Disclaimer: Don't own this, don't own any of it. Wish I did, though.

Warning: Some minor OoTP spoilers.

Author's Note: Thanks to all my reviewers!

Buckbeak412: Thanks! I'll keep continuing, don't worry.

Lanette: Read on to find out what house I put Lily in. I'm afraid it's rather predictable, but oh well. Thanks for the compliment about Snape's characterization!

CrystalDragonfly: Yes, yes, evil mean sneaky Sirius…yet he's still so wonderful…He really shouldn't mess with James's crushes…it's all because of him that James has to suffer unrequited love for seven years…bad bad Padfoot! Thanks for the compliments! Your story is wonderful, too. I just read the last chapter today…

Chapter Four: The Ceremony of Self Doubt and Worry

Sirius looked around him, noting the worried expressions of some of his pupils, and the self-assured ones of the others. He sighed, hoping his own worry didn't seep through the happy mask he was projecting for the world.

He was startled out of his reverie as James punched him lightly on the arm. "Eh, mate, what house do you think you'll get into? I'm hoping I'm in Gryffindor- just like my dad was."

Should I tell him? Sirius was torn; would his new friend accept him, despite the type of family he came from? Or would he shun him, disgusted with the Dark Magic that so obviously emanated from his being? James is a good bloke. He'll understand.

Sirius gave James an even stare, preparing himself to tell the truth about his family life. "I hope I get into Gryffindor, too! I mean, my mum was in it…" he mumbled, mentally berating himself for his cowardice. He'd understand, I shouldn't have to lie.

James smiled, oblivious to the internal battle Sirius was facing. "That's great! Maybe your mum knew my dad when they went to Hogwarts. That'd be interesting, wouldn't it?"

Sirius nodded numbly, not really listening to what James was saying. "Yeah." Before he was forced to elaborate his answer, Professor McGonagall returned, beckoning for them all to follow her into the Great Hall.

Sirius pushed his own self doubts aside, preparing himself for the prank that the two of them had planned. He grinned, oblivious to the several girls behind him who nearly fainted at the action. "Alright then, James, lets do it."

They walked into the vast hall, not feeling an inkling of nervousness at the amount of people located there. The old hat that McGonagall had placed on a worn three legged stool however, did spark their curiosity.

"Wonder what that could be?" James whispered to Sirius, who was wondering the same thing.

Suddenly, the old wizards hat opened its mouth, and to the surprise of all the first years, and to the amusement of the older students, it began to sing.

Hogwarts school was established many years ago,

By four close determined friends who eventually turned foe.

There was Slytherin, who appreciated those of great cunning

And Gryffindor, who thought courage to be particularly stunning.

We can not forget Ravenclaw, who admired intellect,

Nor kind-demeanored Hufflepuff, who took all those that were left.

Yet these witches and wizards, who had before seemed so chummy,

Could do nothing to prevent it when their situation turned crummy.

Slytherin refused to admit those that were not pure-blooded

And the rest were simply shocked at this, and a little bit disgusted.

Their four houses, which had previously united,

Now stood apart, hopelessly divided.

Slytherin left the school, never to return,

And those four became three, each of them feeling spurned.

Even though these friends now were enemies,

Hogwarts continued on and on, teaching its wizardry.

And still it does, to this day, but I must voice my concern.

I hope you all listen closely to this song and learn.

The darkness grows, slowly turning things that were good to bad,

Causing evil rifts much like these four sorcerers had.

So I ask for all of you to take heed,

And unite once more, in this time of great need.

That is it, now my song is done,

I hope you have listened,

And will band together as one.

Now put me upon your head,

And I will show you were you ought to be,

But remember this, remember well,

if you want Hogwarts to remain free.

Silence met the end of the song; even the older students now looked rather surprised. The headmaster was the first to interrupt the ominous silence, clearing his throat rather loudly. At the noise, everyone broke out of their reverie, and soon, clapping echoed throughout the hall.

McGongall unraveled a scroll, and began calling people up to be sorted. "Ackerby, Stewart!"

A scrawny, blonde haired trudged reluctantly up to the stool and placed the Sorting Hat over his head. It had barely touched it when…

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The boy snatched the hat off his head and ran off towards the table that was cheering.

Sirius nudged James, indicating that the boy would be a prime subject for their jokes. James gave a nod, showing his assent.

And so it went on and on, James and Sirius falling into a sort of standing sleep. Their attention was drawn back to the sorting, however, when a certain red head was called up. "I hope that Evans is in Gryffindor," James mumbled to himself. Sirius heard, however, and immediately gave James an impish grin that could not bode well…

"Evans, Lily!"

Lily slowly walked up to the stool, feeling as if it everyone's eyes were on her (which they were, of course…). She placed the Sorting Hat over her head, cringing as it fell nearly halfway down her face.

'A clever mind, indeed.'

Lily nearly jumped off her seat when she heard a voice, but soon calmed as she realized that it was simply the hat speaking. I really have to get used to objects talking…

'Yes, you do. I also seem to feel much ambition…but most of all, I feel courage. Then, it must be…'

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Lily jerked the hat off her head, realizing that it had spoken those words out loud. She ran to the table that was cheering the loudest; obviously, this had to be the Gryffindor table.

James grinned broadly as Lily was placed in Gryffindor, causing Sirius to roll his eyes. "James, mate, you've known the girl for less than a day. This infatuation you have with her isn't healthy. It's much like how my female fans feel about me." He smiled, not at James, but at a certain blonde that stood a few feet away. She giggled before turning to her friend, whispering furiously in her ear.

"Yeah, well, she's great, isn't she?" James responded, his eyes still trailing after Lily. The two of them once more fell into a stupor, until Sirius's name was called.

He sauntered up to the Sorting Hat, pausing to bow gallantly in front of McGonagall, who glared at him suspiciously. Placing the hat over his head, he tensed in his chair, preparing himself for the shout of 'Slytherin' that was bound to come.

But it didn't. Instead, the hat started talking to him, much to his confusion.

'You do indeed share the ambition that the Blacks before you have had. But, it seems, you despise the thought of being put in Slytherin.'

Not Slytherin. I'm not like the rest of them, I'm different.

'Looking beyond the Black name, I see an abundance of cleverness that could definitely place you in Ravenclaw. You have much loyalty, which means you could be put into Hufflepuff, also.'

Sirius visibly shuddered; Hufflepuff wasn't exactly his forte either.

'However, there is a trait here that puts you most definitely into another house. Higher than anything, you seem to have a knack for getting into trouble, for mischief. Only one house for courageous troublemakers, I say…'

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius stepped off the stool, elated, as he jogged over to the Gryffindor table. If he hadn't been blinded by his happiness, he would have realized that it was mostly the female Gryffindors that were cheering; the wizards looked rather put out.

Mum is going to kill me. Maybe the family will disown me! Instead of becoming depressed, however, Sirius only felt happier; anything he could do to annoy his so called family was fine with him. He knew he'd be getting a certain red, smoking envelope in the mail sometime soon.

He sat down next to the other first year Gryffindors, giving them each grins. Lily scowled back at him before returning her attention to the Sorting; the other boy who sat next to him smiled cautiously.

Sirius stuck his hand out, shoving it beneath the sandy haired wizard's nose. "Sirius Black, and you?"

"Remus Lupin." Sirius studied Remus carefully, noting the dark circles under his alert, gray eyes, and the scruffiness of his clothing.

"Well, Remus, we're going to be good friends, you and I." He slung his arm over Remus's shoulders, who seemed rather surprised at the contact.

Remus surveyed his surroundings once more, still in shock that he had been admitted into Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore is the greatest wizard I've ever met. None other would have allowed me to stay at Hogwarts. He was there, of course, but he hadn't expected to befriend anyone, and certainly hadn't expected anyone to befriend him. He was a freak, after all, as even his own family had said.

But this fellow, Sirius Black, had befriended him, even going as far to give him a friendly pat on the shoulders. Remus smiled gratefully, thanking whoever was allowing him this time at Hogwarts, this time to be a normal wizard.

"So, er, did you expect to get into Gryffindor?" he asked timidly; he had never had an actual conversation with a stranger before. Most usually shied away from him once realizing what he was.

Sirius's face darkened for a split second, causing Remus to second guess his question, though it had seemed harmless enough. Sirius looked to be pondering it, and seemed to take a minute or so before replying. "No, no I didn't," he admitted at last.

"Either did I." Remus had never thought of himself as brave, although apparently the Sorting Hat had said he was. He'd expected to get into Ravenclaw; since he'd never had any actual friends, he'd mostly read and studied books.

"Eh! Look, it's James's turn!" Sirius now payed rapt attention to the ceremony, watching in amusement as James tripped on his way up to the stool.

Merlin. I can't believe I made a fool of myself like that. He grinned, realizing that embarrassment was inevitable with all the pranks he planned to act out. He made another show of blatant tripping, this time causing himself to fall face down on the floor. He heard some scattered laughter, and frowned. Not enough. Not nearly enough.

And so he lay on the ground, waiting for the concern that was sure to follow. Sure enough, McGonagall was soon at his side, turning him over, asking him if he was okay.

James moaned, clutching his stomach in fake pain. "It hurts, it hurts."

The professor stared at him, concern lining her eyes. "Where, Mr. Potter?"

He whispered something, said so low that Professor McGonagall couldn't hear it. She leaned closer, asking him to repeat his answer.

James grinned inwardly. She's right where I want her. "I want my mummy!" he wailed. When she stretched out her hand to comfort him, James suddenly yanked at it, enveloping McGonagall into a tight hug. He successfully pulled her onto the floor, and when that was done, he sprang off the ground, jogging towards the Sorting Hat, leaving McGonagall shocked and sputtering in his wake.

'Mischievous. Yes, you have a great knack for troublemaking, much like a certain other student. If it weren't for that little trait, I would be at a loss for where to put you, since it seems you qualify for each of the houses. However, that foolish courage you have places you in…'

"GRYFFINDOR!"

James pulled the hat off, preparing himself for the definite tongue-lashing he was sure to receive from McGonagall.

He was correct; He had no sooner than taken the hat off when McGonagall stormed up to him, her face red with rage and slight embarrassment. "Mr. Potter, you have not been in the school for a day and you have earned yourself a detention! I will be forced- no, it will be my pleasure- to inform your parents about this little stunt you have just pulled," she spat.

James just grinned up at the irate professor, which only served to infuriate her all the more. She stalked off, shaking her head and grumbling curses against the entire Potter family line.

James sauntered over to the Gryffindor table, who were all staring at him with shock -and the tiniest bit of respect- in their eyes. He took his seat next to Sirius, giving a slow smile to Lily, who just frowned at him.

Sirius patted him on the back, congratulating him on his stunt. "Certainly started the year off with a bang. At least McGonagall'll know what to expect from you, now."

Sirius introduced him to the quiet boy that sat beside him, named Remus. The three of them chatted for a while, ignoring the rest of the ceremony, which was starting to get rather boring.

Peter Pettigrew stood trembling at the back of the crowd of first years, desperate not to be seen. It was inevitable, of course, for his name had just been called. He walked up to the stool, wishing the ground beneath him could just swallow him up.

Peter grabbed the hat, feeling rather happy that it covered him from the inquisitive eyes of the rest of the students.

'Certainly not Hufflepuff. Curious, I seem to see a distinct lack of loyalty in you. There's no true ambition; surely you can not belong in Slytherin. Ravenclaw, then? But you seem to be rather inept at magic, I see barely an inkling of it within you. As much I regret it, I will have to place you in Gryffindor; it might be the one house in which you will do fairly well in. So then…'

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Peter waddled over to the table, only slightly perturbed at the hat's scathing remarks. He had his mind on other things, such as how to become friends with that boy who had pulled that stunt; he would surely sail through school if he was friendly with…who was it? Ah, yes, James Potter.

They welcomed him with open arms, so to speak, making sure to include him in their conversation. Peter didn't contribute much himself, rather, he just agreed to whatever James had said. This caused him to be the subject of much a curious look, but the boys soon became used to his repetitive comments.

They only looked towards the ceremony once more, that time being when a greasy-haired, sallow faced someone took center stage.

"Snape, Severus!"

Severus stalked up to the stool, giving occasional sneers to people he deemed unfit. Or, at least, who his parents would have deemed unfit. I must get into Slytherin. My parents will finally accept me. He nodded, pulling the hat over his head, a determined look upon his face.

'Courageous. Yes, I see much courage in you. A thirst for knowledge, also. Ambition, too. But the braveness you possess seems to be the greatest and so….'

No! Not Gryffindor! I must be in Slytherin, it is what my parents see as the right house. I refuse to be placed anywhere but Slytherin.

'You seem to be very conforming, Severus. Do you not want to express your own opinions, break away from the values of your house? Do you really believe in all that your parents have said to you?'

In honest truth, Snape didn't believe in all that Mudblood shite; in fact, he felt rather bad for yelling at that pretty redhead who had sat with him in the train. But, it was his parents' opinion that mattered. Only Slytherin!

'I fear you are making a mistake, Severus; you are different from the others placed in…'

"SLYTHERIN!"

Snape tore the hat off, a self-satisfied smile on his face. He would never speak of the hat's words to anyone; if they asked, he had been placed in Slytherin without a second thought. What mistake could I possibly be making? My parents deem this house to be the best, and so it must be true. Snape shook off his doubts, some of which disagreed with his parents' opinions. What does it matter, what I think? My parents surely know better. I am making no mistake. No mistake at all.

Hope you liked this chapter! I think it's longer than the rest of mine, and I experimented with different point of views, too. Tell me what you think of my characterizations so far. And of the little stunt that James pulled on Professor McGonagall…And, I know that Sirius's name should have been called before Lily, but I realized that a little late into the story, and I didn't feel like altering the entire thing. So…sorry! Hope you can overlook that mistake…=\

You know what's a great early Christmas present? A nice little review! And it's free too!

^-^