Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling except the characters I created. The story is also under Wattpad under the same name. The account name is world_of_fandoms

Wednesday, 1 September 1976

Lena Pettigrew could not believe it. Somehow, Lena had overpacked again for Hogwarts for the fifth time in her life. As a returning fifth-year student, Lena was aware that she did not need the torch, her record player, or her collection of summer clothes that weighed down her trunk. There was no need for her to pack a torch that weighed nearly half a stone. For Merlin's sake, she had a wand and all she needed to do was cast a simple spell to bring light. And although Maggie Cho, her close friend and roommate, promised to bring her record player to share, Lena did not take her word for it. Maggie was always forgetting things. During their first year, Maggie had left her owl Athena on the Hogwarts Express. In their second year, Maggie managed to forget to pack all her Hufflepuff ties. The following year, Maggie left half of her school books on her bedside table at home. Just last year, Maggie spent the first week of their fourth year without her wand because she left it in her parent's car. And unless Hogwarts was suddenly transported to Colombia, Lena would have no need for her summer clothes until July.

She was taken away from her thoughts as her mother began speaking to her and her older brother Peter.

"Now Petey, please try to stay out of trouble this year. I don't think I can handle you getting more detentions than years your grandfather has been alive."

"Which grandfather, mum? Grandpa is sixty-eight and Papa is seventy-five," Peter remarked. Lena could not help but smile at her brother. Her brother could be quite quick at times.

"Don't be smart with your mother, Peter," their father Mark ordered from the driver's seat.

"Yes, dad," Peter mumbled and Lena smirked.

"Oh, and Lena? Make sure that you tell your brother early enough each week when you need to go over your readings. We don't want Peter to get behind when he's helping you," Lisa, their mother, added as she analyzed her nails.

Now it was Lena's turn to mumble "yes" to one of her parents. Peter remained quiet but looked over and squeezed Lena's hand three times. Her face had turned pink, as it often did when anyone brought up her dyslexia.

When Lena was eight or so, she was diagnosed with dyslexia. She was grateful to know that she wasn't dumb or incapable of learning. Still, it frustrated her to know that it would take her at least three times longer than others to read anything. Even though she knew that her dyslexia was nothing to be ashamed of, she couldn't help but be ashamed of it. She hated talking about it to anyone, especially to people outside her family. She was angered that she got mostly A's with an occasional E or two when she could have received E's with a surprising O. She hated that she hated that she missed out time with her friends and Quidditch matches to stay on top of her courses.

The car ride remained silent until Mr. Pettigrew began speaking again. "So, you two must be excited to see all your friends again. I know you just saw your mates, Lena, but I bet you got loads to talk about already. And you haven't seen the rest of the 'Marauders' since Sirius moved in with James and his family, Pete. Nasty family, the Blacks, they are. Always have been."

"Yeah, they really are, Dad. I'm glad he finally got out there," Peter spoke with conviction as their car pulled up to King's Cross and parked.

The Pettigrew family climbed out and pulled their trunks from the boot of the car. The family weaved about the station, avoiding slow walkers and people rushing to work. As soon as they reached Platform 9 3/4, the family ran through the barrier. Lena always felt a rush as she ran through the bricks. It felt as if she was doing the impossible.

"Alright, kids. Be safe and don't do anything stupid!" Mr. Pettigrew said as he patted Peter on the back and kissed Lena on the forehead.

"Oh, I am gonna miss you two so much. My babies, off to Hogwarts again. Why couldn't you stay small?!" Mrs. Pettigrew teared up.

Peter and Lena wrapped their arms around their mother and pecked her cheeks. "We'll miss you too, mum," Peter assured her.

"And we promise to write," Lena added.

And with that, the two young Pettigrews boarded the Hogwarts Express to start another year.

"I hope mum remembers to send me Thirty Three and 1/3 when it comes out," Lena spoke as she and Peter entered an empty compartment.

"Lena, you don't even know if the album is gonna be good," Peter chuckled.

"Of course it'll be good. It's George Harrison. Everything he does is perfect," Lena declared passionately.

"Well, Dark Horse wasn't great. It was pan-"

"Don't even say it Peter. George is perfect.

"Who's perfect?"

The siblings were suddenly interrupted by the presence of Sirius Black and James Potter. The moment they entered, Peter leapt from his seat. The three boys, or men as they liked to be called, and began shouting their strange nicknames. They continuously began patting each other's backs and pulling each other into bone-crushing hugs. They only got louder when Remus Lupin walked and they all shouted "MOOOOOOONY" together. When settled down, they turned their attention to Lena.

"Hello, Lena. How was your summer?" Remus asked.

Lena hoped her cheeks stayed their normal color as he spoke to her. "Great! Ava's family took her, Maggie, and I to see the Rolling Stones in Vienna!"

"Sounds more exciting than my summer. I just reread The Hobbit again and saw this lot," Remus chuckled.

"Hey, that's not fair," James said indignantly.

"James is right, Remus. The Hobbit is wonderful," Lena cheekily remarked, causing Remus to smile and James to pout.

"Anyways, back to my question, Lena. Who's perfect. It's me, isn't it?" Sirius said.

Lena was unable to see Remus' frown as she rolled her eyes at Sirius. "I would never use the word 'perfect' to describe you, Sirius. 'Annoying,' maybe but never 'perfect.'"

"Well, then," Sirius huffed.

"Then you must have been talking about me, right?" James asked.

"No, James, not you. I was saying that George Harrison is perfect."

Peter gave a pointed look to his sister, "George Harrison is not perfect, Lena. He's got vampire teeth."

"So? I think he has a fantastic smile. And even if he was a vampire, George Harrison would still be perfect."

"What if he was a werewolf? Would he still be perfect?" Remus suddenly asked. James, Sirius, and Peter's faces changed into one's of shock for a split second. Remus rarely brought up werewolves in conversation that included people outside the Marauders. He felt that it would bring up too many questions like "Why do you have so many scars?" and "Why are you always ill around the full moon?"

"Of course," Lena replied.

Remus did not stop. "Alright, which would you prefer him as: a werewolf or vampire?"

"Easy, werewolf."

"Really, why?"

"Well Remus, a werewolf can only attack you once a month for a few hours. A vampire can attack you on any night. Besides, vampires are in control all the time. Werewolves aren't. I doubt they want to hurt anyone when they're in human form."

"Okay, but—"

Remus was suddenly cut off by Ava Kamen poking her head in. "There you are, Lena! Mags and I have been looking all over for you! C'mon!"

Lena stood up, grabbing her rucksack. "Now as much fun as your four are, I've got to go! I'll come back for my trunk later, Peter."

Lena waggled her fingers at her brother and his friends and followed Ava down the corridor.

"Okay, what the bloody hell was that?" Sirius whisper-shouted at Remus after the compartment door closed and Lena was out of sight.

"What was what?" Remus spoke calmly. Despite asking the question, he knew very well what Sirius was inquiring.

"All the werewolf talk, Moony. It is very unlike you," James said, moving his hands as if he were swatting a fly.

"I was just curious, I suppose. I wasn't sure if any of you would be okay with it. I mean, back in first year, you said you would be fine with it. And that was before you knew. And I was glad that you all actually meant it. You never know how people will truly react until the truth comes out."

"Right, but you don't plan on telling Lena, or do you?" James questioned.

"No, I just wanted to know what others thought."

"Even if you did tell her, Lena would be fine with it. She's my sister, after all."

"Well that's not necessarily true, Peter. I know Lena's a wonderful person, but not all wonderful people are accepting of werewolves or other magical creatures, even if they claim to be. Besides, being siblings doesn't mean you think the same. I mean look at Sirius and Regulus, and Andromeda and Bellatrix, and—"

"Are you just going to keep on Black siblings that disagree with each other?!" Sirius interjected.

"Actually, I was going to say Lily and her sister Petunia," Remus said.

James sat up from his seat and declared, "I should go say hello to her! Lily that is, of course. Not Petunia."

"You'll have to wait for that, Prongs. Lily and I have to attend the prefect's meeting in … five minutes," Remus spoke, as he checked his watch. "I'll see you all soon."

"So Remus," Ava teased as she wiggled her eyebrows as Lena, Maggie, and her lounged in their own compartment.

At the moment, Maggie was using Ava's lap as a pillow and playing the bracelets and rubber bands on her wrists. Ava was happily sucking on her sugar quill and stroking Maggie's hair. Lena sat opposite them. Lena's back was against the wall beside the window. Her knees were close to her chest and she leaned her notepad on them as she drew random, intricate designs.

"Yessssss," Lena dragged out, without looking up from her notepad.

"What did you two talk about?" Maggie asked excitedly.

"George Harrison, vampires, and werewolves," Lena said nonchalantly.

Maggie looked up at Ava, and Ava looked down at Maggie. They then stared at Lena, who turned red as she felt their stares.

"I mean, they're not the topics I would usually bring up when I speak to my crush, but to each his own," Ava offered.

Lena dropped her pen (which are much better for sketching than quills are) and buried her face in her hands. "Oh Merlin, I'm so embarrassing," Lena cried.

"No, you're not," Maggie laughed. "And what topics do you usually bring up when you talk to your crushes, Ava?"

"Well I usually just try to find out if their a closeted lesbian like me or not so I usually bring up really beautiful women and see how they react. But when I'm flirting with guys so my parents think I'm straight, I usually just talk about Quidditch and how cool they are."

"Good to know," Lena said, turning to face her roommates and close friends. "And who, pray tell, do you have a crush on at the moment?"

"Marlene McKinnon. She's just sooo… intimidatingly hot, you know?"

"Yeahhhh," Maggie and Lena sighed in agreement. Marlene McKinnon was a Gryffindor year above them and was one of the most attractive people that ever graced Hogwarts' halls. And while Marlene's attractiveness was one of her appealing qualities, her boldness and quick-witted nature made her one of the most desired girls at Hogwarts.

"Anyways," Ava started, "where's Alex, Mags?"

"Oh he's at the prefect's meeting! He was so nervous. It was adorable," Maggie smiled, blushing.

Alex was Maggie's doting, Ravenclaw boyfriend who was a prefect this year. Alex had earned Ava and Lena' seal of approval. He paid Maggie so much attention and, at the same time, was not clingy. He was helpful without being overbearing as he understood Maggie could fend for herself. He really sealed the deal, though, when Ava failed her Transfiguration exam last year and he brought her a packet of sugar quills.

"Ooooohhh! Guess what?" Maggie squealed, lifting herself from Ava's lap.

"You got your driver's license?"

"Your parents got you a new broom?"

"Alex proposed to you?"

"Well nothing that exciting. And why would Alex propose to me, Ava? We're fifteen and haven't even been dating a year?" Maggie questioned with a confused smile.

"I dunno. I thought you had big news!"

"Okay, so the news isn't that big. I got these quills and they're fantastic! The feathers change color based on your mood!"

"Really, where'd you get them?" Ava asked

"Some little store in Godric's Hollow. Next to the apothecary."

"And I assume the quills turn pink when you think about Alex," Lena teased.

"Shut up," Ava said, rolling her eyes. "Go get your trunk so you can change.'

"As you wish."

Lena rolled the door open to the compartment that the Marauder's were occupying.

"I just came to get my tr— Shit! Sorry! I'll wait outside!" Lena cried, quickly closing the door with a loud bang. She turned around, forcing her back against the door as her face turned red. Although she had always dreamed of it, Lena Pettigrew did not expect to see her brother's friend shirtless.

Lena always thought that if she saw Remus Lupin shirtless, she would be pleased and giddy. At that moment, however, Lena was only concerned. Even though Remus quickly covered his toned body with his unbuttoned shirt, Lena saw all the scars that littered his body. It wasn't that Lena didn't know Remus had scars; he had several on his face. It was more the fact that there were so many on his body. She couldn't help but to think that Remus came from a broken home, where his parents abused him. But she doubted that was the case. Remus always spoke with such adoration regarding his parents. And if it wasn't a broken home, then what could be the cause for all of Remus' scars.

Lena turned around as she felt the door begin to roll open. She stared face-to-face with Remus. He held her trunk out to her and she grabbed it, setting it down.

"Where are Peter, James, and Sirius?" Lena asked, her voice betraying her as it cracked.

"Sirius and Peter went after the trolley, something about lemon sherberts. James went to bother Lily," Remus said hoarsely.

Lena stared at her shoes. "Sounds about right."

"Yeah," Remus tried to say lightheartedly. He failed, his voice coming out strained.

Lena looked up at Remus. Her eyes felt much bigger than they actually were. She gently covered Remus' hand with her own. His palm was sweaty and his cheeks were pink from the embarrassment of the question that was about to come. His eyes were begging her not to ask the question.

"Remus," she cleared her throat, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," was his curt response.

"Remus, you're not fine, though. You're covered in sc—"

"How observant of you? Just because I don't have a flawless body, doesn't mean I'm not okay."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. I'm just worried. If you need help, please tell me or someone else."

"I don't need any help, Lena. I was mauled by a neighbor's dog years ago. There's nothing to be done about it now. So you don't need to be the cliché, kind Hufflepuff and worry about me," Remus said quietly and angrily.

"I wasn't trying to be a kind Hufflepuff, I was trying to be a kind friend."

"We're not friends, Lena. I'm friends with your brother," Remus declared with finality.

And he slammed the door in her face.