2nd Bell – First Letters and Breakfast of the School Year

-Remus' POV-

At the first breakfast of the school year, I sat there anxiously waiting for the letter that has come on September 2nd for the last few years, 4 years to be exact. I could still remember the first letter I received from this mysterious person. It was on the night able next to the hospital bed I occupied after the first full moon at Hogwarts, 6th of September 1971. It was sitting atop of a large slab of chocolate.

To the boy going through a tough time,

Hmmm, it seems that I'm an utter failure in following rules, so I do hope you keep this a secret between the two of us.

I was wandering about in the Forbidden Forest, the name itself looks self-explanatory enough but it didn't seem to get through my think skull. I was out there for the last few nights, exploring from not being able to fall asleep. I found the perfect distance to run to and back. There's an abandon shack on the outskirts of Hogsmeade; it's a pretty interesting place. I wonder what kind of people lived there before.

But last night went very different; I never expected to run into you there. It was quite the heart racing night, but by the moon's fall I was left with an innocent looking sandy blond haired boy. I didn't know what to do, so I figured I should bring you back to the shack, incase the professors were looking for you (having spotted you at the Sorting Ceremony, though your name escapes me).

Your little secret is safe with me. I've finished my qualms with your kind some time ago. I hope you can make the most of the time here at Hogwarts, a place in a world of its own. Where we can be innocent children, once more.

Now for the real reason for this letter: I'm quite sure you're worried about the taste of blood you woke to, since you have no bite marks on yourself. Don't fret too much. I'm pretty unscathed for running about partially blind from all the darkness of the forest at night, but there was obviously the full moon to light parts of my way. The blood is most definitely not mine or another human's. A bird sort of flew into your mouth…. So that's what the huge slab of chocolate is for. It should be plenty enough to rid the taste, I hope….

Signed,

A concerned soul.

The first thought that came to mind was that I was going to be charted off to Azkaban before the day's out, but it never happened. There wasn't even a whisper of a werewolf on grounds. The person who wrote the letter never said anything to anyone it seemed. There were also some words that told me this person knew what a werewolf does when trapped by itself on a full moon. A few days later I received another letter from this person. It talked about the professors and school events, what was amusing among them. After that, it wasn't until the full moon before I received another, actually another two: one the morning of wishing me a peace night, and the second arriving the day after with chocolates. The writer has learned my name by then, knowing that my roommates and I were behind te stink bomb fiascos in the girls' bathroom. There was a hold on the letters over summer, and when I started to miss them, they would start up again, on September 2nd, today.

I smiled spotting the mainly white barred owl coming down the Gryffindor table among the many brown ones delivering the Daily Prophet or letters from home. He landed in front of me with more grace than I could ever achieve. He held out the letter with his beak and I gave it a slice of fruit in thanks. I reached forward to pick up the box he was handing onto by the string wrapped around it, wondering what the contents was. 'Chocolate probably.'

There were other things delivered, like Christmas and Birthday presents, though even those were mainly chocolate. I've received a bag of marbles made of different crystals, but mainly freshly made chocolates. I've sent a couple of things, having started to replying the letters midway through 3rd year, once I noticed that it was the same barred owl delivering the letters. I sent the person my favourite novel and I have yet to receive a reply about it, maybe they didn't like it. Mainly, I send candy, the person mentioned liking candy; I mostly stuck to Honeydukes' chocolates. One must like chocolate for making it all the time.

I neatly opened the envelope and gently unfolded the letter at my own peace. Everyone was busy as usual: James was fawning over Lily, who was stabbing irritably at her eggs; Peter was playing chess with himself; and Sirius was looking for Seiki, who happened, like every other day, was rather late for breakfast (after the first week or so, he'll start moving onto the other girls in the school).

Dear R.J.L.,

I hope you're feeling better after the summer. If more chocolates would make you feel better, send a word. I can always find some time to make more. Anything else I can do, would work too, to keep your mind off the lass. I really hope you'll move on from Cross. And I'm sorry for the brief letter, I'm rather frazzled over the mess with Voldemort.

I see that Sirius is smiling and flirting as usual. My hats off to his escape from the Dark Lord. I'm taking a wild jab that the Potters took the young Black in. Well, I'm sure the four of you are mighty happy over this particular news. I don't understand why the girls think they're the one, the one to keep the loose canon. It amuses me to an extent. I predict buckets more tears in his wake. What 'bout you? Anyone else catching your eye, handsome (I could here the laughter behind this line)? I'm sure there are girls eyeing you.

Well, in the box there are the usual chocolates, plus three with some orange peels in them (nicked the peels from the house elve). Also, inside there is a work of sugar art. I'm attempting sugar pulling and that is the first thing I successfully made without it looking like a blob of mess. I did try my flower but it turned out wonky. It's editable. I hope it cheers your day a little.

Resting from the hectic day,

It was signed with a quickly sketched carnation on a patch of white paint. I smiled a little. The person was worried about me. The chocolates were handmade since 2nd year. Absolutely delicious treat. At times I believe the person a girl, but at other times a boy spoke through the words. So I was clueless of this person. All I knew was that the view of this person of the world was that of a cold one. This person understood the cruel works, but this person has helped me through the hard times with words on paper and chocolates, and now even works of sugar.

I slipped the dated letter back into its envelope, and that in between my textbook pages to keep it straight. I've kept each and every one of these letters. I opened the box and pocketed the chocolates. I lifted the box half the size of the original and peeled away the lid. Inside was a simple stem with five white flowers. Lily of the Valley. I smiled at the work. It was simple looking but I couldn't even begin to imagine the process or make such a thing. Well, maybe except melt the sugar. Maybe the person was from Ravenclaw. It's where the smart students go.

-Seiki's POV-

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I swore, leaping out of bed when I spotted the time on my clock. Good thing I can clean up and change for the day at the same time (it saves a bit of time as I jump around like an idiot). My morning routine was simple enough: teeth brushing, cloth changing, face washing (simple 3 steps: wet, soap, rinse and maybe 4 for dry.), and hair combing. I wasted a couple of seconds regrabbing the strap I missed of my messenger style bag. I flew out of the room and down the stairs as fast as my feet would take me for just walking up (Body's all stiff at the joints).

Our room had an obvious split into four sections, one for each occupant. It was just the first morning and it looked like it did anytime of the past in here, minus the summer. Lily Evans, hers was neat and tidy. Books laid out for quick access from the bed. She's a studious girl. Top student. Zeva Sparks, she has her posters up of the best Quidditch players, her heroes, her role models. Her bed was made like Lily's, but with human flaws, some wrinkles. Gryffindor's Chaser, James passing buddy since their 2nd year. Alexia Cross, the girliest of the three of us, has her make up and clothing everywhere in her area. There were pictures of Sirius all over her things too. She was the flower of the four of us. And lastly, moi; my things were locked in the wardrobe or trunk, and my bed was a thrown mess. That was all in my area; it was quite barren I admit, but nothing was safe out (had some vandalism in the past).

I crashed into Sirius' side as I leapt into my seat, kicking my pack under the bench. "G'morning," I mumbled out as I bit into a pear. I was doing multiple things again: buttering toast, eating fruit and grabbing the sugar (I like sugar on my toast), which Sirius happened to pass to me before I fell over from not paying any attention.

"Morning sleepy head," he greeted. "Sleep well, Sweetheart?" Sirius smiled his signature charm.

"It's to early in the morning to be so…whatever it is that you do…" I yawned. "Hey, I'm using that."

"So am I."

"You two should just forget about the toast and just split the butter to eat," Lily commented. The bread is a means to eat butter, as she says. I don't think she understands how delicious butter is.

"That's not half. You clearly cut more for yourself."

I stuck my tongue out at him as Lily shook her head. "Don't cut fingers off over butter," she warned, shoving another platter of butter our way. "Children."

Remembering something as I tore into the butter and sugar soaked toast; I fumbled around in my book bag and pulled out a box. I slammed it on the table between Siruis and I, shoving it over to him. "A congratulations." His smile dropped, glancing at the box to me and back. He hesitantly reached for it and I chuckled at his nervousness. "It's nothing dangerous, Sirius."

He opened the lid and blinked at the yellow rose next to the red one. He took them out and they transformed into the original origami form. "…What does this mean…?"

"Joy, happiness and excitement. I think is suits you at the moment," I stated lightly as I reached over Peter's chess board for more toast and butter, seems that we cleaned out the area we were sitting at. Sirius stared at the folded paper some more, grinning like an idiot instead of his signature smile. He leaned over and planted a large and long smooch on my cheek. My eyes widened, not only was I seeing my life flash before my eyes (his fan girls were terrifying), his lips were covered in butter. "I just washed my face, Sirius," I whined, wiping the butter off. He ignored the world and slung his arm around my shoulders. "I like this side of you more." I gave him a soft smile, one he brought out in me. It was like watching an innocent child.

"Nothing will ruin my mood for a long while. I got one of Seiki's folding thingies! Two for that!" The origami I make were charmed to be their real counterparts for around 10 seconds after being hit by light before changing back to paper. I don't make a lot of them. Takes a lot of time to make the origami let alone the complicated spells to make them into something real. I only make them for special occasions and I think escaping the fate of a Death Eater is mighty special.

I was rocked side to side as Sirius hummed some merry tune. I glanced over to Lily's pissed off form storm out of the room once she got her schedule. 'James must have been bothering her again.' Not that I have been paying any attention to them. I took ours, mine and Sirius (he's of to Lala-Land and McGonagall seemed to understand), schedules and looked them over as I gnawed on the crust. "We're taking Care of Magical Creatures together."

"What's your other elective? Oh, hey, you dropped quite a few classes…." He was solemn for about a second before floating back to Lala-Land.

"I'm not all too good at my studies," I mumbled.

"Hey, what's that, Moony?" Remus looked up from the sugar flower in his hand. "Looks neat."

"Lily of the Valley," answered the boy, looking very sheepish for some reason. "Someone made it for me…."

"Oh? Secret admirer?" Sirius grinned, leaning forwards and pulling me along since his arm was still around my shoulders. "Is it glass?"

"It's sugar," I answered, trying to push back to get room between the table and my chest. He's strong…. I get that he should be, being a Beater and all, but at least give me to breathing room! I'm not some utterly flat-chested bloke! "Are you going to eat it?"

"No…." He placed it back into the box. "It's a beautiful piece."

"If you're not going to eat it, use a Unbreakable Charm. Logically, it should keep," I suggested with a soft smile.

"Since when are you logical, Hun?" Sirius joked and I shoved him with my shoulder.

"Seiki!" I yelped at the hand that clasped on my shoulder. Sirius smacked the hand away. "Oi, Padfoot!" It was James.

"Don't scare my sweetheart." Sirius was smothering me like I was some life size teddy bear, as always. (I'm going to have hell to pay with his fan girls….)

"Finally going out?"

"Nope," I answered, unburying my head. (Hey look! I'm an ostrich!) "What can I help you with?"

"Quidditch, what else?" the bespectacled boy said crossing his arms. 'Okay, I obviously knew what he was after at the beginning of the year, before tryouts.'

I smirked. "You're going to have to work for it, Potter."

"Come on! I need you, Seiki! You'll be the final bit to Gryffindor's total domination!" I shook my head. "Why not? Don't you have any house pride?"

"Not all too much, but I'll always cheer for my two troublemaker friends."

"What do you want?" I shrugged, making James frowned heavily in thought. Suddenly, my head felt funny, like it was gaining weight and fast too, until it started to hurt. "…Antlers…."

"Your fan girls, both of yours, are a pain in the arse," I gritted out, feeling the growing antlers. "More Sirius'."

"I can't help the fact that I have so many fans, Hun," the Black smirked. I elbowed his ribs. He most certainly is getting away scot-free.

And now James was smirking. "How 'bout we keep them off you? Protect you form them."

"Hmmm…." It would work for the most part. "Maybe, but having you two around me more is just going to get worse."

I heard someone getting up, so I turned around and found Remus with his wand out. I backed away, knocking my newly acquired antlers against James' glasses and face before the wand tapped the. With a painful crack, the antlers fell off with a yelp from James (they landed on his foot. Speaking about being at the wrong place at the wrong time). "I'll help out too," the sandy blond said.

"Thanks," I smiled, rubbing the spots the antlers grew out of. I peeled Sirius' arm off me, getting to my feet. "I'm going to go talk to Lily about the tutoring lessons…."

"I'll come with," James grinned, running his hand through his hair.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I need to get of bit of talking done. Can't have you interrupting, James."

"I'm going to protect you from fan girls," he grinned wider.

"Bug her once I'm finished, but don't let her know I gave you permission, James."

"Cross my heart."

I grabbed my book bag and turned to Sirius and Remus (Peter was still playing chess). "See you guys in Charms." I smiled at James and we headed out. 'Jeeze they've all grown a bunch every summer.' Currently, I'm the shortest of the group. I came up to Sirius' collarbone, Remus' shoulders, James' neck, Lily's chin, and Peter's nose or eyes (can't be sure since I haven't really stood next to him since exams). I had been the tallest back when we were in 1st year, but that was 6 years ago.

-Remus' POV-

Sirius whirled around once the pair left, eyes sharp and interrogating. "Who really sent the sugar flowers?" he demanded.

"I don't know. Came by owl," I shrugged. 'Well, I knew who it's from but just not who that person is….'

"Do you remember the owl?"

"…Yeah…."

"Send a letter back to the person then. Simple. If you want to know who they are, that is."

"Thinking on it."

"You deserve a sweet girl to love you, Remus." With that, Sirius was happily opening and closing the box with the two roses he was so excited about. Seiki's Origami pieces were much sought after in these halls. The professors of hers each received one for Christmas. It would always stay on their desk for the rest of the school year. Lily received one at the same time since she started to tutor her. Among the rest of the students, only a handful had some, and they would always show it off. Mostly girls had them, usually a gift from their boyfriends who had to work hard to get Seiki to make one.

I've seen her make them before. She hand folded each one. I would compare the feeling of her turning flat paper into works of arts to a Muggle watching magic happen. A sense of awe. Each fold was confident and sure. It's not like she doesn't like making origami. She makes plenty, and if you catch her making one, you could ask her for it. She'd give it happily. You could even request it. But there's a catch, they weren't charmed to come alive. We all have a couple of the non-charmed ones….somewhere…..

"Let's get going. Class is going to start soon," Sirius stated. We gathered our things and headed to Charms.

"There you are, Remus," Lily said, getting away from James and dragging Seiki, who was pretending to not see James' flirting by folding paper (there was a pile of cranes on a desk and some other students were pilfering them *cough*Ravenclaws*cough*), behind her. "How busy are you going to be this year? Have you dropped any classes this year?"

"Yeah, two courses."

She held her hand out for my schedule so I forked it over as her eyes darted through the list. "You'll be alright for Care of Magical Creatures, yes?" Lily said, facing Seiki who meekly nodded. That confused me, Seiki was just a little less confident than James and Sirius (who are overflowing with it) so her behaviour had me confused. "Remus, how would you like to be a tutor?" she asked, holding the piece of paper back to me.

"…Seiki?" I took a completely unwild jab at who we were talking about. A teacher had set this up back some years ago, and it just so happened to stick.

"Yup. It's not difficult. She just sucks at learning from textbooks. Most of the time you only have to read it to her and she'll understand. There are times she doesn't get it and it can get take awhile for her understand the concept. And pronunciations, she can't do them to save her life. That's about it."

"I'm still here…" I heard Seiki mutter softly, her face red to her ears.

"I'm taking 10 course this year and I highly doubt I have time to tutor Seiki. I was wondering if you could possibly take my place." Lily pulled Seiki into a hug (I think all her friends see her as a teddy bear swinging her about).

"Sure," I nodded.

"Thanks, Remus." She grinned and turned to the girl. "See? I wouldn't leave you out in the cold." With that, Lily wondered off before James could get a sound out of his open mouth. He followed her anyways as Seiki stayed in front of me.

"Thank you, Remus," Seiki bowed. "This means a lot to me."

"Which classes do you have?" She handed over her schedule with a gentle smile. "When do you want to meet?"

She shrugged. "Whenever works." At that, Professor Flitwick came into the room as the school bells chimed. Seiki smiled, bowing her head politely and went off to slip into the seat next to Zeva, her usual spot since 4th year, next to Lily, was preoccupied by James.

Sitting down next to Peter, I pulled out a parchment and thought over whether or not I should ask my mysterious friend about them. I know them on a personal level, but I don't know their name or even gender, though I'm leaning towards a girl more than a guy. I know that this person had a rough time and had spent a lot of time with another werewolf. That and that they're horrible with following rules.

** ! **

AN: Please review ^^, much appreciated.