The Starry, Timeless Skies
Authors Note: I am aware the starting ages for the Marauders are slightly older in this piece than in the actual series, but I made the artistic choice to have them begin first year at age 13. I made this choice for a number of reasons, but primarily for the sake of getting to delve more deeply into their evolving personalities within the context of middle to later adolescence.
Chapter 1: A new beginning
It was deliriously busy at the platform already, with throngs of students waving their goodbyes and embracing teary-eyed parents. Remus clutched his worn book bag in his arms as he realized that there was no going back; Not after he had run through the station wall, and into this new world of other children, and independence. His golden eyes grew watery as he gazed at his parents for what would be the last time in quite a while. They all smiled in shared nervousness.
"Take care of yourself, you do understand, son?" His Mother choked out in a thick French accent, not extending the same effort as Remus in hiding her tears.
"Yes, Mum, I promise. I'll write whenever I'm able to." he replied.
He looked up at his Father, who had a certain talent for keeping a straight face at all times. Remus was only thirteen but he had already mastered this skill as well, to the dismay of his sentimental Mother.
"You must make absolute certain you take seriously that which Dumbledore tells you. He shall be keeping an eye on you while we cannot, and he certainly has made many… arrangements on our behalf." John Lupin said, Kindly, but with a firm tone.
Remus knew his Father was too polite to say "your" instead of "our", but he didn't need to. The boy was no stranger to feelings of guilt, and this was not the first time "special arrangements" were made on his behalf.
"Yes sir. I will."
The boy, feeling his anxiety rise, took a deep breath and calmed himself. Remus had spent much of his young life alone due to his lycanthropic condition, and the prospect of socializing felt foreign. The family had been repeatedly assured of his safety during an unexpected visit from Professor Dumbledore the previous Spring, but the unanimous doubt lingered on.
"Well, off you go then! Study and learn as much as you can. We love you." John said, allowing a smile to creep onto his face as he squeezed his thin son's shoulder reassuringly.
"Je t'aime!" His Mother nodded, pulling him into one last hug.
"Bye, love you!"
Turning away slowly, he began to move up the steps and then through the center walkway of the train, moving past the other students. He felt far too intimidated to boldly introduce himself to a new group. He continued on, eventually stopping at an empty compartment towards the rear.
He slid open the glass pane and examined the space, lit by warm yellow lighting and green carpeting. He slid his book bag off his shoulder and placed it under the seat, before sitting down gently and letting out a deep breath. His body still ached after a recent full moon, and he gingerly avoided brushing any of his still-healing scars through his shirt.
Before he had the chance to pull out his textbook, the sound of loud laughter jolted him upright. He stared out the door as two boys approached the compartment. Not even knocking first, they briefly looked through the window at Remus and proceeded to swing open the door and file in.
The boy in front reminded Remus a bit of an owl, with big, circular glasses sitting crooked on his nose as his dark hair stuck up and out in all directions. The boy next to him was slightly shorter, with curly black hair and the greyest eyes Remus had ever seen. He had sharp, refined features. Unlike the boy with glasses, this one seemed a little less enthusiastic.
The first boy grinned cheekily and held out his hand.
"My names James. James Potter. Who're you?" He said enthusiastically, cocking his head to the side. Remus couldn't help but think this "James" was a bit cartoonish.
Before Remus could think of what to say in response, the boy next to James stepped forward and looked directly at Remus.
"I'm Sirius. Sirius Black." Remus shifted uncomfortably under this new boy's intense stare, but not wanting to offend, nodded at the two and smiled shyly.
"It's nice to meet you. My name is Remus Lupin."
He averted his eyes downward as he felt the two boys staring at him. The more paranoid part of his mind wondered if he had any bad scars he forgot to conceal, but he reminded himself he had already checked that 5 times before leaving that morning; Everything was fine.
"Bloody nice to meet you, Remus. I was just telling my new friend Sirius here about a spell my cousin showed me; Wanna see?" James inquired excitedly as Sirius rolled his eyes, but chuckled and smiled.
"You don't want to kill him James, we just met him after all!" Sirius laughed, and the two boys play-shoved each other. Remus smiled and felt himself relax slightly; These two were nice. Maybe talking to new people wouldn't be so difficult after all.
"Perhaps those sorts of ventures would be better left for situations in which we are not on a moving vehicle…" Remus said politely, prompting the other boys to stare, and then break up into laughter.
Yes, he thought. Perhaps some new people are worth talking to.