James Potter laughed as he stared at the red-haired girl's retreating back. He turned back to the boy facing him. He grinned and said,
-'I really thought you were decent you know!
The boy let out a bark like laugh.
-Looks like we're going to be having fun this year, eh?' Sirius jerked his head in Snivellus' direction.
James smiled. He glanced around the compartment and noticed a boy with shabby brown hair in the corner.
-'What 'bout you? What house d'you want to be in?' he asked.
The boy looked surprised to be spoken to.
-'Well, all my family have been in Ravenclaw, so I suppose I'll be sorted into there...' he trailed off.
A small, watery eyed boy was staring up at James in awe.
'I want to be in Gryffindor!' he said squeakily.
At that point the trolley-woman came in.
-'Anything from the trolley dears?' she asked kindly.
The shabby boy shook his head sadly, looking mournfully at the Chocolate Frogs. James observed him for a moment before turning to the trolley lady and saying:
-'We'll take two Chocolate Frogs and a Pumpkin Pastie please.'
He gave the woman the exact money, took his food and chucked a Chocolate Frog at the shabby boy. He started and looked down at the Chocolate Frog in surprise. He looked up just in time to see a second one flying at him. He caught it and looked at James thoughtfully, as though wondering whether this was charity or an act of kindness. Finally, his hunger ruled over his principles so he grinned at James and said, 'Thanks, I love chocolate! Really helps if you're not quite feeling right...' He bit into the frog.
-'So, who are you?' asked James thickly through a Pumpkin Pastie.
-'I'm Remus Lupin. You're James... Putter, right?'
James couldn't help but laugh, making Remus look embarassed.
-'Nah, it's Potter. Trust me, it'll be a famous name one day.' He winked.
Remus smiled to himself happily as he opened the second Chocolate Frog. Maybe he wasn't going to be an outsider after all.
*-*
'Firs' years! First years over 'ere!' The four boys followed the voice through the steam to find themselves face to face with a massive man who was waving a hand the size of a dustbin lid. 'You all there? Good!' and without further ado, he set off down a narrow slippery path. They followed him, slipping and sliding. After what seemed like hours, the man said 'Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a mo!'
And sure enough, as they rounded a corner less than a minute later, a vast castle appeared. It seemed to twinkle in the night, as if magic radiated from it. James smiled. It was his new home.
And he loved it.