A/N: Yay! Thirteen reviews! Thank you guys so much. I'm trying to update as often as possible, but this coming week I have a lab report and paper do, so we'll see.

Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish it, the Harry Potter series is not mine.

Sirius fell back into the seat with a groan. The two Slytherins had held him in a death grip.

"If you were home and your parents had found you, you'd get more then just bruises!" Narcissa spat while hanging onto Lucius's arm, "Is it true? You were with James Potter?"

"I didn't know his name," Sirius lied, "You burst in before introductions, Bella."

"Your father and mother told you to stay with us!"

"I just wanted to meet some people my own age!"

"There is no need for all this yelling," Lucius said calmly, "Don't fret, Narcissa, dear, a few weeks under my supervision, my personal supervision, you won't recognize your cousin. I owe it to our kind, since he will be the Black heir and your family is almost as powerful as mine."

Narcissa was wise not to argue.

Malfoy continued, "And if you want to meet someone your age, you only needed to ask. This is Serevus Snape, he'll be one of your dorm-mates!"

A pale boy with greasy hair nodded in acknowledgement without a hint of smile. Sirius gave a weak smile. He was supposed to be friends with a boy like him? Malfoy took him by the arm leading him across to another compartment, where five first-year soon-to-be Slytherins were sitting. They all regarded him with respect because he was a Black, but none of them seemed like Potter, Lupin, and Pettigrew, he sorely noted.

Malfoy told Sirius and Snape to join them, instructing Snape, to let the appropriate people know if Sirius attempted to leave. Snape jumped at this privilege. Sirius immediately disliked the boy. He despised people who always wanted to please everyone. Malfoy said he would have a long talk with Sirius after the sorting about the behavior that was to be expected of him. Sirius was eagerly awaiting that meeting. The rest of the ride Sirius stared moodily out the window listening to the other purebloods boost about their parent's wealth. They tried to get him to join figuring it would be a great accomplishment to befriend a Black. The Black name held enough prestige that he had to snap at them a few times before they left him alone.

When the train arrived at its destination, Narcissa and Malfoy, both Prefects had to watch the proceedings, so Bellatrix with Snape trailing behind took him by the robe sleeves (he had changed into the standard black school robes feeling freer without the Black crest).

A large man was yelling, "First years! First years over here."

"You have to go with the First years now. We'll see you at the feast and try not to disgrace the family any more."

"See you." It seemed lately whenever he talked with his family his voice held that same dull tone.

"We'd better get a boat, Black," Snape pointed out.

"Yea…okay."

By choice or fate, as they made their way into the mass of first years, Snape and Sirius became separated.

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James scrambled onto one of the boats followed by Remus. James spotted Sirius, who looked bored and annoyed. James wanted to question Sirius so as Peter was about to board, "Sorry Peter…um this boat is only for two people."

James felt guilty at Peter's rejected look and watched the small chubby boy board the next one. His plan seemed to be working since Sirius stayed toward the back not moving toward any particular boat. Anytime someone tried to join them, James would explain that the third seat was already taken; his friend had run back to the train to get a book he left.

Then only Sirius was left without a boat.

"Take a seat now, lad."

"I don't think there is any room anywhere, sir."

"Over here," James called and Remus gave him a quizzical look, "We have room."

Sirius reluctantly boarded between Remus and James. He refused to make eye contact with either of them. Was he embarrassed by his cousin's behavior?

"Why'd you let your cousin bully you like that?" James asked casually, as if this question came up in everyday conversation.

"You wouldn't understand…and anyway I had no choice…"

"Who was that greasy hair kid you were with?"

Sirius finally looked at him and answered crisply, "Serevus Snape. Jerk, if I ever met one."

"So do you like Quidditch?"

"I think it's better if we don't continue this conversation."

"What do you have against me?"

"It's our families. I'm a Black. You're a Potter. Our kinds of people don't mix well."

James pressed on, "I don't care that you're a Black."

"Don't you get it?!" Sirius yelled losing patience, "Your family supports mudbloods and muggle rights! The Potters are traitors to the blood! I cannot associate with you. Just leave me alone!"

James jumped back, surprise written on his face. He couldn't understand it. Sirius seemed different and yet his outburst clearly defined his loyalties. The average wizard would not use words such as mudbloods in normal day-to-day conversations. His parents had informed him about 'purity of blood' and that some families were obsessed by it. James was from a pure family, but his parents told him time and time again how this did not make him superior to those born from muggle parents.

The anger James felt slowly subsided and was filled with nervousness as the castle, his new home, came into view. No matter how many times people he knew tried to describe it, his first view of Hogwarts rendered him speechless.

"Wow…" he heard Remus behind him mutter. Sirius's eyes grew large, even he was impressed.

As the boats docked on shore, Sirius exited the boat quickly and joined Snape. James watched as Snape said something that caused Sirius to snap at him. Remus apparently noticed James's concern and said, "Ah don't let him bother you."

James shrugged and followed the mass toward the castle and they were hustled inside. The hallways were dark, candle lit. They were forced to move so quickly that James could barely take anything in. He was hopelessly lost already and they hadn't even reached any staircases yet.  Apparently they liked to move on students.

A woman with glasses, hair tied neatly in a bun, appeared clearing her throat. "Settle down, settle down, please. I am Professor McGonagall, I am the newly placed Head of Gryffindor and I teach Transfiguration."  She then explained to them about the four houses and they way the sorting would occur.

Finally they were allowed into the Great Hall. There were so many students who were all eyeing them carefully. Candles flew everywhere casting a glowing light over everyone and the ceiling was enchanted to look like a bright moon-lit sky. Hogwarts was already better then he had expected. At the front of the room a tattered hat stood on a stool.

Professor McGonagal became calling names. The third name called was Sirius Black. The boy walked quickly up to the stool, then before sitting down, he paused and glanced at the Slytherin table. James noted they were all wearing satisfied grins. He recognized Sirius's cousin and Malfoy among them.

It took the hat longer to make up its decision then the other two names. Sirius's eyes looked nervous and appeared from his expression he was arguing with the hat.

"Gryffindor!" the hat called all of a sudden. A silence washed over the room and horror filled the boy's eyes. The Gryffindors recovered first and started cheering as in custom. Sirius stayed glued to his chair.

"Mr. Black," McGonagall said kindly but sternly, "Please take a seat at the Gryffindor table."

Sirius didn't want to move and after an eternity and Professor McGonagall continually giving him stern looks, he threw the hat off. "This is a mistake," he muttered loudly enough for all the first years to hear.

"Your seat, Mr. Black," McGonagall repeated losing patience.

Sirius slowly stood up, his eyes unfocused, and he sat down. James realized Sirius had lied on the train. He had known what house he wanted to be in. Slytherin, judging by the house his cousin's were in.

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His head was pounding, his heart beating uncontrollably, and everything around him seemed out of focus. This was not happening. He desperately looked toward his cousins, who were the only people coming into focus.  They refused to look at him. He groaned inwardly. What were his parents going to say? How could something like this happen to him? What had he done to deserve this? It was a dream! It had to be a horrible dream. Soon he'd wake up. The sorting had never happened…he hadn't sat with Potter…he hadn't even made it yet to the platform.

He closed his eyes. Ok! Wake up! He was still in bed at home. He opened his eyes hopefully only to see a girl looking concernedly in his direction. He didn't belong in this house…oh God! His mother…his father….he breathed slowly trying to calm the panic that rose up inside him. 

Stupid Hat! The words of the hat toyed with his mind, constantly replaying those terrible words.

A Black…I know where to put…wait a minute. No, no that will not due.

Slytherin! Sirius concentrated I want Slytherin

The hat continued as if he had never spoken. As if what he wanted didn't matter…the hat didn't care, the hat wouldn't listen to the importance of his placement in Slytherin.

No that won't due. No hmmm very intelligent, a great mind, creative and a rebellious streak. No I'm afraid Slytherin will not due. Not at all.

No! Slytherin! Sirius protested, but only feebly. He had a responsibility to his family…but the hat didn't care about family obligation.

You always knew you were different were the last words it uttered before yelling "Gryffindor!" for all to hear. Sealing his fate and ending his life. He'd be dead when he returned home.

His mind simply refused to believe the facts in front of him. This was a joke! A terrible joke! But if it was joke…then all he had to do was laugh it off and join his cousins in his rightful house.

But it wasn't a joke, and then James Potter was made a Gryffindor to add to his misfortune.

Sirius grumbled. The boy had told him this was the house he wanted to be in. It wasn't fair, Potter got the house he wanted, why not him?

Apparently Potter was still angry at him from his outburst on the boat. He hadn't meant to yell that all out, but he was so stressed and worried that something would happen…something like this.

"Well Black? I hope you can stand to be in a house filled with Muggle acceptors. Aren't you lucky? You're at the moment sitting right next to one." Potter laughed harshly.

Sirius was too mentally drained to say anything back. Too tired to realize that Potter was testing him to see where he stood on purity of blood. The mudblood…a small girl with vibrant red hair, must have heard James because she glared at the two of them.

What was he going to do? Gryffindor? Gryffindor!! If he had to be different, why not Ravenclaw different? Ravenclaw would be tolerated; it would have had to be. Andromeda was in it. She had been given a hard time, but not for long. And intelligence was an important trait. Hufflepuff would have even been better. His parents always preached about family loyalty. But bravery?! Bravery was associated with recklessness. There was no room for recklessness. Blacks were cunning, calculative and manipulative. Being reckless would only bring you harm and put you in a position where you had no control.

Sirius paid no attention to Dumbledore's speech. When the food appeared, nothing looked appetizing and he just played with his food. He was surrounded by laughter and smiles. It wasn't fair! He should be at the Slytherin table with his cousins. He probably wouldn't be laughing with them, but it would have been better then this.

He'd go to the Headmaster tomorrow. He had no choice. He'd tell him the hat made a mistake. It would be all fixed tomorrow. A realization hit him, surely his cousins would owl his parents immediately. He shuddered at what their reaction would be. He'd done what they had feared most: being sorted into an unacceptable house. He hadn't been the best behaved child over the years, but he was always told he would be placed in Slytherin. The house of Slytherin would transform him into their ideal child.

Over eleven years, Sirius had gotten sick of all their ramblings on purity, family honor, and all those pointless passages he had to memorize. But he never, he never dared to even think of being sorted into another house. Just thinking about it went against everything he'd been taught! He hadn't asked for this. He didn't want to be different.

He lagged behind the other Gryffindors as they were lead to their Common Room. His trunk was in front of his bed. Without a word or a look at any of his dorm-mates (he could feel their stares), he threw his robe off, put on his pajamas (off course with the Black symbol on them), drew his curtains and fell into a fitful sleep.

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James glanced around the dorm room decorated in their house colors. There were five-poster beds with velvet red curtains. Black had barricaded himself in the bed that his trunk was in front of. Peter looked around uneasily as if not knowing what to do. James realized he didn't know his fifth roommate.

"Hi. I'm James Potter. That's Remus Lupin." Remus gave a wave from the window he was looking out of. "And Peter Pettigrew." Peter jumped at the sound of his name. the boy needed to calm down.

"I'm Cory Robertson," the boy said nervously, "Wow, you guys know each other already? And who is the other boy? Is he ok?"

"We just met on the train. That other boy is Sirius Black. I doubt he'll be here long."

"Why is that?" Robertson asked now staring at the closed curtains as if to gain some insight.

"Didn't you see the look on his face? He belongs in Slytherin with the rest of his family. That old hat must have made a mistake," James explained carefully.

Peter frowned, "If the hat made a mistake with him then we could all be here by mistake. I knew getting into this house was too good to be true."

"I don't know," Remus said slowly, "I'm not sure the hat can make a mistake. It's not as if he has a human mind, but it can see inside your mind and it knows things about you that even you don't know. I read about it a bit. And Sirius seemed friendly until his cousin arrives. I bet he's in shock and just needs some time."

"He made it clear on the boat exactly what he thought. And I've heard my parents talk about his family. They are all into the dark arts," James said crossing the room to his bed.

"Well if that's all that he has taught all his life…"

James shook his head, "Well right now I don't care." The conversation was getting to intense for his eleven year old mind. "We should all unpack and go to bed. We have to meet the Prefects this morning so they can take us to the Great Hall for breakfast."

There was a murmur of agreement and the rest of the conversation stayed on topics such as what their wands were made of and what classes they were most excited about.

A/N: Keep the reviews coming! Thanks a lot!