September 1st
The rest of the summer, though grudgingly slow, ended finally, and that first September morning, when the air was just beginning to chill, James hardly needed his Mother's sharp knock on the door to wake him up. He had already been awake for hours, all of his bags neatly packed, and he was completely dressed (in old Muggle clothing his Mother had bought a while ago for this occasion specifically).
"Thanks, Mum!" he yelled loudly, glaring at the door.
"Just checking, just checking," she called. "We're leaving in half an hour -- make sure you have all your things together."
It took six trips up and down from his room to the front entrance to get all of his things. His Mother had insisted he pack extra clothes, and a couple of dress robes ("Just in case! There could be a party... and they're always nice to have along!") and a whole series of things he was pretty sure he'd never look at until June when he had to pack it all up again.
His Father had signalled for the Knight Bus before they'd left. The ride was pleasant enough; he'd spent most of the ride sitting in a fat armchair watching London fly by, hoping to maybe see Sirius as he approached. A friendly face would help him get rid of his parents, who were determined to see him off. Ahead of him, a sandy-haired boy whose mother was nearly as quiet as he was, had his head stuck in a book the whole time, every now and then stopping because his Mother was making sure he'd remembered another item.
"You didn't forget your owl, did you, darling?"
"No, mum"
"Or your jumper? It'll be cold in the winter -- though I dare say you'll want to come home for the holidays. I remember I used to get so homesick - "
"No, mum".
From where James was sitting, the boy, though clearly his own age looked unusually tired and strained. His face looked almost aged prematurely, despite his youthful features. There was a somehow pained expression in even his smile as he attempted to humour his mother.
Taking the lead from that boy's Mother, Mrs. Potter also began drilling James on his things, a subject that she managed to press for the rest of the journey.
When they stepped off the bus, James feeling as if his head might explode, he quickly volunteered to run and find a trolley. Returning, he made a quick attempt to load all his things on as fast as possible.
"Well, that's great, Mum, Dad, thanks! I'll just be --"
"Hold on," said his Mother, looking slightly hurt, "don't you want us to see you off?"
"I promised to meet Sirius at the Platform, and, well... I really have no time..."
"You have twenty minutes," said his Father sharply. "And you also haven't a clue how to get ON the Platform."
James' face fell. He loved his parents, but he was rather hoping he wouldn't have to hug them in front of Sirius, who had told him that HIS parents would not be coming.
"Yeah... you're right... how silly of me."
They made their way through the barrier and appeared on the other side, with no sign of Sirius anywhere. He made the hugs and kisses as quick as possible before he practically shoved his parents through the barrier yelling "Thanks! See you in June!" after them.
"James!" called a voice loudly. "JAMES! Hey, James -- over here!"
Spinning around, James saw Sirius leaning out of a compartment window, the steam billowing from the train rustling his hair. Waving, his grin grew wider.
Dropping all his things at the Baggage compartment, James made his way up the train till he found Sirius's compartment, and was slightly surprised to find that it wasn't empty. The sandy-haired boy from the Knight Bus, head still buried in his book, barely glanced up as James entered, slamming down in a seat across from Sirius and next to the boy.
"I'm sorry I haven't written in ages," Sirius began. James laughed, it had been two days. "But I've been grounded. Mum found the dungbombs, like I thought and wouldn't let me out of my room for a week. Took my owl, too. Oh well..." he said, still grinning. "She only found one box. I had another stuffed under my mattress." He pulled a small rectangular box from his pocket with the word ZONKO'S FABULOUS FIRST-RATE DUNGBOMBS labelled across the front. Out of the corner of his eye, James saw the sandy-haired boy look slightly concerned, slightly amused.
"This," said Sirius, noticing that James' attention was already turned in that direction, "is Remus."
Looking over the top of his book, Remus blushed, smiling nervously.
"Hello," he said.
James offered his hand, and Remus, though still looking nervous, took it.
"James."
"Hi, James," he said warmly, setting his book aside altogether.
James had been right -- he did look tired. There were small worry lines already creasing his forehead, which would be almost impossible to see if the compartment was more brightly lit, but as it was, dark shadows seemed more prominent under his eyes and he looked as though he might pass out at any minute.
"Are you all right?" James asked in spite of his better judgement.
The boy grinned, and James was sure he was doing a little fast thinking. "I don't really get much sleep." He laughed. "I was up all night -- too excited. I almost couldn't come - "but at these words he fell silent altogether, looking as if he'd said too much.
Sirius shrugged softly in James direction when he caught his eye, so that Remus couldn't see.
"Yeah," said James. "Yeah, me too."
There was a loud whistle, and the train began to move, slowly gaining speed while the London city scene slowly melted into the countryside.
Sirius was avidly debating with Remus, who seemed to have left his nervousness miles away with the station, about Quidditch. James watched the whole thing with great amusement, jumping in now and then, taking neither side.
"IRELAND? IRELAND!" Sirius bellowed, as James fell into another fit of laughter. "Ireland hasn't got a clue. Did you watch the last match?"
"That's only one bad match -- they had three really great ones before that -- did you see the game against Spain?"
Lost for words (perhaps because he realized Remus was right), Sirius contented himself to glare out the window muttering about "Irish frauds" causing James to lead Remus into a fit of laughter that lasted until the food trolley rolled up the isle, straightening up, they realised their hunger. It was nearly three, and James hadn't bothered getting lunch before coming to the station -- his Mother had tried to persuade him to eat something, but he had refused.
Everyone, extracting large amounts of silver, ordered possible more than they could carry, and the seats were soon buried in hundreds of sweets, each begging to be opened. There was a small stack of Chocolate Frog Cards that were at one end of the compartment, which they had all promised to split evenly once they arrived at Hogwarts, and another seat was completely devoted to empty rappers. Throwing his completed Chocolate Frog box on top of the mountain of garbage, mouth lined with chocolate, James looked distinctly as though he were about to barf, and was incredibly pleased about it.
"I have never," said Remus slowly, clutching his stomach and leaning against the window, "eaten that much chocolate in my life. I'm gonna be sick," he groaned, looking around as if for an appropriate place to do this.
"Just stay away from the cards," Sirius warned, in what would have sounded like a humorous voice, had he not been filled with chocolate. When they were sure they could open their mouths without vomiting, they began to talk about Hogwarts itself. Rumours, classes, what houses they'd like to be in, and so forth.
"Well," said Remus, "my older sister's in Ravenclaw -- so was my Dad. I expect they'd want me to be too."
"Yeah, mate," said James, shaking his head. "But we asked what house you wanted to be in -- not your dad."
"Gryffindor," he answered without hesitation. "Just don't tell my Dad. He thinks anyone who's not in Ravenclaw must be as dumb as a post."
"Well, my whole family's been in Gryffindor, but I'd probably want to be in it anyway. Sounds the best," James agreed.
"I just want to be in Gryffindor to spite my Dad," Sirius said. Remus looked slightly taken aback, and Sirius added reassuringly, "Don't worry -- my mum, too."
James snorted, and Remus let another smile escape him.
"Yeah, not all my family, but most have been in Slytherin. I hate it -- they act like anyone who's Muggle-born is scum." He smiled off James' look. "Yes, I agree with you." Rolling his eyes, he turned back to Remus. "You pure-blood?"
"Sort of... I think we have a couple of Muggles in the family, but only recently -- and they were in the family after I was born -- so I don't know if that counts."
"I'm pure," said James and Sirius at the same time.
"Speaking of Muggles - Hey James, it's that girl," Sirius said, looking across for the first time to the compartment across from them.
"What girl?" James asked, turning so he could see where Sirius was looking. Red hair shining in the sunlight, the Muggle girl they had seen in Diagon Alley was chatting excitedly with a group of girls. "Oh, her," James said with very little interest. "Cool."
It wasn't that James thought her unattractive; it was more the fact that at eleven, his mind was less occupied with girls than with sports. He acknowledged her to be uncommonly pretty, but didn't see the fuss Sirius seemed to be making. She flicked back another long section of her dark red hair, her mouth still moving a hundred miles an hour. Not until her vibrant green eyes were directed (with the help of her friends) to their compartment, did he retract his gaze.
Remus laughed. "I think she saw you."
Frowning, the girl had turned back to her friends, talking with slightly less spirit than she had done before, casting curious looks back in their direction for a quarter of an hour to make sure they weren't still looking.
By the time the train arrived at the Hogsmeade Station, all three boys loaded what was left of their candy into their pockets, feeling that they were no longer quite as full, and completely capable of devouring the feast waiting in the castle.
They came off the train, a small way back of the redhead so she didn't think they were following her.
"FIRS' YEARS!" called a booming voice. The voice, however, was nothing compared to the man beckoning them forward. He had to be at least ten feet tall, and a chest like a giant barrel stuck out in front of him, wild mangled hair surrounding a very ruddy face. Yet one couldn't help feeling trusting of this man, whoever he was, his giant shovel-like hands beckoning people forward. "THIS WAY! THA'S THE TICKET! EVERYONE HERE? FOLLOW ME!" All of the first years had to run to match his strides. He led them down a small hill to a lake where a little more than a dozen small rowboats were waiting, water slapping at the shore. A lantern was attached to each boat, swinging in the light breeze and casting a pale glow over the inky- blackness of the lake, turning it navy before swinging back onto the boat once more.
"ALL RIGH'!" came the man's booming voice again. "NO MORE'N THREE TER A BOAT!"
James, Sirius and Remus immediately piled into one boat, lined up right at the shore. In front of them, the redhead and her friends had taken another, and the boats progressively filled until the large man and one very small boy were still on the shore. James looked around at the boats. There was space for one more in one boat, but James privately felt he understood why this boy wasn't immediately running for it. Two very nasty-looking boys, talking in harsh whispers to one-another, one with long greasy black hair and another who looked, to James, as if his eyebrows and hair had consumed all of his face.
The giant man kept gesturing to the boy to take their boat, and a few people were starting to laugh. With an equally strong purpose, the boy shook his head.
"WELL, WE CAN'T GET GOIN UNLESS EVERYONE HAS A BOAT, YER GONNA HAVE TER SHARE WITH SOMEONE'," he said, now exasperated.
Trembling slightly, the boy made his way to the boat that had any room left and timidly squeezed in.
"How's he getting there?" Sirius gestured towards the man.
James shrugged, but Remus pointed behind him.
It was just like their boats, but about two times larger, as if it had simply been expanded to fit. Climbing inside, the man took a large pink umbrella James couldn't quite remember seeing him carrying before and tapped his boat three times. All the little boats started off at once, careening down the lake towards what looked like a long patch of ivy.
"YE'HL GET YER FIRS' LOOK AT THE CA -- "
SPLASH
From directly behind them, they heard the sound of harsh laughter and whimpering cries. The boy who had not wanted to get on at all was now bobbing up and down in the water, and the other two were laughing hysterically. Without much thought (though it was how he always operated) James plunged into the lake before anyone else could act. The giant man must've stopped the boats, because they all stood still in the water. Some of the girls had their hands clapped over their mouths, but the boys seemed to be thoroughly enjoying watching it. The boat the boy had been pushed out of (for clearly there was no other explanation) was the furthest to the left, and dead centre. James weaved in and out of the other boats. The boy was now drifting further and further away, still flailing his arms helplessly. He had to be nearly two yards from where he had started now, but James gave a big push with his hands, and he had his arms around the boy's shoulders, forcing his head out of the water. Instead of taking him back to his boat, James dragged him back towards the giant, who was looking white with fear. He pulled him up over the boat, and then reached out a hand towards James, who shook his head. "I'm all right," he said, with a smile.
He began to swim slowly back towards his boat (Sirius and Remus were clapping and laughing, and a few others had joined in), when he could hear the jeers and cries of the other two boys. Diving underwater, he swam until he found what had to be the bottom of their boat, and, pushing his hands all the way up, tipped them overboard and swam silently back to his boat, climbing over the edge.
Sirius leaned in so that only James and Remus could hear him. "Good one," he said, grinning broadly, his eyes on the boys struggling to regain balance. The large man was obviously feeling the same way because it was in a slightly amused voice that he said "C'MON, NOW! C'MON -- CAN'T GET GOIN IF YER GONNA MESS AROUN'." Several people laughed. White-faced and furious the boys managed to get back into their boat, glaring directly at James who feigned a look of innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about," said James, with a small smile.
"That wasn't very nice, you know."
All three boys looked ahead. The redhead and her two friends were looking at James, glowering.
"He threw him over! He deserved what he got!"
"I don't see how that justifies it."
"Then you're an idiot," Sirius added helpfully, and in a huff she turned around again.
Shaking his head, Sirius glared in her general direction. "Don't see what her problem is. She was laughing with everyone else when they fell in."
James shrugged. He felt quite indifferent.
By the time the boats docked on the shore leading up to the castle, the cold was starting to get to James. Thinking happily he'd soon be in the castle devouring a very hot dinner, he shrugged it off. The other boy, who was still behind with their leader was wrapped in what looked like a giant bear -skin, shivering as if it were mid-January.
They followed a winding path up to the castle doors, two very high wooden structures, each with a giant silver knocker on the door. Grabbing one, the giant pulled on it and made three loud, cracking booms.
The door was yanked open almost immediately by a tall, near-skeletal, balding wizard in long black robes.
"Thank you, Hagrid," he said, not meeting Hagrid's eyes. "I'll take them from here. You may go."
Without saying another word, the man turned his back on Hagrid and began leading the children into a giant foyer.
"Mr. Hagrid! Mr. Hagrid! I still have your coat!"
Turning, Hagrid smiled at the boy James had retrieved from the lake. "Tha's okay, jus' drop it off on yer way ter Herbology sem time this week - It's the cabin just down - well, yeh can see it from the castle. Bye, Pe'er!"
"Come along, come along!" the man shouted at Peter, who was still waving furiously at Hagrid.
The man stopped right as they began approaching two large doors behind which there was a great deal of noise and light. The whole of the entryway was so cavernous James was amazed their echoes didn't travel for miles.
"Stay right here and do not move," the man said crossly. "I have to see to something I'll be back in a moment, and we will begin the Sorting."
At these words, there was a rush of whispers, and James saw with some satisfaction that the Muggle redhead looked petrified.
"What do they mean, "the sorting"? What sort of things do they make us do? Do we need spells? I don't remember any spells - it's been ages since I've looked over my books. I don't even have my wand!" Sirius, James and Remus were slightly calmer. James knew, and could only imagine the other two did as well, what the sorting ceremony entailed. His Father told him that a hat, owned by one of the founders, was placed upon your head, and it decided the House to which you belonged.
Remus, though clearly not unnerved by the idea of the method of sorting, was nevertheless anxious. "I know if I don't get into Ravenclaw, Romulus will think I'm a stupid prat. He always goes on about how Ravenclaws are really the only intelligent wizards, and the others are all duffers. My sister, Silvia, she's the same. Romulus is on the Quidditch team -- just last year he's been accepted. He's not great, but good enough to gloat..." before sliding into a forborne expression, James was able to register that he was sure this was the longest Remus had ever spoken in the time they knew him.
"Mate, my parents want me to be in Slytherin. It doesn't matter, though, does it? If I have to sit there with that thing on my head hours before it puts me in anything but Slytherin, I'll do it. Ravenclaws are supposed to be bores, anyway -- who needs it?"
The blatant bashing of his siblings' prized house seemed to cheer Remus slightly, if it weren't for his overwhelming nerves.
"Hello Sirius," came a smug, satisfied voice from behind.
Before he even turned to see who it was, a horrible sickening expression shaded over Sirius's handsome features. "Bella," he said coldly.
"So, too good for Slytherin? You probably just don't think you could get into a house like it. They wouldn't want you, Slytherin never took babies."
Bella, a rather unpleasantly pretty-looking witch with heavy-lidded eyes, a shining black bun and a smug expression, was looking as though she would like nothing better than to have Sirius take a swing at her.
Throwing her a glance that clearly stated he would like to call her many things, none of them cheery, Sirius held back and simply gave her one last, very icy look. "Get lost, Bellatrix."
Still smirking, she retreated back to a group of people, all of them equally as sinister-looking as Bellatrix herself.
"How do you know her?" James asked, finally pulling his eyes away from their group.
Sirius's expression softened very little, still staring hard at her. "She's my cousin," he said flatly, and it was clear that this answer was going to be the only sufficient piece of information that crossed his lips presently.
The skeletal man reappeared, looking no more cheerful than he had done before.
"Follow me, please."
He yanked open the large double doors which they had been standing in front of for a quarter of an hour.
The rest of the summer, though grudgingly slow, ended finally, and that first September morning, when the air was just beginning to chill, James hardly needed his Mother's sharp knock on the door to wake him up. He had already been awake for hours, all of his bags neatly packed, and he was completely dressed (in old Muggle clothing his Mother had bought a while ago for this occasion specifically).
"Thanks, Mum!" he yelled loudly, glaring at the door.
"Just checking, just checking," she called. "We're leaving in half an hour -- make sure you have all your things together."
It took six trips up and down from his room to the front entrance to get all of his things. His Mother had insisted he pack extra clothes, and a couple of dress robes ("Just in case! There could be a party... and they're always nice to have along!") and a whole series of things he was pretty sure he'd never look at until June when he had to pack it all up again.
His Father had signalled for the Knight Bus before they'd left. The ride was pleasant enough; he'd spent most of the ride sitting in a fat armchair watching London fly by, hoping to maybe see Sirius as he approached. A friendly face would help him get rid of his parents, who were determined to see him off. Ahead of him, a sandy-haired boy whose mother was nearly as quiet as he was, had his head stuck in a book the whole time, every now and then stopping because his Mother was making sure he'd remembered another item.
"You didn't forget your owl, did you, darling?"
"No, mum"
"Or your jumper? It'll be cold in the winter -- though I dare say you'll want to come home for the holidays. I remember I used to get so homesick - "
"No, mum".
From where James was sitting, the boy, though clearly his own age looked unusually tired and strained. His face looked almost aged prematurely, despite his youthful features. There was a somehow pained expression in even his smile as he attempted to humour his mother.
Taking the lead from that boy's Mother, Mrs. Potter also began drilling James on his things, a subject that she managed to press for the rest of the journey.
When they stepped off the bus, James feeling as if his head might explode, he quickly volunteered to run and find a trolley. Returning, he made a quick attempt to load all his things on as fast as possible.
"Well, that's great, Mum, Dad, thanks! I'll just be --"
"Hold on," said his Mother, looking slightly hurt, "don't you want us to see you off?"
"I promised to meet Sirius at the Platform, and, well... I really have no time..."
"You have twenty minutes," said his Father sharply. "And you also haven't a clue how to get ON the Platform."
James' face fell. He loved his parents, but he was rather hoping he wouldn't have to hug them in front of Sirius, who had told him that HIS parents would not be coming.
"Yeah... you're right... how silly of me."
They made their way through the barrier and appeared on the other side, with no sign of Sirius anywhere. He made the hugs and kisses as quick as possible before he practically shoved his parents through the barrier yelling "Thanks! See you in June!" after them.
"James!" called a voice loudly. "JAMES! Hey, James -- over here!"
Spinning around, James saw Sirius leaning out of a compartment window, the steam billowing from the train rustling his hair. Waving, his grin grew wider.
Dropping all his things at the Baggage compartment, James made his way up the train till he found Sirius's compartment, and was slightly surprised to find that it wasn't empty. The sandy-haired boy from the Knight Bus, head still buried in his book, barely glanced up as James entered, slamming down in a seat across from Sirius and next to the boy.
"I'm sorry I haven't written in ages," Sirius began. James laughed, it had been two days. "But I've been grounded. Mum found the dungbombs, like I thought and wouldn't let me out of my room for a week. Took my owl, too. Oh well..." he said, still grinning. "She only found one box. I had another stuffed under my mattress." He pulled a small rectangular box from his pocket with the word ZONKO'S FABULOUS FIRST-RATE DUNGBOMBS labelled across the front. Out of the corner of his eye, James saw the sandy-haired boy look slightly concerned, slightly amused.
"This," said Sirius, noticing that James' attention was already turned in that direction, "is Remus."
Looking over the top of his book, Remus blushed, smiling nervously.
"Hello," he said.
James offered his hand, and Remus, though still looking nervous, took it.
"James."
"Hi, James," he said warmly, setting his book aside altogether.
James had been right -- he did look tired. There were small worry lines already creasing his forehead, which would be almost impossible to see if the compartment was more brightly lit, but as it was, dark shadows seemed more prominent under his eyes and he looked as though he might pass out at any minute.
"Are you all right?" James asked in spite of his better judgement.
The boy grinned, and James was sure he was doing a little fast thinking. "I don't really get much sleep." He laughed. "I was up all night -- too excited. I almost couldn't come - "but at these words he fell silent altogether, looking as if he'd said too much.
Sirius shrugged softly in James direction when he caught his eye, so that Remus couldn't see.
"Yeah," said James. "Yeah, me too."
There was a loud whistle, and the train began to move, slowly gaining speed while the London city scene slowly melted into the countryside.
Sirius was avidly debating with Remus, who seemed to have left his nervousness miles away with the station, about Quidditch. James watched the whole thing with great amusement, jumping in now and then, taking neither side.
"IRELAND? IRELAND!" Sirius bellowed, as James fell into another fit of laughter. "Ireland hasn't got a clue. Did you watch the last match?"
"That's only one bad match -- they had three really great ones before that -- did you see the game against Spain?"
Lost for words (perhaps because he realized Remus was right), Sirius contented himself to glare out the window muttering about "Irish frauds" causing James to lead Remus into a fit of laughter that lasted until the food trolley rolled up the isle, straightening up, they realised their hunger. It was nearly three, and James hadn't bothered getting lunch before coming to the station -- his Mother had tried to persuade him to eat something, but he had refused.
Everyone, extracting large amounts of silver, ordered possible more than they could carry, and the seats were soon buried in hundreds of sweets, each begging to be opened. There was a small stack of Chocolate Frog Cards that were at one end of the compartment, which they had all promised to split evenly once they arrived at Hogwarts, and another seat was completely devoted to empty rappers. Throwing his completed Chocolate Frog box on top of the mountain of garbage, mouth lined with chocolate, James looked distinctly as though he were about to barf, and was incredibly pleased about it.
"I have never," said Remus slowly, clutching his stomach and leaning against the window, "eaten that much chocolate in my life. I'm gonna be sick," he groaned, looking around as if for an appropriate place to do this.
"Just stay away from the cards," Sirius warned, in what would have sounded like a humorous voice, had he not been filled with chocolate. When they were sure they could open their mouths without vomiting, they began to talk about Hogwarts itself. Rumours, classes, what houses they'd like to be in, and so forth.
"Well," said Remus, "my older sister's in Ravenclaw -- so was my Dad. I expect they'd want me to be too."
"Yeah, mate," said James, shaking his head. "But we asked what house you wanted to be in -- not your dad."
"Gryffindor," he answered without hesitation. "Just don't tell my Dad. He thinks anyone who's not in Ravenclaw must be as dumb as a post."
"Well, my whole family's been in Gryffindor, but I'd probably want to be in it anyway. Sounds the best," James agreed.
"I just want to be in Gryffindor to spite my Dad," Sirius said. Remus looked slightly taken aback, and Sirius added reassuringly, "Don't worry -- my mum, too."
James snorted, and Remus let another smile escape him.
"Yeah, not all my family, but most have been in Slytherin. I hate it -- they act like anyone who's Muggle-born is scum." He smiled off James' look. "Yes, I agree with you." Rolling his eyes, he turned back to Remus. "You pure-blood?"
"Sort of... I think we have a couple of Muggles in the family, but only recently -- and they were in the family after I was born -- so I don't know if that counts."
"I'm pure," said James and Sirius at the same time.
"Speaking of Muggles - Hey James, it's that girl," Sirius said, looking across for the first time to the compartment across from them.
"What girl?" James asked, turning so he could see where Sirius was looking. Red hair shining in the sunlight, the Muggle girl they had seen in Diagon Alley was chatting excitedly with a group of girls. "Oh, her," James said with very little interest. "Cool."
It wasn't that James thought her unattractive; it was more the fact that at eleven, his mind was less occupied with girls than with sports. He acknowledged her to be uncommonly pretty, but didn't see the fuss Sirius seemed to be making. She flicked back another long section of her dark red hair, her mouth still moving a hundred miles an hour. Not until her vibrant green eyes were directed (with the help of her friends) to their compartment, did he retract his gaze.
Remus laughed. "I think she saw you."
Frowning, the girl had turned back to her friends, talking with slightly less spirit than she had done before, casting curious looks back in their direction for a quarter of an hour to make sure they weren't still looking.
By the time the train arrived at the Hogsmeade Station, all three boys loaded what was left of their candy into their pockets, feeling that they were no longer quite as full, and completely capable of devouring the feast waiting in the castle.
They came off the train, a small way back of the redhead so she didn't think they were following her.
"FIRS' YEARS!" called a booming voice. The voice, however, was nothing compared to the man beckoning them forward. He had to be at least ten feet tall, and a chest like a giant barrel stuck out in front of him, wild mangled hair surrounding a very ruddy face. Yet one couldn't help feeling trusting of this man, whoever he was, his giant shovel-like hands beckoning people forward. "THIS WAY! THA'S THE TICKET! EVERYONE HERE? FOLLOW ME!" All of the first years had to run to match his strides. He led them down a small hill to a lake where a little more than a dozen small rowboats were waiting, water slapping at the shore. A lantern was attached to each boat, swinging in the light breeze and casting a pale glow over the inky- blackness of the lake, turning it navy before swinging back onto the boat once more.
"ALL RIGH'!" came the man's booming voice again. "NO MORE'N THREE TER A BOAT!"
James, Sirius and Remus immediately piled into one boat, lined up right at the shore. In front of them, the redhead and her friends had taken another, and the boats progressively filled until the large man and one very small boy were still on the shore. James looked around at the boats. There was space for one more in one boat, but James privately felt he understood why this boy wasn't immediately running for it. Two very nasty-looking boys, talking in harsh whispers to one-another, one with long greasy black hair and another who looked, to James, as if his eyebrows and hair had consumed all of his face.
The giant man kept gesturing to the boy to take their boat, and a few people were starting to laugh. With an equally strong purpose, the boy shook his head.
"WELL, WE CAN'T GET GOIN UNLESS EVERYONE HAS A BOAT, YER GONNA HAVE TER SHARE WITH SOMEONE'," he said, now exasperated.
Trembling slightly, the boy made his way to the boat that had any room left and timidly squeezed in.
"How's he getting there?" Sirius gestured towards the man.
James shrugged, but Remus pointed behind him.
It was just like their boats, but about two times larger, as if it had simply been expanded to fit. Climbing inside, the man took a large pink umbrella James couldn't quite remember seeing him carrying before and tapped his boat three times. All the little boats started off at once, careening down the lake towards what looked like a long patch of ivy.
"YE'HL GET YER FIRS' LOOK AT THE CA -- "
SPLASH
From directly behind them, they heard the sound of harsh laughter and whimpering cries. The boy who had not wanted to get on at all was now bobbing up and down in the water, and the other two were laughing hysterically. Without much thought (though it was how he always operated) James plunged into the lake before anyone else could act. The giant man must've stopped the boats, because they all stood still in the water. Some of the girls had their hands clapped over their mouths, but the boys seemed to be thoroughly enjoying watching it. The boat the boy had been pushed out of (for clearly there was no other explanation) was the furthest to the left, and dead centre. James weaved in and out of the other boats. The boy was now drifting further and further away, still flailing his arms helplessly. He had to be nearly two yards from where he had started now, but James gave a big push with his hands, and he had his arms around the boy's shoulders, forcing his head out of the water. Instead of taking him back to his boat, James dragged him back towards the giant, who was looking white with fear. He pulled him up over the boat, and then reached out a hand towards James, who shook his head. "I'm all right," he said, with a smile.
He began to swim slowly back towards his boat (Sirius and Remus were clapping and laughing, and a few others had joined in), when he could hear the jeers and cries of the other two boys. Diving underwater, he swam until he found what had to be the bottom of their boat, and, pushing his hands all the way up, tipped them overboard and swam silently back to his boat, climbing over the edge.
Sirius leaned in so that only James and Remus could hear him. "Good one," he said, grinning broadly, his eyes on the boys struggling to regain balance. The large man was obviously feeling the same way because it was in a slightly amused voice that he said "C'MON, NOW! C'MON -- CAN'T GET GOIN IF YER GONNA MESS AROUN'." Several people laughed. White-faced and furious the boys managed to get back into their boat, glaring directly at James who feigned a look of innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about," said James, with a small smile.
"That wasn't very nice, you know."
All three boys looked ahead. The redhead and her two friends were looking at James, glowering.
"He threw him over! He deserved what he got!"
"I don't see how that justifies it."
"Then you're an idiot," Sirius added helpfully, and in a huff she turned around again.
Shaking his head, Sirius glared in her general direction. "Don't see what her problem is. She was laughing with everyone else when they fell in."
James shrugged. He felt quite indifferent.
By the time the boats docked on the shore leading up to the castle, the cold was starting to get to James. Thinking happily he'd soon be in the castle devouring a very hot dinner, he shrugged it off. The other boy, who was still behind with their leader was wrapped in what looked like a giant bear -skin, shivering as if it were mid-January.
They followed a winding path up to the castle doors, two very high wooden structures, each with a giant silver knocker on the door. Grabbing one, the giant pulled on it and made three loud, cracking booms.
The door was yanked open almost immediately by a tall, near-skeletal, balding wizard in long black robes.
"Thank you, Hagrid," he said, not meeting Hagrid's eyes. "I'll take them from here. You may go."
Without saying another word, the man turned his back on Hagrid and began leading the children into a giant foyer.
"Mr. Hagrid! Mr. Hagrid! I still have your coat!"
Turning, Hagrid smiled at the boy James had retrieved from the lake. "Tha's okay, jus' drop it off on yer way ter Herbology sem time this week - It's the cabin just down - well, yeh can see it from the castle. Bye, Pe'er!"
"Come along, come along!" the man shouted at Peter, who was still waving furiously at Hagrid.
The man stopped right as they began approaching two large doors behind which there was a great deal of noise and light. The whole of the entryway was so cavernous James was amazed their echoes didn't travel for miles.
"Stay right here and do not move," the man said crossly. "I have to see to something I'll be back in a moment, and we will begin the Sorting."
At these words, there was a rush of whispers, and James saw with some satisfaction that the Muggle redhead looked petrified.
"What do they mean, "the sorting"? What sort of things do they make us do? Do we need spells? I don't remember any spells - it's been ages since I've looked over my books. I don't even have my wand!" Sirius, James and Remus were slightly calmer. James knew, and could only imagine the other two did as well, what the sorting ceremony entailed. His Father told him that a hat, owned by one of the founders, was placed upon your head, and it decided the House to which you belonged.
Remus, though clearly not unnerved by the idea of the method of sorting, was nevertheless anxious. "I know if I don't get into Ravenclaw, Romulus will think I'm a stupid prat. He always goes on about how Ravenclaws are really the only intelligent wizards, and the others are all duffers. My sister, Silvia, she's the same. Romulus is on the Quidditch team -- just last year he's been accepted. He's not great, but good enough to gloat..." before sliding into a forborne expression, James was able to register that he was sure this was the longest Remus had ever spoken in the time they knew him.
"Mate, my parents want me to be in Slytherin. It doesn't matter, though, does it? If I have to sit there with that thing on my head hours before it puts me in anything but Slytherin, I'll do it. Ravenclaws are supposed to be bores, anyway -- who needs it?"
The blatant bashing of his siblings' prized house seemed to cheer Remus slightly, if it weren't for his overwhelming nerves.
"Hello Sirius," came a smug, satisfied voice from behind.
Before he even turned to see who it was, a horrible sickening expression shaded over Sirius's handsome features. "Bella," he said coldly.
"So, too good for Slytherin? You probably just don't think you could get into a house like it. They wouldn't want you, Slytherin never took babies."
Bella, a rather unpleasantly pretty-looking witch with heavy-lidded eyes, a shining black bun and a smug expression, was looking as though she would like nothing better than to have Sirius take a swing at her.
Throwing her a glance that clearly stated he would like to call her many things, none of them cheery, Sirius held back and simply gave her one last, very icy look. "Get lost, Bellatrix."
Still smirking, she retreated back to a group of people, all of them equally as sinister-looking as Bellatrix herself.
"How do you know her?" James asked, finally pulling his eyes away from their group.
Sirius's expression softened very little, still staring hard at her. "She's my cousin," he said flatly, and it was clear that this answer was going to be the only sufficient piece of information that crossed his lips presently.
The skeletal man reappeared, looking no more cheerful than he had done before.
"Follow me, please."
He yanked open the large double doors which they had been standing in front of for a quarter of an hour.