A/N If I suddenly owned HP, you lot would be the first to know.

Remus's first glimpse at Hogwarts took his breath away. Everything about it, the towers, the way the lights glittered off the water they were moving across... he was in awe. It seemed his companions felt the same way. The trip was completely silent. Peter Pettigrew, and short pudgy boy who had moved into the boat along with them's mouth was hanging open in amazement. James and Sirius looked to be in the same mind frame.

When the boats finally docked, the first years grouped together as they made their way forward. It was as if none of them wanted to be the first to move through the doors. It wasn't long after the giant had dropped them off in a hallway before the talking began.

" Well, this is it mates! " Said James, who was grinning broadly, seemingly completely at ease. Remus noticed how tense his shoulders were though, and how his neck seemed straight, as if in challenge of his fear. James was nervous, but trying valiantly not to show it.

Sirius was worse off, but trying desperately to hide it. Remus could just make out the light tremors that kept making their way up Sirius' spine. Remus thought back to when Sirius had spoken of his family always being in Slytherin, and winced in sympathy. It was hard being different from your family, Remus would know.

A older women in dark green robes and her hair in a tight bun made her way into the great room, and with one severe look around, silenced everyone.

" First years, my name is Professor McGonagall, and I would like to welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! While you are here, your house will be like your family. The house choices are Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. In a moment, I will lead you into the Great Hall were you will try on the Sorting Hat and be given your houses. On you go. "

Feeling himself shaking slightly with nerves and adrenalin, Remus made his way side by side into the awaiting room with James and Sirius. He was instantly on edge.

Remus had never liked being stared at, it made him feel unbearably uncomfortable. Having come from a small home, there were never that many people around and being in a room with more people than he'd ever been around in his lifetime made him nervous. Instead of quaking with nerves like some of the first years around him, Remus straightened his back and acted as if he were in the company of his mother when she was in a bad mood.

Seemingly calm, he sat and waited for what was undoubtedly going to be a frightening event.

Professor McGonagall marched forward with one of the most raggedy hats he had ever seen. Placing it upon a three legged stool, she moved backwards out of most kids line of sight.

Remus stared at the hat just like everyone else. He just couldn't see what was so great about it. It was obviously magical, but what was it supposed to do?

Suddenly, the brim opened like a mouth, and to Remus's amusement, began to sing. Remus's expression grew more and more horrified. Bravery? Ambition? Brillinace? Hardworking? And the hat could read his mind? Ice cold dread seemed to trickle into his belly. What would he do if the hat announced what he was in front of the whole school? It could read his mind, it would know instantly what he was.

" James? Remus? " Sirius's voice wasn't near as sure as it was and hour ago. Remus turned, as did James, to look at him. " Will you--- will you be my friends, even if I don't get into Gryffindor? "

Remus was incredibly surprised that Sirius even considered Remus his friend, and felt an odd rush of warmth in the pit of his stomach. Then he felt like laughing. Him? Not want to be friends over something as silly as a different house? It was ludicrous, the idea of him judging anyone.

" Course we will mate! " Said James bracingly, " And don't worry 'bout it anyway, there's no chance of you getting stuck in that slimy house. "

Sirius didn't look so convinced.

" I'll stay your friend as long as you want me too. " I said softly into his ear. Sirius's frown transformed into a relieved smile.

" Thanks guys. "

" Arvail, Sebastion " McGonagall's voice rang out and Remus watched fascinated as a trembling blond boy walked up to the stool. He sat down hesitantly, as if ready to bolt at the smallest sign of trouble, and let out a startled shriek when the hat dropped over his head.

It took about two seconds for the hat to shout out a resounding " Hufflepuff! "

Grinning hugely, the boy scampered off toward the yellow and black table, whom all of its members were clapping loudly. Remus felt his fingers shake, and he shoved them into his pockets to hide it.

It didn't take long for McGonagall to reach " Black " and with a small gulp of nerves, Sirius made his way up the stool. Remus crossed his fingers in his pockets, hopefully Sirius would end up in the house he wanted to be in.

He sat there on the stool for what could only have been a minute, but felt like much longer. Then with a loud and clear voice, the hat shouted out " Gryffindor! "

Remus grinned at the look on Sirius' face, forgetting his worries for a moment. He was beaming, jumping agilely down from the stool and over to the cheering Gryffindor table. Remus saw him flash a smug look at the gobsmacked face of Bella who sat at the Slytherin table.

It was nice meeting you Sirius Black. Thought Remus with a small smile. He knew he wasn't going to end up in the house of the brave, but it was nice to have been considered a friend for a few hours. It made him feel... normal.

Time seemed to speed up as Remus' name came closer and closer to being called. Finally, with as Libbs Abigail walked grinning toward the Ravenclaw table, his name was spoken.

Taking a deep breathe to relax his muscles, Remus walked quickly and briskly toward the stool, trying to ignore the hundreds of eyes that he could feel burning into his head.

Sitting lightly on the chair, the sorting had was dropped on his head. He had to stop himself from jumping when a voice whispered into his ear...

" My my my, haven't ever sorted someone like you before... "

A/N Hope you're enjoying the story, please drop a review!