Hogwarts Before

Chapter 6

Fall 1971, Hogwarts Sorting Ceremony

{ - }

[Sirius Black]

Not much ambition here. You don't often try very hard, do you?

Sirius grinned, what did he have to work hard for? He was set to inherit everything. Besides, school was easy.

I don't think it's that simple. But you're not subtle either are you. I don't think Slytherin is going to be the best fit.

Sirius perked up at that. Really?

You're loyal, but you can be unkind. Not especially studious either.

Sirius was hardly listening, Wait, you're saying I could not be in Slytherin?

I was thinking Gryffindor, unless you had any objections?

Silence, for a moment.

Nah, that's fine by me.

Sirius felt like his face was going to split open he was smiling so hard. There was a huge bubble of - of something in his chest that felt like it was going to burst open.

Maybe he didn't have to be like them?

"Gryffindor!"

The Great Hall was silent.

His Mother was going to be so mad.

{ - }

[Lily Evans]

Hmmm. Brave, loyal, very smart, and ambitious too. You want to prove yourself.

Lily frowned, what was wrong with that? Of course she needed to prove herself. Sev thought she would be good at magic and Tuney thought she'd fail. Lily had to prove Tuney wrong – her admission had not been a clerical error! – and she didn't want to disappoint Sev, or her parents. She had to do well here.

How about Ravenclaw? You'd find much less trouble over there.

I'm not afraid of trouble.

Why would she be? Lily had never been afraid of anything before and now she was a witch.

Ah, continued the voice, Not scared of anything, you say? Well, I suppose that settles it…

The hat called out "Gryffindor!" and Lily bounced happily to her seat. Sev didn't like Gryffindors, but some of Lily's favorite things were things Sev didn't like. He would forgive her. They would be fine.

{ - }

[Remus Lupin]

Remus jumped in his seat as the heavy hat dropped onto his head.

Skittish are we? Asked a voice from inside his own head and at the same time somewhere above his ear.

The Hat was inside his head! Could it tell if he was going to mess up and hurt someone?

I read your mind, not your future. Now, you're a smart boy. Ravenclaw, perhaps?

No! They'll figure me out! And then he would have to leave. Dumbledore had as good as said it.

Got it all figured out, have you? Very well, where to put you?

Remus didn't know. He didn't particularly care. He was just grateful to be allowed at Hogwarts at all. The only thing that mattered was learning as much as he could before he got kicked out. There was no way he was going to last seven years, but he'd take what he could get and be very grateful for it.

But most of all, Remus wanted friends. He wanted to belong.

You've got a lot of fears, boy. But, I think this will work out, "Gryffindor!"

{ - }

[Peter Pettigrew]

Please, please, I've got to be in Gryffindor! Peter's Father had been in Gryffindor. His Father had died such a long time ago and he knew how important it was to his Mother that he be in Gryffindor as well. I'll do anything, just put me in Gryffindor!

Bargaining, eh? Quite Slytherin of you, I must say.

Peter felt himself beginning to tear up in frustration. No. Not Slytherin, please, not Slytherin.

You've got a strong desire to prove yourself. Very ambitious, and there's self-interest there, to be sure.

I need to be in Gryffindor. Peter repeated to himself, forcefully. I can be brave.

Gryffindor's not just about bravery, you know. It's about how you choose to use that courage. Remember that, Peter. But, since you insist, "Gryffindor!"

Peter's legs went wobbly with relief, and he practically fell down the stairs from the platform.

{ - }

[James Potter]

So, Gryffindor, yes? Let's get this done, I want to see the dorms!

You will learn, James, that courage and arrogance are not one and the same.

James frowned. He knew that. I know that, he thought at the Hat.

It didn't respond, instead calling out, "Gryffindor!"

James grinned. His had been one of the fastest decisions yet.

I guess that makes me the bravest, he thought as McGonagall pulled the hat away. He thought he heard a sigh before the Hat had fully cleared his head.

But his new housemates were clapping and he took a short bow before jumping down from the platform to take his place at the table. The redheaded girl from the train was glaring at him again, but he ignored her to high-five Sirius Black.

{ - }

[Severus Snape]

Cunning, manipulative, ambitious, very intelligent. You want to have power, don't you?

Severus shrugged. Lily was in Gryffindor.

You love fiercely. Very loyal. I could put you there, if you truly wanted.

He wanted. Merlin, he wanted to be with Lily. He'd told her that it wouldn't matter that she was Muggle-born. If they weren't in the same House, how could be protect her?

If Lily got sorted there then maybe, maybe Gryffindor girls weren't so bad. But the boys… All of the boys from the train were in Gryffindor. Could he do seven years in a dorm with them, even if it was for Lily?

The Hat knew his answer.

"Slytherin!"

Lily was clapping. Happy for him because he had gotten what he wanted. Severus just felt guilty.