At a Glance

by Kei-Kei

Remus Lupin's first year at Hogwarts begins. However, there is one boy he can't keep his mind off of... To the songs of Evanescence, journey with Remus from his first year to his last and beyond. SiriusxRemus, Slash Ch. 2 UP!

1. Whisper to me

Hello! I'm Kei~Kei and this is is my RemusxSirius fic. I am planning to have this fanfic span from Remus' first year at Hogwarts, all the way to Harry's fifth year and beyond. Every chapter (I hope) will have an Evanescence song to accompany it. The lengths of the chapters will depend on the song... ^^ I'm going to deffinatly bump up the rating later on. If you find any mistakes or have any suggestions, please review and tell me. I'll have the second chapter up soon, but I'm going to California for two weeks for an anime con, so it'll be a while. Anyways, onwards to the disclaimer and ficcy! Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own them, though try as I might to gain custody. oO The characters are not mine, they belong to J.K. Rowling (Please don't sue me kind kind Queen...). The songs belong to Evanescence.




It was a warm, almost sunny day that the Hogwarts owls were sent out to it's many new first year students. On the outskirts of a small, London city sat a house, it's trimmings brown and peeling, contrasting nicely with the limestone main base of the house. From the worn dirt road traveled a brick walkway to the dark, forest green front door. Sprouting from the walkway was a smaller path that led to a rock driveway, where an old red station wagon sat in front of a dark green garage. Around the house sprouted many different kinds of flowers and bushes, neatly kept under the watchful eye of the woman that lived there with her husband and son. The son sat in the single tree in the front yard, high in its branches among the tickly laid green leaves. His slightly shaggy light brown hair blew lightly in the slight breeze, his bangs brushing against his cheeks and over his long lashed closed eyes. Upon hearing a quiet meowing beneath him, the boy opened his amber eyes a crack and peered below him. There a tabby cat sat and meowed at him angrily. He closed his eyes once more and ignored the cat. His slim arms were placed behind his head, his long legs stretched out over the length of the branch that supported him. In the distance, flying towards him, was a large tawny Barn owl, a letter clasped tightly in its beak. It landed upon the boy's chest, startling him so that he nearly lost his balance. Looking at the owl with large eyes, he reached a shaking hand out to the letter. Never did he receive owls. He gave up long ago on friends, so his days were filled with lonely wanderings and daydreams. He looked at the letter, closed with a seal of red wax, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry seal etched into it. He gasped and jumped down from the branch, upsetting the owl, which flew to another branch. He ran inside, crying to his father that he had finally gotten it; he had received an invitation to attend Hogwarts School.
"Dad! Dad it's here! They let me in!" he cried happily, running to the kitchen. His father, a tall man with hair the color of the boy's, was sitting at the table reading the Daily Prophet. His mother, a woman with long brown hair pulled into a loose bun, was at the sink, scowling at the dishes that had been cleaning themselves.
"Oh Remus, that's wonderful! Ah... the old Hogwarts. That's where I met your mother. Ah... such good times. I hear Dumbledore is the Headmaster now. He was always such a good teacher. No wonder he was appointed Headmaster," Remus' father noted, reminiscing on the good old days. Remus' mother, meanwhile, had left the dishes and now sat at the table with her husband. Her scowl had now been directed to Remus.
"Let's only hope now you can finally do this family some good. Maybe you won't be a complete screw up after all." Remus flinched, his happiness slightly dented at his mother's less then enthusiastic reaction. She never really liked Remus. He and his curse had always been a burden upon the family. This time, however, he was determined to change her mind. Now that he was going to Hogwarts, everything was about to change.

Catch me, as I fall
Say you're here and it's all over now

Remus Lupin didn't know how true that was until the moment his parents and him entered platform 9 3/4. All around him where students of all ages, rolling their bags toward the train stationed there, owls squawking, cats meowing, and rats and frogs making other noises. The air was full of students saying their farewells to their parents. He looked around at the various people he would soon be going to school with. His eyes then fell upon a boy with long, jaw length, jet-black hair; his back turned to him. He was talking to a man and a woman, both with that same, jet black hair. They seemed to be lecturing him, their stern faces scowling. Remus' heart went out to the boy. He could tell he was used to it, but all the same, it hurt to know what he was going through. Meanwhile, Remus' own mother had been lecturing him.
"Now... Remus, you better behave yourself! I will NOT have you disgrace our family even further than you already have! Understood? Remus? REMUS! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!" she yelled. Remus looked back at his mother who began lecturing him again. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the boy he had been watching hug his parents and head toward the train. He wanted to follow him and ask him his name. He stopped his mother mid-sentence and bid his farewells. He then turned his back to them and quickly walked to the train, leaving his mother screeching behind him. He boarded the train, only to be met by compartment after compartment packed full of people. He never thought of how many people would be here before. Remus panicked, he could feel his heart quicken in his chest as he walked past the rows of people to the next compartment.
You idiot! Of course there were going to be people here! he thought, walking swiftly. Oh no... what if they know? What if they find out I'm a werewolf? This had never once occurred to him as he lay in bed, dreaming of going to Hogwarts. The school was quite large, and many people had families high up. Remus' parents had been inclined to tell the Ministry of Magic that he was a werewolf, seeing as they tried to keep tabs on as many as they could. What if someone here had a parent in the Ministry of Magic that knew about him? What if they knew about him? All these thoughts swam through his head as he entered compartment after compartment. Remus heard people whispering around him as he walked past. He kept his head low, his eyes directed in front of him.
As Remus walked past a large group of people, he skirted past them, accidentally bumping his shoulder into another boy's. He could here him mumbling behind him as he continued, "Bloody wolf... didn't even say he was sodding sorry!" Remus panicked at this and began running past everyone. At last, he reached an empty compartment and slammed the door behind him, his breath coming in large gulps. He walked halfway down the aisle, stopped, and lifted his bag, shoving it into the overhead.
Behind him, he could here his owl, Isis, hooting softly. Isis was the school owl that had delivered his Hogwarts letter to him. After much prodding, the owl still wouldn't leave his side, so he was forced to let her stay. He turned around and slumped into a seat, letting his head hit the headrest of the chair.

Speaking to the atmosphere
No one's here and I fall into myself

By the time Remus realized it, he was too afraid to do anything about it. He had forgotten all about the boy he had seen. He wasn't quite sure what it was about that boy, but he had almost felt a likeness in him to himself he never had seen before. It's like... it's almost like I knew he would understand me, he thought to himself as he closed his eyes. He knew what it was like to be criticized by his parents. Remus sighed and tried to relax. "No way am I going out there again," he laughed to himself. "Animals I tell you! Don't you agree Isis?" He looked over to the Barn owl and smiled. "At least I have someone who knows me. Maybe he'll show up sooner or later... I know he will! All I have to do is look on the bright side, right?" He laughed again lightly and looked up. "Maybe... maybe my luck is changing. I know it is! New school, new opportunities, right Isis? Right! I'll find that boy. I'll make friends here, I know I will!"
Remus sighed and slumped down into his seat. "What am I thinking? What am I doing?! I'm talking to a ruddy owl! Aah... no one will be my friend once they find out my true identity. Once they know what I really am, they'll hate me. They all will." Remus grimaced and hide his face in his hands. What was I thinking? he thought to himself, shaking his head. His thoughts returned to that night five years ago when he was attacked by a werewolf and bitten. He could remember how he screamed as it pounced on him, the feeling as his skin was lit on fire as the werewolf bit him. As Remus delved deeper into his mind, Isis hooted loudly and he jumped, a small cry slipping past his lips. "So... I'm not allowed to reminisce, eh? Fine fine..." He turned to look out the window, only to see passing farms and the occasional cow.

This truth drives me
into madness

Remus sighed once again. This trip was beginning to be very lonely. Occasionally, someone would walk past, but he would keep his head down and his mouth shut until they left. They don't know what it's like to be so alone, he thought, they don't know the feeling.
"Do you think they'll ever feel my pain? Hmmm... if only I could have one person that knows how I feel... just one and I would be happy. " He turned to Isis and slumped down into his seat, propping his feet up on the headrest of the chair in front of him. He tucked his arms behind his head, mimicking the position he was in when he first received his Hogwarts letter. Remus, in this position, soon fell asleep to the gentle rocking motion of the train and the soft breaths of Isis. Inside his mind, Remus' memories and thoughts haunted him. The truth of being alone causing his dreams to turn to nightmares. In his dream, he was all alone, sitting in the dark, the fallen ashes of silence all around him. The soft howling of wolves breached his ears, making them ring slightly. The howling grew louder and louder until Remus couldn't stand but to clamp his hands over his ears, attempting to stifle the sound. "Stop! It hurts... it hurts! Please... someone... help me!" he cried out. Only the sound of hungry lone wolfs answered his plea. I can't... I can't take it! "STOP IT! STOP STOP STOP!" he screamed, curling himself into a ball and quivering. Soon the howling subsided, and all that was left in the darkness was the ringing of Remus' ears. His eyes were wide and his body shook, his breaths coming deep and hard in gasps. I can't take it anymore.... the silence... the noise... "Leave me alone," he whispered to no one, "Leave me alone!"

I know I can stop the pain
If I will it all away

Remus forced his eyes to open and he sat up in his seat, his brow furrowed, sweat dotting his forehead. He looked to Isis, who had her head cocked to one side, almost as if asking him if he was all right. He shook his head and stood up, and walked to the door to the next compartment. He laid one hand flat upon the cool glass window and peered at the people inside. A tall blonde girl and another girl, shorter, where talking and laughing in two seats near the back. In front of them were about three boys, all with shocking red hair with streaks of brown; triplets. Various people were also scattered throughout the compartment, but none of them were alone.
Why should I be the only one all alone? Remus thought, his hand clenching into a fist and his eyes closed in disgust. "Why should it only be me that has to suffer?" He growled softly, pushing his anger away. If I could just... walk in and introduce myself, then I wouldn't be lonely. I have to have more faith in myself. They don't know I'm a werewolf. There's no chance they could find out... is there? Of course there isn't! If I don't tell anyone, if I just hide it, no one can find it, right?
"Right," he breathed. "What they don't know can't hurt them." He repeated this in his head over and over, convincing himself of its truth. Remus began to pace, his feet taking him in long strides up and down the aisle of the compartment. He was nervous, seeing as he had never been a very good people person. Remus was always so afraid he would mess his words up, and end up looking stupid in front of people. Most of all, he was afraid of being laughed at. He didn't want to be the outcast any longer.

Don't turn away
(Don't give into the pain)

He knew what he had to do. Remus knew that he couldn't let this fear of rejection plague him any longer than he had already let it. His pacing slowly grew slower as his mind convinced him against hiding. You can do it Remus, you know you can. They aren't going to laugh at you if you don't do anything stupid, he thought, the more optimistic part of his reasoning taking over his brain. Who knows? he reasoned with himself, maybe you'll find that boy. His mouth twitched into a smile at the thought. He still couldn't tell what it was about him; all he knew is that he had to meet that boy, someway, somehow.
"That's it!" His voice echoed in the empty passage, bouncing off the metal and back to him. He growled again and plopped down into another seat, banging his fists on the arm rests. "I'm tired of being the weak little boy that no one will play with because he's odd. I'm bloody tired of being all alone! I'm going to find that boy, and even if it's the last thing I do, I'm going to make him be my friend!" Then, somewhere in the back of his mind, a little voice commented. Maybe even more than a friend, it whispered. Remus shook his head and yelled out, "I'm not gay! Is that what you're implying?" Isis hooted at him angrily. Apparently, she had been trying to sleep, her head tucked under her wing. She gazed up at him with those large, golden eyes of hers and he sighed. I must be going ruddy insane. First I'm talking to a bloody owl, and now I'm yelling at myself. What am I doing here? I don't belong here," his voice was quiet; he made sure no one could here him from the next compartment. Inside his mind, there was a war going on. Remus couldn't decide whether or not to be brave, and try to find that black haired boy, or be his normal, quiet self and ignore his urge to go find him.

Don't try to hide
(Though they're screaming your name)

You're going to have to see them eventually, Remus told himself. Eventually they will know who you are. Why not start it early? Why not find friends now instead of waiting to see who's in your house? Haven't you always heard to try to unite the four houses at Hogwarts? Why not start now? Remus rubbed his temples and closed his eyes tight, trying to block out his mind from any more contradictive thoughts. He was hiding from everyone like he always did. Ever since childhood, Remus had never liked socializing. After he was bitten at age six, he lost all of his friends. One by one they discovered what he was, and he had scared them off. Every single one of them.
Remus still remembered the exact scream his best friend had uttered as he saw Remus' body shrink, his bones pop and fur grow, covering his body. His friend's eyes went wide, and he stepped back from Remus, tripping over a rock and falling. As the wolf stepped toward him, he screamed and scrambled to his feet, screaming Remus' name as he ran. "Mommy! MOMMY! REMUS! REMUS TURNED INTO A WOLF! MOMMY!!!" Remus cringed at the horrible memory. His two other friend's reactions had been quite similar, their cries all involving the screamed bellows of his name, each syllable ringing painfully upon the night air, echoing off of garage doors so that the screaming lasted precious, antagonizing seconds longer.

Don't close your eyes
(God knows what's behind them)

Remus' eyes shot open. He could have sworn he had heard something. Someone... calling him. He shook his head and laughed. "No one knows me here," he said, "How could they possibly know my name?" He glanced at Isis, who was sleeping peacefully in her cage in a chair across the aisle. He quickly glanced around the compartment for a sign that anyone other than him was there. Upon seeing the compartment void of other life besides Isis and himself, Remus returned to his position. About to close his eyes once more, he stopped, pausing to think. I don't want to relive any more memories, he thought, wrinkling his nose in disgust. No matter how hard he tried, he would always have to live with his memories. "Unless," he whispered, an idea forming in his head, "There must be a potion that erases memories... there has to be!"
Remus was instantly filled with the hope that, maybe, he wouldn't have to live with the awful memories he kept within him. However, his heart dropped as his brain began to factor in reasoning. I can't erase my memories, he thought, shaking his head, that would screw with everything. It... just won't work. He sighed heavily and rubbed his hands over his face, massaging his forehead and cheeks. "That's it... I'm tired of waiting," he sighed. He stood and let his long legs carry him to the door of the compartment, his hand reaching toward the doorknob in front of him.

Don't turn out the light
(Never sleep never die)

I... I can't be afraid anymore, Remus thought, willing himself not to turn back. I can't let my condition hold me back anymore. I... I have to accept that this is who I am, and if people don't like it, then they weren't meant to be my friends. That's it... if they can't accept me for me, then they don't deserve to be with me. But... I first have to accept myself if I ever expect other's to accept me.
He gritted his teeth and finally pushed himself over the edge. He was going to do it. He turned the doorknob with a shaking hand. Behind him, he heard a door open and a voice calling him back.

I'm frightened by what I see
But somehow I know
That there's much more to come

"You there... boy!" a sharp voice called, cutting through Remus like a knife. As he turned around, he was met with the sight of a tall, handsome boy. His long, white blonde hair shone in the light of the compartment, and his long, expensive black robes flowed around him elegantly. His piercing gray eyes were turned right at Remus, his slim lips curled into a sneer. Behind him bumbled two bulky, large boys with dark hair. They were at least twice of Remus' size, and he had to crane his neck back to look up at them.
"Y-yes?" Remus stammered, backing himself up flat against the door. This was not how he wanted to meet people. The boy stepped forward and his evil sneer kept it's place upon his lips.
"Well well... What do we have here? Must not be someone too important, eh Goyle? Crabbe? Just look at the state of his robes!" The two boys behind him cackled as he took another step foreword, examining Remus' robes. His family, though nice, didn't always have very much money, so his robes were slightly tattered. The worn black fabric was faded, and various patches were littered here and there over all his robes. Remus looked away from the three boys and tried not to look too hurt.
"So... who might you be boy? I've never seen you around here. Must be a first year," his voice took on an impertinent tone when he spoke to Remus, much different than the tone he used with the boys that were behind him. They must be his friends, Remus thought sadly. He argued with himself whether or not to give his name to this boy. "Well, speak up!" he bellowed, his brow furrowing in an angry manner. Remus could tell he was becoming impatient with him.
"L-Lupin. Remus Lupin," he mumbled, chancing a sparing glance at the blonde haired boy. Taking a chance, he raised his head and spoke again. A-and... who might you be?Ó" The boy's eyes narrowed to slits as he glared at Remus.
"Who might I be?! Obviously your parents don't know much about the wizarding world. I am Lucius Draconis Malfoy, heir to the Malfoy manor. My blood is the purist around." To Remus, he appeared regal and... well... snobbish. From Lucius' comment about pure blood, he was obviously a Slytherin. His father had told him quite a few times that Slytherins were sticklers on having pure blood. They hated what they called "mudbloods": wizards with muggle blood. People like Lucius were not who Remus wanted to befriend. With his courage growing, Remus spoke again.
"Not to be rude or anything, but, what do you want?" Lucius' sneer faded away and his glare took on an evil air to it. Remus swallowed and slouched down against the door, avoiding Lucius' eyes at all cost. He could hear the sharp taps of Lucius' high-heeled boots against the floor as he strode toward him and slapped Remus across the face. Remus' hand flew to his stinging cheek as his eyes teared up. Lucius grabbed his chin and forced Remus to look at him. He flinched as Lucius' nails dug into his skin.
"Don't you ever talk to a Malfoy like that ever again, hear me? I am to be treated with the utmost respect and fear. Do you understand?" he growled, his nose almost touching Remus'. Remus nodded slightly and closed his eyes tight, so as not to see Lucius' face as another sneer crept it's way onto his lips.

Immobilized by my fear
And soon to be
Blinded by tears

Remus' body was frozen to the spot; he was too afraid to move, lest he make Lucius angry and give him another reason to slap him. Lucius dropped his hand from Remus' chin and stepped back. Remus, now free of the other boy's grasp, fell to the floor, slumping against a chair; his body was shaking and his eyes were wide. Lucius' cackle rang in his ears as he turned back to Crabbe and Goyle, laughing at Remus. Remus hugged himself, his fists balling around the sleeves of his robe. He shut his eyes tight against the tears.
"Malfoy, stop bothering the new first years! Didn't Professor McGonogall tell you off for that last year?" the voice that rang through the compartment was like a ray of hope for Remus. He looked up to see a boy with jaw length, jet-black hair. Next to him was another boy with messy black hair, and glasses. Once his eyes fell upon the first boy, Remus' eyes filled with happy tears and he couldn't help but smile. He had found who he was looking for.
"How would you know, first year?!" Lucius spat, uttering the boys' year like an insult. The boy with glasses stepped forward and put his arm on the other's shoulder.
"Well, ya see, Sirius over here has important parents. He knows things," he smirked and stuck his tongue out at Lucius. So... his name is Sirius, Remus thought, staring at the boy's grinning face. Lucius became angry at this obviously disrespectful move and crossed his arms, glaring at them.
"I am a third year and a member of the Malfoy family," he bellowed, his voice loud and indignant. "You are to respect me!" Sirius laughed and looked at Lucius.
"Malfoy, you're no better than I am! My blood is just as pure as yours, and my family is quite high up," he grinned even more once he saw the obviously irked Lucius. He regained his composure and laughed heartily.
"You must be of the Black family! How dare you compare myself to you! You're a disgrace to your bloodline. You don't deserve the position.' Remus was startled at this newfound piece of information. His mother had always spoken extremely high of the Black family. She always said that they were one of the purest, most wizardly families there were. She herself had gone to school with a member of the Black family. Remus hoped that Sirius was nothing like his family, and from what Lucius had said, he wasn't. Sirius' smirk quickly faded and his face grew dark. Noticing this, the other boy grabbed his arm and whispered to him.
"Sirius, calm down. He doesn't know. Sirius, please, let's try not to get in trouble our first day of Hogwarts on the train, okay?" Sirius shook his head.
"James... I can't just forget it! He insulted me. That bender's gonna die," he growled, shaking James' arm off. Remus watched, horrorstruck, as Sirius lunged at Lucius.

I can stop the pain
If I will it all away

In an instant, Crabbe and Goyle had stepped in front of Lucius, and Sirius was on the floor. Lucius' lips were turned down into a scowl. Wiping blood from the side of his mouth, Sirius stood up and lunged at Lucius again.
"First you go picking on a helpless bloke, then you go insultin' my family! You don't fuckin' do that you prat!" Sirius cried, his eyes large and angry. Remus flinched as Sirius hit the floor again. Against all the voices shouting in his head to stop, Remus stood up and balled his hands into fists.
"Stop it! Stop hitting him!' he cried as Sirius was hit again. James, meanwhile, had taken hold of Goyle's arm in an attempt to hold him back. Goyle shrugged him off, throwing him back into a chair.
"You ponce! You can't even fight for yourself! You just have your cronies do all your dirty work for you!" Sirius snarled and Lucius grinned, holding up one slim, pale hand.
"Well, I don't like to get my hands dirty... especially with the blood of the likes of you, brat," Lucius spat. Sirius glared at him. Remus' eyes shot from one to the other. He couldn't tell is he should interfere or not, and he didn't know what to do if he did.

Fallen Angels at my feet
Whispered voices at my ear

Sirius was hit again, and he rolled down the length of the aisle, stopped at Remus' feet. He looked down into his face as he moaned in pain, clutching his side. His chest tightened, his heart in pain. He knelt and helped Sirius to sit, leaning him against the chairs. I... I have to go beat that priss up... lemme go," he groaned, attempting to stand. Remus placed his hand on Sirius' cheek and shushed him.
"Just sit here and rest, please. I don't want you getting hurt on my behalf any longer," he whispered. Sirius nodded and Remus stood, facing Lucius with his wand out. He was determined to pay him back for hurting Sirius. He wanted Sirius to be his friend, and if he was dead, that wasn't very possible. Just then, someone's breath tickled at his ear.
"Don't... they'll beat you up and you'll get in trouble," James whispered to him, his hand around Remus' wrist. He lowered his wand and looked back at him. James shook his head and Remus turned away, glaring at Lucius.
"So... it looks like you've admitted defeat. Well, now that you know who's superior, I guess out time here is done... for now. Crabbe, Goyle, let's go," Lucius said. The three of them turned and walked out of the compartment, leaving Remus, Sirius, and James all alone again.
"Damnit!" Sirius exclaimed, pounding his fist on the floor. "I wanted to get that poof so bad too!" James knelt down and helped Sirius into a chair. Once he was safely sitting, James turned to Remus.
"I'm so sorry to have troubled you-Ó he began. Remus shook his head and held up a hand, stopping him from continuing.
"If it weren't for you two, I don't know what Lucius would have done to me," he said quietly. I should thank you. I appreciate what you did for me." Sirius grinned and tilted his head to look at him. He winked at Remus, causing him to blush.
"Aah, no worries mate. I'm Sirius Black, as you probably already know. My partner in crime over here is James Potter. Now, who might you be?" Sirius said, pointing in James' direction as he said his name. Remus stammered, speechless at his luck. Not only had he found Sirius, Sirius had saved him from Lucius, and now he was asking for his name. He... he even winked at me, he thought happily.
"I'm... Remus Lupin. It's... nice to meet you two," he said breathlessly. Sirius and James both smiled and greeted him. At that moment, for the first time in his life since he was six, Remus felt genuinely accepted.

Death before my eyes
Lying next to me I fear

Sirius flinched and wiped his hand over the back of his head. When he brought his hand back in front of him, it was covered in a red, sticky liquid; blood. In front of his eyes, Remus relived another moment from his past. He remembered running, running away from the wolf as fast and hard as he could. However, the wolf was too fast and quickly pinned him to the ground, snarling, teeth bared. He threw his hands over his face; hoping and praying the wolf would go. He cried out in pain as the wolf sank its teeth into his forearm and ran. Remus clutched his arm in pain. Bringing his hand in front of his face, he screamed; it was soaked in his blood.
"Remus... ummm... Remus?" James waved his hand in front of Remus' eyes and he blinked. Apparently, he had been staring off into space, and hadn't answered any questions he had been asked.
"Yes?" he stammered, snapping back to reality.
"We're here. We've reached Hogwarts."
After Remus had gathered his luggage and the forgotten Isis' cage, he walked out onto the platform with Sirius and James. They heard a bellowing voice ring out over the noise of all the students.
"Firs' years! Firs' years o'er here!" a large man cried. He was at least twice as high and three times as wide as any normal man, and his face was partially covered in a large, bushy brown beard. The three of them gathered around the large men, along with many other first years. Some of them looked scared, and shied away from others. "I'm Hagrid and I'm th' gamekeeper 'ere at Hogwarts. Follow me an' we'll be on our way," he bellowed, leading them to a large lake on the grounds. There, waiting for them, were small boats. "Five to a boat! Hurry up now, c'mon! We dun wanna be late, now do we?"
James, Sirius, and Remus scrambled to a boat. With them sat two girls, one with long, dark red hair, the other with soft blonde hair. The red head smiled at them, while the blonde just kind of scowled. As they drifted on the boat, they passed around a bend and Hogwarts came into view. Everyone looked up in aw at the large, majestic castle, with its high towers, and it's endless glowing windows. Remus was mesmerized. This is my new home, he thought. I can't wait until we get inside. It wasn't long until the boats bumped onto shore and they all scrambled to land. They followed Hagrid up the long way to the large, oak front doors and stopped. Hagrid pushed the doors open, and they were met with a tall woman, her black hair pulled back into a tight bun. Her face was regal, and she looked at them over gold-rimmed spectacles. She raised one pencil thin eyebrow and smiled a tight-lipped smile.

She beckons me
Shall I give in
Upon my end shall I begin

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Follow me please," she said curtly. They obeyed as she led them to a hallway with a door at the end. "Now, line up in a straight line to be sorted," she ordered. They did such and, once they had done so, she opened the door and led them onto a stage. To their right they could see all the students of Hogwarts, sorted into four tables. On the far left, hanging over the first table, was a large red and gold banner with a lion on it; Gryffindor. Over the next table was a blue and bronze banner with a raven on it; Ravenclaw. Above the next table was a banner with a serpent on it, its colors green and silver; Slytherin. Then, above the last table, was a banner with a badger on it, the colors yellow and black; Hufflepuff.
Everyone was looking up at them expectantly. The first years lined up in front of the staff's table and looked out over the Great Hall. The ceiling reflected the night sky, a cloudless night showing all the sparkling stars. Dumbledore rose and the Great Hall grew quiet. Professor McGonagall walked in front of them, carrying a three-legged stool and an old hat. She set the stool down and placed the hat on top of it. McGonagall took her place at the end of the line and everyone grew silent, looking toward the hat. Near the top, a frayed rip opened like a mouth and the hat began to sing. Remus hardly paid attention to its words, instead trying not to shake too badly. However, one part caught his attention:

Gryffindor took the brave of heart
their chivalry, nerve and daring,
here were set apart.
Next, Ravenclaw,
all those of wit and learning,
here cleverness
made them quite deserving.
Now Hufflepuff,
with hers there was a must
to have with them with
just, loyalty and trust.
Now we come to Slytherin,
whose standards were quite high,
only those with purest blood,
with cunning he could teach by.

Remus' mind raced as he tried to think of which house he should belong. He didn't have nerve, and he wasn't daring, so Gryffindor was out. With Ravenclaw, he wasn't very witty, but could learn, so maybe that was his house. But... he wasn't very clever. He was loyal, and he had trust, so maybe it was to Hufflepuff he belonged. He didn't even include Slytherin in his thoughts. He knew he didn't belong there, so he didn't even bother to think of that as his house. Remus looked up and realized that the singing had stopped, and Professor McGonagall had pulled out a piece of parchment and called out a name.

Forsaking all I've fallen for
I rise to meet my end

"Adams, Daniel," she called. A small, shaking boy stepped forward and picked up the hat, sitting on the stool and jamming it on his head. Within seconds, the hat opened its "mouth" and cried out,
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The boy scrambled off the stool and set the hat down, then scurried hurriedly to his cheering table. It went on like this for a couple of people, until Remus heard her call out Sirius' name. Sirius walked forward, and gently placed the hat upon his head. There was silence for a minute, until the hat yelled out,
"GRYFFINDOR!" Sirius jumped off the stool as he took off the Sorting Hat and walked cooly to the Gryffindor table. Two girls were then sorted into Ravenclaw. Now it was Remus' turn. His hands were shaking as he picked the hat up by the rim and placed it tentatively on his head. His mind was racing, and he prayed not to be put in any house other than Gryffindor. The moment the hat touched his head, he could hear a voice in his head. Hmmmm... it said, as if thinking. Where shall you go... You are quite fit to be in Ravenclaw. Shall I place you there? it asked him. Remus' mind shouted.
N-no! Please... I want to be with Sirius! he cried. Please... if I'm sorted into Ravenclaw, I'll be all alone. Please don't make me be in Ravenclaw, he pleaded. The hat was silent for another moment.
If that is what you wish, it said, then it is decided. "GRYFFINDOR!" Remus smiled and sighed in relief as he slipped the hat off and practically ran to his house table. He could hear them cheering, and he smiled even more as he took his seat next to Sirius, who patted him on the back. They watched as another three people were sorted. Then, Sirius nudged him and he watched as James stood and went to the stool. The hat was on his head no more than three seconds when it cried out: "GRYFFINDOR!" He felt Sirius let out a breath and Remus cheered with his table as James sat on he other side of Sirius. There was only one more person left; a tall, lanky boy with long, greasy black hair that fell to his shoulders. He sat there for what seemed like the longest time, until the hat cried, "SLYTHERIN!" and he hurried to his table.
At the head of the table, a man with a long white beard and a tall wizards hat stood. He raised his hands in welcome. "Welcome all new Hogwarts students! Now, I think it's about time we eat. You may begin!" Remus looked down and food had appeared all along the table; potatoes, chicken, peas, carrots, fried beans, and even desert. Remus ate quietly, listening to the energetic conversations around him of the upcoming Quidditch season and what this year had in store for them. Eventually, everyone had finished eating and the food had disappeared. Dumbledore stood again and the Great Hall grew silent.
"Now, there are some announcements to be made. As most of you upperclassmen already know, the Forbidden forest is exactly that; forbidden! Mr. Filch our caretaker, has also reminded me to tell you that magic between classes in the corridors is strictly off limits. And, last but not least, Quidditch trials will be held the second week of the term. Contact Madam Hooch if you wish to play for your house team. And now, before we leave to go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore took out his wand and posed it in midair. "Now, everyone choose their favorite tune and, begin!" He flicked his wand and everyone began to sing:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth of knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."

Remus watched, amused, as every student finished, all at different times. After that, all the tables were dismissed. "First years, please follow me!" a tall, blonde haired boy called. Upon his robed he wore a shinning badge with a large P on it. Beside him, Sirius stood and muttered,
"Prefects..." and followed him. They followed the Prefect up flight after flight of stairs, until they reached a large portrait of a woman in a pink dress.
"Password?" she asked.
"Zimbly's battering footballs," he said, and the portrait swung open to reveal a large room with a blazing fireplace. Around the fireplace were set large, cushiony chairs. Also scattered around the room were tables for doing homework and such. "All right. Right up the stairs on the right is the first year's boys' room. On the right is the girls'. Now, off to bed," he said. Then he disappeared up a hallway and they headed up to their rooms. Remus was the first to reach the room. Four four-poster beds were lined against the two walls. From behind him, Sirius ran and jumped into the first one on the left side, where his suitcase was at the foot of the bed. On the next bed after that, Remus spotted his suitcase at the foot of the bed and smiled, thanking whoever was up there at his luck. The other two beds on the other side of the room were then occupied by James and another boy.
The other boy was slightly pudgy and had light light-blond hair cut in a bowl cut. He smiled and introduced himself. "My name is Peter. Peter Pettigrew!" he squeaked. The three of them greeted him and told them their names. Remus silently slipped into his pajamas and slipped between his sheets, smiling as the others did the same. I knew my luck would change, he thought blissfully as he watched Sirius pull the covers over his slim body, tucking his hair behind his ears and resting his head on his pillow. And now that I've made friends with Sirius, everything will be better. I know it will. His last thoughts were of tomorrow as he closed his eyes and slept.

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Yes, yes, me again. I'd just like to give great thanks to my beta-er, muse, and friend, KenKen! She helped me come up with the ideas and such for this, and edited it for me and helped me with allthe info and such. Sankyu so much KenKen! Go check out her works at Akikoyuy! Thank you again and please review!