his glass up to hers. "A wise 'n' witty Ravenclaw!"

Lily laughed out loud. They clinked glasses and sipped. Though it was impossible for either to know what the other was thinking, they were both toasting to the same things internally: their children, their fortunes and their futures.

oOoOoO

A/N: *Wink, wink* Review and stuff. If you hate the storyline, that's fine, you don't have to read any further.

Thanks to all (helpful) reviewers so far!

P.S: Mum's baby was born on Monday. Her name's Bella. *Cries self to sleep*

Nel X