#lsbs

Chapter 4: First Impression

Sparkling silver light filtered through the windows, and Sirius stood there, dressed in an emerald green suit, his dark eyes gleaming. Numerous pearls adorned his fingers as he twisted his wand, testing its abilities.

"You were saying," he continued.

"I apologise, M-master…" came a shivering voice from in front of him.

"Do you think your apologies serve any purpose?" Sirius' voice was dark, cold, and sharp. His gaze was icy as he looked over his opponent. He rather enjoyed the power and couldn't help but smile a little.

"I… I… am unsure… What else…"

"Unsure. Didn't look so unsure when you faltered. Fraternising with Mudbloods, blood traitors, and half-breeds," he said, his voice silky.

Silence followed, except for his enemy's shivers. Sirius was satisfied to see the floor beneath his enemy was drenched in tears or sweat.

"Very well," he said with finality. "Look me in the eyes."

His enemy slowly raised his head, hands trembling.

"Look. At. Me,” He ordered.

A pale white face, much younger, came into view. Long black hair, once perfect but now shabby and wet. Grey eyes, clouded by an emotion he did not yet know. The features were strikingly similar. With a jolt, he realised it was himself, his younger self!

Before he could stop, the darker version of Sirius cast a spell, and jet red sparks shot out of his wand. Pain, unlike anything he had ever known, consumed him. He lay there writhing, screaming. No one heard him, no one knew where he was. No one cared.

“Sirius! Sirius… W… Wake up!”

He woke with a start and was surprised to see a pair of specs zooming in front of him, bright sunlight reflected in it. 

Chapter 3: The Sorting Ceremony

As they lined up in front of the Great Hall, Sirius couldn't help but notice the awe and wonder on the faces of some of the students as they looked up at the enchanted ceiling above them. He guessed that most of them were Muggle-borns, experiencing their first glimpse of magic. He thought about what his mother would have said if she were standing next to him in that line.

Filthy mudbloods and—

"Black, Sirius."

For a brief moment, Sirius froze. He hadn't even realised they had started calling out names. Slowly making his way up to the podium, Sirius could feel Headmaster Albus Dumbledore's steady gaze upon him. He gave the elderly man a weak smile, which was returned with warmth and kindness.

Placing the tattered hat upon his head, Sirius heard a voice enter his mind. "Sirius Black." He didn't feel the need to respond and was now more confused than ever about what this sorting process entailed. Was it a game? A test?

"Hmm, quite different from the noble family you were born into. Could it be..."

"Not Slytherin," Sirius silently pleaded in his mind.

"Are you absolutely certain, boy?" The stern voice of the Sorting Hat echoed in Sirius' mind. "Your great-grandfather, Phineas Nigellus Black, was one of the only Slytherin headmasters the school has ever had. It would be quite a deparecogrture for a Black to not be sorted into that house."

Sirius hesitated, his eyes flickering to James for a moment before firmly stating, "Not Slytherin."

"On the other hand, I see plenty of courage and determination. Fierce loyalty as well, I see. Very well, very well," the Sorting Hat continued. "GRYFFINDOR!"

The crowd erupted from the red and gold table on his left, and Sirius exhaled a sigh of relief. He got up to run to take his seat when he heard a shout, “Wait for me!” and saw that it was James. Sirius gave a quick wink and continued towards his seat. As he sat at the Gryffindor table, seated opposite the Slytherins, he saw Narcissa Black, his cousin, go pale white, and he couldn’t help but smirk a little bit.

You shall stay with our lot. Is that clear?

In a way, he did follow his mother’s instructions. He was staying with his lot.

Summary

The year is 1971, and Hogwarts is buzzing with excitement as a new generation of witches and wizards begins their journey. Among them are Sirius Black, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and Remus Lupin, four first-year students who quickly become inseparable. But beneath the enchantment of magical classes and newfound friendships, a dark shadow looms.

Whispers of a rising Dark Lord echo through the halls, dismissed by most as mere rumors. However, strange occurrences and unsettling events soon make it clear that something sinister is at play.

Determined to uncover the truth, Sirius and his friends embark on a perilous adventure that tests their courage and loyalty.