under the moon and stars

Remus Lupin walked outside after checking his trunk for the fifth time to make sure he had absolutely everything he had to start his first year at Hogwarts.

Forgetting something was embarrassing to him. What if the teachers sent him home after forgetting a quill? or a book? They were already letting him, a werewolf, into their school so he had to be certain everything was perfect so they wouldn't have a reason to chuck him out. Getting an invitation was a privilege enough, so he would do everything in his power not to muck it up. He really did want to learn magic.

Stepping outside was a perfect way to ease his conscience. His anxiety flared every time he thought about going. Meeting new people was one thing, but becoming friends with them? Explaining where he disappeared every month? Trying to hide his biggest secret from the people who he was supposed to trust? It was all too much, and Remus was perfectly fine with flying under the radar, becoming a quiet, studious student.

Remus lacked any real friends because of his lycanthropy, so reading was a way to deal with boredom. He already read most of his school books and is excited to actually learn in person on how to do magic and use a wand. 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥, Remus thought with a smile. Waving a wand around, brewing potions and well whatever you get up to at Hogwarts, proved he was in fact, human. The werewolf in him would have to cease for now until the next full moon, Because Remus Lupin was more human than he's ever been.

-

While Remus was still contemplating his life at school, Summer weather almost coming to an end, as the start of September brings the arrival of chilly winds, amber leaves, and comfy, thick jumpers. Remus thought autumn was the best season, he always enjoyed the scenery of the leaves and wearing his favorite sweaters. He would really miss the trees here and hoped Hogwarts had an abundant amount of trees like the ones he had here at his cottage.

"Remus, sweetheart, you have to eat breakfast."

Turning his head, he was met with his smiling mother. Although she was a muggle, Hope somewhat knew how Hogwarts worked and that it was a thrill when her son got his letter. The opportunity to go with his condition was incredible enough, she thought.

"As if I can stomach anything right now" he mumbled.

Following his mother inside, he quickly scoffed down some toast and had his second cup of tea. While taking his teacup to the sink and preparing to get his trunk to floo to the train station, Lyall Lupin walked into the room.

Lyall Lupin was a tall, broad man with the same curly hair and quiet nature as his son. He moved across the room in a couple of strides and gave Remus a warm, small smile and a pat on the back. Both him and his wife were nervous about letting their werewolf son attend school a million miles away, but it was what would best for him. They loved their son very much, and always just wanted what was best for him.

"Ready to go?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," said Remus while getting his trunk out of the room.

The three Lupins then stepped into the fireplace, swallowed by green flames leaving behind their little cottage in Wales.

-

Once at the train station, Hope was a mess. She had been already worried about how her son would be properly cared for after a full moon and how he would be without 24/7 care from both his parents, but there at the train station she would finally have to let go of her boy until Christmas.

"I'm going to miss you a lot," she said, slipping some Welsh into her words when worried.

He then gave her the biggest hug, his mom was his everything. Ever since he had been bitten his life was changed drastically, except his mom didn't consider pulling back from her son. 24/7 love and care was all he knew from her and knew this would be what he missed most of all.

After convincing her he'll write to her everyday and sharing an awkward hug with his dad, Remus then headed for the train trying to find an empty carriage to read his book.

Once on the train he wasn't able to find such a thing, but with one with a chubby boy with thin blonde hair. Good enough, he thought as he sat down and began to open his book, only to be interrupted immediately by the boy asking for his name.

"What's your name?"

"Remus Lupin"

"Mine's Peter Pettigrew. I'm really nervous about all this. I really hope I get sorted into a good house, I'm not exactly sure what they all mean but I know there are some good and bad ones."

He nervously began to ramble on about the houses to Remus, stuttering occasionally and Remus thought he was right about being nervous about all of this.

After nodding along to whatever Peter was saying, a second boy walked in with hair that slightly resembled a bird's nest and crooked glasses.

"Hello! I'm James Potter! Are you guys both first years?" James said with such a big smile, Remus thought it might split his face in two. He seemed nice and friendly so Remus introduced himself. But before he could say anything, Peter was already rambling on about his name and asking the other boy what house he'd be in.

" Pshhhh, as if that's even a question! Gryffindor obviously! The best house to ever exist. We have the best quidditch team, best common room, blimey we even have the best colors!" He said running his hands through his hair with distinct pride.

Remus noticed how he was using "we" as if he was already in the house and he thought Gryffindor served him right if he was that confident he'd be in it already.

"What about you?" He said, finally looking over at Remus with interest," What house do you think you'll be in?"

" I don't know if I'm being honest. I'd like to be in Ravenclaw I guess. I enjoy reading." he said "Oh and I'm Remus by the way."

"Cool name! Ravenclaw is cool I guess, but nothing will ever be better than Gryffindor!" James said, Remus thought he could make a good advertising agent for them.

After going on about how cool lions are, James was interrupted with the door opening and closing frantically as a disheveled boy with long, raven hair and stormy grey eyes suddenly appeared in front of them.

With a sigh, he put his book away, predicting the frazzled boy would also have a lot to say like James. 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘦𝘹𝘩𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, he thought.