FIRST YEAR - Classes Begin
With the welcome feast over, the first years followed their house prefixes to the common rooms. As the Gryffindor tower was across the castle from the great hall, they walked through countless hallways.
Remus made a comment about getting lost everywhere he went, and James had to agree. But while Remus seemed nervous, James thought the idea of getting lost was enticing and something to be excited for.
The prefect explained the password for the portrait and a few housewarming rules, but James barely took in what was said.
Sirius had been distracted all evening, to the point he hadn't eaten even with the temptation of the all the dishes served at the welcome feast. When he realized, he would be sharing a dorm alongside Peter, Remus and James, his attitude improved slightly.
“This’ll be fun.” Peter mumbled somewhat sarcastically as he entered the dorm.
Within minutes Sirius had clothing and books scattered across his area of the room, half of his stuff was shiny and clean, good quality items, but he seemed much more interested in the piles of records and dusty books.
“You a reader?” James questioned worried he would be stuck with a bunch of book worms.
“Nah, but since they’re muggle books, my mother doesn’t approve and therefore, I collect as many as I can.” Sirius had answered as if he hadn’t given away something significant about his life.
Meanwhile Remus had replaced his robes with the same battered sweater he’d been wearing on the train. He had a singular book with torn pages and a dusty cover sitting on his bookshelf beside him but otherwise didn’t appear to have many belongings.
“What about you Lupin?” James gestured towards the book as he spoke, but Remus didn’t appear to have registered the question. He’d mentioned on the train that he had gotten most of his school supplies second hand from Dumbledore, whilst James didn’t see any problem with that, Remus had seemed embarrassed by his luggage. His attention remained solely on Sirius and all the fancy things he pulled from his case.
When Remus didn’t reply Sirius turned to face the boy, “you can borrow mine if you’d like.”
Remus sat up straighter looking shocked, as if just realizing he was being spoken to, “Thanks.” Sirius heard the annoyance in his voice so didn’t push the topic, instead he turned to Peter who had always been miraculously tidy so had unpacked everything from his case into the bookcase and wardrobe within no time. And had turned his attention to a book from his own collection.
“What about you Pete? Like anything you see.” Peter tried to act uninterested, but he had grown up reading only wizard books so was on the floor beside Sirius flipping through muggle work before long. Later joined by James who was much more interested by the records.
Their first night was moderately peaceful, Peter sat reading silently while Sirius sat on the windowsill staring aimlessly into the starry sky.
James sat on his bed watching his dorm mates. Even on the train part of him knew the four of them would become close friends, but watching them settle into life at Hogwarts made him sentimental.
Although Remus had shut himself inside his four poster bed hours before the others, James told himself that he wanted to know the ins and outs of his dorms mates, he would learn how to help each of them with whatever they needed. He wanted to know everything from favorite animals to biggest fears and greatest aspirations.
The boys first class on the other hand was not at all peaceful.
Monday morning, they had Slughorn for Potions with the Slytherins.
Sirius who had been trying his best to settle into the Gryffindor tower by making jokes and showcasing his robust personality which included an over enthusiasm with everything he did, turned into a completely different person when he entered the classroom. His face was void of emotion, his movements balanced and calculated, barely making a sound as he walked with his head down, face hidden behind his hair.
On the way to breakfast Sirius had been leading the group by marching down corridors speaking loudly and not caring about the older students who sent disapproving looks his way. But as the first year Slytherins looked upon him, his body seemed to shrink into itself.
As the class continued many Slytherins and even some Gryffindors glowed at Sirius like he was filth, some sneered and made snide comments. Sirius had tried to stare them down and act like it didn’t bother him but had long since given up.
With his head on the desk, James started to realize the extent to what Sirius being sorted into Gryffindor would mean.
Once the first classes were over, while Sirius Peter and James headed to the great hall, Remus was called to McGonagall’s office for a reason he didn’t tell his friends.
Lily Evans was seated a few people away from James when the two locked eyes, James immediately smiled at her. He thought she was rather pretty. In a doesn’t wear makeup and snorts when she laughs kind of way.
Sirius attracted James’ attention, which had been surveying the room when he spoke, “where do you think Remus went? I know he went to see McGonagall but surely he can’t be in trouble already. It’s his first day.”
“I don’t think he’s in trouble,” James replied recalling the way Remus had spent the day taking vigorous notes in every class. Even for a muggle he seemed highly interested in everything magic related. Remus didn’t want to risk falling behind because of his muggle childhood.
“Maybe he forgot something on the train,” Peter suggested reaching across the table to grab a pie.
The conversation moved onto Quidditch.
Remus arrived shortly before dinner was over and seemed adamant on not talking about where he’d been, much to Sirius’ dismay.
The following morning when the mail came, Sirius received a Howler from his mother explaining her utmost disappointment in her son and how he had let down the entire family. At the time Sirius had played it cool and expressed how pleased he was that he was rebelling and that his mother was aware but for the following days his mood would change between emotions with no warning. He’d be joking around then turn cold. James found himself worried about his friend.