Note: I own nothing from the Harry Potter universe. J.K. Rowling is awesome and rightfully owns it all.
July 1971
A sandy-haired eleven year old looked up from his book and sighed as he idly watched a bird fly off outside of his window. All around the country, magical boys and girls his age were getting the most important post of their lives. Owls were zooming off to bring them a letter welcoming them to Hogwarts, a boarding school for students of the magical arts. Remus wanted nothing more than to join them, but he would never be allowed at Hogwarts. If he was being honest with himself, Remus knew that he shouldn't be allowed at Hogwarts. He would never want to endanger the students.
Remus was shaken from his reverie by a loud knock that caused some loose paint to shake off the shabby cottage's front door. His parents, Hope and Lyall, were on their feet in seconds. Hope frantically motioned for Remus to go back to their bedroom. Lyall's long fingers loosely grasped his wand. Remus sighed as he slipped into the bedroom and out of sight. He liked the small cottage. It had a welcoming warmth to it and Remus was not eager to leave. They had only moved here a few months ago, and so far the country setting had dissuaded any neighbors from popping by with inconvenient questions.
Remus, who had always been a curious sort, peeked his head around the corner to see his parents trying to bar entry to an elderly wizard with an impressive beard that flowed down near his waistline. Remus surveyed the man and had never had less doubt in his life that someone was magical. The wizard's deep purple robes shimmered around him and the hilt of his wand was clearly visible. Blue eyes shone from the man's wrinkled face and quickly connected with Remus' own. The man winked over the rim of his half-moon spectacles.
Remus hurried to shut the door and grabbed for the little pot of Floo powder that was perched above the fireplace. He knew his parents would want him to escape and meet up with them later, but Remus was having trouble reaching the Floo powder. On his second attempt, Remus hand connected with some soft, grey fibers. Remus realized that he was grasping a handful of the mysterious man's beard and leapt backwards with a yelp.
The man grabbed Remus' arm and steadied him while smiling brightly at the boy. Remus knew that he should be frightened, but something about this man's presence filled him with warmth. "My dear boy, Albus Dumbledore, pleased to make your acquaintance" the man said while handing him a rather nice leather bag filled with huge set of gobstones. Remus took it with a look of confusion. Dumbledore smiled at him and said "The gobstones are for you. Let's go have a nice game while your parents calm down a bit."
In fact, when Remus' parents (believing they had successfully rid themselves of Dumbledore) came to check on him a few minutes later, they found Remus and Dumbledore happily playing a fierce game of gobstones. Dumbledore stood up at their presence and offered them a crumpet. This in no way lessened their apprehension and Hope pulled Remus close to her.
"Relax, I'm not here to expose anyone's secrets or harm you in anyway" Hope and Lyall looked far from convinced. "I'm just here to offer Remus a place at my school, Hogwarts" Lyall looked crestfallen. He knew how much this meant to his son, and he hated for Dumbledore to get his Remus' hopes up. "Remus is unfortunately not well enough to attend Hogwarts" Lyall said, hoping that Dumbledore would not question his illness. Dumbledore smiled gently, "I know all about Remus' condition. Lycanthropy, while serious, should not keep the boy out of school. I have taken some precautions, and he will be most welcome at my school."
Remus followed the conversation like a Quidditch match, eyes darting back and forth between the speakers. He felt the need to speak at this point though. "Sir, I won't go to school. I would like to, but I won't endanger anyone else." Dumbledore beamed at the politeness of the boy and addressed him directly. "There won't be any danger to worry about. We have purchased a small house in the local village and were able to enchant so that you can transform without putting anyone in danger." Remus glanced up at his parents to see how they would react to this news. He clearly wasn't going to believe that school was a possibility until one of them acknowledged it.
Lyall and Hope pulled Dumbledore aside and had a brief conversation about all of the precautions that would be taken to protect Remus and the other students. Remus stood to the side and tried to adjust to the fact that this man was aware of his darkest secret and did not hate him. Remus' parents had been very careful so that people did not learn that their son was a werewolf, but on the rare occasions that someone figured it out, Remus was met with disgust and violence.
Remus' heart fluttered when his father gave him a thumb's up from across the room. The adults walked back over to Remus with smiles on every face. Dumbledore bent to look him in the eye. "Well, Remus, it is up to you. Would you like a place at Hogwarts?" Remus looked once more at his parents to make sure that they agreed, before nodding fervently. Remus couldn't imagine what life would be like surrounded by people his own age, but for the first time, he had a chance to live it.
A/N: First fanfic. I will try to update often, but with the holidays coming up I may get distracted.