School Days
By Moony
All characters that you recognize are the property of JK Rowling. The ones you don't are mine, unless otherwise said so.
Thanks so much for the helpful comments to improve!!! That's what always makes me want to write! The minute I read the 3 new reviews with ways to improve, I wanted to use your tips to write a next, better chapter. So I did! Hopefully it's a bit better. Please continue to critique my writing. Thank you! Also, please note that the story from this point won't be in five different points of view as often. –Moony
Chapter 3
The rest of the summer passed by quickly for the five new wizards and witch and September 1st soon arrived. James Potter, with the perfect family life, was up bright and early. He wanted to make sure everything was in place before he left. James checked on his odd orange newt. His mother had forbidden him to take it, because when it was angered it let out pus, and Mrs. Potter did not want James to be at fault for any injuries concerning the amphibian.
"Hullo Pimpernel," he said cheerfully. He had named the newt when he was five of course, so he had no idea what Pimpernel meant. He had just liked the sound of the name. "I'm going to Hogwarts soon. That means I won't see you 'til winter break. But Mum'll feed you. Don't worry, and when I come back I'll let you crawl around the floor for a bit. But don't get that pus stuff over the carpet again, or Mum will throw you out. I'll change your water."
With that, James carried the bowl into the bathroom and poured the water out into the sink, while holding Pimpernel on his shoulder. He then refilled it with clean water and put all the rocks back in, and then placed Pimpernel on a rock.
"There you go, all clean. See you Pimp!"
James hopped away and went downstairs, where his father was sitting at the table, drinking coffee and reading the Daily Prophet.
"Hi Dad!" he said cheerfully.
"You all ready to go to Hogwarts?" he asked.
"Yup, my trunk's upstairs and everything."
"Good boy. Come on now, help me set the table."
When they had done with that, Mrs. Potter came in, looking prim and neat – as usual. She smiled and started up breakfast. The delicious aroma of sausages, eggs, bacon, and oatmeal filled the kitchen. James poured himself a glass of pumpkin juice, as Mrs. Potter set a plate of bacon and eggs and sausages in front of him, another smaller place of buttered toast, French toast with sweet syrup, and a bowl of oatmeal. James looked at the big breakfast.
"What's all this food for?" James asked.
"Well, I don't want you getting hungry on the Hogwarts Express. Have you double-checked to make sure you have anything dear?"
"Yeah, I have," James said, his mouth full of egg, "Even if I did, you'd send it to me later, right?"
Mrs. Potter sighed,
"Of course we would, but it would be nice if you were organized."
James swallowed the eggs, then crunched down the bacon. He stuck his fork into all eight of the sausages and ate them. Soon after, he turned to his bowl of warm oatmeal and then gulped down the pumpkin juice.
"Ahh..." he said with satisfaction, and let out a loud belch. His mother clucked, and looked at him disapprovingly.
James just grinned.
"It's almost time to go," his dad said suddenly, looking at the time.
"Hoorah!" James cried. He sprang up from his chair. And went to grab his trunk.
"No James! That thing's way to heavy!" Mrs. Potter cried as James started up the stairs.
"Locomotor trunks!" Mrs. Potter said, brandishing her wand. The trunk soon came down the stairs and followed Mr. Potter out the door into the car Mr. Potter owned. James then went up to grab Phaeton and came back down in a flash. He ran out the door and jumped into the car. He was going to Hogwarts! He was going to Hogwarts! He bounced in his seat as Mrs. Potter got in, and they sped off towards the Kings Cross Station.
Sirius, back at his house, woke up early for the first time in his life that September 1st. It was the day he was going to escape from this ugly dark house. He was going to be just himself with his friends. No stupid old hag Mrs. Black. No annoying ickle mommy's boy Regulus. No stupid parties with all the most respectable pure-blood families. It was the beginning of his golden life at Hogwarts. And then he would leave the house forever and live a life of his own. Maybe with his family? But he was 11 at the moment, and all Sirius cared about was that he was leaving the filthy place.
His mother provided him no breakfast that morning.
"IS IT MY JOB TO GIVE YOU BREAKFAST EVERY MORNING? I DO AND YOU NEVER APPRECIATE IT! BUY IT YOURSELF ON THE TRAIN!" she screamed when Sirius asked for it.
Mrs. Black pushed him into the green flames of Floo Powder already dancing in the fireplace, along with his trunk and owl.
"I WANT TO GET RID OF YOU EARLY, SO MOVE IT!"
Sirius had never seen his mother look so ugly.
He stepped into the fire and shouted,
"Kings Cross Station!"
Of course, the Ministry preferred that new Hogwarts students went to the station by car, but Mrs. Black, being the hag she was, would not 'get into a filthy mudblood thing' and the Ministry gave her permission to get to the station by Floo. The flames howled, and Sirius clutched the cage of his owl, who was squawking madly. At long last he arrived in the fire of the station, and his mother screaming behind him.
"MUDBLOODS! MUDBLOODS! EVERYWHERE MUDBLOODS! WHY CAN'T THE MINISTRY GET A STATION JUST FOR THE PUREBLOODS?!"
Sirius exasperatedly sighed.
"How do we get onto Platform 9 ¾ woman?" he hissed.
"DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME WOMAN! I AM YOUR MOTHER! IF I WEREN'T ALIVE, YOU WOULDN'T BE. SO SHUT UP!"
"But how do we get on – "
"DON'T YOU LISTEN TO A SINGLE THING I TELL YOU? YOU RUN THROUGH THE BARRIER BETWEEN THE PLATFORMS 9 AND 10 YOU IDIOT! NOW DO IT AND GO ON!"
Sirius pushed his trolley up to the barrier between the platforms. He stood a few feet away from it, not sure what to do. The barrier looked pretty solid. But of course, he wasn't about to ask his mom. He looked wildly around for maybe a nice woman to help.
"HURRY UP AND RUN INTO THE BARRIER YOU DUMMY!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? FORGET IT! I'M LEAVING!"
With that, she had apparated back home. Sirius gave a blink.
He was free from that hag and all that went on back home! Now he just had to get on the express. He looked at the barrier. What if his mom had told him so on purpose, to get him to crash headfirst into the barrier? It was a possible thing for Mrs. Black to have done, of course. He waited a while for another wizard family to come. They'd show him. Sure enough, he saw the boy he had met at the robe shop. That James Potter kid. He wheeled the trolley toward them.
"Hullo James!" he said cheerfully.
"Hi Sirius!" James replied, in surprise.
Mrs. Potter looked between them.
"Do you know this boy James dear?" she asked.
"Yeah Mum, he's Sirius Black. I met him at the robe shop in Diagon Alley."
"Well, fast friends hm? Nice to meet you, Mr. Black," she said, smiling.
Sirius gave a smile.
"I'm a little afraid to run through the barrier," Sirius said to them. He didn't want to ask how to get on, for that would seem a bit stupid.
"Well if you are, just take it at a run son, watch James here," Mr. Potter said, smiling.
Sirius stood while James faced the barrier and took a run.
"See ya soon!" he called, and disappeared into the barrier.
"Would you like to try now?" Mrs. Potter asked.
Sirius nodded. He too faced the barrier and broke into a run. He had disappeared into the barrier too. In front of him was the huge black train, steam puffing everywhere, and young witches and wizards talking and laughing. Sirius spotted James and walked over with his trolley.
"Isn't it amazing?" James asked, "Now I finally get to go to Hogwarts!"
"Yeah, I know," Sirius replied, staring at the train that was going to take him away.
Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Potter came from the barrier. They smiled at James.
"You're going to Hogwarts at last James, oh isn't it wonderful?" Mrs. Potter asked.
"Yup," James replied dully.
"Are you hungry dear? If you are, do you have enough money for some candy on the train?"
"Yes Mum, stop worrying."
"Owl us!"
"Course I will."
"Ok dear, we'll be proud no matter what house you'll be in."
"But try to get in Gryffindor," his dad teased.
"Arnold!" Mrs. Potter snapped.
James and Sirius exchanged glances and laughed.
"Well Mother – we'd better get going, I mean, the train's gonna leave soon."
"Oh yes dear, go along now. That nice prefect there should help load your things. Good-bye honey!'"
"Bye!"
James called, as he hopped onto the train, the prefect placing his trunk behind him. James pulled the trunk forward so Sirius could get on too, and they went to find a compartment.
"Looks like they're all full," Sirius said.
They kept walking down the hallway to the last compartment. James sighed and slid the door open for the last time. The only person sitting there was a redheaded girl, reading some odd book. James gave a silly sort of grin. The girl was charming to him, in a way.
"Hello, can we sit here?" he asked politely.
The girl looked up.
"Oh, sure," she said, waving her hand, "I don't mind."
Lily would have rather sat alone, but it was no matter. If they had come to the last compartment, then surely the others would've been full. Her mother always told her to be polite.
"So, er, what's your name?" James asked.
"Me? I'm Lily Evans," she answered shortly, "You?"
"I'm James Potter, and this is my friend Sirius Black."
Lily nodded acknowledgement, and saw that Sirius was staring at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Evans... I don't reckon hearing my mum talk about your family much. You muggle-born?"
Lily's face turned red.
"Well, quite yes, I am. But if you don't like muggle-borns, leave if you must."
"Oh I meant no offense by that. Just my stupid family hates them, but I don't care. Nice to meet you Evans."
James and Sirius began talking about Quidditch soon after. They were arguing whether the Tornadoes or the Chudley Cannons were better when the door slid open again.
A shabby looking boy came in, pulling a battered trunk. His hair was brown, and his face looked tired.
"Is this compartment empty?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Yup! We have room, come on in!" James said cheerfully.
The boy's face relaxed and he came in, "Thank you," he said.
"Hey no problem," Sirius said.
"What's your name?" James asked, as he sat down.
"Me? I'm... I'm Remus Lupin. I mean, if you don't like me or something, I'm sorry. I could leave um..."
"Hey it's ok. Just wanted to know. I'm James. James Potter."
"And I'm Sirius!"
Remus gave a small smile.
"Do you know about Quidditch?" James asked, as Remus took out a book.
"Quidditch?" Remus asked, startled.
"Yeah."
"Well, my mom told me a little about it, but I've never ridden a broomstick before."
"Oh, what about your dad, has he ever played?"
"My dad?" he asked, "Oh my dad doesn't know magic. He's a muggle. So I guess I'm a half-blood."
"There's no problem with that. Now put the book away Remus and we can have some fun!" Sirius said.
"Fun?" Remus asked, a little surprised.
"Yeah! Fun! Haven't you ever heard of it?"
"O-ok."
James invited Remus to play Wizard Chess, while Sirius watched. Suddenly, the compartment door slid open again.
The four sitting in the compartment looked up. A mousy little boy was standing in the doorway. He looked around and squeaked, "Sorry to bother you. I can see this compartment is full. I'll move now." He was about to slide the door closed again, when Sirius called out, "Hey, it's ok. The more the merrier! We can fit one more."
The boy, looking relieved, pulled the cart in.
"And your name is?" James asked.
"I'm Peter Pettigrew," he squeaked.
"Ah. I'm James Potter. This guy is Sirius Black, and the young boy playing chess with me is Remus Lupin. Oh – and that's Lily Evans. Gorgeous isn't she?" he said, winking. Lily looked quite taken aback.
"You gotta crush on her?" Sirius teased.
"What? No! I was just teasing!" James said, turning red.
The train gave a mighty lurch and shook. The whistle blew and slowly, the rumble of the wheels under began a slow, rhythmic beat.
"We're going! We're leaving!" Sirius cried, happily, bouncing in his seat.
"Hoorah!"
"Hogwarts we go!"
Lily put her book aside. It was no use. These boys were loud and troublesome, she could never get into a story.
"What house do you think you guys will be in?" Lily asked, being polite like her mum told her. It wasn't good to sit in a compartment and ignore the people around you.
"Gryffindor," James said surely, "Everyone's been a Gryffindor in my family."
"I don't know, Ravenclaw would be nice," Remus said thoughtfully.
Peter stared at his toes, "Well, judging by how clumsy I am. I'll probably be just a Hufflepuff duffer."
Sirius looked grimly at his feet.
"All my family's been Slytherin – 'cept for Andromeda of course. They expect me to follow. But I'm not going to. If they try – I'm running. I wanna be a Gryffindor."
Lily looked all around.
"Well, Gryffindor would be very nice. They say it's the best, I mean, Dumbledore was in it. But oh, it wouldn't be bad to be in Ravenclaw. I'm really eager to learn Charms! They say Flitwick's a good teacher."
"Yeah? Charms is ok, but I can't wait for Transfiguration," James said.
"But they say McGonagall's really strict!" Peter squeaked.
An evil glint came in Sirius's eye, and James too. They exchanged glances.
"We'll just er – have some fun in her class then, right James?" Sirius said.
"Totally."
Remus looked back and forth.
"Well, I frankly would like to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts, but they all sound interesting."
Peter sighed, "I don't know what I'll be good at. I suspect Herbology. That's the easiest, anyhow. I don't want to take Potions. They say that Professor is really mean."
"Well, we could have some fun in that class too," James said, grinning.
Just then the compartment door slid open for the sixth time.
"Another passenger?" James questioned. But this time, the passenger was to Sirius's and James' dislike. He had dark, greasy hair and a hooked nose and a pale face. His eyes were black and glittered malevolently. His lips were in a curled sneer.
"Well, well, it seems young Sirius Black is sitting in a train with a..." the boy's eyes darted from Remus to Lily, "With a Mudblood and a Half-Blood. Your mother wouldn't be happy, I'd say."
Sirius stood up fast.
"Shut up!" he cried.
"Oh? Don't care about Mudbloods? Or half? Dear, dear, what would your mother say?" the boy sneered.
James stood up. He was angry. He had called Lily a Mudblood! That was way out of line. Judging by the way Sirius stared at the boy with such hate, he could tell they had met before – and not on good terms. To tell the truth he didn't like him much either. Remus sat on the seat, quietly, a little scared if not.
"You shut up you! Or I'll punch you, Snivellus."
The boy's face darkened.
"You call me that again..."
"I'll call you that if I want to, young Snivelly. Now keep your greasy nose out of this compartment. And I advise you to wash your hair."
"My hair is clean, thank you, and you're going to get it if you call me Snivellus again."
Sirius raised his fist, "Well Snivellus, if you don't leave right now, this fist is going to land right on your nose."
The boy looked at the fist, then at the others sitting in the compartment and went off, but not before adding a jeering voice, "And I suppose your cousin Bellatrix will give you a hard time too."
The door slid shut. Peter, Remus, and Lily looked at Sirius, but James grinned.
"Great one Siri! You showed Snivelly! What's his real name anyway?" he asked.
"He's a Severus Snape and a total git. My mum had him come over once... and he didn't have the greatest experience..." Sirius said, his eyes gleaming at the memory.
"That's a stupid name. Severus – sever us, his name might as well be Killus or Punchus or Kickus or something."
"Hey – I'll bet Snape gets double fun in Hogwarts!" Sirius said.
"What do you mean?" James asked, then slowly got the meaning... "Aha! I see! Great idea!"
"Let's see, fun for McGonagall, fun for the potions teacher, fun for Snape... I say it's a fun year this year."
"You wouldn't dare to cause so much trouble would you?!" Lily said haughtily.
"Why not?" James asked.
"Because I will tell the teachers! You shouldn't cause so much trouble! It distracts other people who want to learn!" Lily said.
"Well aren't you the Prima Donna Lilykins? You needn't have to tell the teachers, because we'll be doing trouble right in front of their faces! And as for learning – we want to learn too!"
"But cause some fun while we're at it!" James added.
"Precisely. So you see, there is no point in telling the teachers. And you will learn. You will learn the mastery of pranks from us!"
Lily snorted, "And you want the detentions?"
"Detentions? Hey – I Sirius Black do not fear detentions!"
"I'm sure you don't Lord of Bravery," Lily said sarcastically.
"It wouldn't be a good idea to get in detention though, er – Sirius," Remus said in that quiet voice.
"Don't worry Remie. Me and James don't fear anything, right?"
"James Potter don't fear anything!" James replied.
Peter looked at them, almost in admiration.
Soon the witch with the trolley came by, pushing a cart full of candies.
"Aha! Food!" Sirius cried, and sprang up. James followed, along with Lily and Peter, but Remus stayed behind. The four of them bought nearly the entire trolley of pasties and chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Beans, and carried the mass piles of treats back into the compartment.
"Why didn't you get anything Remus?" James asked.
Remus turned very red, "Well, I – uh – I – I didn't – well – I brought my own food," he mumbled, holding up some rather squashed sandwiches.
"Ahh, forget the sandwiches. Come, have a Chocolate Frog!" Sirius said, flinging the sandwich on the floor and pushing a Chocolate Frog into Remus's hand. A smile formed on Remus's lips. He hadn't been treated so kindly.
"I should pay you back..." he said, fishing his pockets for some money.
"Nah, nah. A gift from all of us, we'll all share this lot!" Sirius said.
Lily looked at the candies, "I've never eaten candies like this before, are these frogs real?"
"'Course not. But there's Wizard Trading Cards in them. Go on, open it up, I'm missing Medusa," James said, his mouth full of pasty.
Peter looked up, "Medusa? I have her!"
"Would you... would you want to trade? I mean... though she is a really rare card?"
"I guess," Peter said going pink. He wanted to make friends, and perhaps if he traded or got into a conversation with these boys, maybe they would talk to him and be friends with him.
"Really? GREAT! What card to you want?"
"Have you got Neophyte?"
"Neophyte? Yeah, I think I've got two of him."
They swapped the cards.
"I need Morgana," Sirius spoke up.
"Oh? I have two of her, want it?" James asked.
"Really? Great! And what do you want for her?"
"Do you have Narcissa?"
Sirius shook his head, "But I have three of Iris."
"Nah, already have her. Tell you what, I'll just give Morgana to you as a gift."
Lily's voice interrupted the conversation, "I have Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore? Ah, got ten of him," Peter said.
Lily looked at the picture. Dumbledore winked, then disappeared from the picture, leaving only a blank space.
"Wow! He disappeared!" she exclaimed.
"'Course. If I were in a picture, I wouldn't want to hang around all day," Peter said.
"But in Muggle photos, the people stay put."
"Really? How boring!" James said, trying to make conversation.
The train ride lasted a good few hours, and soon the compartment was littered with wrappers and a few beans that had fallen and not been picked up. Cards were misplaced and being swapped, the Wizards Chess game that had been going on earlier laid forgotten.
At long last they arrived at Hogwarts. The outside air was getting cool, and the sky was a midnight blue and dotted with stars, and the quarter moon, silvery in the sky hung low. The boys went to get dressed in their robes in the bathrooms, while Lily got the whole compartment as privacy. When all had been picked up and everything was ready, the train gave a lurch and stopped. A Head Boy came down the hallways shouting for the first years to get off the train and to leave their luggage. The five in the compartment sprang up and walked out, after the line of many other nervous looking first years. They stepped off the train into the autumn dusk. A big man was shouting "Firs' years this way!" Sirius nudged James and they headed toward the big man. Remus followed beside James, and Peter trailed behind nervously. Lily had found another girl and started up a conversation with her.
"I know her," Sirius whispered to James, pointing at the girl talking with Lily, "She's Karina Velveziean. She's Pureblood, but she's one of the few kids who aren't snobby that my mum knows about."
There was little time for chatter, as they followed the man down a slippery path. The wind was nipping and their noses turned red. Finally, they came to the lake. A beautiful castle was on a hilltop in the distance, full of bright lights against the twilight sky.
"Whoa!" James breathed.
There was a fleet of boats sitting on the shore.
"Four to a boat!" the man called.
"Come on!" James said, pulling Sirius and Remus with him, while others fought for a boat. Sirius grabbed on to Peter and grinned.
"You're one of the gang too, aren't you?"
They climbed into a boat. When all had settled down, the man called the boats forward, and the fleet moved slowly on its own towards the castle. The four in the boat stared around, looking at the beautiful scenery around them. What a wonderful school to be in!
"ALL DOWN!" the big man called as they passed through a curtain of ivy. Then the boats docked. The four newfound friends climbed out of the boat.
"Whoa," James said again.
"It's huge! How'll we ever find our way to different classes?" Peter asked.
"Are you always such a pessimist Peter?" Sirius teased.
Peter turned red, "I just tend to notice the bad stuff first."
Meanwhile, James moved closer to Lily.
"Hi Evans! Remember me? From the train?" he asked.
Lily looked at him, then thought of the best thing to do, as she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of her new friend – to make a snotty comment to impress her.
"Excuse me, Potter, but I'm having a conversation, if you don't mind."
James slunk back, hurt. The girl, Karina chuckled, "Good one Lily!"
"What did I ever do?" James asked Sirius.
"Dunno, mate. Don't get too upset though, we're only 11. Plenty of time for getting with girls still," Sirius replied
James put a longing eye on his crush. Her red hair shone in the moonlight and her bright green eyes sparkled. She was beautiful.
"Hey lover-boy, stop staring at her. Let's move!" Sirius teased.
James heard some girls whispering behind them:
"Isn't that boy right there so cute and handsome? Look at that awesome hair... I'd love to be his girlfriend!"
"Of course! Everyone would! What kind of a girl would turn down a date with him?"
"Maybe I'll get in the same house as him!"
James snickered, "You have some admirers Sirius."
"Really? Wouldn't it be great for them to form a... Sirius Black Fan Club?" he joked.
"In your dreams Black!" Lily laughed, right behind them.
"Lilykins! Jamesie's crush!" Sirius cried.
"I don't!" James cried.
"Yes you do, and you know it!"
"Shut up!"
"No."
James gave Sirius a light hit on the shoulder.
"OWWWW! That hurt James!" Sirius said sarcastically.
"Oh! I never knew I could hit so hard!"
"Are you saying that you're stronger than me?"
It was the beginning of Sirius and James' newfound technique – pointless bickering (A/N: Now, I'm not as good at pointless bickering as Padfoot is. So don't mind me if it's really bad – 'specially you, Paddy, if you're reading this!).
"Why yes I am!"
"You can't be!"
"Why not?"
"Because I'm the strongest of all."
"How do you know?"
"Because!"
"You're not."
"I am."
"You're not."
"I am."
They carried on until the first years moved into a hallway. A woman who had a stern face and pursed lips and narrowed eyes looked at the crowd. She looked like the sort of teacher who never had any fun and was extremely strict.
"That's probably McGonagall!" Sirius said, pointing.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Soon you shall enter the doors to your right into the Great Hall. You will wait and I will call out your name to and you will be sorted into each of four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. Your house is very important. It will be like your family. You will have classes with your house, eat with your house, and sleep with your house. Points are given to each house for good deeds, and points are taken away for bad deeds. The house with the most points at the end of the year wins the House Cup. Each house is just as good as the other with their own strengths and weaknesses, so there is no point saying one house is better than the other. Now in we will go!" the woman said.
"Ha. She just says that to make us feel better," Peter said, "Everyone knows Hufflepuffs are duffers and Slytherins are evil."
"I hope I'm not in a house with Snivellus. Imagine the horror... 7 years..." Sirius said, shaking his head depressingly. He was sure Snivelly would get Slytherin – just as sure as he was that he would be a Slytherin.
"I guess this is good-bye, James," Sirius said sadly. He had been looking forward to having fun, but the thought of the houses hung in gloom again.
"Why?" James asked, bewildered, "You're not leaving the school now are you?"
"No, but I'm probably going to get in Slytherin..."
"Cheer up mate. You have a chance. Remember your cousin... Andromeda was her name, wasn't it?"
"Yes but..."
"So lighten up!"
"Ok..."
"I hope I get in the same house as Lily," James said.
Sirius gave a laugh, and his spirits rose. That was right. He would just fight the Sorting Hat until he got into Gryffindor. Yes he would. And if he was a Slytherin, he would just sneak into the Gryffindor Common Room and live with James.
The first years walked single file into the Great Hall. Already there were old students sitting at the table, studying the new first years and chattering happily. The first years lined up in front of Professor McGonagall. All the pure-bloods smiled as McGonagall put a tattered hat on a stool. The half-bloods and the muggle borns looked confused at what the hat was for.
Then suddenly, what looked like a rip in the hat moved,
"Oh I know I don't look so prettyBut don't judge me on what you see
I'm not your average flowery hat
I'm not your average bowler
I'm not the average baseball cap
I'm smarter than them all
I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And there's none other like me
Why I'll eat myself if you can find a hat exactly like me!
I can see every little feeling tucked in your head
No matter how you hide them
There's nothing in there
That I can't see
Just relax and try me on
And I'll tell where you belong
You might be in Gryffindor
Who taught the brave and daring
He liked the students with loyalty, daring, and nobility
And took them into his hands
Or maybe you're in Hufflepuff
Dear Helena taught the just and loyal
The ones with patience and unafraid of toil
Perhaps you'd like better Ravenclaw
She taught the sharp and witty
The Ravenclaws they always passed their tests without trouble
And discussed of knowledge matters
Maybe you do better in Slytherin
Sir Salazar took in the ambitious
The Slytherins they do anything
To reach their future dreams
So try me on!
Don't fear me!
I'm the Sorting Hat!"
(A/N: I know it's not that great, but please excuse me. It's hard to write your own song when you memorized the one in SS/PS.)
Many names were called, and too soon came the name –
"Black, Sirius!"
Sirius walked up with sweaty palms. He would surely get in Slytherin. But no – what had he said before? That he would fight. Yes he would. He was going to be in the same house as James. Yes he was.
He sat on the stool, and feeling very stupid, put the hat on his head.
"Ooh! Another Black eh? I know where you go. All your family's been in Slytherin, and that house fits dearly for you. Ambitious..."
"Are you crazy? I am not going to Slytherin!"
"No? Yes, a thirst to defy your family? Slytherin would be good. But no, you want to be with your friend, that Potter boy, who will surely go to Gryffindor?"
"Take me anywhere but Slytherin."
"Well, Slytherin would be good for you, but if you insist... GRYFFINDOR!!!!"
The Gryffindor table applauded loudly, and James whooped, "GO SIRIUS!"
More people were called, but Sirius had tuned out until another friend's name was called, "Lupin, Remus!" Sirius's head snapped up, as he watched his new friend walk up to the stool.
Meanwhile, Remus was nervous, but confident, as he put on the hat.
"Let's see. Lycanthrope?"
Lupin gave a startled jump. How did the hat know? And did everyone hear that?
"Not to worry my boy. They can't hear until I make my voice loud enough to hear. Only between you and me. You're scared. They won't accept you hm? Hufflepuff would be a nice one. But no... I see loyalty and... what's this? Wit? Ravenclaw too. But then again, there's a sort of... bravery in you. I think you'd do best in GRYFFINDOR!!!!"
The Gryffindor table rang into applause again. Sirius grinned as Remus took a seat next to him.
"Great job Remus!"
Remus smiled shakily. They watched the others get sorted, a Hufflepuff, a Slytherin, a Hufflepuff, a Hufflepuff, a Ravenclaw, a Slytherin, until another familiar name was called,
"Pettigrew, Peter!"
"Oh! I hope he gets in Gryffindor too!" Sirius whispered.
The hat seemed to take a long time for Peter. Peter sat, squirming and sweating. Hufflepuff, he knew it would be Hufflepuff.
"You think I will put you in Hufflepuff? No doubt you would be good, but then again, there is a sort of... thirst in you. Cowardliness a bit? Slytherin wouldn't be too bad..." the hat whispered.
Peter nearly fell off the stool. Slytherin was much more than Hufflepuff! He sweated even more, all the while hoping that the hat would choose something else.
"But no, you don't want Slytherin? Well then... GRYFFINDOR!"
Peter fell off the stool almost again. Gryffindor? Was it a dream? Gryffindor? The dream house? He walked slowly to the table, almost sure that any moment, Professor McGonagall would come and say, "That's not the right house for you. You are surely a Hufflepuff."
But nothing happened as he took a seat beside Remus.
"Congratulations Peter!" Remus said.
"Yeah! Great mate!" Sirius said, his eye on the line. Then the last name of the Marauders-to-be was called out-
"Potter, James."
Sirius's head jerked up to the hat. He smiled. James would soon be joining them. James put on the hat confidently, and gave Sirius a thumbs up.
"A Potter? Of course you belong in, GRYFFINDOR!" was the only thing the hat said, and everyone heard.
James walked happily to the table and sat beside his new friends. As the last people were sorted, Dumbledore stood up. His long, silver beard glistened, and he beamed at the hall full of chattering students. As the students saw their Headmaster rise, the Great Hall fell into a hushed silence. The students turned attentively towards the long table where the teachers sat.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Welcome back to old! And welcome to new! This should be a time for a great speech about the history and the greatness of Hogwarts, but alas, it is not. We would like to address that the Whomping Willow has been planted on the Hogwarts grounds, and it is strictly forbidden to go near it, unless you wish to be hurt serverely. Thank you!"
And he sat back down. As he did so, food appeared on the plates. Sirius's eyes grew wide.
"FOOD!" he cried and grabbed a portion of everything, steak, mashed potatoes, pork chops, treacle tarts, rice, buttered rolls, turkey, chicken, sandwiches, and more. James laughed as Sirius stuffed gobs of food down his throat.
"Dumbledore is weird! This should be a time for a great speech about the history and the greatness of Hogwarts, but alas, it is not. Does that make any sense?" a boy with bright red hair and freckles asked.
"Ah. Who cares?" James said, spooning mashed potatoes dripping with gravy into his mouth.
"What's your name?" the boy asked.
"I'm James Potter."
"Well I'm Arthur Weasley. When we get in 3rd year, I want to take Muggle Studies. Muggles are so fascinating! I mean, plugs, and fellytones and electricalality! I wanna learn all about that!"
"I frankly don't care. They say Divination's a joke though," Sirius said.
Arthur turned to Sirius, "Who are you?"
"Sirius Black. Jamesie's newfound friend."
"Oh, nice to meet you."
Arthur turned to Remus and Peter.
"Are you Sirius's and James' friends too?"
Peter nodded, "Peter Pettigrew."
Remus nodded too, "Remus Lupin. I could tell you some about Muggles if you're really interested. I'm half-blood after all."
"Really?" Arthur's eyes lit up, "You wouldn't mind?"
"No," Remus said, smiling.
"Ok, ok. Um... let's see, what is with the subway? And computader thingies. And and... oh! Pencil sharpeners! And pens! Why not quills? Why PENS? And and... what's with paper? Why do they write on thin stuff? Why do they have mailboxes? Why don't they just owl? And and........."
Arthur rambled on and on so much Remus never got to answer. After the feast, a Prefect stood up.
"First years! First years this way!" he called. Sirius, Remus, Peter, James, and Arthur stumbled out of their seats along with the other first years. The Prefect led them up the stairs, "Be careful now! These stairs move!"
They went higher and higher still and came in front of a portrait with a fat lady.
"Password please?" the lady asked.
"How the heck are we supposed to get into the Gryffindor Common Room through a portrait?" James asked.
"Don't ask me," Remus said.
"Listen up first years!" the Prefect called, "The password for the Gryffindor Common Room is gillyweed. Remember that, or you won't be able to get into the common room until someone lets you in!"
The lady swung forward and there was a hole. The students followed the Prefect in, to a cozy looking Common Room, with comfy armchairs and a fluffy rug. The fire in the fireplace was crackling and dancing merrily.
"Boys dormitories are the left door, and girls on the right. Come forward, and pick your roommates and your dormitory! Five to a dormitory! Choose your roommates wisely now! You'll be stuck with them until you graduate from Hogwarts!"
"Hey, let's roommate in a dormitory!" Sirius said to Remus, Peter, and James.
"There's still room for one more person though," Peter said.
"No problem," James said, "We can be the last ones to ask for a dorm and then we'll probably be the last four. It's an uneven number."
So the numbers decreased, and the last four went to their dorm, wheeling their trunks and owls in. The Marauders-to-be had a cozy dorm, with a window overlooking the grounds. The Whomping Willow tossed and turned, and the lake ripped every once in a while as the Giant Squid's tentacles came up and down. Sirius immediately called dibs on a bed, and so did the others.
The five arranged their things, put up posters, and made themselves comfortable.
"Well, we'll be stuck with each other for the next 7 years. Might as well not get into fights and stuffies," Arthur said.
"Gladly. Now I'm going to bed. I'm tired," Peter said.
"Already?!" James exclaimed, "The fun hasn't even started yet! We can play so much stuff in this dorm! Or we can go down to the Common Room! And you want to go to sleep NOW?"
Peter shrugged.
The five sighed and laid on their beds, staring at the ceiling. A fun year was about to unfold.
Wow! I think that was the longest chapter I've ever written in a FanFiction! Please thank me! It took me a week to write! And it's 21 pages on Microsoft Word. I wonder if I can do that again... -Moony