Thanks to Katiek121 and Overtherainbow3 for the reviews, to Overtherainbow3, thanks for pointing out that I don't give enough credit or time to Peter, I'll work on that! And about James hitting on Lily, I kind of wanted it to be love at first sight for him but t'll be more complex than five years of reciprocated flirting, I don't know how to explain it without giving too much away but I want her impression of him to develop over time and his own feelings for her to grow. Again, I don't want to give too much of what happens away. ANd thanks so much for such a detailed review, I loved it and it was really helpful!
So here's chapter 21 and the beginning of second year, many new things will await the boys this year, Regulus starts school, Remus's secret gets harder to hide, the boys even meet new ghosts! Well, don't wanna give too much away so please enjoy!
The rest of the Summer fizzled out quickly but Sirius barely even noticed it. He spent the remaining days with Denny and Alice, even managing to get a few more rides on Sean's motorcycle.
On the last day of vacation he found himself laying on the steps of Denny's house with Denny, Alice and two others who's names he could not remember. Denny had offered to give him a goodbye party but he'd declined, not really wanting to do anything at all.
Denny was reading a muggle comic book and Alice was leafing through a magazine, the two others were talking excitedly about muggle politics and he, Sirius was laying back, gazing up at the sky. He didn't mind the buzz of chatter around him or the occasional thwick of Alice or Denny turning a page. It all added to a relaxed atmosphere. He was sublimely happy. Tomorrow he would be on the train to school with his friends. Then it would be months before he would have to see his parents. His only fear was that Regulus would try and latch on to him, but that was minimal, if he tried, he could loose him.
He smiled and yawned, it was a clear day and the sun was out, his parents had no idea where he was and the people he was with were second only to his school friends. He looked up at the people around him and smiled, he liked them but they just didn't compare to James, Remus and Peter. He closed his eyes again and sighed contentedly, waiting for the day to end.
After a quick goodbye at the end of the day, Sirius headed home, his parents gave him pointed looks all though out dinner but didn't lecture him, they were more concerned about the rising star Regulus was becoming. He did get a few snippy comments about how they hoped his bother would be a better student and stay out of trouble. They didn't concern him much, only vaguely making him realize how much hope his parents had lost in him and that was more funny than anything else.
The next morning he awoke a good twenty minutes before the rest of the family. He wanted out. He was packed and dressed in less than ten minutes and waited anxiously at the foot of his bed, tapping his toe and drumming his fingers. It was almost torture to hear how slow the rest of the house went about getting ready. He snapped at Kreature for taking too long with breakfast and got a nasty glare but he didn't really care what the stupid elf thought, the damn thing wold be glad to be rid of him.
They used side along apparittion to gt to the platform, Regulus strode confidently through the barrier, obviously trying to make a good impression on the other students, Sirius followed along after him, rolling his eyes and slouching. After that, he didn't hang around for a goodbye, he spotted Peter hugging his parents goodbye and ran over to greet him. Peter grinned delightedly and the two of them began dragging their trunks onto the train. Out of the corner of his eye, Sirius spotted his brother slink off with several Slytherins but his attention was diverted when he caught sight of James. He promptly abandoned his trunk and Peter to high five him. He ran up and slapped him on the back, shaking hands again with Mr. and Mrs. Potter and earning a hug from Mrs. Potter. She kissed his cheek and momentarily it was an odd feeling but he smiled and kisser her's back making them all laugh.
Ten minutes later they were all on the train, minus Remus. Sirius looked around anxiously for him but he couldn't spot him on the platform.
James checked his watch, rocking nervously in his seat. "He's going to miss the train!" He said. "You didn't think he got sick again do you? Or his mother? I mean, she looked okay when we met her and all but something could have happened."
Sirius nodded, worrying too. He scanned the thinning crowd.
"Maybe he's on the train but hasn't found us." Peter piped up.
They shrugged, plausible but not very likely. The train lurched forward and again they all exchanged uneasy looks. Ten minutes later it was apparent that the train was moving and Remus was not with them. They settled back unhappily.
James told all about his summer adventures ad Peter told about how he had gone to visit some cousins. Sirius didn't bother to tell about his cousins, they had stopped by preaching about the Dark Lord and their accomplishments as Death Eaters.
He did get in a few stories about his muggle friends that amused and fascinated James and Peter. Neither of them had ever had that much contact with muggles and stories about Sean's motorcycle and Denny's television were new and quaint to them. James couldn't understand how a motorcycle could compare to a broom and laughed at the idea and Peter spoke up saying his dad was a half-blood and he had once seen a television set at his grandparents house.
They talked about there summers for a good hour before talk turned to the coming school year and their hops. James was adamant about being on the Quidditch team again, he said that this year he had a good chance of being a regular and not just a stand in. He had had been insulted by the position last year.
Peter wondered if their were any clubs he should join but James told him flat out that there was no way he was joining the charms club. Sirius had laughed and when the trolly came around they loaded up on sweets and cakes.
"I wish Remus was here." Peter said, holding up a bar of Hunnydukes' chocolate. "I hope he gets to school okay."
Sirius nodded, he was troubled too by Remus's absence and he could tell James was as well. James became quiet and slouched in his seat, fiddling with a box of beans before throwing them aside and changing the subject.
It was dark by the time they reached the school and Sirius had a brief flashback to when he had first reached the school, it had been much the same only this time he wasn't scared and he had friends. He was in Gryffindor and there was no changing that. The sight of the castle brought a surge of freedom he hadn't experienced for months. He felt a grin spread across his face and had to be pushed to start walking again.
"Get a move on!" James said, shoving him.
As second years the were directed towards a row of horseless carriages. James and Peter let out cries of delight. "Now his is better!" James said. "A lot better than those boats." He picked the nearest one and laid claim.
A few minutes later their carriage door opened again and Lily Evans stood in the door way. James's face split into a grin and Sirius could have kicked him, h looked idiotic.
Her eyes darted over the carriage occupants. "Never mind." She turned away but stopped. "Where's Lupin?" She asked.
"That's what we were wondering." James said.
"Is he sick again?"
"We don't know." James actually managed to look sad through his love-struck dumb expression.
She nodded. "Well, I hope he gets better." She turned and left letting the carriage door slam shut.
They sat back, unhappy again at he absence of tier friend. Sirius looked out the window up at the full moon hanging over the castle and thought that it enhanced the image Hogwarts. He also wondered what the ceiling of the great hall would look like with suck a large full moon over it. His desire to get inside the school walls only increased with the thought.
He was right, the Great Hall looked spectacular. The enchanted ceiling was lit with the light of a huge, glowing full moon. It eclipsed the stars' light and cast a strong white light over the four house tables and the staff table.
They didn't pay much attention after the first twenty minutes of the sorting. It had been interesting at first and Sirius dearly hoped that he had not been as pathetic looking as some of the new first years, but about half way through he and James lost interest and started up a small game of nicknaming the first years. So far they had: Stumpy, the name for a very short first year boy, twink, for a boy who's glasses reflected the stars and jumpy for an excitable little blond girl.
Sometime after they had stopped paying attention Sirius thought he saw Dumbledore give them a knowing little smile.
When the sorting ended and Dumbledore gave his speech, they dug into dinner and for the first time in months Sirius ate without getting dirty looks or hearing nasty comments with even nastier subtext directed at him. He was glad to be back ta school surrounded by friends and school mates. He slouched in his seat and was loud, he told jokes and made other people choke with laughter. The only thing that brought his evening down was Remus's absence but he did his best to put t from mind end just enjoy himself.
James was attracting a following from several first years as he recanted his Quidditch triumphs. They listened with rapt faces and he lapped up the attention. Several older student gave their first hand accounts and one of the chasers from the previous year gave him a mack on the back ad said he'd see him again this year.
The feast went spectacularly and by the end of it, Sirius's memories from the Summer were beginning to feel distant. He had had such a good time and so many things had happened since he had woken up he didn't have time to think about the summer.
At the Slytherin table Regulus was siting with a large group of older students looking like a smug little prince. Sirius had watched his sorting and hadn't been surprised when the hat had called out Slytherin. The only thing that had give him any kind of shock was that it wasn't immediate. Regulus had looked nervous, he'd contained it well but Sirius had seen but as soon as the hat had called out Slytherin he'd given the hall a smug smile and pranced off to join the rest of the Slytherins.
Dumbledore's speech was brief and friendly and much the same as the previous year's. He gave warnings about the the forest and of where students were allowed to go, he also warned the first years that no matter what stories they hear, flying lessons were to be taken seriously. James and Sirius exchanged looked at that and nearly burst with pride.
And then t was up to the dormitories which now bore a little plaque reading 'second years'. James took a moment to look a it with pride. Their trunks were waiting for them and as they changed, Sirius looked out the window again up at the moon, it was so bright ad full in the sky. The light spilled across the room and fell on Remus's empty bed. Again he wondered what had kept his friend and hoped he would be back soon.
James threw himself down dramatically and propped his head up. "Anything interesting out there?" He asked.
"Nah, just looking at the moon."
James nodded and turned away to fish out a book. "So, you glad to be back?" He asked.
"Couldn't be more."
Sirius climbed into bed and stretched out, he really was happy to be back.
So I hope you liked the first chapter of their second year, thanks for reading!