A/N: Hey, look! Another chapter, woo!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other characters, objects, places etc. incorporated therewith.
All of the marauders ran into the common room and said in unison, "You won't believe the day I had!" Then laughed.
"I'll go first!" Remus volunteered.
So, the marauders told their adventures of the day.
"Wow! We all had pretty interesting days!" Sirius exclaimed, while slowly sitting down in a chair in front of the fireplace.
"Don't sit down, Sirius. We still have to go to dinner remember?" James smiled and headed over to the portrait hole.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Sirius jumped right back up and started for the portrait hole too. But, before he could reach it…
"Mr. Black, could I have a word with you? Alone?" Professor Dumbledore walked through and led Sirius back to the seats by the fireplace.
"Uh, sure. Go ahead guys, I'll meet up with you in a couple minutes," Sirius told the other first years.
There was a long silence, and then Professor Dumbledore took off his half-moon spectacles and cleared his throat.
"Sirius, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Really, I do. And maybe something good could come out of this. But, Sirius, your mother has passed away. I know this may come as a shock. And I'm sure you're curious as to why?"
Sirius silently nodded his head, too shocked to say anything. He also didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
"Well, your mother was in a dilemma. Your brother made her choose between him and your house elf. I do not know the circumstances into which this event has happened. But, she could not decide, it was too stressful for her, and she committed suicide."
Sirius gasped, and Dumbledore bowed his head. Though, inside, Sirius was laughing; this was so like his mother to leave the world by committing suicide, making a dramatic ending.
"I am truly sorry, Sirius. Is there anything I could do for you?" The Headmaster asked with great concern.
"Yes, actually, Professor Dumbledore. I no longer have a place to stay, since I know my brother will never take me in… and…" Sirius bowed his head and started to cry.
"Not to worry, Mr. Black. I have everything under control. You will be staying with the Potters until you are seventeen. I have asked them only because you seem to get along so well with their son with only knowing him a day and they were more than willing to take you in. But by the time you are of age, you will need to move back into 12 Grimmauld Place, is that understood?" Dumbledore held a firm grip on Sirius' shoulder.
Sirius' face brightened up, "Yes, sir!"
"This weekend you will be escorted by myself to collect your things at home. Then, you will be taken to the Potter's to meet them and arrange your room. "At this, Dumbledore walked off.
Sirius skipped out of the portrait hole and all the way into the Great Hall.
"James! James! Guess what? I'm going to be living with you until I'm seventeen!" Sirius was jumping up and down as James jumped up.
"Are you serious? That's awesome!" James jumped around as well.
"Well, yes, yes I am. Sirius Alexander Black!" Sirius stood with his fists jammed into his sides and elbows pointed out.
"Why?" Remus asked abruptly, starting to feel a little left out.
"Huh? Oh… well, my mother passed away," Sirius bowed his head.
"I'm so sorry," James and Remus said in unison.
"Nah, that's okay. It's only a loss for my brother and stupid house self," Sirius replied. "I'm moving my things in this weekend. Do you know which room I'll probably be in?"
"Hmm… either the room across from or next to mine. This is going to be awesome!" Sirius and James jumped around some more.
Remus went silent.
"Oh come on, Remus. You'll be over all the time. We'll have camping trips and everything!" James tried to cheer Remus up.
"Yeah, I guess I will! But… uh…" Remus hadn't told his friends about being a werewolf yet, it was too soon.
"But what, Remus?" Sirius asked curiously.
"There are going to be some times when I can't come over," Remus twiddled his thumbs. "I'll be right back," Remus got up from the table in frustration and left the Great Hall.
Sirius and James looked quizzically at each other, and then watched Remus until he could no longer be seen by the naked eye.
"How could I forget?!?" Remus walked into the Transfiguration classroom.
"Hello, Mr. Lupin, how may I help you?" Professor McGonagall looked up from grading her papers.
"Well, I, uh, need to see the Headmaster about my condition," Remus silently whispered.
"Of course, right this way," She hopped up from her desk and led the werewolf pupil to the spiral stairs. The professor spoke the password, waved her hands, and escorted Remus to the door.
Remus knocked on the door, and entered at the Headmaster's word.
"Headmaster? The next full moon is in a few days. And I was wondering, how will I be kept from harming anyone?" Remus sat in one of the black leather chairs.
"Ah, I was hoping you would ask me that. One of the best plans I've ever had. Have you noticed the new tree since your last visit with your mother?" Remus nodded. "That, my boy, is called the Whomping Willow. When something gets near it, it attacks. So, we have placed an underground passage right under it that leads to the abandoned house in Hogsmeade. And this passage, I'll have you know, is very difficult to find. Someone would simply have to take a long stick and poke the knot on the tree so that it's paralyzed long enough for someone to get under it." Professor Dumbledore stroked his beard during his small speech.
"Oh, okay. When would I be escorted there?" Remus inquired of his Headmaster.
"You would be escorted after your classes. You will have a packed dinner. Now, let's get back to today's dinner, shall we?" Dumbledore opened the door and led Remus back to the Great Hall.
"Before I leave you here, Mr. Lupin, I would greatly appreciate it if you would spread the rumor that the empty house in Hogsmeade is called the Shrieking Shack, and whatever creative things pop up in your mind. And another thing, I think it wise to tell your friends of your condition; they care for you, and would do anything to ensure your safety." The Headmaster then winked, and strode off.
A/N: Big thanks to Starbucks for helping me get through typing this chapter.