Title: A Werewolf's Tale
Chapter 2: Meeting the Marauders
AN: Hey…sorry for the lack of updates, I've been busy all week. School pressures, scheduling for high school, parents being unrelenting about imperfect grades…you know the deal. So I think the only available chances of updating until summer are weekends. Hope it isn't an issue. Oh, I realized a mistake I made involving Lupin's parentage…But I'm going to work it into the story, so if you notice the mistake, then pay no attention to it. Thank you!
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Remus woke up with a startled yelp, falling out of his bed, as his muggle alarm clock began to ring obnoxiously, except the sound of it seemed to have multiplied, even more so than it should have with Remus' sense of hearing.
"Wake up, sleepy head, time to get to the Kings Cross Station!" Said his father cheerfully. Too cheerfully. Remus narrowed his eyes at him.
"What did you do to my alarm clock?" Remus inquired suspiciously.
"Nothing too much…" his father replied, grinning, then seeing the 'I'm not buying' look on his son's still exhausted face, he added, "Don't give me that look, I let you sleep in, we're probably going to be late as it is. Now get going."
Grumbling, Remus retorted, "I'll get you back for this once I'm of age…"
His father chuckled, then left the room. Remus found his belongings already stuffed into his father's old, flawless, black leather trunk. He smiled and got dressed leaving the room with his trunk in hand.
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"Are you kidding?" Said Remus, staring blankly at the wall that his father pointed to, his owl and trunk being supported by a trolley. "It's a wall."
"Yes, I know it's a wall, the trick is you walk through the wall to get to the platform," Mr. Lupin muttered back to his son. The muggles were all already staring suspiciously at them, for the magnificent golden owl piled on with the antique trunk on Remus' trolley.
"I walk though the wall?" Remus asked skeptically. He walked up to the barrier, giving it a suspicious look, and stuck his hand through it, then carefully brought the rest of himself and the trolley.
His father came close behind. "Don't forget to owl me…I'll send my owl to start pecking your head if you don't." His father warned, pulling him into a hug.
"Dad," Said Remus, as his father apparently hugged him to long.
"Embarrassed? I could start sobbing, saying how my only son has, 'grown up too fast,'" his father grinned, and ruffled Remus' hair.
Then, reaching a grimmer topic, his father said, "Dumbledore said that you are to meet Professor McGonagall directly after the feast."
Remus nodded, and the train began to whistle. "Love you, dad!" and he rolled his trolley toward one of the compartments.
To say the least, Remus had been through several compartments, not finding one he would be comfortable in. The first one was what Remus decided to dub 'a nightmare' as every person in the compartment wore harsh scowls, and sneered at the sight of him. The most ruthless looking one, also the oldest, decided to threaten to curse Remus off their compartment. And Remus went without protest.
The second one contained a lot of people reading, and they too scowled at him as though he were interrupting an opera. Then another compartment was full of giggling girls who went red at the sight of him, then erupted in more giggles. (Remus was blushing considerably, and he quickly left this compartment as well.)
When he reached the last compartment, there was a furious looking red-haired girl, who was releasing her rage on an apologetic looking boy with messy black hair and glasses, who was backing away from her as she seemed to swell like a bullfrog.
"I'm sorry, really! I thought you were somebody else! You have the same shade of hair—"
"Oh, so if there is ever a girl with red hair walking past you, you instantly reach out and grab their—"
"Really now, can't we all get along?" Asked a boy who also had dark hair, but it was neat and hung around his eyes. He was grinning. "Did you say your name was Lily? And what a charming young lady you are."
'Lily' seemed taken aback. "Atleast somebody here has manners."
The boy who Lily first confronted was glaring at the man who had 'good manners.' Remus was under the impression that this 'gentleman' was only sucking up. Suddenly, they all seemed to take this time to notice him.
"Oh, hello there, what's your name?"
"Remus Lupin," answered Remus, taking a seat in the compartment. He wasn't that comfortable there, but at least there was entertainment.
"Nice to meet you. My name is James Potter, this is Sirius Black, the quiet one over there in the corner is Peter Pettigrew, and this lovely young woman is Lily…Evans, I believe?"
"That doesn't concern you." Said Lily to James, and she turned to Remus. "I suggest you go to a different compartment if you don't want to be stuck in one with such a bighead." She gestured towards James, who had an expression that seemed to say, 'me? A bighead?'
"Well, the rest compartments are either full of girls or people who seemingly hate me for no reason. This one seems pretty good in comparison to all the others," replied Remus.
Lily frowned at him and disappeared with a huff. Remus frowned, "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, Lily just has her knickers in a bunch." Said James loudly; there was a muffled,
"I do not!"
"Isn't she wonderful?" Asked James. Remus raised his eyebrows at him.
"Actually, it was probably the compartment full of girls comment. All girls think it is Gods gift to men to sit in a compartment with them while they giggle over cute guys." He suddenly acquired a thoughtful expression. "As a matter of fact, I'm probably a topic conversed over most."
"Sirius, most of them don't know who you even are!" said Peter suddenly.
"Peter, Peter, Peter," Said Sirius as he shook his head, patting Peter on the back. "Don't you understand? Once you've seen me once, I'm imprinted in your mind forever. Besides, they don't need to know my name to fawn over me."
There was a snort from James. "Sirius, most girls run away from you once they get to know you more."
Sirius sighed, "That's the beauty of 'love at first sight.'"
"Apparently, neither of you had Lily falling head-over-heels." Said Remus suddenly.
"She seemed to like you enough." Huffed James, "What's your secret?"
"Secret? I don't really have one. Though, I probably wouldn't grab a girl's butt the first opportunity, no matter who it was."
Sirius pretended to twirl his finger around an imaginary goatee. "Ya' know, that might just be crazy enough to work!"
"Hey, I think I like you," said James, "What house do you think you'll get in?"
"I dunno, my dad didn't emphasize much…I think he was in Gryffindor though."
"That's good, as long as you don't get in Slytherin. Load of slimy gits, they are. I guess some of the ones who keep to themselves are okay, but any of them who have interest in any dark magic are bad news."
"Why?"
"Because those ones usually join—" James lowered his voice, "Voldemort."
Remus frowned. "That crazy guy that goes around killing people? I think I've read about him somewhere."
"Yeah, he's the guy alright. He killed my grandpa 'cause he married a muggle."
"Oh…I'm sorry," said Remus, not really knowing how to reply.
"It's alright, we never were that close. But I still hate the guy just the same, he's a monster."
Remus wondered how they would take the news that he became a full-fledged monster once a month. Did werewolves even deserve friends? Turning away from them, Remus looked out the window.
It wasn't as if he were a danger to them now. Though he also knew humans—the way he used to be—wouldn't be able to sense confusion gathering in their friends like a smell. They didn't have multiplied hearing or smell. They didn't become a beast at the end of every month.
"Hey bud, what's wrong?" Asked Sirius, sitting next to Remus. Remus turned around to give him a reassuring smile, but who wasn't sure whom he was trying to reassure, himself or Sirius.
"Nothing, just thinking."
James laughed, "For Sirius, that's a completely unexplored region."
Sirius growled. "I'm perfectly smart!"
"You just keep on believing that, Sirius." James grinned.
Remus found himself grinning as well as Sirius tackled him to the ground and they began to wrestle each other like five year olds.
James' hand paused in mid air from grabbing Sirius' hair as a lady pushing a cart full of odd sweets knocked and entered the compartment. James jumped up and fixed his shirt, grabbing a money sack from his pocket.
"Hey, lady, Can I just have a bunch of everything? How much would that be?"
"Twelve sickles and four knuts."
James paid her, and Peter gaped from the corner. "You carry that much around with you, James? I only have one galleon for the year."
"Yup, and I have more where that came from," James replied, jingling his bag merrily, and throwing the load of candy onto the compartment seat. The lady took the empty cart to replenish it.
"Wow," Peter breathed. "Aren't you worried that somebody will steal it?"
"Well, if they try, I'll just curse 'em."
This time, Peter was staring at James in awe, and Remus found himself rolling his eyes. "Don't get too excited, we still have the feast to get to. I imagine you might pass out when you enter."
"Well," said peter dejectedly.
"I'm merely concerned for your well-being, if you think carrying a fairly large amount of money is exciting."
Sirius laughed, and whispered to Remus, "Would you believe James and I just met Peter while we were at the Kings Cross station? He just looked at us funny, and walked along with us like we were best pals. When we asked him why he was following us, he said we looked strong."
Remus snorted, Sirius looked strong enough, but James' knees were knobby looking, and he was an overall small looking guy. He found it odd that Peter would attach himself to people he didn't know; he looked more shy than clingy.
"How many galleons d' you have with you?" Asked James while eating a chocolate frog.
"Twenty. I don't really see where I'm going to use them though, considering we can't go to Hogsmeade yet."
"Oh, that's what you think," James replied, a diabolical glint in his eye. "My grandfather—the one that's still alive, mind you—told me that there's a few passages that lead to Hogsmeade. Sirius and I are going to work on a map, you can help—you look smart enough."
"Hey guys, it looks like it getting late. Reckon we should we put our robes on?" Asked Peter. Looking outside, Remus noticed that it had become considerable darker since they left the station.
"Good point," said James, and they all quickly changed from their clothes to their robes. Remus felt odd changing in a moving train when some random person could pop in on you any moment. Finally, after they changed, they all began to get aquatinted with one another, sharing birthdays and whining about siblings (Sirius was the most bitter about his,) the train began to slow just as Remus wished that the train ride would never end.
They were all told to leave their luggage on the train, and they followed a young, but abnormally tall and large burly looking man towards some canoes. He looked to be about twenty years old or older.
"Follow me fir' years! This way," the man said gruffly. "My name's Hagrid, and welcome to Hogwarts, all of yeh." He led them down a long narrow path, "You'll be able 'ter see Hogwarts pretty soon now…"
And as this very large man led them around a bend, many girls called out, "Oooh."
There was a large majestic castle perched on top of mountains, the stars twinkling in the sky overhead.
"Now, there's only four people to a boat, any more that that migh' capsize it."
Remus, James, Sirius, and Peter clambered onto a boat. "FORWARD!" Called Hagrid, and the boats lurched, making Remus jump. Finally they all reached the castle.
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(AN: I won't bore you with McGonagall's speech, which is something you've all heard before.)
"Now, form a line and follow me," announced a strict woman who appeared to be in her mid thirties.
They entered the Grand Hall, and Remus' mouth dropped. There were floating candles hovering over the long tables, each symbolizing a house. The Slytherins all looked like a depressing bunch, while the others seemed to look happier. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the sky (Which was dark and overcast) and an old patched hat was perched on a stool.
Remus found himself gaping again as the old patched hat moved, then the brim opened and it began to sing:
"Gryffindors, Slytherins,
Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs
This is no game that you can win—
There's no test to see who's the best,
Because you're all just as equal as all the rest."
--There was a snort from some of the Slytherins—
"Don't be hasty,
For it is true,
You're all witches and wizards,
No matter if your magic is old or new--
Though everyone has been brought up in separate beliefs and customs.
The Gryffindors might have been brought up to be noble and brave,
While Slytherins may have been taught that they themselves must be saved.
Hufflepuffs are loyal and just, they will do as they must,
While Ravenclaws are clever and full of knowledge—books may be the only thing they trust."
Some chuckling was heard from the Ravenclaw table.
"Go on! Slip me on your head, for I'm the smartest hat of them all.
I can analyze your hopes in a second, and place you in the group you would be most satisfied with—
Don't be afraid, your secrets are safe with me,
Put me on for a happy sorting, for I only bite when you avoid me,
This is your final warning!"
More laughter was heard, and they all clapped. He heard one of the older wizards mutter, "The hat must have been procrastinating, and the song wasn't nearly as good as it was before."
(AN: *Sniggers* I'm a terrible rhymer.)
"Arnett, Alyssa!" called McGonagall. The girl, shaking like mad, stepped up to the hat.
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat called a few moments later.
"Black, Sirius!" As Sirius stepped up unabashedly, he put the hat on his head. A few moments later, he was frowning and shaking his head. Finally, the hat shouted,
"GRYFFINDOR!"
A few more names went by—then, "Evans, Lily!"
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted again.
The red-haired girl happily made her way towards the cheering Gryffindor table. Then several more names were called. Remus found himself losing interest—that is, until his own name was called.
"Lupin, Remus!"
Remus nervously got up, rubbing his sweaty hands on the back of his robes. He sat on the stool, seeing everyone staring expectantly at him. He noticed one of the teachers looking disgusted at the sight of him, but the others looked at him with sympathy.
As the hat was slipped on his head, he heard a voice start to murmur in his head.
"Well, you're the most interesting person I've had since Sirius Black, you two are friends, I take it? Well, well, well…you would willingly jump into a burning building to save someone, and your most certainly not evil just because you're a werewolf. You are true to your friends, caring…I think you had better go in…GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted the last part aloud, and Remus grinned, quickly finding a seat next to Sirius at the Gryffindor table.
Remus felt very reassured by what the hat said, that he would willingly jump into a burning building to save someone, he was true to his friends, and he was caring. And, of course, that he wasn't evil. There was a load of books that Remus discovered, had said werewolves were evil, including the Defence Against the Dark Arts book they had been assigned this year, and he was really beginning to doubt himself.
"Pettigrew, Peter!"
The hat was seemingly in a deep conversation with Peter, and it called out "Sly—" before pausing again. Remus heard confused mumbling from the hat, but he couldn't excuse the slip the hat made with Peter. After awhile, it finally called out, sounding disgruntled, "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Potter, James!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Snape, Severus!"
"What is that?" Asked James, staring at a scrawny kid with long greasy hair who tripped on his way to the hat. James sneered at him as the hat called, "SLYTHERIN!"
Apparently, the Slytherin table wasn't too happy with the arrangement either—they pushed the kid towards the end of the table. Remus felt sorry for him—but he didn't voice his opinion aloud, he was too afraid to lose his new friends who had so willingly accepted him without knowing much about him.
Finally, the sorting ended with Smith, Xander, who was sorted into Hufflepuff. The old man who was sitting at the center of the High Table in a large gold chair stood, and the Hall quieted instantly.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" He smiled at the lot of them, eyes pausing on Remus and Snape. "I must start off my speech with some of the start of the term notices. First of all, the Forbidden Forest on the grounds is, as it's name states, forbidden to anyone who does not want a month long detention. The caretaker, Mr. Filch, has reminded me to warn you not to track mud in the halls, and that magic is forbidden to be used in the corridors. Anybody interested in playing quidditch needs to consult with Madame Hooch." His eyes paused momentarily on Remus again, "The tree that has recently been planted outside is dangerous to anyone who goes near it, and I suggest you never do try to approach it, for not only will you receive a years worth of detentions, you will also most likely suffer many broken limbs. That is all for now, you may begin eating!"
Remus blinked as several food items suddenly appeared in front of him.
"A years worth of detentions just for going near a tree?" James asked, mouth open.
"Well, he did say it was dangerous," replied Remus, wondering if it had anything to do with him.
"Yeah, but still! The Forbidden Forest it much more dangerous, it has werewolves and—and…other things!"
"And are werewolves the only thing dangerous in the forest?"
"No, but that's the only thing dad told me to be careful of if I entered it," James said, blushing.
"I was told they weren't dangerous in their human forms," Remus replied.
"I know that, but in their wolf forms they are," said James. Remus pondered what James would do if he knew.
They both continued eating, and when the finished, they were gathered by prefects. Remus, yawning, almost forgot about meeting Professor McGonagall.
"Hey, I have to go see a teacher for something, hold on," said Remus to James, who was also yawning.
"Yeah, yeah, alright, whatever…" James mumbled sleepily.
Remus left the group and made his way towards McGonagall. She nodded once at him, and led him down a dark corridor, then she opened a door to what Remus supposed was her office.
"Mr. Lupin," she greeted, Remus nodded his head in acknowledgment. "My name is Professor McGonagall, as you should know. I have been asked by Professor Dumbledore to tell you of your…arrangements."
Remus nodded once again.
"The next full moon is on the twenty-third, is it not? You will need to report to the hospital wing on that day. Madam Pomfrey will take you to the Whomping Willow—yes, that dangerous tree you heard about earlier, but we know of a way to make it where it will not hurt you. She will escort you the first full moon, but after that you are expected to go there on your own. Madam Pomfrey, of course, will be there in the mornings to take care of your wounds."
"Alright," Said Remus.
"If I were you, I would keep your condition to myself, some other wizards wouldn't know how to take it. You seem perfectly nice to me, but I know that you wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone. Some students have grown up under the impression that no matter what form werewolves are in, they are harmful to others, and that is not true. If you do tell someone, I suggest you caution yourself, and make sure you trust that person."
Remus thought that statement was a tad ironic; why would he tell anyone? He wished that he didn't know. But he yawned, told her he wouldn't, wished her goodnight, and went to bed.
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End of the second chapter…I want some more reviews! =) Not that I'm full of myself or anything, but I think this story is much better than my other one that only had 1,000 words per chapter, but it got 23 reviews on the first chapter when this one got four. Just a question: is it that I'm writing too much per chapter (it's 3,000 words if you needed to know)? Updating too less? Or do most people just not like the idea of Remus' life? Am I making it too much like Harry's life? Well, if the latter is the case, then you will see by the next chapter how different they are. *grins*
Tell me if I'm missing something, please! It would be a great help.
