THC, Round 1, Slytherin, Charms, Standard.

Prompts: [Location] Platform nine and three quarters, with a focus on the barrier/wall between nine and ten. [Object] Letter

Word Count: 1128

Beta(s): Ash Juillet, Aya, Dhrish, Hope

Remus Lupin stood frozen, staring at the pillar. A few people had given him strange looks, but he hadn't paid them any attention. The second he walked through that pillar, everything would come back to him; all of the memories, both good and bad. He had shoved these feelings away for so long. But here, at the place where his life truly began, the nostalgia didn't have to work hard to be remembered.

He watched an obvious first-year clutch their muscles tightly as they waited for the impact of running into a wall. Remus couldn't see their relief when they ran through it. Despite his obvious terror, he almost smiled as he remembered his first time running through the barrier between Platform 9 and 10.

Eleven-year-old Remus looked up at his dad nervously, clutching his acceptance letter in his left hand, still not sure that he really believed he was allowed to attend. He was certain he was making the parchment damp with how tightly his clammy hands were holding it. His forehead was heating up as the sweat collected there. "Are you sure?"

His dad smiled back encouragingly. "This is your time to show them all who you are."

Remus looked around, his eyes flicking between the people rapidly. His mother had already gone through the barrier and was likely waiting on the other side for them. "What if they find out I'm… you know… different?"

Dropping down to one knee, his dad held his hand tightly. "Then we'll deal with that together. Professor Dumbledore assured me that he'll keep you safe. And when the full moon hits, he'll keep others safe from you. You won't hurt anybody, I promise. So don't worry about that."

Even though he nodded, Remus couldn't stop the sinking feeling in his stomach that something would go wrong. What if he injured another student, or worse, a professor? They'd expel him for sure! Or put him in Azkaban, where the worst criminals were sent. The reassuring pressure around his hand increased, and he looked up at his now standing dad.

"Are you ready to go to Hogwarts?"

Taking a deep breath, trying to push the worry out of his mind. He glanced at the letter again, his name just visible on the side of it. Maybe it was meant to be, maybe this was the start of his life that he had thought had ended. Releasing the breath he had been holding, Remus nodded. "Yes."

The two of them ran through the barrier, together.

His dad wasn't here to run through the barrier with him this time. Even when Remus had become friends with James, Peter, and the traitor Sirius, his dad was always by his side. Though they didn't hold hands going through the barrier after second year, it was still comforting to have the older man by his side.

Remus had mentally prepared himself for returning to Hogwarts for the last month. To confront the memories of James and Peter. The devastating feelings of betrayal every time that surrounded him when he thought about Sirius. Hurt that Remus knew could never soothe every time he remembered James' laugh.

He knew he had to go through the barrier; he couldn't just stay here all day. Despite still having half an hour until the train was due to leave, he felt as though he was running late.

Remus allowed his attention to be brought over to the two signs, nine on one side and ten on the other. The pillar between them would lead to platform nine and three quarters.

"I don't think that's what they meant, sweetie," a smooth voice spoke.

"But, Mama! It says between nine and ten," a little boy said.

Remus looked at them, his eyes scanning over the belongings, and saw a familiar letter in the boys' hand. "Hogwarts?" he asked.

Both eyes were on him, the boy nodded instantly.

"As bizarre as it sounds, you really do run through the barrier," he informed them. The look of utter disbelief and wonder was inspiring. "I'm heading through. Maybe I can show you both?"

The mum took a hold of the letter and reread it before looking up. "Yes, please."

Remus walked over and looked at the letter. The writing was the same font and size. Everything was the same as his own letter all those years ago, except this one didn't have his name on it. "Hold on tightly to your trunk and follow me in."

"Wait," the boy said, his eyes wider. "What if it doesn't let me through? I…"

"I thought that too when I got my letter. I thought that I didn't deserve it and didn't belong. But I still went through that barrier with my dad, just like you will with your mum."

He nodded and smiled up at his mum. "Ready?" he asked her.

Remus smiled at both of them before taking a brisk walk through the barrier and onto the other side. He took a few steps to keep out of the way and gaped at the sight. Nothing had changed. There were a few students laughing on the platform, reuniting with each other after summer, and others were saying goodbye to their parents.

"We made it!" the boy exclaimed. "Thank you, mister… uhh…"

"Professor Lupin, I'll see you in Defense Against the Dark Arts class," he replied, watching the shock and delight on the boy's face, before Remus waved at the boy and walked off towards the train. A smile remained on his face as he stepped onto the train.

The memories of his own Hogwarts years bombarded Remus. Images of James' grin which brightened up as he caught sight of him filled his brain. Hearing Peter muttering about his latest interest which Remus knew wouldn't last. And watching Sirius having a totally random and flirtatious conversation with whomever was around him on the platform.

But his friends, the Marauders, weren't here. Instead, there was a pair of fifth-year girls giggling in the first compartment.

He didn't hesitate to find an empty compartment, place his trunk on the upper shelf and sit down. Being here made him miss his old friends. Sometimes, he even missed Sirius and hanging out with him —that made him feel guilty. He shouldn't miss the man who got one of their best friends killed and blew up the other. But life had been so lonely since Sirius had betrayed them, since he lost all three of his friends. But maybe returning to Hogwarts would be more therapeutic than damaging. There was only one way to find out.

He leant back and pulled his cloak over his face. He had had enough of interacting with others. Hopefully, he wouldn't be disturbed for the whole trip.