September 1st, 1971:Platform 9 3/4

Platform 9 3/4 was bursting with people. Screaming children, screeching owls, and scolding parents all created a joyous cacophony.

Remus Lupin felt his father's hand squeeze his shoulder. He grinned excitedly up at Lyall Lupin who returned his grin somewhat less enthusiastically.

"It's good to be back at Platfrom 9 3/4," sighed Lyall, not quite managing to keep the worry out of his voice.

"He'll be fine, Lyall" said Hope Lupin. She turned to smother Remus in a hug. "Remus is always good, isn't he? I can't believe my little baby is going off to school!"

"Mum!" cried Remus as she gave him a flurry of kisses on his cheek. "We're in public." He smiled at her to make sure she knew that he was joking.

"Ok, sweetums. I'll stop embarrassing you," she pinched his cheek playfully. Lyall smiled fondly at both of them and rubbed Remus's back. Remus was secretly glad they were being so affectionate. It helped quell the queasy feeling in his stomach. This was his chance; his chance to make friends, to learn magic, and to enter a new world. Thanks to Albus Dumbledore, he would be able to interact with people his age! But then again, what if they hated him?

"Better get your trunk on the train!" called Lyall. He helped Remus drag his heavy trunk up the steps. Remus looked back at his parents.

"We'll write," promised Lyall. "As often as you would like."

"Which means everyday, right Remus?" teased Hope, pinching his cheek again.

"Study hard," said Lyall. "Be careful."

Remus nodded and smiled at both of them. "Love you both!" he whispered suddenly feeling extremely sad at leaving both of his parents.

"Love you, too," his parents called. Hope blew kisses at him.

He dragged his trunk into an empty compartment and waved at the beaming faces of his parents as the train departed the station.

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September 1st, 1971: Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"GRIFFINDOR!" the hat shouted on Remus's head.

He walked in a daze over to the table that exploded with cheers. He sat next to a boy with long black hair who was slouching in his seat looking thoroughly moody. Remus was shocked. He had been sure he would have been in Slytherin, being a dark creature and all, but he was in Griffindor. The house of the brave and daring! (Though he didn't feel so daring. He felt extremely shy and awkward.) He couldn't wait to write to his parents.

The Sorting had finished and Dumbledore stood up, "I would like to welcome our new students! I encourage them to stuff their heads with much knowledge and magic, so perhaps more would be retained during the long summer break. I must say, here at Hogwarts, all are of equal worth, no matter what background or family they might come from." He paused to beam at his students. Remus could have sworn Dumbledore's eyes gave an extra twinkle to him and the long haired boy sitting next to him. "I won't deprive you from your meal any longer. Dig in and masticate thoroughly!"

Food appeared on the golden plates. Remus happily took portions of all that was available. He had forgotten how hungry he had become.

The long-haired boy was in conversation with a boy with extremely messy hair.

"So you didn't get put into Slytherin after all!" exclaimed the boy with messy hair. "Brilliant."

The long haired boy grinned sheepishly, "My parents are going to be barking mad thought. Ruining the ancient Black house tradition and all."

"Ah well. At least you're in the best house. Look where little Snivillous ended up," the messy haired boy gestured towards the Slytherin table.

At his words, a red haired girl abruptly stood up, gave him a disgusted look and moved to the end of the table.

"Wonder what got her so worked up about him," mused the long haired boy. "That greasy little git." The other boy gave a snort of laughter.

Remus frowned at their words. He wondered what the "Snivillous" person had done to them to get them so riled up about him.

He was enjoying a particularly delicious piece of treacle tart when he heard, "Hey mate!" He looked up at the messy haired boy.

"You a first year too? My name's James Potter and this is Sirius Black," James nodded towards the long haired boy.

Remus swallowed his tart. "Remus Lupin," he smiled shyly.

"Remus, cool name," commented James. "Play any quidditch?"

Remus smiled and shook his head.

"What?! No quidditch? Muggle-born then?" James asked.

"My mom's a muggle and my dad's a wizard. We moved around a lot, so I didn't get a chance to be up to date on Quidditch," said Remus.

"Aww man. We'll have to educate you then," he gestured towards Sirius.

James and Sirius spent the rest of dinner filling him in on the best Quidditch teams and players. Remus observed them happily chatting away. James was good-looking in a next-door-neighbor type a way, but even at his young age Sirius was stunning. They both seemed nice enough.

Then thoroughly stuffed and satiated, they sleepily followed a tall gangly prefect to their dorm rooms, where they immediately collapsed on their four-poster beds.

Remus smiled to himself and thought of James and Sirius. He might even be friends with them. And with that wonderful thought, he snuggled into the white sheets and drifted into a dreamless sleep.