Chapter 4
I braved the transformation three more times before the day of my birth had occured once again. Each transformation, while hurting tremendously and zapping me of energy, had not been as painful as the first. My sister had made the mistake of watching me from my bedroom window, and had taken to avoiding me once more.
Many head masters came to visit me during that span, all aranged to visit during a week before a full moon, so i was well enough to greet them. Perhaps if they saw this side of me, my father had said, they would be more accepting to the other side. ...the other side of me. How horrible. Like i were some fairy tail monster.
I was.
The first we had was a man, young and very taken with bright colors and pastels of wardrobe, which made my father a little more than nervous near him. My mother found him delightfully charming, and i thought he was a prat. His name was Fletcher Lians and he was the headmaster at Westrol Wizard Academy. Mind you, an all boys school.
Something gave me the impression that thats exactly was he liked about hte place. My father refused for me and he was gone, not to mention, banned from the house for admiring Romulas. Romy would never live that down.
It only seemd to go down hill from there.
THe next we had was an old, foolish man by the name of Terkin Tinsky, who was in fact, just as big of a prat as the one before him, except he was extremly rude, scratched himself during dinner, and bleched a 'thank you' to our house elf cook when he was finished. I could see everything he'd eaten in that night caught up in his bushy mustache and his crooked teeth. He mentioned that his students were on strict punishment, which meant lashings, and imprisonment in his dugeons. I , frankly, wouild be more afraid of the git eating me. His stomach was the size of a boulder. So we said farewell to him, and went about with our search.
It seemed utterly pointless to me at this point. I may as well take to learning to chase my tail in the backyard the way these headmasters picked apart my problem.
"So you mean to tell me." said a twiggy woman , Elinora Lorin , the headmaster of Twixty's school for gifted wizards "That once a month this boy goes on a....a...killing spree? Why, i think you should send him to an all girls school! Hed fit right in!"
I wasnt against this idea, looking hopefully to my father wit ha mischevious grin on my face.
"Thank you for your time." he said, before nearly kicking her out of the door. "I'll not have some boney witch calling my son a woman!"
Because, i , in fact, was as close to a manly beast as you got.
My birthday was here, finally. I was nine. A miserable boy just getting over his moon sickness. My family came from everywhere, Paris, Australia, just to see me. Of course, theyd heard, so whether this was a cordial trip or a gawk fest, i had no clue. I locked myself in my bedroom, crawled under my covers and spent my birthday in my bed. It was during this time i had thoughts of running away. But what good would that do? At least here, my father could contain me during full moon. At least here, everyone was safe. Then i remember the twisted ugly face romulas had seeing me trainsform.
My cousins were told, i found out later, not to come near me. This was utter hell. Still i could not blame my brother. I sat in the bed, picking up one of the brochures laying idly by. It was of a great castle near a lake, a view of the quiddtich pitch. Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry was emblazed upon the front. I tossed it aside sadly and leaned back on my pillow.
My door, which i was more than certain i had in fact locked, opened. In stepped a man, with a long gray beard and halfmoon glasses, a pointed hat upon his head. He was old, but not ancient, and held youth in his stride as he approached me.
"Hello, Remus Lupin." he said. "Might i have a seat?"
"Sure." Id said, remembering well taught lessons of respecting elders. He whipped out his wand, swirled it about and conjured a chair in the middle of my room. I stared in shock as he sat down, sighing slightly.
"Quite a many steps you have back there." he said, his head inclining towards the door. "Wore me out entirely."
I had the feeling it was all a show. an act. He moved in here easily. Surely the steps hadnt winded him. But he crossed his hands over his robed chest and spoke softly to me with the upmost respect id not heard in a long time.
"I hear you are a werewolf."
He just came out and said it, Just like that, And gulping down the suprise i nodded nervously.
"I am." my voice shaking slightly. "Might i ask your name, sir?"
He extended his hand, wrinkled and knobby. "My names is Professor Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, and im headmaster of a school who brochure youve disgaurded a nudge to your right."
I blushed furiously and looked down, seeing so many brochures. He whipped out his wand again.
"Accio Brochure." he said and the hogwarts pamphlet i had just been reading raised to his hands. "Recently touched .You looked at it?"
'yes...its amazing. I wish i could come-"
"What if you could?" he aksed, leaning forward. "Remus i am here personally to ask of yo uto come to Hogwarts. It is one of the finest wizarding schools in the world, you realize."
"Yes sir." i said."But...im not of age."
"Your father had written me, telling me you were searching for an institute of learning two years ahead of time. I came to you so you would no longer continue your persuit. That is, if you accept-"
"Of course i do!" I said, getting to my knees and wobbling a bit in my illness. I hadnt meant to be so rude with him, but by his smile, he was pleased at my enthusiasm. "These two years will be nothing but anticipation!"
"I do certainly hope so." He replied.
Something struck me a bit funny. Leaning back in my bed, i raised a brow. "But why? i mean....arent you...worried about me?"
He cleared his throat, and looked at me over his half moon glasses. "Understand, remus, precautions will be taken to insure your safety as well as the other students. I am plotting it out, and you will be a pupil , this I promise you. I know youre a good boy, and by enrolling you, i have put my upmost faith in you."
I owed this man everything. I bowed my head slightly and smiled, looking up at him through the curls of my bangs.
"Thank you sir...youve made my life."
5
The two years that followed were merely a hurdle to over come. I wanted to attend school so badly that all of it became a haze. I set my time byt hte moon, endured the pain onece a month and the ilness that followed. But it didnt matter. None of it did. I was going to be a wizard.
My brother had been attending muggle school for years now, and wasnt too thrilled when he found out that, after all, i would be going to a wizard school. Renee had become more close to me, and still traumatized of witnessing my transformation, asked me countless questions about hogwarts. I was more than happy to tell her.
On August the 24th of the year i turned eleven, i recieved my hogwarts letter, and i promptly went out with my father and my sister to Diagon Alley, picking up my book lists and seeing all the other children there. THey looked so happy! These were my classmates! Perhaps my life wouldnt be as lonely as i had thought.
After we returned home with my books and supplies, we packed them into my fathers trunk and set it by the door. I didnt pass the door once without noticing the trunk there and smiling inwardly. My father alone took me to platform nine and three quarters, where, with shining tears in his eyes , he hugged me.
"I never thought this day would come, Remus." He said. He pulled back, clapping his hand on my shoulder. "You be a good boy and mind your teachers. Especially the headmaster."
"Yes sir." I said. He watched me load the train and i watched him stand there, his hands in his pockets, smiling at me until i could see him no more.
I rememeber distinctly, how pacifying the train ride was. I had found a compartment for myself, nearly asleep with my young head against the glass when the door opened.
"Finally!" he said. He was a young, rather dishevled boy, his shirt too large for him, and slipped far to the left, his long straight black hair, swept out of his eyes as if hed never cut it in his life. By the look of the girls in the compartment across from us, he was quite the little heartthrob amongst them. He looked to me. "This damn train his packed!"
He wiped his nose on his sleeve and i watched him interestedly. He looked around the compartment for a moment before looking back to me.
"Oh, sorry!" he said. "Im Sirius black."
I reached out my hand to shake is. "remus lupin."
INstead of shaking, he , what they say now, 'Fived' me and smiled. I looked rather confused. Thats not the way we had greeted one another at my house. This was rather strange.
"Are you a first year?" i asked him. He looked to me, nodding.
"Yu-huh." he said. He seemed antsy, as if constantly energetic. "You?"
"Yes." i replied. "Rather nerve racking isnt it?"
"Uh...what do yo umean?" He asked, shrugging.
"Well, its our first day here...we dont know anyone-"
"Oh that isnt true!" he said. "I know you now. You might be stuck with me until i find out where the hell im going."
I didnt mind. Was he the first one i was supposed to call my friend. Certainly not whod i pictured, but i wasnt there to be picky. I watched outside as the sky grew darker, and i looked at the half moon, hating it more than anything else.
I noticed sirius stand, go to the glass window, and breath on it, causing fog to fill the area where his mouth had been .He did this several more times, until a large area was covered, then, with his index finger, wrote 'Sirius BLack". He was most odd indeed.
We arrived at the school on a clear august night. THe last night of august as a matter of a fact, And we exited the train, Sirius near me. We were both not sure where we were supposed to go until we heard a rather booming voice.
"Fers years! fers years! ovr here!"
He and i weaved in and out of students to see a rather large man standing near a bunch of other short children. He was gigantic, nearly four times the size of me, and i was tall for my age. He had a short mop of black frizzy hair and a short black frizzy beard, but he had the kindest face ive ever seen. He looked like santa clause.
I hadnt know there had been boats to be involved. I saw the vast lake and the glimmer of lights from the school overhead. I turned to sirius, whos eyes had brighted up quite a bit and a smile had broke over his face. He seemed to liek the idea of a challenge. I think i knew then he was going to get me in trouble in years to come.
We moved across the lake in a boat, he and two others in mine, large tentacles sweeping up from the water and waving at us as we past. I was horrified but Sirius laughed.
"Cool! they have a squid! Excellent!"
I looked to him like he wre my aunt Gwyndy and stared before us. We were at hte castle soon and climbing the bank we headed up the hill with the large man, who as you all know him, is Hagrid. We climbed the stone steps, seeing ghosts fly by, which was a first for me, my home never being haunted. Sir Nicholas smiled at me , tipping hish ead which caused sirius to laugh loudly. We entered the main hall.
Everyone else aws there, looking at us expetedly and suddenly i felt as though id be put on trial. A young woman stood before us all, holding up a tatty old hat and spoke calmly. But it wasnt her that spoke. The hat was talking!
Each Year that comes
and year that goes
a different poem
with highs and lows
but now i'll make
one new for you
young witches and wizard
old and new
This school was founded
by four of the best
Which have given you
your first test
I'll sort you all
one by one
by each house
you belong
First there was Gryffindor
Brave and strong
then there was ravenclaw
rarely wrong
Helga Hufflepuff
given the rest
Slytherin next
the persistent best
They made this school
in which you stand
so Professor Macgonagal
lend a hand
call them up
one by one
and let the sorting
have begun.
THe hall clapped and so did i , for it was a good poem composed by a tatty hat. The list however, seemed to draw on forever, And i watched as Sirius Black, my now first friend was sorted into Gryffindor house. THe table cheered. Many children were between he and i and i prayed with all my heart htaht i would make gryffindor to.
When my name was called, Dumbledore smiled at me and i at him and i moved up to the parapet and sat in the chair. THe tatty hat was put on my head and covered my eyes. I couldnt see anything.
"Bright young man...yes. yes..." it said. What an odd feeling to be put under a talking hat. "Ravenclaw would suit you...yes i think it will be , Rave-" he stopped, leaving the ravenclaw table in mid clap. "No....no i take it back. Rarely i am wrong, but it seems ive just saved myself from an error. Its got to be GRYFFINDOR!"
The gryffindor table cheered loudly, and i stood, smiling as sirius moved over os i could sit, slapping me a 'five' as he'd done on the train. I let out a held in breath and laughed at how nervous id been. But...i wasnt brave and strong was i? I decided not to question the hat , and take my mind to other things. Across from us filed in two people, who had been called nearly directly after me.
One had extremely unkempt hair and square glasses, with a large smile plastered on his face. THe other was a short, plump boy with a round face and a pointed nose. I extended my hand.
"Im remus." i said. The messy boy shook my hand hard, excited.
"James Potter!" he said. " and thats my lovely girlfriend down there, Lilly." he bellowed loud enough for her to hear.
I looked odwn the table to see a red headed girl flash her eyes dangerously at james.
"I am not your girlfriend, James potter! You shut your mouth right now! I hate you!" and she turned back and was talking to the girl beside her. I flushed and looked to James who was laughing.
"She just says that because she's....wierd. This is peter." James said. I shook his hand. I introduced sirius to the two, who shook their hands quickly but kept to the recently introduce feast that had appeared on our tables.
I think i ate myself into a sickness.
I braved the transformation three more times before the day of my birth had occured once again. Each transformation, while hurting tremendously and zapping me of energy, had not been as painful as the first. My sister had made the mistake of watching me from my bedroom window, and had taken to avoiding me once more.
Many head masters came to visit me during that span, all aranged to visit during a week before a full moon, so i was well enough to greet them. Perhaps if they saw this side of me, my father had said, they would be more accepting to the other side. ...the other side of me. How horrible. Like i were some fairy tail monster.
I was.
The first we had was a man, young and very taken with bright colors and pastels of wardrobe, which made my father a little more than nervous near him. My mother found him delightfully charming, and i thought he was a prat. His name was Fletcher Lians and he was the headmaster at Westrol Wizard Academy. Mind you, an all boys school.
Something gave me the impression that thats exactly was he liked about hte place. My father refused for me and he was gone, not to mention, banned from the house for admiring Romulas. Romy would never live that down.
It only seemd to go down hill from there.
THe next we had was an old, foolish man by the name of Terkin Tinsky, who was in fact, just as big of a prat as the one before him, except he was extremly rude, scratched himself during dinner, and bleched a 'thank you' to our house elf cook when he was finished. I could see everything he'd eaten in that night caught up in his bushy mustache and his crooked teeth. He mentioned that his students were on strict punishment, which meant lashings, and imprisonment in his dugeons. I , frankly, wouild be more afraid of the git eating me. His stomach was the size of a boulder. So we said farewell to him, and went about with our search.
It seemed utterly pointless to me at this point. I may as well take to learning to chase my tail in the backyard the way these headmasters picked apart my problem.
"So you mean to tell me." said a twiggy woman , Elinora Lorin , the headmaster of Twixty's school for gifted wizards "That once a month this boy goes on a....a...killing spree? Why, i think you should send him to an all girls school! Hed fit right in!"
I wasnt against this idea, looking hopefully to my father wit ha mischevious grin on my face.
"Thank you for your time." he said, before nearly kicking her out of the door. "I'll not have some boney witch calling my son a woman!"
Because, i , in fact, was as close to a manly beast as you got.
My birthday was here, finally. I was nine. A miserable boy just getting over his moon sickness. My family came from everywhere, Paris, Australia, just to see me. Of course, theyd heard, so whether this was a cordial trip or a gawk fest, i had no clue. I locked myself in my bedroom, crawled under my covers and spent my birthday in my bed. It was during this time i had thoughts of running away. But what good would that do? At least here, my father could contain me during full moon. At least here, everyone was safe. Then i remember the twisted ugly face romulas had seeing me trainsform.
My cousins were told, i found out later, not to come near me. This was utter hell. Still i could not blame my brother. I sat in the bed, picking up one of the brochures laying idly by. It was of a great castle near a lake, a view of the quiddtich pitch. Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry was emblazed upon the front. I tossed it aside sadly and leaned back on my pillow.
My door, which i was more than certain i had in fact locked, opened. In stepped a man, with a long gray beard and halfmoon glasses, a pointed hat upon his head. He was old, but not ancient, and held youth in his stride as he approached me.
"Hello, Remus Lupin." he said. "Might i have a seat?"
"Sure." Id said, remembering well taught lessons of respecting elders. He whipped out his wand, swirled it about and conjured a chair in the middle of my room. I stared in shock as he sat down, sighing slightly.
"Quite a many steps you have back there." he said, his head inclining towards the door. "Wore me out entirely."
I had the feeling it was all a show. an act. He moved in here easily. Surely the steps hadnt winded him. But he crossed his hands over his robed chest and spoke softly to me with the upmost respect id not heard in a long time.
"I hear you are a werewolf."
He just came out and said it, Just like that, And gulping down the suprise i nodded nervously.
"I am." my voice shaking slightly. "Might i ask your name, sir?"
He extended his hand, wrinkled and knobby. "My names is Professor Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, and im headmaster of a school who brochure youve disgaurded a nudge to your right."
I blushed furiously and looked down, seeing so many brochures. He whipped out his wand again.
"Accio Brochure." he said and the hogwarts pamphlet i had just been reading raised to his hands. "Recently touched .You looked at it?"
'yes...its amazing. I wish i could come-"
"What if you could?" he aksed, leaning forward. "Remus i am here personally to ask of yo uto come to Hogwarts. It is one of the finest wizarding schools in the world, you realize."
"Yes sir." i said."But...im not of age."
"Your father had written me, telling me you were searching for an institute of learning two years ahead of time. I came to you so you would no longer continue your persuit. That is, if you accept-"
"Of course i do!" I said, getting to my knees and wobbling a bit in my illness. I hadnt meant to be so rude with him, but by his smile, he was pleased at my enthusiasm. "These two years will be nothing but anticipation!"
"I do certainly hope so." He replied.
Something struck me a bit funny. Leaning back in my bed, i raised a brow. "But why? i mean....arent you...worried about me?"
He cleared his throat, and looked at me over his half moon glasses. "Understand, remus, precautions will be taken to insure your safety as well as the other students. I am plotting it out, and you will be a pupil , this I promise you. I know youre a good boy, and by enrolling you, i have put my upmost faith in you."
I owed this man everything. I bowed my head slightly and smiled, looking up at him through the curls of my bangs.
"Thank you sir...youve made my life."
5
The two years that followed were merely a hurdle to over come. I wanted to attend school so badly that all of it became a haze. I set my time byt hte moon, endured the pain onece a month and the ilness that followed. But it didnt matter. None of it did. I was going to be a wizard.
My brother had been attending muggle school for years now, and wasnt too thrilled when he found out that, after all, i would be going to a wizard school. Renee had become more close to me, and still traumatized of witnessing my transformation, asked me countless questions about hogwarts. I was more than happy to tell her.
On August the 24th of the year i turned eleven, i recieved my hogwarts letter, and i promptly went out with my father and my sister to Diagon Alley, picking up my book lists and seeing all the other children there. THey looked so happy! These were my classmates! Perhaps my life wouldnt be as lonely as i had thought.
After we returned home with my books and supplies, we packed them into my fathers trunk and set it by the door. I didnt pass the door once without noticing the trunk there and smiling inwardly. My father alone took me to platform nine and three quarters, where, with shining tears in his eyes , he hugged me.
"I never thought this day would come, Remus." He said. He pulled back, clapping his hand on my shoulder. "You be a good boy and mind your teachers. Especially the headmaster."
"Yes sir." I said. He watched me load the train and i watched him stand there, his hands in his pockets, smiling at me until i could see him no more.
I rememeber distinctly, how pacifying the train ride was. I had found a compartment for myself, nearly asleep with my young head against the glass when the door opened.
"Finally!" he said. He was a young, rather dishevled boy, his shirt too large for him, and slipped far to the left, his long straight black hair, swept out of his eyes as if hed never cut it in his life. By the look of the girls in the compartment across from us, he was quite the little heartthrob amongst them. He looked to me. "This damn train his packed!"
He wiped his nose on his sleeve and i watched him interestedly. He looked around the compartment for a moment before looking back to me.
"Oh, sorry!" he said. "Im Sirius black."
I reached out my hand to shake is. "remus lupin."
INstead of shaking, he , what they say now, 'Fived' me and smiled. I looked rather confused. Thats not the way we had greeted one another at my house. This was rather strange.
"Are you a first year?" i asked him. He looked to me, nodding.
"Yu-huh." he said. He seemed antsy, as if constantly energetic. "You?"
"Yes." i replied. "Rather nerve racking isnt it?"
"Uh...what do yo umean?" He asked, shrugging.
"Well, its our first day here...we dont know anyone-"
"Oh that isnt true!" he said. "I know you now. You might be stuck with me until i find out where the hell im going."
I didnt mind. Was he the first one i was supposed to call my friend. Certainly not whod i pictured, but i wasnt there to be picky. I watched outside as the sky grew darker, and i looked at the half moon, hating it more than anything else.
I noticed sirius stand, go to the glass window, and breath on it, causing fog to fill the area where his mouth had been .He did this several more times, until a large area was covered, then, with his index finger, wrote 'Sirius BLack". He was most odd indeed.
We arrived at the school on a clear august night. THe last night of august as a matter of a fact, And we exited the train, Sirius near me. We were both not sure where we were supposed to go until we heard a rather booming voice.
"Fers years! fers years! ovr here!"
He and i weaved in and out of students to see a rather large man standing near a bunch of other short children. He was gigantic, nearly four times the size of me, and i was tall for my age. He had a short mop of black frizzy hair and a short black frizzy beard, but he had the kindest face ive ever seen. He looked like santa clause.
I hadnt know there had been boats to be involved. I saw the vast lake and the glimmer of lights from the school overhead. I turned to sirius, whos eyes had brighted up quite a bit and a smile had broke over his face. He seemed to liek the idea of a challenge. I think i knew then he was going to get me in trouble in years to come.
We moved across the lake in a boat, he and two others in mine, large tentacles sweeping up from the water and waving at us as we past. I was horrified but Sirius laughed.
"Cool! they have a squid! Excellent!"
I looked to him like he wre my aunt Gwyndy and stared before us. We were at hte castle soon and climbing the bank we headed up the hill with the large man, who as you all know him, is Hagrid. We climbed the stone steps, seeing ghosts fly by, which was a first for me, my home never being haunted. Sir Nicholas smiled at me , tipping hish ead which caused sirius to laugh loudly. We entered the main hall.
Everyone else aws there, looking at us expetedly and suddenly i felt as though id be put on trial. A young woman stood before us all, holding up a tatty old hat and spoke calmly. But it wasnt her that spoke. The hat was talking!
Each Year that comes
and year that goes
a different poem
with highs and lows
but now i'll make
one new for you
young witches and wizard
old and new
This school was founded
by four of the best
Which have given you
your first test
I'll sort you all
one by one
by each house
you belong
First there was Gryffindor
Brave and strong
then there was ravenclaw
rarely wrong
Helga Hufflepuff
given the rest
Slytherin next
the persistent best
They made this school
in which you stand
so Professor Macgonagal
lend a hand
call them up
one by one
and let the sorting
have begun.
THe hall clapped and so did i , for it was a good poem composed by a tatty hat. The list however, seemed to draw on forever, And i watched as Sirius Black, my now first friend was sorted into Gryffindor house. THe table cheered. Many children were between he and i and i prayed with all my heart htaht i would make gryffindor to.
When my name was called, Dumbledore smiled at me and i at him and i moved up to the parapet and sat in the chair. THe tatty hat was put on my head and covered my eyes. I couldnt see anything.
"Bright young man...yes. yes..." it said. What an odd feeling to be put under a talking hat. "Ravenclaw would suit you...yes i think it will be , Rave-" he stopped, leaving the ravenclaw table in mid clap. "No....no i take it back. Rarely i am wrong, but it seems ive just saved myself from an error. Its got to be GRYFFINDOR!"
The gryffindor table cheered loudly, and i stood, smiling as sirius moved over os i could sit, slapping me a 'five' as he'd done on the train. I let out a held in breath and laughed at how nervous id been. But...i wasnt brave and strong was i? I decided not to question the hat , and take my mind to other things. Across from us filed in two people, who had been called nearly directly after me.
One had extremely unkempt hair and square glasses, with a large smile plastered on his face. THe other was a short, plump boy with a round face and a pointed nose. I extended my hand.
"Im remus." i said. The messy boy shook my hand hard, excited.
"James Potter!" he said. " and thats my lovely girlfriend down there, Lilly." he bellowed loud enough for her to hear.
I looked odwn the table to see a red headed girl flash her eyes dangerously at james.
"I am not your girlfriend, James potter! You shut your mouth right now! I hate you!" and she turned back and was talking to the girl beside her. I flushed and looked to James who was laughing.
"She just says that because she's....wierd. This is peter." James said. I shook his hand. I introduced sirius to the two, who shook their hands quickly but kept to the recently introduce feast that had appeared on our tables.
I think i ate myself into a sickness.