Arrival
The enchanted boat rides to the castle were amazing. The first years jumped at the sight of tentacles from the school's giant squid as they rose out above the water. James was expressionless at the sight of the beautiful school before him. He knew he could see himself happy here. He understood what his parents meant about it being a great school.
Beside James Sirius sat, his face solemn and unsure. He didn't know what to expect here. The people around him acted as if they knew every little thing about him, or as if they wanted to, but none of them ever would. In his opinion, he wasn't sure if he should disobey his parents. If he followed in their footsteps maybe they would listen to him that there was more to the world than evil. But then again, what the hell was he talking about? He was, after all, Sirius Black.
Remus and Peter sat behind James and Sirius, thinking quietly to themselves. They took in the scenery of everything. The stares shone brightly down on the castle, reflecting on the lake. The moon wasn't out tonight, and Remus was greatful that he had a month left until his transformation. His father didn't tell him what Professor Dumbledore had planned for him, but he didn't see how he would keep it hidden if he transformed in the castle. He had always hoped to wake up one morning and find that it was all a terrible nightmare, but he doubted that he was lucky enough to have that happen to him.
Peter found himself content here. He sat next to Remus, a grin plastered on his face, and twiddling his thumbs. He could finally live a descent life without the threatening and screaming that his father did continuously at whichever chance that he got. All in all, he felt his life was go to turn out for the better.
The sky was a deep velvet blue and very clear. It had to be the perfect night. There were many whispers coming from the boats, especially from the girls. James watched the fiery redhead. She was absolutely beautiful. She seemed to have a spirit and a passion in whatever she was doing. James desperately wanted to get to know her. I may be 11, he thought, but I know there could be more than a friendship here.
They finally reached the large oak doors and walked inside. Then entrance hall was a pure white marble that sparkled and glittered in the light. A woman was standing near another set of large wooden doors. She looked to be about mid-thirties. Her hazelnut hair was pulled back loosely with a few wispy strands hanging out. As pretty as she was, she didn't seem to be the friendliest.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Professor McGonagall. I am deputy headmistress, along with transfiguration teacher and Head of Gryffindor. I am here to lead you into the Great Hall. You will be taken up to a stage, and when your name is called the I would ask that you please com forward and take a seat on the stool until it is decided what house you shall be placed in. Then you will need to take a seat at the table of the house that you have been sorted into" She said in a strict tone. The students all nodded that they understood her.
The doors were opened which revealed a dazzling hall. Many of the first years were too nervous to notice their surroundings. They walked between two tables which were known to be Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. They reached the stage and all gathered around it.
Professor McGonagall came out with a battered old hat that seemed to have been around for quite some time. Some of the first years stared at it, completely emotionless and unaware as to what was happening. The rest of the group whispered to one another about what they thought was going to happen. At that moment a seam ripped open and started singing.
"My name is the Sorting Hat
I tell you where to go
I'll look inside your empty heads
Because I'm the one who knows.
Perhaps you belong in Gryffindor
Where hearts are brave and true.
Or maybe in sly Slytherin
They're slick and also brave too.
Maybe Ravenclaw is good for you
With the clever and the smart.
Or if you don't think these will work
Take Hufflepuff to heart.
So put me on your head
So I can search around
And I can tell you
Where you should be bound."
There was a loud eruption of applause from the four house tables. The first years either clapped politely or stood with their mouths slightly ajar. After the applause had ended, Professor McGonagall walked back out onto the stage with a role of parchment in her hands.
"Black, Sirius" She called. He walked slowly up to the stool and sat down. She placed the hat on his head. After a few moments of silence the hat shouted "Gryffindor!!" Sirius was relieved. He had argued with the Sorting Hat about Gryffindor and Slytherin and now he was finally away from the evilness. There were loud cheers from the Gryffindor table as Sirius Hurried over to his table.
"Clarkson, Melanie." A short pale girl walked up and put the hat on her head. "Slytherin!" it shouted as she jumped down off of the stage to join the table.
"Darlington, Emma" The plump girl made her way up to the stool shyly. She sat down for a moment and the hat called out "Gryffindor!" once again.
John Davids was sorted into Ravenclaw along with Megan Ian, Sherry Goldings and Nicholas Prewitt.
Lily, Alexis, Belle, Remus and Peter were all sorted into Gryffindor.
"Potter, James" McGonagall called. He edged his way to the stool and sat down. "Another Potter? Well why don't we just put you where you belong. Gryffindor!!" James beamed and made his way to an open place next to Sirius.
A man with a long silvery beard and twinkling blue eyes stood up. "Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" He announced, beaming and looking through the sea of students. "I'd like to welcome all first years. A note to all students, the forbidden forest is off limits to all. Classes start on September third so you have two days to prepare. And now that I can see that you are all extremely hungry, tuck in!"
The table filled with pumpkin pasties, potatoes, yams, chicken, ham and much much more. The first years gasped in amazement and began scavenging up as much as they figured their stomachs could keep in.
After a long meal and feeling full to the bursting, Dumbledore stood up again and the hall fell silent. "Would the prefects take the first year to their new common rooms?" Dumbledore asked. The hall was filled with scraping benches and the shuffling of feet.
After taking many confusing turns around many corners and taking many moving staircases, they finally made it to a portrait of a fat lady in a pink puffy dress who seemed to be attempting to sing opera.
"Hold on one moment!" she squealed when the prefect had tried to say the password. "Just one more verse!" she insisted. When she saw the first years proceed to cover their ears she opened the door half-heartedly and heaving a disgruntled sigh.
They all walked and a sharp intake of breath was held. "Omigosh! This place is absolutely wonderful!" Belle exclaimed excitedly, Sirius watching her once again. She saw him out of the corner of her eye and turned a deep shade of red. He broke contact with her and looked to the ground.
"The girl's dormitories are up the left staircase and the boy's are up the right" said Mark, the male Gryffindor prefect. "And the washrooms are connected to the dormitories" added Bethany, the female prefect. The two walked away to join some friends.
"So do you er want to meet us back downstairs?" James asked Lily and her friends. She smiled and nodded as both groups headed up each set of stairs.
The boys walked into a circular dorm with four beds. "I call the one by the window!" Sirius exclaimed and jumped through the hangings and onto the bed. The boys dashed around the room trying to figure out whose bed was whose.
They finally got themselves sorted out and walked down the stairs and into the common room. They spotted some armchairs and a couch that were open by the fire. They sat down only to hear giggling coming from the staircase from the girls side.
"He's so cute!" Sirius heard Belle saying as she walked down the stairs. The rest of the girls giggled with her and bounced down the staircase. They walked over to the boys and sat down, Belle beside Sirius and Lily beside James. Alexis and Emma sat on a side of an armchair that Remus and Peter were each on.
"So what do you girls think of Hogwarts?" James asked, directing the question towards Lily, but having Alexis answer it. "It's gorgeous" she answered briefly. It was the first time any of them had heard her talk the whole time there, well any of the guys.
After a half an hour of talking about how magnificent they thought the school was, Peter found a chess board underneath of the coffee table. "Anyone up for a game?" he asked while putting the board on the table and setting the pieces up. Sirius finally began to lighten up and accepted the challenge.
"Peter my boy, you are going down this game of chess, for I am the master. Now let me show you how it's done" Sirius bragged.
Much to Sirius's disliking, he lost the game. Peter was a great chess player. After the loss of Sirius, Belle decided to take him on. After all, back at her old school she had won the wizarding chess championship. She was sure this wouldn't be too difficult.
She, to Sirius's surprise, won. But just barely. Peter was a machine, and quite upset when he lost. After a few more games of chess, the eight decided that they should probably get to bed and spend the next day exploring what Hogwarts had to offer them.
They boys bid the girls good-bye and both James and Sirius watched the girls walk up the staircases sleepily. Once they had reached their door, Sirius and James turned and walked up to their room.
"So, you fancy Belle?" James asked Sirius out of nowhere. "N-no!" Sirius spluttered. "No one said I was interested in girls, After all, we're only 11. But what about you with Lily Evans?" Sirius asked jokingly.
James breathed in and held it for a moment before finally letting it go. "I'm going to marry her one day" he said confidently.
"You're mental, mate" Sirius snorted and walked into their room.
"But she's absolutely amazing!" James exclaimed dreamy eyed.
"You don't stand a chance" Remus said while throwing a pillow in his direction.
Peter laughed and agreed.
"You just wait" James said. "She'll be mine. Someday."
And with that closing sentence, the boys turned off the lights and slowly drifted off to sleep.
A/N> -> Hope you liked. These things take a long time to write and it isn't always hard with my friend nagging me to hurry up on msn. haha just kidding Sam I still love you. Thanks for all the great reviews and keep them coming! More will hopefully be up soon!