A/N: Hello! Welcome to my new story! It's been on my mind for a while and I'm finally getting around to writing it. It was inspired by the song "I Should Tell You" from the amazing musical RENT. I came up with the idea while listening to the song, but this isn't a songfic. I hope everyone enjoys, I know this first chapter is really short, I'll be writing another one soon. Review and let me know what you think!
Remus Lupin awoke on the morning of his eleventh birthday, wishing he could sleep through the day and never know it had happened. Any other year, he would have been thrilled it was his birthday, but not this year. Remus was a wizard, and most eleven year old witches and wizards began studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Remus, however, had known for several years that he would not be attending the school. No headmaster would ever consent to allow a werewolf into their school.
"Remus!" His mother called from down the hall. He rolled over in bed, not wanting to hear her cheerful birthday wishes, but obliged nonetheless. Rolling out of bed and tying a deep blue bathrobe over his pajamas, he walked down the hall and into the kitchen where his mother had prepared a large breakfast of all his favorites. "Happy birthday, darling." she said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Morning, Mum." he said with a soft smile, not wanting to hurt his mother's feelings. He sat down at the table and prodded his fork into a bit of sausage. His mother stood at the sink, watching her son, smiling a knowing smile.
"There's someone here to see you." she said as though about to introduce a small child to Santa Claus. Remus glanced up from his plate, a quizzical look on his face. He was spared the trouble of asking when a man with a long white beard and hair, glasses, and a very crooked nose wearing deep purple wizards robes entered the kitchen from the living room. Remus had no idea who this man was, so didn't feel the need to stop eating or make any formal greeting. The man smiled serenely at the young boy.
"Good morning, Mr. Lupin. Happy birthday, my dear boy." he said with as much enthusiasm as if he'd known Remus his whole life. Remus, having been in the middle of a rather large bite of eggs, answered as best he could.
"Fank oo." He gave his mother another look, swallowed his eggs, and dropped his fork. Something in the old man's demeanor gave Remus the impression that a bit more respect was called for. The man appeared not to have been bothered by the boy's less than formal response.
"I expect you are wondering who I am?" he asked politely. Remus gave his mother another hesitant glance, then nodded. "My name is Albus Dumbledore." Remus's expression must have given him away as Albus Dumbledore gave a small laugh. "I see you've heard of me. Then I would venture to guess that you know that I am the Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, am I correct?" Remus nodded, standing up from the table, now knowing this man deserved his utmost respect. There was a momentary pause. Remus looked back at his mother, who continued to smile at her sandy blonde child, then back at the Headmaster. Finally, he found the nerve to speak.
"Erm…Sir, I don't think I understand." Dumbledore looked intrigued and allowed Remus to continue. "I don't understand why you're here. I'm not supposed to be attending Hogwarts." Remus said with a slight pang in his stomach. Dumbledore grasped his hands behind his back.
"Ah, yes. I see you've assumed your condition makes you ineligible for acceptance." Remus was taken slightly aback that the Headmaster knew of his condition, but didn't comment. "I suppose under any other Headmaster or Headmistress, you might have been correct. However, I see no reason, under certain precautions, of course, why you should not be able to attend." Dumbledore continued to smile down into Remus's amber eyes.
"Precautions?" Remus asked. Dumbledore nodded.
"Oh yes. I have already taken the liberty of modifying certain aspects of the school for your safety and the safety of others. The staff is already aware of your condition, and arrangements have been made to safely escort you from the grounds for your transformations." Remus was starting to believe that he wasn't dreaming.
"So…I can really go?" he asked hopefully. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and his smile broadened.
"Of course, my boy! We can't let your unfortunate condition keep you from a proper education, can we?" Remus beamed, looking over at his mother.
"Mum! I'm going to Hogwarts!" he said, nearly jumping from the excitement. His mother smiled at him even brighter.
"That's wonderful, dear." Remus noticed how calmly his mother was taking this fantastic news, but didn't let it get in the way of his excitement.
"Oh, I nearly forgot. You'll be needing this." the Headmaster pulled out a sealed letter with Remus's name written across the front in ornate letters from the folds of his robes and handed it to Remus. It was his official acceptance letter and his supply list for the school year. Remus beamed at the letter and ran from the kitchen, down the hall, and into his room where he promptly pinned the letter to his wall above his bed.
"I'm terribly sorry about that, Professor. He was very upset about not being able to attend." Mrs. Lupin explained her son's behavior to Professor Dumbledore.
"Quite alright, madam. Very understandable. I hope you don't have any worries about the school year." Dumbledore said, opening the floor for questions. Mrs. Lupin did not appear worried, but did have a question on her mind.
"What about the other students, Professor? What will they be told?" Dumbledore appeared to have expected this question.
"Nothing at all. My staff has been informed not to divulge any information about Remus's condition. Who he chooses to tell is entirely up to him, although, a bright young boy such as him undoubtedly realizes such things are better left unsaid."
Remus sat on his bed, staring up at his letter with bright eyes. He was going to Hogwarts. He was actually going to Hogwarts! Soon he would be buying his first set of proper wizards robes and he'd have a wand. Remus wondered momentarily if he'd be able to make friends at his new school. He couldn't befriend any of the muggle boys in his town, they wouldn't understand is disappearances. He didn't let that worry him, however. The only thought that could bring him down was the five months between his birthday and the start of term.