Sunday 1st September 1974

Hogwarts Express, 11:00

"Bye, mum! Bye, dad!" James bellowed out the window and waving as frantically as a first year. "Love you! See you at Christmas!"

Sirius was sure that the Potters were giving James equally an enthusiastic response because James had to get it from somewhere after all. They were all crazy. Must be a Potter thing.

"Hey," James said as he plopped himself next to Sirius.

"Long goodbye over?" Sirius teased.

James blushed but stuck his tongue out at him. Real mature. Of course, Sirius had to do it right back at him, it was only fair. Especially when there was no Remus this time to prevent any apparent immaturity.

Speaking of a lack of one Remus Lupin...

"Do you think Remus will be back tomorrow?" Peter asked, looking away from the window as the train left King's Cross behind them. It would be a while until they hit the open fields of the English countryside where there would be more interesting things to look at other than the city.

"I think he'll want to come to school tomorrow," Sirius answered. "I doubt his parents or Madam Pomfrey would let him."

It was bad luck that there was a full moon tonight and they wouldn't get to catch up with Remus. It was always easier on the first day before they were plunged into classes.

"Maybe he'll be in the Hospital Wing?" James said hopefully.

"You think Madam Pomfrey will let us see him?"

"That's what the Invisibility Cloak is for."

Lupin House, 14:30

Remus let out a sigh as he looked up at the clock in the kitchen for what must have been the millionth time today. It wasn't fair. He should not be here right now. He should be on a red steam train, stuffing himself with all manner of chocolate and catching up with his friends. Not moping at his kitchen table waiting for the moon to rise!

'Clunk'

Remus looked back down at the table to see one of the biggest mugs he had ever seen being placed in front of him. It had what looked to be a whole packet of marshmallows floating in it. He took a deep breath and made a happy noise. The only happy noise he had made all day. How could he not? This was his mother's special hot chocolate that usually was only made for his birthday, Christmas and the... other anniversary (one they all needed cheering up on instead of because they were already cheerful like the other days). It was special because it definitely wasn't the normal hot chocolate powder. She actually melted down chocolate to pour into the warm milk and even added cream and more chocolate powder to that concoction. It was heavenly.

Unfortunately, heaven wasn't enough to cheer him up today. He took a sip and cracked a small smile. Okay, maybe it was. But this was chocolate, come on! You couldn't not feel even just a tiny bit better.

Too bad that good feeling left when the chocolate was gone. He slumped so his face was on the table, only to get a sharp poke in the back from his mum.

"Mama!" he yelped.

That was completely unnecessary. And sore!

"No slouching at the table!"

"We don't have company!"

"Manners are not just for company." And she gave him another poke for good measure. Remus grumbled but didn't dare say anything. Werewolf or not, he was still scared of his mother. Instead, he sulked some more. Something else she usually didn't stand but she was being oddly lenient today. She patted him on the shoulder sympathetically.

"The train would be about halfway there by now," he said quietly.

His mum gave him a sympathetic look.

"I know it is hard tesero but this is what you have to do."

That didn't make it any easier to deal with. Actually, it made it worse. It wasn't fair! Why did this have to happen to him. Remus usually didn't dabble in this much self-deprecation or sulking but this full moon was making it especially hard. Had he me turned that it wasn't fair?

He wondered what his friends were doing. Had they eaten all the sweets they had surely got off the trolley? Maybe they were playing Exploding Snap. Or maybe James was trying to finish off some summer homework yet again, just like he did every year. Remus wasn't there to pretend not to help him this time. Just like he wasn't there to listen to Peter chatter about all the family he saw over the summer or to tell Sirius off for being plain ridiculous. He wasn't there.

With a huff, Remus kicked the leg of the table. It made a nice 'thud' noise but didn't ease his frustration at all. It did, however, get him another scolding.

"No damaging the table!"

Great Hall, Hogwarts, 18:00

Severus looked around his surroundings and smiled. It was good, no excellent, to be back at Hogwarts. Somehow, the screaming of children was still easier to ignore than the screaming that went on at home. And there had been a lot of screaming going on at home recently. Maybe only Gryffindors were louder. Maybe.

Anyway, that didn't matter anymore because he was back at Hogwarts and wouldn't be going home until next summer. Nine brilliant months of being at Hogwarts Castle. And good food. Don't forget good food. His parents couldn't exactly cook. He always had to restrain himself on the first night back from being that ill-mannered first year he once was.

Unless it was bacon. But you couldn't be restrained around bacon. Unfortunately, it was very much a breakfast food at Hogwarts so he wouldn't be getting any until tomorrow. The closest to that for dinner was gammon but Severus wasn't as fond of that. Too thickly cut for his liking. But he would he quite happy for any food if this Sorting Ceremony would just be over already.

"Fawley, Diana."

"RAVENCLAW!"

Whoever made it that they had to clap after each sorting? That was a lot of clapping that was completely unnecessary in his book.

The Sorting always took so long. Severus was pretty sure his year's hadn't taken that long. He barely remembered waiting and he was near the end of the alphabet.

However, it did, eventually, come to an end and soon there were only two first years left. Both with violently red hair which could only mean one thing.

"Weasley, Brian."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Severus and a few people surrounding him all rolled their eyes as the red head made his way over to the red and gold cheering table.

"Weasley, Marcus."

Good Lord, there was another one. Did they never end?

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Severus mouthed the name of the red and gold House in time with the Hat. His head was leaning on one hand as he didn't bother clapping. It wasn't like the House the kid got into was a surprise! Did Weasleys even go anywhere else? They hadn't in all the time he'd been here.

But enough about the Sorting. Food had appeared at that was much more satisfying to think about.

Monday 2nd September 1974

Gryffindor Common Room, 20:30

"Potter!"

James immediately straightened up and flashed a beaming smile at Evans. Sirius would have snickered but James shot him a warning look. Oh well, he would make fun of him later.

"Yes, Evans? Have a nice holiday?"

"Yes. It was fun," she replied shortly. "Where's Remus?"

James certainly wasn't expecting that question because his mouth gaped open.

"Remus?"

"Yes, your sensible friend? Where is he? I haven't seen him yet."

Evans was looking around as if Remus would pop up from the sofa cushions or something.

"Uh, he's not back yet," James said carefully, in a way that Sirius knew he was actively thinking about what to say.

"What do you mean he's not back yet? It's the first day of school. Everyone is back."

"Family stuff," James said vaguely. "His Aunt, you know?"

Sirius frowned at that. Was Remus still using that excuse? It had been four years; he was going to have to come up with something new. Something more interesting too. A sick Aunt was just bor-ing.

Evans was immediately sympathetic.

"Again?"

"Yeah. She's a bit demanding."

That, at least, got him a snort. Looks like Lily knew a fair bit about this non-existent Aunt of Remus'.

"She sounds like it."

The two of them lapsed into this weird silence where James didn't know whether to look at Evans, her hair or the floor. Evans was just staring at him, expecting him to say something. Why wasn't he saying something? He was definitely making this weird by staying silent.

As if he could hear Sirius shouting at him in his head, James finally spoke.

"Uhm, what did you want him for, anyway?"

Sirius tried not to laugh at the defensiveness in his voice. Surely James knew that Remus sat with Evans in the library because none of her friends liked to be in there either?

"We were writing letters to each other over summer and he never answered my questions in my last one." she said with a shrug. "I wanted to add something to my holiday essay."

"Oh."

Sirius didn't even bother to restrain his snort at the oh so eloquent response.

"Well?" Evans asked impatiently.

"Sorry?"

"When is Remus going to be back?"

Poor James now looked completely confused so Sirius decided that he would be a fantastic friend and swoop in to save the day.

"He'll be back tomorrow or the day after," Sirius answered for James. "Depends what time he gets back home at."

Lily gave him a sharp look but nodded.

"Thank you," she said politely before walking back to her friends.

James stared after her for a few seconds longer than necessary before tunnelling around to glare at Sirius.

"What did you do that for!"

Sirius gave James a bewildered look. "Do what?"

"Answer Evans? I was going to answer her!"

That got him chuckling. "Yeah, right."

"I was!"

He didn't believe that for a second. James could only speak a sentence or two to Evans before getting all tongue-tied. It was quite hilarious to him, Remus and Peter. Sirius was amazed he could even get a sentence out.

"You really weren't," Sirius assured him.

James scowled at him and folded his arms.

"Was to."

Obviously, there was no use in arguing with him. Especially since he was delusional.

Friday 6th September 1974

Charms Classroom, 15:30

Frank stared at the blackboard in dismay. That was a long essay. One he really didn't need. Didn't Professor Flitwick know how much homework they already had? Loads! Or, rather, miles would be a better description considering how many feet of parchment he had to write for next week. He was pretty sure he wasn't exaggerating on that front either.

If he thought last year was horrible in terms of work then this year was torture. And only the first week was over! What was the rest of the year going to be like?

"Don't forget that I want clear understanding of the theory to back up your arguments," Professor Flitwick reminded them as they all bustled about while they packed their things away.

Frank sighed heavily, shoving his textbook back in his bag. Of course, he wanted clear understanding. Hence the long length assigned to the essay. Great. Was he ever going to be able to leave the library at all this year? It didn't look like it.

He swung his bag on his should and started to trudge down the corridor. May as well stake his claim to a table now.

Monday 9th September 1974

Ravenclaw Common Room, 19:00

Kingsley groaned as he heard that golden haired little idiot started chattering on again. Keyheart or something his name was. Kingsley didn't know. He rarely paid attention to names that weren't his friends. He was bad at remembering them anyway so he didn't bother.

But not knowing this kid's name did not stop him from being annoyed at him. Because he was dreadfully annoying. Always talking and chattering to anyone who would listen or who wouldn't listen. Kingsley swore he could be put in front of a wall with eyes painted on it and still be happy talking away like it was a person. Callum didn't think the wall would need eyes.

He needed to get this homework done and he couldn't concentrate. There was literally no way to block this kid out and he had tried taking the sofa cushions and holding them over his ears. It spoke of the weird habits of Ravenclaw House that that action didn't even get any curious looks.

"You see, I managed to understand it before anyone else-"

"No one likes a braggart, Lockheart," the boy got scolded by Quigley, his shiny Prefect's badge glinting on his chest.

The kid didn't get the hint. "I'm not bragging. I understood it so quickly that I was asked to help my partner."

"So, he would shut up, more like," Callum muttered from next to him.

Kingsley stuffed a fist in his mouth to stop himself from laughing out loud.

"You just confused me," another second year voiced, must have been the blond-haired's partner. "You said it different to Professor Flitwick."

"It's not my fault that you misunderstood"

Kingsley groaned again. Thank Merlin he was never made Prefect. He would not be able to deal with any stupid younger student squabbling.

Wednesday 11th September 1974

Gryffindor Fourth Year Boys Dorm, 18:30

"I'm telling you, we're alike!" James said. "She even does her holiday homework late like me."

Remus rolled his eyes at his friend.

"Lily gets her homework out of the way at the start of the holiday like I do," he burst James' bubble. "She just wanted to add something to already done essay last week.

James deflated at that news. "Oh."

Peter and Sirius snickered in the background and Remus shot them a glare. They weren't helping!

"So, definitely not like you," Sirius pointed out.

"She is pretty though,' he sighed.

"What has that got to do with her homework?" Peter asked in too loud a whisper.

"Nothing, James just really fancies her."

"Oh. We already know that."

"Yep," Sirius nodded in an overly solemn tone. "He's that far gone that he forgets things."

Remus felt like he should probably tell them off again or something but, well, they were right and James didn't look too concerned. In fact, James was staring dreamily off into the distance like some sort of lovesick person from those old books. Now, that was concerning.

Hesitantly, he waved a hand in front of James' face. He got no response except for a sigh.

"Her hair is like fire."

Remus was pretty sure all three of their faces had the same look on their face as they stared at him.

"Fire isn't red, though," Peter pointed out.

"It's also nothing like hair," Sirius added. "Hair, is well... hair. You can touch it. Not like fire. It's not solid."

"Fire is plasma," Remus supplied.

"It's what?"

"Plasma."

Sirius gave him a confused look. "Is that a fancy word for gas?"

Remus shook his head. "No, it's the fourth state of matter."

"Huh."

"What do you think Lily's hair feels like?" James asked, interrupting them.

"We don't tend to go around touching people's hair," Remus said drily.

"No one is touching mine," Sirius said vehemently.

Remus raised an eyebrow at him. "Why would someone want to touch your hair?"

"Because it's amazing."

He said that in such a confident tone. As if it was already a fact.

"Uh huh."

Granted, Remus had to admit that it did look very soft and he knew it was well cared for - Sirius had always taken particular care over his appearance but recently he had been even more attentive to it. But Remus refused to feed his ego by commenting on it. Except to tease him, of course.

"Like, mine is kind of spiky," James said, running a hand through his, messing it up even more though no one would be able to tell. "But it's dry too."

"That's because yours is a mess," Sirius jibed.

James reached over and Remus jumped as he suddenly touched his hair and ran his hand through it. That was the oddest feeling.

"Remus' is kind of floppy and softer than mine."

Remus grabbed his wrist and removed James' hand from his head. He was not a dog, for crying out loud!

James turned to Peter who took a quick step back. Smart choice. It was time for a distraction before James launched into a whole spiel on their hair. They really didn't need that.

Did you ever admit to that Valentine you sent her?"

"...no."

Sirius snorted and shook his head. Remus elbowed him. Did he really have to bring that up? It always made James sulk when they brought that up.

"Well, that would be a good first step," Remus tried to say encouragingly.

But James gave him a horrified look. "I can't do that!"

Friday 13th September 1974

Fourth Year Gryffindor Boys Dorm, 07:00

"Oh, not this again!" Sirius groaned.

"What?" James asked, digging around in his trunk, which was already impressively messy by the way.

"You are not doing this again, no way!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," James told him, still searching.

It was in here somewhere. There was no way he would have thrown it out...

"You don't need some stupid charm! It's just a day!"

"An unlucky day," James corrected, which meant that he had to have it.

It was just that he no longer seemed to have it. Which would not be good at all. There was no way he was going to be able to get another one at such short notice. Where was it?

Maybe it would be a good idea to tidy up at some point like Sirius was always saying. James had no clue where the charm had been last.

"Ah ha!" he exclaimed, finding it squeezed between his headboard and the wall (though, Merlin knows how it got behind there).

"I can't believe you still have that," Sirius moaned.

Of course, he still had it. Didn't Sirius realise that they needed to be protected? Not all the evils out there could be known or seen after all. It was best to be careful. He was not being paranoid.

"Could you have at least put a preservation charm on it," Sirius said, holding his nose.

Okay, it did pong a bit but what was a little smell compared to an eternity of bad luck? Nothing. It was nothing in comparison.

"It does have one."

"It just naturally smells that bad?"

"What's going on?" Remus asked as he came into the dorm.

"It's Friday the thirteenth," Sirius replied in a pointed tone before James could say anything.

"Ah."

What was that tone supposed to mean? James did not appreciate it. He was trying to help them, for Merlin's sake.

"This is important," James protested.

Why was he the only one taking this seriously? This was important! They needed all the good luck they could get. Hadn't then read the papers recently? There were scary things going on in the outside world! They didn't want that coming to here, did they?

"James, nothing has ever happened to us on Friday the thirteenth," Remus said slowly.

"Because I've had this!" James thrust his protective charm thing in his friend's face.

See? He knew it worked. That was proof enough, wasn't it? None of his friends looked particularly convinced of this. Hmpf. Disbelievers. He stroked it and held it closer to his chest, eyes water slightly at the smell. Well, he believed in it.

Monday 16th September 1974

Library, 16:00

Sirius looked across the Library where Remus was - he was by himself, just like he suspected he was. James was down at the Quidditch Pitch doing Chaser drills that he had been roped into doing and Peter had tagged along to cheer them on or something. Which made it the perfect time for him to do this.

His hand plunged into his robes pocket for reassurance and he sighed in relief as his fingers felt the book. It would be awful to come all this way only to find out too late that he didn't have what he needed. But he did so he could go ahead with his plan.

Too bad his feet refused to move for some inexplicable reason. Or maybe not because he was nervous. Which was stupid because it was just Remus. Ironically, the least scary out of all of them. But that still didn't make him move.

What if Remus didn't like it? Or was angry? Or-

"There's a free chair, you know."

Sirius jumped as Remus' voice broke through his voice and he couldn't help but blush.

"You knew I was here this whole time?"

He thought he had been fairly sneaky and quiet. Remus just pointed to his nose. Oh yeah. Werewolf.

Sirius slipped in the chair opposite him and fidgeted. Remus gave him a curious look.

"Please tell me you're not hiding from someone."

Sirius cracked a grin. "Not this time."

And it was definitely not a good idea to hide out in the Library. You would inevitably be found and cause all sorts of a ruckus as you were chased around the shelves of books. Madam Pince definitely did not like that.

"Don't tell me you're actually going to do homework in here."

He gave a fake shudder. "Never fear. I would never do that."

Remus snorted before asking, "Then why are you here?"

"Well..."

Cue more fidgeting. The book felt very heavy in his pocket. Remus was giving him a questioning look, actually putting his book and parchment down to do so properly.

Oh, what if he didn't like it? Or maybe he would be angry. Sirius chewed on his lip and his mouth went dry as he tried to think how he could explain himself.

"Sirius..."

It all came out. It was like as soon as he opened his mouth an avalanche came tumbling down. He couldn't stop it. Remus listened and watched him patiently as he talked. Or babbled, more like. Merlin knows if he actually made any sense.

He was panting at the end of it, like he was out of breath after Quidditch drills. He also didn't know where to look, at the book, at Remus... wait, he still had the book.

Pushing it across the table to Remus, Sirius apologised again. He didn't think he'd be able to ever apologise enough.

"It wasn't your fault," Remus reassured him. "I would never have blamed you."

"I should have known better and hid it better," Sirius said miserably.

That had really been stupid of him. Of course, his mother would be able to basically smell anything muggle in the house.

Remus shook his head. "Out of your control. And you've more than made up for it." He held up his new copy of the book.

"It was the least I could do," Sirius shrugged.

"You still didn't have to."

Sirius just shuffled uncomfortably at that, feeling way too many emotions for him to be comfortable. Happy that Remus was happy, awkward because, well, it was just an awkward situation, guilty and just more than a little confused at Remus' lack of anger or annoyance.

"I can't believe you went out into the Muggle world for me. What if your parents found out?"

That was something Sirius did not want to think about despite being hundreds of miles away from them. The punishment for something like that would have been... painful to say the least. But he didn't want to think about that so he shrugged Remus' concerns away.

"But they didn't."

Remus gave him a long look before nodding and inspecting the cover. It wasn't in perfect condition but it wasn't too banged up either.

"Did you enjoy it?" Remus asked after flipping through the pages.

"Yeah," Sirius answered honestly. "Actually, I did. It was funny."

"It is," Remus agreed. "That's why I like it."

Sirius smiled warmly at him, glad that it all worked out okay.

"I can lend you another one," Remus broke their happy silence. "It's called David Copperfield and-"

"Woah! Just because I read one book does not make me a bookworm like you, Moony."

"Liking books does not make me a bookworm."

"That's the very definition of a bookworm!"

"No, it's not!"

"Is!"

"Not!"

"Quiet!" came the terrifying hiss of Madame Pince.

They stayed quiet.

Friday 20th September 1974

Fourth Year Boys Dorm, 06:00

'RIIIING!'

Sirius tried to quickly switch his alarm clock off before it could wake anyone else. It was under his pillow for that very reason but it was still loud.

"Sirius?" came a sleepy voice.

Too late. Of course, it woke up James. He was surprised that James wasn't already awkward considering he always seemed to be up at the crack of dawn.

"Go back to sleep, James," Sirius said quietly.

"Why are you awake? Are you okay?"

Great, now James was sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"I'm fine."

"Did your alarm go off?"

"Yeah."

He couldn't exactly lie about that, could he? It had been quite loud.

"Why?"

Sirius sighed. "I have to cast the spell for the Animagus Transformation. Dawn and dusk, remember?"

James looked like he was properly awake now.

"Can I watch?"

"Uh-"

Sirius wasn't sure if he wanted James to watch. It might make him self-conscious which in turn could make him mess up the incantation.

"Please?"

But he couldn't deny his best friend anything.

"Oh, okay."

"Yay!"

Trust James to get excited over something so small. Sirius pointed his wand at himself and chanted, "Amato Animo Animato Animagus."

As usual, nothing happened but he had got used to that by now. Though, it was weird to cast a spell and not see any results.

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"But that's boring!"

Sunday 22nd September 1974

Gryffindor Common Room, 16:00

Frank sighed heavily as he dropped himself into the chair next to Julian. Who was smirking in that intolerable way of his.

"How's the prefecting going?"

"That's not a word."

"It is now."

Frank leaned back and closed his eyes. How did he feel so tired when it wasn't even time for dinner yet? It felt like he had been awake for two days in a row.

He felt a poke in his side which he batted away.

"Well?"

"What?"

"How is being a Prefect?"

Frank opened one eye and tried to glare at his friend. His friends were getting far too much pleasure out of this. Sure, they had been congratulatory and were happy for him but then the teasing began. Especially since Jones was taking his promotion as any opportunity to suck up to him again.

He absentmindedly polished his badge as he thought about it. Perfect Duties were taking a lot more out of his time than he had expected. As a fifth year Prefect, he was the lowest on the ladder and therefore got all the awkward shifts. Like the one in the middle of a Sunday. It was at a time where you couldn't really plan for anything else - splat in the middle of the day. No time to do things before it and after it, it was basically dinner.

"Busy," he replied simply, not wanting to go into details.

It would just sound like he was complaining or was being ungrateful. It was quite an honour, after all. One that gave you a lot of responsibility. Of course, it would be hard work. Frank just didn't think that he needed it in his fifth year.

"Power not going to your head?" Julian teased.

Frank snorted. "What power? I can just take points from anyone in Gryffindor and recommend detentions to McGonagall."

"I'd say that's a fair bit of power."

Frank didn't think so but then again, he wasn't trying to throw his weight around like the Ravenclaw fifth year Prefect was apparently doing. Which was not nice. And bound to get the boy in trouble sooner or later. Professor Flitwick wasn't Head of the House of Stupidity, after all.

"So, not fun then?"

"I don't think it's supposed to be fun."

Fun it definitely wasn't. It was cutting down on the time he had available for homework (so much homework) and meeting up with Alice. And his friends. He couldn't forget his friends. Not that they would let him.

Wednesday 25th September 1974

Library, 16:00

Alice finished a paragraph with a satisfied flourish of her quill. Now, that was a well-written essay, if she did say so herself. A good Ancient Runes essay, in fact. She never thought she would think that after last year.

It turned out that Professor Spellman was right, all she needed was a bit of confidence in herself. And nothing gave you confidence than getting good exam results. Especially when it was the end of year ones. She was a lot less stressed out as a result.

A heavy sigh came from the other side of the table and Alice tried to hide a smile. Mary looked up right at that moment and glared at her. She was definitely not feeling calm. Actually, this was the most stressed Alice had ever seen her.

"Why does nothing this year make sense?" Mary complained. "I've gone over this four times!"

It was Transfiguration she was struggling with.

"It is officially the start of our OWL years," Alice reminded her.

"Don't remind me. The Professors won't shut up about it."

They really wouldn't, it was enough to drive anyone to a breakdown. Something Mary looked dangerously close to right now.

"Let me help," Alice offered, holding out her hand. "I've done mine."