I Can Do It with a Broken Heart- J.P.

The Sorting

The doors to the great hall opening is just as magical this time as it was the first time around. All the older students were sitting at their tables with the teachers up on the dais. Chatter floated around the room while everyone waited for the sorting ceremony to start. Candles were floating near the magical ceiling giving the room a warm glow. I was once again squished between James and Sirius. Sirius was so excited he was practically vibrating. James on my other side was equally terrified as he was excited. Without even noticing it, he gripped my hand waiting in anticipation to find out how we would be sorted. We walked up to the dais as Minnie stopped us, "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."

The old coot stood up and started blathering on. I took that as my queue to look around as I didn't give a rat's arse about what he had to say. As I looked around, I noticed many familiar faces that were adults in my old time from both the order and death eaters. I tucked those names away to think about later when I began plotting again. Dumble's must have finally shut up since Minnie abruptly stopped my train of thought when she called out again.

"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head... and you will be sorted into your houses." Minnie held up the sorting hat and a long piece of parchment, she started calling the first years alphabetically. Sirius and I, having the last name Black, were both called quick.

"Maia Black." Minnie called me up. Most people were not paying attention to the sorting unless they heard their house called, however, my last name being part of the sacred twenty-eight peaked many people's attention. I untangled myself from my boys and slowly approached the stool. Once I sat Minnie placed the tattered hat upon my head.

"Interesting, very interesting, a witch misplaced in time." The hat hummed in my head. "I am so sorry that old fool did that to you. I am glad that you are back in the correct time and can fix the many horrors I see you have faced. I see you have a daunting task ahead of you, I wish you all the luck. You are cunning and ambitious but also kind and loyal to those around you. You have knowledge in spades but are also incredibly brave to have faced what you have. I want to help you as best that I can being only a hat." At that the hat paused and I hummed in response. I know I could give my preference like Harry did, but I don't know where I would place myself to be most beneficial, so I stay quiet.

The hat covers my eyes, making everything around me dark. I don't know how long it has been in my head, but I can feel the concerned gaze of my twin and someone else, though I am not sure who as it doesn't feel like Remus. As far as I know they are the only ones here I have a bond with. After some more contemplation the hat spoke again, "I have considered what your task will entail, and I wish to put in the house that will best help you along." I was anxious to know as it will change my plans no matter where I go.

The seam on the hat opened creating a mouth and exclaimed, "better be Gryffindor!" I was so happy to know I would be with my brother that I skipped to the cheering table full of lions. The Slytherins who expected me to be sorted into their house looked stunned. I searched the table and found my cousins Narcissa, who is a fifth year, and Andromeda, who is in her seventh year. I did not see them this summer but my father owled their parents to let them know I had come home finally but wanted to give me time to adjust before the family encroached upon us. I was able to spot them sitting near the end of their table with Lucius Malfoy, who if I remember correctly should be a sixth year. Andromeda looked proud but was trying to tamper it. Narcissa looked stunned and fearful for me knowing what our family is like.

Before I could dwell on it, Sirius was called up to the stool. "Sirius Black." As Minnie finished uttering his name a hush went across the hall. All the students and staff were on the edge of their seats waiting to see if the second Black would follow his twin or do what is expected of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black.

To the surprise of everyone but me the hat barely touched my brothers head before it shouted, "Gryffindor!" Our table started cheering obnoxiously at getting the matching set, while the Slytherins looked even more confused by what had just happened.

Sirius sat next to me impatiently waiting to hear where his new friends would be. The sorting went quickly, Gryffindor a fair few students for the year. Following Sirius and I was Remus, James, Lily, Peter, Mary MacDonald, and Marlene McKinnon. I didn't know much about the last two, but I believe they were close friends of Lily's since they all shared a dorm.

I was once again squished between James and Sirius, across from us sat Remus and Peter. I tried not to scowl at Peter reminding myself he's currently just a boy and maybe I can save him too. The girls sat farther down the table together chatting away. The warmth that I was feeling being encompassed between James and Sirius made me zone out, I was so focused on the way my magic was reacting to them that I didn't realize dinner was already over until Sirius thread our fingers together and tugged me up behind him.

I held hands with both James and Sirius all the way to the common room. Peter and Remus trailed behind us quietly listening to the other boys rattle on about how excited they are. Even though James and I just met I felt drawn towards him and my magic pulsed every time we touched.

We were quickly shuffled into the common room and given the house rules, not much had changed in the future. Without thinking the boys left me bind and quickly bound up the stairs to get settled in for the night. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and just watched them go sadly. This will be the first night I didn't sleep near Sirius since I came back. Begrudgingly I went to the other stair case and slowly made my way up to my dorm. I opened the door to find the other three girls already huddled together gossiping, they stop as they hear me and give me wary looks.

"Hi." I whisper as I stop in my tracks by the looks in their eyes.

Marlene and Mary are more wary since they come from wizarding families and know all about the Black family's reputation. Lily not accustomed to the prejudice of some wizarding families gets up to greet me first. "Hi, I'm Lily Evans." she says as she holds her hand out for me to shake.

In my last life my best friend was muggleborn so I don't hesitate for even a second before I put my hand into hers and greet her back, "Hello, I am Maia Black." I give her my friendliest smiles prompting her to give me one back and the others to relax and come join us.

After the introductions the girls go back to gossiping while I get settled in. Meeting Lily was jarring, having Harry's eye stare right at me made me want to sob. But like James she is unlike Harry in the fact that her eyes are so open and expressive. She has yet to be beaten down by the prejudiced gits around us. It was in this moment I vowed to myself to protect her from them the best I can.

All four of us quickly settle in for bed so we are ready for classes to begin tomorrow. I close my eyes thinking of all that will come and how much more important it is that I succeed now that everyone is more than just a story of the past.