Disclaimer: Nope, none of this is mine except for a few original characters.

Remus sighed contently. It was a Friday night and he had two weeks of Hogwarts behind him. His parents had been so worried about him attending Hogwarts. If it hadn't been for Dumbledore and his persuasive methods, he would still be moping at home. Next week was the full moon and it would be the first time he would be going through his transformation away from home. Everything was set, but Remus had a bad feeling something would go wrong.

Hogwarts was turning out better then he had imagined. The magic they were learning was great and he was starting to become fascinated by Defense of the Dark Arts. He actually had friends for the first time in his life and he would do everything possible to keep them, which meant keeping his secret hidden. At that moment James, Peter and Remus were occupying the best seats in the Common Room by the fireplace. This was a big feat for first years because the older students tended to get to them first. Peter and James had started a game of Wizard Chess and as always James was creaming Peter. Remus could tell this was starting to bore James.

"I wouldn't move it there, Peter," Remus warned. Peter jerked his hand back, smiled gratefully, and started chewing his lip to figure out an alternative move.

"Stop helping him, Remus," James chided.

"I'm sick of seeing you win each time."

"Then play me next." James stared moodily at Peter who was always very indecisive about his next move and once he did actually make up his mind, it was usually the wrong move.

"I'll see…and it depends how long this game lasts," Remus said evasively. Chess was the game he always played with the Grandfather who had recently passed away. And playing it would only remind him of his grandfather.

"It would have been over, if you would just keep your mouth shut," James grumbled.

Remus grinned, "Just evening the odds my friend."

He moved over to where Lily and Cory were talking. He sometimes found that he preferred their company over Potter, but then again there was never a dull moment with that boy. And as if some unseen force wanted to prove this statement to Remus…

"Hey Black! Why don't you play me in a game of Wizard's chess?" James called.

The request seemed reasonable, except that Remus had feeling James was trying to get a rise out of Sirius. Sirius had been oddly subdued the past few days ignoring everyone as if life didn't matter. He didn't understand why James always seemed so concerned with Black.

"Come on, Black, are you afraid you'll lose?"

"I'll play you, James," Remus offered hoping to stop this before it began. He noticed that Black was paying no attention to them, intent on the letter he was writing.

"No, I want to play Black."

James now had the attention of the whole room and Remus knew he wouldn't back down.

 "I want to know why he refuses to talk to any of us, why he refuses to sit with any of us, why he refuses to hangout with us. He won't even look us in the night."

James was moving progressively closer to Black during his rant and was now right in front of him. Black had stopped writing, but his eyes were still on the paper.

"Are we not good enough for you? Is our presence not good enough for a Black? Then do us a favor and switch houses already!"

Sirius had raised his head, his eyes were icy cold and his fists were clenched.

"You know why? Because nobody wants him! The Slytherins don't! The Gryffindors don't. Clearly his family doesn't even want him."

Black stood up, his height equal to James, his face contorted in anger but James did not budge.

"Shut up Potter!"

"Or you'll do what?" James had barely said those words when Black connected his fist to his face. The two began struggling, hitting, kicking… Remus looked around helplessly, "Stop it! James! Stop it!"

The Prefects attempted to break it up, but the two boys were fighting so fiercely no one could get near. All the tension between them was finally being let loose.

"I'm getting McGonagall!" Lily cried and raced out of the Common Room. Neither boy showed any sign of hearing that a teacher was being called.

McGonagall appeared, hurling into the room like a tornado.

"Mr. Black! Mr. Potter!" she yelled her voice echoing through the room.

She placed a stunning charm on Black and he fell to the ground. James lay on the floor trying to catch his breath; his cheek was red and bruised, and his robes torn. Black's lip was a bit swollen. McGonagall gave them a death glare as she lifted the spell. Both boys then stood up, James winced with pain. Everyone in the Common Room held their breath. No apology rose from their lips and to Remus's astonishment after all that James and Sirius were still glaring at each other.

Only McGonagall's voice severed their fierce gaze.

"Fist fighting?! I expect better from my House. Mr. Lupin, Mr. Ward, please escort Potter to the hospital wing. Mr. Black you and I will be visiting with Professor Dumbledore. You aren't getting off easy, Mr. Potter, once your injuries are taken care of you'll be joining us."

James hung his head finally showing that he was a bit ashamed of his actions and left with his two escorts. McGonagall nodded at the other students, and took Black by his arm and steered him to the Portrait Hole after them.

Remus again felt himself feeling sorry for Sirius. He wasn't having an easy time and he hoped he wouldn't be punished harder then Potter. He knew that James had stung him severely with his words. James had hurt Black more than he had meant to. Reminding Sirius that even his family didn't care; James couldn't have possible said anything harsher.

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Sirius fidgeted uncomfortable in the chair that Dumbledore had conjured. This was the first time he had ever been alone with the Headmaster and he wished his piercing blue eyes would stop searching his. He expected to be yelled out, whipped, and possibly expelled. But the way the headmaster was looking at him made him feel as if he knew much more then Sirius did of the circumstances.

"I've been informed that you wanted to talk to me, Mr. Black," now his eyes twinkled.

"Er-yes." 

"Go on. I have all the time in the world."

"What about…you know?" Sirius wasn't sure exactly what the Headmaster wanted him to talk about. The fact that I just had a fight in the Common Room or his house placement problem?

"All in time. I think that we should first discuss your original problem. I have a feeling it is all related."

Sirius took a deep breath. He had to say this right. It would probably be his one and only chance.

"I want to be in Slytherin. The Hat made a mistake. Slytherin is where I belong. It is the House most of my family has been in."

"I see. I'll have you know that the Sorting Hat does not solely base its decision on your heritage. It is also very sensitive to an uncertain mind."

"I'm certain I don't belong in Gryffindor."

"Do you mind telling me why?"

"Well…" Sirius trailed off unable to come up with a specific reasoning.

"Is it because it's not Slytherin?"

"Yes, sir. And my parents believe I belong there and surely they know me better then anyone in the world."

"That reminds me, your mother came to speak with me."

"She has?" Sirius thought she hadn't because his mother had not written him again about it.

"Yes, she was very forceful about having your houses changed. So I asked her if she believes you to be different. And you know what she said? 'Off course he is! If he was like the rest of the family I wouldn't have had to come down here. If he were just like us, he'd be getting a proper education in Slytherin'. I told her off course that you get the same education regardless of your House."

"I'm not different," Sirius heard himself mutter.

"Are you sure?"

The question hung in the air.

Different. This three-syllable nine lettered word was the apparent cause of all his troubles.

Sirius thought back to all those annoying lessons that his brother always enjoyed while he could never fathom why. Those names he had to memorize. The punishments he endlessly received for not behaving properly. And how boring those Slytherins had been on the train! Not a bunch of blokes that would see pranking as a form of entertainment. Okay, he could admit he was different if ever so slightly, but that didn't mean he couldn't be switched to Slthyerin. All that meant was he needed to brush up on his acting skills.

"I'm not so different," he managed.

"Well I'm afraid it doesn't matter," Professor Dumbledore tapped his fingers lightly together.

"What?"

"As I already informed your mother it is impossible for you to switch Houses. Rules are rules," Dumbledore said while he rifled through some papers that may have been the schools rules.

"You are the Headmaster, can't you change them?"

"It's not that simple and I don't think as Headmaster it would look good if I bended the rules for a student. It is possible at the beginning of next school year to have you resorted. And that I am afraid is the best I can do"

Sirius's last glimmer of hope to save face in his family faded, crushed because of a stubborn Headmaster. Dumbledore and the Sorting Hat probably got along great because just like the hat, he didn't seem to care that they were ruining his life. He was stuck in Gryffindor for the rest of the year. He could be resorted, but that was taking into account that he would still be alive after going through whatever tortures his parents were planning for him over the summer.

"I realize the Gryffindors haven't been welcoming, but once they realize you won't be leaving, I'm sure they will warm up to you. The treatment, from what I've heard from your teachers, doesn't sound like typical Gryffindor behavior. I understand that this won't be easy. That you will be facing quite a few challenges. But you must realize you are being given a chance to right your family's history of wrong. I know you will flourish in Gryffindor if you give the House a chance. Be strong, be true to what you feel is right. And always hold your head up high."

Sirius let the words sink in and he absentmindedly nodded.

"And off course I may be wrong, after all I'm just some rambling old fool and the Hat may have made a mistake, it too is getting old. Then you may be resorted next fall. Ah I believe Mr. Potter will be arriving shortly."

A second later there was a knock and Potter and McGonagall walked in. The bruise on his face had healed, but it was still red. Dumbledore questioned them and when Potter admitted he had started the fight, he forced Sirius to admit that he had thrown the first punch. Dumbledore sat quietly and let them both say their side of things. It was almost as if he was enjoying this, as if he found this whole deal rather amusing.

Finally he graced them with some more words of wisdom, "For the rest of the year, maybe longer, you two will be classmates, housemates and roommates as well. You must put aside your differences and learn to respect one another."

Potter looked shocked, "I though Black's house was being changed."

"That was discussed before you arrived, Mr. Potter, since it does not concern you."

Professor McGonagall gave Dumbledore a knowing glance then sharply said, "You will each lose fifty House points and you will be both serving detention for the next three weeks. We will be trying something called cooperative detention. Report to my office at 7:00pm on Monday and I will be owling both your parents."

She stood up and beckoned them to follow her out. Once outside Dumbledore's office, she said, "I suggest you apologize to each other."

Sirius felt his temper rising and couldn't stop himself from saying, "I'm not apologizing to that…"

He never finished his sentence because McGonagall had placed a firm hand on his shoulder. She the pleasantly smiled, "Mr. Black, on Monday you will be staying behind after Transfiguration to do lines. You will learn to control your temper and to not speak to others like that."

"I'm sorry Sirius Black," James countered a smirk on his face that was quickly replaced with a sincere look when he noticed McGonagall watching him closely.

McGonagall then turned to him. Did she expect him to return the apology? He crossed his arms. He wasn't about to because he didn't feel the least bit sorry. Potter had deserved it. Their Professor sighed deeply clearly exasperated by the two of them. He would take any punishment she wanted to dish out. The less time he had to spend in the Common Room the better, for being forced to be in Gryffindor presence couldn't be healthy for him.

 "Mr. Black, you may return to the Common room. I would like to speak with Mr. Potter."

Sirius nodded in surprise and practically sprinted away glad to get out from under her gaze.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The tension between Black and Potter has been building. Review!!! Thanks a lot.