Chapter 3
(James pov)
I was not expecting to enjoy riding with Sirius has much as I did. It was a very enjoyable experience as we discussed our likes and dislikes, or wants and needs, our hopes and dreams. There was no way that this could be the same boy that my mother had basically told me was evil. He was so carefree and happy. Every now and then, he would throw his head back and burst into exuberant laughter, causing me to laugh as well, matching his joyous behavior.
Around 6:00 p.m. a prefect walked by our compartment, telling us to get ready as we were arriving at Hogwarts soon. The prefect paused and looked at Sirius and me as we sat there, looking at him, my eyebrows raised and Sirius looking haughty again. The prefect quickly recollected himself and walked off to tell other students. Sirius cocked his head slightly, as if unsure of how to continue. I flashed him a quick grin and he cheered up again. I smiled and watched as he methodically put some of his items away and got dressed.
I also began getting dressed into my robes. In just a little while longer, I would be officially sorted into my house and attending Hogwarts. Excitement coursed through me stronger than it had earlier that day. In just a little while, my entire Hogwarts career would be decided. I would be a Gryffindor and I would make incredible friends and I would pull awesome pranks and I…would have to say good bye to Sirius.
Sadness suddenly overtook me. I did not want to have to bid my new friend farewell, though I knew I would have to should he be sorted into Slytherin. And we both knew that chances of him escaping his designated house would be nearly impossible. Sirius looked sad as he straightened his robe and made himself look presentable.
"Come on, Sirius, cheer up," I urged, trying to reassure him that things would be alright. My words sounded hollow and empty to my own ears. No wonder people didn't usually take me seriously when I tried to cheer them up. "It won't be that bad," I continued on, bravely, I thought. "The sorting will be over within a few minutes and then you'll be able to make loads of friends and…"
I trailed off. There wasn't anything I could say without stating the inevitable. Sirius Black would most likely be in Slytherin and there was nothing neither of us could do about it. All because of a surname that he did not live up to by his family's standards. Of course, maybe Sirius was different. I thought so, without a doubt. But could whoever was sorting us see it too?
"It's alright James," he said softly, staring out the window as he sat back down in his seat. "Whatever happens happens and I'll be fine wherever I end up."
I sighed and sat down as well. It wasn't fair. I meet someone who I could easily consider a best friend if I was able to spend more time with him and he just happens to be the son of a dark arts family. Go figure. I didn't voice my opinions in this though, as I decided it might make Sirius feel bad.
The train pulled into the station and I got up. Beside me, Sirius slowly got to his face and a barrier seemed to fall across his face. Now his face was no longer open and friendly, but instead it was shrouded and closed off to all intrusion. I shuddered. It was a scary look to be on any face, let alone on the face of an eleven year old who could have been a close friend of mine. It was hard to believe that this boy was the same one that I had laughed with until I couldn't breathe just a few hours earlier.
"Well, are you ready?" I asked somewhat hesitantly. Sirius nodded and we both exited the train, leaving it behind us as we headed towards a tall skinny lady standing a short distance away from us and calling all first years toward her.
As we neared, I was able to see her gray hair flying about her face and her somewhat frazzled look. She stood there, a lantern in her hand and calling for the first year students at the top of her shrill lungs. It was really piercing on ears if you happened to be within ten feet of her.
One by one, students began arriving in small groups. As I gazed around I could immediately see distinctions. It was as if each had chosen his or her own house already. Most of the people who were well known children of dark arts followers were clustered together, huddling for warmth in the cool breeze. There were some students who just looked smart who were together, discussing the latest books that they had read, most likely about one of their textbooks. And the other students were just clumped. I chuckled softly under my breath. Sirius Black and I must have looked funny to the already formed cliques.
"Alright, first years," the woman with crazy hair began, "we're going to take these boats across the lake. As we turn one of these bends, you will be met by your first glance of Hogwarts. I'd like you all to get into these boats." She waved her arm around the edge of the lake. There were several boats just waiting to sail across the lake. "Four only to a boat, please," she called out again as we began to pile into them.
I found a boat and quickly climbed in, Sirius following me. For a moment his mask faded and was replaced by fear, but the mask quickly returned and he sat down quietly, looking anywhere but my face. I sighed and looked forward. I only turned when I felt the boat rock. I spun around and saw a red head girl and a blond boy get in. I managed to give them both a small grin, and turned back to staring out across the water.
Before I knew it, the boats had taken off and were sailing across the lake. Behind me I could hear the boy and girl introducing themselves to Sirius. Their names were Lily Evans and Remus Lupin from what I heard. Sirius introduced himself in a gruff voice and then ignored the two. I could now see how he could be a cold, mean person that my mother would want me to avoid. There was only a problem with that philosophy. I had seen him when he was kind and warm, cheerful and open. I sighed again and hoped with all my might that he wasn't sorted into Slytherin. If he was, he would most likely be destroyed. His cheerful spirit would be extinguished and his laugh would no longer resound throughout any room that he was in.
All sudden thoughts were jarred from my mind, though, as we turned the bend and saw the great castle that was otherwise known as Hogwarts. Behind me I could hear gasps of amazement and many different sounds shock. I smiled slightly. This would be my home for the next year, except holidays.
"Isn't it amazing," Sirius breathed in my ear. I jumped slightly as his warm breath brushed across my ear. I had not been expecting him to randomly speak.
I turned to look at him and found his eyes round and wide and completely focused on the great castle. "It is amazing," I muttered in response, not really sure that he was even conscious enough to hear me. He seemed completely engrossed in the sight. I grinned slightly and turned to the two other people in our boat. They too were also engaged in the castle. Finding no one to talk to, I turned back to staring at the beautiful surroundings.
Before long, we arrived at the other shore and climbed out of the boats. The woman who had been charge of leading us across the lake lead the way up the huge steps to the front door. As we neared the top, the double doors opened and a stern looking lady stepped out, staring at us first years in a formidable fashion. "The first years, I'm presuming," she said in a soft voice, and then beckoned us forward with her head. Obediently, we followed, not wanting to get into trouble before we were sorted.
"I am Professor McGonagall. I must leave for a few moments but I will return. Through those doors you will be sorted. You will then be able to go and sit with your new houses and eat. Until then, make yourselves presentable. I will return soon." McGonagall left and the students immediately began chatting softly. Black stood slightly off to the side of me, withdrawn. I could see the entire process going through his mind.
Deciding that he'd been torturing himself enough about the sorting I walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder in an encouraging manner. "Everything's going to be awesome. Just you watch. And even if we're not in the same house, we can still be friends."
A smile lit up Sirius's face for the first time since we got off of the train. "Really?" he questioned, as if he doubted the validity of my statement.
I nodded, not bothering to tell him that maintaining a friendship would almost be impossible if I got placed in Gryffindor and he got placed in Slytherin. At least he had a little bit of hope, even if it was false.
Before he could respond, Professor McGonagall arrived and gestured with her hand for us to follow her out into the Great Hall. Once again we allowed ourselves to be herded around and followed her into the hall without question. As the doors were pushed open, I was able to get my first glimpse of the hall. There were four huge tables, students already seated at each of them. There were several chandeliers everywhere and the sky was also enchanted to look like the sky. I glanced over at Sirius to see him craning his head all around as if trying to see everything at the same time.
A chuckle managed to escape my lips. He glanced over at me as well and our eyes met for a moment. So many different forms of encouragement were passed between us as he chuckled as well. We would be friends, no matter where we were sorted or what our parents thought. That much was evident.
A.N. Instead of ending with "in his laugh" i think I'm gonna end with one of them laughing. Anyways, thanks to all of my beautiful amazing reviewers. I would love it if you would review some more.
