Title:Birth of a Legend
Author: Dark Nuriko
Category: Harry Potter
Genre: Humor/Romance
Pairings: Sirius/Remus, James/Lily
Warnings: Language, Boys Love, Adult Situations, Angst, Cruelty, Torment, Possible OOC moments.
Rating: PG-13 to R, depending on chapter content.
Disclaimer:Harry Potter and its characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I don't claim to own any of them and use them completely for fun and non-profit.
Author's Note: After re-reading the books for the fifth time, watching the movies over again for the umpteenth time, and reading some fan-fiction, an idea struck me. I wanted to write about the Marauder's and how they came to be. Thus this tale was born. There will be male on male pairings as well as straight pairings. Since even J.K. Rowling said some people were gay, I know there would have been some. I also know what pairings she ended with… but since this is a fan-fic, I reserve the right to play around with them as I wish. I hope you enjoy. Also, for those who are enjoying other stories written by me… I will get back to them. It's just this little bug bit me and with most of the chapters done, I just had to get it out first.
Birth of a Legend
Chapter I: First Impressions
If there was a first impression to be had of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry for one Remus J. Lupin was that it was huge. The eleven year old boy was certain there was so much more to know and think about the place, but he couldn't think of any of the hundreds of words he could have used in place of that one simple word. In his whole eleven years of life, books were Remus' best friend, so his vocabulary was far more advanced for one of his age. There were some small scars on his face and hands, but they were faded, almost as if one wouldn't see them unless they were looking for them. His hair was light brown although one or two strands seemed to shimmer gray in the sunlight. His eyes hazel, taking in the sight of a building he'd never once expected to have been able to come to, seeing as he'd been cursed for what seemed to be his whole life.
When Dumbledore had first told him about Hogwarts, Lupin had taken to learning as much about the school as he could. He'd then become even more enchanted when he'd realized lots of students who were just as eager to learn would be attending the school. Yet he'd remembered what he'd been told growing up as a person who had been cursed. He'd been told over and over again that no one would want to be around him. Books had become his only friend for most of his life. Thanks to Headmaster Dumbledore he now had a chance at a normal life, even if it was for a short amount of time. The Headmaster had gone to a lot of trouble to make sure there were precautions set about for everyone for one night a month were he could become a danger to everyone. He knew it would be strange, to explain why he was always missing during those days, but he was certain even the Headmaster had thought of that.
Once the size of the school was overcome, Remus found himself making his way to the boats. Seeing as he could see the castle from the docks where the train had dropped them off, he was certain the word huge was going to be stretched into something more appropriate like humongous or gigantic. Thinking of the word gigantic Remus found himself looking toward the man who was currently helping students into boats. All first years were required to ride in groups of four toward the castle by way of the lake. Second years and up would go by carriage. To most people, the carriages appeared to be pulled by magic. Yet Remus knew otherwise. Being cursed as he was, he'd seen death in his young life. As such, he could see the skeletal black bodies and dragonish faces of the creatures that did all the work. Thestrals they were called, if he could recall it correctly from his reading of one of the text books they'd been required to have for their first year here.
Seeing that most of the other boats were underway, Remus felt that he was suddenly making a very bad impression. There were already three other boys waiting in the last boat and Remus managed to scramble on rather quickly once he'd seen a rather impatient look on one of their faces. Keeping his eyes downcast he didn't see much on the boat ride but he could hear the three chattering excitedly as they continued on. Once at the other side, Remus was the first to scurry off so that he wouldn't hold them up any longer. Yet as one foot settled onto solid ground he felt a tug at his robes and felt himself tumble backwards, onto the hard wood of the boat. While he was no stranger to pain, he certainly didn't enjoy having it inflicted on him for no real reason.
"You kept us waiting so now you can wait," one of the boys remarked, his voice haughty and prideful. One of the other boys laughed and together they both stepped partly on Remus before getting out of the boat and following after the rest of the students. The other boy frowned at their retreating forms before moving to offer a hand to Remus, giving him a slight smile.
"You know, I can curse them for you once I've learned a good one," the boy commented, waiting till Remus was on his feet before helping him dust off his robes. With both on solid grounds Remus took the second to actually take notice of the other boy before him. Hazel eyes were hidden behind simple round framed glasses. A confident expression rested on his face and his hair was black, untidy and parts of it kept sticking up in the back. He was slightly taller than Remus but then many were. Remus had yet to hit his growth spurt and he dreaded that he'd never have one. Being overly thin and usually inactive, Remus certainly had no lofty aspirations of ever looking handsome. His many scars certainly didn't help him any either.
A small grin crossed his lips as Remus looked at his kind-of defender. "Thank you for that. But it's perfectly alright. I'm kind of surprised they didn't dump me in the drink for making them be the last boat here," Remus answered, finding the other boys aura of confidence and kindness to attract him somewhat.
"Ah, the wait and being last shouldn't matter. We're all going to be lead in together." He paused and dusted off his hands before holding one out. "James Potter. Sorry for being a prat, I should have introduced myself earlier."
Remus placed his own hand into James', feeling the power in that simple handshake and honestly feeling a bit of a thrill at knowing he was possibly making his first friend ever. "Remus Lupin, nice to meet you James."
James grinned before motioning toward the group of first years. "Come on let's go catch up with the rest. I'll keep my fingers crossed we'll be sorted into the same houses so we can get to know one another more."
"I hope so. I'd really like it if we can be friends," Remus said, the hope he felt creeping into his voice, although he'd tried to hold it back.
The smile that crossed the others lips at those words made Remus stop in surprise for a second. He'd never expected such simple words to make someone else happy. "Then we both better work hard to be in the same house. Come on." Without another word the two raced to join the rest of the group.
The first night was over. Dinner had been amazing with all manner of dishes having been laid out before the students. The sorting for the first years had been something interesting to see and it seemed that the two boys had managed to accomplish just what they had been working hard for. They'd been sorted into the same house and apparently had even been placed into the same dorm. When the two boys had started up the stairs they had managed to laugh over the fact they'd both turned toward the same door.
"I think we worked overtime, Remus. We not only managed to end up in the same house, but in the same room as well. Nice job," James commented as he found his trunk and flopped out on the bed he'd been given.
"I can say the same to you, James. I really didn't think our luck would extend so far."
"Let's just hope we didn't end up using it all on this," James laughed, even as he looked over as another boy walked into the dorm. This one seemed to have slightly beady eyes and unkempt hair that seemed thin for one of only eleven years. He shifted nervously from foot to foot and glanced around as if he was expecting something bad to happen at any moment.
Remus took this moment to smile at the boy, hoping he didn't look overly fearsome to the other boy, especially since his scars tended to stand out in dim candle light. "Welcome to the dorm. I'm Remus Lupin. It's nice to meet you…" he trailed off, waiting for him to give him a name.
The nervous boy seemed to bit his lower lip, as if debating what the proper answer was for a second. After a rather loud swallow, he looked down at his clasped hands and answered in a slightly high, squeaky voice, "Peter Pettigrew. I saw you when you were sorted. You were a little pale. Yet I think a lot of us were, except for Mr. Potter, over there. He seemed so calm and confident. It was quite amazing!" His voice had risen at the end of the sentence as those beady, watery eyes turned to James.
James snorted, before raising a hand and waving it back and forth above himself. "Don't call me Mr. Potter. That's my father you're talking to when you say that. You can call me James. Nice to meet you as well, Pettigrew."
"You can call me Peter, Mr… Um I mean James. Everyone usually does," the nervous boy said, even as he his features seemed to be a bit more rat-like now that Remus was able to get a better look at him. Yet Peter seemed to only have eyes for James. While it was a little disappointing, Remus couldn't rightly fault the boy for it. James had a presence that just seemed to demand everyone attention and adoration.
"All right, the best man is here, you can all bow and thank your lucky stars you were placed in the same room as me," a rather cocky voice said as one more boy burst into the room. His hair was black and seemed to fall into his eyes in a boyish yet sexy way. A hint of gray seemed to peek out from behind the hair, revealing the color of his eyes. Remus noted instantly that he was rather good looking with aristocratic, somewhat haughty looks that matched his tone.
"Now why would I do that, Sirius? That would mean you're better than me," James commented, sitting up and meeting the other's gaze head on.
Peter seemed awestruck, because he said nothing. Yet his stance and body language was telling Remus that he was in awe of both men. Even Remus remembered Sirius Black from the sorting ceremony. He'd spoken out when he'd gotten onto the stage, claiming that he'd go against all the Black family and end up in any house except for Slytherin. True to his word the Sorting Hat had then called out the name Gryffindor for the rogue Black. It had caused a bit of a stir. Even on the way up to their dorm, the talk had been about nothing else but his outburst.
"James! We get to be rivals in the same house and same dorm I see. Nice! I expect a good fight in all things," Sirius exclaimed, laughing in a way that reminded Remus of a dog bark.
Remus found the exchange rather funny. It was obvious James and Sirius knew one another in some way. Perhaps it was because both came from pureblooded wizarding families. It hadn't been something he'd expected, but it wasn't a complete surprise. Most pureblood families had ties to other pureblood families. He was so lost in his train of thought that he'd never heard the words being said to him or the fact he'd managed to gain the attention of the whole room without even trying.
"Hey! What's with acting like you're under an Impedimenta Jinx?" Sirius called out, waving a hand in front of his face.
Remus was shocked out of his thoughts as he looked up, finding his own hazel gaze locking with the most stunning gray gaze he'd ever seen. The amusement in them seemed to shock Remus as he stared.
"Ha, look at that, James! He's speechless!" Sirius called as he looked back over his shoulder at James a second.
Remus took that moment to compose him-self before the other turned back to him again. Sure, he wanted to make friends, but having someone so confident and overpowering right in front of him was a bit overwhelming. "Ah, I guess I was just lost in thought. I'm sorry. Were you asking me something?"
James seemed to chuckle lightly, motioning toward Remus. "I don't think it was your great charm that managed that. Personally I believe you stunned him with your forwardness."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "You only wish that was the case." He then turned back toward the boy. Without waiting for a word he reached out and turned his head one way and then another.
Remus was taken aback by those actions. So much so he had no chance to think about stopping it. It was more surprising since those fingers felt slightly rough for someone who was to have been from a rather highly known and respected wizarding family. "W… What are you doing?" Remus managed to stammer out, uncertain just what the other was looking for.
"James, did you notice! He's got the most amazing scars. They're hard to see but they're there. Right over his cheeks and nose," Sirius said as he trailed a finger over them, drawing James' attention to them and making Remus feel suddenly self-conscious about them.
"I didn't. But now that you point it out, I do. Pretty impressive marks there, Remus. Glad to know you survived whatever tried to eat you. One would think it had to of been a pretty powerful creature if a Medi-witch or wizard couldn't heal the scars."
"It… happen a long time ago," Remus managed to say, pulling away from James' touch so he wouldn't be prone to keep feeling those fingers over his face for any longer than he already had.
"You must have been very young, considering we're only eleven now and you say it was a long time ago," James murmured, feeling for his new friend slightly.
Remus nodded. While it was true, it had happened when he was younger; he kept the scars as a reminder of what he was. The fact the scars were re-opened once a month at times, was making it harder and harder for them to fade. "I was about one or two years old. I don't really recall it very well."
"Then don't you worry, Remus. I can call you Remus, can't I?" Sirius asked, even as he didn't really wait for a response from the other. "James and I are going to be your friends and personal guardian's. No monster will ever hurt you again. I promise you."
"I promise the same. We'll even let Peter in on it if you'll let him. We'll be four friends. We'll work together so that we can always make sure no one tries to hurt you again, Remus," James added, glancing toward Peter who had been watching the whole scene.
"S… Sure!" Peter stammered, as if he was happy they'd invited him into the small group they'd began.
"Thanks guys. That means a lot. Really," Remus said, smiling brightly as he struggled to hide his tears at the fact he had not one… not two… but now three friends who were willing to stand beside him. He just hoped that once he started disappearing for a day or two each month didn't end up making him-self more of an outcast than a friend to them. He really wanted to these friends to last.