SORTING.
Peter had no idea what to expect when it came to the Sorting Ceremony - his mother had refused to tell him anything about it, leaving it to his own imagination.
It seemed that Sirius and James, despite both of them being from wizarding families, also had no idea what to expect, both theorizing between themselves as they entered the large, intimidating castle.
A stern looking witch dawned in green robes was waiting for them, tapping her fingers rhythmically on a stone ledge.
She waited for all of them to gather, before speaking up - her voice just as stern as her face.
"Good evening. I am Professor McGonagall.
Shortly, you will be lead into the hall, where you will be sorted into your Houses. There is Gryffindor House, of which I am the Head of, Hufflepuff House with Professor Sprout, Ravenclaw House with Professor Flitwick, and Slytherin House with Professor Slughorn.
Once you are sorted into your Houses, you will be seated, and the feast will begin."
A few students broke out into excited whispers at the mention of a feast - Peter, however, was much too nervous.
Shaking as he tried to smooth out his robes, attempting to force oxygen into his lungs.
He glanced over to Remus, the sandy haired boy looking quite pale as he stared at where McGonagall had once been.
James seemed confident, smiling brightly and looking around the large group of first years around them, and Sirius somehow looked both bored and sickened.
Peter pitied him - he really didn't want to be like the rest of his family, but it seemed Sirius had already decided there was no other option.
It felt like both an eternity and mere seconds before McGonagall returned, beckoning them into the Great Hall.
It was huge - making Peter feel miniscule in comparison.
There didn't appear to be a ceiling - instead a deep, dark sky dotted with stars stretched above them.
The hall was illuminated with floating candles, dousing the room with a flickering, warm orange glow.
Four tables stretched along the hall, banners of different colours hanging above each, and a crowd of students stared up at them, some looking excited, others looking bored and impatient, some chatting among themselves quietly.
At the front of the hall, on something resembling a stage, there was yet another long table, with a group of people sitting behind it, looking over all of the students.
The one person that seemed to catch most peoples attention, was a wizard with long, silver hair, and an equally long, silver beard, he was dawned in sparkling purple robes and a matching purple wizard hat that sat on a slight angle on his head.
His blue eyes seemed to sparkle behind his half moon glasses, and he sat leaning slightly forward, seemingly in excitement or anticipation.
McGonagall stepped forward, standing beside an old, three legged stool, before placing an even older, worn brown hat on the stool and stepping back.
The hat did nothing for a moment - before it twisted, jolted, and a tear spread across it, opening wide like a mouth.
"A thousand years or more ago, When I was newly sewn, There lived four wizards of renown, Whose names are still well known: Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor, Fair Ravenclaw, from glen, Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad, Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream, They hatched a daring plan, To educate young sorcerers, Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders Formed their own house, for each Did value different virtues In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were Prized far beyond the rest; For Ravenclaw, the cleverest Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were Most worthy of admission; And power-hungry Slytherin Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide Their favourites from the throng, Yet how to pick the worthy ones When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way, He whipped me off his head The founders put some brains in me So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears, I’ve never yet been wrong, I’ll have a look inside your mind And tell where you belong!
You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, If you’ve a ready mind, Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin, You’ll make your real friends, Those cunning folks use any means To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don’t be afraid! And don’t get in a flap! You’re in safe hands (though I have none) For I’m a Thinking Cap!"
Most of the first years gasped or jumped back in shock at the sight of the singing hat - though once the song was over, the hall erupted in loud applause that forced Peter to cover his ears slightly.
It seemed everyone enjoyed the weird old hat and it's song.
McGonagall stepped forward, and in her hands she clutched a scroll.
"Now, when I call your name, step forward and take a seat on the stool - the Sorting Hat will find the House you belong in."
The Professor called out the first name, and a scared looking girl stumbled forward.
She hesitantly made her way towards the stool, where McGonagall picked up the hat. She sat on the wooden stool, which creaked slightly beneath her weight, and then the hat was placed gently on her head, falling over her eyes.
There was a low, inaudible mumbling from the hat for a couple seconds, before it spoke up a little louder.
"Better be... RAVENCLAW!"
The table beneath the blue banner erupted in applause, and the girl grinned brightly, hopping off the stool and bounding towards her House.
A young boy was next, and though he was there for a little longer, he was eventually sorted into Hufflepuff.
A few more students with the last name beginning with A were called forward, and eventually were all sorted into their respected Houses, followed shortly by three students with the letter B.
And then finally, "Black, Sirius!"
Sirius swallowed, taking a breath, visibly aware of the slight whispers that had broken out between a few of the students - more than a few glares shot his way.
He walked towards the stool, looking for all the world like a man sentenced to death as he sat on the old seat.
McGonagall placed the hat on his head, and his face was covered.
There was an audible hum from the hat, before the muttering filled the hall for a full minute.
With each second that past, Sirius' hands began to shake more and more, his breathing visibly quickening.
And then-
"You belong in... GRYFFINDOR!"
Silence filled the hall, and Sirius visibly stiffened in shock, before the hat was lifted from his head, and a deafening applause shattered the silence.
The students of Gryffindor students cheering for him, a few of them beckoning him over.
Sirius stared, eyes wide, face pale, whole body shivering.
He stood, and made his way towards the Gryffindor table.
James was cheering loudly, clapping for his friend, Peter grinned brightly despite his own anxiety, and Remus laughed slightly.
There were more students called to the front - and there was a long block of Ravenclaws, before a red haired girl was called forward.
She shot a bright grin to the boy she was standing beside, before bounding confidently to the seat.
The hat had barely been on her head for three seconds, before it yelled out "GRYFFINDOR!"
She laughed brightly, bounding down towards the red decorated table, grinning as she was greeted happily by the other students.
Remus was called up before him or James, and he nervously approached the hat.
He sat there for a few seconds, before he too was placed into Gryffindor.
He took his seat beside the still in shock Sirius at the Gryffindor table.
Peter was called up before James, and he glanced helplessly at his friend, before making his way over to the stool.
He was there for almost five minuets.
The hat constantly rambling off his pros and cons for each House, eventually seemingly caught between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Peter squeaked nervously as, just as Peter was beginning to tear up with the overwhelming fear that he didn't belong anywhere, the hat suddenly cried out, "Aha! I know just where to place you! GRYFFINDOR!"
Peter breathed out in relief, shakily making his way over to the table, where the red haired girl from earlier smiled comfortingly at him.
James was soon called up, and he bounded confidently over to the hat- and almost instantly made his way towards the Gryffindor table, sitting down with that same boyish grin he wore when they first met.
His blue eyes landed on the red haired girl beside him, and anyone who had eyes could see that James was already infatuated. Peter just hoped he wouldn't be too obsessed with the girl.
"Hi! I'm James, James Potter!"
The girl turned to him, grinning brightly, "I'm Lily Evans"
Her attention was soon ripped away by a name being called out - "Snape, Severus!"
She leaned forward, watching the boy nervously walk up to the chair.
Lily sighed in disappointment as Snape was sorted into Slytherin, giving the boy a sad smile as he hesitated slightly before making his way to the table.
Peter gave her what he hoped was a comforting smile, and Lily smiled at him in turn.