A/N: Harry potter belongs to JK Rowling. I'm just borrowing some characters for a little while.
Chapter - 01
The morning of the first of September dawned bright and clear. Sunlight streamed in through the windows of the houses as everyone went about their daily lives. It was a beautiful morning. There was definitely something magical in the air.
Somewhere in the midst of all the dense trees and plants, a boy lay awake, haunted look in his amber eyes. He was scarred, literally and figuratively. He went about his daily chores, dressing, having breakfast. But in his haunted eyes, there was a tiny speck of hope. Deep inside, he was scared, but excited.
Remus John Lupin. Eleven years old. Son of Lyall and Hope Lupin. A sweet, well-mannered child. That was how he was known as. But there's a saying, 'It is the kindest of smiles that holds the darkest secrets.' It was definitely true in Remus' case. Behind his heart-warming smile, he held a dark secret.
He was different. But there were many kids in the world like him. Kids like him, who had powers. Not superman powers, but magical powers. Yes, Remus Lupin was a wizard. His father was a wizard, and so were his grandparents. But that was not how Remus was different. He was even more different among the wizards and witches.
He held a dark secret that even the wizarding world didn't like. Every month a night, specifically the full moon night, he would transform into a hideous, monstrous beast. He was a werewolf. And he didn't like it a bit. But, unfortunately, he couldn't control it. He had to accept that the beast was a part of him. He had to learn to accept the fact that he-or anyone else, for that matter- could not do anything to stop himself from transforming every full moon.
But he could make sure that no one got hurt because of him. And so he locks himself up in a room every full moon and allows the wolf to take over his mind. By morning, when he transforms back, his bones would ache from shifting and his head would threaten to explode. He also had scars across his face, claw marks, that might've happened during the transformation. He could not remember anything that would've happened for the wolf would've taken over his mind.
And today was one of those mornings. He felt so tired, but he couldn't rest, for today could be the most wonderful day of his life. He never thought he could go to school like the other children. As much as he loved learning, he would never put other's lives at stake for his needs.
But he had felt so delirious when Professor Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, had visited his home and had told him that he could attend Hogwarts like every other witch or wizard. When he had declined politely, not explaining why he couldn't go, Dumbledore had said that he knew of Remus' condition and that he had arrangements for it. Every full moon, Remus could go to a shack through a secret passageway and transform and by morning, he could return to the school and go about his schoolwork. Remus had felt obliged and his parents and he had thanked Dumbledore profusely.
And today was the day he would get to go to Hogwarts, make friends and be normal as possible. The Hogwarts Express would leave platform nine and three quarters at precisely 11:00 am and Remus had to get there as soon as possible. He had packed his trunk two days ago, excited about the coming days. But, last night was the full moon. That was why he felt really tired this morning. It was a good thing that last night was the full moon, Remus thought. At least he didn't have to transform for another month.
At 10:55, Remus was at the platform nine and three quarters in King's Cross, London, with his parents. Having divested himself of his trunk, he said last goodbyes and received kisses from his mum. After all, he wouldn't be able to see them 'till the Christmas holidays.
'Take care of yourself, dear. And don't forget to be in the shack before sunset on full moons, all right?' his mum fretted. 'And write to us every month, won't you?'
'He'll be alright, Hope.' His father interjected.
'I will be, mum' Remus assured. 'Now get on the train, Remus. It's almost time.' His dad reminded again.
With a fleeting look, he climbed onto the train. A whistle sounded and he was off to Hogwarts. He waved to his parents until they disappeared around the corner. With a sigh, he walked along the corridors, searching for a compartment. Almost every compartment was full with bustling people. Finally, he found a compartment, towards the end of the train, with only a boy sitting inside.
'Is it okay if I sit here?' he asked the mousy-haired boy. The boy nodded, giving him a small smile. Remus sat across him, near the window.
'I'm Remus Lupin. What's your name?' he asked.
'Peter Pettigrew.' The boy said in a squeaky voice.
'Are you entering your first year?' Remus said. 'Yes' Peter replied squeakily, again. They conversed this way- Remus asking the question and Peter answering in not more than five syllables- when the compartment door opened and a boy, with messy black hair and round wire-rimmed glasses, entered with a black haired boy- with dark eyes and a mischievous smile- in tow.
'Hi, I'm James Potter.' The first boy introduced to Remus and Peter. 'And I'm Sirius Black' the other said. Both boys sat on the seat across Remus, near Peter.
Remus smiled. 'I'm Remus Lupin,' he said, shaking their hands.
'Peter.' Peter said in his squeaky voice. He looked rather intimidated by them, for some reason. 'So Remus, I was having a talk here with Sirius on which house we'll be in,' James said with an air of confidence. 'I'm very sure I would be in Gryffindor…' He trailed off as a girl, with dark red hair and stunningly emerald green eyes, opened the compartment door. Behind her was another boy, with long, greasy black hair, dark eyes and a hooked nose.
'Do you mind if my friend and I sit here. All the other compartments seem to be full.' She asked politely. She pointedly looked at Peter and Remus. When they nodded, she entered and sat down on the seat. Remus saw the other boy mouthing, do we have to sit here? , to the girl and when she gave him a pointed look, he sat next to her, looking not very happy.
The girl turned to Remus. 'Hi I'm Lily Evans.' She said, smiling. She seemed to be completely ignoring James and Sirius. 'Remus Lupin' he said, for, what seemed to be like the third time, that day. She introduced herself to Peter, too.
'This is my friend,' she said, waving her hand to the boy, 'Severus Snape.' She smiled. Severus gave a painful smile to them.
'Snivelly and red-head got kicked out of their compartment?' James smirked. Sirius was grinning madly at the whole scene.
Lily glared at him. If looks could kill, James would've been in his grave right now. Severus was glaring at them too.
'What happened, why'd you get kicked out?' Remus asked eagerly.
'We didn't get kicked out. A few seventh years wanted the compartment we were in. So we thought we would sit in another one.' Lily explained. 'But, you know what, I'd rather sit somewhere else than here.' she added as an afterthought, glaring daggers at James. 'Come on, Severus.' And with that, she stormed off.
'But I thought you said everywhere else was full.' James said. Lily snapped her head, turning around. 'I'd rather sit somewhere full than sit here.' She added, 'And it was nice meeting you Remus, Peter.' She gave a small smile and walked away.
'Mental, that one, don't you think?' Sirius said. James simply smiled at him and went on discussing Hogwarts houses, as if nothing had happened.
James was an overconfident lad, Remus thought. Sirius and James seemed to get along really well. For a moment, Remus even considered they might be siblings. It really came as a surprise when he learned that they had only met that day on the train. Peter seemed to be very quiet. He looked a little intimidated by everything. He felt sorry for Peter sometimes for reasons he didn't know.
The sun had sunk really low by the time they reached Hogsmeade Station. It was almost dark and the first stars seemed to appear in the dark sky. The moon looked almost full, but was actually in the stage of waning. A big, large man with bushy beard and beetle like eyes stood at the entrance with a lamp, saying 'Firs' years over here, please. Firs' years.'
James, Sirius, Peter and Remus, along with the rest of the first years went over to the big man. They were lead to a narrow, steep dark path. 'You'll all get your firs' sight of Hogwarts in a sec.' He said, smiling broadly. There was suddenly gasps of excitement and awe everywhere. Remus looked up to see the most beautiful sight ever.
The narrow path had opened to the edge of a great black lake and perched on top of a high mountain was a large castle with windows that gleamed in the starry sky.
'Now, I want all of you to get on these boats. No more'n four in one.' Remus, James, Sirius and Peter sat in one boat. Hagrid repeated, 'Four in one boat, four in one.'
After everyone had been seated, Hagrid bellowed, 'FORWARD'. The boats began to move across the glistening black lake. After much travelling, they were finally facing a large oak door.
The oak door opened to reveal a woman in emerald green robes and a tight bun. She also wore square spectacles and held a scroll of parchment in her hand. Professor McGonagall, as was her name, welcomed them and went on to explain about the four houses of Hogwarts. Then, the nerve-wracked students were led to the Great Hall, which was huge with the ceiling bewitched to look like the sky outside. Then the Sorting began.
Remus suddenly felt nervous as so many thoughts swirled through his mind. What if he was sorted into the wrong house? What if he had to sit there for ages and the hat couldn't understand where to place him? What if he wasn't sorted at all and was asked to go back home?
Stop it! He told himself. He took a deep breath and watched the rest of his peers being sorted. 'Black, Sirius' got sorted into Gryffindor and Remus could see the happiness on his face as he walked to the Gryffindor table. 'Abbott, Linda' was sorted into Hufflepuff. 'Evans, Lily' , the red head who he had met in the train, was also sorted into Gryffindor. 'Keene, Alice' was sorted into Gryffindor, too. And then...
'Lupin, Remus' McGonagall announced.
Remus took a deep breath as he walked towards the sorting hat. He sat on the chair and placed the hat on his head.
'ooh, I can see intelligence, very wise. A loyal heart too. Hmmm...a desire to prove yourself. But courage, ah...I know where to place you...GRYFFINDOR!' the hat yelled.
Remus got off, placed the hat back onto the chair and walked to the Gryffindor table, his face split into a wide smile.
Soon after, 'McKinnon, Marlene' , 'McDonald, Mary' and 'Potter, James' joined them on the table. Remus couldn't help but notice that Lily's face fell a little bit when 'Snape, Severus' was sorted into Slytherin. She clapped and cheered and smiled, nonetheless.
Soon, their Headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore, gave a short speech, told them about the rules and regulations and then, the moment he said, 'Let the feast begin!' the tables filled with plates of delicious food. There was chicken, treacle tart, pumpkin juice and everything you would imagine having for dinner.
Sirius started stuffing his face, not very elegantly. Remus took a fair amount of everything and enjoyed it very much. Desserts arrived and he had some treacle tart and chocolate ice-cream. By the end of the feast, he felt stuffed and well-fed.
After the feast, the prefects of each house lead everyone to their dormitories. The Gryffindor tower seemed to be situated high above and there were so many staircases to climb. The food he'd just devoured might be digested by now. And the fact that the staircases moved did not help.
After much climbing, they were stood in front of a portrait. 'The portrait of the fat lady', one of the prefects informed them, while the other said a password to the Fat Lady. As soon as he said, 'Bonem nocte', the Fat Lady replied with a 'You too, dear' and swung open to reveal a comfy looking room. The room had red brick walls and a fireplace at a corner. The fireplace was surrounded by comfortable looking cushions and sofas. There were tables and chairs at corners of the room. Remus could see stars shining in the sky through the window a few distance away from the fireplace. Everything looked so comfortable and warm. There were two staircases, on one side of the room, leading up.
The prefect pointed up the left staircase, 'This one leads up to the girls' dormitories'. And then, he pointed to the right one, informing them that it lead to the boys' dormitories. The boys' were lead up the staircase, while the girls' went the other way.
They came to a landing and found a door marked 'FIRST YEARS'. James, Sirius, Peter, Frank Longbottom and Remus were lead inside.
'This is your dormitory, boys!' The prefect said, cheerfully but sleepily. 'I'm Jacob Thorn, by the way. You can come to me if you need help with anything. Your trunks are already here. Hope you have a good night! See you around!' he said, exiting through the door and closing it on the way.
'I'm exhausted!' James announced to the room, flopping down on the bed. There were five four-poster beds and their trunks sat on the foot of each bed. opposite the room, there was a window facing the Quidditch Pitch. It all seemed so good.
Peter and Frank soon changed into their night clothes and fell asleep. James and Sirius talked for a bit about "that red-head" and food while changing into their pyjamas. Then, they too fell asleep. Remus changed into his night clothes and lay down on the bed, looking at the canopy of his four poster.
'This is going to be one hell of a good year' he thought to himself as he too drifted off to sleep.
He had classes the next day, after all.
A/N : I'm so excited to write this story. Hopefully I'll update the next chapter soon. Please review and let me know what you think. :)