Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any other associated properties.
A/N: Trying something new here. Not going to be canon-compliant past a certain point. Sanity Check by Ollie. Feel free to point out mistakes. Other stories still in progress, sorta.
A scant few rays of sunshine pierced the clouds and the crowd of people bustled around the platform. A small, dark-haired boy noticed none of this as he stared at the bright red locomotive. All the stories his father had told him – daring kitchen raids, exciting Quidditch games, amazing feats of magic – they rushed through his brain in a torrent of sight and sound, blocking out all distractions. His parents' well-wishes almost went unheeded as he mumbled a goodbye and tugged his trunk onto the train.
James Potter was going to Hogwarts.
=(.o0O0o.)=
His parents' warnings and admonitions came back in full force as he stared at the train. Behave yourself. Uphold the family's honor. And, unspoken: don't disappoint us. A silly grin came to his face. He was free for the next nine months. Short of his grades, the only knowledge of his behavior at school that his parents had would be the letters he sent home. Knowledge that he could withhold at his pleasure.
Sirius Black was going to Hogwarts.
=(.o0O0o.)=
Trepidation caused a lump in his throat as he looked upon the Express. As little as a few months ago, his life had been an uncertain road of darkness and terror. And then, through the actions of one man, he had the opportunity to claim the closest thing to a normal life he could ever lead. Tugging on a fraying shirt, he looked back at the barrier with the faintest of frowns. His father had driven off without a word, as usual, and his mother had stayed in bed, also as usual. That didn't matter now, though.
Remus Lupin was going to Hogwarts.
=(.o0O0o.)=
Fear warred with desperate hope as he examined the train. He ignored the vendor yelling not five feet from his ear as he glanced around the station. Students milled around, chatting with old friends and making up for lost time. Elsewhere, couples found their way into each others' arms. New students, like him, stared around in wonder. Nobody knew him, yet; nobody called him names or punched him or laughed at him. Hard to believe, perhaps, but it seemed to be true.
Peter Pettigrew was going to Hogwarts.