The Great Feast
September 1st, 1971
As the last student was sorted, the Sorting Hat was carried away, and Professor McGonagall returned to her seat at the head table. A moment later, the room fell into a hushed silence as a tall, elderly wizard stood from the center of the staff table.
Remus recognized him immediately. He’d seen Albus Dumbledore’s face in photographs before, in the Daily Prophet articles his father sometimes read. But seeing him in person was entirely different. His silver hair and beard shimmered in the candlelight, and his half-moon spectacles caught the glow of the floating candles. His presence was commanding yet warm, his expression equal parts wisdom and mischief.
“Welcome, all,” Dumbledore began, his voice carrying easily over the hall. “To those of you joining us for the first time: welcome to Hogwarts. To those returning: welcome back. A new year lies ahead of us, full of possibilities, challenges, and opportunities to learn—not only magic but also about one another.”
Remus noticed a glint in Dumbledore’s eye as he spoke, as though he were privy to some great secret.
“But before we can fully embrace this year’s adventures, I must first remind you of a few practical matters. The Forbidden Forest remains, as its name suggests, forbidden to all students. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has also asked me to remind you that no magic is to be used in the corridors between classes.”
A few students at the Gryffindor table exchanged knowing grins, and Remus caught Sirius muttering something under his breath to James.
“Finally,” Dumbledore continued, his voice lightening, “I would like to say this: at Hogwarts, you will meet friends who will shape your life in ways you cannot yet imagine. Treasure those friendships and the lessons you learn from one another.”
He paused, his blue eyes twinkling as he surveyed the hall. “And now, let us feast!”
With a wave of his arms, the empty golden plates on the tables suddenly filled with food. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, steaming vegetables, and an array of dishes Remus had never seen before appeared before them. He blinked in surprise, his stomach growling loudly, and immediately reached for a serving of chicken.
“This is more like it!” Sirius said, piling his plate with everything in reach.
Peter, seated beside him, was already halfway through a large helping of shepherd’s pie. James grabbed a roll and began buttering it with great enthusiasm.
“What do you think, Remus?” James asked, gesturing to the spread.
“It’s amazing,” Remus admitted, though he was a little overwhelmed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen so much food in one place.
“Try this,” Sirius said, handing him a bowl of something bright orange. “Pumpkin stew or something. Weirdly good.”
Remus hesitated but took a small spoonful. The warmth of the spices surprised him, and he nodded appreciatively.
As the feast continued, conversations buzzed around them. James launched into a story about a Quidditch match he’d seen over the summer, his hands gesturing wildly as he described the seeker’s final dive. Peter listened raptly, his fork suspended in mid-air.
Remus ate quietly, listening to the chatter around him. For the first time that day, he began to feel a little less like an outsider.
“Oi, Black,” a voice interrupted from further down the table. A dark-haired girl with sharp features was glaring at Sirius. “I suppose you’re proud of yourself, making a spectacle in front of the family.”
“Hello to you too, Bella,” Sirius said lazily, leaning back in his chair. “Enjoying your first night as a snake?”
Her lips curled into a sneer. “You’re an embarrassment.”
“Good,” Sirius said, grinning widely. “I’d hate to disappoint.”
The girl—Bella—huffed and turned away, muttering to her companions. Sirius didn’t seem bothered in the slightest and returned to his food without a second thought.
James leaned toward Remus. “That’s his cousin,” he whispered. “Bellatrix. Apparently, the whole Black family’s a bit… intense.”
“I gathered that,” Remus said, eyeing Sirius, who was now laughing loudly at something Peter had said.
The desserts appeared as if by magic, the savory dishes vanishing and being replaced with towering cakes, pies, and puddings. Remus hesitated, overwhelmed by the options, but James shoved a treacle tart onto his plate.
“Trust me, you’ll love it,” he said, already biting into his own slice.
As the meal wound down, Dumbledore stood again, and the chatter in the hall died down.
“And so, the time has come for us to retire to our dormitories. Prefects, please lead your housemates to their common rooms. Sleep well, and may your dreams be as magical as this night has been.”
With that, the students began to rise from their seats, chattering and laughing as they filed out of the Great Hall. Remus followed James, Sirius, and Peter, his heart still racing from the day’s events. He had survived the train ride, the Sorting, and his first meal at Hogwarts.
As he climbed the stairs toward the Gryffindor Tower, he allowed himself a small smile. This was just the beginning.