Better be

Neville and I ended up sharing a boat with a set of twins Padma and Parvati Patil both of who hoped for Gryffindor or Ravenclaw for their future House making it an easy if short ride to the other side of the lake. I held Neville's hand in mine as we stuck to the back of group as McGonagall gave her speech of being on our best behavior and how our House would become like our second family, the talk of House Points seemed to go over most of the students heads though.

"BLACK-POTTER, DOREA!" McGonagall called out and it wasn't surprising the reaction to my full name as I calmly moved toward the stool turning with my head held high as I took a seat and let the Hat be placed on top of my head.

'How interesting! You truly are loyal to those who have earned your trust and just like a badger you plan to consume the snake.' The Sorting Hat said with surprise and excitement for the chaos I would cause.

"BETTER BE...HUFFLEPUFF!" The Sorting Hat called out getting standing applause from the House of Badgers as my robes gained the colors of black and gold.

"Congratulations." Cedric offered as he waved me over to sit beside him making some raise their eyebrows at the blooming friendship between us.

"Thank you." I answered with a smile before focusing back on the sorting in front of us.

The only other difference it seemed is that Hermione went to Ravenclaw with a slight tantrum fit over not getting her way, the same happened with Ron who had tried to get into Hufflepuff.

"Glad we are in the same House." Neville said softly from where he had chosen to sit on my other side after being sorted.

"Us God-siblings have to stick together." I teased making Neville laugh before he turned slightly to talk to the other First Years that joined us.

"Not going to get to know your fellow First Years?" Cedric teased ignoring the speech Dumbles was giving causing me to turn my eyes toward him.

"I will tomorrow right now I am just going to sit here and enjoy the fact that I am actually here, if that makes sense." I offered in explanation with a slight blush making him laugh.

"No I get it." Cedric reassured before moving to load his plate with food as it appeared.

The rest of the time was focused on stuffing our faces before being led by the Hufflepuff Prefect to our House Dormitory.

"Sleep well!" Cedric called out reaching forward to ruffle my hair before moving off toward the stairs.

"You too, sleep well Nev!" I said calling out to both boys before moving to join my fellow girls toward our room.

"It's really nice to finally meet you." Hanna Abbott said with a bright smile once we began to settle and unpack our trunks even as my fingers ran through my Familiars feathers near the window.

"It's nice to meet you all also. But I hope you all understand that I'm not all that I am said to be, it was my mother who truly got rid of Voldemort, not me, I hope we can be friends and look past this fame I was given over losing my parents." I stated with a slight undertone of command getting understanding nods in return before they all got into bed more than ready to call it a night.

Dear Padfoot and Moony,

I am now a proud member of the House of Badgers! Neville and I ended up sharing the compartment with an older student in the same House who I see becoming a really good friend to the both of us, his name is Cedric Diggory, and no Padfoot you may not harass him! Neville has joined me in being a proud Puff so I can't wait to hear about his grandmothers reaction, so please send me pictures! I haven't really had a chance to talk to the others in my Year, but I did already set the girls in my room straight bout the truth of that night, seriously why do people think me a baby did anything!? I am now going to head to bed so this is Prongs' Bambi wishing you both a goodnight and giving you my love as a good daughter of a Marauder should!

Love,

Bambi

Humming in slight happiness as I tied the letter to Hedwig's leg and letting her take off with it, I couldn't be more than glad that things were so different even if I knew some things were still the same. Let's hope the color changing charm I placed on the letter actually gets them, it sucked that they both kept avoiding my pranks!

TIME SKIP ~ THE NEXT DAY ~

"Morning Nev! Cedric!" I called out cheerfully skipping to join the two boys who seemed to be waiting for me causing my smile to widen.

"Morning Bambi!" Neville returned with a smile of his own as he moved toward my left letting Cedric take my right side as we headed for the Great Hall for breakfast.

"Bambi?" Cedric questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"You see Dumbledore was trying to get my custody removed from Sirius because Remus lived with us who is a registered Werewolf, not that it matters. Anyway to make sure he didn't have a leg to stand on, Sirius taught me to become an Animagi. my form is that of a doe, as such I was given the nickname Bambi!" I explained softly having a feeling I could trust him getting a nod of understanding in return.

"It was thanks to the known feud between Lord Black and Dumbledore that my father lost all faith in Dumbledore and pulled his own support from him." Cedric admitted just as softly causing Neville's tense shoulders to relax.

Neville had made it his duty as my 'older brother' to make sure that I was protected and safe and would have stepped up if Cedric had moved to defend Dumbledore in any way.

"On to breakfast my good men!" I cheered loudly while hooking my arms with theirs getting twin laughs in return, this was really starting to look like a good year.