A.N So Sorry it's been a while. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL ! ! !

Hope Santa found you and you got what you wanted. I did i am writing this from my very own laptop.

Dedicated to all that read this chapter. Make it as my holiday gift to you all. Enjoy.

Just Around the Corner

The moment the boats touched the shore and the students tumbled out; the area was silent with awe. The large stone castle that towered over them buzzed with magic and all the kids standing at its feet could feel it.

I wish Harry was here to see this thought Lily

If only Lily could see this now Harry thought at the exact same moment, each of them not knowing that the other stood only feet away.

"We gotta keep moving Kids" grunted Hagrid as he swung he lantern towards the gravelled path.

Still stealing glances towards the castle, the students followed the enormous man down the path that crunched under their feet.

As they reached an old ancient looking door the students found a black haired lady dressed in Emerald green robes waiting for them. She was a stern looking witch that made Harry feel as though she was one teacher not to cross.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here"

Nodding his goodbye Hagrid turned and walked once again down the gravelled path his swinging lantern growing smaller so quickly.

The witch they now knew as Professor McGonagall turned and opened the grand door and led them all inside

The hall they walked into was made of pure, solid, white marble like stone. The torch towers that lined the walls illuminated the entire room in such a way the walls appeared to have been painted with gold. Muffled murmurs of speech could be heard behind the door in front of them which made Harry believe was the location of the rest of the school's students.

But the Professor didn't lead them through that door instead she manoeuvred them to a small chamber like room to the left and ushered them in.

As they all were not game to speak a single word in her presence, she was able to begin straight away.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start - of - term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.

The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

The Professor's eyes lingered on Neville's cloak which was clasp up beneath his left ear, and on Ron's nose which appeared to have a dirt smudge on it. As she began to leave Harry hastily tried to flatten his hair, but unfortunately it was a lost cause.

The emerald dressed teacher turned around at the door way.

"I shall return when we are ready for you" she said "Please wait quietly" and with that she left.

Swallowing hard Harry turned towards Ron. "Just how exactly do they sort us into our houses?" he asked

Ron just shrugged. "Some sort of test I suppose Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was only joking"

A Test?! What was Harry going to do he didn't know any magic.

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Just a few rows behind Lily heard the red haired boy mention something about a test performed to sort them into house. She started to panic Moony didn't say anything about a test.....he just said that they were going to be sorted.

She turned towards Amanda and Sophie.... "What sort of test is it?"

They just looked at her.

"I heard they put a hat on your head" spoke up a boy next to them "Well that's what dad told me"

Lily was in a way confused. Why was this boy talking to them? She turned to her two new friends with a questionable face only to be greeted by an Amanda rolling her eyes.

"Oh be quite Drew" she said. The boy obviously Drew huffed slightly as he folded his arms over his chest.

"That's my brother" Amanda explained "We're twins" she spoke in a dead tone as if she didn't want to say it.

"Oh there's a lot of love in this room" Sophie commented sarcastically

Lily just giggled.

"Gee thanks for the love sis" droaned out Drew

Amanda just poked her tongue out at him.

"SO did you say a hat?" asked Lily turning to the boy. He was slightly taller than her. His shaggy like brown hair, distinctly darker than his sister's, rested over his eyes. And his eyes were a deep blue.

He smiled. His smile sat crooked on his face in well a cute way making Lily giggle slightly when he showed her that smile.

"Yeah a hat. They put it on your head and it decides which house you belong in"

That didn't seem so bad in Lily's mind. At least it wasn't performing some sort of magic. She didn't know any single form of magic, although she did hope to learn more about this Transfiguration that Remus talked about.

A commotion in the front of the group caused all to fall silent and turn to watch the scene.

Lily took note that a boy with white blonde hair stood smirking at two other boys. One with a familiar mat of black hair (though she didn't understand how) and a mop of flaming red hair.

"You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort" the blonde boy stated smugly

What does he mean by wrong sort? Thought Lily, I suppose it goes to show you coming into the middle of a conversation you're bound to get nowhere with no idea what they were talking about.

"I can help you there" the blonde boy spoke again this time holding his hand out to the boy with the black hair.

By the movement of his head, Lily from how far away from the front she was, seemed to believe that the boy looked down at the hand and back up to the boy.

"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks" was his reply

It didn't seem to make the blonde haired boy any happier, his brow turned towards each other into a glare as he eyed the black haired boy.

Then a few people to the left of Lily shrunk back in fright. Turning from them back to the front Lily saw Professor McGonagall standing right behind the blonde boy with no evidence of happiness at all.

She tapped him on the shoulder with a scroll type of object and stared him down sternly. Knowing he was in no place to argue the boy back into the line and didn't utter another word.

The witch smile slightly....... well to be honest it looked more like....... let's not go there.

She glanced over the group. "We're ready for you now follow me"

The group filed out of the room and followed the witch out into the hall once more, this time they turned towards the brass like doors. As they approached the door it was opened with a swish of Professor McGonagall's wand. As it opened Lily let out a gasp.

There in front of her, stood rows and rows of bench tables, all the way down to meet a long table at the end of the enormous hall. Many faces turned and stared at the new students as they were led down the centre of the tables towards a stool and hat that stood in front of what appeared to be the Teacher's table.

There in the centre of the table sitting upon a golden gem trimmed throne like chair was Albus Dumbledore the very man who told her she was a witch.

"It's not the real ceiling, its bewitched to look like the night sky" spoke a voice just in front of her. "I read it about it in Hogwarts: A History" It was that bushy haired girl that they saw on the train.

Curious as to what they were talking about, Lily glanced up towards the roof to see an amazing sight.

Above the floating candles, yes floating was supposed to be the ceiling but it was not there. Instead Lily felt as though she was looking straight out into the night sky.

"Wow" she whispered, only to hear Drew chuckle.

The group continued down the hall. Everywhere Lily turned she saw students stop what they were doing and turn and stare, before seconds later turning to those next to them and whisper.

What could they possibly be saying?

"That's the boy who lived" she heard one as she passed them.

Boy who lived???? What sort of name was that????

She would have to ask maybe Amanda or Remus when she wrote to him tonight.

McGonagall ushered them into a bunched group in front of the teacher's table and the one rickety stool that sat in the middle.

Along the table sat many teachers. A fidget man sat towards the end of her left. He wore a purple turban and seemed that one good shock could send him to a grave. Next to him was a man of pale sickly skin. His black hair fell passed his ears and looked like it could do with a good wash. His eyes had the natural glare to them as he looked over his large nose. Further along sat Hagrid in his chair. Next to him was a man of very little stature. It wasn't because he was next to Hagrid. He was even smaller than that. Like goblin short...

Then one woman caught her sight. This lady had grey almost white coloured hair that was short and spiked into the air, but what caught Lily's fancy were the lady's eyes. They weren't your average colour. They were a bright striking yellow.

"Now when I call your name you will come forth, and I will place the sorting hat on your head" informed Professor McGonagall as she lifted a very battered hat into the air. The first years wanted to have this over as soon as possible but it seemed everyone else had other plans. The hat was placed on the stool and every turned to watch it.

How exactly was a HAT supposes to choose your house. Lily got her answer a few moments later. A rip began to appear near the rim of the hat. It opened wider and wider until a voice began to cackle from the hat. It was actually talking.

Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find a smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on!

Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

After the clapping had died down and that hat stood still once more Lily pondered for a short moment. Which house did she suit? She didn't know which of those traits suited her best. Maybe she didn't belong in any of them.

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Harry was slightly freaking out by now. That speech made him wondered where he would be. Ravenclaw that seemed like a reasonable house to be in. But he wanted to be in Gryffindor. He wanted to prove to himself and others that he was like his parents. Gryffindors through and through.

A slight house ran over the room as Professor McGonagall began to read out their names.

Hannah Abbot was the first to approach the stool and after a few minutes the rip appeared once more in the hat and it yelled for the whole hall to hear Hufflepuff

Susan Bones - Hufflepuff

Terry Boot - Ravenclaw

Mandy Brocklehurst - Ravenclaw

Lavender Brown - Gryffindor

Vincent Crabbe - Slytherin

Tracey Davis - Slytherin

Seamus Finnigan - Gryffindor

Anthony Goldstem - Ravenclaw

Gregory Goyle - Slytherin

Daphne Greengrass - Slytherin

Hermione Granger - Gryffindor

Wayne Hopkins - Hufflepuff

Megan Jones - Hufflepuff

Neville Longbottom - Gryffindor

Ernie Macmillan - Hufflepuff

Draco Malfoy - Slytherin

Morag McDougal - Ravenclaw

Theodore Nott - Slytherin

Pansy Parkinson - Slytherin

Padma Patil - Ravenclaw

Paravti Patil - Gryffindor

Harry Potter

Harry looked up. That was his name..... obviously but he wasn't sure he wanted to go up there. People where already whispering upon hearing his name. Recieving a small nudge from Ron, Harry stepped away from the diminishing crowd of first years and began what felt like the longest walk ever to the stool and the Sorting Hat.

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Harry Potter

Lily's head snapped up. Had she really heard correctly? She must have been dreaming or just wishing he was here, cause it wasn't possibly was it?

Craning her neck from the back of the group, Lily was greeted by that all too familiar mop of black hair. She just didn't realise just how familiar it was to her until now. As the boy turned around Lily almost yelled with joy. There right in front of the whole school to see was her best friend. He was actually at the same school as her. They would be in the same year, hopefully be in the same classes. This was all too good to be true.

Lily patiently waited for Harry's house to be announced, but it appeared that it would not happen any coming second. The hat was as lily had been informed whispering into the wearers ear telling them of their qualities. What could possibly be taking this long? From where she stood she could slightly make out the movement of Harry's lips moving. What could he possibly be saying over and over? Silent minutes passed but the hat finally made its verdict. GRYFFINDOR

She jumped slightly as the hall began to roar with joy and excitement. Why was it that they reacted like this for Harry but no other student that had been sorted? She knew she had to find out.

But for now she would have to wait till her turn than run and greet Harry.

Lily Samuels

Upon hearing her name Lily stopped breathing, she was sure of it. She couldn't go up there what if everyone started laughing when they hat could sort her or what if every turned around and said it wasn't real. She couldn't handle this. Where was Moony when you needed him?

She walked slowly towards the stool and sat down as the other before her had. The hat was placed over her head and fell over her eyes. The whole hall had gone.

Well what do we have here? Another Samuels or should I be saying another name...... perhaps your father's name. You are a tough one aren't you? Strong at mind and an obsession with books, you would make the Ravenclaw's very proud to become one of them. But something inside you lurks deep and hidden, but I am afraid its revealment is coming closer by the day. Make haste. Your fathers thirst for Knowledge was just as great as yours and yet so is your chance to prove to others you truly are no monster. Your talent for magic is just around the corner...... but before I sort you my dear, your father has set foot in your life more than once to this day........ Strong in mind brave at hear........... You'd be best in.....................

GRYFFINDOR!

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Harry couldn't believe his ears he hears Lily Samuels. Of course his friends originally name was Aarons but she had told him she was going to go with Samuels until she found her dad, but he still couldn't believe it. There right in front of his walking straight towards him was his best Friend Lily. They were at the same school and going into the same house it was just unbelievable. It couldn't all be true.

Harry tried to motion her to come sit next to him but with all that going on he didn't watch Ronald Weasley get sorted into Gryffindor. He had completely missed it and as a result almost jumped out of his skin when he sat down opposite him, for on either side of him sat Ron's older brother and prefect Percy and Hermione Granger one of the newly sorted students.

He watched Lily smile around and sit down a fair amount of distance away from him. He was going to have to shout to get her to turn around and talk, and he wasn't really in the mood to make a scene.

Learning from Hermione he found out where the last students got sorted

Sophie Tapper - Gryffindor

Dean Thomas - Gryffindor

Lisa Turpin - Ravenclaw

Ron Weasley - Gryffindor

Then he watched along with everyone else at the final students were put under the hat.

Amanda Williams - Gryffindor

Following her came her twin brother. He walked up the step and was seated on the stool. Only a few moments later RAVENCLAW rang out.

The second set of twins tonight that didn't get placed in the same house, but that's not what caught Harry's eye.

There a few seats ahead of him sat a disappointed Lily as she watched the boy join the tables. He couldn't understand why she was disappointed what did this boy have to do with her????

Shaking it from his thoughts he watched as Blaise Zabini was sorted to Slytherin and turned to watch Dumbledore along every other student in the room as he stood for his speech.

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The Gryffindor first years followed Percy through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase. Harry's legs were like lead again, but only because he was so tired and full of food. He was too sleepy even to be surprised that the people in the portraits along the corridors whispered and pointed as they passed, or that twice Percy led them through doorways hidden behind sliding panels and hanging tapestries. They climbed more staircases, yawning and dragging their feet, and Harry was just wondering how much farther they had to go when they came to a sudden halt.

A bundle of walking sticks was floating in midair ahead of them, and as Percy took a step toward them they started throwing themselves at him.

"Peeves," Percy whispered to the first years. "A poltergeist." He raised his voice, "Peeves -- show yourself"

A loud, rude sound, like the air being let out of a balloon, answered.

"Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?"

There was a pop, and a little man with wicked, dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross- legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks.

"Oooooooh!" he said, with an evil cackle. "Ickle Firsties! What fun!"
He swooped suddenly at them. They all ducked

"Go away, Peeves, or the Barn will hear about this, I mean it!" barked Percy.
Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished, dropping the walking sticks on Neville's head. They heard him zooming away, rattling coats of armour as he passed.

"You want to watch out for Peeves," said Percy, as they set off again.
"The Bloody Baron's the only one who can control him, he won't even listen to us prefects. Here we are."

At the very end of the corridor hung a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.
"Password?" she said. "Caput Draconis," said Percy, and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall. They all scrambled through it -- Neville needed a leg up -- and found themselves in the Gryffindor common room, a cozy, round room full of squashy armchairs..

Percy directed the girls through one door to their dormitory and the boys through another. At the top of a spiral staircase – they were obviously in one of the towers – they were going to find their beds at last. Four – postered beds with deep red curtains. They were informed that their stuff had already been brought up and been put in their respectable places.

Each gender parted ways up the stairs and into their rooms. Harry, completely and utterly tired didn't feel like uttering a word when Ron commented about the food, He just wanted to go to sleep and worry about it all tomorrow. He had to talk to Lily tomorrow, he felt bad enough as it was not trying to converse with her over dinner. After changing into his new so soft pyjamas, Harry slid under the covers of the softest beds he had ever felt. Sure he had been in a bed at Lily's, but that was nothing compared to these beds.... possibly magic was involved. Not caring for one more moment Harry took his glasses off the crook of his nose and placed them on his bedside table. Drawing the curtains around him, he laid down and willed sleep to come. Not knowing he was about to be sucked into a weird dream of a talking Turban.

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Lily placed the quill back in her bag and capped the ink once more. For her first time writing with a quill and ink she was quite proud of herself. Happily given permission to use Amanda's or should she say Mandy's owl. She folded the parchment and tied it to the leg of the waiting light brown owl. She opened the window and let it go hoping the bird understood her when she said take it to Remus Lupin. She wasn't sure how long it would take to reach Moony as she didn't know where he was living, she just hoped it wouldn't be too long till she heard back. Deciding to keep the window open, Lily quickly changed into her shorts and baggy shirt for bed and climbed in. Blowing out the candle that stood on her bedside table, Lily pulled the blankets up to her chin and fell asleep.

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What Lily didn't know was that Remus wasn't that far away at all. For the mean time as he was looking for employment, Moony had a small room rented at Hogsmeade just on the outskirts of Hogwarts.

When he heard a tap on the window, Remus got the fight of his life. He was so caught up in looking at all the photos from his school year that he wasn't ready to get such a scare. Jumping a mile, Moony whirled around and found an owl tapping at his window with a letter tied to his foot.

Opening the window and allowing the owl to fly in, Remus was greeted with the owl holding out its foot with a letter addressed to him tied to its foot. He took the burden from the owl, which hooted happily and took off in the direction of the castle.

Closing the window after it, Remus never tore his eyes off the piece of parchment in his hand. It was an unfamiliar writing, but it still made him curious. Unfolding the paper he found that the writer was none other than Lily. She was keeping her promise of sending him the letter.

And so he began to read.

Moony,

Well I got to Hogwarts.

It's amazing completely magical. It's better than you described. I can't believe this is now my school.

I met friends on the train, just like you said. They are really nice and we all got sorted into Gryffindor..... Just like mum.

You never mentioned that the stairs moved!! ! It was brilliant. I couldn't believe my eyes.

The sorting was sort of scary. How come you never mentioned it was a sorting hat that decided what houses we were in? It mentioned my father. Dumbledore told me no one but my godfather knows who my real dad is but I think the hat knew. He said that there is something inside me that will be coming out soon. It's just around the corner he said. Moony I don't know what to do. What's going to happen to me??

I better go. Lights out was a little while ago, I just wanted to write this too you like I said I would I had to borrow my friend Amanda's owl to send this to you. I don't know when you'll get it or if you'll get it because well I don't know how this owl post thing works. I just hope he finds you.

Thanks again......will write soon........

Lily

Remus was worried now. Lily had mentioned to him once about her whole parent fiasco, how no one knew he her dad was. But if the sorting hat had mentioned it to her than something has got to be up. The hat never gives away stuff like that or warning. He normally as it once told him, likes to watch it play out.

Something around the corner. Could she possibly be ill or will be attacked by something? Could it be him that gets to her soon? Gods he hoped not.

Walking over to the small desk that was in his room, Remus pulled out a quill, ink and parchment and began to reply. He was going to send it to her tomorrow during their breakfast before she went off to class. Signing his name in neat calligraphy, Remus sealed the letter with the Lupin seal and left it on his desk for morning. Right now he needed his rest. IT may still be a few days away but Remus could already feel the effects of the full moon rising. Not bothering to undress or turn of the lights, Remus slumped on top of the bed in a way that would have made the Marauders proud and began to snore lightly as he began to sleep.

A.N Well I was supposed to get this up before Christmas but that obviously didn't work. I got extra time at work on the days coming up to Christmas and I had to work everyday. I tried to make this as long as I could to try and make up for it. It took me a while to set up the computer I got for Christmas. That and mum wanted family time. We had to visit family friends so that meant no computer and then there was work also. It's no excuse but I felt so bad in not updating. That and I had a scare with this chapter. After bringing all my files on my laptop I thought I had erased this chapter before I transferred it. At least I found it nice and whole.

Please R&R it means a lot.