What Might Have Been: Part One

The next day was a busy one for all of London. Witches rose early to start breakfast, nagging children to get out of bed. Wizards were off to work- although many had taken the day off to see their children off to school. To add to the confusion many Muggle children were starting their terms too.

King's Cross was swarming with parents and children, wishing each other luck and promising to write. The Muggles were bustling around, each family searching for their train. One would think that having only one train heading to Hogwarts it would be much simpler for the witches and wizards, this however, was not the case.

The number of Muggles was making it difficult for the witches and wizards to pass through the barrier. Ministry officials were standing guard at the portal, in disguise, accompanying the children and parents through the barrier in an attempt to keep Muggles from noticing. And to Stupefy any Muggle getting suspicious. It was already being discussed within the Ministry to change the date for the start of term, so as to not have this hassle in the future.

As soon as they passed through the seemingly solid barrier and onto platform nine and three-quarters they were free to let their guard down, mirroring the frenzied activity of the Muggle world. Beyond the barrier witches and wizards ran about, shoving trunks onto a scarlet-red steam engine and making sure those who were leaving got on board.

Those on the train leaned out the windows, calling good-byes and promising to send their owls as soon as they got there. Others, once they settled into a compartment, began to wander around looking for their friends. The first year students did not seem keen to do either of these, not really knowing anyone and eager to leave behind their parents and younger siblings. All except for James Potter and Sirius Black.

The two boys had memorized who was in which compartment front to back; they were in a back compartment, which at the moment was empty. James was looking for their friend Peter, who they had met at Flourish and Blott's, and Sirius was looking for the redheaded girl he had seen, so he could try and avoid her.

"You want to go back to our compartment Sirius? I don't think we are going to find anyone, it's too crowded right now," James asked after pushing through the crowd for a few minutes.

"Yes, maybe someone will find us that way," Sirius smiled as he said this and began to push his way back towards their compartment.

When they returned the compartment was as they had left it.

James' owl- Archimedes- was sitting in his cage on James' seat and both boys' trunks were stowed away overhead. Sirius climbed onto a seat to dig in his trunk and when he got down he had a small bag in his hands.

"What's that?" James asked his friend, curiosity perked.

"Just something I picked up in Diagon Alley," Sirius answered noncommittally.

"What?" James pressed, now knowing that Sirius had something that was probably contraband on the Hogwarts list of items not allowed in the castle.

"Oh, just some Filibuster's Fireworks and maybe a couple of other things."

James looked to see that the door to their compartment was shut, then grinned. He himself had brought some of those, along with some other things- some things he and Sirius had created themselves, including several of the creams they'd tampered with. Those were his favorite, depending on the victim's personality the cream would turn hair, skin, and eyes different colors.

If there was one thing that James and Sirius liked it was to cause mischief, and they had been top troublemakers in their primary school- Sirius proudly holding the record for detentions.

"You reckon we'll be able to sneak into the Forbidden Forest this year?" Sirius asked, twisting the top of an odd tube that James didn't recognize.

"I don't know, probably. I don't think it will be too hard to do."

"Wonder what the detention record is for Hogwarts," Sirius mused, holding the tube up to the window. James immediately recognized it as the liquefied remains of Sirius' failed transfiguration attempt on a common roach.

"Well," James replied, "whatever it is we're sure to give it a run."

The two sat talking about how they might stir up some trouble until the door to their compartment opened. Sirius turned quickly to see if it was the girl, James to see if it was Peter, but they were both surprised. A boy stood in the doorway dragging his trunk behind him. He had light brown hair, which was a bit ruffled, and tired looking eyes.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked. "It's full everywhere else."

"No, come on in," James replied, the hint of a smile on his face. "I'm James, this is Sirius. Who're you?"

"My name's Remus," the boy replied, looking relieved. "Thanks for letting me sit with you."

"Not a problem," James answered.

"Yes," said Sirius, "I'd rather be back here..."

He didn't get a chance to finish though, the compartment door had slid back again and a familiar, chubby boy had appeared.

"Peter!" James cried. "We went looking for you, where have you been?"

"Only just got here, my mum got lost on the way to the station, ended up going too far," Peter smiled at the new boy. "Hullo, who're you?"

"Remus Lupin."

"Nice to met you, I'm Peter Pettigrew," he looked at James and Sirius. "I don't guess you mind me riding with you?"

"There's plenty of room," Sirius said. "Come on, I'll help you with your trunk."

"Want a hand Remus?" James asked, seeing Remus struggle with his.

"Thanks James."

Before long everyone's luggage was stowed and the four boys had started talking about everything from their parents to their favorite Quidditch teams. It seemed as though they had known each other all their lives, though, with the exception of James and Sirius, they had only just met.

Remus said he had come from an area near Wales to go to Hogwarts. He was unusually quiet during the trip his friends would recall that night, hardly saying anything of his parents or of his home.

Peter was from a long line of wizards and witches; his father worked in the Ministry. It was easy to see that Peter idolized his father. Apparently the man was currently working on some sort of Magical Degree for the Understanding of Magical Cultures. Peter didn't claim to understand any of this, and it quickly became apparent that the boy was a bit slow on the uptake at times.

James told them about his parents, a witch and a wizard who worked with the Ministry of Magic. He didn't bore them with the details, particularly because at least one other person in the compartment knew the story of his life.

Sirius lived with his mother and also next to James' home. He and James spent most of the morning telling Peter and Remus about their homes, their neighborhood, and the various pranks they had pulled. All this leading up to the invitation for the two boys across from them to join them this year in causing as much trouble as four boys set loose in a castle could.

Peter immediately signed up, grinning broadly at the others. Remus was a bit more apprehensive.

Around noon a witch with a cart came in and the boys bought up Cauldron Cake's, Chocolate Frogs, and other treats. They sat eating them, discussing plans for mischief making, when there was a knock at the compartment door.

"Come in!" James called out.

A girl opened the door, stuck her head in, and looked around, James recognized her flaming red hair immediately.

"James! I've been looking for you!" Lily said. "I thought you said you'd see me on the train?"

"Well," James said, swallowing a Chocolate Frog. "We are on the train, and I am speaking with you now."

"Yes, but I thought you were going to find me."

"Sorry," James said, shrugging. "Did you need help with something?"

"Well, not me exactly," Lily said. "I met another first year in the Alley yesterday, she's from a Muggle family too. I thought that you might be able to tell her what you told me about the school and everything- help both of us out this year."

"Sure, is she with you?"

"No, she's back in our compartment reading. I came to ask the cart lady for something and heard your voice coming from here."

"Oh," James looked around at the other boys. "I guess you can bring her back here if you like."

"Alright, I'll come back later," Lily agreed. "There's so much I want to know about Hogwarts, like the Sorting. Hogwarts, A History says it's an absolute secret how students are sorted into houses. I'm a bit anxious, aren't you?"

"Can't be anything terribly hard," James said, turning to Sirius. "Reckon it's true you have to fight a troll?"

"No way," Sirius shook his head. "No first year could tackle a troll, can't be done. Probably some logic puzzle or something."

"Well, I'll see you in a bit then," Lily said smiling at the others in the compartment, then she backed out and closed the door.

"Hey Sirius," James said suddenly, a smile on his face.

"What?"

"What if her friend's that girl..." he didn't get to finish because Sirius jumped up and clamped a hand over his mouth, but too late, Remus and Peter had caught on.

"You have a girlfriend Sirius?" Remus asked, a slight smile creeping onto his lips.

"No, but James does," Sirius said with a triumphant look on his face. "The one that just left, Lily. They spent some time together over the summer."

Peter laughed at this and Remus smiled at James. James, however, was glaring at Sirius, who was looking innocently back at him. Both boys knew the game- try and embarrass your best friend without embarrassing yourself- so they continued to entertain Remus and Peter.

"Sirius here, he saw a girl in Diagon Alley just yesterday. Stopped him dead in his tracks, you would have thought he had turned to stone."

"Well, I doubt that girl is Lily's friend- what are the chances? One in a million? Anyway, haven't you better smarten up before Lily comes back?"

"I think it's you my friend, who had better smarten up. That girl could easily be Lily's friend, she had to be a first year. And come to think of it she did appear to be a bit lost. If you're planning on impressing her with your wit and charm I suggest you don't open your mouth though, probably best to just sit there, like a stone."

Remus and Peter were both laughing now, and James and Sirius both sat back down. They had accomplished what they had wanted to, the others were rolling with laughter.

It only took moments for Lily to return with her friend, another knock announced their arrival. James and Sirius had quickly passed the time by bickering with one another, continuing to attempt to embarrass the other.

"Come in!" James called over the subsiding laughter.

Lily came in, accompanied by a girl with reddish-gold hair. James looked over at Sirius in time to see him blanch; it seemed his friend was in shock. Remus and Peter saw too, and correctly analyzing his reaction, were seized with silent laughter once more.

"This is Aimee Myers," Lily said to the boys, looking curiously at them. "She's the other Muggle-born I told you about."

"Nice to meet you Aimee, I'm James Potter," he poked Sirius in the ribs.

"Ouch... I'm... I'm Sirius," he spoke in a hurried voice then looked down at his feet. Aimee recognized both him and James.

"Didn't I see you two yesterday?" she asked, an eye raised. "Near the Apothecary?"

"Probably," James said, covering for Sirius, who had gone even whiter.

"I don't know these two's names," Lily interrupted, sensing the tension her friend was creating. "We haven't been introduced."

"I'm Remus Lupin," said Remus, standing to shake hands with Lily and Aimee.

"My name's Peter Pettigrew," Peter stayed seated, but smiled up at Lily and Aimee.

"It's nice to meet you all," Aimee said, looking around at everyone.

"You too," Remus replied.

"So, James," Lily said, "Have you figured out the Sorting yet?"

"No clue," James said, still watching the reaction of his best friend to Aimee. For her part Aimee didn't seem too concerned.

"Know what house you want to be in?" Peter piped in. "I hope I'm in Gryffindor myself."

"That's where I hope to be," Remus added. "Sounds by far the best."

"We're hoping to be Gryffindors too, aren't we Sirius?" James asked, poking his friend again.

"Yes, Gryffindor," Sirius muttered.

"Well, I want to be in Gryffindor," Lily said. "Or Ravenclaw perhaps, anything but Slytherin."

"I don't know much about the houses," Aimee admitted. "But I do want to be where my friends are, so I guess that would put me in Gryffindor with the rest of you."

"James is the one I told you about," Lily said, looking at Aimee. "He said he'd help you too, if you have any questions."

Aimee smiled, "I really appreciate that, I'm completely lost here. Lily just explained to me a few minutes ago what a Muggle was, and here I thought it was some sort of derogatory term."

James laughed, "Well, we have our share of derogatory terms, but Muggle is not one of them."

"We'd better get back to our compartment, Marianne and Julia are probably wondering where we have gone. See you when we get to Hogwarts," Lily said, and she and Aimee left.

As soon as the door shut Remus, Peter, and James burst with laughter. The color seemed to return to Sirius' face and he looked up again, apparently relieved.

"You should have seen your face when she walked in," James laughed. "You went white as a ghost."

"Yes," Peter added, "and the cat seemed to have made off with your tongue."

"You didn't look too foolish, don't worry," Remus said, seeing the heat rise in Sirius' face.

"Can we just pretend that that never happened?" Sirius asked his friends, and they began to laugh again.

Aimee and Lily had long since returned to their compartment, where Julia and Marianne had many questions for them. Lily had asked what Aimee had meant by seeing James and Sirius yesterday, and Aimee had obliged her. The next few hours were spent talking about the four boys in the compartment down the hall.

"You know," Lily said, picking at a Cauldron Cake. "I think Sirius likes you Aimee."

"What makes you think that?" Aimee asked, blushing slightly.

"Well," Lily said, chewing thoughtfully. "Mainly because he didn't say two words the entire time we were there. And he was white as a sheet."

"Doesn't mean anything," Aimee said, but Marianne disagreed.

"It doesn't mean anything?" the witch asked, eyes disappearing into her hairline and Julia giggled. "Aimee, did he even look you in the eye while you were there?"

"No," Lily answered for her, "I was watching. And the other two, Peter and Remus, they seemed awfully amused by something."

"Maybe it was you," Aimee attempted. "Maybe it's you he likes."

"I don't think so," Lily answered. "I met him in Diagon Alley, and then again when I found their compartment. He didn't start acting like that until you came in there."

"Besides," put in Julia, "didn't you say he was staring at you outside the Apothecary?"

"Not staring at me," Aimee argued. "Staring towards me, there's a big difference."

"Not so much," Marianne said, turning to Lily. "So, how exactly did you met James Potter?"

Lily blushed prettily, "Well, our fathers both work for the same organization- James' father's position in the Ministry apparently involves working in the Muggle world."

Marianne nodded, "So, is he cute?"

Conversation continued on this way, Marianne and Julia questioning Lily and Aimee on James and Sirius, and then on Peter and Remus. They had all but set wedding dates by the time the train began slowing down- much to Lily and Aimee's relief.

It was a clear night, the stars shown in the sky overhead like a million glittery specks. Aimee and Lily stayed close to Julia and Marianne. The older students were drifting towards carriages and getting into them, but a loud voice called out over the noise to the first years.

"Firs' years over her'!" the voice rang out, and Aimee turned to see a huge man towering above the students. "Over her' firs' years!"

She looked apprehensively at Lily, who looked just as nervous as she did, but the crowd around them was heading for the giant of a man and they had no choice but to be dragged along. They huddled close together, heading towards a sloping pathway that was covered in loose gravel. Lily clung to Aimee, and Aimee to Lily, both girls trying to keep from falling on their backsides on the slippery gravel. Things got trickier as they came to a narrow part of the path, where they passed through brush and went down a few steps. Eventually they came out onto the shore of a large lake where several bobbing lights were waiting for them.

"Four to a boat!" the giant man called out.

As their eyes adjusted to the dark they realized the lights were actually boats. Aimee and Lily followed Julia and Marianne, all climbing into a boat and settling themselves. Looking around Aimee spotted James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter climbing into a boat nearby, she turned around to find Lily looking in that direction too.

"ROW!" the man called out, and the little boats lurched forward, surprising many of the students. They followed the man in the lead boat, whispers breaking out all around as the little fleet left the cove they'd been in, heading towards a bend ahead.

"What do you think this is?" Lily whispered to the others. "Part of the Sorting maybe?"

Marianne shook her head, "No, my mum told me about this. It's a tradition that has been going on since the beginning days of the school. All first years are taken to the castle the first time in the boats, I think we'll get our first glimpse around this bend."

Lily nodded, and Aimee looked up, staring at the clump of trees on the end of the outcropping of land ahead of them. It didn't take long for them to reach the bend, and as they rounded the corner a hush fell over the fleet of boats. Ahead of them, standing on top of an enormous bluff, was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The castle was impossibly big, it was the largest building Aimee had ever seen. She stared, unable to tear her eyes away to see what her friend's reactions were. Several windows were glowing in the inky black night, turrets stretched towards the star-filled sky. Several people around them gasped, Aimee found her mouth hanging.

They continued up to the very face of the cliff, Aimee sure they were going to crash into the bluff, the tiny boats broken up by the rocks and surf that beat against them. She needn't have feared though, for hidden in all the rock and overhanging vines was a hidden cove.

"Heads down!" the man in the lead boat yelled out.

They passed under a particularly thick growth of vines, the boats coming into a small tunnel that wound through the rock, taking the students to a hidden cove. And there, on the shore, was a young woman with a stern face waiting for them.

"This is all Hagrid?" she addressed the giant of a man who had lead them across the lake.

"Yes, Professor McGonagall, ev'ry one of 'em."

"Thank you Hagrid," she turned to the gathered first years. "I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am going to take you up to a room, and in a moment you will be sorted into your houses.

"Your things will be taken up to your rooms for you, and any owls will be taken to the school Owlery. Take a moment to tidy up a bit while you are waiting."

They followed her up a flight of stairs hewn into the rock behind her, coming at last to a great oak door. The door appeared to be very heavy, yet one sweep of her wand and Professor McGonagall opened it effortlessly. Aimee, Lily and several others whispered excitedly, for many this was their first glimpse of wand-magic.

They were led into an enormous hall, Aimee was sure most of her parent's farm would fit inside of it. Many doors led off and a great marble staircase on the opposite side led up. Professor McGonagall led them past a pair of great double doors that stood open, older students were visible within the chamber past the doors, and into a room on the far side of the hall. The smells of food followed them into the small room, and they could hear the other students inside the Great Hall.

Professor McGonagall lined them up and then left, promising to return in a moment. Lily took a comb from her pocket and ran it through her hair, then offered it to Aimee.

"Thanks," Aimee took the comb and drug it through her own hair. As she combed she looked around at the other students in the room, similarly combing their hair or straightening their robes. Now that Professor McGonagall had left the students fell back to chattering and noise quickly filled the small room.

"Anyone here have a last name that comes before Buler?" asked a girl with pigtails.

"Yes," said a voice, "mine's Black."

Aimee turned to see whom the speaker was, she would have hated to be that person, for it appeared they'd be the first to endure the Sorting.

It was Sirius. Aimee quickly turned away and finished combing her hair. Thank goodness her surname was Myers, at least she knew she would never be first, or last for that matter.

It wasn't long before Professor McGonagall came back into the room, looking around quickly and hushing them.

"Follow me," she said, and the line of students followed her out of the room.

They marched behind her, following her into the hall they'd noted on their way in. Aimee looked around, taking in all that she could of the room as the first years were herded towards the front of the room.

There were five tables in this room, one at which the teachers were sitting at and four that were surrounded by students. Lighted candles floated above them, plates and goblets shimmered from the candlelight on the tables. She looked up, drawing in a breath at the ceiling above her which mimicked the night sky perfectly.

Professor McGonagall led them up to the head table where the professors sat, standing them so that they faced their peers. She then went to a side wing and brought forth a simple wooden stool that she placed before the students, upon this stool she placed a tattered wizard's hat.

Aimee and the rest of her classmates stared at the hat, what in the world were they expected to do? Everyone seemed to be watching the hat closely, this had to mean something. Just as some of the first years began fidgeting a tear on the brim of the hat seemed to open, and then, to the astonishment of the new students, the hat began to sing!

I may not be the prettiest

I may not be the best

But I now ask for you

To put me to the test

Long ago you see

When this school was just first built

Four young wizards ran this place

But soon they start to wilt

While young they chose for themselves

Which students do they teach

But when they are gone away

How to tell apple from the peach?

Gryffindor valued honor,

Ravenclaw a superb mind,

Hufflepuff those who were loyale,

Slytherin a wicked kind.

Gryffindor came with the answer

Of how to best decide

Which students should be taught

And were they should reside

He pulled me down from his head

And bade the others to

Put a bit of themselves in me

So I could decide who

They took to this most earnestly

And left to me the choice

Of where each student should be placed

And gave me my own voice!

The hat finished its song and those in the hall applauded. Aimee found herself clapping dumbly along with the rest of the first years, all of them still a bit wary of the hat. Then came the moment they had been dreading, and equally anticipating, Professor McGonagall came forward.

"I will now call your names," she addressed the first years. "When your name is called you will come forward and put on the Sorting Hat."

Aimee glanced down the row of students as Professor McGonagall said this to where Sirius Black stood. His face seemed resolved, if somewhat apprehensive. Frankly she was relieved all she had to do was put on a hat- she vaguely wondered how ridiculous she would look when she did so.

"Appleby, Susan," Professor McGonagall called out. Aimee saw Sirius relax out of the corner of her eye as a small girl left the line.

Susan Appleby came forward and sat on the stool, placing the hat on her head with trembling hands. There was silence for a moment then the hat cried out, "RAVENCLAW!"

Susan hurried to sit with the Ravenclaws as "Black, Sirius" was called. Aimee watched as he came forward and sat on the stool, jamming the hat on his head confidently now. A pause, then, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius hurried over to the Gryffindor table, pausing to shoot a look of triumph at James Potter before sitting down. Aimee watched him closely as he crossed the hall to the table, he seemed a great deal calmer than he had been moments before. She found herself wishing she was at one of the tables, watching the sorting rather than waiting to be called forward. Sighing inwardly she turned back to the sorting.

"Buler, Joyce!" was followed by "GRYFFINDOR!" and she hurried to sit at the table.

"Diggle, Adam!" then "HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Evans, Lily!"

Aimee gave her friend's hand a squeeze as Lily left her side, striding confidently to the stool. She watched as her friend placed the hat on her head, hoping fervently that whatever house Lily went to she would as well.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Aimee sighed in relief, the house Lily had wanted- now if only she could get there too. She watched as Lily happily went to the table, sitting opposite of Sirius Black. She watched as Lily spoke to those around her before turning her attention back to the line awaiting to be Sorted, her eyes meeting Aimee's and shining hopefully.

Aimee smiled back and continued to look around the room, missing the next few names as she looked out beyond the Sorting Hat. The students all seemed nice, except for the group at the far-left table. They looked very unfriendly and cold and Aimee found herself hoping she wasn't going to be joining them.

"Lupin, Remus!" called Professor McGonagall, and Aimee watched as the boy came forward. A name she recognized, she was curious as to where he would go.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Myers, Aimee!"

Aimee felt herself moving forward, yet she didn't remember telling her feet to move. She sat down on the stool and tugged the hat onto her head, immediately a voice whispered in her ear.

"You seem very brave, intelligent, witty- never mind the nerves, I get that quite often," Aimee stared blankly at the inside of the hat, pondering if she'd just completely lost her mind or if the Hat was speaking to her. "There's a lot of potential here, yes. But also a share of haughtiness, a streak of mischief and a certain disregard for the rules... but not without honor... best to make you GRYFFINDOR!"

Aimee took the hat off and sat it on the stool, staring at it, but not for long. Happily she turned, heading off to the table that was cheering, to where Lily sat waiting for her- unspoken excitement all over her face. She went to her seat quickly, grabbing Lily in a hug before sitting down and looking back to the front- the sorting looked much different from this side of things.

Remus, she noted, was sitting with Sirius across from them. The former gave her a warm smile before turning back to the Sorting to wait for the other two boys to be sorted. Aimee looked back as well, hoping that James Potter was made a Gryffindor since he had said he would help her and Lily adjust to the magical world.

"Pettigrew, Peter!"

Remus and Sirius seemed on the edge of their seats until the hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Potter, James!"

Aimee looked across the table; Sirius was all but jumping up and down as the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!"

More boys and girls were sorted out into the houses; Lily and Aimee were disappointed when Marianne and Julia were both Sorted into Ravenclaw. A dark haired girl named Joan had just joined them, sitting next to Lily and smiling brightly.

"Snape, Severus!" was next. Aimee looked up, immediately wishing she hadn't. There was something about this boy, a predatory look to his eye as he swept his gaze over the room. Aimee was uncomfortably aware that it paused on herself and Lily before the hat covered his eyes. Shivers ran up her spine, and it wasn't from being cold.

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat all but screeched seconds after touching his head.

The boy stood and went to his table. As he walked past the Gryffindor table Aimee swore he met her eye, the cold feeling intensified and she involuntarily shivered. She looked down at the table, focusing her attention on the conversation between Lily and Joan.

At last only one person remained.

"Yule, Dawn!" was followed by "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Aimee watched as Professor McGonagall hurried forward and took away the Sorting Hat and the stool, as she did this a wizard at the center of the head table stood.

He wore long, flowing, deep blue robes, which were spangled with many stars. His face was kindly, like that of a grandfather, and his hair and beard was very long and very gray.

"Welcome!" he greeted the gathered students, and Aimee guessed that this had to be the Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. Especially since his voice seemed to cut off all conversation and call the attention of the students to him immediately.

"Before our feast I have a few announcements to make," he announced in a calm voice, blue eyes taking in the students. "First, please make note that an extremely dangerous tree has been planted on the grounds this year. This tree is here on part of an exchange in the Herbology department and Professor Sprout will be instructing the older students in the care for this particular tree. This tree is called a Whomping Willow, and I assure you, it will live up to it's name."

Aimee saw James whisper something to Sirius down the table, and tore her eyes back to Dumbledore, "Second, as you older students know, the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden. Please stay on the grounds, this is for your safety."

Some students looked exasperated at this comment. James and Sirius seemed to take this as a personal challenge. Professor Dumbledore looked calmly at them all, smiling slightly.

"Now, please enjoy your dinner and get up to your common rooms for bed. You all have a rather exciting term ahead of you, do best to start off on the right foot- that is, unless you get out of bed with your left."

Aimee looked down at the table and was surprised to find it piled with food. The other new students seemed a bit surprised by this too, but let it go to fill their plates with chicken, pork, puddings, and other foods. As Aimee piled her plate conversation began.

"I didn't think they would plant such a dangerous tree on school grounds," said a boy sitting near Peter. "From what I've read those are really aggressive trees, very territorial."

A girl next to him giggled, another boy nodded agreement, and Aimee noted that Remus had blanched, very much like Sirius had done outside the Apothecary the other day, and in the compartment on the train.

"I'm sure they had their reasons," he said shortly.

"Yes," said James. "This just gives us one more challenge, doesn't it Sirius? Reckon we could touch the trunk?"

"I would not know, have to see the tree first," his friend replied, stuffing a spoonful of potatoes into his mouth. "Prolly."

Aimee felt her face redden and turned to start conversation with Lily and the other girl. Lily, though, was staring down the table just as Aimee had been. Aimee cleared her throat and Lily looked up, her face flushed.

"So," said the girl, Joan, recalled Aimee. "Where are you two from?"

"I live a ways outside London," Lily replied. "I'm Lily by the way, I didn't catch your name."

"Oh, I'm Joan. I live in Ottery St. Catchpole," she turned her gaze to Aimee. "What about you?"

"I'm Aimee, I'm from Ireland, not too far from Galway. My family owns an inn on the coast."

"Oh, how nice! I've always wanted to see the west coast of the country, never been able to afford it though," the girl smiled shyly. "Know anyone else?"

"Well, we know those boys," Lily said, pointing out James and his crew.

"Ah, I sat with Joyce and Dawn on the trip here. Joyce is pretty nice, though she's more interested in the boys," Joan giggled as she said this, and sure enough Joyce was down the table trying to catch a second year boy's eye.

"Can't figure out if she's interested in the boy or in his Quidditch skills," Joan commented, watching Joyce Buler.

"We sat with Marianne and Julia, they both went to Ravenclaw," Aimee said. She looked over her shoulder as she said this and saw both girls conversing with another girl.

"So, who are the boys?" Joan asked, looking up across the table at them and grinning at Remus.

"Oh," Lily pointed them out as she introduced them. "James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus. Right?"

All she got was a nod from them, or in Peter's case a toothy smile.

"Pleasure," Joan said, reaching across the table to shake Remus' hand. He looked at it as if it were a poisoned snake. "I don't bite you know."

Smiling Remus shook her head, "Nice to meet you."

Joan smiled back, turning to Peter, James and Sirius in turn.

Conversation dragged on, the seven getting to know the others at the table.

"So, do any of you know the way to our common room? I don't remember anyone telling us how to get there," Joan picked up a tart as she said this, for the desserts had just appeared.

"Oh, a prefect will take everyone up after the feast," said an older boy next to her. "They're the only one's who know the passwords for this year."

"Good, I was worried we'd have to find them ourselves," Joan said. "I'm Joan by the way, don't think we've met."

"Frank, Frank Longbottom," the boy replied, his friendly smile turning sour as chaos broke loose.

What appeared to be a ghost glided into the Great Hall, a wicked look on his face. Aimee looked over at the other tables and noticed that the other students were starting to look in his direction too.

"Oooooh!" the 'ghost' said. "A party! How nice, poor Peeves likes surprises! And he has one for you too!"

With that he picked up a plum pudding from the Hufflepuff table and leaned toward a first year girl.

"What's your name ickle firstie?" he asked, his grin stretching tighter, becoming sickeningly sweet.

"Uh, I'm Dawn."

"Do you like pudding Dawn?" Peeves asked her slyly. Aimee sensed the room growing tense, Professor McGonagall had barely stood up when Dawn answered.

"Yes, I do," she said, and with that Peeves dumped the plum pudding onto her head.

"Heheheh!" he cackled, floating around the room on his back.

"PEEVES!" shouted Professor McGonagall, and half the other professors.

Peeves now glided quickly around the room, picking up the pies, pudding, and tarts, then hurling them at the students below. Aimee dodged as a tart went sailing past her ear. Someone grabbed her hand and she was pulled under the table.

"How did he get in!" someone yelled.

Aimee turned to see Lily and Joan crouching with her under the table, she peered out and saw that James and Sirius had began retaliation by throwing pies and the like back at Peeves, but this did little, as everything passed right through him. The resident ghosts of the castle were all zooming about trying to stop Peeves, but with no luck. There was only one that could ever call the obnoxious poltergeist down.

"PEEVES!" a voice bellowed.

Peeves put on the brakes, he had been just about to squash a chocolate cake into a Ravenclaw first year's hair.

"Peeves, get OUT!" said the calm but demanding voice, Aimee turned to see the speaker. It was a gaunt ghost, with silvery looking stains all over him. She shivered, as did just about everyone- ghost and living alike.

Peeves quickly left the Great Hall, the gaunt ghost following him. Aimee came out from under the table. James and Sirius were helping Peter out at the other end, they were covered with everything from chocolate cake to treacle tart.

"Peeves is in for it now," said Frank Longbottom. "The Bloody Baron seemed about to explode, mind you he always does, but usually he's pretty quiet. He must be awfully angry if he yelled."

Aimee looked at Lily and Joan, both girls looked as though they would rather stave than eat in here again. Especially if they were to be put in the middle of food fights and scary looking yelling ghosts at every meal.

"Don't worry," Frank said, seeing their faces. "Dinner isn't usually like that. Well, come on then, looks like it's time to head off to bed."

Aimee, Lily, and Joan turned and followed the rest of the Gryffindors out of the Great Hall, up the marble staircase in the entrance hall, and then many more staircases after that.

Lily had started counting out loud, Joan and Aimee joining her, but they tired quickly of it- stopping just after three thousand stairs. It seemed that they were destined to climb forever, but at last they came to a stop outside the portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress.

"Food fight," said the prefect who had led them up, a brown haired boy wearing glasses that were slightly askew.

"My, it appears so," replied the fat lady as she swung open to grant them access to their common room.

Once inside the Prefect stopped them, "You older ones know the rules, but for the new students let me welcome you to Gryffindor Tower. This is our common room, and up the staircases you'll find the dormitories. Girls on the left, boys on the right.

"My name's Wayne Slighter, if you have any questions or you need any help come to me and I'll take care of it. If I can't we'll take it to Professor McGonagall, who is our Head of House."

Tiredly the three girls went up their assigned staircase, climbing yet more steps until they came to their room. Inside there were five four-poster beds draped in crimson, set in a semi-circle. Trunks were set at the foot of the beds, empty cages on the tables beside them. There were two large windows in the room, a table under one holding a water pitcher and goblets.

Aimee moved towards the bed with her trunk at the foot of it. She turned to find Lily to her right, Joan to her left. The girl to the left of Joan turned out to be Joan's friend Joyce.

There was little conversation between them, as all were exhausted from the high emotions of the day and the excitement the evening had brought. Beds were turned down, trunks dug through for nightshirts, and alarms were set. They held a brief conversation to determine the order in which they would take their showers in the morning- eventually relying on paper-rock-scissors to figure out the order. Then, with a muttered goodnight, the four girls climbed into their beds, sinking down into the soft, cool, crisp linens as they drifted off to sleep.