10/07/2020 It's the end of first year! I'm actually surprised I've written up to here, I thought I would give up (But I wont!)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 22 (Remus Lupin)

The End of a Good Year

Thursday 29th June 1972

They had just finished their last day of lessons at school and Remus was starting to feel a little sad. He really didn't want to leave Hogwarts. He loved it there. He was almost normal, almost like all the other students. He wasn't even too bad at some subjects like Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Herbology, in fact most subjects, he worked hard, although he was dead awful at potions, nobody could deny that. He had made some brilliant friends; James Potter who was brilliant, helpful, and a bit of a mother hen when he wasn't in detention, and of course had a certain talent for trouble. Sirius Black who was slightly arrogant and haughty but nonetheless charming. He and James were like twins sometimes, always getting into trouble for one reason or another. Peter was quiet but kind, there was just something so nice about having him around. Lily Evans always tried to help him with Potions and they studied in the Library together often. She was actually really lovely when she wasn't shouting at James for being an ass (which lets face it, he sometimes is) - they often had tea together too if he wasn't feeling well and couldn't be bothered with the chaos that was the marauders.

He started to pack his belongings, which didn't fit very well in his small case because his friends had bought him so many clothes. But he wasn't complaining.

"Sirius can you come and sit on the trunk so I can close it properly please." he asked.

"Course. " he jumped on and Remus closed the clasps.

"You alright Remus." he asked, resting his hand under his chin.

"Yeah I guess."

"Oh I almost forgot, here have this." he pulled out a large bottle of a silvery-grey potion. "It's for the photos, you just leave them to soak for a while, then they start to move. Well I hope they do because I brewed it myself."

"Thanks, I'll send you a picture if it turns out well." he looked over at Sirius bed, he hadn't even started to pack yet. Typical.

"Oh damn I have to open the bloody case again to put this in." Remus sighed as Sirius laughed at him.

Friday 30th June 1972

Finally the last day came, and it was too quick. The leavers feast was wonderful (plenty of chocolate) and he didn't want it to end. It seemed like seconds later that he was stepping onto the Hogwarts Express. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter found a compartment together. They played a game of exploding snap and tried out some charms and spells in their final hours of being allowed to use magic. Remus was conflicted; He was desperate to see his mother and father again and tell them all about that year (although most of it has already been conveyed in letters) but also never wanted to leave Hogwarts. Regretfully, the train pulled into King's Cross Station and the four of them brought their luggage into the platform. They said goodbye and had a group hug (although Sirius tried to push them off saying 'this doesn't look good for his manly image')

"See you soon!" he called as we went to find his parents, Lyall and Hope Lupin. He waved back at his friends and noticed that Sirius was looking a little, scared? Frightened? Remus wasn't sure. What looked like Sirius' mother, seemed like she was sneering. She hissed something to him and Sirius shuddered. She grabbed his arm and dissaparated on the spot. He was a little worried about him, especially the way he reacted to his letters from home. There was something very dark and sinister about the Black family.

Hope hugged Remus and kissed him on the cheek. Lyall patted him on the shoulder, with a proud expression on his face. Lyall took hold of his wife and Remus and dissaparated to their home. It wasn't the same home they were in last time. He presumed they had moved once more to a new town, and he hoped that one day they could settle somewhere.

"So where are we living now?" he asked, looking around the street, which was a little dingy.

"South London. Here it is." they walked to a small cottage which was overgrown and rugged. It was far from the sweet quaint little cottages you see in pictures. He was rushed into the kitchen to eat dinner, which was some beans and sausages. He knew he wouldn't be able to have the luxury food that was served at Hogwarts, but they really couldn't afford to splash out on meals. He was just grateful he could have three meals a day.

"So did you enjoy your first year?" his father asked beaming with pride.

"It was brilliant!" he said, it really was. "I've made some really good friends. There's James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, Oh and Lily Evans."

"A girl, hmm." his mother hummed smiling.

"Yes, a girl. She helps me with Potions." he turned to his father. "I'm actually really awful at potions."

"Me too." Lyall chuckled.

"But I'm not too bad at Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms and Herbology." his mother ruffled his hair and looked like she might cry.

"I missed you Remus." she hugged him. Part of him felt guilty for not coming back in the holidays, but he knew that they'd be better off if he stayed at school. That way they wouldn't have to buy extra food or trouble them with his transformations.

His mother showed him to his bedroom. It was small and slightly dark, but his father had stuck Gryffindor banners all over the walls which made him smile.

He lay down and looked up at the ceiling. He had just had the most brilliant year of his life.

Saturday 1st July 1972

Remus wasn't bothered to unpack his trunk yesterday so grudgingly did it this morning. He opened the bursting case and took out his things. He smiled when he picked up the jumpers, cardigans, hats and socks his friends had bought him. He stored them in his cupboard. Then he picked up the camera and took it to breakfast.

"What's that Remus?" his father asked.

"My friend, Sirius, he bought this for me birthday."

"Wow." said his mother "Looks like you have some good friends Remus." Remus agreed in his head. He wondered if they ever found out about his lycanthropy if they would still be good friends. Sometimes he thought they wouldn't care but cursed himself later for thinking such rubbish.

"Can I take a picture?" he asked them. They smiled widely as they posed for the picture. It came out quite big and glossy. He put it in his pocket.

His parents also inquired about all his clothes. They seemed happy that his friends cared for him but Remus felt guilty because his parents did their best for him. He went upstairs and decided to write some letters to his friends, and also to try out the picture potion.

He stuck his picture up on the wall.