Remus' POV

About half-an-hour into the journey another boy strolls into the compartment. His hair is slightly on the long side and jet black. His eyes narrow as he observes us, but I think they're grey.

"This is mine," he tells us, with a scowl.

"I'm sure we can share," James sneers.

He snorts,

"I don't feel like sharing with Mudbloods, thank you very much."

James bristles angrily and jumps to his feet,

"Well, push off then."

"That's my trunk," he points out, "I got here first."

Peter bobs his head and leaves the compartment quickly; James leaves too, but bumps into the newcomer hard as he leaves.

He turns to me after the others have left,

"Hello? That means you too."

I bite my lip as a watch him. I can't seem to move my legs.

He steps closer,

"Move will you!"

He hits me sharply, and I drop my head to one side, exposing my neck. The wolf understands how to respond to dominance.

"Fine, stay then," he snaps and sits back onto his own seat.

I curl back against the window and close my eyes. I feel sleep settling over me rather quickly, considering I am sharing a confined space with a guy whom has just hit me…

Later

"Wake up," my eyes open quickly as I receive a shove.

"Sorry…" I drop my eyes again.

He snorts with amusement,

"Yeah, whatever. The food trolley's here."

I look over at it longingly,

"My money's locked in my trunk," I tell him.

That's probably true. I'm not sure if mum and dad actually gave me any spending money.

He shrugs,

"Nothing for us then," he tells the woman by the trolley.

She nods and moves to the next compartment.

I watch her leave wistfully, knowing full well that I won't get to eat until we arrive at Hogwarts. My stomach growls loudly.

Sirius, I'm assuming he is Sirius, looks up at me.

"Sorry…" I murmur and drop my eyes again. My stomach repeats its performance and I feel myself blush.

We sit in silence until my stomach growls for a fourth time, when Sirius jumps to his feet,

"This is ridiculous," he snaps. "When was the last time you even ate?"

I stare at him, then stutter out my answer,

"I… err… probably about six this morning…"

He rolls his eyes,

"And your parents didn't give you something to eat on the journey?"

I shake my head,

"I'll be back," he snaps and strides off down the train.

After a few minutes he returns and dumps a pile of food onto the seat beside his,

"Right," he replies. "Now eat something before you drive me mad."

"But I can't pay you…"

"Really?" he rolls his eyes; "with what you're wearing I never would have guessed."

I blush again, thinking of all my old robes. My parents have grown distant since they realised I wouldn't be cured. They have also decided that buying me new clothes just isn't worth their while. All my things are second hand.

"Now eat!" he throws me a Cornish Pasty.

"Thank you…" I murmur as I start to eat.

I notice that he picks at a pack of sugar mice as I eat what turns out to be a half-decent meal. He gazes out of the window as he does. When he isn't actually glaring at me he looks quite sad. Almost self-loathing.

I lick some melted chocolate off of my fingers and sigh happily. He raises an eyebrow at me, but doesn't comment.

"I haven't had chocolate for ages…" I explain, unprompted. "Thank you."

He shrugs indifferently,

"I guess that's what happens when your parents are a good-for-nothing layabouts."

I look down at the floor again and don't respond.

I feel him scowling at me,

"I don't get you. I hit you, I insult you and your parents, why are you still here? There must be another compartment you can squeeze into."

I shrug lightly,

"I'd rather be insulted than ignored."

He makes a snorting noise they may be agreement, but I think is probably laughter.

We sit in silence for a while longer,

"So, what's your name?" he asks, finally.

"Remus Lupin," I reply obediently.

He shrugs,

"Never heard of the Lupins. I'm Sirius Black."

I nod,

"Yes, it says so on your trunk."

He smirks,

"You can read then."

I bite my lip and continue to keep my gaze safely on the floor.

"What house do you think you'll be in?" he asks. I get the impression that despite his haughty show he's rather lonely.

"I don't know," I admit. "My father was Ravenclaw, I think. My mum was Hufflepuff."

He lets out a short barking laugh, but doesn't comment.

"I'll probably be Hufflepuff," I murmur, "I don't think I'm that smart or brave or anything…"

He nods,

"I'll be Slytherin," he sounds irritated again. "All my family is Slytherin."

"That'll be nice for you," I tell him.

"I fail to see how," he tears open another pack of sugar mice and starts sucking on one irritably.

"You'll be in your family house," I raise my eyebrows, "your family will be proud."

He sneers,

"Yes, goody."

"You don't like them?" I ask, then blush as his head jerks to face me and he glares angrily.

"I'm not sure that that's any of your business, Lupin," he practically spits my name.

"Sorry," I drop my gaze again.

We sit in silence for another half an hour and I start to nod off again. I can feel him watching me, but for some reason it doesn't bother me. I think the wolf has decided he is just a dominant member of the Pack… he has connected to the first available human.

I fight to keep my eyes open out of some strange compulsion to be here if Sirius wants to talk.

"Go to sleep," Sirius tells me, strangely gently, "I'll wake you just before we get there."

I nod sleepily then fall asleep.

Author notes:

I located Zactana via MSN, so she played beta for me. Unfortunately neither of us can spell… so any corrections are welcome!

Thanks