A/N: So here's chapter number two. I'm still working out the format, I'm obviously not going to write about each and every day, but the beginning is quite important I think. This chapter is a bit static, I know, but I guess we needed to find out more about Remus :) So enjoy, review, follow, favourite, and the usual!

-S.

31st of August, 1975

Lyall Lupin threw the gold in his satchel and walked slowly towards the exit door of Gringotts. He had withdrew a large sum of money, so that he could buy everything his son needed, wanted, and even dreamed of. After buying three sets of robes from Madam Malkin's, and a new pair of black shoes, Lyall's arms were barely holding everything he had purchased. He was glad that his son was able to buy whatever he wanted, since he usually doesn't like shopping, labelling it as "a result of consumerism, spreading from the Muggle economy to our economy".

"So, where should we go next?" Lyall said joyfully while his son bit a chunk of his Cadburry Milk Chocolate and savoured its rich flavour.

"Hmm, what about Flourish and Botts? I need to buy quite a number of spellbooks and manuals, being a fifth-year and all," Remus slid the rest of his chocolate in his coat and continued walking with his Father on the Alley, thinking about all the chocolate, fudge, pumpkin pie and lollies he had bought.

"Of course, books…" His father chuckled at the thought of Remus reading, absorbed in his studies as he always was, failing to notice everything around him, sometimes hiding in his room for hours with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate.

They walked silently towards the tall, green building, and barely entered it. It was packed with students, parents, and even teachers. The books were rapidly disappearing from their shelves into the students' arms, and soon there were no first and second year books available, causing the owner to rush upstairs and bring some more.

Remus strolled through the aisles and viewed the thousands of books he loved so much, from textbooks, to novels and adventure stories. The boy was enthralled by the smell of new parchment, the sound of pages turning, and the different coloured-books stacked on the picked up all his necessary textbooks. As he was picking up "1000 Potions from all over the world", he saw a flash of jet-black, messy hair running through the aisles and a heard a loud, high-pitched shout.

"James Potter!"

The woman rushed to the boy's side, and pulled his messy shirt, dragging him to the aisle they were in previously, "But Mom, I said I didn't want to take any more electives, I think eight core subjects are way too many already" the boy grovelled.

"You will never have enough subjects to choose from next year if you don't have electives!", she said sternly.

The boy wore a characteristic smirk on his face, "Well now, Mommy, let's not get ahead ourselves, shall we? Who says I'll even be able to pass my O.W.L.S.?"

His mother slammed a book on his head, "I will not hear any more of this, young man! We're going to buy this Divination book. I'll go looking for your Transfiguration text book, now you go looking for the Charms one,"

He muttered, "Yeah, yeah, will do..", as he got away from his mother, he caught the eye of a certain sandy coloured, skinny friend, "Moony? Come on here, you," James hugged Remus tightly and messed his hair afterwards, "What's up, stranger? You haven't answered my last owl, now, have you?"

Remus looked away embarrassed, "Sorry, James, I guess I've been wrapped up in the Scamander book I've been reading recently, you see," he blushed, "It's said to be the best one yet on beasts and magical creatures,"

"As expected, mate," James laughed, "So, what's new with you?"

"Well, I've just received news that I'm the Gryffindor male Prefect this year. Dumbledore sent me the letter yesterday,"

"Don't tell me it came as a surprise to you? I've betting on you with Padfoot since you received only O's in our examinations last year. That if you're not counting…"

"Care of Magical Creatures, I know," Remus chuckled, "I need to get better at that, don't I? Dad reckons I'll take N.E.W.T. classes on it, with him being in the Department and all that,"

James rubbed his chin, "We'll find you a tutor, mate, and you'll be top of our class in it in no time as well. Oy, wanna join me and Padfoot for a drink over at the Leaky Cauldron after we buy our books? He's coming here in ten minutes or so,"

Remus considered the idea, "Sounds good," he told James while wandering through the aisle, grabbing a copy of "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5", "Is he coming with his family or…?"

James sighed, "Yeah, his dreadful mother and brother," James headed towards the counter, alongside Remus, "You've got everything, Moony?"

Remus glanced at his arms, barely able to carry all of his books, and nodded, "Yes, this is about it,"

Before reaching Mr. Kettle, the shop keeper, he called his father to his side, "Father, I've got everything I need," and he showed him all of his ten or maybe fifteen books.

His father approached him and pulled out his satchel, "Well, maybe 20 Galleons will be enough, but here's 30, just to be sure," he handed Remus the gold, "Oh, hello James, didn't see you there,"

James shook Mr. Lupin's hand, "Mr. Lupin, good to see you again."

Remus and James payed for their books, and headed towards the exit, "Father, do you mind me staying with James and Sirius for a Butterbeer for a bit?"

Lyall looked over at James, "Sure, boys! I'll just go home and leave these, and then return and… ahem, wonder," Lyall avoided Remus' eyes. "Meet me inside Madam Malkin's in three hours, will you?"

Remus nodded as James grabbed his hand and rushed him in the opposite direction, "Of course, Fa-"

But he was unable to say more as James rushed him towards the Leaky Cauldron, running away carelessly as he always does, "Come on, Moony, Padfoot might be already there, you know he hates waiting,"

The two teenagers ran through the crowded alley, ocasionally hitting one or two by-passers, making Remus go "Sorry for that… excuse us…" every time someone threw them a lingering glare or let out a snort. When they finally reached the Leaky Cauldron, Remus was delighted to see that Sirius was already waiting for them.

Sirius Black was siting at a small table, surrounded by smoke and obscurity, looking outside the small, concealed window of the pub. For a famous place, it was very dark and shabby. A few old women were sitting in a corner, drinking tiny glasses of sherry. One of them was smoking a long pipe. A little man in a top hat was talking to the old barman, who was quite bald and looked like a gummy walnut.

Sirius himself was smoking a cigarette, to the awe of his fellow collegues, "Oy, Prongs, Moony, care to join me?"

He looked a lot older than 15, no doubt. He was not as tall as Remus, or even James, but he was well-built and had the physique of a professional Quidditch player, even though he was quite a nightmare on a broomstick. He had long, wavy hair, that always appeared to be styled, and wore a black leather jacket, suitable to his devilish appearance. Moreover, the cigarette he was holding between his fingers added to the effect, "So I see trouble-making isn't your only bad habit, ey Padfoot?" James joked as he grabbed a seat and looked over the menu.

"What can I say, I don't exactly follow the rules, Prongs," Sirius let out a large circle of smoke and put out his cigarette, "And spare me the lecture, Moony, I know how you oppose any type of vice," Sirius grinned.

Remus laughed, "I'm not going to say anything, mate, it's all up to you. So, how've you been doing? Are thinks okay with…?"

Sirius changed his cheerful expression to a gloomy, almost annoyed one, "Man, Moony, you can be quite a buzz-kill sometimes, bringing up my family like that" he said as he called the barman, "Not good, to sum up. Been fighting with them since I've been back. I really don't know how much longer I'll be able to live in that bloody house. Mom and Reg are shopping right now, I think they prefered leaving me here"

The barman rushed to their table, "Order?"

Sirius whispered something in James' ear and spoke, "Three glasses of Firewhisky, please,"

Remus whispered, "Sirius, I don't-"

Sirius shushed him, "-and some crisps, please," The barman eyed the other two boys disturbingly, and then turn away to the bar to bring their order. James and Sirius high-fived, and Remus sighed, "Seriously, you lot, I'd reckon he's going to bring us Butterbeers either way,"

"It's worth a shot, Moony," James said as he grabbed one of Sirius' cigarettes, "There's a first time for everything, ain't it?"

As the barman was bringing them their firewhisky, and Sirius' order of crisps, the doorbell rang and Remus glanced at a mirage of red and green. Remus kept staring, "Let's drink to our fifth-year, mates, to a new adventure, and hopefully, to another three-full years of Hogwarts!" Sirius rose his glass.

"Oy, mate, what's that you're staring a-?" James stopped talking as he viewed the breathtaking girl enter the pub and walk gracefully to the bar, "She's here," James breathed as he swiftly put out his cigarette.

The girl went up to the bar, pulled out a book out of her bag, and ordered. As soon as the barman uncorked a Butterbeer, she took a small sip out of it and continued reading and making notes on the bottom of the page, looking profoundly concentrated.

"Well, well, Little Miss Perfect at the Leaky Cauldron. Who in Godric's name comes here to study, Prongs? There's something clearly wrong with her, mate," Sirius winged as he poured all of the firewhisky down his throat, "Aaah, another round, barkeep!" he shouted joyfully, as James was finishing his liquor, and Remus could barely take another sip, his throat pulsating with warmth. Remus continued drinking his beverage, during which he could not avert his look from the girl in the green sweater.

Lily Evans was a beautiful fifteen-year-old girl. She was not the fairy-tale type exactly. Contrarily, she was a natural beauty, with her long, wavy red hair falling on her shoulders, big green eyes, slim nose and kind, small mouth. But just then, she turned her eyes to their table, distracted by Sirius' shouting and demands for more firewhisky. She closed her book, grabbed her Butterbeer and walked gracefully towards them, "I see you're already having fun, Black, even though school hasn't started yet. A bit of underage drinking, I trust?" she looked demeaningly at the empty glasses, and immediately noticed James hiding the ash tray, "And smoking, that should round things up." The boys looked hesitant to say anything as she peered at them, and were surprised to hear her giggle softly, "Oh well, boys will be boys. Go on then, grab me a seat if you don't mind me interrupting!"

James rose swiftly and he rushed to the other table to borrow a chair, "Why, of course, Evans, everything you need!"

She rolled her eyes as James pulled her seat and courteously helped her with her bag, "Why thank you, Potter," she took a mouthful of Buterbeer and smiled at Remus, causing him to blush heavily and look away.

Sirius grabbed his pack, gestured to Lily if she minds, and lit another cigarette, "So, Evans, I trust you're all set for tomorrow," Sirius said.

"I've bought everything, if that's what you're asking, I just need to stop by Madam Malkin's. Mum's in London with Tuney, buying her clothes," she snorted.

"If you can't return home safely, you are always welcome to sleep at my place," James smirked, "Mind you, we don't have an extra bed, but mine is big enough for us both,"

"In your dreams, Potter," she laughed, "I'm quite fine, don't you worry, I'm meeting Mum soon,"

She pulled out her book again, and finished the notes she was making on the Ascendio spell, "What classes are you taking this year?"

James snorted, "As you know, I could be taking all of them, but I chose a distinct few that will enable my evolution as an Auror,"

"I'm taking all the usual, plus Care of Magical Creatures. Don't want to have busy schedule, I'll be skipping half of these classes anyway!" Sirius laughed as he drank more firewhisky.

Lily laughed, "What about you, Remus?"

He choked on his whisky, making the blokes laugh, and looked up at Lily, trying to find his words, "W-Well, you know… All the core subjects, plus Arithmancy, Runes, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures,"

Lily drank her Butterbeer and mumbled something excitedly, "That's what I'm taking too! Good to see I'll have a partner for Runes, almost nobody signed up for it,"

Sirius snorted, "Yeah, I wonder why,"

Lily glared, "Excuse me, the Study of Ancient Runes is a fascinating subject! Isn't it, Remus?"

Remus nodded, "Y-Yes, it is." He thought of what his mother told him last night, and wondered if he could ask Lily, but dismissed the thought, knowing he will find out eventually.

"Almost forgot," said Lily, searching something inside her bag, "Look, guys!" she was holding a small red badge with a golden "P" engraved. "I'm a Prefect, which means you'll have to be on your best behaviour near me,"

Remus opened his eyes, amazed, "Good one, Evans," James said as he grabbed Remus' hand and lifted it up in the air, "and here's your partner,"

Lily beamed at him, "Congratulations, Remus! Or should I say, partner? I couldn't have asked for a better fellow Prefect, no doubt! I was hoping Dumbledore will name you,"

"S-she was hoping it would be me?" Remus asked himself, while looking at Lily's delicate hands caressing the badge, "Thank you, Lily," he let out, "and good job as well,"

Sirius snorted, "Why am I the last one you update, Moony? Howbeit, let's toast to this as well. Barman!"

The other three sighed, "Oh, not again,"

The four of them were standing outside the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for the Blacks and James' mum, "Well, I guess I'll leave before my delight of a Mother and Regulus the Twat corrupt you with their opulence," Sirius said as he was zipping his leather jacket, "See you tomorrow, Prongs, Moony. Evans," he winked at the girl.

"Goodbye,"

After James' mother picked him up, asking if he had been smoking, Remus turned to Lily, "You said you'd be going to Madam Malkin's? I wonder, would you care to-?"

"Join you? I'd love to, Remus, sure!"

The two walked awkwardly on Diagon Alley, and Remus could see people throwing them stares and smirks, but Lily could not be more oblivious to her surroundings. She was humming a Muggle tune, skipping absent-mindedly in her tall riding boots.

Lily looked at Remus and added, "You've sure grown over the summer, haven't you? And your hair looks a bit rebelious now," she giggled.

"Five inches, in fact," Remus fiddled with his hair, "I've considered having it cut, but it just doesn't stay the way it's supposed to stay if it's too short, and Muggle barbers are disastrous, you know, in Surrey... "

Lily greeted a tall blonde girl briefly, "I didn't say I don't like your hair," she smirked, "Just mentioned you look… different,"

"Do you want to buy anything?" Remus asked her as he opened the door for her, "I'm meeting my Father here,"

Lily rushed to the new dress robe collection, "Have you heard about it? The Halloween Ball?" she was analyzing a turquoise sequin dress, "This is a bit short now, isn't it?"

"Mother mentioned something about it, I think," Remus agreed with Lily, not being completely capable of understanding girls who wear dresses as skimpy and shiny as this, "Not exactly my scene, a ball,"

Lily continued browsing, "Don't say that, Remus. I bet you'll enjoy yourself, if you decide to go, of course,"

"Remus,"

His father reached him and looked curiously at Lily, "Hello, Father," Remus said, "This is my classmate, Lily Evans. For your information, she's the other Prefect"

Lily shook Mr. Lupin's hand and said a pleasant "Nice to meet you," and Mr. Lupin smiled at her kindly, "Hello, Miss Evans, Lyall Lupin. Excited to meet you at last," he looked at his son, having a slight pink colour on his cheeks.

"So, shall we?" Mr. Lupin asked Remus, "Oh, sure," Remus said as he looked at Lily, "Excuse us, Lily, we are heading home. I trust you will have no difficulties finding your Mother,"

Lily laughed, "Sure, Remus, I'll have no difficulties," she said while holding a long, emerald robe, "See you tomorrow at half past ten,"

Remus waved as he was leaving the shop, "See you…"

Remus finished packing his books and he took another glance at his badge, "I'm going to give my best this year. I will make Mum and Father proud, won't make Dumbledore regret his choice," he told himself as he closed his trunk and put in the corner of the room. A clean, ironed set of clothes was sitting on his arm chair, as well as his new robes, with beautiful details of red and gold. Even though his clothes were very classy and well-kept, they always ended up looking raggedy and messy on him.

He got up and looked at himself in the mirror, again. His scars were still hidden by the band-aids he wore to Diagon Alley, pretending to have cut himself while shaving (as if he had any facial hair). He tore off the band-aids, and revealed his wounds. They were still pink, and were not very pleasant to look at. Sure, he had other scars as well, but they were smaller and people got used to them. This one covered almost all of his face, and was almost two inches wide. He cringed and felt embarrassed of his exterior.

He felt pain, real pain. He could not stand to look at the mirror much longer, because all that he could see was a monster, a monster trapped inside a frail body, a body that could not resist any more attacks. His back was covered in old scars, as well as his chest, shoulders, and right leg. He looked like a human patchwork doll, and his pale, almost sickly complexion did not help him conceal his imperfections.

"Remus, son?"

His father was standing in the doorstep, waiting to be invited inside, "May I?"

Remus nodded as blinked rapidly to keep tears from falling, "Of course, come in, Father,"

Remus sat on his bed, and hesitantly, his Father joined him. He knew he had been staring at his new scar, the one on his face. Those were the worst, Lyall thought. Not only because they were the most visible, obvious one. Because they had the biggest impact on him, because they did damage far beyond his skin.

"You don't have to be ashamed, son. It's just a scar, it does not change who you are. And if you're worrying others will find out-"

"What if they will, Father? What happens then?" Remus raised his voice, "What happens if I do something wrong, or say the wrong thing, or people just make a pattern out of my obvious disappearences, the infinte number of scars, and the montly bed rests?"

"Dumbledore promised us, he promised us you will be safe, that nobody would try to-"

"I am safe, Father, Dumbledore has made too many efforts to assure that. I have the Shrieking Shack, Madam Pomfrey helping me with the potion… he even planted the Womping Willow to scare other students away the night of my transformations! But what about the others?" Remus let out a cry, "What about other students, and my-my friends? What if I hurt them…?"

His father stared at him, "T-That won't happen, Remus, you are being careful. When it comes to your friends, they know everything already, and it was their own decision, they know the risks. Dumbledore has taken certain measures to protect the others, as well, you've said so yourself"

Remus punched his bed, "I...I think people have started to figure it out. I see Severus Snape's look when I return to class after a day of absence… He knows, Father, or at least he thinks he knows something… "

"And what can he do, this Snape person?" his Father snapped.

"He could tell everyone, Father, everyone! What would the parents say if they knew their children are living, eating, studying, sleeping next to a werewolf?!"

His Father grabbed his hand, "Now, listen to me, son! You have done nothing wrong, and will not do anything wrong any time soon! You have Dumbledore, McGonagall and other members of the staff keeping your secret, helping you live a more or less normal life. You have James and Sirius as well! Your friends! You are not alone in this, and no one will find out. No one you don't want finding out, you understand?"

Remus looked at his Father and nodded, "Good," Lyall said as he sighed and patted his son's back.

"I'm sorry for the sudden outburst of unresolved angst," Remus tried to defuse the tension, "It will only get better, hopefully, with Sirius and James helping me," he looked at his Father and tried to fake a smile.

"I know it's tough, son, and I that you don't want to be troublesome, I get that. But people want to help you, they're not doing it out of obligation. So please, just focus on your studies, and more importantly…"

Remus looked at his Father, engrossed in his words, "On what?", his Father smiled kindly, "Have fun, Remus. Have fun, I beg of you. Join James and Sirius in one of their pranks, skip a class, stay up after Gryffindor wins a Quidditch match, try to sneak Firewhisky into the Common Room, and then lie to McGonagall about it, kiss a girl after curfew in an empty classroom…"

Remus reddened at the thought, "Sneaking Firewhisky? Father, forgetting my age already, are we?" he laughed.

Lyall grinned, "If your Mother asks, I did not say anything. Anyway, you won't be getting drunk to soon, or causing problems, the way I see it,"

Remus smiled, "You know me well, Father," Lyall got up and layed his hands on Remus' shoulders, "Good night, Remus. See you for breakfast,"

"Goodnight, Father,"

Lyall turned off the lights and started closing the door, but stopped half-way to add, "Oh, and son … Keep your friends close,"