REMUS, UPPON BEING allowed entrance by a boy with deep brown eyes and dark, unruly hair, sat in the corner closest to the sliding door of the compartment. He reached into his battered satchel and pulled out a book to immerse himself into.

After a quiet moment, an unfamiliar voice spoke: "What're you reading?"

Remus paused at the slightly condescending tone, and looked upwards to find the source. It was a boy, seated in the window seat across from him and next to the other who had welcomed him in, with growing obsidian curls hanging in front of his strongly structured face.

Looking to the cover of his book, Remus mumbled, "It's a muggle classic; tragedy, really."

The boy with curled hair sat up at the mention of their nonmagical counterparts, "Yeah? How so?"

"W-Well," Remus began, his voice slightly growing stronger in the other boy's enthusiasm, "It's about a pair of feuding families and their heir's poor attempt at eloping. Honestly, half of the people involved die due to an event of tragic miscommunication; it's horrid."

The boy with shaggy hair's brows scrunch together and his head tilts slightly, "If it's horrid, then why do you read it?"

Remus bit his lip and halted for a moment, "I think that, um, it's important to read and gather information about different cultures through their classic literature; even if it's a little ridiculous."

The boy with curly hair nodded at this, "I'm Sirius, by the way."

In response to Sirius's introduction, the shaggy haired boy grinned, "I'm James; James Potter."

Remus looked blankly at James and Sirius, not quite realizing the silent queue to introduce himself as well. Both Sirius and James slightly shuffled in their seats at the awkward halt in conversation, and Remus unknowing began to trace shapes onto the cover of his book.

"You are..." Sirius hinted.

"Oh." Remus dumbly gawked, "I'm sorry; Remus Lupin."

Thankfully, the trolly-lady had knocked on the flimsy door and distracted the boys from Remus's awkwardness. A muffled, elderly voice could be heard as she slid open the door, "Anything from the trolly?"

All of the boys perked at the woman's presence, but Sirius and James much more notably. Both of the boys began listing off titles of various candies as they pooled their money together, excited for sweets. Upon their finish, the trolly lady looked expectantly towards Remus.

"A chocolate frog, please."

Sirius scoffed, "That's all?"

"U-um," Remus reddened as he grasped the Sickle he had retrieved through James and Sirius's excitement. Sirius, now seeing the currency Remus held, shared a glance with James.

"Ten," James spouted, "He wants ten chocolate frogs." Then, before Remus could even attempt protest that He didn't have that kind of money, thank you very much, James and Sirius gave the trolly woman their money and she went onwards to other compartments.

"There you go," Sirius plopped the pile of chocolate frogs onto Remus, "All ten of them."

"I-I really don't need all of this, and you really didn't have to pay for me."

James rolled his eyes an spoke through a mouthful of goo, "As if one teeny chocolate frog could satisfy anyone."

Remus extended his arm out to the pair of boys, Sickle in hand and head down, "Here."

They both shooed his hand away, and Sirius snorted and James spoke, "Like one sickle could pay for ten chocolate frogs," he laughed more to himself, "That's like buying a broom with a Knut."

Remus, now red from both embarrassment and anger scowled at him, "I will repay you in full later."

Again, Sirius waved his hand at the Sickle as James let out a lame "Nahhhh."

Though angry at the pompous reply, Remus was grateful. "T-Thank you, then, I'll still be sure to pay you back."

"It's only chocolate."

Word count:638

MY CHAPTERS ARE WAY TOO SHORT IM SORRY.
however, i have data now so i can update.
idk how this is going, & ik remus is much less anxious than before, but i think talking about books made him more comfortable & the fact there was less people noticeable would help ease anxiety.