The statues that were on both sides of the walkway leading up to the Ilvermorny castle were breathtaking. They were made of marble instead of plain old stone, and each had a golden sign at their feet with their names. The first one was actually at the center of the path at the beginning, and walkway curved around it. It was a statue of the schools founder; Isolt Sayre. That after here, on either side with a considerable amount between them was a statue of each houses' respective animal and a witch or wizard associated with them. Then the castle reflected the sunrise off of its windows-- the entire place was beautiful. And extremely welcoming.

"This is where we're going to be living every school year for seven years!?" a girl from beside Remilda exclaimed, her name was Hannah Keets.

Remilda watched the castle get closer as the centaur led them towards the front doors.

"Can you believe it?!" she added, "My sister will never believe this."

        The feeling of excitement that Remilda had as they walked towards Ilvermorny for the first time was something she wasn't feeling this time. At least not completely. When she was in her first year, nobody in her class knew each other that well. Here, at Hogwarts, people her age already had their friends and their reputations. Besides that, it didn't necessarily feel very welcoming. When they got to Hogwarts, it was dark already, and the train stopped right by a forest that they'd have to go through to get to the castle.

"We don't walk up do we?" Remilda asked Hermione as she hopped of the train with the others as she reached down into her bag for her tie.

Hermione laughed, "Of course not," she stated, "there's carriages. And first years go with Hagrid and take boats."

Remilda nodded and sighed with relief, "Good," she paused, "but what about our trunks?"

"They'll make sure they get to your room."

Remilda nodded, "Oh, okay,"

       Remilda and Hermione caught up with Ron, Raelyn, and Harry just they were loading onto a carriage. Remilda hopped on and took a seat next to Raelyn, and then Hermione claimed on too. Remilda looked into the woods, by the lanterns on the carriages that were already moving, the giant shadows of the trees made everything look even more intimidating. She knew that it wasn't going to be awful, but not knowing what was coming was what was really getting under her skin.

"May I join you guys?"

       Remilda looked down only to see a girl with white blonde hair that had to two large barrett's holding her bangs back that were shaped like big butterflies. Her skin was pale, and her eyes were a pale blue color. Then she wore her school uniform, with a blue and bronze tie.

"Uh, sure," Hermione nodded as she slid to the side so the girl would have a place to sit.

      After the girl took a seat, the carriage was full and it jolted into motion and began the journey through the trees and to the castle. The girl had her arms crossed in front of her, holding a colorful magazine against her chest.

"You guys, this is Loon-a Lovegood." Hermione introduced her to us. Remilda watched Hermione as her cheeks began to flush bright pink.

"Nice to meet you, Luna," Harry replied.

Luna's smile grew bigger, "It's great to meet you too, Harry Potter." she said kindly, "I haven't seen you two before," she said looking at Raelyn and Remilda. "You must be new?"

"We just transferred here from Ilvermorny," Raelyn replied, "I'm Raelyn, and this is Remilda."

"Ilvermorny? How exciting," she smiled, "father says that Ilvermorny is very receptive to the Quibbler."

         The Quibbler, the cheapest joke that they could afford to get sent there. Remilda and Hannah sat in the library with Hannah's copy of the Quibbler reading through it. It wasn't that anyone really thought it was informative, but it was a good laugh. And a cheap one. Ordering fifty to hand out at Ilvermorny was only twenty-six galleons between two students.

"The man people believe to be Sirius Black is actually Stubby Boardman, lead singer of the popular singing group the Hob Goblins," Remilda read aloud, but had to pause for a giggling fit from both her and Hannah. So after they got a grip of themselves, she kept going. "who retired from public life after being struck in the ear by a turnip at a concert in Little Norton Church Hall nearly fifteen years ago."

      The two third year girls erupted into fits of laughter in the back of the library. Early this year, Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban and there had been a handful of gossip articles about him in the states. But the Quibbler was always the best when it came to this sort of thing, it really made it easy to not take things so seriously.

"Oh! Wait, listen to this bit..." Hannah said snatching the magazine from Remilda and finding the bit she wanted. "Now, Stubby couldn't possibly have committed those crimes, because on the day in question he happened to be enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner with me. I have written to the Minister for Magic and am expecting him to give Stubby, alias Sirius, a full pardon any day now." Again, the two girls erupted with laughter.

"Oh, yeah, I saw a lot of people reading it." Remilda told her, leaving out the bit that it was the comedic relief from exams.

Luna smiled, "If you'd like, I could have my father send me a copy of next month's! As a welcoming gift,"

"Oh," Remilda shook her head, "you don't have to do that."

        The rest of the carriage ride was relatively quiet. Luna sat with her arms crossed and looked around at everyone with a kind smile on her face. However, if Hermione was about to call her what Remilda thought she was-- it was understandable.

"I'm guessing that you two still have to be sorted?" Luna asked.

Raelyn nodded.

"What house are you in, Luna?" Remilda asked.

"Ravenclaw," she replied with her smile still on her face as the carriage came to a halt. "Well, good luck, Remilda! Good luck, Raelyn!" she said in an excited light and fluttery tone as she hopped down off of the carriage and literally began to skip towards the castle.

        Remilda's eyes went past Luna, and to the castle. It was beyond amazing. It wasn't quite as big as Ilvermorny was, but it was just as amazing. Now with the trees out of the way, Remilda could see the castle in full, and it wasn't intimidating like she had though as they got off the train. The windows gave off a warm glow, that just screamed 'come on in'.

      Ron hopped off first, followed by Hermione. Then Remilda, Raelyn, and Harry. The group of them made their way to the front doors where there was a man waiting. He had black hair that looked greasy and went to his shoulders, his nose was like a beak, and he was wearing all black robes.

"Raelyn and Remilda Potter?" he asked as the group got closer to us.

"That's us," Raelyn replied.

"The headmaster would like to do your sorting in the privacy of his office," he stated, "so you don't need to go through it with the first year students."

       His voice was low, and incredibly slow. And he wasn't that excited to be speaking with them either.

"Good luck," Harry said and Ron and Hermione each gave them a smile as they continued inside. On their way past, once they were behind the man, Harry and Ron both gave them an apologetic look. And Hermione hurried them along.

"This way then," the man stated as her swiftly turned and began walking. His strides were so long that both of them struggled to keep up. For one of his strides, they needed two, maybe three.

"What did you say your name was, Mr..."

The man huffed out a irritable breath of air, "Miss Potter, here at Hogwarts you will address your teachers as professor," he told them, "I'm Professor Snape, Potions Master."

"Why can't we call you Mr. Snape?" Raelyn questioned.

He huffed out an even more irritated sigh, "Because, Miss Potter, unlike Ilvermorny, we would like to stick with our historical standards of respect-"

Raelyn rose a eyebrow sharply, and just by looking at her, Remilda could see the gears already turning. Making assumptions about why she didn't like this teacher, "Well I don't see what would be so disrespectful about calling you Mr. Snape, professor." her tone wasn't too different, but there was a hint of sass in her voice.

Remilda's eyes widened as she smacked Raelyn in the arm as if to tell her to shut up just as Snape stopped in his tracks and turned towards them.

"You aren't starting off on a very good foot, Miss Potter," he stated sharply.

"Sorry, professor," Remilda replied quickly, "she just doesn't know when to stop sometimes. She didn't mean anything by it." she explained quickly.

      He examined the two of them before turned and continuing on his way and starting up the stairs. As he did, Raelyn rolled her eyes and Remilda nudged her again as if to tell her to just not say anything.

      As they went up the stairs in silence, Remilda examined everything around them. Just like in Ilvermorny, the walls were covered with paintings, all of which were moving and talking to one another. Then as she looked up, the stairs seemed to be endless and they were moving too. Changing their course, that was something that their father had told them about. When he went to Hogwarts, he and his friend in his first year went to every floor that the stairs brought them to; just to explore.

"Lemon Daisies and Lemon Drops," Snape said, trying to keep his voice as quiet as possible so the girls couldn't hear him mutter the ridiculous words.

       It looked like a statue they had stopped in front of, however as it began to turn, it revealed a narrow staircase. Once it was opened, the three of them began the march up them. Then once they were in there, they stood in a tall room. The ceiling went up for awhile, and two walls were completely lined with book; and there were some that were casually floating around and rearranging themselves. Then on the big oak desk, was a perch, and on it, sat a big, bright red phoenix. It's eyes watched the three of them intensely. Then on the desk was a bowl of little yellow muggle candies; the same candies that their father always had a stash of. Lemon drops.

"Sir?" Snape asked aloud, it was followed by some rustling in the back corner of the room. Remilda and Raelyn both watched as the tall wizard who they had seen on the front page of the news a few times peered around a tall glass shelf that seemed to be glowing. On the shelves there were small viles that were filled with a glowing liquid. Next to the shelves, was a stone table it seemed like, filled with water.

"Ah, Severus, you found them," he smiled. He had long white hair and a beard to match which was tied with a string that had bells on it. He wore a light blue robe, and a hat that matched. And he had kind blue eyes that peered at them from behind half-crescent shaped glasses. "Raelyn," he began as he walked towards them pointing at Raelyn, "and Remilda Potter."

"Most people get us mixed up on the first try," Raelyn pointed out.

"Over my years I've found that I have quite the memory." he replied simply, "So, how have you found things so far? Have you met Harry?"

They nodded.

"We met him, the Weasleys, and Hermione Granger last night." Raelyn stated, "It's a relief to know someone already."

"I can imagine it is," he replied, "what about you, Remilda?" he asked, looking at her now. Directing his next question right to her, and not Raelyn who happily would have answered and Remilda would have gladly let her. "Do you think you'll be able to settle in here alright? You were doing quite well at Ilvermorny."

"Oh, yeah, for sure." she replied with a nod, "It will just take some getting used to."

"Well," he paused as he stood in front of his desk and held out the small glass bowl, "lemon drop?" he offered, Raelyn and Remilda both took one. "Your father, Jacob. Potter, was quite the fan of them when he went here. In fact, I think he and his brother pranked me in their fifth year, filled my whole desk up with them, hid them all over my office. I think that's actually when I took a liking to them..." he explained simply.

"Sir, the feast?"

Dumbledore sighed and looked at Professor Snape, "Are we in a hurry, Severus?" he asked, and Snape sighed and shook his head. "Anywho, I wanted to spare you two from having to go through your sorting with the First Years, I thought you might find it..."

"Embarrassing?" Raelyn asked, "Considering we're fifteen?"

He nodded, "Exactly," he paused, and then clapped his hands together, "then let's get it over with?" he then motioned to shelf beside the door. There on a stool, waiting to be brought to the feast for the First Years, sat a old hat. With various patches, and its folds formed a face almost. "Raelyn? You're older, correct?"

She nodded.

"Then come on, you first." he said as he walked over to the hat, and gently picked it up. And motioned for Raelyn to sit down on the stool. He then placed the hat onto her head. She had a beaming smile, but as soon as the hat began to quietly mutter, and move on top of her head, her smile dropped for a split second until the hat called out the house she would be in.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat announced, as soon as it did Dumbledore lifted the hat off her head and the black tie around her neck began to change into a gold and crimson striped tie and in inner lining of her robe changed to a deep red as well.

"Congratulations, Miss Potter," Dumbledore smiled, "Remilda," he said softly, motioning the to the stool.

      Remilda took a deep breath and stepped past Raelyn and plopped down on the seat. Her fingers gripped the stool as she waiting, hoping to be put in the same house as Raelyn and everyone else she knew already. Just to save her from having to meet more people all by herself. At least this way she had Raelyn to help break the ice.

"Hm," the hat began quietly, "peculiar. Your sister was an obvious choice...but you, you could go two ways." its voice was low and scratchy, "Hufflepuff perhaps? Those Hufflepuffs don't like to toil, but put them in a corner? Yes...maybe there would be the best fit...oh yes, I think so-"

Well what's the other option?! she thought, she could hear her own voice in her head as clear as day.

"Or maybe even Gryffindor, though you don't seem very...oh, wait, never mind. Selflessness doesn't come without bravery and sometimes it comes with a price too." the hat was quiet for a moment, "ah, yes, and loyal. Very loyal. Much like your father, loyal and determined without a doubt...yes I know exactly what to do with you..." the hat became quiet again. "GRYFFINDOR!"

       Remilda sighed heavily and a smile spread across her face. She was relieved. The jungle that her and Raelyn were walking into didn't seem all that bad anymore.

Hey loves! Thanks for reading! What did you guys think? Did they end up in the houses you thought they would?

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