Welcome to Hogwarts
Professor McGonagall came and greeted the students and started explaining about the various houses. "Gryffindor House takes pride in recognizing the brave and the chivalrous, Ravenclaw house takes pride in taking in the clever and the intelligent, the Hufflepuff house takes pride in welcoming the loyal and the friendly while the Slytherin house takes pride in making part of it, the cunning and the ambitious. Now, you'll be led inside these doors and be sorted into your houses. Follow me." McGonagall explained and bid them to follow her.
The sorting ceremony began unceremoniously for Sirius as he was dreading as to which house, he'll be put in. But James was rather excited about being put into Gryffindor and had a huge smile plastered across his face. Remus looked weary as usual and Peter was cowering behind these three boys whom he wished would be his friends. A little bit away from them stood Severus and Lily. Severus was talking animatedly to Lily and said, " I hope we can be in the same house together Lily. I'll likely be in Slytherin!". Lily was lost in thoughts regarding the descriptions of the houses that Professor McGonagall had given. She heard Severus and frowned. She wasn't cunning or ambitious. "I don't know Sev. I don't think I'm exactly what Slytherin house is known for. But don't worry. Even if we are in different houses, we can still be best friends!" Lily said and beamed.
As the students were anticipating as to which house they'll be put in, Professor McGonagall took out a scroll and started reading out names. "Aaronson, Henry"! "A small boy with curly brown locks stumbled forwards and sat on the stool as Professor McGonagall put the Sorting Hat on him. After a while, the Hat yelled "Hufflepuff" and the Hufflepuff table cheered as Henry walked to them. "Avery, Jacob" was sorted into Slytherin along with "Mulciber, Lucas". "Aubrey, Bertram" and "Larson, Adrian" became Ravenclaws.
"Black, Sirius" rang through the hall and Sirius stepped forward nervously. As soon as he put on the Hat, the Hat said to him so only he could hear, "Clearly a Slytherin by blood and heritage. But not by mind and character. Hmmm...what do you think? Slytherin?". Sirius immediately thought, "Don't you dare!". The Hat chuckled in his hear and shouted to the hall, "Gryffindor!!!". Sirius was happy as well as scared all at once! He couldn't believe his luck! But he was also very worried as to what his parents would say! James and Lupin got sorted into Gryffindor too and the Hat took a long time to decide for Peter but in the end sorted him into Gryffindor as well.
Severus was obviously sorted into Slytherin, but he was disappointed when Lily Evans was sorted into Gryffindor. He was even more furious when he saw a lanky boy with messy hair talk to her as she walked towards the red clad table. He cursed under his breath as he sat at his table with his head down in anger and disappointment. He didn't have much time to brood upon as the Headmaster had just got up to address the gathering.
"Welcome Students, to yet another year at Hogwarts! And welcome to the new students for their first year at this wonderful place of learning! I'm Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts. I'll not say any more just yet as I’m sure you are all are very hungry. So, I'll wind up here and give out the notices after the Welcome Feast! Chop chop! Dig in!" As soon as Professor Dumbledore said this, the golden plates filled with all kinds of food imaginable! Every first year was shocked beyond words! Even those who had Wizarding backgrounds could not contain their excitement even though they have heard about the Welcome Feast from their parents and siblings. Seeing it in person was really something!
Lily was sad to be away from Severus and was nervous too because she hadn't really met anyone else on the train. But this lanky and messy haired boy called James had tried to make her feel at ease. She smiled to herself. Maybe she'll be fine here after all. Sirius on the other hand was very nervous and was fiddling with the fork and spoon when a hand stopped his movements and he looked up. "Hey, you okay there? What happened? Why do you look so uneasy?" Lupin asked with worry in his eyes. "I- uh... it's nothing. Don't worry about it. Hehe". He laughed nervously. But Remus did not look like he was gonna let this go. So, Sirius sighed and said, "Can I tell you later? Please?" "Okay but be sure to tell me. I'm genuinely worried. And... Don't worry about being judged. I won't." Remus smiled. Sirius felt at ease when he saw Remus's tired eyes crinkle as he smiled. He had forgotten his worries momentarily.
James and Lily were trying to make Peter as comfortable as possible. Peter still seemed stunned and nervous by everything happening around him. Even more so than Lily. "So, Peter, you come from a family of Wizards?" Lily asked. "Y-yes", squeaked Peter. "And you're a Muggle-born?" James cut in. "Yes, I am", Lily said proudly and looked across the table for a moment. She could she Severus talking to a group of boys. They all looked serious for a bunch of 1st years getting to know each other. Lily was called back to the Gryffindor table by Peter's voice. "W-what are you s-staring at, Lily?" He asked hesitantly. "Oh! That! I was just looking at my friend. He got sorted into Slytherin. Back home, our homes are near each other's. We know each other from childhood." She beamed as she talked about her best friend Sev.
But James, Peter and even Sirius and Remus who had started listening as soon as they heard the word 'Slytherin', looked uneasy. "What happened? Did I say something wrong?" Lily questioned worriedly. "It's just that uh…the Slytherin house does not have a... uh...a positive reputation. There was no Dark Wizard who wasn't a Slytherin. So..." Sirius trailed off. "But that doesn't mean your friend is gonna turn out as a Dark Wizard, Lily. He might just be ambitious. There are lot of good Slytherins too", Remus chimed in as he saw that Lily had become too upset on hearing Sirius. "Thank you, Remus. Thank you all for caring so much. I didn't know I'd already make friends on the very first night." She grinned happily, earning some chuckles from the rest of them.
After the Welcoming Feast, Dumbledore got up again to address the students. "I hope we all have filled bellies. I have a few notices to give out...The Dark Forest is forbidden for all the students unless you want to go on an adventure with no plans of returning. Also, Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to remind you about the list of Banned Items that has been put up on his office door. Also, for 2nd years and above, I would like to bring to your notice that a new tree has been planted on the grounds. It is a Whomping Willow so better beware of it and try not to get too close unless you want to fly to the Hospital Wing." He raised his eyebrows knowingly and looked at the crowd who were gaping at him. He was used to this, so he continued, "I think that is all. Have a great night!". At this there was a scattered applause as the students were confused whether to applaud or not. After that, the house heads got up and gave instructions to the prefects to lead the first years to the dorms. All the students went their ways and Lily, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter were among the happiest students that night.