Firsts.

It was the first time he had seen someone so meek yet worthy of his intrigue. Scratches all over. Well-worn cloak. An old, battered book, surprisingly intact, in hand. Chocolate frogs in the other. And yellow eyes that looked up into his gray eyes without flinching and without intimidation. It wasn't a haughty glance that he was accustomed to either, but more of a courteous, questioning glance.

Without further ado, he introduced himself, a casual lop-sided grin spreading across his distinguished features as he held out a hand.

"Sirius Black's the name. And you are?" he arched an eyebrow.

"Remus Lupin. Pleased to meet you," he replied pleasantly, shaking his hand firmly. He turned to the other boy standing next to Black, slightly shorter than Black, but with jet-black hair that stuck up in every way, and he was bespectacled. Brother?

"James Potter, mate," James introduced himself, extending his hand as he gave a warm smile.

"Nice to meet you too," he replied, also giving him a good handshake. Now, though, he was at a loss at what to say. The other two stood there watching him, slightly uncomfortable by the silence, but not uncomfortable enough to leave the cabin.

"Mind if we join you?" Sirius asked, a casual grin etched on his face, though he had made his way to sit across from the new boy.

"No, feel free to." He smiled briefly, and being rather shy, did not pursue the conversation further as he glanced back at his book.

Sirius and James looked at him briefly, then at each other quizzically, before breaking into a knowing grin. They both agreed that Remus Lupin was indeed someone they like. James gestured for him to start the conversation, wiggling his eyebrows in a signal that it was his job this time.

"So, Remus, isn't it?" he began, his curious eyes peering at the said person, as said person looked up from his reading.

"Yes?"

"Which house do you reckon you'd get into?"

"I'm not sure. What about you?" At least he put that book down, though he continued to nibble at his Chocolate Frog.

"We're positively sure about Gryffindor!" James beamed, slightly puffing his chest for emphasis.

He laughed, and reached for a small brown bag, fumbling with the contents before taking out some Chocolate Frogs and offering them to the duo. "Want some?"

"Thanks, mate. My favorite's Bertie Botts' Beans," James added as he ate the piece greedily.

Sirius, on the other hand, declined. "Thanks, but I already have some of my own," he gave a polite smile, patting his pockets.

James turned to him with an accusing stare. "And you didn't share?"

"Not with you ready to gobble anything in your path, no." He smirked, gesturing towards the leftover chocolate around his mouth.

"Ugh. Says the boy who ate ALL my sandwiches."

"You offered!"

"But you ate ALL!"

"You didn't say how many."

"You could've asked!"

"That's a daft assumption!"

"Well, daft for you!"

"You're daft!"

"You're dafter than daft!"

"Alright!" Remus raised his voice slightly higher than the two, though his small smile betrayed his amusement at the two.

"But – " James began, but he held up a warning hand, and shot a warning glance at Sirius who now had sobered that smug expression of his.

"You might want to change into your robes now, we're almost reaching, I think."

"Alright. Mind if we change here?" he sighed, before nudging Sirius in the ribs sharply. He was shot with a vicious glare, though ignored it pointedly.

He looked slightly alarmed, and could feel warmth spreading to his cheeks slowly. "No, go ahead."

He wasn't too sure about changing in front of them, or else they would start asking about his scars and why they wouldn't fade. Still, he figured if he took off a few layers but kept some on, they wouldn't be able to see his scars. Yes, that would be best. He was the fastest to change too, what with the boys using their owl feathers to tickle each other when one of them undressed, resulting in fits of laughter filling their cabin as they struggled to defend themselves whilst changing.

He smiled fondly, unknowingly growing fond of the two of them already.

It was a good start, he thought. He'd made friends.

A/N: Explanations! =P i thought long and hard for this one, and decided to just go on with it. it's short, i know. =P

anyway, i'm doing a series on exploring their friendship. and how it broke down after hogwarts. =) prepare for angst. anyway, ideas for other chapters are welcomed!