"Firs' years this way!" A very tall man boomed over the heads of the crowd.

"That's us," Marlene hurried towards the man, adjusting her robes as she did. Remus followed close behind her, glancing up at the night sky slightly anxiously as he did.

"Firs' years! Anymore firs' years?" The man asked again, "right, let's go."

He began walking away. The anxious crowd of first years hurried after him.

"Hello again Marlene- Marlene McKinnon." Sirius Black had appeared at her elbow. A large grin on his face.

"I get the feeling that you're going to annoy me," Marlene observed.

The boy shrugged, "I have that effect on people."

"Careful now the steps are a bi' slippy!" The giant man told them, "you'll get your first view of Hogwarts in a mo'."

They rounded a corner, and the crowd let out a collective, "oh!" Spires and turrets could be seen. The castle stood out as every single window seemed to have a light in it.

It was just as amazing as her parents had always described.

"Four to a boat!" The man told them as he climbed into a boat himself. Marlene found herself alone, as Sirius had pulled Remus over to where James waited with a shorted pudgier boy.

She spotted a red head girl and a boy climbing into another boat and went over to them.

"You don't mind if I join you?" Marlene asked.

"Not at all," the girl grinned. Marlene climbed into the boat and sat beside the girl. The boy did nothing but scowl at her and cross his arms. They were joined by a boy who introduced himself as Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"I'm Lily Evans!" The redhead girl said, "this is Severus Snape."

"Marlene McKinnon," Marlene grinned up at the school, "it's wonderful isn't it?"

"Definitely," Lily was also beaming up at the school.

********

The Great Hall was just as wonderful as the school had looked from the outside, with it's high ceiling that reflected the night sky. Marlene was so focused on the constellations that she could see on the roof that she missed the Sorting Hat singing and only came to her senses when people began being called up to be sorted.

"Black, Sirius," the teacher (who had introduced herself as Professor McGonagall) called. Sirius hurried to the front and was quickly sorted into Gryffindor. This made the hall collectively gasp. It seemed that they were all surprised that a Black had been sorted into a house other than Slytherin. "Evans, Lily," was also sorted into Gryffindor. As was "Lupin, Remus."

After Remus took his seat, McGonagall called, "McKinnon, Marlene."

Marlene made her way up to the stall on shaky legs and sat down. The hat was placed on her head and fell over her face.

Hmmm, a little voice said inside Marlene's head, making her jump slightly, there's a lot in here, but I think the best option is, "GRYFFINDOR!"

The hall exploded into applause and Marlene stood up, grinning massively and sat down at the Gryffindor table between Lily and Sirius. Marlene wished that she could see her father's face when he found out that Sarah had been right. Marlene was a Gryffindor.

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~Em xx