A/N: Second chapter, please enjoy! Before I start, I just want to say that, since I'm assuming you all know how first years get to the castle, I'm going to skip to the part where they are in line for the sorting.

The many young people stood nervously in line, wondering how they were going to be sorted. Some people had heard crazy rumors, and it seemed likely that none of them really knew about the Sorting Hat.

James, Sirius and the chubby kid, who they had found was named Peter Pettigrew, had managed to stand next to each other, but Remus had been shoved to the side of the line.

Sirius tried, without much luck, to look calm. He kept glancing from James to the people ahead. It was only a few seconds before a strict witch with her gray hair in a tight bun, Professor McGonnagal, came carrying a stool and old, tattered hat. She placed the stool not far from the line, and the hat on top of that.

Everyone stared at the hat. Then, the a rip appeared at the seam the it sang:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on I will tell you

Where you ought to be

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

When the song was over, the whole hall broke into applause. When the clapping had ceased, Professor McGonnagal pulled out a long roll of parchment, "As I call your name, you will sit down on the stool and put the hat on to be sorted. Allen, Bailey!"

A bulky girl in too-small robes stepped forward and put the hat on. A moment later, the hat opened up its 'mouth' again, "SLYTHERIN!" She smiled and walked to the Slytherin table, where the people cheered.

"Axel, Nick!" There was a hushed silence while the short boy put the hat on his head… "HUFFLEPUFF!" The crowd cheered as Nick Axel rushed down to greet them.

"Black, Sirius!" Shaking slightly, Sirius walked up to the stool and sat down, while Professor McGonnagal put the hat on his head.

Sirius closed his eyes tightly, and clenched his fists. He didn't want to be in Slytherin. He wanted to prove his parents wrong. They thought they knew he would be in Slytherin, but he knew better. He was different than them.

A voice in his head, no more than a whisper, spoke, "Another Black, eh? Well, normally I'd say Slytherin, but you're different… So, that only leaves one other choice, really. …Guess that'll be… GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat shouted the last word for the whole hall to hear.

Grinning, he walked quickly to the Gryffindor table and was soon greeted by pats on the back and shouts of joy.

Next to the Sorting Hat, the others still stood, looking more nervous by the second. The Sorting continued, "Dick, Jean!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

A pale, red-haired girl with startling green almond shaped eyes was called next, "Evans, Lily!"

There was a moment's silence, then, "GRYFFINDOR!" More cheering and clapping followed.

"Lupin, Remus!" Sirius perked up again, and stared thoughtfully as the Sorting Hat was placed upon his head. "GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted after the first two seconds. Remus rushed to the Gryffindor table and seated himself opposite Sirius.

After a couple more names, "Pettigrew, Peter!" Soon, the hat had made its decision, "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Potter, James!"

Only for a few moments, the hall was silent. Then, "GRYFFINDOR!"

All of the Gryffindors, including Sirius, Remus and Peter, cheered loudly and greeted James to sit with them. He sat next to Sirius.

After several more names, another name (soon to sting) rang through the halls, "Snape, Severus!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Tock, Tim!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

That was the last of the first years, so Professor McGonnagal took the stool and Sorting Hat away. When she returned and had sat at the High Table next to the headmaster, Professor Dumbledore.

Dumbledore rose slowly, and spoke, "Welcome, welcome, to another year at Hogwarts! Before we devour the foods of the feast, I'd like to get in a few words… Filch the Caretaker, would like me to remind you all to stay away from the Forbidden Forest," (James and Sirius smirked at one another.) "and to not go anywhere near the newly implanted Whomping Willow, unless you would like to suffer greatly." James raised and eyebrow and Remus looked down at his feet.

Dumbledore, after studying everyone's curious faces, continued, "That being said, I'd like to welcome you all here again. Now, let the feast – begin!" With that, the gold platters in front of everyone filled with food of all sorts.

Everyone dug in, grabbing whatever he or she could reach. They were all talking, laughing and playing with one another.

When everyone was full, what was left of the food disappeared and it was time for dessert. After eating as much as they could, Dumbledore called the feast to an end. The prefects called over the heads, and shouted, "Follow me please!"

The newest Gryffindor prefects, Jen McDavies and Integral Nexus, shouted to the Gryffindors, "First years, this way! We're going to show you the way to the Gryffindor common room! This way, first years!" When the two prefects finally had the first years in a straight line, they headed out of the Great Hall and up the stairs.

When the first years were being led to the second floor, James started to feel a tingling sensation, as though something good was about to happen. Don't be silly! He thought, That feeling is just because you're finally here. You're finally going to learn from the greatest wizard of all, Albus Dumbledore.

However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop feeling like something magical was about to happen. Something strange and exciting.

As if on cue, he bumped into someone ahead of him. He muttered a small "sorry", but he momentarily realized that the 'someone' he bumped into was a girl. She had dark red hair, and brilliant, almond-shaped green eyes. Startled, he could do nothing but stare at this girl.

There was only one way to describe her. Lovely. She frowned at his dazed expression and waved a hand in front of his face. "Er… Are you ok?" She peered worriedly into James' hazel eyes and looked to see that the group they were previously in had passed by, not noticing them.

Scared now, considering she wouldn't know where she was supposed to go, she did the first thing that came her mind. She slapped James. Hard. He stumbled back and looked over his shoulder awkwardly.

"I'm so sorry!" She said, her face boiling red. "The group we were in, they – they left us behind! They didn't notice we stayed behind! How're we going to know where to go?" She spoke quickly, as though she couldn't get the words out fast enough. (A/N: Yeah, that's how my fingers feel right now.)

"Hm, we'd better see if we can catch up." He sounded as though there was hardly a problem. "By the way, I'm James. James Potter."

"Oh! Yes, I'm Lily Evans." She smiled a beautiful smile, and jumped slightly when James ran headfirst into the wall.

"I'm ok, just – er – dizzy." He grinned goofily and almost fell over again. "So, Lily, is it? I like it." His thoughts became preoccupied and he barely heard her reply ("I suppose it's an ok name, but I don't think too much on it."). Lily Evans doesn't sound quite right. He thought, mentally grinning. Lily Potter sounds a lot better. At these thoughts, he stumbled over and fell right on Lily.

He stood up wearily and held out a hand to help Lily up. She eyed it for a moment then, to James' dismay, stood up on her own, looking uncomfortable. Finally, she spoke, "We really should hurry. We probably aren't supposed to be out and about right now!"

With a nod, James hurried with Lily. Though they weren't quite sure where they were going, they went at full speed. After a few moments, they bumped into someone familiar. James looked up and smiled broadly. "Sirius!"

"Hey, James. Er, on a date?" He chuckled, giving Lily a glance.

James smiled queasily, "Got separated. You know where we're supposed to be going, right?"

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Yes, I know the way! I found out you were gone, but I wanted to make sure I knew the way there and back before I went back to get you. You know how that goes."

Frowning, James helped Lily to her feet, "I do?"

Sirius smirked, but did not reply as he began to lead the way up the stairs. "Ugh, I'll never get used to those stupid staircases. Oh well, my mum and dad would have jinxed them if they could have. Would have made it so if you stepped on a certain step, you'd fall or something of the sort." He glanced back to make sure they were still behind him.

Lily finally spoke, "That would be dangerous. Who would do a thing like that?"

Sirius grinned and began walking backwards to look at them. "You obviously don't know who my parents are, do you? Come to think of it, who are you?"

"Lily Evans. And no, I do not know who you are." She answered irritably, scowling.

Sirius said casually, "You must be new to the wizarding world, then. Muggle born? Thought so. Well, I'm Sirius Black. And most Blacks are well known for thieving and murders and such. I have yet to be accused of anything, though." He added quickly, seeing Lily's expression. She relaxed only slightly, but she hugged him when he led them peacefully to the Gryffindor common room.

"Bye, James. Sirius." She said, waving and ran up the stairs leading to the girls' room.

Remus and Peter came toward them, smiling. Remus spoke, "I'm glad you didn't get hurt. Anyway, it isn't a good idea to get lost."

James and Sirius rolled their eyes, "Thanks for that, Remus, I never would have thought of it." James said irritably.

"Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git." - The Marauders Map

A/N: Well, considering most of it is the Sorting, that was really a short chapter. Sorry about that. Also, I hope no one minds that I used the Sorting Hat's old song, but I'm no good at making things like that up. :6 Review replies!

Abbywallyduffy: I wasn't so sure about making him say that at first, but I'm glad you like it! As for his name, no I did not mean to do that. Oh well, easy mistake to make. Thanks for catching that for me; I'm new at writing.

BrownEyedAthena: I like the reputation thing, too. I guess I always just considered the Blacks to be sort of like the Malfoys: Well known in a bad way.