Chapter 2

Remus Lupin gave his mother a tight, warm embrace, and his signature lopsided smile. Despite his elation and heading back for his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft And Wizardry, he was also sad to be saying goodbye to his mother again. She was the one person who had, quite literally, held his hand through everything. After being attacked by Fenrir Greyback, notorious werewolf, as a small child, Remus's father had deserted them, claiming the boy was a monster, and no son of his. His gentle, loving mother, however had loved Remus more fiercely than ever, and was desperate for him to realise just how worthy of that love he was.

Back on platform 9 3/4 Remus kissed his mother's cheek, picked up his trunk and headed into the crowds to board the scarlet steam engine. Turning towards the window, Remus waved along with the rest of the school, hoping to catch last glimpse of his mothers face before the train left Kings Cross, to make the long journey north. He then went to find the others, his best friends, the Marauders.

"Moony!" Came a booming voice from behind him, followed by a bark like laugh as Remus was forced to the floor. Above him the crushing weight of two of his best friends, was slowly lifted.
"Oi, Padfoot, Prongs! In your own bloody time!" Remus wailed a hint of laughter in his voice. Once the two boys hoisted him up, only to crush him again in their bear like hugs, Remus noticed his other best friend, Peter watching from further down the corridor.
"Hey, thanks for the warning Wormy." He teased, giving the smaller boy a hug.
"Sorry to break up the reunion ladies, but let's go find a compartment." Smirked the voice of Sirius Black from behind them.
"Nice one Pads." James grinned as he pushed past the other boy, to lead the search party. As the boys traipsed up the train, Remus's heart began to lighten. He was going to his other home, with the boys that were pretty much his brothers.

James finally slid open the door to a compartment, empty except for a trunk, and small bundle of robes in one corner. However, as the marauders bounded in, announcing their present by the continuous banging and clanging of trunks, the bundle of robes burst to life, revealing itself to be a beautiful young girl, standing with her wand extended, ready to attack, eyes blazing with fire.

Acting purely on his wolf instincts, Remus slowly step forward, hand out with his palm up. He knew the girl had been shocked by their presence and was now terrified. He had to handle this gently, for all their sakes. Sirius Black however, was not so sensitive to the situation, and drew his wand from its holder inside his sleeve. Before he could even get a proper grip on it however, he was sprawled on the floor, from a silent stunning spell. James was by his side in a second trying to revive his best friend. Peter sank even further towards the door, trying not to be noticed. Remus slowly raised his other hand, also palm up, and met the terrified grey eyes which had been searching frantically for a way to escape.
"I... Er... I'm" the beautiful creature stuttered, lowering her wand.
"Hi." Remus's voice was soft, but clear. "I'm Remus Lupin, the one on the floor is Sirius Black, the one with glasses is James Potter, and no doubt Peter Pettigrew is trying to sneak out the door. Sorry if we frightened you."

She just looked at him. Really looked at him, as if looking into his soul and trying to figure him all out. Her white knuckle grip on her wand eventually began to loosen. And the hint of a brief smile graced her lips. This time, when she extended her hand, it was wand free. "
I'm Daisy Newbold, nice to meet you. I'm...er... Sorry about that, Sirius." She said his name hesitantly, as if testing it out to see how it felt. "I'm not so good with people." She continued, almost as if to herself.
"Well, Miss Newbold." Sirius started, already slipping back to his normal carefree self, "Since you're here, and we're here, how about we share this compartment? It's a long ride to Hogwarts, and we wouldn't want you to get lonely would we?" This was accompanied by his usual dazzling smile. Remus felt his heart soar, for a reason he couldn't place, as he noted this stunning young woman looked anything but dazzled by his best friend.
"Yeh sure, I'll let you share my compartment." Daisy replied nonchalantly, as the boys settled down.

Well, Remus thought, this should be an interesting year.