A/N: Hi, this is a story I started with my friend a while back, but it got left behind for awhile. Anyway, I found it and am continuing it now! Please tell me what you think! Read and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Marauders or the Harry Potter content. All that belongs to the wonderful genius J.K Rowling!
Chapter 1 The Letters
A young boy bounced into the kitchen of his cottage, holding something in his hand and fairly flew up to his mother. "Look, Mum!" James cried out, eagerly ripping open a cream coloured envelope clutched in his hand. His hazel eyes scanned over the green emblem on the back, a large H surrounded by a snake, badger, eagle and lion before he pulled out the thick wad of parchment and read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy HeadmistressFlipping over to the next page, he then looked up at his mother expectantly.
"So, can I go send my owl?" he enquired, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Of course, dear. I'm so glad you've been accepted! Your Dad will be so proud!" she responded, beaming down at her son as he ran his fingers through his mop of messy raven coloured hair. James smiled as he jumped off his chair and took the stairs three at a time.
A small boy frowned as he sat in a cushioned green armchair, silver snakes sculpted on the arms. The cause of the frown was a thick envelope he has just received by owl. He ran his fingers over the wax-sealed crest symbolizing Hogwarts. His thoughts drifted to the conversation he had overheard between his parents, days earlier, his mother attempting to convince his father to send him to Durmstrang. Sirius didn't know a whole lot about the differences in the schools, but he had secretly thought Hogwarts sounded better.
My problem, he sighed, is my stupid parents and their stupid opinions. I don't see how this Dark Lord is so impressive. I mean, shouldn't everyone have the same rights within the wizarding world? Muggle-borns can't be that bad can they?
Still pondering this anxiously, he pulled out the sheaf and read the letter through quickly, worrying about his mother's reaction. He would have to tell her soon, he supposed. He definitely wanted to go; there was no question about that. He sighed once more as his little brother, Regulus, came dashing into the room and, seeing Sirius, rushed up to him.
"Hey, what's that? Look Mummy! Siri got a letter!" Regulus shouted as his mother followed close behind.
"What is it Regulus? Let me see that Sirius!" she said, in an almost reprimanding tone.
Oh well, I guess that saves me the words, Sirius thought wryly. He reluctantly got up and handed over the envelope, glaring harshly at Regulus on the way. He and his brother had never gotten along at the best of times, and Regulus was undoubtedly the favourite and the perfect son in his parents' eyes. Reaching up, Sirius swept a lock of jet-black hair out of his eyes, watching his mother apprehensively as her eyes started to narrow and her lips pursed.
"We'll have to talk to your father about this, Sirius."
"I can go, can't I? Please, I really want to. I know you want me to go to Durmstrang, but honestly, Dad went to Hogwarts and you married him, so it can't be all that bad, right?" Sirius said this in a rush, hoping to stun his mother into agreement.
His mother frowned, and replied, "You're father did not go to Hogwarts out of choice. His own foolish parents had an old grudge with the Headmaster of Durmstrang. Hogwarts was an insult to the Black blood, but alas, we shall not make the same mistake again!"
Sirius took a deep breath, hoping his mother was not about to start spouting one of her notorious speeches about the importance of "Black blood". He attempted to head her off early.
"Mum, I'm going to Hogwarts! It can't be that different to Durmstrang. You act like it will poison the Black blood when it's just a slightly different school! I can still go to Hogwarts and uphold the Black honour!" Sirius shot back bitterly. No matter how much he had to pretend to care about his royal line, he was determined to go. He rose up to his full height, hoping to make an impression.
His mother looked like she was going to snap back, but instead, seeing her husband stamp inside, seeking the cause of the noise which was interrupting his work, she nodded curtly.
"You'd better be in Slytherin though, for your own good." She turned on her heels and left the room quickly.
Sirius, heart still beating rapidly, smiled broadly, almost disbelieving at his luck and rushed up to get his owl. It was not only that he was looking forward to school – Hogwarts would provide an escape from his family, freedom from the never-ending lectures he received about dark magic, the end of the constant arguments between Sirius and the rest of his family. There would be no more favouring of Regulus right in front of him; for the first time in his life Sirius would have the opportunity to make his own choices and express his own views, make friends with whomever he wanted and not whom his parents wanted. Yes, September 1st would be one of the best days of his life, he decided while tying the note to his owl. Hogwarts would definitely be the school for him, he just knew it.
Peter jumped up and down in excitement, silly joy plastered on his face. His pudgy hand closed around the familiar parchment, and he raced to find his mother.
"Mum, Mum, Mum! I got in, I really got in! I got in to Hogwarts! Can I go, please, can I go?"
Rosa smiled happily at Peter. Her little boy was growing up so fast! Secretly, she was relieved he wasn't, as she and her husband had feared, a squib. But she quashed that thought quickly. She really shouldn't have thought such things of her son. Bringing her mind back to the situation at hand, she answered Peter.
"Congratulations dear! Maybe you'll be a Hufflepuff like I was! I'm so happy for you. Now run along there and get your owl and we'll go to Diagon Alley tomorrow, how about that? You'll just love your new wand!" And clasping her hands around Peter's shoulders, she squeezed briefly before kissing him on the cheek and sending him on his way, shaking her head at his enthusiasm as he scrambled out of the kitchen.
Peter stared once more at the letter in his hands before writing a reply and tying it to his owl. He couldn't believe it! He was a wizard, he was going to Hogwarts! He tried to imagine the school, and wondered who his friends would be. It would be just marvelous! And, mind filled with wonderful visions, he sank back onto his pillow and slipped into a dream-filled slumber.
Remus sat next to his parents on the beige leather sofa, nervously waiting for their visitor to arrive. He had heard so much about Dumbledore, but would he really be nice to enough to let him, Remus, into Hogwarts? He couldn't imagine anyone who would let him in without any suspicions whatsoever. Yet, according to his parents, here was a man who apparently wanted to discuss the option. Remus wondered if Dumbledore was insane. But his thoughts were interrupted suddenly by a soft pop as a tall figure appeared in the doorway, a long white beard hanging down to his waist and half-moon glasses perched on a long crooked nose, framing twinkling blue eyes which were crinkled at the edges. Remus immediately sat up straighter, worry still etched in his face, but he smiled politely all the same. Good first impressions were very important, his father had told him. As he looked over the tall man, Remus felt a spark of hope grow inside him, but he quelled it immediately – it would not do to get his hopes up too soon. After all, how many other times had he allowed himself to be hopeful, only to be thoroughly let down in the end? Just then, Dumbledore spoke.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Lupin, Remus. I have been looking so forward to meeting you. I trust everything is well here?" Dumbledore greeted them warmly and smiled down at Remus as he spoke.
"Thank you so very much for coming, Professor Dumbledore. It means such a lot to us, to Remus, that you are willing to consider this." Remus' father stood up and shook Dumbledore's hand politely, inviting him to sit down. Dumbledore settled himself into an old wooden rocker opposite the sofa and then looked up at them once more.
"It is my pleasure. All children who want to learn should have the opportunity, and I am by no means one to hold against that. In fact, I have already conversed with the school nurse, Poppy Pomfrey and come up with a perfectly legitimate plan. As long as you, and Remus of course, agree to it, you should consider your son already a student of Hogwarts." Dumbledore winked at Remus as he said this, and Remus felt hopeful once more, and this time allowed the feeling to flow through him. Had he really just heard correctly? He was going to be able to go to Hogwarts? Remus could hardly believe it. He shook his head slightly and turned his attention back to the Headmaster, who was still speaking.
"…bought a Whomping Willow, which has been planted just inside the school grounds. A tunnel leads from under into a large shack located in the village of Hogsmeade not far from the school. This shack is completely inaccessible except from the tunnel entrance, which emerges through a trapdoor on the bottom floor. The tree on the other end meanwhile, prevents anyone from entering the tunnel, unless of course, they know the key to freezing the thrashing branches. Madam Pomfrey shall be able to sneak Remus down to the tunnel at the appropriate time every month to the shack in which he can transform in a safe environment completely isolated from harm's way. In the morning, she will return to collect him and transport him back to the hospital wing. A fools' proof plan. You shall, of course, be treated to a tour of the area before term starts."
Dumbledore then stood up and turned to Remus. He reached into the front pocket of his robes and extracted a slightly crumpled letter, which he handed to the young boy. Remus stretched out a trembling hand and gratefully accepted it. Slitting it open intriguingly, his eyes lit up as he surveyed the envelope's contents. He read over the "You have been accepted at Hogwarts School" bit several times, his mouth turning up in a jovial grin. A feeling of elation swept through the new wizard, and he regarded Dumbledore with true respect and gratitude as he noticed the older man watching him.
"Does this mean – am I really…I'm going to learn magic? Th-thank you!" Remus stuttered, gob smacked and still in a slight state of shock. Nevertheless, Remus felt the happiest he had felt in a long time, since before that memorable night when he had wandered too far into the woods behind the house. He looked from his parents to Dumbledore to the letter and back again, not knowing what to say. Was this really happening to him? It was unheard of for a werewolf to go to school. And he was going! Ecstatic, he drifted away into pleasant thoughts as his parents continued to discuss further details with Dumbledore.
A/N: Hope you liked that chapter! I'll update soon, if people read and review! I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts!