Chapter 2

The Sorting

Sirius got out of the boat that he had ridden over the lake to Hogwarts. He was so glad to be out of that boat. He had been forced to ride with three girls. They had spent the entire ride staring at him like he was some kind of idol or something. He loved attention, but there is such a thing as too much attention.

He tried as hard as he could to blend into the crowd in an effort to lose them. Thankfully it worked. One of the teachers led them up to the castle where another teacher waited and then left.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." She told all of the first years. She was very tall with a pointed witch hat and black robe. Her hair was down and long, it reached the middle of her back. She also looked very young. No more than 25 years old. "My name is Professor McGonagall. Please follow me." They followed her down the entrance hall. Sirius decided it would be alright to ask a few questions.

"Professor?" Sirius got Professor McGonagall's attention. "What is down that hallway?" he asked pointing down a random hallway.

"A few of the classes, none of which you need to worry about now." She answered

"What about that way?" He said pointing again.

"The library."

"And that way?" Professor McGonagall had a flicker of annoyance in her eyes as she answered.

"The Gryffindor common room." Sirius nodded and was about to ask about a different hallway when someone else interrupted him.

"Not that you will ever need to go there, Black." A lot of first years started laughing. Sirius turned to glare at who ever said that, but he couldn't figure out who it was so he ignored them.

"What about that hallway?" He continued asking her.

"More class rooms."

"What..." He started but Professor McGonagall interrupted him.

"I have an idea Black; since you seem so interested in where everything is I'll make you a deal. If you can make a map of the entire school by the end of the year I will instantly pass you in my class. If you are already passing I will give you 150 bonus points, how about that." He looked at her for a moment and replied.

"Deal." He smiled and stopped asking questions. She gave a sigh of relief. That had been a goal all along.

She turned to the rest of the first years. "That goes for all of you as well, but I must warn you that a map of Hogwarts has never been made before and many think it is impossible." Everyone seemed absolutely positive that making a map of the school was impossible, except for Sirius. He was determined; this map would guarantee him a passing score in at least one class.

Sirius didn't notice when they stopped and ran into a huge door. Everyone laughed at him and he didn't mind. He smiled and walked back to the other students. He liked to make people laugh, he didn't know why but he loved the sound of laughter. Maybe it was because it was something he rarely ever heard. He didn't leave home very much and the only one that ever laughed at his house was Reggie, and that was only when Sirius did something funny or stupid.

"Now if everyone is paying attention," she looked over at him with humor in her eyes and some more people laughed. "You are about to be sorted into your houses. Your house will become something like your family within Hogwarts. There are four houses they are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. I will come back when we are ready for you," She finished her speech and left.

Sirius heard whispers among the crowd. Most of the people were wondering how they would be sorted. One person said loudly that he heard from his brother that they would have to fight giant spiders. Sirius laughed.

"That isn't true." He told him. Everyone looked at him. "It's more like a troll." there were a few gasps and everyone looked terrified.

"They wouldn't make us fight a troll." Some girl from the back told him.

"Not fight a troll, no. Surviving is hard enough." More people looked scared and the girl didn't say anything. Sirius tried his hardest not to laugh. The truth was that all they had to do was try on some old hat, but seeing the looks on their faces was worth the lie.

Professor McGonagall came back in the room. "Now form a line and follow me." They did what she asked and they went into the Great Hall to Sirius' amusement everyone looked around for the troll. Instead, there was only a very old wizard's hat. They stopped when they reached the front of the room. Suddenly that hat began to sing.

After the song ended everyone clapped, and the hat bowed to each house. The hat had told them that all they had to do was put him on their head to be sorted. All of the first years glared at Sirius and he began laughing so hard that he could no longer breathe. They had actually believed that they had to fight a troll.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said Sirius stopped laughing the best he could just to hear his name called. He instantly straightened up and looked around he turned red and some people laughed. He was first. He was the first one that had to be sorted. Out of all the first years, here not one of them had a last name that was before Black in alphabetical order. He growled and walked up to the stage.

As he walked to the stage his discomfort increased tenfold. Partly because the sorting was so close and partly because he didn't have any idea what house he wanted to be in. He sat down on the chair and the hat was placed on his head.

I suppose my fate is up to you then Mr. Hat. The hat laughed inside his head.

Well well well, another Black, is it?He winced at the label.

Oh what's this, you don't want to be just another Black. Do you? You want to be your own person to stand out in a crowd for reasons besides just your family. Do you? Yes, you are much different than the others.

The hat paused for a moment.

Let's see then. Where shall I put you? I would have to say Ravenclaw is out. You're not quite smart enough for that. Though you do have much talent. You are very loyal, but only to people. Your ideals can change quite easily. I see that they have already. You need proof that what you believe in is right. No Hufflepuff is definitely not for you either.

Sirius got more and more nervous by the second.

Slytherin or Gryffindor. Hmmm, this is much harder than I expected. You are not content to hide in the shadows and let someone else take the blame for your mistakes which is a trait rarely found in Slytherin, but with the right, or wrong as many would say, influence you could easily become that way.

Sirius didn't like how that sounded. That sounds like something a coward would do and he wasn't a coward.

Oh really. Yes, you would do well in Gryffindor, very well indeed. But are you brave enough for Gryffindor? Hmm yes, that is a hard question. From your memories, I cannot decide. I suppose there is only one way to find out is there. Choose Black. Choose Gryffindor or Slytherin.

What? Was the hat actually giving him a choice?

I am leaving your fate in your own hands, Black. Choose.

Sirius thought about it for a moment he couldn't believe the hat was actually giving him a choice. It never gave anyone the choice, as far as he knew anyway. He closed his eyes and began to think.

If I choose Slytherin...

Eventually, you will become like them. You will become the perfect Slytherin.

But I don't want to be a perfect Slytherin. Pettigrew is right. Slytherins are jerks. But if I choose Gryffindor... My mother will hate me for the rest of my life.

That is right.

If I choose Gryffindor than that proves that I am brave enough to face my mum's wrath for the next seven years. I can't think of anything scarier than that. If I choose Slytherin then it proves that I am willing to hide behind a shield so that I don't have to face her.

Correct. You must choose between your mothers love and your beliefs. Choose between a life time of your own pain or a lifetime of causing other people pain. Choose Black.

Sirius didn't think he could choose. Was he willing to give up everything he had just come to believe for his mother's love? He loved his mother to no end. He couldn't imagine what she would do if he was sorted into Gryffindor. It would take him a lifetime to choose. And to the people watching him, it felt like it had taken a lifetime. Whispers had started around the hall and the teachers were starting to worry.

I can't choose.

Choose, Black.

I can't

Yes, you can.

Sirius suddenly realized he knew his choice all along. Even before the hat had given him a chance to choose. He knew where he would rather be. But knowing didn't make it any less hard.

Remus was really worried. He couldn't imagine that it would take this long to sort someone into a house. The way the hat sang he thought it would have been quick. Since this was a Black the hat was sorting, you'd think it would be easy. From the looks on the teachers' faces, this was taking longer than they had expected it to also. Professor McGonagall walked closer to Black with a worried expression on her face. Then for the first time in nearly 5 minutes Black moved, he bowed his head to the floor and Remus saw a lone, solitary tear run from his eye as he mouthed the word Gryffindor. Remus was confused, what did that mean? The sorting hat smiled and yelled the name of Black's new house to the entire school. Everyone (except the muggleborns who didn't know that this was strange) froze when the hat yelled out.

"GRYFFINDOR"

Gryffindor, a Black was in Gryffindor. That was unheard of. Remus watched as Black slowly stood up, placed the hat back on the stool, and began walking over to the Gryffindor table. The room remained in a state of shock. Even the muggleborns were starting to notice now. Remus continued to watch Black as he passed by all of the Gryffindors that were still frozen and sat on the edge of the table in a large unoccupied area. To Remus, he looked pitiful sitting there all alone with his head bowed so his hair covered his face.

Suddenly Professor McGonagall dropped the scroll that held every first year's name on it with a loud clatter that sounded like an explosion compared to the silence before, and everyone went suddenly active again. The Gryffindors cheered a little, more out of common courtesy than anything else, but the loudest sound though was the Slytherins' hisses. They obviously didn't like that a Black had been made a Gryffindor. Remus heard a bang on a table and turned to see Bellatrix Black fists tight with a look of pure hatred. Remus then knew exactly why Sirius Black had been so upset. By being in Gryffindor he had just left behind his entire family. He knew that the Black family hated Gryffindors, but wouldn't they be willing to put that hatred aside for one of their own family. The look on Bellatrix face gave him all the answer's he needed.

Remus looked back to Sirius and he didn't know if something in Black's posture had changed or if it was this new information that made Sirius look even more piteous.

"Lupin, Remus."

Remus heard his name. He hadn't even realized that the line had continued moving. He forgot about Black and walked up to the stage. He was now very nervous; he didn't like being the center of attention at all. When he sat on the stool, Professor McGonagall set the hat on his head without a word. There was silence for a second and then...

Ohh, my first werewolf.

Remus jumped. If his legs hadn't been tightly wound around the legs of the stool he would have fallen to the ground.

What? Who is there? Remus didn't like the idea of someone else being inside his head.

I am the sorting hat, of course.

Oh. I didn't know you could read my mind.

How did you think I knew where to sort you then?

I never really thought about it.

If that is the case, then Ravenclaw definitely not for you.

Crud. The hat laughed inside Remus' head.

But where shall I put you? Hmm, definitely not Slytherin. No, you are much too brave and loyal than that. Yes very loyal, but I don't think Hufflepuff is right for you either. Just like another student I had today your loyalty exceeds only to your friends, not as much for your opinions.

The hat was quiet for a moment.

"GRYFFINDOR" The hat surprised him with a very loud outburst, and this time Remus did fall. He knocked over the stool and everything.

"Ow" Remus got back up and Professor McGonagall helped him put the chair back up.

"Are you alright?" She asked looking very worried.

"Yes, I'm fine," Remus answered. Great what a wonderful way to start the year. To Remus' surprise, the hat laughed in his head again. He hadn't realized that he still had it on.

Good luck. He took the hat off, placed it back on the stool, and walked to the Gryffindor table. Remus began to worry about where to sit. The Gryffindors were cheering for him, but a lot of them looked very uncomfortable at the empty seats around them. Remus sighed; of course, none of them would want him to sit next to them. Even if they didn't know he was a werewolf, there was still something inside that warned them that he was dangerous.

At the end of the table, he could see Sirius Black. Black was clapping, but he didn't really look like he meant it. Though he had to give Black points for trying. Remus found himself getting closer and closer to him and considered asking to sit next to him. He looked very alone. Remus decided to do it. What was the worst thing Black could do? Say no?

"D-Do you mind if I sit here?" Remus cursed himself for stuttering. To his surprise, Black jumped. He obviously hadn't expected anyone to try and talk to him. Sirius stared at him for a moment and then smiled hugely and nodded.

"Sirius Black." He introduced himself.

"Remus Lupin." They shook hands and Sirius turned to watch the sorting, probably for the first time.

Remus didn't know why but he looked over to the Slytherin table. Or more specifically at Bellatrix Black who was glaring at him viciously. She didn't seem to want Sirius to have any friends at all. A girl two seats away from Bellatrix was staring at him also. But her stare wasn't mean. He recognized her as a Black but didn't know her name. When she noticed that she caught his eye she didn't look away like most people who had been caught staring would have. She smiled at him and mouthed thank you to him. He blushed and looked away. He knew she was talking about him sitting with Sirius, but he hadn't done it for her.

Remus looked back to Sirius and somehow, he didn't look quite so pitiful anymore.

Peter was scared to death. It would be his turn soon. What if the hat put him in Slytherin? He would never survive in Slytherin. They would kill him before the end of the year. He was so scared that he wasn't paying attention to the sorting at all. He had watched Black get sorted for a few seconds, (just long enough to realize that Black had been lying about the trolls) and then went off in his own little world of worry. He had noticed though when the entire room went silent for quite a while, but Peter couldn't figure out why everyone was quiet and ignored it. Someone pushed him from behind and interrupted his thoughts.

"Pettigrew, please come up here." Professor McGonagall said very sternly.

"S-Sorry." Peter instantly turned red and hurried up to the stool. When he sat down Professor McGonagall placed the hat on his head.

Hello, Mr. Pettigrew,

Peter heard a voice inside his head.

H-Hello... Mr. Hat guy. Peter stuttered inside his own head.

Let's have a look to see where you belong... Hmm now, this is a hard one... You don't seem to fit any of the qualities for any of the houses, do you? Not brave like a Gryffindor, nor cunning like a Slytherin. And you certainly aren't smart or loyal like the Ravenclaws, or Hufflepuffs respectively.

A chilling thought came to Peter's mind, what if he couldn't be sorted at all? What if the hat just told him to go home now?

Oh, don't worry I will sort you into a house. Though you will most likely have much trouble fitting in. Hmm, but where to put you. Certainly not Slytherin or Ravenclaw. No, not anywhere near smart enough for either of them. Hufflepuff isn't a good choice either. I suppose you would be best in Gryffindor. Yes, it seems you would. But a warning now, fitting in and making friends will prove most difficult for you, no matter where you go.

Peter tried his best to ignore the hat's words and be happy when the hat yelled his new house.

"GRYFFINDOR"

Peter stood and gave the hat to Professor McGonagall she gave him a smile and nodded her congratulation. He looked over to James who also smiled and gave him thumbs up.

As Peter walked to the Gryffindor table, he thought about what the hat said. It was going to hard to make friends. But it was already hard to make friends. At least he had James. He and James had been friends since they were very young. Their mothers had been friends when they were in school so the two were practically raised with each other.

Peter sat down on the closest chair and was surprised to see two boys sitting right in front of him.

"Hi." One of them smiled widely at him. "I'm Sirius Black and this is Remus Lupin." Peter was shocked and quickly began to look around. Sirius laughed. "Don't worry you are at the right table." Remus began laughing also. Peter turned red.

"I'm Peter Pettigrew." He shook Sirius' hand but hesitated at Remus' hand, for some reason Peter was afraid of Remus. He couldn't figure out why. The kid looked like he couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag. He was very sickly and pale. Peter shook it off and shook Remus' hand as well. Then looked at him apologetically, but Remus just smiled, he didn't mind at all. He didn't even seem to think it was strange. Peter pushed these thoughts away and turned to watch the sorting.

Peter smiled; maybe it wouldn't be that hard to make friends after all.

James was really happy for Peter. He hadn't expected for Peter to end up in Gryffindor, actually, he didn't think anyone had expected Peter to end up in Gryffindor. Everyone would be very surprised by this. James looked over to Peter and frowned, he didn't like that Peter was sitting next to a Black, even a Gryffindor Black. He was worried Black would try to hex him or something.

"Potter, James." James calmly walked up to the sorting hat. He wasn't nervous or scared at all. He remembered what Black had said to them before the sorting began and he laughed. Trolls... please, who besides a muggle born would fall for that, but they had actually believed him, it was hilarious. At least this Black has a sense of humor.

Well... hello Potter.

James was not at all surprised to hear the voice in his head.

Hi, hat. He greeted back.

A strange group of students we have this year don't you agree?

Huh? The hat ignored his question.

First a Black in Gryffindor. Next a werewolf...

Wait... werewolf. Did you just say werewolf? The hat ignored him again.

Then a boy who didn't seem to fit into any house.

What about a werewolf? James was still trying to get the hat to tell him more. It didn't work.

And now you... I have never been able to sort someone so easily. No one fits the category of Gryffindor quite like you do.

Really! James forgot completely about the werewolf, which was no doubt the hat's intention, and was very pleased with himself.

Yes... You are almost as much a Gryffindor as Godric himself.

Sweet! James was excited, to him that was the greatest compliment anyone could ever give him. The hat laughed inside his head.

"GRYFFINDOR" The hat yelled and James jumped up. He was beaming as he gave the hat to Professor McGonagall and walked to the Gryffindor table. He sat next to Peter and him and Black stared at each other for quite a while. Not glaring just staring. Peter looked at them both obviously worried that his friends wouldn't get along. A few of the other students noticed this as well; some of them looked like they were hoping for a fight to break out. Everyone knew the Blacks and the Potters hated each other. To everyone's surprise, Black was the first to give a friendly smile and he reached out his hand for a handshake.

"I'm Sirius Black, but I bet you already knew that." James smiled back and shook his hand.

"James Potter, but I know you already knew that." They both laughed and Peter looked relieved. Sirius Pointed to Remus.

"This is Remus Lupin." Sirius looked over at Remus. "You don't mind that I'm introducing you instead of letting you do it yourself do you?" Remus gave a shy smile.

"I don't mind at all."

As soon as he looked at Remus, James was reminded of what the hat said. That it had sorted a werewolf. Remus scared him a little. This made no sense as the boy looked fragile and weak. James was absolutely sure that he could beat Remus up if it came to a fight. Still, something told him to stay away from the smaller boy.

James laughed and gave Remus a handshake. He was being silly, there was absolutely no way there was a werewolf in the school.