darkdragonne (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
darkdragonne) wrote2012-03-11 08:51 pm
darkdragonne) wrote2012-03-11 08:51 pm
Entry tags:
Before the rise chapter 3
Fandom: Harry Potter
Era: Marauders
Summary: The untold story before the rise of Voldemort- the lives of James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus since they entered Hogwarts. A collab project between me (G- writing Remus) and two friends (S- writing Peter and James, and L- writing Sirius).
Notes: Israel is being bombed again, so we have nothing better to do than meet up and write since everything else is cancelled. We brainstormed planned and wrote for 5 hours yesterday, 5 more today, and are planning to continue tomorrow. One good thing at least came out of the bombings...
Status: WIP
Sirius- September 1971
We followed the huge man called Hagrid into the castle. I think I heard about him during one of my family dinners. One of my cousins said that he is not pure blood, and even worse– a son of a giant. Of course, that doesn't mean anything as long as he is not dangerous. Ever since James's comment I became very aware of what I was thinking or saying about pure blood- after all what does it matter? Anyway, I had a feeling my parents wouldn’t like him very much.
My thoughts were cut short when Hagrid opened the door and we all came into the entrance hall. It was so big we could barely see the ceiling. Burning torches lit the walls, and a tall woman with a serious face and a green cloak was waiting for us.
"I bet you can count the times she has ever laughed on one hand" I whispered to the group from the train. We all laugh silently except from the clumsy boy, Peter. The woman glanced to us and started talking.
"I am Professor McGonagall. Please follow me," she made sure everyone heard what she said and started walking down the marble stairs. At first, there was silence, but then everyone started whispering.
"Where are we going?" asked Peter in a somewhat shaky voice.
"Probably to the opening dinner" said James in what was supposed to be a confident tone.
"Good, I'm starving!" Peter replied quietly.
"How do you think they choose the students' houses?" asked Remus when we stopped next to a big door.
"Maybe we should fight a vampire? I always wanted to do that." James said with a big smile and winked.
"What? What fight?" Peter almost fainted. Being with Peter in the same house could be funny.
"Don’t worry, Peter, he's just kidding. All you have to do is wear a hat which tells you which house you fit in," I said, but I could see it didn’t make him any calmer.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall started talking. "The opening dinner will start soon, but before you take a seat we need to sort you into the different houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony, because when you are going to be here, your house would be like your family. You would learn your lessons with your house's students, you would sleep in your house's dormitories, and you would spend your spare time in your house's common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has an amazing history, and each house raised extraordinary witches and wizards. When you will be in Hogwarts, your success will earn your house points, while your rule breaking will take points off. In the end of the year the house with the highest number of points will win the house cup, which is an important award. I hope you will all bring honor to your houses. The Sorting ceremony will start in a few minutes. Please stay here quietly until we will be ready to bring you."
And without saying another word she went out of the room.
"You know, I think she is the head of Gryffindor." James leaned towards me and whispered.
In what house am I going to be in? I wondered. Should I be in Slytherin? I always thought i would be in Slytherin but ever since the conversation on the train I wasn't so sure anymore. Should I be in Gryffindor? What my parents would say about that – their own son, the eldest son that they raised to be a great Black, in Gryffindor? I don’t think they would like that idea.
Actually, if you take a look, you would see I have a big chance to be in Slytherin. All of my family is there, and my blood is pure. That's enough to be sorted there, isn't it?
Suddenly, Professor McGonagall was in the room. "Come on, quickly please, the Sorting ceremony is about to begin. Now stand in a line and follow me" Professor McGonagall said and started walking. I stood behind James, and Remus stood behind me. We walked through heavy doors into a huge hall (even by the standards of my family). Thousands of candles were floating in the air above four long tables, which students were sitting around. On the tables there were gold plates and cups (goblins' work, maybe). At the head of the hall there was another long table that belonged to the teachers.
I heard Peter make an admiring sound and saw him looking at the ceiling. I raised my head and saw the night sky above me. It WAS impressive.
In the meantime, Professor McGonagall put an old hat- the Sorting Hat, on a stool in front of us. From the corner of my eyes I could see my cousins waiting for me in the Slytherin table. We will see if I really do join them. I focused back to the sorting hat, which started moving a little bit, and then one of its tears opened and it started to sing-
In the time when this school was new,
'Twas led by founders four-
Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff,
Slytherin and Gryffindor.
First in unity then in discord,
The founders raised their voices,
For when asked whom they would teach
They offered four choices.
Gryffindor’s chosen were brave of heart,
Ravenclaw's with wisdom blessed,
Slytherin's of great ambition,
And kind Hufflepuff took the rest.
For this purpose I was made,
Now that they are dead,
I will sort each witch and wizard
Who puts me on their head!
The entire hall broke into stormy applause when the Sorting Hat finished its singing. It bowed to the four tables and returned to its rest quietly.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward while holding a long piece of parchment.
"When I call your name, I want you to wear the sorting hat and sit on the chair," she said.
"Abbot, Jennifer," was the first student to be sorted.
"Hufflepuff!" The hat opened its mouth again and shouted the name of the house for the entire hall to hear.
"Avery, Thomas."
"Slytherin!"
"Black, Sirius." She called my name.
I wasn’t really nervous, like Peter, but I didn’t know where I wanted to be sorted. I walked to the chair and put the sorting hat on my head. The last thing I saw was James' surprised face. I forgot to tell him my last name on the train. As a pureblood, he must have heard of my family, and probably not good things.
"Another Black!" The hat's voice said in my head. "I usually let them tell me where they want to go. They all choose one direction. Yes, you have many features in common with your family- you are ambitious, and definitely determined. Determined to be different. Let me help you– go to Gryffindor!" It screamed the last word aloud.
I took off the hat, and there was an uncomfortable silence that was interrupted by the teachers, who politely applauded. When Professor Dumbledore started applauding most of the students started too. I glanced at James and saw him smiling toward me. Well, at least I had one friend here. I took a seat and started to feel calm again, but then I froze.
Merlin's beard, what was I going to tell my parents?
Remus- September 1971
The silence that followed Sirius's Sorting was interrupted by a few hesitant claps, and then silence again. Looking around, I saw James stare at him, shocked, before regaining his composure and smiling at him. A redheaded girl looked confused, unsure WHY he got that reaction. At the Slytherin table, some of the faces looked positively livid, as if they were planning Sirius Black's death.
I didn't like it.
I had heard of the Black family from my parents- they were Slytherins and pure bloods to the last one. I knew that this event was almost unprecedented. But at the same time, I knew Sirius shouldn't be judged by his family. He didn't choose it. It wasn't his fault.
Professor McGonagall called out another name, trying to act as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Another student wore the hat and became a Hufflepuff, but the clapping was subdued. All around the Hall, I heard snatches of whispered conversation about the new addition to Gryffindor house.
"Not right..."
"The hat made a mistake, I'm sure..."
"Blood traitor..."
People were shooting him glances when they thought he wasn't looking. Maybe he wasn't. He stared down at the wooden table with an expressionless face, as if he wasn't even aware of the other students. I couldn't tell what was going on in his head.
But I had no time to worry about Sirius Black. The Sorting went on. The redheaded girl- Lily Evans- became a Gryffindor, to the apparent dismay of a boy with dark, greasy hair. More students were placed in their houses, and my turn was approaching. Peter, who was standing near me, looked terrified, and although I didn't show it, so was I. A million scenarios in which this could go wrong flashed through my head.
What if the hat refused to sort me? Would I just sit there, waiting, until a teacher came and told me I had no place at Hogwarts? Or worse, what if instead of shouting the name of a house, the hat would tell the rest of the school what I was? What would I do then?
I didn't want this hat to see into my head. I didn't want anything to do that.
"Lupin, Remus."
Immediately after my name was called, each and every one of the teachers and school staff stared at me intently. Even Sirius Black was forgotten for the moment. They know. I realized. They all know.
I walked over to the hat, uncomfortably aware of the teachers' stares, keeping my face as calm and collected as I could. McGonagall placed the hat on my head, and the last thing I saw before I was engulfed in its darkness was her intense eyes.
"Hmmm, how interesting." A small voice said in my head. It was the hat. "I did not expect to see one like you here. Now where should I put you?" So it was going to sort me. But where?
"You have been through much more than most others your age. You have a strong heart and a sharp mind, and you are determined." It was silent for a moment, as if debating with itself. "You have a difficult time ahead of you. Perhaps it would be best if you will be in GRYFFINDOR!"
The last word was shouted aloud to the hall, and I pulled the hat off and handed it to the head of Gryffindor house, who hadn't moved from her place. My sorting hadn't taken much more than a minute, but to me it felt like longer. McGonagall continued to read names, and most of the teachers continued to watch the sorting, although I had a feeling that a few of them were still looking at me.
Why Gryffindor? I didn't feel particularly brave or strong. Gryffindors were supposed to be the enemies of all evil, and I... wasn't.
I made my way to the far end of the Gryffindor table, where Sirius was sitting, separated by a few chairs' distance from the rest of our house. I took a seat next to him- being isolated from the main body of the students suited me as well.
"So we're together." I said. I wasn't much for conversations, but I didn't want him to feel... Different. It wasn't a good feeling.
"Yeah." he said shortly.
I tried to think of something else to say, but I couldn't, and he didn't seem inclined to talk. As Mary McDonald became a Gryffindor, I was painfully aware of the awkward silence around our small stretch of the table, the occasional glance a teacher threw in our direction, and the half-moon shining in the enchanted ceiling.
Peter- September 1971
I felt my hands shaking as Remus walked toward his seat. It was worse than disappointing my mother. Worse than getting punched by Bradley. I tried to calm myself down like my mom always tried to teach me with no success. Breath in and out, in, out, in, out… it didn’t work very well, though. I felt like a big failure. I couldn’t even calm myself down. I could seriously imagine Filch and myself wandering around school, cleaning the halls, while everyone else would be studying enthusiastically. And even if I did make it into the classes with everyone, I would probably fail every class. I was the biggest loser in this school.
“Pettigrew, Peter,” Professor McGonagall announced in her firm and steady voice.
As I walked toward the hat I saw everyone looking at the big loser walking in front of them. I pitied the house that I was going to be placed in.
The hat covered all of the new student’s eyes. It probably helped them a bit because they didn’t have to see the whole school staring at them. But not me. The old hat didn’t fit onto my big head, so it was just placed on my lank hair in the most awkward way possible. I could feel my pulse in my ears.
‘You are kind, and not afraid of hard work, that is certain,’ the hat began speaking. ‘You could do well in Hufflepuff.’ I saw two of the boys I met on the train sitting by the Gryffindor table. I thought about how nice it would be if l was with them in the same house. I could have real friends for the first time in my life…
‘GRYFFINDOR!’ the hat shouted out loud. The whole Gryffindor house cheered. How could I be in Gryffindor? I wondered. I’m not brave or determined. But along with my confusion that followed the hat’s decision, I also felt relief to be with those guys.
James- September 1971
“GRYFFINDOR!” the hat shouted, barely touching my head. As I went, full of excitement towards my house’s table, I performed the walk I had practiced at home in front of a mirror.
Step with the right leg and a sharp head lift. Another step and a direct look into one of the Gryffindor students' eyes. Another two steps and a turn towards Dumbledore. Nod respectfully. Then the slick turn I had the hardest time performing back home, but the adrenaline must have made it perfect over here. I bowed lightly to the entire school.
Snape looked at me with a loathing glare. He was probably just jealous of my amazing walk. Then I saw a few Ravenclaw girls snigger. Maybe the walk wasn’t the best idea... I ran as fast as I could toward my house’s table and sat next to Peter.
“What was that supposed to be?!” Sirius asked mockingly.
My face definitely matched Gryffindor’s colors at that moment.
“Nothing…You didn’t tell me you were a Black!” I tried to change the subject.
His face darkened. “You didn’t tell me you were a Potter.”
After the sorting was finished Dumbledore stood up and announced: “Before we start the feast, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Greenhut! I hope you will welcome her with open arms.” Hagrid seemed amused by that statement for some reason. Professor Greenhut, A witch in her sixties with short curly hair stood up, smiled and sat down again.
“I will not keep you any further from eating. Let the feast begin!” Dumbledore finished, and an enormous amount of food appeared on the table. On my right was a gold platter piled with roast beef, and on my left was a plate filled with mashed potatoes. Everything looked and smelled delicious. As I started piling food on my plate, I noticed Remus was already into his second steak.
"Enjoying the meal, Remus?” I asked mockingly. He raised his head for one second and glared at me in an almost animalistic way.
"Congratulations for making Gryffindor. I'm Alice, and I'm a third year.” A girl with short black hair greeted us with a smile. “Just so you know, this is the best house. You're lucky to be here.”
"We might be the best house, but we haven't won the cup in a while,” a dark haired boy said.
"Frank, don't be such a killjoy” she scolded him “don't mind him, guys. We are going to have lots of fun this year”.
"Don't worry about the cup. We're here now,” I tried to comfort them. Sirius snorted. Suddenly Peter squeaked with alarm as dozens of ghosts floated into the hall.
An old fashioned knight approached the table. “New Gryffindors, I see."
One of the new girls, Janette I think, said, “You're nearly headless Nick!”
"I prefer Sir Nicolas,” he bowed to us, pulling his head off until it was left hanging by a small thread of skin and muscle. Peter looked as if he was going to puke. I heard about Nick from my family. He was the ghost of Gryffindor house. I had always wanted to see him.
"Why is that fat teacher staring at us?” Mary, one of the new girls asked. I looked towards the teacher's table and saw a fat man who looked like a walrus, staring at our end of the table.
"That's Professor Slughorn. He teaches potions, and he has this 'Slug Club' for his favorite students. He is probably trying to decide which of you will be in it.” Alice answered.
"You two, Potter and Black, are probably on the top of his list.” Frank added.
"That's stupid!” Lily said indignantly “Just because of their families?”
"Jealous, Evans?” I teased. She turned away with an aloof expression.
After dessert Dumbledore stood up and the food vanished from the tables. It didn't seem to matter to anyone, because we all were full to bursting.
"I will not tire you with long words, for I know you all want to go to your dormitories. Goodnight to you all”.
Two students with Prefect badges stood up from the Gryffindor table and called for us to follow them. I went after them, full of excitement and Sirius and Peter followed.
"Where's Remus?” Peter asked halfway to the common room. I looked back and realized he was nowhere to be seen.
Later that evening, when we were all settled in our rooms, the door opened and Remus came in. He lay down on the last empty bed, but before he could fall asleep Sirius asked, “Where were you?”
"Oh, I… Just had to ask Professor McGonagall something.” Remus answered in discomfort.
Peter yawned and I felt my eyes growing heavy. Soon after, we were all asleep.
Era: Marauders
Summary: The untold story before the rise of Voldemort- the lives of James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus since they entered Hogwarts. A collab project between me (G- writing Remus) and two friends (S- writing Peter and James, and L- writing Sirius).
Notes: Israel is being bombed again, so we have nothing better to do than meet up and write since everything else is cancelled. We brainstormed planned and wrote for 5 hours yesterday, 5 more today, and are planning to continue tomorrow. One good thing at least came out of the bombings...
Status: WIP
Sirius- September 1971
We followed the huge man called Hagrid into the castle. I think I heard about him during one of my family dinners. One of my cousins said that he is not pure blood, and even worse– a son of a giant. Of course, that doesn't mean anything as long as he is not dangerous. Ever since James's comment I became very aware of what I was thinking or saying about pure blood- after all what does it matter? Anyway, I had a feeling my parents wouldn’t like him very much.
My thoughts were cut short when Hagrid opened the door and we all came into the entrance hall. It was so big we could barely see the ceiling. Burning torches lit the walls, and a tall woman with a serious face and a green cloak was waiting for us.
"I bet you can count the times she has ever laughed on one hand" I whispered to the group from the train. We all laugh silently except from the clumsy boy, Peter. The woman glanced to us and started talking.
"I am Professor McGonagall. Please follow me," she made sure everyone heard what she said and started walking down the marble stairs. At first, there was silence, but then everyone started whispering.
"Where are we going?" asked Peter in a somewhat shaky voice.
"Probably to the opening dinner" said James in what was supposed to be a confident tone.
"Good, I'm starving!" Peter replied quietly.
"How do you think they choose the students' houses?" asked Remus when we stopped next to a big door.
"Maybe we should fight a vampire? I always wanted to do that." James said with a big smile and winked.
"What? What fight?" Peter almost fainted. Being with Peter in the same house could be funny.
"Don’t worry, Peter, he's just kidding. All you have to do is wear a hat which tells you which house you fit in," I said, but I could see it didn’t make him any calmer.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall started talking. "The opening dinner will start soon, but before you take a seat we need to sort you into the different houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony, because when you are going to be here, your house would be like your family. You would learn your lessons with your house's students, you would sleep in your house's dormitories, and you would spend your spare time in your house's common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has an amazing history, and each house raised extraordinary witches and wizards. When you will be in Hogwarts, your success will earn your house points, while your rule breaking will take points off. In the end of the year the house with the highest number of points will win the house cup, which is an important award. I hope you will all bring honor to your houses. The Sorting ceremony will start in a few minutes. Please stay here quietly until we will be ready to bring you."
And without saying another word she went out of the room.
"You know, I think she is the head of Gryffindor." James leaned towards me and whispered.
In what house am I going to be in? I wondered. Should I be in Slytherin? I always thought i would be in Slytherin but ever since the conversation on the train I wasn't so sure anymore. Should I be in Gryffindor? What my parents would say about that – their own son, the eldest son that they raised to be a great Black, in Gryffindor? I don’t think they would like that idea.
Actually, if you take a look, you would see I have a big chance to be in Slytherin. All of my family is there, and my blood is pure. That's enough to be sorted there, isn't it?
Suddenly, Professor McGonagall was in the room. "Come on, quickly please, the Sorting ceremony is about to begin. Now stand in a line and follow me" Professor McGonagall said and started walking. I stood behind James, and Remus stood behind me. We walked through heavy doors into a huge hall (even by the standards of my family). Thousands of candles were floating in the air above four long tables, which students were sitting around. On the tables there were gold plates and cups (goblins' work, maybe). At the head of the hall there was another long table that belonged to the teachers.
I heard Peter make an admiring sound and saw him looking at the ceiling. I raised my head and saw the night sky above me. It WAS impressive.
In the meantime, Professor McGonagall put an old hat- the Sorting Hat, on a stool in front of us. From the corner of my eyes I could see my cousins waiting for me in the Slytherin table. We will see if I really do join them. I focused back to the sorting hat, which started moving a little bit, and then one of its tears opened and it started to sing-
In the time when this school was new,
'Twas led by founders four-
Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff,
Slytherin and Gryffindor.
First in unity then in discord,
The founders raised their voices,
For when asked whom they would teach
They offered four choices.
Gryffindor’s chosen were brave of heart,
Ravenclaw's with wisdom blessed,
Slytherin's of great ambition,
And kind Hufflepuff took the rest.
For this purpose I was made,
Now that they are dead,
I will sort each witch and wizard
Who puts me on their head!
The entire hall broke into stormy applause when the Sorting Hat finished its singing. It bowed to the four tables and returned to its rest quietly.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward while holding a long piece of parchment.
"When I call your name, I want you to wear the sorting hat and sit on the chair," she said.
"Abbot, Jennifer," was the first student to be sorted.
"Hufflepuff!" The hat opened its mouth again and shouted the name of the house for the entire hall to hear.
"Avery, Thomas."
"Slytherin!"
"Black, Sirius." She called my name.
I wasn’t really nervous, like Peter, but I didn’t know where I wanted to be sorted. I walked to the chair and put the sorting hat on my head. The last thing I saw was James' surprised face. I forgot to tell him my last name on the train. As a pureblood, he must have heard of my family, and probably not good things.
"Another Black!" The hat's voice said in my head. "I usually let them tell me where they want to go. They all choose one direction. Yes, you have many features in common with your family- you are ambitious, and definitely determined. Determined to be different. Let me help you– go to Gryffindor!" It screamed the last word aloud.
I took off the hat, and there was an uncomfortable silence that was interrupted by the teachers, who politely applauded. When Professor Dumbledore started applauding most of the students started too. I glanced at James and saw him smiling toward me. Well, at least I had one friend here. I took a seat and started to feel calm again, but then I froze.
Merlin's beard, what was I going to tell my parents?
Remus- September 1971
The silence that followed Sirius's Sorting was interrupted by a few hesitant claps, and then silence again. Looking around, I saw James stare at him, shocked, before regaining his composure and smiling at him. A redheaded girl looked confused, unsure WHY he got that reaction. At the Slytherin table, some of the faces looked positively livid, as if they were planning Sirius Black's death.
I didn't like it.
I had heard of the Black family from my parents- they were Slytherins and pure bloods to the last one. I knew that this event was almost unprecedented. But at the same time, I knew Sirius shouldn't be judged by his family. He didn't choose it. It wasn't his fault.
Professor McGonagall called out another name, trying to act as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Another student wore the hat and became a Hufflepuff, but the clapping was subdued. All around the Hall, I heard snatches of whispered conversation about the new addition to Gryffindor house.
"Not right..."
"The hat made a mistake, I'm sure..."
"Blood traitor..."
People were shooting him glances when they thought he wasn't looking. Maybe he wasn't. He stared down at the wooden table with an expressionless face, as if he wasn't even aware of the other students. I couldn't tell what was going on in his head.
But I had no time to worry about Sirius Black. The Sorting went on. The redheaded girl- Lily Evans- became a Gryffindor, to the apparent dismay of a boy with dark, greasy hair. More students were placed in their houses, and my turn was approaching. Peter, who was standing near me, looked terrified, and although I didn't show it, so was I. A million scenarios in which this could go wrong flashed through my head.
What if the hat refused to sort me? Would I just sit there, waiting, until a teacher came and told me I had no place at Hogwarts? Or worse, what if instead of shouting the name of a house, the hat would tell the rest of the school what I was? What would I do then?
I didn't want this hat to see into my head. I didn't want anything to do that.
"Lupin, Remus."
Immediately after my name was called, each and every one of the teachers and school staff stared at me intently. Even Sirius Black was forgotten for the moment. They know. I realized. They all know.
I walked over to the hat, uncomfortably aware of the teachers' stares, keeping my face as calm and collected as I could. McGonagall placed the hat on my head, and the last thing I saw before I was engulfed in its darkness was her intense eyes.
"Hmmm, how interesting." A small voice said in my head. It was the hat. "I did not expect to see one like you here. Now where should I put you?" So it was going to sort me. But where?
"You have been through much more than most others your age. You have a strong heart and a sharp mind, and you are determined." It was silent for a moment, as if debating with itself. "You have a difficult time ahead of you. Perhaps it would be best if you will be in GRYFFINDOR!"
The last word was shouted aloud to the hall, and I pulled the hat off and handed it to the head of Gryffindor house, who hadn't moved from her place. My sorting hadn't taken much more than a minute, but to me it felt like longer. McGonagall continued to read names, and most of the teachers continued to watch the sorting, although I had a feeling that a few of them were still looking at me.
Why Gryffindor? I didn't feel particularly brave or strong. Gryffindors were supposed to be the enemies of all evil, and I... wasn't.
I made my way to the far end of the Gryffindor table, where Sirius was sitting, separated by a few chairs' distance from the rest of our house. I took a seat next to him- being isolated from the main body of the students suited me as well.
"So we're together." I said. I wasn't much for conversations, but I didn't want him to feel... Different. It wasn't a good feeling.
"Yeah." he said shortly.
I tried to think of something else to say, but I couldn't, and he didn't seem inclined to talk. As Mary McDonald became a Gryffindor, I was painfully aware of the awkward silence around our small stretch of the table, the occasional glance a teacher threw in our direction, and the half-moon shining in the enchanted ceiling.
Peter- September 1971
I felt my hands shaking as Remus walked toward his seat. It was worse than disappointing my mother. Worse than getting punched by Bradley. I tried to calm myself down like my mom always tried to teach me with no success. Breath in and out, in, out, in, out… it didn’t work very well, though. I felt like a big failure. I couldn’t even calm myself down. I could seriously imagine Filch and myself wandering around school, cleaning the halls, while everyone else would be studying enthusiastically. And even if I did make it into the classes with everyone, I would probably fail every class. I was the biggest loser in this school.
“Pettigrew, Peter,” Professor McGonagall announced in her firm and steady voice.
As I walked toward the hat I saw everyone looking at the big loser walking in front of them. I pitied the house that I was going to be placed in.
The hat covered all of the new student’s eyes. It probably helped them a bit because they didn’t have to see the whole school staring at them. But not me. The old hat didn’t fit onto my big head, so it was just placed on my lank hair in the most awkward way possible. I could feel my pulse in my ears.
‘You are kind, and not afraid of hard work, that is certain,’ the hat began speaking. ‘You could do well in Hufflepuff.’ I saw two of the boys I met on the train sitting by the Gryffindor table. I thought about how nice it would be if l was with them in the same house. I could have real friends for the first time in my life…
‘GRYFFINDOR!’ the hat shouted out loud. The whole Gryffindor house cheered. How could I be in Gryffindor? I wondered. I’m not brave or determined. But along with my confusion that followed the hat’s decision, I also felt relief to be with those guys.
James- September 1971
“GRYFFINDOR!” the hat shouted, barely touching my head. As I went, full of excitement towards my house’s table, I performed the walk I had practiced at home in front of a mirror.
Step with the right leg and a sharp head lift. Another step and a direct look into one of the Gryffindor students' eyes. Another two steps and a turn towards Dumbledore. Nod respectfully. Then the slick turn I had the hardest time performing back home, but the adrenaline must have made it perfect over here. I bowed lightly to the entire school.
Snape looked at me with a loathing glare. He was probably just jealous of my amazing walk. Then I saw a few Ravenclaw girls snigger. Maybe the walk wasn’t the best idea... I ran as fast as I could toward my house’s table and sat next to Peter.
“What was that supposed to be?!” Sirius asked mockingly.
My face definitely matched Gryffindor’s colors at that moment.
“Nothing…You didn’t tell me you were a Black!” I tried to change the subject.
His face darkened. “You didn’t tell me you were a Potter.”
After the sorting was finished Dumbledore stood up and announced: “Before we start the feast, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Greenhut! I hope you will welcome her with open arms.” Hagrid seemed amused by that statement for some reason. Professor Greenhut, A witch in her sixties with short curly hair stood up, smiled and sat down again.
“I will not keep you any further from eating. Let the feast begin!” Dumbledore finished, and an enormous amount of food appeared on the table. On my right was a gold platter piled with roast beef, and on my left was a plate filled with mashed potatoes. Everything looked and smelled delicious. As I started piling food on my plate, I noticed Remus was already into his second steak.
"Enjoying the meal, Remus?” I asked mockingly. He raised his head for one second and glared at me in an almost animalistic way.
"Congratulations for making Gryffindor. I'm Alice, and I'm a third year.” A girl with short black hair greeted us with a smile. “Just so you know, this is the best house. You're lucky to be here.”
"We might be the best house, but we haven't won the cup in a while,” a dark haired boy said.
"Frank, don't be such a killjoy” she scolded him “don't mind him, guys. We are going to have lots of fun this year”.
"Don't worry about the cup. We're here now,” I tried to comfort them. Sirius snorted. Suddenly Peter squeaked with alarm as dozens of ghosts floated into the hall.
An old fashioned knight approached the table. “New Gryffindors, I see."
One of the new girls, Janette I think, said, “You're nearly headless Nick!”
"I prefer Sir Nicolas,” he bowed to us, pulling his head off until it was left hanging by a small thread of skin and muscle. Peter looked as if he was going to puke. I heard about Nick from my family. He was the ghost of Gryffindor house. I had always wanted to see him.
"Why is that fat teacher staring at us?” Mary, one of the new girls asked. I looked towards the teacher's table and saw a fat man who looked like a walrus, staring at our end of the table.
"That's Professor Slughorn. He teaches potions, and he has this 'Slug Club' for his favorite students. He is probably trying to decide which of you will be in it.” Alice answered.
"You two, Potter and Black, are probably on the top of his list.” Frank added.
"That's stupid!” Lily said indignantly “Just because of their families?”
"Jealous, Evans?” I teased. She turned away with an aloof expression.
After dessert Dumbledore stood up and the food vanished from the tables. It didn't seem to matter to anyone, because we all were full to bursting.
"I will not tire you with long words, for I know you all want to go to your dormitories. Goodnight to you all”.
Two students with Prefect badges stood up from the Gryffindor table and called for us to follow them. I went after them, full of excitement and Sirius and Peter followed.
"Where's Remus?” Peter asked halfway to the common room. I looked back and realized he was nowhere to be seen.
Later that evening, when we were all settled in our rooms, the door opened and Remus came in. He lay down on the last empty bed, but before he could fall asleep Sirius asked, “Where were you?”
"Oh, I… Just had to ask Professor McGonagall something.” Remus answered in discomfort.
Peter yawned and I felt my eyes growing heavy. Soon after, we were all asleep.