The week before Marley was set to depart on the Hogwarts Express seemed to take longer than the week after she got her Hogwarts Letter. All she wanted to do was get on the crimson train she'd seen depart many times. She didn't remember it, but when Nymphadora went off for her first year, Andromeda said the young girl had cried and cried until supper that night, and almost nothing Ted or Andromeda did could stop her.

Now, however, Marley found herself near tears again—not from sadness, but from the sheer excitement of finally boarding the Hogwarts Express herself.

The morning of September 1st dawned crisp and clear, the air carrying the faint scent of dew and the promise of autumn. Sunlight filtered through the curtains in Marley's room, casting soft, golden rays over her school trunk, which sat open at the foot of her bed. Marley was wide awake, her mind buzzing with excitement.

She darted about her room, her slippers scuffing the floor as she double-checked her packing for what felt like the hundredth time. Textbooks? Check. Cauldron? Check. Wand? Check.

Downstairs, the smells of breakfast wafted through the house—freshly brewed tea, toast with butter, and the faint tang of marmalade. Marley hurried down the stairs, her emerald cloak swishing behind her, and skidded into the kitchen, where Andromeda was pouring tea into delicate porcelain cups.

Ted sat at the table, a half-eaten piece of toast in his hand and the Daily Prophet spread out before him. He looked up as Marley entered, chuckling as he took in her flushed face and wide grin.

"Dromeda, we've got a serious case of Hogwarts fever on our hands," Ted said upon seeing Marley bound down the stairs for breakfast. "If we're not careful, she might bubble over. We ought to get a move on. Do you have your trunk all packed Marley?"

The girl grinned and nodded. "Yep! I've been ready for years!" Marley exclaimed, plopping down into her seat and grabbing a piece of toast. Her green eyes sparkled with anticipation as she spoke between bites. "I packed everything last night. Double-checked this morning."

Andromeda set a steaming cup of tea in front of Marley and smiled. "You've thought of everything, haven't you? I'm impressed." She walked over to the counter and returned with an owl's cage. Inside was a black, regal, great-horned owl, her bright yellow eyes seeming to cast spotlights around the room where she looked. "Well, we have one final thing for you. We figured Ted and I both don't need our own owls, so you can have Morticia, here."

Marley gasped. Morticia had been Andromeda's owl for a long time, and Marley had grown quite a connection to the animal. Morticia tilted her head, her amber eyes fixing on Marley with an air of regal indifference.

Marley's hands trembled slightly as she took the cage, her face lighting up with awe. "Really? She's mine?"

"Of course, love, consider it a present for your first year. We love you, and we're so proud of you."

With no words, Marley attacked her two foster parents in a big hug. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice muffled against Andromeda's robes.

It wasn't shortly after that the trio set off to King's Cross Station where the Hogwarts Express would be arriving. Andromeda and Ted didn't think her jitters could get worse, but they did. She was nearly bounding the entire way to King's Cross Station, and it wasn't until Ted half-threatened to give Marley a sleeping draught that she stopped.

For the first time in eight years, the family arrived on Platform 9 ¾ early, and after Marley and Ted walked through the magical barrier, Ted inhaled deeply and smiled. "Ah, here early. A first for the Tonks family."

Every year that Nymphadora had attended Hogwarts, they were dreadfully late due to her forgetting one thing or another at the house, and Ted having to turn back to get them. For once, Andromeda was thrilled to mill around for a bit and visit with her friends.

"Go on, Marley," Ted said gently, giving her an encouraging nudge. "Load your trunk, and then we'll see you off properly."

Marley hesitated for a moment, but pushed her nervous thoughts aside as she focused on loading her trunk. A kind conductor helped her lift it onto the train, offering a polite "Safe travels, Miss" before disappearing into the crowd.

Marley stepped back and finally took a look at the big engine. The scarlet Hogwarts Express gleamed in the morning light, steam curling from its engine as students and parents milled about in every direction. The air buzzed with excited chatter, hooting owls, and the clatter of trunks being hauled onto the train.

Returning to Ted, Marley felt a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside her. She found Ted with an uncharacteristically serious look on his face.

"Where's Mum?" Marley asked, looking over his shoulder to find where the witch had gone.

"She's over talking to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Ted said, pointing over his shoulder but quickly dismissing it. Just as he said, Andromeda was talking to the Weasleys, and all three of them held the same serious look that Ted did. "I wanted to give you a word of warning before you set off on your big adventure. Your brother is very famous in the wizarding world, as you no doubt know. Even though the dark wizard he defeated is gone, doesn't mean his followers aren't still around. You are attending Hogwarts at the same time that their children will be attending Hogwarts, so you must be wary. If you want to meet your brother, I know you do, by all means. If you want to tell him who you are, I suppose that's alright too, but please be careful about who you reveal your true identity to. Potter is a very common last name, and I doubt anyone will bat an eye that you are a Potter. But if the enemy knows that you are Harry Potter's sister, you could be in great danger, do you understand?"

Marley swallowed thickly and looked over at Andromeda again. Fred, George, and Percy had joined the conversation with the three adults, and even the wild twins looked serious.

Marley blinked, confusion flickering across her face.

"You're just Marley Potter, a first-year like any other. Keep your head down about Harry, and no one will bat an eye. You'll be safe."

Andromeda joined them, placing a gentle hand on Marley's shoulder. "We're not asking you to keep secrets forever," she said softly. "But right now, safety is more important than anything else."

Marley swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. "I understand." She paused for a moment, but quickly added. "Is something happening? I've never seen you two look so... dark."

Ted smiled. It was a weak attempt at a smile, but nevertheless a smile. "No, dear, we just want you to be cautious is all. You'll do great things, you know."

"Thanks, Dad."

Ted smiled, his expression softening. "That's my girl. Now, let's get you on this train."

The train whistle blew.

"Write to us when you arrive, and let us know what house you get!" Andromed said, a smile tracing her face that comforted Marley slightly. "Morticia will always know her way home."

Marley smiled and hugged Andromeda. "Of course, Mum, I will." She hugged Ted and finally realized what negative emotion was connected with his smile. It was sadness.

"Remember what I told you, yeah?" Ted asked, patting Marley's cheek.

"Of course, Dad," Marley responded, and with one final look at the couple, she boarded the train.

The final whistle blew, signaling the train's imminent departure. Marley climbed aboard and turned to wave, her heart twisting as she watched Andromeda and Ted grow smaller and smaller as the train began to move.

As soon as she stood in the corridor, Marley realized she had no idea what to do. She didn't know too many young wizards, the Tonks' kept to themselves for the most part. At first, she thought about finding the Weasleys. She knew them, but after seeing what she saw on the platform, she wasn't sure she wanted to face any of the elder Weasleys right now. The next thought Marley had was going to find her brother, but she had absolutely no idea what he looked like, and it wasn't like she was going to go asking every male first year if he was Harry Potter. Finally, she decided to just wander the train until she found a compartment of first years.

It didn't take long, the train had just barely started to move, until she found three girls about her age sitting in the compartment.

She knocked lightly on the sliding door and then opened it. "Hi, do you mind if I join you? I don't know too many people..."

One of the girls, a redhead, smiled and nodded. "Sure, come in!"

As Marley sat down, she looked at the three girls, hoping to recognize one of them, but she didn't. Marley had sat down next to a blonde girl who looked about as excited as she did, as she was fidgeting anxiously with her hands. Across from them was the redhead girl who had been so welcoming, and next to her was another blonde girl, but she looked calm and almost regal and she sat tall in her seat.

"I'm Marley," the girl began slowly with a nervous laugh. "Sorry if I interrupted anything, I had just been standing in the corridor realizing how much my family keeps to themselves, and I don't really know anyone."

The blonde girl next to Marley grinned. "It's okay, me neither. I'm Hannah."

"I'm Susan," the redhead said with a wave.

"Daphne Greengrass," the last girl, a poise dirty-blonde added, extending her hand to Marley. "Pleased to meet you, Marley."

The girls chattered on as the train rode through the countryside. Hannah joked nervously about getting lost in the castle, earning a laugh from Susan, who promised to stick with her. Daphne, though quieter, contributed sharp-witted remarks that made the others giggle. They spoke about loads of things– the houses, Quidditch, what their families were like, in fact Marley found it rather easy to blend in, and as the train screeched to a stop in Hogsmeade Station, she prayed that she would not lose the friends she so quickly and easily made. Marley found herself relaxing, the weight of the morning's farewells and warnings easing with every laugh.

The Hogwarts Express screeched to a halt with a jarring hiss of steam, and the train seemed to shudder as it came to a full stop. Excited chatter erupted all around, and Marley felt her chest tighten with a mix of nervousness and anticipation. As the train doors opened, cool evening air rushed in, carrying with it the faint smell of pine and damp earth.

"This is it," Susan said breathlessly, gripping her satchel as she stood.

Hannah gave a nervous giggle, brushing imaginary lint from her robes. "What if we get lost before we even make it inside?"

Daphne rolled her eyes but adjusted her cloak with a touch of precision. "If we do, it'll be because none of you paid attention. Stick together, and we'll be fine."

Marley laughed softly as she followed her friends into the aisle, Morticia's cage tucked under her arm. The buzz of voices filled the narrow space as first-years squeezed past one another, all eager to disembark. When Marley finally stepped off the train, her breath hitched.

The station was bathed in the dusky glow of twilight, the towering silhouette of Hogwarts visible in the distance. Lanterns bobbed on poles, illuminating the busy platform. A sea of students in black robes had flooded off the train and onto the dark, cobblestoned platform. The four girls clung to each other's sides and older students swarmed around them, heading one way to a long line of carriages that awaited. They nearly followed them until a lantern appeared in the distance, accompanied by a loud, booming voice.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"

The booming voice belonged to a giant of a man standing just beyond the train. His wild beard glistened with moisture from the cool night air, and his lantern swung in his enormous hand, casting flickering light across the platform.

Hannah squeaked in fear, scrambling to grab onto Marley's sleeve. "He's enormous!"

"That's Hagrid," Susan whispered. "My aunt says he's lovely, but wait till you see him up close." Marley remembered Nymphadora telling her about this man, Hagrid, who was Hogwarts' gamekeeper, but that was about all she remembered.

His gaze swept across the crowd, and he muttered something under his breath. "Alright there, Harry?" Hagrid called again, and Marley froze.

Her head snapped toward Hagrid. Her heart pounded as she scanned the sea of faces, trying to spot who he was addressing. Her heart began pounding in her chest. She was so close to her brother, the brother she hadn't seen in nearly eleven years. He could even be standing right beside her and she wouldn't even know it. At that moment, she wondered if Harry knew he had a sister. Surely he did, right? Surely whoever had taken Harry in had told him that he wasn't the only child of Lily and James Potter.

"Marley," Hannah squealed, still scared of Hagrid and tugging at Marley's sleeve. "Are you coming?"

She hadn't even noticed that the group had started moving. With Harry still on her mind, Marley followed her new friends through the crowd of first years. They went down a steep path, and Marley nearly slipped and fell on her butt, but Susan caught her before she could hit the ground. Marley murmured a quick thanks, and they made it to the bottom of the path.

They had come out on the shore of a lake. The water stretched out before them, inky black and still as glass, reflecting the stars above. There were several small boats, fitted with lanterns, awaited them. Across the dark lake sat a large hill, and atop it was an even larger castle, a comforting glow of light emanating through its windows and into the darkness.

"Whoa..." Hannah and Marley whispered together.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, and clambered into a boat of his own. No one moved. "C'mon, git in now!"

Marley clambered into a small wooden boat with Susan, Hannah, and Daphne. The boat rocked slightly under their weight but steadied quickly as they settled into their seats.

The boats began to glide silently across the lake, propelled by an invisible force. The only sounds were the soft ripples of water and the occasional gasp from a first-year as the castle loomed closer.

There wasn't much talking. Everyone was looking up at the castle with awe, and the reflection of its light reflected in each of their wide eyes. Marley couldn't take her eyes off Hogwarts. It wasn't just a castle—it was a symbol of everything she had dreamed about, and now, it was nearly within reach.

"Where are we going?" Hannah whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft echo of water.

"Under the castle, I think," Daphne replied, her tone betraying just a hint of unease despite her usual composure.

The boats neared the castle and then vanished into a tunnel that seemed to go under the castle itself. The light from the lanterns bounced off the jagged rock walls until finally the boats ground to a stop on the gravel.

Everyone clambered out of the boats and onto the underground harbor.

The comforting light of Hagrid's lantern led them outside onto the damp grass and right up to the huge front doors of Hogwarts, made of dark wood and bound with iron, and flanked by flickering torches.

Hannah squealed quietly behind Marley, and Daphne patted her back, the corners of her own mouth turned up slightly in excitement.

"Everyone here?" Hagrid called, looking around. When no one replied with the news of a missing friend, Hagrid raised his giant fist and pounded on the large oak doors three times, the sound echoing like thunder.

The doors creaked open, and Professor McGonagall stood framed in the golden light of the entrance hall. She was a stern, black-haired witch walking towards them in flowing emerald robes, and Marley grinned. Ever since the first time the Tonks had McGonagall over to dinner, Marley had looked up to and admired the incredible witch.

"Thank you Hagrid," she said, her lips tightly pressed together. "I'll take them from here."

McGonagall spun around and began walking back into the castle, the first years nervously scuttling along behind her. The entrance hall was brilliant. It was large, with tall ceilings. The first-years fell silent, their eyes wide as they took in the towering ceilings and the flickering torches lining the walls. Marble staircases sat on either side, and directly across from them was another set of large doors. Hundreds of excited voices could be heard on the other side of them, and Marley could only guess that it was the rest of the students waiting eagerly for the sorting. However, instead of entering that way, McGonagall led them to a small room just off the side.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, her voice firm yet not unkind. "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."

She paused, her sharp eyes scanning the group. Marley felt her palms grow clammy under the weight of that gaze.

"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." Her eyes lingered on a few particularly disheveled boys at the front, who hastily began smoothing their hair, before she walked away and slipped into the Great Hall.

"Does my hair look alright?" Daphne asked, suddenly looking nervous. Her blonde hair was pulled into a bun with wisps of loose hair framing her face.

"Yes, you look beautiful," Susan said as she anxiously ran her fingers through her own hair. "We all do... right?"

Hannah grabbed the girl's hand. "Yes, we all do. We'll stay friends, right? Even if we end up in different houses?"

Marley let out a sigh of relief. "I was just hoping for the same thing. Yes, let's stay friends."

"Even if I end up in Slytherin?" Daphne asked. They all knew after the train ride that Daphne was the most likely to end up in the house of the snake. Her whole family had been, and Marley was getting a sneaking suspicion that Daphne was "the children of the dark wizard's supporters" that Ted had been talking about mere hours ago.

Susan nodded. "Even if you end up in Slytherin. It will be alright."

Suddenly, Hannah let out a scream, along with many others. Nearly transparent figures were drifting through the walls and towards the Great Hall.

The ghosts paid little attention to the first-years at first, chatting animatedly amongst themselves.

"I say, what're you all doing here?" One of them asked, cocking his head to the side in confusion.

No one spoke. Most of the first years were still terrified.

"New students!" the ghost exclaimed, finally getting the idea. "About to be sorted, I suppose."

A few of the children nodded, still staring at the ghosts agape.

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know!" The same ghost said.

"I thought the Sorting Hat was supposed to be the nerve-wracking part," Daphne muttered.

"I think the ghosts are brilliant," Susan whispered back.

Marley barely had time to reflect on the ghosts before McGonagall returned, her presence instantly commanding attention.

"Move along now," McGonagall snapped at the ghosts, having returned. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

Slowly, the ghosts drifted out of the room, leaving the students particularly paler than when they'd entered.

"Now form a line and follow me," McGonagall instructed. The first years did so and they were paraded into the Great Hall. Marley was between Daphne and Hannah, and now that she was in better light, she started looking around for someone who might resemble the pictures she'd seen of her mother and father. However it didn't help that half of the first years had their backs to her and she couldn't see their faces. She let out a defeated sigh, but it was quickly replaced with a gasp as they entered the Great Hall.

The first-years followed her into the Great Hall, their steps faltering as they took in the grandeur of the space.

Now Nymphadora had explained the Great Hall to Marley before, but seeing it in all its glory was just something else. There were four long wooden tables, filled with students in black robes, that stretched the length of the hall. On each table were empty plates, goblets, silverware, and bowls that looked almost eager to be filled with food. When Marley's eyes drifted up towards the ceiling, she nearly let out another gasp, because she could've sworn that the ceiling was non-existent. Instead, there was a starry sky, adorned with hundreds of floating candles, and Marley wondered for a brief moment if any of the candles' wax ever dripped into the students' food.

Directly in front of them was another long table, sitting perpendicular to the rest, and at it were seated the staff in their multicolored robes. They all had pleased smiles on their faces as they watched the little first years look around in awe and then stop at the top of the hall.

Before them sat an unstable looking three-legged stool, and what looked like a patchwork hat that Marley believed might've seen one too many sorting ceremonies.

The room fell silent as the Sorting Hat came to life, its brim opening like a mouth as it began to sing a song about the virtues of each house.

It sang for a good few minutes. The hat mentioned each house; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, and the benefits of being in each house. It sang of the glory and skills of the person who might land in each of the four houses, and when it finally closed its brim, the hall exploded in cheers.

McGonagall stepped forward, unrolling a long scroll, and she cleared her throat loudly, silencing the students.

Marley's heart thudded in her chest.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah."

Hannah's eyes widened. Marley gave Hannah's hand a quick squeeze and an encouraging nod before the girl made her way to the hat. She sat down and the hat was placed upon her head, nearly covering her eyes.

About twenty seconds later, the hat had made its decision.

"Hufflepuff!"

Susan, Daphne, and Marley cheered almost as wildly as the Hufflepuff table while Hannah made for her new seat.

"Bones, Susan!"

Suddenly, Susan turned almost as red as her hair, but quickly brushed it off as she walked up to the sorting hat. She as well was quickly placed into Hufflepuff after a few moments of deliberation from the hat.

Marley suddenly felt herself yearning to be in Hufflepuff as well.

The list of students went on and Marley felt her hands beginning to shake. Daphne kept casting her worried looks, but Marley wasn't paying attention. As the crowd of first years was thinning out, Marley was again looking for someone who might bear even the tiniest of resemblance to her parents.

Next Daphne was called, and Marley gave her a comforting look. She knew Daphne was anxious about being in Slytherin. Her family expected it, but no part of Daphne wanted to be in that house. Daphne approached the stool hesitantly, her face pale. After several long minutes, the hat opened his brim and declared that Daphne was to be in Slytherin.

Daphne looked as regal as ever as she made her way over to the table, but Marley knew inside she was probably regretting ever coming to this school. Marley looked back at Hannah and Susan who looked just as sorry for the girl.

More students were called up and sorted into their houses before finally Marley heard the one name she'd been aching to hear the entire night.

"Potter, Harry!"

Whispers broke out among the hall, but Marley was speechless.

A young, scrawny boy with messy black hair and glasses slowly made his way to the sorting hat, and Marley cursed herself for not recognizing him before. She had seen him on the platform, passed his compartment on the train, and her eyes had drifted over him several times when looking for him. He looked exactly like the pictures of their father.

Harry sat under the hat for a few moments, his hands gripping the edge of the stool anxiously. He seemed to be muttering something under his breath, but Marley couldn't make out what it was. Finally, the hat seemed satisfied.

"Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers, but Marley barely noticed. Her mind raced, her emotions swirling as she tried to process the sight of her brother.

Marley let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding. Maybe she could be in Gryffindor, just like Nymphadora said. Maybe she'd get to be in the same house as her brother.

"Potter, Marlene!"

The sound of her own name pulled her back. Just as Ted had predicted, no whispers were heard at her name. In fact, no one even batted an eye at the name "Potter". She stepped forward, her legs trembling, and sat on the stool as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.

"Ah, hello Miss Potter, I've been anxious to meet you," the Sorting Hat hissed into her ear. "Now that I've sorted your brother, I've been thinking long and hard about where you should belong. I could place you in Gryffindor with him. I'm sure you'd like that, to get to know the brother you never knew." Marley's thoughts whirled. Gryffindor? she thought, imagining Harry sitting at the Gryffindor table.

But you've got your own path to walk. There seems to be a strong pull in your heart to be in Hufflepuff. Could it be that two of your friends are already in that house? Or could it be because that's where you truly belong." Hufflepuff, Marley thought, the faces of Susan and Hannah flashing in her mind, along with the stories Nymphadora had told her.

"So there's the question; your deep desire to know your brother, or your desire to be loved by friends who have already accepted you. All this desire and perhaps you belong in Slytherin!" Marlene's eyes widened. "Just joking. I don't normally joke often, but it's fun to throw student's off," the Sorting Hat quipped. "But I think I've figured you out, Miss Potter. Better be... Hufflepuff!"

The last word echoed through the hall and Marley leapt off the stool, a smile crossing her face.

The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers.

"Yay!" Hannah exclaimed as Marley sat down between her and Susan, and the redhead girl gave her a side hug, to which Marley was slightly taken aback. However, she melted into it, quickly realizing that she had indeed made friends. She was so caught up in being welcomed to her new house that she didn't even notice Harry Potter watching her from the Gryffindor Table with wide eyes.

. . . . . . . . . . 𝙖𝙗𝙗𝙮 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 . . . . . . . . . .

Aaaaand she's a Hufflepuff! I thought about having her be a Gryffindor, but I'm a Hufflepuff and wanted her to be. Also it lends to keeping her close with Hannah and Susan which is very important for the story!

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do. Vote, comment your thoughts, and share with your friends!