Hey all! Sorry this took so long to put up! But I'm putting it up now! :) I really hope ya'll like this chapter.. Just warning you, I'm writing young Remus/other maruaders differently.. So, don't hate me for changing character attitudes! Also, please review, Let me know if you want me to include something, or have an idea for something! :)
Grace looked at all the images passing her by. Everything was passing her so fast that she couldn't tell one image from the other. As it was, she was struggling to hold on to her trunk and wand. When the images finally stopped moving, she took a breath of relief and looked around. She pinched herself slightly when she recognized the Hogwarts castle in front of her. Desperately hoping that she hadn't gone to far back in the past, she began her trek to the castle.
One thing Grace noticed, was that there were no students walking around. Not really making anything of it (they must be in classes surely), she headed towards the headmasters office. Once she got there, she stood in front of the gargoyle for a good two minutes trying to figure out the password that the current headmaster had set. Finally, she got it right, "Um.. Sherbert Lemon?". The gargoyle moved over to the side and gazed at her expectantly, as if waiting for her to walk past.
Grace shrugged and walked up the stairs, opening the door to the headmasters office, she jumped about a mile when she saw a younger version of professor Dumbledore sitting in a chair.
Finding her courage, Grace walked forward, "Hello, my name is Grace. I was wondering if I could enroll in classes here?".
Dumbledore looked at her over his glasses and was immediately reminded of one of his other students. No matter, he would find out about that later on, "Do you have a last name Grace?".
Grace sighed, "Yes, I do, but first answer me this, are there two students by the name of James Potter and Lily Evans here by any chance?".
Dumbledore stood up and walked over to her, looking at her closely. "Yes, they are in their fifth year here".
Grace tried to hide her surprise and nodded, "Ah, alright. In that case, I would rather not tell you my last name. Just for safety reasons".
Dumbledore nodded, "I understand my dear. Although I do need to ask, how did you come to arrive here? Students aren't due to be here for another day".
"Um.. I was kind of sent here by a time-turner. I'm from the future you see. Although I can hardly tell you how far in the future I am, I'm horrible at math". Grace thanked her lucky stars that Dumbledore didn't ask any more questions about that, he just hummed to himself and nodded.
"I would assume though that you had been going to Hogwarts before you got sent here though? You found my office with no problem I'm guessing".
Grace nodded, "Yes sir, I just finished my fifth year. Although, I wouldn't mind re-doing the year. I want to make sure that I do the best I can on my OWL's, and I'm pretty sure that I bombed my history one".
Dumbledore nodded, "That is an odd request. But I will allow that. Also, what house where you in?".
"I was in Gryffindor, But I'm willing to get resorted with the first years tomorrow if that's okay". Grace took a chance by saying that, but she really did want a change of scenery.
"Well, that's not something I hear every day, but if that's what you want.." Dumbledore trailed off and looked over Grace carefully.
Grace nodded and smiled at the old headmaster, "Sir, there is one problem though. I have no idea what books to get, as I am not in my original time".
Dumbledore nodded, "I can see your dilemma. If I may, what electives are you taking?"
Grace groaned, "I was taking divination and care of magical creatures. But I am not really good at those subects. May I switch? Perhaps to Ancient Runes and Arithmancy?".
"That can be arranged, now, is there anything else?" Dumbledore looked at her expectantly.
"Well, I have my trunk with me in my pocket. I suppose I need to get new robes. Also, I have this note here, but can you look over it for me? I don't want to risk opening it if I has a spell on it that might hurt it".
Dumbledore nodded and took the not from Grace. Without unfolding it, he knew that there was no spell on it, But he also knew that Grace wouldn't be able to read it without proper ancient runes training. "Grace, you will be glad to know that this paper is spell free, which is very fortunate. But you might have to wait a while to read it since it's written in ancient runes. It's a good thing that you are taking the class this year".
Grace groaned, "Just great. Fantastic. Anyway, is there any way I can stay at the leaky cauldron tonight and go on the express tomorrow with all the rest of the students? I mean, I don't really know anyone in this time except for you".
"Sounds good my dear. Now, you can use the flow from my office. Or you can use Fawkes, my bird". Said bird flew over to Grace and landed on her shoulder rubbing it's face on hers.
Grace giggle and nodded, "I think Fawkes wants me to use him headmaster".
Fawkes squawked in agreement, he liked this human. Much better than most children that came in the office.
Dumbledore nodded, "Alright, sounds good to me Miss Grace. Have fun, be careful, and don't forget to be at platform 9&3/4 tomorrow promptly at 11 in the morning".
Grace nodded, "I won't forget headmaster, have a good day!'. The next moment, she was gone. Dumbledore smiled to himself, this year was going to be interesting, he just knew it.
***Diagon alley***
Grace didn't know which shop Fawkes was taking her, but she definitely enjoyed this mode of transportation better then she did time-turner. After a few seconds, they came to a stop, although not the stop that Grace would have liked. Instead of landing on her feet, Grace landed on top of someone.
Embarrassed, Grace stood up and helped up whoever she had fallen on. She blushed a little when she was met with the smiling face of a sandy haired-boy that had brown eyes, and looked to be around six foot tall. "I'm so sorry. I just got a ride from Fawkes, who apparently doesn't know how to make an adequate landing".
The boy shook his head, "It wasn't you fault. It's the birds. Speaking of which, I'm pretty sure I've seen that bird before. You don't go to Hogwarts, do you?".
Graces blushed even harder when she noticed that the boy was eyeing her closely, "Umm.. I'm actually transferring there this term… I went to a school in Ireland for a while, but then it closed, so Headmaster Dumbledore was kind enough to let me in. I stopped by his office earlier today".
The boy nodded and relaxed, 'Well, for living in Ireland you sure have a strong british accent".
"That's because when I didn't go to school I live in Surrey". Grace mentally applauded herself for thinking of that lie, hopefully the boy believed it.
The boy nodded again, "Makes sense. Anyway, what year are you going to be in?"
"I'm going into fifth year. I just turned 16 a few days ago. But Dumbledore placed me in fifth year. I'm just here to pick up my robes and books".
"So am I! Say, what's your name?" The boy looked expectantly at her.
"Sorry! I'm so rude, my name is Grace Potter. You are?" Grace look surprised when the boy looked down and took a step back.
"Remus Lupin. I suppose you know all about me then, if you're a Potter". He looked so downcast when he said that, causing Grace to frown. But inside, Grace was screaming. This was young Remus?! He was even cuter then she thought he would be. She put that thought aside though, know that he probably already had Catherine.
"I know you're a boy? I know you go to Hogwarts. I also know that you are taller then me. Why? Is there some earth shattering secret you are keeping that everyone at Hogwarts knows?" Grace put her hands on her hips and looked up at him.
"Well, Potter is a rare last name. You look a awful lot like a student at the school who has that last name. I just figured that you were related to him". Remus stuttered as he saw green eyes staring at him.
Grace groaned, "That's a whole different can of worms that I'm not going to open right now. Maybe when I trust you more I will tell you".
Remus looked at her, "You promise?".
Grace smiled at him and nodded, "I promise. Now, what store are we in exactly? Also, can I borrow your book list? Seems like I didn't get one".
"Well, you're in luck. We are at the book store right now. What electives are you taking this year?" Remus was curious, she didn't look like the studies type.
"I talked to Dumbledore, and decided to take ancient runes and arithmancy. Those subjects seem interesting enough". Grace fidgeted a little, she was dying to get a look at some of the books.
"Well, then if you want to, just follow me and ask for all the same books I'm getting. Seeing as how you're a fifth year, it should be relatively easy". Remus led the way to the back of the book store where the second-hand books were kept. Silently, he gathered all the books he needed and smiled at Grace, "You don't have to get second hand books, you can get the newer ones up front if you want".
Grace looked at him puzzled, "Why would I want that? Just because the Potter's might have a lot of money, I don't want to spend it all. Second hand is completely fine. Now, hand me that pile and I will hold onto them while you get mine. You know where they are after all". She sent him her most charming smile and watched as he nodded slightly and went off in search of her books. She noticed that like his adult counterpart, he wasn't wearing the best robes. Shrugging it off, she wondered if he was planning on meeting Catherine at some point during the day.
A few minutes later, Remus came back holding her books, "I managed to find you some better looking ones. Come on, lets go buy these, and then maybe get some brunch?"
Grace nodded and walked to the counter, "Excuse me, I would like to purchase these two sets of books please?"
Behind her, Remus made a noise in the back of his throat and glared at Grace, "You don't have to buy my books Grace. I can fend for myself".
Grace glared back at him "I can do what I want Remus. What I want is to pay for your books. Now, stop glaring at me and just let me do this for you! I did fall on you after all".
The girl behind the desk glanced at them, "So, how long have you two been dating?".
The two teens looked at her with surprise, Grace being the first to speak up, "Oh, we're not dating. We just met today. The amount please?".
The girl looked over them again and sighed, "Whatever you say. 80 gallons total".
Grace smiled at her and pulled out the money she had stuck in her jacket before leaving Sirius's house, "I'm sorry if that's not enough, but it's all I have with me''.
After counting her money, the girl smiled at Grace, "This is precisely enough. Thank you for your service today! Have a good day!". Putting all the books in a bag the cashier had given her, Grace smiled and turned to Remus, "Come on. You mentioned something about brunch? I'm starving".
Remus glanced at her, "Will you at least let me carry those bag then?".
"Of course, these weigh a ton! Here you go!". Grace handed Remus the bag and grinned when he groaned, "Remember, you are the one who asked me".
"I know, I know. Pay back for you buying all my books. Which you didn't have to do by the way". Remus said as he followed her out the store.
Grace shrugged and smiled as she saw the leaky cauldron in front of them, "Do you mind if we stop there? My stomach is about to yell at me for not eating yet".
Remus glanced at the place, "Sure. Following you my lady".
Giggling, Grace opened the door to the place and was astonished to see that there were hardly any customers. Going up to the front desk, she pressed the button and smiled at the man who appeared in front of her, "Hello. I would like to reserve a room for the night. I also was to get brunch with my friend, is that possible?"
The man looked at her, "Sure it is possible. In total it will be 100 gallons".
Grace nodded and handed him her remaining money. She wouldn't be buying anything else for a while after this. Not without raising questions anyway.
The man accepted her money and motioned to one of the tables, "Go sit down. I'll send someone out shortly to take your order".
Smiling at him again. Grace turned around and walked towards an empty table Remus trailing after her.
"So, you never told me Remus, where is your girlfriend at? Dumbledore told me you and a girl named Catherine were dating?" Grace didn't mean to lie, but she was curious about Catherine. She wanted to get to know the younger version of the women.
Remus looked at her confused, "I have no idea who you are talking about Grace. There is no one name Catherine that I know. Also, I don't date".
Grace looked at him closely, "Why not? Also, are you toying with me?".
Remus shook his head, "I swear, I don't date.. Not that anyone would date me anyway".
Grace growled, she knew why he said that of course. Didn't mean she liked it. "Why not?! I mean you don't turn into a monster, do you?". Grace wasn't proud that she said that, but she made it her mission to make sure this Remus didn't think of himself that way
Remus looked down at his hands, "Something along those lines yes.." This conversation wasn't going like he wanted it too. If Grace found out about his condition, he was sure that she would leave and never talk to him again.
Grace shook her head and sighed. Not knowing what to say, she waved the man from the front desk over and order orange juice with eggs and toast. She ordered the same for Remus since he was to distracted by his hands still to actually order anything.
The two spent the next few minutes in silence until the food arrived. Hungrily, Grace grabbed her food and started eating. After a minute of eating, she noticed Remus still was staring down. Huffing loudly, Grace pushed his food toward him and watched as he looked up with a surprised look on his face.
"When did this get here?" Remus asked dazed.
Grace rolled her eyes, "It came a minute ago. Now eat it. I did order it for you by the way".
Remus nodded at her before digging in to his own breakfeast. He glanced up every couple seconds to watch Grace, who was quickly eating through her food like there was no tomorrow. He thought that she was very pretty, stunning in fact. But the chance of her actually thinking of him as cute or even handsome, was out of the picture. No one ever thought of him like that. Not even his own parents anymore. Which was why he had chosen to come to Diagon Alley the day before school started. He knew that his parents wanted him out of the house, and that there was a very low chance of running into anyone that actually went to Hogwarts.
Grace watched him for a minute, and the finished eating her food. Remus was, young Remus that is, was very unsure of himself. She knew what Remus said before she left. But honestly, she didn't believe it. She didn't want to anyway, so she decided to ask. "So, Remus, where are James, Sirius, and Peter? Dumbledore told me about those three," Another lie, "I was curious where they were?"
Remus froze, he knew this was to good to be true, "How should I know? Eager to get back to them then?"
Grace didn't know how to respond to that. Yes, she was eager to meet the teenage version of her dad and godfather. But at the same time, why weren't they here with Remus?
Remus took her silence as a yes and stood up, grabbing his books out of the bag. "Well, it was nice talking to you at any rate. Have fun at Hogwarts this year. Just do me a favor, and leave me alone, alright? I already get taunted by Potter and Black on a daily basis, I don't want another Potter yanking my chain too". With that, he turned and walked out the door and disappeared into the alley.
Grace sat there in shock before getting up, grabbing her bag, and snatching up the key that the keeper of the leaky cauldron had come by and left on the table. Once in the alley way, she looked around trying to stop Remus, but he was long gone. Sighing sadly, Grace went back into the leaky cauldron and sat back on her chair dejectedly. That didn't go like she thought, Remus didn't even give her a chance to explain herself, instead he just got up and left.
She shook her head and stared at the window, hoping that he would come back. When a few minutes passed by, Grace decided that he wasn't going to. So she headed up to the room that had been assigned to her, took her trunk out of her pocket, activated the charm to make it normal sized again, and threw her books inside of that. After that, she threw herself on the bed and tried to ignore the tight feeling in her throat.
A few minutes after laying in silence, she heard a knock at her door. Curious as to who it was, Grace up and opened the door coming face-to-face with a sad looking Remus. Stepping back, she let Remus in and closed the door behind him. Joining him on the bed, she turned to look at him.
"You didn't give me a chance to explain myself earlier, "Grace murmured, "Yes, I do want to see James and Sirius, but not for the reason that you think. Besides, aren't they your friends? That's the main reason why I asked. I was just curious as to why you were by yourself today instead of with them".
Remus sighed, "I'm sorry for walking out on you Grace. I shouldn't have done that. I jump to conclusions way to fast most times. Also, I'm not friends with those two.. As much as I want to be, after they found out my secret, I was the target of almost all their pranks. Besides the Slytherins and another guy in our year'.
Grace shook her head, she didn't want to believe it. But here it was, coming from young Remus himself. How could her dad and godfather do that to him? "Remus, why didn't you just tell me that instead of walking out?".
"I was going to, but my thoughts were going way beyond that. I'll tell what they were when you tell me your secret". Remus smiled at her when he said that.
"I guess that sounds like a deal. How did you find out where my room was by the way?". Grace asked, she had a suspicion that the leaky cauldron keeper had told him. Either that or he just found her using his heightened wolfy-senses as Grace called them. The first time she said that, Sirius had burst out laughing and started calling Remus that for the rest of the day.
Remus shifted a little, "I just had a feeling, you know?". He couldn't tell her about his werewolf senses, which is what he used to find her.
Grace nodded and laid back down on her bed, smiling when Remus joined her, "So, where are you staying tonight?".
"I have a room here for tonight. My parents were more than willing to let me stay here for the night". Remus said that with a hint of sadness in his voice. He wished that his parents would accept him as he is, but he knew that would never happen.
"Oh good! So we can go to the platform together tomorrow!" Grace exclaimed excitedly. Truth be told, she was a little nervous going by herself.
"Yes, we can" Remus smiled, and then frowned. It might be best if you act like you don't know me when we get there though. If Potter or Black see you with me, you'll probably be the at the center of their pranks this year as well".
Grace shook her head, "I can handle myself Rem. I'm not a dumb little witch".
Remus smirked at that, "Alright, if you say so. Don't say I didn't warn you though".
Grace laughed, "You know, trying to push me away won't work. We're friends now. I try to stick by my friends the best I can".
"That's a admirable trait Grace. I appreciate that" Remus said quietly.
"Well thanks. Now, how about we start reading ahead on some of these books? I dare say that it's going to be an interesting year" Grace said as she pulled out her History book.
"Sounds like a good idea, reading ahead always helps" Remus agreed.
With that, the two teens settled down with a book in hand and read the day away. It certainly was going to be an interesting year.