01/09/1971

The large doors opened to reveal a tall, thin women in long green robes and a matching cap that sat on her tight, grey bun.

"Hello Auntie Minnie!" The twins called out, waving to the women who sighed and beckoned the first years inside.

"In a moment, you will be taken into the Great Hall to be sorted into your houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin. Your house will be your family for the next seven years," Professor McGonagall explained.

"Is she really your Auntie?" Sirius whispered once McGonagall had disappeared through another large door.

"No, she's our Godmother," Jamie answered.

"Woah, we'll be able to get away with loads!" Sirius grinned.

"Unlikely, she knows what we're like, she'll keep an eye on us," James said sadly.

"Right you are, James," the professor's voice called as she entered the hall once more. "Follow me, first years."

Stepping through the grand doors into the Great Hall was nerve-racking for the first years as they wondered where they would be placed and how - the twins worrying more so about whether or not they would be separated.

"Woah, l-look at the sky!" Peter called out, leading to everyone looking up the the roof that showed the night sky.

"I read about that in Hogwarts: A History!" Remus said, "it's enchanted!"

"It looks amazing!" Jamie smiled.

"Reckon mum will do that to our room?" James smirked back.

"Nah, probably not."

"Look at how many people are here!" Sirius exclaimed, looking around the hall at the four, long tables that were full of students, all of various ages. The bright colours that adorned their robes set the houses apart as the first years looked to the table they hoped to be sitting at soon. Each table watched the first years as a low buzz filled the room as each table wondered how many they would receive this year.

Finally reaching the front of the hall, the first years spread out in a sort of line to look  at the small, wooden stool that McGonagall had placed in front of them, an old, brown wizard in hat resting upon it.

"Is that how we're going to be sorted?" A boy in the crowd whispered.

What looked to be a tear in the fabric, opened wide like a mouth and began to sing a song that confused the first years who couldn't focus on the words, only on the fact that the hat was singing.

"The hat is singing James,"Jamie mumbled in confusion, leaning into his side. His mouth hanging open, he didn't reply to her as his eyes were glued to the hat.

After a moment, the hat stopped singing and the first name was called. The lost continued until:

"Black, Sirius."

The Slytherin table clapped, as if they knew he was going to be sorted their. The long-haired boy sat on the stool nervously as the hat was placed over his head and fell to just above his mouth. Sirius seemed to whisper something to the hat after a moment, a protest of some sort or a suggestion.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat finally called out.

"Blood traitor."

"A black? In Gryffindor!"

Slurs continues to spout from the Slytherin table but Sirius held his head high, threw the hat onto the stool and marched proudly to the Gryffindor table. A direct act of rebellion towards his family.

"You go Sirius!" The twins called in ecouragement but they were drowned out by the Slytherins.

"Enough." Dumbeldore said calmly, the tone of his voice enough to quieten the Slytherins.

The sorting ceremony continued, Lily Evans was sorted into the Gryfindor house with a dissapointed look on her face as she glanced to her friend. Stepping over to the table, she looked back at him but his face was void of any emotion and he didn't look at her.

Following Lily after a few more people, Remus was called. He sat at the stool for nearly five minutes, a frustrated look on his face mingled with fear. Doubts flooded his head as the seconds bled into minutes - what if he couldn't attend Hogwarts? After a few moments, a sigh of relief left the boy as he stood up.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Clapping filled the hall as the next person was called up, and the next, and the next. After a few more people, Peter was called up. He shook the entire way to the stool and sat so close to the edge he might as well have been standing. The hat fell over his face but did not fall past his eyes. The hat took less than a minute to announce:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

A smile adorned the small boys face as he hopped up from the stool and ran to the Gryffindor table, the hat still perched on his head. Blushing profusely, he waddled back up the the podium and handed it to the next student, James Potter.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat called out instantly, James quickly joined the three other boys at the Gryfindor table before looking back at Jamie.

"Potter, Jamie."

The young girl perched on the stool and the hat was placed on her head, her wild curls not allowing the hat to fall past her forehead. A voice suddenly filled her head.

"You're very much like your brother, I don't think it best to separate you. Good luck," the hat whispered in her head before calling out the familiar words:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

After a few more pupils, the Snape boy from the train was called up. Before the hat even touched his greasy locks, the hat called:

"SLYTHERIN!"

After him, there was only a small group of pupils left which were sorted relatively quickly before Dumbledore stepped up to his podium.

"Welcome first years to our marvellous school here at Hogwarts. Caretaker Filch has asked me to remind you that the firest surrounding the grounds is highly dangerous and it is highly discouraged for any pupils to venture far in. A magical year of education stands before you but, for now, tuck in!"

The tables suddenly filled with all the foods that anyone could imagine, there were pumpkin pasties, shepherds pie, chips, rice, and so much more. The students quickly dug into the feast.

"Woah, you sure can eat girl. What's your name?" An older girl asked Jamie as she shoved a chicken breast into her mouth, whole.

"Jamie Potter, and you are?" she responded, her voice muffled by the mouthful of food.

"I'm Alice! Second year. Good to see someone with an appetite, who are your friends?"

After swallowing the mouthful of chicken, Jamie went around the table and pointed at the boys in turn as she introduced them.

"This is James, he's my twin. Bit of a tosser, really."

"Hey!"

"This is Sirius Black, he's the one who was meant to be in Slytherin, did you hear what they were saying. Woah! This is Remus. I think his last names Lupin. He's a bit shy. And here's Peter Pettigrew, he's shy as well," Jamie finished explaining.

"Nice to meet you, are you looking forward to the school year?"

"Of course! We can do magic properly!" Peter squeaked excitedly, speaking for the first time without a stutter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The five first years sat slumped in their seats after dessert. Their plated clean in front of them as the tables were cleared.

"Now, let's part with the school song before bed! Choose a rhythm and sing along!" Dumbledore called out as he lifted his wand; ribbons sprung from the wand tip and formed words:

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald,

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling,

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot!

Whilst the majority of the school had chosen a quicker tune, five first years at the gryffindor table had opted for a sadder, much slower version that matched a funeral song. Once everyone else had finished the song, the five stood there and belted out the lyrics with Dumbeldore orchestrated them with his wands. Once the song was finally over, he applauded them before sending the school to bed with a few parting words:

"Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"