A/N I just wanted to update this a little bit! Nothing haas changed, eccept a middle name and some spellings!

This is a very long chapter!:D Oh yeah, I made up the Sorting song so it isn't very good. Disclaimer: Yadda yadda yadda, don't own anything blah blah, the people who you don't recognise are mine OKay?:D Thanks for the reviews...please R)

Chapter 7

The Sorting

J, S + R [+P]

The doors opened immediately.

A tall witch with black hair and emerald robes stood in the doorway. Remus knew immediately that she was not a teacher to cross.

"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall." said Hagrid smartly

"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here." McGonagall said, and then she walked into the castle, the first-years tripping up behind her. They entered the Entrance Hall which was so big it could hold a whole house; there was a huge marble staircase which led upstairs. She ushered them into a side chamber and closed the door. Her gaze landed on the three soaking boys.

"What has happened to you lot? Oh well, don't stand there shivering!" she said sharply, and with a wave of the boys were completely dry. McGonagall nodded and faced the others.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she began, "The start-of-term banquet is going to begin shortly, but before that you need to be sorted into your houses. The Sorting Ceremony is very important because whilst you are here you houses will be like you family. You will have classes with your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend your free-time in your common room. The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. At Hogwarts your triumphs will earn you house points, but any rule-breaking will lose house points," James glanced at Sirius. "At the end of the year the house with the most points will win the House Cup. I hope each of you will take credit to whichever house is yours."

"The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin in front of the whole school. Take the time to smarten yourselves up." McGonagall finished, her eyes lingering at James' unruly hair to Peter's lopsided robe.

Sirius nervously shuffled his feet. James tried to flatten his hair while Remus stood still, trying to calm himself.

Out the corner of James' eye he saw the red-headed girl shaking with nerves and excitement. He smirked as Severus patted her back.

"The Sorting Ceremony is about to start! Now form a line!" ordered a voice.

McGonagall was back.

James, Sirius, Remus and Peter made a line and followed the others into the Great Hall.

"Wow!" James breathed as he looked to see the ceiling enchanted, candles floating and ghosts sitting down on the benches with the other years. Four long tables stretched to the very front in a row.

They had reached the teacher's table. Professor McGonagall placed a stool and a shabby hat at the front.

A small girl in front of James squeaked and stepped back, crushing James' foot. James smirked.

"I've heard that we go up one by one and the thing we fear most jumps out and you have to fight it! They see how well you do and place you in the correct house!" James whispered to the girl.

The girl squeaked and quickly told the boy in front of her what James has said. Sirius, who had heard what James whispered, said "Good one!"

By now the rumour had spread all around the first-years who were watching the hat apprehensively. McGonagall cleared her throat.

The hat shuddered and a rip opened near the brim. It started to sing:

'"I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

I tell you where you belong

You try me on, don't get in a flap

I haven't yet been wrong!

Because if you are a Gryffindor

Then you are brave and daring

But there is always Ravenclaw

They have wit and sharing

Yet there is the house of Slytherin

They are full of cunning

Those sneaky folk never sit there ditherin'!

Hufflepuff's the last one

They are just and loyal

So put me on and let me get it done…

I can read your mind – you can't trick me,

For I'm the thing you truly need!

The hat finished and the whole hall burst into applause.

The first-years sighed with relief and frowned at James for making the rumour up. Sirius snorted.

"Blimey, they actually believed you! Stupid gits!"

James sniggered.

Professor McGonagall started to speak "When I call your name you will sit down and be sorted!"

"Adams Harvey!"

A scared looking boy stumbled forward.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat

"Ankle Arnold!"

Sirius laughed, "Ankle?" James grinned as Arnold became a Ravenclaw.

"You must be soon, your only 'B'!" James said

Sirius laughed again, but with a slight difference, his nerves were mounting.

"Black-Mackey Diana!"

"Can't be a relative?" James asked Sirius

"Probably, or they put 'Black' as a double-barrel to make them sound pure-blooded." Sirius said bitterly, Diana became the first Slytherin.

"Black Sirius!"

"There we go!" James grinned, his fingers crossed.

Sirius grimaced, pushing his way past to get to the front. People were whispering: "Pfft, Black? Honestly he is obviously going to be Slytherin!"

He sat down onto the stool. Eda waved before the hat had sunk down below his eyes.

Well… another Black eh? Your family have been Slytherins you know, but there is something about you… you wouldn't suit THAT house…

Sirius snorted Of course not! He thought I'm as different as can be!

Yes, yes you are… intelligence there is, but you wouldn't work hard… so Hufflepuff's no good… Ravenclaw? No there is bravery and courage! Better be…

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius sighed with relief as he plonked the hat onto the stool. The Gryffindors were cheering but the Slytherins were looking murderous.

"Gryffindor?"

"He's a BLACK!"

"What a traitor!"

Andromeda was looking very surprised but was clapping politely. Cissy was staring at Sirius.

Sirius sat down and waved to James, who was still waiting.

James shuffled impatiently. They had reached the 'E's.

"Evans Lily!"

The girl with red hair from the train shuffled forwards.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

James heard a little groan in front of him and saw the Severus boy looking sad. James rolled his eyes.

"Farrell Persephone"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

James decided that he would guess which house everyone belonged too. He nudged Remus.

"Bet 'Fortescue Alice' will be a Hufflepuff!" James grinned

"Pfft, no chance she's a Gryffindor!" replied Remus

"GRYFFINDOR!"

James gaped at Remus.

"How'd you do that?"

"Lots of skill."

"Ok fine, who's next?"

They were on the 'J's, as they were talking a while they had missed the 'H's.

"Jigger Isaac!"

"Hufflepuff!" said Remus and James together.

"Wasn't that the name of an author of one of our books?" James said thoughtfully

"Yeah, Arsenius Jigger must be a relation!" Remus replied as a few others were sorted, a Slytherin, two Ravenclaws, one Hufflepuff and one Gryffindor.

"Lovegood Xenophilius!"

"What a name!"

Remus snorted

"Lupin Remus!"

"Oh damn, see you." Said Remus

Remus hurried to the front, he hoped that he wouldn't be in Slytherin because of his… case. He put the hat on.

Hmm, interesting… loyal, clever, brave… oh yes and your problem… hmm Ravenclaw would be good, but what about Hufflepuff? Ah, of course… you are a…

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted to everyone

James smiled as Remus leapt up and ran to get a seat opposite Sirius.

On the Gryffindor table Sirius was congratulating Remus.

"Awesome, let's hope James will come quickly, I'm starving!" Sirius said, looking at his plate.

James was starting to get annoyed. How many people were there? Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin…

The first-years were slimming. At last, the 'P's were called.

"Palmer Sandra!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

James' stomach rumbled.

"Pettigrew Peter!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

James smiled as Peter scurried to sit next to Remus.

"Potter James!"

James grinned, this was it!

He sat on the stool, his stomach rumbling.

I can see in an instant where you belong boy, it is defiantly

"GRYFFINDOR!"

James had a grin so big it was surly going to stretch right off his face

"Yes, yes YES!" yelled Sirius joyfully "We can do it ALL, YES JAMES!"

James laughed "Well I'm just as happy as you! But I wish the food would hurry up!" (They were only on the 'R's as Rogers Tilly became a Ravenclaw)

"Hear hear!" said Sirius grinning.

Lily, who was next to him, turned "Will you shut up? All you care about is food while others care for the sorting!"

Sirius snorted "Yes, ma'am, anything for ma'am!"

James sniggered at Lily's annoyed face.

"Snape Severus!"

"Hey look Sirius – it's our friend…!" James laughed

"SLYTHERIN!"

"What a surprise!"

Lily was looking sadly over at the table. Remus felt sorry for her.

"Don't worry, you'll still see him, and you'll make new friends!"

Lily smiled gratefully

"Thanks…Remus?"

Remus nodded.

"Lily and Remus sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" sang Sirius

Lily and Remus blushed

"Sirius! We were being friendly!"

"Not like you though, Black."

Sirius mock fainted "Hear that James? She knows my name! Even-though it's my surname…"

"Emmeline Vance!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius, James, Remus, Peter and Lily all clapped loudly with the rest of the Gryffindors.

"I swear there have been quite a few Gryffindors this year." Said Remus thoughtfully

"Yeah, 'cos Gryffindor is the BEST!"

"Williams Grace!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"WHOOOO!" yelled Sirius and James loudly "GO GRYFINDOR!"

"Sirius, James, we can't hear the others!" yelled Remus as applause broke out for a new Ravenclaw.

"Zabini Ross!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Boo!" said Sirius

Professor McGonagall was rolling up her scroll.

"Yes! It's finished!"

Dumbledore was standing up.

"Welcome back to our old pupils but a big welcome to our new ones, we hope you're going to have a great time here at Hogwarts. Before I make my speech we will have the scrumptious feast that has been provided. Enjoy!"

Immediately food appeared in front of them. Plates and plates of food, roast beef, chicken, lamb, pork, steaks, chops, bacon, sausages, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes chips, mash, carrots, peas, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, mint sauce and cranberry jelly, boats of gravy, broad beans and cabbage.

"Finally!" yelled Sirius lunging at some beef. He piled his plate up of everything and tucked in straight away. James was the same. Remus looked amused at their antics before helping himself to roast beef. Lily watched in awe.

"Do you ever stop eating?" she asked

"Doh, bu' w're hugry ain't we Jannmes?" said Sirius disgustingly between mouthfuls.

Lily looked disgusted before turning to her meal.

"How did it appear like that?" asked Lily

"Magic, duh!" Sirius rolled his eyes after he had swallowed

Lily looked reproachful

"I know that!" she said. "What spell?"

"How're we supposed to know? God we aren't geniuses!"

James grinned "Well you might not be…!" Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Well, are you not from wizarding families?" Lily said

"Our parents don't teach us magic!" said Sirius

"Are you muggle-born then?" James asked

"Yes." Lily said

James frowned "Then how come your friends with a Slytherin like Snivellus?"

Lily looked highly affronted. "What does that matter?" she snapped "He said it didn't matter what blood you are! I can be friends with him if I please! Humph!"

James and Sirius stared in surprise. Lily turned haughtily and began talking to the other new Gryffindor girls, Marlene, Mary, Emmaline, Alice and Grace.

Remus raised his eyebrows. "Looks like you can't say a bad word against that boy!"

James shook his head and returned to his meal. Sirius looked to the person next to him. A couple with bright red hair were chatting together. The girl saw him looking and smiled.

"Hey there, you're a new Gryffindor right? I'm Molly Prewett, Head Girl." She said

"And I am Arthur Weasley, Head Boy, are you muggle-born?" said the boy eagerly

Sirius laughed "No, sorry, but the girl with the red hair is, look, there!"

Arthur looked at Lily eagerly, but Molly stopped him "Don't mind him, he's just obsessed with muggles. Silly, right?"

Sirius smiled and returned to his food.

James had finished his and was waiting for pudding.

"Sirius hurry up! James wants pudding!" whined James

"I want never gets!" said Sirius calmly, slowly cutting a bit of steak. James frowned.

"Fine, I'll help you…" he said before grabbing a piece of chicken, two potatoes, some carrots and cabbage. He promptly stuffed it into his mouth.

"JAMES! NO! I WANTED THAT PIECE! GIVE IT BACK! NOWW!" howled Sirius

James grinned "If you say so…"

Sirius choked "No, wait I didn't mean that… James don't be GROSS!" he shouted as James tried to get the chicken back up.

"Good, 'cos that was a good bit of chicken…" James grinned.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "I'm finished anyways, c'mon pudding!"

As soon as he said it the plates were wiped clean before the puddings arrived. Ice cream, tarts, strawberries, chocolate éclairs…

Sirius grinned and helped himself to three chocolate éclairs, treacle tarts and ice cream.

Remus took some éclairs and strawberries, while James got through an entire half of a chocolate cake.

Lily, who was helping herself to her favourite treacle tart, gaped at James and Sirius. She had forgotten about their remarks about Snape and was civil towards them again.

"How?" she stared. James and Sirius couldn't answer her as their mouths were full of cream and cake, so Remus did instead.

"They have bottomless stomachs." He said

Lily laughed. "Looks like it!"

Sirius, with great difficulty swallowed and answered. "Well, as we are so super-dooper amazingly, aweso-," Lily cut him off

"I think I'm going to believe Remus."

Sirius feigned hurt.

The rest of the meal went pleasant enough. Soon the plates were sparkling clean and Professor Dumbledore had got up to speak.

"So, now that we are all fed and watered it is time for the star-of-term announcements. To first-years, the Forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils un-accompanied by an adult. It holds dangerous creatures and deadly plants that can be fatal. Our caretaker, Mr Filch, has asked to remind you that no magic should be used in the corridors and no Zonko's products are allowed in school. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams needs to contact our new flying teacher Madam Hooch. Quidditch commentating is also available for those who want to get involved; they can also be first-years. Now before we go to bed it is time to sing our school song! Everyone pick a tune!"

Dumbledore raised his wand and a golden ribbon shot out and formed words so the whole hall could see. The school opened their mouths and roared in high voices, low voices, out-of-tune voices and voices with a completely new note:

'Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy, Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot.'

Sirius and James were the last to stop singing. They clapped loudly along with the rest of the school.

"Ah, now off to bed!" smiled Dumbledore.

James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily, Frank, Edgar, Marlene, Mary, Grace, Emmaline and Alice, the other Gryffindor first-years, followed Molly and Arthur out of the hall.

Remus yawned. James yawned. Sirius yawned.

A girl with long brown hair and huge brown eyes giggled.

James smiled at her "Hey, I'm James Potter."

"Grace Williams."

Sirius introduced himself "My name's Sirius!"

Grace frowned "Sirius what?"

"Er…Black."

Grace grinned.

"Ah, so you're the little 'traitor' those Slytherins were talking about!"

By now the other girls had decided to introduce themselves too.

A girl with blonde hair and bright blue eyes went first "I am Emmeline Vance."

"Nice to meet you." said Remus "I'm Remus Lupin."

Grace cocked her head at Emmeline "Can't we call you Emma? Emmaline is too long."

Sirius agreed while Emmeline looked snooty in good-natured way.

A girl with curly light brown hair that was out-of-control and eyes that were so deep a brown they were almost red stepped to the front.

"Hello, my name is Marlene McKinnon!" she said in an Irish voice that bubbled with excitement.

By now they had climbed up to the very top floor of Hogwarts. James sped up to talk to Molly and Arthur.

"Hey Kiddo, we're nearly there now." smiled Molly

"Cool, I was wondering, what floor are we on? Is the Gryffindor common room a tower?" asked James

Arthur laughed "Yep, it's on the seventh floor-which is this one."

They reached a portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress.

"Password?" she said

"Mandrake." said Arthur and the portrait swung open to reveal a hole leading to a comfortable looking room with a load of squashy red armchairs and sofas in.

"You'll have to remember the password for the tower, but they also change." said Molly

"The boys dorms are on your left, there's a sign, and the girls same on your right. Goodnight!" said Arthur before heading up some stairs.

James stretched and sat down on an armchair. Sirius, Remus and Peter followed suit. The others lingered awkwardly.

"You're welcome to join us, we can get to know each other more!" said Remus.

The others smiled and sat in a circle.

"I know, why don't we tell five things about ourselves?" said Grace

"OK, you go first Gracie." said Lily

"My name is Grace Louise Williams, pure-blood, loves animals, Quidditch, as Seeker, and pranks, I like to read muggle novels and I have a cat called Godric." said Grace confidently.

"My name's Marlene Olivia McKinnon, my initials are M.O.M, I like Quidditch as [I normally play as Chaser], Half-blood, I love the forest and the sea, I love to draw too!"

"Hmm fine, my name is Emmeline Amelia Vance, half-blood, love to read, I love my studies and I have a pony, two dogs, seven cats and a canary at home because my sister is spoiled."

Everyone laughed.

"The name's Sirius Orion Black, pure-blood, hate my family except my cousin, dislike Slytherin, Love Quidditch, I play beater, love pranking and I like to… dance!" Sirius finished with a yell.

Before you could even say 'dance!' he had swung Lily off the floor and started to waltz around the room. Lily squealed but was laughing. Everyone was rolling across the floor in fits of giggles because Sirius was a truly awful dancer.

The 'dance' lasted a good 15 minutes. Then Sirius flopped down onto the floor but forgot to let go of Lily, who landed on top of him.

"OW!"

"Ouch!"

"Sirius!"

"Lily!"

James sprang off the sofa and helped Lily and Sirius up.

"Shall we carry on?" laughed Grace, pointing at Peter.

"Urm, Hi, I'm Peter Isaac Pettigrew, um, pure-blood, um, I like some things, I'm not clever, um, my family weren't Gryffindors, I am, I mean, I have three brothers."

"G'day all! My name is Alice Belinda Fortescue and I am pure-blood. I have five brothers, I am ¼ Australian and ¼ Scottish, I love to go for walks and meet new people." grinned a rounded faced, brown haired, girl.

"Hey, I am Mary Charlotte MacDonald and I am muggle-born, my parents are lawyers, I am from Cornwall, I am an only child, I hate Metal music." said a quiet girl with very long dirty blonde plaits.

"My name is Lily, Lily Marie Evans. I am also muggle-born. I have a sister called Petunia. I like reading and writing and I cannot wait to do magic!" said Lily

"Hi everyone, I am James Harold Potter for those who don't know, I love to fly and play chaser, I have a dog called Heuly. I have no brothers or sisters. I am pure-blood."

"I'm Remus Lupin. I am a…a bookworm," Remus gulped and fidgeted uncomfortably. "Um, I um, I like the forest… I am half-blood, I have a brother but he left for America three years ago and has never come back."

Now there were only two boys left.

"I'm Frank Longbottom, pure-blood, I have two sisters and a brother. I like playing chess. That's the only good thing I'm good at really."

"I am Edgar Bones, muggle-born, I have a twin sister called Amelia but she's in Hufflepuff. We're really surprised because she is very clever and apparently Ravenclaw is the brainy house? Anyway, I like my subjects, I was down for a private boarding-school but then I got the letter to Hogwarts instead! Much better, right?"

"That's everyone!" said Sirius

"Y'know, I heard that our year has like 50 people in it and that there will have to be 6 in a room!" said Grace

"Really? Oh well, lots of company!" said Alice

The first-years talked for a long time but it wasn't until Lily fell asleep and her head dropped onto Sirius' shoulder that they decided to go to bed.

"G'night!"

"N-n-nig-g-ht!"

The boys traipsed up the spiral staircase until they reached the very top. Six beds were spaced evenly around the circular room each with red bed hangings and bed spreads.

"AWSOME!" yelled Sirius diving into a bed nearest the window "James your there" he said pointing at the one right next to him.

"How d'you know?" James asked

"Your trunk! Mine is here, yours is there, and Remus' is next to mine, then Peter's then Edgar's, then Frank's! Okay?"

"Alright Sirius!"

The boys got changed and hopped into bed.

"Night Jamsie, night Remy, night Pete, night Ed, night Frankie!" said Sirius sleepily

"Remy?"

"Ed?"

"Frankie?"

"Don't worry guys, Siri likes making new names!" said James

"My name is SI-RI-US!" yelled Sirius

"My name's JAMES!"

"SHUT UP JAMES AND SIRIUS!"

James and Sirius grinned.

"Night Remy!" They said together.