There is a Lord of the Rings link in this chapter: the main character of LotR is called Frodo Baggins, and JRR Tolkien, who wrote LotR, lived in Oxford. So the Headmaster of the wizard university being called mr Baggins isn't a coincidence…

Friday June 30, 1978.

"I have been shunned all my life…"

The platform at Hogsmeade was loaded with Hogwarts students again, waiting for their train to get home. James, Lily, Sirius, Remus and Peter were standing aside with their trunks. They were looking at a blond sixth-year who was talking about how great he was. Everybody tried to avoid him except for a group of girls who were clearly deeply in love with him.

Sirius was grinning. "I know a less pleasant story about that guy. Do you remember his sorting? He had to wait almost two minutes before the Sorting Hat decided he might fit in at Hufflepuf!" Everybody laughed.

"I always forget his name. It is so silly and long. What was it again?" Peter wanted to know. "Peter! How can you forget!" Sirius said in played disbelief. "The all-famous Gilderoy Lockhart, the next minister of magic!"

"I heard he wants to study the Dark Arts. He says he has a natural talent for that" James added. "Oh no!" Remus cried. "Not the Dark Arts! Exactly the study I wanted to do!" But there was something in his voice, something that said he was hiding something…

"What are you complaining about? Now you can do the same thing as our future Minister of Magic! Be happy!" Lily said with a smile. "Hey Lily. Don't you want an autograph of Mr. Lockhart? Every girl seems to be in love with him" Sirius joked.

"An autograph of Gilderoy Lockhart? No thank you, Sirius. I prefer to die in a normal way!" Lily replied. "When you're finished arguing if you're going to ask an autograph or not, get on the train please or it's leaving without you" said James, who was already dragging his and Lily's trunk to the train.

"James, it's very sweet of you, but I can carry my own trunk, thank you!" Lily took the trunk and carried it to the train.

They were the last persons to get on the train. As he stepped in, James took a last look at Hogsmeade station.

~*~

James followed his friends to their places and sat down. Lily was leaning against him, using him as some sort of cushion. They all stared at the great shadow of Hogwarts castle, as the train speeded up. This was the last time they were able to look at it and they were all silent. Peter and Sirius were the first ones to ´wake up´. They started chatting about what they wanted to do now they finished school. Peter said he wanted to take care for his mother so he wanted to take a job at the Ministry of Magic, "or something like that".

"What are you going to do, James?" Sirius suddenly wanted to know.

"Do I have to know that already? Man, I'm nearly 18! I've still got years!" James replied with his head leaning against the window.

"No, seriously, what are you going to do? Play in a Quidditch team?"

"Quidditch? And get my nose broken by a bludger? No, thank you! I think I´ll find myself a nice little apartment in London and live on my own for at least a year, then I´ll decide what to do." He already knew what he wanted to do after that year, but he wasn't going to tell in front of his friends and Lily…

"Live by yourself? No way!" Sirius said.

"Yes, I'm going to live on my own. Believe me, it's true."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am. And if I'm not, tell me why!"

"Well, because I'm going to live with you, of course! You weren't thinking I'm going to let my best friend who knows absolutely nothing of Muggle-life live alone in Muggle London, were you?"

"This must be some terrible joke! I can already predict what the house will look like after a week: a disaster!" In reality he wasn't shocked at all. Quite the opposite in fact.

"Now that's decided ("Decided?!? You forced me to take you in my house!") there's only one person we haven't heard jet. Tell us Remus! Share your feelings with us! What's your dream? Who do you want to be?" Sirius was clearly in a good mood.

Remus did not laugh. He did not look at his friends as he took an envelope from his robes. "I.. er… wanted to tell you, but… well, see for yourself" he said and handed the envelope over to James. James took a piece of parchment out of the envelope and started reading it aloud.

Dear Mr. Lupin it said

We are very sorry to tell you we denied your request to study at Wizard University in Oxford. Although your tests proof you have a high potential and a great interest in the Dark Arts, we think your ´special circumstances´ makes it impossible for us to accept you here.

Professor Baggins, headmaster of Wizard University, Oxford.

They were all shocked.

"So, in normal words, he's saying they don't want you because… because… you're a werewolf?! That's stupid! Dumbledore…" Sirius exploded.

"Not everyone is like Dumbledore, Sirius", Peter muttered softly. "And maybe they're right. I mean, a werewolf is dangerous and…"

"Thank you, Peter, for you very kind and understanding words! Really nice to Remus, what you just said!" Lily said angrily. Nobody of them heard the opening of the door.

"For once in his life Pettigrew is right, Evans. Who wants a werewolf specialised in the Dark Arts anyway. The only good point of it is the fact he knows a lot about werewolves!"

Everybody stiffened. Severus Snape.

James felt the sudden and immense need to throw Snape out of the window.

"Nobody asked for your opinion, Snape! Better leave now!" He said.

"Fine! I don't want to stay anyway. Nice company, a werewolf and a complete looser."

"I hope you poison yourself. It would relief the whole world!" Lily added. Snape looked angrily at her and left.

They spent the rest of the journey trying to cheer Remus up…