Before the Beginning

"Hogwarts," breathed Lily.

The friends sat in silence for almost two minutes. If you bothered to look, the expressions on their face ran from pensive, to ecstatic. The train slammed to a stop, throwing them all out of their seats. Remus ended up sitting on Sirius, while James and Lily got slammed into each other, knocking the breath out of them.

" Ooooph," moaned Lily, rising to her feet. "Whoever drives this bloody thing is SO getting a angry owl from me in the morning, as soon as I get my breath back." James slowly got to his feet too, and to hide his crimson face, turned around and pulled Remus to his feet, who apparently didn't realize that he was slowly suffocating Sirius with his weight. Sirius grimaced, and tried to breathe. He dragged in a gulp of air greedily, and turned to Remus.

"If you ever, EVER do that again, I'll, er, tell the entire school that you dream about Snape in pink panties!!!!" Sirius exclaimed in a ragged voice. He climbed to his feet and said "Now I'm definitely going to have nightmares," He shuddered, "Snape in ladies underwear, urg." James was hitting himself on the head to try and rid himself of the dreaded mental pictures.

"I hate you, Sirius," he grumbled. He turned to Lily, who was looking like a deer caught in headlights and said, "Wake up, Lily!" He shook her, and she started gagging.

"Ick, ick, ick, ick. Sirius, I would kill you, but I'm still in shock. Then again, you must be worse off, you have to think that stuff up. Tell me, is it lacy underwear?" Lily asked innocently, then cracked up at the look on his face. Remus and James had prudently covered their ears, and were spared the mental torment. Sirius had no such luck. Still cackling, she left the compartment, dragging her trunk. The boys woke up, grabbed their trunks and dashed after her. Remus trailed behind, as he had to grab his trunk from the other compartment. The little group had to run, as most of the others had already gotten off the train. In fact, the Hogwarts Express started to move just as Sirius got out. Luckily he was the last one to come from the train.

"Ah, there you are! I've been waiting for you! Now come on, let's go, first years, over this way!!" A booming voice said, making all of the first years jump, and crane their necks to see him.

He was at least 7 feet tall, and two first years could comfortably sit in his cupped hands. His hair resembled a storm cloud, and his black eyes glinted with mirth. The older students boarded the horseless carriages, some yelling cheerfully to the man.

"My name's Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Call me, Hagrid, everyone does. Now follow me, don't get lost," He turned and walked toward a kilometer wide lake that was somehow hidden behind him before. "Four to a boat, no more!"

There were about fifteen boats in the black waters of the lake, which looked like glass, it was so calm. A girl whispered loudly that it must have been charmed. Lily, James, Remus and Sirius all climbed into one boat. Hagrid took up one boat all by himself. Most of the students found boats to be in except for one, a small, plump boy with flat blond hair slicked down tightly. He stood on the riverbed, too shy to ask for help, as the only empty boat drifted away from him. The boat was filled with two boys who looked too thick to speak, indeed, as they didn't say a word, and stared off into space. The other boy in the boat had hair so pale it glowed with an eerie light, and ice blue eyes that looked around him with a disdainful air. The shy boy stepped back, then ran and jumped into the boat, neatly as you pleased. Looking around, James noticed that no one else had noticed the boy's gymnastics, as they were all gazing excitedly at the castle. Lily was starry-eyed, talking to Remus about various facts in Hogwarts, A History.

"What? The first Headmaster after the Founders was a druid? Hmm, I read that they were banned at the time.." Lily mused.

"Only in certain parts of England. Many Celts fled to their native Scotland and Ireland after the Segregation Proclamation..." Remus answered excitedly. James shook his head at them and thought 'They're already arguing over history, and we haven't even gotten into school yet! Amazing.'

Suddenly the boats started their journey across the lake. The sudden movement hushed the first years chatter. The ride across the lake was a quiet one, punctured only by the hushed whispers of a group of girls, who kept breaking out in giggles.

The water was only disturbed by the swirling of unseen water creatures. James shivered, imagining what lied beneath, and fairly sure that Sirius would have found out by the end of the year. He grinned and elbowed Sirius. "You reckon we take a couple of nighttime trips to prank the Slytherins?" he whispered. Sirius smiled with the grin that their neighbors had learned to hate.

"I've been planning. How about...dying all of Snape's clothes pink permanently?'

James grinned. "And switch his wand with a plain stick! So he'll never be able to do any spells!" he glanced over at Snape, wondering how his hair would look with pink.

"We are so completely evil, it's not even funny," Sirius said, reveling in their great ideas.

"We're not evil, we're good. Besides, the slimy git deserves it!" James whispered furiously, "Think of what he called Lily!" Lily looked over at them sharply, but James just gave her an innocent look. She sighed and continued her conversation with Remus. He, however, had also been eavesdropping on their conversation. Remus leaned his head towards James and Sirius and frowned teasingly.

"You're not planning pranks without us, are you? I'd love to get some of those snake gits. They had some choice comments to make. Especially that girly prat with blonde hair." Remus narrowed his eyes, and growled.

"Are you sure you don't have some dog blood in you?" James laughed, "That was the most believable growl I've ever heard."

"Definitely not," Remus said easily. He opened his mouth to say more, but Lily interrupted them, as the boats had reached the edge, and the enormous Hagrid was yelling for them to get out. Up close, the old castle made an even bigger impression. Candlelight merrily danced in the windows, and delicious smells wafted from the door that Hagrid was opening.

"Follow me to the Great Hall! You'll eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner there, as well as have any feasts," Hagrid said. The first years looked with wide eyes all about the entrance hall, which was glowing softly by the torches set in brackets on the walls. They were led up stairs, when at the top, they were met by a stern-looking woman, who was wearing forest green, velvet robes, with her coal black hair set in a bun. Her face was set in a stern position, when she suddenly smiled.

"I'll take them from here, Hagrid, thank you. I will see you in the Great Hall," she said.

"All right, Professor," Hagrid waved to the first years, "Good luck!" he turned and took a different passageway.

"Hello. I am Professor McGonagall, one of your teachers here. In a few moments, you will be sorted into your houses, so I suggest you make yourselves look sharp. There are four houses that make up Hogwarts. Gryffindor, house of the brave. Ravenclaw, house for intellectuals. Hufflepuff, for the loyal and hardworking." Here she paused and her lip curled slightly before going on, "And Slytherin, for the cunning. All four houses have produced many admirable witches and wizards. At Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule-breaking will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup. Every house has a Head of House, who will give you announcements in your common room. I myself am for Gryffindor" She paused again. "Here, your house is like your family. Good luck." She turned and opened the massive golden doors behind her. A wave of black hats and robes turned to look at the first years. The older students were separated at four long tables, whose House colors were on banners above. Professor McGonagall went behind the long teachers table and brought back a three legged stool, along with a bedraggled hat. Many first years were whispering anxiously about the hat. Others, apparently, already knew.

"Does anyone have a name before Blough?" A redheaded girl with a pug nose asked, panicking. Sirius turned to the girl, and said,

"Yeah, I'm Black. Why?"

"Because, idiot, they call out names in alphabetical order," She sniffed and turned away.

"Why do you bother with Blough's? They are almost as bad as the Malfoy's! At least Blough's are all bark, no bite. Can't say the same for the Malfoy's," James asked Sirius.

Sirius snorted. "No bite? I wish. Amelda Blough sharpens her teeth every morning!" James groaned, then glanced at Lily and Remus, who remained oblivious to their exchange. Lily had a very determined look on her pale face, and James decided not to tick her off right now. Remus was even paler than Lily, and he looked like he might just throw up his lunch. He also had a doubtful look on his face. James opened his mouth to ask him what was wrong, but decided against it, as he was probably just nervous.

Professor McGonagall made her way up to the stool, a huge scroll in her hand. She cleared her throat and started to read off names.

"Aardvark, Emelio," at which the first years openly sniggered at. A blushing, swarthy kid walked up and put on the hat. A tear in it opened up wide and yelled-

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The table with a yellow and black banner over it politely applauded, and welcomed in the newcomer.

"Black, Sirius" Sirius got up and nodded at the remaining trio. The hat screamed the instant it touched Sirius's head-

"GRYFFINDOR!" On and on the Sorting dragged, and James quickly lost interest in it until the Professor read-

"Evans, Lily" Lily gulped and made her way up to the stool, and sat down. The hat sat deciding for about a half a minute before yelling-

"GRYFFINDOR!" Lily smiled in relief and ran to the table decked in scarlet and gold.

"Evans, Narcissa" James looked up, that was Lily's sister! He could see Lily straining to see her sister as Nar got up and slowly walked up to the hat. The Hat was quiet, and seemed to be arguing with Nar. Finally, after the longest wait ever, the Hat screamed (very reluctantly)-

"SLYTHERIN!" The green and silver table clapped politely, bored with the Sorting.

It was tedious yet again, and the only pleasure James got from the Sorting was noting the people he knew, since Remus and Sirius were in no fit state to talk.

"Lupin, Remus" declared Professor McGonagall. Remus held his breath on the way to the hat, and it took a full three minutes to decide where to put him. 'You'd think it would be easy, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. Maybe there is more than meets the eye in Remus Lupin,' James thought to himself. Finally the hat decided-

"GRYFFINDOR!" Remus got up and glared at the hat, most likely irritated that it couldn't make up it's non-existent mind. All alone now, James fidgeted and stared longingly at the tables that his friends now sat at. He pondered how awful it would be to be in a different house, or God forbid, Slytherin! James mulled over these thoughts until-

"Potter, James" interrupted him. James rose to his feet, trying to swallow over the huge lump in his throat that had all of a sudden appeared. What if it couldn't sort him! What if they made him get back on the train! James shoved these thoughts down and walked to the stool. He reached for the hat and sat. He put it on, and heard a whispering voice in his head.

"Your ancestry points toward either Slytherin or Gryffindor, but you aren't stupid, but Ravenclaw would stifle you. Too mischievous for Hufflepuff, but not quite cunning enough for Slytherin, and you seem to have a bit of a prejudice towards it, anyway. No, Gryffindor would definitely be the best. Have fun! ....GRYFFINDOR!"

The table that Lily, Remus, and Sirius were at exploded with cheers, for James or the nearing end of the Sorting, James wasn't sure. James felt like his face was about to fall off, he was grinning so widely. Gryffindor! Father and Mother would be so proud, as all Potter's were in Gryffindor, or so James had heard. There hadn't been a non-Gryffindor

for centuries, and he had been a Slytherin! Many times great uncle Harry had been the black sheep of the family.

James sat down between Lily and Remus, who both clapped him on the back in congratulation. "Big surprise, Snape was Sorted into Slytherin" said Lily. Sirius leaned over the table.

"Isn't this great? Now, we can concoct pranks into the wee hours of the morning!" He laughed insanely.

"Sirius? Um, did you take your medication this morning?" James asked cautiously.

"What medication?" He asked innocently. James groaned and looked around the table. With some surprise, he noted that the blond gymnastics boy had landed in Gryffindor, but his friends had been sorted into Slytherin. Odd. Sirius saw where he was looking.

"He was sorted just before you. The Hat took even longer to sort him then to sort Remus here. By the way, Remus, why did the Hat take so long to sort you?" Remus scowled at the question.

"Blasted thing couldn't decide where to put me. Honestly, they should upgrade it!" Sirius and James laughed at the discontent on Remus's face. He struggled to keep it there, but gave up and started laughing. Lily, who had been watching this exchange with a half smile, shook her head, accidentally whipping James in the face, giving him a mouthful of red hair.

"Honestly, Lily! Do you know the meaning of headband?" he choked.

"Headband: cloth used to hold back hair, usually worn by women. I know the meaning, do you? You can borrow one. You might need it," She glanced at James's messy hair with a mixture of satisfaction and amusement. James spluttered, then sighed in exasperation. Sirius laughed, then began to genuflect.

"I bow to Lily, Queen of Comebacks," then humming like he was meditating. Remus looked amused and calm in the midst of all the insanity.

"I have decided," James declared, "That the day Remus panics, is the day the world ends." Sirius paused in his worshipping and considered this.

"You know, my dear Jamsie, you might very well be right.

"Is that a compliment?" Remus asked, confused.

"It could be mutated into one," James answered, cackling.

"Calm? Remus? No! Never!" Lily said sarcastically. The boys looked at her bewilderedly at her, as she dissolved into a fit of laughter. "I was being sarcastic, you idiots!" Remus looked much relieved, but James and Sirius still wore their 'stupid' looks. Lily was about to smack them when Professor Dumbledore stood up and the four looked up.

"Welcome, to another year. First years, take note, that the Forbidden Forest is, indeed, forbidden," here James and Sirius rolled their eyes and Remus raised his eyebrow in a 'We'll see about that' sort of way, " And also that Mr. Filch has a new pet, a cat named Mrs. Norris, who I expect will be treated with utmost respect," Lily let out a small snort. When others looked at her, she just shrugged. "Now, with all the formalities out of the way, let's eat!" He smiled, and then sat down.

Suddenly, mountains of food appeared on the patters on the middle of the table. James and Sirius exchanged excited glances, while Remus was already piling food on his plate. Lily had her eyes closed, inhaling the delightful scent of food, fresh from the kitchens.

Chicken and turkey were at opposite ends of the table, while James lazily wondered what the difference was between the two. Mashed potatoes, with tureens filled with gravy, peas, carrots, and a disgusting amount of other vegetables. Casseroles with mushrooms and cheese, homemade macaroni and cheese, roast beef, pot roast, pumpkin juice and iced tea all graced the table.

Sirius had his eyes closed in bliss, while Remus was shoveling his food in fast, as if it was going to be taken away any minute. Lily was playing with her potato, trying to sculpt a picture of James with her fork, hampered by the boy himself, who did not want to see himself in gravy. James gave up, and let Lily enjoy her creative impulses. He surveyed the feast, trying to choose what to eat, then decided to have a little bit of everything. All too soon the feast ended, with James covered with mashed potatoes, a sign of him trying to stop Lily. All in all, a impossible thing.

'Note to self: let Lily get her way,' he thought, as he tried to cover up a massive yawn.

"Gryffindor first years, this way, please! Excuse me, I'm a prefect!" A black haired boy was trying to rein in the first years. "Thank you! We're going now! Follow me!" He turned and left the Hall, a string of first years trailing behind him. James, Remus, Sirius, and Lily ran after him, not wanting to be stuck in the Great Hall all night. The walked up stair after stair after stair, but the prefect didn't even seem to get tired.

"How are we ever going to remember all this?" James asked in an undertone to his friends. Only Sirius answered.

"I have no clue. But right now, all I'm interested in is a bed. I'll even settle for a couch! Why, in God's name, do we have to live in a tower?" he moaned. The rest of the first years definitely seemed to agree with him, as all that was heard was a steady trudge of footsteps, and the occasional portrait welcoming them to Hogwarts. Lily was fascinated with them, and had to be dragged away from them repetitively. James was quickly losing patience with the long walk and had opened his mouth to ask the prefect if he was lost, when he abruptly stopped in front of a portrait of a plump woman in a pink ball gown. Many 'Huh's?' were heard from the half asleep first years.

" This is the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. If you friends in other houses, and bring them here, make sure they cannot hear you say the password. The password changes every two weeks, so mind you remember it. This weeks is 'Fidelius charm.' Both words."

"Nicholas, where is Amelia? I thought you were both supposed to show the first years," The Fat Lady asked.

"Amelia is in the Hospital wing. Broke her arm falling out of the carriage," 'Nicholas' answered.

"Poor dear," The Fat Lady said sympathetically, then swung forward to reveal a carved stone doorway, without a door. Nicholas walked into the doorway, and the first years followed, grateful that they were there at last. They turned up in a large circular room, filled with squashy armchairs in front of a roaring fire. There were a few older students in the chair in front of the fire, talking in hushed voices.

"Light's out at 10:00!" he said leading them to two separate staircases, one marked 'Girls', and one marked 'Boys', "Girls, go to the first door you see, it will be marked First Years. I am going to show the boys into their dorm, and then I'll check on you." He opened the 'Boys' door, and showed them into their room. The scarlet hangings on the four poster bed glowed next to the gold. The boys shuffled in, not caring where they slept, although Remus, Sirius, and James managed to get beds next to each other. Nicholas quickly left. James got the bed at the furthest corner from the door, nearest to the alcove where he could sit and think at night.

Thinking banned tonight, though, James quickly changed into his pyjamas, and crawled into bed, thankfully warmed by a hot brick at the end, as soon as James's head hit the pillow, he fell straight to sleep.