The Untold Story

Chapter 2: Sirius and the Sorting Hat

September 1, 1971

"Can we join you?" a brown haired boy asked as he gestured to our boat tiredly.

"Sure," said James. He moved aside to make some room for the two boys, rocking the boat slightly as he did so.

In the few hours he had spent with James, Sirius had to admit he had never met someone so optimistically confident. "This is James, and I am Sirius," he said as the two other boys sat down.

"I am Remus," the brown haired boy introduced himself. Then, pointing to his companion, a short pudgy faced boy with blonde hair, he said, "And this is Peter."

Sirius looked around as the boats moved towards Hogwarts and noticed the red-haired girl and the pale faced boy he had met on the train. The pair was sitting with an unfamiliar blonde and someone Sirius recognized as Alice Macmillian. He knew her from the society parties his mother dragged him to. Alice was one of the few girls he enjoyed talking to at those parties. Her eyes widened as she spotted him, he gave her a small wave which she returned with a grin. Averting his eyes, he stared up at the magnificence of the Hogwarts Castle, hoping that he'd belong.

As the first years made their way up the stairs following the half-giant, Hagrid, Severus looked up at Hogwarts in wonder. He could feel Lily's hand squeezing his in amazement and nervous anticipation, as Hagrid led them inside and handed them off to Professor McGonagall. Marlene, the blonde haired girl that joined them on the boat, rhetorically asked, "It's beautiful, isn't it?" No reply was given for the truth lay before their eyes. Hogwarts was indeed breathtaking.

While they waited, Remus asked the boys he had met on the boat if they knew how they got sorted.

"I hope we have to fight a troll," James replied. "I will be the bravest man and prove my worth for Gryffindor."

"A TROLL?!" squeaked Peter before giving a horrible screech as he jumped. All the first years turned around to see the Hogwarts ghosts race towards them. Their attention was quickly diverted as Professor McGonagall returned and led them into the Great Hall.

Sirius looked up and gazed at the bewitched ceiling of the Hall trying to find his star, the brightest star in the night sky. He could hear the Sorting Hat singing its customary song, but he paid it no heed as he stared at the Dog Star on the ceiling.

"Avery, Sylvain." McGonagall announced. A short boy with gelled brown hair sat down on a small wooden stool. McGonagall placed the hat on his head and stepped away.

A few moments later the hat shouted, "Slytherin."

"Black, Sirius." McGonagall said. He felt James slightly push him ahead. "Good luck," he said encouragingly.

Sirius blinked before walking ahead, hoping he looked braver than he felt as everyone stared at him. Ignoring the stern face of Professor McGonagall, he sat down and looked at the crowd as the sorting hat was placed on his head. "Well, well, well, another Black I see," the sorting hat mused. Not just any Black Sirius thought. He was nothing like his family, and this was his chance to prove it. The sorting hat chuckled. "Hmm, so you are." the hat sounded amused. "Not a bad mind I see, and there's plenty of talent and courage. Loyalty to those you love. Better be GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted the last word. Sirius sat stunned. Mother is going to kill me he thought numbly as he slid off the chair. No one clapped as the Black heir sat down at the Gryffindor table. Sirius looked over at the Slytherin table where his family glared at him, except Andromeda who winked and gave him an encouraging smile. At least Andy looks happy he thought glumly as he tried to ignore his other cousin, Narcissa. Might as well start writing my will Sirius thought as he tried not to picture his parent's reaction to his sorting. He heard another cheer as someone else got sorted. Then he heard a name he recognized, Lily Evans. He shook himself out of his thoughts and focused on the sorting. "GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted. Lily smiled as she slid off the stool and sat down across from Sirius. He gave her a weak smile which she ignored.

Lily watched the sorting, hoping that Severus would be sorted in the same house. "Benjy Fenwick." McGonagall called. A dark haired boy walked up and sat down on the stool.

There were a few moments of silence before the hat announced, "HUFFLEPUFF!" there was a loud cheer from the table next to the Slytherin's table, which was on the other side of the room.

"Lupin, Remus." Sirius looked up as the boy from the boat put the sorting hat on.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat declared after a few seconds. The boy's shoulders slumped in relief as he walked over and sat down next to Sirius.

"I'm glad we're both in the same house." he smiled at Sirius, whose spirits rose a bit. At least he had a few friends he thought as he continued to watch the sorting. Another three girls joined Gryffindor house. Sirius recognized one of them as Alice. He gave her a smile as she sat across from him.

"Nice to know we ended up on the same side after all." she joked before jutting her chin at the Slytherin table. Sirius grinned.

"Told you I was different." he retorted playfully. They chuckled over their inside joke before being interrupted by another cheer from the Ravenclaw table.

"Who was that?" Alice wondered as she craned her neck to spot the person.

"No idea." Sirius replied.

"Look, Mulciber's next." Alice pointed out frowning. "He's a definite Slytherin." No kidding, Sirius thought as Alice's prediction came true.

"It's Peter." Remus said from beside him. They watched as Peter nervously sat on the stool. The hat stayed still for a few minutes. Peter continued to look terrified.

"Why is it taking so long, Marlene?" Lily whispered.

"It's a hat stall," a girl with blond hair answered.

"Wonder which houses it's debating between." Alice said.

"Who knows?" another girl shrugged. "I'm Mary by the way." she told the group before concentrating on the sorting.

Finally, after an eternity of waiting the hat announced, "GRYFFINDOR!" The group cheered as Peter scampered over and sat down as quickly as he possibly could.

Next is Potter, Sirius thought as James confidently made his way to the sorting hat. The hat barely touched his head before crying out, "GRYFFINDOR!" James grinned and strutted to the table and squeezed in between Sirius and Remus.

"Well done, guys. We are all Gryffindors, the best there ever was or will be." he said arrogantly. Lily rolled her eyes before turning away to watch a boy who Professor McGonagall identified as Evan Rosier get sorted into Slytherin.

Lily fidgeted nervously when Severus was called up.

Severus calmly walked to the hat. Although his face portrayed no emotions, he was a jumble of nerves. "Ah, welcome to Hogwarts, half-blood Prince. I never thought I would encounter one, but the times are changing." Blood status doesn't determine magical power Severus retorted. "No, it does not, but many in this hall disagree" the hat replied knowingly. "Ambition is the mark of Slytherin, but I also see courage and loyalty in your heart. True friends will accept you for who you are." it said before calling out "SLYTHERIN!" Severus slid down the stool, smiled sadly at Lily, and sat down next to a tall blonde teen. The blonde turned to Severus, smiled, and held out his hand. Severus accepted it and the man introduced himself as Lucius Malfoy, a prefect.

"Nice to make your acquaintance, Snape."

"Thank you, Malfoy. I am honored to be a Slytherin." Severus turned back to watch as the last person, a tall dark boy named Walter Wilkes was also sorted into Slytherin.