The Best Of Me

"Chapter 1: New Beginnings"

SUMMARY:

Let us read and unfold the life of Remus John Lupin in this AU—

"Even if you're different, you'll have to live your life to the fullest, is what a wise man told me once."

NOTE:

This is a sort of INVERSE-AU in which Remus goes to Hogwarts in the same year as Nymphadora Tonks (not really because I'm making their age ten years younger than the canon age of the Marauders).

There's a purpose for this plot because I want to experiment with different kinds of scenes, peoples and events in this story. But mostly to have fun, yup.

So...the timeline of this story is in the year 1981 to the book Deathly Hallow—precisely the year 1998—and maybe I'll add an epilogue.

DISCLAIMER:

All Canon characters are intellectual property of J. K ROWLING. I only own my own characters and the basic plot line of this work. Also the fanart I used for the cover isn't mine.

A small boy can be seen watching a group of black-robed children running around platform 9 from the window of an empty compartment in the train (5792 Olton Hall) that he was currently occupying, for himself. He sighed, brushing off the fringe that blocked his right eye to the side, as he felt his stomach give a lurch at the display of affections in every parent and kid.

What was he doing here again? He wonders, closing his eyes; remembering the reason for his question…

The strong gust of wind made the boy's light brown hair swept in the air; however, despite the gale brushing on his light green colored eyes, the boy didn't blink, as his eyes settled on his target.

His eyes locked intensely at the stag, sleeping beside a tree and his eyes flicker to the color gold before going back to its normal green. His prey didn't move and the grip on his blade grew tightly, as he got ready to strike.

'Sorry, but I had to do this.' He thought, stepping closer to the deer with no sound on his boots, as it pressed down on the wet ground.

But, before he could get closer, the wind went wild; getting stronger and the loud clap of thunder can be heard from a mile away, startling him and the stag. He could only watch, as the rain poured down hard and his dinner ran away. Frustration began building up in his body and his stomach gave a large growl.

Releasing an irritated sigh, he said in a cheerful (and a hint of sarcasm) manner, "Peas and bread for dinner, yay!

The sky rumbled in response to his statement and he could only roll his eyes, as he spun his heels to the direction of his home. Looks like Lady Luck wasn't on his side when the rain got stronger, as a result, he had to sprint.

When his home was in his line of sight, a confused and cautious look made its way on his face at the small light illuminated from the window of his medium size cottage. That's why when he made his way through the steps of his humble flat, he lifted up his dagger in preparation for the intruder.

He lives alone for the four years of his life, so there should be nobody else inside.Hesitant at first, he turned the knob of the door slowly and it made a soft creak when he pushed it open. If he remembers correctly, the light came from the living room, so slowly he made his way there.However, the young boy didn't expect the sight in front of him. Delicious foods filled the table in front of the fireplace that had flames flickering in it. He almost gave a satisfied grunt at the warmth when he spotted an old man sitting on his father's comfy chair.

The old man wore weird glasses that were shaped like the crescent moon and both his gray hair and beard were long and a little bit messy. He also wears long violet robes and a lot of jewelry on his fingers.

Before he could open his mouth, the weird old man beat him to it.

"I've been waiting for you Remus Lupin." He greeted with a smile, his eyes showing excitement and amusement, it made Remus cringe at the stranger. There was so much positivity and energy emitting from the old man, it made him uncomfortable.

Not wanting to appear rude in front of this old man, Remus waited for him to finish his introduction. "Take a seat first, and we'll discuss your preparation." The old man happily exclaimed and the young boy could only follow.

There was a hidden sound of authority in the old man's voice, that he couldn't help, but not refuse.

Once he sat on another chair across from the old man, Remus eyed the food hungrily; although, he shook his head, remembering his manners.

Then, as if reading his mind, the old man gave him a soft smile. "Would you like to join me? Dinner's gonna get cold if you don't hurry up." He offered him with a laugh and Remus raised his eyebrow, suspicious and hesitant.

"Are you sure, sir—" He asked and the old man's smile widened more.

The old man across from him starts to laugh, "Of course my dear boy, surpassing your hunger is bad. What would your brother feel, if he knew that you're starving yourself."

Remus was shocked, but nodded nonetheless, as he picked up a plate of food and began eating. He calmed down first and swallowed his food before asking him, "You know my brother, sir?"

At his question the man's eyes twinkled in sadness and fondness, "Young Romulus was one of my brightest students and I heard from him that he has a brother with so much potential—"

Remus' eyes widened at the old man's next word.

"My name is professor. Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin, I would like to invite you to study at Hogwarts." He declared with such enthusiasm, Remus was almost brought to tears; however, they didn't fall, those salty liquid remained in his eyes, making his light green orbs glistened in the flames' light.

His throat felt dry, but that didn't stop him from asking, "Wha—but sir...I can't." He said and the old man's eyes flashed with curiosity and a little bit of shock.

The smile still remains on the old man's face, "Oh, why so?"

At his question, Remus bit the inside of his cheek and stood up. "Because, why would you invite a monster to your school!" He shouted; then, regretting it. The old man was kind, he didn't deserve to be yelled at, but he was stupid and bad to do it.

Professor Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, "Monster, where?" He asked, turning his head to the left and the right before turning back to the young boy's direction. "I don't see any monsters, what are you talking about, young Remus?"

Anger built up inside him and before he knew it, Remus yelled, "I'm the monster can't you see it! I'm a bloody werewolf!"

His outburst didn't affect the old professor, but there was a small pity shown in his eyes. "I don't see any monsters, but a boy who has great potential...you know—" He trailed off, as a small smile appeared on his lips, "Even if you're different, you'll have to live your life to the fullest, is what a wise man told me once."

The quote that the old professor said brought familiarity to him and a boy who looks similar to him with a grin on his face, appeared in his mind.

With that his decision is final, "Thank you professor." Remus said with tears finally falling down his face, "I don't know what to say." Nobody had said something like this to him for a long time. Attending school? He always wanted that but–

The old man just smiled at him, "It's ok to be unsure Mr. Lupin, but whatever your choice is it's okay." and with that, Dumbledore proceeds on eating his food leaving the young boy to think.

"..."

Silence can only be heard, as the young boy takes a deep breath. That night was something he couldn't forget and as tension began to build in. He couldn't help but let out a sigh, as he opened his eyes to the present reality he was in.

He really was going to Hogwarts…

'I don't know if everything will turn out great.' were the thoughts of Remus, as his mind remembered his older brother. 'To think you did that.''

The boy was about to close his eyes again to rest when he heard a loud crash outside of his compartment and it was followed by a high pitch yelp. Out of curiosity, Remus stood up from his seat and opened his compartment door. Peeking out his head, he wasn't ready at the sight in front of him. A young girl, maybe the same age as him, was picking herself up from the floor.

The young boy took in her appearance, starting with her heart shaped face, fair colored skin and light brown colored hair that was hidden under a hood. However, under the cloth, he saw the color pink not brown, he must be imagining it. Shaking his head, he watched the girl, dusting the imaginary dirt on her clothes before pulling the large suitcase that she brought. Although, in the blink of an eye, the girl tripped on her own foot again and begun falling front first to the floor.

With his quick reflexes—thanks to his furry side, despite hating it—Remus stops her fall with his arms. Then, he steadied her first before realizing how close he was to her personal space (he even smelled her scent, sweet jasmine and a hint of other plants, maybe herbs), so like the gentleman he is, he let go and took a step back.

Coughing, he flashed an amused smirk at the young girl. "Are you alright, little miss?"

She raised her face at him and sadness washed over him when the girl's dark stormy gray eyes lingered at his scars. Oh here it comes, what reaction will she give him, a pity look, disgust or—

His rambles of thoughts stopped when the girl stared at him with a kind look, for him to result in biting his lips. What does that expression on her face mean and his eyes widened in shock at the smile on her lips.

Remus' brain went back to the only people who ever smiled at him and his mind went back to the girl in front of him.

"Thank you." She simply said, but it was genuine and he felt warmth spread inside him. However, he shook his head, 'Would she smile at him like that again if she knew?'

He brought his attention back to her and gave her a simple curt nod. There was silence hanging in the air for a second and it was broken when he opened his mouth, "So are you the klutz type?" He grined at her and faking a hurt yelp when the girl playfully punched him on the shoulders.

"Being clumsy helps you become immune to the pain from falling all the time." She snorted and Remus smiled at her thinking her clumsiness was a cute and funny quirk. Not knowing why he thought that, the boy shook his head to clear his thoughts but he admits that amusement is what he's feeling right now for this odd girl.

"So I take you to tend to trip a lot?"

"Unfortunately…" The girl shrugged, "Not my best trait…"

"I'm sure it isn't that bad…"

"You say that because you don't know me…" She sighed; although, "It was a good thing that you caught me."

The girl chuckled, and Remus couldn't help but think that she seemed nice. She gave out an air of kindness that made him feel comfortable; although, he felt there is more to her, despite her appearance.

"I see then, I'm Remus Lupin…"

"Nympha—Tonks, just call me Tonks."

"Tonks? No, first name?"

"I'm not too fond of it…" Tonks shrugged and Remus felt a little bit curious, but he kept that trait checked since it would be rude to ask further questions. However, her name was kinda familiar to her, but why? He shook that thought off, maybe he remembered somebody with a name like that, Tonks can be a common name right?

He spotted her eyeing his empty compartment and he hoped that Tonks doesn't want to join him; even though he'll politely accept her request, but being with someone especially a human and in a tight place made him cringe a little. He might not be ready for human contact yet, that's why he has to work first on his social skill.

After about five seconds, she spoke up, "Do you know any other empty compartment nearby?" She asks and once again he gapes at her (mentally, he doesn't want to break his blunt mask).

Did she notice his uneasiness? He sighed, making a note to bang his head for his stupidity. How many times did he brush off and ignore other people's kindness—it was a lot and he felt ashamed. Sighing, his decision is final and there's no take backs this time; although, will he regret it? For now they're just acquaintances, nothing more and nothing much. Relationships like making friends isn't his focus here, he doesn't want to leave a terrible and upsetting mark here in Hogwarts, this is an opportunity to study in a wizarding school like his older brother did, no dark creature had a chance like this.

"Rem, just be you, people won't care." He heard his brother's voice in his head and he shook his head. 'You don't know that.' He bitterly thought, moving his eyes back to the girl who was (maybe) awkwardly standing there.

His brother's voice spoke again, "Maybe it's time for you to make ever lasting relationships."

Remus chose to ignore the advice, besides the girl will get tired of him and they'll be back to being strangers. Their meeting was just a mistake, he frowned a little bit, but he didn't show it. "Mine is free, besides the loneliness is maybe getting a little bit tiring." He doesn't have to lie for that, because it was mostly true, the loneliness was dampening his mood a little bit.

A gentle smile appeared on the young girl's face, "Thankyou." She told him, pulling her luggage and Remus decided to help her with it. Like her mother's teaching, 'Always be a gentleman to a lady.'

Smiling, he easily lifted up the case with ease. Despite hating his wolf side, that bloody wolf can be rather useful, he mentally shrugged at that thought, as both of them entered the compartment. Remus placed the large luggage on the floor and beside her feet. Taking a seat, both of them sat across from each other.

He wasn't in the mood for a chat and he gave the girl a quiet thankyou when she just sat there quietly looking out the window, as the train left the station. Seeing there was nothing to do, he brought out his book and began reading. Although, when he was at the second page, his brother's voice spoke in his head.

"Awkward..." The older male's voice droned in his head, making him narrowed his eyes at it; however, the man isn't physically there, so glaring at the book would be a right choice.

However, he agreed with that old git, and the atmosphere in the air was kinda awkward. Lifting up his eyes from the pages, he eyed the girl across from him. The girl was humming, swinging her legs back and forth, and at the same time, drumming her fingers on the chair. He noted that she might be the energetic type, but it concerned him a little bit that the girl was being too quiet.

Why is that?

Sighing, he was about to return to his book when the girl finally had enough. Looks like the girl really is an extrovert, "Is that Mary Shelley's novel 'Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus' that you are reading?" Tonks asked and he was a little bit shocked at first, maybe she is a muggleborn? No, that can't be it, shaking his head a little bit, he nodded.

A full on smile appeared on her face, "I like that novel, it has a lot of meaning and Greek symbolism. The title itself says that, right, Prometheus." She explained, sitting up more straight than before, "The tale of Prometheus is a sad one indeed, creating more life has consequences and he suffered for it, same with Victor and Frankenstein."

The girl across from him frowned a little bit, before smiling again. Remus could only sigh, "Sad indeed; however, if Prometheus didn't do what he had done, humans would be living in the dark with no light." Like himself, he sadly sighs in his head.

She nodded, "True...have you read Susan Cooper's novel The Dark is Rising YA Fantasy Adventure Greenwich?" She asked with excitement in her eyes, and the hyper energy she was releasing didn't bother him at all since he was quite excited too.

"Yup, the story was really good despite both of us having magic on our own." He joked, chuckling a little bit, "Both of us already live in a fantasy."

A laugh was the result of his horrid joke and he couldn't help, but laugh along. Now both of them are zoned out to a happy discussion about muggle novels, different kinds of spells and Hogwarts. This is a secret, but he almost laughed at the school's name, his older brother will sometimes joke about the name.

"Who in the right mind would name their school for pig disease!" His brother's voice would yell and he snorted inside his head. Remus' attention turned back to Tonks, just for once, he liked the company.

In the following hours, the two kids would chat or quietly read the books they had brought. The silence between them emits comfort to the relief of Remus because he might have a panic attack if things become awkward in this small space that they are in. Time had passed and they were now getting off the train, it looked like Remus had lost the short girl in the crowd but his attention turned towards the large man who begins to lead the first year towards the docks where every 4 students begin to occupy a single boat. The boat ride to Hogwarts made him a little bit uneasy since he was sitting at a boat with two strangers, he was maybe glad that Tonks is with him, if not, he would most likely swim towards Hogwarts than to ride on a boat with unfamiliar strangers.

However, looks like his trip was worth it when he entered the large castle. The Great Hall was even more wonderful than Remus had imagined. The thousand candles, the colorful banners, and the magical starry sky above his head. Everything was just amazing. The first years had been lined up in the front as they were being assigned to their houses.

His eyes scanned the hat that was being placed on the students' head. His nose twitched up a bit, does anybody wash that hat, he can really smell the dust and mold of that headwear from here. This part of the opening ceremony wasn't new to him. His brother had already told him about the four houses. He recalled that his brother was in Gryffindor with his troublemaker friends.

He knew the characteristics of each house, and he couldn't help, but think that he didn't feel particularly related to any. He wasn't brave as a Gryffindor, nor was he smart enough to fit in Ravenclaw, he was not a Slytherin; although him being a werewolf might change that. Besides, green is not his color even if it matches his eyes; maybe a Hufflepuff…

He wasn't quite sure.

As usual, Remus' thoughts were so scattered that he had missed McGonagall calling his name.

"Remus Lupin!" McGonagall repeated with a frown.

He sighed and he heard his brother's voice encouraging him in his head, "Go on Rem, whatever house you're in, remember I'll be proud of you." Taking a brave step, he made his way to the chair and the moldy hat was placed on his head. His senses overwhelmed him when the hat covered his eyes, and his nose scrunched up at the smell.

Seconds later a voice spoke in his head, "Hhhhhhm, interesting a half-blood and a werewolf—" Remus flinched a little, but looks like the hat wasn't finished talking yet. "Where should I put you..."

It trails off and the anticipation was killing him; also, the hat's smell, but it would be rude to say that.

"Slytherin would be a good choice—"

Well, here goes his life, because dungeons are a no to him, because he doesn't want to be underground. He shudders, 'I hate enclosed tight places.' There are memories that he would like to forget, he doesn't have a good relationship with tight places and that he agrees on.

"However, I see that house wouldn't bring out the best of you."

'The best of me?' He snorted, there is nothing about him that is in that description, 'The worst of me is much rather great?'

"Stop being a pessimist and be an optimist for once, your thoughts are making this sorting hard!" The hat grumbled and Remus found it amusing.

"You're smart and intelligent, but you're not the Ravenclaw type who has a thirst for knowledge and it's quite a match, but no. Hufflepuff, you're loyal, but..."

It must have been five minutes since the hat finally made its decision, "Gryffindor!"

Not too far from where he sat, in the Gryffindor table, a group of students cheered loudly and the hat was finally removed. He breathed in and released a satisfied sigh, 'I didn't think I would miss you fresh air.'

The design of his cloak changed to the house's color and he remembered his brother's old robes. Smiling, he made his way to his sorted house, and he watched as other students were sorted to different houses. The other members of the house greeted him cordially, and he nodded gratefully as he dropped into his seat, just in time to watch Tonks.

Minutes later, the hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!"

He didn't know why, but he felt upset. Maybe her company was affecting him too much, he shook his head and lifted up his eyes to find hers. She flashed a smile at him and the little negative emotion before disappeared; he returned the smile and he watched her walk towards her house's table.

Although, he almost stood up to catch her when the girl trip on her own feet again. Shaking his head, he could only quietly laugh. The sorting ceremony was completed, and after a few words from Dumbledore (mostly about the new tree), dinner was served magically on their plates. With his anxiety and nerves, Remus almost forgot how hungry he was.

The food was delicious and after a while, everyone was satisfied and ready to go to bed. At least, Remus knew he was. He followed both perfects, but when he reached the door, Tonks was standing there waving her hand. He returned the gesture with a nod, and bid her a quiet goodnight.

It wasn't until he had reached the dormitory that he realized just how exhausted he was and he didn't even noticed that he had fallen to his bed.

Before he could drift to dreamland, he heard his brother's voice saying, "Welcome to Hogwarts, little bro."