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Chapter 13:

The Gryffindors quickly changed into their school robes as the train pulled into Hogsmeade station. The train pulled in the station and the students piled onto the platform. The second year Gryffindors made their way towards the carriages. "Wow – sometimes I forget how cool magic is!"

The other Gryffindors laughed happily, "what do you mean?"

"The carriages – nothings pulling them; no horses, nothing," Lily explained.

"What are you talking about Lily?" Alice asked looking from Lily to the others. Most of them were looking at Lily in confusion. "Can't you see?"

"What are you on about? There is nothing pulling them," Mary said. Kate nodded her head in agreement.

James smiled, "let me explain. The carriages are pulled by Thestrals. They're like winged horses but you can only see them if you've seen someone die. You should be grateful that you can't see it, Lily."

Lily looked at James in shock; he'd just used her first name. "Are you serious?"

"Give me your hand," James said pulling Lily's hand towards the threstral's side.

"No! Potter!" Lily shouted.

"Shh, Lily. Calm down. I promise, it's not going to hurt you," James whispered in her ear.

Lily felt as her hand touched the threstral's back. It felt leathery and slightly scaly in places. "Wow."

"Cool, right," James whispered in her ear, as he stood close behind her still holding her hand.

"Yeah, really cool," Lily said, "What does it look like?"

"It's larger than a normal horse. It's black. I guess you'd probably think it looks scary but I promise they're not."

"How do you know so much about them," Lily said turning around to face James. She quickly realised how close they were. She stepped back and almost fell on top of the threstral but luckily James put out an arm to grab her. He pulled her towards himself, breathing in the smell of her shampoo. "Thanks. We better go." Lily jumped into the carriage, her friends quickly following her.

Harry watched as his parents sat at the Gryffindor table with their friends. They were waiting for the first years to arrive so that the sorting could begin. "I'm starving! I hope the sortings quick tonight," Sirius complained.

"Black, the sorting is a superb Hogwarts tradition!" Lily chastised.

At that moment the doors to the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall led the new first years into the room. The eleven year olds stood in a long line; waiting nervously. The sorting hat was sat on the stool. It quickly began to sing;

I am a very special sort of hat,

Far better than any other.

I'm not a bowler hat, or a top hat.

I'm not a sailor's hat, or a pirate's hat.

No, I'm a wizard's hat. I'm magical, incredible.

Superb and exquisite; there is no hat that compares,

To the Hogwarts Sorting Hat!

I'm not a lazy hat instead I'm a sorting hat.

I'm here to sort you into houses

put you where you belong.

But that's the question isn't it

where do you belong?

You could belong in Gryffindor

where dwell the brave at heart.

Those Gryffindors are brave and virtuous.

They fight for what they think is right

and they are pretty funny too.

I particularly like those Marauders four.

But perhaps your greatest strengths

are not your virtue or your bravery.

It may be that you are witty and smart;

you know no other grade than Outstanding!

If that is you then you'll be at home,

In the house of Ravenclaw.

Perhaps you are ambitious and looking for a win,

Although that might make the marauders put you in a bin,

It will also mean you belong with the Slytherins.

They believe in being the best and striving to achieve.

The Slytherins are determined and ruthless.

They won't give up until they succeed.

As for those beautiful Hufflepuffs;

There is something special about their kindness,

They are gentle and hardworking.

They are thoughtful and considerate.

They are good to the core – If that is you,

Then you'll be at home in Hufflepuff.

There is trouble brewing so bear in mind,

That whilst you're in this school you're safe.

But keep your eyes open and trust your friends.

Believe in goodness and believe in love.

For these are the things that keep us human.

There is a darkness; an inhuman darkness.

So focus on your human strengths,

Your kindness, gentleness, and love.

Your goodness and your wit.

Your bravery and virtue,

your ambition and courage.

These are things that make you, you.

Professor McGonagall drew out her scroll of parchment and began calling out the names of the first years. James and the other marauders were joking about how they had been mentioned by the sorting hat, "not just once, but twice!" James laughed, "Although I didn't like the later bit."

"How do you mean?" Sirius asked.

"The trouble brewing," James frowned, "Do you think the hat knows something about Voldemort?"

"Well, it lives in Dumbledore's office," Remus answered, "so I guess he's probably heard something."

"Wait a sec," Sirius said, "It's Regulus!"

Professor McGonagall called out, "Black, Regulus!"

Regulus stepped forward to the stool and sat down with the hat upon his head, "Slytherin!"

Sirius sighed sadly, "Well I guess that's that then." Sirius tried to smile at Regulus as they caught each other's eyes. James patted Sirius on the back.

The marauders carried on their conversation, "do you think he hears a lot of interesting conversations in the office?" Sirius asked.

"Probably. I mean, Dumbledore meets up with a lot of different people – influential people – like the minister for magic and the head of the aurors office," James said.

"Like your dad?" Remus asked.

"Yep, they've had several conversations in that office in the last year," James answered. "He probably knows all about the order."

"Do you think?" Sirius asked.

"I'm pretty sure," James replied.

Dumbledore grabbed their attention, "well a new year is upon us. We have the chance to do something amazing. There are scary things outside of these walls but I promise you that the walls of Hogwarts will keep us all safe. I must inform you that the forbidden forest is forbidden – that goes for our older students too. I must also tell you that the list of prohibited objects is as ever growing and you should check it – it can be found on Mr Filch's office door. The corridors are patrolled at night by our prefects and head boy and girl. The teachers will also be patrolling the corridors this year as an extra safety precaution. Anyone caught out of bed will receive detention and most likely lose house points. Anyone wanting to try out for their house's Quidditch team should sign up on the list in their common room. That is all. Off to bed with you all."

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Next chapter...

The first day of classes...

James and Lily's first fight...

Meeting the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher...