Disclaimer: All belongs to the brilliant JRR Tolk---wait. That's not right. Sorry, all things Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling! I'm just borrowing.

Author's Note: This is, obviously, my first foray into the HP fandom; usually I write for Tolkien, and I don't know that I'll ever be inspired to write for this fandom again, but who knows. Inspiration hits me for strange things at the strangest times (like 3:30 in the morning, when I'm trying to sleep). Anyway, this is short, but I hope it is enjoyable...

The Sorting of Sirius Black

The Sorting Hat of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sat patiently on its stool at the head of the Great Hall as the students filed in, filling the tables and the air with their excited chatter. Behind the Hat sat all the teachers, also talking amongst themselves. It was the start of another year, which meant only one thing to the Sorting Hat.

And here they came: the first years, tiny and timid in their brand new school robes. Professor McGonagall led them down the long room, and took her place beside the Hat. The Hall fell quiet. It was time. The Hat opened its mouth and sang its song for that year, describing for the new students the four Houses of Hogwarts – Gryffindor, where dwelt the brave at heart; Ravenclaw, where the cleverest went; Hufflepuff, the home of the loyal and hardworking; and Slytherin, where the ambitious and cunning found their place.

Once the Hat finished its song, McGonagall unrolled her parchment and read off the names of the newest students. One by one they came up, sat upon the stool, and the Hat was set upon their head. Hufflepuff! Ravenclaw! Gryffindor! Slytherin! Ravenclaw! The Sorting Hat did its job well, sorting the students quickly and easily, their strengths and weaknesses becoming clear as soon as it settled on their little heads.

"Black, Sirius!"

Black, eh? The Hat expected that this would be simple. The Blacks were an old family, all in Slytherin – and for good reason.

But wait. The Sorting Hat paused as it settled on the head of young Sirius. This was no ordinary Black. He had the potential to be great, oh yes, a very great wizard, and he was clever, too. But more so than this, the Hat sensed bravery – a courage that was perhaps reckless, but true, along with a sense of honor that would likely prove to put a stop to any underhanded ambitions.

No, this was one Black that did not belong in the House of Salazar Slytherin. Let him instead go to, "Gryffindor!"