Author's Note: Yes, you may add this story in the C2 community. Loads of thanks to michelle, who edited this chapter specially, and also to those who took the took the time to review. Please continue to read. Thank you.
Chapter Three
Hogwarts
Students scrambled out of the scarlet train and into Hogsmeade station. The silvery moon was blocked out by the huge mass of clouds floating in the sky; Remus trembled. The two boys whom greeted him earlier stood behind him and Lily. However, Remus' attention was turned to a man.
This man could hardly be described as a man at all. Giant, that would be a proper word. Four times the height of Remus' and five times as wide as him, Remus felt small facing this giant who stood in front of him. The first years formed two neat rows as the giant called out for them.
"Is that all?" asked the giant. "Blimey."
Remus knew that the giant was staring at him, he blushed and turned away, the giant coughed and addressed them, " I'm Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of Keys and grounds at Hogwarts, now yer gonna cross the lake by the boats-" he jabbed his pink umbrella, which he had been leaning on, to the lake, James swore he saw a large tentacle protruding out of the still water, "-four ter each, no fighting."
"Mind me sitting with you?" asked Lily. "We could form four."
"Not at all," said James.
Remus sat at the front of the boat, James and Sirius side by side, and Lily at the end. James kept his mouth closed, making side comments to Sirius only when he thought it was appropriate to.
They sailed across the lake, and left their boats on the water. They formed two rows again and whispered to each other with excitement while Hagrid knocked on the oak door.
The door opened on its own accord, revealing a stern witch behind it.
"Is this all, Hagrid?" asked the witch.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Very well, I'll take them from here," said the witch whose name was Professor McGonagall. Hagrid left the first years, and the whispering and noise stopped. "Welcome to Hogwarts. Shortly, you will be sorted into the house you'll go. There's Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. While you're here, your house will be similar to those in your family. You will sleep in your house dormitory, spend free time in your house's common room and go to classes with your house. Your triumphs in classes and other matters will earn you points while any rule breaking, will most likely cause a loss in them. At the end of each year, a house cup is awarded to the house that receives the most number of points. I wish you all the best to whichever your house may be."
Professor McGonagall left the first years and returned with a long parchment. The doors leading to the Great Hall flung open as Professor McGonagall muttered something, pointing her wand at it.
The Great Hall was lit with floating candles; the enchanted ceiling showed the dark night sky. The first years gathered in front of the high table, and placed before them was a tatty old hat.
And the sorting hat sang:
Even though I'm only a hat
I've the authority to sort you into that
Into the house of which
whether you're a wizard or witch
Gryffindor, the house of bravery
Where the courageous fellows often dwell
Hufflepuff, the house of loyalty
Where you find the people of integrity
Ravenclaw, the house of wisdom
Where the witty and smart people will always be
Slytherin, the house of pure and cunning
Where the folks of sly rest in
But as the years passed and die
As the founders four went by
Will Hogwarts be able to survive
Under the largest threat ever in life
So be cautioned
Now you're warned
Let the Sorting begin
There was a pleasant applause but also at the same time, murmurings of confusion. James turned to stare at Sirius, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Lily sighed and Remus smiled wryly. Those two shall never know the truth of the world and what shall await them when they left this castle seven years later.
Professor McGonagall's eyes scanned through the long parchment of first years. She gave a little cough and the Great Hall was silent once again.
"Now may you come forward," she said to the first years, "by alphabetical order, put on the sorting hat and you shall be sorted."
They only had to try on the hat, so were they going to be placed by their abilities or choices?
"Black, Sirius!" Professor McGonagall said. Sirius was jerked back to his senses; he gave a small wink at James and strode to the sorting hat. He sat at the four-legged stool, the sorting hat on his head.
"Ahh," he heard an unfamiliar voice whispering in his head. "Rebellious, very weird for a Black. Aren't you a Slytherin, boy? Are you going to be like your cousin? A rebel? I see... your decision is made up... Hufflepuff isn't good enough for you... Absolutely not Slytherin... Ravenclaw? No, no... Ah yes, this would suit you... GRYFFINDOR!"
Erica: I hoped you can edit the chapters faster than before. You've exceeded your limit. Do inform me if you've sent me the beta-ed chapters by PM. But this time, I've waited too long, and yes, I'm impatient. I'm sorry. Remember to PM me if anything goes wrong. Thank you.
