Disclaimer: Don't own, never have, never will.
All of these are for the Skeletons in the closet challenge on HPFC forum. The things in bold are the prompts. Have fun!
Summery: Remus Lupin, the first year, falls in with the Marauders.
Just once, I want someone to like me back. That's all I need.
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"Mr. Lupin, Mr. Black," called Professor McGonagall.
Remus paled a little but moved his stuff to Black's table. Why, oh why did Lily have to skip class? It was only November but Remus had been pleased that she had offered to be his partner for Transfiguration and Charms—a little guilty as she kept catching his eye in Defence Against the Dark Arts while Professor Nyx talked about werewolves, but pleased. After all, her and that black-haired boy, Snape, had run into his empty compartment with steam practically coming from her ears.
No one else in his house, let alone his roommates, was being particularly friendly and Remus liked it that way. When they found out what he was, they'd run away. Better to avoid the whole messy business.
"Hey, Lupin," said Black as he settled down. "Where's that little redhead?"
Remus shrugged and pulled out his wand. "So—that spell?"
"Yeah, yeah," muttered Black darkly as he prodded his matchstick, saying the incantation. Remus sighed and attempted to turn his own matchstick into a needle. Nothing happened for twenty minutes but then Black cried out in joy, "Professor, I got it!" holding up his needle.
Professor McGonagall looked so astonished that Remus stifled a laugh. Black winked at him as she took the needle and began to show the class the perfect way that he had done it.
Black leaned across the table and, barely suppressing his own laughter, whispered, "I didn't do it." He showed his closed hand from under the table and opened it: a slightly bent, completely wooden matchstick was in his palm. "Ravenclaws told me what was coming."
Remus laughed aloud at this.
"Let's see you do it, then, Mr. Lupin," snapped Professor McGonagall, spinning around.
Remus felt his eyes go wide but tried once more. To his, Black's and Professor McGonagall's shock, it turned silver and pointed.
"Incredible," said Professor McGonagall, holding up Remus's needle. Remus stared at the spot on his table where it had been.
"I'd say," said a dumbstruck Black. "James Potter and I're gonna do a little exploring after classes today, like to come?" he asked, in a much different tone.
Remus's eyebrows shot up. Him—a werewolf—going exploring in Hogwarts School? The honest answer was "Hell, yes," but Remus wasn't sure if he could risk friends. He wanted them very much, desperately, but he knew of the Blacks and how this one would think of him once his condition was let out of the box.
"I'm nothing like my family," said Black quickly, as though he had guessed what Remus was thinking. Did Remus hear a bit of remorse? "I'm Sirius," he added, holding out his hand.
"Remus," he said, shaking the other boy's hand.
"Right, meet me and James—that's the boy with really messy black hair and a Snitch flying about his head—in the common room. We've got—er—a way to stop Filch from seeing us." Sirius smirked in a very self-satisfied way.
The bell rang, making everyone jump.
"See you later, Lupin," said Sirius, picking up his bag and joining someone who could only be James Potter at the door; he took out a little golden ball from his pocket and it began to fly around him.
Remus stayed there for another minute, wondering. Did he just make his first friend? He didn't know but as he left class he felt a swooping happiness stronger than anything he had ever felt, and he really doubted it was because of the matchstick.
I took the idea for the class from PS, it says that Hermione was the only one who made any sort of difference to the match. So, I'm thinking Lupin's like Hermione, and Sirius and James are Super!Hermione, judging from the way their ex-teachers talked about "the most talented students in school".
