The next morning, Remus was the first one up. He looked around and smiled to himself, filled with pleasure at the thought that he had finally made it to Hogwarts. He had never imagined that his life would take such a dramatic turn for the better; he had expected to spend many more years holed up in the cottage in the secluded forest. If he was careful, all of this was his for the keeping. The Headmaster had been quite clear on his rules and expectations, but he had welcomed Remus warmly and had assured him that he should consider Hogwarts as his home.

He would need to be the first to wake every morning, no small task considering his constant exhaustion. He would have to order an alarm clock; a quiet one – he had no wish to get on Sirius's bad side. He went to the bathroom and did what was necessary. When he returned, James was already awake but seemed disinclined to get up yet; he lounged on the bed, bleary-eyed.

"Good morning, James. Did you sleep well?" He knew that his way of talking was too formal, but speaking like the other boys made him uncomfortable.

"Like a log – you? Wow, this is awesome! You think we'll have flying lessons today?" James had thrown off the last of his sleepiness and had bounced out of bed in inimitable James-style. "It's a bugger that we can't have our own brooms, but I'll probably get a new one once I've learned to fly properly – my dad can't fly for toffee and my mum is always afraid I'll fall, so I've never had a really good broom."

Remus allowed his friend's excited babbling to flow around him; he had already recognized it as James's default state when he had nothing else interesting to do. He found it amusing, although he wondered at the sheltered life James must have led to be able to talk in such a carefree, self-assured manner.

"What time is it?"

"It's half past seven. Breakfast is at eight; maybe we should get going." Remus himself was quite ready, but he was worried that James would be insulted if he phrased his comment more directly.

James's messy head emerged from his T-shirt and jerked towards Sirius and Peter. "Should we wake them?"

Remus shrugged. He had still not warmed to either boy. James went over and poked Sirius in the shoulder. He did not expect the response – Sirius leapt nimbly from under the heavy covers and tackled him to the floor. He showed no signs of sleepiness – his grey eyes were narrowed and grim, and he already had his wand in his hand, pressed to James's neck.

"Don't touch me." His voice was a low growl.

"Bloody hell, Black, what's your problem?" James forced his voice to remain calm, although he was actually terrified. He wondered if his attacker would really kill him. He doubted that any boy of eleven knew that much magic, but who knew? What kind of nut slept with his wand in his hand anyway?

The hard lines in Sirius's face relaxed infinitesimally. "Let that be a lesson to you, Potter. Don't touch me. I won't be so gentle next time."

James regained his natural good reflexes and flipped Sirius over on his back. "You got it. I just thought you might want to come for breakfast."

"I don't. Hurry along now – you wouldn't want to be late." Sirius had climbed back onto his bed.

James looked over at Remus, who had entirely failed to wake Peter – the fat boy had a most irritating snore which James resolved to have cured as soon as possible. They shrugged at each other and gathered their things together for classes.

When they descended, James looked around nervously for Sirius's scary older cousin. Not spotting her, he sank down at the Gryffindor table in relief. He happily tucked into breakfast.

His mouth was full of scrambled egg when he received a tap on his shoulder. He spun around to see Bellatrix standing behind him. He stood up quickly and chirped, "Good morning, Miss Black."

To his shock, she laughed. "Technically right, but I don't think I am who you think." Looking more closely, he realized that this was actually Bellatrix's younger sister, whose name he had forgotten. The difference was practically unnoticeable unless they were together – this girl's hair was dark-brown, only a shade away from black; her eyes were gray with chocolate specks. But looking at her face he wondered how he had confused them. He could not imagine that Bellatrix's face had ever held such a warm, generous expression.

"I'm Andromeda, and I just wanted to apologize for Bella's behavior last night. She was really upset – we all are, but she should not have spoken like that or given you detention."

James was still smarting at how easily he had been tackled by Sirius and was not inclined to be pleasant to his cousin.

"Hey, don't worry. I won't make the mistake of sticking up for Sirius again – I'm not sure he's worth it. But you can cancel my detention if it'll ease your bigoted conscience." He glanced scornfully at her prefect badge. To his chagrin, she did not respond to his tone, but sat on the bench beside him.

"First of all, I'm Bellatrix's sister – do you really think I'm going to be intimidated by you?" She smiled to take the sting out of her words. "Second, I can't take away your detention – prefects aren't allowed to undermine each others' authority. I know it's unfair, but trust me, it's better that way. I will ask Minnie to go easy on you, though." She nodded in Professor McGonagall's direction; James smiled involuntarily at the familiar nickname.

"I know who you are and why you hold the beliefs that you do. I'm OK with that; you may even be right. But in our family blood is everything. Bella is upset because she feels that Sirius might be influenced by Gryffindor and lose connection with our family ideals. She may be overreacting, but she really does feel passionate about it, and my advice to you is not to get in her way. You won't win."

"So I should just let her go around torturing Muggle-borns and bullying people?"

"Of course not. I'm not saying that you can't stand up to her in general – I do quite often and I'm still around. But family is different. For the Blacks it is everything. So I'm just saying that you can fight with Bella all you want if you're tough enough, but don't get between her and Sirius. Trust me, he can fight his own battles. Being Sirius's friend will be enough adventure for anyone – you don't need to be Bellatrix's enemy as well."

"I'm not Sirius's friend. He tried to kill me this morning."

"Oh, you tried to wake him up?" Andromeda's smile was just like her cousin's, unexpected warmth hidden in a face that seemed carved from stone. "Not generally a good idea – Siri is rather cranky in the morning. I'd suggest a bucket of cold water in future." Remus laughed.

The older girl stood up, dusting off her neatly pressed robes. Her eyes were briefly filled with sadness, but she blinked away the look quickly. When she spoke again her voice was softer and filled with a strange urgency. "He is worth it. He's silly and impulsive, but I promise you that he's worthwhile getting to know. Please give him a chance – this won't be easy for him."

She turned away from James; her elegant efficiency returned leaving no trace of the passion she had shown a moment earlier. She flicked her wand at Remus's collar, straightening and cleaning it. He smiled gratefully at her, and she walked away.

Breakfast had finished and the plates were dissolving from the tables when Sirius entered, making as much noise as possible – Peter was still nowhere to be seen. He walked up to the Slytherin table and sat down with a thump next to Andromeda, who appeared to be engrossed in reading and did not look up. He knocked the book out of her hands and onto the floor.

"I'm hungry, Meda!" he yelled. "Where was my breakfast?"

There was a fair bit of laughter around the emptying hall over his petulant tone. James ignored Remus's quiet suggestions that they leave and moved closer.

Meda seemed quite unfazed by her cousin's tantrum. Her response was too low to make out, although she seemed sympathetic. She waved her wand and produced a packet of biscuits, but Sirius turned on his heels and walked away, presumably back to the dormitory to get his bag.

Remus slipped past James and picked up Andromeda's book from the floor. She gave him a motherly pat on the head and left, supreme in her status as an upper student. The boys shook their heads, wondering at their dorm-mate.

The boys were pointed in the right direction of their first Charms class by a prefect and quickly took the best seats at the back. Sirius slouched in at the last minute. The only seat left was right in the front, but Sirius ignored it and headed to the full back row. He turned to a large hulk of a boy and introduced himself, then pointed to the empty desk at the front. The boy, who James recognized as a Hufflepuff, got up quickly and relocated, clearly in deference to Sirius.

'What the hell did you just do?"

Sirius's eyes widened in mock innocence. "Language, my dear James. I don't think you've said one civil sentence today."

"You can't just tell people to move so that you can get a good seat! It's just not right."

"I didn't ask Richard to do anything. I never said a word."

James started to stand and was pulled back down by Remus, who was surprisingly strong for his size. Sirius sat back in his chair and smirked. The scene was interrupted by the start of the class.

After class, Remus went up to the huge boy who was now sitting in the front and asked his name. He was Richard Goyle, and he was indeed a Hufflepuff, though from a Slytherin family. Remus settled into questioning him gently, but James could not wait.

"Why did you move for Sirius?"

Richard looked at him like he had gone completely mad. "He's a Black." The explanation had a monotone to it that suggested that it had been ingrained at an early age.

"But you were sitting there!" Both boys were somewhat aghast at Richard's complacence.

"Look, I don't know who Blondie is, but I know you, Potter. I would think you would understand better. The Blacks employs everyone in my family. They have done so for hundreds of years. If I ever want a job, they're my only hope. So forgive me if I'm not too keen on pissing off my future boss on our first day of school."

James suddenly felt very lost and small. He did not understand what to do in this new place, where he was known as "Potter" by almost everyone and expected to live up to whatever the name demanded. He felt a flush of resentment towards his father for not better preparing him for this. He envied Sirius for his existential certainty. It seemed that Sirius understood exactly how to be a Black, even if he seemed to be failing to live up to it at the moment. James had no idea how to be a Potter, only how to be James.

"We are sorry for questioning you like that." Remus's face betrayed no emotion as he apologized to Richard. "We just wanted to understand. Thank you for explaining." He dragged James away.

The same scene repeated itself throughout the day, with different students ceding their places to Sirius obsequiously. James eventually took his mind off his odd roommate and focused on the classes. He found them fascinating, particularly Transfiguration. His wand settled comfortably in his hand, and he felt the magic flowing through him.

They got to lunch and settled in their seats. Peter sat down opposite. He had overslept and had received detention from Professor Florin for missing Herbology; he had got out of trouble from Charms by concocting some bizarre excuse involving being swallowed by a staircase. Professor Flitwick had not believed him, but let him off for his originality. But he seemed fairly unconcerned by his unfortunate start to things and happily worked through his helping of lunch.

Sirius entered with his usual flair, but made his way over the Slytherin table. This appeared to cause some upset, and various older boys told him to shove off to his own house. Everyone seemed to know exactly who he was. He calmly ignored them and took a plate.

A large boy, probably fourth year, grabbed Sirius by the collar and pushed him from the bench to the floor. "Hey, Gryffindor, you don't belong here!"

There was a flash of light, and the boy landed on his back, his wand skidding under the table. Bellatrix advanced towards him like a lioness on the hunt. His eyes widened and he gulped.

When Bellatrix spoke, it was in an icy whisper, but the Hall had fallen silent and James could hear everything. "So, McNair, you think you can lay your dirty hands on a Black?" Her wand poked him between the eyes.

"I thought … you said yesterday…" he spluttered.

"Yesterday was an unfortunate anomaly, and my cousin appears to be attempting to rectify it. Will you deny him the company he deserves because of a stupid hat? In any case, I think that I am a little more entitled to criticize the heir of the House of Black than you are. Would you not agree?" Her voice dropped lower, and everyone strained to hear.

"Yes, Bellatrix." McNair had still not even tried to get up.

"I am glad we agree. It would be most unfortunate if we did not. Now get up and apologize."

McNair muttered a quick apology and made a run, presumably for the bathroom judging from the dark patch on his robes, followed by sounds of laughter. Bellatrix took his place next to Sirius and patted him affectionately. There were a few quiet moments in which everyone appeared to decide simultaneously that snickering at Sirius was a dangerous move, and so lunch continued as normal.

The class after lunch was Potions – luckily Remus had an unerring sense of direction and easily led James to the depths of the dungeons. When they arrived James spent a few moments idly wondering how Professor Slughorn had got through the door – the man was so enormous he kept blinking to check that his own eyes had not been exaggerating. When the class was complete he took role call with a booming voice. At first the class was surprised at this, as no other teacher bothered with role call, but it soon became apparent that Slughorn wanted to know exactly who everyone was. Realizing that most of the class could be wasted in this way, everyone slowed down and gave themselves long introductions.

Sirius, however, did not bother. He said his name and sat back with his arms folded, a challenging light in his eyes. He was not disappointed; Slughorn asked after his parents, uncles, aunts and grandmother, and strongly advised him to emulate the academic achievements of his cousins. When Sirius mentioned that he had a younger brother, the fat teacher sighed as if he had just finished a particularly excellent cake, closed his eyes rapturously and waited a few seconds before continuing, as if savoring the moment.

Slughorn clearly had a gift for identifying people, as he guessed several people's names. Peter barely opened his mouth before he said his name and waved at James to continue. He was impressed with James, if less than with Sirius – James shrank under the silly attention.

Eventually the day came to an end. James was both exhausted and exhilarated. He had met most of his year and seemed quite popular already. Remus was also well-liked by association.

After supper, James approached Professor McGonagall. She looked at him sharply and told him to wait at her office. She arrived five minutes later.

"So, Potter, I have had a request from Miss Black that I reduce your punishment."

James nodded. "Anna, right? Yeah, she said that she would ask you to go easy on me."

McGonagall rolled her eyes. "It's Andromeda, actually. I really would advise you to remember it – Meda has a temper of her own and I would think that Bellatrix's animosity would be enough, even for you.

"In any case, I will give you a short task, but consider this a warning, Potter. I suspect you will be a bit of a troublemaker – your mother certainly was. You seem rather bright – behave yourself and don't waste your school career."

She set James to sorting papers into a file. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. McGonagall flicked her wand at the door, which opened to reveal Sirius. He shot James a look and sat at the desk.

"I'm here to request a transfer to Slytherin." His voice was perhaps a little too confident, indicating a little uncertainty.

"I'm sorry, Black, but that is not possible. We don't allow house transfers – never have."

"I really would like to sort out this whole mess without involving my mother. She was most upset to hear I had been misplaced, but she assured me that she was happy to let this be forgotten as long as it was rectified quickly."

"Nice vocabulary, Black, but you will find that threats do not work particularly well at Hogwarts. You are not the first of your family to come here – I was at school with your mother, in fact."

Sirius appeared not to realize that he was sinking. "You don't understand. My family will stop at nothing to fix this."

"I understood well enough. Now listen carefully. You don't seem a bad sort. Arrogant as all hell, but that is to be expected. I don't want to lose my temper with you.

"The Sorting Hat is run by ancient magic. The wisdom of the school founders was distilled into it. Many times the decisions it makes are not clear. Students feel that they are Sorted against their nature. But I have yet to see a student who is honest with himself and still fails to see his house qualities in himself in time. I suggested that you accept the challenge to find your own hidden depths. A talk with Andromeda would not go amiss at this point. But accept it you must, for I will not transfer you."

Sirius growled with anger and frustration, but was not reckless enough to push the point.

"Do I still have to spend time with Gryffindors?"

"You will remain in your dormitory, common room and classes. I do not usually force where people sit at meals, but unless I see some genuine house spirit and attempts at interaction, I will make rules for you. All I ask is that you give Gryffindor a chance."

"Yeah, talking of meals … Professor Slughorn allowed our family's house-elves access to Slytherin so they could bring us breakfast in bed, so my cousins never have to get up early or stuff. Can you do the same for me?"

"I'm sorry, but no. It is not a practice of which I approve, and I will run my own house as I see fit. I doubt this bloated sense of entitlement you so freely sport will make you friends. Try to get by on your own terms." McGonagall's eyes were tightening behind her glasses – she wanted to be fair to the boy but his attitude was hugely frustrating.

Sirius rose to storm out of the room, but the door closed in his face.

"One thing I know you have learned at home is respect for authority. You will ask permission to leave, and you will address me appropriately. Try again."

Sirius gritted his teeth, but gave a convincing impression of civility. "May I have leave to depart, ma'am?" The young witch nodded curtly and he stormed out.

McGonagall turned to James. "Stop with the papers. Go after him. That will be your detention – it will do everyone good and probably be sufficient punishment for you."

James stared, and McGonagall laughed. "I don't mean to beat him up! Reach out to him, talk to him, be a friend. Go!"