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“Welcome all, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To those of you who are new, let me introduce myself, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore. To those who already know me, I can only apologise for you having to endure another year of my speeches.”
“WOOOO We love you Alby.” Sirius Black’s voice called across the hall, from the Gryffindor table. Everyone turned to look at him, but he was used to being the centre of attention, so he just grinned his famous smile back.
“Thank you Mr Black. I’m not sure anyone has ever called me “Alby” before, and I’m sure they never will again.” Dumbledore winked down at Sirius from behind his golden podium. “There are many exciting changes happening this year at our school. These changes may seem drastic and potentially disquieting, but I can promise you all that they are being implemented in order to make Hogwarts the best school and environment it can be.”
“What’s he talking about?” Remus Lupin whispered across the table to Lily Evans. She shrugged back at him.
“Maybe he’s cancelling exams.” Peter Pettigrew offered quietly, hopefully.
“The year only started two hours ago Pete, I highly doubt it.” James Potter laughed, bumping his shoulder against Peter’s.
“It’s my honour to announce that, on this monumental evening, there will be a sorting ceremony. Now you may be thinking “this happens on this night every year” “Dumbledore’s gone mad.” “Dumbledore’s lost his mind” all of those statements are correct, but tonight’s ceremony is like none before. You see, we have noticed a certain level of prejudice and separation between some of the Houses.” Dumbledore’s eyes glanced between the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. “In an attempt to challenge this disturbing realisation and to encourage each and every one of you to look inside yourself and your fellow students and see who you really are, we have made a very big decision.”
Lily’s mouth fell open, she was always the first to know, the first to realise what was happening. Remus shot her a confused look and before he could ask anything, Dumbledore spoke again.
“Every single Hogwarts student will be resorted in tonight’s ceremony.” Dumbledore had barely finished the sentence before the roar of conversation filled the hall.
There was a mixture of excitement and outrage. The room was filled with noise and no matter how much the teachers tried to quieten them, the volume seemed to keep increasing.
Sirius and Pete had both paled considerably, they looked as though they were about to be sick or cry. Lily was still frozen in shock and Remus now seemed to be too. The only person who didn't seem to be phased, was James.
“Oh come on guys, we’re Gryffindor through and through.” He said confidently. The others didn’t respond.
“Quiet please.” Dumbledore’s voice was magnified across the room. Everyone finally fell silent and turned to look at him again as he pulled his wand away from his throat. “I understand this is a shock to you all, but we have all agreed that it is for the best. After all, you seventh years are not the same person you were in first year and so on, you have grown and changed. Though, I imagine most of you will remain in your original houses, some of you will change and there is a reason for that. This is nothing to be afraid of, change and growth should be embraced and celebrated. Then as a school we will be able to show how accepting we all are, of each other and the world we live in. This great school must teach you all that our differences do not define us, they unite us.”
As McGonagall pulled the tattered old hat out an anxious aura settled. One by one, the first years, who didn’t seem to get the fuss, were sorted into their houses. Frank Longbottom, Gryffindor prefect, welcomed all of the new Gryffindor’s with genuine warmth. Hours passed, filled with tears as friends were split up, cheers of delight as people remained where they were, but for the most part there were no surprises or large upsets.
The only younger student that stood out to the Marauders was Regulus Black. A tall, striking boy, with dark hair and features that matched his brother almost exactly. Sirius glared at him from across the hall, a faint glimmer of hope was hidden in his eyes, masked by years of dislike. Regulus had once been Sirius's closest friend, his little brother, someone he loved more than anything. When Regulus had been sorted into Slytherin, opposite to his brother, he had shut off completely. He listened to the snide, hateful comments from Slytherins who hated Sirius and he believed them. The two brothers hadn't spoken more than two words to each other in nearly four years.
But, as Sirius watched his brother approach the Sorting Hat, a part of him felt hope. Hope that the Sorting Hat would reunite them, that Regulus really was the Gryffindor that Sirius had hoped he would be.
Regulus held his head high as he stalked towards McGonagall. He sat down, without a glance at anyone particular. He didn't see the tension in Sirius's jaw and shoulders, he didn't see how much his older brother still cared. The hat deliberated for a moment, silent to the rest of the hall. Then, as expected, as predicted, as was foretold, it declared "Slytherin."
Sirius shifted awkwardly on the spot. Feeling stupid for hoping. Regulus hadn't changed. He never would.
Finally, McGonagall called forward the sixth years. James ushered the group forward with confidence, ignoring their apprehension. However, James couldn’t ignore the moment when Lily stood next to him and slipped her hand into his, by their sides. The sea of students and dark robes cloaked this momentous moment, which is why Lily had done it. James took the hint and stopped himself before he started screaming and waving their hands about for everyone to see.
Students slowly began to have their conversations with the hat, a couple of Ravenclaw girls seemed very pleased to move to Gryffindor, the brunette one flashed a smile at Sirius as she passed him. Remus could’ve sworn he saw her wink too. He shook himself, it was just his nerves, making him want to attack everything. It was close to the full moon too and everything felt more intense than usual. He glanced to Sirius, who was stood beside him. He seemed to have shrunk into himself slightly, a small hint of terror behind his grey eyes.
“Sirius Black.” McGonagall called, her eyes landing on him immediately. Her lips twitched with the flicker of a comforting smile as he slowly moved towards her. He flashed her a wide smile, feigning confidence, and took his seat. Sirius locked eyes with Remus as the hat was placed over his eyes.
“Ah Master Black! Many people said I’d got it wrong those years ago when I placed you in Gryffindor. My reputation was put in question. All of those years ago, your brother begged to be in Gryffindor with you, but I knew exactly what I was doing. I am never wrong. He is a Slytherin. You were a Gryffindor. But you’re older now. Different.”
“I’ll always be a Gryffindor, no matter what you decide.” Sirius said strongly.
“GRYFFINDOR” The hat exclaimed to the hall.
There was an uproar of applause as Sirius re-emerged from beneath the hat, beaming at his friends. For years everyone had speculated about his sorting being a mistake, but now it was confirmed, he was always a Gryffindor. He strode across to retake his place at the Gryffindor table, beside the pretty brunette ex-ravenclaw girl. She smiled brightly at him as he started his spiel about how there was never any doubt. Remus smiled, to himself, with relief as he looked at Sirius’s happy face.
McGonagall called up the next few people closest to the front and then landed on Peter. He was now physically shaking with nerves and he tripped slightly on a step as he walked up to the stool.
“Peter Pettigrew.” The hat drawled, as if taunting him. “Desperate to stay with your friends, aren’t you? But what if you could be more. What if there’s something hidden inside of you. A need. A desire. What for? I cannot tell. But it’s there. You have desperation, but you’re not sure where to put it. You don’t feel brave enough to be a Gryffindor without the strength of your friends. Not smart enough to be in Ravenclaw. Not driven enough to be in Slytherin. So it better be… HUFFLEPUFF.” The hat cackled.
Peter let out a small whimper as the hat was hoisted off of his head. He stared up at McGonagall, searching for some help but she simply gestured for him to sit at the Hufflepuff table. Professor Sprout cheered heartily. There was a smattering of applause. James tried to get Peter’s attention, once he was sat, to reassure him that it wasn’t the end of the world. But Peter seemed to have completely shut down and was staring at the empty plate in front of him, looking as though he was trying very hard not to cry.
“Poor Pete.” Lily whispered, still clutching James’s hand. James just squeezed her hand in response.
Marlene McKinnon was sorted into Gryffindor, as was Mary MacDonald, Alice Fortescue was sorted into Ravenclaw this time which wasn’t a total surprise but still left Lily feeling teary.
“James Potter.” McGonagall seemed to tense as she reached his name, as though she was worried.
From beside Lily he squeezed her hand one more time before taking a deep breath, letting go, and striding up to the stage. The hat barely touched his head before it exclaimed “GRYFFINDOR!” The grin on James’s face was matched by Sirius, Lily and Remus. Even McGonagall let herself smile slightly before continuing.
“Lily Evans.” The announcement of her name made her jump, she’d been too busy paying attention to the way that James was beaming with pride and happiness, she’d almost forgotten where she was. She bumped Remus’s shoulder gently, before skipping up the steps to the stool.
“Lily Evans. The brightest young witch of her age. What an honour that we meet again.”
“Oh, that’s very kind of you to say. Thank you.” She blushed with modesty.
“What do you want Miss Evans? Do you want to dawdle, or do you want to be the best? Do you have the desire, the passion required to be the best?”
“Yes. I do.” Lily said fiercely.
“You could be the best, but you will need to learn that passion and greatness comes in a variety of forms and places. Not everyone is simply good or bad. One day, in your future, I sense that you will need a balanced understanding of the similarities and differences between both good and evil.” The hat continued, Lily’s fingernails dug into the wood of the stool.
“You’ll thank me for this one day.” The hat whispered.
"Wai-" But before Lily could finish, the hat screamed out...
“SLYTHERIN!”
Feeling as though the ground had been ripped from beneath her, Lily remained sat on the stool for a moment after the hat was removed. Her mouth hung open slightly, mirroring the faces of almost everyone else in the hall.
She glanced at James who looked utterly horrified, at Sirius who seemed to be shouting about how it was wrong, Peter whose eyes had finally lifted from his plate to stare at her in terror, Alice who sent her a comforting smile, then to Remus who mouthed “It’s going to be okay” to her.
With Remus’s words affirmed in her head, she did her best to move to the Slytherin table without showing any apprehension. She was welcomed warmly by the few other students who had been re-sorted in to Slytherin, the reception from the older students was a mixture of resentment, amusement and amazement.
She smiled politely at them all and tried to focus on the rest of the hall. Other people had been moved, this was not the end of the world, she reassured herself. But through all of her mental reassurances she could see James, his eyes locked on her. She wanted to look at him, but it would give too much away, some cards needed to be held close to her chest and after tonight they would be clutched even tighter than before.
“Severus Snape.” McGonagall said, showing no emotion.
He sat in the stool, glancing over at Lily before the hat covered his eyes. He smiled. Lily Evans, part of his house, this was perfect. Now that she was finally away from the idiot Gryffindor’s she’d surrounded herself with, he could regain her trust and friendship. The thought made him so happy that he missed the hat’s announcement. The stunned faces around him concerned him and the giggling coming from Sirius and James made him even more anxious.
“What did it say?” He whispered to McGonagall.
“Ravenclaw.” She replied, unbothered.
His jaw clenched and he felt like he might be sick, but his feet carried him to the Ravenclaw table, where he sat beside a girl who he only recognised as being a friend of Lily’s. He could hear the whispers from the Slytherin table behind him. Whispers that “he never belonged.” Or “his parents won’t be happy about that.”
Remus had abandoned all fear or hope at the point that his name was called. All those years ago, when he had been a tiny, frightened, boy and had sat on that stool, it had claimed he would be good in Ravenclaw before it settled on Gryffindor. Now that Snape was in Ravenclaw, Remus felt himself mentally begging for anywhere else as the hat descended over his eyes.
“Remus Lupin, we meet again.”
“Have you said that to every person tonight?” Remus replied, bored.
“Hmmm, I sense that someone has strong feelings. But unlike the others, you’re not scared or anxious. You’re angry.”
“Of course I am. You’ve split up people from their closest friends. Their support systems, the people they rely on. And for what?”
“There is a reason for EVERYTHING Mr Lupin, you must not forget that. You are different than your friends. You are stronger. Angrier. You have survived more. Every month you endure unimaginable pain, but you don’t let it show, you bottle it leaving it to brew and fester deep down. Who will be there for you when it explodes? Who will help you channel it the way you are meant to? I know who will.” The hat said evily.
“SLYTHERIN” He had ripped the hat from his head, as if trying to stop it. But it was done. Everyone had heard.
There was a cheer from the Slytherin table, who seemed delighted to have stolen two of the best students from Gryffindor. There were gasps from everywhere else. McGonagall had a hand rested on the stool, as though steadying herself from the blow she’d taken.
Remus didn’t even look at the Gryffindor table. He didn’t need to. From across the hall he could hear Sirius and James screaming and shouting and trying to start a revolution. They were banging on the tables, demanding their friends back. Others soon joined in. Even Peter was feebly banging his cup against the table.
“SILENCE!” Dumbledore’s voice boomed across the hall. “The decisions made tonight, are final. Those of you that have been moved to different houses may spend tonight in your original house, but from tomorrow after breakfast, you will be official members of your new house. I implore all of you, to see this as an opportunity. An opportunity to learn about one another, to meet new people, create new friendships, see how your fellow pupils live their lives, and help each other grow and become the best version of yourselves possible.” He paused, as though waiting for the usual round of applause.
The appearance of food on the plates ended the awkward silence. There was a small increase in the volume in the hall, but many people didn’t eat, didn’t chat. Lily and Remus were among them. Remus was staring furiously at the plate in front of him and imaging himself throwing it against the wall. Lily could sense his rage and softly placed her hand over his.
“At least we’ve got each other.” She tried to smile at him.
He rested his head against hers sadly. That was a fact that he could hold on to, they had each other. Remus’s eyes scanned the hall, he noticed people shaking hands, introducing themselves to people they’d gone to school with for years already. Then he looked at his own table, he recognised many of the faces, but could only place names to a few of them. How was it possible that he didn’t know these people?
As the happier students finished up their feasts, Lily could still feel James’s eyes burning in to her. She risked a glance up at him, but the sadness in his eyes was too evident and she tore her eyes away instantly.
“You are dismissed. Sleep well. Tomorrow is a brand new day.” Dumbledore barely finished his words before the sea of students exited the hall. He seemed a tiny bit deflated as the students filed out.
The original Gryffindor friends found their way back to each other, no one spoke. Every time one of them opened their mouths to speak no words came out. They travelled back to the Gryffindor tower in complete silence.
“This is bullshit.” Sirius exclaimed when they were finally back in their dorm room. The girls had followed them up, their arms wrapped around Lily’s shoulders as though she were devastated. In fact, she didn’t seem to have any emotion. She had totally shut down.
Peter had gone the opposite way and was now sobbing into his pillow as James tried to comfort him by patting his head.
Remus had followed Lily’s approach, but his eyes burned with a very present anger as he lit up a cigarette by the window.
“It is what it is.” He said coolly.
“How can you say that?” Mary rubbed Lily’s shoulders sadly.
“There’s not a thing we can do about it. The only person I can blame is me. For my resentment and my fucking anger. It’s my fault. I wanted to be a Gryffindor more than anything, but I can only pretend so much it seems.” The anger was erupting from Remus.
“You ARE a Gryffindor Remus.” Sirius crossed over to Remus, placing a hand on his knee and looking intently into his eyes. “You’re not pretending. You’re not lying to yourself. It’s who you are. Just hold on to that and you’ll get through this.”
A silent moment passed between Sirius and Remus. Then Sirius seemed to remember his surroundings, removing his hand from Remus’s knee, he straightened up quickly.
“All of you. That’s how you’ll get through this. By being true Gryffindor’s” he gestured to Lily, Alice and Peter.
"How very profound of you, Black." Lily teased, finally cracking a smile.
The group all sat and talked for hours, coming up with plans of how to sneak around and see each other. Working out which lessons they’d likely have together. Potions was always Slytherin and Gryffindor, so they at least had that for sure.
A small knock at the door startled the group. It was McGonagall and she entered wearing the same expression of sadness as James, who had barely said anything.
“It breaks my heart to say it but it’s time to go to your own dorm ladies.” She smiled kindly at the girls as they scrambled out of the room. Lily stayed behind, unmoving. She played with a frayed bit of carpet, in a world of her own. Suddenly she came back to herself.
“My book!” She exclaimed. Noticing McGonagall for the first time. “Oh, professor I’ve left my book in the Great Hall. It’s my favourite and they’ll get rid of it if I don’t collect it right away. Please may I go and get it?” Her eyes twinkled with tears.
McGonagall nodded softly at her, unable to say no to Lily Evans. “Potter, you go with her and then it’s straight to bed for all of you!”
James slid out of Peter’s bed quietly. Peter had tired himself out and fallen asleep. Remus and Sirius were now talking quietly by the window. When James reached the door, where lily was, he finally smiled again as he looked in her eyes.
They hurried back to the hall, finding the elves in the midst of clearing it up. Lily sprinted ahead of James, to her seat at the Gryffindor table and picked up the book she’d been reading before the Sorting. She sighed with relief and held it against her chest as she made her way back over to James.
“That’s where you belong.” He pointed to the Gryffindor table, but lily was already walking out of the room.
“Lily, are you okay?” He asked.
“It really is my favourite book.” She said, not looking at James.
“It’s okay if you’re not. But you’ve got to say something about it. You can’t ignore it.”
“It was a gift from my grandmother before she died.” Lily continued.
“Lily stop!” James grabbed Lily’s wrist, and stopping her in her tracks. “You can’t keep this all bottled up. You have to say something.”
“I have nothing to say to you James. There’s nothing to say. From tomorrow morning we’re on opposite sides of the school. We’ll have new friends, new classes, new opportunities. I’ll be fine. I’ve got Remus. We have each other. There’s no one I’d rather deal with this with.” She turned and continued walking towards the portrait hole.
James stayed for a moment. Letting the words sink in. Lily didn’t need him, she never had.
As he pushed through the curtains into the common room he was surprised to see that Lily had waited for him. She had a sad look in her eyes but smiled at him anyway.
“You’ll always be one of my best friends, Potter. Nothing could change that.” She paused for a moment. “With me in a different house, maybe you’ll find someone else to be hopelessly in love with.” She laughed nervously.
“Maybe I will.” James replied bluntly. He wasn’t looking at her so didn’t register the flicker of hurt that flashed across Lily’s face.
“Right.” She said quietly. “Goodnight then.”
“Night.” James said, already walking away from Lily.
Lily stared after him for a moment, hoping he’d come back, but he didn’t. She made her way up to her own dorm, feeling disheartened and defeated. She pushed the door open slowly. The other girls were all huddled up on Alice’s bed together.
“Lily. What’s wrong?” Marlene asked with genuine care.
Lily pressed her back against the closed door and let herself slide down to the floor, and she began to cry. The other girls all rushed to her side, gently lifting her and moving her to her bed, where they sat together in silence until they all fell asleep, wrapped in each others arms.