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 4: The Sorting Hat

Almost at once a tall, black-haired witch with flowing emerald green robes flung the door open. She had a very stern face and looked on at the frightened first years.

"She looks like the type of person you don't want to cross," Remus said in a whisper to his friends.

James and Sirius nodded but in the back of both of their minds knew there could be a way to get around her, using the right methods of course.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She pulled the door open. And before their eyes, was the Entrance Hall. It was everything Mr. Potter had told James and more. It was big enough to fit a whole house in and then some..! Flaming torches were lit and hung on the stonewalls. The ceiling was too high to really make out but James thought he saw someone floating around up there.

The timid first years followed Professor McGonagall across the echoing stone floor. James heard drone voices from the doorway to their right.

"Do you hear something..?" Remus asked.

"Sounds like voices to me," James whispered as not to be overheard by McGonagall.

"I think it's the rest of the school in the Great Hall," spoke Sirius, "I think they watch the Sorting."

Remus looked puzzled, "The Sorting..?"

"Jeez," Sirius said, "You don't know about the Sorting..?"

Remus shook his head 'no',

"What are you a Muggleborn..?" Sirius said in a playful tone.

"My Mum never explained this to me," Remus confessed, "All she said was I would go to a group called our House. I thought we got to pick which one."

"Nope," James said following a dark haired boy in front of him, "The Sorting Hat does."

"Sorting Hat..?" Remus said.

Sirius rolled his eyes, "You'll find out."

Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. Crowding in (some getting their feet stepped on) the stood closer to each other then they would have liked ("Feel sorry for the person next to Snape," James told Remus and Sirius, "They might get greasy on their new robes.") they gathered round nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall, "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting ("Pay attention Remus," Sirius snickered) is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be like a family within Hogwarts. ("I pity those who have to be family with Snape," James chuckled softly) You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four house are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. AT the end of the year, the house with the most house points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

Right away the first years started to chatter. Lily Evans was talking to her dark haired friend, "I heard we have to use magic. I wonder which spell we have to use..?"

The dark haired girl laughed, "No. No magic at all. Just bring your brain is all. The hat decides which House you'll go to."

Lily looked puzzled and James watched her blink in confusion. Remus was asking questions to Sirius who was enjoying not giving him the answers.

"So the Hat decides..?" Remus asked.

"Yes . . ."

"How..?"

Sirius smirked, "It's a secret . . ."

James smiled and looked around again. There were other students talking too. James noticed those who were Muggleborn or a half blood were flooding anyone pureblood or witch or wizards whose parents had been here for help with the Sorting. Most were giving the same answers as Sirius. James chuckled to himself because he knew, just like Sirius, they only knew what the Sorting was, not how it worked.

"Now then," Professor McGonagall said, "I shall return when we are ready for you," she spoke, "Please wait quietly."

She turned around to leave and they all started to whisper silently again. James was starting to feel nervous and anxious again. He had never been quite this nervous before. Not even when he had turned his Grandmother into a chair and his father mother and father came home lat and his father sat on his Grandmother not knowing it until the chair screamed. James had been up in his room for a good while after that but still . . . this was the most nerve-racking thing James had ever done. When would Professor McGonagall come back to get the Sorting over with.

Then someone floated overhead of the first years.

"BOO..!" it cried.

The blonde haired boy that had shared a boat with James, Sirius and Remus jumped and bumped into James and let out a frightened shout.

"Oooooh..!" the transparent laughing ghost said, "Look at the newbies..!"

The first years stood planted in their spots not wanting to move as the laughing ghost went over to James, as he was the closest.

"Why, who do we have here..?" he cackled ruffling up James hair, which was already scruffy enough.

James stepped back. He heard some people sniggering. Probably Snape, he thought, "Why won't you answer me..?" the ghost asked cackling.

James raised an eyebrow as the ghost took his glasses and put them on, "Oooooh..!"

"Hey..!" James shouted jumping up to reach the floating pest, "Give those back..!"

"Make me..!' the ghost said blowing a raspberry in James' face.

"Peeves..!" shouted Professor McGonagall, "Be off..!"

The laughing ghost, Peeves, howled with laughter. He was a little man with wicked, dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air holding James' glasses and dropped James' glasses in Sirius' hands, "I was trying to return these glasses from this horrible munchkin..!" Peeves said pointing to Sirius blaming him for James' glasses incident and laughing.

"Who ya calling a munchkin..?!" Sirius shouted, "Why you little—!"

"I'm sure Peeves," Professor McGonagall said as the prankster flew off cackling, "Now move along, "she added sharply to Peeves he was starting to turn back around, "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

Everybody who was whispering had stopped at the words 'Sorting Ceremony'.

"Now, from a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "And follow me."

Sirius handed James his glasses back after wiping the smudge marks of them. He took them and felt more nervous than anything. James felt like his legs were turning into Jell-O as he stepped forward following a pale-faced boy with sleek blonde hair. He watched Sirius step behind him failing to hide his look of fear. Remus looked paler then before and gulped. James turned back around and gulped too. They walked out of the chamber they were in and through a pair of double doors in to the Great Hall.

James had never seen such a splendid place . . . ever. It was almost like it was out of a fairy tale book James' mother had read to him when he was younger. It was lit by thousands of candles ("Is it hot in here or just me..?" Sirius said trying to lighten the mood.) that were floating in mid air over the longest set of four tables James had ever seen. The rest of the students were sitting at their tables. James saw on each of the students robes their house mascot on it, thus he realized each table was for each house. The tables were littered with golden plated and goblets, which sparkled in the candlelight. At the top of the four tables was another huge table were the rest of the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall marched the first years up here, so they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. James felt his legs were about to give out as the hundreds of faces looked back at him and the others.

Looking at the ceiling trying to calm himself down James noticed the ceiling. It looked like the night sky.

"It's not really the night sky," said a blonde haired girl to Lily, "Only bewitched. I read it in Hogwarts: A History."

Sirius rolled his eyes and whispered to James, "I read it in Hogwarts: A History . . ." Sirius mimicked. James chuckled silently.

James looked back at McGonagall, his focus all on her now. Professor McGonagall now silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the old stool sat an even older pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched, and ripped, frayed and extremely dirty.

And my mother let this go on her head..? James asked himself chuckling. Anyone who knew Mrs. Potter knew she was a bit on the clean side.

Everyone now was focused on the hat. Even the student sitting down at their tables, even the teachers. Everyone looked at the hat. The rip on one side began to open, almost like a mouth.

"Oh, don't judge on what you see,

Looks can be deceiving,

But you'll belong in one house,

When you leave me this evening.

Keep your pointed hats on,

I fit anyone just fine,

I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,

I see what's in your mind.

Oh don't try to fight it,

For there's nothing you can hide from me,

Now put me on,

And we'll find out which house you ought to be.

Maybe you're a Gryffindor,

Where your bravery stays in mind,

Don't forget the daring, nerve and chivalry,

That every Gryffindor will find.

But yet you could be Hufflepuff,

Loyal those lot are,

Patient to the end with kindness in the hearts,

A jewel among star.

Or perhaps wise old Ravenclaw,

A quick wit and ready mind,

Learning their top priority,

Always on the dime.

And then there's Slytherin,

Cunning and smart witting,

Always quite a task,

This might be your true beginning.

So step on up and put me on..!

No need for any fear..!

I'll sort you out one by one,

So you can start Hogwarts this year..!"

The hall burst out into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

"So we only need to try on a hat..?" Remus asked.

"Yup," Sirius said still nervous and trying to show it, "I just didn't know what that hat did was all."

"So you were as clueless as the rest of us . . ." Remus pointed out.

"No," Sirius said. James thought he saw a touch of red in his cheeks.

James felt a wave of relaxation spray on him. He was much more relaxed knowing he didn't have to do anything more then put the hat on and let the hat decided where he belonged.

He looked next tom him. The blonde haired boy that had shared a boat with him was muttering to himself and had his eyes closed. James wasn't even that nervous . . .

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said unrolling the long parchment, "Abbott, Martin..!"

A boy a few people behind James stepped forward. He had a round little face and blonde sandy hair. He looked like he was going to be sick as he crawled up and sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed it on his head. The hat fell and rested on his ears. After a few moments the had shouted—

"I know . . . HUFFLEPUFF..!" the hat cried.

The Hufflepuff table cheered as Martin walked over looking relaxed as he sat down to the excited Hufflepuffs.

"Armstrong. Alison..!"

This time a dark brown haired girl scuttled up to the stool.

"RAVENCLAW..!" the hat shouted after a moments pause.

James saw her skip over merrily to the Ravenclaw table as her fellow Ravenclaws cheered her on madly with smiles and whistles.

"Bactardi, Thomas..!"

A dark looking boy walked up to the hat. Before it was fully on the hat cried.

"SLYTHERIN..!"

The Slytherin side cheered madly. James gulped. He hoped he wasn't in Slytherin. He caught a glimpse of Sirius who was glaring madly at the Slytherins. James knew his whole family was Slytherin . . . and he knew Sirius didn't want to go there. He hoped Sirius wasn't placed there.

"Black, Andromeda..!"

Sirius shot his head around. James did too. A girl with a very friendly face and long, soft black hair stepped up. She had gentle brown eyes and looked a lot like Sirius, almost like a twin sister.

"Do you have a sister..?" James asked Sirius in a whisper.

"No, she's my cousin, but she has a sister. Two of them. One's a twin, but anyway," Sirius explained, "She's my favorite. She doesn't like our family either. We have a lot in common," he told James and Remus, "She's born a before after me."

"Ohhh," James nodded.

Andromeda stepped forth smiling a big smile. She sat up on the stool, and waved to Sirius nervously who waved back to her. And then the hat was placed on her head. It slipped down past her ears and eyes and stopped a bit short of her nose. A few minutes had pasted by before the hat roared—

"RAVENCLAW..!"

The Ravenclaws of course cheered and James was bumped back by Sirius who cheered probably loudest of all. James smiled and clapped with Sirius as did Remus.

"Black, Bellatrix..!"

James turned around again and looked at Sirius who looked livid, "Ummm . . . is this another cousin..?"

Sirius gritted his teeth, "Yea. Andromeda's twin sister. I hate Bellatrix . . ." Sirius added clenching his fists together.

"Ohhh . . ." James and Remus said turning around together and watching Bellatrix step forward.

She had a certain attitude and walk about her that lead James to believe that Bellatrix thought she was better than everyone else. She looked a lot like Sirius and Andromeda but James didn't dare tell that to Sirius . . . she had the same graceful dark hair that stopped short of her shoulders but her eyes were different then Sirius'. They were dark and brown but instead of the warm friendly feeling Sirius' gave off, Bellatrix's looked cold and evil.

Bellatrix placed herself on the hat and smiled an evil smile. That hat barley touched her head when it cried,

"SLYTHERIN..!"

The Slytherins clapped as she sat down, confidant and assured of herself. Sirius looked like he wanted o rip her head until—

"Black, Sirius..!"

Sirius looked up. James smiled, "Good luck. Hope to see you in Gryffindor."

Sirius smiled, "Me too."

James watched Sirius climb up to the hat and place it on his head.

Sirius looked like he was wrestling with the hat on his head, almost fighting the hat as not to go where his family wanted him to go . . . Slytherin. James watched as Sirius kept shaking h is head 'no' over and over again. James wished he could here what the hat was saying. Sirius then stomped his foot and folded his arms. People were watching him intently . . . but Sirius did not care. He continued to battle with the hat with stomps and grunts.

Then after at least 7 minutes of watching Sirius struggle with the hat . . . the hat shouted—

"GRYFFINDOR..!"

James clapped loudly along with the rest of the Gryffindors. Sirius was the first Gryffindor for this batch of first years. He watched Sirius raised his fists in the year and shout happily. He sat down next to cheering Gryffindors and smiled at Bellatrix who looked absolutely shocked. James felt himself grin in her demise.

"Cook, Marie..!"

The dark haired girl that was with Lily ran up with a confident grin. She had beautiful brown eyes and a sweet troublesome look to her. She placed the hat on her head and in a few moments time.

"GRYFFINDOR..!"

James looked at his watch over the next few minutes. When would it be his turn..?

"Duncan, Kelly..!"

Hurry up . . . James whined to himself.

"SLYTHERIN..!"

"Evans, Lily..!"

"There's your girlfriend," Remus whispered with a smile to James.

"She's not my girlfriend..!" James snapped as Lily placed the Sorting Hat eagerly over her head.

Shortly afterwards the hat bellowed, "GRYFFINODR..!" and Lily happily skipped over to the Gryffindor table.

And more people continued to get sorted and James was regretting having a last name that started with P. A Slytherin here, a Ravenclaw there. Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors every now and then too. He felt his stomach growl and he was quite nervous an anxious now. He just wanted to be sorted. Then—

"Lupin, Remus..!"

"Good luck mate," James whispered to Remus as Remus stumbled up to the stool.

James watched eagerly as Remus had the hat placed on his head. It covered his eyes and then James saw Remus bite his bottom lip. Just as Sirius had done, it seemed like Remus was fighting the hat as well . . . not quite as rough as Sirius however.

About 4 minutes later that hat cried, "GRYFFINDOR..!" and a smiling Remus sat down at the shouting Gryffindor table. James smiled. He hoped he'd be in Gryffindor.

More time passed. James was getting tired of waiting as his stomach growled loud. There went a new Slytherin . . . another Ravenclaw. And there passed a new Hufflepuff followed by another Slytherin. There was a Gryffindor followed by Ravenclaw. Then again with Ravenclaw shortly afterward another Gryffindor.

Hurry up..! James thought again.

"Pettigrew, Peter..!"

The small mouse-like boy that had ridden in the boat with James came forward. He looked pale and sick and tripped on his way up. Some Slytherins laughed and James saw the boy turn red as he placed the hat on his head. It went over his ears and eyes and even past his nose.

James watched wondering which house this boy would go to.

Probably Hufflepuff . . . James thought.

But James had thought wrong. The hat declared, "GRYFFINDOR..!"

Again the Gryffindors cheered as a still nervous Peter hoped off the stool and cautiously walked over to the Gryffindor's table.

James smiled and turned around. He knew who'd be next.

"Potter, James..!"

At the call of his name James felt a squirm in his stomach. And it wasn't a good squirm either. It was one, one got when they were sick. James hoped he wouldn't get sick in front of the Great Hall. That was all he needed right now.

James came up slowly and placed the hat on his head. He felt if cover the top of his head and stop at the rim of his glasses. James pushed them up a bit with his finger.

'Another Potter eh..?' the hat said.

James closed his eyes, Just sort me . . . please..?

'Calm down. Now lets see,' the hat began, 'Good mind and talent. I see . . . interesting. Perhaps Slytherin..?'

Don't you dare..! James thought. His eyes opening wide.

'They could help you, you know.'

I don't want that kind of help. I want to be with my new friends, James told the hat.

'Ahhh yes. The Black boy.'

And Remus, James added.

'I see. You do have the same rebellious spirit in you, just like the rest of you Potters have,' the hat told James, 'Well I think you'll make a fine—

"GRYFFINDOR..!"

James sighed as the hat was taken off his head. He ran over to the Gryffindor table with the world's biggest grin on. He must have had the world's biggest grin on because Sirius was teasing him.

"Look like you just won a million Galleons," Sirius said clapping him on the shoulder, 'Knew you'd make Gryffindor."

James smiled, "I knew you'd make Gryffindor too."

Sirius smiled and rubbed the top of James' head and Remus, who was across from James, smiled and laughed.

Soon after James' Sorting, James thought that it was going by much faster. The last person Zecker, Mandy (Ravenclaw) was sorted and Professor McGonagall carried the stool away. And took he seat next to Professor Dumbledore.

This was James' real first glimpse of Dumbledore, not counting the trading cards. He had a crooked nose and half moon glasses that were in front of two twinkling eyes. He smiled and looked gentle and to James surprise he had the longest beard James had ever seen. ("So long you could play jump rope with it," Marie Cook giggled.) He had purple silk robes on and a tall pointed wizards hat. Dumbledore beamed at the students, his arms wide open, as if just the students being here was the happiest thing in the world for him.

"Welcome..!" he said, "Welcome to another new year at Hogwarts..! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And they are: Nitwit..! Blubber..! Oddment..! Tweak..! And with out further ado . . . Tuck in..! Thank you..!"

He sat back down and everybody clapped and cheered. James clapped to at the funny old Headmaster who was smiling himself.

"My Mum says he cracked," Sirius said cracking, "Not like I care . . . but he does seem a bit on the mad side."

James nodded, "A bit odd."

"Odd..?" Remus said looking taken back, "Hey great..!"

"Why..?" Sirius asked, "Met him before..?"

"No . . ." Remus said turning red, "I-I've just heard g-g-good talk about him is all."

"Woa..!" James suddenly spat out.

Sirius rolled his eyes, "What another giant man to scare you— WOA..! Look at all that food..!"

Sirius had soon spotted at what James had goggled at. All of a sudden, the golden dishes which had laid empty moments ago were now piled to the sky with food. Well maybe not the sky but . . . James had never seen so much food for a regular dinner. He normally ate big meals but this . . . this was huge. There was never so many of his favorite foods and un favorite foods on one table: roast beef, roast chicken, boiled potatoes, roasted potatoes, fries, broccoli ("Yuck..!" Sirius said with a look of disgust) pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak ("Now those are more like it," Sirius said piling his plate with those ignoring the broccoli) Yorkshire pudding ("Can we have seconds of that..?" Sirius asked) peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and chips along with—

"Peppermint humbugs..?" Remus asked.

James shrugged as he dug into everything (almost everything) and piled it on his plate, "Dunno . . . but I'm not eating them."

"Man this is good," Sirius said munching on his potato, "Mum's cooking isn't nearly this good. And Kreacher . . . don't get me started on his cooking."

"Kreacher..?" James and Remus both asked.

"Our house elf."

"Ohhh . . ." James said understanding.

"House elf..?" Remus asked.

Sirius raised an eyebrow, "For a pureblood you sure seem in the dark about a lot of wizarding things."

"Don't be rude Sirius," James said knowing that Remus, pureblood or not, probably wasn't as rich as Sirius or himself and didn't know about such pleasures. Though James didn't think having a house elf was a pleasure, "It and elf that does work for its family. Not many families have them," James added so Remus wouldn't feel bad, "We had one but it died. My mother didn't like having a house elf anyway."

Remus nodded.

"Yea well," Sirius continued as James dug into his steak, "Kreacher can't cook. Well if you like the taste of burnt socks then you'll find it appealing."

James and Remus laughed. James took a sip of pumpkin juice and looked around at his two new friends. He could tell this was going to be a fun year.

Soon dinner was done and the students all were full and felt at least 2 pounds heavier. Sirius was complaining about having over eaten and Remus said, "I told you so," just to annoy him. But as soon as desserts rolled around Sirius had magically found more room to shove them all into his face with James at his side. Both complained to a laughing Remus about their new stomachaches. James felt like his pants were too small and looked up as Professor McGonagall took her spoon and hit her goblet with it.

"May I have your attention please..?" she asked.

The hall fell silent as Dumbledore stood up.

"Ahem— just a few more words now that we are fed and watered. I have a few start-of-the term notices to give you.

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

James and Sirius smirked. They were both thinking the same thing. When someone said no . . . that obviously meant to do it anyway. They couldn't wait for their first jaunt in the woods.

"And also, I have been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for his or her house should contact Madam Hawk.

"And finally, I must tell you all this year, new and old students, that there is a new tree planted on the grounds, The Whomping Willow, for certain reasons. This tree is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a very painful death . . ."

Everyone exchanged dark looks and began to whisper. Dumbledore cleared his throat, "But if you manage to survive . . ." he added smiling, "You can spend your hours in detention."

The students laughed . . . a few at least and James instantly wondered what the Whomping Willow was there for.

"What do you think Sirius..?" James asked, "I wonder why it's there."

"Maybe there's a wild animal or something," Sirius suggested.

James was about to turn to ask Remus when he noticed Remus was awfully pale, as if all the color had been drained from his face.

"You okay Remus..?" James asked.

"Fine," Remus said cautiously, "Maybe I ate too much."

Sirius grinned, "Told you so."

"You didn't tell me anything," Remus pointed out.

"I know," Sirius said with a grin and a bark like laugh, "I've just always wanted to say that."

James chuckled to himself then turned back to Remus. HE still looked very pale, "Perhaps too much dessert..?" James questioned.

"Y-y-yea . . ." Remus trembled, "Too much . . ."

James was about to re-ask Remus if he was all right but was cut of by Dumbledore who was starting to speak again.

"Now, before we head up to bed," Dumbledore took his wand and waved it. A long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words, "Let us sing our school song..!"

Some of the teachers exchanged looks. James felt himself gin, "How about it Sirius..?"

"What do we have to lose..?" Sirius said with a troublesome glint.

"Absolutely nothing," James told him still grinning, "We've only been here a couple of hours . . ."

"Hardly long enough to make a reputation . . ." Sirius said looking excited.

"Well, lets start working on that reputation," James said with a troublesome glint all his won, "Care to join in Remus..?"

"What—? Oh no, I'm fine thanks," Remus said chuckling, "Singing isn't for me."

"Suit yourself," James said as him and Sirius smiled at each other.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "And off we go..!"

And the school bellowed:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do the rest, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Of course if everyone picked there own tune, everyone was bound to finish at different times. In which, they did. At last, only two students remained singing. Sirius Black and James Potter who were singing the song to a graduation march. A slow graduation march. Everyone was giggling and laughing and Dumbledore conducted the last few lines with his wand.

"Those two . . ." Remus whispered as James and Sirius held out a long note.

Soon James and Sirius were finished and bowed to their laughing, cheering and applauding audience. Dumbledore clapped, perhaps one of the loudest of all.

"Ah, music," Dumbledore said smiling at James and Sirius, "A very interesting magic indeed..! And now, bedtime. Off you trot..!"

"Bed..?' Sirius snorted, "But I'm not tired."

The Gryffindors all sat up from their table and James looked around, "Wait . . . how do we know where to go..?"

"I think we follow that boy," Remus said pointing to a tall 5th year with dark brown hair that went to his shoulders and navy blue eyes and a shinny badge with a lion and a giant P on it.

"Follow me please..!" the called, 'First years up front..! No pushing..! Follow me..! First years..!"

Sirius and James shrugged and started to follow Remus as he led them over to the boy with the badge, "Wonder what his name is . . ." Remus said.

"I'll ask," James spoke, "Hey..! Ummm . . . guy..?"

The boy turned around, "Yes..?"

"Hi . . . erm . . . what's your name..?" James asked.

"I'm your Prefect, and my name is Robby Tart," the boy said friendly, "A Prefect, incase you don't know helps is like . . ."

"Like a teacher except they don't teach," James said finishing it for Robby.

"Guess you could say that," Robby said smiling, "Now first years stay up front..!"

Gryffindor first years were soon close behind Robby who was leading them out of the Great Hall and up a marble staircase. James felt like his legs were like Jell-O again. Not because he was nervous. Because he was tired and he didn't want to fall down the staircase.

"Oooooh..!" Lily said all of a sudden pointing to a portrait and knocking James almost of his feet.

"What..?" asked Marie Cook, "Oh the pictures. Ya. Pictures in the wizarding world move."

"Really..?" Lily said surprised, "In the Muggle world they stay still."

"No way..!" Marie said surprised.

Sirius, James and Remus who were eavesdropping began to talk about the subject, "Wonder how Muggles survive with out magic..?"

"Same. Imagine," James said, "Having to do everything by hand."

James and Sirius laughed.

Remus chirped in, "My Mum doesn't use all that much magic. She doesn't want the neighbor's to get suspicious and she also thinks Muggles are fascinating. Likes to do things the Muggle way."

Sirius and James looked at Remus, "Not in my house," James said, "My parents . . . well lets just say if a Muggle walked in there they'd think they were in Wonderland or something."

"Same," Sirius said.

"Sometimes the Muggle way is fun," Remus brought up.

James and Sirius shuddered then laughed. Remus smiled at his friends as the followed Robby up the staircases, "Mind the staircases . . ." Robby pointed out, "They like to change. Especially on first years."

The first years all exchanged dark looks. None of them wanted to end up where they shouldn't . . . well all except Sirius and James of course.

"Here we are," Robby said finally.

At the very end of the corridor hung a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress. Sirius looked on wide-eyed.

"New girlfriend Sirius..?" James joked.

"Shut up..!" Sirius said pushing James into Remus who was laughing.

"Password..?" she said.

Robby turned around, "Remember this," Robby cleared his throat and turned to the Fat Lady, "Bezoar," Robby said and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hall in the wall. They all scrambled through it and found themselves in the Gryffindor Common Room, a cozy, round room fully of squashy armchairs.

Robby showed the girls where they would be sleeping then showed the boys. At the top of the spiral staircase, they found their beds ("At last..! I'm beat..!" Sirius said: six four-posters hung with deep red, velvet curtains. Their trunks and luggage had already been brought up.

James claimed the bed near the window and Sirius immediately claimed the bed to James' left while Remus took the one on the right. The blonde boy, Peter Pettigrew claimed the one next to Remus and the other two Gryffindor boys, Frank Longbottom and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Sirius liked both of them, Kingsley more than Frank, while the small boy Peter talked in length with Frank.

James started to jump on his bed as soon as he threw his shoes off. Sirius thought this was a good idea and joined immediately in the fun. Soon all seven boys were jumping on the beds.

"Okay," Sirius began, "If were gonna be roommates for seven years . . . I gotta know . . . who snores..?"

Shyly Peter raised his hand, "Only a little..!" he added as he jumped with the boys, "It's just cause I got a stuffy nose."

James laughed and did a flip on the bed, "I can't wait to you break your neck," Sirius joked with him.

"Why..? So you can have my super jumping bed..?" James joked back.

"Oh yes . . ." Sirius said sarcastically jumping, "That's it."

Soon afterwards the boys got into a pillow fight, Sirius and James hitting the hardest at each other trying to knock the other one out. Frank hit Sirius squarely in the nose and James started to laugh so hard he began to cry . . . then James started to cry for mercy as Sirius got him in a headlock and started to tickle hi to death. James was very ticklish.

But all good things came to an end. Climbing into bed sleepily James dug his head into his soft pillow.

"Gonna sleep dressed..?" Sirius asked.

"Huh..?" James spat out as pajamas were thrown into his face.

"There," Sirius said, "Now put them on so we can sleep."

"Okay," James said yawning putting his pajamas on.

Snuggling into their beds all the boys closed their eyes tight. James was gonna ask Sirius something but the last thing he heard before he drifted to sleep was Peter's snores and Sirius shouting, "Stuff nose..?! Sound like fog horn..!"

Authors Note: Well what'd you think..? How did you like my Sorting Hat song..? Sorry if you didn't like it. I tried . . . What can I say..? But anyway . . . I know it was long but I've been getting compliments on it's length so I won't worry about chapters being long anymore. So please review. I'd like to hear everyone's comments on the chapter.

Thanks to all who've reviewed:

Arestoktra, Allacaya, ryoko, YoshimiWolfspaw, shadow929

Hope to get more reviews. 