I'm not sure how I feel about this story so far, but we'll see where things go I suppose. Thank you for reading it so far anyway!

The train's brakes screeched, drawing the carriages to a halt, and within seconds older students had opened their doors and were barging down the narrow corridor. The crowded corridor was noisy, a buzz of chatter and laughter floating around, and none of the four boys seemed keen to join the throng of people who were pushing each other rather roughly in an attempt to escape into the cool night air. Peter looked pale, and even the cocky James and Sirius looked a little worried about the prospect of forcing their way through the taller students. Of course, they too were probably worried about the sorting ceremony which was yet to come, though none of the four mentioned it. Remus desperately hoped that they were all in the same house, as the other boys were easy to get along with. He knew that it was unlikely, but he still clung to his hopes. He already felt at ease with them, even if deep down he knew that they would hate the real Remus - the nasty, vicious beast that was unleashed once every month.

Eventually, the crowd died down a bit, and the group of first years ploughed their way into the corridor, trying to stay together. Remus almost tripped over his long robes, but caught himself just in time to avoid flying into Sirius' back - for which he was grateful. Eventually, he struggled off the train and onto the platform, and upon looking around felt foolish as they seemed to be the only ones with luggage. He wondered where everyone else's was, although he wasn't left in the dark for long, as an older student informed that the luggage was brought up to the castle separately. He told them that he was a prefect, so he would take care of their belongings for now, and to look for "Hagrid" who was apparently "hard to miss".

Remus looked around, confused about how they would identify someone so easily on the busy platform, but it was then that he heard a deafening call, "Firs' Years, over 'ere!" The man who had called towered above everyone else on the platform, but looked friendly enough. His face was partially obscured by shaggy dark hair and a long beard, although his beaming smile was still clear.

"I take it we've to go over there then," Sirius said in a casual tone, trying to hide his fear. Remus expected that he was afraid of being sorted into Slytherin "like the rest of his family", but he decided that now wasn't the time to bring it up.

"D-d-do you t-think he's a g-g-giant?" Peter stuttered nervously as he eyed the man. James laughed and shook his head.

"Giants are much taller than that - the average giant stands at around 20 feet. Besides, they usually live in the mountains," Remus told him, as he had already read through all of the textbooks for this year in his excitement upon learning he would be attending Hogwarts.

The boys waded through the crowd to reach the man, who introduced himself as Hagrid once a fair number of nervous-looking children had gathered. The group stood on the platform, allowing it to slowly drain of anyone who wasn't a first year. Every so often, Hagrid would call out again, causing everyone to cover their ears, and another few first years would trail over.

Eventually, the platform was empty except from the group, and Hagrid decided it was as good a time as any to set off. The first years followed behind in clusters, and Remus caught sight of Lily and Severus slightly ahead of him. He decided it would be wise not to point this out to James and Sirius, so the four travelled in silence - each consumed by his own thoughts. The group was heading down a narrow path surrounded by tall trees which blocked out the stars, relieving Remus from the moon's gaze momentarily, much to his relief. He hated how aware he always was of its presence, especially shortly before a full moon.

The little group rounded a corner at the edge of the trees, and for the first time they looked up to see Hogwarts itself. The colossal castle sat high upon a hill, surrounded by a vast black lake. There seemed to be towers jutting out all over the place, and it appeared that the full building was lit by candlelight. Many of the first years couldn't contain a gasp, including both Remus and Peter. This was going to be his home for the next few years, Remus realised as he took in the beauty of the castle. He couldn't believe how lucky he really was.

"Alrigh', let's get in the boats. Four to a boat!" Hagrid yelled as he climbed into a boat himself. For the first time, Remus looked away from the castle, and noticed a little line of boats in front of them. James and Sirius darted forwards, racing to get into the boat first. As they fought to clamber in, the pair toppled off the boat's edge and into the shallows of the lake. Everyone was staring at them, while Hagrid just laughed. "That's enough boys," he told them eventually once he had composed himself. The two leapt out of the water and into the boat, laughing loudly as they did so.

Remus and Peter wandered over to the boat containing their friends, eyes glued to the castle once more. They were just in time to hear James telling another two boys that they couldn't sit in this boat, since their friends were sitting there instead. The two boys looked a little disappointed, but headed to another boat anyway. Remus felt bad for them, but he also felt a little swell of pride that James already considered him his friend.

The other two boys clambered into the boat, far more carefully than their friends, and settled down. Remus took the seat beside Sirius, leaving the seat opposite him for Peter. Both James and Sirius were covered in water and shivering, but smiling none the less. "You must be freezing!" Remus said, and Sirius just grinned.

Once his teeth chattering started, Remus felt awful for Sirius, even if it was his own fault that he was cold. He took off his cloak and passed it to Sirius, who looked surprised. "You need it more than I do," Remus told him and smiled. Sirius gratefully pulled the cloak on with a quiet thanks and his shivering stopped after that. The night was cool, but not particularly cold, so Remus remained a relatively pleasant temperature without his cloak.

As soon as all of the first years were settled, Hagrid yelled "Forward!" and the boats all began to move at once. A few first years gasped, however Remus was not one of them this time, things moving by magic wasn't completely unexpected for him. "Gotta keep on schedule," Hagrid muttered, more to himself than anyone else. Remus wondered where exactly the group were headed next, however he knew there was no one to answer it. The sorting ceremony itself was a well-kept secret in wizarding families, besides the occasional teasing about how horrible it was. Naturally, every first year was nervous for what was to come.

Laughter dragged Remus from his thoughts, and he spun around to see James and Sirius splashing each other with water from the lake. Clearly neither had learned from the incident earlier. Remus sighed. "Guys, stop it, you're getting my robes wet!" The two laughed more and continued, although eventually they grew bored of the game.

Remus dipped his hand into the cool water, skimming it along the surface. The water lapped soothingly against his hand, and he sighed contently. The other three boys copied him, and soon all four were touching the water.

"Ahh!" Sirius yelled suddenly, causing the others to look around, "Something is pulling on my hand!" The boat began to rock as Sirius was dragged closer and closer to the water, and the other three boys leapt up. They pulled Sirius as hard as they could, but whatever was holding Sirius had a tight grip. "Hagrid!" James yelled, "Help us!" Hagrid hurried over in his boat, and fired a spell into the water from the tip of his pink umbrella, surprising them all. "Get outta 'ere!" he yelled at the dark waters. He smiled and told the boys not to touch the water again, before steering back to lead the group onwards.

By this point, the other first years were staring at the group, wondering what exactly was going on, and Remus knew he was in for an interesting year if they stayed friends - which he hoped they did. He noticed Lily and Severus in a nearby boat, alone, glaring at the group. When Lily noticed him watching, a fleeting smile crossed her face before she looked away.

Before long, the group found themselves in a low tunnel, blocking out the view of the castle. Remus reckoned they were underneath the castle itself now, although it was hard to tell as the tunnel was pitch black. After a few minutes, Remus saw a light ahead of them, and then the group of boats pulled up into a little stone harbour.

"Everyone out!" Hagrid called, before clambering out of his own boat and heading straight for a set of stone stairs. The first years quickly climbed out of the boats and followed him, wondering where they were being taken to now. At the top of the stairs, they emerged out into an open space, with the castle looming above them. Hagrid walked over to a huge, wooden door and loudly knocked on it. The door swung open, creaking loudly as it did so, and Hagrid stepped inside. The group of first years hurried after him quickly, and then the door swung shut behind them.

Inside, they found themselves in a huge entrance hall, with a large staircase ahead of them. A tall, thin woman stood in front of them, an emerald green cloak draped across her shoulders. She peered through her spectacles at them, and once they fell silent she began speaking.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said in a thick Scottish accent, "I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress. You will soon be seated at the Welcome Feast, however before that, you must be sorted into your House. Your House will be likely a family to you while at our school, so this is an important process. The four houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin, and each has its own merits. The sorting process will begin soon in front of the entire school, so I think it best that you all ensure you look smart."

She smiled at the group after she was finished, putting them slightly at ease. As soon as she finished, the group burst into discussion about the sorting.

"In front of the entire school?" James said, sounding slightly amazed and slightly horrified, "I wonder what we're going to have to do?"

"It can't be too bad if everyone can watch," Sirius contributed reassuringly, as Peter looked awfully pale by this point. Remus smiled at him, and he smiled back, although it faltered fairly quickly.

"Hey Sirius, can I have my cloak back please?" Remus asked, and Sirius removed it from around his shoulders.

"Cheers, Rem."

Remus raised his eyebrow at the nickname but said nothing. Upon shrugging the cloak back around his shoulders, he was grateful for the warmth of the cloak again, and noticed that Sirius smelled pretty nice actually. However, before he could dwell on this, Professor McGonagall spoke again, "If you would like to follow me, the sorting is about to begin."

The doors to the right of the first years swung upon, and Professor McGonagall strode through, leaving the group to trail behind here.

"I can't believe this is happening," Sirius whispered into Remus' ear, "I'm really scared, but don't tell James that. He'll call me a chicken."

Remus squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, surprising them both with the contact. He had never been the type for any kind of physical contact, although he felt like it was an appropriate moment for it. Besides, Sirius really seemed to need some reassurance around now, and that was the first thing that he thought of.

The group was gradually filing into the hall by this point, and the group of four boys followed suit, joining the line. They shuffled through the door nervously, and Remus found that his breath was taken away at the sight Great Hall which lay ahead of them.