I still don't own Harry Potter, also Professor McGonagall 's speech is quoted verbatim from book one

Chapter 1 Welcome to Hogwarts

Sirius's POV

I had left the train compartment I had been in after everyone started spouting pure-blood propaganda. Despite being the heir to 'The Ancient and Noble house of Black' I found the ideas ridiculous and disgusting. Actually, I probably found it so because my parents liked it. I had told the other people in the compartment so, in response they told me to get out. The next compartment had three people sitting in it. An unusually pale blond with his nose in a book, a black-haired boy with glasses, and a short, blond kid. The black-haired kid was telling stories to which the short boy was listening intently. The reason I describe them as kids is because they seem to come from those perfect families where children are allowed to have fun and make friends- families not at all like mine.

"Do you guys mind if I sit here? I kinda got kicked out of the previous compartment." The black-haired boy and his friend looked up sharply, and the pale kid seemed to be paying more attention to what was going on around him.

"What did you do to get kicked out already?" The black-haired one asked curiously.

"I told them to stop spouting pure-blood propaganda." The pale kid went back to being deep in his book, the other two moved over to give me room to sit down.

"What's your name? I'm James Potter; the guy reading is Remus, and this is Peter Pettigrew." I really had been hoping to avoid this because the people I want to be associated would not want to be associated with a Black. Then again I could just give my first name.

"Sirius, nice to meet you. What were you talking about?"

"All the secrets of Hogwarts, or at least the ones we know." James replied.

"Did you know that the Slytherin common room can be snuck into by a back entrance...?"

"Stop telling them everything, Black" I turned sharply to notice Lucius standing at the entrance. "What do you think your mum would say about the company you are sitting with?"

"Shut it, Malfoy."

"Tsk tsk tsk, what happened to your manners? As heir to an ancient and noble house, you really should be better trained."
I knew he was just trying to annoy me, but I was sorely tempted to slam the door in his face, and he'd deserve it for having spoiled my chance of making real friends.

Before I could order Malfoy out, James spoke. "Get; we don't want your kind here."

I wasn't sure whether he meant me in that, but I wouldn't be surprised. Regardless, I was not going to walk out that soon; that would be admitting defeat. Lucius walked out calmly, as if he didn't care.

"You too, Black." He said my name with a surprising amount of venom.

"And here I thought that my parents were wrong about you." After delivering that scathing line I turned as if to leave.

"James, let him stay." As I was expecting the reply to be from James, having Remus reply startled me into turning around. When he realized that all of us were looking, he immediately began hiding behind his book. This did not stop the idea from permeating the room.

Peter took up the idea when he realized Remus wasn't going to keep arguing. "Please, James, let him stay. He hasn't finished telling us about the back passage to the Slytherin common room."

"Fine then, you can stay, but one wrong move and you'll be out of here faster than you draw your wand."

"Of course, now about that passage..."

Remus's POV

I came here knowing that as soon as other people find out about me I'll once again be alone, and probably lose this thin chance at a better future. In other words, I knew that I need to not call attention to myself, and yet upon observing Sirius's predicament I went and made myself obvious by telling James to let him stay. While this one incident probably won't affect anything, I need to be much more careful in the future. I don't want to blow this chance.

"Remus, do you know how they decide the head of house?" Peter asked, interrupting a burgeoning debate and my internal monologue.

"It's always the most competent teacher from the house," I could have made a comment about how it was clearly stated in 'Hogwarts: A History', a book on our reading list, but this is a welcome distraction. Seeing James and Sirius's antics is a pleasant reminder of what normal human interaction looks like.

"Guys, it's the sweet trolley; any requests?" Peter said this in a gap in the 'argument' about whether or not James is an idiot, though if this 'argument' is anything to go by they both are. Note to self: fewer mental tangents. James and Sirius immediately switched focus as soon as they realized that sweets had been mentioned.

"Some of everything!" "Berti Bots Every Flavor Beans!" James and Sirius chorused. I find it amazing that they can accidentally turn and speak in unison, "Stop speaking at the same time as me."

"Anyway... I'd like some Fizzing Whizzbys," Peter said breaking up the glaring match.

I tried to tune all of this out, and not think about my lack of money. I manage to keep this up until Sirius suggests that we compete to see who can eat the most Berti Bot's Every Flavor Beans. Looking at it, Sirius seems to have enough for all of us. "Come on guys, it'll be fun." Well, if the others join in, then I'll have the perfect excuse to freeload. And if I get lucky, well then I get lucky.

James's POV

Despite the presence of a filthy dark wizard, I'm having a right good time with the eating contest, though I am exceptionally curious about how on earth someone as fragile looking as Remus managed to get through a full packet. Peter has already given up and is watching us, while eating his candy. "Ear wax," Sirius declared with a grimace. I love the run of bad luck the junior dark wizard is having.

"My turn," Remus declared, reaching his hand into the packet to grab a a bean. "Cinnamon." Man, I hate the way he smiles while taking all the good ones.

...And now we're back around to me, I wonder what I'll get this time? "Hot pepper. Why did it have to be hot pepper?" As all young wizards know, the best way to deal with an exceptionally bad bean is to drown it out with something else, like stale bagged lunches. Of course doing so causes me to wind up placing third.

Now it's Sirius's turn again. "Polyjuice potion." he said with an expression suggesting that he wanted to throw up. Of course that slime would know exactly what that illegal, expensive, hard to brew potion taste like. Families like that would probably raise their children with the stuff.

"How do you know what that tastes like?" Peter questioned, clearly failing to see the evil of the dark side. Sirius is now using the most emotionless facial expression he could make with his face and clearly giving 'I don't want to talk about it' vibes. I am very much sure that the temperature just dropped a couple of degrees.

"Hold on to that question and if I ever get to the point where I can bring my self to talk to you about it I'll tell you."

The silence that fell on us is palpable and shows no sign of letting up during the rest of the ride.

Sirius's POV

The tension that is disturbing the four of us is really grating on my nerves. I hate being so caught up in not caring that I fail to appreciate the scene around me. If they hadn't asked those stupid questions AND managed to get stuck in the same boat as me I might actually be able to enjoy this boat ride up to the impressive castle. I think that having Peter and James question me unmercifully is infinitely more annoying and distracting than the ominous silence. At least when we get sorted into different houses they will not be able to bug me this much.

I had gotten plenty of descriptions of the inside of the castle, but I had failed to really comprehend the mind blowing hugeness of the inside. The entrance hall alone is larger than my entire house. The witch leading us, I think her name is McGonagall or something like that, is directing us into a empty room off the hall. And now for the speech. The same speech given to every first year who enters this school. The same speech that Andy (my cousin Andromeda who I actually get along with rather well) quotes in her story telling

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the great hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is very important because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has it's own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts your triumphs will earn you house points, while rule braking will lose house points. At the end of the year the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to the house that becomes yours.

The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten your selves up as much as you can while waiting."

She is now leaving. Great. Just great. Half the group is wondering loudly about what the Sorting Ceremony will involve. Andy never did say what it was, honestly though I can't say I care.

Rather soon, though it felt like an eternity later, Miss McGonagall returned to lead us into the great hall. Andy's stories simply do not do justice to the reality of the great hall though mine may be no better. The tables where the students are sitting are adorned with gold plates and goblets, more wealth than I ever expected to encounter in my life laid out for the students. And of course there is the celling, which is covered with the blue sky and faint star pattern of early evening, with floating candles that continue to mess with my depth perception.

Jolting me out of my reverie the sorting hat began its song.

"When first this school was founded,

a problem and its answer were realized.

The four founders found that with some students they would clash,

so they decided to split the class, and with that their dream was finalized.

When deciding how to sort their students

Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw each choose the ones that fit them the best.

Helga Hufflepuff seeing virtue the others overlooked,

decided that she would gladly take the rest.

To Godric Gryffindor went those who are brave at heart.

His is the house for the brave and loyal,

who would fight for what they believe is right,

though stubbornness would be their great foil

Salazar Slytherin chose the schemers,

whose ambition and cunning would get them far.

Looking to the future, not the past,

Trading everything to be a star

Rowena Ravenclaw's students were scholars,

brilliant minds obsessed with learning.

These students progressed quickly,

driven by their deep yearning.

The students of Hufflepuff were unique,

no unifying feature to tie them together.

They toil and laugh as friends,

not needing to be birds of a feather.

The founders appointed me

to sort all the students who come my way,

and place them where they best fit.

so I greet another years' student array. "

The hat's description matches with what Andy told me. Gryffindor really does sound like the place to be. Just because my cousin wasn't brave enough to go the distance. The professor starting to read off names. I wonder what my table mates will be like. Now it is my turn, time to find out.

End Chapter 1