Chapter 6: Friends Enemies and Roommates

Lily was having an interesting time at the Welcoming Feast. She had forged friendships with Alice, Gideon and Fabian and was trying to coax Sirius into a friendship. Sirius, who at first seemed welcome to friendship, was now withdrawn and stubborn. It seemed almost as if he was afraid to make friends. She chose to sit beside him simply to force him to talk to someone but it didn't work that great because no matter what question anyone asked him, he seemed to come up with a one word answer. Deciding to give up for the moment, Lily jumped into a conversation Alice and Gideon were having. They were debating about the pranksters that called themselves The Marauders and the argument was getting progressively louder.

"They are so childish, though." Alice practically shouted.

"But you have to admit they are pretty cool. I mean the prank was amusing, albeit completely harmless." Gideon answered back.

"Yea… but clowns?!?! I mean come on, it would have been more amusing if these Marauders put them in pink tutus and made them dance. Clowns are so immature."

"Ahh, but that's too advanced for a first year, my dear Alice." Lily said, interrupting Gideon's retort.

"How do you know they are first years, Lils?" Alice asked.

"Yes, do tell Lilyflower." James added casually.

Fabian, Remus and Sirius were now watching her with interest, and Peter, who had not even looked up from his food, had momentarily stopped eating to listen. Lily looked at their curious faces and tapped her finger on her chin like the little know-it-all she was.

"Because look at what the Marauder's message said. 'A new era has begun'? If they weren't new students they would have been pranking people already."

"You make a good point there, Lily. I wonder what house they are in…" Gideon mused looking intrigued.

"I bet they are in Ravenclaw. I mean Slytherins aren't the type that have a sense of humor, Hufflepuffs are too nice and all the first year Gryffindors are either muggle-borns or are sitting right here, and I didn't see any of you guys do anything." Alice concluded.

Lily noticed the way James glanced at Sirius and how Sirius looked like he wanted to say something. She, however, missed the subtle kick Remus gave him.

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After the feast, the new Gryffindors headed to their common room, following the head prefect, Arthur Weasley. He informed the first years of the trick stairs, moving staircases and introduced them to the Fat Lady. He told them the password (Devils Snare) and assigned them their dorms. Since there was nine Gryffindor first year boys, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter got assigned to one dorm while the other five were assigned to the other dorm.

James was the first of his roommates in the door and he claimed the bed bye the large bay windows. Remus took the bed beside him and Sirius claimed the one closest to the door, leaving Peter the one in-between Remus and Sirius. Sirius sat down on the bed he had claimed and almost jumped with shock when he noticed his trunk was already there. Digging through his trunk to find his pyjamas, Sirius ignored his roommates. Once he found them, he headed to the lavatory to change, feeling uncomfortable around his roommates already. After changing, Sirius pulled the hangings around his bed closed and lay there thinking and listening to James and Remus talk. He was tempted to stick his head out from his curtains and join in on the conversation but he knew his mother was going to have enough problems, with him being in Gryffindor and all, without him consorting with blood traitor, half-bloods and mudblood lovers. Sirius heard James and Remus discussing their families and life before Hogwarts. Remus explained how the only relative, aside from his father whom he lived with, he kept in contact with was a cousin about the same age as them that went to Durmstrang. Remus seemed to be keeping something from James but either he didn't notice or he didn't want to press. Sirius understood not wanting to talk about certain things because he didn't like discussing his family life. As Sirius was slipping into sleep, he caught something James said that started him into wakefulness and sparked his interest. Listening harder, Sirius realised the reason it caught his interest was because Potter was talking about him and his bloodline.

"What do you suppose Black's problem is? He has amazingly fast mood swings. I mean first he wants to be friends then he acts all bitchy and now he is hiding from us. I wonder if he's a schizo or something. I wouldn't be surprised; he comes from a fucked family, after all. I wonder how he tricked the sorting hat into putting him in Gryffindor." James ranted.

Remus, who had been silent during James little speech, spoke up quietly. "James, don't you think you're being a little unreasonable? Sirius just got sorted into a house his family doesn't approve of. He comes from a long line of Slytherins and I bet his mother isn't going to be happy he is in Gryffindor. There is probably a crazy amount of pressure on him."

"Yea, sure… but he can't be that different from his family can he?"

"James, you shouldn't judge people by their families and the people they are forced to associate with. Just like you shouldn't judge them for the things they can't or don't have any control over. Just because his Sur name is Black doesn't mean he's an evil Slytherin who managed to hoodwink an extremely advanced source of wizardry to get sorted into Gryffindor so he could sabotage the Potter heir. I mean, come on… you give his family too much credit. They aren't super geniuses or anything."

"You don't know that! Maybe that really is his plan… anyway, I don't trust him."

"Alright, James. You don't have to trust him, just don't do anything stupid."

"Fine… but Remus, do you really think he's different from his family? I mean they are just so awful. If he is anything close to them, these next seven years are going to be one horrendous nightmare."

"He did get sorted into Gryffindor, James. That means he must have at least one redeeming quality."

"Or he's just very good at deceiving people."

"You liked him until you remembered who he was related to. Don't make snap judgements, James. He seems like a nice guy to me. Just give him a chance."

"Why? So he can betray me like his father did to mine? Give him a chance and he'll stab me in the back."

"What the hell? Can you be anymore random? Now I'm confused. What does your father's and his father's relationships have to do with the relationship between you and him? I think your just trying to find excuses not to like him now James. Are you trying to convince yourself that your family's views about the Blacks are right?"

"My dad and his dad used to be best friends. He told me to never trust a Black because they cause nothing but trouble and pain."

"Do you always do what your daddy tells you to, Potter?" Sirius interrupted, loudly. "I bet he's your biggest most favouritest role model ever isn't he? I bet you think your daddy is the best because he's one of the "good guys". Your dad wasn't always so good, not when he was friends with my father. Or did he not tell you about his bad days? I guess he didn't tell you about the crew he used to run with… too afraid of his perfect little ray of sunshine getting corrupted. My father told me all about the terror they caused. He said I should be proud… proud to be the son of a murderer. He tried so hard to make me into something I never wanted to or had the capacity to be. I was introduced to the Dark Arts when I was 5. Do you know what that could do to a child at such a young age? You judge me for things I cannot change. I didn't choose my parents. If it were up to me I'd rather not know about or have anything to do with the dark arts. Just because you have such a wonderful life doesn't mean everyone else does." Sometime during his rant, Sirius had stood up, and with a final glare, he stalked out of the dorm, slamming the door behind him.

James and Remus stared at the door in shock and Peter let out a frightened breath.

"Well… that went smooth James." Peter said. "It was bad enough having to live with him when he was indifferent but now he's going to be awful because he feels threatened. If he takes this out on me its going to be your fault." With his semi-hysterical speech done, Peter crawled under his covers, pulling the hangings around his bed with a snap.

Remus looked at James. "Great, now we have to worry about our dorm mate, who is also the heir to one of the darkest families around, plotting revenge. Not to mention he seems to be a top notch prankster. You got me into a bad situation, James."

"Come on Remus, he's only 11. He can't know that many spells, can he? Besides, I'm a prankster too and if I'm guessing correctly, so are you? It's two against one. Just watch my back and I'll watch yours."

"I think you underestimate this Sirius Black. I have a feeling his revenge isn't going to be pretty."

"It's ok, I have a plan. We will deal with Black's revenge when it comes, but I think we should strike first. Anyway I'm dead tired so let's sleep." James said.

"Ok, but keep me out of you plans. I don't want to be anymore involved in this then I already am. Night James."

"Night Remus."

James pulled the curtains around his bed.

Remus pulled out two lengths of parchment and set out to write a letter to his father. After he finished, he read it over. Making a few changes Remus stashed it under his pillow to mail in the morning and pulled out the letter from his cousin. Unfolding the slightly crumpled parchment he stared at it in amazement. The ink color was changing… Smiling, Remus read the note.

Hey Remmie!

I'm so psyched for you! I know you probably didn't read this on the train… your probably reading this from your dorm at like 1 am. So I want to know all about Hogwarts, your new friends and dorm mates and the most important thing… how the muffins are! Tell me everything. I started at Durmstrang yesterday and so far it sucks. I plan on getting expelled by the end of the year, if not sooner, so I never have to put up with these awful people again! Maybe my mom will have the sense to put me in Hogwarts. Anyway, I'm sure your tired so, write me tomorrow and tell me all about your classes and teachers.

Lotsa love,

Britt

Ps. Pulled any pranks yet? I've turned two teachers' hair rainbow and flooded the bathroom so far. 2 weeks detention and a 4 foot essay on respect from school property. Not bad for my first day.

Pps. Kyle says you suck but he and Ryan are just jealous you never write them. Ryan says you better say hi in your next letter.

Remus stared at the last part of the letter with confusion. He didn't remember when he stopped writing Kyle and Ryan but he remembered it was because they never responded. Britt's brothers haven't been interested in him for a long time so why the change? He decided he would ask when he wrote his reply tomorrow.

Sirius was disappointed and hurt, not to mention the rage he felt. His roommates and the people he was hoping could become his friends couldn't even look past his last name and the family it connected him to. They didn't even give him a chance to be himself. He knew about his father and Potter's father and their relationship, but he didn't understand why James Potter insisted on their relationship being the same. James had, after all, been friendly before he realised who Sirius was related to. Sirius dwelled on this as he drifted to sleep on the couch in the common room.

The next morning, Sirius was woken by a curious Lily Evans. She poked him in the side before inquiring as to why he was sleeping on the couch. Sirius muttered something about deranged psychopathic dorm mates being stupid. Lily offered him a small smile.

"Well lucky for you, I wake up early. You should get ready for classes now and you will probably miss your roommates. I'll wait for you down here if you want.

"Thank you Lily. I'll be down in a bit." Sirius mumbled before rolling off the couch, stretching and heading towards the stairs with a yawn.

Remus glared at the window before checking the time on the muggle alarm clock his father had given him. Only 6 am. Cursing under his breath, Remus rolled over, buried his head under a pillow, and tried to get back to sleep. After 15 minutes had passed, it was apparent that more sleep would not come so Remus got out of bed and grabbed his robes and uniform. As he walked to the lavatory, he noticed Sirius wasn't in his bed and the bed itself looked exactly how he had left it yesterday. Frowning thoughtfully, Remus mulled this over in the shower.

Sirius walked into the dorm. Heading for his trunk, he took noticed of his roommates activities. Potter's curtains were closed but he could hear incoherent muttering, the type that someone asleep would make. Pettigrew was half on his bed and half on the floor. But what worried Sirius the most was Lupin. Lupins bed was empty, suggesting the boy was already awake, and because Sirius had not seen him in the common room that suggest he would have a run in with the boy before breakfast. Sirius cursed his luck. He didn't want to deal with Lupin. Pulling out some clothes, he shoved a few things deeper and cast a locking charm on it. Turning around he slammed into Remus, who was doing up his tie. Sirius landed on his butt with a yelp. Successfully waking James, who poked his head out of the curtains mutter a "huh wassamatter" and blinking several times. Reaching out, he grabbed his glasses and shoved them on his face.

Growling slightly, James glared at Sirius. "Figures it would be you, Black. Disturbing my sleep this early."

"Don't start with me Potter. I didn't get any sleep last night so don't bitch at me because your mate slammed into me." Sirius snapped, heaving himself off the floor and hitting the showers.

James and Remus once again stared at a door, this time the bathroom door, as it slammed shut.

"Well, he definitely isn't a morning person is he?" Remus joked quietly.

James grumbled something and yanked the curtains closed again.

Remus sighed and sat down on the edge of this bed waiting for Sirius. He had come to the conclusion that even if James didn't like Sirius, he wasn't going to let that influence him. Blood feuds were stupid after all. Remus though about where Sirius could have been all night before deciding he wouldn't tell James that Sirius hadn't returned to the dorms.

Sirius finished is shower and stepped out of the bathroom infinitely more calm. His eyebrows shot up in confusion when he saw Lupin still in the dorm sitting on his bed. He looked as though he was waiting for someone, but by the looks of it, Potter had gone back to bed. After giving Lupin a strange look, Sirius unlocked his trunk and collect what he thought he would need, shoved his pyjamas inside, relocked it and left the dorm, Lupin following.

Turning around to talk to Lupin, Sirius tripped over his shoe and teetered on the stairs. With his heightened reflexes, Remus grabbed the front of Sirius' robes before he could fall.

"Thanks Lupin." Sirius said gratefully. "Thought I was a goner for a second there."

"No problem. Are you going to breakfast right now?" Remus asked in a quiet voice.

"Yea, the redheaded girl our age said she would walk with me and I am really hoping she can get us there without being lost because I have no clue how."

"Yea, neither do I. Can I walk with you guys then?"

"Umm, Ok I guess. Are you sure your buddy Potter would be ok with that?"

"James doesn't rule me. Who cares if he has a problem? It's his problem."

Sirius grinned. Lupin seemed like a good guy to be friends with.

Arriving at the common room, Sirius spotted Lily and waved her over with a smile.

"Hey Sirius, Lupin. You guys ready to go to breakfast now?" Lily asked.

"Yea, Lupin was awake so he tagged along. You don't mind do you?" Sirius asked, now slightly nervous because Lily was his only friend at the moment.

"Not at all. As long as you two don't start fighting its all good. I'm just not sure exactly how you can be friends with someone who drives you out of your dorm for the whole night on the first day you're here." Lily whispered the last part to Sirius, but Remus still heard it.

"Actually, I tried to make James see he was being unreasonable. James is the one with the problem concerning Sirius, not me. I don't know Sirius well enough to judge him, although neither does James. Anyway let's go down to breakfast because I'm hungry."

"Alrighty then, let's go. Lily… do you have any clue how to get to the great hall?" Sirius asked.

"Uhh yea, I think I do. It's this way I think." Lily said starting down the corridor to the left, Sirius and Remus following behind. 20 minutes later, Remus and Sirius learned the first important thing in Hogwarts; never trust Lily Evans to get you anywhere, without a map, on time. They also learned not to trust the portraits because some of the occupants enjoyed misleading first years. By the time the three made it to breakfast the hall was starting to fill up. Remus plopped his ass down on a bench near the end of the Gryffindor table. Lily sat down with Sirius on the other side. Reaching across for the bacon, Remus accidentally brushed his hand across the silver platter. Hissing with pain he yanked his hand back. Sirius, who had just got some bacon, knew the plate wasn't that hot. He looked at Remus' hand curiously. There was a blister starting to form.

"You must have really sensitive skin mate because I just touched that plate and I didn't get burnt. I think we should get you to madam whatever-her-face-is and get you fixed up. Sirius said standing up.

"No, I'm alright. I'll go after we finish breakfast." Remus said reaching over to tug Sirius back down.

"Well you aren't getting out of it. I'm going to take you right after breakfast. That burn needs to be taken care of or else it will get infected." Sirius stated.

Remus stared at the boy across from him in wonder. They weren't even close friends, yet this Black kid was acting as if he cared. He was defiantly a strange character.

Sirius watched Remus quietly from his spot. He had touched that platter before Remus and it defiantly wasn't hot enough to burn someone that bad. Maybe Remus had some disease which made him extra heat sensitive. But Remus' burn didn't look normal.

'Where have I seen a burn like that,' Sirius thought. 'It looks familiar, almost like a burn from a curse. Strange, I'll have to look it up.'

Sirius finished breakfast fast and Remus was just finishing up when Alice came down. She yawned and grumpily dropped down in the seat beside Lily. Sirius traded looks with Remus before hastily excusing them on the pretence of taking Remus to the medical wing. Sirius grinned as they raced out the doors of great hall, but the grin quickly fell off his face as he rain straight into James Potter, toppling to the ground for the second time that morning. Grumbling, Sirius heaved himself to his feet and with a glare at James, he mutter quietly, "Let's go Remus; you need to see the nurse."

James grabbed Remus' arm and said, rather loudly, "Remus you don't have to hang out with this loser anymore. Come join me for breakfast."

Sirius bristled and Remus stared at James, shocked by his rudeness. Sirius continued walking, not expecting Remus to follow. After all, Sirius was the bane of Gryffindor whereas James was like the hero.

Remus' stared changed to a glare as he prepared himself to tear James metaphorically oversized head off. "You know, Potter, it's not polite to insult people. Did your mother not teach you manners? I've already eaten anyway, but even if I hadn't, I would pass because the way you treat people makes me lose my appetite."

For the first time in Remus' life, he had just rejected an offer of friendship.

James stared at Remus, dumfounded. He wasn't used to being rejected and he had thought that Remus was his friend. James stalked into great hall for breakfast. The morning had not gone the way he wanted it to.

After the confrontation with James, Remus had searched everywhere for Sirius. When he realised he probably wouldn't be able to find him, he head toward the medical wing, figuring that Sirius would at least be happy about that.

Sirius was hopelessly lost. After Potter had insulted him he had wandered off looking for entertainment. Within 10 minutes he had managed to get lost.

'They really should hand out maps to first years,' Sirius thought after he had been wandering for a half of an hour. He was worried because he had not ran into anybody else, teacher or student. While deep in his thoughts, Sirius walked around a corner and collided with someone, sending them both flying. Before Sirius had time to recover, a wand was pointed between his eyes. Following the wand to its owner Sirius saw the last people he wanted to at that moment, his cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa as well as Lucius Malfoy. As bad as the situation was, Sirius couldn't help the smirk that crossed his face as he shoved Malfoy's wand out of his face.

"Get that pathetic twig you call a wand out of my face Luci. It's not polite or honourable to point your wand at people who are defenceless."

"Watch your tongue black. I could curse you into oblivion right now and nobody would even know." Malfoy replied moving his wand so it was once again pointed at Sirius' face.

"This is a warning Cousin. Aunty Walburga is not pleased. She has arranged for us to monitor you because she doesn't want you mingling with bloodtraitors and mudbloods. We will be watching you Sirius and I suggest you be a good boy and sit with us at the Slytherin table till be get you resorted." Bellatrix warned.

"I look forward to it Bella. Unfortunately for you I will not sit with you nor will I be getting resorted. Now Cissy, be a good girl and put your mutt on a leash. I don't want to play fetch Luci, so get that stick out of my face." Sirius said, pushing Malfoys hand away as he stood. "Bella, be a dear and point the way to great hall for me."

"Why you insolent little brat, you'll pay for that insult." Malfoy growled.

"Not now Luci, I am going to be late. Catch you later, boy." Sirius replied, practically skipping down the hall, away from the shocked Slytherins. He was just about out of sight around a corner when Malfoy shouted "Incendio". Shocked, Sirius dodged around the corner, stomping out his robes.

"Great," muttered Sirius. "First day of classes and I've already had bad luck with my roommates, no luck with friends and good luck making enemies. If I had of know this is what it was going to be like getting sorted into Gryffindor, I would have asked for Hufflepuff."

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Authors Note: Sorry guys, I know I promised to update ages ago but stuff came up. School is over for me now so I will be trying to write more. I had lots of difficulty with this chapter and I still don't like it that much but I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for sticking with me. During this chapter I got frustrated and wrote part of an one shot that I plan on finishing and posting soon. Do not expect an update for a few weeks as I will be deep in the 7th book. YAY!

Swordy