There is always tension between possibilities we aspire to and our wounded memories and past mistakes
~Sean Brady
Chapter Four
Eat, Drink, and Be Sorted
The carriage rattled up the pathway, slowly drawing closer and closer to the castle. Sirius sat with his friends, joking and goofing around with each other. He was trying to look unconcerned, trying to act like there wasn't something on his mind. He playfully ribbed Peter about a particularly disastrous attempt to transform a rose into a tulip in which the flower caught fire and singed a significant portion of his family's back garden. He plotted and schemed with James about how they would start the year of with a bang. All the while, he was trying to push out larger concerns or worries out of his mind.
"You feeling okay, Sirius?" James asked, obviously picking up on some of what Sirius was trying not to focus on. It was nice that his friend could read him so well, something no doubt resulting from spending every hour of every day for ten months together. They really got to know each other, know when something was bothering you, or know when you had a secret you were trying to keep. It was hard to hide something from someone who knew you so well.
"You seem a little out of it," James continued when Sirius didn't immediately respond. He had concern in his voice and etched clearly on his face. For a second or two, Sirius considered blowing off the question, downplaying the whole thing. He'd always been a little reserved about his family, not revealing the true extent of his family's depravity. But, in the same breath, Sirius shared a lot with his friends. They were his chosen family, the people he would have picked had he been given the option.
"My brother's starting Hogwarts this year," Sirius began, speaking slowly and carefully. "He's my family's golden child, their one son who can do no wrong. But he'd just really impressionable, and he's really concerned about impressing my parents. I'm pretty sure he'll be sorted into Slytherin like a proper Black should be, and I'm worried what that foul house will do to him. It's silly really." As Sirius spoke, he turned away from the concerned faces of his friends and looked out the window. He made it clear that he didn't want to talk about the matter further. After all, there wasn't a lot that his friends could do about the whole situation.
As Sirius watched the grounds roll by outside the carriage window, the castle looming closer and closer, he tried to ignore the whispered conversation that the other three were having. Sirius was pretty sure it was about him and his situation and what James and Remus, with the help of Peter, were going to do about it. Sirius didn't want to think about it. Maybe Regulus wouldn't be sorted into Slytherin. There was no point worrying about it now.
Finally, the carriage came to a stop in front of the large ornate doors that were the entrance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The four boys carefully exited, dragging their trunks and other belongings behind them. A crowd of their fellow students exiting their own carriages and attempting to make their way into the castle quickly met them.
The large group of students was making quite a racket, as boys and girls excitedly interacted with people they hadn't seen in several months time. The loud cacophony that all but assaulted his ears was extremely welcome to Sirius. Besides his mother's yelling and complaining, the Black residence of number 12 Grimmauld Place was extremely quiet. Nothing like the sounds of pure joy that were filling the Entrance Hall at Hogwarts would ever be hear in the austere household.
"It's good to be back," Sirius commented to no one in particular. The other boys made various noises of agreement. The quartet had come upon a large stack of luggage, most like the trunks and belongings of the students in front of them. They followed suit, depositing their trunks on the large pile, before continuing on into the Great Hall.
As they slowly moved, Sirius felt an elbow nudge him in his right ribs. He was nearly ready to turn on whoever was nudging him, perhaps send a quick hex their way, when he realised it was only James trying to get his attention over the volume of the crowd.
"Snivellus," James commented, pointing off to their left. Sirius turned to look in the direction indicated and, sure enough, there was the greasy haired boy. He recognized the fiery redhead beside him as fellow Gryffindor Lily Evans. Apparently, the sight of them together wasn't sitting well with James as he had a deep scowl on his face.
"If there weren't so many people around, I'd hex him right here, right now. You know, to remind him of his place at school," James grumbled under his breath. Sirius clasped his friend on the shoulder.
"Well have to wait a little for his magical reminder," Sirius' trademark mischievous glint appeared in his eyes as he turned to face James full on. "But there's nothing stopping us from talking to him right now." Sirius then turned back to the direction where Snape was. he drew himself up to his full height, then cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Oi! Snivellus!" he called over the crowd. At Sirius' call, Snape's body stiffened, but he didn't look around. Sirius continued, undaunted. "Have a good summer? James and I sure did! We learned a lot of new spells we can't wait to try out!" Sirius let his implied threat hand in the air. Snape tried to push quicker through the crowd, while Lily shot Sirius and, by extension, James an irritated angry look before following after Snape. James snickered at Sirius' antics, before focusing on making it to the Gryffindor table.
Once through the doorway, the crowd opened up. Students spread out in all different directions, headed for their house table to settle in for that year's sorting. Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter made a beeline for the Gryffindor table and managed to get seats beside Lily, and the other Gryffindor second years: Marlene McKinnon, Victoria Chisholm, Claire Wilde, Joyce Towler, and Karen Frobisher. Lily looked like she wanted to say something, probably an admonishment about Sirius' very loosely veiled threat. Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, luckily prevented her from doing so.
"Welcome back! Professor Greensleigh, if you are ready, please bring in the first years!" he spoke, his tone jovial. Dumbledore then returned to his seat as a side door in the Great Hall opened. The Deputy Headmaster, and Herbology professor, Professor Greensleigh entered the Great Hall. He was wearing bright green robes that left the round man looking like some sort of unripe fruit. A stream of young, fresh-faced students followed him. Some were clearly nervous, others taken by the majesty of the moment, and others still strode confidently behind the fruit-like man.
Sirius instantly spotted his bother, Regulus. The older Black could tell the younger boy was nervous, but was trying to act confident. Those who didn't know him as well as Sirius did would be fooled by the act, but Sirius knew that, under his confident exterior, the younger Black was quite nervous about what his sorting would result in. Sirius hadn't talked to his bother a lot in the recent months. Regulus' drive to impress his parents had driven a wedge between the once close brothers that had only widened when Sirius had been sorted into Gryffindor and had told his family he was glad about it. However, Sirius and Regulus did have one conversation before Sirius had left for James' that gave the older Black hope in his younger brother.
"But what if I'm sorted like you. It'll break Mum's heart and she and Dad will surely disown me!" Regulus fretted, sitting on the edge of his brother's bed. His head dropped into his hands as he contemplated all that disownment could mean.
"Then we'll get by on our own," Sirius responded confidently. "Besides, Reg, Mum and Dad are wrong, about a lot of things. Gryffindor is an amazing house and you'd fit in perfectly. You're plenty brave and courageous and all that."
"You think?" Regulus had whispered it so quietly that Sirius had almost missed it. When his brother finally looked up at him, Sirius caught the hopeful glint in his younger brother's eyes.
"I know."
As Sirius watched his younger brother cross the Great Hall and finally came to rest before a rickety old stool and a warn hat, he hoped and prayed that his brother was enough like him. If Regulus were sorted into Gryffindor, it may be the first step to get the youngest Black out from under his parents' thumb.
Once the first years were in place, a hush fell over the entire Great Hall. Everyone was eagerly waiting what was about to happen next. After a few seconds of silence the rip near the brim of the old hat began to issues a melody and the Hat itself began to sing.
Welcome back and welcome here
To a wondrous, amazing school
In these vast halls and lofty rooms
You'll receive a tremendous tool
The magic you will surely gain
Will help you once you leave
Outside these walls villains await
Success you much achieve
But first, be patient, do not rush
A home you must be given
So put me on and let me see
The secrets you have hidden
The founders of this regal school
Entrusted me this task
Please help up place these students here
Into a house, they ask
There was the smart which Ravenclaw
The wisest of the bunch
Her bright and brainy chosen ones
Have problems solved by lunch
Or perhaps sweet Hufflepuff
Will pick you as her own
With her hardwork is praised
And loyalty is grown
Maybe with proud Gryffindor
Is where you'll find your place
Be brave, be strong, and show no fear
Upon your youthful face
And finally great Slytherin
Could be where you belong
With great zeal and cunning brain
You'll doubtlessly be strong
So wait your turn upon the stool
And let me see you mind
I'll weigh your thoughts, and dreams, and doubts
A home for you, I'll find
The Sorting Hat finished it's song, then fell silent. The students seated around the various tables loudly cheered, showing their obvious appreciation of the song. Once the applause had died down, Professor Greensleigh moved to stand before the students and silently instructed all noise to stop. He then addressed the first years standing before him, briefly explaining the process. Once all of that was done, he unravelled a long piece of parchment and began to read from it.
"Abernathy, Malcolm," he called. A nervous looking blond boy with a pudgy appearance slowly walked up to the stool. The Deputy Headmaster placed the hat on the boy's head. Everyone in the Great Hall waited on baited breath, before the Hat finally made its proclamation.
"Gryffindor!" James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter cheered along with the rest of their house at their newest member, then fell silent so Greensleigh could read the next few names.
"Aldecot, Kristen," Greensleigh called. A pretty girl with dark brown hair in light ringlets bounced up to the Sorting Hat.
"Ravenclaw!" the Hat quickly proclaimed.
Anderson, Patrick was sorted into Hufflepuff and Banister, Franklin was sorted into Slytherin in quick succession. Then it was finally the moment that Sirius had been waiting for.
"Black, Regulus," Greensleigh called, and Sirius' younger brother proudly marched up to the Sorting Hat. The brim slipped down so far that only his dark, piercing eyes could be seen below the brim. They were the same dark eyes as Sirius, but much less warm and welcoming. It appeared that the elder Blacks' distaste had manifested themselves in Regulus in the form of a constant judgemental look.
"Slytherin!" the Sorting Hat declared. Sirius' heart broke.
The rest of the sorting passed as a blur to the longhaired Black. After his brother had been sorted, all the other names of first years were meaningless. On top of that, Sirius was still reeling, his head still spinning. He'd hoped, he'd prayed, he'd truly begun to believe that his brother wouldn't be a Slytherin. He brother was still so young, still so impressionable. Being in Slytherin would corrupt his brother even more than his parents already had.
Suddenly, a thought struck Sirius. His brother needed someone to watch out for him, to keep him on the proper track. Keep him away from the dark, seedier aspects of Slytherin house and make sure he came out of school as a halfway decent person. And he knew exactly who he should ask. All he had to do was make it through the welcome feast and then he could put his plan in motion.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Welcome to yet another year of magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" the booming voice of Albus Dumbledore sounded out over the crowd. Conversations quickly stopped and all heads swivelled to the head table. Dumbledore stood, a warm smile on his face and his arms open in a welcoming gesture.
"As always, I like to impart some of my wisdom on you at the start of each year. But now is not the time for speech making, but the time for eating. So, all, dig in!" At his words, the tables were magically gilled with the most delicious smelling appetizing meal. Quickly, students began clamouring for the food and filling their plates.
Sirius tried to pay attention to his friends –James was eagerly discussing the adventures they could, and would, get up to that year- but he was having a hard time. His mind kept flitting to thoughts of his brother. Unfortunately, Sirius had sat with his back to the Slytherin tables and couldn't check in on his brother without being extremely obvious about it.
Dinner passed almost excruciatingly slowly, as if time was messing with him. Finally, the platters vanished and were replaced with sweets and puddings and other desserts. Sirius carefully picked at a few sweet things, but didn't really eat much. James shot him several concerned looks, but thankfully didn't press the longhaired boy. He could tell that Sirius would gladly open up to him when he was ready.
"Yet another delicious feast!" Dumbledore spoke into the crowd once again. Most of the platters that had once contained desserts were now nearly empty. "My compliments to the chefs! Now, on to more important business. As always, any magic is strictly prohibited within the hallways and corridors. Save it for your common rooms and classrooms. The Forbidden Forest is, as should be abundantly obvious, forbidden to all students who do not have express permission or a death wish.
"As we move into the near year, I want each and every one of you to remember something. Last year, unfortunately, completion and the allure of victory proved too enticing to some. It created quite the disruption and definitely had ill effects on the rest of the school. So, this year, I want each and every one of you to focus on cooperation. In dark times, only by banding together can we surmount any and all obstacles.
"Now, it is late. Off to bed with the lot of you!" Dumbledore dismissed the students with a flourish and a nod to the new fifth year prefects whose responsibility it was to show the new first years to the appropriate common room. The students stood and began talking to each other. Sirius quickly shot to his feet, finally free.
"I'll meet you at the dorms. I think I've come up with a way to help alleviate some of my concerns that I've been having with my brother and Slytherin. I'll tell you how it goes later!" he called to James, Remus, and Peter as he disappeared into the crowd. It would be a difficult task, trying to find a single person in this sea of humanity, but Sirius was determined.
"Moira! Oi, Moira!" Sirius called after he'd been searching through the crowd for a good five minutes. He spotted his target, luckily enough, as the crowd parted and headed off in the different directions of the dorms. Moira, as expected, was headed for the dungeons. The long, dark haired girl, her frame appearing thinner than the last time Sirius had seen her as they boarded the train earlier that summer, slowly turned. When she saw Sirius, a less than impressed expression crossed her face.
"What do you want now, Black?" she asked, her tone exasperated. Sirius may have asked Moira to spy on her own house last year, and made several disparaging remarks about Slytherins while doing so, but surely she couldn't be upset about that? It happened months ago, and Sirius had been right about the group of Slytherins he'd asked her to spy on.
"I won't be spying on my own hour or anything like that again. So, if that's what you want, you'll have to find someone else." She levelled him with an expression that would have turned away a more timid man.
"I have an easier, less morally ambiguous request for you. As I'm sure you know, my younger brother was sorted into Slytherin tonight. I was hoping you could, you know, keep an eye out for him. Make sure he stays out of trouble and any, you know, problems." Sirius gave Moira Scott his biggest puppy dog eyes, but her expression only darkened.
"Slytherin is NOT a terrible, evil house!" she shouted, "I'll keep an eye out for your brother, but so he isn't corrupted by the troublemaking likes of you!" Moira then turned on her heel and stormed off. Sirius was left standing in the rapidly emptying hallway, dumbstruck by her hostile reaction. He'd thought they were friends, or at least friendly. He had not been expecting her to be so mean.
"Well, it's nice to see someone I your family has some sense," a snide voice spoke from Sirius' left. He turned slowly and saw the greasy haired form of Snivellus sliding up beside him. Normally, Sirius would have shot Snape down with a single word or spell, but the longhaired boy was still reeling from that nights events, from one disappointment followed by another.
"Go away, Snivellus. No one asked for your slimy opinion," Sirius half-heartedly shot back.
"Oh, but your brother did," Snape commented before he too strode off down the hallway. Sirius clenched his fists in anger, feeling the rage bubble up inside of him. He would never let the greasy Snape anywhere near his brother.
