Chapter 2
Journey on the Hogwarts Express
Remus brushed off the remaining soot as he stepped out of the fireplace at Diagon Alley. Rows of fireplaces beside him were produces wizards with bags full of jingling money. Remus guessed they were going to Gringotts to deposit their Galleons, Knuts and Sickles. His mother and father came out shortly after him, also ridding themselves of the ashes. Remus gazed up at the blue and yellow checkered ceiling with a smile.
"Here's some money, Rem." His mother said, pushing some coins into his hand. "You can go get your wand and robes while we pick up your equipment and books. We'll meet back here in an hour. Sound all right?" She asked.
"Okay, Mum. See you later." He said waving as he walked out the glass door to the busy street. As Remus walked down the cobbled street he inspected the money in his hand. Ten Galleons, thirteen Sickles. He furrowed his brow as a wave of guilt swept over him. His parents were giving him way too much. He decided he would try and get the cheapest of everything too save his entire family some trouble. He followed a wooden sign with several owls perched at the top to a store called Olivander's. He gazed longingly into all the exciting shops as he walked bay them. There was a new racing broom on display in the Quidditch shop. Two boys and a girl were staring at it hungrily. Remus didn't follow Quidditch as religiously as most others but he wouldn't say no to watching a match or two every once in a while. Perhaps the reason for this was he'd never so much as seen a broom outside the store, much less ride one. He tore his eyes away from the colorful display and kept on walking. He passed a potions shop with barrels full of bat's eyes and snake livers and other such oddities. Then he saw at the end of the busy street, sitting in a murky shadow from the approaching evening, Olivander's: Makers of fine wands since 382 B.C. Remus saw the only item on display was a wand on a silk cushion on the left side of the window. He opened the door carefully and hurried inside as the bell clinked merrily above his head.
The shop appeared to be empty. It was a cramped space between the door and the counter with a dusty, grass green armchair squashed into the corner. Remus walked a few steps up to the counter and gazed into the back of the shop. It was completely composed of cases filled, packed from shelf to shelf with dusty wand boxes and yellowing scraps of paper. He couldn't see the back of the sharp. A thin man eased silently out of the darkness and floated up to the counter. His eyes were like two glowing orbs. Like full moons, Remus thought with a shudder.
"Welcome." Said the man in hoarse voice as he folded his long, bony fingers. "I suppose you'll be needing a wand?" Remus nodded shyly. At that moment the bell rang again and a burst of light was let in from the outside. A woman and a boy who was obviously her son swept into the shop and stood behind Remus. "Be with you in a moment." Mr. Olivander said. Remus heard the boy sigh in an irritated and obvious way. Remus shifted his weight, feeling nervous.
"Now, now . . ." Mr. Olivander whispered, letting a charmed tape measurer examine Remus. "You are right handed, I presume?" He asked all-knowingly. Remus nodded again, the tape measurer pushing his arm out to get the proper numbers. He heard the boy sigh impatiently again. He bit his bottom lip, wishing this ordeal to be over with quite soon. Mr. Olivander scuttled over to a shelf and walked his fingers across the different sized rectangular boxes. He plucked one out and rushed over to Remus, snapping the box down in front of him. He lifted off the top and handed it to Remus. He gripped it softly and gave it a small swishing. Golden sparks floated off the tip and danced down to the ground. Remus felt suddenly very alert and ready for anything.
"Oh, bravo!" Mr. Olivander rasped excitedly, snatching it away from Remus and stuffing it back inside the box. "Got it right on the first try. I can tell this'll be a very good wand for you, boy. What did you say you name was?"
"Oh. Remus Lupin." He said softly, very aware of the boy whispering to his mother harshly.
"Oh, I remember your father's wand . . . 12 inches, Ebony, Dragon heartstring. Yours is 10 inches, willow, and unicorn hair. Don't forget now . . . That will be 7 Galleons. Remus nearly choked.
"Um . . . Do you have anything more . . . um, modestly priced?" Remus asked very quietly, not wanting the boy behind him to hear. Obviously he had though, because he snickered to himself.
"My dear boy, it is the wand that chooses the wizard." Mr. Olivander explained intently.
"Oh, all right then. I suppose if it's that way." Remus felt it would be better to go without supper one evening then to listen to this boy sigh and whisper and snicker anymore. He forked over the money, grabbed his wand and made his way towards the door. He was so eager to get out of there he ran right into the grass colored armchair and got knocked backwards. The boy laughed. Remus stood up, his face burning. He rubbed his head, which had clunked into the counter as he fell and stole a glance at the boy. He was quite tall with a sharp face and silver blonde hair. His eyes glinted maliciously at Remus, who was suddenly very aware of his dirty, patched robes. He pushed the door open hastily and rushed away from Olivander: Makers of fine Wands since 382 B.C. as quickly as he could.
Feeling upset he and his remaining change made his way to Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. He asked if they had any second hand robes for sale and she gladly obliged. After a quick refitting he got off with paying her the thirteen sickles and went on his way. After checking the time on the clock tower that rose out of the center of Diagon Alley he saw he had thirty minutes to do whatever he pleased. He drifted briefly into the Owl Emporium and went over the strange creatures. He spied a young tawny owl in the back for only 2 Galleons and 5 Sickles. He left hurriedly before he got any ideas. Deciding the temptation to spend the money was much too strong; he started back to the Floo Powder arrival area. As he spotted the blue building in the distance he was suddenly knocked over by someone running. She screamed shrilly as she tried to brake in time but she was going much to fast. Her and Remus toppled over and hit the cobbled stone hard. She dropped everything she was carrying all over the ground and rolled backwards, groaning.
"I'm really sorry." She apologized as she sat up, offer a hand to Remus. After she helped him up she began to collect her things. Remus helped gather her parcels and he plucked his wand and robe boxes from the ground. "That was dumb of me." She continued. "I was just trying to catch up with my dad and I didn't know where I was going." She had very large, round spectacles balancing on her nose and she constantly had to push them up and whenever she looked down they would fall off completely. She wore her long, ebony hair in two enormous braids on either side of her head and wore murky blue robes.
"It's okay, no harm done." Remus said, noticing the worried expression on her face. "Are you going to Hogwarts as well?"
"Yeah, I can't wait. I never even knew about the wizarding world until a week ago when I got my letter. My dad's a wizard but he never told me." She explained. "What about you?"
"Oh, both my parents are pure wizard." Remus said nodding. "What's your name, then?"
"Sarah McDeans." She shifted her packages, extending a hand to him. "Pleased to meet you." They shook. He introduced himself and they spoke for a little bit.
"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts, Sarah." Remus said, waving goodbye to her. Remus was just about to walk inside the Floo port when he spied something in the Astronomy Arcade beside him. It was a magical piece of parchment that when you put your wand to the surface it would show you what phase they moon was in for every day of the month. Remus saw the price was two Sickles. Thinking this would not through his family into bankruptcy, he went in and inquired.
"Oh, the Lunar Chart? Sure, wait a mo'." Said the shop owner, a witch with brilliant purple hat and giant golden crescent moon earrings. Remus made his purchase then went and met his parents in the Floo Power Port. They all went home, chatting happily about who and what they'd seen.
Remus checked his new Lunar Chart before he went to bed. The next full moon was August 31st; the day before he was to go to Hogwarts. He sighed a bit sadly and stowed it away in the top drawer of his dresser. It was august fourth now; he had 27 more days to enjoy worry free.
Remus spent those days reading into the books they'd bought from Diagon Alley. He found A History of Magic to be quite interesting and he enjoyed taking his wand out and watching the little golden sparkles dance off the end. All in all, he could not wait to get to Hogwarts. This was like a dream come true.
Every day when he woke up he would go over to his calendar and mark a red X on in yesterday's box. The day before he went to Hogwarts he could barely think of anything else. He had already made acquaintance with one person and it hadn't been that hard. Maybe he'd have a whole bunch of friends, just like everyone else. His heart leapt whenever his mind went of such a thought. But then he thought of the snickering boy from Olivander's. What if they were all like that at Hogwarts? This made him feel put out and timid but he forced himself to think of different things.
That night he was about to go to bed early when he realized it was the full moon. He grabbed a bag full of things and ran through the hall.
"Bye Mum." He yelled as he ran outside.
"Be careful, Rem!" She called out after him. She made a clicking noise with her tongue and shut the door.
Remus was running as fast as he could to the forest. He could feel the moons presence behind the tall tree and the hairs on the back of his neck were beginning to stand on end. He plunged into the forest and ran quickly down the bank. He quickly removed his robes and put on a pair of torn and ragged ones. He took the bag, stuffed his other robes inside then put it high in a tree where no harm would come to it. Then he sat and waited. This was the part he disliked the most. He had no idea what time it would happen. It would just come over him so suddenly and there was nothing he could do to prepare. He sat in the dark for a few moments, trying not to think of the dark woods around him and what they might shelter.
Then all of a sudden a milky white light filtered over the land. The moon had revealed itself from behind a cloud. Remus' chest froze. He suddenly changed his mind. This was the part he hated the most. He stared blankly ahead into the eerie forest; he had lost conscious control of his body. He first saw the world changing from a murky blue to black and white as his eyes shifted forms. He saw the fingernails on his hand grow black and pointed and curl up. His canine teeth elongated pain fully into his mouth. Coarse hair started to poke out of his upper lip and chin, then soon all over his face and body. He winced in anguish as the bones all over reformed to make that of a wolf's. Soon the tiny noises of pain he made were turning into shallow yelps and growls. Then, it was as if someone took away all the intelligence humans had. Remus only thought in feelings and impulses, forgetting things nearly instantly. He transformed fully into a wolf now and his only desire was to hunt.
His wolfish mind led him throughout the forest, sniffing at things that might be alive. Soon, Remus began to feel flashes of pain. He subconsciously knew he'd hate to look at himself when he awoke.
When he did awake the first thing he noticed is he was viciously cold. He opened his tired eyes and looked around. He was floating back up in the shallows of the lake, which was unforgivingly icy on this autumn morning. He stood up, dripping wet, patched of his white skin showing through the gaping tears in his shred robes. Slash marks were all up and down his body and an extra painful gash on his cheek and a slit across his forehead. He staggered off towards the bank; he could see the bag with his clothes in his hanging from the tree and dripping with dew. He knocked it down, slung it over his shoulder and used his tired, stiff legs to scramble up the bank. He finally found his way home and went into his room quietly so as not to wake his parents. To weary and fatigued to remove his shredded robes he lay down on the dingy carpet and curled into fetal position where he immediately dropped off.
He drifted out his deep sleep around seven in the morning. The Hogwarts express was leaving at nine so he rushed to get dressed. He put a few last things in his trunk then dragged it out to the front. He went into the kitchen where his father and mother were. He went over to the coffee pot and poured himself a glass then drank the bitter liquid as fast as he could.
"All right, can we go?" He asked, feeling a nervous twinge in his stomach. His father rose silently and headed towards the door.
"Goodbye, Remus." His mother said catching him before he could leave. "Be safe and maybe you could do something about this hair?" She gestured at his shoulder high hair that he knew she despised.
"Bye, mother." He brushed her hands off and hurried outside. Oscar was standing out on the side of the road holding Remus' trunk, which had been bewitched to weigh as light as a feather.
"We'll have to take the damn Knightbus." Oscar sighed flagging out his left hand. His wand flashed a bit and there was a crash as the infamous, shockingly violet, triple-decker bus appeared out of nowhere. Oscar climbed on with a disgruntled look all over his face. Remus, fascinated, looked all around at it. He'd never traveled anywhere far away before; it was all very interesting to him. Oscar tugged him towards the back by the scruff of his neck. "Hold on very tightly." He instructed putting both hands on the upright bar.
"Why?" Remus started to ask when the vehicle lurched forward violently and Remus was thrown back. Eyes wide, he finally understood what his father meant and grasped the bar tightly. The bus, nearly empty of passengers, was speeding at what seemed like light speed through the crowded Muggle streets. Remus tried to look out the window but all he saw was colorful blurs. After about five minutes the excitement started to ware off and the weariness began to weigh down on him. The cut on his forehead stung at times and his joints felt achy. He was developing a pounding headache and the nervousness didn't help. The dark spots under his eyes were quite noticeable against the sheet white of his face. After fifteen minutes of being brusquely jostled from side to side the Knightbus came to a stop at King's Cross station.
Oscar, who was looking very sick, snatched the trunk from the boy on the bus and paid him stiffly. He then ushered Remus to the area between platforms nine and ten.
"Run straight through there." Oscar directed, pointing at the metal wall which looked very much solid. Remus gave him an unsure look. He took a few steps toward it, feeling that the crash was imminent, and closed his eyes when he was seconds away from collision. But there was no collision. He just kept on walking. When he dared to open his eyes he was standing by a scarlet train in a room packed with nearly a hundred other student wizards and witches. Remus, feeling very nervous, grabbed his trunk and waved goodbye. After stowing his luggage, he climbed the stairs of the brilliantly red machine and looked around. He peeked through the glass in the different compartments, seeing some already had people in it. He finally found one that was free of occupants and grabbed it quickly.
He sat on the seat nearest to the window and put his head on the window, watching the station pull away slowly. He saw that his father had already apparated away and there was no turning back now. He sat alone in the compartment, questions racing around in his mind. What house would he be picked for? His father had been in Ravenclaw and his mother in Hufflepuff. Was it perhaps hereditary?
Then the door slid open and Remus looked, thinking he would see someone there, but it seemed to have opened on its own. He gazed at it bewildered, wondering whether he failed to close it properly.
"Don't say anything." Hissed a voice from nowhere. Remus' heart gave a great leapt. "Hurry, close the door!" It commanded. Feeling frightened, Remus obeyed.
"Who's there?" He called out to the air.
"Don't worry about that. Just be quiet for now." Said a different voice. Thinking his compartment must be full of ghosts, Remus still and didn't make a sound. Suddenly, thumping footsteps were heard outside and the door rushed open again. This time the person was visible, and Remus felt his stomach twinge again. It was the boy from Olivander's.
"You." He spat sharply at Remus who sat up very straight. "Did two people just come in here?" He asked venomously. Remus shook his head rapidly, hoping it to be convincing. The boy squinted at him. "You're familiar. Where have I seen you before?" He inquire. Oh, I'm the guy who barely had enough money to pay for his wand at Olivander's. The one you laughed at, remember? Remus thought spitefully. He faked a look of bewilderment. "Wait a moment, you're that bloke I saw at the wand shop." He eyed Remus' old and tattered robes with distaste. "Why do you dress like that?" Remus mumbled something inaudible and looked away. "You haven't got money for new ones, have?" The boy sneered with a cruel grin on his face. "Your surname was Lupin, wasn't it? Pity. They used to be such a fine wizard family. Now they're too poor to afford new robes. It's a pity, a pity. . ." He sauntered over to Remus, who was beginning to hate him. "But you're still pureblood, there's still a chance for you. Us Malfoys are pureblood as well. I don't think they should let those awful Mudbloods in, don't you?" Remus' heart leapt.
"Um, excuse me, but I do think they should be let in. That's not a nice thing to say about someone, either. Perhaps you should go over your manners before you come into public again." Remus blurted out, shocked at his own daring. Malfoy looked appalled.
"You don't talk to me that way!" He snapped, whipping out his black wand. Remus shrank back, wishing he'd said nothing. He opened his mouth to say some sort of curse then he stopped. Something was tugging on his hair. It yanked his head back several times. Malfoy fell back.
"W-what?" He sputtered. He looked at Remus, probably expecting to see a wand in his hand, but he was wrong. He whined in pain as he was hit several time. He scrambled to his feet and raced out of the compartment. Remus was thoroughly confused. Then, in a flutter of silvery fabric, two boys materialized out of the air. They were both roaring with laughter.
"Did you see that Malfoy's face?" Squeaked the taller on through tears. He was moderately skinny and had elegant black hair that hung near the middle of his neck. His eyes were black and alert and glinted with emotion. The other was just an inch or two taller than Remus. He had black hair as well, but it was rumpled and wild. He wore rectangular glasses on his nose and had soft hazel eyes. Remus sat stunned. Eventually their laughter died out and they both took a seat.
"W-what. . .?" Remus stuttered. The boy with the glasses looked at him.
"Oh, you mean this?" He held up a translucent cloth. "It's an invisibility cloak." Remus nodded in understanding.
"That was great how you told Malfoy like that." The tall boy said. "What's your name?"
"Um . . . Remus." He nearly whispered, feeling shy.
"I'm Sirius Black and this here is James Potter, my partner in crime." Sirius introduced, offering Remus a hand. He shook it, still feeling a bit stunned.
"Pleased to meet you both." Remus said politely. "Are you . . . first years?" James nodded.
"I wonder how they sort you?" Sirius wondered aloud. "I'll bet they send you into some kind of gauntlet or something."
"I'll bet it's a test." James put forth. Suddenly he stopped. "Er. . . your bleeding." He pointed at Remus. Remus' fingers snapped to his forehead and he felt the warm liquid oozing out. He quickly wiped it away with his sleeve, his face burning.
"What happened to you? Did you get in some sort of fight?" Sirius asked, looking more closely at Remus. Remus looked out the window purposely.
"I, um . . ." His mind raced for an excuse. "Fell . . ."
"Must have been one nasty fall." James said incredulously. At that moment the door rolled open and three girls stood there.
"Hello, Remus." Said one of them he recognized as Sarah.
"Hi." He said back, trying to hide his face without being rude. The girl on her left was quite short with bright red hair. It was short and flipped out on either side. She was very pretty and wore red lipstick that went well with her astonishing green eyes. Remus could not help staring at the girl on Sarah's right. She had gossamer thin, pale blonde hair that went behind her back. Her eyes were bright blue and they sparkled. Two silver ankhs earring hung from her ears and swung delicately when she moved. She looked like an angel. Remus tore his eyes away when he realized he was staring.
"Can we sit here? Everywhere else is full." Sarah explained.
"It's all right with me." Remus said, looking at Sirius and James for approval. Sirius nodded, but James was off in dreamland.
"I'm Sarah McDeans." She said cordially to Sirius and James as she took a seat beside Remus. Sarah looked at the blonde girl, waiting for he to introduce herself.
"You know, it would be very interesting if the put a chandelier up here, don't you think?" She stated casually, looking at the roof of the compartment. She then noticed Sarah's look. "What?" She asked, looking confused. "Oh, hello, I'm Luna Rosepyre." Remus stole another glance.
"And I'm Lily." The redhead acknowledged. "Evans. Lily Evans I mean." She gave a little laugh.
"Sirius Black." He yawned.
"I'm James." James slurred his words, still looking at Lily. She furrowed her brow.
"Something wrong?" She asked, sounding a bit disturbed.
"No, sorry." James apologized quickly.
"Weren't you two the one's that threw the dungbomb into Lucius Malfoy's compartment?" Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow at Sirius and James. Sirius barked with laughter.
"Yeah, that was us. Pretentious little twit, isn't he?" He snickered. Luna laughed.
"Did you really? My, my. That's funny. You know, he gave me such a look when he saw my mother. She's Muggle." Luna clarified. "What about you guys?"
"My parents are both wizard. Sirius, too." James conversed.
"Mine too." Remus added.
"Oh, my entire family is Muggle." Lily continued. "My parents love the wizard world, but my sister . . . I don't know . . ." Lily shook her head. They continued on with this conversation for a while. The sky outside was becoming stained darker and darker.
"Oh, we'd better get changed into our robes." Sarah stood up, noticing the sky.
"We'll see you all in the castle." Lily said, moving out of the compartment.
"Bye-bye!" Luna waved.
"Bye Luna." Remus willed himself to say as she left. Remus, Sirius and James got their Hogwarts robes and hats from the top of the compartment and dressed quickly.
"I hope we all get in the same house." Sirius said as the train stopped. The three boys filed out of the train, looking around for some sign of what to do.
"Firs' years! Firs' years!" Called a friendly sounding voice. Remus turned to see a man who couldn't possibly be all human holding a lantern and gesturing to himself.
"Wow! He's huge!" Sirius uttered, immediately interested. They found their way over to the enormous man who was probably three or four times the size of Remus.
"Firs' years?" He asked them amiably. James nodded. "Welcome to Hogwarts! Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts." He held his hands up to the sky and Remus got his very first look at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Journey on the Hogwarts Express
Remus brushed off the remaining soot as he stepped out of the fireplace at Diagon Alley. Rows of fireplaces beside him were produces wizards with bags full of jingling money. Remus guessed they were going to Gringotts to deposit their Galleons, Knuts and Sickles. His mother and father came out shortly after him, also ridding themselves of the ashes. Remus gazed up at the blue and yellow checkered ceiling with a smile.
"Here's some money, Rem." His mother said, pushing some coins into his hand. "You can go get your wand and robes while we pick up your equipment and books. We'll meet back here in an hour. Sound all right?" She asked.
"Okay, Mum. See you later." He said waving as he walked out the glass door to the busy street. As Remus walked down the cobbled street he inspected the money in his hand. Ten Galleons, thirteen Sickles. He furrowed his brow as a wave of guilt swept over him. His parents were giving him way too much. He decided he would try and get the cheapest of everything too save his entire family some trouble. He followed a wooden sign with several owls perched at the top to a store called Olivander's. He gazed longingly into all the exciting shops as he walked bay them. There was a new racing broom on display in the Quidditch shop. Two boys and a girl were staring at it hungrily. Remus didn't follow Quidditch as religiously as most others but he wouldn't say no to watching a match or two every once in a while. Perhaps the reason for this was he'd never so much as seen a broom outside the store, much less ride one. He tore his eyes away from the colorful display and kept on walking. He passed a potions shop with barrels full of bat's eyes and snake livers and other such oddities. Then he saw at the end of the busy street, sitting in a murky shadow from the approaching evening, Olivander's: Makers of fine wands since 382 B.C. Remus saw the only item on display was a wand on a silk cushion on the left side of the window. He opened the door carefully and hurried inside as the bell clinked merrily above his head.
The shop appeared to be empty. It was a cramped space between the door and the counter with a dusty, grass green armchair squashed into the corner. Remus walked a few steps up to the counter and gazed into the back of the shop. It was completely composed of cases filled, packed from shelf to shelf with dusty wand boxes and yellowing scraps of paper. He couldn't see the back of the sharp. A thin man eased silently out of the darkness and floated up to the counter. His eyes were like two glowing orbs. Like full moons, Remus thought with a shudder.
"Welcome." Said the man in hoarse voice as he folded his long, bony fingers. "I suppose you'll be needing a wand?" Remus nodded shyly. At that moment the bell rang again and a burst of light was let in from the outside. A woman and a boy who was obviously her son swept into the shop and stood behind Remus. "Be with you in a moment." Mr. Olivander said. Remus heard the boy sigh in an irritated and obvious way. Remus shifted his weight, feeling nervous.
"Now, now . . ." Mr. Olivander whispered, letting a charmed tape measurer examine Remus. "You are right handed, I presume?" He asked all-knowingly. Remus nodded again, the tape measurer pushing his arm out to get the proper numbers. He heard the boy sigh impatiently again. He bit his bottom lip, wishing this ordeal to be over with quite soon. Mr. Olivander scuttled over to a shelf and walked his fingers across the different sized rectangular boxes. He plucked one out and rushed over to Remus, snapping the box down in front of him. He lifted off the top and handed it to Remus. He gripped it softly and gave it a small swishing. Golden sparks floated off the tip and danced down to the ground. Remus felt suddenly very alert and ready for anything.
"Oh, bravo!" Mr. Olivander rasped excitedly, snatching it away from Remus and stuffing it back inside the box. "Got it right on the first try. I can tell this'll be a very good wand for you, boy. What did you say you name was?"
"Oh. Remus Lupin." He said softly, very aware of the boy whispering to his mother harshly.
"Oh, I remember your father's wand . . . 12 inches, Ebony, Dragon heartstring. Yours is 10 inches, willow, and unicorn hair. Don't forget now . . . That will be 7 Galleons. Remus nearly choked.
"Um . . . Do you have anything more . . . um, modestly priced?" Remus asked very quietly, not wanting the boy behind him to hear. Obviously he had though, because he snickered to himself.
"My dear boy, it is the wand that chooses the wizard." Mr. Olivander explained intently.
"Oh, all right then. I suppose if it's that way." Remus felt it would be better to go without supper one evening then to listen to this boy sigh and whisper and snicker anymore. He forked over the money, grabbed his wand and made his way towards the door. He was so eager to get out of there he ran right into the grass colored armchair and got knocked backwards. The boy laughed. Remus stood up, his face burning. He rubbed his head, which had clunked into the counter as he fell and stole a glance at the boy. He was quite tall with a sharp face and silver blonde hair. His eyes glinted maliciously at Remus, who was suddenly very aware of his dirty, patched robes. He pushed the door open hastily and rushed away from Olivander: Makers of fine Wands since 382 B.C. as quickly as he could.
Feeling upset he and his remaining change made his way to Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. He asked if they had any second hand robes for sale and she gladly obliged. After a quick refitting he got off with paying her the thirteen sickles and went on his way. After checking the time on the clock tower that rose out of the center of Diagon Alley he saw he had thirty minutes to do whatever he pleased. He drifted briefly into the Owl Emporium and went over the strange creatures. He spied a young tawny owl in the back for only 2 Galleons and 5 Sickles. He left hurriedly before he got any ideas. Deciding the temptation to spend the money was much too strong; he started back to the Floo Powder arrival area. As he spotted the blue building in the distance he was suddenly knocked over by someone running. She screamed shrilly as she tried to brake in time but she was going much to fast. Her and Remus toppled over and hit the cobbled stone hard. She dropped everything she was carrying all over the ground and rolled backwards, groaning.
"I'm really sorry." She apologized as she sat up, offer a hand to Remus. After she helped him up she began to collect her things. Remus helped gather her parcels and he plucked his wand and robe boxes from the ground. "That was dumb of me." She continued. "I was just trying to catch up with my dad and I didn't know where I was going." She had very large, round spectacles balancing on her nose and she constantly had to push them up and whenever she looked down they would fall off completely. She wore her long, ebony hair in two enormous braids on either side of her head and wore murky blue robes.
"It's okay, no harm done." Remus said, noticing the worried expression on her face. "Are you going to Hogwarts as well?"
"Yeah, I can't wait. I never even knew about the wizarding world until a week ago when I got my letter. My dad's a wizard but he never told me." She explained. "What about you?"
"Oh, both my parents are pure wizard." Remus said nodding. "What's your name, then?"
"Sarah McDeans." She shifted her packages, extending a hand to him. "Pleased to meet you." They shook. He introduced himself and they spoke for a little bit.
"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts, Sarah." Remus said, waving goodbye to her. Remus was just about to walk inside the Floo port when he spied something in the Astronomy Arcade beside him. It was a magical piece of parchment that when you put your wand to the surface it would show you what phase they moon was in for every day of the month. Remus saw the price was two Sickles. Thinking this would not through his family into bankruptcy, he went in and inquired.
"Oh, the Lunar Chart? Sure, wait a mo'." Said the shop owner, a witch with brilliant purple hat and giant golden crescent moon earrings. Remus made his purchase then went and met his parents in the Floo Power Port. They all went home, chatting happily about who and what they'd seen.
Remus checked his new Lunar Chart before he went to bed. The next full moon was August 31st; the day before he was to go to Hogwarts. He sighed a bit sadly and stowed it away in the top drawer of his dresser. It was august fourth now; he had 27 more days to enjoy worry free.
Remus spent those days reading into the books they'd bought from Diagon Alley. He found A History of Magic to be quite interesting and he enjoyed taking his wand out and watching the little golden sparkles dance off the end. All in all, he could not wait to get to Hogwarts. This was like a dream come true.
Every day when he woke up he would go over to his calendar and mark a red X on in yesterday's box. The day before he went to Hogwarts he could barely think of anything else. He had already made acquaintance with one person and it hadn't been that hard. Maybe he'd have a whole bunch of friends, just like everyone else. His heart leapt whenever his mind went of such a thought. But then he thought of the snickering boy from Olivander's. What if they were all like that at Hogwarts? This made him feel put out and timid but he forced himself to think of different things.
That night he was about to go to bed early when he realized it was the full moon. He grabbed a bag full of things and ran through the hall.
"Bye Mum." He yelled as he ran outside.
"Be careful, Rem!" She called out after him. She made a clicking noise with her tongue and shut the door.
Remus was running as fast as he could to the forest. He could feel the moons presence behind the tall tree and the hairs on the back of his neck were beginning to stand on end. He plunged into the forest and ran quickly down the bank. He quickly removed his robes and put on a pair of torn and ragged ones. He took the bag, stuffed his other robes inside then put it high in a tree where no harm would come to it. Then he sat and waited. This was the part he disliked the most. He had no idea what time it would happen. It would just come over him so suddenly and there was nothing he could do to prepare. He sat in the dark for a few moments, trying not to think of the dark woods around him and what they might shelter.
Then all of a sudden a milky white light filtered over the land. The moon had revealed itself from behind a cloud. Remus' chest froze. He suddenly changed his mind. This was the part he hated the most. He stared blankly ahead into the eerie forest; he had lost conscious control of his body. He first saw the world changing from a murky blue to black and white as his eyes shifted forms. He saw the fingernails on his hand grow black and pointed and curl up. His canine teeth elongated pain fully into his mouth. Coarse hair started to poke out of his upper lip and chin, then soon all over his face and body. He winced in anguish as the bones all over reformed to make that of a wolf's. Soon the tiny noises of pain he made were turning into shallow yelps and growls. Then, it was as if someone took away all the intelligence humans had. Remus only thought in feelings and impulses, forgetting things nearly instantly. He transformed fully into a wolf now and his only desire was to hunt.
His wolfish mind led him throughout the forest, sniffing at things that might be alive. Soon, Remus began to feel flashes of pain. He subconsciously knew he'd hate to look at himself when he awoke.
When he did awake the first thing he noticed is he was viciously cold. He opened his tired eyes and looked around. He was floating back up in the shallows of the lake, which was unforgivingly icy on this autumn morning. He stood up, dripping wet, patched of his white skin showing through the gaping tears in his shred robes. Slash marks were all up and down his body and an extra painful gash on his cheek and a slit across his forehead. He staggered off towards the bank; he could see the bag with his clothes in his hanging from the tree and dripping with dew. He knocked it down, slung it over his shoulder and used his tired, stiff legs to scramble up the bank. He finally found his way home and went into his room quietly so as not to wake his parents. To weary and fatigued to remove his shredded robes he lay down on the dingy carpet and curled into fetal position where he immediately dropped off.
He drifted out his deep sleep around seven in the morning. The Hogwarts express was leaving at nine so he rushed to get dressed. He put a few last things in his trunk then dragged it out to the front. He went into the kitchen where his father and mother were. He went over to the coffee pot and poured himself a glass then drank the bitter liquid as fast as he could.
"All right, can we go?" He asked, feeling a nervous twinge in his stomach. His father rose silently and headed towards the door.
"Goodbye, Remus." His mother said catching him before he could leave. "Be safe and maybe you could do something about this hair?" She gestured at his shoulder high hair that he knew she despised.
"Bye, mother." He brushed her hands off and hurried outside. Oscar was standing out on the side of the road holding Remus' trunk, which had been bewitched to weigh as light as a feather.
"We'll have to take the damn Knightbus." Oscar sighed flagging out his left hand. His wand flashed a bit and there was a crash as the infamous, shockingly violet, triple-decker bus appeared out of nowhere. Oscar climbed on with a disgruntled look all over his face. Remus, fascinated, looked all around at it. He'd never traveled anywhere far away before; it was all very interesting to him. Oscar tugged him towards the back by the scruff of his neck. "Hold on very tightly." He instructed putting both hands on the upright bar.
"Why?" Remus started to ask when the vehicle lurched forward violently and Remus was thrown back. Eyes wide, he finally understood what his father meant and grasped the bar tightly. The bus, nearly empty of passengers, was speeding at what seemed like light speed through the crowded Muggle streets. Remus tried to look out the window but all he saw was colorful blurs. After about five minutes the excitement started to ware off and the weariness began to weigh down on him. The cut on his forehead stung at times and his joints felt achy. He was developing a pounding headache and the nervousness didn't help. The dark spots under his eyes were quite noticeable against the sheet white of his face. After fifteen minutes of being brusquely jostled from side to side the Knightbus came to a stop at King's Cross station.
Oscar, who was looking very sick, snatched the trunk from the boy on the bus and paid him stiffly. He then ushered Remus to the area between platforms nine and ten.
"Run straight through there." Oscar directed, pointing at the metal wall which looked very much solid. Remus gave him an unsure look. He took a few steps toward it, feeling that the crash was imminent, and closed his eyes when he was seconds away from collision. But there was no collision. He just kept on walking. When he dared to open his eyes he was standing by a scarlet train in a room packed with nearly a hundred other student wizards and witches. Remus, feeling very nervous, grabbed his trunk and waved goodbye. After stowing his luggage, he climbed the stairs of the brilliantly red machine and looked around. He peeked through the glass in the different compartments, seeing some already had people in it. He finally found one that was free of occupants and grabbed it quickly.
He sat on the seat nearest to the window and put his head on the window, watching the station pull away slowly. He saw that his father had already apparated away and there was no turning back now. He sat alone in the compartment, questions racing around in his mind. What house would he be picked for? His father had been in Ravenclaw and his mother in Hufflepuff. Was it perhaps hereditary?
Then the door slid open and Remus looked, thinking he would see someone there, but it seemed to have opened on its own. He gazed at it bewildered, wondering whether he failed to close it properly.
"Don't say anything." Hissed a voice from nowhere. Remus' heart gave a great leapt. "Hurry, close the door!" It commanded. Feeling frightened, Remus obeyed.
"Who's there?" He called out to the air.
"Don't worry about that. Just be quiet for now." Said a different voice. Thinking his compartment must be full of ghosts, Remus still and didn't make a sound. Suddenly, thumping footsteps were heard outside and the door rushed open again. This time the person was visible, and Remus felt his stomach twinge again. It was the boy from Olivander's.
"You." He spat sharply at Remus who sat up very straight. "Did two people just come in here?" He asked venomously. Remus shook his head rapidly, hoping it to be convincing. The boy squinted at him. "You're familiar. Where have I seen you before?" He inquire. Oh, I'm the guy who barely had enough money to pay for his wand at Olivander's. The one you laughed at, remember? Remus thought spitefully. He faked a look of bewilderment. "Wait a moment, you're that bloke I saw at the wand shop." He eyed Remus' old and tattered robes with distaste. "Why do you dress like that?" Remus mumbled something inaudible and looked away. "You haven't got money for new ones, have?" The boy sneered with a cruel grin on his face. "Your surname was Lupin, wasn't it? Pity. They used to be such a fine wizard family. Now they're too poor to afford new robes. It's a pity, a pity. . ." He sauntered over to Remus, who was beginning to hate him. "But you're still pureblood, there's still a chance for you. Us Malfoys are pureblood as well. I don't think they should let those awful Mudbloods in, don't you?" Remus' heart leapt.
"Um, excuse me, but I do think they should be let in. That's not a nice thing to say about someone, either. Perhaps you should go over your manners before you come into public again." Remus blurted out, shocked at his own daring. Malfoy looked appalled.
"You don't talk to me that way!" He snapped, whipping out his black wand. Remus shrank back, wishing he'd said nothing. He opened his mouth to say some sort of curse then he stopped. Something was tugging on his hair. It yanked his head back several times. Malfoy fell back.
"W-what?" He sputtered. He looked at Remus, probably expecting to see a wand in his hand, but he was wrong. He whined in pain as he was hit several time. He scrambled to his feet and raced out of the compartment. Remus was thoroughly confused. Then, in a flutter of silvery fabric, two boys materialized out of the air. They were both roaring with laughter.
"Did you see that Malfoy's face?" Squeaked the taller on through tears. He was moderately skinny and had elegant black hair that hung near the middle of his neck. His eyes were black and alert and glinted with emotion. The other was just an inch or two taller than Remus. He had black hair as well, but it was rumpled and wild. He wore rectangular glasses on his nose and had soft hazel eyes. Remus sat stunned. Eventually their laughter died out and they both took a seat.
"W-what. . .?" Remus stuttered. The boy with the glasses looked at him.
"Oh, you mean this?" He held up a translucent cloth. "It's an invisibility cloak." Remus nodded in understanding.
"That was great how you told Malfoy like that." The tall boy said. "What's your name?"
"Um . . . Remus." He nearly whispered, feeling shy.
"I'm Sirius Black and this here is James Potter, my partner in crime." Sirius introduced, offering Remus a hand. He shook it, still feeling a bit stunned.
"Pleased to meet you both." Remus said politely. "Are you . . . first years?" James nodded.
"I wonder how they sort you?" Sirius wondered aloud. "I'll bet they send you into some kind of gauntlet or something."
"I'll bet it's a test." James put forth. Suddenly he stopped. "Er. . . your bleeding." He pointed at Remus. Remus' fingers snapped to his forehead and he felt the warm liquid oozing out. He quickly wiped it away with his sleeve, his face burning.
"What happened to you? Did you get in some sort of fight?" Sirius asked, looking more closely at Remus. Remus looked out the window purposely.
"I, um . . ." His mind raced for an excuse. "Fell . . ."
"Must have been one nasty fall." James said incredulously. At that moment the door rolled open and three girls stood there.
"Hello, Remus." Said one of them he recognized as Sarah.
"Hi." He said back, trying to hide his face without being rude. The girl on her left was quite short with bright red hair. It was short and flipped out on either side. She was very pretty and wore red lipstick that went well with her astonishing green eyes. Remus could not help staring at the girl on Sarah's right. She had gossamer thin, pale blonde hair that went behind her back. Her eyes were bright blue and they sparkled. Two silver ankhs earring hung from her ears and swung delicately when she moved. She looked like an angel. Remus tore his eyes away when he realized he was staring.
"Can we sit here? Everywhere else is full." Sarah explained.
"It's all right with me." Remus said, looking at Sirius and James for approval. Sirius nodded, but James was off in dreamland.
"I'm Sarah McDeans." She said cordially to Sirius and James as she took a seat beside Remus. Sarah looked at the blonde girl, waiting for he to introduce herself.
"You know, it would be very interesting if the put a chandelier up here, don't you think?" She stated casually, looking at the roof of the compartment. She then noticed Sarah's look. "What?" She asked, looking confused. "Oh, hello, I'm Luna Rosepyre." Remus stole another glance.
"And I'm Lily." The redhead acknowledged. "Evans. Lily Evans I mean." She gave a little laugh.
"Sirius Black." He yawned.
"I'm James." James slurred his words, still looking at Lily. She furrowed her brow.
"Something wrong?" She asked, sounding a bit disturbed.
"No, sorry." James apologized quickly.
"Weren't you two the one's that threw the dungbomb into Lucius Malfoy's compartment?" Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow at Sirius and James. Sirius barked with laughter.
"Yeah, that was us. Pretentious little twit, isn't he?" He snickered. Luna laughed.
"Did you really? My, my. That's funny. You know, he gave me such a look when he saw my mother. She's Muggle." Luna clarified. "What about you guys?"
"My parents are both wizard. Sirius, too." James conversed.
"Mine too." Remus added.
"Oh, my entire family is Muggle." Lily continued. "My parents love the wizard world, but my sister . . . I don't know . . ." Lily shook her head. They continued on with this conversation for a while. The sky outside was becoming stained darker and darker.
"Oh, we'd better get changed into our robes." Sarah stood up, noticing the sky.
"We'll see you all in the castle." Lily said, moving out of the compartment.
"Bye-bye!" Luna waved.
"Bye Luna." Remus willed himself to say as she left. Remus, Sirius and James got their Hogwarts robes and hats from the top of the compartment and dressed quickly.
"I hope we all get in the same house." Sirius said as the train stopped. The three boys filed out of the train, looking around for some sign of what to do.
"Firs' years! Firs' years!" Called a friendly sounding voice. Remus turned to see a man who couldn't possibly be all human holding a lantern and gesturing to himself.
"Wow! He's huge!" Sirius uttered, immediately interested. They found their way over to the enormous man who was probably three or four times the size of Remus.
"Firs' years?" He asked them amiably. James nodded. "Welcome to Hogwarts! Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts." He held his hands up to the sky and Remus got his very first look at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.