Lily Evans and the Gift of the Gods

"Oh, Daddy, it's beautiful!" Lily gushed, throwing her arms around her father.

Her father made a modest face and told her it was nothing. Petunia looked jealous; she kept shooting angry glances at Lily.

"Why'd you give that to her now?" Petunia asked. "She's not old enough to use it."

"Obviously, your father thought the time was right," Elizabeth said. It was obvious the subject was closed. "Lily, you better head up to bed. You have to leave early tomorrow."

"Yes, Mum," said Lily obediently. Once in her room, she saw Samwise, Regina's owl, waiting with a letter.

Lily,

Hey, how are you feeling? Happy birthday! Just wanted to make sure you know how two get on the train. Walk through Platforms 9 and 10. Trust me. See you at Hogwarts.
Regina.

PS Don't bother writing back.

Lily was so excited for things to come, she could barely sleep. But somehow she managed.

****

Sirius was busy packing his trunk. Well, if you call wildly throwing clothes, books, and
wands into a trunk packing. Sirius did.

Someone knocked at Sirius's door. They walked on in. The people were Sirius's parents.

"Sirius," his dad said, "James is taking you to the train tomorrow."

"We have a job tomorrow," his mum added.

"Oh. Well, umm, good luck, guys," Sirius said awkwardly.

"Thanks. Goodnight, have a good term." He gave Sirius a quick, manly hug. Mrs. Black gave him a hug and a kiss.

"Bye, guys."

Sirius watched his parents go, knowing he wouldn't see them until Christmas, at the earliest. It didn't bother him; he didn't know his parents very well.

Sirius pushed these thoughts out of his head and began thinking about pranks to pull on people. There were so many to chose from...
****

The next morning, Lily woke up early, at 6:30. She was slightly nervous about leaving for Hogwarts. Actually, that was a bit of an understatement. Lily felt like she was going to puke. So many thoughts were running through her head. What is she was awful at magic? What if they made fun of her because her parents weren't wizards? Lily desperately tried to block the mental picture of James pointing and laughing at her.

***

Sirius was up at 7:30. He wasn't at all nervous about Hogwarts. Sirius was just worried. Worried because he didn't know how long his stash of Dungbombs would last.

****

Regina was also up at 7:30. She was not at all worried about Hogwarts. If she was awful at magic, odds were James would be too. Speaking of James, why wasn't he up yet?

****

James was up at 9:00, ten minutes before they were supposed to leave. He wasn't scared about leaving his home for Hogwarts at all; in fact, he didn't know he was supposed to be leaving today.
"James! Get your rear down here, we're leaving in nine minutes," Katherine yelled.

"What? Where are we going?" James yelled back sleepily.

"James, you know that school your father and I went too?" Katherine asked sweetly.

James was slightly thrown by the sudden change of subject. "Umm, Hogwarts, why?"

"You're going there in eight minutes!" Katherine shouted.

"Oh, right."

*****

"So this is King's Cross," Amanda said.

"You've never been here before?" Lily said, bewildered.

"My family prefers to fly," said Amanda delicately.

"Whatever," Lily said. "Hey, look, there's Charmayne."

Amanda turned to see their short friend, Charmayne Hewitt, approach. Charmayne had brown hair, and brown eyes, and was very short. The doctor expected to be five foot three at her tallest height. Charmayne was a pure blooded witch.

"Hey, Char," Amanda said, as Charmayne joined the group.

"Hey, guys, you excited? The platforms just down there," said Charmayne.

"Yeah, I'm excited. My mum was going to send me to some preppy boarding school," Amanda said, making a face.

"Amanda," Charmayne said, smiling, "you belong in a preppy boarding school."

As they reached Platforms 9 and 10, Charmayne said, "We have to run through the barrier between the platforms."

"You're crazy," said Amanda. "Why would we do that?"

"To get on the train," said Lily. "I'll go first."

Lily ran straight at the barrier. Just before she would hit the wall, she closed her eyes. She braced herself for the impact that never happened.

Lily opened her eyes, and saw a scarlet train. Children were running on and off the train, yelling things to their parents. Behind her stood Charmayne and Amanda, who had just run through.

"Lily, Amanda!" Lily heard. She looked up to see Regina hanging out a train window, waving to her.

"Regina! Stay there, we'll come sit with you!" called Lily. "C'mon, guys, let's go."

All three girls dragged their heavy trunks toward the direction of the train. "How are we supposed to get these stupid trunks onto the train?" whined Amanda. They had reached the train, and saw two steps that led onto the train. There was no way on Earth that they could get their trunks up there.

"Do you ladies need help?" a boy's voice asked. It was a tall, handsome boy. He was wearing black robes with a badge that said 'Prefect'.

"Yes, we do," said Amanda, turning on the charm. "Could you help us, please?" she said, flashing a blinding smile.

The guy smiled. He pulled out his wand and said, "Litile Weititus!" The trunk floated up and onto the train.

"Thanks," said Lily graciously.

"Don't mention it. Have a good trip." The boy wandered away.

The three girls managed to get their trunks into the compartment Regina was sitting in.

"Hey, Reg," Lily said brightly.

"Lils, Amanda, hey," Regina replied. "Who are you?" she asked Charmayne, in a polite way.

"Charmayne Hewitt," Charmayne introduced herself. "And you are Regina Potter?"

"Yeah," said Regina.

Regina and Charmayne got to talking, and it turned out they shared a mutual love for broom racing. They talked about it until the train left.

"I hope we're in the same house," said Charmayne.

"What do you mean, house?" Lily asked.

"Oh, you don't know, do you?" Regina said. "At Hogwarts, there are four houses, kinda like teams. You live with the people in your house. The house are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

"Do you chose which house you're in?" asked Amanda hopefully.

"Nope. You put on this hat, and it tells you which house you're in," said Charmayne.

"Oh," said Amanda, disappointed.

The door of the compartment slid open. Two boys walked in. One boy had brown hair and hazel eyes. The other boy had greasy looking dark hair and sharp brown eyes.

"Potter's not in here," the hazel eyed boy said.

"Technically," said Regina," she is. Hi, Severus."

"Hello, Regina. We were just looking for your brother," said Severus Snape, the boy with greasy hair. "Ladies, I am Severus Snape, and this is my friend Gregory Lestrange. Have you seen the other Potter?"

"Haven't seen him," said Lily.

"Me either," Amanda added.

"I don't even know who that is," Charmayne said.

"My twin brother," said Regina quickly. "Listen, if you guys see James, hex him for me. He's being a prat."

"Will do," said Gregory.

"And if you see a boy named Remus Lupin with them, tell him to come see us, please," instructed Lily.

"All right, ladies," Severus said. He sauntered out the door.

"Who was that?" Charmayne asked, sounding completely confused.

"Severus and Gregory are wizards. I went to school with them. They don't like James or Sirius," Regina explained.

Amanda snorted. "Obviously."

Regina made a face at Amanda and continued. "Anyway, we got along okay, and that always bothered James. Because he's a stupid prat."

"Reg, he's not that bad," a familiar voice said.

"Remus!" Regina squealed. "Where have you been?"

"Talking to James and Sirius. Don't look at me like that. We were just talking, not planning to kill you in your sleep."

"Remus, you evil child, this is Charmayne Hewitt, another fan of broom racing," Regina introduced the two.

"What is it with you and broom racing?" Amanda asked, annoyed.

"I think broom racing is better than Quidditch. James thinks the other way."

"That makes sense to me," Amanda muttered.

"Which does Sirius like?" asked Lily, ignoring Amanda.

"Sirius? He's more of a croquet fan. Stands out side everyday, trying to hit the bloody ball with the stupid mallet," Regina said. No one could tell of she was being serious or not.

"I guess this is one of those 'don't ask, don't tell' things," Lily said finally.

"So did Severus find you?" Amanda asked Remus.

"Yep, I was sitting in their compartment when Snape and Lestrange came in and told me to see you. I got out just before the curses started."

****

"Sirius, where do you want to sit?" James asked.

"Well, preferably, somewhere in the train. A compartment might be nice."

"Ok, we'll try this compartment," James said. He walked into the compartment to see two older students 'greeting' each other. They looked up at James, surprised. "Uh, sorry guys. Umm, have a good trip." James walked out. "Wrong compartment," he said to Sirius.

"Let's try this one," Sirius suggested. James covered his eyes and both boys walked into the compartment. "It's okay, James. You can look," Sirius said.

Inside the compartment was a boy of about eleven. He looked vaguely familiar. He had light brown hair and brown eyes.

"Mind if we sit?" Sirius asked. Without waiting for an answer, he sat down.

"Didn't leave me much of a choice, did you?" the boy said, with a smile. "I'm Remus Lupin."

"Sirius Black."

"James Potter."

"You're Reg's brother? The evil one?" Remus asked.

"Wait a sec. You're the guy she was hanging out with at the Alley!" James said, putting two and two together.

"That would be me."

"How'd you meet her?" Sirius asked curiously.

"We were both looking at racing brooms and I asked her who her favorite racer was. Turns out we like the same racer, Tasha Lewis."

"The female racer? First female racer ever?" James asked.

"Nope," Remus said sarcastically. "It's the 300 pound rugby player."

"Has anyone ever told you you're too sarcastic?" asked an exasperated James.

"No, but someone asked me if I worried about my sharp wit slicing my tongue in half."

Sirius and James started laughing. "You know, you're cool. I won't have to kill you for hanging out with Ginny," Sirius said.

"That's reassuring," Remus said.

"Don't mind Sirius; he's very protective of his woman," James said with a straight face.

"She's not my woman!" Sirius yelled.

Remus was shaking with laughter. "He's in denial. Must be a lovers spat."

The door to the compartment burst open. Two boys strode in.

"You Lupin?" one boy asked.

"Do you shower?" Remus asked. "I mean, no offense, but are you trying for dreadlocks or something? Your hair is disgusting!"

"Get out, if you're Lupin," the same boy demanded. "Regina wants to see you, Merlin knows why."

Remus stood quickly. "Bye. Have fun."

"Snape, Lestrange, what do you want?" James asked icily.

"Nothing much," Snape smirked. "Regina just wants to give you a message. Puchilut!"

James doubled over, wheezing. He felt like he was being punched repeatedly in the stomach.

Sirius immediately sprang into action. He pulled out his wand and pointed it towards Snape. "Petrificous Totalus!" Snape hit the floor in a full body bind. As Snape shot a curse toward Lestrange, James muttered the counter curse to the hex on him. As this happened, Sirius hit Lestrange with the full body bind. He too hit the floor.

Sirius looked at James and burst out laughing. "That was brilliant!"

James wasn't smiling. "Do you think Reg really sent them after us?"

Sirius lost his grin. "If she did, this means war."

****

"You mean Snape actually hexed James for me?" Regina asked.

"I think he was planning on it anyway. He said you told him to, though. Kind of. In a way."

Regina closed her eyes wearily. It was apparent she didn't want to think about James anymore.

Charmayne sensed this. "What house do you guys want to be in?" she asked, deliberately changing the subject.

"Gryffindor," Regina said. "My entire family has been in it."

"I'm hoping for Gryffindor or Ravenclaw," Remus said. "What about you three?"

"Ravenclaw or Gryffindor," Charmayne said.

"I don't know what house I want to be in," Lily said.

"Gryffindor is for brave people, Ravenclaw for clever, Hufflepuff for loyal, and Slytherin for ambitious," Remus explained.

"I want Ravenclaw or Slytherin," Amanda said. "What about you, Lily?"

"Hufflepuff," Lily said, "or Gryffindor."

"Hufflepuff!" Remus snorted. "Why Hufflepuff?"

"It has the coolest name!" Lily exclaimed.

"You are weird," Amanda said.

"So, are you friends with James now?" Regina asked, as if the subject had never been changed.

"I guess so," Remus said. "Do you mind?"

"No, it's understandable," Regina said. "Plus, you're too cool to be mad at."

After that, Remus started telling blonde jokes. Amanda pretended to take offense. They started laughing and teasing each other like old friends. That is, until Sirius and James paid a visit.

"Hey guys. How is life without me?" Regina asked coolly, seeing her brother and his best friend standing in the compartment door.

"Grand. In fact, I think I prefer it to life with you," Sirius said. If anyone had been looking at Regina, they would have seen how much that remark had hurt.

"Can we help you?" Amanda asked. "Do you have some evil desire to burn a hole through our stomachs or something?"

"Who are you?" Charmayne asked.

Everyone ignored her. "Regina," James said coldly, "did you send Snape and Lestrange after us?"

"No," Regina answered just as coldly. "They were after you already. I just told them to hex you." James obviously didn't believe her.

Charmayne looked around, bewildered. "Will someone please tell me what is going on?"

"Amanda and I met James and Sirius at the Alley, and they burned a hole through our tongues," Lily explained.

"Acid Pops? Excellent prank!" Lily and Amanda turned to glare at her, and she flinched. Apparently, that wasn't the right thing to say. "So why is Regina mad?"

"James was being a stupid prat to her," Amanda said.

"This is so stupid!" Remus said. "You people might be friends if you would just get over this." It was not clear if he was talking about Lily, Amanda, and James, or Regina, Sirius, and James.

"Remus, don't talk about things you don't understand," Regina snapped. "I'm sick of being bossed around by James. I'm sick of being second best to him. And I'm really sick of Sirius only hanging out with me if James wants to or if James isn't home!"

"Sirius was my friend to begin with!" James shot back. "Finally, you get that, and made friends of your own! You think you're sick of me. At least I don't mooch off of other people's friends!"

Everyone watched as everything came unglued. James and Regina were throwing insults back and forth. Amanda, Lily, and Sirius both looked angry, Remus looked upset, and Charmayne was still hopelessly confused.

"James Potter," Regina hissed, "I hate you." Take your stupid follower and get out of here."

"I'm leaving," James said. "But let me tell you this. Don't expect me to protect your friends when Snape and Lestrange find out they're Mud bloods."

Regina gasped and slapped James, hard, across the face. "Never talk to me again. Leave."

James walked out, glowering, followed by Sirius. Lily, Amanda, and Regina were shooting daggers at them with their eyes. The compartment door slammed shut, shaking everyone inside.

Regina closed her eyes. "Remus, just go with them. You know you want to."

"I'll be back soon," Remus promised. As he passed Regina, he muttered, "Thank you." He too left the compartment.

Charmayne smiled. "Well, that went well."

****

Sirius stood outside the compartment they had just left beside James. Both boys were seething. Regina had no right to say the things she said.

"James, why are we waiting here?" Sirius asked impatiently.

"Remus," James said without hesitation. And two seconds later, Remus walked through the door.

"Remus, it will be hard for you to be friends with me and Regina. It's okay if you decide to just hang out with her," James said sincerely.

"I want to be friends with both of you. I just wish you would give them another chance," said Remus.

"Seems a bit late for that," Sirius said. "James, have you noticed how all of the angry people are making friends? Regina, Lily, Amanda, Snape, Lestrange, it's enough to worry a person."

The three boys started pacing the train. Up and down they walked.

"Uh, James, where are we going to sit?" Sirius asked finally.

"You find a place! I refuse to walk in on another couple kissing!"

****

"That's why we don't like Potter." Lily and James had just finished telling the long story of why they didn't get along with James. Regina was being unusually moody, just staring out the window.
"He was just joking around though," Charmayne pointed out. "Who cares?"

"Can we please talk about something else?" Regina snapped.

"Sure. Do you know any other wizards?" Amanda asked.

"Of course I do. I wasn't only friends with James and Sirius," Regina said. "There's Tess McKinnon, Naomi Bones, and Gabrielle Miller. I went to young wizards' school with them. I
expect we see one of them soon."

"Well, that's good," Lily said awkwardly, not sure how to cheer Regina up.

The girls were all in a gloomy mood. The silence was overpowering. Lily was relieved when the lady with the food cart finally came. She got Chocolate Frogs, Bernie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and Pumpkin Juice. Lily tossed food to the other girls, and they began eating.

About halfway through their silent meal, Regina looked up to see someone tapping on the window. A huge grin spread across her face. "Tess!"

The compartment door burst open, and a young girl burst into the room. "Gina, hi!" The two girls gave each other a hug.

"Tess, this is Lily Evans, Amanda Parker, and Charmayne Hewitt. Guys, this is Tess McKinnon, the girl I was telling you about."

Tess turned to face the three girls. Lily finally got a chance to see her. Tess was Lily's height, which was pretty short, with brown hair and huge brown eyes, surrounded by long lashes.

"Hi," Tess said.

"Hey," Lily replied, feeling kind of uncomfortable. She wasn't very good about meeting people.

"How are James and Sirius?" Tess asked.

"Being stupid, but I don't want to talk about it," Regina said bitterly.

"Remember that time we gave them that drink made of jalepaños?" Tess asked.

"And they spit it out all over Severus?" Regina added. "That was genius. The look on their faces!"

"Where did this happen?" Charmayne asked.

"At the school we went to together. It's like a Muggle primary school for wizards. We learn math and stuff," Tess explained. "Where did you three go?"

"My mum sent me to a Muggle school. She wanted me to get a 'greater understanding of Muggles'."

Tess laughed. "And do you understand more about them?"

"I can turn on a TV," Charmayne said. "And change a light bulb. So it wasn't a total waste."

"Plus, you met us," Amanda said.

"Are you two Muggle born?" Tess asked. Lily nodded. "Awesome! Do you guys watch
movies and play soccer and things like that?"

"Yeah. You guys don't have movies?" Lily said. "Crazy."

"We have tons of theater. Just about every play has been written by a wizard. And lots of wizards sing and play instruments," Tess said.

"I love to sing!" Lily said brightly.

"She's awesome at it," Amanda said. "That and acting."

Tess smiled. "I like to sing and write music. Maybe we could sing together sometime." Lily decided that she liked Tess. She couldn't wait to sing with her.

****

The three boys ended up in a compartment with Peter Pettigrew and Michael Kent. Peter Pettigrew was a pureblood wizard, but he wasn't very talented. He wasn't very good looking either. He was short, blonde, and chubby. But he was kind, and vaguely funny.

Michael Kent had a very interesting background. His mother was a Malfoy, a family of rich and pureblooded wizards, who had fallen in love with a Muggle. She married the Muggle and was promptly disowned. Michael, being a Malfoy, had the same silvery blonde hair, the same cold gray eyes, and the same sarcasm. But he wasn't inclined to go on mad Muggle killing sprees.

The entire train ride was spent talking about Quidditch. James, who had read Quidditch Through the Ages 87 and 1/2 times, was obsessed with the subject. He hoped to play chaser on his house team next year.

A voice rang through the train. "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be brought to the school separately."

****

The girls spent the train ride listening to tales of pranks Tess and Regina had pulled. After hearing a story of the two getting caught sneaking into a teacher's room, Tess sighed and said, "I wish I had an Invisibility Cloak."

"What's that?" Lily asked.

"A cloak that makes you Invisible. My dad has one," Regina said. "James will get it someday."

"Cool!" Amanda said.

"I have an Invisibility Cloak," Charmayne said. Everyone turned to look at her. "Found it in the attic."

"Show us!" Amanda pleaded.

Charmayne rummaged through her trunk. Finally, she pulled out a long, silvery cloak. She threw it over her head and disappeared.

"Amazing!" Lily exclaimed.

Charmayne took of the cloak and passed it to Lily. The girls took turns wearing the cloak. They were so busy they never noticed Remus hadn't come back.

When they announced they had five minutes yet, all five girls scrambled into their robes.

"Why do you guys have colored robes?" Charmayne asked.

"The letter didn't say the cloaks had to be black," Regina pointed out.

"Cool!" Tess said. "I wish I had robes like that."

The train slowed to a crawl, then it stopped. The girls began to get out. Finally, Lily began to get excited.

****

When the train finally stopped, the five boys scrambled out of the train and onto a platform. A light was bobbing over their heads and a gigantic man was yelling, "Firs' years! Fir's years over here!" Sirius walked toward the man with the rest of his following. "C'mon follow me- any more firs' years? Watch yer step."

All the first years followed the man over to a lake. "Four ter a boat," the man hollered. Sirius got in, followed by James, Remus, and Michael. Peter scrambled for another boat.

After a long and complicated trail, the first years finally reached a huge oak door. The huge man raised a monstrous fist and knocked three times.

The door opened at once. A tall, dark haired witch stood at the door. Sirius recognized her as Ms. McGonagall, one of James' parents' friends.

"Firs' years, Professor," said the man.

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

The door swung open to reveal a magnificent stone hall. The students followed Professor McGonagall inside. She showed them into a small chamber. The first years crowded together.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall began. "The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats into the Great Hall, you will be Sorted into
your house. The Sorting is very important because while you are here, your house will be like your family." The speech droned on and on. Finally, she ended the speech and left,
promising to be back shortly.

"Did it seem like that speech has been around for a long time?" Remus asked.

"That's probably not the first time that speech has been used," James said.

"Or the last," Sirius muttered.

"This is really boring," Peter whined.

"You really think so?" Michael said. "I honestly love stuff like this. The suspense building. What house will I be in? Thoughts swirling around your head until you get dizzy. You mean you don't enjoy that?"

Peter shook his head miserably.

Professor McGonagall came back shortly after that. "Form a line and follow me," she ordered. The Marauders were in a row in the middle of the line. They marched into the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was magnificent. It was lit by thousands of candles hovering in the air. At the top of the Hall was a table filled with teachers. All of the other tables were filled with students.

Professor McGonagall had brought out a stool with a frayed hat resting on it. The hat twitched, it's brim opened like a mouth, and it began to sing.

A long, long time ago
When dragons still ran free
Four powerful wizards set out
To make this school for thee
There was good Gryffindor,
The bravest of the lot
His friendship is a treasure
The kind that can't be bought
Also, the founder Ravenclaw
As clever as can be
A cunning damsel, witty too
More intelligent than the other three.
Good Hufflepuff was the third
A just and loyal lass
A Hufflepuff is hardworking
And will never give you sass.
The last of the founders,
Slytherin be his name
He was of ambitious folk
Working toward his gain
Now put me on your head
Let your true thoughts show
I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Cap
I'll tell you where to go!

The entire house burst into applause. The hat did some sort of little bow. "This is it," Sirius whispered to James and Remus.

Professor McGonagall stepped in front of the stool, holding a large piece of parchment. "When I call your name, sit on the stool and put on the hat," she ordered. "Abbot, Angela!"

A small blonde girl walked up to the stool, plopped down on it, and yanked the hat onto her head. After a moment, the hat yelled, "HUFFLEPUFF!" The table farthest to the right cheered, and the girl went to sit down by them.

"Affleck, Pamela!" A brunette strolled up and put on the hat. "RAVENCLAW!"

A few more names were called, then "Black, Sirius!" Sirius walked calmly over to the stool and pulled on the hat.

Hello, Sirius, someone said in his ear.

Hullo, hat. How're you tonight? Sirius thought.

Doing pretty good, and yourself? the hat asked politely.

Excellent.

Oh, better call out your house. People are starting to stare. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius sauntered over to his table as 'Bones, Naomi' was called. He remembered her from his days at young wizards' school. Cute girl, that one.

******

Lily Evans was no longer nervous. In reality, she didn't care which house she was in. Finally, her name was called. She walked over to the stool and gently placed the hat on her head.

Ms. Evans, you have a great destiny, someone, the hat, she presumed, said in her ear.

What's with you people and destiny? she thought crossly.

Never mind that, where do you want to be? the hat asked.

Hufflepuff! Lily thought.

No. Not Hufflepuff! Either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor!

Stupid hat, Hufflepuff!

Stupid girl, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw?

Ravenclaw!

"Gryffindor!" the hat yelled.

Lily had to fight herself to keep from giving the hat an extremely rude hand gesture. She sat down at the Gryffindor table, a few seats down from Sirius. Lily turned to watch the Sorting.

***

Regina watched the Sorting through the corner of her eye. She was mostly scanning the Great Hall, trying to see if people were staring at her. Regina was feeling pretty stupid. Truth be told, she didn't like her colored robes very much.

Charmayne Hewitt was sorted into Gryffindor, then more people that Regina didn't care about were Sorted. Some blonde dude became a Gryffindor, Michael Kent. And Gregory Lestrange was being Sorted into Slytherin, surprise, surprise.

"Lupin, Remus!" Regina watched Remus pull on the hat. After a few seconds, it called out "GRYFFINDOR!"

"McKinnon, Tess!"

"RAVENCLAW!" Regina smiled. She knew Tess wanted to be in Ravenclaw. Naomi was in that house also.

"Miller, Gabrielle!" Another of Regina's old school friends was called up, a cute blonde. She too was Sorted into Ravenclaw.

Regina zoned out until the P's, where Amanda, some kid named Peter, and James were all Sorted into Gryffindor. Then her name was called.

She glided over to the stool, sat down gracefully, and gently placed the hat on her head.

No one can tell you robes are coloured, someone whispered in her ear.

What? Regina thought, somewhat happily.

McGonagall got you and your friends with an Illusion Charm before you even walked in. No one can tell what color your robes are. Hope you didn't spend any extra.

So what house am I?

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Regina joined Lily, Amanda, and Charmayne at the Gryffindor table. Lily was muttering about stupid hats, why they weren't supposed to have brains, and how they never understood a great name when they heard it.

"What's wrong with you?" Regina asked Lily.

"The stupid hat," Lily said. "At least we're all together."

Finally, the Sorting finished with Ying, Blaise, who became the last Gryffindor. The Professor rolled up the scroll with the students' names on it and took the stool away. A tall old man sitting at the teachers' table stood.

"I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of this school," he said. "Welcome. Let the feast begin!"

The old man sat back down. They plates on all the tables filled themselves with food. Amanda smiled at this magic. "I think I'm going to like it here."

*****

James was blissful; he had made the house of his choice. So had most of his friends. Regina and her stupid friends made his house too, but nothing is perfect.

"So Sirius, Remus," James began, "when should we get Regina back for betraying the family and sending Snape after us?"

Sirius was uncomfortably aware about what Regina would be saying if she heard this. A comment about the Mafia, no doubt. "Maybe we should get her back tomorrow night," Sirius said hesitantly. "Tonight we'll be too tired.

"Okay," James said agreeably. He spent the rest of the feast eating and talking with his friends. And of course, ignoring Regina.

****

"This is good food," Amanda said, taking a huge bite of cheesecake.

"It always is. I'm Amidale Damon," the girl sitting next to Lily said. "I'm a third year."

"Do you like Hogwarts?" Lily asked. "I'm kinda nervous about being here."

"Hogwarts is awesome. So much better than home. You'll love it here," another girl, this one sitting across from Amidale said. "I'm Katarina Damon, Amidale's twin sister."

"Not identical," Regina said.

It was true. Amidale's hair was light brown, cut tom boyishly short. She had bland brown eyes. Katarina, on the other hand, had dark brown curls, cascading down her back, and blue green eyes.

Amidale laughed. "You noticed? The feast is ending soon, by the way. You might want to hurry and finish."

"So who are the teachers now?" Regina asked.

"There's Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher. She's pretty new, came like three years ago? She's a pretty good teacher," Katarina said.

"Then there's Professor Westlynn, head of the Gryffindor house. He's that skinny old guy up there. Teaches Potions," Amidale added.

"Madame Seano teaches Herbology, and Professor Chin teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts. He's a really good teacher," Katarina said.

They silenced as Dumbledore stood. "Now that we're all fed, I have a few announcements. First of all, as always, the Forbidden Forest is off limits. Secondly, talk to Madame Hooch about Quidditch tryouts. Finally, this is Professor Westlynn's last year. Now students, follow your prefects to your common rooms. Sleep well!"

Everyone pushed back their chairs and stood. "Gryffindors, follow me!" the helpful boy from the train called.

The four girls wandered after the rest of their house, through hidden doors and such. They twisted and turned until Lily became completely lost. But finally, they reached the end of a corridor, where a picture of a fat woman hung.

"Password?" the woman in the picture asked.

The prefect pushed his way through the crowd to the portrait. "The password," he said, " is 'gibberish.' The portrait door swung open to reveal a large room, filled with plush chairs and a huge fireplace.

"Boys," the prefect said, "your rooms are up this staircase. And girls, yours is up the other side." The boy pointed out the different stair cases. "My name is Hayden Charleston. I'm one of the sixth year Gryffindor prefects. The other is Maria Gonzales. Good night!"

"Let's go to bed," Lily said. The other three girls followed her up the stairs and into the dormitory marked 'First Years'. The room was a cozy one. It had five beds in it. Everything was a warm red.

"I get the bed by the window!" Regina said excitedly.

"Then I get the one next to it!" Lily said, just as eagerly. Amanda and Charmayne also claimed their beds. Then Blaise Ying made her entrance.

Blaise entered the room gracefully. It seemed as though she did everything with grace. She was small and slight. If she had not been a witch, Blaise could have been a Muggle gymnast. She was a cute Japanese girl.

"Hey, girls," she said, placing her things on the unoccupied bed.

The girls introduced themselves, then got ready for bed. Lily got ready quickly. She went right to slee; she was completely exhausted. While Lily slept, she had a dream.

Lily dreamed of a tiny little girl with black hair. Then she saw Charmayne lying on the floor, obviously dead. Lily heard a cold voice say, "Join me, Evans, or die!" Then she saw a bright green light.

But when Lily woke, she remembered none of this.