Couple of minor revisions in this one, but the real changes start in the next chapter.

II: Remus

Diagon Alley was fast becoming one of Hazel's favourite places- she didn't know about Lily but she was fascinated; didn't know which direction to look in first. It was far better than any shopping area she'd been dragged to in the past. She'd never been this close to being excited about shopping before.

Their first port of call had been the large marble building which played host to the local branch of Gringotts Wizard Bank. The Goblins who ran Gringotts were kind of creepy, but she had a feeling she'd get past that eventually. After they'd withdrawn some of the weird money from the Muggle-born trust fund the shopping began.

First of all they'd gone to a potions' shop and purchased enough allergy potion to last Hazel until she got to Hogwarts. After that, Mr Weasley explained, she could go to the Hospital wing for her potion as needed. Next they'd gone to the apothecary to purchase potions supplies. After that they decided to split up while books and uniforms were purchased. After flipping a coin it was decided that Lily and their mother went off to Flourish and Blotts bookshop while Hazel and their father went to buy uniforms.

Remus Lupin couldn't quite bring himself to believe what was happening to him. He couldn't believe that he was standing on a stool in Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions, being fitted for his Hogwarts uniform. Remus, despite being a Half-blood, had long since resigned himself to the fact that he would never become a real wizard due to what he was- and what he was, was a werewolf. However, just that morning, Albus Dumbledore himself had turned up at the door to announce that special measures had been taken to allow him to attend Hogwarts.

"Why do I have to be the one who's measured?" a girl's voice whined from outside the shop- Remus could hear her as loudly as if she were right next to him. "Lily's the same size as me, and she's better at this sort of thing."

The door of the shop opened and a red haired girl tramped inside, accompanied by a red haired man who could only be her father.

"Because that's the way things worked out Hazel," the man replied.

The man turned to Madam Malkin and explained his situation to her. He was a Muggle whose twin daughters were starting at Hogwarts in September; they needed two lots of everything.

"Alright dearie," Madam Malkin smiled. "Hop up onto the stool beside this young man and we'll get you measured up for school."

The girl, Hazel, did as she was told and, as she did so she shot a friendly smile at Remus.

"Hi," she greeted him. "You going to Hogwarts too?"

Remus nodded. "I'm Remus, Remus Lupin,"

"Hazel Evans," she replied. "Nice to meet ya."

"Likewise." Remus nodded, intrigued to see that the girl had mismatched eyes.

"Right dear," the seamstress fitting Remus smiled. "That's you done."

"Bye Remus," Hazel called after him as he stepped down from his stool. "I'll see you in September."

Remus turned to wave at her. He hoped that the two of them could become friends, he'd never had a friend before- but, at the same time he doubted he could handle it if he were ever to see the look of horrified rejection in her eyes should she ever find out his secret.

Finally the torture was over. Hazel, confirmed tomboy that she was; hated clothes shopping. She wasn't fond of any sort of shopping really but there was something especially tedious about clothes shopping. Her father paid for their purchases and they went to meet up with Lily, their mother and Mr Weasley.

"I wish Tuney were here," Lily sighed. "Maybe if she could see the wizarding world…"

"Lils," Hazel groaned; she loved her twin sister, but couldn't help thinking that, when it came to their elder sister, Lily had an inbuilt pair of rose-tinted glasses. It was beyond Hazel how Lily could be so blind to Petunia's faults. But then Hazel and Petunia had always been like chalk and cheese.

"Right," their mother addressed their guide. "Where to next?"

After far too much shopping in Hazel's opinion, the party; complete with a full complement of school supplies, two owls and a supply of allergy potion for Hazel; stood outside their last port of call- Olivander's wand shop.

Mr Weasley said that it was best if the two girls went in alone. So Lily and Hazel had entered the little shop without their parents. The shop was dimly lit and there was a strange feeling in the air. The twins exchanged a glance.

"Do you…?" Hazel began.

"Feel that?" Lily asked. "Yeah,"

"More for Hogwarts?" a quiet male voice asked from somewhere in the shop.

Lily barely repressed a startled shriek and Hazel almost jumped out of her skin as a tall slender man walked out of the shadows. The man must be Mr Olivander.

"Yes," Hazel nodded. "I'm Hazel Evans, this is my sister Lily."

"A pleasure," Mr Olivander nodded, Hazel wasn't sure whether he was sincere or not, he turned to Lily. "Now you first my dear; which is your wand arm?"

Remus was lying on his bed, nose buried in his copy of Hogwarts, A History; he was determined to do as well as he could at his new school; when he was disturbed by a tapping sound on his window pane. At first he dismissed the noise as that of the tree nearest the house made as its branches scraped against the glass. However, this next time the tapping came it was accompanied by the hoot of an owl.

His head snapped up and he caught sight of a handsome barn owl sat on the window ledge, letter clamped in its beak. Who on earth would be writing to him? He'd already got his Hogwarts letter- surely they weren't writing to tell him that they'd changed their minds about having him. Fearfully he went to let the bird in and took the letter from it.

Remus Loopin.

was scribbled on the parchment in a hand that he didn't recognize. Interest piqued, he ripped the letter open and devoured its contents.

Dear Remus,

I really hope you get this letter, please write back if you do; after we met in the robe shop Mum and Dad got my sister, Lily and me owls- this is Erik, isn't he gorgeous? Anyway, when we got home from Diagon Alley I decided to test the postal service (hope you don't mind but I don't know anyone else I could write to)

Looking forward to September (for once in my life) hope to see you on the train, or the station if you prefer.

Your friend, hopefully,

Hazel Evans.

PS: I've been reading Hogwarts, A History (really dull book it is too) and decided that I'd quite like to be a Gryffindor- what about you? - H.

Remus smiled as he finished reading Hazel's letter. She wanted to be his friend.

'But,' the treacherous voice of the wolf interrupted, silkily. 'How long do you think she'll want your friendship once she finds out what we are?'

'I'll just have to be extra careful,' he told it curtly, reaching for parchment, ink and a quill to pen his reply.

"Lumos," Hazel commanded, holding her wand tightly in her left hand.

The wand was made of willow with a phoenix feather core. The young witch's efforts were rewarded by the tip of the wand bursting into light. A smile spread across her face as she spoke the counter spell "Knox" extinguishing the magical light. She'd grown bored of reading her textbooks before sending Erik the owl off with her letter to Remus; and had picked up the Standard Book of Spells Grade One, deciding to see what she could do.

She'd already sent Tallulah- the kitten that Petunia had managed to wheedle out of their parents in the wake of Hazel's new supply of allergy potion- running back to her sister with a few singed tail hairs and perhaps a mild concussion as a result of Flippendo, the Knockback Jinx. She understood why her parents had allowed the scrawny little beast to join the family, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She'd also managed to repair her much abused piggy bank- the pig hadn't looked so close to new in about five years.

With a hoot of greeting Erik, who was so named because they'd been learning about the vikings in their last term of primary school, flew into the window and landed on top of his cage. There was a roll of parchment tied to his leg which he held out for her to take from him. Remus had written back. Hazel beamed and dropped her wand back into its box before moving to take the letter from her owl.

Dear Hazel,

You'll be pleased to note that Owl Post works; it's probably faster than Muggle Post too.

Is your twin your only sibling? I'm an only child. Why did you call your owl Erik? Yes he's great; smart too- smarter than Frodo, our family owl.

I'll meet you on platform 9 ¾ on the 1st of September

Your friend,

Remus Lupin.

PS: I wouldn't mind Ravenclaw or Gryffindor; my parents were in those houses- R.

Hazel smiled, now she too had a wizard friend; and, not that she'd ever say anything, Remus seemed like a friendlier soul than Severus. She gave Erik some owl pellets and pulled writing materials towards her, ready to write a reply.

"Girls!" her mother's voice called from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready!"

And next time we're back with clan Granger.

How will they escape their current predicament? How will the Drs Granger react to finding out just where they are? How will the Hogwarts staff react to having two Muggles and an impromptu addition to first year?

Find out next time.

Whether you're a new reader or one who's been with me since the start I'd love to know what you think of my revisions so far.