Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's characters. I only own the plot and a few characters I made up to help shape our heroes.

September 1st, 1971

It was a brilliant idea to hide the platform from muggles, but to see someone run straight into a wall and disappear was strange to say the least. How did muggles see it? Going in alone, Peter never really though much for what the reaction he left behind where. Or at least, what other people left behind. No one really noticed him anyway.

"Peter! I can't believe we found you, it's a mad house this year." He was startled out of his thoughts when someone grabbed his arm, almost dropping all of his bags on the ground. "Oh, did I startle you? Or did I get your name wrong?" She looked so concerned about what'd she'd done, he was mesmerized by her face. Her eyebrows scrunched together and her nose wrinkled. She sort of went cross eyed too. "Can I help you with your bags then?" Again, startled out of his thoughts but this time he did drop his trunk. "I'll take that as a yes."

He mumbled some apologies as they collected his things and carried them towards the train. "You got it right, you know. My name. It was Aphrodite, right?" He could have melted when she sent that smile his way.

She led him to the compartment her siblings were in, chatting about something or other as she went. "I already dropped off all my stuff so we should be good to fit. You're going to love Venus, I promise. She's a bit on the awkward side, but aren't we all?" If anyone who looks like her is awkward, what does that make me? "Cute." Apparently he said that out loud. He kept his mouth shut the rest of the way to the compartment, where they were greeted by almost all familiar faces. One that reflected Aphrodite's, and of course Eros, but there was a boy he'd never seen before in the corner part of the right booth by the window. "I don't know that one, but this is Venus."

"Don't be so rude!" Her sister chided before turning to Peter with another distracting smile. Had all of the siblings taken Felix Felicis? No one could be that confident and happy all the time. Maybe that should have warned him away from them, but he sat himself down next to Eros. "This is Remus Lupin, I met him while shopping in Bristol and to my great surprise, I quite literally ran into him again."

"Both times were your fault so any acquaintance that happens afterwards is your fault." That started an argument over whether or not they were really friends or if Venus was just quick to adopt people.

There was a nudge in his side as he jolted awake, realizing he had dozed off due to the steady beat of the tracks. "Am I in trouble?" He rubbed at his eyes only to realize there were four concerned faces watching him. Shit. He was dead.

One of the faces kneeled in front of him and looked him over like he was a patient. "Why would you be in trouble? You were tossing in your sleep and we need to put on our robes on but that can wait until you've calmed down." She sounded like a mother when she talked, someone comforting and ready to help you. At least, he imagined it was like that. "Look at me, we're going to breathe together. It's eight seconds in, ten out, right?" She turned to her brother. Sixteen. "One, two three…"

As he focused on her, the birds in his chest caught a ride on his breath and flew out of the compartment. He knew he was having an anxiety attack, his dad had taught him how to deal with them when he was little and he found out the monsters under the bed were real.

"Okay, we're going to leave so you guys can change into your robes. Then it's our turn. Does that work?" When he nodded, she got up and dragged her sister out of the room. Later she would tell him about her panic attacks about snakes and curses that slithered in the dark with shared masters. Or just one in particular.

It was definitely easier to find their way to hogwarts when a giant was shouting, "Firs' years! Firs' years over 'ere, I need the lot o' yer! Firs' years over 'ere!" Upon seeing that all of the youngest students were blearily staring up at him with concerned expressions, the man smiled. "Hello, me name's Hagrid and I'll be leadin' y'all to Hogwarts. 'm half-gian' 'r half a gian', 'pends 'n how yer see me." A few kids laughed, his shoulders dropping as relief let go of the tension. The entire atmosphere turned calmer. "Firs' years, climb on 'n!" He gestured to the canoes behind him. "Try no' ter fall 'n, I can' swim."

"Then how is he going to get across the river?" Sirius glared at whoever said that, his eyes landing on a well dressed pureblood who clearly had not learned manners or the ability to whisper in his eleven years of life.

Hargid didn't seem phased by the comment, simply continued helping students into the boats. James and Sirius were put in a boat with two other boys who were both looking at the people nearest them like they'd rather be there. "Are we going to have to get these two as well? I mean look at them, can't even look a Potter in the eye."

"Leave them alone, Black. Just because you think you're better than everyone else doesn't mean you have a right to bully new students. I know all about your family and what they do to anyone who's not pure, if you so much as try it I'll do worse." There were two girls glaring at them like they were personally insulted, receiving high gives from the redhead in the boat with them. Lily, if he remembered correctly.

Before James could quite literally tip the boat, Sirius butted in. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I wasn't wearing my 'family disgrace' tie today. Potter, did I leave it at home? Well, I guess people are just going to have to not judge me on my name."

The girl on the right with the freckles raised an eyebrow. "Why not? You judge us on ours."