Hesitation

One Shot

Based on the picture above

The Great Hall continued buzzing with enthusiastic students. McGonagall escorted the first years into the Great Hall moments shortly. A few upper years were reporting and signaling out their relatives who were joining Hogwarts for the upcoming years.

At the Gryffindor table, the red and gold table represented by a lion, four second year students talked absentmindedly.

"I'm hungry. How long do you reckon the sorting will take," questioned Petter Pettigrew.

"You're always hungry, Pete. Soon perhaps though," responded Remus Lupin, setting down his book.

"I'm with him, Mate."

Peter gave James Potter a blank stare. Remus who rolled his eyes playfully shifted his eyes to Sirius Black.

"Siri, you okay?"

Sirius ignored him, staring at the first years, searching for someone.

"Mate?"

James, Remus, and Peter understood their companion's strange behavior once they noticed a nearly identical Sirius-looking bloke nervously tugging on his grey robes.

The sorting started, soon after the welcoming song which described the four houses.

"Black, Regulus," was soon called out.

All eyes focused at the squirming son of Walburga and Orion Black.

Several Slytherin students straighten up upon hearing the surname Black. Hufflepuff (the yellow and black house picture by a badger) and Ravenclaw (the house with blue and bronze, portrayed by an eagle) students were wondering if another Black was going to join the Gryffindor clan. The Blacks were waiting for "Slytherin" to be called out, so Regulus joined the only acceptable house, in their opinion. Slytherin was blood prejudiced, only accepting half-boods and purebloods, the house of green and gray, the house depicted by snakes.

Everyone knew what occurred the previous year. Sirius Black became the first person of his family to be grouped outside of Slytherin. This earned him the status of "blood traitor", shaming the Blacks. The following day, a howler erupted before Sirius, with a smug looking Bellatrix Black in green and gray robes walking by. His cousin sent his mother an owl, reporting to her Sirius' fate.

Sirius Black started at his brother, the best he could, unable to see well with the cluster of heads. Trying to have a better loom, he half-rose from his seat, but was paused when the Potter heir settled a comforting hand on his shoulder. James smiled sympathetically, with Remus rubbing his back. Peter, unable to help, briefly squeezed his wrist, a sign to show he was there for him.

Sirius beamed for two reasons. He smiled as if the verdict was already declared and because his friends supported and comforted him to their best of abilities.

A minute or two ticked by, a hat stall.

"SLYTHERIN!," the hat proclaimed suddenly.

Sirius nodded upset, a small frown settling on his face while Remus gave him a side hug and James squeezed his shoulder. Petter offered him a spare chocolate frog in condolences, which he accepted.

However, he managed to smile as he observed his brother race to the cheering Slytherin table, where he was congratulated and deemed a "proper" Black.

"Sorry, mate," murmured Remus for the three of them.

"I knew he was going to be sorted into Slytherin," Sirius waved off, seemingly unbothered, greatly confusing his friends.

"Then?"

Peter received a questioning look from Sirius, who munched on a chocolate frog.

"Why are are you smiling?"

Sirus captured the whispered, but decided to lag his response.

Once he finished the chocolate frog, he was ready to answer his anticipating friends.

"Because," Sirius proudly said. "The hat hesitated."

AN: I'll edit at some point. Ideas/ advice/ etc. please :)