This is also posted on AO3 under my penname there, Shanai.

I do not own Harry Potter and anything that you may recognize from another source within this story. Harry Potter is the property of the lovely J K Rowling, and I will never stop being grateful for the wonderful world and characters she created.

September 1st, 1972

Remus Lupin sat quietly next to James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew and marveled at the fact that not only had he'd been invited to attend another year at Hogwarts, but that he was starting out this year with friends.

He couldn't remember the last time he had a friend, let alone multiple. It would have been before the bite, but he'd been so young he couldn't remember. He'd also successfully kept the secret of his monthly transformations from them, for which he'd had to get increasingly creative in coming up with excuses for his absences.

Remus was distracted from his musing when the First years filed in silently behind Professor McGonagall. They were all visibly nervous and he heard James snort quietly when their eyes inevitably turned towards the enchanted ceiling. They formed a line and soon enough Gryffindor had another girl and boy.

"Black, Regulus!"

Black? Remus looked towards Sirius and was surprised to find his friend's pale face set in a fierce glower.

"Is he..?" dared James cautiously.

"My brother? Yes." Sirius replied shortly, "and if he's smart he'll go anywhere but Slytherin." Remus traded a glance with James and looked back to the front of the hall just in time to see the Sorting Hat land lightly on Regulus' head.

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Guess not," Sirius whispered, a strange resigned look on his features. The Slytherins welcomed their new member loudly and save for a quick glance towards the Gryffindor table, Regulus ignored his brother's gaze.

The sorting continued on and several more boys and girls were sorted into Gryffindor, the four friends clapping appropriately, but none of them paying very much attention until Remus noticed there hadn't been a name called in an oddly long amount of time. Forcing his eyes to focus on the stool and the small occupant sitting upon it, Remus noticed that the boy was staring resolutely ahead, his eyebrows turned down and lips twitching every few seconds.

"Will he hurry up? I'm hungry," groaned Peter quietly. Remus shushed him and watched as the boy fidgeted on the stool.

"Why is it taking so long?" James questioned quietly. "It almost looks like… Is he arguing with it?" he finished incredulously. And indeed, even as they watched, the boy seemed to be mumbling. They were too far to catch the words, but Remus saw the boy roll his eyes.

"Are you allowed to do that?" Peter was looking increasingly irritable with the continued delay.

"Why not?" Sirius said flippantly. "I think I like him already." His face was still pale and the smile he wore was slightly forced, but at least he was participating in the conversation. In comparison to last year, Sirius looked drawn, as if his summer hadn't been particularly restful. He'd been quiet on the train, and only had started to liven up as they reached Hogsmeade.

Remus let his eyes return to the front as hushed whispers began to fill the silence. As a second year he didn't have very much experience in regards to sorting times, but as he glanced around the house tables, even the older students looked confused. Professor McGonagall glanced towards Professor Dumbledore and then made to take a step forward, when the boy's eyes, bright green, even from this distance, hidden behind square lenses and his auburn fringe suddenly met Remus'.

The intensity in those eyes was startling, as was the serious expression. The boy held his gaze for a moment, only to break it with another violent eye roll and a small smirk formed on his lips. There was a moment of silence when Remus swore the Sorting Hat seemed to huff angrily, and then, in a slightly exasperated voice:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The applause that followed was a bit slow to start as the boy hopped off the stool and set the hat down gently upon it. He strode over to the table and took a seat at the end with the other first years.

"That was… something." James said quietly, a perturbed look on his face. "How long did that take? Five minutes?"

"Eight, actually," said Remus, glancing down at his watch.

"Maybe he has multiple personalities," Peter said grumpily staring at his plate. He looked up after a moment to find them staring at him incredulously. "What? Do you have a better explanation? Well?"

There were several seconds of silence before Sirius whispered "Touché," with a small smirk. Remus just shook his head and looked back to the front of the hall in time to see a girl bounce off toward the Ravenclaw table. There were only about twenty students left, and thankfully for Peter the sorting was soon over.

Professor Dumbledore stood and lifted his arms for quiet. "Wonderful! I'd like to welcome you all to another year at Hogwarts. Before we feast, I have just a few announcements." Peter groaned quietly and out of the corner of his eye, Remus say James roll his eyes.

"As always the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students and magic in the corridors is not permitted. I've also been asked by Professor Sprout to remind students that the newly planted Whomping Willow is a very dangerous and valuable magical plant. Horse play in or around it will not be tolerated and will result in severe punishment," said the professor, staring sternly over his half-moon glasses.

Several of the students shifted guiltily and Remus had to fight not to fidget. The Whomping Willow had been planted last year in order to guard the entrance way to the tunnel Remus used every full moon. He'd follow the long and narrow tunnel to a shack on the edge of Hogsmeade and then transform. It was an effective set up, though Remus always returned battered and bruised.

Up front, Professor Dumbledore smiled and raised his goblet. "To a good year!" he said, and then as he sat, the tables were suddenly laden with food.

"Finally!" Peter said, reaching eagerly for a plate of roast beef. They all followed suit, Remus physically shaking himself to return to the present. As they loaded their plates he never noticed the bright green eyes staring at them from the end of the table.