A/N: I do not own this Harry Potter stuff. Rowling's the lucky the lucky one. Not to mention genius (Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. Home work…) Oh and by the way, could you guys maybe… um… REVIEW! I haven't gotten any yet and an author needs them to improve!

Chapter1: Friends and Threats

Remus Lupin sat hunched over on his bed. The rain pouring down outside and hitting the window made it impossible for him to read his book. Remus laid Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean aside and gazed dully around his simple bedroom. There was a rickety bookcase in the corner holding many trinkets such as a pocket sneak o scope, parchment and ink, sneakers, a random array of books, and a baseball (a muggle sport where you hit the ball with a wooden club and run to bases- of which Remus had grown quite fond of) Along the opposite wall there was a wooden dresser and a rather hard armchair. Next to his bed (which happened to be against the wall) there was an old nightstand with a spare quill and 2 sleeping mice curled against a candle. Remus glanced at them and sighed. He had found them just a week ago in the yard hiding from the neighbor's cat. His mother was revolted by them and was urging him to find another home for them as soon as possible. There was a knock at the door and the 7 year old looked away from the mice.

"Remus, your father has gone to the ministry about a store break in. he might be gone for a long time."

"Okay Mother." Lucilla noticed the boredom in his voice saw the book lying forsaken next to him.

"Darling. Would you like to go shopping with me in Diagon Alley?" Remus nodded; glad to be free of his lifeless bedroom. The two pulled on their cloaks and entered the kitchen. There was a tall fireplace at the end. They both stepped into it and Lucilla threw a handful of gray powder at the bottom of it. Then she muttered the words.

"Diagon Alley!"

Remus looked around at the rainy street. It was surprisingly full.

"Mother, why is the street so crowded in such bad weather?"

"Oh, Hogwarts is stating soon. Come on I need to get your father robes in Madam Malkin's." They trudged across the lane and into the shop. After the robe store they stopped at the potion store where Lucilla purchased a few ingredients then sloshed their way to several more shops, including Gringotts. Remus was now even more bored than he was at home and begged to go to his favorite store. Flourish and Blotts.

"Alright Remus but only for a while. I need to get dinner started." Remus nodded vigorously and bounded toward the book heaven. Once they were inside the warm and cozy building, Remus realized how thoroughly drenched he was, the only solution to this problem was to find a good book and settle in a particularly comfy armchair by the fire.

He was halfway through Werewolves and Vampires: Their Side of the Story when the rather noisy entrance of a soaking family interrupted his reading.

"Mum! How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not going to be in Slytherin. Besides no one else has been for generations in our family." A brown haired boy with freckles stared haughtily at his skinny and worried mother. She brushed her auburn curls out of her face.

"Well then there's still a chance isn't there?" She stared directly at the tall and gangly father. His untidy black hair gave Remus the impression of a convict, if it wasn't for his rather nice robes.

"Now Becky, just because it's his first year and he is rather ambitious doesn't mean they are going to throw him straight into Slytherin. I mean I was in Gryffindor and you were in Ravenclaw so he will probably be in one of those."

"Well then I hope it's Ravenclaw. William get everything you need in here, we are not making second trips. I need to go to Gringotts. Some one made a rather expensive purchase." With that the obviously angry mother glared down at a boy who looked the same age as Remus. He smiled mischievously.

"I hope he's in Slytherin." He stated, the mother threw up her arms and stormed out of the store. The boy called William slouched off toward the newest schoolbooks followed by his father.

Remus stared intently at the youngest boy. He had the untidy look of his father with the same black hair. He was a little less gangly though. He had dark brown eyes. The boy seemed to notice Remus and smiled. Remus put the book down and stood up. The Black haired boy came closer.

"Hi. I'm James, James potter." The boy was obviously friendly.

"Hello. I'm Remus Lupin." James stuck out his hand and they shook hands.

"Sorry to disturb you reading. My mother has been having the same row with Will for a week. Father tries to stay out of it but some one's got to control her." He nodded his out at the door.

"Oh it's okay. I'm glad of the change actually. I love books but they do get rather boring after a while."

What about your friends? Surely you could have fun with them." Remus shook his head sadly.

"I haven't got any friends. No magic person lives within 30 miles of my home. I have never really found any one of my liking either." James nodded his head understandingly and looked around him.

"Bit too many books in this place. It makes me feel like school is starting to early."

"Why? I can't wait till Hogwarts." James sighed slightly.

"Oh well Hogwarts is good enough. I just don't like the work and teachers. Though I do look forward to quidditch. I think I will be in Gryffindor. My dad was." He nodded his untidy head toward Mr. Potter.

"I wouldn't mind Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. But definitely not Slytherin. Gryffindor is good too though. Anyway what really expensive purchase did you make?" James rolled his eyes and smiled mischievously,

"Oh that. Just decided it was time to improve my stock of joke items. Not to mention a new broom. It's my first real one! Want to see it? My dad has it." James pointed toward his father for a second time and Remus realized a rather long parcel that had been hidden behind Mr. potter's robes. He nodded excitedly. His brief joy was interrupted by Lucila's commanding voice.

"Remus, where are you going? We have to leave now if you want dinner! Go put your book back." James nodded understandingly at Remus.

"Mrs. Lupin, I'm James Potter. Could I show Remus my new broom? We won't take but a moment." Remus stared in disbelief as James whole attitude changed into a deceivingly polite, humbled manner. Lucilla Lupin's mouth broke into a slight smile as she looked at James.

"Hello James. We need to leave immediately but I suppose if you hurry I can wait one minute. Hurry along now Remus." James quickly murmured thanks then dashed over to his father, Remus trotted behind him. He was amazed at James. He had never known his mother to be so willing.

"How did you do that?" he asked.

"Easy. It's one of my many talents. I call it buttering up. You see---" But whatever the ingenious was behind his plot Remus never found out because Mr. Potter came bustling up.

"James, time to go, you mother is fuming and I don't want her to boil over."

"But..."

"Now" He glared down at his son and motioned toward the door. James sighed and turned toward Remus.

"Sorry mate I guess you'll have to see it another time. You will write won't you?"

"Of course. See you later James. Bye Mr. Potter." Remus waved bye to James and watched him disappear out of Flourish and Blotts.

Suddenly Remus felt a great wave of joy sweep over him. He had a friend. For the first time in his life, Remus actually had someone besides his family to turn to and hang out with.

"Remus, stop day dreaming and get over here! What have I been telling you? Dinner is waiting." Mrs. Lupin walked up to her son and pulled him firmly by the arm. Remus took one last look at the door before his mother whisked him away.

The moment Remus stepped out of the fireplace, he ran straight to his room. After selecting the finest quill he owned and collecting ink and parchment, Remus sat down and began his letter.

James,

Did your mum yell at you once she got back from Gringotts? I sure hope not. I saw enough of her to tell she can rage up a storm. Good luck with your broomstick. What model is it? Can you fly well? I have only tried once and it bucked me off backward only after 5 seconds. My dad still laughs about that sometimes. Anyway do you like mice? I have two I need to get rid of (my mum hates them) they are really quite adorable once you get to know them. I have temporarily dubbed then Joe and Morpheous. Well I'm being drafted into potato peeling at the moment. Bye for now,

Remus

Alec Lupin looked nervously around the Ministry lobby. His meeting had not gone well. The Head of Magical law Enforcement had highly doubted his story and had not taken very well to his evidence. He now had to wait for the blow to fall. Bothersome officials. Always sitting around wasting precious time discussing their own opinions. Why I could get a better outcome from a herd of hippogriffs! His musings were interrupted when a folded piece of parchment zoomed straight into his head. He recognized it as one of the Ministry's memos. Alec hastily opened it and read,

Mr. Lupin,

We are sorry to say that we do not find your case important. We have much bigger matters to attend to at the moment and hope that next time you have a complaint you would do well to find sufficient evidence. Have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

Arbus Patil

Head of Magical law Enforcement

Alec crumpled the letter and wedged it in his pocket. I cannot believe this guy! How can a criminal breaking into a shop on Diagon Alley, almost killing 100 owls and stealing part of my profit not be important? Like I said before I bet I could even get a better result from a rampaging Hippogriff! Well I guess I couldn't really expect more from him. Still fuming over the outcome of the meeting, Alec stalked toward the fireplace to floo home then upon seeing Frenir Grayback, decided to apparate instead. But before he could, Frenir grabbed the back of his robes and together they apparated out of the Ministry and into the Lupin's front yard. Coughing and choking from the weight at his throat, Alec did not react fast enough. Frenir threw him into the musty broom shed and stepped in after him. In the semi-darkness Alec could just barely make out Greyback's gaunt outline. His hot, foul breath was only inches away.

"Grayback, what is the meaning of this?" stammered Alec, outraged.

"Just a friendly little visit to make an offer." Alec flinched as he felt the putrid breath blow on him.

"What type of offer includes almost strangling a person and then suffocating them in an old shed?" Alec's eyes narrowed. He could tell Frenir was enjoying himself.

"A very secret offer. Just do what I need you to and nothing will happen." A smirk spread on his face.

"Well, what do you want?" Alec was now accustomed to the darkness and noticed how gleeful Grayback looked. He also could not help but to notice his horribly yellow brown nails and teeth.

"You see Alec I am about to request something of you that could hurt you if you refuse. I need your shop. I also need a way to get into Hogwarts. Tell me how, give me your shop and nothing will happen."

"Are you mad! Give you my shop! Nev--Hang on. You broke into it! I always knew you were up to no good. But why do you want it?"

Frenir rolled his eyes and sighed as if exasperated. Anger flared up in Alec.

"I don't want. I need it. Now don't make things so difficult and tell me the way into Hogwarts."

"Never. And you can't have my shop either."

"Oh, but I think I can. You see Alec, I unlike you, am not normal. I am special. You will tell me and give me the shop. I am not wrong I think, to say you know of my plan?"

"I do and I think it's ridiculous! Now get off my property you foul, loathsome creature!" Alec whipped out his wand just as Frenir did. Frenir gave a crazed, bark like laugh then apparated. Alec has no clue where he had gone but he was sure he would want revenge for his refusal of help.

Alec stepped out into the dark night. He glanced around warily checking for Grayback. Once he was sure he was not there, Alec sprinted across the wet grass and into his house. In his anger he slammed the door shut and it's hinges broke. Quickly muttering "Reparo!" he turned and entered the kitchen where he saw Lucilla and Remus had already started dinner. The inviting smell of potato stew beckoned him toward the table. Remus immediately started talking as though someone had put a spell on him. He mentioned something about "bookstore" and "Potter" but Alec was to busy pondering all Grayback had told him. Why did Frenir need his shop? Did he really mean to carry on with his vile plan? Lucilla seemed to notice something was bothering him and she forced Remus to stop talking and eat his biscuit.

"Dear, are you all right?" her eyes were full of concern.

"What? Oh yes…busy day… I think I'll relax a bit and maybe read a book." Alec got up only having eaten one spoonful and went toward the study. Remus immediately badgered his mother with questions.

"Mum, what's wrong with dad? Why didn't he listen to me? How did his meeting do?"

"Quiet Remus." Lucilla scolded him. "He has had a long day now go get ready for bed. I'll go talk to him."

Remus opened his mouth to protest then from a stern look from his mother slouched off toward his room. Lucilla glanced toward the study and wondered what was really bothering her husband.