Chapter 2
After the wand fiasco, the boys met up again with Mrs. Potter and headed to the Leaky Cauldron. Inside was crowded. Witches and wizards of all sizes were sitting around laughing and drinking, and having fun.
"Sirius, didn't you say your parents were around here some where? Maybe they have a table," Mrs. Potter asked. Sirius's expression instantly became nervous. He looked around the Leaky Cauldron. "Nope, they're not here. They must of left," Sirius said shrugging.
Mrs. Potter looked concerned. "They may have gone to look for you. Maybe we should try to find them. We wouldn't want them to worry."
James heard Sirius mutter something under his breath that sounded like, "They wouldn't worry about me." Aloud, Sirius said, "I'm sure they just went window shopping. They told me to meet them at Flourish and Blots at four anyway."
"Oh, okay. If you're sure," Mrs. Potter said as she searched for a table. "Over there!" she exclaimed, pointing to a table in the back. The three of them made their way past the crowded restaurant and successfully claimed a table. "I'll go place our order. Do you boys know what you would like?"
"I'll eat anything," Sirius said proudly, hitting his stomach.
Mrs. Potter laughed. "Alright, I'll bring over some sandwiches and butterbeers." The boys sat in silence for a few minutes after Mrs. Potter left before James broke the silence.
"Where are your parents really, Sirius?" James asked carefully.
Sirius looked surprise. "What do you mean? I told you they were window shopping."
"Don't give me that," James scoffed. "I've seen the way your expression changes when you talk about them. So, are you going to tell me?"
Sirius was about to open his mouth to say something, when Mrs. Potter came back with a tray of sandwiches and drinks.
"Eat up boys," Mrs. Potter said. The three picked up their sandwiches and ate in silence. When they had finished, they threw away their food and headed back into Diagon Alley.
Mrs. Potter looked at her watch anxiously. "I'm sorry, Sirius, but James and I must be getting back. Please apologize to your parents for me for feeding you lunch so late. I hope that I didn't ruin your appetite."
Sirius waved her off. "I can eat anything at anytime. Me being a growing boy that is."
"Of course," Mrs. Potter said smiling. "How could I forget?"
"Do you think that we'd be able to get together sometime, Sirius?" James asked him.
Sirius frowned. "I can't really do anything for the rest of the summer. My parents have pretty much made plans to travel until I start school." Sirius brightened. "But then again, there's always Hogwarts." Sirius grinned mischievously.
James grinned back. "I look forward to it."
"Have a good afternoon, Sirius," Mrs. Potter called as she and James headed back to the fireplace they had used to enter Diagon Alley. James went first this time. He threw the powder at his feet once again and the crowded streets of Diagon Alley disappeared and his house came into focus.
Just as James stood up, he heard the front door close and his father's footsteps walking into the living room.
"Hey James. Have fun shopping?" Samuel Potter asked his son.
"Loads. I met this other first year who is going to Hogwarts named Sirius Black," James said excitedly.
"Sirius Black. Why does that name sound familiar to me?" Mr. Potter asked running a hand threw his untidy black hair.
"I don't know," Mrs. Potter said coming out of the fire. "But he was a very nice boy."
"…Black…Black…" his father said still thinking. "I know I've heard that name before." His father snapped his fingers. "They were in the paper a few years ago when they refused to vote yes to ban that stupid law that said every muggle-born witch or wizard had to register with the Ministry of Magic. Everyone knew that it was a created as more of a social barrier than it was a benefit to the Ministry. I mean, if purebloods shouldn't have to register, why should muggle-borns?
"If I remember correctly, they were very animate about the law being enforced. Purebreds themselves, I believe," Mr. Potter said scowling.
James made a face. "How did such a law even come into affect?"
"About thirty years back, Gordon Helperian, a pureblood, became Minister of Magic. He began to create all these biased laws so that the most benefits went to purebloods. Luckily not many of them passed, but this one did. Equalists have been working for years to get that law on muggle registration banned, succeeding only a few years ago."
"Well Sirius didn't seem that way," James said stubbornly. "He didn't ask me what I was, anyway."
Mr. Potter smiled. "I'm sure Sirius is a fine young man. Now why don't you go upstairs and put your new school stuff away." James nodded and grabbed the cauldron, filled with the new parchment, quills, ink, and robes. He scattered his new school supplies over the floor of his room and headed back downstairs for his owl, but stopped when he heard his parents talking.
"He's fine, Sam. Trust me. Sirius Black is a really nice kid," Mrs. Potter reassured.
"If you say so. I just don't want James to start thinking that he should be acting like the Black family does because he's pureblood," Mr. Potter sighed.
"That's not going to happen. Everything James told you is true," Mrs. Potter reassured. James felt a surge of pride for his mother for her trusting his judgment. James continued into the living room, and silently picked up his owl and headed back upstairs.
James took out a new quill and some ink and set to work on a piece of parchment.
Dear Sirius,
I know you said you were busy for the summer, but I was hoping we could still talk by mail. I don't want to write much in case this letter doesn't find you for whatever reason, but I was still curious to know a little about your family. My parents say that your family is made up of purebloods that think magic should be used only in pureblood families. Is that true? I know that you don't feel that way though, right? I mean you didn't even ask me about when we first met. Anyways, I was just hoping to talk. I'll talk to you later.
~James Potter
P.S. I've instructed Kederick to wait for your reply.
James rolled up the parchment and headed over to Kederick who seemed eager to get out and stretch his wings. "Deliver this to Sirius Black," James instructed. "And don't leave until he gives you a reply." The owl almost seemed to nod in understanding as James strapped the parchment to his leg and watched him take off.
It took a few days for Sirius to reply, and his return letter was both sad and uplifting.
Dear James,
You're right about my family. They're obsessive purebloods, the whole lot of them and I'm not like them. That day at Diagon Alley, my parents had no idea where I was, and in actuality, they didn't seem to really care. I just like to escape out of the house every chance I get. That's why I couldn't invite you over. I was worried that my parents would oppose us being friends. Not because you were pureblood or not, but because I would be having fun and not be doing chores. They wouldn't want that. I'd like to come over to your house, but my parents claim that I've been wasting floo powder, and now they've hidden it. But there are only a couple weeks left till school starts. I'm just counting down the days. By the way, I forgot to mention this earlier, but you're pretty good at casting spells. Know any good hexes? Well, write me back soon.
~Sirius Black
James smiled at the hexes part. He knew dozens of hexes, and with Sirius being the prankster that he was, James knew that he must be storing this information for the upcoming school year. James's knowledge on spells and hexes was infinite. His excitement about going to Hogwarts had allotted him time to read all of the books his mother had purchased him.
Dear Sirius,
I am the master of hexes and the conqueror of spells, but it's no fun to give you the info when we can actually test out our skills on the train. Wouldn't that be more fun? We could finally give up the muggle pranks, and take up the wizarding ones. This is going to be an awesome year. Well, right me back.
~James
James and Sirius wrote continuously to each other till the day came when it was time for James to meet Sirius on platform nine-and-three-quarters.
"James! Come along, we can't be late!" Mrs. Potter shouted up the stairs on the first of September. James pulled his tee shirt over his head, coaxed Kederick into his cage and ran down the stairs.
"Every body ready?" Mr. Potter asked stepping out of the kitchen. Mr. Potter was the only one who knew how to drive a muggle car, not to mention the fact he wanted to escort his son to the platform on his first day of school. James jumped into the back of the car and set Kederick on the seat next to him. They arrived at Kings Cross at ten forty-five. After grabbing a cart and loading James's stuff onto them, James and his parents walked down the muggle train station until they stopped between platforms nine and ten.
Mr. Potter looked both ways to make sure it was clear, and then ran cleanly through the brick wall of platforms nine and ten. "Go on, James," Mrs. Potter coaxed. "Do exactly as your father did. I'll be right behind you." James swallowed and tightened his grip on the cart. James moved his speed up to a run, and just as his father had done, James ran cleanly through the wall to where the Hogwarts Express was producing steam and his father was waiting.
Mr. Potter led his son to the train and helped him to load his things. Mrs. Potter came running up only a short time later. The train was to leave in five minutes. It was time for James to say good-bye. His parents lead him to the compartment cars. Mr. Potter hugged his son first. "Take care at school, son, and try to stay out of trouble."
"I'll try," James said with the look of a devil-angel child.
James turned to his mother whose eyes were filled with tears. "My little boy is growing up," she said, taking her turn at a hug. "We'll see you for Christmas won't we?"
James nodded. "You better get on board, James. We'll see you soon!" Mr. Potter said.
"Bye Dad! Bye Mum!" James cried before disappearing onto the train. James walked down the compartments glancing around till he finally found Sirius.
"There you are, James! Thought you may have chickened out on teaching me those hexes!" Sirius said as he sat leisurely across the bench seat.
"Never!" James said sitting down. James looked around at the rest of the occupants. Besides Sirius there was a pale thin boy who sat on the bench across from them in slightly dirty clothes. His face was buried in Boiling and Bubbling: Potions at your Fingertips. Beside him was a huge boy. He was at least five times bigger than the average kid who had long bushy hair and even traces of a beard around his chin.
"And you guys are?" James questioned the two boys. The boy reading the book looked up hesitantly.
"I'm Remus Lupin," he said giving them a weak smile. "Just catching up on my worst subject," he said holding up the book on potions.
"Name's Hagrid," said the giant of a boy. He looked down at himself. "Yer probably wonderin'. I'm 'alf giant. I ain't too good with magic, but give me a creature and I can be sure to cure 'um."
James nodded. "Good to know. I'm James Potter and this attempt at a human," he said gesturing at Sirius, "is Sirius Black."
"He gives me more credit than I deserve," Sirius joked. Remus seemed to sink deeper into seat as if trying to hide.
"You both first years?" Remus and Hagrid nodded. "So are we. I met Sirius in Diagon Alley." There were a few minutes of uncomfortable silence until Hagrid broke it.
"So, what 'ouse do ye think yer gonna get?" Hagrid asked.
"Slytherin of course," said a voice from the doorway. "That is for me." The four of them turned to see a semi-tall boy of eleven with blond hair that fell past his shoulders. He was wearing a smug smile on his face and was surrounded by two other boys, both beefier than the blond. All of them were dressed in their black school robes already. James felt Sirius stiffen in his seat.
"Sirius, how good to see you again," the blond boy said silkily. His eyes skimmed the room. "Associating with a most unusual group I see."
Sirius snickered. "That's funny, cause I thought we just passed your group. You didn't hear the herd of cows calling your name?" James tried to hold back his laugh but it came out as sort of a snort.
The blond boy's sly smile faded as he turned abruptly on James. "And who might you be?"
"What's it to you?" James sassed back, not caring one bit for the character of this boy.
The boy raised an eyebrow. "It means nothing what-so-ever to me, but I don't think you know who I am. I am—"
"Lucius 'I-think-I'm-a-hotshot-because-I'm-a-stupid-git' Malfoy," Sirius interrupted casting a knowing glance at James.
Malfoy's eyes burned fire. "I'd watch what you say Sirius, if I were you. After all, once your parents find out your associating with a poor nobody," Malfoy gestured to Lupin who turned a few shades whiter if it were possible, "a half-giant thing," he said glancing at Hagrid, "and Mr. No-Named-Nobody," he said glaring at James, "you may as well live at Hogwarts with the rest of the mudbloods."
James felt his hand close around his wand and before he had even realized it he had it out and pointed at Lucius. Lucius looked down at the wand in disdain. "Oh-no, No-Name first year has a wand. Whatever will I do?" Malfoy cried as he removed his own wand. James looked at Malfoy in the eyes and yelled, "Expelliamus!" Malfoy's wand flew neatly out of his hand and into James's. By this time, Malfoy's "body guards" had removed their wands and were keeping them leveled on James.
Sirius however had also gotten up from his seat and had his wand trained on Malfoy. Suddenly, Sirius cried, "Accio, wands!" and the two bodyguards had been disarmed.
The fire burning in Malfoy's eyes was hot and angry. James smirked at Malfoy and
muttered, "Tollicio!" James just grinned as Malfoy shrunk down and became hunched over. His skin grew darker but with warts, moles, and boils. His head shrunk a few sizes, and his arms became so long that they dragged the floor. James had successfully turned Malfoy into a troll.
Sirius doubled over in laughter while the bodyguards looked at James in fear. "Apologize to everyone of us, Malfoy and I'll turn you back and give you back your wand." Malfoy grunted and Sirius started to crack up all over again. "What was that Troll Lucius?" James asked cupping his ear.
"I'm sorry, Sirius," Malfoy grunted. "I'm sorry, no-name, poor-man, and giant-thing," Malfoy grunted out again.
James twirled his wand around in his hand. "We have names, Malfoy. I'm James Potter, he is Remus Lupin, and this is Hagrid."
Remus and Hagrid looked up expectedly for their apologies. Malfoy grunted again. "I'm sorry, Remus, Hagrid, and James," Malfoy spat out with a growl.
"Very good, Troll Lucius," he pointed his wand at Lucius again and muttered, "Humanius!" Lucius Malfoy gradually turned back into his normal self. He straightened his posture so that he was once again as stiff as a board.
"My wand, Potter?" Lucius said putting his hand out.
"Of course," James said. He presented the wand tip first as Sirius did also to Malfoy's cronies. Malfoy made a move as if he was putting his wand back into his robes, but he actually flipped it around in his hand, pointed it at James and exclaimed, "Montistra!" James however was ready. He did a little squiggly line diagonally across his chest with his wand tip pointing at Lucius and then he turned it at about his waist so that the wand was parallel to him. He pushed the wand out away from him. He then moved to about head height and made the same pushing motion he had done at his bottom waistline.
He did all this before Lucius's spell hit when in actuality; the spell never really hit James at all. James's wand motions had actually been made to create a shield to block the unfriendly spell. The spell hit the shield and bounced away from James and hit Malfoy. Malfoy's face instantly became to bubble and change shape. First it became that of a pig, then it turned into a wolf, a cat, finally stopping somewhere between a bear and a dragon.
Malfoy's two cronies ran over to Lucius as Lucius backed out into the hall, leaving the whole room in hysterics. "That was awesome!" Sirius said clapping James on the back still laughing. Even Lupin and Hagrid had joined in the laughter. James couldn't help grinning feeling satisfied with himself. He had gotten his message across to Malfoy and he'd won the respect of his peers. What more could he want?
"That was an excellent block, James," Lupin said admirably. "Where'd you learn how to do that?"
James shrugged. "You know when you're bored over the summer and you just pick up a few things, that's all I did."
"'Ello boys," came a woman from the doorway. The boys looked up to see a woman with graying blond hair. She spoke with what seemed like a Swedish accent, but that wasn't what was important. It was the gold trolley full of candy that she was pushing down the hall. "Would you be liking something from the trolley?" James didn't even look at the rest for confirmation. "We'll take everything." James removed some money from his pockets and Sirius instantly stood up and removed some of his own. The boys split the cost fifty-fifty and shared the candy with Lupin and Hagrid.
The four of them took a seat as they chatted and shared candy with one another stopping only once to dress into their robes. Before they knew it, the train began to slow as students prepared to get off. Once they arrived at Hogwarts, the upperclassmen boarded carriages led by beautiful white horses while first years unloaded nervously outside the train.
'First years this way!" Came the elderly voice of a man. James couldn't make out what he looked like but he could see the light being given off from something up ahead. The whole area was dark making it difficult to see. James muttered, "Lumos," to his wand and Sirius followed suite. Other first years looked admiringly at them others just shook their head in disapproval, but they didn't care. Suddenly a third light came on besides them made by Remus who followed the rest of the first years looking nervous.
The three of them followed the rest of the first years down to the waterfront where James could make out at least ten boats. While he waited for the first years ahead of him to climb into the boats James looked around trying to find Hagrid. Surprisingly, the three of them had managed to become separated from the half giant.
James however was unable to spot him and he proceeded to board the boat with Sirius, Lupin, and some other first years. The boat was small and made out of wood. It also had a small lantern that hung from its bow. It did seem as if the lightest movement would flip it over, but it surprisingly sailed smoothly across the lakes water all on its own.
"Oh no!" One of the other first years shouted from behind James. James, Sirius, and Remus all turned to see a small brown haired boy looking frantically around the boat, rocking it back and forth roughly. "My frog jumped over board!" The kid was bending over looking over the right side into the water trying to see.
"Stop rocking the boat!" James cried grabbing the left side of the boat and holding his lit wand with the other.
"AHHHHH!" One of the girls suddenly screamed. "GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!" In her rush to get away from what ever it was that had attacked her, the girl stood up. This was the last straw for the boat. The boat dipped unsteadily to either side only to eventually become off balance. The boat flipped over sending, Remus, James, Sirius, and three others into the water. The flame on James's wand instantly went out the moment he hit the water.
James swam to the surface coughing and sputtering out water. James looked around; he could make out at least four heads bobbing in the water. James turned abruptly when one shiny gold head caught the light of the lantern and he groaned as Lucius called out, "I'd stop and give you a hand Potter, but I don't feel like it." James could hear the heckling laughter of Lucius along with several others.
"Serene?" A girl near him called. "Serene?" She called more frantically. James felt something pass his arm and then grab hold tight. "You have to find my sister, Serene! She can't swim!"
"Ok, but you…have...to…let…go," James said trying to let go. Finally she released his hand and James brought his hand to the surface. "Aquatis Lumos," he whispered. A new flamed appeared at the end of James's wand and James dove below the surface. Everything was still murky even with the light, but he did manage to catch a shine of silver and he dove deeper. Bubbles were coming at him furiously now and he knew he was on the right trail.
Finally, James was able to reach out and grab the squirming girls hand. James rushed to the surface in dire need for air. Eventually the water around them broke, and they were at the surface again. Serene had a death grip on James's shoulder as James's struggled to stay afloat with the newly added weight.
"Are you alright?" James looked up into the sparkling eyes of an elderly wizard with dark blue robes covered in yellow stars, and a gray beard that barely reached his chest. James nodded. He saw that the boat that the apparent teacher was occupying was already filled with Remus, Sirius, and the boy who had the toad. The other girl was still frantically swimming around calling her sister's name.
"I'm alright Millie," Serene called almost right into James's ear.
"Come on now, let's get you three into the boat," the teacher above them called. James swam over with Serene still hanging on for dear life as the others lifted her into the boat. James followed Millie. The teacher turned the boat around and they followed the remaining boats to shore.
"Very impressive," the teacher said on the way.
"What that we managed to save time for a shower before the sorting?" Sirius spat bitterly.
The teacher chuckled. "No, no, I was referring to Mr. Potter's ability to make a water proof fire. Very advanced for a first year." James blushed but luckily no one could tell in the darkness. The seven of them traveled in silence. They reached the shore a short time later, colder than ever. James removed his wand with shivering hands. "A-all y-you h-ha-v-ve t-to d-do is p-poin-nt your w-want at y-your clothes a-and say, 'Eteais Winnus.'" The minute James said those words he instantly became warmer and he felt his hair and clothes dry. He watched as the others attempted to follow suit. Sirius and Remus instantly got the hang of it, but the girls kept dropping their wands, and the boy was going back and forth between dropping his wand and dropping his toad.
James sighed and performed the spell for them and they too soon became drier and warmer. The teacher stood beside them watching the whole time. "Well, now that we're all dry, shall we continue to the Great Hall?" They all nodded, and the teacher led the way upstairs.
"All of them here Professor Dumbledore?" A witch asked them as soon as they had climbed three flights of steps. She stood in front of two big wooden doors, where a whole herd of first-years were nervously waiting.
"Yes, everyone is here, Rayona," The man with the gray beard replied. The teacher nodded slightly and then opened the doors to the Great Hall.
The first years walked in wonder. Four tables were lined up vertically parallel to the wall. They were all crowded with upperclassmen who talked and whispered as they walked down the small aisle-way made between two of the tables in the center of the room. The ceiling, James saw, was also a great resemblance to the night sky. Dark clouds were swirling and moving allowing the students quick views of the stars here and there. The witch that had addressed Dumbledore, led the students to where a stool sat on top of a wooden stage. The stool was not empty. On top of it rested a ratty old hat whose tip was barely standing up on its own.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the witch began. "Welcome to Hogwarts. In a minute we'll sort you into your houses. I am Professor Greenly head of Hufflepuff. Over here," she said gesturing to a tall handsome wizard in black and white robes, "is Professor Portello head of Ravenclaw. Professor Ulaseur," Professor said, gesturing to a beautiful black witch with an evil look in her eyes, "head of Slytherin, and Professor Naomi," she said gesturing to a tall stern looking wizard in brown and yellow robes, "head of Gryffinder." Each table full of upperclassmen clapped their hands obligingly when their teacher's name was announced. Professor Greenly clapped her hands. "Let the sorting begin."
The room suddenly went silent. James looked around. All the older students had their eyes on the hat sitting on the chair while the first years looked around confused. James turned his head back to the front where the seam of the hat seemed to break and a mouth appeared. In a low sort of husky voice, the hat began to sing.
"Not much to see,
Not much to do,
The time has come
For me to sort you.
Not a handsome hat
I might be,
But to your houses
I hold the key.
Long ago there were four
Wizards and witches with different skills,
Priding different qualities
And I decide of which you fill.
Hufflepuff are kind and just,
Completely loyal in their hearts.
And with work and dedication you will find
This house will make high marks.
Now Ravenclaw is special too,
Filled with those who want to learn.
But don't think that they're no fun,
Because in wit they can give comedy a turn.
And when we think of knights
It's got to be Gryffindor.
Brave and daring to the end,
They'll show you what chivalry is for.
And finally there's Slytherin,
Where winning seeks no end.
This sly house is not to be deceived
For there is no doubt a snake can fend.
Here they are,
The four houses of Hogwarts.
Come on and place me on your head,
And I will name your court.
The hat stopped speaking and the Great Hall erupted in applause. Professor Greenly reappeared next to the stool with a parchment in her hand. "Now when I call your name, please take a seat on the stool. Aaron, Caron!" A small boy with brown hair nervously approached the stage and sat on the stool. Professor Greenly placed the sorting hat on his head. A few seconds later it bellowed, "HUFFLEPUFF!" The boy practically ran off the stage to the cheering table.
"Abbott, Jacqueline!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Barker, Michael!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Black, Sirius!" Sirius gave James a thumbs up sign and headed confidently up to the stage. He slipped on the hat and after a slight delay it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Sirius walked to the cheering Gryffindor table wearing the sorting hat. The Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, grabbed the hat off Sirius's head, and returned it to the stool.
"Crabbe, Milliard!" James watched as one of Lucius's cronies approached and sat on the stool.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Creevy, Jason!"
"I dare you to levitate the hat to your head, James," said a voice behind him. James turned and saw a grinning Remus.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
James glanced up at the stage and then looked back at Remus. "You're on!"
"Evans, Lily!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Flint, William!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
James twirled his wand around in his hand as he waited for his name to be announced.
"Hagrid!" The audience waited for the rest of the name, but there was none. The first years began to split apart as a boy easily three feet taller than everyone else tried to make his way through the crowd.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Hagrid sighed with relief and walked to his table, shaking the stool and the hat as he left.
"Lupin, Remus!"
"GRYFFINDOR!" James smiled. He hoped that he, Sirius, and Remus ended up in the same house. James didn't know Remus very well, but he seemed nice enough.
"Goyle, Frederick!" Lucius's other crony approached the stage. Not surprisingly the hat put him in Slytherin.
James tuned out until a familiar name reached his ears. "Malfoy, Lucius!" Lucius glided through the crowd, passing them with an superior air, as the hat was barely put on his head before yelling, "SLYTHERIN!" Lucius gave the audience a smug smile before walking down the steps to the Slytherin table.
"Pettigrew, Peter!"
"GRYFFINDOR!" James waited impatiently till they finally called his name.
"Potter, James!" James didn't move. He heard Sirius give him a cheer as he reached for his wand. He pointed it at the hat and said, "Accio, sorting hat!" The black hat floated straight into James hands as Professor Greenly and the rest of the crowd watched in surprise. James calmly placed it on his head and waited.
"Very sure of yourself aren't you?" The hat whispered. "Very brave and daring. Well I think that pretty much narrows it down." The hat stopped whispering and yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!" James smiled happily and removed the hat.
James held the hat out at arms length and muttered, "Wingardium Leviosa!" James smoothly flew the hat back to the stool and dropped it neatly onto the chair. James then walked confidently to the Gryffindor table and took a seat. Sirius patted him on the back and Remus smiled.
"Next time you have to give me something harder," James whispered to Remus who was sitting across from him."
"That was really something!" Said a boy sitting next to him. He had dark brown hair and was unusually short for an eleven year-old. James recognized him as Peter Pettigrew.
"It was nothing," James said off-handedly blowing off the tip of his wand and placing it in his robes. Sirius laughed.
"Snape, Severus!" A small boy with long greasy hair and a pointed nose stepped up to the stage looking down at his feet as he walked.
Sirius laughed and pointed. "I don't think that kid realizes that your not supposed to use bacon grease in your hair." James broke out laughing but also tried to smother them as Professor Greenly gave them a glare.
Snape meanwhile was looking around for the source of the laughter when his eyes rested on the two boys. He too sent a glare their way, but his eyes met with James, and for some reason, James felt his eyes narrow. The connection was broken however the moment the hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!" James didn't know why he felt the way he did, but for some reason he sincerely disliked Severus Snape.
"Weasley, Arthur!"
"GRYFFINDOR!" Remus, James, and Sirius cheered with the other Gryffindors as a boy with flaming red hair came to the table.
"Zikes, Vivian!"
"RAVENCLAW!" As the sorting came to a close, the last cheers came to an end. The stool and hat were removed from the stage and Professor Greenly took her seat with the other teachers. A man sat in the middle of the sickle-moon table with a high backed chair.
His hair was a dark gray on his head and his eyes were a shade of gray to match. He had a round face with a slightly bulging stomach that even his black and silver robes couldn't hide. He stood up and faced the group.
"Welcome first years to your new houses. I am Headmaster Dippit and in a moment I will go over some of the basic school rules, but before I do, I want to explain what being in a house means. During the course of the year, you will be able to earn points for your house. Your teachers can only distribute points as a reward of achievement. Any rule breaking however, and your house will lose points. At the end of the year, the points will be totaled and the house with the highest amount of points will receive the House Cup." The Great Hall applauded.
Headmaster Dippit motioned them to settle and the Great Hall became quiet once again. "Now for the rules. First of all, I would like to mention that the forest is off limits to every year. No exceptions. Second, our Grounds Keeper, Mr. Welander, would like to remind you that no magic is to be performed in the hallways between classes. Lastly, your schedules will be delivered to you tomorrow morning and you will start your classes following breakfast in the Great Hall." He paused. "Now, without further adieu, let's eat!"
A variety of foods suddenly appeared on the table. There was chicken, ham, turkey, salads, fruits, and more deserts than James could count. The hall was instantly drowned in the happy chatter of the Hogwarts students and the clanging of silverware on the table. Everything was going fine until a small ghost floated in. He looked almost like an elf, but his eyes seemed to contain the knowledge of a goblin.
The ghost swooped down and stole the Chocolate Worm Pie (a pie where the worms inside the pie were made of chocolate but squirming to simulate real worms) right in front of them.
"Peeves! Put that back right now!" One of the older Gryffindor girls shouted at the ghost. Peeves unfortunately did exactly what she asked. However, instead of putting it back on the table, he threw it on top of her head. Chocolate worms began to squirm and wiggle down the front of her robes.
The only laughter was coming from the Slytherin table. The girl in anger however picked up a slice of Krummy Crum Cake and threw it at Peeves. Of course being the ghost that he is, the cake sailed right threw him and hit the back of fourth year at the Ravenclaw table. The teachers were instantly standing up trying to stop any more food from being thrown, but it was too late. The Great Hall had erupted into a hurricane of flying food.
After at least five minutes of flying food, a loud voice could be heard booming over the great hall. "Immobulus!" The food froze in midair as the students throwing the food stopped in surprise.
Professor Dumbledore had risen from his seat with his wand raised. His face was serious but his eyes were sparkling. He cleared his throat. "Prefects please lead your houses to your dormitories to wash up and rest." James, Sirius, and Remus stepped away from the table as they began to follow the rest of the first years that were filing out of the Great Hall.
They were led down the hall and up the stairs and pass many different pictures that smiled and waved at them. They finally came to a stop in front of a picture of a wizard in black robes who was lying against a tree in a big meadow. His pointed hat covered his face. He seemed to be sleeping.
"Wake up, Keenan!" the Prefect yelled at the picture. The wizard snorted awake, startled. He looked around and glared at the Prefect.
"Password, your Highness?" Keenan asked rudely.
"Bludger," the Prefect said disregarding Keenan's attitude. James smiled happy to hear that their password was a Quidditch term.
"You may enter, your Highness," Keenan said as he slammed the picture open. "Thinks he's a king coming in here, waking me up, and tracking pudding and cakes onto the ruddy floor!" James laughed at the picture's muttering. It was true. The majority of the Gryffindor's were trailing some part of dinner into the common room with them.
James looked around. The common room was comfortably decorated in Gryffindor's red and gold colors. Several sofas and arm chairs surrounded the area around the fire and ahead of them was an entry way that apparently had stairs that led to the their rooms.
"Wow," gasped Remus from his position next to James as his eyes explored the room. Sirius jumped between them throwing his arms around their shoulders.
"Ah, our new home away from home! What can possibly be better?"