Chapter Three: Home from Home again
After what felt like a whole day but was only a few hours, the train slowed to a stop as it entered Hogsmeade station. Everyone started getting off the train and walking over to the carts, which seemed to be pulled by nothing, where they waited until they could get in one and head up to Hogwarts.
"Uh..," Lily said getting off the train, "I really hate those train rides. They always make me feel nauseous."
"Oh poor baby," James said grabbing her by the waist, "you wanna go rest for a bit?"
"Can't, we gotta keep order around here," and with that Lily walked away, shouting orders at everyone.
"Well," James said turning to the other three, "try and save a seat on the cart for us, I'm not guaranteeing that we'll be able to catch up with you guys though." They all nodded as James went after Lily to try to get her to calm down at least a little. Sirius, Remus and Peter started walking towards the carts when they heard, "Peter!" Turning around they saw Sarah calling out and waving. When she caught up to them she asked, "Can I sit with you guys?" Peter was going to say no, not being mean, but so that Sirius couldn't torment him, but before he could answer Sirius said, "Why of course!" He nudged Peter in the ribs and Peter smiled and nodded his head in agreement. Sarah smiled and they walked towards the carts again. There was a hill you had to walk up to get to the carts, an excruciatingly tall hill but it was worth it, not only could you sit down in a comfy seat once you got to the top but you also had a great view. The lake was spread out like a big blue blanket and the grass was as green as though someone had just painted it. Even though it was getting dark out you could see the big black shape, which was Hogwarts itself, placed neatly on the grass with little lights in the windows. It was so inviting that the three boys couldn't wait to get there. When they finally got a cart they got in and sat down. Peter sat next to Remus so that Sirius couldn't say that he purposely sat next to Sarah.
"So," Peter said to Sarah, "why aren't you sitting with your friends?"
"Oh I uh…just didn't want to." Sarah said. Sirius looked at Peter and gave him a big wink. After the long, silent ride up to Hogwarts, the four clambered out of their cart and up the flight of stairs towards the front doors of Hogwarts. They walked down the dimly lit hall looking around, familiarizing themselves with the pictures on the walls, all the doors, the many flights of magical stairs. When they reached the Great Hall Sarah said, "See you guys later," and she went off to sit with her friends at the Ravenclaw table.
"Boy Peter, you sure do have a way with the ladies," Sirius said sarcastically as Peter stared after her. They walked over to the Gryffindor table and took seats, saving two for Lily and James. No food was out yet so they couldn't start eating. It was tradition to eat after the sorting took place. Sirius looked sadly at the empty plates and dishes as his stomach let out a loud gurgle of hunger. "I do hope there aren't a lot of first years this year," Sirius said, "I'm starving!"
"You and me both," Remus agreed. A few minutes before the first years came in, Lily and James got there and took the seats that they had saved for them.
"Finally! What took you guys so long?" Sirius asked.
James took a quick glance at Lily and said, "All I need to say is that it's amazing that I didn't need a crowbar to pull Lily away from the first years."
"Hey! It was motherly instinct, okay?" Lily said immediately defending herself. James rolled his eyes at Sirius but didn't say anything because the first years entered the Great Hall. When the first years had all entered the room and lined up in front of the teachers table, Dumbledore, the headmaster, began his speech.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," he began, "I am so glad to see all your faces here on the first night of the new year, especially all of our new students. For you students who have come back to Hogwarts, you will find that this year there will be new changes to school activities and for the new students I hope that you enjoy your time here as much as everyone else. Good luck to all students. Now we may begin with the sorting." After clapping from the students died away Professor McGonagall, the transfiguration teacher, pulled out a roll of parchment and began to read off the names.
"This year's class doesn't seem to be that big." Lily whispered.
"Oh well," Remus commented, "that just means less crowded hallways."
"And that we get to eat sooner," Sirius added with a smile. Lily frowned with disapproval.
As the students' names were being called the tradition of the Marauders began. Every year for the past six years the Marauders would make fun of all the little first years who went up to get sorted, which means that they also did it when they were first years. Lily hated this tradition because it reminded her of all the bad things they had said about her.
"Why do you guys have to do this every year? It's so mean to all the little first years."
"Hey it may be mean to them but its fun for us," Sirius replied.
"You guys can be so self-centered sometimes," Lily said furiously.
"Why thank you very much," Sirius said back not really paying attention to what she was saying, but craning his head over all the other people to get a good look at all the first years.
"Applegate, Fiona," Professor McGonagall began and a small girl with long red hair and round black rimmed glasses went up to the three legged stool to be sorted. Sirius leaned back, "Geeze! Did you see that girls teeth? Talk about metal mouth!" And the bad memories for Lily began.