Harry stood on the platform of the Hogwarts express. It surprisingly didn't look any different than how it would in the future. He entered the train, as he had no reason to stay on the platform any longer. He rushed in, immediately hearing the sound of hundreds of kids talking from all different directions. He walked down to the end of the train, where it would probably be the quietest. Although it looked like somebody else had already gotten that idea, a young, skinny boy, who had long scars running against his face. The boy reminded Harry of himself.
Harry walked into the compartment, tapping Remus on the shoulder.
"Excuse me," Harry took a deep breath, summoning up the courage to speak. "Can I sit here?" Remus gave him a short, jerky nod.
"What's your name?" Harry asked, hoping he could make a possible friend.
"Remus, 5th year." Lupin whispered. Harry wouldn't have heard if he hadn't learned to pay close attention to detail, from the Dursleys.
"Well hello then, Remus. I'm Harry, 1st year. " Harry choked out, very awkward. Harry quickly sped to the end of the compartment, the window seat directly across from Remus.
"What's wrong Harry?" Remus asked, his gentle, soothing voice only making Harry cry even more. Remus had the same voice. The very same one. This was the very same Remus who taught him how to chase away his fear, who gave him comfort in hard times.
"This is all very new to me, and I don't know anyone here, and I've never had anyone be nice to me before, and I don't know how to react to people!" Harry couldn't control what he was saying, unintentionally letting his thoughts fall out of his mouth. Harry just started to cry harder.
"Harry, you have me now, and I'm sure my friends will accept you with us." Remus said, assuring Harry. "Breathe, Harry, breathe. Harry, you need to breathe." Remus dragged his last word out, continuing it with a soft inhale. Into an exhale, continuing the process. Harry did.
Harry still cried, although breathing came easier for him now.
"Would you like me to go or stay here?" Remus asked. He pulled his arms off of Harry. "I don't want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable." He stated.
"Thank you for calming me down, Remus. Please forget this ever happened, it is quite embarrassing." Harry sat up in his seat, wiping his eyes with his too-baggy sleeves, weakness was not allowed at the Dursleys. Remus, inferring that Harry felt crowded and didn't want him to stay there, went and sat back down across from Harry, leaning his head on the window, staring at the now moving landscape. Harry laid down across his seat and fell asleep.
—-
While Harry was sleeping, the rest of the marauders stood outside the compartment door, waiting for Remus. Remus walked out of the compartment to talk to them.
"You guys can't come in. There's a first year in there and he's having a rough time." Remus explained in a whisper, as to not wake the younger boy up. "We need to keep an eye on him, so I'm going to sneak on the 1st year boats with him." Remus explained.
James, Sirius, and Peter were all equally surprised. Moony, breaking a rule?
All of them agreed, understanding what Remus meant. The younger boy in the compartment looked like he hadn't slept in days, and telling by his reddened, wet face, probably needed some help through the crowds. The other marauders left Remus and Harry to themselves.
—-
Harry woke up as Remus shook his shoulder.
"Harry, Harry! You have to wake up and get in your robes, we're almost to Hogwarts!" Harry jumped up out of his seat, grabbing his robes and rushing to the train bathroom. He messily put his robes on and rushed back to his compartment, right as the train jerked to a stop. Remus and Harry left their trunks on the train, as requested. Then walked into the crowd of kids leaving the train. They both joined the crowd of first years, boarding a 2 person boat leading to Hogwarts. Although Remus was entering his 3rd year, he wanted to make sure Harry would be alright on his own, sneaking on the boat with him.
Hogwarts had barely changed at all since his very first year at Hogwarts, still the beautiful castle he called home.
"It's so pretty, don't you agree?" Remus asked. Harry gave a sharp nod. Hogwarts was wonderful. Hogwarts was the closest thing to a home he's ever had. Hogwarts was beautiful in all of the ways he could think of.
The boats finally reached the shore, Remus and Harry getting off their small boat, getting stuck in the crowd of about 100 other 11 year olds. The group walked into the great hall, wondering at the 4 tables filled with older kids, the sky like ceiling that nearly replicated the sky outside of the castle, and finally the mere warmth the room provided, warming their souls, hearts, and bodies.
At the front of the room sat all of the teachers, in the middle of them sitting an old man with a very, very long white beard. In front of the table was a stool, with a very dirty, old looking hat resting upon it, starting to sing. Harry stared at it, eyes wide.
An old lady, introducing herself as Professor Mcgonagall, head of house to Gryffindor, announced, "I will call out your name and you will be sorted into your house!" Mcgonagall started calling out names. Time seemed to freeze as Harry waited for his name to be called. Not paying attention when Remus said he was going to go to his table.
"Dursley, Harry!" McGonagall shouted. Harry started to slowly walk up to the stool, trying to make his way through the crowd. The kids realized he was trying to get through and cleared a path for him. Harry finally made it to the stool, the kind lady placing the sorting hat on his head. He couldn't help but be quite nervous, as he was in front of so many other children, staring at him.
'Hmm… You are quite nervous, there is no need to be afraid, young boy. You are quite loyal, and could do perfectly well in either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor.' The hat said. 'Tell me, Harry, which would you prefer?'
'Remus is in Gryffindor. Remus is kind.' Harry thought, responding to the hat.
'I think that is the better choice. I foresee that Gryffindor will provide you with the support and success you need.' The sorting hat said, providing Harry with relief.
'Thank you, sorting hat.' Harry whispered. Harry could sense happiness coming from the lively hat.
'GRYFFINDOR!' yelled the sorting hat. The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers, the others remaining silent. Harry saw Remus smiling at him, along with 3 other boys that sat next to Remus. Harry sat down in the empty seat next to Remus, who proceeded to affectionately ruffle Harry's hair. Hair leaned into the touch, like a cat desperate for love.
After the rest of the kids were sorted, and Dumbledore gave a speech about house points, how things in the school worked, and the like, all the tables filled with food, a mighty feast. Harry sat there, questioningly. Was there any food he wasn't allowed to touch? What if he broke a rule?
"Are you going to eat, Harry?" Remus asked. "You can eat any of it, it's all up for grabs. It refills once gone." Harry stared at the plates, it all looked so good, although he knew he wouldn't be able to eat that much. He grabbed a chicken leg and mashed potatoes, loading a little bit on his plate. He grabbed a bottle of orange juice, although it looked too dark to be, well, orange juice. He took a sip, only to be surprised by the fact that it tastes like pumpkins. He loved it. He began to spoon the soft, fluffy mashed potatoes into his mouth, only halfway finishing it, wanting to save room for the chicken and dessert that was mentioned by Remus' friends. He began to nibble on the chicken. He had nothing like this at the Dursleys.
Soon after, all of the dinner foods on the table disappeared, replaced with delicious desserts. Harry was almost full, even after the very little of the dinner he had had, but he still wanted to eat some of the dessert. He grabbed a slice of treacle tart, and scooped a scoop of ice cream. It was delectable, the most wonderful thing he had ever tasted. Harry looked at the last few bites of his food, wishing he had the stomach to eat the rest, although he feared if he ate anymore he would explode.
"Now, now, students. It is nearly 8:30 and I'm sure you're all tired, so the prefects will return you to your dorms!" Mcgonagall announced.
Harry was in a trance as he held hands with Remus, who led the way to his dorm. Harry seemed to be in shock, wondered at the kindness people were giving him, and his belly full of food. Speaking of it, Harry felt a sick feeling in his throat, knowing something would come up. He slapped a hand to his mouth, hoping Remus would get the message. Harry felt as if he couldn't speak.
Remus rushed to the bathroom with the younger, letting Harry lean over the toilet and lose his dinner. The poor boy didn't have any room in his stomach for anything (barely.) Remus grabbed a towel as Harry got up, wiping at Harry's mouth. He put a hand to Harry's back and led him to the four-poster bed with Harry's trunk. Harry left Remus, layed down on his bed, and immediately fell asleep, tired after the very exciting day.
Remus hesitantly left Harry's side, comforted by the younger's small snores. He went down to the common room where the rest of his friends were, assuring them that Harry was fine. The Marauders were all worried about Harry as they heard the retching. Remus and the other 3 boys went to the dormitory (that they surprisingly shared with Harry,) Went to their own beds, and also fell into a deep slumber.