((AUTHORS NOTE))
((Hello everyone! And welcome to the Marauders era! After discussing it with some friends, I decided I wanted to write, in detail, about the time the Marauders spent at Hogwarts. This will be a long project, hopefully I can spit out a new chapter every week or two weeks but we'll see I suppose!))
The day it all began was cold and windy, as though the sudden change from August to September had suddenly brought the wrath of whatever deity supposedly controlled the weather down upon the busy streets of London. With its many business types rushing to get to work on time and tourists sauntering along with their cameras, occasionally making obnoxiously loud comments regarding the beauty of the city.
It really wasn't all that surprising that something so important for some and yet trivial for others could be happening right under their noses. 1st of September, anyone who was anyone within the magical community knew what that meant. For every year, on the exact same date, at precisely eleven o'clock, The Hogwarts Express would pull out of Platform 9 ¾ and mark the start of a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
It was a day full of excitement. Some were returning for their final year, prepared to make memories with their friends and set out on their chosen career path. Others were only half the way through, ready to face the teachers whose summer homework they had neglected to complete. And finally, for the trains' youngest passengers not unlike one James Potter, it was the very beginning. Their first time ever preparing themselves for the time ahead with owls, wands and robes befitting of their magical heritage.
At present, the aforementioned young wizard found himself seated quite comfortably in one of the trains' many compartments, carry-on bag rested at his feet and money in his pocket just waiting for the sweet cart to roll around. His hair stuck up at the most irregular angles and his round glasses perched on his nose, just above an almost permanently fixed smug, self-satisfied grin. While anyone who knew him could say deep down that James was a good person with redeeming qualities, an upbringing by parents who fawned over him relentlessly had certainly not done wonders for his attitude. He was loud, cheeky and arrogant at best, perhaps it was these factors that helped to create the interesting time ahead.
"Excuse me?"
The sound of a voice caused him to flinch slightly, as he was vaguely aware that the position in which he had been sitting in, coupled with whatever facial expression he was wearing, probably made him look like an idiot of the highest class. Turning to his left, he observed the newcomer with a somewhat sheepish grin. "Sorry, guess I lost focus for a second there."
"That's fine." Not waiting for any further invitation, the slightly greasy, gangly looking boy edged his way in and took the vacant seat opposite, instantly tugging a thick textbook out of his bag and shoving his notably large nose in it.
"So, what's your name?" James didn't mean to be irritating as such, but had no plans to let the silence become awkward. He was positively dying to talk to someone after all, given the tension build up and how excited he felt about his current situation.
"Severus, Snape." The boy did not look up, and if anything hunched further into his book, staring at the lettering with large and almost beady eyes.
And in spite of previous efforts, a painfully awkward silence overcame them. James let out a breath that until that point he was unaware he had even been holding in, he then began to whistle an unrecognisable tune.
"Hey, there any space in here?" Severus looked up briefly, only to sneer and turn back to his book while James grinned up at the newcomer in the doorway. He was medium height, with shaggy dark hair and grey eyes. His impish smile seemed to spell out the word 'trouble' clearer than James had ever seen it written down.
"Sure, take a seat."
"Cheers." Doing exactly that, he kicked his feet up on the small table separating them from the resident bookworm and stuck his hand out for a shake. "Name's Sirius, Sirius Black, you?"
"James Potter."
"Sirius Black?" Severus mused, carrying on with a slight smirk. "I've heard your cousin Narcissa is attending at present as well, quite the prestigious family."
"Maybe, but I don't care for it much."
"What a waste." He sighed, returning to his book.
"Well, what about you?" Evidently the rejection of family name was enough to bore Severus into unresponsive silence, so James decided to take the introductions upon himself.
"Snivellus."
That certainly got his attention, snapping the book shut, he almost stood up with frustration, but decided against it, instead clenching his fists. "It's Severus."
This gained a whoop of laughter from Sirius who clapped in appreciation. "Whatever you say Snivelly."
Time passed from that point onward, with enthusiastic discussion regarding the year ahead from the two, who were clearly hitting it off almost immediately. Severus gave the occasionally input, mostly correcting false information or demanding that they quieten down so he could focus on his book.
"So where are you headed, if you've got the choice?" Asked Sirius, occupying himself with the attempted capture of a stray chocolate frog he had purchased.
"'Gryffindor, where dwell the brave of heart!' Like my dad…" This gained a slight tutting noise from Severus, and James automatically jumped to the defensive. "Got a problem with that?"
"No. If you'd rather be brawny than brainy."
"I'd rather be brawny than nosy, have you seen the size of yours?" James shot back, watching as Severus got to his feet, gathering his things and sulking out the door in the hopes of finding another compartment with less irritating travel companions. It would seem that he was easier to get rid of than they had anticipated.
"So, you know anyone else who's gonna be in our year?" It certainly hadn't taken Sirius long to recover from the sudden departure, in fact he acted as though it hadn't even happened prompting James to follow suit and put his feet up where their former 'travel buddy' had previously been sitting.
"No, not yet. How about you?"
"Does old Snivelly count?"
"Unfortunately not."
"Then no, can't say I do." James said after a moment's thought. That was probably one of few things he hadn't thought to ask his parents about, given that the majority of his thoughts regarding Hogwarts revolved around himself.
"Narcissa's there, like Snivelly said, never got along with her much though. Plus she's a few years above us. Her older sister Bellatrix is a right nutter."
James laughed, and once again the conversation returned to that comfortable, joking mood as the train hurtled towards Hogwarts.
"Come on you lot, up you get! Firs' years, yer over here with me." They were met off the Express by a giant of a man, features half concealed behind a curtain of dark hair that would put Sirius' to shame. "Now then, that everyone? Good, good. No, come on quiet over there yer goin' to love this part. Follow me." As the small group set off, the two couldn't help but note a single boy walking near the bag of the group. He was tall and lean, thinner than they would have thought was healthy, and somewhat sickly looking.
"Hey, what do you reckon's up with him?" Sirius whispered in possibly the least sly manner possible, casting a glance back the way and jerking his head off in the boys' general direction.
"Don't know, maybe just nervous?" James muttered in reply, but his response fell on deaf ears, Sirius was already walking on the strangers' right and gesturing for him to follow suit.
"So, what's your name?" He was asking, just as James fell in on the boys left.
"Remus... Lupin." He seemed to add the latter as an afterthought, his voice was notably quieter than the other two and he didn't seem quite as energetic.
"Great! I'm Sirius Black."
"James Potter."
Both put out their hands for him to shake at the exact same time and he was forced to awkwardly manoeuvre in attempt to return the gesture. The general clumsiness and accidental hand slaps involved caused all three to burst out laughing.
For the remainder of the walk, they discussed a series of unimportant matter such as the journey. With the revelation that Severus had stormed off and wound up in a cabin with Remus and an apparent childhood friend named Lily, Sirius began cackling madly with cries of 'Snivellus has a girlfriend' so loud that Snivelly himself overheard and turned around to glare at them. After a little longer spent walking and chattering amongst themselves, they noted once they turned the corner that the rest of their group had come to a rather abrupt halt. There were a few appreciative murmurs and gasps as they all took in the castle for the first time. Silhouetted against the sky, it looked almost sinister. The moonlight cast an eerie silver glow on the turrets, and each window shone with brilliant golden light from the undoubtedly warm halls inside.
They began boarding wooden boats, lit up against the darkening sky by lanterns. With a shared shrug, they clambered into the back of the nearest one, peering over the edge with the utmost curiosity. "Hands and feet in everyone, we all seated?" The giant man looked around before clapping his hands twice then rubbing them together, looking around at everyone with eyes crinkled showing the smile that was otherwise hidden by his beard. "Let's go then." With no lurch at all and no paddling required, they started forward towards the castle, cutting through the pitch black water like knives.
They were met in the entrance hall by a stern looking woman with sharp eyes. It was evident that this was someone who's bad side you definitely did not want to be on. "Good evening, my name is Professor McGonagall and I would like to extend a warm welcome to each of you. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has produced many fine wizards and witches in the past, I believe that all of you could achieve such standards if you work hard for the duration of your time here.
The traditional sorting ceremony will begin shortly, followed by the start of term banquet. Before you are seated, you will be placed in your respective houses, these being Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin or Ravenclaw. Whilst you attend this school, your house shall be like your family.
You will sleep in the house dormitories, spend free time in you houses common room and attend classes with them. Through triumphs you may win points for your house, and through rule breaking you may lose them. At the end of each school year, the house cup is presented to the house with the most points. I do hope that each of you will be a credit to whichever you are placed in."
"So" James grinned, turning to his friends. "I'll be seeing you guys at the Gryffindor table?"
"I hope so." Remus smiled in turn, looking to Sirius who appeared to be scarcely paying attention, only turning back to respond a moment later.
"Do you even have to ask?" He shrugged nonchalantly. "There's no way I'm going to any other house, brave of heart? That's me to a tee."
"Sure." James drawled, pushing his friend lightly and earning a shove in return. Just as this progressed into a playful fight however, the two were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat impatiently.
"I do hope I didn't interrupt anything important? James Potter, Sirius Black."
"No Professor." They mumbled in unison, hanging their heads in mock shame only to grin at one another sideways.
"Very good, now follow me." Pushing the doors open, McGonagall led them inside and allowed the few whispers and murmurs that ripple throughout the small crowd. The great hall truly was spectacular. Old stone walls surrounded five tables, one for each house evidently and one for the staff, situated at the very front overlooking those running the length of the room. Above the tables, candles floated with no support whatsoever, bathing the room in light and sharply contrasting the ceiling which appeared to be an exact representation of the night sky outside.
As they came to a halt, the hall fell into silence and every single student and teacher turned to stare as McGonagall placed a rickety, wooden stool before the new first year students.
On the stool, there sat a patched up, battered old wizards hat. It really looked to be nothing special. That was, until it cleared its throat, twitched and seemingly came to life with a song.
"You may be very wary,
To place me on your head.
For I am not too pretty,
Covered in loose threads.
But looks can be deceiving,
I've never yet been wrong.
I can look into your head,
And see where you belong.
If you have a steady mind,
Full of wit and learning,
Then it will certainly be,
Ravenclaw you're deserving.
Or maybe you are daring,
And are brave and true.
Then you can be assured,
That Gryffindor's for you.
Perhaps you are loyal,
And have patient minds and voices.
It is those who are just,
That Hufflepuff rejoices.
Or you could be sneaky,
With clever and sly minds.
People that are cunning, are,
Who Slytherin likes to find.
So come up here, try me on,
For you can be sure that,
I will know where you belong,
The Hogwarts Sorting Hat!"
As it ended, everyone in the room cheered and applauded until McGonagall stepped forward, a large rolled up piece of parchment in hand. So it seemed that all they had to do was step up and try the hat on. Not too challenging then.
"When I call out your name, please sit here, try on the hat and you will be sorted into your house. Now then." Unrolling the parchment, she adjusted her glasses before calling out. "ABASCIA, CECILE." A blonde girl with sharpened features and narrowed, steel grey eyes slunk forward. The hat was on her head for a total of three seconds before hollering. "SLYTHERIN." With a self-satisfied smirk, she stood and walked over to take a seat at her table, instantly leaning in to join the hushed conversation of a group of girls a year or so older.
"AUBREY, BERTRAM." A somewhat nervous, intelligent looking boy made his way forward and took his place on the stool. The hat was large enough to hide the top of his face from view when placed on his head, and took next to no time to consider things before shouting. "RAVENCLAW." Getting to his feet, Bertram strolled on over to the Ravenclaw table and was met by congratulations and cheers all around from his housemates.
A few more names were read out before one that James wanted to pay attention to. "BLACK, SIRIUS." As he detached from the group and took his place on the stool, he suddenly became very still. The hat seemed to take a while to decide, debating, before shouting. "GRYFFINDOR." Punching the air and doing an odd half dance motion by means of a victory ritual, Sirius sauntered on over to his table and high-fived several offered hands as he went. There was a shriek of outrage from Slytherin however, and an older girl with snow white hair stood up, slamming her hands down on the old oak table. "Impossible." She sneered, glaring over at Sirius and taunting across the hall. "What will your mother say?!"
"That is quite enough Narcissa." For the first time that evening, the elderly looking wizard seated at the centre of the teachers table got to his feet and spoke, staring down at the girl with a seemingly impossible level of authority. Much to James' surprise, Narcissa, who he remembered to be Sirius' cousin repented and took her seat once more, still making a point of scowling over at the Gryffindor table.
More and more names were called, a girl by the name of Lily Evans was sent off to James' house of choice, quickly followed by Remus and then later joined by a slight, shrewd looking boy by the name of Peter. After what seemed like an eternity spent waiting. "POTTER, JAMES." Was finally called, he swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to retain his usual air of confidence as he sat down on the stool and was enveloped by the darkness provided by the Sorting hat.
((Oh wow cliffhanger so sugoi… I know you all know what house he gets into okay I just needed a place to end the first chapter ;; Welp, that only took two days so with any luck the next one will be up by the weekend, if anyone's interested x3 /lolwutnoone))