Chapter 2: The Sorting

The first years were all standing in a line at the front of the hall, waiting for their name to be called so they could be sorted. They were all nervous, knowing that the house they were sorted into would carve their path for the rest of their lives.

"Avery, Thomas," became a Slytherin. Sirius heart quickened, his palms sweaty.

"Black, Sirius," called Professor Mcgonagall. The hall went silent as Sirius walked to the stool. Everyone wanted to know where the young Black heir would be placed. Sirius took a deep breath, and plunged his head into the grimy hat.

Another Black I see? Slytherin, surely?

No! I don't want to be a Slytherin. I'm not like them. I don't want to be like them, Sirius thought.

Hmmm, I see. You are certainly ambitious, maybe even a bit cunning? You would do well there…

No! I can't be a Slytherin, I can't be!

You are also very loyal, intelligent, but not studious, hmmmm… well then, it'll have to be…

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat pronounced loudly. The hall was silent. Sirius was still standing by the stool, looking frightened. Narcissa was glaring, and so were several other Slytherins.

Suddenly, the sound of one person clapping and cheering could be heard. It was James. He gave Sirius a cheeky grin, and immediately Sirius felt lighter. Now all the Gryffindors were clapping as well. He smiled, and found a seat at the Gryffindor table.

"Crabbe, Alex" became a Slytherin, as well as

"Goyle, Edward."

The red haired girl from the train, Lily, became a Gryffindor. Sirius groaned inwardly at the thought of spending any more time with her.

Remus knew he was next. He could feel his heart rate quicken as he heard Professor Mcgonogall call

"Lupin, Remus" He shuddered as he walked up to the stool. He could feel the eyes of all the staff members staring at him, and he was sure the other students had noticed too. He took a deep breath, and pushed the hat onto his head.

Ooooh, well isn't this exciting! A werewolf…

I'll work hard, I promise! Please don't throw me out!

Throw you out? Certainly not! You have far too much potential for that! Now let me see… where to put you…

Remus breathed a sigh of relief.

I think you would do well in Ravenclaw, you like learning, and you are certainly intelligent and studious.

Yes, Ravenclaw, Remus thought. I'd fit in there.

You'd fit in, certainly, but it wouldn't challenge you. You need a challenge, Mr. Lupin. Something to push you in the right direction. You need to find courage, so of course, you'll have to be placed in…

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat pronounced loudly. Remus smiled. He didn't know if he was all that happy about being in the house of the brave, but at least he knew someone already. Sirius was waving happily at him from his place on the bench. Remus sat down next to him.

"Mckinnon, Marlene" became a Gryffindor, and then it was Peter's turn.

Peter eyes darted back and forth, preparing for his sorting. He was incredibly nervous about where he would be placed.

"Pettigrew, Peter" he heard the Professor call. He gulped, and walked up to the stool. He placed the hat on his head, and waited.

Well this certainly is complicated…

Why? Peter panicked. I just want to be in the same house as my friends.

Gryffindor? Well I see you're very loyal, but you're also cunning, and you have a dangerous ambitious streak. You would do well in Slytherin, my friend.

No! Sirius and Remus are in Gryffindor. I want to be with them.

If you're sure… you'll have to be a…

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat bellowed. He smiled widely, and immediately took a seat across from Remus. Sirius and Remus both congratulated him, and then turned their attention back to the sorting.

James knew he was next, but he wasn't worried. He knew where he would be placed. Gryffindor, without a doubt.

"Potter, James" called Professor Mcgonogal. He walked up to the stool, and without any hesitance, pulled the hat onto his head.

Finally! Something easy! There's only one house for you.. and that is…

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat called, without even being on his head for more than a few seconds. He grinned, and made his way over to the Gryffindor table, and seated himself next to Peter.

"Snape, Severus" became a Slytherin, much to the disappointment of Lily Evans. She waved at him as he took a seat at the Slytherin table.

Then the stool and hat were hauled away, and it was time for Dumbledore to make his speech.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts for another year!" Dumbledore said jovially. "I just want to remind you of several rules that are to be followed. Please, no using magic in the corridors…"

James and Sirius both snorted loudly.

"Fat chance," James laughed.

"…There has also been a new plant placed on the grounds this year. It is called the whomping willow, and is named justly. Do not attempt to approach this plant, as I can only assume the results will be wholly unfortunate and painful. Now, I'm sure you're all very hungry, so let the feast begin!"

The tables were suddenly groaning under the weight of pork chops, huge tureens of soup, steak, mashed potatoes, and so much more. Remus had never seen so much food in his life.

As Sirius was stuffing roasted vegetables in his mouth, he asked Remus,

"How come everyone was staring at you when you were sorted? All the professors were looking at you." James nodded.

"Yeah, I noticed that too," Peter said thoughtfully.

"I dunno, I guess I didn't notice," Remus said quickly, biting into a chicken leg to avoid having to discuss it more.

"I've been thinking of ways to mess with people in our lessons tomorrow, and I have such a great idea!" James began bragging to Sirius.

"What is it?" Sirius asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"So our first lesson is potions, right? So we just add some extra beetle eyes or something to each of our cauldrons, and BAM! they explode!" James explained, looking gleeful. Sirius looked delighted.

"Let's do it!" Peter grinned.

"You shouldn't add beetle eyes if you want to make the cauldrons explode," Remus said suddenly. "You should add a few spider legs, or maybe some beetle juice."

Sirius, James, and Peter were all gaping at him.

"How did you know that?" Peter asked. Remus shrugged.

"I read a lot, I guess."

"That's brilliant, mate! Will you help us tomorrow?" He asked Remus. Remus looked a skeptical.

"What if we get detention?" He asked.

"We won't get detention! How would they know we were the ones to do it?" Sirius answered. Remus finally agreed, and all of the boys grinned.

When dinner was finished, Remus was cornered by Professor Mcgonogall. She told him that Dumbledore wanted to see him. So, while everyone else was following their prefects to their common rooms, he trudged up in the stairs in the opposite direction.

—

"Do you understand, Remus?" Dumbledore asked him seriously. Yes, Remus understood this crazy plan Dumbledore had come up with. Madam Pomfrey would walk him to the whomping willow, and guide him through the tunnel, before leaving him their in the shack by himself to survive the full moon alone.

"Yes, I understand," Remus said, swallowing thickly.

"Gryffindor house will be good to you, Remus. You must learn to have courage, even if that courage is to stand up to yourself." Remus only nodded, unsure of what Dumbledore meant. "Head back to your common room, now, Remus."

Remus got up from his chair and was about to disappear through the door when he heard Dumbledore say,

"Have a good first day, Remus." Remus gave a small smile in answer, and then descended down the golden stairs.

—

"You're pathetic!" Sirius said through laughter. "Honestly, I can't believe it! You're only a first year!"

"But I just know!" James defended himself. Remus was standing in the doorway of the dorm, not entirely sure what was going on. Sirius and Peter were laughing, and James looked sullen.

"Remus, you'll never guess what James just told us," Peter said, giggling.

"He has a crush!" Sirius burst out.

"And it's that red haired girl from the train! Evans!" Peter laughed again. James was blushing.

"Come on! She's pretty!" James said.

"Yeah, pretty but also absolutely mental!" Sirius chided.

"No, she's…." James couldn't come up with the right word.

"Feisty?" Remus offered.

"Yes! She's feisty!" James said. Sirius rolled his eyes. Even Remus was laughing now.

"Whatever. I'm going to bed," Peter said, rubbing his eyes. All of the boys agreed, and they all climbed into their four poster beds, dreaming of exploding cauldrons and potion covered Slytherins.