The Hogwarts Express puffed yet another stream of smoke into the air, preparing to take off. Mothers and some heartier fathers pulled their children in for one last hug before they pried themselves away, scrambling onto the train. Owl feathers and cat hairs littered the platform, but they weren't noticed by the hundreds of scrambling witches and wizards, or even the single werewolf leaning against the platform wall. Remus Lupin wasn't one to notice appearances – and he thought himself lucky that most magical folk were the same, as he had to hope no one would say a word about his tattered robes and scuffed shoes. Yes, he partly wore these clothes because he hoped not to be noticed at all, but that really just was a good outcome of the fact that he couldn't afford new robes.
With a quick glance at his watch he pushed through the crowd, clutching his battered leather trunk to his chest. Thank Merlin for undetectable extension charms, he thought mercifully, thinking of the stacks of books and assorted Defense Against the Dark Arts tools that he'd squeezed into the trunk. He certainly had prepared as much as he could for this job. This wasn't just another muggle shop job that he'd managed to scrape up. This was different. An opportunity to have a spare sickle from time to time, sure, but the job meant more than that. It meant returning to his childhood, a place where he had friends and was part of a world where no one knew he was a werewolf. He would return and prove that he was the very same boy who was a teacher's favorite, winning points for his house, answering questions each class or handing in assignments early. He would prove that no one would even notice that he's a werewolf because it doesn't matter, because he could be normal too.
At last, he reached the shining doorway of the hooting train, and he clambered over the steps and into the narrow hall. He'd always thought the Hogwarts Express was a mile long, but now that his head nearly scraped the ceiling, he realized otherwise. Lupin creeped down the hall, peering through the windows for an empty compartment. It wasn't so difficult- mostly all the students were still greeting each other outside the train. Picking one near the back, Lupin didn't bother storing his compact trunk; instead he slipped it under his arm and sank into the seat. He glanced out the window, thinking that he'd have never imagined he'd be sitting on this train again, though this time unaccompanied by an unlikely band of friends, and he faded into dreams…
Just an intro don't worry! Next chapter will be the real meat of this burger. Also, it's my first fic so please be kind but by kindness I mean help me improve so fire away with criticism please :)