Not Like Them

by Willow Lark

Sirius Black is nothing like his family, to say the least. When he gets sorted, the proof of this grows. But Sirius doesn't care. He's got James. What else could he possible need? Might become a series of one-shots.

Thanks to Guest, izzy, and Ketusi Tasogare for reviewing Even Like This. Also thanks to Born-From-Black-Lightning, yellow 14, Guest, RowerLovesAstronomy, C.B. Cook, and paula'08 for reviewing Puns.

I hope I didn't forget anyone. If I did, I am so sorry. Please PM me and I'll put your name into my next update. And here's my one-shot I promised! I'll be posting a new story within a few weeks. Enjoy!

"Black, Sirius!"

Said boy swaggered up to the stool where the sorting hat sat and placed it on his head. The hall lapsed into conversation, because they all knew what the sorting hat was going to say. He was a Black, after all.

When the sorting hat hesitated, and said nothing for almost a minute, the chattering stopped. Sirius Black sat with his eyes tightly closed a determined look on his face. No one could hear it, but he was muttering rapidly.

"I'm not… I'm not like them… not…"

After what seemed years of silence, the sorting hat spoke.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

There was no applause. Just complete and utter silence. Sirius quietly stood up, placed the sorting hat back on the stool, and walked down to his table. He tried not to look at his relatives at the Slytherin table, who were all leering at him.

Slowly, a few people started clapping. Sirius noticed his cousin Andromeda, over at the Hufflepuff table, smiling and shouting with glee. Sirius gave her a half-smile in return, still nervous about the rest of his family who were glaring at him.

The students at the Gryffindor table were giving him wary looks. But McGonagall had moved on already. Soon she announced "Evans, Lily," who joined Sirius as a Gryffindor. She pointedly ignored him, which Sirius figured was because of Snivellus on the train.

Finally, James Potter, Sirius's friend on the train was sorted. He joyfully came to sit next to Sirius, and they had a fantastic conversation on different pranking techniques.

Not two days later, however, a howler arrived for Sirius during breakfast. Multiple, in fact. But they all went something like this:

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK. I AM VERY UPSET WITH YOU, YOUNG MAN! GOING OFF TO JOIN THOSE DISGRACEFUL GRYFFINDORS LIKE THAT! HOW DARE YOU! IT WAS ENOUGH WITH YOUR COUSIN ANDROMEDA, BUT I HAD HIGHER HOPES FOR YOU! NOW THE ONLY HOPE WE HAVE LEFT IS YOUR BROTHER! DON'T EVEN ENTERTAIN THE THOUGHT OF COMING HOME THIS CHRISTMAS, SIRIUS! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR HORRENDOUS PLOYS TO DISGRACE THE FAMILY!"

At least he had James, Sirius told himself every night. And who needs a family when you've got your best mate by your side? After all, he wasn't like them anyway.

Please review! :D ~ Lark