Disclaimer: No I do not own anything Harry Potter related. This all belongs to J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter is her genius. But otherwise . . . enjoy the story I wrote and please read & review.

Chapter 3: The Crossing of the Lake

James stepped off the train, Hershey was hooting softly, Sirius dragging his luggage behind him until a Ravenclaw prefect told him to leave his luggage behind, that someone would take care of it, then took James' owl and Remus smiled as he stood close next to his new friends.

"I wonder where the castle is..?" a dark haired girl said passing Sirius.

James had turned to see who spoke and saw the dark haired girl and then . . . the red hair girl form the shop..! James felt his heart skip a beat as he looked at her.

She walked by and waved, "Hi."

James was speechless, "H-hi . . ." he waved back.

The girl smiled, "Hey. I remember you," she said in a friendly tone, "You're the boy in the robe shop."

"Y-yea . . ." James said nervously.

"Didn't you turn someone purple and pink in there..?" she asked smiling.

James nodded slowly smiling, "Y-yea . . . I accidentally turned Sirius' mum purple and stuff . . ."

Purple and stuff..? James thought in his head, Oh real smooth like James . . .

"It was pretty funny," the girl smiled.

"I thought so," Sirius spoke up. He wasn't liking the fact that James was tripping over his words and the fact that this conversation was going nowhere.

The girl giggled again and held out her little hand, "I'm Lily Evans."

Lily, James thought, What a pretty name . . .

"Sirius Black," Sirius said shaking her hand and beating James to it.

"I'm Remus Lupin," Remus said politely also beating James to the girl's hand.

"And I'm James Potter..!" James added quickly holding out his hand tripping over his feet to get close enough to her for her to shake his hand.

Lily shook his hand smiling at James' sudden clumsiness, "You're funny," she said.

James felt his lip curve up into a smile, "Yea . . . yea I guess I am. That's something isn't it..?"

"Oh he's something alright," Sirius whispered to Remus, "He's in love."

Remus raised an eyebrow at him, "How..? They just met."

Sirius only smirked.

"So," Lily asked the boys with her dark haired friend walking next to her, "Are you guys purebloods or half blooded or Muggleborn..?"

James didn't know why she cared, but the girl of his dreams right now was talking to him so he'd answer, "Pureblood," he said staring at Lily.

"Pureblood," Sirius said darkly.

"Pureblood," Remus said simply.

"Really..?" Lily said shocked in a good way, "Wow."

"Why..?" Sirius asked, "What are you..?"

"A Muggleborn," Lily said simply but proudly, "I didn't know there was so many purebloods."

"There's not," James said trying to impress her, "Purebloods just always know other purebloods. Forced to know one another you know..?"

"Actually I don't," Lily said blinking twice at James.

James felt his face turn red. He wanted to say something and sound impressive. He just had to. James really liked this girl and he didn't want this conversation to ever end. But something did interrupt James' fantasy. Something big and loud.

"Firs' years..! Firs' years this way now..! C'mon, follow me..!"

James turned to see a huge man. He felt himself gasp open as he looked. His stature was huge, almost that of a giant's. His face was hidden in the dense night but James saw a long hairy beard and two beetle black eyes peeking out through a mass of dark hair. James stood transfixed in is spot until Sirius nudged him hard in the back, "What'd ya stop for..?"

"That," James said pointing to the large man.

"Well we can sight see later," Sirius said irritably, "I'm cold and hungry and I just want the Sorting to be done with so I can go to sleep."

"Well I do too but the big guy said to follow him," James said shivering in the cold.

Sirius turned to the large man, "Excuse me..!" he shouted so the large man could hear him.

"Yes..?" the giant man replied, "No need ter shout."

"Where do first years go..?" Sirius asked.

The large man laughed, "I've been shoutin' fer all firs' years ter come with me."

"Oh," Sirius said as James tucked his tongue out at him in victory.

Sirius chuckled and pulled on James' tongue, "OUCH..!" James shouted.

"Oppps . . ." Sirius said sarcastically, "You had something there."

"It was my tongue..!"

"Was it now..?" he asked pretending he didn't know.

James laughed and pushed him with his shoulder and Remus laughed. These two were quite a show. James had escaped Sirius' pushes and turned to say something else to Lily but . . . she wasn't there.

"Hey," James heard himself say, "Where'd Lily go..?"

Sirius laughed, "Awww, you mean your little girlfriend..? The beautiful Tiger Lily..?"

"Her name's Lily..! Not Tiger Lily..! And . . . she's not my girlfriend..!" James shouted back then smiled, "But I wish she was . . ."

Sirius laughed, "James and Tiger Lily sitting in a tree . . ."

"Shut up..!" James cursed pushing Sirius, "I hate that song."

Remus laughed as did Sirius. Seeing James frustrated at something he loved and hated was pretty good entertainment.

"Firs' years..!" Hagrid called, "Last call fer firs' years..! Mind yer steps now..! Don't want any accidents on our way up..! Firs' years this way..!"

James, Sirius and Remus started to head towards the sound of Hagrid's voice. They were walking , slipping and stumbling as they followed Hagrid down to what seemed to be to James, the longest, steepest and narrowest path ever. It was extremely dark on either side of them, The trees must be really dark to that . . . thought James. He moved in a bit closer to Sirius who was trying to keep the look of bravery on his face but was starting to fail a bit. James saw that Sirius was just as frightened as any of the first years. Remus stayed behind James and Sirius, he looked frightened but was keeping to himself as if he was too close to someone they'd melt or something. James looked around again and inched closer to Sirius bumping into him this time.

Sirius pushed James back and almost of the path, frightening James to death, "What are you doing..?!" Sirius hissed through his teeth.

James felt stupid. He shouldn't be scared, "I dunno . . . the path freaked me out."

"Well no need to get close to me," Sirius rebutted, "That freaked me out."

"Sorry," James said inching closer to Sirius again.

"Would ya stop..?!" Sirius said again pushing James back, "How did your mother deal with you clinging to her all the time..?!"

James laughed a nervous laugh, "She didn't . . . I was the one pushing her away."

Sirius smiled and then looked forward again gulping hard. James had a shrewd suspicion Sirius was just as nervous as himself.

"Now then," Hagrid called from behind his shoulder, "Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," he smiled at the nervous first years, "Jus' round this bend here."

James felt an exciting feeling drop into his stomach and he smiled with a nervous feeling floating around him. Remus was biting his bottom lip and Sirius was walking with his eyes closed. Probably still nervous, James thought, I know I am.

Soon the first years stood transfixed and a loud, "Oooooh..!" was heard.

"Wow..!" James heard Sirius say, "It's huge..!"

James felt his jaw drop. It was huge. The biggest place he'd ever seen.

The steep, narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great, black lake. And on the other side, stop a great mountain, with it's windows sparkling in the dark starry sky, was the vast castle with many towers and turrets that was on every first years mind.

Even Remus, who had remained quiet for this little crossing was shocked.

"I didn't know it was so big..?" Remus said.

"Me neither," James confessed, "Mum and Dad said it was huge but . . . not gianormous..!"

"Gianormous..?" Remus questioned, "Is that even a word..?"

James shrugged, "Dunno . . ."

"It is now," Sirius added.

The three if them chuckled, letting some of their fear out as they did.

"Would you three move..?" asked a fellow first year behind them who had pushed James in the back.

James turned to see who had pushed him and almost had to contain a laugh when he saw. Standing behind him, looking very disgusted, was a small boy, a bit shorter then James, who was very pale and had long, greasy, black hair that covered his face. He glared up at Sirius, Remus and James threw what looked to be dark brown eyes.

Sirius laughed before James could get a word out, "Oh excuse me your greasiness . . ." Sirius said with a bark like laugh, "Go right ahead."

"We wouldn't want you not to be first on our trip across the lake," James sneered, "We know you want to be first in line to wash your hair."

Sirius grinned and laughed a bark like laugh again, pleasing James and annoying the boy more.

"Watch it Potter," the boy growled.

"Oooooh," Sirius chuckled, "Watch out Jimbo . . . big scary Severus is gonna get ya."

James rounded up on the boy, "What you gonna do..?" James asked, "Gonna run home to Daddy and tell him, big scary Potter is calling you nasty names..? When has he done anything to stop me before..?"

The boy looked livid at James, "I told you to watch it..! When will you listen..?!" he said pulling out his wand threatening James with a hex.

"And I've told you to wash your hair too, but when have you listened..?" James laughed.

Sirius was almost to the point of tears. The boy looked at the two of them, "Figures you two would meet and become mates. The perfect match. Two idiots."

James smirked still, "Wash your mouth. Scourgify..!"

"You could wash his hair while you're at it James," Sirius commented.

James laughed as pink bubbles streamed from the boy's mouth at once; the froth was covering his lips, making him gag, choking him when—

"Al'right ya lot," said Hagrid stepping up behind them , "None o' that."

Hagrid pulled out a huge umbrella and James almost ducked thinking Hagrid was going to hit him with it, but instead Hagrid pointed it at the boy and instantly the bubbles disappeared.

"Now," Hagrid started, "Off with ya lot."

The boy glared at Sirius and James again, James spitting his tongue at him and Sirius making faces at him, and walked off. He hated them.

Hagrid turned around and shouted, "No more'n four to a boat..!" Hagrid bellowed pointing to a fleet of boats sitting in the water by the shore.

James picked one and hoped in, followed by Sirius and Remus. Sirius and James were still grinning at what just happened. Remus asked.

"Do you even know that boy..?" Remus questioned.

"Sadly yes. His Name is Severus Snape," James nodded, "My dad works with his," James stated, "I've been forced to hang out with the slim ball before. Didn't know Sirius knew the git and hated him too though."

"It a shame I know him as well," Sirius smiled, "I didn't know James knew him . . . But yea, my Dad and his are friends. I've been forced to hang with the git before too."

"So I'm guessing you two have something else in common now..?" Remus said smiling.

James smirked, "Never thought of it, but true..! We have a new hobby Sirius..!"

"What's that..?" Sirius asked.

"Snape Torture..!" James said smiling.

Sirius laughed loudly and Remus merely rolled his eyes in a friendly way.

"Can I sit with you guys..?" asked someone.

The three friends looked at who was talking to them. It was a small boy who was more wide than tall. He had short blonde hair and watery blue eyes. A bit of a pointed nose that almost looked mouse like. He looked completely frightened and was shivering in the cold.

"Sure," Remus said, "You two don't mind do you..?"

James shook his head, "Nope."

Sirius shook his head as well, "Go ahead."

"Thank you," the small boy said stepping in the boat.

"You're welcome," Remus said cheerfully.

The boy remained silent. James was about to ask his name when the silence was broken once more by Hagrid's shout.

"Everyone in..?!" he shouted. James noted he had a boat to himself, "Right then— FORWARD..!"

And one by one the fleet of little boats glided across the water, which was as smooth a glass. The first years were silent, looking into the lake and up at the great castle glowing overhead. It towered over them as the glided closer and closer to the cliff on which it was perched magnificently upon.

"Heads down..!" yelled Hagrid.

The first years obeyed as they ducked as the boats reached the cliffs; they all were bending their heads and their little boats carried them threw a dense curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff's face. They floated along a dark tunnel. James was looking on in interest as Sirius kept glancing at the blonde boy in their boat. Remus was too fascinated and looked on with James. The tunnel seemed to be leading them underneath the castle, until the reached a kind of underground harbor.

Stepping out of their boats, James being first followed by Remus and the blonde haired boy allowing Sirius to be last. The first years all clambered out of their boats out onto the rocks and walked over to Hagrid who had been giving them instructions all night.

"Follow me now," Hagrid said as they climbed up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, which he held in his hand. Coming out at last onto a smooth, damp grass right in the shadows of the castle.

Still following Hagrid they walked up a flight of stone cold stairs and then stopped. In front of them was a huge, oak front door.

"Everyone all here..?" he asked, "Yer two still out of trouble..?' Hagrid asked a grinning James and Sirius.

Knowing that everyone was here, Hagrid raised his gigantic fist and knocked hard three times into the large castle door.

Authors Note: I do hope you enjoy. So we know even before Hogwarts, Snape was hated by Padfoot and Prongs. We've also met Wormtail... I promise for those who like him (which I know there are people who do) he will be further introduced in the next chapter. Sorry if this chapter was too long . . . I just get carried away sometimes. Lol. Oh and we also have James trying to impress Lily . . . please tell me what you think. I was trying to have he not hate him yet but a little confused by his behavior. So . . . please review. Thanks for all those who have as well:

Arestoktra, Allacaya, ryoko, YoshimiWolfspaw, shadow929

Hope to get more reviews. 