-1Chapter 2: A Bad Beginning
The Great Hall was enormous. Four long, wooden House tables set in a line took up most of the room, and the remaining space was filled with an elongated table where James supposed the teachers were seated. His gaze swept over the other professors and landed on the figure seated in the very center.
He was tall, immensely so, but not nearly as tall as the gamekeeper Hagrid, but he seemed just as towering. Covering the rest of his was an extraordinary, sweeping grey beard. Half-moon spectacles sat at the end of a rather crooked nose, and he sat leaning forward, his pointed chin resting on his steepled fingers. He gazed out across the room with a muted interest, his clear blue eyes scanning the room.
James knew at once that this was the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. His parents had often spoke of him as a teacher in their time. He turned to nudge Sirius who was next to him, but in the next moment, the Sorting Ceremony had started. They were instructed to go up alphabetically. James watched disinterestedly until at last, "Black, Sirius!" was called.
Looking slightly sick, Sirius stepped forward reluctantly, and the old, brown Sorting Hat was plunked on his head. James crossed his fingers and bounced on his feet, trying to see Sirius over the crowd, of people, hoping, hoping…
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat roared and James let out a yell of happiness before he knew what he was doing, but it could hardly be heard over the thunderous applause from the Gryffindor table anyway. The hat was taken from Sirius's head, and an immensely relieved and happy look had replaced the sickened one. He practically ran to the table, where he was greeted with slaps on the back and cheers.
The Sorting went on, until the name "Evans, Lily!" was shouted. James whipped his head around so fast he almost got a crick in his neck.
Tiny Lily Evans strode forward, her face set. Out of the corner of his eye, James saw Severus looking at her with anticipation, biting his lip. James snorted. What a loser.
Lily sat down on the seat and Professor McGonagall dropped the hat onto her head. It had barely touched her deep red hair when it announced proudly, "GRYFFINDOR!"
There was another smattering of applause and cheers, and to James' trained ear, a small groan of dismay. He turned to see Severus looking downcast. Lily's gaze strayed over to the skinny boy and she too had a small frown on her face. James clenched his fists involuntarily. He saw Sirius nudge down to make room for her, but Lily gave him a dirty look and sat down, her back to him. Sirius glanced back at James, who shrugged.
When "Lupin, Remus!" was also Sorted into Gryffindor, James couldn't help but smile. He had rather liked the sleepy-eyed, tall boy.
After some agonizing moments and after "Pettigrew, Peter!" was called into Gryffindor as well, finally the name "Potter, James!" was called.
Anticipation running through him, as well as a massive wave nervousness, James strode forward, trying to look like he didn't care. He sat down on the small, four-legged stool in the center of the Hall, and Professor McGonagall walked over with the Sorting Hat. She placed it on top of his unruly black hair.
"Ah…" said a voice in his head. "Ah, yes. Such potential here…I can tell that you're going to be quite the young man…well…we better put you in GRYFFINDOR!"
Relief coursed through James as malleable as water. He jumped up and grinned, dashing towards the Gryffindor table.
"Well, done James!" Sirius roared, clapping a thin hand on his shoulder. "I knew you could do it!"
Remus Lupin also leaned forward and shook James' hand. "Congratulations." he said, barely concealing a yawn.
"Thanks!" James climbed onto the bench, squeezing next to Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, as the seat beside Sirius was taken by the fierce Lily, who was still pointedly ignoring the both of them. Her impassive face showed no indication of any joy at James' being Sorted into the same House as she, but instead stared forward with a kind of grim disposition.
"Hey, Evans." James whispered. "Look, we're in the same House! Aren't you just overjoyed?"
She let out a derisive snort and didn't reply. Sirius snickered, but Remus Lupin frowned.
When "Snape, Severus" was finally called, James saw the first signs of life in Lily. She sat up, her eyes eager, not realizing that she was clenching her hands in her lap. James crossed his arms over his chest in annoyance.
"SLYTHERIN!" the Sorting Hat crowed barely a moment after it had landed on Severus's head. There were cheers of approval from the green and silver Slytherin table, and Severus skulked off to join them. Lily's shoulders drooped unhappily.
"Awww, missing little Snivellus?" James said, grinning. He poked her shoulder, and she slapped his hand away so fast that he didn't even see it. "Ouch!"
Lily turned to face him, her cheeks red with anger. "Can't you just leave us both alone, you mean, stupid brat?" she snarled, green eyes flashing. "We haven't done anything to you, you know. Don't talk to me ever again."
With that, she got up and flounced away, her red curls bouncing with every step. James stared after her, massaging his stinging hand. What a hothead! He thought, turning towards Sirius, who just shrugged again.
After the Sorting Ceremony and after dinner had been served and cleared away, and the waistband of James' jeans was feeling uncomfortably tight under his cloak, he, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were all led away by the Gryffindor prefects. Their dorm prefect, a tall boy with blonde hair, blue eyes, and an encouraging smile was named Justin Callum.
"This way, come along, it's just up along here." Justin led them up several flights of stairs and down a few corridors before they came to a stop in front of an enormous portrait of a very large woman in pink.
"Password?" she intoned, looking rather bored.
"Pensieve." Justin said clearly, and the woman in the portrait nodded, swinging open on her frame to reveal a circular entranceway.
"Come on through." Justin motioned then all through, and wide-eyed with wonder, James climbed into the Gryffindor common room.
It was filled with comfortable chintz armchairs and mismatched pillows. A roaring fire was crackling merrily in the handsome stone fireplace and a large bulletin board was hung on one of the walls, several notices posted to it already. On either side of the room were two staircases, both leading up to the girls' and boys' dormitories.
"All right then, up to your rooms, let's go. Up to sleep." Justin ushered the first group of first year boys up the stone staircase on the left. It wound up until they at last reached a sturdy wooden door, which James pushed open eagerly.
It was a small room, with four matching four-poster beds set in each corner and a glass window set in the wall. It was warm and cozy and James loved the feeling of belonging.
"This is tiny." Sirius observed, stepping in behind James. "Ah, oh well. I claim that bed closest to the window!"
"And I'll take the one by that wall." James walked over to find his trunk neatly stashed under the bed. "Wow, that's so cool! All of our stuff is up already!"
"Hey." said a voice from the door, and Remus Lupin walked in, followed by the quivering Peter Pettigrew. "Looks like we'll be sharing a dorm together." He yawned again. "Oh, there's my stuff."
"He-hello." Peter said. He climbed on top of the last bed and sat cross-legged on it, looking around at the group.
James had a feeling that this was going to be a very good year at Hogwarts.
"Dungbombs, anyone?" Sirius asked wickedly, holding up a bag.
Yes, a very good year indeed, James thought.