Chapter II
"Lupin, Remus."
Remus jumped at the sound of his name. He had been so engrossed in taking in the atmosphere surrounding him that he hadn't paid attention to the sorting. It wasn't the magic ceiling that distracted him, though that was impressive. It wasn't even the floating candles, the ghosts, or the intricately carved walls. No, it was the sheer number of people within his proximity. The young werewolf had never been around this many people before in his entire life.
Remus made his way up to the stool, limping slightly, the last full moon had been a bad one, and the next full moon was in four days and he was feeling the strain. The pale boy sat on the stool and the Sorting Hat was placed on his head.
"Interesting, I must admit, I've never seen a student quite like you."
"You-you know?"
"Of course I know; I'm in your head, and that is at the forefront of your mind."
"Please, please don't tell any-"
"I'm not telling anyone. What I'm wondering is where to put you. You're quite bookish and smart, you'd do well in Ravenclaw, very well indeed, but I don't think that's the right fit."
"What do you mean?" Remus asked the Hat.
"You're the first of your kind to ever come to Hogwarts, a pioneer in a since. Your actions can open up new possibilities for those like you."
"What are you getting at?" He questioned again, still confused.
"Books won't get you through here at school, or in life. You need more to help you survive. You need guts, fortitude, and integrity, but you already know that."
"Yes, Sir."
"Don't 'yes, Sir' me, I'm just a hat." It snapped in his head, "Now listen, you've shown all three of those qualities just in coming here. You'd make a fine Griffindor, if that's what you want."
"What I want?"
"Do you want to develop your wits and intellect? You'd do fine in that world of academia and scholarship, although you'd be lonely. Or do you want to develop strengths that open up new possibilities? A path with choices, adventure, and the ability to make a difference? Either one, you'd do well at."
Remus sat still, not sure how to respond. He loved books and learning, but he always had a hidden desire for adventure, to make a difference, and be the hero, maybe be the one to change how people treated others like him.
"I want to make a difference."
"Then that makes you a...GRIFFINDOR!"
Remus arose and walked down towards the scarlet clad table. A young girl with red hair, who had been sorted earlier, slid down to make room for him to sit.
"I'm Lily." She introduced herself.
"Remus Lupin." he replied. He looked across the table to the boy with black hair, the one who had been sorted at the beginning. The boy glanced at Remus and said, "I reckon we'll be roommates from now on. I'm Sirius."
"I don't doubt you." Remus replied, "I'm Remus."
The boy laughed loudly, "Great pun, Remus, I never ever thought about that!"
Remus looked at him quizzically, not understanding how he had made a pun. Seeing the expression upon Remus' face, the boy clarified,
"My name is Sirius."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"I thought you were Remus?" Sirius teased.
Remus smiled. He had just been sorted in his house, and he thought he had just made a friend for the first time in his life.
