Alright, this is my latest fanfic! I don't know why Harry Potter plot bunnies have suddenly bit me, but they have, and it's set with the Marauders characters, and of course, one is genderbent. :) I hope you enjoy this first chapter. It's a bit short, and I think most of them will be, but there will be quite a few of them. This story deals with the Marauders going through school. I may write a sequel that has their life post Hogwarts.
Pairings: James and Lily, Sirius and Remus (possible, I think it's going to happen, but not entirely sure)
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Harry Potter.
The child sat on the wooden chair, her feet barely dusting the top of the stone floor. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears; she could even count every single beat. There was a cat, an extremely annoying cat, that she could hear pacing the halls in the same route.
She could smell it too. It smelled of mothballs and dead fish and this particular odor that only belonged to cats. And she hated that smell. This close to that time of the month, all of her senses were a bit haywire. Why then, couldn't she hear her father conversing with the older gentlemen behind the walls? She did hear a door groan open across the stones, and her head perked up. Her father, with his rapidly graying hair, smiled and shook the older gentlemen's hand. The older gentlemen had long white hair tied back in a ponytail. His eyes met hers, and she almost gasped at them. They were so clear and sparkling with light and intelligence. Quickly, her eyes darted to the floor. She didn't want him to see what was in her eyes.
"Lyall, may I speak to your daughter for a moment?" The older man asked. Her heart rate skyrocketed. She didn't want to talk to him. He was the only other person now that knew about her secret.
"Of course." Her father replied. His large hand enveloped hers and squeezed gently as she hopped up to follow the white-haired man. The room smelled musty, with a large scent of lemon drops. There was something else in there, a creature, but she did not recognize the smell.
"What is your name?" The man asked. She walked over to a chair in front of the desk and pulled herself into it. On his desk was a small tag that read, "Albus Dumbledore."
"My name i-is Remus J. Lupin." She said. "Sir." She added on very quickly, making sure that her eyes never met Dumbledore's. She had never met a wizard of his rank. It was an honor to be in his presence, and she was making a fool of herself.
"What a unique name." he commented. Remus flinched. She hated it when people said things like that when all they truly meant was, "Remus? Remus is a boy's name. Why would your parents name you Remus?"
"Thank you, sir." She said, not even caring to hide the bitter tone that came across. Suddenly, Dumbledore sat up, and his twinkling eyes met hers.
"Are you ashamed of your name?" he asked. It was a simple question. Yes or no. Remus sat there for a moment, though, deciding what she should say. Her mother named her Remus. It was her last dying wish. After giving birth to her, her mother grew weaker and weaker until she wasted away. She never knew that she had given birth to a girl and not a boy, all she wanted was to name her child Remus J. Lupin. Remus was proud of living her mother's last wish.
"No." she said.
"Good. Now, you must get going. The supplies list is rather long this year, and school is starting next week."
"I can go?"
"Why wouldn't you be able to go? You are a very bright young lady."
Remus glanced down at her shoes. "Because, because, well, I'm a…you know, a mon-"
"You are a werewolf."
"Yes."
"This is not something you chose to be, but had it thrust upon you, and I will not judge you for that. Do not fret, arrangements have been made for your monthly transformations."
"Th-thank you, sir." She stuttered and was ushered out of the room. Her father grabbed her hand and they were off to Diagon Alley. She, Remus Joan Lupin, was going to Hogwarts. She was going to Hogwarts!