The great hall was breath taking at first glance but I didn't have time to study it. The headmistress led us to the center of the hall to a stool. On the rough wooden stool was placed and equally rough look brown hat. I stared dubious at the hat, faded and patched in places it looked like the least magical item in the room. This was the famous sorter that would decide our fates? I wasn't convinced.

The first student to be called was a mousy boy with dark black hair. Nervously he came and sat on the stood as the hat was placed on his small head. He was promptly placed in "SLITHEREN!" This process was repeated several times. The student being called up, s the hat being placed on there head, the hat sorting them and the corresponding house erupting in cheers. "Ottermam, Elizabeth." Professor McGonagall called. I swallowed sure that I would be next.

I watched tensly as the tall blonde girl was placed in 'Hufflepuff'. Please let me be in Gryffindor, I begged. Please. I have to admit a part of me really expected to be placed in Gryffindor. I mean with a family like mine where every member has been in it for almost three generation, you come to expect it. The girl, 'Elizabeth' had arrived at her table where Hufflepuff students where congratulating and introducing her.

"Potter, Lilian." The room quieted instantly before irrupting into whispers. I froze. McGonagall's eyes found me in the crowd of first years and she raised an eyebrow. I swallowed and gently pushed my way to the front. My footsteps seemed to echo loudly on the marble floor as I sat hesitantly on the stool. McGonagall placed the hat lightly on my red head.

"Well, well what do we have hear? Another Potter?" The hat mused out loud. I heard snickering break out just as the whispers had done. "Where to put you, where to put you?" Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffindor, I chanted in my head. Dad always said the hat takes your vote into consideration.

"Gryffindor,hmm? Your family certainly has taken a liking to that... What about Hufflepuff? I see you have many traits that would suit you to it. Caring, obedience..." I cringed. NOT HUFFLEPUFF, I thought hard.

"Not Hufflepufff? Hmm, Ravenclaw then? They would look after you...top grades there is what I predict..." He mused. (Can a hat be a he?) "Now Gryffindor is what you want, yes, I can see you there, the fifth Potter to be sorted there...It's famous for your family." Yes! I mentally crowed.

"Ah, but then there's always Slitheren..." The hat trailed off. "What's this?" It exclaimed and suddenly a blinding pain pounded through my head. In a flash I was running for my life. My pursuers were closing in... "Ello Sweat'eart." Greyback purred... The wand was drawn up my jaw..."Crucio." "STUPIFY!"

"STOP!!!" I screamed and my eyes snapped open. The hat was silent. The room was like death itself and I realized my cheeks were wet and flushed. Headmistress McGonagall was staring at me her hand lightly resting on her wand. Slowly my heartbeat returned to normal and I adjusted my place on the stool. Gryffindor, please, Gryffindor. Then the hat spoke loud and clear, so that everyone in the hall could here.

"A child will come forth with power great surrounded by enemies on all sides. Friend and foe she will not know time is not on her side. The darkness she will defeat or be crushed beneath the enemies feet. Doom is upon us all. The enemy waits for its feast." The hat went silent. My mouth went dry.

"Beware, Lilian Potter, I believe you will face many trials." The hat spoke quietly in my ear. "And now..." My pulse quickened. Please, let it be Gryffindor. I just wanted to curl up and cry in the cozy common rooms. I wanted Albus to tell me I had imagined this whole wretched experience in my head. I wanted him to tell me that the whole school had not seen my mental melt down or what appeared to be a prophesy about me. I wanted this day to be over. The hat clear it's voice. This had to be the longest sorting ever. The students stared at me and the hat made its choice...

"SLITHEREN!!!"