2.

Harry walked nervously behind another boy towards the front of the hall. The ceiling was a beautiful work of magic. Once the stopped Harry noticed everyone looking at the hat and did the same. Suddenly the hat burst into song.

'Oh, you may not think I'm pretty

But don't judge on what you see

I'll eat myself, if you can find

A smarter hat than me

You can keep your bowlers back

Your top hats sleek and tall

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!'

The school burst into applause for the hat, and the sorting began. Harry knew he didn't have long to wait. The first girl, Abbott, Hannah, was sorted into Hufflepuff, and then;

'Black, Harry!' called McGonagall. Harry walked towards the stool and placed the hat on his head. It didn't take long for the sorting hat to decide on Gryffindor. With a pleased feeling, Harry went to the Gryffindor table. He dropped himself next to Ron, and watched the rest of the sorting proceed.

After the feast, Harry and Ron followed Percy up to the dormitories.

'So what d'you think?' asked Ron as soon as they were in the dormitory.

'Crazy,' replied Dean. 'This is going to be one hard week. And that forbidden corridor, what was that all about?'

'Yeah,' said Harry. 'Dumbledore knows this is a school, right?'

'What do you think our first lessons are going to be?' asked Neville nervously. All five boys began a discussion over lessons, and if Defence Against the Dark Arts harder was than Transfiguration.

Harry stayed in his bed the next morning, feigning sleep. Only, when Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville had gone down to breakfast did he get up. He yawned and walked over to his trunk, and unlocked the secret compartment. He pulled out a bit of parchment, with the note; Keep this safe. Harry couldn't make heads or tails from it, so put it back. Then he pulled out an old, rusty mirror. Harry smiled broadly. Sirius had told him all about the two-way mirror, and now Harry finally had it. Thinking he had to try it – what if it was a prank – he clearly said: 'Sirius.'

'Hiya, pup!' Sirius' face was displayed in the mirror, it was a happy and energetic face.

'Hey, Remus! You owe me five galleons!' When Harry looked confused at this, Sirius explained. 'We had a bet, if you would find our presents before or after 12 P.M…'

Harry laughed and said: 'I've been sorted into Gryffindor and now I'm going to breakfast, I'll call you later!'

Sirius just managed a small 'bye' before Harry was gone. At least he was happy, Hogwarts could be a big and scary place.

'Harry, come on! We're going to be late!' Harry and Ron were running through the corridors in an attempt to find the right classroom. Suddenly Harry noticed a tapestry – Sirius had said it led right to the transfiguration corridor.

'Ron, this way!' Harry called, running through the tapestry and he ran a short way before emerging near the classroom.

'Wicked,' said Ron. 'How did you know?'

'Sirius,' answered Harry simply.

'You know you've got the coolest Dad in the world, right?'

'Yeah.'

Harry and Ron made it just in time.

'Mr. Potter…our new celebrity...'

Harry watched Snape defiantly. Harry had heard stories about Snape from Remus and Sirius. None of them good. Snape's mouth twisted into a leer.

'Well, Mr. Potter, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?'

Remus had told him that this question always got asked in the first lesson. He ignored Snape's look of loathing and said: 'Draught of living Death, professor.'

'Really? It seems your…guardians have taught you something worthwhile. Or not, of course.' The leer on Snape's face was taunting. Harry said nothing. He wasn't going to rise to Snape's bait. Snape shot him a last hating glance before proceeding with the rest of the lesson.

After the lesson Harry said to Ron: 'Well, now we know he does hate me!'

'Why would he hate you, though?'

'Oh, my father and his friends couldn't exactly get along with Snivellus, sorry Snape.'

'Snivellus?'

'It's what Sirius always calls him.'

Ron grinned as Dean caught up with them.

'How did you know the answer? I thought only Hermione knew the answers to anything?'

'Remus taught me some potions and other stuff. Sirius thought it was funny,' said Harry.

'I thought Sirius was your father, Harry?' remarked Dean.

'Adoptive,' answered Harry, before realising he shouldn't have said that.

'Oh. What happened to your parents?' asked Ron.

'They were killed when I was one,' said Harry before quickly changing the subject, they didn't need to know yet.

That evening Harry sat by the fire with a mirror in his hands. It was late, everyone had gone to bed but Harry had gone downstairs again, he couldn't sleep. He played with the mirror in his hands. He looked into the fire and tried to see shapes in the yellow and orange fire.

'Sirius,' said Harry loudly.

'Man, Harry! Why do you have to wake me up in the middle of the night! It had better be important…' said Sirius.

'It's hard…having to keep this secret. I want to tell people myself, instead of them finding out.'

'Oh. Uhmm, pup, maybe we should do this in the morning? When Remus is awake?'

'Sirius…'

'Okay. You can tell them if you want, pup. But just so you know, you tell them whole school will know. You understand?'

'Yeah,' said Harry. Sirius had loosened the knot in his stomach a little.

'But why aren't you asleep, like normal people,' Sirius asked.

'I'm going to bed now. Thanks Sirius.'

The next morning he woke up with the rest of the boys, and asked them to listen to him.

'Ehmm, guys? I think I need to tell you something…'

'Yeah, Harry?' said Dean.

'I said I had an adoptive father, right?' Harry said, becoming more confident. When there were murmurs of 'yes' and 'get to the point, I'm hungry', he continued. 'My adoptive father is Sirius Black, who is my godfather and now my real father. Sirius used to be best friends with James Potter…' He trailed off there.

'And your first name is Harry! Your Harry Potter!' said Ron excitedly, putting the pieces together. 'Wow. Can I see your scar?' he added in awe.

'Yes, I'm Harry Potter – but don't yell it to the whole school just now, okay?' The others nodded and Harry showed them his scar.

A/N Yes, I know, this is not a good chapter, but I had to get the sorting and the introducing characters and stuff out of the way. Not pleased with it yet, but I guess this is as good as it will get.

And I'm sooo sorry for the late update…I finished this a few weeks ago, but word was having problems, FFN was having problems, the whole computer… – sorry!