July thirty first of Harry's eleventh year had come at last. Remus had been dreading it, really, seeing Harry go off to school. He would miss having his company for on thing, but knowing that he was going to be out of his protection bothered him. The letter had already came in the mail marking Harry's start to Hogwart's, a large great horned owl arriving as Remus had sat a plate of pancakes on the table. Harry had nagged him for weeks, worried that he was a squib because Ron had gotten his already and Harry had yet to receive his own. Remus had tried calmly explaining to his nephew that the letters were sent by birthdate, no alphabetically, but Harry was no less in a funk until the letter arrived, after which he ran through the house excitedly, and tacked the letter to his bedroom wall.

But today Harry turned eleven, and Remus had been planning his party for the better part of the last year. Harry had many muggle friends from the primary school he'd went to, so the part had to be magic free. It was a feat to convince Molly that any magical gifts needed to wait until one of her Sunday roasts that Harry and Remus often attended, but he had managed it. It was yet another nine hours until the party, but he knew that because Molly was making a cake, he'd hear from her soon about setting up at the park near Remus' house in a muggle village. He quickly made some pancakes and bacon, piling Harry's plate high enough to stick a candle down in the cakes before lighting the candle with his wand, so that the flame didn't burn through the wax too quickly. He then trudged up the steps and knocked gingerly on Harry's door. "Harry?"

"Mmmm?" Harry called, and Remus could tell that he'd buried his head under the pillows. He cracked the door open and laughed at the sight, Harry in the fetal position with a pillow over his head and his feet hanging out of the covers, the same way they often found James asleep in their dorm in the mornings, as he was always the last one up and the hardest to get awake.

"Up, sleepy head." Remus commanded. "Your breakfast will get cold."

"Charm it." Harry replied in a grumpy huff, to which Remus couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"No, you have to get up and eat them while they're hot." Remus replied, stealing the pillow and blanket away in one motion. Harry looked up, squinting as he fumbled along his bedside table for his glasses.

"But Uncle Remus..." he whined, tucking his head into the mattress and away from the light pouring in his window. "It's my birthday! I should get to sleep in!"

"Be that as it may, Harry James, you have a big day ahead of you. We're getting your school supplies today." This comment made Harry snap to attention excitedly.

"And a wand?" He ask, his eyes gleaming with the thought of the new adventure ahead. Remus smiled and nodded.

"Yes, of course a wand, silly child." He said, moving across the room to the closet and removing a pair of jeans and a shirt, then tossing them to Harry. "Now, breakfast. Shopping. Then I'm sure Molly will want to double and triple check everything, so we'll have to pass inspection from her." This comment made Harry laugh. Remus left Harry to dress and went back to wait for him at the breakfast table.

The party had gone wonderfully, and Harry was able to easily say 'goodbye's' of sorts to his muggle friends who were all growing up and going separate directions for higher schools, telling them he'd be away in Scotland. He received many nice gifts, and Remus had to make two trips from his tiny old car to carry everything in, even with Harry's help. He knew that magic could do the task easier, but with Harry getting his wand and starting his education into the magical world himself, he wanted him to remember that magic wasn't a means to be lazy, and that sometimes it was good to complete small tasks without using magic for everything. When they arrived home and Remus started to the kitchen to tuck away party food leftovers, he had to call Harry down from his room into the kitchen for one last present that had been delivered while they were away. Harry's eyes grew wide when he caught sight of the cage. "An owl?" He exclaimed excitedly. Remus smiled as Harry ran over and opened the cage, letting the snowy white bird walk out onto the table.

"She's from Hagrid." Remus explained. They had ran into Hagrid at the bank, as he was doing some work for the school and Remus and Harry were visiting his vault his parents had left him. Harry had mentioned his birthday, excitedly, and Hagrid seemed proud for the boy. He was one of Harry and Remus' most frequent guests, often coming by for tea. Their kitchen had French Double doors and a high ceiling, so the half giant fit in alright enough, unlike many other places.

"I'll call her Hedwig." Harry said with a nod, and the owl gave a soft coo of approval.

"I expect you to use her to write to me, young man." Remus said, chuckling as he watched Harry stroking the owl. He nodded excitedly. "Of course, her first job should be a 'Thank You' note to Hagrid, don't you think?" His voice was stern enough to let Harry know to get to it right away, and he left the kitchen and went straight to Remus' desk to write the letter.

The last stop on the way to the train was the cemetery at Godric's Hollow. Sometimes Remus went along to James' and Lily's graves, but today he hung back and let Harry get out his feelings about school and everything new with some privacy. Harry laid flowers against his mother's stone, and a bottle of butterbeer against his father's. "I"ll have to wait until Christmas to come visit again." Harry started, setting down before the gravestones. "I'm starting school this year. Dad, Uncle Remus has a seriously long list of rules for me that he said I should thank you for, even though I know he wasn't innocent in your mischief. And Mum, I've been told that I'll have to work hard to get grades as good as you. But I'm going to do better at Hogwarts than I did at Greenhill, I promise. Hogwarts is important, and I want you both to be proud." He said for a while and thought. "I'll miss you both, so much. But I'll send Uncle Remus by to update you, okay?" He stood up and brushed off his pants. "I love you guys. I wish you were here." He stood for a moment, feeling a soft breeze blow his hair about on his head, and he smile to himself as he walked the path back to where his uncle waited.

Seeing the train brought back many memories for Remus, but it was nothing compared to the the look on Harry's face when he stepped through that brick wall for the first time, his eyes catching sight of the gleaming Hogwarts Express engine. He nearly darted off through the crowd toward Ron and the Weasley twins, who he caught sight of beside a carriage. Remus followed behind chuckling, pushing the cart. Hedwig hooted her protest of the light and noise, and Remus had to sympathize with the bird. The smells and sounds of the train station were an assault on his senses as well. He came over in time to catch the tail end of Molly nagging her three youngest boys and Harry as well, about behavior on the train. Ron looked a bit sick and nervous, but it was a fairly common expression for the boy. It was in this confusion that Remus first caught a faint whiff in the air of something familiar, something that confused him so deep that he felt the wolf within react. It was only in passing, as Ron stepped away and began to help load his things onto the train. Remus pulled Harry to the side.

"Now Harry, I want you to remember that you can write to me for anything you need." He started to speak, but noticed his voice was breaking. "And don't be afraid to write home for no reason. Be friendly, and be kind, but don't allow anyone to walk on you." Harry grinned as Remus spoke.

"I know, Uncle Remus." He said, rolling his eyes a bit. Remus ruffled Harry's hair.

"And I'll keep telling you until I'm dead, so listen up. Remember than it doesn't matter what house you're in, it only matters that you do your best and be true to you, alright?" Harry nodded.

"Yes, sir." He said.

"Make friends, laugh, but do your work on time or I will hear about it." He scolded. Harry nodded again.

"Yes, sir." He said again. The first warning whistle sounded and Harry looked around, but Remus kept him a moment longer.

"And Harry?" He added, swallowing before he spoke.

"Yeah?"

"I love you, kiddo." He said, smiling though the ache the moment caused in his chest. Harry grinned and threw his arms around the older wizard.

"I love you too, Uncle Remus." He said, letting go and hurrying aboard the train. Remus stepped back and sighed as the train pulled out of the station, Harry and Ron waving wildly back to Remus and Molly, who had came up beside him.

"You've done wonderfully with him, Remus." Molly said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "I know it's hard to let go."

"A bit." He nodded, and turned to leave. Molly cleared her throat after him.

"Young man," She said, catching his attention. "Don't do dare think Harry being out of school gets you out of Sunday roasts." She said, and Remus waved, laughing as he left.

Ron and Harry had settled into their seats, and Ron was telling Harry about a new Quidditch player to be drafted to the Ballycastle Bats, a more minor British team that was now up and coming because of this new chaser. They were quite engrossed in their conversation when a girl with thick, wildly curly brown hair knocked at their door, and Harry slid it open. "Hello," she said, coming into the carriage, "Have either of you seen, or heard, a toad? My new friend Neville has lost his." Ron shook his head and Harry spoke up.

"No, sorry." He said. "But we'll keep an eye out for him?" Ron nodded, his mouth full. "I'm Harry." He said, extending his hand. The girl's eyes grew wide.

"Holy cricket! As in Harry Potter?" She ask, causing Ron to snort and Harry to roll his eyes. "I'm Hermione Granger." She turned to Ron, and raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"

"Ron Weasley." He said as he swallowed a mouthful of food. "Sorry mate, sometimes I forget you're like- famous." He said, laughing at Harry. Ron's pet rat let a squeak out as he crawled across the seat of the carriage, and Hermione jumped.

"What is that?" She ask, her nose wrinkled. The rat was patchy, obese and slow moving.

"Scabbers." Harry said laughing at her reaction.

"You have a rat?" Hermione ask. Ron nodded.

"He's a bit of a family heirloom, started out as my brother Percy's pet first. Then he gave him to me. My brother Fred gave me as spell that he claimed would turn him yellow. Want to see?" He ask, looking at the girl. She nodded.

"I don't think I'd try anything from Fred, mate." Harry said, but Ron shrugged.

"Turning a rat yellow is harmless. He we go!" He pointed his wand at the rat, who cowered in fear at the end, with no where to run. "Sunshine, daisies, butter-mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow!" He all but yelled, and a burst of bright light shot out the end of his wand, but Scabbers only squealed, he didn't change color.

"Doesn't seem like a real spell." She said, moving over to sit in front of Harry. "I've tried a few simple ones, but they all worked for me. Want to see?" She ask, and Harry nodded.

"Sure!" He said excitedly, as Remus had let him try a spell or two also, which he had managed.

"Can I see your glasses?" She ask. Harry felt a bit unsure, but shrugged as he glanced toward Ron and nodded again, removing them and putting them into her outstretched hand. She then very calmly snapped them in two right in front of Harry, who could only gasp and gape at her.

"Blood hell!" Ron exclaimed, but Hermione smiled.

"Hold on!" She said, laying the broken specticles on the tray beside the window. She took out her wand and pointed to the broken nose piece. "Oculus, reparo." She said, and the glasses flew back together, good as new. Harry picked them up and put them on.

"Wicked!" He exclaimed, as Hermione stood up.

"It was nice to meet you both. You should probably get into your robes, we'll be at the school soon." She said, leaving their carriage. She was only gone a second before her head appeared in the doorway "You've got dirt on your nose, by the way. Did you know? Just-" She gestured to her own face, "Just there." And with that she was gone.

Remus was all but depressed at the silence in his home. He was not at all used to the way it was without Harry, and though he had a job to occupy part of his day, there was now far too much time on his hands- and this was only September First. He had dropped by the library on his way home and got a new novel to read to keep himself distracted and had settled in for the night in his favorite armchair, the tele running in the background on one of Harry's favorite programs, to fill the noiseless void. His hearing, however, was very acute, and he noticed right away when he heard a tapping at the kitchen window. He opened the glass wide and allowed Hedwig in, a small scroll tied to her left foot. "Hello, pretty girl." Remus said, retrieving a treat from a jar on the self and giving to her as she cleaned her feathers on her perch. He then pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down to read the familiar scrawling handwriting of Harry.

Uncle Remus,

I'm in Gryffindor! I am so excited, and I hope you're proud of me! Be sure to go by and tell Mum and Dad, okay? I made several new friends already! The castle is so much better than you said it would be! Except the Headmaster spoke about a room we should avoid if we don't want to die a painful death. That's a bit frightening, and no, I won't go find out why he said that. Promise. To try not to. Anyway! I should probably sleep but everyone else in the dorm is awake so it may be a while. I miss you, though!

Love, Harry

Remus was beaming as he read the note. Of course he's in Gryffindor, he thought, how could he not be? Part of the note seriously bothered him, about the 'dying a painful death', but he decided that as long as Harry kept away from it, he wouldn't get back into a fight with Albus Dumbledore. The two men, while both actually quite fond of each other, were not on the best of terms, considering that Remus had went against what Dumbledore felt was best and used Muggle law to remove Harry from the Dursley's home. Dumbledore had insisted that Harry would be safer with the muggles, but Remus felt that the abuse was too much and he was safer with him. He pointed out that Harry was, in fact, born into Remus' 'pack' and that anyone wanting to harm him would have to get past both the very powerful wizard and protective werewolf sides of Remus. He glanced over a the snowy owl, asleep on her perch and smiled to himself. He'd decided to write Harry early tomorrow, so that he got mail with breakfast.

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