What Lies Beneath

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"Hey." She greeted the boy who had just entered the compartment where she was sitting. He was dragging a brown leather trunk. Perched precariously on top was an owl cage, containing a jet black owl. The owl's piercing yellow eyes gazed out at the girl.

"Hey." He returned the greeting. He dragged his trunk a little further, then walked over and plopped down in the seat across from the girl. "Hope nobody's sitting here."

"Nope. Your owl's pretty." She said.

"I really wanted a cat." Hey eyed her cat who was sleeping on the seat next to her enviously. "But Mum insisted I get an owl. Now I have to write her."

"You can hold Mai if you want." she offered.

"Thanks." He said. "I'm Severus Snape." He scooped the tiny calico up.

"Lily Evans."

Severus returned to his seat with Mai, and Lily pulled a book from her trunk.

"You're actually going to read that?" Severus said dubiously.

"What's wrong? Isn't this the right book?" Lily asked nervously, peering at the title, Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1.

"It's the right book, I just didn't think anyone would read it before they absolutely had to. It's not exactly on the best sellers list."

"I just want to look over it, make sure I'm not behind."

"The teachers will start from the beginning. You don't have to worry about that."

"You're parents are wizards?" Lily asked eagerly.

"Yep. But Dad was Muggle born."

"Tell me about Hogwarts." Lily begged, putting away the book.

"The four houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. My parents didn't say which house was the best, but they were both in Ravenclaw. The headmaster is Albus Dumbledore, Mum and Dad both think he's great. And Dad said that the Forbidden Forest is really cool, but really scary. He snuck in there when he was a sixth year. They wouldn't tell me too much."

"Snacks!" Came a friendly call from the corridor.

Lily and Severus both grabbed their money and rushed out into the hall to buy candies and snacks. *~*

An hour later, Lily and Severus had devoured two pumkin pies, 4 bags of Bernie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, 7 Chocolate Frogs, 7 Cockroach Clusters, 6 Carmel Covered Bat's Wings, 9 Tongue Color Changing Lolly Pops, and a quart of Pumpkin Juice.

"I'm going to be sick!" moaned Lily, stretching out across four seats.

"And there's a feast tonight!" Severus groaned, holding his stomach.

"A feast?" Lily wailed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you? You were too busy eating all 4 bags of Every Flavor Beans."

"You were the one who ate all 7 Cockroach Clusters!" Lily retorted. Severus hadn't been able to convince her that they were candy, and not real cockroaches, so she hadn't eaten them all.

"Can you believe them?" Came a voice from the corridor.

"I know! Kicking us out like that!" Agreed another voice.

"Let's just find another compartment." said a third voice.

Lily raised her head as the door opened and the three "voices" walked in, dragging their trunks, two of which had owl cages sitting on top.

"Oh, sorry." Said the third voice, eyeing Lily and Severus. "There's no room, guys, let's go."

"There's room, Remus." Said the first voice.

"Yeah, if Ms. Queen of the Nile will sit up." The second voice, a boy with spiked black hair, dyed red at the tips, walked over and sat at the seat closest to the window, two seats away from Severus.

Lily glared at him and sat up.

"Ignore Sirius. I'm James." He was the first voice, a boy with jet black hair, and brown eyes that shone mischievously behind thin oval glasses. He sat down across from Sirius on Lily's side.

"I'm Remus." Voice number three had brown hair and hazel eyes, and was taller than the other two. Remus sat a seat down from Lily, closest to the door.

"I'm Severus and the Queen of the Nile," He looked at Sirius. "is Lily."

"Um...Why did you get kicked out of the other compartment?" Lily asked apprehensively.

Remus looked at the ground. "We turned some girl's hair green." Sirius spoke up, grinning proudly.

"Green?" Lily squeaked. She pulled a strand of hair in front of her face to make sure it was still the same color.

"Don't worry." James told her. "She was so annoying. She kept putting on makeup and brushing her hair."

Sirius imitated a girl pulling out a mirror and applying makeup.

"Plus she was a Slytherin." Remus sneered.

"What's so bad about being a Slytherin?" Lily asked, casting a sideways glance at Severus who shrugged his shoulders.

"All the dark wizards were in that house. Salzaar Slytherin, who founded it, was said to have been evil himself. Plus they're all snobby, and they cheat, and lie, and they're just...bad." Sirius said.

Lily desperately hoped she wasn't in Slytherin.

"So, which house is the best?" Severus asked.

"Gryffindor!" The other boys exclaimed.

"Or Ravenclaw." Remus added as an afterthought.

"What makes Gryffindor the best?" Lily wanted to know.

"Quidditch!" James blurted.

"Quidditch?" Lily had no idea what it was.

"Only the best sport on earth!" Gushed James. "With three different types of balls, broomsticks, clubs, and goals, a hundred of feet up in the air! Gryffindor has the best team ever!"

"Or they did, until Ravenclaw flattened them in the finals last year. But this year's going to be the best! We're going to be on the team!" Sirius looked very proud.

"Plus Gryffindors are supposed to be really brave." Remus added. Lily thought he was much more logical than James and Sirius. "But then , Ravenclaws are really smart."

"Who's your favorite Pro Quidditch team?" Severus asked, eager to join in their discussion about Quidditch.

Lily stopped paying attention after that, because she didn't really care which team had the most wins in the least amount of time, or who's chasers had scored more goals, or which keeper had saved more goals. She daydreamed about what Hogwarts would be like and what her parents would say when she went home for Christmas break, able to make breakfast with a flick of her wand, or clean the house without every taking out the vacuum cleaner.

A shrill whistle sounded signaling that the train would be arriving at Hogwarts in ten minutes.

"We'd better change into our robes." James said. The boys looked at Lily.

"I guess you're kicking me out." Lily dug around in her trunk until she found her black Hogwarts robe.

"Only until we're done changing." Severus told her.

"Then we'll let you back in." Said Sirius. "Maybe."

Lily walked into the corridor and turned left, walking to the next door. She opened it, three girls, who looked her age, looked back at her.

"I'm Lily Evans." She began. "Would you mind if I changed in here? I was in a compartment with all boys."

"No problem." Said a girl with bouncy brown curls. "I'm Arabella Figg."

"Jessica Parker." A blonde haired girl with glasses smiled.

"Daisy DuVal." Tall, with long, straight black hair, and cold gray eyes, she didn't look very friendly.

Lily hurriedly changed, then said goodbye to the girls, and went back to the compartment with James, Remus, Sirius, and Severus. James was desperately trying to tame his hair.

"Just wear a hat." Lily suggested, pulling hers out of her trunk. "You did buy one, didn't you?"

"I'm not wearing a hat. It'll look stupid." James objected.

"I'm wearing mine." Lily said.

"If we all wear ours, it won't look stupid." Said Sirius, fishing in his trunk for his hat.

Remus pulled his out of his trunk, while James riffled through his until he found his hat and pulled it out. Lily put hers on, and looked at Severus, waiting for him to get his hat.

"Hats look stupid on me." Complained Severus.

"Come on." Lily said, opening his trunk and looking for his hat. She found it and shoved it on his head.

"Do I have to?" he whined.

"Yes." The other four replied.

The train came to a halt, and the five gathered their belongings and made their way off the train, Lily's cat complaining loudly about the movement.

"Firs' years, o'er here!" Bellowed a large man with an equally large beard. His small beetle black eyes shone kindly, even though Lily was intimidated by his hight.

The five friends made their way over to him.

"Firs' years?" The enormous man asked once they had reached him.

They nodded.

"I'm Hagrid. Git in those boats o'er there. Four to a boat, not five, four." He instructed the group.

"I'll get in another boat." Lily volunteered once they had moved away from Hagrid.

"I'll go with Lily." Severus said. "It's not fair to make her go all alone."

So Lily and Severus climbed into a boat and James, Remus, and Sirius boarded the boat on their right. Lily and Severus were followed into their boat by the curly haired girl Arabella, who Lily had met earlier, and a bleached blonde boy, who was very talkative. He said his name was Brad Beauford, and both his parents were wizards, but he didn't mind Muggle-borns, they were just as good as magic as anyone else. He hoped to get into Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, both his parents had been in Hufflepuff, but he very much wanted to think he was brave, and everybody knew Gryffindors were very brave.

A short, rather chubby boy with brown hair and brown eyes joined Remus's boat. He introduced himself as Peter Pettigrew, and he was very content to listen to the other boys jabber excitedly about the up coming school year.

After all the boats were full, Hagrid stepped into a boat of his own, and all the boats magically started gliding across the smooth surface of the lake.

Lily blocked out Brad's ceaseless chatter and concentrated on taking in the beautiful scenery.

The lake, black and still, was breathtaking. Lily, however, got the feeling that there were many hidden wonders and dangers below its calm surface. Suddenly, as if just to prove what Lily was thinking, a orange tentacle rose slowly from the water, creating small ripples around it.

A girl in the boat behind Lily screamed and stood up, causing the boat to rock back and forth, as if trying to decide wether or not to tip over and dump its contents into the lake with the orange tentacle. It decided that it would like to turn over, sending four shrieking girls into the lake. Their cries were momentarily silenced as they plunged underwater. As soon as their heads popped up, hair plastered to their faces and robes billowing up around them, their wails were even more frantic and louder than before.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

"Honestly," Muttered Lily, plugging her ears to block the piercing wails. "can't they swim?"

One girl had started to swim, still yelling, but before she could reach the overturned boat, the orange tentacle lifted her up, up out of the water, while another tentacle righted the boat, and three more tentacles simultaneously lifted the other girls out of the water and placed them safely back in the boat. With a small wave, the tentacles submerged once more. The girls hadn't stopped screaming through the entire ordeal. One of them was now sobbing.

"You'll git towels at the castle." Hagrid said, showing no sympathy, because obviously, they weren't harmed, and the giant squid was just trying to help, so what was the reason for all the fuss?

Lily, able to unplug her ears, asked if they could keep going, and the boats resumed motion.

Lily was so busy ranting on how the girls in that boat were such wimps, that she didn't see the castle until Severus told her to shut up and look at it. Lily shut up as soon as she saw it, because it was so majestic. Sitting on a cliff, with towers raised to the setting sun, the stone nearly sparkling in the fading light, it took Lily's breath away. It also took everyone else's breath away. Even Brad's, which was fortunate for him because if he hadn't shut up himself, Lily would have shut his mouth for him.

The small flotilla of boats continued silently until they reached the shore of the lake and were allowed to get out.

Lily and Severus met up with James, Remus, and Sirius.

"This is going to be one heck of a school year." Sirius said, looking approvingly at the grounds, the castle, and the dark forest at the edge of the grounds.

James and Remus nodded in agreement, managing to keep their hats on.

"Come on!" Hagrid shouted to the group. "This way!" He lead them up to the castle, where he knocked on the immense wooden door.

The door opened and a tall woman with square glasses and a stern expression on her face stood there.

"Firs' years, Minerva." Hagrid said, as she moved aside so Hagrid and the students could go inside.

Lily looked around in amazement. The ceiling was so towering that she couldn't even make it out. The stone walls were lines with torches, casting dancing shadows on the wall and floor. A grand marble staircase led to the upper floors.

A creamy white shape appeared from the wall, making several students gasp. Then it was followed by two more shapes. Lily realized, suddenly, that they were ghosts. The first one had a sash tied around his neck and was wearing tights, the one following him looked very kind and forgiving, almost like a monk. Then came the most frightening ghost. While the other two looked friendly, this ghost looked sort of like a pirate that Lily had seen in picture books as a kid. He had an eye patch over his right eye, and old fashion clothing, which was covered with a silver liquid, Lily guessed it to be blood. The ghosts moved on with out even glancing down at the new students.

She was so intent on the ghosts that she didn't notice the group was moving until someone bumped into her. Lily rushed ahead to catch up with her friends.

"What happens now?" Lily whispered, barely audible, to James.

"I don't know." He admitted. "My parents never told me that."

Lily looked at Remus and Sirius, who shook their heads, no, they didn't have a clue what was going on. Severus had a blank look on his face.

They were ushered into a smaller room, where they crowed together, apprehensive of what might happen.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." Began the strict looking witch in glasses. "I'm Professor McGonagall. We are about to begin the start of the term feast, but before that, you will be sorted. The four houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each team is made up of students who have things in common, whether it be bravery, or the desire to work hard and succeed. The house you are sorted into will be your family throughout your seven years here at Hogwarts. Before you are sorted, however, I suggest you tidy yourselves up a bit." Her eyes lingered on several students, including James, whose hat was titled to the side and his unruly hair was poking out. "Since you will be sorted in front of the whole school." James desperately tried to fix his hair and get his hat on straight. Lily smoothed her hair. "I'll be back momentarily." And with that, she left, closing the door behind her.

As soon as the door was closed, excited whispers broke out.

"I wonder what you have to do to get sorted." Sirius said, his eyes shining.

"Maybe you have to fight something." James said, pulling out his wand and pretending to fight an monster beast.

"Or do magic." Remus spoke up, also whipping out his wand.

Lily lowered her eyes to the ground.

"Don't worry." Severus said. "Ignore them. They won't make you do magic." He assured her, shooting James, Sirius, and Remus a look, telling them to shut up. The three put their wands back in their robe pockets.

"Ahem." said the professor, standing in the doorway. The whispering immediately died. "It's time for the Sorting. Single file, follow me." James, Remus, Sirius, Severus, and Lily jumped into the rapidly forming line. McGonagall turned and walked out the door, back into the entrance hall, and then into a much larger room. Four long tables were laid out, seated at each were students, who quieted when the new group entered. The hundreds of candles, which were suspended over the long tables, even stopped flickering.

At the other end of the room sat the longest table. In the direct center of the table was a man with long white hair, a comparably long white beard, and half moon spectacles. On his right side, the chair was empty, and Lily guessed that was Professor McGonagall's spot. On his left side, a short dumpy man, who looked fifty, with salt and pepper hair, was smiling at the first years. Other teachers sat on either side.

Severus elbowed her. She followed his gaze up to the ceiling, which Lily didn't think was a ceiling at all. It looked exactly like the sky out side. Velvety blue sky, sprinkled with stars. Lily scanned the ceiling and found the moon, the big dipper, and a few other constellations.

Lowering her eyes, Lily saw McGonagall carry out a four legged stool, and place it in front of the long teachers table, directly in the center. Lily nudged Severus, who forced his eyes away from the brilliant sky.

McGonagall then walked out of the room and returned with a frayed, patched, and dirty pointed wizard's hat. She then took her seat next to the man in the white hair and beard.

All the students stared at it, until a rip near the brim opened like a mouth, and it began to sing:

"Oh, you may not thing I'm pretty

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself it you can find

A smarter hat than me

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwart's 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 patients 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!"

Lily and all the other students, even the teachers, burst into applause. After bowing to each of the four tables, the hat became still.

Lily was very relieved to find she only had to try on the hat. All that worrying for nothing, she thought happily. Severus nudged her, giving her a look that said, "I told you so." Lily smiled.

The clapping died down, and Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, please put on the hat, sit on the stool, and be Sorted." She instructed. "Abdus, Lane."

A tall, thin blonde haired girl, made her way quickly up to the stool, jammed the hat on her head, and sat on the stool. She had hardly sat before the hat bellowed out "RAVENCLAW!"

The Ravenclaw table burst into applause, and 'Abdus, Lane' removed the hat, placed it on the stool, and hurried over to the Ravenclaw table where she plopped into an empty seat.

"Alexandre, Elizabeth"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The talkative boy Lily and Severus had shared a boat with got sorted into Hufflepuff also. He hurried over to sit next to Alexandre, Elizabeth and started talking to her. He didn't stop until he turned to see the Hufflepuff table looking pointedly at him. He lowered his eyes as he felt his cheeks get hot. Professor McGonagall continued with the Sorting.

"Beckert, Cheryl" was the first Syltherin. Lily thought James was right, the Syltherins did look almost evil.

"Black, Sirius."

Sirius flashed a cocky grin at James, Remus, and Severus, then walked nonchalantly up to the stool. He traded his own hat for the frayed Sorting Hat, and within seconds, the hat had declared him a Gryffindor. He sat down at the table, amongst cheers, and saved seats for his friends, who, hopefully, would end up in his house.

"Dickerson, Patricia" became another Slytherin, and with a glare and the other tables, she sat down and smiled at her fellow Slytherins.

"Dillon, Stephen!"

A boy Lily thought was kind of cute walked up, placed the hat on his curly black hair, sat on the stool, and waited.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindor table clapped and cheered for its second new member.

It's almost my turn. Lily thought anxiously.

"Ellis, David!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Evans, Lily!"

Severus and Remus gave her a pat on the back and James smiled as she walked up to the hat. After removing her own hat, she grabbed the Sorting Hat, turned around and faced the school, and put the hat on her head. It enveloped her forehead, leaving only the ground and her feet in her vision. She hoisted herself up on the stool.

"Hello, Lily." Said a soft voice in her hear, she was sure no one else could hear. "Where to put you?"

"Not Slytherin." Lily begged silently.

"Oh, my dear, no. I would never put you in Slytherin. Many things you are, but power hungry, you aren't. It's either Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor."

"Gryffindor." Lily said, thinking of all the good thinks James, Remus, and Sirius had said about it.

"Then it shall be...

"GRYFFINDOR!" Bellowed the hat for the whole Hall to hear.

Lily removed the Sorting Hat, placed it on the stool, and put her own witch's hat back on her head. She walked over to the cheering Gryffindor table, and sat in an empty seat beside Sirius, who gave her a high-five.

"Congratulations." Smiled a girl across from her.

"Thanks."

"I was so nervous when I got Sorted. I was nearly in Hufflepuff, but the hat changed its mind at the last second, I suppose. Molly Weasley, Head Girl." She was a very pretty girl, with red hair like Lily's, but darker, with more brown . Her dark blue eyes sparkled warmly.

"Lily Evans. I was nearly in Ravenclaw."

"Really?" Sirius turned to her.

"Yeah." Lily admitted.

"That's weird." Sirius said.

"Not really." Molly said, jumping into their conversation. "Most people are usually almost in one house. They demonstrate more than one respectable quality. Lily, obviously, is brave and eager to learn. You," She peered at him, "are just brave."

"Better all brave and not smart, than half brave, half Hufflepuff." Sirius retorted.

"Hufflepuff a very worthy house!" Molly began hotly.

"I was just kidding!" Sirius said, assured her, before she could lecture him. "It's nearly Remus's turn."

'Linforth, William' was being Sorted. After he had been Sorted into Ravenclaw, and sat down next to a rather pudgy boy with brown curly hair, Professor McGonagall called out the next name.

"Lupin, Remus."

Remus wiped his sweaty hands on his palms. He glanced nervously over at Lily and Sirius, who gave him thumbs up and smiled. James gave him a high five, and Severus nodded.

"Gryffindor!"

"Yes!" Remus exclaimed as he walked over to the Gryffindor table and took a seat in between Sirius and a tall black boy, who appeared to be a Prefect.

"Two of the Terrible Three." Sirius said to Remus. "Now we just need James and this year is going to kick ass!"

The Prefect beside Remus glared at Sirius. Sirius glared back until the Prefect turned his attention back to the Sorting.

With Remus and Sirius whispering excitedly to each other about something Lily couldn't hear, she looked down the table. The girl with curly brown hair, Arabella, she thought her name was, was sitting at the other end of the table. She caught Lily's eye and waved. Lily waved back.

When McGonagall read 'Potter, James,' Lily turned her attention back to the Sorting, and she elbowed Sirius, who elbowed Remus. They all three turned their attention to the stool where James was sitting.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Remus and Sirius let out the loudest yell of all. James proudly walked over to the Gryffindor table.

"Yes!" James yelled, causing the Prefect beside Remus to give him a disapproving stare. Sirius and Remus were giving each other high-fives like they just won a million Galleons or top seats in a World Quidditch Cup.

Obviously, Lily thought, they have big plans for this year. I hope I stay on their good side.

McGonagall gave the three boys an impatient look and James took his seat beside Lily.

With 'The Terrible Three' making as much noise as they were, and the Prefect telling them to shut up, Lily found it hard to pay attention to the Sorting. She finally elbowed Sirius and James and told them to shut up when 'Snape, Severus' was called.

Please be Gryffindor. Lily thought. James, Remus, and Sirius were nice, but they seemed to be in their own little world, talking about playing pranks and whatever. That Arabella girl seemed nice enough, but Severus was nice, and cool. And kinda cute. She added to herself, blush creeping into her cheeks.

"Hello, Severus." Said the small voice in his ear.

"Gryffindor, please." Severus wanted to be with people he had all ready met. He didn't make friends as easily as others.

"I really think you'd be better in Ravenclaw."

"But I think I'd do better in Gryffindor."

"I think Ravenclaw." The hat was very persistent.

"But...." whined Severus.

"Unless you'd rather be Syltherin. You would do well there, also."

Severus sighed. Better Ravenclaw than Slytherin. "Ravenclaw."

"RAVENCLAW!" The hat bellowed.

Severus tried to look happy as he went over to the Ravenclaw table and sat down.

"No." Lily whined softly. Oh well. She'd still see him in classes.

"I can't wait for the food!" Sirius was saying.

"Me, too." Agreed James, rubbing his stomach.

The Sorting ended with 'Yates, Beatrice' (Hufflepuff). Professor McGonagall put the stool and Sorting hat, which was now inanimate, away, took her seat, and the old man in the center of the table stood up.

"Good evening, every one! I am Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, School of Withcraft and Wizardry. I am looking forward to a wonderful school year. Certain rules apply: The Forbidden Forest is Forbidden. There are many dangerous beasts and it is not safe." Sirius, Remus, and James exchanged looks.

"No magic in the corridors." Dumbledore continued. "And that is all! Essen Sie und genießen Sie!"

The golden dishes in front of them were suddenly filled with all kinds of scrumptious food. Lily knew if Petunia were here, she would start eating and never stop. Petunia loved to eat, but she stayed scrawny. Sirius was all ready heaping mashed patatoes, pork chops, steak, corn on the cob, and green beans on his plate. Despite all the candy Lily had shared with Severus on the train, she found she was suddenly hungry again, so she helped herself to steak, lamb, wild rice, and steamed carrots.

"Yum!" Remus said, stuffing a bite of pork in his mouth.

"Here." Sirius passed Lily the pitcher of Pumkin juice. She filled her goblet then passed the pitcher to James, who was scarfing down a baked potato loaded with sour cream, cheese, and butter.

"I under ut our irst class is." James said to Lily, with his mouth full of potato.

"What?"

James swallowed. "I wonder what out first class is."

"They give you your schedules at breakfast tomorrow." The Prefect said, overhearing James. "My name's Jordan. Welcome to Gryffindor."

"Thanks." Lily said, smiling at him.

The golden dishes had been emptied, and in their place was all sorts of deserts. Sirius loaded a little bit of everything, Remus had the treacle tart and blueberry jell-o, James had pumpkin pie and apple turnovers, and Lily stuck to the banana pudding.

*~*

Severus had ended up sitting by a tall, lean boy with brown hair and brown eyes, who introduced himself as Ryan Hoffman. Ryan was very friendly, and he and Severus got into a long discussion about which subject was going to be the most fun.

"I think Defense Against the Dark Arts." Severus said.

"Maybe." Ryan agreed. "Except the teacher is Professer Spinely. She's the head of Syltherin house. My older brother says she favors her team."

"Maybe our head will favor us. Who is it? Do you know?"

"Professor Lorton. He transfered from Pegwed, that's the wizard's academy in the States, which is why he's got a funny accent. That's him, with the beard."

Ryan pointed to a man who looked like he was fifty or so, with brown hair and a bushy beard.

"I bet his class will be the most fun." Ryan said. "He's the youngest, so he has to be cool."

Severus nodded, and took a bite of his cherry pie.

"Students, it is time for bed." Dumbledore stood up. The golden plates were now empty and sparkling, showing no trace of food. "You have a very full day tomorrow. Breakfast starts at eight, classes start at nine. First years, please follow your Prefects to your dorms. Good night."

The students stood up to leave. Severus saw Lily and Remus heading toward the door. He told Ryan he'd meet him in their dorm, and made his way to the mob of people to reach Lily and Remus.

"Hey." He said when he caught up to them.

"Hey." Lily replied. "It bites that you're not in Gryffindor. But we can still hang out in class and stuff."

"Yeah." Severus agreed, as Remus walked over to Sirius and James.

Lily saw Jordan followed by her fellow Gryffindors go out the door.

"Gotta go, see you in the morning." Lily said.

"Wait for me in the Great Hall before breakfast. K?"

"K."

Lily dashed off to catch up with Remus; Severus to catch up with Ryan.

Remus tried to remember the way to the common room, but he couldn't. He was too tired and the way was too complicated. He'd remember it better in the morning when he was actually awake. Eating too much always had made him tired.

"The password is Rufflemound. Just tell it to the Fat Lady here,"-the portrait of a large lady in a pink dress waved merrily at them-"and she'll swing open. Rufflemound." The group of Gryffindors was standing in front of a portrait, and Jordan was demonstrating how to enter their dorm. Just like Jordan said, the portrait swung up on it's hinges, revealing a hole in the wall, barely large enough for Jordan to crawl through.

They all clambered through the hole and were met by a large, spacious room with a glowing fire. Plush armchairs and couches were situated around tables. Staircases on either side led to the girls' and boys' dorms.

"Boys that way, girls this way." Jordan said, pointing.

Lily said goodnight to the boys and she climbed the stairs to her room. At the landing was a room with "Gryffindor Girls-First Years" written on it in pale blue writing. Lily pushed the door open and hit something.

"Ow!" Lily realized the 'something' was actually a person.

"Oh my gosh!" She exclaimed, slipping in the narrow opening. "Are you o.k.?"

Arabella, the girl with curly brown hair, was sitting on the floor rubbing her head. "Yeah." She smiled wryly. "Serves me right for standing by the door."

"What were you doing there?" Lily reached out her hand to Arabella, who took it, pulling herself up.

"I was just looking in the mirror." She explained. There was a mirror to her right. For the first time, Lily noticed a crumpled black robe lying on the floor.

"I'm so sorry!" Lily picked it up and handed it to Arabella.

"That's ok." Arabella shook it out. "It has an anti-wrinkle charm." She held it up, and sure enough, all the wrinkles had dissapeared.

"Cool." Lily said, nodding her head.

"So...."

"Which bed is mine?"

"What does your trunk look like?"

"It's big and black and there should be a cat cage with it."

"Calico?" Arabella asked sheepishly.

Lily nodded.

"She was meowing, and I couldn't resist. I hope you don't mind." Arabella said very fast.

"I'm glad you played with her, she's been lonely all day. I couldn't take her out on the train, because the boy I was sitting with had an owl."

"Well, she's asleep now. Curled up on your pillow." Arabella pointed to a four poster bed with pale blue curtains, and a white and blue comforter. Lily saw the tiny calico curled up on the pillow, her little stomach rising and falling in the slow, steady pattern of sleep.

"Did your Mum make you get an owl?"

"Yeah. He's sleeping in whatever tower is for the owls. His name is Rufus, and he's tiny, fast, and annoying."

Lily laughed. "We'd better move before someone else comes in and knocks both of us down."

"That would be a good idea."

Lily climbed on her bed, and Arabella, who's bed was right next to Lily's, climbed into her's.

One by one, the other three girls came up from the common room. First Lei Sabin, who had jet black hair and brown, almond shaped eyes opened the door. She took the bed next to Arabella, at the far end, said goodnight, pulled her curtains, and fell asleep. A few minutes later Chelsea Neal came in and claimed the bed next to Lily. Then Katrina Barton came in, and the girls turned out the lights, drew the curtains, and fell asleep, anticipating their first day at Hogwarts.

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