short stories → wolfstar

the noble house of black 2/2

                                    sirius

"i'm remus lupin" he perches apprehensively on the seat opposite me, a shy smile forming on his lips,
"i'm james potter and this is sirius black" james beams eagerly, awaiting me to speak. but i can't find any words. for some reason, i'm completely speechless.
"niawr yes" i garble, making both the boys stare at me in confusion. "i mean nice to meet you"
"do you want some chocolate?" he asks, with a bit more self assurance. "my mum said that chocolate helps you make friends" he digs his slender, delicate fingers into his pocket and produces a bar.
"who would say no to chocolate!" i laugh, regaining my confidence as he hands me a huge chunk.
"mmm" i mumble while square melts and the sweet flavour oozes on my tongue. "this is amazing!"

it's the first treat i've had in years. other than regulus, i've never been shown any affection. and just this simple act of kindness from this selfless boy has nuzzled its way into my heart.

"sirius black" the crisp voice of professor mcgonagall calls into the great hall. i gulp down my pride and set off to the wooden stool.

if i'm in gryffindor i'll be betraying my family, but if i'm in slytherin i'll be betraying myself. at this point, i don't know where it's best for me to go.

the leather of the hat falls over my eyes as the voice of the sorting hat grabs my attention.
"well well. aren't you in a pickle young black"
it taunts "you are brave, oh so brave. and reckless! you do have a lot of nerve... but slytherin is where your bloodline is directing you..."
"i don't want to be like them" i think to myself
"not like them? i see, i see. it's clear what you are then mr black... GRYFFINDOR" it bellows, swiftly followed by an eruption of cheers from the table of scarlet ties.

as i walk past the other first years, james gives me the biggest thumbs up and grin, whilst remus smiles gently. i take a seat on the gryffindor table whilst everyone congratulates me. slowly, more people are sorted, a couple of gryffindors, a few hufflepuffs, several ravenclaws and a huddle of slytherins until-
"remus lupin"

i watch as he nervously walks up to the hat as he pulls his oversized robes straight.
please say gryffindor my inner voice chimes as the minutes tick by. when finally...
"GRYFFINDOR!"  remus smiles so wide when the hat is took of his head, it looks like he'll split in two with happiness. i'm swept away by the moment and join in with the cheers and clapping from our house.
"hello" he grins, as i pat his back in excitement
"hey! i'm so glad you are with me"
"me too" his amber eyes twinkle gently in the candle light.

as soon as james is sorted into gryffindor i realise that choosing myself over my family's pure blood mania was the best thing i've ever done.

i don't know what my mother will do when she finds out, but as i stare at james potter and remus lupin, i know that i'm not on my own. that i won't have to face her alone.