Sirius Black stood near the back of the group of first-years, his arms crossed loosely as he scanned the Great Hall. The enchanted ceiling above reflected the now stormy sky outside, flickering with bursts of lightning in the distance. The long house tables stretched before him, students whispering excitedly, all eyes turned toward the nervous first-years. But Sirius wasn't nervous; no, not him. He was determined.

This was his moment to prove them all wrong. His parents, his relatives, even his brat of a younger brother back home. They had all assumed he would be sorted into Slytherin, like every Black before him. He could almost hear his mother's shrill voice now: Of course, you will be in Slytherin, Sirius. You are a Black! We are meant for greatness.

Sirius sneered at the thought. Not me.

"Black, Sirius!"

The call came far too soon, cutting through his thoughts. He felt a sharp jab in his ribs—James Potter had elbowed him. "Go on then," James muttered, grinning.

Sirius lifted his chin, walking forward with practiced ease, as if he hadn't a care in the world. He could feel the weight of a thousand eyes on him, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught the expectant expressions of some older Slytherins. His third-year cousin Bellatrix sat with her hands clasped, waiting for what she believed to be inevitable.

He sat on the stool, and the Sorting Hat was lowered onto his head. It was old, frayed, and smelled like dust, but he barely had time to wrinkle his nose before a voice echoed in his mind.

Ah, another Black... The Hat chuckled softly. I know just where to put you—

"No," Sirius thought, gripping the edge of the stool. "Not Slytherin."

Not Slytherin? The Hat mused. You are ambitious, determined, and clever. You would do well there.

"I don't want to be like them," Sirius argued, his heartbeat quickening. "I want to be different. I want to be in Gryffindor."

The Hat hummed in thought. Brave, yes... rebellious... a thirst to carve your own path... There was a long pause, then- Better be… GRYFFINDOR!

The table to his left erupted in cheers, and Sirius grinned widely as he yanked the hat off and strode to the Gryffindor table. He caught Bellatrix's look of pure outrage from across the room, and it only made his grin widen. Take that, Mother.

As he sat, James was grinning at him from the first-years still waiting. "Knew you had it in you," he mouthed.

"Evans, Lily!"

Sirius turned his attention back to the front as the red-haired girl from the train stepped forward. He noted how the sallow-faced boy who had been with her, was watching with bated breath. The Sorting Hat barely hesitated before shouting, "GRYFFINDOR!"

James let out an exaggerated groan, but Sirius only smirked as Lily made her way over. She narrowed her eyes before taking a seat opposite him.

"Lupin, Remus!"

Sirius watched as the quiet boy from the train stepped forward. He had assumed Lupin might end up in Ravenclaw, but the Hat barely took a moment before calling "Gryffindor!"

Lupin looked relieved as he made his way over, sitting down beside them. Sirius gave him an approving nod

"James, Potter!"

Sirius jumped up with his arms in the air when the hat shouted "Gryffindor" again. James did a slow motion 'run' over to the other boys; which made for a few snickers across the hall and dramatically double 'high fived' Sirius before he sat down.

"Pettigrew, Peter!"

Peter nervously approached the stool, his round face pale under the flickering candlelight. The Sorting Hat was placed on his head, and unlike the others, there was a long pause.

Peter nearly collapsed with relief as he pulled the Hat off and rushed to join the others, his face still slightly pale.

"Blimey," James whispered as Peter sat down. "That took ages."

Sirius smirked. "That was a real-life Hatstall! Almost thought we'd have to start dinner without you!"

Peter gave a weak chuckle. "Yeah…"

As the last of the first-years were sorted and the feast began, Sirius felt something shift inside him. He wasn't alone in a house of green and silver shadows. He wasn't trapped in his family's expectations. He was here, among laughter, golden-red banners, and friends. He was free.

…

After the feast, the Gryffindor first-years were led out of the Great Hall by a tall, stern-looking witch with her dark hair pulled into a tight bun. Professor McGonagall guided them through the castle, her sharp gaze keeping them in order as they made their way up the ever-moving staircases. The corridors were dimly lit by flickering torches, casting long shadows on the ancient stone walls.

Sirius, walking alongside James, took everything in with wide eyes. He had grown up in a grand house, but this, this was different. Hogwarts wasn't cold and unwelcoming like Grimmauld Place. It was alive.

"Blimey, this place is massive," Peter whispered, nearly tripping as one of the stairs moved under his feet.

"Keep up, Pettigrew," Sirius teased, catching the smaller boy by the back of his robes before he could stumble completely.

As they turned a corner, Sirius spotted the four Gryffindor girls from their year walking ahead of them: Alice Fortescue, Marlene McKinnon, Mary Macdonald and the girl from the train- Lily Evans. They had stuck together throughout the evening, chattering amongst themselves. Marlene glanced over her shoulder and caught Sirius looking.

"Well, Black, you certainly know how to make an entrance," she remarked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Your family must be having a right fit."

Sirius grinned. "Oh, they'll be thrilled."

Alice laughed, shaking her head. "Well, welcome to Gryffindor, then." They approached a portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress. "Password?" she asked, eyeing them all with curiosity.

"Caput Draconis," McGonagall said crisply. The portrait swung open to reveal a circular hole leading into the common room.

As they climbed through, Sirius felt his breath catch slightly. The room was warm and welcoming, bathed in the glow of a roaring fire. Plush armchairs and couches were scattered around, and rich red and gold tapestries hung from the walls. It was everything a home should be.

"First-years, up the stairs to the left," McGonagall instructed. "Your dormitory is waiting. Get settled quickly; lessons begin bright and early tomorrow."

They scrambled up the spiral staircase, excitement mounting as they entered their new home. Four four-poster beds stood in the round room, each draped with thick red curtains embroidered with gold lions. A large window looked out over the dark grounds, and the trunks they had brought with them from the train had already been placed at the foot of each bed.

Sirius claimed a bed near James, throwing himself onto the mattress with a satisfied sigh. "Well, this is miles better than home," he muttered to himself, running a hand over the soft duvet.

James flopped down onto his own bed, arms behind his head. "We're going to have a brilliant time here.

One by one, they changed into their pyjamas, exhaustion from the long day catching up with them. Peter was the first to fall asleep, his soft snores filling the room. Remus pulled his curtains shut, while James and Sirius exchanged a final grin before dousing the lights. As Sirius lay back, listening to the quiet sounds of his new roommates, a deep sense of contentment settled over him. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged.