"What in the Hell is Muggle Studies?" Sirius asked, one eye on his timetable and one eye on the toast he was currently eating at high speed.

"If you keep eating like that, you're going to choke." Remus said simply, pushing his food around.

"You okay Moony?"

"Yeah, why?"

James shrugged. "You just look a bit ill."

"I always look ill."

"While this is sweet and all," Sirius broke in, "can someone tell me what Muggles Studies is and also where Wormtail is? I haven't seen him since I woke up."

"He said he's going to his first class early. To avoid people."

"That's my second question answered."

"Muggle Studies is where we learn about the Muggle world. You know, their inventions, jobs, what they do for fun. Don't worry, you'll be able to drop it in Fourth Year."

"Fourth Year? I've got to learn about Muggles until Fourth Year?" Sirius stared at Remus as if he'd lost his mind. "Mother's going to kill me."

As if on que, thousands of owls poured into the Great Hall with letters and parcels for the students. James looked about the sea of owls for Gryffin and looked down, disappointed. A great, black owl swooped down by Sirius and dropped a red envelope by his plate.

"Oh Jesus." He hissed. "Just like I thought." He picked up the letter like it was going to bite him and held it out to his friends. "My dearest mother sent me a Howler."

"You don't need to open it, Padfoot. It won't make you any less brave."

"Thanks Prongs but I'd rather face it now than at home." Sirius winced slightly as he opened the red envelope slowly.

"Sirius Orion Black!" The voice bellowed, silencing the whole Hall. "You have brought disgrace to this family! A member of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, being Sorted into Gryffindor! I am immensely disappointed in you! You are on very thin ice, Sirius! If you do not start acting like a proper pureblood, I shall have you disowned! What sort of example are you setting to Regulus?!" Sirius scoffed slightly at this but it was lost in the yells of Walburga. "I can only hope you see the error of your ways! We are all very disappointed in you!" The envelope burst into flames and the smouldering embers fell onto the table.

"Well, that could've been worse." Sirius said nonchalantly, brushing the embers off the table and onto the floor. He looked behind him at the gawking tables. "Shows over, folks."

"How were you not fazed by that at all?" Sirius shrugged.

"I've had worse. When you're the disgrace of the family, you expect things like that."

"Padfoot-"

"It's fine. I don't need sympathy. Now, I believe we've got a lesson to go to?" Sirius pushed his plate away and stood up, leaving the Great Hall and hoisting his bag over his shoulder. James and Remus looked at each other before James got up and followed him.

"Heya Padfoot."

Sirius looked up. "You've not been crying, have you?" Sirius shook his head.

"No."

James sat down next to Sirius. "Does that happen... often?" Sirius shrugged.

"I guess. And I can't even escape her here. And when Regulus gets here, ha ha, mother's gonna have a little spy in Hogwarts. I won't be able to do anything."

"Well, if that's the case, we're just gonna have to make First Year the best year."

Sirius tucked his hair behind his ear and looked at James, who was grinning.

"Yeah? And how are we going to do that?"

"How are you at pranking?"

About half-way through this chapter, I realised that James and Sirius were meant to be best friends so... just building up that relationship a little. Also, Happy New Year!
Bye,
Blaize