"So this is it?" Remus Lupin looked at his father questioningly, staring at the brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10.
"Are you absolutely sure about this, Sydney?" His mother, Victoria Lupin asked, shifting baby Romulus in her arms. He gurgled softly.
"Of course, Vicki," Sydney Lupin said gruffly to his wife, "I took this very route for seven years." He stepped forward, and then noticed that his family was still standing behind him, staring at the wall. "Oh…all right, I'll show you," He started to walk forward, but then hesitated. "Vicki, I don't think you can go through…"
Victoria Lupin blinked. Remus looked up at his mother awkwardly. She was a Muggle, after all. She nodded, "All right, then, I'll just wait with Romulus."
Sydney Lupin smiled, and then walked towards the brick wall.
To Remus' great surprise, his father disappeared. He looked at his mother, who was shaking her head. "I'll never get used to this sort of thing," she said, patting Romulus on the head. "Well, go on, Remus, have a good year,” she said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Okay, Mum," Remus said. "Bye, Rom," he said, touching his little brother's nose, causing Romulus to laugh happily. "I'll miss you both," he added.
He was thrilled and afraid at the same time. Magical school was turning out to be more than even he could've dreamed up. Much better than anything his Muggle cousins had ever boasted about in their letters—he had never actually met any of them…but at the same time it was unfamiliar—
He turned away from his mother and pushed his cart through the barrier. One minute there seemed to be a solid wall…and the next, he was pushing his cart through a circular archway. To his amazement, there was now a whole other platform with hundreds of people moving about—and a bright red train waiting to be boarded.
"This," Remus heard his father say from behind, "is it. The train that'll take you to Hogwarts."
Remus truly smiled for the first time in years. "Thanks, Dad,"
"Don't thank me, now," Sydney Lupin said, looking down at Remus. "You coming here…it's all Albus Dumbledore's doing. Great man, he is. You thank him when you see him again. Now, Remus," He added, lowering his voice, "you remember everything the Professor told you…about the Willow, and the shack…"
Remus nodded. “Just remember," Sydney continued, "here, you have a fresh start. Nobody knows you.  Don't be afraid to make friends."
"Okay, Dad," Remus said warily. He pushed his cart forward and turned back to wave good-bye to his father. "Bye…I'll see you at Christmas."
         His father soon disappeared into the crowd of people. It wasn't until Remus had lugged his bags on the train and found a seat in an empty compartment that he actually started to think about his father's words.
It wasn't exactly that he was afraid to make new friends; more like they were the ones afraid of him. His condition impaired everything. Once, when he was very young, he had let slip his secret. Word spread, and immediately, he became the social outcast of his school. Eventually, letters came in, and he was expelled for "security reasons;" resulting in his early education consisting of a string of tutors that cost his parents a lot of money. After that, Remus had been cautious of other people--he couldn't forget the accusing whispers and insinuations from when he was younger…
But what his father had said was exactly true. At Hogwarts, no one knew about his condition--save the staff--and no one had to, either, it seemed, with the plan the Headmaster had laid out. Maybe, for once, he could truly have-his heart leapt at the thought- real friends...
Remus walked onto the train with a new sense of hope, lugging his suitcase behind him. The very first compartment he reached had two boys sitting together, looking quite bored. They were all wearing their new black robes already, and looked rather dignified.
"Of course we'll be sorted in Slytherin, Avery. Stop being so paranoid," the tallest one said to the short and skinny one. "Our families-especially us Blacks have been so for generations."
"There's always the rare odd one, though," Avery said. "Like your cousin, Sirius, Andromeda!"
The tall one, who Remus guessed was named Sirius Black, shrugged. "Ravenclaw's not so bad. At least she wasn't sorted into Hufflepuff. Or worse, Gryffindor. No Black would be able to live that down."
Remus ventured a smile as he interjected, "Hi…Are these seats taken?"
The two boys turned towards Remus with skeptical eyes and looked him up and down. He was suddenly painfully aware of every misplaced hair, every wrinkle in his fraying, old overalls and even the small oil stain on his brown jacket. Avery snorted and looked at looked at Sirius, who broke the silence. “What's your name?"
"Remus. Remus Lupin," Remus managed to croak out. His confidence was waning fast.
Black looked deep in thought. "Lupin," he said, "I believe I've heard that name before…You know, a name can tell you anything you need to know about a person. I've always been taught that heritage is everything. Black, for example…signifies my family's dedication to the dark and mysterious. Also, black is a pure, unadulterated color, as our family is well-known for..." He trailed off, still thinking.
"Well, you've probably heard of my father, Sydney Lupin...he's a retired Auror, now teaching at Lancaster Auror school," Remus said. He was about to tell them about his mother, but something about Black's previous comment about purity stopped him.
"Wait," Avery said, raising an eyebrow. "I've heard of Sydney Lupin. Remember, Sirius, he was the Auror that married the Muggle--"
Black turned towards Remus sharply. "You're a Mudblood?"
Remus was taken aback. He had heard the derogatory term before, but only in outdated and dramatic stories. And certainly, it was spoken with hushed tones around the playground, but usually not in a direct way. "N-not exactly," he stuttered, "My dad's a wizard..."
Avery snorted derisively.
"Sorry, seat's taken," Black said firmly, looking away. "Take your dirty jacket and old overalls elsewhere."
Remus drew back sharply and turned away, stunned. Get a grip, he told himself, angrily, as he felt his cheeks burn with shame. You should be used to rejection by now.
But of course, it still hurt, no matter how many times it happened. "Imagine what they would've said if they knew I was a werewolf," he murmured to himself, walking through the hallway between compartments. Tears started to form under his eyelids, but he brushed them away. Remus resolved to just find an empty compartment to sit in-he had plenty of reading material to keep himself occupied.
He opened the next door cautiously, only to see another two boys sitting together, one nodding earnestly as the other spoke. "Girls, on the other hand are a completely different matter. Yes, Peter, even my sister. She’s a prefect you know, and Mum’s so proud that she gets to do whatever she wants. They’re absolutely disgraceful. Another example: today, for instance, I was just walking along the platform, minding my own business, and out of nowhere, this girl rams her cart into me."
The other boy's round face widened in shock, almost too eagerly.
"Keep listening, it gets worse. Right then, so, I was angry, of course, but I was in such a good mood that I decided well, perhaps I'll forgive her, but then she totally brushes me off-doesn't even apologize for nearly killing me, and then runs off. Can you believe that?"
Remus was just about to close the door quietly and look for another compartment, when the boy who was telling the story turned his head, seemingly on instinct, and looked straight at him. Remus saw that he had dark messy hair and hazel, mischievous eyes that compelled Remus to stay right where he was.
"Hey," the boy said, curiously, "who might you be?"
"I-I'm Remus," Remus answered shakily, "Remus Lupin."
The boy snorted. "That's a bit odd. Remus? Like the twins?"
Remus smiled. "My little brother's name is Romulus. My mum's a bit of a mythology nut."
"I see. Well, it would be terrible if you two ended up like they did, eh, Pete?" the boy said, chuckling and looking at the slightly chubby boy. "Oh...I'm James Potter, and this is Peter Pettigrew."
"Nice to meet you two," Remus answered, feeling awkward. These two seemed friendly enough, but he was still shaken from his last encounter.
"Take a seat," Peter said, motioning to the empty one next to him.
"Can I really?" Remus asked unbelievingly, looking to James for approval.
"I don't see any problem with it," James answered shrugging. "You're not from Slytherin house, are you?"
"No...haven't been Sorted yet. I’m a first year." Remus said.
"Well, you're fine by me then," James said, patting him on the shoulder. "Just make sure you don't get sorted there, and you'll always be fine with me. We’re first years, too."
"Right," Remus said. "Great." He felt, for once, accepted.
“Peter,” James continued as Remus placed his bags next to an oddly empty carrier on top of one of the seats, “did I ever tell you about my pets…?”

~

After he and Avery had scared away the peaky-looking Mudblood and the train had started moving, Evan Rosier wandered in and decided to sit with them. Sirius didn’t know him very well, but he supposed he would have to be friendly-after all, most likely, these were the boys he would be sharing a dormitory with for the next seven years.
Just then, the door opened yet again, and a slender, tall, boy walked in, followed by another much skinner boy with a hooked nose. Sirius recognized the former instantly—it was Dyson Wilkes, whose family the Blacks had had over many an occasion. Although not as excessively wealthy as his family, the members of the Wilkes line had presence that demanded a certain respect. They had influence almost equal to that of the Malfoys. Sirius couldn’t place the other boy.
“Wilkes,” he said, acknowledging Wilkes’ presence.
“Black,” Wilkes returned, nodding back at Sirius.
“Who’s your friend?” Sirius asked, looking the hooked-nose boy over. Thus far, he was not pleased with what he saw. The boy’s short, black hair looked almost greasy, and his overly pale skin contrasted sharply against his hair and robes. His robes were wrinkled, and even patched in a few places.
“This is Severus Snape,” Wilkes said, gesturing towards the other boy.
“Snape?” Avery said skeptically. He seemed to be looking over Snape as well, and Sirius could tell he was not pleased with what he was seeing.
“A neighbor of mine,” Wilkes offered as an explanation. “It’s good to have him around, trust me, boys.” His voice dropped several octaves as he smiled mischievously. “He knows more curses and hexes than all of us combined.”
Rosier snorted. “That guy? He looks like a light tickling hex would take him out.”
Avery burst out in sniggers while Sirius watched the Snape boy closely. He looked infuriated, and thrust his hand out of his pocket, but Wilkes was faster. He put a hand on Snape ‘s shoulder and said, “Calm down, Severus. You wouldn’t want to hex Rosier. He’s a friend.”
Snape shot Rosier a glare, but he put his wand away. Rosier was about to say something else, when the compartment door swung open again. In walked a rather plump witch with a cart full of wizard sweets. Rosier and Avery jumped up to meet her, their hands full of sickles and galleons.
“Severus,” Wilkes asked, rummaging through his bags. “Would you like anything?” “No thanks,” Snape said, looking at the floor. “I don’t eat sweets.”
Sirius would have believed this, had he not, two minutes after the candy witch had left, caught Snape eying each boy’s lap full of Chocolate Frogs, Blood Lollipops and Sugar Quills enviously. He decided to test his theory.
“Snape, would you like my last Chocolate Frog?” he asked, indicating to the small package on his lap. “I don’t think I’ll be able to eat anymore.”
Snape looked at the frog and exhaled. “I told you, Black, I don’t eat candy. I don’t need your charity.”
“Yes, if you’re going to offer him some charity, Sirius,” Rosier said, chuckling, “You may as well get him a new set of robes-Merlin knows he needs them.”
Snape leapt up and stood in front of Rosier, his wand out and ready. “You shouldn’t be talking, you-“
“For someone who’s obviously poor and without status,” Sirius said, dusting the frog off his lap and standing next to Rosier, “You seem to have developed much pride. Why is that?”
Wilkes looked bored. “Must you all be jerks?” he asked, sucking on a Blood Lollipop. “Just because-“
“I don’t need you to stand up for me,” Snape snapped. “I can defend myself.  If you want a duel,” he declared, looking shakily from Sirius to Rosier, “I accept.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow and laughed. Avery and Rosier soon followed.
Snape bristled and turned red with embarrassment.
“I am interested to see what you are so proud of,” Sirius said, in between chortles, “but there is no need to duel. Simply demonstrate for us your skills.” He gestured towards Snape’s wand.
Snape blinked. “Demonstrate?”
“Yes,” Sirius tossed his head casually to look at Avery. “Use Avery here if you need a vic-volunteer,” he corrected himself, although it was obvious the mistake was intentional.
Avery balked at the mention of his name. “Black, that’s not funny!” he exclaimed sharply, backing up against the compartment wall.
Rosier shook his head. “Please don’t tell me you think he’ll actually be able to do anything to you, Garret.”
Avery looked at Rosier, and then at Snape helplessly. He didn’t dare admit that he was actually afraid.
Just then, there was a faint scratching at the door. The boys stopped to listen, and Wilkes, who was closest, opened it. In popped a small, but significantly overweight orange-gold cat. It looked the compartment of boys over, and meowed fearlessly.
“It’s…a cat…” Avery murmured.
Sirius frowned. “Where did it come from?” He leaned forward to get a better look at the cat. To his great surprise, it jumped straight onto his lap before he could react, and then settled down on his mink fur coat on the seat, looking perfectly content. “Why you little…”
“Oh, Black, never mind that,” Rosier cut in, looking impatient. “What happened to Snipe here showing us his magic tricks?”
“It’s Snape,” Snape said viciously.
Sirius was about to say something, but he was interrupted again, this time by Wilkes. “Wait. If you insist on making Severus prove himself, use the cat. Makes more sense than endangering Garrett here, anyway; he’s obviously terrified.”
Avery looked like he was going to protest, but obviously, this motion was in his favor, so he stayed silent. Sirius shrugged and stood up. “You heard Wilkes, Snape. Show us what you can do.”
Snape looked at Wilkes, Rosier, Avery, and finally, back at Sirius before nodding. There was a degree of uncertainty in his eyes, but no fear. He took a step closer to the cat, who was not paying him any attention. It was curled up in a ball, enjoying a nap on Sirius’ coat.
Sirius watched as Snape closed his eyes to concentrate for a few seconds. When he opened them, they were utterly focused and clear. He pointed his want at the cat’s sleeping figure and hissed, “Silencio!”
The cat stopped purring immediately. The boys watched its chest rise and fall without a sound. Wilkes gave a low whistle.
Rosier frowned. “What did he do?”
“He silenced the cat, stupid,” Sirius said, looking sideways at Rosier.
“It wasn’t making any noise!”
“Yes, it was. It was purring,” Snape said quietly.
Rosier sniffed and then poked the cat with his own wand. Its mouth opened slightly, and it looked at Rosier, startled, but no sound came out.
“Well, if it’s just a simple silencing charm, my father—” Rosier started indignantly, but he was interrupted by Wilkes.
“Can you do that?” he asked slowly.
Rosier frowned, but he didn’t say anything.
Sirius took the moment to grab the cat off of his coat. “Mangy beast,” he scowled, holding the cat up to his face. It gave him a baffled/mournful look before attempting to meow again.
“Take it outside, Sirius,” Wilkes piped up. “It looks too pitiful to stay in here.” He motioned for Snape to sit down next to him.  Rosier took his own seat in shameful silence.
Sirius sighed held the cat by the fur on its neck and walked out into the hallway. There, he dropped the cat and turned to leave—but not before he felt the cat nuzzle his leg.
He looked down at it and mumbled, “I suppose it’s unfair to just leave you voiceless.” He pulled his wand out of the folds of his robes. “Perhaps I know some kind of countercurse…”
At that moment, the compartment door Sirius was facing flew open and a boy with messy dark hair and glasses burst in. Although Sirius had never seen the boy before, it was obvious purely on sight who he was.  He had the trademark hair, and wiry frame—he was a Potter, a family the Blacks flat-out hated.
“Have you—” the boy started, looking around the compartment. He saw Sirius with his wand held out incriminatingly towards the cat and exhaled sharply. “What are you doing to my cat?!?”
Sirius took a step back in surprise, but he didn’t say anything.
“Give her back!” Potter yelled.
“Take her yourself, if you wish,” Sirius said with mock-courtesy as Potter grabbed the orange cat’s expansive folds and cradled her close.
“Marigold!” The boy cried. The cat attempted to meow again, but to no avail. Potter noticed. He stroked her fur absent-mindedly, and then deliberately, trying to elicit a response. Of course, there was none, except the rise and fall of Marigold’s chest.
“What did you do to her?” The boy asked angrily, turning to Sirius.
Sirius shrugged impassively. “What makes you think there’s something wrong? She—”
“She’s not purring, you idiot! My cat always purrs when I pet her! You—you cursed her or something…” He inhaled sharply and then continued. “I know your like-those foul kids who are destined to end up in Slytherin—you performed dark magic on her!”
Sirius laughed. “First of all, there was no dark magic. It was just a simple silencing charm. Second-”
“So you admit you cursed her then!” Potter interrupted, whipping his wand out. “You’ll pay for this. I may not know any of the dark arts, but I do know plenty of hexes.”
“Is there some dirty Potter gene that makes you incapable of letting someone finish what they are trying to say?” Sirius asked impatiently.
“So you know me,” Potter said, smirking. “I know you, too—you’re the son of that jerk in the Ministry-Pollux Black, aren’t you? Bit crazy, isn’t he? Then again, it’s a little hard to be sane when you inhale a bottle of vodka every night.”
Sirius felt his cheeks redden. Very few knew about his father’s drinking problem—indeed, most of the time even his own family denied its existence—but his rapid mood swings at home could not be easily ignored. Pollux Black always kept his head in public, though—how did he know… “My father is not a drunk,” he said shakily. “And you shouldn’t be calling others crazy—what about your own family-spewing rubbish about Mudbloods, and how everyone should be equal—”
“Don’t you think you can tell me what to do. I know you Blacks are all alike, thinking you can tell everyone what to do and they’ll follow—but not me,” Potter smiled as he saw Sirius frown. “It hurts to be told the truth, doesn’t it? It hurts to admit that there’s something horribly wrong with your pure, perfect  family-”
Sirius had lost his head after Potter started talking about his dad. At this moment, his fist flew out towards Potter, hitting him squarely on the cheek. After that, everything was a blur of hands, feet and voices. Sirius was aware of his own voice shouting insults at Potter, and Potter returning the favor while they grabbed and hit each other-somehow he didn’t feel any real pain. He did, however, feel Potter kick him in the gut, and a girl’s voice shouting, “What’s going on here?!”
The voice brought him back, and he froze, his hands pulling on Potter’s hair. He saw Potter’s hazel eyes glaring at him with dislike. He felt small arms pulling him away from Potter, and a familiar voice explaining, “We have nothing to do with this—we just saw them out here, fighting…Merlin knows why.”
It was Avery, the coward as usual. Apparently the boys in Sirius’ compartment had heard the commotion and came out to watch the fight. It was so very like them…
“This is ridiculous!” A girl with long platinum hair shouted, looking from Sirius to Potter. Sirius was shocked to recognize her as his cousin, Narcissa. “Fighting on a MOVING train—you put yourselves in serious danger on the FIRST day of school—this has to be a new record, even for you, Sirius. I’m afraid I’m going to have to give you both a detention.”

~

Remus returned to the compartment he was sharing with James and Peter, only to find the latter already there with an odd look on his face. “Sorry, Peter, but I wasn’t able to find James’ cat.”
“Oh don’t worry about that, Remus,” Peter croaked.  “James got into a fight,” he blurted.  “Now he has to sit with the prefects and the Head Girl and Boy in front—and he has detention when we get to school, and who knows what else—”
Remus’ eyes widened. “A fight? Who did he fight with? Why?”
“I don’t know,” Peter said, his voice shaking. “I just heard from some girls who were talking in another compartment—it sounds like he’s in big trouble!”
“Well, that’s certainly the wrong way to start a year,” Remus said reasonably.
“His sister’s a prefect,” Peter went on, wringing his hands. “Maybe she’ll convince them to let him off easy—”
James Potter hadn’t even reached school grounds, and he was already causing trouble. Somehow, Remus knew he had found an interesting character to befriend.