www.memory
by Nox
Author's note I would like all readers (whom I love!) to be aware that the internet and "clicking" will be nonexistent in this fic… except for erm…figuratively (what else can I say?)… I like the song, but I couldn't figure out how to use the internet successfully in the story, so I'm letting everyone know that if you desire, you can exchange "flip to" for "click on" and "in the pages of your" for "www." Or you can just say that it's "www" because it has been published online… that works too… tee hee
Chapter 1: The Sorting of the Houses
www.memory
I'll be waiting for you patiently
If you ever feel the need just click on me
At www.memory
-Alan Jackson
The prospective first years all stood shaking slightly and chattering with an air of nervous anticipation, with few exceptions. One of these exceptions was a smallish, auburn-haired, chestnut-eyed boy, who stood calmly and quietly, with his head down and his hands clasped gently behind his back. Another exception was a lanky brown-haired boy with light bluish gray eyes. He stood waiting patiently with a stubborn glint in his eyes that told of a confidence that nothing in the world could ever go wrong because he was invincible.
A stern looking middle-aged witch with graying raven hair knotted under her hat held a scroll before her and her eyes flicked from the scroll to the body of students as if to make sure no one had fallen into the lake unnoticed. With a satisfied smirk, she addressed the eager mass.
"Students, settle down, please… thank you. Now, I am Professor McGonagall. After the preliminaries," and as another teacher brought forth a stool with an ancient torn hat perched on it, she continued with, "I will call each of you forward, one at a time, to sit on the stool. The Sorting Hat will be placed on your head and you will be sorted into the house of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin. After you have been sorted, you shall then proceed to sit at your house table."
Professor McGonagall stepped back so everyone could see the stool and the tattered garment resting on it. The first years, all seemingly more relaxed at the prospect of putting on a hat instead of having their entrails examined after being gullied, waited without a clue for what would happen next.
Suddenly, the ancient hat opened up at a long tear. No one made a sound as it began to sing:
You may look, but do not stare
For I am the Sorting Hat
I may seem a bit worse for wear
But I am the Sorting Hat
All year long I sit and wait
To sing to you this song
And after that I'll seal your Fate
I haven't yet guessed wrong
I will see fit to send you to
One of the Houses, four
The founders have laid out for you
Centuries ago, or more
On Gryffindor, I may decide
If you are one of valor
Those who never wish to hide
And are quick to defend honor
Or Ravenclaw might suit you well
To those bright and clever
A friend's secret you'll never tell
Your loved ones are close ever
To Hufflepuff you may belong
Carefree and glad you are
Some even break into song
From here you will go far
The final House is Slytherin
Who favor bloodlines pure
Eager ones who love to win
And can through much endure
Soon one of these respected names
Will gladly greet you in
For now, be gone with all these games
And let the Sorting begin!
The Hat's "mouth" closed, and the Great Hall erupted with applause.
"Abbot, Leo"
A small boy with curly brown hair stepped up to the stool and sat down. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly and clutched the stool desperately as Professor McGonagall placed the Hat on his head. After a few moments, he relaxed and the Hat shouted "Hufflepuff!" 'Abbot, Leo' then jumped off the stool, grinning, and ran to the table cheering the loudest for him.
"Black, Bellatrix"
A snobbish black-haired girl with her nose turned up at everyone stepped up and sat on the stool. The Hat had barely touched her head when it shouted "Slytherin!" She leapt off the stool and sauntered to her table.
"Black, Sirius"
The lanky brown-hair boy with the stubborn glint stepped forward. He was a fairly odd looking boy, but his eyes were mesmerizing. The Hat was placed on his head and it stayed there for quite some time. The boy seemed to be having a difficult time. He kept squirming uncomfortably then relaxing and smiling. The Hat was taking a very long time, indeed. After what seemed like hours, it finally shouted "Gryffindor!" It was difficult to discern the emotions running across the boy's face. One moment there was relief and the next moment there was fear. However, these emotions were all quickly replaced by a toothy grin as he went to join the whooping and clapping Gryffindor table.
Professor McGonagall continued along the list of people. There were many Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, quite a few Slytherins, and a Gryffindor here and there.
She was now in the "L"s. A Lestrange went to Slytherin and a Lordon went to Ravenclaw. The next one to be called was "Lupin, Remus."
The shy chestnut-eyed boy walked quietly to the stool and sat down softly. He exhaled heavily as the Hat was placed on his auburn head. He shut his eyes almost lazily, with the uncaring air of someone who has seen so much already that he was almost bored with things that made most people his age nervous or scared. The Hat took an exceptionally long time with him as well. It was possible that it took longer to decide with Remus than it had with the Black boy, although no one was counting. Everyone was curious at the shy one's reaction. He almost appeared to be sleep.
The Hat finally made its choice and shouted "Gryffindor!" The cheering immediately following this proclamation seemed somewhat subdued. It was clear that the students didn't know how to react. In the end, however, they decided on their normal approach, and the Gryffindors made a ruckus that could wake the dead. In fact, at that precise moment, the ghosts decided to parade in. Remus sat down in the first seat offered to him: a spot next to Sirius Black. As the Sorting continued, Sirius began to talk quietly to Remus.
"Are you alright? You seem a little… under the weather."
Remus smiled slightly, his gaze lifting from his lap to Sirius's eyes. "You have no idea…" He chuckled softly, maybe even sadly. "I'm Remus. Remus Lupin." He held out his hand.
Sirius clasped it warmly. "Sirius Black." He paused uncertain if he should go on, but decided to move forward. "Are you just having a bad day, or are you always this disconnected?"
Remus frowned. "What do you mean…"
"Well, you looked like you were about to fall asleep on the stool up there."
Remus smiled sadly again and looked back to his lap. "I guess I'm just a tad uncomfortable that I don't know anyone and I'm far from… home."
A flash of understanding flitted across Sirius's eyes when Remus paused before saying 'home.' "Well, now you have me. And with all the stunts we'll pull this will be like a second home to you." Sirius squeezed Remus's shoulder reassuringly.
"Thanks." Remus looked up once again to look at Sirius and gave him a truly grateful smile.
And with that, a friendship was born.
A/N: love it? Hate it? Want me to roll over and die? Idn't even read it? Either way! Review! You know you want to… wink wink nudge nudge a nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat…