Mischief Managed.

Chapter: 1

It was almost 11, and King Cross Station was bustling with heavy activity. from the hustling crowd, three figures emerged. Leading the group was John Lupin. His wife and his 11 year old son, Remus, followed closely behind, both pushing a trolley forward which contained a trunk and a cage holding an owl.

Remus could tell that there were other witches and wizards in this very Station too - mostly awaiting the Hogwarts Express that would take them to the famous wizarding school: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Remus pushed his trolley forward filled with dread and fear. What would he do if the students at Hogwarts found out about him? The headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, had written to his parents, telling them that arrangements would be made for his... 'condition' and that they had nothing to worry about. Still, he couldn't help but feel a sort of nervousness as he entered the Station.

When Remus had been 8 years old, he had been bitten by a werewolf whom his father had offended . seeking revenge, that werewolf had bitten Remus. Werewolves, in common wizarding society, were considered as 'filthy animals'. Remus had always found this depressing. Even if he did become a ferocious wolf once a month , he wasn't a monster all the time. He wished people would understand that .

Lost in his thoughts, he nearly bumped into another family consisting of a proud and haughty looking father, a rather frightening mother, and their two children.

"...generations of our family have been in Slytherin, Sirius," said the Mother severely to the elder one, a good looking boy with long dark hair and a careless expression also pushing his trolley forward. "I will not have you disgrace the noble name of Black by doing otherwise."

The boy, Sirius, just rolled his eyes.

He saw another family, of three people. The parents were smiling proudly at their son, a boy about Remus's age, with untidy, black hair. Remus could hear him even through the noise.

"I can't believe first years aren't allowed on the Quidditch team!" he cried. " What will I do without Quidditch?"

Remus smiled , this one had a serious obsession with Quidditch.

His Mother laughed at him, and said, "Well, don't get yourself in trouble by trying to get in James dear ."

He looked around and found another family. Remus could swear that the parents were muggles. They were standing with their two daughters, the elder one a dark-haired thin girl with an annoyed and sulky face. The other, redheaded, and quite pretty, was looking excitedly around. Among all the other students he had seen he liked this girl best.

Looking ahead he found himself near the wall separating platforms 9 and 10. His father put a hand on his shoulder and said, "You first, son."

Remus checked that no muggles were watching then taking a deep breath , he closed his eyes and ran straight into the wall. Instead of colliding with it, he opened his eyes to see that he had passed right through the wall and had arrived at platform 9 and 3/4.

The magnificent scarlet coloured Hogwarts Express stood in front of him, waiting for the students to climb aboard.

Next to it a family of two caught his attention. The mother was giving her son a lecture about not letting his grades slip, but the mousy little boy was looking at the floor obviously wishing she would stop.

"Come on, it's time you got on," his father said from behind. "You don't want the train to leave without you, do you?"

Remus smiled at him, and his mother pulled him into a tight hug.

"Don't worry, Mum." said Remus. "I'll be fine."

"Take care of yourself, kiddo." said his father.

At that time the last warning whistle from the train was given, and he said, "Mum, I'm going to be late."

She let him go with a sniff and a sad smile, and they gathered in a group hug before he ran onto the Hogwarts Express.

Remus pushed up his trunk and jumped aboard, then ran to the window. His parents were still there waving to him.

"Goodbye! " he called happily.

"Bye son. Have fun" his father called back.

"Take care of yourself Remus." his mother said, holding back tears.

Remus kept waving till he couldn't see them anymore, and, taking a deep breath, he turned to find himself a compartment. He couldn't help but be excited. After all, he was on his way to Hogwarts.