Forgive me, for this part is mildly boring, as all beginnings are. Sorry about that. Hope you like it anyways!

Remus And Sirius : Seven To One

Four : Four Marauders

It was the first night of the school year at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the line of First Years anxiously awaiting their sorting could be seen at the front of the Great Hall. Among them stood four boys who would one day become the greatest of friends.

All eyes were on the Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall as she came forth with a stool and tattered hat in hand. Placing them directly in front of the nervous line, she pulled from her robes, a list of names.

Reading carefully, student after student was called to the stool, each one placing the seemingly worthless hat upon their heads. For some, silence was long, while others hardly grazed their hair against the hat's brim before it yelled the house to which they'd belong.

Too soon, it seemed, McGonagall called a name that turned heads everywhere.

"Black, Sirius!"

Everyone knew where he'd be going. After all, he was just another Black snob to be placed into Slytherin.

The small boy, walked proudly to the stool, trying to mask his nerves with apparent bravery. Placing the battered hat atop his dark locks, Sirius closed his eyes. Since he was young, he'd known he was different from the rest of his family. He didn't have the cruel, heartless attitude as most of the others he lived with. Slytherin wasn't the house for him. He was sure of it. Slytherin wasn't where he wished to reside.

"Ah," whispered a small voice in his ear, "Another Black," the voice paused, as though thinking hard, "But this Black doesn't seem to fit with the rest. There is a good heart in this soul. Not a bad mind either. Plenty of courage, and a strong will to prove himself." It was as though the voice spoke more to itself than to the boy it was sorting, "There's only one house for you, young Black. . . ." And immediately, the hat yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!" to the school's huge surprise.

No one, not even Sirius, had seen that coming. The boy stood from his seat, moving to find another one at his new table of comrades. The Gryffindors.

After several other names were called, including the flaming redhead, Lily Evans, another familiar name was read : "Lupin, Remus!"

A small boy, shaking in what could've been nerves or fear, approached the hat. Taking a deep breath, he placed it upon his blond tresses, closing his eyes in stomach-churning anticipation.

"Well, well," the hat whispered, as though teasing the young boy, "Scared are you? No need. No need. There is only one house for you. GRYFFINDOR!"

Relief rushing over the boy as he traded the hat for a table of cheering Gryffindors, Remus made his way to the empty seat next to the young Sirius Black. Another outcast, like himself, Remus figured they'd get along fine. He looked friendly enough, anyway.

"Pettigrew, Peter!" McGonagall yelled sharply.

A plump boy, sweating profusely stumbled to the hat in front of him, clumsily putting it on. "Well, now," the hat whispered, "Difficult decision. Difficult decision indeed. I can't see Slytherin sending you the right way, though you would accomplish great things if placed there. No, no, that won't do. It'll just have to be, GRYFFINDOR!"

More cheers came from the red and gold table, as yet another First Year joined the others apparently sticking together towards the end of the table.

When the massive room quieted down, the next name was called, loud and clear. "Potter, James!"

Remus turned his head sharply as he heard the name. He'd known this boy for years, their families being friends. He hoped desperately for the young Potter to join their table as well.

The young James took his seat, as so many before him, resting the hat upon his ever-messy black hair. "GRYFFINDOR!" the hat yelled, without a word in James' ear, as it had for so many before him.

Happily, James took the free seat next to Remus as the table exploded in cheers again. "Bloody scary as hell up there," he whispered to Remus quickly, before the next name was called, bringing their attention back to the rest of the First Years.

"At least it was quick for you," Remus replied, as the sorting continued,"Took the hat bloody forever to place me."

"Told me I was different than my family," chimed in the deep voice of young Sirius Black, surprising the other boys.

'Dear Merlin!' Remus thought, as Sirius smiled pleasantly at him, 'He's bloody gorgeous! Wait! What are you saying, Remus? He's a boy!'

"That's a good thing, right?" James asked, slightly rude, "I've heard your family's not the nicest in the world."

Had Sirius not loathed his family so deeply for years, he may have found this statement offensive, but as it was, he agreed. "Yeah, it's definitely a good thing. They're bloody horrible. You've got no idea."

By now, the sorting had ended, and Professor McGonagall was bringing the stool and hat back to where ever they'd come from, leaving Dumbledore to announce the beginning of the feast. As food appeared, and faces were filled, the fourth Gryffindor boy piped up in the conversation.

"So," he said, mildly intimidated by the other three boys he'd be spending his Hogwarts career with, "We're the four new Gryffindor guys, eh?" It wasn't much for a conversation starter, but Peter never was good with words.

"Yeah," Sirius replied, trying to be nice to the plump boy across from him, "I guess we are." His eyes caught Remus' for a split second, before both boys looked away, blushing furiously.

'Why am I blushing?' Sirius thought, 'He's a bloke. Why would I blush over a bloke? Even one that bloody good-looking? Wait, what? What am I saying?'

It wasn't much, but it was a start; the start. The start of what would one day be a fierce friendship, an unbreakable bond, and an even stronger, more powerful love.

It may take years before either boy would admit to the feelings they'd realized from the very first day they set foot inside the magnificent Hogwarts Castle, and even longer before they'd admit them to each other, but one day, both young Gryffindors would be capable of acknowledging those emotions, and creating something undeniably beautiful.

Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, since the beginning of what seemed like forever, had been in love, and nothing, not even death, would ever get in the way of that. That love, that bond, would be present within both hearts for the rest of their lives, however long or short that may be.

Yes, yes, boring, I know. More exciting things shall come, I promise. LOVE YOU ALL! Please review! It brings me joy )

Prongsie :)