As they entered the Great Hall for the Welcome Back feast, Remus spotted the stool at the front of the hall upon which sat the tattered Sorting Hat. It was not completely unheard of to have a sorting aside from the First Years’ at the beginning of first term but it was unusual. There had only been two other transfers in the four and a half years they had been at Hogwarts and those had both been the result of family deaths. The first was a Hufflepuff currently in sixth year. He had arrived in his fourth year after his mum, who had been home schooling him, died in a water accident when she was attacked by a kelpie. The other had arrived a year ago and was now a Slytherin fourth year. Remus didn’t know the whole story, but his mum had brought him to London after his father died somewhere in South America where they had been living. He wondered what the circumstances surrounding Lindi’s arrival might be.

“Looks like you were right, Moony,” said Sirius also noting the presence of the Sorting Hat. “If she’s as smashing as you and Peter say, I hope she sorts into Gryffindor.”

They settled into their usual seats and noticed the staff was all in place with the exception of Professor McGonagall. She would be escorting Lindi for her sorting. He heard the large doors open and saw the professor enter, as Professor Dumbledore rose and walked to the podium. He stood there smiling pleasantly as the students slowly stopped their murmuring. It took longer than usual since there was a great deal of it centered on the dark-haired beauty following nervously behind Professor McGonagall.

“Holy crap!” whispered Sirius as he looked back at Remus. “You weren’t kidding. Please let her sort into Gryffindor!” 

“Amen!” added Peter.

She kept her head facing straight in front of her and only looked around with her eyes. Remus noticed many raised eyebrows and devilish grins being passed among the male population and more than a few smirks amongst the females. He suddenly felt sorry for her having to be so isolated at such a nerve wracking time. He was thankful he had been part of an entire class during his sorting. Having the whole school watching for the moment he was under the hat had been bad enough. When she and McGonagall reached the front of the hall, the Headmaster raised his hands to silence everyone.

“Good evening and welcome back. I hope you all had a pleasant Holiday. Before we get to our feast, we will be having the sorting of a new student who will be joining our fifth years,” he said. 

Remus was stunned. He had been sure she was older than fifth year. She just didn’t look like she would be his age…or younger.

“Miss Lindinara Dellington comes to us from Bukalara School of Witchcraft in Australia. I would ask that you all make her feel welcome,” Dumbledore continued as Lindi stood glancing nervously around at the staring faces.

“I’ll do my best to make her feel welcome,” said Sirius under his breath as James snickered.

“And those in her new house, I’m sure, will help her adjust to life at Hogwarts and fill in any course work gaps that may occur due to differences in school curricula. Now, Miss Dellington, I believe the Sorting Hat has something to say to you and then you may be sorted.”

She looked at Professor Dumbledore as if he were mad and then at the hat warily. When the hat opened its eyes and smiled at her, she let out a small gasp and jumped back, almost knocking Professor McGonagall off balance. The on-looking students laughed as Lindi grimaced in embarrassment and apologized to the professor. Finally, the hat began its song.

To Hogwarts School you’ve made a journey
From far away down under.
Starting over is always difficult,
You fear that you will blunder.
To make the very best new start,
You must go where you belong.
And I can tell you where that is
For I have yet to be wrong.
In which house will you find your friends?
In loyal happy Hufflepuff 
Or ambitious Slytherin?
Will the new family you call your own
Be that of brave Gryffindor 
Where daring deeds are grown?
Or is it made of Ravenclaws?
I’ll answer if you put me on
To find your strengths and flaws.
For some are not a perfect fit
For one house or another.
Yet my job it is to sort you to 
The house you suit more than any other.

The students applauded as Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and motioned for Lindi to take a seat on the stool.

As she climbed on, she glanced up at the House banners hanging from the ceiling over each table. These were always on display for special occasions and a sorting, even for one student, would qualify.

Remus noticed her eyes widen slightly at the sight of the Slytherin banner. He wondered what she might be thinking or what she might have heard about the House of Slytherin.

McGonagall sat the hat on Lindi’s head and they waited. Remus now wondered what the hat was saying to her since she had started to chew her lower lip nervously. The sorting took longer than most, and he assumed it was due to her advanced year. At one point, the Sorting Hat actually seemed to snort with laughter. Finally, it shouted, “Ravenclaw!”

The Ravenclaw table erupted with applause, although Remus noticed not all the girls seemed that enthusiastic about their new housemate. Sirius and Peter moaned in disgusted disappointment.

“Ravenclaw? Crap!” groaned Sirius. “Why does a girl like that end up in Ravenclaw?”

“Well, maybe she actually has a brain. There are many pretty girls in Ravenclaw, you know,” answered Remus.

“Ahh, blast, what does a girl with a body like that need with a brain?” said Sirius.

“Bad luck, Padfoot,” said James with feigned consolation. “You might actually have to make an effort with her.”

“Yeah, you’ll have to wait until at least tomorrow,” added Peter.

Remus smiled knowing that Sirius probably would try to chat her up within the next few days. The smile faded as it occurred to him that he didn’t much care for the realization. He wondered if Sirius would recognize her as the girl from the Three Broomsticks. He considered the fact that Sirius had so many girls; he wasn’t nearly as likely to remember one from two years ago, when he’d only talked to her for a few minutes. Then he wondered if she would remember Sirius. Remus looked back over at Lindi who was now being welcomed to the Ravenclaw table, her uniform accented magically with the Ravenclaw blue. She was surrounded by a group of upper classmen, men being the key word. She looked slightly uncomfortable and worked her way down to a seat next to a group of girls and sat down. The feast began.

“Red would have looked so much better on her,” said Peter as he tucked into a bowl of mashed potatoes. 

“Yes, it would have. I always thought the mother of my children would be a Gryffindor,” Sirius said jokingly.

“The way you are going, she will be…and a Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuff…but, probably not a Slytherin,” said James as they all laughed.

“Are you disparaging my morals, Prongs?”

“Of course not, Padfoot…you know you don’t have any.”

Remus laughed along as he glanced back to the Ravenclaw table. It would have been nice having her in their house. Well, assuming she didn’t turn out to be a snooty witch. He had a feeling she wouldn’t since she had seemed nice enough earlier. But, Ravenclaw was alright. Unlike Sirius, he found a brain to be rather important. So she’s beautiful and smart!he thought as he bit back a grin. That was a combination Remus Lupin found very attractive. As if you would have a chance with a girl like that, he thought. But, it doesn’t hurt to dream…or just look.

The Marauders enjoyed the feast and caught up on each other’s holidays. Then, Sirius, James and Peter filled Remus in on the specifics of their battle with the Slytherins. 

“Maybe next time you’ll just let it go,” said Remus.

“You can’t be serious. We won!” cried Sirius.

“How can you consider an entire week of detention winning? Not to mention the hundred and fifty points you lost Gryffindor,” argued Remus.

“Yeah, well, Slytherin lost a fair few, too,” said James defensively.

Then, the conversation turned back to the new girl and a lot of racy talk from the young men. Remus found his gaze often drawn to her sitting quietly at the Ravenclaw table. She smiled now and then at something that was said, and Remus thought she looked rather shy. How can you look like that and still be shy? he wondered.

“Would you look at her…I can’t believe she’s just fifth year,” said James lustfully. “Look at those lips.” They were full, rosy, heart shaped lips.

“And those cheek bones,” added Peter.

“Those eyes,” said Remus, playing along. Of course, he did think they were amazing.

“Those bristols,” said Sirius, making the others laugh heartily as James practically snorted pumpkin juice out his nose. “I bet you five galleons I can get her in the broom cupboard within two weeks,” he said.

“You must be feeling humble if you think it’ll take you two whole weeks,” said James tauntingly. “You usually think you can do it in two days…scratch that—two hours!”

“Yeah, did you have a bad experience over the break, Sirius?” asked Peter.

“Feel the cold sting of rejection, maybe?” James asked, grinning wickedly at his friend.

“Are you kidding? You know I’m the one who does the rejecting,” Sirius said only half joking.

“Funny, but I don’t believe you’ve ever rejected a girl yet,” teased James. “You just can’t say no, you tart!”

“I say no plenty,” said Sirius haughtily. “So, the bet is five galleons on me…with her…in the broom cupboard…in less than two weeks. After all, I have detention all this week, don’t I? What do you say, Remus? You’re being awfully quiet. You didn’t want a shot at her did you? I mean, you did see her first.”

“What is she, a door prize? First one through wins?” Remus said lightly. “Besides, Peter actually saw her first.” If you don’t include the time you tried to chat her up two years ago.

“Too true…what say you, Wormtail? Care to take a challenge?” asked Sirius.

“You’re joking, right?” Peter said dismally.

“Fine, so the bet is five galleons. Are we on?” asked Sirius eagerly.

“I’ll take it,” said James. “Girl like that isn’t going to be interested in some fifth year, even if it is the heir to the noble house of Black.” 

Sirius snorted.

“That’s a good point, James,” said Peter. Peter could always be counted on to agree with James. “She probably only dates older men. Count me in.” 

“Oh, ye of little faith,” sighed Sirius. “Well, Remus?” 

“That’s too rich for my blood. Make it two and you’re on,” said Remus hoping she was as shy as she seemed. Of course, when you looked like she did, you probably had more dates in a month than he would have in his whole life. She did look much more mature than most her age, so James could be right. But, he’d never known Sirius to strike out with a girl yet. He had probably just made a really stupid bet.