In a Moment

There are many moments in a person's life. All of them irregular. None are shaped the same. None. Like a puzzle, they fit together, perfectly. But in a person's life, there are specific moments, moments that shape them, who tell us who they really are. Now true, all that happens in one's life contributes to their overall self, but only a select few really, really matter. These are the moments in Remus Lupin's life that shaped him beyond any other that we know of. Nine in all I think. These memories extend through the seven years we all attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Maybe a little after. We knew him longer, but these are the times that truly mattered. After you have grown, what more is their to shape you?

These are what make him Mooney, our beloved werewolf.

And I guess these are the moments that shape me too.

As told by Sirius Black

First Year, Hogwarts Train:

The first time I ever saw him was on the train when he knocked on the compartment that I was sitting in. He opened the door. The first words I ever heard escape his mouth were quiet. He always was a bit shy.

"May I sit here?..."

I remember his voice trailing off. It was obvious that he'd chosen a random compartment. I don't believe in fate, but the way I see it, if she exists, this was a moment she'd decided to touch. It was very late and the train was due to start moving any second now…wait for it…there it was. He fell inside and the compartment door slammed shut. He tumbled into the compartment, his bag landing in my lap and him landing sprawled across James and Peter…and part of him on the floor.

"Sure."

Second year, Hogwarts:

I guess that, in all honestly, I had always been the black sheep of the family. (No pun intended.) But to be placed in the same house with those same three boys that had become my best friends in a matter of a few moments…? And Gryffindor no less. It was, once again, what I can only call a trip of fate. But this isn't the moment that matters. What I intend to elaborate upon came several months later. The first time that all four of us got detention.

Remus…well, he was devastated. Not that he had been involved in a prank. No, in fact, the whole thing had been his idea. He was just upset that we'd gotten caught. Needless to say, James and I were astounded that he'd come up with a prank. He was the good kid, the smart kid, the sensible one. Who knew he had another side?

"That was bloody brilliant Remus!" I remember James saying enthusiastically.

"Who knew you had it in you?" (That was me)

Even Peter was thrilled. You people all hate him now…I can understand why. I used to hate him too…But he was my friend, our friend. He was one of us.

Remus grinned. "Thanks guys…I'm quite proud of it…I just wish that it hadn't been Bins…I mean…what a waste. Lucky McGonagall walked by right after."

James smiled dreamily. "You do know it'll be hard to top that one right?"

"Yeah…." Me again.

Remus' smirk only grew in size. "We're regular Marauders."

"I like that…" James' expression was one of scheming.

And that's how we became The Marauders. It was all Remus that day.

Third year, Hogwarts:

By now, James had discovered his infatuation with Lily. Everyone knew about it. In truth, I suspect that Lily liked him the entire time, but it took her a while to come around.

This was also the year that I discovered how I really felt about Remus. Nothing spectacular happened. We never kissed. He didn't fall on top of me. Nothing. But it was spectacular enough for me. I just woke up on a Saturday and knew.

Of course, I could never suspect what would become of this. All I knew is that Remus got pissed with my being the ultimate player of the school. Who knew?

But, like the rest of the time, I digress.

"You're going to visit your aunt again!" I remember asking.

"She's really sick…" Remus attempted.

We all knew he was lying to us, we'd known for a while. So, needless to say, James, Peter and I went to the library and did our research. The four of us had been friends for three years now and anything that Remus wasn't telling us had to be serious. So, we knew about his lycanthropy. He didn't know that we were aware of his plight, but we did. He also didn't know that we'd known since the beginning of this year and had been working up until this point. Tonight we'd have the true test of our Animagus forms. But we weren't going to surprise him. I knew that he'd get extremely upset.

"Remus…Stop pretending." James finally said.

He turned around. "What do you mean?" his face was flushed and his eyes were wise.

"We know about your…" Peter searched for the words before I supplied them.

"Furry little problem."

Remus gulped. "I don't know what you're tal-" he cut himself off and sighed. "Don't tell anyone…Please. I'll get kicked out of school." We'd never expected this of our reserved friend. Never.

- - - - -

The fact that we were Animagus, and that it had been all my idea brought the four of us one million times closer, if that was even possible. But that barrier was gone. We now knew why there had always been something blocking our friendship. And now it was gone.

Fourth year, Hogwarts:

His tongue pushed into my mouth. God were we drunk. But then…I was never really effected by alcohol. This was killing me…But I couldn't let him know that my brain was still as sober as ever. So I sat there like a stick. I don't think he knew he was killing me…in fact, I doubt it immensely.

Finally, he broke away. "Siri…Padfoot…" His eyes were clouded over with the effect of the drink.

"Yes Mooney?" I asked, voice strained, tense.

"I love you…Have for a while."

"Yes Mooney." Drunk people…Say ridiculous things. I know he didn't mean it…But it still killed me.

-----

All I remember the next morning was that I had a hangover. For someone who isn't effected by the whiskey, I sure get a nasty hangover. The only thing I remember was Remus telling me that he meant what he had said last night. At the time, I had no clue what he was talking about.

TO BE CONT.