Chapter Two: Sirius Black

Sirius was grinning like a madman as he sat down in one of the many individual seats that filled the Great Hall. The Hall itself was covered in the colors of the four houses, with a banner sporting one of the mascots draped across each wall. There were four long benches in front of the spectator's seats, all which faced the spot where the head table normally rested. Instead of the table, there was a seat for each professor and a podium.

As people began to quickly fill the seats, Sirius was glad he'd come slightly early; there were a lot of guests. Once everyone was seated, the doors to the Great Hall were closed, and the students began to appear, dressed in robes and pointed hats purely of their house colors.

It was graduation day, a full year after the Battle of Twilight and the fall of Voldemort.

Padfoot scanned the students that were streaming in at a steady pace until he found the familiar, jet-black hair with stripes of gold, silver, and copper: Harry. The trim on his robes was gold with a faint white border, which meant he was graduating with honors and as second in his class.

Sirius caught his godson's eyes and grinned, receiving one in return. He couldn't have been any happier for Tallon. The young wizard had become a lot more carefree and relaxed about things and didn't nearly have as much of James' temper as he used to since the prophecy had been fulfilled; he was finally able to behave like a normal teenager. When he's not dodging people wanting the autograph of the Boy-Who-Lives, Sirius often thought with slight amusement and annoyance; annoyance because the public wouldn't leave his godson alone when he so dearly wanted to be.

As the students took their seats, the Professors began to come out, taking their own seats. Behind them came the four founders, out of their portraits for the day. Having them come out of their portraits was normal now, and it was also legend among the other schools.

Dumbledore finally stood, and any noise that might have been heard, any flashes of photographs being taken (though reporters had been prohibited from attending the graduation unless they were directly related to one of the students), or any movement, stopped. He beamed at the students, "Welcome, to your graduation." He began, his old voice still as commanding and cheerful as it had been at Sirius' own graduation. "Your very last day as students in this castle. You've come a long way, made many friends, been taught many things, undergone many tests and trials, lost many people and things dear to you, done much homework," he smiled, "And I believe some of you have served quite a few detentions as well." There were chuckles as some of the students grinned or blushed.

He smiled again, eyes twinkling. "Now, you will move on, get new jobs, meet more people, get annoyed, frustrated, laugh, cry, yell at your colleagues," There were a few pointed looks at the new Transfiguration professor, Professor Luis, and Professor Snape before Dumbledore went on. "And all those fun, entertaining things; alas, such is life. However, before you go out and do all those wonderful achievements, I believe you must receive a diploma, no?" The students nodded, and Dumbledore smiled, then Fawkes appeared on his shoulder, holding the Sorting Hat. "Well, you shall indeed receive them, but you will also be Sorted once more, just to see how much you've changed; it should be rather amusing, in my opinion." His smile widened as many of the Slytherin's faces became shocked or uncomfortable, and the audience chuckled. Dumbledore looked at the professors, "We shall be doing it as well." Now it was the students' turn to laugh.

Dumbledore conjured up a stool and set the hat on it, then unrolled the scroll with their names and the Professors and founders stood. Hannah Abbott was the first to be called, and the former Hufflepuff walked up, head high. Dumbledore handed her diploma to her, and then she shook each Professor's hand as well as the founders'. At the end, she sat down once again on the stool and with the Sorting Hat on her head. "HUFFLEPUFF!" it shouted again. Her family clapped, and she returned to her seat.

The ceremony went on, with Sirius waiting anxiously for Harry to receive his. He clapped when Hermione, top of the class and with honors, received hers and was sorted into Ravenclaw. No surprise there, he thought wryly. The room was rather quiet when Draco Malfoy put on the hat and it took several minutes to decided. "SLYTHERIN-GRYFFINDOR!" Malfoy took of the sat with a sigh, shaking his head as the applause went on; Padfoot saw Harry grinning.

Dumbledore continued to read of the names, having a moment of silence each time the name of a student who had not survived to graduate. There was a standing moment for Neville Longbottom, who everyone knew had died facing Voldemort. At long last, "Harry Potter," was called up. Sirius noticed that the founders were all smiling and clapping harder than they had before. Padfoot himself was standing and clapping, yelling encouragement so loud that he was sure he made Tallon blush.

When Harry put on the hat, it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR-SLYTHERIN!" and there was a surprised applause; Padfoot had been expecting it though. Ron was Sorted again into Gryffindor, and the entire Weasley family erupted into cheers, along with Ron's friends. The names went on, with many of the graduates being Sorted into different houses than they had come from. At last, "Alex Zolar" received her diploma, and Sorted for the third time,butthis timeinto Slytherin-Gryffindor.

Dumbledore beamed at them. "Congratulations, graduates of Hogwarts!" The students took off their hats and threw them into the air as a series of fire-works, courtesy of the Weasley twins, burst into the air, screaming and sparkling. Amidst the applause, sparks, yells, and hollers, a chant went up: "Sort the teachers! Sort the teachers!"

Dumbledore laughed and put the Sorting hat on his own head. "GRYFFINDOR!" it shouted instantly; a cheer rose from the former Gryffindor students. One by one, the Professors were re-sorted. Sirius laughed as Selena was put half into Gryffindor and half into Slytherin, and Remus back into Gryffindor. The Sorting Hat took almost an entire minute with Snape, who seemed to be arguing with it, until the Hat shouted "SLYTHERIN!" Once a snake, always a snake, Sirius thought and clapped along with the rest.

After the teachers finished their Sorting, the students practically stampeded from their seats, and Sirius had to wade through the flood of bright robes until he found Harry. He hugged his godson tightly, practically crushing his ribs.

"Geeze Padfoot!" Harry gasped, "It's not like I'm never going to see you again!"

Padfoot only laughed and hugged him tighter for James and Lily.

Coming Up:

The Dursleys