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Writing Club- Showtime (Schuyler Defeated: Peter Pettigrew)

Back to School (being Sorted by the Sorting Hat)

Word Count 618

Peter looks up when the carriage door opens. Two boys linger in the doorway, both grinning. "These seats taken?" the one with messy hair and glasses ask. "Some greasy git was in the last one we were in."

"Nightmare," a boy with shaggy hair and grey eyes agrees, shuddering for emphasis.

Peter studies them for a moment. They seem so confident, so calm. Boys like them are the types who bullied Peter relentlessly growing up. Part of him wants to tell them to leave, that his friends will be back soon. And yet part of him realizes that this could be a new start. "Go ahead," he says with a nod, trying to look impressive. "I'm Peter."

"James. This is Sirius. He's a Black, but he seems like a good enough bloke."

"Thanks for that."

They take their seats, both smiling. Peter waits for them to turn on him, to make fun of him. Instead, they fall into a conversation. Peter's heart flutters as they actually include him.

"I can't wait for Charms," Peter says.

"Charms seems like a fun class," James agrees, "but I'm dying for my first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson."

Peter relaxes, a genuine smile on his lips. So this is what it's like to have friends. It's even better than he could have ever imagined.

…

James and Sirius stay by his side as they enter the Great Hall. Peter grins as they fall in line. He's ways wondered what it would feel like to really belong.

"Black, Sirius!"

"Wish me luck, boys," Sirius says, offering them a salute before marching to the stool.

The Sorting takes a few moments. "GRYFFINDOR!"

James lets out a cheer. "That's going to be my House too," he says proudly. "Just wait."

Professor McGonagall calls name after name. Peter trembles as she gets closer to his. He's never given much thought to what House he wants, but now his nerves twist his stomach into knots. Sirius is a Gryffindor; James is sure he'll be there too. These two have quickly become his first real friends, and he's afraid he might lose them now.

"Pettigrew, Peter."

Breathing heavily, heart racing, he approaches the stool and takes a seat. Sirius catches his eye from the Gryffindor table, and he offers Peter a thumbs up. It's the last thing he sees before the Sorting Hat falls over his eyes.

Quite an interesting mind. Very difficult.

The voice seems to come from inside his head. Peter startles, eyes shifting around in the darkness.

Slytherin would be great for you. Cunning, a need to prove yourself. Oh yes.

"Please…" Peter thinks of his friends staying together in Gryffindor, moving on without him. "Gryffindor… Please."

Gryffindor? Yes, there's a bit of courage that could be nurtured in Gryffindor. But Slytherin-

"Gryffindor," Peter repeats. "Has to be Gryffindor."

If you're sure. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Peter can barely believe his luck. His pulls the hat off, dropping it onto the stool before hurrying to his House table. Sirius grins and pats his back as he takes his seat.

"Brilliant!" Sirius calls.

"Potter, James."

James' Sorting happens in the blink of an eye. The Sorting Hat barely touches his head before declaring him a Gryffindor. James jogs to the table, grinning as he sits between Sirius and another boy who has just been Sorted.

"Lupin, right?"

"R-Remus," the boy says.

James grins, looking around at his new Housemates. "Well, this will be brilliant. The four of us, friends forever."

Peter finds himself grinning. They've known him for only a few hours, and Remus Lupin has been in the group for only moments. And yet, somehow, he feels as though they've already sealed their fates as inseparable friends.