History and Truth

The Sorting

The rest of the trip was uneventful. I talked to James and Sirius and decided I liked these guys. The three of us walked up to Hagrid together, me leading the way. Most of the first years seemed to be afraid of him.

"Hello Remus. How are you lad?"

"Hello Hagrid! I'm glad to see you."

"You know him Remus," James and Sirius asked in unison.

"Yes. A couple of years ago my mom filled in as the nurse here. I had to come with her. Hagrid and I spent a lot of time together. He is the gamekeeper and does a lot of stuff for the Headmaster."

"Remus? Boats are down at the peer lad."

"Come on guys."

The rest of the first years followed as I led the guys down to the peer. Hagrid explained that first years always cross the lake in the boats. The three of us climbed into the same boat. I looked and saw Lily in the boat with Severus. She and I smiled at each other and waved. Severus was livid that she waved to me. We finally made our way up the marble staircase to the Entrance Hall. Professor McGonagal stood waiting for us. She explained  about the houses and that we had to be sorted. My stomach was in knots. I looked around and saw that I wasn't alone.

She led us to the front of the Hall and instructed us to wait. Once everyone was gathered she explained the process of the sorting and unrolled the parchment which listed all first years alphabetically by their last name. Although I went to school with them for seven years, I do not remember much about the sorting other than the people I had already met. I was so nervous that I was not even aware that the sorting had begun until I heard a name I knew.

"Black, Sirius."

I looked up to see where my new acquaintance would be sorted. He felt sure it would be Slytherin and he was NOT looking forward to it. I held my breath hoping he would be wrong. The hat seemed to take its time before shouting, "Gryffindor!"

Sirius removed the hat with a smile on his face. Then a commotion could be heard from the Slytherin table. His family seemed to be as UNhappy as Sirius was happy. He looked towards their table and then the color drained from his face. As he walked to join his house a shout  "Blood-traitor" rang out.

The Headmaster stood to his feet glaring at the Slytherin table and then at their Head of House. Their Head stood up and told them to be quiet, this was neither the time or place. Mental note to self: this is NOT over.

I was lost in my thoughts again until I heard, "Evans, Lily." My stomach squirmed in anticipation. In no time at all she was sorted to Gryffindor. Now I was hoping for Gryffindor myself. I glanced around at Lily who seemed pleased. She saw me looking at her. She smiled and mouthed 'good luck.'

Finally, my name was called. I slowly walked to the front of the room and sat on the stool. The Deputy Headmistress lowered the old hat onto my head. Then one of the strangest experiences of my life thus far happened. I could hear the voice of the hat in my head.

"Well, this is new. Werewolf are you."

"I'm a boy most of the time."

"Quiet right. Great deal of courage and strength."

"Thank you."

"Brilliant mind as well."

"Thank you."

"Polite and loyal, almost to a fault. Hmm, where to put you?"

"Please let it be Gryffindor. Everyone I know that's been sorted are in there."

As the hat sat there thinking, I could hear murmuring coming from the Great Hall. Everyone was wondering what was taking so long.

"Don't have many friends, do you? No. So these are important to you. Especially her. Alright then. Gryffindor!"

I took the hat off, ran over to my new house's table and sat next to Lily. We hugged each other we were so happy to be in the same house.

"Potter, James."

I turned around to watch. The hat barely touched his head before shouting "Gryffindor!" I was relieved. Everyone I had been friendly with on the train were all in the same house. I had only been this happy one other time. Two years ago when Dumbledore said I would get to attend school here.