Clair de Lune

"All right, all right, keep your shirt on."

Sirius pushes James off his bed and pulls on robes.

"Well? Let's go!"

"No," says Sirius, and pulls his hangings closed.

"All together!" agrees Sirius gleefully.

There is a sound then, like a small explosion and a stench fills the hall. Sirius giggles and holds his nose.

Sirius nudges Remus with a little grin. He didn't expect to be here either.

Lily is a girl. Boring. So Sirius just ignores her.

Sirius can't believe his luck and waves excitedly back to James, sod Lucius.

A tiny breath caught in Sirius' throat. First? The distance between himself and the hat looked so far. He took his first step toward the hat and the chair and heard a murmur from across the room. It was then he noticed the four long tables. The murmur had come from the table with the green hangings. He received an approving nod from Lucius and felt something cold sink into his stomach.

Marshaling his courage, he walked the rest of the way. James was so lucky. He was going Gryffindor and would play great pranks on the hall and Sirius would be stuck in stuffy, uptight Slytherin.

McGonagall lifted the hat off the chair and Sirius sat, miserable. She placed the hat on his head and it immediately began to talk to him.

"Hmmm, yes, a keen and curious mind, not much ambition but plenty of bravery. Where to put you, though. Not a hard worker; Hufflepuff's right out. Hmm, hmm, you're bright enough for Ravenclaw but not studious enough."

Sirius sighed. Slytherin was a cert. How horrid.

"No, no, no, aren't you listening boy? You've not enough ambition. There's only one place for you!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius couldn't help the glance he swept over to the Slytherin table. Lucius' face was red with anger. Sirius looked away and practically skipped to the welcoming arms of his new home.

Apparently Sirius actually had to say that Remus and Pete could take what they want. James already knew or would just do it anyway.

"I put the lot on the seat for a reason you know."

He is at once haughty, petulant, and grumpy.

Sirius pulls out a small silk sack with a green 'B' emblazoned on in fine embroidery. He tosses six galleons to the snack lady and loads up. He's not stingy though, and puts his heap on the seat between he and Remus and sort of shrugs at the others. They can take what they like. His mood is still about sour because in his future is that smarmy bugger Lucius Malfoy, his new best pal.

Sirius really doesn't care for the turn in conversation. He sort of slumps in his seat and pulls out his wand for something to do. He ignores the others as he makes a bit of lint float up in the air and dance with a quiet Wingardium Leviosa!

"Ha!" shouts Sirius with glee. "See? You are a girl!"

The rest of what Remus and Peter is irrelevant.

Sirius shakes his wet head sending water all over the compartment. Then he gets up and plops down next to the swot and grins at him.

"I'm obligated to tolerate this tosser seeing as he's a cousin and all, but you're an objective third party. Did Jamie here scream like a girl or did he not?"

Sirius is nodding his head up and down like this is going to get the swot to say yes.

Sirius falls back, wet, clutching his sides with laughter.

"You girl, you absolute screaming girl, and you were on fire, and saved by the swot."

Sirius is laughing so hard his sides are aching.

Sirius, still holding James down quite effectively, tips back his head and howls like a hound which breaks apart into giggles.

"That's all right by me. If I'm the dog, that makes you prey!"

Sirius makes his point by attacking James with more tickling.

Sirius notices Remus' distress and rolls his eyes at James. Then he pounces, wrestling James to the floor and tickling him.

"You are such a spastic!"

"Really?" Sirius perks up as he is dragged. "What hex did you use?"

He doesn't notice Lily at all.

"I thought she would never shut up, James. Ever. I don't think she took a breath once. I don't see how they're related, your mum and mine."

Sirius wants to act more excited but his ears are still red from the boxing they took. He looks at James, all excitement and happiness because he's going to the 'home of the brave' or whatever the lions said about themselves. Sirius, he's going to Slytherin. What fun.

Sirius stands stiff-backed and straight-shoulder with his parents. He looks exceedingly bored. Which both is and isn't true. He can't wait to get away from his parents and see James but currently he is receiving the standard lecture on the code of conduct for a member of the Black family,

"Once you're sorted Lucius will take you under his wing. He's always like you though I can't imagine why. I can only hope that some time associating only with the right sort will curb your impetuosity and smart mouth. You represent your family and I'll have none of your blah, blah, blah...."

Sirius couldn't wait for Mother to shut it already. Father had his hand on his shoulder and was nodding along like this was all very big news that Sirius hadn't already heard a thousand times before.

"Sirius?" A whisper and then a tug on his sleeve. Looking up at him with big round eyes is Regulus. "Sirius you're doing that thing again. You should really listen."

Sirius sighs and immediately received a sharp box around the ears.

"Do I bore you Sirius?"

You have no idea how much.

"Of course not, Mother. You were just saying not to talk to Muggleborns or Half-Bloods and that I'm to remember that just because someone if pureblood doesn't make them equal to my standing as a Black."

It was an excellent guess. He really hadn't been listening but Mother was nothing if not predictable when she got going.

"Sirius, will you promise to write me?" Big grey eyes blinked owlishly up at Sirius. "I'm - I'm going to miss you."

"'Course I'll write you, Reggie."

Another box about the ears. "Speak properly! Regulus is a fine proud family name, just like yours blah, blah, blah

The trains whistle blew loud and long.

"Kreacher, take Master Sirius' things on board."

"Yes, Mistress."

"Have a good term Sirius."

"Thank you, Father."

"I'll be in touch with your Head of House within the week. I expect you to remember your mother's words. It's time to grow up, Sirius."

"Yes, Father."

Sirius received a push from behind. "Get moving, Sirius."

"Bye, Regulus. I'll write you tomorrow."

Sirius takes a step toward the train and his first taste of true freedom.