The anticipation of a life he hadn't thought possible rendered him restless through his first night, impatient for the morning to arrive and assure him that all hadn't been a dream. Remus Lupin was thus quick to wake when the first rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer draping the window. His first instinct as he sat up on the bed was to look around and ensure it was real. His second was an immediate concern for his morning breath, a situation he silently hurried to rectify. When he emerged from the bathroom, he noticed that his roommates hadn't stirred. Peter Pettigrew's wheezy breaths alternated with Sirius Black's' silent breathing. James Potter was sprawled with one leg draped around a spare pillow and his hand dangling to the side. He wondered if he should wake them up, worried they might oversleep and miss breakfast. He walked around to the nearest bed unsurely.

"Er - James?" his morning voice hoarse, "James Potter?" James gave no indication of having heard him. Remus prodded him uncertainly in his shoulder, "Wake up," his voice sounding stronger. James stirred awake, rubbing his eyes with one hand and noisily feeling around for his specs with the other.

"What, Dad?" he groaned, not recognizing Remus. Remus chuckled. That sound seemed to bring James to the present.

"At the risk of being called 'Dad' once again, I must insist that you are all running the risk of being late on your first day," Remus remarked, amused. Sirius seemed to have woken up few seconds before, wrestling with his cloak that had twisted itself around him in the course of the night.

"Pfft! Who cares?" Sirius' muffled scoff came from behind the complicated layers of cloak.

"Suit yourself. I'm going to get some breakfast. I hear the chocolate pudding here is simply delicious," grinned Remus and made to go out.

"Wait," mumbled Sirius, finally having extricated himself, "you said chocolate pudding right?" Remus watched on, laughing, as a yawning Sirius and James made for the bathroom, reaching the doorway at the same time and jostling each other to get in first. Sirius won eventually, edging James out, raising his arms in mock-triumph. Peter was rudely awoken by a crash emitting from James retrieving his robes from his cupboard. As Remus waited for the others to get ready, his eyes raked around, soaking in everything around him. The sunlight, brighter than it had been when he had woken up, seemed to transfer life and warmth onto the cold stone walls. It was happening. He really was at Hogwarts.

Marlene was amused by Lily's fascination with Hogwarts and everything magic. What seemed mundane to a pure-blood Marlene was extraordinary to Lily, and she found herself explaining everything. Lily, initially shy, had in turn wasted no time telling her all about her home and family.

"- and Sev, he was the one who told me about Hogwarts first, even before my letter," she was saying excitedly as they made their way down to breakfast.

"Who is Sev?"

"Severus Severus. He lives by my home. He's in our year too, Slytherin," she explained.

"Slytherin?" Marlene scrunched up her nose. She had heard too much about the Slytherins to feel partial towards them. She was about to retort when Lily disengaged from her and walked up to meet a puny, hook-nosed boy.

Lily had spotted Severus hanging around between the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables, looking hopefully at where the Gryffindors were piling in for breakfast. His eyes lit up when he saw her. She waved excitedly and made her way towards him.

"Did you have a good sleep?" she asked.

"It was okay," he mumbled glumly.

"Are you still sulking about the sorting?" She frowned impatiently, "We're finally at Hogwarts. This is all we dreamed about. Don't ruin it by being so sad," she beseeched, narrowing her eyes. Severus sighed and smiled reluctantly.

"Yeah, we're finally here."

Lily smiled in relief. "Marlene said we have Charms with Slytherin later today. I'll see you there!" she waved and hurried back to Marlene, who had been joined by Dorcas Meadows, Regina Flume and Mary Macdonald.

Severus's eyes followed her wistfully as she was waved over by James Potter to sit across them at their table. Gryffindor table, he thought bitterly. He watched as the girls laughed at something Sirius said, envy bubbling through his heart when Lily's shining face looked at James' cheerfully.

Remus remained mostly quiet through breakfast, speaking only when spoken to. James and Sirius didn't seem to mind so much, chattering away, with Peter hanging on to everything they said hoping to get a word in edgewise. The Gryffindor boys from the other dormroom had introduced themselves to him, before turning back to their own conversation. It was much easier to slink into the background when the girls joined in.

As they walked towards class, with Louis Branstone, who seemed to know quite a bit about Hogwarts already, leading the way (James and Sirius having mysteriously disappeared somewhere), Remus was beginning to feel a kind of delight he hadn't experienced in his short, lonely childhood. Momentarily, he forgot about his lycanthropy and joined in the merriment. He was almost a normal wizarding boy.

Sirius and James came to a skidding halt outside Transfiguration, slightly out of breath. Professor McGonagall looked at them sternly, one hand on the half-closed door handle.

"Five seconds later and you wouldn't have been allowed in my class," she said sternly, looking at them from below her glasses and widening the door a little. They slipped in, uncharacteristically demure. Professor McGonagall had that effect on most people. They took the empty seat behind two Hufflepuff[Amar Patil and Alex Madley] blokes. A hush fell over the class as McGonagall walked to the front, her shoes tapping against the floor briskly. She turned around to survey the class, her mouth opened to speak, when a sudden appearance the door caught her attention.

"Excuse me, Mam." All heads turned to the door. A tall prefect with bleached blonde hair was standing at the door, his smooth voice betraying a haughty edge. "Please Professor, the headmaster has requested Sirius Black to meet him immediately." All eyes turned to Sirius whose unconcerned look up until that moment, turned confused. "It's urgent," Lucius Malfoy insisted.

McGonagall frowned slightly. "Very well. Mr. Black, you may go," she consented, nodding at Sirius.

"Wonder what you did," whispered James wickedly.

"Whatever it is, I'll make sure you're involved," he whispered back winking, swinging his backpack over his shoulder and strolling out.

The walk from transfiguration to the stone gargoyles had been uncomfortably silent. Sirius glanced sideways at Lucius, who was looking more smug than usual. He hadn't displayed a trace of recognition, a fact that made Sirius raise his eyebrows, remembering how Lucius had fawned over his mother the last time their family had come over for dinner. Not that Sirius was complaining. He had never liked Lucius or his garrulous, smooth talking father. For all the riches that they boasted of, they became surprisingly evasive when asked about the nature of their work. He felt Andromeda had been right about them when she had pointed out that they probably hadn't done an honest day's work for generations. She was a lot of fun, and didn't patronize him the way her sisters did. He had once made fun of Narcissa's lofty way of talking, while Andromeda and Regulus had rolled with laughter. He suddenly remembered that Lucius had walked in on them at the time. Maybe that was why he was ignoring him. It was rumored that he was dating Narcissa. Poor bloke, thought Sirius, chuckling to himself.

"Password is Chocolate Cauldrons," Lucius informed, his lips barely moving, "go on ahead." With a nasty smile, he turned on his heel and walked away. Sirius was slightly unnerved now, his cool composure giving way to a sense of foreboding. Something didn't seem alright. His instincts proved right when a shriek drifted back to him as he neared the doors of Dumbledore's study.

"Outrageous! Disgraceful! Scandalous! How could you let this happen?"

"If you could please take a seat, Mrs.-"

"Take a Seat? Take a seat? I'll take my son out of this bleeding school!" a deranged voice screeched. Sirius' eyes widened in mingled horror and shame.

'Your son has arrived Mrs. Black," Dumbledore's composed voice and calm demeanor rendered Walburga Black momentarily speechless. Taking advantage of the silence, Dumbledore beckoned to Sirius. He turned to face his mother in trepidation. There were red blotches on her face, a vein throbbing in her throat, her chest heaving up and down. Her beautiful long tresses were falling out of the elegant bun on top of her head, her hat trembling and lopsided. Her usually handsome face was screwed up unpleasantly, the transformation resembling that of an angered veela. Her eyes widened with rage when she saw Sirius

"Now, Mrs. Black," Dumbledore started as Walburga advanced angry steps towards her son, "I'm afraid-"

"You better be afraid!" she snapped, stopping in her tracks and turning to face Dumbledore. "I'm paying for his education. I demand a change. Or else-"

"Sit down Mrs. Black," repeated Dumbledore, his quiet voice ringing loudly in contrast to Walburga's thundering. She threw a dirty look at her son and grudgingly sat at the chair opposite Dumbledore. Sirius noticed that the portraits on the wall were looking on with great interest.

"Now, let's discuss this in a calm and mature manner," continued Dumbledore, sitting down on his own chair behind the desk. Walburga seemed to have taken some control of herself, the redness slowly fading from her cheeks. She still hadn't lost the crazy look in her eyes. She tucked the stray strands of hair behind her ear and straightened her hat and dress.

"Professor Dumbledore," Walburga started glibly, her voice switching personalities in seconds, "I'm sure there must have been a mistake," she implored politely.

"Mr. Black," Dumbledore addressed Sirius, "Your mother feels that the Sorting Hat has made a mistake-"

"And rightly so!" an indignant voice piped up. Sirius looked around for the familiar voice in alarm before realizing it belonged to his great-great-grandfather. The thin face of Phineas Nigellus seemed to be eyeing him disapprovingly.

"Phineas," Dumbledore addressed warningly. Turning to Sirius, he continued, "as I was saying, your mother here feels you were wrongly sorted into Gryffindor. She demands a re-sorting, otherwise she has threatened to take you out of Hogwarts." Sirius' eyes widened in dismay. "Now, this is indeed a peculiar situation. We have never had a parent coming over with such a request. However," he turned to Walburga, "As I have already informed you that is not possible. And even if it was, it is unfair to the other students-"

"The only one this is unfair to is my son. The noble blood of Black runs through his veins. We have been Slytherins for generations," she proclaimed arrogantly, her voice rising steadily, "I insist-"

"And I insist Mrs. Black, that your son will indeed remain in the house he was sorted in," cut in Dumbledore, with the exasperated air of someone explaining something to a child. Sirius was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the situation. He didn't want to go to Slytherin and be friends with the likes of Snivellus. He liked it here. He was somewhat comforted by Dumbledore's firm replies, but he also knew his mother too well. She would do anything to get what she wanted.

"Then he will not study at Hogwarts," she declared, lifting her chin and rising from her chair furiously, "Go pack your things Sirius," she commanded, her eyes defiantly on Dumbledore. Sirius looked dazed and was rooted to the spot. "Didn't you hear me?" she snapped turning to look at him, "Go and get your things!" her eyes flashed.

"No," he said quietly, looking at his feet. Walburga blinked. Dumbledore suppressed a small smile behind his beard.

"What did you say?" her voice dangerously low. Sirius looked square into her eyes.

"I said NO," his voice stronger, "Mum," he added tentatively.

"What do you mean 'No'," her eyes glinted dangerously, her voice teetering on an edge. Sirius was sure she would start screaming again. Better here than through a Howler in the Great Hall, Sirius reasoned.

"I mean, I don't want to leave. I like it here. Gryffindor is quite nice," he replied coolly.

"Quite nice?" she sneered, "Do you see Professor Dumbledore, how they have managed to hoodwink my poor little boy? He doesn't know what he's saying!" she proclaimed, outraged. Sirius felt insulted.

"I think your son's meaning couldn't have been plainer," replied Dumbledore fully smiling now, "I cannot allow you to remove a student forcefully from Hogwarts. I suggest you take a Calming Draught, Mrs. Black, and head home for a good night's sleep," his tone indicated finality. Walburga looked as if she wanted to say more but stopped herself at the look on Dumbledore's face. She spat rudely and swept out of the office, without as much as a glance at Sirius. Sirius remained where he was, a little dazed, unsure of what had just transpired.

"You may return to your classes Mr. Black," Dumbledore spoke up gently, disrupting Sirius' thoughts.

"And Mr. Black-" Sirius turned around, almost out of Dumbledore's office, "I am convinced that you really do belong in Gryffindor." Sirius looked into Dumbledore's twinkling eyes and grinned suddenly.

Sirius thought he heard his great-great-grandfather snort derisively as he shut the door behind him.

"What happened with Professor Dumbledore?" asked James curiously, as they filled into the dungeons for their Potions lesson.

"My mum," Sirius muttered. Before he could say anything further, the door creaked open and the Potions teacher walked down the aisle, his prominent belly preceding him. His straw-colored hair seemed to be receding from the front and balding from the back.

"Another set of First years," he announced, looking around the class with bright eyes, tucking his pudgy thumbs into his pocket. This thrust his belly out even more. "I'm Professor Slughorn. And, today, we will be looking at the basics of Potion Making. I don't expect you to show any real talent today, but as the year goes I will know who has what it takes to be a master potioneer." He beamed around at the class, as if sizing them up as a whole. His walrus mustache twitched as he spoke, serving as a great entertainment for James Potter. The rest of the class looked at him silently as he drew a parchment close to him.

Professor Slughorn began the roll call. This process itself took up more than a quarter of the class hour as he insisted on pausing at certain names to inquire after their parents or relatives.

"Black, Sirius," he looked up, eyeing Sirius with a mixture of curiosity and disappointment. "Never thought I'd live to see a Black in Gryffindor," he commented, "A pity," he shook his head, clucking his tongue. Most heads turned to look at Sirius who shrugged lazily, grinning.

Slughorn moved past the next few names without comments, pausing a little at Allan Bones from Hufflepuff to ask about his uncle and Cassandra Fawley from Slytherin about her mother. "Hopkins, Daisy," he looked up interestedly, "Are you the niece of Madam Sarah Hopkins? Chief Witch in Wizengamot?" Daisy Hopkins blushed a little, nodding in affirmation. He eyed her approvingly before going back to his list. His gaze lingered a little when he came to Remus Lupin. There was something very knowing about that look of mingled fear and pity. Remus flushed, his heart hammering in his chest. But Professor Slughorn moved past without a word, and nobody else seemed to have noticed anything.

"Ollivander, Leigha," Slughorn looked up excitedly, his gooseberry colored eyes almost popping out. "Ollivander?" he repeated questioningly.

"Garrick Ollivander is my father's brother," explained the round-faced Ravenclaw. Slughorn made a few excited inquiries before realizing dolefully that he had a class to get back to. He paused once again at Amar Patil from Ravenclaw to find out where his father and uncle were currently employed.

"Potter, James," he looked up, straight at James Potter. "You look exactly like your father did when he sat in my first class," he commented. "Made a fortune, that one, with Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, did he not?"

"Yes sir," James' grin was wide even when quite a few people turned to look at him curiously.

"How is the business doing? From what I hear, it's still raking in a lot of money. A bit of genius, appealing to the vanity of womenfolk."

"It's going very well sir, thank you," replied James.

"He was a natural at Defense and Duelling," continued Slughorn, almost as if summing up to himself. "But he made a living with his potioneering," he remarked approvingly, "I briefly met your grandfather too, Henry Potter, a fine wizard. Advocated for helping the Muggles during the Great War. A bold move." He looked at James curiously. James nodded.

"Very well," he stroked his mustache, still appraising James with his bright eyes. He went back to the roll call, glancing once at Vance Rosier from Slytherin. He stopped at Adhara Selwyn's name.

"Ah," he said quietly, "This seems to be a generation of rebels." There was a slight disapproving tone to his voice, "Your brother, Rigel, is in Slytherin, is he not?" Adhara nodded, her long hair falling forward to hide part of her face. Slughorn's eyes darted between her and Sirius. "Interesting," he muttered, holding his thoughtful gaze for a few seconds before going back to his roll call. Gryffindor's Clarence Sloan's admission that he wasn't related to the famous Carl Sloan of Puddlemore United was met with a snort of disapproval, and he spent a few seconds fawning over Travion Thorley whose mother was a very successful in wizarding fashion and ran her own business. The rest of the names didn't provide for any major distraction, and soon he rolled his parchment and looked up at the class, rubbing his hands together.

"Alright," he looked around impressively, "Today, we will be learning how to cut up different roots for potions." He proceeded to give them instructions, and waved his wand towards the cupboard. Different roots flew out of them and distributed themselves neatly on the desks of the students. He walked along the rows of students, pausing sporadically to have a detailed conversation about famous relatives. He sat by James Potter for over fifteen minutes, making him recall his father's and grandfather's life in painstaking detail. He peered over at Sirius' handwork and raised his eyebrows in alarm at the sight of him hacking away at the roots carelessly.

"Finesse, Mr. Black. Potions requires finesse, and attention to detail," he scolded reproachfully, moving away. "Ah Ms. -?" He said, looking at Lily's table interestedly.

"Evans," replied Lily.

"Muggle-born, I presume?" Lily nodded. "Very good," he commended appraising her roots in his large palm, "Perfect proportions. You used the bigger knife," he observed, "Did you read up before this class Ms. Evans?" he asked sharply.

"No sir," she admitted, "I just thought it would be easier this way." Slughorn eyed her approvingly, moving to the front of the class.

"This is what I wanted. Presence of mind. Potions is not just about following given instructions like house-elves. It is also about thinking out of the box. Ten points to Gryffindor for Ms. Evans."

Lily blushed delightfully. Soon, the class was filing out of the dungeons, discussing the new information about their fellow classmates and giggling over Horace Slughorn's coat buttons almost popping out as he breathed.

A week had passed. Introductions were exchanged, and names were familiarized with. The first years were beginning to find their own niches. With James and Sirius having quickly bonded, and Branston, Sloan and Wyatt always hanging out together, Remus was often sidelined to sit with Peter in classes. While Remus preferred the first few benches, Peter insisted they sit in close proximity to the duo. Peter kept trying to join in James' and Sirius' conversations, and scurrying behind them whenever possible. By the first week, it was clear that James and Sirius were trend setters of their year. They were effortlessly good at most subjects (although Sirius' inclination towards Herbology reduced markedly after receiving a bite from a particularly nasty plant Professor Sprout specifically told them to stay away from).

James' interest in Transfiguration stemmed from his natural flair, after having successfully converted his needle into a matchstick on his fourth try. McGonagall had a few rare words of praise for him and awarded an impressed twenty points. He looked around pleased and performed a mock bow when she had turned her back.

"Can you show me how it's done?" Peter asked eagerly. His needle had merely twitched on the table when he had recited the incantation, more so from the force of his breath than feeble magic.

"How difficult can it be?" Sirius remarked carelessly, flicking his wand lazily and getting it right on the second try. He smirked at Peter's whoop of praise. James, who had not even realized Peter had addressed him, was now engrossed in trying to turn his matchstick back into a needle.

"Here, let me help you," offered Remus, feeling sorry. Peter smiled at Remus gratefully and proceeded to learn from him, sporadically distracted by completely unrelated snickers from behind them.

The days went on uneventfully, with an occasional incident of interest or two involving Peter Pettigrew blowing up something in Charms, and Julian Stebbins having transfigured his textbook into a block of wood and having clue how it happened. Sirius and James provided the entertainment, simultaneously losing points for their antics and winning them for their magical skills. The first month had gone by before they knew it.

Lily could not help noticing how withdrawn Adhara Selwyn was. She was always the first one to wake, gone even before the others woke up. She was rarely seen at the breakfast table. In class, she almost always sat alone. Mary pointed out that she wasn't receiving any letters from home, and taking pity offered her some homemade cookies. Adhara's look of contempt as she stiffly refused and turned away puzzled and angered everyone. ("She's a Slytherin blueblood," explained Marlene dryly) After that, the Gryffindor girls didn't bother much about her.

One particular evening, Remus was sitting in the common room alongside Jake Wyatt and Peter, his head bent over a scroll of parchment. A sudden burst of laughter distracted him as he looked up, his quill pausing. A group of boys sitting by the fire had just been greatly amused by something. Remus spotted the stocky and well-built Nelson Redford, the sixth year Quidditch captain, red-haired and lanky 2nd year beater Owen Weasley. Next to them, looking small but oozing confidence, and seeming a foot taller than they were, stood James Potter and Sirius Black. While he, Remus, was the epitome of the saying 'First years should be seen and not heard', James and Sirius seemed determined to change the game. James had a way of drawing people's attention. He was mostly goofy, with an air of turning any situation entertaining. Sirius with his brazen disregard for norms and his natural complacency was intimidating even to some seniors.

Remus watched on as Adhara Selwyn hurried to Sirius and beckoned. Sirius' grin turned quizzical as he took in her twitchy movements, and followed her away from the group. The characteristic supercilious glint in her eyes was replaced with distress, and unusually bright. She seemed to be appealing to Sirius, who in turn looked uninterested, kicking his heels to the floor uncomfortably. He shrugged at her, and gave a reply that didn't seem to make any difference to her state of mind. Adhara's face betrayed a look of helplessness moments before Sirius turned to walk away. Almost immediately it went back to its indifferent haughtiness as she made her way out of the common room.

One conversation, one incident, one moment, one dialog. That's all it takes to cement a friendship. For James and Sirius, all it took was that first meeting on the Hogwarts express. For James, Sirius and Remus, it needed something more.

Remus was just returning from the owlery after sending a letter to his father. As he neared a bend in the corridor he could hear hushed voices, sounding oddly familiar.

"No - James - that's not... give it here!"

"Wait - ouch! It burns!"

There was a clattering and sound of something scurrying.

"Git! Why did you drop it?"

There was a sound of someone running in the opposite direction. Remus turned around the corner and came face-to-face with James Potter who seemed to be nursing two fingers that appeared red and swollen. Sirius came running from the other end, looking disgruntled.

"It escaped somewhere," grumbled Sirius, looking accusingly at James. He suddenly noticed Remus and looked at him warily.

"You should dab a few drops of Murtlap Essence on your fingers," Remus suggested with a knowing smile, "Works wonders on Fire Crab burns." He nodded to Sirius and walked past them.

"Oh and -" Remus stopped in his tracks and turned back to face them, "Smuggling a Fire Crab into the Potions cupboard won't disrupt the class. Professor Slughorn can handle it with a flick of his wand. Also now, your fingers-" he nodded towards James, "- would be a dead giveaway. You could probably screw in a biting doorknob to the supplies cupboard. Make sure to wear gloves this time," he added with a grin before going on his way, slightly amused by the gaping expressions on Hogwarts' most popular first years.

Back in the common room, Remus was helping Peter with Charms homework, his own completed scroll neatly tied up and resting beside his feet. James and Sirius walked and sat in front of them.

"So -" started James awkwardly, "Murtlap Essence worked. Thanks for that." He held up his fingers, still red but not swollen anymore. Peter looked up.

"No problem," replied Remus politely. James and Sirius exchanged a look, as if debating who should speak next. Peter looked between James, Sirius and Remus intently, puzzled.

"So, how do you know so much about Fire Crabs," demanded Sirius, eyebrows raised.

"Oh, that! Actually my Dad told me all about them. He works for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures," he continued excitedly, encouraged by the impressed look on their faces, "He started teaching me magic since I was six because he thought I wouldn't be able to come to Hogwarts."

"Why not?" asked James, shrewdly. Remus felt an uncomfortable chill and panic settle in his heart.

"Uh- it's my Mum," he rushed, thinking fast, "She's - er...not well… and requires a lot of attention. Dad - er - thought it might be helpful if I was around."

"Oh... " James responded, not quite knowing what to say. Remus grimaced.

"I hope she's alright now," spoke up Peter reassuringly, eager to be heard.

"It was quite cool, what you suggested back there," commented Sirius. He glanced at James and continued, "James and I thought, maybe, you could help us with the doorknob?" he said with an air of someone offering a privileged opportunity.

"What doorknob?" asked Peter, nonplussed.

"It'll be fun," piped up James.

"Well-" started Remus hesitantly. He had been feeling quite pleased earlier, but he had also almost given himself away. He was quite nervous now. He couldn't afford to let his guard down again. But looking between James' friendly face and Sirius' eyebrows raised in invitation, his face split into a grin, and he found himself agreeing. James offered his hand solemnly to an amused Remus. Peter eyed James' outstretched hand hopefully, but was once again dutifully ignored. Remus, for once, was too delighted to notice.

Authors Note:

I've covered almost the entire first year here, just highlighting what I thought was important. I'd love feedback. Also, do follow my tumblr flamingquilltips