I Solemnly Swear I am up to no Good

The Sorting

1st September 1971

The train journey continued in much the same way as it had started. James was brilliant and, as much as Sirius hated to think about blood-status, a fellow pureblood, so maybe his parents wouldn't forbid the friendship, after all, they were... second cousins... something like that. Peter seemed to be trying very hard to be part of the conversation but, as much as Sirius tried to include him, he was rather lacking in charisma and couldn't keep up with the fast paced jokes which he and James were throwing around. Remus, however, seemed rather smart. He was the quietest in the compartment but would often throw in a witty comment for most of the topics they got through (except for Quidditch).

James and Sirius were still on the topic of their favourite sport when the train finally arrived at Hogwarts. The four boys had changed into their robes just before, after Remus and Peter had insisted that they could, under no circumstances, be late for their own sorting (James and Sirius had thought it would be a bit of a laugh and a good way to see which teachers were strict about tardiness). A prefect had told them to leave their trunks on the train because they would be taken up to their rooms for the once their house had been determined. So the 11 year olds left everything where it was and started making their way off the train.

"First years this way!" A gruff voice called from the platform.

Peter turned towards the voice and squeaked in fear. "Is...is that a...a..."

"Giant!" Sirius finished for him.

"Cool!" James agreed. "Let's go!"

"You're...you don't really think we should follow him...giants are dangerous!"

"Nah they're not." James grinned grabbing his arm. Sirius grabbed his other arm and one of Remus' and they started frogmarching Peter towards the giant.

"Besides," Sirius let go of Peter as they reached the rest of the first years. "We wouldn't want to disobey him and break the rules on our first day. They might feed us to the giant!" Remus made a scoffing noise and Peter looked like he was going to faint.

"Right, is that al of ya'. My name's Rubius 'Agrid, keeper of keys and grounds at 'Ogwarts." The giant said. "So if you'll all jus' follow me to the boats then we'll get you across t' get sorted. No more than 5 to a boat."

James, Sirius and Remus all climbed into the nearest boat and Peter stepped tentatively in after them. As soon as everyone was in the boats, they began to glide slowly across the lake.

"Honestly, Peter," James exclaimed about half way across the lake. "Stop rocking the boat!"

"What?" Peter looked around nervously. "I'm not rocking the boat, I haven't done anything"

Sirius shifted on the bench so that his and James' weight was all on one side of the boat before moving back to the other side. "Well you obviously are, look we're going to sink!" The boat swayed precariously in the water.

"No, no, that's not me. You just need to stay still."

"We can't stay still." James was trying very hard not to laugh as he and Sirius continued to rock the boat. "You're moving the boat so much it's impossible! If you don't stop now we'll all fall in..."

"And then the giant squid might get us" Sirius joined in.

"G...giant sq...squid!" Peter stammered.

"Lay off it you two." Remus sighed eventually. "I doubt Dumbledore would appreciate it if two of his students fell in the lake and caught hypothermia before term even starts."

"Yes, Sir." James saluted.

"Your wish is our command Captain Lupin." The two black haired boys sat perfectly still and straight for the rest of the ride across the lake and Peter made a mental note to thank Remus for it later.