Chapter 1
'GRYFFINDOR!'
With shaking hands, James Potter pulled the Sorting Hat off his head and placed it back on the stool. He made his way over to the allocated table. Sitting himself down upon the wooden bench he breathed a sigh of relief and, feeling slightly overwhelmed, he rested his forehead upon the table.
'Are you alright?' a concerned voice spoke up from across the table.
James lifted his head up and settled his glance upon the stranger, who was eyeing him most peculiarly. Unable to think of anything to say he merely grunted his reply.
The boy raised an eyebrow. 'I see…right,' he said. 'My name is Remus Lupin…I'm in Gryffindor too!'
James rolled his eyes, 'really,' he with all the sarcasm he could muster. 'I'd never have guessed.'
Remus flushed heavily, and turned away.
With furrowed brows, James turned to watch the rest of the sorting.
'Black, Sirius.'
James started with shock, as he saw a dour faced boy stalk towards the Sorting Hat. He had seen that face before…and he hadn't liked it.
'GRYFFINDOR!' The Sorting Hat verified loudly.
'No,' whispered James, hardly believing his utter misfortune.
Sirius came over to the Gryffindor table, dark eyes showing the boredom he felt he was undergoing. Moodily he looked for a seat at the table. Then, their gazes locked.
James tried to discretely hide the fact that there was space next to him, and failed miserably. With a small smile Sirius came over and sat down. He did not acknowledge James' presence; instead, he nodded to Remus who was still sat opposite James.
Remus smiled across at Sirius. 'I'm Remus Lupin.'
Sirius nodded his head. 'Sirius Black.'
They would have progressed from the initial introductions, only a tall man with a long sheet of silver hair had stood up and was signaling for quiet. James noticed, with a slight laugh, that the man had numerous CND badges pinned about his person, judging by the other strange looks that the first years were giving him, he hadn't been the only one to notice this.
'Welcome to Hogwarts,' he began dramatically. 'The students are reminded that the Forbidden Forest is strictly out of bounds,' the man's penetrating blue eyes rested briefly on James. 'And that my name is Professor Dumbledore,' he smiled, then turned his head to address the rest of the students congregated there. 'And now, to eat.'
Dumbledore turned away and sat down. James shook his head then turned to his plate mildly surprised to see that the blessed sight of food was welling up as if by magic before his eyes.
'So where are you from?' Sirius asked Remus.
Remus swallowed his mouthful slowly, 'Stratford-upon-Avon, you?'
'London.'
They both turned to look at James, just as he was about to speak, Sirius interrupted.
James averted his eyes to look at his meal, stabbing the roast beef viciously. He hated Sirius.
