Being Different isn't a Crime
Author: Jasmine
Rating:PG-13
Warning: Eventual slash RL/SB
Summary: Your typical Marauders at Hogwarts I suppose. About the developing relationships between Remus and Sirius and Lily and James leading up to the arrival of our friend Harry. Fun, romance and a bit of angst (well knowing me probably a fair bit). I've written now for about 6 years but never a HP fic before. I've read lots of Harry potter fiction but never thought I'd be up to writing all the magical stuff but thought I'd have a go at it. I particularly like the marauders stories so I thought the best way was to write one myself as I think it was.
Reviews: would be greatly appreciated even if it was just to let me know you're enjoying it and constructive criticism is always welcomed. Flames will be used to light my cigarettes (yes I know it's not a good habit!)
Disclaimer: Very sadly none of them are mine, if they were I wouldn't be living on the bones of my arse off my overdraft!
A/N: This has been all reformatted and betaed and a few amendments have been made to fit in with areas of canon associated with OOTP. Enjoy
Remus Lupin slid into a cabin on the Hogwarts express. He chewed nervously on his bottom lip. What would this new venture hold for somebody like him? He'd never been to school before, well not that he could remember. Yes, a play-group when he was about 3 but then it had happened, bitten and normality was ended. His mother's words rang in his ears 'Sweetheart, if you don't want to go you can just stay at home you know. Nobody will think any less of you if you'd rather just keep learning at home.' But Remus didn't want that. He wanted a life, a normal life for an eleven year old. He wanted to try and forget that he was different. That he was a werewolf. He wanted friends, but how? He'd never had friends before. Just his parents. They loved him dearly and understood his condition but he couldn't be happy at home, living thoroughly sheltered.
His thoughts were broken as two boisterous boys burst into his carriage and one of them promptly tripped over the other and landed in Remus' lap. "Whoops!" He exclaimed making no attempt to remove himself from Remus' lap.
"Get up you prat!" A relatively small and slender boy with glasses said yanking his friend up. "Sorry about that. I'm James Potter, this is Sirius Black." He nodded towards the longer haired boy who had now picked himself up.
"It's ok." Remus said quietly and rubbed his knee where the boy named Sirius had landed.
"Well then, don't you have a name?" Sirius asked bouncing into the seat beside Remus.
"Oh.erm..yes I do." Remus blushed and looked down. James placed himself opposite the pair and looked with kind brown eyes into the lowered green- gold eyes.
"Well what is it then stupid?" Sirius said patting Remus on the back and laughing.
"Oh, Remus, Remus Lupin."
"Nice to meet you Remus. Don't be nervous. We're first years too." James smiled gently.
Before long Remus' nervousness had subsided and the boys were chatting away like they'd known each other for years. "My Dad says that there is this forest at Hogwarts." The blond boy named Peter who had joined them shortly afterwards said.
"Yeah!" Sirius said bouncing around his seat. "It's forbidden! The Forbidden Forest. Can't you just see it? We can go investigating it.
"Remus laughed lightly. "I've known you for about an hour and you are the most mad person I think I've ever met!" In his head Remus thought 'Not that I've met that many people!' "But you know what, I really like you. All of you! I really hope we all end up in the same house. I think we could be really good friends!"
James grinned back. "We already are." Remus glowed inwardly. Nobody had ever said that to him before.
"Back to the good stuff lads!" Sirius announced. "Lets plan our first trip into the forest!" They all nodded. James eagerly, Remus less so and Peter very nervously beginning to think bringing this up hadn't been such a bright idea.
"It's meant to be full of wild animals though." Peter said softly, hoping that Sirius really wasn't planning on dragging them on some crazy expedition.
"Yeah, there's meant to be.." The long- haired boy paused for effect. "Werewolves!" Remus paled considerably. They would hate him; how could they possibly not.
"Are you ok Rem?" James asked reaching across to him.
"Oh yes. Fine. I've been a bit poorly the last couple of days that's all. I'm alright now, just a little weak still I suppose." He shrugged and hoped to change the subject. The full moon had been two days ago and it was true he had been a little off colour since then but he had forgotten all about that because he was so happy but the words Sirius spoke next made the bottom fall out of his stomach.
"We could be like hunters couldn't we? Imagine it Jamie." Sirius spoke to the boy he'd been friends with since they were born. "Hunting werewolves!" He laughed.
Remus stood up hurriedly. "Excuse me a minute." He shot out of the carriage ignoring the other's asking what he was doing. He just made it to the join between the carriages, out in the open air when the sickness got the better of him and he heaved over the edge, vomiting the chocolate frogs Peter had been sharing back up. Tears stung his eyes. Had he given himself away? Would they think he was strange running off like this? Had he just ruined everything?
Suddenly he felt a hand on his back rubbing it and the other hand pulling back his golden hair. "I'm sorry." Remus sobbed wiping his mouth with a hanky he produced from his pocket.
"Hey, don't worry." Remus felt his body sink into Sirius' embrace. "Don't cry silly. You can't help throwing up! Now then, how about some more chocolate frogs, I think you just lost the last ones!" Sirius smiled and Remus melted. This boy was a joy send.
***
"Remus Lupin." The prim and proper voice of Professor McGonagall rang out around the great hall.
"That's you!" James said pushing Remus, whose feet were stuck to the spot, forward. "Good luck!"
He sat nervously on the stool and placed the hat on his head, smiling as Sirius gave him the thumbs up. 'Please let me be with Sirius, please.' Remus thought desperately, not wanting to be divided from any of his three new friends but least of all from Sirius. He had been so kind and warm to him.
"Ah, a werewolf indeed!" Remus thought for a horrible moment he was going to be sick again. The voice was so loud in his ear, had everyone else heard too. "Don't worry, they can't hear." The hat spoke reassuringly. "You're a brave soul Mr Lupin, and a kind heart as well. Intelligent too I don't wonder. You'll go far young man. I see, you want to be with your friend. Interesting. You'd do well in Ravenclaw, but no, maybe.GRYFFINDOR!" Remus sighed with relief and scuttled over to the table where Sirius nearly winded him hugging him so hard.
"This is great isn't it?" James said as he removed his glasses and got into his four poster bed. "Just the four of us in this room, just how we wanted it."
Yawning Peter agreed. "Couldn't be better. I'm dreading the classes though from tomorrow. I bet you three are all total brain boxes and I'll be the dunce in the corner!"
Remus laughed. Sirius noticed how when Remus laughed it was almost a tinkle, as if it wasn't something he did often. "Don't be daft Pete. We're all better at some things than others. There's a lot more to life than grades. Everyone has different qualities. It's what makes us different, special." Although I'm special and different and just want to be normal he thought, but dismissed it quickly realising he'd never been so happy in his life.
"Wise words old man." Sirius joked.
"Oh shut up you uncouth whippersnapper!" Remus retorted and everybody fell about laughing not previously having realised how witty Remus could be beneath the quiet and placid exterior.
***
Peter hadn't been too far wrong when he had said the other three would be clever. It soon emerged that Remus had a real talent for defence against the dark arts while James excelled at charms. Sirius was a star at causing mayhem but still seemed to be brilliant at everything else. How he accomplished this nobody was quite sure! Peter wasn't as bad as he had anticipated; he managed to get by with a little help now and then. All in all school was great. Well, apart from potions with the awful Slytherins.
It became noticeable from early on that the two houses were archenemies and it was perfectly understandable for the Gryffindor first year boys to dislike their Slytherin counterparts. After all they permanently got them into trouble, jibed them and tried to play tricks on them to make the Gryffindors loose house points.
"Well if it isn't fatty and skinny!" A scathing voice came from behind Peter and Remus as they left the dungeon to head towards lunch. Sirius and James, who had been working together, had been made to stay behind to talk to Professor Brewer after their potion had exploded. James had a feeling it might have had something to do with Malfoy and Snape but he couldn't prove it so no doubt himself and Sirius were in for detention or line writing!
"Ignore them." Peter hissed increasing his pace, scared of the Slytherins without Sirius around.
"Don't worry Pettigrew there will still be food left on the table even if you just saunter there, no need to run! Not that you need anymore food though. Lupin mind, he could do with a feed. Does fatty here not let you eat anything, if you get any more thin you'll disappear!"
"And that would be a terrible tragedy wouldn't it Lucius." The evil voice of Severus Snape piped up.
"Bugger off Snape!" Sirius voice could now be heard much to both Remus and Peter's relief.
"We were just saying how odd fatty and skinny here look and here comes beanpole and shortarse to join them, what a treat Severus!"
"It's better than being a greasy bastard like you!" James said with a smirk.
"Perhaps you could take tips off Malfoy here, he obviously loves being perfectly groomed! Spends at least two hours doing his hair a day. You spend about the same time a year Snape!" The Slytherin boy glared and stalked past with Malfoy.
Remus, in a moment of rashness took his wand "Hydratio!" and fired water from it. "There's a start Snape! Now all you need is some shampoo!"
Everyone laughed and Sirius slung his arm around Remus' shoulder. "You'll have to show me how to do that!"
Remus nodded and smiled. "Anytime Siri, anytime.
***
"So then, boys," James began grinning mischievously, "I was thinking what with it being the weekend and all maybe we could go exploring tonight, get the invisibility cloak out for the night, maybe steal some food from the kitchens." Peter was eagerly nodding his head as was Sirius.
"Remy?" Sirius said looking quizzically on the downcast face.
"Erm, I'd really love to but erm my Grandma, she's not too well so I have to erm go and see her." He hated lying, particularly to his friends, but his friends would be no more should they find out.
Everyone nodded and then later when he did disappear off and Peter was in the shower Sirius pulled James to the side in the common room. "He's lying." He stated plaintively.
"Who is?" James asked confused.
"Remus. I have no idea what he is doing, but I don't think it is his grandmother do you?"
James shrugged. "Dunno really, never thought about it. I mean why would he lie?"
"I'm not sure." The longer haired boy spoke slowly thinking carefully. "When he gets back tomorrow we'll ask him."
James nodded and jumped with a start when Peter arrived. "Ready then? I'm starving!"
***
Remus appeared in the dormitory late the following afternoon. He looked gaunt and pale. Peter was in the library doing his homework, James was out watching the quidditch team practising and Sirius was dosing on his bed. Remus quietly slipped into his own bed, just wanting to sleep, still feeling poorly from the after effects of the painful transformation. Fortunately the places he had wounded himself were virtually healed due to the expertise of Madame Pomfrey and anyhow they were all beneath his clothes at least.
"Hey you." Sirius said upon sitting up and yawning like a cat.
"Hey yourself." Remus gave a weak smile and rested his aching head on the pillow.
"So then how's your grandmother?"
"My what? Oh..my grandma.not too bad thanks. Could be better."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "By the looks of it so could you." Remus froze momentarily but Sirius still noticed. "Rem? Where were you really last night. I can tell you're not being honest with me."
"Are you saying I'm a liar?" Remus asked panic rising in his voice.
"No silly, but I know you're evading the truth somewhere. I'm not going to think any less of you stupid, I'm your best mate, tell me what's wrong. I mean it's the third time since we started here that you have disappeared."
Remus sucked in his breath waiting for Sirius to tell him he knew but he didn't. "Come on Remus, it's obviously bothering you. Problem shared is a problem halved."
Remus looked up with big, were they frightened Sirius wondered, golden eyes. "I don't want to talk about it Siri, it's difficult."
Sirius nodded thoughtfully. "Is it problems at home? Is there anything I can do? I don't really like my parents that much but I'd like to get on with them I suppose. If you ever want to talk about difficulties at home, or anything I'd like to listen"
"Something like that." Remus nodded breathing a sigh of relief when Sirius seemed to buy this. "And yes, can I have a hug." The fair headed boy blinked back tears as he felt Sirius embrace him. "I'm sorry Sirius, I'd tell you but I can't!"
Sirius soothingly rubbed his back. Nobody gave hugs like Sirius Remus thought to himself as he rested his tired head on his friend's shoulder. "Well when you do want to talk I'm always here for you right? You know that." Remus nodded gratefully and wiped the corners of his eyes with his hand. "Right well I'm going in the shower because otherwise my head will resemble Snape's!" Remus laughed and Sirius smiled. "That's better!" He kissed his smaller friend's forehead and left the room, towel flung carelessly across his shoulder.
"Oh Sirius." Remus sighed once again burying his face in the pillow. "If only you knew then you wouldn't get that close to me. And as for being there to hear it, you really wouldn't want to, you wouldn't want to know me." Remus jumped as James bounded into the room.
"Talking to yourself Rem? First sign of madness is that you crazy beast!" He giggled.
"Hello James." Remus spoke lethargically. "And yes I'm mad, totally mad." He said with a voice full of sorrow and turned over in his bed and drifted into a miserable fitful sleep.
***
Christmas came and went with all four of the boys staying behind. Much to their disappointment Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy went home so all the plots to carry out pranks on their two enemies went to pieces but they still had a good time helping each other with homework, playing in the snow, sharing their presents. But it was New Years Eve that got everybody thinking. Dumbledore had announced a feast and a small party for the few who were still at the school over the holiday party. Remus face couldn't have got any longer even if Snape had cast a spell on it!
"I really want to go but my parents are having a family party and well I'm their only child and the family would be upset if I didn't go. I kind of have to!"
"Can't you try to get out of it?" James said pleadingly, really wanting his friend to stay so the four of them could be together for the party.
"Yeah it's not the same without you!" Sirius said.
"Yeah it is." Remus said. "You'll still have a great time. It's hardly like I'm some major party animal is it." He tried to sound jovial even though he really just wanted to curl up and cry. Why did he have to be a werewolf? Why couldn't the moon just disappear, even if it was just for tonight. Life wasn't fair.
"No it isn't the same without you. We'll all miss you." Sirius' words made Remus even more miserable. These people really cared about him, that was obvious, yet he was living a lie to them, because if they found out the truth they would hate him and he'd sooner lie than loose his friends, the most important thing in his life!
But Remus had to go and so it just left three boys getting dressed for the party in the dormitory. James glanced out of the window. "Look at the moon, doesn't it look beautiful."
Peter laughed. "You're starting to sound like Remus!"
Sirius laughed too. "Nothing wrong with being like Remy, he's lovely. Nicer than I'll ever be anyhow."
"Remus.." James said under his breath, eyes still on the moon. "I wonder." But he said no more.
The party was a success, James and Sirius clowning around, acting like a couple dancing about much to Peter's horror. "That's awful, you look like a pair of puffs!"
"That my dearest Pete was the idea!" James laughed having had a few drinks, which Sirius had stolen from the teachers' alcohol supply. All three of them were in their beds the following morning when Remus sunk into his own. When they woke James excused himself and disappeared to the library. He had to find more out. He had to know.
***
Lessons began again and school life became normal. James seemed to be spending quite a lot of time in the library and was being quite secretive about it. Sirius joked that he was trying to work out how to do a love potion so Snape would fall for him much to James' horror.
"Maybe it's more likely he wants to clean Snape by magic so we aren't all going to die from the lack of hygiene!" Peter suggested while Remus softly added.
"I think perhaps a love potion is correct, for Lily Evans."
James shook his head truthfully but blushed because Remus had hit a nerve. The redheaded girl was rather pretty, but at the same time James didn't want a girlfriend, he was too young for all the loved up stuff he thought. Flying had become a favourite with both James and Sirius. James, determined to eventually make it onto the quidditch team, concentrated really hard during lessons while Sirius just enjoyed them as he got to terrify everyone else, particularly Remus who was nervous about leaving the ground, by daredevil stunts. Peter was pleased Remus wasn't confident in the air, at least he was better at something than Remus, even if it was only marginally so! It made him feel less inadequate!
Before they knew it April had come and Remus had his nose buried even further into his books, desperate to prove himself, not going to let Albus Dumbledore, who had given him this fabulous opportunity, down. Exams would be coming up soon. Peter was already losing sleep over it, convinced he would fail everything. James hadn't started doing too much work yet but had the odd look over things he had found complex but Sirius spent most of his time laughing at them. "Where's your sense of adventure boys, read the notes the night before, it'll be fine!"
Remus looked up, a little hurt by Sirius' words "It's alright for you, I need to work to do well. I have to do well, I need to prove I'm good at things!" He bit his lip hard, he wasn't going to come over all emotional and ridiculous! He pressed his book further towards his face but got a fright when his friend landed with a bump on the bed.
"Oi, no need to get stroppy. It's Easter tomorrow! Think of all the chocolate!"
Remus nodded but there was still a scowl on his face. "Just let me do what I want and I'll let you do whatever the hell you want!" Sirius left him alone, not having seen Remus cross before.
That night Remus, who had been quiet for the rest of the day and hadn't spoken another word to Sirius, went to Madame Pomfrey's room to be taken to the Whomping Willow to transform. He hated the loneliness of it, walking through the dirty passage into the desolate house where all he would feel was pain and hatred for himself. He hadn't meant to loose his temper with Sirius, he cared about Sirius more than he could possibly describe, but it was so difficult on the day of the full moon to control himself.
Usually he managed but today he just snapped and he knew if he'd opened his mouth one more time only abuse would have come out and so he hadn't managed to apologise to his boisterous friend. He removed his clothing and sunk onto the wooden bed feeling miserable and angry with himself. He never let his temper get the better of him, what if he'd ruined the best friendship he'd had and Sirius wouldn't accept his apology. He knew that every time he disappeared they got more and more suspicious and it was all because he was different. Maybe he should never have come to school. Perhaps it would have been better if the wolf that marked him had just killed him and he hadn't been rescued!
That night in the dormitory Sirius was pacing the floor. "Well didn't I make a great job of things today!" He growled as he stomped from one end of the room to the other. "I've upset Remus. I didn't realise he was this sensitive because I'm so busy playing the fucking fool! I didn't mean to hurt him so much he wouldn't even come back to the room or even to dinner! Maybe I better try to find him. I feel really shit!"
James let Sirius have his rant while Peter was stuffing his face with an Easter egg sent by his mother that he couldn't wait any longer to eat even though it wasn't technically Easter until the following day! "Siri, Peter. Look outside." They both glanced out the window. "Yeah what about it?" Sirius snapped. "There's nothing out there!"
"Look again." James said calmly not letting Sirius' bad mood get to him.
"Stop being so ridiculous James and tell me what the hell you're talking about because I'm not in the mood for mind games!"
James sighed and took a deep breath. "It's a full moon."
Peter nodded. "It was a full moon last time Remy wasn't here, maybe he likes watching the sky or something, he might go to the astronomy tower?"
James shook his head. "No, I think he might be a...a werewolf." Peter gasped in horror and Sirius shook his head slowly, a lot dawning on him, knowing James was right yet hardly wanting to believe it.
"He always goes when it's full moon and he's really secretive about it. I've suspected for a while and that's what I've been doing in the library so much." James admitted.
"I just thought you'd turning into a swot!" Sirius joked trying to lift the atmosphere.
"But he can't be a werewolf." Peter tried to argue not wanting to believe it. "He'd have told us! Anyhow werewolves are evil creatures and Remus, well he's nice isn't he?!"
"Oh hello I'm Remus and I'm a werewolf. Of course he wouldn't tell us you fool!" Sirius yelled. "He thinks we'll hate him because like you've just said everyone thinks werewolves are evil. It all makes sense now. All the secrecy and sneaking off like this. He's trying to hide it. Poor Remus!"
Peter looked like his eyes were about to pop out of his head! "Poor...Poor Remus? We've been sleeping in the room with a dark creature! And you feel sorry for Remus? He could have murdered us in our sleep!"
James shook his head. "Peter, he's our friend, he needs our support, it's not as if it's something he wanted to be. Anyhow, yes werewolves are dangerous but their human forms aren't. I've spent hours researching this because I've suspected for a while but didn't say anything in case I was wrong but I don't think I am. Remus is our friend and he needs us. He's probably never had friends before us and we mean a lot to him. That's why he's sensitive."
Sirius nodded fervently. "He's our friend and I for one don't care if he's a werewolf, he's a lovely person, like I've said before a better one than I'll ever be, hell he even cares about the Slytherins and won't let us do anything that would actually hurt them, just embarrass them! He's gentle and caring, not nasty and dangerous, at least not as a human. That's what he is Pete, a human being and until now he's been a good friend to you and helped you with your work much more than either me or Jamie and he hasn't tried to eat you has he?!"
Peter nodded feeling more than a little embarrassed.
"We'll talk to him in the morning, let him know we know and are alright with it." James said to all round agreement.
***
"Hi Remus." James said as he came back into the dormitory near to lunchtime on Easter Sunday.
"How are you feeling?" Peter asked twitchily, still not thoroughly delighted at the idea of sharing a bedroom with a dark creature but knowing it was wrong to take it out on Remus.
"Fine why shouldn't I be?" He asked, feeling the familiar knot tying in his already unsteady tummy.
"Rem, I'm sorry about yesterday." Sirius said guiltily, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
"Oh Siri, don't worry about it, I wasn't exactly nice to you either, it's forgotten."
"Erm." James began looking around the other three for a bit of moral support. "We know about your erm being a werewolf."
The small amount of colour that Remus did have drained from his face and he stumbled backwards onto Peter's bed.
"So you've found out." He muttered, trembling with fear of rejection, knowing they couldn't fail to dislike him and not want to know him anymore. "I'm sorry." He said biting so hard on his lower lip that he could taste blood. "I would have told you but I couldn't, I knew you'd hate me. You must hate me." He closed his eyes fighting with his tears knowing they were going to get the better of him no matter how hard he tried to stop them.
"Of course we don't hate you." He felt Sirius sit down beside him and he looked nervously up at his dark headed friend but could hardly see him for the tears clouding his vision.
"You're our best friend." James added as Sirius put an arm around the weeping boy. "It doesn't matter to us. You've been a werewolf all along and it doesn't change our feelings towards you, you're our friend."
"Exactly." Peter piped up, not wanting to look like he was disowning Remus either.
"How can you not hate me though?" Remus sobbed. "I'm a werewolf for Merlin's sake. I'm a dark creature, nobody wants to know dark creatures."
Sirius gathered Remus totally into his arms and held him tightly. "You are our friend, how could we possibly hate you when you haven't done anything wrong? You're kind and gentle, clever and witty and you make us all happy to be around. You aren't a bad person you were just unlucky Rem. We could never hate you. Nobody must suffer from this more than you!"
Remus nodded. "Thank you. I thought nobody would want me anymore. I thought if you ever found out I'd have to leave!"
"You'd better not!" Peter said. "I'd definitely fail my exams without you to help me!"
Everyone laughed and Remus scrubbed at his damp eyes with the heels of his hands. "You must think I'm such a baby, I always cry."
"Remus I think you're the bravest of the lot of us!" James said with genuine admiration. "If you ever want to talk about it just come to us and we're here to listen ok?"
The young werewolf smiled weakly and nodded. "I don't deserve you, I really don't. All of you are wonderful. I don't really like talking about it but it means a lot that you can accept what I am.who I am. If I want to talk though I will let you know and I'm glad you're willing to listen, it means a lot. Oh and, please, don't tell anyone else about this, nobody else would be this understanding."
Before he knew what was happening James and Peter had dived on them joining in for a group hug. "You know Remus? Being different isn't a crime!" And for the first time in many years Remus realised that perhaps it wasn't.
***
The rest of the school year was relatively non-eventful, with exams coming up nobody was willing to play too many tricks. Remus became more accepting of himself. If his friends could accept him he should be able to accept himself he thought and it particularly helped that his friends were so kind to him before and after the transformation giving him all the support he needed and helping him tend to any self inflicted wounds that remained on the boy from the vicious teeth of the wolf.
The exams weren't as bad as everyone had expected. James and Remus were in the top of their year group with Sirius not far behind. He realised perhaps a slight amount more of work might have paid off slightly better so decided next year if he did a bit more he would get better results. "After all Jamie I can't let you shame me by beating me can I?" He'd joked, his competitive streak showing through. Peter had scraped a pass, although he put the pass mark in potions down to Remus' skill and his luck!
So they were all ready to leave school for the summer. Remus was disappointed even though he was looking forward to seeing his parents and telling them all about the wonderful time he was having at Hogwarts. "I'm going to ask Mum if you can all stay for the summer for a while!" Remus announced as the train pulled back into Kings Cross station.
"Mum!" He shouted, in a voice louder than his mother had ever heard him use since he was bitten at four years old!
"Hi Remus. How are you?" She leant down and kissed her slender child.
"I'm fabulous!" He announced bouncing back. "This is Sirius, James and Peter. They're friends with me. And I was wondering if they could come one week in the summer."
Gabrielle Lupin laughed delightedly at her son's enthusiasm. "Hello boys. I'll tell you what, if Remus has your contact details we'll get in touch and arrange something." She then had to wait for about another ten minutes as the boys talked excitedly and hugged each other at least ten times before Remus would finally get into the car.
"Oh Mum, I love it so much, and my friends, well they found out and they're fine and they won't tell anyone they've all promised. I've never been so happy in my entire life!"
She smiled in the seat beside him. "Well if you're happy, I'm ecstatic! I'm really happy for you, just be careful about your lycanthropy make sure you don't fall out with your friends and them tell."
"I know they won't Mum, everything's going to be fine and I can't wait to see them again in the holidays!"
She laughed again, never having known her quiet son be so lively and vibrant. "You've only just left them."
"I know but I miss them already, I really do!"
Author: Jasmine
Rating:PG-13
Warning: Eventual slash RL/SB
Summary: Your typical Marauders at Hogwarts I suppose. About the developing relationships between Remus and Sirius and Lily and James leading up to the arrival of our friend Harry. Fun, romance and a bit of angst (well knowing me probably a fair bit). I've written now for about 6 years but never a HP fic before. I've read lots of Harry potter fiction but never thought I'd be up to writing all the magical stuff but thought I'd have a go at it. I particularly like the marauders stories so I thought the best way was to write one myself as I think it was.
Reviews: would be greatly appreciated even if it was just to let me know you're enjoying it and constructive criticism is always welcomed. Flames will be used to light my cigarettes (yes I know it's not a good habit!)
Disclaimer: Very sadly none of them are mine, if they were I wouldn't be living on the bones of my arse off my overdraft!
A/N: This has been all reformatted and betaed and a few amendments have been made to fit in with areas of canon associated with OOTP. Enjoy
Remus Lupin slid into a cabin on the Hogwarts express. He chewed nervously on his bottom lip. What would this new venture hold for somebody like him? He'd never been to school before, well not that he could remember. Yes, a play-group when he was about 3 but then it had happened, bitten and normality was ended. His mother's words rang in his ears 'Sweetheart, if you don't want to go you can just stay at home you know. Nobody will think any less of you if you'd rather just keep learning at home.' But Remus didn't want that. He wanted a life, a normal life for an eleven year old. He wanted to try and forget that he was different. That he was a werewolf. He wanted friends, but how? He'd never had friends before. Just his parents. They loved him dearly and understood his condition but he couldn't be happy at home, living thoroughly sheltered.
His thoughts were broken as two boisterous boys burst into his carriage and one of them promptly tripped over the other and landed in Remus' lap. "Whoops!" He exclaimed making no attempt to remove himself from Remus' lap.
"Get up you prat!" A relatively small and slender boy with glasses said yanking his friend up. "Sorry about that. I'm James Potter, this is Sirius Black." He nodded towards the longer haired boy who had now picked himself up.
"It's ok." Remus said quietly and rubbed his knee where the boy named Sirius had landed.
"Well then, don't you have a name?" Sirius asked bouncing into the seat beside Remus.
"Oh.erm..yes I do." Remus blushed and looked down. James placed himself opposite the pair and looked with kind brown eyes into the lowered green- gold eyes.
"Well what is it then stupid?" Sirius said patting Remus on the back and laughing.
"Oh, Remus, Remus Lupin."
"Nice to meet you Remus. Don't be nervous. We're first years too." James smiled gently.
Before long Remus' nervousness had subsided and the boys were chatting away like they'd known each other for years. "My Dad says that there is this forest at Hogwarts." The blond boy named Peter who had joined them shortly afterwards said.
"Yeah!" Sirius said bouncing around his seat. "It's forbidden! The Forbidden Forest. Can't you just see it? We can go investigating it.
"Remus laughed lightly. "I've known you for about an hour and you are the most mad person I think I've ever met!" In his head Remus thought 'Not that I've met that many people!' "But you know what, I really like you. All of you! I really hope we all end up in the same house. I think we could be really good friends!"
James grinned back. "We already are." Remus glowed inwardly. Nobody had ever said that to him before.
"Back to the good stuff lads!" Sirius announced. "Lets plan our first trip into the forest!" They all nodded. James eagerly, Remus less so and Peter very nervously beginning to think bringing this up hadn't been such a bright idea.
"It's meant to be full of wild animals though." Peter said softly, hoping that Sirius really wasn't planning on dragging them on some crazy expedition.
"Yeah, there's meant to be.." The long- haired boy paused for effect. "Werewolves!" Remus paled considerably. They would hate him; how could they possibly not.
"Are you ok Rem?" James asked reaching across to him.
"Oh yes. Fine. I've been a bit poorly the last couple of days that's all. I'm alright now, just a little weak still I suppose." He shrugged and hoped to change the subject. The full moon had been two days ago and it was true he had been a little off colour since then but he had forgotten all about that because he was so happy but the words Sirius spoke next made the bottom fall out of his stomach.
"We could be like hunters couldn't we? Imagine it Jamie." Sirius spoke to the boy he'd been friends with since they were born. "Hunting werewolves!" He laughed.
Remus stood up hurriedly. "Excuse me a minute." He shot out of the carriage ignoring the other's asking what he was doing. He just made it to the join between the carriages, out in the open air when the sickness got the better of him and he heaved over the edge, vomiting the chocolate frogs Peter had been sharing back up. Tears stung his eyes. Had he given himself away? Would they think he was strange running off like this? Had he just ruined everything?
Suddenly he felt a hand on his back rubbing it and the other hand pulling back his golden hair. "I'm sorry." Remus sobbed wiping his mouth with a hanky he produced from his pocket.
"Hey, don't worry." Remus felt his body sink into Sirius' embrace. "Don't cry silly. You can't help throwing up! Now then, how about some more chocolate frogs, I think you just lost the last ones!" Sirius smiled and Remus melted. This boy was a joy send.
***
"Remus Lupin." The prim and proper voice of Professor McGonagall rang out around the great hall.
"That's you!" James said pushing Remus, whose feet were stuck to the spot, forward. "Good luck!"
He sat nervously on the stool and placed the hat on his head, smiling as Sirius gave him the thumbs up. 'Please let me be with Sirius, please.' Remus thought desperately, not wanting to be divided from any of his three new friends but least of all from Sirius. He had been so kind and warm to him.
"Ah, a werewolf indeed!" Remus thought for a horrible moment he was going to be sick again. The voice was so loud in his ear, had everyone else heard too. "Don't worry, they can't hear." The hat spoke reassuringly. "You're a brave soul Mr Lupin, and a kind heart as well. Intelligent too I don't wonder. You'll go far young man. I see, you want to be with your friend. Interesting. You'd do well in Ravenclaw, but no, maybe.GRYFFINDOR!" Remus sighed with relief and scuttled over to the table where Sirius nearly winded him hugging him so hard.
"This is great isn't it?" James said as he removed his glasses and got into his four poster bed. "Just the four of us in this room, just how we wanted it."
Yawning Peter agreed. "Couldn't be better. I'm dreading the classes though from tomorrow. I bet you three are all total brain boxes and I'll be the dunce in the corner!"
Remus laughed. Sirius noticed how when Remus laughed it was almost a tinkle, as if it wasn't something he did often. "Don't be daft Pete. We're all better at some things than others. There's a lot more to life than grades. Everyone has different qualities. It's what makes us different, special." Although I'm special and different and just want to be normal he thought, but dismissed it quickly realising he'd never been so happy in his life.
"Wise words old man." Sirius joked.
"Oh shut up you uncouth whippersnapper!" Remus retorted and everybody fell about laughing not previously having realised how witty Remus could be beneath the quiet and placid exterior.
***
Peter hadn't been too far wrong when he had said the other three would be clever. It soon emerged that Remus had a real talent for defence against the dark arts while James excelled at charms. Sirius was a star at causing mayhem but still seemed to be brilliant at everything else. How he accomplished this nobody was quite sure! Peter wasn't as bad as he had anticipated; he managed to get by with a little help now and then. All in all school was great. Well, apart from potions with the awful Slytherins.
It became noticeable from early on that the two houses were archenemies and it was perfectly understandable for the Gryffindor first year boys to dislike their Slytherin counterparts. After all they permanently got them into trouble, jibed them and tried to play tricks on them to make the Gryffindors loose house points.
"Well if it isn't fatty and skinny!" A scathing voice came from behind Peter and Remus as they left the dungeon to head towards lunch. Sirius and James, who had been working together, had been made to stay behind to talk to Professor Brewer after their potion had exploded. James had a feeling it might have had something to do with Malfoy and Snape but he couldn't prove it so no doubt himself and Sirius were in for detention or line writing!
"Ignore them." Peter hissed increasing his pace, scared of the Slytherins without Sirius around.
"Don't worry Pettigrew there will still be food left on the table even if you just saunter there, no need to run! Not that you need anymore food though. Lupin mind, he could do with a feed. Does fatty here not let you eat anything, if you get any more thin you'll disappear!"
"And that would be a terrible tragedy wouldn't it Lucius." The evil voice of Severus Snape piped up.
"Bugger off Snape!" Sirius voice could now be heard much to both Remus and Peter's relief.
"We were just saying how odd fatty and skinny here look and here comes beanpole and shortarse to join them, what a treat Severus!"
"It's better than being a greasy bastard like you!" James said with a smirk.
"Perhaps you could take tips off Malfoy here, he obviously loves being perfectly groomed! Spends at least two hours doing his hair a day. You spend about the same time a year Snape!" The Slytherin boy glared and stalked past with Malfoy.
Remus, in a moment of rashness took his wand "Hydratio!" and fired water from it. "There's a start Snape! Now all you need is some shampoo!"
Everyone laughed and Sirius slung his arm around Remus' shoulder. "You'll have to show me how to do that!"
Remus nodded and smiled. "Anytime Siri, anytime.
***
"So then, boys," James began grinning mischievously, "I was thinking what with it being the weekend and all maybe we could go exploring tonight, get the invisibility cloak out for the night, maybe steal some food from the kitchens." Peter was eagerly nodding his head as was Sirius.
"Remy?" Sirius said looking quizzically on the downcast face.
"Erm, I'd really love to but erm my Grandma, she's not too well so I have to erm go and see her." He hated lying, particularly to his friends, but his friends would be no more should they find out.
Everyone nodded and then later when he did disappear off and Peter was in the shower Sirius pulled James to the side in the common room. "He's lying." He stated plaintively.
"Who is?" James asked confused.
"Remus. I have no idea what he is doing, but I don't think it is his grandmother do you?"
James shrugged. "Dunno really, never thought about it. I mean why would he lie?"
"I'm not sure." The longer haired boy spoke slowly thinking carefully. "When he gets back tomorrow we'll ask him."
James nodded and jumped with a start when Peter arrived. "Ready then? I'm starving!"
***
Remus appeared in the dormitory late the following afternoon. He looked gaunt and pale. Peter was in the library doing his homework, James was out watching the quidditch team practising and Sirius was dosing on his bed. Remus quietly slipped into his own bed, just wanting to sleep, still feeling poorly from the after effects of the painful transformation. Fortunately the places he had wounded himself were virtually healed due to the expertise of Madame Pomfrey and anyhow they were all beneath his clothes at least.
"Hey you." Sirius said upon sitting up and yawning like a cat.
"Hey yourself." Remus gave a weak smile and rested his aching head on the pillow.
"So then how's your grandmother?"
"My what? Oh..my grandma.not too bad thanks. Could be better."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "By the looks of it so could you." Remus froze momentarily but Sirius still noticed. "Rem? Where were you really last night. I can tell you're not being honest with me."
"Are you saying I'm a liar?" Remus asked panic rising in his voice.
"No silly, but I know you're evading the truth somewhere. I'm not going to think any less of you stupid, I'm your best mate, tell me what's wrong. I mean it's the third time since we started here that you have disappeared."
Remus sucked in his breath waiting for Sirius to tell him he knew but he didn't. "Come on Remus, it's obviously bothering you. Problem shared is a problem halved."
Remus looked up with big, were they frightened Sirius wondered, golden eyes. "I don't want to talk about it Siri, it's difficult."
Sirius nodded thoughtfully. "Is it problems at home? Is there anything I can do? I don't really like my parents that much but I'd like to get on with them I suppose. If you ever want to talk about difficulties at home, or anything I'd like to listen"
"Something like that." Remus nodded breathing a sigh of relief when Sirius seemed to buy this. "And yes, can I have a hug." The fair headed boy blinked back tears as he felt Sirius embrace him. "I'm sorry Sirius, I'd tell you but I can't!"
Sirius soothingly rubbed his back. Nobody gave hugs like Sirius Remus thought to himself as he rested his tired head on his friend's shoulder. "Well when you do want to talk I'm always here for you right? You know that." Remus nodded gratefully and wiped the corners of his eyes with his hand. "Right well I'm going in the shower because otherwise my head will resemble Snape's!" Remus laughed and Sirius smiled. "That's better!" He kissed his smaller friend's forehead and left the room, towel flung carelessly across his shoulder.
"Oh Sirius." Remus sighed once again burying his face in the pillow. "If only you knew then you wouldn't get that close to me. And as for being there to hear it, you really wouldn't want to, you wouldn't want to know me." Remus jumped as James bounded into the room.
"Talking to yourself Rem? First sign of madness is that you crazy beast!" He giggled.
"Hello James." Remus spoke lethargically. "And yes I'm mad, totally mad." He said with a voice full of sorrow and turned over in his bed and drifted into a miserable fitful sleep.
***
Christmas came and went with all four of the boys staying behind. Much to their disappointment Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy went home so all the plots to carry out pranks on their two enemies went to pieces but they still had a good time helping each other with homework, playing in the snow, sharing their presents. But it was New Years Eve that got everybody thinking. Dumbledore had announced a feast and a small party for the few who were still at the school over the holiday party. Remus face couldn't have got any longer even if Snape had cast a spell on it!
"I really want to go but my parents are having a family party and well I'm their only child and the family would be upset if I didn't go. I kind of have to!"
"Can't you try to get out of it?" James said pleadingly, really wanting his friend to stay so the four of them could be together for the party.
"Yeah it's not the same without you!" Sirius said.
"Yeah it is." Remus said. "You'll still have a great time. It's hardly like I'm some major party animal is it." He tried to sound jovial even though he really just wanted to curl up and cry. Why did he have to be a werewolf? Why couldn't the moon just disappear, even if it was just for tonight. Life wasn't fair.
"No it isn't the same without you. We'll all miss you." Sirius' words made Remus even more miserable. These people really cared about him, that was obvious, yet he was living a lie to them, because if they found out the truth they would hate him and he'd sooner lie than loose his friends, the most important thing in his life!
But Remus had to go and so it just left three boys getting dressed for the party in the dormitory. James glanced out of the window. "Look at the moon, doesn't it look beautiful."
Peter laughed. "You're starting to sound like Remus!"
Sirius laughed too. "Nothing wrong with being like Remy, he's lovely. Nicer than I'll ever be anyhow."
"Remus.." James said under his breath, eyes still on the moon. "I wonder." But he said no more.
The party was a success, James and Sirius clowning around, acting like a couple dancing about much to Peter's horror. "That's awful, you look like a pair of puffs!"
"That my dearest Pete was the idea!" James laughed having had a few drinks, which Sirius had stolen from the teachers' alcohol supply. All three of them were in their beds the following morning when Remus sunk into his own. When they woke James excused himself and disappeared to the library. He had to find more out. He had to know.
***
Lessons began again and school life became normal. James seemed to be spending quite a lot of time in the library and was being quite secretive about it. Sirius joked that he was trying to work out how to do a love potion so Snape would fall for him much to James' horror.
"Maybe it's more likely he wants to clean Snape by magic so we aren't all going to die from the lack of hygiene!" Peter suggested while Remus softly added.
"I think perhaps a love potion is correct, for Lily Evans."
James shook his head truthfully but blushed because Remus had hit a nerve. The redheaded girl was rather pretty, but at the same time James didn't want a girlfriend, he was too young for all the loved up stuff he thought. Flying had become a favourite with both James and Sirius. James, determined to eventually make it onto the quidditch team, concentrated really hard during lessons while Sirius just enjoyed them as he got to terrify everyone else, particularly Remus who was nervous about leaving the ground, by daredevil stunts. Peter was pleased Remus wasn't confident in the air, at least he was better at something than Remus, even if it was only marginally so! It made him feel less inadequate!
Before they knew it April had come and Remus had his nose buried even further into his books, desperate to prove himself, not going to let Albus Dumbledore, who had given him this fabulous opportunity, down. Exams would be coming up soon. Peter was already losing sleep over it, convinced he would fail everything. James hadn't started doing too much work yet but had the odd look over things he had found complex but Sirius spent most of his time laughing at them. "Where's your sense of adventure boys, read the notes the night before, it'll be fine!"
Remus looked up, a little hurt by Sirius' words "It's alright for you, I need to work to do well. I have to do well, I need to prove I'm good at things!" He bit his lip hard, he wasn't going to come over all emotional and ridiculous! He pressed his book further towards his face but got a fright when his friend landed with a bump on the bed.
"Oi, no need to get stroppy. It's Easter tomorrow! Think of all the chocolate!"
Remus nodded but there was still a scowl on his face. "Just let me do what I want and I'll let you do whatever the hell you want!" Sirius left him alone, not having seen Remus cross before.
That night Remus, who had been quiet for the rest of the day and hadn't spoken another word to Sirius, went to Madame Pomfrey's room to be taken to the Whomping Willow to transform. He hated the loneliness of it, walking through the dirty passage into the desolate house where all he would feel was pain and hatred for himself. He hadn't meant to loose his temper with Sirius, he cared about Sirius more than he could possibly describe, but it was so difficult on the day of the full moon to control himself.
Usually he managed but today he just snapped and he knew if he'd opened his mouth one more time only abuse would have come out and so he hadn't managed to apologise to his boisterous friend. He removed his clothing and sunk onto the wooden bed feeling miserable and angry with himself. He never let his temper get the better of him, what if he'd ruined the best friendship he'd had and Sirius wouldn't accept his apology. He knew that every time he disappeared they got more and more suspicious and it was all because he was different. Maybe he should never have come to school. Perhaps it would have been better if the wolf that marked him had just killed him and he hadn't been rescued!
That night in the dormitory Sirius was pacing the floor. "Well didn't I make a great job of things today!" He growled as he stomped from one end of the room to the other. "I've upset Remus. I didn't realise he was this sensitive because I'm so busy playing the fucking fool! I didn't mean to hurt him so much he wouldn't even come back to the room or even to dinner! Maybe I better try to find him. I feel really shit!"
James let Sirius have his rant while Peter was stuffing his face with an Easter egg sent by his mother that he couldn't wait any longer to eat even though it wasn't technically Easter until the following day! "Siri, Peter. Look outside." They both glanced out the window. "Yeah what about it?" Sirius snapped. "There's nothing out there!"
"Look again." James said calmly not letting Sirius' bad mood get to him.
"Stop being so ridiculous James and tell me what the hell you're talking about because I'm not in the mood for mind games!"
James sighed and took a deep breath. "It's a full moon."
Peter nodded. "It was a full moon last time Remy wasn't here, maybe he likes watching the sky or something, he might go to the astronomy tower?"
James shook his head. "No, I think he might be a...a werewolf." Peter gasped in horror and Sirius shook his head slowly, a lot dawning on him, knowing James was right yet hardly wanting to believe it.
"He always goes when it's full moon and he's really secretive about it. I've suspected for a while and that's what I've been doing in the library so much." James admitted.
"I just thought you'd turning into a swot!" Sirius joked trying to lift the atmosphere.
"But he can't be a werewolf." Peter tried to argue not wanting to believe it. "He'd have told us! Anyhow werewolves are evil creatures and Remus, well he's nice isn't he?!"
"Oh hello I'm Remus and I'm a werewolf. Of course he wouldn't tell us you fool!" Sirius yelled. "He thinks we'll hate him because like you've just said everyone thinks werewolves are evil. It all makes sense now. All the secrecy and sneaking off like this. He's trying to hide it. Poor Remus!"
Peter looked like his eyes were about to pop out of his head! "Poor...Poor Remus? We've been sleeping in the room with a dark creature! And you feel sorry for Remus? He could have murdered us in our sleep!"
James shook his head. "Peter, he's our friend, he needs our support, it's not as if it's something he wanted to be. Anyhow, yes werewolves are dangerous but their human forms aren't. I've spent hours researching this because I've suspected for a while but didn't say anything in case I was wrong but I don't think I am. Remus is our friend and he needs us. He's probably never had friends before us and we mean a lot to him. That's why he's sensitive."
Sirius nodded fervently. "He's our friend and I for one don't care if he's a werewolf, he's a lovely person, like I've said before a better one than I'll ever be, hell he even cares about the Slytherins and won't let us do anything that would actually hurt them, just embarrass them! He's gentle and caring, not nasty and dangerous, at least not as a human. That's what he is Pete, a human being and until now he's been a good friend to you and helped you with your work much more than either me or Jamie and he hasn't tried to eat you has he?!"
Peter nodded feeling more than a little embarrassed.
"We'll talk to him in the morning, let him know we know and are alright with it." James said to all round agreement.
***
"Hi Remus." James said as he came back into the dormitory near to lunchtime on Easter Sunday.
"How are you feeling?" Peter asked twitchily, still not thoroughly delighted at the idea of sharing a bedroom with a dark creature but knowing it was wrong to take it out on Remus.
"Fine why shouldn't I be?" He asked, feeling the familiar knot tying in his already unsteady tummy.
"Rem, I'm sorry about yesterday." Sirius said guiltily, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
"Oh Siri, don't worry about it, I wasn't exactly nice to you either, it's forgotten."
"Erm." James began looking around the other three for a bit of moral support. "We know about your erm being a werewolf."
The small amount of colour that Remus did have drained from his face and he stumbled backwards onto Peter's bed.
"So you've found out." He muttered, trembling with fear of rejection, knowing they couldn't fail to dislike him and not want to know him anymore. "I'm sorry." He said biting so hard on his lower lip that he could taste blood. "I would have told you but I couldn't, I knew you'd hate me. You must hate me." He closed his eyes fighting with his tears knowing they were going to get the better of him no matter how hard he tried to stop them.
"Of course we don't hate you." He felt Sirius sit down beside him and he looked nervously up at his dark headed friend but could hardly see him for the tears clouding his vision.
"You're our best friend." James added as Sirius put an arm around the weeping boy. "It doesn't matter to us. You've been a werewolf all along and it doesn't change our feelings towards you, you're our friend."
"Exactly." Peter piped up, not wanting to look like he was disowning Remus either.
"How can you not hate me though?" Remus sobbed. "I'm a werewolf for Merlin's sake. I'm a dark creature, nobody wants to know dark creatures."
Sirius gathered Remus totally into his arms and held him tightly. "You are our friend, how could we possibly hate you when you haven't done anything wrong? You're kind and gentle, clever and witty and you make us all happy to be around. You aren't a bad person you were just unlucky Rem. We could never hate you. Nobody must suffer from this more than you!"
Remus nodded. "Thank you. I thought nobody would want me anymore. I thought if you ever found out I'd have to leave!"
"You'd better not!" Peter said. "I'd definitely fail my exams without you to help me!"
Everyone laughed and Remus scrubbed at his damp eyes with the heels of his hands. "You must think I'm such a baby, I always cry."
"Remus I think you're the bravest of the lot of us!" James said with genuine admiration. "If you ever want to talk about it just come to us and we're here to listen ok?"
The young werewolf smiled weakly and nodded. "I don't deserve you, I really don't. All of you are wonderful. I don't really like talking about it but it means a lot that you can accept what I am.who I am. If I want to talk though I will let you know and I'm glad you're willing to listen, it means a lot. Oh and, please, don't tell anyone else about this, nobody else would be this understanding."
Before he knew what was happening James and Peter had dived on them joining in for a group hug. "You know Remus? Being different isn't a crime!" And for the first time in many years Remus realised that perhaps it wasn't.
***
The rest of the school year was relatively non-eventful, with exams coming up nobody was willing to play too many tricks. Remus became more accepting of himself. If his friends could accept him he should be able to accept himself he thought and it particularly helped that his friends were so kind to him before and after the transformation giving him all the support he needed and helping him tend to any self inflicted wounds that remained on the boy from the vicious teeth of the wolf.
The exams weren't as bad as everyone had expected. James and Remus were in the top of their year group with Sirius not far behind. He realised perhaps a slight amount more of work might have paid off slightly better so decided next year if he did a bit more he would get better results. "After all Jamie I can't let you shame me by beating me can I?" He'd joked, his competitive streak showing through. Peter had scraped a pass, although he put the pass mark in potions down to Remus' skill and his luck!
So they were all ready to leave school for the summer. Remus was disappointed even though he was looking forward to seeing his parents and telling them all about the wonderful time he was having at Hogwarts. "I'm going to ask Mum if you can all stay for the summer for a while!" Remus announced as the train pulled back into Kings Cross station.
"Mum!" He shouted, in a voice louder than his mother had ever heard him use since he was bitten at four years old!
"Hi Remus. How are you?" She leant down and kissed her slender child.
"I'm fabulous!" He announced bouncing back. "This is Sirius, James and Peter. They're friends with me. And I was wondering if they could come one week in the summer."
Gabrielle Lupin laughed delightedly at her son's enthusiasm. "Hello boys. I'll tell you what, if Remus has your contact details we'll get in touch and arrange something." She then had to wait for about another ten minutes as the boys talked excitedly and hugged each other at least ten times before Remus would finally get into the car.
"Oh Mum, I love it so much, and my friends, well they found out and they're fine and they won't tell anyone they've all promised. I've never been so happy in my entire life!"
She smiled in the seat beside him. "Well if you're happy, I'm ecstatic! I'm really happy for you, just be careful about your lycanthropy make sure you don't fall out with your friends and them tell."
"I know they won't Mum, everything's going to be fine and I can't wait to see them again in the holidays!"
She laughed again, never having known her quiet son be so lively and vibrant. "You've only just left them."
"I know but I miss them already, I really do!"