The group had taken a break after a very traumatic display. Everyone was huddled in groups, talking in hushed voices but James Potter was deep in thought. He was rewinding seven years' worth of memories. Where had he gone wrong? What did he do to make Peter switch sides and hand his family to the death eaters?

He couldn't think of anything. Peter was family, why did he not want to be redeemed? Every time James thought of a situation where the marauders had upset him, all he could come up with were harmless jokes. But Peter wasn't the only one on the receiving end of these jokes, Sirius, Remus, and he had also been pranked before, but they didn't turn out to be death eaters did they.

With a frown the Potter boy searched for the witch from the future, Catalina. She was standing to the side, staring at the ceiling with an unreadable look on her face. James remembered hearing from one of the portraits that the candles on the ceiling represented each one of them.

When the first years came, new shorter ones were added and when the seventh years left school their candles were removed. He looked up at the ceiling and frowned at one candle that didn't light up like the others and his heart became heavy. That was Francesca Hudson's candle, it would only disappear when she graduated but because she died, the candle was not lit.

"Did you want to talk?"

He was snapped out of his trance, Catalina staring at him, and James felt like an open book. He felt like she was staring at his soul and one wrong move, and she would know his deepest and darkest secrets.

He cleared his throat awkwardly before remembering why he wanted to talk to her. All awkwardness left him as he became more serious, a frown on his face.

"You said that only people you found worthy of redemption were here. Hudson, I understand and Lestrange as much as I do not understand I think everyone is worthy of redemption. So why isn't Peter worthy of it?" he asked, he didn't think he could forgive Peter, but he wanted to know, if Bellatrix Lestrange can be redeemed then why can't Peter.

James nearly winced at how Catalina's smile turned into a glare, and he thought he had touched a sore topic.

"I don't think I can ever forgive Peter or forget what he did. I'm also not asking you to bring him here, I'm just curious."

Catalina's eyes softened as she spoke, "There are things you need to understand, Mr. Potter. Not everyone chooses their path because they want to. We saw it for Emilio Hudson and though many might not agree for Bellatrix Lestrange, there is more to her than she lets on. She has people who love her enough to pull her out of it. Peter Pettigrew might have been the sweet boy you know but as the war rages on, he finds himself slipping and not because of the lack of love and support. Its power he craves. He believed that Voldemort would emerge victorious in the end and so he chose his side."

She paused, looking at him and searching for any signs of hurt in his eyes but when she saw anger, she continued.

"Peter Pettigrew will always choose those who benefit him, he will always choose power over love and support. That is why he is not worthy of redemption. He does not care for things like family or friendship." She finished.

James was silent, understanding what she said, and he slowly nodded. Peter might have chosen his side, but this time round James would make him regret ever meeting the remaining marauders.

Catalina watched her best friend's dad walk away with a regretful look, taking a deep breath the witch walked back to her seat letting everyone have a couple more minutes to talk before they begin the shit show.

Avalon Song had been hesitant about having to talk to the Potter clan. The said Potter clan includes the future wife of the boy she has a daughter with. She stared at her nails, listening to Sirius and Remus argue about something irrelevant.

Feeling a presence next to her, she turned to see Emerson. Avalon knew Emerson Afterall they shared a dorm and were roommates. They had talked before but only when necessary. Avalon had done a great job at staying under the radar and away from the social circle at Hogwarts. The girl had no friends, none through the seven years she had studied here.

So, imagine her surprise at realizing that she had slept with one of the most popular boys at school and didn't even remember it. Not that she wanted to remember it, the thought of it alone was enough for Avalon to want to jump out the astrology tower.

"I can't wait for us to be friends in the future!" Lily Evans' cheery voice pulled her out of the staring holes in her nails. Avalon was shocked to say the least.

"You do realize I'm pregnant and the father is James Potter. The same James Potter that you apparently like?" She didn't mean to sound rude or annoyed but this whole situation was freaking her out. She was pregnant and she got to know from some movie that came from the future. She knows her daughter's name and she's going to watch her daughter's life.

Lily laughed and it made Avalon feel small in front of her. It took her a minute to realize that Lily was not laughing at her but at the way she had worded her reply.

"We aren't dating right now, and I rejected him for five years, he's allowed to make out or sleep with anyone. I know I have." Lily smiled warmly at her, and Avalon let out a sigh of relief. Throughout the time the movie was playing, Avalon felt like a homewrecker, and it disgusted her.

Noticing that Avalon looked terrified, Lily held her hand in hers. A concerned look on her face as she asked the long-awaited question that Avalon hadn't even gotten the chance to wrap around her head.

"How do you feel? You know, about the whole being a mother."

Avalon could cry because of who overwhelmed she felt. She was seventeen and pregnant because of some wrong decisions and a bottle of scotch. Lily wasn't the only one concerned, because Emerson had stayed by her side for comfort.

"I definitely didn't plan to be pregnant at seventeen" she ran her fingers through her hair in frustration as her eyes glanced down at her stomach.

"And?" Emerson prodded, drawing infinity signs on her palm as she let the brunette vent.

"I thought I'd regret it but the moment I saw her on the screen I felt this happiness and I want to be a good mother for her." Avalon's voice breaks, she fidgeted with the edge of her sleeves as she let Lily and Emerson watch her nearly breakdown.

"You'll be a great mum; Avalon and we'll be here for every step" Lily looked at Avalon with the brightest smile and Avalon couldn't help but smile back.

Avalon throws her head back as she groans, "You know the worst thing? I didn't even know the guy I slept with until today!"

Emerson muffled a laugh, but Lily didn't bother as she laughed, a few eyes turning towards them. Avalon glared at the two as she whined. The three girls smiled at each other; they might not have been friends before but now they would be. This movie might not be the worst thing.

The loud voice of Professor McGonagall cut through the air, "Sit down everyone, we will be starting the movies."

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
JULY 1991

Albus Dumbledore was standing beside his Phoenix, Fawkes' little home in his office at Hogwarts where he was headmaster. He felt a shift in the gargoyles that protected the entrance to the headmaster's office.

The peculiar man didn't turn, as if expecting company, he chose to pay attention to the mythical creature in front of him.

"Headmaster" the voice spoke up, bringing Dumbledore out of his little bubble. He turned; his robes almost floating when he did that. He smiled at his deputy headmistress and his once student.

"Minnie!" Three seventeen-year-old boys yell making Amalthea look at them weirdly. She knew her brother was dropped on the head as a child, but Sirius had gone and made friends who had also been dropped.

"We agree you're the mature brother, yes?" she whispered to Regulus who looked at her and then at Sirius who was whispering into Emerson's ear. He nodded; he was the more mature brother.

Minerva McGonagall had aged since 1981 and her appearance spoke of it, she still looked severe, tense, and strict but her eyes had lost that light which was present when she taught a decade ago.

"Minerva, come in! Take a seat" he motioned towards the seat in front of his desk as he took a seat in his own chair. He waved his wand as the record player that he liked using frequently started playing at a low volume.

With another wave of his wand, teacups appeared in front of the transfiguration professor and himself, filled with tea and a tray full of biscuits. The professor thanked him quickly before sipping on her tea.

"The new year starts very soon, Minerva. I must say this year was peaceful apart from those twins, they did make it exciting" he chuckled, looking at her with his half-moon glasses as she hummed.

"If by exciting you mean troublesome, then yes I agree," she said hotly, giving him a look to which he chuckled once more.

"There was a time when you loved antics like theirs, my dear professor. I must say Mr. Weasleys have not caused as much trouble as those dear boys of yours have."

Minerva McGonagall's face contorted into a rare smile which she covered with her cup, but she did let out her emotions with her eyes, which lit up like they did a decade ago.

"Well, my boys were always a handful, weren't they?" she mused, picking up a biscuit as she watched the headmaster look at a piece of parchment with a hint of a smile and twinkle in his eyes.

"She's talking about us, right?" Sirius whispered to Remus and James, the former nodding as James winked at the professor who had turned to them as soon as on screen she had spoken.

"Of course it's us, mate. She loves us." 

"I found them humorous but yes, as their head of the house, it must have been troublesome."

Minerva nodded but her expression spoke loud for her opinions on those boys. A nostalgic smile on her face as she looked around the office where she brought them on the regular.

"I remember the countless times you troubled me with bringing them here because they caused some fun," he said, narrowing his eyes at her in a joking manner to which she smirked.

"I wasn't going to allow you to put all the pressure on me, Albus."

Fawkes cries which cause the two to turn to the bird which looked up at them. It turned away once it had gotten their attention causing the two to return to their conversation.

"Have you checked the list of first years for the coming year?" he asked with mischief written on his face as Minerva looked up in confusion, shaking her head. He slides her the parchment he was reading which had a few names underlined along with their parental details and date of birth.

Minerva's eyes scanned the list and her face turned to one of aghast. Her shoulders slumped and she massaged her temples.

Professor McGonagall looked at the marauders, then at Nico who waved playfully at her and then at Frank, Edgar, and Lucius before sighing, massaging her temples.

"Has it really been that long?"

"It has, Minerva. Now I remember you once saying that you would retire before the day came. I hope I don't see a resignation letter" he mused as she let out a breathy laugh remembering her words from nearly sixteen years back very well.

"I remember very well, Albus but I don't think you will find another Transfiguration teacher like me. So, I shall save you the burden of finding one and stay" She shook her head in bewilderment as she read the names again, only looking at the underlined ones.

"It'll surely be great to see their journeys here. I've just gotten used to the Potter name again, but I suppose having a lot of them back will be like a walk down memory lane" she sighed, looking out the windows, her mind occupied with one person who had made her almost faint and dizzy more than a few times that year.

"Little Bambi! I forgot she starts a year before everyone else" James beamed at the thought of his eldest starting Hogwarts. Avalon looked at him in shock, he already had a nick name for her.

"You have a nickname for her?" she whispered not wanting to disturb the others who were watching. He looked down at Avalon and then nodded, "It's fitting isn't it, Lonnie?"

James smirked as he watched the girl go into another state of shock.

Dumbledore looked at her with a faraway look, nodding along.

"It'll be good to see those familiar, yet unfamiliar faces walk the halls as they did once."

LANCASTER MANOR
AUGUST 1991

The halls of Lancaster Manor had seen brighter days since the end of an era. The paints on the wall were different, the furniture was different, and every room had its own personality. No more are the old and aristocratic-looking bedrooms that scared children.

The only rooms spared from the change were the more formal rooms. The formal living room, grand dining room, and the ballroom. Not forgetting the tapestry room which had remained the same for nearly eleven years.

Walking down the hallway on the second floor, Emerson greets the portraits of her ancestors, who like always showered the last living Lancaster with compliments.

"Oh, I cannot wait for the little angels to start Hogwarts! How exciting" The low voice of her grandmother had Emerson smiling brightly.

"Angels? More like hooligans, mother. Thank Merlin they are eleven years old now" his father shook his head as if ridding bad memories of the hooligans he mentioned.

"They?" Amalthea muttered to herself. Shouldn't Atria be the only child in the house. Ilaria looked at Nico and then at Emerson and all three of them smiled.

Emerson laughs, "Time does fly, doesn't it? There was something in the air of 1979."

Both her grandmother and father give her a look, questioning her definition of something in the air.

"More like you nineteen-something-year-olds distressed in a very intimate manner. Horniness is what they call it."

It took everyone a minute before the entire hall started laughing. Euphemia had to stop herself from smacking her son as he joked with Sirius and Remus.

"He isn't wrong!" Evan yelled out as Ilaria chuckled at Nico glaring at the boy who wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way.

"Yeah, like did you all just have sex because of the stress?"

Emerson burst into laughter, throwing her head back as she caught herself from the surprise. She had to admit he was right. Most of them had children in the years 1979 and 1980 making them all first years in Hogwarts.

"Edmund! There are kids in this house, might I remind you of what vocabulary you should be using?"

Emerson watched amused as the mother-son duo bickered. She walked past them and into another hallway where only three bedrooms were situated.

Each door had a sign of some sort. She smiled nostalgically remembering the day they all chose their rooms and signs.

The first room was quiet as if there was no one inside and it was empty. That wasn't the case, Emerson knew. She read the sign which read 'Garden fairy's retreat.'

Knocking on the door, she heard a soft come in. Twisting the doorknob open, Emerson smiled at the girl sitting on her bed with a book in hand. This bedroom got more sunlight than some other rooms in the manor. The balcony was humongous and had been made into a garden with a chair and a small coffee table.

She had a king-size canopy bed with coquette-style bed sheets and decor around the room. The vanity was white in color with everything one could imagine.

There were three doors within the room. One to the balcony, the other to the ensuite bathroom, and the last one being the walk-in closet.  There was a picture wall with both muggle and magical pictures and a record player.

"That's so pretty" Ilaria mumbled, it was like her room at home but without the garden. Emerson was in awe at the room. It looked so much livelier and more alive. She had never redecorated the many rooms in the manor other than her own room and the guest room Ilaria or Nico used.

"Good morning, darling. Breakfast's down in five" Emerson pecked the girl on her forehead, smoothing her hair as the girl beamed at her.

"I'll be down, Aunt Emmie. Can we go shopping sometime soon? I need to buy some supplies for the garden" the girl says, looking up from her book as she asks. Her cream pajamas had small pink floral prints on them with her hair pushed back into a braid.

"Yes, we can, Emery" Emerson smiled, turning to look at the beautiful garden on the balcony which Emery had made herself with no magic.

Ilaria snapped her head at Nico who was already looking at her. Both watched their daughter and Ilaria couldn't help but think her daughter looked so much like her.

"She's beautiful" Ilaria breathed out, her smile wide as she studied every detail on her daughter's face. Nico nodded, she looked so adorable and happy, and he wanted to protect that forever.

Whilst everyone talked about young Emery, Sirius couldn't move his eyes away from the older version of Emerson. She looked beautiful, more mature, but her eyes were warm and so full of life and Sirius realized that he never wanted to look away. He glanced at Emerson next to him who was talking in hushed voices about how pretty Emery is.

"Damn Lancaster, you look hot." Rabastan Lestrange winked at her, and his grin widened when he saw Sirius' jaw clench and as the disowned Black gave him a look of warning. 

"Thank you! I love you" she beamed, pushing herself off the bed as she hugged the older woman who chuckled.

Leaving the blonde girl alone, Emerson takes a breath before opening the second door which had a very alarming sign. 'House of tortures'

For such a young child, this was alarming, but Emerson knew better. She knew it was mostly safe inside the room, emphasis on mostly.

Knocking on the door all she heard was loud music playing and yells. It was hard to make out what it was, but it was very loud for sure. Not getting an answer for nearly a minute, Emerson decided to open the door anyway.

"Now that is Atria!" Amalthea yelled, a wide grin on her face. She would recognize her brother's child anywhere and she seemed like she was a spitting image of Sirius.

The room was completely different from the last one which was more coquette styled. This one was very loud and very black and purple with hints of red. The king-size canopy bed had deep purple sheets and nearly every inch of the walls was covered with posters of different music bands, Quidditch teams, and pictures.

"Mum! Look, I've been thinking of an outfit for the station and does this scream Atria Black?" The girl had curly black hair which was messy, and her chocolate eyes were sparkling with what Emerson would call excitement.

"Padfoot, Moony look! Its little star!" James was probably the most excited as Sirius looked at his daughter. She had his hair and eyes but her smile that was all Emerson. He felt his palm being squeezed to death and looked down to see Emerson having the brightest smile he had ever seen.

"That's our daughter!" she whispered, as if still in shock and Sirius nodded.

"that's our daughter."

Emerson scanned the outfit while analyzing them and then turned to her daughter's closet which was messy like always.

"Ditch the necklace and the loafers. Knee high boots are more Atria Black" she says, pointing at the black boots.

"You're hot and have great taste? Do you want to be with Dorcas and I?" Marlene asks, Dorcas looking at Emerson as if she agreed.

Looking between the two girls, Emerson winked at them.

"Take me out on a date first."

Atria lets out a hum before attacking her mother in a hug, squashing the older woman who pecks her daughter's forehead and ruffles her already messy hair.

"You're a lifesaver, mum. Absolutely remarkable"

Emerson chuckles as Atria stuffs everything back into her closet and closes the door to it, making her room look more presentable. Wincing at the look her mother gave her she convinces the older woman that she would clean the room.

"Breakfast is in five, love"

"Got it, Mum."

Sighing as she watched Atria increase the volume of her music, she could only think that Atria was way too much like Sirius and she was glad it was Sirius she took after.

Sirius turned to the girl beside him in shock, "You're glad she's like me?"

Emerson shrugged, "Why wouldn't I be? You're more social, have good manners but you also know how to live life and appreciate everything you have."

James stared at the two with wide eyes as he looked at Remus, Lily muffled a chuckle as she watched James's nudge towards Remus who nudged him back. Avalon looked at them amused as she heard James's whisper to the three of them.

"She broke him."

Closing the door to her daughter's bedroom she entered the last one which had the sign 'Don't knock, you're interrupting my peace.'

"Hey Aunt Em? Do you think I can smuggle you with me to Hogwarts?" the voice of her godson sounded as she entered the room. He was in his plaid pajamas and had his eye mask hanging around his neck. His sheets were undone but his room was cleaner than Atria's.

His walls were painted grey with antique pieces on shelves which she was sure he had bought from very questionable stores. His closet door was open, and she could see his trunk which was nearly packed. She could only see the colors brown, beige, and cream which Isaac seemed to like now.

"I don't think McGonagall will appreciate that, Isaac" she said, doing her morning routine of pecking him on his forehead and messing up his already messy hair.

He pouts before engulfing her in a hug. Isaac was a very affectionate child and he required physical touch every hour of the day and Emerson loved it. Most boys his age would shy away from showing affection to their guardians, being too cool for it.

"But I'll miss you!"

"I think I want to kidnap your son, Ilaria" Pandora gushed as she awed over the boy who looked sleepy as he hugged Emerson.

"Get your own son, Dora" Ilaria retaliated as she watched her son like her daughter. She got up from her seat and walked to where Sirius and Emerson were sitting. Pushing Sirius off like he was nothing, Ilaria wrapped her arms around Emerson.

"Thank you so much. I love you, Emmie." She whispered only for Emerson to hear and the Hufflepuff tears up as she tightens her arms around Ilaria.

"That should be you, though" she mustered out, but she felt Ilaria shake her head.

"If it isn't me, I'm glad it is you."

"I'll miss you too, sweetheart and I'll send you three baked goods and letters every week. You'll love Hogwarts."

Isaac nodded hesitantly before removing his eye mask and following Emerson out for breakfast. It was always the same. By the time Emerson was done calling Emery and Atria, five minutes would be up, and all the kids would be out.

Atria and Emery were talking an animated way, probably bickering as Isaac joined them. The three children walked ahead off Emerson, who looked utterly amused at their conversation.

Entering the kitchen, the kids rush to the small table which the family used for smaller occasions and in their daily lives.

Emerson waves her wand and plates and cutlery appear in front of the kids who had taken their seat. The table had five chairs, for the three kids, Emerson, and Nico.

It was very known around Lancaster Manor that Emerson could not cook very well. There were a few dishes she cooked amazing, but she was more off a baker which left Nico to cook for the family.

"Morning dad" Emery sing songs as she takes in the view of eggs cooking in the pan and beams at her father wearing the apron she gifted him.

"Ooh did you get chocolate milk from the store, dad?" Isaac asks as he beelines to the fridge, punching the air as he spots his chocolate milk.

"Happy Hogwarts eve, Uncle Nico!" Atria greets, making the man smile at his three kids.

"Good morning, my little devils, and Happy Hogwarts eve! Are you excited?" Nico asks, a funny smile on his face as the three kids in unison nod, speaking over each other.

Ilaria unashamedly stared the future Nico up and down causing Nico to raise a brow at her. She shrugged, "What? You just became ten times hotter."

PLATFORM 9 ¾, KINGS CROSS STATION

Platform nine and three-quarters were packed with students and parents alike. Seventh year's going back for their last year and timid first year's afraid of their time at school.

Vivian rolled her eyes jokingly as her grandmother lectured her about etiquette, behavior, and other important things that she didn't pay attention to.

"Don't forget to have fun, darling" her grandmother reminded her, a smirk playing on her face as she pushed a few stray strands away from Vivian's face.

The older Song woman then pulled Amaryllis into a hug, "And you, do not be corrupted by your sister. Have fun and write to me, okay? These are your first few years, make the most of it."

James nearly squealed when Vivian and Amaryllis came on screen, he had been waiting for it ever since the beginning of the movie. Lily was also enthusiastic about it, she listened to James as he rambled about how his daughters were perfect.

But Lily's attention was on Avalon who had an arm caressing her stomach and the other clenched. Merlin, she missed her mum and watching her mum with her daughter had gotten the fireworks started for her.

"Vivian looks just like you! Well except her hair and eyes but the features are so you!" Lily rambled as she beamed at Avalon who nodded with a laugh.

"Asian genes are strong, love."

James looked between them and decided it was the right opportunity to bring up the topic of boys.

"So do we all agree that they aren't dating until they are twenty?" His concern went unanswered as everyone ignored him.

"Eighteen? Oh come on eighteen sounds perfect."

Amaryllis beamed at the woman she called her grandmother. Vivian had turned her attention to finding the rest of her family and immediately spotted Susan with Aunt Amelia and the extended Winters-Black family.

"Susan? Our Susan?"

"Vivi! Amary!" The boisterous voice of Atria called out to her, engulfing Vivian in a hug as Emery and Isaac crowd around Susan and Amaryllis, the four of them beaming as grandma Song shakes her head at them.

"Oh, they're all friends! This is wonderful, we need to plan play dates." Claire clapped her hands and looked to the mothers and was pleased to see all of them nod.

The five first years and singular second year all board the train but get separated. With the Winters-Black family going to find a compartment near the acclaimed Weasley twins. Promising Susan and Amaryllis that they'd find the two later.

Vivian walks down the corridor of the train to one of the last compartments, smiling at people who she walked past. Her long hair fell down her back in waves, tamed after the countless products she used on them. Blame the Potter hair.

"Alright, mate? How's things?"

Vivian turned to the very familiar voice of Cedric Diggory. He was a year older than her, and they were in the same house, and both were close friends.

She beamed at him, her pink lips lifting into a big smile as she wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him into an embrace.

"Ceddie! I am doing great as always. How about you, played quidditch all summer long, did you?" she asked, a teasing edge to her voice causing the older boy to scratch his neck in a sheepish way.

Cedric was the seeker of the Hufflepuff team, having made it in his second year. Vivian was proud of him, having watched the tryouts from the stands.

"You know it, mate. You're trying out for the team, right?" Cedric looked at her in hope, everyone in Hufflepuff knew that Vivian was a great flyer.

"SHE PLAYS QUIDDITCH!" James Potter punched the air as he jumped around with Sirius on his side, being as insane as him.

"SHE'S A HUFFLEPUFF!" Avalon and Lily both beamed as they watched Vivian, the future Hufflepuff of the family.

She smirked, a sense of satisfaction washing over as she nodded.

"My name wouldn't be Potter if I didn't. The whole first years can't tryout rule is absolute bollocks." She scoffed, flipping her hair back as the boy laughed.

"Right? That rule is so foolish!" Regulus Black scoffed as he sent a pointed glare at Professor McGonagall who ignored his protests.

Vivian's eyes shined in the sunlight, warmth filling them as they looked at the boy in front of her with fondness. Cedric had always told her that her eyes were magical. They shined in a way he had never seen and always looked so full of life and mischief.

"Come on, mate, don't want to keep Lina waiting. Merlin knows she'll tear us to shreds." She looks behind her back when she notices that Cedric wasn't joining her.

He hesitates before pointing to the other side, "Perhaps another time, Vivi. I reckon Catalina wouldn't fancy my presence."

Vivian frowns, she didn't like that two of her best friends never like being with each other. Catalina didn't like Cedric because wherever he went, a flock of girls followed behind like he was their messiah. Her indifference to Cedric also caused the boy not to be fond of the girl.

They had to get along when Vivian was there, something both did to only not fight in front of the brunette. With a wave, Vivian bids Cedric goodbye promising him that they'd catch up in the common room.

"Why do you not like each other?" Nico asks the girl, who stiffened at the mention of Cedric. She looked at Nico with a faraway look before she replied, "Didn't really like when girls fell at his feet. He's thirteen, he hasn't even been through puberty and Cedric was always very smug because of the attention."

Vivian trudges along the numerous compartments, smiling and waving at familiar faces before finally coming to a stop at cabin number thirty-three, her cabin. With a wide smile on her face, she slams the sliding door open.

The auburn-haired girl looks at her unamused, her hair down in beautiful waves as she narrows her eyes at the Potter. Catalina's eyes, a beautiful blue had always been complimented. They seemed to be the color of a frozen ocean, and they sent shivers done her spine every time she was on the receiving end of it.

"Blimey, you could show a bit more excitement!" Vivian's voice gave away her mocking tone as she lets her bag fall onto the seat before taking the seat opposite Catalina.

Catalina scowls at her, confusion filling the brunette who leans forward leaving a small gap between her best friend and her.

"Right, what's got your knickers in a twist?"

"Where are my brownies, Potter?" It came out more like a growl and Vivian stared at Catalina, blinking twice. She had only heard about people growling in books, but this was her first time experiencing it.

She should have known that Catalina would be moody without her chocolates, and it did not help that she had taken her sweet time before coming to their cabin.

"Brownies, eh? Thought you were more excited to see me!" Vivian berated but still rummaged through her bag for the box of brownies she had baked for her the auburn-haired girl.

"Your hair is red!" Evan pointed out and he didn't get a reply, Amalthea nudged him, glaring at him which was her way to say, 'shut up'. Catalina was watching her past self with a nostalgic smile.

"I got it dyed after the war." She explained earning a nod from Evan.

Handing the box, Vivian grimaces as Catalina opens it in a rush, stuffing a piece in her mouth as she groaned, nodding her head as she popped another piece in her mouth. Vivian watched, amused, as she reluctantly closed the box, stuffing it into her bag.

"You ready to talk now, mate?"

"You know how I get without cocoa. Sorry about that" Catalina smiles sheepishly, the two girls bursting into laughter as they catch up on their summers.

"She's like you, Moony!" Sirius whispered but all of them had heard him, Remus blushing before swatting Sirius away.

Catalina laughed catching them all of guard, she looked at Remus and offered him a kind smile.

"You and I are close in the future" she leaves it at that, but Remus looked curious and all he hoped was that he'd get his answers soon.

A few compartments down sat Susan Bones and Amaryllis Potter. The two friends watched as the Hogwarts Express left Kings Cross and ventured into the countryside. The once lush greens of the summer fading into a rich tapestry of golden yellows, burnt orange, and deep reds.

"Are you excited?" Susan asks, the two had been hesitant to talk about Hogwarts. They were nervous and it was very visible and had sworn off talking about it until they were on their way to a new chapter in life.

Amaryllis shrugs, not having an exact answer. She opens her mouth, closing it almost instantly before she sighs.

"You mean if I'm ready for hundreds of people to gawk at me" she says in a dejected tone. Hogwarts had been all that people her age talked about. Friends, classes, the castle, quidditch and every topic seemed to lead back to Hogwarts.

Both their parents had studied at the magical institution, it was a legacy passed down numerous generations, but her story was different. They weren't popular as a one-year-old.

Lily looked sad at the mention of her daughter being unenthusiastic at going to Hogwarts, but the future mother understood. She wouldn't want to be popular for the death of a man, the same day her parents died.

"They better not make her uncomfortable." Lily snarled as she clenched her fists.

"I think I'm in love."

"We know, prongs."

Susan watches her with barely hidden sympathy, it was one thing she loved about Susan. The auburn-haired girl never showed her pity or treated her differently, she was just Amaryllis not any girl who lived.

"And let's not forget this scar that I can't cover" Amaryllis scoffs as she points to her very visible scar. She had tried to cover it with her hair, even got bangs when she was young, but bangs looked ridiculous on her and for some reason her magic didn't agree with covering it. Every time she got bangs, her hair grew out within a week.

"I think it adds to your charm" Susan grins as she draws the lighting bolt shape in air with her fingers. Amaryllis couldn't help but laugh at the goofy smile on Susan's face.

"I agree! Instead of associating it with death, she just needs a good memory to associate it with." Alice says but looking at the frown in Lily's face she stops.

"What good memory can be linked with a cursed scar?" asked the redhead.

"She can like for Halloween dress up as a no nose and then make it a parody." Emerson shrugged and those sitting around her turned to her. Some gave her weird looks but others, namely the marauders, Lily and Avalon gave her big smiles.

"That would be so funny! Or she can transfigure a doll into no nose and then make him do a funny dance." Avalon also adds in her suggestion.

The Lestrange family and Malfoy family look at them weirdly, "Are they insanely stupid or brave?"

"They are stupidly brave."

The sound of the compartment opening had both the girls looking up from their banter about Amaryllis' scar. A redhead boy around their age walked in with a hesitant look, he seemed nervous causing both the girls to smile at him.

"Anyone sitting there? Everywhere else is full." he asked, pointing at the seat opposite Amaryllis.

Amaryllis shook his head and the boy sat down. He glanced at Amaryllis and then looked quickly out of the window, pretending he hadn't looked. Amaryllis saw he had a black mark on his nose.

Susan looks between Amaryllis and the redheaded boy before turning back to the windows, watching as the train speeds through quaint villages. The doors slide open once again to reveal two redheaded twins, both turning to who looked like their brother.

"Hey, Ron." The twins say in unison. Learning the name of the boy who sat with them, Amaryllis, and Susan exchange grins.

'Weasley' they mouth to each other. These were the infamous Weasley twins from Vivian's stories about Hogwarts.

"Listen, we're going down the middle of the train. Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there."

"Right," mumbled Ron.

"Amaryllis," said the other twin, "did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is Ron, our brother. See you later, then."

"Bye," said Amaryllis, Susan, and Ron.

The twins slid the compartment door shut behind them.

"Are you really Amaryllis Potter?" Ron blurted out. Amaryllis nodded.

Susan looked at Ron with amusement as she muffled laughter at the nervous excitement etched on Ron's face. Ron turns to Susan in a curious glance. To save him from asking, Susan introduces herself.

"Susan. Susan Bones"

"Nice to meet you" He smiles in a shy way, his face turning beet red when Susan and Amaryllis both smile at him.

"Oh Molly, he seems like such a nice kid!" Fabian wiggles his brows at his older sister who glared at him before gazing fondly at his future son.

"Oh well, I thought it might be one of Fred and George's jokes," said Ron, going back to when Fred and George came.

"And have you really got you know." He pointed at Amaryllis's forehead. Amaryllis pulled her bangs to show the lightning scar. Ron stared.

"So that's where You-Know-Who."

"Yes," said Amaryllis, "but I can't remember it."

"Nothing?" said Ron eagerly.

"Well, I remember a lot of green light, but nothing else."

"Wow," said Ron. He sat and stared at Amaryllis for a few moments, then, as though he had suddenly realized what he was doing, he looked quickly out of the window again.

"I heard you went to live with Muggles," said Ron. "What are they like?"

"What muggles?"

"WAIT WAS SHE SENT TO LIVE WITH PETUNIA?" Lily looked livid, her face pale with horror as she looked at her daughter who seemed to have paled at what Ron said.

"Who the fuck is Petunia?"

Amaryllis winced; those were years she wished to forget. She despised the Dursley's, and she was so glad she got away from them. Amaryllis loved everything about her mum except her aunt and her family.

"I don't live with them anymore. I live with my sister and grandparents" Amaryllis clarified as Susan continued.

"And the muggles were horrible. Rotten to the core, I say" She seethed, fists clenched as she pouted at Amaryllis and the Potter pursed her lips.

Sensing the sensitive topic, Ron reached inside his jacket and pulled out a fat gray rat, which was asleep.

"His name's Scabbers and he's useless, he hardly ever wakes up. Percy got an owl from my dad for being made a prefect, but they couldn't aff -- I mean, I got Scabbers instead." Ron's ears went pink. He seemed to think he'd said too much, because he went back to staring out of the window.

"Is that fucking Peter?" James Potter's voice was calm, and calm James was the scariest James. Amelia Bones looked questionable, and Catalina shook her head.

"You'll know everything you wish to know in year 3, madam Bones, Mr. Potter." Amelia blushed at being called Madam as Edgar glowed in pride, his sister had gained the respect of the witch from the future.

James looked hesitant but nodded when Lily and Avalon both nodded at him.

Amaryllis didn't think there was anything wrong with not being able to afford an owl. After all, she'd never had any money in her life until she was six.

"Well, I think owls are overrated" Susan shrugged as she tried to cheer up Ron who seemed to have brightened up at what she told.

While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of London. Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. They were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.

Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"

Amaryllis and Susan, who hadn't had any breakfast, leapt to their feet, but Ron's ears went pink again and he muttered that he'd brought sandwiches.

Amaryllis frowned, looking at Susan and then back at the trolley before calling out at the trolley lady.

"We'll take the lot!"

"Now that's one way to make friends!"

"Okay rich girl."

Atria Black could not sit still as her knees bounced in excitement. Her mum had always told her bedtime stories about Hogwarts, from the classes to quidditch to Hogsmeade. She was so ready for her first year.

Atria was lucky to already have friends before she started school, and a part of her knew that her, Emery, Isaac, Amary, and Susie wouldn't end up in the same house. She reckoned she wanted to make new friends, it would be hard because the friends she had now, she had known since birth.

"Their bond is adorable." Pandora smiled at their bond, they were all obviously close.

"Can you stop doing that?" The annoyed tone of Isaac broke her from daydreaming about Hogwarts. She glared at Isaac, rolling her eyes as she stepped on his foot.

Isaac was not a goody two shoes like her mum thought. He was the devil in disguise. He knew when to attack and when to shed his mask or maybe the mean boy persona was his mask.

Isaac was the kindest and sweetest soul at home but the moment he was without the company of his dad and her mum it was like his personality did a 180-degree turn. Emery called It his alter ego and just a phase, but she didn't think so.

Isaac's parents and Emerson looked shocked, "That was an act?"

"You're telling me the cuddly, affectionate boy who was like a teddy bear is an act?" Ilaria couldn't believe it and a part of her knew it probably wasn't an act. Nico on the other hand was proud of his son, it was impressive that he could fool an entire hall of people.

"Can you drop the act?" she countered, she was used to mean Isaac, the boy who showed no emotion and never smiled. But she liked the boy she knew at home, the one who smiled and hugged her mum at every chance he got.

Emery looks up from her book on plants, a visible frown on her face as she furrows her brows.

"He thinks masking his emotions will somehow make him immune to derogatory comments."

Atria winces, she had tried ignoring that part about Hogwarts. She was bound to receive comments from the students because of her who her father is. It was unavoidable and her mum had talked to her about it.

Isaac smirks, leaning back on his seat but as he turns to Atria, his expression becomes more serious.

"If anyone says anything about you or calls you names, you let me know" It wasn't a question and both Atria and Emery knew that. She nodded, she was grateful, she had been worried. She didn't think she could handle being called names so early on in her journey at Hogwarts.

"I forgot Sirius was in Azkaban" Regulus muttered, and he felt his heart ache when he watched the crestfallen look on Sirius' face. Amalthea winced as she watched Emerson hold Sirius' hand in hers in comfort as they whispered to each other.

"I should really apologize."

"You think?" Evan asks sarcastically as she smacks his arm again.

The trolley lady had already been by their compartment, the three settling for some sweets as Atria opened her chocolate frog. With an excited smile she opened the card, hoping that it was one she didn't already have.

"Who is it?" Emery asks, leaning forward as Atria punched the air. Isaac looked at the two girls with hidden amusement as Atria proudly showed off her Newt Scamander card.

"Yes! I've been wanting Newt Scamander's card for ages. He's one of the rarest, you know? There's only about a hundred cards of him." Atria's eyes lit up brightly as she rambled on and on about Newt Scamander and everything he has achieved in life. She was a nerd like that.

Emery and Isaac smile fondly, finding her rambling amusing as they shake their head as she takes a deep breath and then continues her rant.

"I have 3000 cards!" Marlene announced, smug as always but Remus smirked.

"Aww that's cute, I have 7638 cards."

As the train rattled along its tracks, Atria, Emery, and Isaac found themselves immersed in a conversation about everyone's favorite sport and truthfully the only popular sport in the wizarding world, quidditch.

Atria, her eyes bright with anticipation, turned to her friends with a mischievous grin. "I can't wait to see the Quidditch matches! I heard Slytherin always puts on a good show."

Emery shook her head, disagreeing with the curly haired girl, "That sounds like a fancy way of saying they play dirty."

"Did she lie?"

Atria gasps in mock offense, she had always been partial to Slytherin. She had heard stories about her uncle Regulus and aunt Amalthea both being Slytherin. She also thought she had a few of their attributes.

"Are we already beginning the house rivalry?" Isaac grinned as both the girls glared at him. He raised his arms in surrender as Atria smirks.

"A little rivalry doesn't hurt anyone."

Everyone looked at the marauders who looked at the nastier crowd of death eaters and Snape who looked at James Potter. Catalina thought it was a very weird sight.

"Blame Dumbledore."

"Tell that to the bludgers"

Emery raised a brow as Atria shrugged, sinking back into her seat. Her posture became upright almost instantly as she sat back up.

"Isn't Vivi trying out this year?" she asks, and when Isaac nods, Atria does something so unlike her. Atria Black squeals, Emery chuckling as Isaac looks at the two girls in horror.

"Oh, this is so exciting! Can't believe we get sorted in less than four hours."

"We won't change much will we? It's always been Attie, Em, Ace, Amary, and Susie."

"Of course, we won't change, Em!"

The entire hall smiled at that, hoping that the quintet never changed and excited to see them grow up in the next six movies.

The scene shifted back to Amaryllis, Susan, and Ron as the door to their compartment opened. A bushy haired girl stood on the other side, already dressed in her school robes as she looked around the compartment.

The three residents of the compartment exchange a look as the bushy haired girl finally speaks up.

"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," she said. She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth.

"No, we haven't, but if it does turn up, we'll let you know" Susan responds kindly, Amaryllis looked awkward as the girl invited herself inside their compartment.

The girl was looking at Ron's wand, more like staring. Ron was about to show the two girls a spell that would turn his rat, Scabbers yellow when the bushy haired girl showed up.

"Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then." She sat down. Ron looked taken aback.

"Er -- all right." He cleared his throat. "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."

A few giggled as the others looked at the boy in pity.

"That is not a real spell." Dorcas points out.

Nothing happened and Scabbers remained the same. Susan looked at the boy with a small smile, encouraging him whereas the bushy haired girl raised a brow and spoke up in a snobbish way. Amaryllis eyed the girl down, she watched as Ron grew red under the girl's gaze, he was embarrassed.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?" said the girl.

"Well, it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard. I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough. I'm Hermione Granger by the way. Who are you?"

"She's intense."

Ron's cheeks heated up in embarrassment as the girl spoke in a single breath. Amaryllis looked at her weirdly before turning to her new friend.

"Don't worry Ron, I've done a few spells before, and they haven't all worked either" she wanted to cheer up the boy who looked as deflated as a football.

"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron muttered. Susan smiled at the girl, putting her hand forward for Hermione to shake as she introduced herself.

"Susan Bones. Pleasure to meet you."

Hermione smiled at Susan, whispering back a 'pleasure' before she turned to Amaryllis who smiled nervously, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her top.

"Amaryllis Potter," said Amaryllis.

"Are you really?" said Hermione.

"I know all about you, of course. I got a few extra books, for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."

Most of the hall loomed at Amaryllis in intrigue, how had she defeated the dark lord? Lily looked annoyed, was her daughter even asked before they went ahead and put her in books?

"Am I?" said Amaryllis, genuinely curious as Susan wiggled her eyebrows at her causing the Potter girl to shudder uncomfortably.

Lily could only see red, she was pissed. She turned to Euphemia Potter, "Can they mention her in these books without her permission?"

Instead of Euphemia it was James who answered, "They can't. Its against the law."

"Goodness, didn't you know, I'd have found out everything I could if it was me," said Hermione.

"Do either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad. Anyway, I'd better go and look for Neville's toad. You three had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon."

The moment she exited their compartment, the three looked at each other, all of them shocked.

"That was interesting" Susan mumbled.

"You mean she was interesting."

Before they realized, the train had pulled up to Hogsmeade station and everyone lined up on the platform.

Amaryllis' stomach lurched with nerves and Ron, she saw, looked pale under his freckles. Susan didn't look the best either as she played with the ends of her hair as she bit into her lips.

People pushed their way toward the door and out onto a tiny, dark platform. Amaryllis shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Amaryllis and Susan heard a familiar voice.

"First years! First' years over here! All right there, Amaryllis, Susan?" Rubeus Hagrid was the gamekeeper at Hogwarts. The two had briefly met him at Diagon Alley when they went to shop for their supplies. He was also on the same cart as them during their visit to Gringotts. Hagrid's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads.

Hagrid blushed as he came on screen. A few students cheering for the half giant causing him to duck and hide his face.

"C'mon, follow me. any more first' years? Mind your step, now! First' years follow me!" Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much. Neville, the boy who kept losing his toad, sniffed once or twice.

"Ye' all get your firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec" Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

Everyone turned to where Hagrid was pointing, there were gasps and hushed whispers of excitement as Amaryllis and Susan walked with their arms intertwined.

"Its beautiful." Ilaria breathed out as she stared at the castle. She wished she could go back to being a first year, when she was oblivious to the horrors outside the four walls of the castle.

"Oh, we'll see their sorting!" Avalon gushed as her, Emerson and Lily grinned before talking in hushed voices, predicting the sorting.

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black take. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Amaryllis, Susan, and Ron were followed into their boat by Hermione Granger, the bushy haired girl from the train.

"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself.

"Right then, FORWARD!" And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads, and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.

Trevor!" cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands. Susan smiled at the boy who was finally reunited with his pet. Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, Oak front door.

"Everyone here? You there, still got your toad?" Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Amaryllis's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.

"The first years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the whole of the first floor in the east wing of the Song Palace in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Amaryllis could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right -the rest of the school must already be here, but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

The girl finally spotted Atria, Isaac and Emery who stood not too far from her. Isaac was the only who had seen her, and he waved, a cheeky grin on his face making her chuckle but she covered it when Professor McGonagall turned to her.

"For being the only boy in their group, Isaac is really close to the girls." Amalthea says to her brother and Evan, who nod as they both look at Amalthea.

"What?"

The two boy shake their head and when the girl turns back to the screen, they sigh in relief with wide eyes.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall.

"The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts.

You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards.

While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor.

I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

The professor's eyes moved to Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose. Amaryllis nervously tried to flatten her hair.

"Your hair is fine, Amary! Leave it alone." Susan scolded as she watched Amaryllis harshly comb through her hair. Pouting at Susan, the girl who lived dropped her hand to her sides, standing along with the other first years.

Professor McGonagall had left them a while ago and Ron turned to them looking pale and scared.

"Fred said that we would have to do a test, that's what sorts us."

Amaryllis felt bad for the boy who seemed to be naïve and fell for everything his prankster brothers said. Susan patted his shoulder in comfort as she shook her head.

"There's no test, Ron. Vivian told us that it was nothing to worry, and we don't need to do anything."

Ron seemed to relax but his face was still pale as he tapped his foot against the flooring nervously. He nearly jumped when Atria shouted Amaryllis' and Susan's name.

"Amary! Susan! And red headed boy I don't know" Atria Black looked enthusiastic as she slung her arm around Amaryllis' shoulders and pecked both the girls' foreheads. Emery smiled at Ron as she introduced all three of them.

Everyone laughed as Ron flinched at Atria's loud voice. Molly and Arthur smiling fondly at their son, shaking their heads.

"Ignore her, I'm Emery, the one glaring at you is Isaac, my brother and the unruly four-year-old is Atria."
"Nice to meet you? I'm Ron" his greeting came out more as a question as Ron looked at Isaac wearily.

Isaac stared at Ron, scaring Weasley, who moved further towards the two girls he called friends. Narrowing his eyes at Ron, Isaac finally nodded, turning to Amaryllis and Susan and he gave them a nod of approval causing the girls to exchange looks of amusement.

Countless first years gasped, causing the group of six to look around. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing.

What looked like a fat little monk was saying, "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance."

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not even a ghost I say, what are you all doing here?"

A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years. Nobody answered. "New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them.

"About to be Sorted, I suppose?" A few people nodded mutely. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house, you know."

Amaryllis didn't get time to really think about the sorting as a blonde-haired boy stepped closer to her, two other rather plump looking boys following behind him. His blonde hair was gelled back, and Amaryllis wondered if he would ever be able to remove all that gel.

"So, is it true what they're saying? Amaryllis Potter is in Hogwarts."

Amaryllis could swear she heard Atria mumble 'fan behavior' as both her and Emery frowned at the blonde. The blonde boy shot a glare at Atria, "Cousin, I'd say it's a pleasure, but mother taught me not to lie."

Atria looked impressed, as she stared down the boy Amaryllis, now recognized as Draco Malfoy, the boy Atria always complained about.

"Yes, I am Amaryllis." said Amaryllis. Draco was looking at the other boys. Both were thickset and looked extremely mean. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.

"Oh, this is Crabbe, and this is Goyle." said the boy carelessly, noticing where Amaryllis was looking. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco Malfoy looked at him. Susan stepped on his foot with a light glare, "That was rude, Ron." She whispered into Ron's ear, the boy muttering a small apology.

Narcissa frowned at the screen, she saw how her son looked embarrassed, his eyes twitched, it was something she did herself. He looked like he did not want to even talk to them.

"Think my name's funny, don't you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." He turned back to Amaryllis.

Molly and Arthur turned red at the mention of their family situation. They weren't poor currently and had enough to raise their five children, but Molly reckoned with seven children and all of them growing up, it would have made a big dent on their savings.

She'd make sure this time around her children weren't embarrassed by their financial situation. She would work hard for them.

"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go to make friends of the wrong sort. I can help you there." He held out his hand to shake Amaryllis', but Amaryllis didn't take it.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort is for myself, thanks." she said coolly. Draco Malfoy didn't go red, but a pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks.

"YOU TELL HIM, PRONGSLET!"

Isaac smirked proudly at Amaryllis, all of them watching Draco walk away. The Winters boy held his fist out which Amaryllis met her fist with.

"Look at you stand up for yourself!"

"Draco is a prick but he's not usually this rude." Atria mumbled to herself as she watched Draco, his fists clenched and posture tense.

Naricssa seemed to be the only one who had realized what Atria said and she took a quick glance at her husband with calculative eyes. He wouldn't be mentally abusive on their son, would he? She surely hoped she wasn't the reason.

"Move along now," said a sharp voice.

"The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.

"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."

Feeling oddly as though her legs had turned to lead, Amaryllis got into line behind Susan, with Ron behind her, and they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.

Amaryllis had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver.

Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Amaryllis looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars.

She heard Hermione whisper, "Its bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."

She had read the book too when she received her Hogwarts letters. Unlike her friends, Amaryllis never grew up listening to tales about Hogwarts. That was mainly because she grew up switching between Busan and London. Her grandparents didn't study at Hogwarts, so she knew close to nothing about the school other than from Vivian's tales and books.

Avalon smiled at the mention of her home, a giddy look in her face as she thought about telling her parents that she was pregnant.

"You live in South Korea?" James asked, causing the girl to nod.

"I am from Busan, but my parents own a house here. They visit for Christmas, and I go to Busan for summer."

Professor McGonagall brought out a four-legged stool and a hat. The hat was dirty, patched and frayed and looked like something her grandmother would never keep at home.

Surprising her and everyone else, the hat began to sing. She turned to Susan who looked like she had seen a ghost. They both giggled as Ron muttered about wanting to kill his brother Fred for lying to him once again.

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said.

"Abbott, Hannah!" A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat. The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Amaryllis watched her sister smile Hannah Abbott, a bright smile on her face as she sat with a boy who looked older than her.

Amaryllis saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her. Professor McGonagall looked at the parchment again as a small smile made its way to her face and it disappeared just as quickly as she called out the next name.

"Black, Atria!"

All of them look at the curly-haired girl who blows a kiss at Susan and Amaryllis and then salutes the Winters twins and Ron before she makes her way to the stool. The professor places the hat on top her head and it covers her curly hair.

The Black family leaned forward, Emerson not tearing her eyes from her daughter as Sirius whispered something along the lines of any house is okay.

The hat stays on her head for a while, nearly two minutes as Amary and Susan exchange looks with Emery and Isaac. But before they could even speak, the hat had made its decision.

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat yelled out and the table of emerald and silver clapped for their newest member. The four of them clap the loudest and seeing Ron's hesitation, Susan nudges him with a glare.

"YES! TAKE THAT SIRIUS!" Amalthea hadn't meant to shout but it was ironic that Sirius' daughter was in Slytherin after her oldest brother had done everything to not be a Slytherin.

"Bones, Susan!" Susan stilled at her name being called but beamed as Amaryllis pushed her front slightly. She turned to her friends including Ron and did a fake curtsy as she walked up to the stool.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to the Hufflepuff table but not before winking at Amaryllis. Vivian cheers for the girl as Susan sits next to her.

Everyone cheered for Susan, having grown fond of the girl as Claire pecked Edgar as he cheered for her.

"Finally, welcome to the best house ever, Susie!"

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!" The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them.

"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw too, but "Brown, Lavender" became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far left exploded with cheers; Amaryllis could see Ron's twin brothers catcalling.

"Bulstrode, Millicent" then became a Slytherin.

"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!" "HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Granger, Hermione!" Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head.

"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the hat. Ron groaned but Amaryllis didn't hear him. She had started fidgeting with her fingers and couldn't help but look pale at the thought of being sorted. Everyone knew which house they wanted to be in, but Amaryllis was clueless.

She didn't know if she had a preference, in her state of anxiety she didn't realize that Draco Malfoy had been sorted to Slytherin and Neville Longbottom had been sorted to Gryffindor.

"Potter, Amaryllis!"

Amaryllis looked like a deer caught in headlights as she nervously made her way to the stool, she couldn't think of anything. She didn't notice the words of encouragement Isaac mumbled or the smiles she received from Emery or Ron; she didn't even see Vivian beaming at her.

The moment the hat was placed on her head, she couldn't help but breathe erratically, she wondered if her heart had stopped breathing for a second. She didn't know how long it took but it should have been long considering the whispers she could hear. Everyone was staring at her including the teachers.

After what felt like ages, the hat seemed to have made its decision after fighting with Amaryllis.

"GRYFFINDOR!" she sighed out in relief as she stood up, walking straight to the table of red and gold, ignoring the cheers and applause.

"Little Prongslet is in Gryffindor!"

"We need to pass down the cloak to my Bambi and Prongslet and the map to them and Atria." James whispered to his friends, Sirius nodding.

"Should we make two more maps? So, each of them gets one? They aren't in the same house so sharing it will be hard." Sirius asked, Remus writing it down on his little notepad he had brought.

A little later Ron joined Amaryllis at the Gryffindor table and she relaxed, she had at least one friend with her.

Then there were three, Isaac, Emery and a dark-skinned boy who looked like he could be from some royal family. Professor McGonagall called out the next name and Amaryllis focused on the twins.

"Winters, Emery!" Emery grinned as she skipped to the stool, ready and awaiting her fate.

The hat didn't take any time to shout, "RAVENCLAW!"

Nico whistled as his daughter grinned and was congratulated by her new housemates.

"They're so grown up." Ilaria says, as she wipes away a few stray tears.

Isaac was the loudest to cheer followed by Atria who whistled for the girl.

"Winters, Isaac!" Isaac confidently takes a seat as the hat covers his eyes, he rolls his eyes as the hat starts talking, annoyed at how long the process was but he remained patient and it paid off when the hat made its decision.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Hufflepuff is just the superior house, Potter."

"Are you sure? Gryffindor is obviously the best."

Avalon glared at the boy, "Your daughter is in Hufflepuff." She said in a smug tone, Lily shaking her head at the two as James gaped at her.

"Hufflepuff and Gryffindor are both amazing."

"He has those two girls wrapped around his fingers and they aren't even born yet." Lily and Avalon laugh as James rambles about everything he wanted his daughters to experience.

Catalina smiled from the corner, this time around Vivian and Amaryllis will have their parents with them. James Potter would make an amazing girl dad.

WORD COUNT: 12447
AUTHOR'S NOTE: hey besties, welcome back to Hogwarts! Also is it only me or do you all just imagine James as a girl dad? Don't forget to leave comments and vote!