Friends
The noise of the train seemed never ending. James gazed out the window as the train passed over lakes and bridges, through long dark tunnels, and the green pastures of Scotland.
He laughed with Peter throughout and their new companion sat quietly only answering James’ occasional questions and jokes with one syllable answers.
When probed about his dislike, apparent hatred, for quidditch the boy replied, “not a sports bloke” but didn’t seem to know much about the game itself nor the teams of the wizarding world. James wasn’t one for judging about that though, he was sure he could convert anyone to loving or at least appreciating the game.
After what seemed like an hour another boy came crashing into the door of their car laughing, his dark black hair falling into his creased up eyes. He stood up right and sauntered into the car.
“This seat taken?”
He didn’t wait for a reply before throwing himself down into the seat beside James and stuck out his hand for a shake. James reached forward and grabbed it.
A shock flew all the way through his body, electrifying his bones and making every unruly hair stand up right.
The boy flew back in his seat cackling and James cracked up too realizing the boy had done something on purpose. Every hair on James’ body was standing straight but he couldn’t have cared less.
“How did you do that? Seriously ace mate!”
The boy could hardly stop laughing enough to point at the ring on his thumb, evidently unable to explain instead pressing his finger against James’ arm, another shock and guffawing resounded through the cabin. James nearly fell out of his seat before pressing his hand down onto the boy's thumb again and the boisterous laughter began again.
Once James had wiped the tears out of his eyes and got rid of the stitch in his side he turned to the boy and stuck out his left hand instead of his right needing an introduction to this kid, sure that they would be friends.
“James Potter”
“Sirius Black”
They shook tightly, albeit oddly, neither seeming to have shaken hands with their non-dominant hand before evidently causing more sniggering to erupt. James shook his hand out then clapped Sirius on the back.
Of course James had heard the Black name, one of the most prestigious albeit dark pure blood families in the wizarding world, but Sirius hadn’t said the name as though it was to be intimidating and impressive, he emphasised his first name and added Black as an afterthought. James’ parents hadn’t seemed to get on with the Blacks but James paid that no mind.
Sirius turned to the two other boys in the car and reached his right hand to Peter, who glanced at James before reaching out his left. His palm grasped the outside of Sirius’ hand and curled forward so he was wrapped around it. It looked uncomfortable and odd especially given a slight grimace from Sirius but Peter looked nearly triumphant, successfully avoiding a shock and narrowly avoiding Sirius’ thumb. Sirius quirked a smile quickly followed by Peter, looking as though he had passed a test of sorts.
His new friend then shifted towards their final cabin mate and extended his right hand once again.
The boy stared down at his hand before extending his own palm up, after a beat he gestured to Sirius’ thumb. Sirius pulled the gold ring off and tossed it into the palm in front of him. The boy then slid it onto his first finger and shook Sirius’ hand. James grinned at this and Sirius’ hair rose up on end, now the two of them were matching in their electrified looks.
Both boys cracked up once again, sliding down in their seats, Sirius patting his hair and Remus’ lip quirking up on his right side.
“Lupin, Remus Lupin”
As the train ground to a halt James and Sirius were pitched forward much to their amusement. The boys grabbed their bags, haphazardly throwing their robes over their clothes and hurried out of the cabin.
Upon exiting the train James quickly tossed one arm over Peter and another over Sirius, wanting to keep this new group close as the anxiety of the upcoming ceremonies took hold. James was the tallest in this trio though not by much. Remus was also dragged along, Sirius gripping onto his elbow despite a small grimace on Lupin’s face.
“First years this way! All first years!”
James grinned and dragged forwards his friends, until they reached a dock. Two dozen little boats floated gently in the water, bobbing as the waves rippled beneath them.
James quickly untangled himself from Sirius and Peter and jumped down into the first boat excited as the other three boys dove in after him. Though finally grateful for his woollen jumper as the cool autumn air chilled him. After some time and help from a great giant of a man, all the first years had settled into their boats and they suddenly began to be pulled towards a grand castle.
The view was breathtaking and a hush fell over the students. The water rippled beneath them and the stars shone brightly against the black sky, twinkling lights from the castle guiding them to shore. The castle stood tall between the mountains and valleys surrounding; beyond humongous, towering over them and spreading further than where they could see.
James’ legs burnt from the many stairs it took to arrive into an imposing hall. The horde of students packed tightly together, leaving room on either side of the entrance like penguins. James caught a glimpse of a ghost whizzing through the tumbling expanse of stairs above him.
“We will now begin the sorting ceremony if you will follow me and do so quickly and quietly” spoke a stern woman in front of the crowd of children.
As the children rushed forward to follow the woman Sirius turned and whispered to Remus who then slipped his hand towards Sirius’. James grinned once again as a flash of gold slipped between the two, returning the ring to its owner.
The throng of first years stopped in front of a tattered hat on a stool.
The stern woman began to speak again and James turned his head, seeing Sirius reach forward with his right hand to a boy with long dark hair in desperate need of a wash. He reached until he seemed to just brush against the side of his neck, before jumping back and pretending to whisper to James. James pressed his lips together and looked off to the side pretending to study the decorations of the hall.
The greasy boy whipped around into the crowd but was unable to determine his assailant.
Sirius continued to snigger into James’ ear until
“Sirius Black”
was called out loudly.
The smile drained off his face in an instance but he began to walk towards the stool.
The large decrepit hat was placed on to his head, slumping down until James couldn’t see his eyes. Every Black had been put into Slytherin for as long as anyone could remember so James had no idea why he would be nervous, Sirius would most definitely be with his family. His ankles crossed casually but his fingers twirled nervously and James saw his shoulders rise by the second.
An eternity seemed to pass though it was likely only a few minutes before the hat screamed
“GRYFFINDOR”
The room fell silent before suddenly one of the tables erupted into yells and excitement while another in the corner of the room sat in shocked silence. Sirius rose and sauntered over lifting his arms above his head to the cheers of the crowd.
More students were called up until eventually Remus was summoned forward, he was undoubtedly the tallest in the group and the hat sat on him higher than most, his whole face would have been visible if he had not been slouched causally. Thirty seconds passed before the hat yelled out “Gryffindor” for him as well. He rose quickly and sat across from Sirius.
Three more names were called, two girls and one boy. Peter was next, walking to the stool with a grim expression and after 2 minutes, Peter’s lips moved silently as though he was speaking to the hat, he scampered from it with a cheesy grin to sit with Sirius and Remus at the Gryffindor table.
Finally it was James’ turn. He felt a shiver of nerves crawl up his shoulders coupled with a rush of excitement, the two emotions mixed to the point that once James was seated he couldn’t keep still for even a millisecond.
The hat was placed on his head and James was able to see the whole hall in clear view. The beautiful stars from outside were reflected on the ceiling above him, candles floating magically alongside them. Students of all ages sat in four long bench tables that spanned the length of the table.
Hmm a voice echoed in his brain, riffling through his thoughts.
The disembodied voice startled him but James squeezed his eyes shut so as to feel like his thoughts remained private from the some 700 students before him.
Loyal certainly. Courageous most definitely. Memories flashed behind his eyes, flying on a broomstick, walking confidently in front of his mum through muggle London, and dragging his new found friends onto the boat just moments ago.
James grasped the sides of the stool and tapped his foot desperately wondering what the hat thought of these memories. It is clear beyond belief it must be:
“GRYFFINDOR” the hat screamed out loud. James’ face split in two, in perhaps the widest smile of his young life. The Gryffindor table clapped and cheered and he rushed over, arms open as though he had just won a championship. Students rushed to clap his back and shake his hands as he threw himself down next to Sirius. The four boys smiled at each other.
The boys did not pay attention to the rest of the sorting and whispered excitedly through the opening speech.
They wolfed down the magical feast with the fervor only possible by tween boys. Laughing and discussing anything from classes they were excited for, to the explanation of Sirius’ magical ring.
James’ favourite cherry jam roly poly appeared in front of him and dessert passed in a magical haze of delicious food.
Throughout the entire meal one thought echoed through James’ mind:
This was the start of something. Something big. Something great.