A/N

This is just a very short story that came to mind the other day. I just went with the flow and ended up with this as a final product.

My life has been more than hectic and eventful at the moment (if you follow my Tumblr, you'd know already), hence the lack of updates.

I'm really going to push for getting an update in the next few weeks, I've got some of chapter 13 written but not enough for a chapter; bare with me!

But enough of that, as always, enjoy and Happy September 1st!

Published on 1st September at 11:00am

1st September 1971:

Remus stepped through the barrier that separated the Muggle train station from Platform 9 as he turned and smiled softly as his parents who followed through quickly after. The eleven year old's stomach was in knots and he was positive that it wasn't going to go away anytime soon.

Whilst the child was obviously excited to be attending Hogwarts, as most Wizarding children were since their early childhood, Remus was feeling very uneasy and anxious about the entire thing and was shocked to even find himself standing on the platform at all.

After the accident, when Remus was five, his parents had prepared him for the inevitable fact that he would not be able to attend Hogwarts School when he turned eleven; the boy was far too young to fully understand the gravity of his parents words, until he was a few years older and it began to weigh heavily on his mind.

He knew that the Headmaster couldn't possibly risk a Werewolf attending the school; not only would it be a risk to the students but it would also be quite the risk to Remus himself. If the child were to have bitten someone the ministry would be called and the consequences for the young boy would be immense.

Remus's childhood had been very different to most. He was unable to attend a primary school and instead was taught from home; while many wizarding parents chose to do the same, they were able to send their children round for play dates with other families whereas Remus's parents chose to keep him rather isolated from other children. Not to the extent that he was never allowed to leave the house, but he knew from his parents faces that they worried whenever he started playing with a new friend at the park; Lyall and Hope didn't want the child to be so isolated but they knew any friends he may have made would start asking questions when he disappeared at the same time every month and it wasn't something they were willing to risk.

Some may say it was paranoia and that his parents were intentionally keeping him away but Remus knew that they were doing it from someplace other than to cover their backs. He was a mature eleven year old, because of his childhood and his parents knew that. That was part of the reason that they had decided to let him attend Hogwarts after the visit from the newly appointed headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

Until Dumbledore's arrival, Hope and Lyall were prepared to educate their son from home but the headmaster had changed all of that. The Professor assured the couple that all the necessary measures had been put in place for Remus and that it would be more than safe for him to study at Hogwarts like any other student. Remus had been eavesdropping at the door, but, when hearing the Headmasters words, practically ran through and excitedly pleaded with his parents to let him go. Whilst his actions did earn him the mildest of scoldings from his mother, his parents agreed and Remus had a smile on his face from ear to ear for around two weeks afterwards which grew even bigger when his letter arrived on his eleventh birthday.

That had been almost six months ago now, and whilst Remus still shared the same excitement, it was buried deep inside him and the overwhelming emotion currently was that of worry.

He turned to his parents apprehensively as his wide eyes looked around the platform at older students greeting friends and much younger students chatting away to their parents excitedly; Remus wished he could do the same.

Lyall gave his son an encouraging pat on the shoulder as he crouched down slightly to his son's level.

"You'll have the time of your life at Hogwarts son, don't let these nerves affect you so much." He smiled at the boy.

"I'm just worried Dad," Remus replied honestly as he wrapped his arms around the man. He was sure it was childish at the age of eleven, but he'd never spent even one night away from the pair and had never had the opportunity to make constant friends; being expected to do so all at once was beginning to affect the boy.

"It's going to be okay Remus," Hope's soothing voice encouraged, "remember what we said, just say that you are ill or that you need to come home because of one of us." The woman's voice had lowered a few decibels as though not to be overheard.

Remus nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He wasn't sure if, when he opened his mouth, he was going to burst into tears or vomit; both were battling it out in his head.

"We are sorry for keeping you away for all these years Remus; we really are, and it's not what we wanted for you. But now, you've got your chance to have a normal life, study hard and not let your condition affect you. You've never let it before, and I do not expect you to do so now. Understand?"

"Yeah," Remus whispered back at his father's encouraging words. "I wanna be in Gryffindor,"

"I'm sure you will be poppet," Hope replied, "I've heard the hat listens to your requests."

"It most certainly does" Lyall winked, "make sure you write to us every week, let us know what you are up to"

"Oh, and I'll send you some cookies when you are all settled in."

Remus's smile grew ever so slightly; nothing could beat his mother's cookies.

The whistle for the scarlet train blew twice as the platform began to grow emptier. Remus continued down as he accidentally bumped into a tall looking boy, around the same age who was chatting away to two other boys, one with black hair, curlier hair than Remus had ever seen before and the other was rather short with a dirty blonde hair colour.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Remus squeaked as he began he helping the boy pick up his belongings.

"It's okay!" The boy smiled as he knelt down too. "I'm James and this is Peter and Sirius, it's our first year here; how about you?"

"I'm Remus; it's my first year too. Do you guys know anyone?" The child handed a book to the boy before turning slightly and saw that his parents had taken a step back to allow the boys some space. His mother gave him the smallest of encouraging nods as she smiled warmly at her son.

"No, I don't but Sirius knows a few of the older kids; it's rather scary isn't it."

"Yeah, I'm pretty nervous about it all." Remus replied as he heard the train whistle for the second time. "I'd better say goodbye to my parents; where are all your folks?"

"Mine left a while ago; Father had to get back to work" the curly Black haired boy, replied flippantly.

"Yeah, my parents left a couple minutes ago when I kept telling them I'd be fine." The smaller boy, who'd been introduced to him as Peter, answered.

Remus gave the boys a surprised look but didn't question them any further. He turned around, asking the trio to wait a moment as he walked back towards his parents, giving them one last smile before taking his trunk from his Fathers hands.

"I'll write to you tonight, after I'm sorted to let you know where I've ended up."

"Don't worry about rushing Remus, just enjoy your first night and live in every moment won't you." His father spoke as he ruffled the child's hair. "Merlin, I wish I was going back there."

"Don't get into too much trouble but make sure you have enough time for fun; we love you so much okay." Hope almost whispered as her voice wobbled slightly. She brought the child into a tight hug just as Remus felt his cheeks burn slightly in embarrassment; he knew his potential new friends were watching but he didn't push her away.

He let go of her embrace and turned to wave at them before stepping into the train, along with his trunk and new group.

He was going to be fine, he kept telling himself and he was going to live in the moment like his father said. For the first time in his short life, he felt in control and he was going to make sure he embraced it with all the power he had.

His condition was no longer going to rule him in his life and the child had an overwhelming feeling that that statement was going to ring true.