Sirius and James climbed up the stadium slightly out of breath. "Jeez dad, how far up are we?"

Mr. Potter grinned at them with great energy though he was an elderly man. He stepped up a few stairs at once and waited for the boys at the top of the landing. "Come on boys, if you don't hurry up you're going to miss it."

"That doesn't answer my question dad," James said.

Mr. Potter gave a laugh. "Not that much further," He said. James gave a quick grin at Sirius and together they trudged up the steps to a set of railings. There a kindly looking witch sat with long brown hair that cascaded down her back.

"Charlus!" She cried her accent a soft Scots. "I almost thought you weren't coming,"

"You know me Ariyamna, I never miss a match," Mr. Potter grinned. "Boys this is Ariyamna Kane, she works at the Ministry for the... Is it Department of Mysteries? And this is my son, James and his best friend Sirius Black."

"Funny Charlus," Ariyamna grinned. "A Black, really? You aren't perhaps related to one Bellatrix Black are you?" Sirius nodded sadly. "Yes, she's made quite a name for herself already. Mm... I hope you're nothing like her. Are you boys fans of Montrose Magpies?"

"Not really," James said. "But it's better supporting them than Gorodok Gargoyles,"

"You boys," Ariyamna grinned. "I love them, Angus Campbell is a dream."

"Ariyamna!" Mr. Potter cried. "You're married!"

"So? It doesn't stop Vidal from fancying whatever witch catches his eye." She said. "Besides, I'm only looking."

"Beware boys," Mr. Potter said. "Most women will use this to validate slobbering like a dog whenever a very sexy man walks on pitch."

"I'm not slobbering like a dog, Charlus," Ariyamna replied. "You think badly of me."

Mr. Potter grinned stupidly. "Can I ask where is Vidal?"

"Oh he's at home fighting off a dose of Dragon pox," Ariyamna explained. "I honestly think that boy needs a kick up the backside. Dragon Pox, gimme a break. It's just a bit of the flu. He's just a big baby."

"Ariyamna!"

"What?"

"Dragon Pox is really serious." Mr. Potter frowned.

"Oh, Charlus," Ariyamna laughed. "It's fantastic fun to watch you fawn over my husband when I won't. Oh, it's starting!"

She turned and put her binoculars to her purple eyes. James grinned stupidly and turned to look out. Seven flyers zoomed from the bottom of the pitch, their robes white with a black Magpie on their chest. The Keeper took position in front of the rings and watched down on the rest of the players. A massive flock of black birds flew into the night sky before turning into beautiful white fireworks that exploded. The crowd looked on, watching in awe. Sirius was tugging at James arm.

"Here come the Gargoyles!" He said.

James turned to see seven more flyers with bright green, yellow and red robes flying out to meet the Magpies. A stone gargoyle leapt from the commentators box slamming hard into the grass with a loud thump before it stood up straight and walked into the middle of the pitch, baring its wings and fangs impressively before the Referee shooed it off. Their keeper also took position, watching like a hawk over the pitch. The referee got the captains to shake hands (a chaser from the Magpies and what looked like a beater from the Gargoyles) They all shot off like a rocket, flying across the pitch. The quaffle moved so fast that James couldn't see it but they were watching intently none the less. Ariyamna handed Sirius the binoculars.

"Here you are dear," She said.

Sirius looked through them and saw that the Magpies where losing by ten points. Their seeker looked nimble though as she circled around the pitch.

"That's illegal is it not?" Mr Potter asked.

Ariyamna was frowning. "I think it's more of a foul than illegal, Charlus."

"What?" Sirius asked, feeling almost stupid.

The chasers had moved into a Parkin's Pincer, where two of the chasers had trapped a Magpie chaser, whilst the third Gargoyle chaser was attempting to blatch. James was also frowning.

"Come on!" He said through gritted teeth.

A cheer erupted from the Gargoyles supporters as another goal was scored. One of their beaters swung with all their might and a bludger rocketed off the bat towards a Magpie beater. She didn't have time to react and the bludger hit her in the jaw. Blood poured from her mouth as she tumbled towards the grass of the pitch. Another goal was scored by the Gargoyles.

"Their using dirty fucking underhanded tricks!" Ariyamna bellowed angrily.

"ARIYAMNA!" Mr. Potter shouted.

"WELL THEY ARE!"

Sirius and James laughed hysterically. The Magpie seeker was nowhere to be seen. She shot past them so fast that it made their eyes water.

"She's spotted something," Ariyamna cried.

"The Gargoyles know," Sirius said.

The Gargoyle seeker caught up with the Magpie seeker and was attempting to grab the twigs from the end of her broom. She kicked his hands away as she zoomed up. He didn't see the podium and crashed into it.

"HA!" Ariyamna laughed. "Serves you right you dirty cheating fucker!"

"ARIYAMNA!"

The gargoyle seeker had to be led off on a stretcher, his neck weirdly contorted.

"DEATH EATERS!" Someone bellowed.

James and Sirius turned sharply. The crowd were screaming but not at the match. Mr. Potter squinted over his glasses. There was a loud bang and several screamed. A shot was fired into the sky with brilliant green light and a skull with a serpent tongue was spat out.

"Oh come on," James said folding his arms.

"Boys," Mr. Potter said drawing out his wand. "Stay with Ariyamna, take them back home."

"No way," Ariyamna said, drawing out her own wand. "I'm not leaving you Charlus,"

"I'm not doing anything stupid," Mr. Potter said. "Just go. I need to make sure that we are not followed. Now get out."

Ariyamna stowed her wand back into her pocket and grabbed their hands. "Sorry boys this is gonna be very uncomfortable."

Sirius and James looked at each other and in a second they had disapparated. It was like being squeezed through a plastic tube and both James and Sirius were screaming for it to stop. They twisted and shook and contorted, before realising that they were lying face down on the grass. Ariyamna helped them up. "Sorry," She muttered. "I'm awful with side along apparations. You guys okay?"

Sirius nodded wanting to throw up. He got to his feet. There was a crack behind them and James looked around to see his father walking up behind them.

"Thank you Ariyamna," He said. "Boys get into the house."

Sirius and James nodded and they both got in where Mrs Potter was waiting for them. She grabbed James into a tight hug and began to cry. "Oh thank god, thank god,"

"Mum," James said. "I'm fine,"

She burst into tears, heart rendering sobs and pressed her face against James' shoulder. "I don't want to think about what would have happened if I had lost you,"

Sirius stood feeling a little uncomfortable as Mr. Potter gave up behind them. He only wished his own mother would show the same love whenever his life was in danger.

"Dorea," He said kindly. "It's okay dear,"

Mrs Potter let out a sob and wiped her eyes letting go of James and grabbing Sirius, pulling him into a tight hug.

"The ministry is reporting it live." She whispered, putting her face against Sirius. "Oh, Sirius, thank the lords your safe."

"I'm okay, Mrs Potter," Sirius grumbled. "Really."

Mrs Potter let go and smiled gently through her tears. "There's... There's onion soup in the kitchen," She said. "Oh, Charlus, you don't need to go back do you?"

Mr Potter shook his head. "No, they can do without me for the night."His wife's face broke out into a smile. He leaned down to hug her, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Being silly," She muttered.

"Of course not dear," Mr Potter said kindly. "You have every right to be worried. I don't know what happened. Usually the ministry is pretty clued up what things should need have extra protection. I don't think anyone was expecting a visit from the Death Eaters."

"Being silly," She muttered again.

...

The hustle and bustle of the train station was only to be expected when James, Sirius, Remus and Peter all descended upon the platform. Early as they were, they did not expect to see only a few witches and wizards milling about waiting for the train to leave at 11 o'clock. After a small debate about what was important to bring on the train to get rid of the inevitable boredom sure to creep in, they settled for James' invisibility cloak, a pack of exploding snap, a book for Remus (really? Could you not see it coming?)

James caught a glance at Lily and Snape who had both arrived together. Snape was saying something very discreetly to Lily before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment. Lily took it for a moment reading the writing, frowning slightly. Snape then pulled from his robes a silver chain where dangled a pretty pendant. Lily almost gasped when she saw it, but her face broke out into a smile. Snape helped her put it on, she moving her red hair so that he could see where to clasp it. Lily turned it in her fingers.

"It's beautiful Severus," She said.

Snape gave a smile which didn't seem to go with his sour complexion.

James felt a stab of jealousy wash over him. He ignored it though knowing full well that an attack on Snape would not improve his chances of getting on Lily's good side. He followed Sirius up onto the train and into one of the empty compartments. Sirius was talking excitedly to Remus about their experience at the Quidditch match. Remus was vaguely interested until Sirius mentioned the Death Eaters. Then he frowned and leaned forward, his tired looking eyes glinting.

"Shouldn't it have been better protected?" He asked. "I mean, if Voldemort is out there gathering followers then it would only be expected that he would terrorise a well meaning crowd of people."

"I think that's what is pissing people off," Sirius said. "I think that it could easily have been protected. But the ministry were too busy laying down anti-mermaid legislation."

"Mm..." Remus pursed his lips.

"They really need to get their finger out of their arses," James said. "30 people dead because of their stupidity."

"I know," Remus said. "But there is little we can do for them."

James was watching the other students pile onto the platform. Sirius caught his glance.

"Oi, good-looking," He said. "I know Snivellus is a dick, but get over it already. It was only a necklace."

"Mm?" James turned looking around. "Sorry, I'm just thinking."

"Does it hurt?" Sirius asked.

"Shut up." James grinned. There was a faint whistle from the front and students began to say their goodbyes to their families before boarding. The train lurched forward and began to move from the station. Remus pulled out his book, pressing his fist against his temple and leaning on it. His eyes moved across the page in blurs.

"So..." Peter said, clearing his throat. "Remus, how is your sister?"

Remus didn't look up, but he had stopped reading. "Fine," He said stiffly.

"When's she coming up?" James asked absentmindedly.

"She's not," Remus said.

"What?" James frowned. "She's not coming to Hogwarts?"

Remus shook his head.

"Why not?" Sirius asked.

"Mum wants her to go to Beauxbatons," Remus said simply.

"Why?"

Remus shrugged, looking up. "What's with all the questions?" He asked. "Are you really that interested in my family life?"

"Well, seeing how you never talk about your family life," Peter shrugged. "Questioning seems to be the only way to get you to talk about anything."

"Not true," Remus replied.

James let out a laugh. "It's so true!" He said. "You're the worst when it comes down to personal matters."

"Can we please drop it?" Remus asked tiredly, closing his book. "Oh, er, Sirius, isn't that your brother?"

"Damn. Yes it is. Hide me. Maybe he won't see." Sirius said quickly.

"Too late."

The compartment door slid open and Regulus stood their changed already into his Hogwarts robes.

"Sirius," He said. "Where is it?"

Sirius sighed. "Reg, if you're looking for love and dignity, this is the wrong compartment."

Regulus stared at Remus with dark eyes before turning his head back to his brother. "I do not appreciate the pranks you pull, Sirius." He said darkly. "Please, give it back."

Sirius frowned. "Give what back?"

"You know full well what I want back." Regulus said.

"Reg, I have no idea what you're on about. Give what back?"

"Sirius, I will tell mother,"

"Tell her all you like, but first tell me what I've done!" Sirius said.

Regulus stared at the compartment. "Fine," He fumed. "Fine. Mark this day Sirius."

"With what?" Sirius asked.

Regulus said nothing as he turned and left.

"What was that about?" James asked.

"Oh I stole his models," Sirius shrugged, pulling one out of his pocket. It was a knight on a white horse waving his sword. Sirius' hands were bleeding from where the knight had decided to stab him with his sword. "What did I say about making me bleed?" He muttered.

Remus picked it up. "Fascinating," He muttered. "Did your brother make these?"

"With a little help from dad," Sirius said. "I think they're cheesy."

Remus handed it back to Sirius who tucked it back into his pocket. The trees and hills rolled by with little excitement and Remus fell asleep against the window. After about a minute of speculating whether or not he had fallen asleep or not, James pulled out a piece of parchment where his writing had been scored off a number of times. Peter pulled out the book that James had bought during their trip to Diagon Alley and Sirius yanked out a Lunarscope, a quill and a notebook.

James flicked it open to where they were at the moment. He read intently for a second before scoring out one of the creatures that he had written down and turning to the next page.

"What if he wakes up?" Peter asked nervously.

"Meh, we'll just say we're finishing our homework." Sirius said.

"He's buy that," James grinned, turning over a page. He frowned and looked at the Lunarscope. "What's that?"

Sirius picked it up in his hands. "I thought," He said clearing his throat. "It would be useful. I mean, I doubt very much that Remus is a werewolf, I think it's be much cooler if he was a half-mutant vampire... But I thought, since no one was using it at home..."

James took it from him. "What does it mean when it does that?" He asked.

"That it's half moon," Sirius replied. "See that only one half is glowing?"

"That's really cool." James said. "Where were we?"

...

The train slowed to a stop and the boys were no closer to figuring out what Remus was as they were when they started. They tidied up the mess that they had made before changing quickly and silently into their robes before waking Remus up. Together they followed the rest of the students up the muddy tracks to the self-pulling carriages. James kept stowing a look over at Lily who had joined her friend Alice and her friend Frank. Sirius pushed him into the carriage, rolling his eyes.

"Come on you big girl," He said. "Swoon later."

James pursed his lips sitting down. The carriage shifted and began to move on its own accord. The other passenger lowered his magazine thoughtfully and looked up through rather odd looking glasses.

"Hello." He said, his soft Irish brogue lifting the air.

"Hello Xeno," Sirius said. "How was your holiday?"

"Ah, to be what one expects," Xeno shrugged. He caught their looks. "Boring," He supplied. They nodded watching him curiously. "How was yours Remus?" He asked.

Remus shrugged. "Same really."

"And how are you feeling?" Xeno asked.

Remus frowned. "Fine. Why?"

Xeno shot a glance over at Sirius, James and Peter. "No reason," He said. "I hope there's pudding. There has been talk that the House-elves will be rebelling. I hope not. I hear that they are treated well in the kitchens."

"There better be pudding," Sirius said haughtily.

James laughed. The night air cool and brisk. Upon reaching the castle, Xeno disbanded, walking on his own, mesmerised in his own little world. Remus, Peter, James and Sirius climbed up the steps and into the Great Hall taking their seats beside the third years. They could see familiar faces that they knew well; the Prewett brothers, Kingsley Shacklebolt... And a few others that they were not too keen on such as Lucius and Narcissa, who were now 6th years.

Sirius let out a groan. "Why do they even let Slytherins into this school anymore?"

Lily had sat down near them. "Because they're not all that bad," She defended.

"I rather think they are," Sirius replied.

Lily stared at him remembering how he had lost his temper at her during the journey home. She pursed her lips and looked over at the sorting hat that was placed on the stool. Alice whispered something in her ear and Lily nodded.

McGonagall led the new first years up the middle of the Great Hall between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Among them was Sirius' brother who shot him a dark look as he passed. Sirius shifted his tie feeling uncomfortable. Before the sorting could take place, the teachers looked on at the Sorting Hat expectedly where it opened its mouth and began to sing.

Gryffindor where the brave dwell
The strong hearts and the pride that swells
Gryffindor the truest of those
Bring together the open and close

Ravenclaw with strength and pride
Do nothing better but to shine
When they solve the riddle right
They will win an intellectual fight

Hufflepuff trusting and true
Will guide and respect you
Offering peace and love and a sense of joy
They will be there always for those they love

Slytherin, the proudest of all
Knows whom its friends are and where its enemies dwell
They will fight for what they believe is right
Showing justice a sense of choice

The four houses, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin
Proud and true, but remember
They do not reflect what a person may become
The potential is there
Just needing to be sung
The four houses hope to light and guide you
And push you not into the path it chooses

Heed this message with truth and love
And realise what a wise hat speaks
When it talks that these four houses do not always show the path to good
Beware when the path leads you to evil

It let out a breath before closing its mouth. The Great Hall erupted into applause.

"What the bloody hell was that about?" Peter asked frowning.

"It means," Remus said hoarsely. "That the houses don't reflect who we are and always will be. They reflect what we have the potential to become and by our choice what we ought to become. That is if we chose to be placed in Gryffindor."

"Not me," James said as McGonagall started reading out first year names. "I'm just naturally brave."

"And naturally pig-headed," Lily said. "Now shut up."

"Aw... Evans, are you angry with me?"

"Yes,"

"Why? I haven't done anything yet."

"I'm constantly angry at you Potter," She replied. "It doesn't matter about what." She was holding the pendant that Snape had given her earlier in the day and was looking over at him. He was staring at his empty plate unaware of this. James took the pendant from Lily's fingers and examined it.

"It's very beautiful," He said.

"Hmm. I thought you would have insulted it seeing that Severus made it."

"You're so quick to judge." James sighed.

"Hypocrite." She muttered, taking it out from his hands.

James smiled over at her. Regulus' name was called out and Sirius lifted his head to look. The sorting hat had barely touched his head when it shouted out; "Slytherin!"

Sirius let out a groan as the Slytherins clapped like there was no tomorrow. Slughorn looked happy. James stared at Sirius. "What's up dog?"

Sirius nodded towards his brother. "The corollary of this is not going to be pleasant," He said.

"How so?" Remus asked, clapping as Benjamin Griffon was sorted into Hufflepuff.

Sirius shrugged. "Mother and father fawning over him like he's the bloody King. Falling into the rest of the pure-blood mania. He's going to get himself killed."

"You can't say that," Lily said. "How could you think that all those who go into Slytherin are just maniacs in waiting."

"Because they are," Sirius snorted. "Oh come on, as if you haven't noticed Snivellus' obsession with the dark arts."

"He has a hobby, unlike you Black," Lily said bitterly.

"Yeah, right," Sirius said.

"I'll have you know that Severus is one of the sweetest most intelligent men I have ever had the fortune to meet." Lily said.

"He's also incredibly ugly," Peter said.

"Too right," Sirius said giving Peter a fist punch.

Lily grinded her teeth. "Just because you can't see the good in someone doesn't make them completely evil."

"Why should I go looking for the good in someone who wants to hex me most of the time?" Sirius asked.

"Don't you dare," Lily said threateningly. "He wouldn't hex you as much if you left him alone first."

"His face asks for it," Sirius muttered.

Lily's face was set hard as she stared at Sirius. After the last first year was sorted into Ravenclaw McGonagall cleared away the stool and hat and Dumbledore stood up.

"Welcome to a new term at Hogwarts," He beamed. "May I just say a few words before we become too befuddled in the feast that awaits us?" He cleared his throat before proceeding, the owl on his stand stretching lazily. "I'm asked to remind you from our caretaker Mr Filch that the forbidden forest is out of bounds to all First years. I wish to stress that with Voldemorts-" There was a few gasps around the room and some of the first years looked confused. "-Growing power, there have been extra security placed around the school. I wish also to remind you that the Whomping Willow, is a reckless creature and will not take it kindly if you go near it. Third years are reminded that trips to Hogsmede will be starting after Halloween, but I also urge you to stay away from the Shrieking shack, as particularly violent spirits live there. Quidditch trials shall be starting in Autumn and I'd like to further remind first years that they are not permitted to take part. That is all, thank you."

Sirius turned and saw a plateful of food in front of him and instantly his mood felt lifted. The four boys looked at each other. Finally they were back home.

I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH THAT I STAYED UP PAST MY BEDTIME TO WRITE THIS FOR YOU! Hope you like it and please feel free to leave a review and tell me what you think thus far. Things from the previous chapter which some of you have gotten confused at will be unfolded gradually; don't worry. This is probably going to be my longest fanfiction ever? Willing to stick it out with me? haha
Happy reading
Sironaflett o.x.o