Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with the Harry Potter World

The next morning, James looked at his schedule to see Transfiguration was first that day. James was especially excited for this class because Mr. Ollivander said his wand (mahogany, pliable 11 inches) was best for this subject. Their Head of House, Professor McGonagall, taught this subject. He had seen her yell at two sixth years already and he knew she was not a teacher to mess with.

James sat down next to Peter. He didn't want to, but ever since he vaguely stood up for him, Peter had followed him everywhere. It hadn't even been a big deal, a fourth year was teasing Peter and James told them to leave him alone and now Peter saw him as some type of hero.

Regardless, James took out his quill eager to learn. Just like all the other teachers, the first thing McGonagall did was tell them her class rules. You can't do this, you can't do that… reminding them again about no magic in the corridors…etc. His parents had said Hogwarts was fun, but so far there were more rules then he cared to remember.

"Psst, James…I can't…", Peter began.

"Quiet, Peter!" James hissed. He didn't want to get on the wrong side of McGonagall the first day of class. But off course it wasn't Peter she heard talking, but James trying to keep him quiet.

"Mr. Potter!"

"Sorry Professor…I just…"

"Am I boring you already?"

"No, Peter just asked me what the date was," he lied.

"Well let's see if you were paying attention. Front and center, Mr. Potter."

James quickly stood up. He saw Sirius smirking at him, which gave him a boast of confidence. He'd wipe that grin right off Black's face. He stood in front of the match they needed to change into a needle. He shifted nervously from foot to foot.

"Er…"

Now the Slytherins were starting to snicker at him.

"Tap it once, flick your wand and say the words on the board."

"Right," James muttered. James took a deep breath, flicked his wand and clearly pronounced the incantation. To the amazement of everyone, in place of the match was a pointy shiny needle.

McGonagall who apparently had expected him to not accomplish the task, stared at the needle as if not believing what she saw. It took her a moment to recover.

"Very good! Very good! Five points to Gryffindor. Alright everyone begin practicing and call me over once you have successfully completed it."

James grinned from ear to ear. The crazy old man in the Wand Shop actually knew what he was talking about. He had even earned his House points. Just as he was about to try it again…

"Professor! I've done it."

All eyes turned to the Sirius Black. McGonagall headed toward him. She reversed the needle back to a match, "Let's see you do it again."

And with ease, Black transfigured it back looking directly at James after accomplishing it. So he wanted a competition? James would gladly rise to any challenge Black asked.

McGonagall was grinning broadly, "Very good, Mr. Black. I see we have some very talented students in this class. Another five points to Gryffindor."

James rolled his eyes. He continued practicing and when he got bored he attempted to get Peter to do his flick right. The boy was hopeless.

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Ever since that fateful day Sirius had received the Howler, whispers followed him wherever he went.

"It's that Black kid--"

"From Dark Wizard family-"

"Don't mess with him-"

"Knows every curse out there-"

"Blood traitor-"

"Disgrace-"

Sirius at the moment was sitting alone in the back of the library.  His mother's reaction hadn't been a surprise, but the fact that she would send a Howler and made it known to the whole school that he was a failure, was a shock. This meant his mother actually cared more about yelling at him than keeping his troubles in the family. This also meant Sirius was in deepest trouble of his young life. 

He looked over for the eighth time the letter she had sent.

Sirius,

I trust you have received my first letter. Though my message may have been very abrupt and loud, I have found, my dearest son, that this is the only way to get you to listen to word I say, and even then…Your cousins graciously informed me of the events that have enfolded since your arrival at Hogwarts. The disgrace you have brought to our family is irreversible. Clearly you have inherited genes from your Uncle Alphard's side of the family, but even that good-for-nothing mongrel managed to get into Slytherin. I will be visiting the Headmaster in a few days and I will persuade him, by any means to get you into Slytherin. You are to have limited contact with the Gryffindors until I can sort the mess you have created. Study your books and during your free time I advise you to spend it in the library. Your cousins will inform me of any new developments. 

Regards,

mother

Sirius, as much as he hated it, had taken his mother's advice. He found the library to be the perfect place to relax and hide from the whispers and the stares. And no one would dare talk to him here because the librarian scolded anyone who said anything above a whisper.

The Gryffindors were leaving him for the most part alone. It was lonely, but better than having to deal with their confrontations. Lily still tried to talk to him and after he found yelling at her didn't stop her; he just gave her the silent treatment. He stood up and stretched having finished the Potions essay that was due the next day. He started down the hall when he found his way blocked by two of his favorite people: his cousins.

"Why if it isn't our dear cousin?" Bellatrix crooned.

"Family isn't happy with you. Really we always knew you were impossible, but this…" she pointed to the red and gold colors on his uniform, "to stoop this low."

"And its affecting our status in Slytherin, I'll have you know. You've tainted the family name! If Lucius stops showing an interest in me, you will pay dearly," Narcissa said dramatically.

"Look, it's not my fault. I didn't…I didn't ask for this. I told the Hat Slytherin…" He trailed off as four Gryffindors including Potter quickly walked by staring at them. Potter was probably boasting to them how he had been right about him. Sirius was in broad daylight in a well used corridor talking with two Slytherins. Gryffindors and Slytherins rarely associated with one another.

"I've been trying to find Dumbledore to explain and my mother said she was going to talk to him about switching houses."

"If Slytherin will still have you!" Bellatrix muttered and gave him another disdainful look.

"They will, after all I'm still a Black. Haven't our parents always told us that we are practically royalty? Don't worry, we will once again be feared. And you can marry Malfoy just as planned."

"And what about all those House points you've been racking up for Gryffindor?"

Sirius stared in wonderment how they could even know about that. It hadn't even been that many, a few here and there for completing class assignments quickly. "I'm not purposely helping my House," Sirius said quickly, "But I'm not going to let Potter star in every class…"

"We've lost him…mother was right…" Bellatrix said looking faint.

"What are you babbling about?" Sirius asked.

"My House?" she mimicked his voice, "It's your House now."

Sirius shook his head, "No!" now he was starting to panic a little realizing the implication, "No it was just a slip of the tongue."

"I feel so bad for your poor mother Sirius. But at least this summer will be so focused on getting you straightened out that I might have some more freedom," Narcissa grinned dreamily, probably picturing having snogging session with Malfoy.

Out of nowhere, from one of the corners of the hallway, in popped Andromeda who was smiling at her two sisters and blood traitor cousin. What was this, some sort of twisted family reunion?

"Hello, Narcissa! Hello Bellatrix! Lovely day isn't it?" she ignored all their glares, "Congratulations on getting into Gryffindor, Sirius! I always knew you had it in you. And don't listen to their lies. Gryffindor is an honorable house. Did you know it was the house Dumbledore was in?"

Sirius shrugged not trusting himself to speak. This was a bit of a surprise: a member of the family who actually was praising him for betraying the family.

"I remember the day after my sorting into Ravenclaw. Off course my mother isn't nearly as fanatic as yours and they don't view Ravenclaw as terrible as Gryffindor, but I thought my life was over... and look my parents are still feeding and clothing me. Keep your head up high. See you later," she smiled and walked briskly away.

Narcissa and Bellatrix both rolled their eyes at their retreating sister. They both decided they had enough of his offending presence and left him standing alone in the corridor. That's when Potter appeared trailed by Pettigrew and Lupin.

"I know where the Headmaster's office is. I would be happy to show you," Potter said carefully.

"Were you listening to our conversation?" Sirius asked his voice rose dangerously.

"Maybe...if you want a private conversation I wouldn't do it in the middle of a hallway," James challenged him with his eyes and he was gripping his wand tightly. Sirius wasn't about to fight with him when he could tell Remus and Peter would back James up, not him.

"Why should I trust you?" He had a sinking feeling Potter would lead him astray and cause him to get weeks of detention.

"Because I want exactly what you want…you out of this House. So?"

Sirius couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.

"I can find it myself."

Potter looked offended. "Well you have clarified one thing for me now."

"And that is?"

"You belong in Slytherin. Have fun with your Dark Wizard friends."

"On the train you said I belonged in Gryffindor," Sirius said suddenly remembering and his expression softened.

James, who had been turning to leave, stopped in his tracks. He faced Sirius again. "I didn't know you then."

"And you know me now?"

"You've given me no reason to think otherwise. My offer still stands."

"I'll pass."

James shrugged and indicated to his friends to leave. Sirius sank to the floor. The only reason he now wanted to be in Slytherin was for some peace of mind. He fell asleep each night thoughts milling around his head. Sirius knew he was a disgrace to the family, a terrible role model for his younger brother Regulus, the Black sheep, and he would do anything to correct it, but he didn't know what to do. He felt as though he was being attacked from all sides, with no one on his side. Except for maybe Andromeda (but she wasn't in his house) and Lily Evans, but he hadn't treated her nicely enough for her to stand up for him.

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In the middle of their second week, they had their first flying lesson. James had been waiting for this day since school first started. His parents had always joked that he could fly before he could walk. He had wanted to try out for the Quidditch team, but first years weren't allowed. It was a stupid rule and to make it worse first years weren't even allowed to bring a broom to practice on.

It turned out that their flying lessons would be shared with none other than the Slytherins. All the first years were quickly learning about the traditional rivalry between the two Houses. They were instructed to line up by the dusty old brooms laid out on grass. With twenty students rushing to get the best broom, James found Peter on one side of him, Black on the other, and Snape across from him.

James was too excited to let Black's close proximity be a bother. He did notice that Black was in a better mood. Flying was something all students looked forward to and enjoyed.

"Put your right arm over your broom like so and say up."

James's broom came right up on his first try and he turned to gloat at Black, only to see he had managed it on the first try as well. Finally only two students hadn't managed the simple task. And these two students were Peter and Snape.

"Come on Peter," James said softly, "It's only a broom; say it like you mean it."

James could tell the only reason the broom refused to budge was Peter's lack in confidence.

"It's just a stick with straws. Aren't Gryffindors supposed to be brave?" Black asked.

Peter looked at him wide-eyed and then he scrunched his eyes in concentration, and his room began to slowly jerk upward. James couldn't be sure if the broom had just gotten tired of being on the ground or that Peter had been inspired by Black's comment.

Snape still stood stiff as a rod, mumbling 'up' to himself. James couldn't help but laugh at the way he was looking at the broom as if it was a poisonous snake. It was odd that Snape was so frightened since he was from a Wizard family. He wasmore frightened then even the Muggle-borns.

"Mr. Snape, why don't you just pick up your broom, so we can get on with the lesson?"

James laughed and he heard Black snicker. Their eyes meet momentarily as they both grinned at Snape's embarrassment before both jerking their gazes away. The lesson went too slow for James, who wanted to practice Quidditch moves and not learn how to safely land, something he already knew and didn't deem as important as perfecting some new moves he had read about.

And the other thing that annoyed him was that Black could fly just as well as him. In class, James was ahead of most students in all subjects picking up everything rather quickly, except for Black. Black kept up with him at every subject and every task. He didn't want to be on equal footing with Black, but no matter how hard he tried to do it faster or better, Black was right behind him.

A/N: Read and Review, please.

I want to thank all my reviewers. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and review my story. And I am responding to some of your reviews.

Leshlie: I don't believe it says anywhere in any of the books about *when* Sirius and James became friends. Sirius will become less harsh, he's just having a hard time right now.

Nicole Black: I don't like putting Sirius in pain, but I can't imagine he had the best childhood. Sorry to say that I'm going to be torturing Sirius for a chapter or two more, but after that life at Hogwarts will be much happier for him.

ESP: I'm glad you warmed up to my story. Thanks you so much and please keep reading to find out what happens. J

Ronja: Yes, I am trying to keep them as much in character as possible. Some James and Sirius action in this chapter and a lot more to come.

Thowra: I'm glad you liked Lily's point.

Thank you once more to all reviewers, even those who I didn't have a chance to respond too!

And please keep reviewing.