The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Cassiopeia knew that this was Professor McGonagall.

"The fir' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

Cassiopeia smirked, she loved being right.

"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 orphanage 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.

Cassiopeia let out an audible gasp, hand pressed to her chest. It was a sudden influx of magic, wild and fierce, multi-colored, wisping around her. The magic sang to her, beckoned her and brought a sense of comfort and warmth. Cassiopeia paid no mind to the questioning glances her friends shot her, instead she focused on the fluttering, swirling auras that emitted from the castle, seeping from the walls and very floors they were being led across. It was beautiful, graceful even, as if the magic had its own dance to a tune only it knew of.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Cassiopeia had a tight grip on Ginny and Astoria's hands, Luna grasping Ginny's other hand to keep them connected.

There was a drone of hundreds of voices drifting from a doorway to the right as they passed by. Professor McGonagall led them off into a small, empty chamber off the hall, crowding them into it as they all stood closely and peered around nervously.

"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."

Cassiopeia liked the sound of that. She had never had a family, not really. Harry was her brother, no doubt about that, but she had only had him in her life for a few years. She had never known the love of a father. A mother's gentle touch and caress. Even if her parents truly were still alive, they hadn't wanted her. They had left her to die on the streets. No, it was better Cassiopeia didn't think that way. It was better to think them dead than to fathom the idea that she had been abandoned. It hurt less.

"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."

Professor McGonagall paused, eyes sweeping through the crowd as if she could pick out the troublesome students just by appearance. Her eyes seemed to land on Cassiopeia, who sent a shy smile to the Professor, best not to get on her bad side before I'm even sorted , who cast a second glance at her, eyes widening slightly as she stumbled back. It was a small motion, discrete, and those who hadn't been paying avid attention to the Professor would have missed it.

Unfortunately, two pairs of nearly identical silver gray eyes had caught the movement. Cassiopeia tilted her head, what was that about?

Professor McGonagall quickly looked away, collecting herself as she continued her speech. "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."

Her eyes lingered back onto Cassiopeia, face twisted into something akin to regret and sorrow, before she turned away.

"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."

She left the chamber and immediately the first years began to talk amongst themselves.

"What was that about?" Astoria questioned, turning to Cassiopeia. "With Professor McGonagall, there at the end."

"No idea," Cassiopeia said, looking back at the spot where the Professor had stood.

"She looked taken aback to see you," a somewhat familiar tenor rang out behind them, startling Cassiopeia who stumbled in her step to whirl around.

"Corvus!" She scowled. "Don't do that!" Heart calming, Cassiopeia glared at the older boy who was accompanied by two others on either side of him.

"Sorry," he wasn't sorry and the amused smirk on his lips said so.

Huffing, the smaller girl turned, only to pout when she saw Ginny and Luna looking at her in amusement.

"This isn't fair." Cassiopeia cried jokingly. "I've only just met you and yet you all seem to enjoy teasing me." She clutched her hands close to her heart.

Ginny snorted. "No one is falling for the innocent act, Peia."

Straightening, Cassiopeia gave Ginny a haughty look, "I'll have you know that I get away with quite a lot with this look, thank you."

Rolling his eyes Corvus drew the ravenette's attention back to himself. "Peia, this is Heir Nicholas Macnair, and Heir Caelum Crouch. Gentleman, this is Cassiopeia Doe."

Nicholas Macnair was a tall boy, standing shoulder to shoulder with Corvus. His blonde hair was shaggy appearing, ruffled, but in a neat way that complimented his blue eyes. He bowed at the waist, nodding to Cassiopeia and smiling when she curtsied in turn.

Caelum Crouch was Nicholas's opposite. He was slightly shorter than the other two boys, only about an inch or so taller than Cassiopeia. He had raven hair that curled around his ear and parted to the side, a few locks seeming to fall over his left eye. His eyes were fascinating to Cassiopeia, much more so than Blaise's violet ones. They seemed to switch colors, from an earthy brown, to honeysuckle, and back again.

He too bowed at the waist, offering Cassiopeia a hand as she rose from her courtesy. A light blush overtook her cheeks and Corvus stared at the pair with narrowed eyes.

"Gentleman, this is Ginny Weasley and Heiress Luna Lovegood." Cassiopeia knew they would've already known Astoria. "Pleased to meet you all."

After the introductions the group began to discuss the sorting.

"I think we've been surrounded by future snakes, Luna," Ginny jokes, nudging Cassiopeia gently.

"All good, none of them seem infested by nargles," Luna hummed while the others blinked and exchanged confused glances.

Cassiopeia beamed, "Now we just need a Puff!"

"What do you mean Peia?" Astoria questioned, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.

"Well we're likely to be in Slytherin, Ginny is a for-sure Gryffindor and Luna is likely to be in Ravenclaw. We just need to collect a Hufflepuff and we'll have a full set!"

The others stared at Cassiopeia.

"What?"

And continued to stare, Ginny's jaw slack.

"What did I say?"

Luna seemed to be the only normal person in the group and simply nodded along to Cassiopeia. "A full set as one."

"Exactly!" Cassiopeia shook her head in exasperation at the others. Only to jump about a foot in the air and cower slightly when several people behind her screamed.

"What the-?"

She gasped. So did the people around her. Astoria gripped Cassiopeia's hand tightly, her paling form slowly regaining color.

"I know Ron and Harry explained it -" Ginny breathed.

"But it's different actually seeing it." Cassiopeia finished, her heart still racing and palms sweaty.

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 it, he's not really 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.

A sudden flash broke the students out of their stupor as the ghosts flew back slightly.

"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them, not bothered by the sudden beam of light. "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."

"Move along now," said a sharp voice making Cassiopeia flinch slightly. "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."

Cassiopeia got into line behind Astoria, Ginny behind her, and kept their hands interlocking. They all needed a bit of comfort. Is Harry already sitting at the Gryffindor table? Can I see him from there?

The Great Hall was 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.

Cassiopeia tried to find Harry amongst the table dotted with red, but she couldn't stand still long enough to get a good look.

The 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 there, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them.

No pressure here Cassiopeia snarked. She'd be a lot more nervous if she hadn't already known how the sorting would be conducted. Thankfully the copy of Hogwarts: A History she had gotten detailed this aspect, preparing her mentally for the ceremony.

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 a misty silver.

Looking up, Cassiopeia saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. Immediately the tension left Cassiopeia's body. She could already make out the body of three constellations, offering her a bit of comfort. The moment Cassiopeia's third grade teacher had told her about her name being a constellation, Cassiopeia had soaked up any knowledge related to the stars like a sponge. For some reason the night sky was always Cassiopeia's choice of comfort. It was like the twinkling stars knew her and tried to give her some peace of mind when she gazed at them.

Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.

For a few seconds, there was complete silence.

Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth — and the hat began to sing:

" Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

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.

Cassiopeia thought all of the Houses sounded appealing, she wouldn't mind being sorted in any of them. It was a wonder the Wizarding World thought badly of Slytherins. After all, wouldn't someone want true friends over fakes?

Besides, it's not like any one student embodied only the characteristics of a single house. The Sorting Hat picked a student's house based on the characteristics it saw in the student and prioritized the ones the student found to be most relevant. That never meant a Hufflepuff wasn't studious, a Gryffindor wasn't sneaky, a Snake wasn't loyal, or a Ravenclaw wasn't chivalrous.

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. "Adams, Lacy."

A blonde girl with her hair up in a high ponytail stepped forward. She cast a reassuring smile to the other first years taking a deep breath before sitting on the stool.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Sorting Hat called out. The table filled with yellow ties cheered, welcoming the new student to their den.

"Avery, Lysandra."

There were whispers following the timid brunette, her hair in a single braid flowing down her back.

"Avery?"

"Gasper Avery's daughter - she is!"

Cassiopeia listened curiously, was her family important? The Slytherins seated looked particularly invested in the girls sorting, watching with avid attention. Cassiopeia swore she saw two older students glare at the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor table - where many of the whispers were coming from.

"SLYTHERIN!" Lysandra Avery hurried to the table decked in green, a scattered applause following her down to the table.

"Bourgess, Anastasia."

A pink-cheeked girl skipped up the stairs.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Again, cheers rang out through the Great Hall.

"Burkes, Matthew."

A brown haired boy walked calmly up the stairs. Cassiopeia only saw a glimpse of blue eyes before the Sorting Hat was placed on his head.

"RAVENCLAW!" The blue-tied table burst into applause, clapping the boy on the back as he took a seat.

"Cassidy, Emily."

A blonde haired girl in front of Cassiopeia let go of another girl's hand, walking forward.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Cassiopeia noticed that the Sorting Hat was different with each student. Some, the Hat immediately sorted, while others took longer.

"Creevy, Colin."

A small yelp was heard from behind Cassiopeia as a small blonde haired boy emerged from the crowd. He was a muggleborn, that much was obvious to Cassiopeia by the camera hanging from the boy's neck. That's what made the flash earlier Cassiopeia realized.

He sat on the stool, legs swinging back and forth.

A minute later and there were some mutterings heard across the hall.

"Creevy? Was that what McGonagall said?"

"Reckon he's a halfblood?"

"Maybe a muggleborn?"

The whispers increased both in volume and speculation as another minute passed.

"What's happening?" Cassiopeia whispered to Astoria and Ginny, watching as the other first years began to grow restless with nerves watching Colin Creevy.

"If he passes the five minute mark, Colin Creevy will become the first Hat Stall in nearly twenty years," Astoria replied, eyes fixated on the Hat.

"The only known hatstalls in recent years were Professor McGonagall and another student, Peter Pettigrew, I think his name was," Ginny added. "Bill once told me."

What makes a hatstall? Professor McGonagall is a master in her field, did it have to do with magical prowess?

The five minute mark came and went, the Great Hall returning to silence as they watched with rampant attention.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat screamed at last. The applause was instantaneous, thundering claps and cheers erupting from all tables as Colin Creevy, befuddled but happy, made his way to the table dotted with red ties.

"Crouch, Caelum." Caelum dislodged himself from their group, his shoulders hunching as whispers broke out across the Hall again.

"Crouch?"

"Barty Crouch's son."

"That's him!"

"SLYTHERIN!" Cassiopeia watched, concerned, as Caelum quickly made his way to the Slytherin table amongst scattered applause. When sat, he looked up, hazel eyes locking with her own gray. She smiled, giving him a thumbs up, and turned away after he had smiled back at her, returning to his cheerful demeanor.

"Court, Justin."

A boy with curly black hair walked up, his robes hanging off of one shoulder.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The red and gold table cheered loudly, Cassiopeia flinching slightly, unprepared for the various yelling of welcomes.

"Diggory, Connor."

A blonde boy with hair past his ears walked up, looking out at the Hufflepuff table. He must've seen what he was searching for because he smiled, figure relaxed as the Hat was placed on his head.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Again, the Hall broke into applause. Rather than sit with the other first years immediately, Cassiopeia noticed Connor Diggory stopping to hug an older student at the table, the older boy ruffling his hair before sending him on to sit with the others.

"Doe, Cassiopeia."

Cassiopeia squeezed Astoria and Ginny's hands, breathing out shakily. Her heart thundered wildly as she heard whispered reassurance from her friends. Corvus squeezed her shoulder as she moved to walk forward, the warmth of his magic soothing her nerves briefly.

Looking out at the Hall, Cassiopeia searched for emerald eyes, hoping to find Harry. Where is he?

Cassiopeia gave the Professor a shaky smile, small, but nonetheless a smile before looking forward.

Her heart pummeled, despair setting in right before the Hat was dropped on her head and her vision obscured.

He's not there.

"My, what a brilliant mind!"

Cassiopeia startled, finger's clenching the sides of the stool she sat on.

"Apologies my dear, I have told the Professors they ought to warn students about that." The Hat's voice was croaky, with a slight breathiness and raspiness that soothed Cassiopeia rather than frightened her.

"It's alright Mr. Hat." Cassiopeia thought, trying to distract herself from the gut clenching feeling of her heart hurting.

"Most students would be happy to be here," Mr. Hat spoke softly to her.

Cassiopeia could feel him digging into her head, it didn't hurt, it was more like a gentle rummaging, picking apart discarded boxes, peaking in them, and then moving to the next.

"He's not here." Cassiopeia didn't mean for the whimper to pass her lips. She couldn't help the traitorous tears building behind her eyes.

"Sometimes, things are meant to happen," Mr. Hat spoke almost knowingly, forlorn edging in his tone. "Mr. Potter would be here if he could."

"How did you -" Cassiopeia tilted her head, taking the Hat with her motion.

"Ah! It's all here!" Mr. Hat chortled. "Mr. Potter means quite a lot to you."

"Of course he does!" Cassiopeia snapped defensively. "He's mine."