(AN: Hope you enjoy the story!)
The boat that Remus had been perched precariously on, swayed ominously as it bumped into the underground dock. Remus couldn't help but wonder how the boats seemed to move on their own. He was desperate to learn how everything in this new world worked and functioned.
"Woah." Peter was sitting just behind him and he grabbed the edge of the boat as it rocked treacherously against the underground dock.
Remus barely noticed Peter wince as the boat crushed his fingers in between the wooden boat the cement dockside.
Remus was in awe. Theresa were sights and smells and sounds coming from all over and it was too much to all take it.
"First years. This way!" A woman's voice commanded from up ahead and suddenly everyone was clambering out of the rickety boats.
Upon stumbling out of the boat, James and Sirius caught up with them, they had gone in the boat directly behind Remus and Peter.
"I think they're broken." Wined Peter.
"You should've been more careful Pete." James scolded.
Remus once again got the impression the two knew each other.
"That's a good way to lose a finger or two, that is." Sirius barked, as they all funneled through the door at the opposite end of the chamber.
Together they all went up a large staircase that lead into the most magnificent hallway Remus had ever seen.
His mouth fell open as they stumbled into the hall to congregate around the mysterious woman who'd collected them. She seemed nothing like the overly large man who had seen them off the train.
"I think they're broken." Peter whimpered.
"Maybe the Professor could help?" Remus asked looking at the other boys.
James nodded.
"That's Professor McGonagall, I think. She's a newer teacher, my dad told me about her. Supposedly crazy brilliant." James explained quietly as they waited for McGonagall to speak.
"Welcome all." The woman spoke to the group.
" I am Professor McGonagall. I am deputy headmistress, head of Gryffindor house, and I will also be your Transfiguration teacher as well during your time here.
Soon, we will enter the great hall where you will be sorted into your houses. During the next seven years, your house will become like your family. Triumphs and achievements will earn your house points, while any rule breaking or mischief making will lose house points." McGonagall explained.
Her eyes fell upon Sirius Black for just a brief second.
Sirius attempted to stifle a loud snort.
Remus coughed a little to hide that he had also smirked at this.
James face lit up, he looked at Sirius as if he'd just found his twin flame.
James attempted to stifle a laugh as well and elbowed Sirius in the ribs.
"This way, now!" McGonagall explained, beckoning them all forward, leading them down the large hallway.
Remus was even more mesmerized by the castle now. There were pictures on the walls where the occupants moved around wildly, singing and dancing, there were ghosts that flew spookily overhead.
He was momentarily distracted by Peter, who pushed through a group of people, including a red haired girl and greasy black hair boy.
"Excuse me! Professor, I broke my fingers." Peter exclaimed, holding up his mangled left hand.
McGonagall's brows furrowed together.
"W-what, how exactly did that happen?"
"Please, Professor. It was the boat!" Peter pleaded with her.
"Oh, hold still." She told him, stopping the rest of the students as she did. With a wave of her wand, his fingers had magically mended.
"You know this kid?" Sirius asked quietly.
James nodded. "Our moms are friends." He replied.
"He's a good person, he's just a little bit goofy." James explained.
James slightly chuckled at Peter as he made his way back to them like a lost puppy coming home.
"You better now, Pete?" James asked quietly.
Peter nodded frantically.
Sirius chuckled a little too loudly at this.
Remus saw annoyance flicker across McGonagall's face.
"Mr Black, if you're quite done amusing your little friends, I'd like to continue on to the great hall now." She explained sternly.
"Ready whenever you are Professor." Sirius quipped boldly.
Remus swallowed hard. He couldn't believe that Sirius had the nerve to talk back to a teacher.
Especially, McGonagall who was now looking at them so sternly.
"Let's go. No cheek, Mr Black." She warned.
Sirius made his eyes go wide in amusement and shock when she turned around.
Remus had to press his lips together hard not to laugh, but James doubled over to silent laughter.
The red head in front of them clearly disapproved of this behavior, and glared back at them occasionally.
"What's down that way, Professor?" Sirius asked, once they were in what appeared to be a grand entrance hall. There were statues of 8 foot tall stone knights in armor that lined the walls, and a gargoyle that looked over the stairway up ahead of them.
"That is one of our main sets of staircases that leads to each of the house dormitories. Hufflepuff and Slytherin are downstairs, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor are upstairs."
Many of the students oood and awed over this bit of new information.
"I'm aiming for upstairs." Sirius mumbled to the three closest to him.
A scoff in front of them caught their attention.
Remus watched as the greasy black haired boy turned around.
"Please, you're a Black. You've got a one way ticket to Slytherin." The black haired boy in front of him sneered.
"Ha, we'll see." He replied nastily, he tried to seem tough. Deep down he was afraid it was true though.
Professor McGonagle must've heard them because she interrupted them.
You can't ever assume what house you'll be in. Last year, Benji Fenwick tried to do just that. Thought he'd end up in Hufflepuff. well, he was sorted into Ravenclaw immediately." McGonagall added, explaining to the group.
"This way!" She commanded, bringing them all into the great hall.
The huge large doors swung open to reveal the largest and most magnificent room any of them had ever seen.
Remus was star struck. He looked around greedily like there'd never be enough time to see everything, and to soak in every detail.
Ghostly haunts flew overhead through the night sky, and students of all ages packed in together shouting and waving at the new incoming students. Candles floated majestically from the enchanted ceiling and the teachers all smiled broadly from the table at the end of the hall, that over looked huge ornate windows.
The first years crowded in together towards the front of the hall, where a single stool stood, with an old hat on it.
Remus heard Sirius whispering to James explaining that they put the hat on to be sorted.
Remus sighed in relief. Peter on the other hand who wasn't gifted with super sonic hearing hadn't heard this. He was terrified of what they would have to do. Deep down he didn't really think he fit into any of the houses.
One by one they began calling students up.
"Avery, Jackson." Was the first to be called up, and he was the first student to be sorted into Slytherin.
Before Sirius knew it, it was his turn.
"Black, Sirius." McGonagall called.
Sirius tried to look brave as he approached the chair.
He sat down and he heard talking as soon as the hat was placed on his head.
"Ha, another Black." Sneered the voice.
Sirius couldn't see the rest of the hall, only the inside of the overly large hat.
"Hmm. Quite peculiar. I don't know where to put you." The hat said after a brief moment.
"Anywhere, but Slytherin." Sirius pleaded internally.
The hat must've been able to read his mind because it answered his unspoken plea.
"Not Slytherin? you don't wish to be like the rest of your family then?" Asked him.
"No" he thought. He didn't. Flashes of his parents and cousins worst behavior and beliefs flew through his mind.
"Hmmm. Well that's quite brave of you. Not loyal, but brave. Not a very smart choice either. I sense you'll face much reticule if not in your families house."
The hat practically purred in thought.
"Well, then it ought to be……..Gryffindor!" The hat screamed the last word to the whole room.
Many people cheered and clapped but many also hissed and gasped to see a Black be sorted into any house but Slytherin.
Sirius swallowed hard, knowing his mother would hate him for the rest of her days. And, he bounded off the stool to go sit with his new house. His new family.
He didn't dare steal a glance over at his cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa.
He waited to see who else would be sorted into Gryffindor House.
Lily Evans was also sorted into Gryffindor too. She looked sadly for a second at the greasy haired boy then came to sit opposite at the table from Sirius.
Several more people were sorted. Then it was Remus' turn.
Remus gasped when the sorting hate spoke to him.
"What a thirst you have to belong. But, yet so brave, so smart. Ahhh, and I don't believe I've ever sorted a werewolf before." The hat must have read his mind.
"Perhaps you could belong in wise Ravenclaw, you do have some brains, but perhaps not enough. You're loyal, and not afraid of hardwork, but perhaps not enough to be in Hufflepuff. You lack the necessary cunning for Slytherin too. A
"Let's make it….Gryffindor!" The hat shouted.
Remus sighed, and went to go join Sirius.
Together, they watched Peter be sorted.
At one point he came close to falling off the stool and gripped the brim of the hat tightly, shaking.
But eventually, he too was sorted into Gryffindor.
James was next. He looked cool and relaxed as the sorting hat was placed on his head.
He was sorted in to Gryffindor almost immediately.
He smiled and bounded off to join Peter, Remus, and Sirius.
They watched a round face girl name Alice Prewett walk up and take a seat on the chair.
The hat took a long time to decide but eventually it shouted out. The hall erupted as she was sorted into Gryffindor.
Sirius shushed James when the black greasy haired boy went up to be sorted.
"Snape, Severus." Took his seat.
"Hey, it's greasy." James snickered.
Sirius doubled over in silent laughter, but shushed James all the same. But, there was no need. As fast as the hat had been placed on his head, he was sorted into Slytherin.
Remus found it interesting that some people were sorted so easily, while others seemed to take the hat forever to place.
Soon, all the new students had been sorted. Dumbledore stood up, his arm out stretched.
"Hello, all. Welcome to Hogwarts. New and old students alike." Dumbledore mused kindly, smiling at all of them.
"Just a few start of term reminders and notices to go over. "
"We welcome back, Professor Sinistra for her second year with us. Say hello to her in astronomy class."
Some people clapped happily.
Dumbledore continued.
"Rubius Hagrid has also kindly agreed to continue on as our game keeper this year as well." The large man they'd met on the train platform waved a large hand.
"Shit, he must be half giant or something?" Sirius whispered to Remus. Remus jumped a little.
"You think? I just assumed he was big?" Remus murmured.
He saw James nod in agreement.
"No way. He's definitely half giant." Sirius explained quietly as Dumbledore continued.
Remus wondered if Sirius thought this was a bad thing. But his attention was brought back to Dumbledore.
"Just as a reminder, the forest on the grounds is out of bounds for all pupils."
"Yeah, okay." Sirius mumbled.
"And, One last thing before the feast can begin. Our new caretaker, Mrs Filtch has asked me to let you all know a copy of all current banned objects will be posted outside his office on the second floor." Dumbledore explained.
"Let's eat!" He jovially commanded.
Suddenly, there were plates and piles of food all over the four house tables. Had never seen so much food in his life, and there was so much to choose from he had duck he had chicken. He had potatoes he had vegetables he had soup.
And he ate with the boys he had met on the train. He wasn't sure if he could call them friends just yet, but still was glad for their company. He was excited that he would get to spend the next 7 years with them. He himself wished for the first time in so many years, for a chance at friendship.