A/n- Here's the second part, so... Enjoy! Any suggestions are totally welcome, and I would love to discuss future plot idea's. :)


Disclaimer- I own absolutely nothing, so no bother suing me! Harry Potter and all related material are fully in possession of Rowling and co.

Rating- PG-13 for now, may rise as I swear quite a bit.




Seeing Grey - Part II - Moonshine





Remus Lupin shut his eyes, and removed the Sorting Hat from atop his head. Placing ti back on the stool, he walked slowly, as if on death sentence, towards the Gryffindors. A few were clapping, many were giving him puzzled looks, but he didn't see them. He only saw the cheerful eyes of three boys, sitting side by side and shoving someone away to give him a seat. This, this House, is where it would all end, he thought. This is where his life would shatter.


Hey Remus, welcome to the Lions. James said with a smile, motioning for him to sit down. Ruefully he took the seat, and watched as Dumbledore took the stage.

Hello students, my name is Albus Dumbledore... Headmaster Dippet unfortunately had to resign due to a few mental health issues.... he watched as a few older students cackled ot themselves, knowing perfectly well he quit because of the chaotic pupils.

So I'll be taking over this year. he added as the laughter died down. There wont be any major changes, none at all I say. I'm just here to pretend I'm running things so the Ministry wont cut our funds. he smiled, and a few students returned the gesture.

Seeing as none of you likely care about me or anything I'm saying, on with the feast!

Remus' eyes danced as the food appeared. Smiling widely for the first in a long time, he took a slab of every kind of meat going around the table.

Like steak do you? Sirius said, eyebrows raised high. In three minutes, he had already devoured more food than most of the seventh year boys would in three meals.

Ish goo'. he said thickly, swallowing the rest of a large portion of ham.

James said, shaking off an eerie feeling. After a long silence, James and Sirius began to make bets on how long the new Headmaster would last before the school drove him insane.

I dunno, he is pretty tough. A ninety-two years going strong, and all the stuff about him in history books. I think he might stick around for a while... Peter offered.

Yeah, well, what would you know? You sit around all day with your nose in old war books like another's about to happen. No sense of reality. Sirius snapped, frowning. I say a year, tops. He's old and likely to get tired of us real quick.

You're on. James declared, shaking to confirm the bet.

When do we get class schedules? Remus asked after whooping down his fifth serving of meat.

Tomorrow morning most likely, if we have classes. Last year they gave us an extra day off, Dippet was sick or something.

No you prat, he was in the hospital, ulcers again! Sirius reminded.

Remember? We caused them... At the Welcoming Feast we cursed the Slytherin's-

Alright alright, I remember... Peter mumbled. He rolled his eyes, and went back to poking at his dessert with a solemn face.


Anyway, what classes did you sign up for? James asked as they started the trek to the Gryffindor tower.

Divination and Ancient Runes. he said after a moment of thought. It had seemed so long ago that the owl had brought news that he would be able to join Hogwarts.

Ah man, the two worst classes! Why didn't you take Care of Creatures? It's a blow away, all you have to do is feed a few little winged rats-

And risk getting your hand bitten off. Peter interjected.

Shut up Pete, what would you-

Sirius, leave him ALONE! James yelled, startling a pack of nervous first years in front of them.

Animals don't really like me... Besides, I'm a whizz at Runes. My brother Romolus really liked it, so I studied all his books since I could remember. Remus replied a while later as the question was brought back up.

Romolus Lupin? a very tall boy nearby asked, over-hearing.



Cool. Didn't know he had a little brother...

James and Sirius went on about various professors to watch out for for a while, but he didn't hear most of what they said. He was too busy letting everything sink in, soaking up every detail of the school and its appearance. His entire life he had dreamed of coming here, knowing he couldn't. Dumbledore had made it possible.

So just make sure you don't piss him off. Sirius concluded, stopping as the Fat Lady allowed them to enter. Remus crawled inside, a visual hunger, and just stood, amazed at what he saw.

Come on you stupid git, we have to get our things unpacked. said Sirius, pulling him by the back of his robes up a spiral staircase into a magnificent dorm.

This... This place is amazing! he said aloud.

It's nothing. James mumbled, accustomed to his very rich house. But for a boy who had grown up on the streets of poor villages and in the beds of strangers, a true place of his own was a dream come true. Dropping his satchel at the foot of the empty bed, he smiled very wide, and remained standing in a daze. After a few minutes, another boy came in, and introduced himself as Alex Avery. Remus smiled politely, and shut his eyes.

I swear to God I wont mess this up Rom, I can't.'



Rom,

Sorry I didn't write earlier, I didn't have access to any owls during the travel. I made it alright and I barely had to steal anything, so no worry. Hogwarts is magnificent, it's everything you said it would be! And I think I might have a few friends now, much as the thought frightens me. I'm going down to Hogsmeade tomorrow to get a few things, they gave us an extra day, or so a Prefect told us a bit ago. I'll write to you when I can, I have to go. Some of the boys are playing a game and it sounds really fun.

Seeya,

Rem.

He tucked the note into his breast pocket, and hopped the staircase into the Common Room. Since the classes had been canceled tomorrow so Dumbledore could hold a staff meeting, the entire Gryffindor house was having a sort of party, beverages and snacks going around like an epidemic. Remus was partially less cheerful than the other Gryffindors, as he knew the staff meeting was about his lycopanthy. But he was intrigued by the game James and his friends were playing nonetheless. A small band of pajama clad boys were gathered in a circle, playing what they dubbed Exploding Snape' after a very unpopular Slytherin boy in the third year.

What'd he do to deserve such an entertainingly evil fate? Remus asked, smiling as the little figure of a black haired boy blew up in a bout of miniature flame.

He's a stupid git. All Slytherin's are prats. Sirius said shortly, biting his tongue and planning his next move. The game was a bit like chess, with each boy commanding various models of old Aurors and hero mages, while they opposed a rike of Snapes.

he asked in complete naivety.

They just are. Sirius mumbled, annoyed at his lack of knowledge on the subject. Peter did a trademark roll of his eyes, and wiped his glasses free of smoke and ash from the exploding figures.

They're really... Well, to put it nicely, they're bastards. Complete bastards. he tried, frowning. Every one of the lot ends out evil or killing someone. General rule of thumb you'd be wise to follow... he advised. Don't get in their way. They'll do anything to get what they want, and I wouldn't trust them with the time of the day. Peter said, as the Gryffindors all nodded. Except, Remus noted, James. He was fidgeting slightly, looking down at his feet in an uncomfortable manner. Remus himself felt slightly insulted, as he had not a few hours ago begged to be put into Slytherin and had almost been placed so.

Hey, they aren't all bad... James said in a voice so quiet no one heard. Remus thought none of it, and merely memorized the game strategy of Exploding Snape for a few moments. After three rounds, he offered to take hand as King James, to the amusement of many. They laughed, thinking there was no way a novice could take the role as King. They were soon coughing up numerous Sickles and various treats as the werewolf smiled his content at winning six straight rounds, capturing all but one Snape.

Some kind of genius... Sirius whispered to James. They smiled to themselves, and raced off to a corner for a rushed conversation, coming back again as though nothing had happened. Peter groaned, and rolled his eyes once more.

What are they doing? asked Remus as James and Sirius began to cackle maniacally about something.

Plotting. Plotting a plot that will in the end result in me having a detention to clean the dungeons. he moaned, shaking his head.

They always get me in trouble! Sometimes I seriously regret ever saying hello to them first year. You should take my advice and start hanging out with Alex Avery... He never gets in trouble. Peter said with a scowl.

I take it they're the resident pranksters? Remus concluded after a moment of Peter rambling on about various mishaps.

he blurted out all at once, scaring is King off the board.

God, all they do is pull pranks! And they seldom get way with it. I don't mind the jokes, half the time I have a bit of fun helping out (If they let me), but I'm sick of having so many detentions. I can't get my homework done, I never have time to do it all when I'm cleaning whatever classroom any given night. said Peter with a mournful, regretting face. He moved his King back into play, but frowned even deeper as Remus made one quick move and ended the game without his assistance.

How'd you catch on so fast? a boy asked quietly from behind. A pack of seventh-years were gathered around, curious at the new Grand Master Snape Destroyer.

Remus tried as they sat down across him at the table.

Here, let me get my set. I made the Snapes a tad cleverer (untrue to reality I'm afraid) so you wont win. This is a kiddy set, no wonder you're good.

Ten minutes later, Remus' pocket was growing considerably heavier by the moment as Sickles and even a Galleon were being waged against him winning one more match. But as it turned out, no one could produce an infantry of Snapes intelligent enough to evade his miniature bombs and curses.

Alex Avery mumbled, the clock behind them all striking out three in the morning. James and Sirius finally came back, with identical stupid grins plastered on their faces, a few minutes later. By four o clock in the AM, Remus decided he should get some sleep.

His friends didn't come into the dorm for a very long time, and Remus could have sworn he heard a very healthy riot going on downstairs that involved his name.



Yes? How.... the shop tender trailed off, tutting to herself. Motioning for Remus to stand up on a box before he had the chance to ask for the secondhand department, he just shrugged, figuring his Snape winnings could afford him some decent clothes for the time being. A few minutes later and his shabby cloak was tucked inside a box, a much nicer one about his shoulders.

Hey, that looks helluva lot more Gryffindor. Sirius said with an approving nod, fingering the silver lion clasp at the throat of his new cloak. Remus swallowed tight. He had forgotten to request bronze clasps.

And I'm going to have helluva time getting it off.' he thought wearily.

After a drink of butterbeer in The Three Broomsticks, Remus and Peter were dragged off to an odd-looking store titled Zonko's that had a grand opening sign hanging high above. Some time later they were shoving through a crowd to get inside. James and Sirius' eyes lit up upon entering, and they dashed off.

Oh no... Oh Lord, I'm going to be expelled! Peter whined, putting down a box of Self-Light Rocket Pops. To himself only, Remus snickered in a very evil sort of fashion. It was oddly satisfying to see Peter so generally, well, mad.

I'm gonna go for a bit of a walk. he said after buying a few Dragon Dung Stink Bombs with his Snape winnings and stuffing them in his satchel. The chubby Gryffindor moaned about detentions with Carlison, and went off to be depressed by himself.


With a heavy sigh, Remus gazed at the small brown shack that was built just for him a ways beyond the line of Hogsmeade view. He was sitting atop a cabin roof, chin on his knee's, as he had done so often in his travels.

Rom, you wouldn't believe this place. he muttered aloud, looking even further away at the Whomping Willow, as Dumbledore had called it.

All these measures just to make sure I don't kill anyone else.' he thought to himself, sliding towards the edge of the roof.

In a graceful, practiced motion, he hit the ground softly without taking any shock to himself. For a while he just walked about in the afternoon sun, enjoying the comforting thought of having a steady place to stay for a while. Back at the outskirts of the main shopping village, he saw someone he immediately recognized as the model for Exploding Snape. Or at least he thought it was Snape, but it couldn't be, he thought. Snape, who he knew from the Gryffindors, was a slimy bastard that didn't care one way or another for anyone. And here the boy was, helping a pretty redhead out of the mud. Certainly she wasn't a Slytherin, so he didn't immediately understand the kindness from such a supposed bastard.

A second later he felt guilty, ashamed of himself. He had been under the horrible cruelty of being treated by werewolf standards since he was a child; always judged before anyone knew him. And here, he was doing the same thing. Creating false illusions of a boy he hadn't ever spoken to before.

he said quietly, holding out his hand. The Slytheirn looked at him oddly, a dirty frown on his pale face. He shook Remus' hand after a moment, and left promptly.

Oh, don't mind Severus, he's in a sour mood. the girl said hastily. She smiled warmly, and brushed a few mud patches off her blue jeans.

I'm Lily. she said by way of introduction. You're the new Gryffindor, aren't you? she asked curiously, trying to find her wand in the puddle of murky water. After a quick cleaning spell, she began to walk with Remus, chatting idly for a while.

Are you friends with James Potter? Oh, that's nice. He's kind of a jerk sometimes, not mean, but... Insensitive. He's rather ignorant to most things, used to give me the impression that he was a shallow-minded Quidditch fool. Remus snickered, having thought the same thing within an hour of meeting his friend.

I haven't seen you around, at breakfast or whatnot. Are you a Hufflepuff... Or Ravenclaw? Lily went scarlet, and suddenly remembered she had to leave and get a birthday present for her sister.

So she is a Slytheirn. he said quietly. Before he had time to put any serious thoughts through his mind, the terrible trio came up from behind and nearly scared him into a bucket of dragon manure.

Eh, Remmie, what's happening? Sirius said happily, arms loaded with bags of plots and pranks waiting to be executed.

Can you not call me that? My mother used to when I was little... Bad memories. he said shortly. Sirius bit his lip, and shrugged off the icy situation with a offered bag of Every Flavor Beans and asorted chocolates.

James said you liked them, so I picked up a few with my allowance. Not to imply that I'm not already nine months in debt... he said with a smirk, handing the treats to a stunned Remus. Sirius mistook the look for disgust, and shuffled his feet.

They aren't Vampire Pops of anything... We don't prank among ourselves, with the exception of Peter-



Peter, don't even start a fight- James grabbed both of them by their robes, rolling his eyes.

Thank you. Remus gapped out, devouring a chocolate pumpkin in one bite. They boys laughed at his antics, and walked along merrily back to the Three Broomsticks to challenge the Ravenclaw's to Exploding Snape to win back their prank spending. Or, as Remus would find out, he would win it back for them.


Cough it up. James said with a cocky tone to his voice, holding out his money bag. A very angry Ravenclaw boy dumped out his candy cash, and walked away with a crowd of displeased Housemates.

Here, you probably need it. James said, handing Remus two of the Galleons. For the first time in his life, Remus felt an equal, someone just part of the crowd'.

he muttered weakly, smiling.

Oi! Rosy, s'more butterbeers! Sirius yelled. In pure content and a state of bliss, Remus drank the brew with a light heart and a free mind, something he had lacked for many years before.



Do you play chess? Alex asked after Hogsmeade had lost its appeal after so many hours. Remus shook his head, only remembering that pawns captured diagonally and the way in which a knight could moved.

Want to learn? he asked. They sat down across each other on the floor, the three other third years off in the corner conniving strange plots with evil cackles. For a long while Remus sat, watching Alex explain everything and show him what could move where. And to the great amusement of them both, it took less time to master chess than it had to win Exploding Snape.

You're something else, you know that Remus? Ssome kind of prodigy or something... Alex said with a laugh as his queen was taken again.

I've always been lagging behind in everything, I never went to proper school, so had to teach myself from books. he said honestly, twirling a rook before placing it. he added.

And so I had to memorize things, all the time. It comes in handy, so I'm not really complaining. said Remus. He recalled a few memories of having to memorize entire street maps and town layouts so he could steal things and find clever places to hide or fast escape routes.

Yeah, well I wish you best of luck, in classes and all. You're gonna get hell from all the Professors, being the new kid and all. We had a transfer from Beauxbatons, and God did that lad get it hard. He quit, went to a private school instead.

Thanks for the optimistic, motivating advice. Remus mumbled sarcastically, placing Alex's king on a run.

I didn't mean it like that. Just, well, you have to be a really steel-willed and intelligent person to last against our staff. Gryffindor doesn't get that many of those, let them be breathing proof. he said with a snort, jerking his thumb at James and company. Remus smiled, and won his fourth chess match in a manner of minutes.

Ok, new game. Any good at Quidditch? he tried, zooming the chess pieces into a box across the room.

Definitely not...

All the better for me. he said, standing up on his chair.

OI! Anyone up for hitting the Quidditch pitch? he shouted above the clatter. A roar of approval rang out, and an entire mass of Gryffindors scrambled to their trunks to snatch up a broom and robes.



Thank God he sucks at something. James said with an approving nod as Remus was almost killed by a Bludger. He landed, shaking considerably, pale white with a scratch across his cheek from the sharp Snitch.

I definitely don't like Chaser. he said in a quivering voice. The two raven-haired boys smirked, both star members of their House team.

Is there... Something else I can play? he wondered briefly, contemplating whether or not to give up altogether.

Eh, sure. Our Keeper graduated last year, maybe you can fill his shoes. We only have a month to look for a new one. That twit playting now is a load of dragon dung. Sirius reminded, nodding his head. After a brief lecture on the position, Remus was in the air again on a borrowed broom, shaking quite noticeably. But as the Quaffles came flying at him he didn't feel the same fear. This was strategy, something he could do as easily as breathing or blinking. He called a time-out, and smiled as the oversized Quidditch team gathered around, the mix of Gryffindors and Ravenclaw's looking on from afar curiously.

Do you guys ever run plays?

Hell no, one girl snorted. We've always relied on brute force and natural talent.

Yeah, namely James and Sirius. the other Beater said with a grin. Both boys shrugged modestly, thoroughly enjoying all the attention.

You need a Keeper, right?

they said, eager to get back to the game.

I can't guarantee that I'll have any skill what so ever in stopping goals, but I can say my plans would keep it from ever happening. Give me a chance and I'll work out enough Beater work so I never have to try and stop a shot.

The team thought for a moment, going off in a private conversation. They came back looking skeptical, but willing to try.

Give us a preview of some plays and we'll think about it. James said.

Besides, the only other good Keeper in Gryffindor is a tiny little fourth year girl that's too slow a flyer to cover all three hoops. Sirius added honestly.

Alright. James, find the damn Snitch. New guy, don't suck. the captain said. With that, the team rose back into the air with an entirly different game style in store.




A/n- Thanks for all the reviews! If I keep getting them this thing might actually stay in business, I usually tend to abandon things half way through. o_O Keep the reviews coming!!!