As they filed off the train, Sirius was surprised to notice that his hands were shaking. He never got very nervous about anything, but he could feel the cold knot in his stomach and he felt like all the blood had rushed out of his head. He did not want to be a Slytherin, but deep down inside, he had a feeling that he was more than likely destined to become one. So what if I am placed in Slytherin? Maybe it won't be so bad…maybe someone will be nice…I might even make friends there…oh who am I kidding? James and Remus will be in Gryffindor and I'll be stuck in a cold, dark, and dreary dungeon with my dear cousins. I won't do it! I will just go to Gryffindor even if that stupid hat does decide to put me in Slytherin and no one can do anything about it! Or maybe I'll just camp out in the Forbidden Forest. How many dangerous things could be in there? Just centaurs and spiders and werewolves...
"Fir's years! Fir's years over here!" Sirius, James, and Remus stared in awe at the giant man, who must've been over 9 feet tall, summoning them to small boats on the lake. "Right then. There'll be four ter a boat. No wrestlin' or shovin' each other overboard, unless yeh'd like to get acquainted with the giant squid that lives in the lake." The three boys looked at each other, eyes wide. They found themselves sharing a boat with a small, plump boy with watery eyes and mouse-colored hair. He seemed frightened of pretty much everything and didn't even look at them.
"Hey Sirius, would you like to go for a dip?" James joked.
"No thanks, but I bet Remus would." Sirius smiled, trying not to think about how nervous he still was.
"I'm not really in the mood right now, thanks." Remus said.
"Shame. How about you?" James asked the plump boy who looked utterly terrified at the thought of being in the lake with a giant squid.
"Y-y-you w-wouldn't really d-do that to me, w-w-would you?" He squeaked.
"No way. It was just a joke. Calm down." James eyed him in disbelief.
"You don't think that s-s-squid could reach up and g-grab one of us, d-do you?" He asked.
"Nah. Unless of course you have chicken in your pocket." James replied. The boy stared blankly at him. After a few seconds, James said, "Ok, I was kidding. What, you don't really have chicken in your pocket, do you?"
"N-n-no. But are you s-sure that thing w-won't-"
"Yes!" James cried exasperated.
"What? Yes you think it will reach up and-"
"No! Yes in the sense that it WON'T reach up and grab us!"
"Ok, good."
"How do you expect to survive here with all the ghosts and who knows what else if you can't even handle the thought of a giant squid that for all we know might not even be anywhere near us?" Sirius asked the boy.
"There are g-g-ghosts here?" The boy whimpered.
"Yeah…what did you think?"
"I-I thought that we w-w-would be safe."
"We will be safe!" James assured him. "Hogwarts is one of the safest, most well-protected places in all of Europe, if not the world!"
"And besides, Dumbledore is Headmaster." Sirius told him. "He wouldn't expose us to anything really dangerous." Sirius didn't notice the unreadable look that crossed Remus' pale, moonlit face.
"Ok…if you're s-s-sure."
"We're sure." James and Sirius said together.
"Can you say Hufflepuff?" James whispered in Sirius' ear. Sirius chuckled.
"Yeh'll be gettin' yer fir's glimpse 'o Hogwarts 'round this corner!" The giant yelled from somewhere behind them.
James felt his pulse roaring in his ear and his heart was pounding uncontrollably as they turned the corner and beheld a magnificent castle, brightly lit and glorious. James could feel excitement course through his body as he savored the feeling of seeing Hogwarts Castle for the very first time. He didn't have to look at Sirius and Remus to know that they were feeling the exact same thing he was.
Upon landing on shore, Sirius got his attention and pointed to the Forest. "Look at that!" He hissed. James felt his mouth drop for what felt like the tenth time that night.
"No way." He whispered. "Is that…"
"A Whomping Willow." Sirius completed his sentence in awe. "Hey Remus! Look!" Remus turned and looked.
"Oh wow…" He said quietly. The giant walked up the stairs and pounded on the front doors, which opened and a stern-faced witch who looked to be in her thirties stood in a pool of light.
"The fir's years, Professor McGonagall." The giant said.
"Thank you, Hagrid." She turned to the students. "Welcome, first years, to Hogwarts. If you will follow me, I will lead you to the Great Hall where you shall be sorted into one of the four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. During your stay here at Hogwarts, your house will act as your family. Now this does not mean we discourage inter-house friendships."
"I just hope my house isn't my family." Sirius muttered to James and Remus, as Professor McGonagall finished her lecture. She led them inside. None of the students were shocked to discover Hogwarts to be even more fascinating inside than out. She disappeared behind to large doors while the first years waited excitedly on the other side.
"Ah the Sorting Ceremony, always an exciting time. Doesn't it seem like it was only yesterday?" The students turned to see who had spoken. Half of them gasped as they saw two silvery ghosts gliding their way.
"Yes. Oh I love seeing new faces!" The second ghost said. "Hello there!" He smiled at the first years. "Welcome! I am the Fat Friar. Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!"
"No, you want to be in Gryffindor. I am the resident ghost, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington." The first ghost sank into a bow, holding his head in place.
"Nearly-Headless Nick!" James called out.
"Who said that?" Sir Nicholas looked about.
"My father told me all about you!" James grinned.
"Yes, well, I'd prefer it if you addressed me as Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington."
"But that takes forever!" Sirius laughed.
"And that nickname that you call me doesn't?"
"Well, Nearly-Headless Nick is only 5 syllables. Sir Nicholas de Milly Pomington-"
"Mimsy Porpington!"
"Whatever. That is…" Sirius paused to count. "10 syllables. So it takes half the time to say Nearly-Headless Nick than it does to say-"
As a few girls giggled at his argument, or perhaps his handsomeness, the doors interrupted him and Professor McGonagall faced them. "The Ceremony is about to begin. Follow me." The first years followed her mutely into the Great Hall. Candles floated in midair along the four tables. At the end of the hall, there was a long table where all the Professors sat. In the middle sat a wizard with a long gray beard and moon-shaped spectacles on a crooked nose.
"Dumbledore." Remus whispered.
"My dad thinks he's destined to be the greatest Headmaster Hogwarts ever had." James said.
"I would agree. Then again anyone would be better than my great-great grandfather." Sirius added.
"What?" Remus asked.
"My great-great grandfather, Phineas Nigellus, Slytherin of course, was the most unpopular Headmaster Hogwarts ever had. What a surprise." Sirius explained as they reached the end of the Great Hall. There in front of the teachers' table was a stool with an ordinary-looking black wizard hat perched upon it.
"So that's the famous Sorting Hat." James said in a hushed voice. As he spoke, the hat seemed to rip at the seems as it burst into song.
"In a land not so far away
Yet very long ago
Lived the greatest wizards of the age
Quite respected and well-known.
Their story is the one I tell
So sit back and relax
For the Sorting will come soon enough
After you receive the facts.
Now Gryffindor the boldest was
Prized students only if
They were true of heart and brave of soul
And willing to take risks.
Ravenclaw, so wise and fair
Sought students who could learn
Who would work hard and receive
What they had rightly earned.
Then there was sweet Hufflepuff,
Not willing to pick fights,
To toil without complaining,
And always doing what is right.
Slytherin was unlike the rest,
Not caring, wise, or brave,
But power-hungry, prejudiced,
And stone cold beyond the grave.
Now that I have told you
How our Hogwarts was begun
Come and sit upon the stool
And let me be the one
To tell you where you belong
(I am quite good at that)
You're asking how am I to know?
I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat!"
After the applause died down, Professor McGonagall told them, "I will call your name alphabetically. You are to sit on the stool and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and it will announce what house you are to be in. Abrams, Wilfred!"
A boy made his way to the stool. After a moment of consideration, the Sorting Hat called out, "RAVENCLAW!"
"Albertson, Caitlyn!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Black, Sirius!"
Sirius had never felt his heart beat harder than it was right now. He barely felt James pat him on the back, or heard Remus whisper, "Good luck." He was, however, aware of how many eyes were following him. Each mind thinking the same thing: A Black. Destined for Slytherin, no doubt. Sirius felt numb as he sat down on the stool. His legs and arms felt like jelly and he felt the stares of every person in the hall. As the hat was placed on his head, he heard a small voice in his ear.
"Ah, a Black eh? No doubt you would want to be in Slytherin like the rest of your family?"
No! I don't want to be in Slytherin!
"What's this? You don't want Slytherin? Well then, what do you want?"
Gryffindor!
"Gryffindor? You? This is unheard of. Why Gryffindor would be the last place I'd expect a member of your family to want to go. Even Hufflepuff would be more welcome to your family."
I know and I don't care! I just have to be in Gryffindor!
"I do see a bright mind in here, very bright. A taste for mischief, oh yes. I also see a fair amount of bravery and the thirst for adventure. All right boy, you've convinced me. GRYFFINDOR!"
"YES!" Sirius grinned as he heard James' shout of triumph. He was the only one. The rest of the hall was in silence, as the Muggle-borns had no idea why it was such a big deal for Sirius to have been placed in Gryffindor and the rest of the students were shocked that a Black had been sorted into Gryffindor. Sirius sat down at the Gryffindor table and grinned at his housemates, most of whom were staring open-mouthed at him, almost as if they were waiting for the punch-line of a joke. Sirius looked up at the teachers and saw Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkling at him. Sirius smiled, immensely satisfied at how surprised everyone seemed. He noticed his cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa scowling at him from the Slytherin table. Sirius didn't care. He was so relieved he could nearly jump for happiness. The silence was broken as the Sorting continued.
"Connor, Hilton!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Deaver, Elvin!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Evans, Lily!"
James caught Lily's eye and smiled at her as she nervously walked up to the stool.
"GRYFFINDOR!" Lily smiled at James as she walked over and joined Sirius at the Gryffindor table. He felt his heart skip a beat.
"Gudgeon, Davey!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Remus stood, completely numb, as he waited to summoned up. His mind was fit to burst with what-if questions. What if the Sorting Hat knew what he was? What if monsters were put in Slytherin? What if it decided he shouldn't be in a house and sent him to live by himself? What if he was sent home? What if this had all been one big mistake and Dumbledore didn't really know what he was after all? What if James and Sirius found out?
"Longbottom, Frank!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
What if he had never gone into that forest in the first place…?
"Lupin, Remus!" Remus was unaware how much time had gone by as he had sorted through his what-ifs. He swallowed hard and uneasily made his way to the stool. James had whispered, "See you in Gryffindor." Remus wasn't so sure. As he sat down, Professor McGonagall cast him a worried look and whispered, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Remus tried to smile, but he was too nervous. He must've looked as pale as he felt. He also figured that she knew, being a teacher, what he was and how the full moon had only been a few nights ago. She placed the hat on his head.
"Well, well, well, you're unique, aren't you? Now where would be an appropriate place for a werewolf?"
Not Slytherin.
"No, you don't seem like the Slytherin type. Although it would be the ideal place for Dark creatures."
I am not a Dark creature. Don't call me that.
"Sorry, just stating the facts. Let's see, you have a kind heart, unusual for a werewolf. Many werewolves feel as if they are being punished for something, so their hearts are full of anger and spite. What makes you different?"
Am I not the only one here?
"I did not mean to give you that impression. You are indeed the only one here."
Then how would you know –
"We're getting off topic. Back to the Sorting. I see that what you truly want is friendship, to be accepted, maybe Hufflepuff-"
No! Gryffindor!
"So you want Gryffindor? I do see a great deal of bravery in here, and your heart is very true and loyal to those who would be your friends. Oh and responsibility. Yes, I think that the perfect house for you is GRYFFINDOR!"
Remus sighed with relief. He went and sat down next to Sirius who clapped him hard on the back and nearly knocked the wind out of him. They both grinned up at James who sent them a thumbs-up in reply.
"Morris, Jane!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Nimble, Rob!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Pettigrew, Peter!"
James watched the fat boy from the boat make his way up to the stool, looking as though he were about to faint. James smirked as he thought I know he'll be in Hufflepuff. There's no chance he can make it to any other house. Hufflepuff. Let me hear it! Hufflepuff! Hufflepuff!
"GRYFFINDOR!"
WHAT! James glanced over to Sirius and Remus whose faces wore the same expression of shock as James' as Peter sat down next to Lily and goggled at her. Boy, you had better stay away from her.
"Potter, James!"
"Finally." James muttered as he walked up and plopped himself down on the stool.
"Ah, James Potter. Proud descendent of Godric Gryffindor himself, eh?"
Yep.
"And am I correct in assuming that you belong in Gryffindor?"
Yep.
"Alright then…GRYFFINDOR!"
James looked quite pleased with himself, but not entirely shocked as he took his seat across from Sirius and Remus, next to Lily.
"Well Sirius, here we are. We did it mate!" James said with a humongous grin on his face.
"It's hard to believe." Sirius said, looking wistfully around the Great Hall.
"What?" Lily asked. James turned his full attention to her.
"Sirius and I have been waiting to come to Hogwarts since we were 6 and we both wanted-" He was interrupted by Nearly-Headless Nick clearing his throat, indicating to James that he shouldn't be talking.
"The Sorting is very important. Pay attention." He whispered.
"Why? All the people I care about have already been sorted." James said.
"That's not the point-"
"Snape, Severus!"
Sirius gave a loud false cough containing the word, "Snivellus!"
"Git." James muttered. For the first time, Lily cast him a disapproving look.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Wow, there's a jaw-dropper." Sirius commented.
"What do you have against him?" Lily asked.
"We met him on the train." James explained. "He is one of those idiots out there who believe that only purebloods are worthy of the title 'wizard'."
"You mean, like, people with all magic families?" Lily asked, as her friend Alice joined the Gryffindor table.
"Yes. Are you…?"
"I don't have any magical relatives. My parents thought it was someone playing a cruel joke when I first got my letter. Then, when we were finally convinced it was real, they were very pleased. They thought it a wonderful opportunity. My sister, who's never liked me very much anyway, thinks I'm something of a freak now. She can't even stand to be in the same room as me."
"Who could not like you?" James asked, incredulous.
"Petunia."
"Your sister, I'm assuming?"
"Yes. I actually think she may be jealous. She's older than me so she won't be getting any letters telling her that she has magic powers. She'll just live an ordinary life while I get this fantastic adventure."
"This is actually pretty ordinary for wizards. But my parents said that their time here was the best of their lives." James told her.
"Yeah, because then they got married and had James. Good times, fare thee well!" Sirius teased.
"Shut up Sirius."
"So, it's no big deal for a wizard to receive their letter?" Lily asked.
"Well, it's not unexpected, but I did feel rather proud when I got it. Of course, we who do come from wizarding families are scared of not getting a letter, so it's actually somewhat of a relief."
"Why would you not get a letter?"
"There are rare cases when a Muggle will be born into a wizarding family. Kind of the opposite of you, you know, a Muggle-born witch."
"Wow, I don't know how I would feel if my entire family was magical and I wasn't."
"Well, Squibs, which is what they're called by the way, aren't 100 Muggle, like I think they can see dementors and supposedly the caretaker here is one, so he obviously knows where to find us."
"Who wouldn't know where to find us? This castle is huge!" Sirius broke away from his plate (the Sorting Ceremony was past over now and they had missed Professor Dumbledore's words of welcome, which included the words, "Tuck in!") and cut into their conversation.
"Yes, but it's bewitched so Muggles can't find it. I don't remember how Dad said it was." James tried to remember.
"My mum said that if a Muggle looks at Hogwarts, all they'll see is an old rotting building with a sign that says, 'danger, do not enter, unsafe'." Remus said.
"That's it!" James said.
"That's amazing!" Lily said. "I still can't believe I'm here."
"Neither can I. I mean, I wish I could see my parents' expressions when they hear I made Gryffindor!" Sirius grinned triumphantly.
"Why?" Lily asked.
"Well you see, there are some families, as James was telling you earlier, who believe that only those from pureblooded families should be allowed to come here to Hogwarts and my family happens to be one of the worst."
"But you're not like that." Lily said.
"I know, thank goodness." Sirius asked.
"How did you manage to escape the manipulation?" Remus asked.
"Well, when I was really young, before I met James, I guess I was around 3, there was no question in my mind whether my family was right. I believed every word they told me. But then one day, I accidentally got locked out of our house and my parents didn't know and my house, being bewitched with all sorts of anti-Muggle security spells, disappeared. Keep in mind that I was only 3 or something at the time. Anyway, I wandered down the street, hoping to find my house somewhere. I got lost and scared as any child would have. Then a Muggle lady who had been walking her dog stopped and asked me if I was lost. At first I didn't want to talk to her because she was a Muggle but then I realized that she was really nice and she would help me, so she took me back to her house and gave me some cookies."
"So that's why you changed your mind about Muggles. She fed you." James commented.
"Excuse me; I'm not finished with my story."
"Oh I'm so sorry, please continue." James said.
"I will. So anyway, she lived on my street so it was pretty easy for my parents to find me. Remember this was at the time before I became known as a blood-traitor. Back then, they still thought I would make the family proud, so they went looking for me. They hated going to Muggle houses, but they did. Finally they knocked on her door and I was there, happily eating cookies, safe as could be. They were furious that I had gone with her, but even more so when I told them that she was nice and asked why Muggles were bad. Things were never the same between my parents and me after that."
"Wow." Remus said.
"Yep. I guess someone up there has something bigger and better planned for me than being a heartless pureblood maniac."
"Yeah, instead they intended for you to just be a regular maniac." James said.
"You know James, I'd watch what I was saying if I was you. I feel the need to remind you that we will be sleeping in the same dormitory for the next seven years." Sirius said.
"Joy…" James muttered as Professor Dumbledore stood up. The feast was over.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! To those of you who don't know me, I am Professor Dumbledore, your new Headmaster. To those who are returning, Professor Dippet wishes you the very best and will think of you while he is enjoying retirement in the Bahamas." Dumbledore paused while many students laughed and a few groaned. "Now before you head off to your dormitories, I have a few first of term notices. First off, you may have noticed a new and rather interesting plant that has found its way onto our grounds. It is a Whomping Willow and I advise you to stay away from it at all costs, unless of course you wish us to write to your parents explaining why they need to begin making funeral arrangements." Once again, students laughed, but a few first years looked around timidly, Peter included. "Secondly, first years are to note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits to all students, and a few of our older students would do well to remember this as well. Tryouts for a place on the Quidditch House Teams will take place Friday evening, second years on up please. Finally, our caretaker, Mr. Filch kindly requests that no magic be performed in the hallways. If there are no more announcements, then I believe we will close. Prefects, if you would please show first years to the dormitories. Good night!"
James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, and Alice all chatted excitedly as they followed the prefects to the Gryffindor common room. As they made their way up the numerous staircases, a little man with a wicked grin on his face appeared out of thin air, grabbed Remus' nose, and screamed, "GOT YOUR CONK!" then began cackling hysterically.
"Peeves get out of here!" The prefect yelled. James, Sirius, Lily, Alice, and even Peter laughed at the startled expression on Remus' face.
Peeves took a deep breath and sighed. "I love the smell of firsties in the evening!"
"LEAVE THIS INSTANT OR I SHALL SUMMON THE BLOODY BARON!" The prefect shouted. Peeves blew a loud raspberry before zooming away.
"I apologize for Peeves. He's our resident poltergeist in case you hadn't figured that out. Only the Bloody Baron, the Slytherin ghost, can control him." The prefect, Willard Spinnet, told them. "Come along, this way." They soon reached a portrait of a fat lady. All those from Muggle families jumped as she asked, "Password?"
"Do all pictures move in the wizarding world?" Lily asked James.
"Of course. Do they not in the Muggle world?"
\"No."
"Weird!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Newts Eyes." Willard told the Fat Lady.
"Very good, very good." She said as the portrait swung open to reveal a small, circular opening. They climbed through to find themselves standing in a cozy, circular room with numerous comfy-looking chairs and couches, small rickety tables, and a fire glowing in the fireplace.
"Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room. Here you may visit, do homework, study, whatever you need to do. Girls dormitories are up the stairs and to your right, boys to the left. There will be signs signifying which year to which room. Any questions?" After a pause, Willard continued, "Well then, good night. I'm sure you will like to get situated in your dormitories." After saying goodnight to the Lily and Alice, the four boys headed up to their dormitory. Inside were four four-poster beds and their luggage.
"This is nice." James said looking around as Sirius heaved himself onto the bed nearest to the door.
"These are comfy." He said happily.
"OK, I guess Sirius has already found his bed." James said. After a few minutes, James had claimed the bed next to Sirius', Peter's was on the other side of the door, and Remus' was right next to the window.
"Remmy got the bed with the view." Sirius said.
"Remmy?" Remus smiled amusedly at his new nickname.
"Yes." Sirius said.
"I wish they let first years try out for the Quidditch teams!" James groaned.
"Poor James." Sirius said.
"Maybe I'll just try out anyway. I could pass for a second year, right?"
"I'm not sure…" Remus said. "Wouldn't they figure out that you were only a first year?"
"I don't know."
"Besides, you don't even have a broom. We're not allowed, remember?" Sirius said.
"Yeah." James said sadly. His mood lightened. "But I do have this." He reached into his trunk and pulled something out.
"What's that?" Peter asked.
"This, Peter, is an-"
"INVISIBILITY CLOAK! Merlin, James, where did you get that?" Sirius asked in wonder.
"My father gave it to me right before we left for Kings Cross."
"You bloody idiot! You didn't even bother to tell me about it?"
"I forgot."
"Oh yeah, really easy thing to forget about."
"I believe we can have some very fun times with this cloak." James said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Imagine all the things we could do with this! This year is going to be wicked!" Sirius said excitedly.
"Speaking of wicked, that Peeves is something else. Are you ok after that whole experience Remus?" James asked. Remus, who had been staring out the window at the waning moon, turned to face them.
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine."
"Are you ok now? You look a bit peaky." Sirius said, realizing that he had looked rather ill all day.
"I'm fine. I'm just tired." He said. For the first time, James and Sirius noticed dark circles under his eyes, but then again, after the excitement of arriving at Hogwarts, they could very well have circles under their eyes too.
"I am too. I didn't really notice until you said that." Sirius said, yawning.
They changed into their pajamas, exchanged goodnights, and fell into their beds. Remus lay in bed, barely awake, but just enough to think about how lucky he was, hardly daring to believe it. But before he fell asleep, his heart gave a small jump as he remembered they had not yet found out about his Lycanthropy. When they found out, how would they react? Before he could contemplate farther, he fell asleep.