The next morning, Lily was in a flurry to make sure that she had all things that she needed in her trunk. Her owl, Belle had already been sent ahead to the school. She put on her cranberry shirt and a pair of blue pants.

Ginny came in then and said, "All set?"

Lily said turning to her mother, "I do believe so. I think it is nice of Mr. Murphy to show us the way to the station."

Ginny said, "Witches and Wizards usually stick together."

Lily nodded. Downstairs they met up with Mr. Murphy and his family. His wife Catherine, son and his family: Allen and Victoria with Emily and Renee. Emily was a third-year Wampus student, daughter and her family: Heather and Michael Ruttle with Henry, a second-year student in Thunderbird. They hailed two taxis. Their trunks were shrunk and in their pockets.

At the train station, they all walked in together. Lily was astonished to see that the platform that they were required was also being used by the non-magical population. Victor had explained that non-magicals used the platform until 930, and then from 930 to 1015, Ilvermorny would have the platform for their train, and then promptly at 1015, non-magicals would be allowed to see and use the platform again.

They went over to the platform and were able to get onto it easily. Lily watched as many of the students were already claiming the compartments. Emily and Henry split off to find their friends or a compartment for them.

Victor said, "Let's get Renee and Lily a compartment. First years are in the first three cars. The prefects along with the head boy and girl are in the first car."

Renee led the way to the second car. Allen and Harry followed each carrying the girls' trunks shrunk down to the size of a briefcase. Renee found an empty compartment as there were already several first years on the train. Their father's immediately unshrunk their trunks. They then put the trunks in the luggage rack.

Renee and Lily went back out to the platform to visit with their families.

At the five minute mark, the bell sounded. Lily hugged her mother and father then her brothers. Renee and Lily went into their compartment. They noticed that they had been joined by another first year.

The girl said, "I hope you don't mind? I thought this was empty, but then I noticed your trunks."
Renee said, "Not at all, Ms…"

The girl said, "Julia Donaldson."

Renee said, "I'm Renee Murphy and this is Lily Potter."

Julia said, "Nice to meet you."

They had a fun chat during the three hour ride to Ilvermorny. They got some food off the food cart as it passed by. Thankfully for Lily's sake, the nice lady was able to take her card. As they chatted, they learned that Julia was a first-generation witch born to farmers in Georgia. Renee told them all about Ilvermorny and how the sorting is done and what the dorms are set up like (she heard it from her sister and cousin).

Soon an announcement was made: "Attention Ilvermorny students! We will be arriving at the school in five minutes. Please make sure your luggage is packed and closed. Leave your luggage and it will be taken to the school separately. Returning students, once we arrive, go to the carts and make yoru way to the school. First years, please remain on the train until you are excused to go to the carts. This allows the rest of the students to get to the school and settled to watch the sorting."

The train soon pulled to a stop. After about ten minutes, the first years were cleared to head up to the school in the carts. At the carts, Lily, Renee, and Julia got in with a girl that introduced herself as Deidra Little. The carts were driven by little creatures that Renee told them were the Pukwudgies of Ilvermorny. Lily noticed that Julia had grown nervous.

Lily said, "Julia, you'll do great, and remember, no matter what house you are sorted into we are still your friend."

Renee nodded her agreement.

In the atrium, Mrs. Allen stood up next to her podium and said, "Welcome to Ilvermorny students, especially to our first years! First years, as soon as your done here, please go into the room where Mr. Thompson is standing by to get your wand. Once your done there, you may either proceed into the dinning hall for a late lunch, or be escorted to your room. The rest of the school, once we are done with the sorting, please go to the dorms or eat as usual, but if a first-year asks for help, do not hesitate to help! We are Ilvermorny! We are one as a school! Let's get the sorting started! Thomas Amos!"

Thomas went to Wampus, and then apparently his twin brother, Timothy went to Thunderbird. Lily loved this sorting idea. She watched as each first-year was sorted. Renee and Julia both agreed with her that they would get something to eat after getting their wands as the food from the train did little to satisfy their hunger.

"Julia Donaldson!"

Julia gulped. She stepped into the middle of the floor and waited. The Horned Serpent's gem glowed and the Thunderbird beated its wings. Julia looked stunned.

Mrs. Allen said, "Ms. Donaldson, you get your choice between the Thunderbird and Horned Serpent house. Which do you choose?"

Julia said, "Horned Serpent, please."

Mrs. Allen made a note on her clipboard, and said, "Thank you, sweetie. Please go and get your wand."

The sorting continued. Lily was growing impatient. It was a long list of students. Renee had said that she estimated about 125 first-years were here.

"Renee Murphy!"

Renee smiled at Lily and went to the middle of the floor just like the rest of the first years did that went before her. She was immediately chosen by three houses: Horned Serpent, Thunderbird, and Wampus. Renee chose Horned Serpent.

"Lily Potter!"

Lily stepped onto the gordian knot. She immediately wanted to groan though as she heard whispers break out immediately around the hall.

"Did she say Potter? Wonder if she's related to the Harry Potter?"

"What about Ginny Potter, the quidditch star?"

Lily paid them no mind, and waited for the statues to respond. After a few minutes, the silence in the hall was deafening. Lily looked up and saw that all four houses wanted her.

Mrs. Allen said, "This is an exciting development, Ms. Potter. Which house do you choose? Now remember. Follow your heart."

Lily nodded and thought for about another minute. She looked deep inside her and without opening her eyes, replied, "Horned Serpent."

Cheers broke out. Lily then went into the room where Mr. Thompson was standing by. He gave her a wink.

Inside, Renee was just paying for her wand. Julia was waiting for her by another door. Lily looked around the room. She immediately felt herself pulled to a certain table, it was the one that Renee had just left.

"Hello, my name is Trinity Branton. May I ask what arm is your writing arm?"

Lily said, "I'm left handed."

Trinity said, "And House?"

Lily replied, "Horned Serpent."

Trinity said, "I've had a lot of Horned Serpent students come through me."

Lily looked at the pile of wands that Trinity presented and immediately picked one up. She immediately felt the warmth go through her fingers and up her arm.

Trinity raised an eyebrow. She said, "That's different. Normally people have to try a few wands. I have never had a person immediately pick up their wand. Elm with a horned serpent scale as the core."

Lily paid for her wand. Renee, Julia and Lily then went into the dining hall.

Renee said, "Okay, so shoot. What happened with your sorting?"

Lily said, "Umm…How do I put this? All four houses wanted me."

Renee's mouth dropped open as they sat down to eat.

Julia said, "Is that a bad thing?"

Renee said, "Julia, it's a unique occurrence. Being chosen by one or two houses can be normal, uncommon for three like me, but very rare for all four. Even more different, Lily went straight to Mrs. Branton and was immediately able to pick up her wand. I think we are going to have an interesting friendship, Lily Potter."

Lily smiled.