Chapter Eight
This Most Auspicious Meeting
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What! You too? I thought I was the only one"
~C. S. Lewis
The boys entered their dorm room and found it just as warm and welcoming as the common room below. There were four four-post beds spaced throughout the room, a trunk placed in front of each of them. The fourth boy in their year and house was already laid out on his bed, a book in front of his face. Sirius plopped down onto a four-post bed; James assumed it had been assigned to his friend because of the ornate trunk placed in front of it. Peter hoped onto his bed and looked around expectantly, obviously wonder what was going to happen next. James ignored the others around him and went over to his trunk.
He then began was busily digging through it, pulling out mementos and keepsakes. He began carefully placing each one in a special place around his bed, making Hogwarts feel a little like the second home he believed it was to be. When he was done at last, he hopped onto his bed and turned to face the room. Sirius lay back on his bed but turned to face James. Peter excitedly sat on his own bed and stared at James. Remus continued to read his book.
"So," James spoke into the silence, "I think we should take this time, before school starts in earnest, to get to know each other. We'll be sleeping in the same room for the next seven years; we should at least be on friendly terms." He then looked around to take the pulse of the room.
Sirius shrugged in a noncommittal fashion. James interpreted the motion to mean that the boy felt that it was a good idea, but he wasn't as enthusiastic about it as James. Peter nodded enthusiastically, clearly a little desperate to make a connection with James. Remus continued to read; he didn't even lower it the tiniest bit.
"I'll go first," Sirius spoke up. He slowly sat up and faced the room. "I'm Sirius Black, of the 'Ancient House of Blacks'. I'm the first person in my family to be sorted into Gryffindor. My entire family is pureblood, a proud fact for many of them. I, personally, could care less. I have a younger brother, Regulus. He'll be here next year. My favourite Quidditch team is the Kenmare Kestrels and I would like to play chaser here at Hogwarts." Sirius looked up at the ceiling, obviously trying to see if he could come up with some more information. However, James was far too excited and jumped in to introduce himself.
"I'm James Potter. I grew up in Godric's Hallow. Most of my family has been in Gryffindor for centuries. I'm an only child, have a few cousins though. My family's also fairly pureblood; there are rumours we may be related to the Peverell's. I happily cheer for Puddlemere and, likewise will attempt to be names chaser on the house team.
"You next, Peter?" James finished with a winning smile at Peter. He had been hanging onto James' every word, but now that he was in the spotlight, he looked like he wanted to run, or hurl.
"I'm- uh- Peter Pettigrew," he began. His voice was soft and had a slight waver in it. He was also looking down at his hands as he spoke. "My dad was in Gryffindor and he'll be very- uh- happy that I'm- uh- also in it. Uh- I like Quidditch and- uh- Puddlemere. But uh- I don't- I don't play. Not very good on a broom." Peter spoke the last bit in almost a whisper and both James and Sirius had to lean in to hear him.
Even when he had finished speaking, Peter didn't look up. James smiled extremely brightly, though Peter didn't notice. He then got up and stood in front of Peter's bed. Finally, James reached over and placed a comforting hand on Peter's knee. This caused Peter, red faced, to look up and was met with the full force of James' smile. The obvious displays of affection seemed to revive the sandy-haired boy, and Peter once again resumed his awe-filled staring.
"You just need more flying practice is all," James added comfortingly. Peter looked like he could kiss James. Then, having done his duty to comfort his new friend, James turned to the last boy in the room. He still lay, almost motionless, on his bed. His back was still clutched tightly in his hands. James wondered if Remus had any awareness of the rest of the room.
Wanting to make a sure he was making an impression, James moved to stand in front of Remus. He didn't speak; he simply stood at the foot of the bed and stared down Remus. It was several, slightly awkward moments of silence, but eventually Remus slowly lowered his book and looked up at James.
"Can I help you with something?" Remus asked with genuine concern, not the contempt that such a question usually contained. James smiled warmly at him.
"I'm James Potter, one of your fellow roommates. This is Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew." James motioned to each boy as he introduced him. "We were just introducing ourselves and saying a few things about us. Figured we should at least by acquaintances if we're stuck with each other for the next seven years. We've all gone, so now it's just you."
Remus remained silent for a while; James continued smiling at him. Finally, James seemed to wear down the other boy. Remus sighed and marked his place in his book with his finger.
"I'm Remus Lupin," he spoke. He seemed to hope that would be enough for James. He had no such luck; James continued smiling down at him. "My father was a Gryffindor; my mother was a muggle. I have no siblings and I'm not a big fan of Quidditch."
Remus then returned to his book, not even looking back at James. James stared, slightly incredulous. Despite his book reading, Remus had hit all the points the others had. Apparently, he hadn't been as aloof as he appeared.
However, after the initial shock wore off, he returned to his bed, content at what he had managed to accomplish. The rest of the night was spent with the boys discussing themselves and their interests. There was a brief argument about which Quidditch team was better, but otherwise the boys got along extremely well. Remus, for his part, continued reading. Occasionally, James would lob a question Remus' way in an attempt to draw him in. Occasionally, Remus would answer the question, but mostly he just continued reading.
When the foursome finally called it a night it was very late.
The first morning at Hogwarts dawned bright and, in the opinion of the very tired James, much too early. Maybe they'd stayed up too late last night, but James didn't really regret that. He'd never had someone to talk to late into the night before and the experience created a warm, fulfilling glow within him.
Finally, the excitement that the prospect of learning magic brought won out over James' tiredness and the boy pulled himself out of bed. He found Sirius in a similar state, his previously perfectly coifed hair sticking out at odd angles. James, whose hair was normally on the messy side, assumed he looked a lot worse. The two boys smiled at each other, still slightly sleepy, before they got out of bed and began to prepare for the day. Peter was already awake and ready, quietly sitting on his bed waiting for the others. Remus was already gone, his bed neatly made.
After about twenty minutes, Sirius and James, with Peter trailing after, made it down to breakfast in the Great Hall. They found Remus sitting about halfway down the table, the seats around him empty. He had a plate full of food and a book open before his nose. Everything about his posture screamed 'closed off' and 'stay away.' Normally, James would have confidently walked over and sat beside Remus, but Sirius was obviously much too hungry because he sat down at the first available spot. He then quickly began shovelling food into his mouth. James temporarily admitted defeat and sat beside Sirius, with Peter joining them.
About halfway through breakfast, a witch with an emerald robe and spectacles began moving throughout the Gryffindor table. James guessed she was the head of Gryffindor but wasn't sure on her name. She stopped at each student and handed him or her a piece of parchment. It wasn't long before she stood before James, Sirius, and Peter.
"Here are your schedules boys. First class starts in twenty minutes; you better not be late." She gave a knowing look at James and Sirius, like she was expecting them to be late for some reason. She then continued on down the table. When she reached Remus, who was sitting alone a few seats away, James noticed that she gave him two pieces of parchment. The schedule and something else. James was instantly curious. However, he wasn't given long to dwell on it.
"Shall we? Wouldn't want to be late for Charms, would we?" Sirius exclaimed, his plate cleaned and a look of eager anticipation on his face. James nodded, quickly flinging his bag over his shoulder.