Fanfic
The Marauders – Book One
Disclaimer: All main characters and settings belong to J K Rowling
N/A: This was originally the chapter where they all got sorted, but then it just got very long. So the sorting is in the next chapter. Now, read on to find out just who does the fighting…
Chapter Five – Sailing, Swimming and FightingThe first years got off the steam-train, leaving their bags and animals on it. It was still fairly warm outside, even though it was dark. All the older students were heading out of the station, but a large figure was standing in the dark, calling the new students to him.
'Firs' years. Come over 'ere. Firs'-years c'mon.'
A crowd slowly formed around the giant man, who was at least twice the height of everyone present. He was holding a lantern, and by its light they saw that he actually didn't look that old, no more then twenty. When he saw that everyone was present he smiled at them.
'Welcome to Hogwarts.' He said in a deep booming voice. 'I'm the gamekeeper, Hagrid. I'm goin' to take yeh over there now. Follow me.'
He turned and walked off, the children hurrying to keep up with his massive strides. They turned a corner and saw Hogwarts for the first time. It was a magnificent sight; turrets rising into the dark sky, light gleaming out of many windows. Lily sighed in awe.
They approached a massive lake; the water looked inky black and certainly very cold in the dark. A fleet of little boats were waiting on the shore.
'Ok, get in the boats. No more'n four to a boat.'
Lily and Nicky hurried to get in a boat, and were followed a minute later by two girls who introduced themselves as Kate and Jenny. James and Sirius climbed unhurriedly into a boat after a pair of giggling girls. Hagrid, who was sitting in a boat by himself, looked around to check that everyone was in their boats. Then he shouted 'FORWARD!'
The little fleet set off. James leaned back and trailed his hands in the cold water, then splashed Sirius playfully. Sirius growled splashed James back, hitting one of the girls in the process. She screeched at the cold water, the again as James almost tipped the boat in trying to soak Sirius in return. Sirius stood up and grabbed James in retaliation, tipping him overboard with a loud splash that soaked all the occupants of the nearby boats.
James hit the freezing water and disappeared under. The cold knocked the breath out of him as he struggled to find which way was up. His head broke the surface in an explosion of droplets and he gasped for breath. He could hear Sirius laughing, and the two girls joining in as they realised that he was all right. Hagrid quickly steered his boat over, while everyone else tried to work out what had happened.
James could swim well, and was clinging onto the side of his boat by the time the huge man arrived. Hagrid fished the shivering boy out. He pulled off his massive moleskin overcoat and draped it around James's shoulders, swathing him in folds of fabric. Then their two boats hurried to join the others.
They passed under a curtain of ivy into a cave that seemed to go under Hogwarts itself. They passed down a dark tunnel, eventually stopping at an underground harbour. They climbed off the boats carefully. Sirius was the last out of their boat, and James managed to push the bigger boy just as the boat wobbled and Sirius was the second person that evening to go plunging into the lake.
As Hagrid fished the sopping Sirius out of the water he glanced at the grinning James. 'I can see you two are goin' to be trouble.' He muttered.
They were led up a dark winding tunnel in the rock, following the light of Hagrid's lantern. They came out into the evening in front of the school, standing on the damp grass. Hagrid took a quick headcount. 'Everyone 'ere?' He asked.
The large man turned and led the group up a flight of stone steps and they stopped in front of a massive oak front door. The first years had fallen silent now, nervously watching the door. Hagrid pounded on it three times.
The door swung open, revealing a tall, black witch in emerald green robes. She had a strict face, and was looking at them over her glasses.
'The firs' years, Professor McGonagall.' Said Hagrid.
'Thank you Hagrid.' She replied. Hagrid nodded and walked past her into the school, leaving the first years standing in the open.
Professor McGonagall pulled the door open wide and ushered them all in. Lily looked around her in awe. The entrance hall was massive, easily big enough to fit her house in. There were flaming torches on the walls, casting a flickering light over the scene as the great door creaked shut behind them. Straight ahead of them was a magnificent flight of marble stairs, stretching up into the dark.
However, they were not to go up them yet. The Professor ushered them across the flagged stone floor and into a small chamber. They passed a doorway through which they could hear the talk of the other pupils, already sitting in the hall. The first years all crowded into the small chamber, and Professor McGonagall stood at the front to address them.
'Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term feast will be starting shortly, but first you must all be sorted into your houses.' Lily glanced at Nicky excitedly. 'The Sorting is an important ceremony. While you are at Hogwarts your house will be like your family here. You will have classes with your house, sleep in your house dormitories and spend spare time in your house common room.
'There are four houses; Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Each one is named after one of our founders, and has it's own noble history and has produced many great witches and wizards. While you are here at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, whereas and rule-breaking,' here James and Sirius glanced at each other and grinned, 'will loose house points. At the end of the year the house with the most points will win the House Cup, which is a great honour. I hope you will all be a credit to whichever house you are sorted into.
'The Sorting Ceremony will start in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I will call you through when it is time. Please wait quietly.'
When she left the room through another door they caught a glimpse of the brightly lit hall, full of students. Then the door shout, leaving the students in the dimly lit chamber. A low buzz of talk started as the students nervously discussed her words.
'How do we get sorted?' Lily asked Nicky, trying to sound casual.
Nicky shrugged, suddenly looking worried. 'I don't know, Mum and dad never said. Some sort of test I think.'
Lily hoped that she could do whatever it was, and not make a fool of herself in front of the whole school.
James and Sirius were playing it cool, although they were both as nervous of this Sorting as anyone. They were both wet and fairly cold, but were ignoring that so that they didn't look pathetic in front of everyone. They were joking around. James said something to Sirius, who laughed and pushed James. James, who hadn't been expecting this, fell over backwards into the boy standing behind him.
The boy turned around in a flash, drawing his wand as he did. He pointed it at James and snapped 'Pertrificus totalas.'
James's arms and legs snapped beside his body and he stood rigid. Loosing his balance he fell over and was unable to use his hands to break his fall. James fell on his nose with a horrible crunch. The previously quiet chamber fell deathly silent as everyone turned around to look. Sirius stared in surprise at James. Then he looked up at the boy and his expression darkened. He had long greasy black hair and a hooked nose. His face had a most unpleasant expression as he regarded James lying on the floor. Sirius was filled with an instant loathing.
'What d'you do that for?' He demanded furiously.
The boy sneered unpleasantly at Sirius. 'He fell into me.' He said, as if it were obvious.
'He didn't mean to.' Sirius growled.
The boy just shrugged, then looked at Sirius closer. 'Your one of the Blacks, aren't you.' He said.
If it was possible, Sirius' glower grew darker. 'Yes.' He said, putting as much loathing into the word as possible.
Snape smiled coldly, then reached out his free hand to shake Sirius'. 'I'm Severus Snape.' He announced proudly. Sirius had heard of them, the Blacks admired their family. But Sirius hated whomever his family admired.
Ignoring the proffered hand, he gestured to James who was still lying face down on the floor, a trickle of blood leaking from his nose. 'Take it off him.' His voice was dangerous.
Slowly, Severus lowered his hand. His expression was bitter with dis-like now. He paused as if considering. 'No, I don't think I will…' He started. Sirius leapt at him with a growl, disregarding his own wand, as he knew little magic.
Unfortunately it was at this moment that the door opened and Professor McGonagall walked back in. She took in the situation with a glance, although shock registered on her face. Sirius was just about to maul Severus, a boy was lying on floor and appeared to be under the body-locker curse and everyone was standing around gaping.
'Stop.' Yelled McGonagall, letting the door swung shut behind her. All the first-years spun around to look at her. Sirius halted with his fist in mid-air as it swung towards Severus. The greasy-haired boy look somewhat relieved to see the teacher. 'Never, in all my years…' the Professor muttered. She looked around at everyone. Most of the children refused to meet her eyes. 'Would somebody please explain to me what is going on?' Her tone was dangerous. Everyone studiously looked at their feet and said nothing. Professor McGonagall exhaled sharply, her nostrils flaring.
'Everybody except you three,' here she gestured to James, Sirius and Severus, 'Will go over to the other side of the chamber and prepare yourselves for the Sorting.'
There wasn't much room, but everyone hurried to squash away from the furious teacher. She pointed her wand at James and muttered the counter cure. His arms and legs snapped away from his sides. James turned his head to the side and lifted his hand to feel his nose.
'Don't touch it.' McGonagall snapped, kneeling next to him. Blood was still pouring out, and it was a peculiar shape. 'It's broken, but nothing Madame Knitel can't fix.'
She turned around, glancing at the students. She saw Lily and beckoned to her. Lily walked forwards nervously, wondering what she had done wrong. 'It's alright, you're not in trouble.' The professor said. 'I want you to go through that door into the great hall. Walk up to the raised table at the far end where the teachers are sitting. Go to Albus Dumbledore, who will be sitting right in the middle. Tell him there has been a fight and ask him to send Madame Knitel at once. Understand?'
Lily nodded nervously and headed to the door. She glanced at Nicky, who smiled at her encouragingly. With a deep breath Lily pushed the door open and walked through it. The hall was massive. There were four long tables on the floor, each with many students sitting at it waiting to eat. Candles were floating everywhere, casting a bright flickering light over everyone.
As the door opened all the students craned around, trying to get a look at the first years who should be coming out. They were surprised just to see one girl with red hair and vivid green eyes. Lily blushed as everyone stared at her, and the momentary lull in conversation that followed her appearance. Then everyone started talking at once, wondering what was going on. Lily started walking up between the tables to the raised table at the far end. The teachers were sitting there, and many had looked up at the momentary silence. Right in the middle was the man who Lily presumed to be Albus Dumbledore.
He was tall, with long hair that was turning silver and twinkling blue eyes, which were looking at her curiously. His was smiling kindly at her, encouraging her to carry on walking despite the talk. He had a long crooked nose and was wearing a tall pointed hat.
The walk up to the table past the scores of children seemed to take eternity, but at last Lily got there. She nervously climbed onto the platform and walked to the table in front of the headmaster. The whole hall had fallen silent as everyone craned forwards to hear what she said.
'Professor McGonagall said,' She took a nervous breath, but was once again encouraged by the kind eyes, 'She said to tell you that there's been a fight and could you please send Madame…' She paused as she struggled to remember the name.
'Madame Kintel?' Dumbledore suggested, a laugh in his eyes.
Lily nodded. 'Yes, please send Madame Kintel at once.' She gabbled out.
Dumbledore beckoned to a kindly looking woman and relayed the message.
She raised her eyebrows. 'A fight in the first years before they've even been sorted!' She exclaimed. 'Well I never...'
'I believe a boy has been hurt.' Dumbledore prompted softly.
'Of course of course headmaster.' She said. 'I'm going right away.'
As she bustled off, Professor Dumbledore turned his eyes back to the girl. 'What is your name?'
'Lily Evans.'
'Please could you tell me what happened, Lily.'
Professor McGonagall got James to sit up and lean his back against the wall. He slipped a couple of times and Sirius kept on trying to help him, only to be snapped at by the Professor. Once James was sitting stably withy a handkerchief held to his bleeding nose, McGonagall turned to Sirius and Severus. They both looked down at the floor, although it was obvious that Sirius was still seething.
'Names.' McGonagall demanded.
'Sirius Black.'
'Severus Snape.'
The boys muttered their names dolefully. Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and fixed her glare on Sirius. 'Black. I want you to explain why you were attacking Snape.' She said in a controlled voice.
Just then the door opened and the matron hurried in. She saw James, nodded to McGonagall that she understood, and hurried to the boy's side. Sirius watched as she muttered a spell and James's nose re-aligned itself.
'Black.' Snapped McGonagall. 'I'm waiting.'
Sirius dragged his gaze away from his friend and glanced at Severus, who was smirking.
'That piece of scum did that to James!' He growled. 'And he refuse to remove it.'
'Black! I will not have you insulting your fellow student, whatever you may claim he has done. That is not excuse for hitting someone. You should have come and found a teacher to sort this out.'
'But I didn't know where to find a teacher!' Sirius exclaimed. 'How could I…'
'Silence.' McGonagall interrupted him. 'We have heard your side of the story, now we will listen to Snape's.'
She turned expectantly to the boy. He glanced at Sirius before looking at the Professor. 'I didn't do it professor. I wouldn't know how.' He said in a sickening voice. Sirius started to interrupt, but McGonagall stopped him. He was forced to listen in silence, disbelief written all over his face.
'What happened, Snape.' Professor McGonagall asked.
'Those two were fighting. He,' Severus pointed at James, 'Pushed into me. Black did that to James and then he jumped on me.' He finished, sniffing convincingly.
Sirius was practically spluttering with disbelief at the pure injustice of it. Just because Slimy Severus was pretending to be all pathetic it looked like she believed his side of the story.
Professor McGonagall turned around and knelt down beside James, who was currently drinking a potion. The bleeding had stopped but he still had dried blood under his nose. 'What happened James? Who cursed you.'
James hadn't been listening to what was going on. He glared up at Severus. 'He did.' He said.
'Why?' McGonagall asked, not seeing Sirius smirk back at Snape.
'Sirius pushed me, as a joke. I fell into him,' he nodded at Severus again, 'and he turned around and cursed me for no reason at all.' The anger was evident in his voice.
McGonagall nodded and stood up. Severus looked at her nervously, knowing that he was in trouble now and Black was only going to stand there and watch. 'I am ashamed of both of you. Fighting before the term has even started, before you have been sorted; I've never heard of it in al; my days.' Here she paused, and surveyed them. 'As you have not been sorted I cannot yet take house points. But I assure you that as soon as you have been sorted both of your houses will loose twenty house points.'
Sirius looked up in alarm. He didn't want to be rejected by whatever house he was sorted into just because he would loose them that many house pointed. Severus scowled at the floor.
'Furthermore you will both serve detention, together. Maybe that will help you work as a team. I will not tolerate fighting in the school. Now, shake hands and apologise.'
The boys had both looked put-out enough at the thought to sharing a detention, but McGonagall's command for them to shake hands was too much. Sirius didn't see why he should have to touch this greasy slime-ball, let alone apologise when he hadn't even had a chance to hit him properly. Severus already hated this Black, and never wanted to go near him. Still, the Deputy Headmistress was watching them, nostrils flaring. Reluctantly they extended their hands. The handshake was perhaps one the shortest handshakes in history, where the two boys tried to crush the other's hand. The both muttered sorry and then let go. They both wiped their hand on their robes.
McGonagall turned back to Severus. 'I will also not tolerate lying to get others into trouble. You will loose a further twenty points from your house.'
This made Sirius feel slightly better, but he was still fuming because he felt he hadn't done anything wrong. He helped James stand up as the boy finished the restorative potion.
'I have a feeling I'll be lucky to leave Hogwarts in one piece. I've only been here half an hour and I've already fallen in the lake and broken my nose.' James muttered, making Sirius laugh quietly.
Then they walked out behind everyone else into the hall.
A/N: So the hatred that ruins Harry's chances of enjoying potions has started…maybe somewhat violently in some people's mind, but my friends will tell you this is very mild for me. I mean, I have only rated this a K, so things shouldn't get much worse then that.
I would thank my reviewers here, but as I didn't recieve any reviews on my last chapter I can't. That makes me depressed and stops me feeling like writing. Please review. It doesn't have to be long; it's just a nice gesture.