Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter. All original based characters belong to me.

Chapter Two

The Sorting

They watched as the large doors opened up and a tall, thin woman, wearing emerald green robes, square shaped spectacles and black hair in a tight bun, appeared.

"Thank you, Hagrid, I will take them from here," she said.

Hagrid walked into the castle and the woman told the first-years to also enter. Once inside the enormous Entrance Hall, (many were with their mouths open with just as much awe), the woman introduced herself as Professor McGonagall and explained to the first-years about the houses and how the system works on award giving and rule breaking. When that was over and done with, McGonagall then led the first-years to a room that was just off another set of large oak doors.

When the students were all inside, McGonagall told them that they were to wait until she comes back for them, and asked for everyone to be as presentable as possible, giving a stern eye to a couple of students, including a rather small, slightly chubby boy who had straw coloured hair and small rattish like features, who had a slightly dirty looking face about him.

McGonagall left.

"What do you think is about to happen?" Alyssa asked Remus.

"I don't know," Remus answered honestly, shaking his head a little.

After few more moments, McGonagall returned and instructed for everyone to get into a single line and to follow her on out. Remus got behind Alyssa and the first-years all followed the Professor out of the room and into the Great Hall.

At once many eyes looked up and saw the enchanted ceiling.

"Wow!" Remus heard Alyssa mutter.

It was more than just 'wow' in Remus's eyes, but he could only agree with the word used, as he couldn't think of any other. Sitting before them was a three-legged stool and upon it was a very, very, ragged old looking pointed hat.

But the hat, however, sprang to life and it sang. Remus, as were a few of the other first-years, was taken by surprise by this. However, he listened to it sing about the four houses and that he will sort each and every one of the first-years. Once the singing had ceased, applause broke out. McGonagall then explained that she will call out each and every one of the first-years in alphabetical order and they were to come forth and place the Sorting Hat upon their heads and the hat will sort them into their houses.

"Abbott, Sidney!" she called out the first name.

A blond haired boy stepped on forwards and within minutes had the Hat on his head. There was a couple of seconds before it shouted 'Hufflepuff!' and claps were heard from all around, mainly the Hufflepuff table, where Sidney dashed off to.

McGonagall continued to call out the names. It wasn't long before she called out; "Black, Sirius!" Making Sirius feel a tad anxious, however he hid it. He picked up the Hat and briefly looked over at the Slytherin table before placing the Hat on to his head.

"Hmm, I can see very clearly that, while Slytherin is in your blood history, it is not the house for you. No, you are very different from them indeed. You, boy belong in … GRYFFINDOR!"

As soon as the Sorting Hat shouted out the house name, this heavy feeling hit right at the pit of Sirius's stomach. He slowly took the Hat off and made his way over to the Gryffindor Table. As he sat down, he looked over at the Slytherin Table. There he could see his cousins, Bellatrix, who was in the sixth-year and Narcissa, who was in the third-year, who were both giving him very nasty sneer like looks, no doubt they would wind up telling his parents about this.

Because of his musings, Sirius almost forgot that there was a sorting going on. It wasn't until he heard 'Evans, Lily' when he zoned on back in and paid attention to what was going on up front of the Hall. When young Lily's name was called out, a pretty auburn haired girl stepped on forwards, straight off a young James Potter took notice of her. Young Lily was sorted into Gryffindor house and the Hat was soon upon the head of a boy named 'Fitzpatrick, Alan'.

The names kept on coming on through.

"Kenley, Alyssa!" McGonagall called out.

Alyssa made her way over to the Hat and took the Sorting Hat and placed it on her head to have her turn.

"A young mind, thirsty for knowledge, yet has a real heart of gold beating within, even if you do have small secrets to be kept for the time being. I could place you in Ravenclaw, but I somehow cannot see you in the house of the eagle. But I do see you in the house of the lion … GRYFFINDOR!"

Alyssa grinned at this and hurried over to her house table, sitting herself beside Lily, whom smiled kindly and introduced herself, even though her name had all ready been called out.

"I'm so happy to be here," said Lily.

"So am I," said Alyssa, nodding with agreement.

The name callings continued …

"Lock … Lovell … Lupin, Remus!"

Even if he was expecting his name to be called out, his heart still jumped out of his chest when he heard himself being called up. Remus went over and placed the Hat on his head, like so many had before him.

"There isn't really all that much to say, except that you belong in … GRYFFINDOR!"

Remus somehow couldn't help but be somewhat relieved. He made his way over to the table; Alyssa beamed when he reached the table and sat himself beside her when she offered him the seat. He was introduced to Lily, who, in return, greeted him with warm smile and a kind hello, this made Remus say hello back in a rather shy reply.

"Pettigrew, Peter!" McGonagall called out.

The small, chubby, straw coloured haired boy stumbled a little as he went to step forwards, but steadied himself. The Hat was upon his head and the Hat was in hesitation.

"I can honestly say I do not know where you are to go," it said in Peter's ear, "You do not belong in Slytherin. You're not brilliant enough for Ravenclaw and you do not seem to be the type for either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor."

'Can't you just pick a house?' Peter's mind asked it.

"Very well," the Hat half-heartedly replied. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Peter's lips formed a small smile and soon made his way over the Gryffindor table.

"Platt … Porter … Potter, James!"

James hurried over and within seconds of putting the Hat he was sorted straight into Gryffindor. He gladly went and sat next to Sirius.

"Sloan … Smart … Smyth … Snape, Severus!"

Young Severus Snape walked over to take his turn and he placed the Hat on his head.

"A brainy child I see, just like your mother, being that she was in Ravenclaw. However, I can see that you have a slight cunningness edge, you are best suited for … SLYTHERIN!"

Severus knew that if Slytherin was to be his house, he would accept it. He walked over to the Slytherin table and sat himself down, not once making any real attempts to address anyone; it was far different to when he was on the train with Remus and Alyssa. Somehow, Severus hoped that he could still be friends with Remus and Alyssa … even in secret.

When the Sorting Ceremony was over, the Headmaster stood up from his place in the middle of the High Table. He had a long, silver white heard and hair, his robes were of deep purple and upon his long, crooked nose was a pair of half-moon spectacles that sat in front of a pair of twinkling blue eyes. His gaze swept over the Great Hall, his smile was of warmth and welcome.

"Welcome to every single one of you," he spoke in a loud, clear, fluent and equally welcoming tone, "Before I trouble you with the school rules and notices, I believe we should all tuck in …"

As soon as he said the words 'tuck in' delicious food appeared before everyone. The smell of roast chicken, gravy and roast potato hit the noses, and the sight of roast beef, fresh corn on a cob and salad looked absolutely mouth watering.

It didn't take long before everyone was enjoying the feast.