Back In Time: An Alternate Ending

I'm Back

I stopped in front of the Great Hall's doors. Taking a deep breath. And then. Grabbing the handles. And taking another deep breath. I opened the doors.

As I opened them. I realized. The Sorting. Hadn't even begun yet. It was about to. McGonagall was explaining how the Sorting worked. If I was quiet enough. And tried to not draw to much attention to myself. I could make it to the Gryffindor Table. Before anyone saw me.

I looked over at the Gryffindor Table. I immediately found Lily. She was the only red head in Gryffindor. Around her. I saw the remaining girls in my Dorm. And. Next to them. Was the boys. I smiled. They were sitting near each other. How cute. I never thought Lily would be sitting anywhere near James. But. Here I was. Looking at the scene.

I slowly turned around. And closed the doors. Making sure. That they didn't make a sound. I let out the breath. That I didn't know I was holding. And turned back around. To face the rest of the Great Hall. The Sorting was happening now. Some brown haired kid. Had just made Hufflepuff. That Table clapped. And cheered. I smiled. Before starting to make my way to the Gryffindor Table. I had barely gone three steps. When it happened.

"ASPEN!?" I heard someone call out. Next thing I see. Someone. Running towards me. They were a black blur. I didn't even get a chance to figure out who they were. Before they attacked me. In a hug. Lifting me off the ground. And twirling around. Laughing a bit. I called out in surprise.

I looked down at the person. And saw long. Black. Curly hair. Sirius.

"Sirius Orion Black! Put me down!" I shouted. Hitting his head. Lightly.

He laughed. And put me down. Before giving me another hug.

"Oh, my God! It is Aspen!" I heard another voice call.

I pulled away from Sirius. To see the girls. Running up to me. I laughed. And opened my arms. As they did too. Which. Turned into. A group hug. All of us. Squealing. And jumping up and down. Till. Another voice called out.

"MOVE ASIDE! IT'S MY TURN!" The girls. And I. Had barely let go. Before I was picked up again. This time. By James.

"JAMES POTTER!" I laughed out. As he twirled me around.

He laughed. And put me down. Smiling. I hit his shoulder.

I looked up at the Staff Table. "Sorry!" I called out.

"That is fine, Miss Wolf. But, will you and your friends, please go back to your seats. You can celebrate later." Dumbledore called back. Smiling. Slightly. I nodded.

I started my way to the Table. Shaking my head. The others. Following. I sat down. In between Lily. And Remus. Remus gave me a quick hug. Before turning back to the Sorting. I gave an apologetic look. At McGonagall. She gave me. A small smile. And continued the Sorting.

***

The last kid had been Sorted. Ravenclaw. After that. McGonagall moved the stool. And the Hat. Away. And Dumbledore stood up.

"Welcome all! I hope you all had a wonderful Summer. And I all hope you have a wonderful Year! Now, I know some of you have a lot of catching up to do." He looked at me. And my friends. "So, I won't waste anymore of your time. Tuck in." And with that. He sat down. And the food appeared on the Tables. Everyone cheered.

I started grabbing everything in front of me. And piling it on my plate. I wasn't saying anything. Waiting for someone to crack.

"What are you doing here, Aspen?" James asked.

I looked up. Looked at my plate. And back up at him. "I was about to eat some food." I smirked.

He rolled his eyes. "I mean, what are you doing at Hogwarts? We thought you weren't coming back this Year."