A/N: My first Wolfstar. Hope you enjoy!

Remus Lupin straightened his tie nervously, a young first year with a dark secret, he was possibly the most venerable child attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He remembered his parents being so proud, even with his condition; he was able to go into the best school for young wizards. The lycanthrope sighed. It was going to be torture, trying to hide his condition. He doubted he would make many friends, not as a werewolf. He was certain everyone there would find out his secret and he would be ostracized, shunned from the social order of secondary and high school. He shivered, hoping it wouldn't come to that. Surely, surely there was one boy out there who he could call a friend.

Little Remus sighed and started pushing his cart through the barrier…

…Only to run into a black haired boy with the same intentions. The two boys both fell back, hitting their heads. Remus groaned, the other boy only laughed.

Remus snuck a glance at the other one, his hair was messy and slightly curly, and he wore a muggle band shirt and torn jeans. He also wore a natural smirk, as if his mouth had no intention but to have his left side be permanently curled up. The boy looked... dangerous. Lupin approached with caution, picking up his cart. Muggles started crowding the two, a few muttering about stupid kids these days. Remus snuck a few apologetic smiles to them and held out his held out his hand for the other boy.

"Sorry about that, didn't mean to run into you." The werewolf said. The other boy laughed it off, shaking the hand of the confused Lupin.

"Sorry? That was hilarious! Oh hey, cool scars! I'm Sirius Black, by the way." The boy said, shaking Lupin's hand vigorously.

"…Remus Lupin." The lycanthrope only replied. He'd never met another boy this friendly toward him, he smiled. Surely this was the friend he had in mind. Maybe he wasn't a total loss after all…

"Well, see you around, Remus. Do me a favor," the boy leaned in closer "Try to get into Gryffindor." he winked and ran off through the wall between platform nine and ten. Remus blinked and smiled a little, wondering how in Marlin's Beard was he to end up in the house anyway…

OoOoOoOo

Minerva eyed the students all sternly, the first years felt like shrinking back a bit. Surely, the witch never meant to be intimidating all the time, but one could easily tell that she wasn't one you wanted on your bad side. She had just finished her speech on their sorting. Lupin shifted uncomfortably, looking around for Sirius. He didn't know exactly what for, but if to just have a friend to stand by. He eyed a greasy haired boy with a big nose next to him, who seemed much too involved with a red haired girl. Remus sighed, even he wasn't alone. The professor guided them all into the Great Hall. There at the front was the hat, the hat that would choose their house, and maybe even their fate. It all seemed unfair to Remus. The hat was practically a rag. How smart could the thing be, choosing something so important? What made it so special? A weird hush went through the crowd as everyone stood transfixed at the hat on a stool. That's when it twitched, slowly but surely it moved, a flap looking like a mouth. It started to sing.

I may be old and grimy but please don't put me down

I am the sorting hat, the smartest hat around

There surely isn't a hat as amazing as me

For I can sort anyone I'm as genius as can be

Many thousands of years ago four clever wizards gathered 'round

And made a magic school the best one in town!

They made out four houses that could put young students to the test

The students could be sorted by simply what they do best

And when the wizards figured for when they were long gone

They created me, you see for a job to be well done

I know every house, their pros and their cons

I'll tell you where you'll fit in, go on and put me on!

Perhaps you are a Gryffindor, where they stand tall and proud

Those mighty lions have such a mighty roar, so loud!

Or maybe you're a Slytherin, where they are cunning with strong feet

Ambitious and powerful, the snakes are hard to beat

Maybe you're a Ravenclaw, with clever intellect

Just try to outwit an eagle; you'll get bested in effect

Or maybe you're a Hufflepuff, lovers and good finders

Do not underestimate a badger, unless you're a good hider!

So go on now and put me on, I'll tell you where to go

As for the rest of you, please do enjoy the show!

The hat went limp again as the entire hall burst into applause. Remus was bemused, such a clever idea of the founders. Who could have thought of ever using a hat to help choose students? I was pretty easy to tell now the fairness of the hat. It simply went into your mind. The question: did Remus himself have a say…

Professor McGonagall took out a scroll and started naming students out. She named ALEXANDER, TOBY (Ravenclaw) and ANDERSON, MELISSA (Hufflepuff) before making it to BLACK, SIRIUS. The shaggy haired boy swaggered up to the stool, sitting down on it as the professor placed the hat on his head. It was only about a few seconds before he was sorted into Gryffindor. Others came on, and CROUCH, BARTEMIUS was placed in Slytherin. EVANS, LILY, the redhead that grease-boy was talking to, was placed in Gryffindor. Remus took note to how the greasy boy reacted, cringing at the name and frowning in displeasure. The Lycanthrope was so interested in the boy's reaction; he barely heard his own name called.

With shaky steps, he approached the McGonagall and sat down on the stool. She placed the hat upon his head and instantly, he heard a voice

"Let's see now, Remus Lupin I see. You hold a dark secret, don't you." The voice spoke. Remus paled slightly. This hat did know all. "Well it seems you aren't nearly ambitious enough for Slytherin, but I wouldn't exactly put you in Hufflepuff either… hmmm Ravenclaw would be good for you, boy. A mind like yours is bound to be great."

Remus remembered what Sirius said back at the train station "Do me a favor. Try to get in Gryffindor." And the hat paused.

"Ahh I see now." The hat seemed to speak with a smile. "You are quite alone, boy. You're parents isolated you because of your ailment. You miss the comfort of friendship." Remus blinked and color returned to his cheeks he nodded subtly. The hat laughed inside his head. "There is no greater comfort than the one of friends. Well in that case, better be GRYFFINDOR!" the werewolf sighed in relief as the hat was taken off his head. He heard cheers exploding from the Gryffindor table as he walked toward it. Sirius Black gave him a smile and a high-five, and they were soon joined by a confident boy with messy black hair and glasses, as well as a chubby and stout boy with sandy blonde hair. The one with glasses eyed the three other boys.

"Hmm, I like you three." He pointed to Sirius, "You have a…. how you put it? A bad boy charm. Excellent prankster I presume." The sandy haired boy nodded in agreement while the one with glasses shook Sirius' hand. "The names Potter. James Potter." He turned to Remus and smiled.

"Hey wow! Check out those scars!" Potter adjusted his glasses and leaned in more "You're probably s tough guy, eh? Got into many a fight with your mum's wand as a kid." Remus snorted and shook his head.

"No, just clumsy. But I'll take tough wand-wielding maniac anytime." James laughed and shook the werewolf's hand. Remus meanwhile, heaved a sigh of relief. That should be an okay cover story for now. As Peter Pettigrew made himself know over a mouthful of fudge, Remus looked around at the boys and finally felt home.