We Were Infinite

Chapter 7: two houses, both alike in dignity - Year Two

No one had ever seen Sirius Black so nervous. The usually careless and laid back Gryffindor was seated between James and Remus, fidgeting with the sleeve of his robes and restlessly tapping his left foot as they awaited the sorting of the new First Years.

"You're going to wear a hole in the floor, mate." James warned.

"Does it really matter what house he's sorted into? He's your brother." Peter reasoned. But Sirius did not respond, he merely chewed his lip and made a small whining noise in the back oh his throat while his knee continued to gyrate wildly.

The doors to the great hall swung open and the First Years filed in, gazing around in excitement and wonder. Sirius rose slightly in his seat, desperately scanning the sea of 11 year olds for his brother, but James pulled him down. Sirius seemed to radiate anxiety all throughout the Sorting Hat's song.

Finally, Professor McGonnagall stepped forward and lifted the Sorting Hat off of the stool. Sirius' leg shook harder and faster until suddenly he felt a hand come and rest on his kneecap.

Shocked from the contact, he froze and his grey eyes shot up to meet the amber ones of Remus Lupin.

"Sirius," He said calmly. "It's going to be okay."

And for some reason, Sirius believed him.

"Black, Regulus!" Was called and without a conscious thought, Sirius grabbed Remus' hand tightly.

Regulus walked slowly up to the stool in the front of the hall. It wasn't just Sirius that seemed to be on edge. At the Slytherin table, Bellatrix, Narcissa and their gang were staring intently at the younger Black brother. Regulus himself looked terrified as he took his seat on the stool. He kept his eyes, wide with fear, on the ground so that he could not see either the Gryffindor or Slytherin tables.

Sirius swallowed hard as Professor McGonnagall lowered that hat onto Regulus' head and the next few moments were the longest of either brothers' lives. Sirius' grip on Remus' hand was so tight, Remus was sure he'd need the jaws of life to free himself.

Then, at long last, the Sorting Hat announced loud and clear;

"SLYTHERIN!"

Sirius felt his stomach drop.

The Slytherin table cheered louder than they ever had before.

Regulus slowly stepped down, his grey eyes desperately seeking the identical ones of his brother as he made his way to the table at the other end of the Great Hall. But Sirius did not look up. He kept his gaze firmly on the table in front of him, wide and, to his embarrassment, full of tears.

The Slytherins continued to hoot and holler a little longer than usual, and Bellatrix's shrill cries of "My Darling cousin!" were easily recognizable over the noise.

Suddenly Sirius stood.

"Excuse me," He murmured.

"Sirius, the sorting isn't over," Peter said carefully.

"I need some air, that's all."

"Just wait until the sorting is through," James said, placing a hand on Sirius' arm. "You'll draw too much attention if you go now." Reluctantly, Sirius sat.