"So, where did you say you were going again?" Sirius asked, confused when he saw Remus packing his night stuff.
"I'm going to visit my Mother, she's ill," Remus said, "She's got… spattergroit," The truth was, it was a full moon and Remus needed to make his way to the whomping willow, which was especially planted for him, and take the tunnel to the shrieking shack.
"You mean, your mother, muggle mother, was unlucky enough to get spattergroit?" James asked sceptically, "Your mum must be, like, one in a billion muggles to get it!"
"James!" Sirius nudged James after seeing how pale and drawn Remus looked, "Don't worry Remus, she'll get better soon, when will you be back?"
"I should be back sometime tomorrow afternoon, maybe a tad bit later, but I wouldn't worry," the werewolf was scared someone was going to see through his lies, he had to choose spattergroit, a wizard disease!
"Ok mate, hope she gets better soon," Sirius patted his shoulder as he made his way out. Instead of going to the Entrance Hall, where he would if he was leaving, he went straight to the hospital wing, dumping his stuff next to the bed in the private ward. Madame Pomphrey, the school matron, walked in with a concerned look on her face.
"Are you feeling alright Mr Lupin?" She asked. Remus thought she had forgetting about him when she said, "Ok, I'll take you to the whomping willow, do you normally take anything with you?" She looked around at his small bag, not knowing what she was supposed to do.
"Only a change of clothes and some healing potions, nothing much," Remus said, seeing Madame Pomfrey's worried eyes, he assured her, "I'll be fine Madame Pomphrey, I've done this for years."
"I know, I know Remus!" the young werewolf registered the use of his first name, "I'm just so worried something will happen to you, I've never looked after a werewolf before!"
"It's fine Madame Pomphrey like I said earlier, I've been doing this for years now."
"Oh, it's just such a burden!" The matron finally gave in, "Ok Mr Lupin, let's head on down to the whomping willow, I'll collect you at sunrise?" Remus nodded and grabbed a change of clothes, healing potion and a calming draught.
"Let's go," he said determinedly. As they walked down to the whomping willow, Remus couldn't help but notice Madame Pomphrey continuously looking up at the rising full moon, as if worried the full moons peak may come early. With a shaking hand, she prodded the knot on the tree with a stick and the tree stilled from its swaying. After all, whomping willows are dangerous. Remus tried some small talk with the nervous matron but received no return enthusiasm.
At last, they made it to the shrieking shack, the old, supposedly haunted dwelling on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, the wizarding village. Madame Pomphrey conjured a scratch-proof box and placed the phials and change of clothes inside, before firmly shutting it.
"Here you go, Mr Lupin, now I'll be back at sunrise to come fetch you," Remus could tell she was reluctant to leave her patient but didn't want to be faced with a fully transformed werewolf, "Are you sure you'll be ok?"
"Ok course, don't worry yourself about me, Madame Pomphrey," Remus replied, before being pulled into a sudden hug.
"Take care of yourself, I hate to think you have to do this for the rest of your life," and with that, she left swiftly, but, with his werewolf-sensitive hearing, a sob was heard from further down the tunnel. Feeling guilty, Remus quickly undressed, no wanting to tear some of the only clothes he had, and waited for the moon to rise.
Suddenly, Remus Lupin's world exploded in white hot pain.
Sirius was concerned as Remus walked out the portrait hole. He was so young, far too young to have his mother suffering from spattergroit. He walked over to James, who had left when Remus left and began preparing a game of wizard chess, and told him of his concerns.
"Let him be Sirius mate," James said, running a hand through his already messy hair, "If there's something else going on, I'm sure he'll tell us, and if anything happens to his mum, we'll be there to support him." After this speech Sirius felt reassured, and watched as Peter made his way over to watch the game, him being completely hopeless at wizard chess.
The room that night felt empty without Remus, but James and Sirius made up for it with their loud behaviour, James, because he lived being loud, and Sirius because he needed to get his worries of Dumbledore changing his mind about his house out of his brain. Peter cheered them on as they had a pillow fight, eventually, they called it a truce and ganged up on Peter, but the whole night Sirius felt there was something he was missing.
Albus Dumbledore had received many a howler in his life, but none were as bad as the howler he witnessed young Sirius Black receive at breakfast the other morning. When he heard his name mentioned, he knew it wouldn't be long before he experienced the wrath of the very much feared Walburga Black. But, after all, if a child can handle her, then why not the great Albus Dumbledore himself? Albus looked up to the sky, noticing it was a full moon, and wondered how his charge, young Remus Lupin was doing. Not many headmasters, possibly none in history, would have accepted such a dangerous student to Hogwarts, but he had seen light in the werewolf where others didn't, and hearing feedback from the staff he was not regretting his choice.
Without warning, a black owl soared through the window, stuck his leg out and gave Albus the letter. The first thing the headmaster noticed was the black family crest, and he didn't need Phineas Nigellus's triumphant cry to recognise it. He opened the letter, wondering what to expect, and smirked as he read the need and elegant writing.
Dear Headmaster,
Albus smiled, of course, this woman showed not even the slighted amount of respect towards him, not even enough to use his name.
Dear Headmaster,
It has come to my attention that my eldest son and heir to the Black family, has recently been unfairly sorted into Gryffindor. Whether this was the Sorting Hat's mistake, or other children forced him to choose this disgraceful house, I demand he be immediately switched to his rightful house, Slytherin.
If this doesn't happen, I will personally make sure it does, whether I come to the school personally, or continuously send howlers to Sirius until he begs you to change your mind. I know I for one do not want it to come to this, so please find him a place in Slytherin.
I can assure you, my son will not fit in with the Gryffindor slimeballs members, possibly being bullied, teased and/or envied of his heritage and background, after all, who wouldn't want to be included into The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black inheritance.
Please respond using the return owl (the ward only let the Black family owls through) your assurances that my son will be transferred to another house.
Regards,
Walburga Black
Toujours pur
Albus put the letter down with a sigh. Clearly, the woman believed Black could be moved to a different house, but he had seen the young boy, he clearly didn't want to be in Slytherin. The headmaster looked at the writing at the very bottom of the letter. Toujours pur, which was the Black family motto, translated into 'Always Pure', which was obviously their beliefs.
Sighing again, Albus stood up and went to his quarters.
"I'll sleep on it," he murmured.
Dear Mrs Walburga Black
In regards to your previous letter stated Sirius must be transferred to Slytherin, I am afraid all Sorting's are final. However, I'm sure young Black will fit in fine with his fellow classmates, it seems he already has a group of friends he shares a dorm with, including Pureblood James Potter, which should make you proud.
I'm sorry I can't offer a convenient option for you, but, as I stated earlier, all Sorting's are final.
Kindest Regards,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Headmaster
I cannot express how much our family needs Sirius to be in Slytherin.
Resort him or I will take things to the next level
Walburga Black
'You asked to see my headmaster?" Sirius looked nervous, but Albus saw caution in his eyes.
"Yes, take a seat," he said carefully, his face betraying no emotion, "I'm sure you know of your mother's efforts of getting you sorted into Slytherin." Sirius shifted uncomfortably. What was Albus thinking? Of course, he knew, the second Howler at breakfast that morning certainly told him what he needed to know.
"Sir, if I may?" Sirius said, asking for approval to put forward his opinion. After a short nod, he continued, "I have no intention of being put in Slytherin… WAIT!" he suddenly yelled, as if coming to a realisation, "You want to put me in with the snakes!" Several of the portraits in the room hissed in disapproval, Albus silenced them with the wave of his hand.
"No, Mr Black, I have no desire to see you in Slytherin, in fact," Albus's eyes twinkled, "I'm quite pleased to see you chose Gryffindor over your family's traditions. I have faith in you, Mr Black."
"Really?" Sirius looked at the headmaster excitedly, glad he didn't have to leave his friends.
"Certainly," Albus said before dismissing him. As Sirius walked out the door, Albus leaned back and sighed, this was going to be a difficult year to get through.
"HEADMASTER! I DEMAND MY SON IS MOVED TO SLYTHERIN!" Walburga Black was on the war path, determined to change the old headmasters mind. Unfortunately for her, Albus had a plan. He let her rave and sat quietly at his desk. "THIS IS AN ACT OF UNJUSTICE! A BLACK, IN GRYFFINDOR! I COULD SPIT JUST AT THE THOUGHT! Don't you agree Phineas!?" the crazed woman turned to Phineas Nigellus, who looked back, on the verge of being shocked.
"Yes, I quite agree Walburga," he stated, not meeting Albus's eye completely.
"SEE!? SEE WHAT YOUR DOING TO OUR FAMILY'S NAME!?" She screeched, but was silenced, not by spell but by pure irritation, by Albus.
"Now now, Mrs Black, Sirius has decided he would prefer to stay in Gryffindor, because if he were to be moved, a Slytherin first year would be forced to move to Gryffindor, and many of the first years are children of families the Blacks are allied with, are they not?"
Walburga Black, stared for a moment, before huffing and walking off in defeat. Albus grinned, that was certainly one way to get rid of a Black.
"I still agree with her, Black should be in Slytherin," came the voice of Phineas.
"If you say so," said Albus resignedly.
A/N: Ah! I have no excuse for taking this long to update, but I'll try anyway. School. Is. Hectic. SO, there's my excuse, anyway I'm thinking of writing another story, of course just writing chapters, I'm not planning on publishing anything else until at least the Marauders are through their first year, so don't panic! I'll still work on this fanfic, no matter how many views it receives.
Also, I wanted to ask whether you wanted this to be a Wolfstar story. I, personally, love a good Wolfstar story, but I know others don't share this opinion. (please send your opinion through the review system, even if you haven't got an account anonymous reviews are just as great!)
Anyway, here's the list of P.O.V's in the chapter (Point of View), in case you got a little confused (I'm not good at this sort of thing)
1. Remus Lupin
2. Sirius Black
3. Albus Dumbledore
4. Albus Dumbledore
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and, as always, review!
