~REMUS POV~

I stand staring out at the crowded platform, thick grey smoke billowing from a giant scarlet steam engine clouding my vision. My jaw drops as I turn back and look at the supposedly solid brick wall behind me. I instantly regret standing my ground however, as a tall boy with matted brown hair comes flying through the wall. He'd clearly taken the entrance at a run, like me. His trolley collides painfully with my hip, throwing me to the ground.

"Watch it, freak!" He spat, then without so much as an apology for knocking me flying, stormed away.

Gingerly, I pick myself up. My hip bone was aching fit to bust, and my trunk had toppled over as the boy had pushed his way past. Not wanting to aggravate another student before the term had even begun, I heaved my trunk up and dragged it a little way away from the entrance. I can't move far however, because the ache in my hip was too much. I stop and rub my hand against it, then pull my shirt up a little. Already my pale skin is tinted with black, blue and purple; it's going to turn into a colourful bruise. My eyes scan the skin covering my stomach, wincing as I take in the scars, the tooth marks. With a shudder, I drop my shirt. It hangs off my skinny frame like all the other clothes I owned. There was no point in getting me anything that was expensive, because by the full moon it would have been ripped into shreds and ribbons.

I sigh as I continue to rub my still throbbing hip, and look around at all of the other students gathered on the platform. I see small collections of families, huddled together, mothers saying words of encouragement, fathers looking proud. I just about manage to hold down a sniff, my mind wandering back to my parents. They'd never be able to be proud of me, would they? Who'd be happy to escort a monster to school, wishing him luck and giving him praise? No parents, that's who. I jolt as I feel a wave of jealousy pour over me. What did I do to wrong fate, so that it made me like this? Why was I the one who was singled out, the one who would be forced to spend their life alone, too scared of hurting everybody to be able to make friends?

This thought sends another wave of emotion around my body. I'd have to make sure I didn't get close to anybody while at Hogwarts. I couldn't risk it. What if I gained some close friends, but then hurt them? What if I made them like me? I shudder as this thought comes to my head. I can't let that happen. I can't condemn innocent people to live the half life of a cursed being.. I rub my hands up and down my arms, trying to get rid of the goose pimples that had erupted all over my skin at the thought of my evil being spread. I wouldn't be able to deal with the guilt if it happened..

A sharp, loud whistle cuts through my thoughts. I look up, and notice the parents hurrying their children towards the train. With a sigh, I pick up my trunk again. My hip protested by spreading agony all the way across my waist. I winced loudly, but continued to drag and haul the heavy trunk towards an open door of the train. I didn't look where I was going, and this resulted in me banging right into another person. I whirled around, and jumped.

A boy about twice my puny size was towering above me, his face like thunder. He had a pointed chin and skin almost as pale as mine. Slicked back blonde hair stuck to his head, looking oily and greasy. His cold grey eyes glared at me. He was wearing flowing black Hogwarts robes, and I spotted with a sinking feeling of ice cold in my stomach, the green and silver emblem of Slytherin house upon the chest. On the other side, gleamed a bright Prefect badge. I shivered. The look in this boy's eyes wasn't at all friendly, and from I'd heard of students in Slytherin, they weren't to be messed with.

"Why don't you watch where you're going, kid?" He snarled.

Unable to answer him, I stared. Fear was numbing my brain.

"I asked you a question, you little bastard." His voice gained a new level of menace.

Still, I stayed silent. This seemed to annoy him even more, because a new glint of fury appeared in his grey eyes.

"I think he's a bit brain damaged, Lucius."

The blonde boy looked over his shoulder, as did I. Standing behind him, also glaring down at me like I was a speck of dirt on their shoes, was the boy who had deliberately banged into me, causing my hip to ache dully.

"What do you mean?" The Lucius boy snapped.

"He was standing gawking at the platform like a retard. Had to basically push him out of my way."

Lucius smirked, and turned back to me. I saw his eyes do a sweep of my body, taking in my hair, eyes and clothes. When he had finished, his smirk seemed to grow.

"I didn't know the standard of Hogwarts had slipped this much.. I mean, look at this." He sneered, and pointed out the rips and holes in my shirt to his cronies, who sniggered. "Couldn't your parents afford clothes that actually stay together?"

I shook silently as him and his friends collapsed with laughter. I could feel the wolf blood within me boiling in fury.

"And look at his eyes! Who has amber eyes? What sort of freak are you?"

The insult of my eyes had been my final straw. They were the only thing that made up my entire self that I actually liked. I found that the unique colouring separated me from most normal children for something that was beautiful, not monstrous. Before I could calm myself down, my mouth had opened.

"I wouldn't make fun of people if I was such an arrogant prick." I spat.

I guess the only reason I wasn't being jinxed by them was that they were in shock. The brown haired boy and two others were staring in shock from me to Lucius; clearly he hadn't been spoken to like that before. It only takes a few milliseconds for him to react though.

With a snarl, he pulls his wand from the pocket in his robes and advances on me, eyes now steely. I wince and close my eyes, expecting any second to be flat on my back in agony. But just like I had expected the crash from the barrier, it never came. I opened my eyes a crack, then they widened in shock.

A boy a little taller than me had stepped in front of Lucius. All I could see of him, for he too was dressed in Hogwarts robes, was his hair. It was as black as the midnight sky, cut in jaggy layers that hung around his shoulders. It looked soft and silky, and I twitched as my hand, acting of its own accord, had reached out to touch it. I froze to the spot when I heard the boy speak; his voice was colder and angrier than Lucius' had been when I had walked into him.

"Wouldn't do that if I were you, Malfoy."

"And why not?" Came the livid reply.

"Witnesses."

I felt a shudder of cold slip down my back. Was this boy who had supposedly saved me telling Malfoy to wait until there was no-one else to curse me? Malfoy seemed to be wondering this as well, because he had dropped his arm to his side. While he hesitated, the boy reached behind and grabbed my trunk, before walking off with it dragging behind him. I followed him quickly, not wanting to be left alone with four angry Slytherins. He didn't pause to say anything, just hurried up the steps of the train, my trunk making dull clunking noises behind him.

"Hey-!" I tried to call to him, but either he didn't hear me over the chattering voices, or he ignored me. I decided it was the latter because honestly, who'd want to talk to me?

After we've walked down half of the train, he spots an empty compartment and dives for it. I scurry right behind him and close the door behind us. He heaves my trunk onto the rail above his head, next to one already placed there.

"Isn't someone already sitting there?" I asked timidly.

"Yeah, me. I spotted what was going on, so I came to help you out." He points out of the window, and I see Malfoy and his friends now looking around, looking even more confused. His voice still sounded a bit cold.

He turned to look at me finally, but I flinched, expecting him to shout. I was utterly perplexed when he started roaring with laughter. I blinked blankly and he pointed at the top of the window. The top part lay open, and I could hear parents calling last minute goodbyes to their children. I realised with a pang that he must have heard everything. I found myself staring at the boy who was still laughing, and felt my heart throb uncomfortably. His jet black fringe covered his entire forehead, the tips of which had started to creep over the top of his eyes. His skin was pale but with hints of colour, and I noticed that his eyes were a slight shade lighter than his hair as he finally stopped laughing. His frame was skinny but I could tell that his arms and legs were stronger than they seemed.

"Uh.. What was so funny?" I asked.

He smirked, and my heart gave another jolt.

"Never thought I'd see another first year stand up to someone like Lucius Malfoy." He said, his voice a lot lighter, more welcoming. "Nice going!" He leant forwards and patted my back.

I had been right in the assumption about his strength. I was knocked forwards accidentally as his palm made contact.

Still smiling, he grabbed my shoulders and steered me into the seat next to the window. He sat opposite me, lounging back in the chair.

"What's your name then?" He asked.

"Remus.." I almost whispered.

"I'm Sirius."

I smiled weakly as he started talking about what house he hoped to be sorted into. I was only half listening; I couldn't draw my attention away from how handsome he was. I gulped as the compartment door opened again, thankful for the distraction. I looked over, and saw a boy about my height. He was skinny and tall, with messy black hair and glasses. His trunk stood in front of him.

"Mind if I sit here?" He asked.

"Go ahead." Sirius grinned.

As the two boys began a conversation about Quidditch, I zoned out completely. The train had started to move, so I turned my attention to the changing landscapes. As the train picks up speed, the images blur and merge into one. I rested my forehead against the glass, and closed my eyes. As soon as we got to Hogwarts, I had to distance myself from Sirius. I couldn't let myself get close to him. I couldn't. Especially after he'd saved me.

I steal a sideways glance at him. He's smiling and laughing again. I turn my head back to the blurry world outside. I can't let him fall into the darkness that engulfs my life. I won't let him suffer because of me. Not to be able to see him smile would kill me.

*

"Lupin, Remus!"

I gulped as I walked shakily towards the rickety stool and worn old hat. My eyes scanned the Great Hall one last time before the hat was placed over my head; Malfoy was glaring up at me, as if daring me to want to be sorted into his house. I looked nervously over to the Gryffindor table, where Sirius was sitting. He gave me an encouraging smile, and a thumbs up. It made me feel slightly better, even though right now I wanted to throw up. Suddenly, all I saw was blackness. Then a quiet voice in my ear seemed to be humming. Moments later however, the roaring voice filled the Hall.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

I sighed with relief, took off the hat and walked slowly towards the table full of cheering people. My eyes found Sirius; He was laughing and motioning me over. My legs refused to obey my brain which was telling them to head over to a seat away from everyone else. Instead, I found myself settling into the seat next to Sirius, still trembling. I turned to look at him. He smiled at me then ruffled my hair. I ducked away from his hand as he laughed. I was thankful he didn't ask why I had jumped as if electrocuted. How would I have been able to explain that his touch sent shivers up and down my spine? I blushed scarlet, and turned back to the Sorting.

Maybe.. Just maybe, I'd be able to stay with Sirius without him finding out..?

I felt my spirits lifting as this thought settled in my mind, and found myself applauding and cheering along with everyone else as two more boys joined me and Sirius; James Potter and Peter Pettigrew. Maybe, just maybe, I could be happy within this school.