Lupin felt extremely nervous. He stood beside the Hogwarts Express and looked at the other students getting on to the train. He was scared by what others might think should they discover his secret. He hoped that Dumbledore's plan to keep him in a safe place (for the sake of others and himself) would work.
Lupin's mother pushed him on to the train. He dragged his trunk with him and placed it on a rack. He soon found an empty compartment for himself and sat by the window. He wore scruffy black robes and dared not stare in to anyone's eyes, so as not to attract attention to himself. He took out a book of spells and began to read; wanting to learn enough, encase his teachers asked him a question on his first day.
The sorting hat was another thing he felt anxious about. He had been told there was nothing to worry about, but he worried none the less. His mother was hoping he would get in to Ravenclaw. She felt that he was smart enough for it. Lupin just hoped that he didn't get in to Slytherin.
'Excuse me, are those seats taken?' a fairly tall and handsome boy stood in the doorway. He had black, shoulder length hair and light eyes. Before Lupin had time to answer the boy sat down opposite him. 'Thanks. Your first year too?'
'Yes it is.' Answered Lupin quietly. 'I'm Remus, Remus Lupin.' He offered his hand politely and the boy shook it. 'Sirius, Sirius Black' imitated Sirius. 'So nervous then?'
'Yes a little, are you?'
'No, of course not! I've done a bit of practising at home so I should be all right. Well I didn't actually practise any spells, but I read about 'em. Well I tried but couldn't be bothered in the end. I see you're reading up on your spells.'
'Yes, well I just want to be prepared. These are just the easy ones.'
'Lets have a look.' Lupin handed over his book and Sirius looked at it, the grin leaving his face. 'Easy? Looks like OWL level to me.' Lupin couldn't help but give a small laugh. He took the book back and showed him the cover. 'It says book 1.'
'Yeah well I err.' But Sirius didn't have to prove himself to Lupin, the train had begun moving and another boy stood at the compartment door. He had short, black messy hair and wore thin, framed glasses. He sat himself down next to Sirius and looked out through the compartment door without a word. Lupin and Sirius looked at each other, looking slightly confused. 'And you are?' asked Sirius, sounding offended. The boy looked at them both as if noticing them for the first time. 'Hmm? Oh sorry. I'm James Potter, it's my first year.'
'Ours too, I'm Sirius and this is Lupin.'
'Nice to meet you both.'
'Are you nervous about the sorting?' asked Lupin, looking up from his book.
'No way! I'm going to definitely be in Griffindor.' said James with a slightly smug look on his face. 'You can't choose you know.' Said Sirius.
'I know but I reckon that I'm brave enough to be in Griffindor. They say that all the heroes were in Gryffindor.'
'A bit cocky for a first year aren't you?' said Sirius. Lupin felt like laughing to see the two having their slightly argumentative conversation.
When the trolley lady came, they each bought a large share of fabulous sweets and shared them amongst themselves. They laughed when Sirius ate a boiling hot boiled sweet by accident. He spat it out in Lupin's direction and he blocked it with his book. James then opened a pack of Bertie Bott's every flavour beans and he was extremely disappointed to find that his first one was tripe flavoured. They thought that they had managed to get a good box when they didn't come across another disgustingly flavoured bean for a while but then Lupin got a pepper flavoured one. Sirius and James laughed to see him cough and splutter but then realised that he was choking and went in to a frenzy of hitting him hard on the back, almost knocking him over.
Once the sweet had been totally consumed, the three sat quietly, too full to speak. Their silence was interrupted when a shouting came from outside. 'Hey Petey? Where you going?' They saw a short, mousy looking boy with fair hair pass by the door. He looked extremely frightened and nervous about something. Sirius got up to see what was going on and went outside the compartment. To his right stood the short boy and to his left stood a tall boy, taller than Sirius. He had hair in a short ponytail and had a mean look on his face. 'What do you want?'
'I want to know what's going on.'
'This doesn't concern you. I just want a little talk with him.' He pointed at the small boy. 'Peter Pettigrew owes me an apology.'
'Well I don't think he needs to apologise to you.'
'Why? Are you going to protect the ikkle baby?'
'Not just him.' said James as he stepped out in to the corridor. 'Me as well.' Lupin decided that he'd rather stay out of the whole thing and sat back to carry on with his reading. Peter crept in to the compartment to stay out of the way and sat where Sirius had previously. Lupin looked up from his book to see the small boy and then looked out at James and Sirius. They both had pulled their sleeves back and clenched their hands in to fists. However a fifth year prefect girl interrupted them. 'What's going on here? No fighting! Go back to your compartments or I'll have to report you.' The three boys gave up and Sirius and James went back inside. However James wouldn't admit defeat. 'Next time I see him I'll…'
'I don't think it's wise to be fighting on your first day.' said Lupin.
'Yeah, best to wait a few weeks until you've learnt a some good spells to use against him.' said Sirius, the grin coming back to his face.
'I didn't mean that.' Lupin returned to his book and Sirius noticed Peter for the first time. 'You alright mate?'
'Yes, yes.' He said quietly, nodding quickly.
A couple of hours later the train pulled up at the station and the first years were lead away to take the boats across the lake.
Once they crossed the lake, the first years waited by the oak doors, which led to the Great Hall. Sirius questioned Peter about what he'd done to make the boy on the train so mad. He laughed when he found out that Peter had accidentally spilt pumpkin juice on him and instead of saying sorry had run a mile.
When it was time the first years were let in to the Great Hall, led by Prof McGonagall. They stood in a line in front of the teacher's table. McGonagall brought out a stool, on which stood an old, tattered hat. 'When I call your name, put on the sorting hat and you will be sorted in to the right house.' She held up a long piece of parchment. 'First up is Black, Sirius.' Sirius walked up to the stool, looking back at Lupin, James and Peter and giving them the thumbs up. He sat on the stool and place the hat on his head. It rested on his head and looked as if it fitted perfectly but then it slipped over his eyes. Sirius heard the hat speaking. 'Hmm there is intelligence here and you are also a good friend. Although you do seem to lack some common sense but you are also brave. You should go in Gryffindor!' The Gryffindor table cheered and Sirius ran over to join them.
After some more students had been placed in various houses McGonagall came to 'Lupin, Remus.' Lupin walked slowly to the stool and stared at the sorting hat. His heart thumped hard in his chest and his hands shook slightly. He placed the hat on his head and pulled it over his eyes, not wanting to look at any of the other students in the eyes. 'Lets see now. You would be good in Ravenclaw, there's a lot of knowledge in this head.'
'Well my mother will be pleased.'
'Your mother? What about you? No, no I think you'd be best in Gryffindor!' Lupin walked over to the cheering Gryffindors, not quite enjoying the attention as much as his friend whom he went to sit next to.
Soon Peter was called up to the sorting hat. The hat sat quite comfortably on his rather large head and everyone could see his squinty eyes. 'You'd be great in Slytherin you know, you'd do well.'
'Bu…but my friends are in Gryffindor. I want to be with them.'
'Well if you say so, then it'll be Gryffindor!' Next up was 'Potter, James' James ran up to the stool and put the sorting hat on. He winked at his friend sitting together at the Gryffindor table. Almost instantly the hat yelled 'Gryffindor!'
When all the first years had been sorted Dumbledor stood up and silence fell. 'Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Don't worry I shall not keep you from the excellent feast. Now tuck in!' Golden plates of food appeared on the tables and Goblets were filled with various drinks. 'See.' said James with a mouthful of potatoes. 'I told you I'd be in Gryffindor. I'm surprised you got in Peter.' Peter looked up from his plate and didn't say anything. He didn't want to tell them that he almost went to Slytherin. He began doubting that he'd be good enough to be in Gryffindor. Sirius looked over the table at Lupin who was taking a bite out of a large chicken drumstick. 'So happy about the hat's decision?'
'Yeah but my mum wont.'
'Why's that?'
'She wanted me to be in Ravenclaw. I almost was.'
'Nah, Gryffindor's the best.' They didn't say another word after that since they were too busy eating. Once everyone had had their fill of food, the remainders disappeared leaving clean plates. Dumbledor stood up once more and silence fell again. 'Before you all go off to your beds, I must give the usual notices. No students are allowed in the forbidden forest and I must warn you to keep away from the Whomping Willow, the new tree that has just been planted. Do not go near it or you will find out the hard way why it is called the Whomping Willow. Now good night!'
Prefects called the first years together and led them to their common rooms. When they were up the first flight of stairs McGonagall came up to Lupin. 'Remus, will you come to my office please?' James and Sirius looked at him with worried faces as he was walked away. He looked back with a sad smile.
McGonagall walked Lupin in to her office. It was a very plain room and the shelves carried only books. Lupin sat in the chair facing the desk and McGonagall sat behind it. 'As you know we have had to take certain precautions for you so that you will not bring harm to yourself or others.' Lupin gave her a small nod to show that he was listening. 'As you heard a new tree has been planted, the Whomping Willow. Underneath it is a tunnel, which will lead to the shrieking shack in Hogsmead. At full moon you will go in there and wait till morning to come out again. You should be safe there. Do you have any questions?'
'Yes, err, wont the willow hit me?'
'Oh yes, there is a knot in one of its roots. If you press on that the willow will become still. Now I shall take you back to your common room.' She led Lupin out and up some stairs, finally reaching a painting of a fat lady. 'Hippogriff feather.' The painting swung back to allow them through. 'Up those stairs and to your right. Your belongings are all by your bed. Good night!' McGonagall walked back out through the painting.
James stood at the top of the stairs, poking his head round the corner. 'Hey! What was that about?' He gave Lupin quite a shock.
'Oh, err nothing really.'
'You're not in trouble already are you?' he laughed, finding the thought quite impressive.
'No nothing like that.'
'Well come on then, we're up here.' James led the way to the dormitory. Lupin sat down on his bed and felt too tired to change out of his robes but new he had to anyway. Once they were in to their pyjamas they soon fell asleep. Tired out by the early morning and the long trip.
In the middle of the night Lupin awoke. Rays of blue light came through the window and they caught his attention. He swung his feet around and got out of bed. He walked over to the window and looked at the half moon. He knew he still had time before he would turn but the sight of the moon still frightened him and at the same time mesmerised him. 'What you looking at?' came a voice. Lupin turned around to see Sirius sat up in bed. 'Just the moon.'
'I like looking at the moon too but it's our first night, aren't you tired?'
'Yeah, course.' Sirius watched as Lupin climbed back in to his bed. He saw that Lupin's gaze returned to the window. The moon reflected in his eyes. Sirius thought it very odd but was too tired to think about it too much and went back to sleep.