**This story is told entirely from Remus Lupin's POV. It tells of his fear, friends, and life. Enjoy!

Chapter One – The Hogwarts Express and Sorting

Platform 9 ¾ was buzzing with life as I got on to the Hogwarts Express. It was just about to leave. I had been so focused on packing and worrying about the first few days, I forgot the time! I passed buy compartments filled to the brim, first years, second years, and more. I tried to knock on some, but was quickly rejected by the already cramped compartments.

Finally, I came across a compartment that was occupied by two boys who looked about my age. I knocked and opened the door.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?" I asked

"Make yourself at home," one of them said. He smiled and said, "James Potter, a pleasure. This git here is Sirius Black."

The other boy elbowed James in the rib.

He held out his hand, and I gingerly took it and shook it.

"I didn't quite catch your name," the boy named Sirius said.

"Er... Remus Lupin, nice to meet you two," I said. I took a seat next to Sirius after putting my bookcase on top of the seats.

"So," James started, "Remus, are you a first year?"

I nodded. I haven't had too many friends over the past year, but things with Sirius and James were looking good.

"We are too!" Sirius jumped in, "What houses do you guys want to be in?"

"Gryffindor," James and I said at the same time.

Sirius nodded in agreement. "So do I. Most of my family has been in Slytherin. I hate them, the miserable sods. I hope to be the first to be in Gryffindor. Plus, my cousins are in Slytherin." He shuddered.

There was an awkward silence.

"So, d'you guys know how to play Exploding Snap?" James asked.

Sirius and I nodded.

"Alright then. I think I have two decks in my bag, we can use one of those," he said.

James stood up and reached to his bag, pulling out a deck for the game. For the rest of the ride, we played Exploding Snap, laughing like old friends.

It was nighttime by the time the train arrived at Hogwarts, and everyone was tired. We ended up using both Exploding Snap cards, Sirius and James were out cold. I sat by the window, looking out at Hogwarts coming up in the distance

I shook Sirius awake. "Sirius, we're here!"

He moaned and said something that sounded like, "I'm not hungry for pickle eggs. Later..."

Then I realized that I was acting like they were my friends. You wont have friends, not with that going on, A voice said in my head. I promptly had an argument with myself. Well, that's if they know. They don't know yet. The other me laughed. Not yet. Not yet...

"Remus! Earth to Remus!" Sirius said. I blinked.

"Sorry, lost in thought," I mumbled.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," he said. He looked at me with concern.

I shook my head. "I'm fine, thanks. Just a little dizzy."

He nodded. He looked out the window and realized we were nearly there. A mischievous grin appeared on his face and he looked at the soundly sleeping James.

"I've got an idea, mwahaha!" he said. He looked at me.

"How's your magic?" he asked.

Oh no, this is a bad idea, I thought. I shrugged.

"Do you know the firework spell?" I nodded.

"Well, let's give Jamesie here a little wakeup call," he laughed.

I sighed, took out my wand, and spoke the incantation for the spell. "Periculum!"

BANG!James shot up and looked around, his glasses hanging on one ear, and his hair even more a mess than it already was.

"Wakie waaaaakkkie, Jamesie!" Sirius said.

I tried not to laugh, but his face was priceless, I bursted into laughter, and soon Sirius joined me, leaving James with a bewildered, terrified face.

The Great Hall was even more massive than I could have ever imagined. In front of the long table at the end of the Great Hall was an old-looking hat that I knew to be the Sorting Hat, and a stool. It was sorting time.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, all new first years! I am Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of this school. To all returning students, I gladly welcome you back into the school for another year here! I must once again warn that the Forbidden Forest is strictly, obviously, forbidden. Punishments will be severe to anyone who is found wandering inside the forest. Before we begin, the Sorting Hat has a song that he has prepared for us!"

The dusty old hat began to sing.

"Oh, here I am, the Sorting Hat,

Here to bring the new kids in!

The houses here are noble and great,

Gryffindor, for the brave,

Slytherin for the cunning,

Ravenclaw for the intellectual

and Hufflepuff for the loyal!

Which will ye find yourself in,

I will tell you where it is you'll gooooooooo!"

There was a cheer, and the hat went silent Professor Dumbledore stood, and motioned us to be silent again

"Thank you, Sorting Hat. Now, let the sorting begin!" he said.

Sirius, James, and I looked at each other. We could only hope that we would be sorted together.

A witch stood and began to speak. "I am Professor McGonagall. I will call your name, you will come up, have a seat, and I will place the sorting hat on your head. You will then be sorted, and you shall sit at your designated house table.

"Black, Sirius!"

Sirius nervously walked up to the stool and sat. McGonagall placed the hat on Sirius head, who promptly asked if the hat had lice, getting a laugh from everyone was a moment of silence from the hat, and a look of worry on Sirius' face. He was muttering something.

"GRYFFINDOR!" Everyone was silent. A Black, in Gryffindor? Promptly, some clapped, and Sirius sat down.

"Evans, Lily!"

A short, redheaded girl walked up and sat.

"GRYFFINDOR!" People cheered.

"Lupin, Remus!"

I walked up to the hat, sat down, and waited.

Hm... Haven't seen one of your kind in a long time. The hat said.

...How... I began

Well, for starters, I'm inside your head right now. You're definitely brave for even coming here. This will suit you... It said.

"GRYFFINDOR!" Everyone at the Gryffindor table cheered and clapped. Sirius gave me a thumbs-up

Some more names were called, and later on, it was James' turn.

"Potter, James."

James walked up with a smile on his face. The instant the hat landed on his head, it said,

"GRYFFINDOR!" People cheered for him as he sat down at the table next to Sirius and I.

"Pettigrew, Peter."

A short, plump boy sat down at the table, looking scared.

Minutes later, the Sorting Hat said, "GRYFFINDOR!" People clapped for him.

About half an hour later, The three of us were headed up to the Common Room, talking about the year to come.

**Author's Note: I plan to continue, reviews are appreciated, and I'm not sure if this is canon or not. Nevertheless, I hope you guys enjoyed!