Going to Hogwarts (year 1)
When Lily Evans woke up on the first of September her sister was not there.
Lily rolled to the side in her bed and squinted around her bedroom, her eyes still trying to adjust to the harsh morning light that was streaming in through the windows. Usually when she woke up the first thing she would see was her sister, Petunia, in the bed next to her, but these past few weeks had been different. From the room next door, the bathroom, Lily could hear someone getting ready. She sat up in her bed, just in time to see her sister open the door to the bathroom and hurry past her, to the door of the bedroom and downstairs to the kitchen.
"Tuney-" She started but her sister was already out the room. Lily sat there for another moment not sure what to do with herself. This was ok. She told herself. It was just a phase. And besides, even if it wasn't, she was going to get friends at her new school. They would all be like her, and the would understand her and she wouldn't be alone. And then she would come home and her sister would tell her how she was wrong, and how they should be best friends again. Lily got up and followed, Petunia down the stairs, where they're mom was standing in the kitchen making pancakes.
"Good morning girls." Her father greeted them from where he sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee and reading a newspaper. Her mother came over to the table setting down plates of fruits and chocolate syrups.
"Wow, mum," Lily said as she sat down at her usual spot at the table. "You really poured your heart and soul into this breakfast." She laughed and looked up at Petunia, who looked away stonefaced.
"A special breakfast for my special girls." Her mother answered, obliviously.
"Thanks, mother." Petunia said helping herself to some food. Lily did the same, though she started to feel less and less of an appetite.
"Are you excited for your first day of school today?" Mr Evans asked, peering through his glasses at his newspaper.
"Yeah Lily," Petunia said coldy, "are you?"
Lily set down her knife and fork, and swallowed a lump in her throat. Mrs. Evans sat down next to Petunia, once again oblivious.
"Oh, I bet she is." Their mother said excitedly. "Aren't you Lily? Now don't forget to write us letters to let us know how you're doing. We wouldn't want Petunia to be lonely while you're gone."
Petunia didn't say anything, only rolled her eyes slightly.
"yeah, I...I will." Lily said trying to smile.
"Now! Eat up girls we don't want to be late for our first day of school." Mrs. Evans said, smiling.
Forty-five minutes later Petenia moaned from the backseat of their car, "We're going to be late for school!"
"We'll be just fine, Petunia." Mrs. Evans said, parking the car in an empty parking spot in front of Cokeworth Junior, the public middle school of their town. Petunia let out a frustrated noise then, flung open the car door, jumped out, grabbed her school bag and slammed the door shut, running towards the school where only one or two other students were still standing outside.
"Bye-bye, Tuney! Come say bye to your sister! She'll miss you!"
Petunia didn't even turn around. "Good for her." She said.
And then she was gone.
Lily turned and looked outside of the window feeling tears well up in her eyes. She was ok. This was ok. Petunia would forgive her sooner or later. Lily wished she could give her sister some of her magic. Just a little! And then she wouldn't be so angry at Lily all the time. And then they could go to Hogwarts together...
"Come on, let's take you to the train. Don't worry about your sister, Lily-bear. Which platform did you say it was again?"
"9 3/4." Lily muttered.
If only she could take her sister with her.
_ _ _ _
Eleven-year-old Sirius Black opened his eyes on the morning of September first and was immediately greeted by the not so comforting sight of both of his parents entering his room. He jumped up in his bed, his body immediately entering fight or flight mode, and watched as his mother strode into the room banging her first on the wall and hissing like the snake she was.
"Get up! We have to leave or you'll miss the train! Merlin forbid I have to deal with this disappointment for another year."
"Oh, I'm only a disappointment today. That's good." Sirius muttered pushing off his blanket and started to climb out of bed. What a beautiful way to start the day.
"What was that?" Walpurga, Sirius's mother snapped.
"Nothing. Can you at least leave so that I can change?" He complained while starting to make his way to his dresser.
* "Don't speak to your mother that way!" Orion Black, Sirius's father, grumbled slapping the back of Sirius's head. Sparks flew in front of his eyes and he stumbled for a moment even though he had already braced himself for the hit.
"Don't worry pops, I was speaking to both of you," Sirius mumbled under his breath before he could stop himself.
"What was that?" Orion growled, stepping closer to his son.
"Nothing, sir," Sirius whispered focusing his eyes on the ground instantly regretting even opening his mouth in the first place.
"You really are the most useless heir I've ever seen!" His mother screeched stalking out of the room, and disappearing down the corridor. "Kreacher!"
For a moment standing there, Sirius felt a hollow emptiness inside of him. The kind that he always felt while he was around his parents. He pushed that feeling down.
"Stop standing there like a prat and give Kreacher your bags!"
"Yes, father."
* I'm going to Hogwarts, He reminded himself, I'm leaving this place. Mustering up the last of his hope Sirius started getting dressed. Carelessly, he tossed his pajamas back into the drawer without folding them, knowing it would get him into trouble at some point. Sirius let his mind wander back to Hogwarts. He couldn't remember another instance where he was so enthusiastic about the upcoming day. About the upcoming year even. The last few weeks had been full of planning and packing and shopping and most of all daydreaming. He had put his last few belongings (a muggle fairytale book he had found on the market in the village, and a framed photo of him and Regulus) into his trunk the previous night.
"Oi, Kreacher!" Sirius yelled. A small house elf hobbled into his room, staring at him loathsomely.
"Yes, master?" He groaned, staring at him in disgust.
"Hey! Same to you, you useless prick."
Kreacher frowned nastily.
"Just take my bags downstairs you lazy sod."
Kreacher bowed, somewhat sarcastically, grabbed Sirius's trunk, and started dragging it down the stairs muttering to himself, as he often did.
Only a few more hours, Sirius told himself, and then you're gone for a whole school year.
If only I could be gone for longer...Sirius thought as he slowly dragged his feet to the door to meet his family down at breakfast.
_ _ _ _
There were very few occasions in which Remus had seen this many people in one place. This was one of those occasions. Even though it was a Wednesday, Kings Cross station seemed to be buzzing with electricity and excitement. Everywhere he looked Remus could see people hurrying about the place. If the young werewolf paid close attention he could notice some other children with trolleys who seemed to share his excitement. Maybe he wasn't so different after all? That feeling only lasted for a split second though as he thought about how in only a few hours time he would be sitting in the great hall at Hogwarts. He felt a flip in his stomach and for a terrifying moment, he thought the wolf was making him feel so anxious but then he realized that the moon wasn't for another four days. Taking a deep breath he hurried after his parents along the rails until they were standing in front of a brick wall between platforms 9 and 10.
"Is this the one?" Hope asked her husband after a second of hesitation.
"Sure is," Lyall answered staring at the wall longingly no doubt thinking about all the times he had run through it eagerly awaiting to see his friends. Remus felt sick thinking about how he would never share this feeling with his father. Never feel the excitement you must get knowing that someone on the other side of these bricks, couldn't wait to see you. His mother took his hand and gave him an encouraging look and before he knew what was happening his feet were moving and he was no longer standing in front of a brick wall. Instead, a grand red locomotive stood in front of him. Everything felt a lot more real now. Remus realised his hands were sweaty and white, and he was holding on to his mother's hand for dear life. There was no turning back now. He was going to be stuck in a castle with people he didn't know, in a place he didn't know, doing things he didn't know how to do. And worst of all the full moon was in four days. Four days. Suddenly Remus was sure that this wasn't a good idea at all.
"Mum I- I can't do this! I shouldn't do this! Someone will end up hurt. I don't belong here!" Panic was swelling in his throat.
"Nonsense fy macht i, you belong here just as much as everyone else. You'll fit in just fine I'm sure. Look at that little boy over there."
She pointed at a boy with messy black hair and glasses. "He seems like a nice boy. And that girl over there looks just as nervous as you!"
Remus turned to where she was pointing and saw a girl with long dark curly hair that glinted in a strange brown and black color, standing next to three taller boys. Two of them were crouching beside her patting her back awkwardly while the other just stood with his arms crossed looking like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Her hands were shaking almost as much as Remus's and her face looked glossy with sweat. "Oh come on, Marlene! Don't worry it'll be really fun." One of the guys patting her back was saying. Remus realized with a pinch of disgust that the only reason he could hear what they were saying was because of his werewolf senses. Stop Eavesdropping on people! He told himself harshly, feeling embarrassed.
"Don't worry so much Cariad." Hope continued, mistaking his expression for doubt. Either way, it still made him feel better. Remus liked it when his mother spoke welsh to him. It made him feel a little calmer. But only a little.
"Come on, we'll find you a place to sit." His father said putting his arm on Remus's back and leading him into the train. The scent of metal was strong and the air was thick and humid. While he walked through the train corridor Remus tried to keep his gaze on the floor not wanting to accidentally endure eye contact with someone, the thought of having to talk to someone or even look them in the eye made him feel sick. Together they found an empty compartment and his father set down the trunk on the floor by Remus's feet, though he offered to lift it up on the overhead storage spaces. Remus just shook his head and rested his feet on it making sure that he was using the least amount of space possible, and still had easy access to it, incase he needed anything. After a moment of silence, his father leaned in for a hug, and patted his head awkwardly. But before Remus could start crying he pushed his father out of the compartment. Lyall laughed, "Alright, alright, I'll leave."
And Remus cracked a small smile.
"Don't forget what I said, Remus. You deserve to be happy."
Remus looked away quickly, feeling uncomfortable. "Ok, dad."
When the young boy saw his parents standing next to all of the other parents waving away he couldn't help but notice a stern-looking woman that wasn't waving or crying like all of the other mothers were. She had glossy black hair pulled back in a stern bun and wore a long black dress along with fancy dress robes even though it was the summer. He wondered whose mother it was and how awful it must feel to have such a cold, stern mother that didn't seem to care at all. His vision focused on his parents again and he was hit with a wave of emotion. He would certainly miss them. But he knew that it would be much better for them if he went away. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the boy with the messy hair and glasses from before.
"Can we sit here? Everywhere else is full." He asked, his black bushy eyebrows raised above the rim of his glasses and his lips in a smile. Remus couldn't help but notice how confident and clear his voice was. He was wearing brand new robes paired with a clean white button-up shirt and round glasses, which made Remus immediately feel conscious of his cheap muggle clothes. The boys eyes were a sparkly hazel color and he had a cocky, bold grin on his face. Behind him, a pudgy boy with thin blond hair was eying Remus curiously. His robes seemed to be a bit older, though not nearly as old as Remus's which were rolled up in his trunk.
"Oh um yes of course." Remus replied quickly when he realized he had been staring. He took a deep breath. "I mean sure,"
"Cheers mate! I'm James Potter and this is Peter Pettigrew." The dark-haired boy said pushing up his glasses and sitting down opposite Remus.
"Oh, yes. Remus Lupin." Remus replied feeling awkward. He glanced away.
"Nice to meet you, Remus." Peter sat down next to James and the two of them started, or continued rather, a conversation about some sort of wizard game.
"My father reckons I might be the best quidditch player Hogwarts has ever seen." James boasted leaning backward as if he had no troubles in the world.
Peter nodded solemnly. "Probably...I wish I were any good at Quidditch. I'm rubbish."
"Nonsense Pete! What about you Lupin? Ever played?"
Suddenly there was a loud shriek from outside the compartment. All three boys jumped in their seats.
"Sirius Black, Aunty Walburga said we HAVE to sit together!" This was undoubtedly the voice of a young girl, her speech sounding like nails on a chalkboard.
"Frankly Cissy, I couldn't care less about anything my mother has ever said. I'll find somewhere else to sit, thank you very much." This voice was that of a boy. Remus could immediately tell he was from a rich family, his aristocratic and confident voice giving it away.
"Come on let him sit where he wants," another girl's voice said, sounding tired.
"Oh shut up Andy!" The shrill girl yelled.
James and Peter shared a look, but Remus just shrank closer into the corner of the compartment, very glad that he had chosen to sit furthest away from the door. Suddenly the door slid open and a boy with short black curls poked his head into the compartment grinning wickedly and leaning against the doorframe. He was handsome. Very much so even.
"Oi lads, any room in here?" He asked, in a bored manner as if he wasn't even embarrassed that the whole train had just overheard his conversation.
The three boys stared at him for a second before Remus said quietly, "Um, it sounds kind of like someone is waiting for you but I don't know...maybe they're...not...I mean..." His voice trailed off as he spoke and he instantly regretted saying anything at all. His face burning he looked down at his feet trying to act casual.
But rather than commenting on Remus, James, the boy with the messy hair, invited the other boy in.
"Yeah sure, mate. I'm James Potter, this right here is Peter Pettigrew and here we have Remus Lupin." Peter mumbled something that sounded like a hello and waved his hand slightly.
The new boy slid the compartment closed dramatically and leaned against the door, an attractive smile playing at his lips. "Sirius Black, pleasure to meet you."
"Black, eh?" James asked raising his eyebrows. Sirius narrowed his grey eyes and tilted his head slightly upwards, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Potter? I've heard all about you. Mother says you lot are some sort of filthy blood traitors."
"Sure, sure." James waved his hands around vaguely. "But something tells me you might some sort of a traitor too." He deadpanned. There was a slight pause. "That's gotta count for something, eh? Take a seat, mate!" A grin spread across Sirius' face as he slid down next to Remus. Remus shifted.
"I'm so sorry..." The door which was still open occupied yet another now. "Could I sit here?"
A girl with short-cropped dark red hair stood in the entrance of the doorway. Her eyes were red from crying, and she looked pale and lost.
"Go ahead," James said waving his arm. She smiled gratefully and sat down next to Sirius. Staring past him and Remus and outside of the window, where Remus could see a woman with dark red hair and a man with brown hair standing and waving. The girl sniffled a little.
"Er...Are you alright?" James asked wearily.
"Yes, yes I'm fine." The girl said, but as soon as she did she started crying even more.
"Ok.." James said quietly.
"I'm James by the way."
"Lily." She said.
"I'm Sirius."
"Me too," Lily frowned.
"No...My name is Sirius." Sirius explained.
"Oh." Lily smiled a little.
"Oh, uh Remus," Remus said avoiding her eyes. These were way more people than he had expected to show up in his compartment. Nervously, he started to clench and unclench his hands hoping he didn't look too much like a lunatic.
"Peter." Peter waved.
"Nice to-" They heard someone else walking past their compartment. The girl, Lily jumped up. "Sev!" She stepped over Remus's trunk kicking it slightly ("I'm so sorry!") and hurried to the door. "You can come sit in here, look!"
A boy, with long dirty black hair, stepped into the compartment looking down at the others apprehensively.
"Have you been crying again?" The boy, Sev, asked ignoring all the other people in the compartment. The girl's face turned red.
"I don't want to talk to you about that."
"Why not?" He sounded tired.
"Tuney h – hates me. Because of that letter from Dumbledore."
"So what?" Sev looked away as if he couldn't care less about anything this girl Tuney thought.
The girl with the red hair threw him a look of deep dislike and he shrunk back a little.
"So she’s my sister!"
"She’s only a –" He caught himself quickly; Lily, too busy trying to wipe her eyes without being noticed, did not hear him.
"But we’re going!" he said. ‘This is it! We’re finally off to Hogwarts! You don't have to worry about her anymore."
She nodded, mopping her eyes, and in spite of herself, she gave him a half-smile.
"You’d better be in Slytherin," said Sev, encouraged that she had brightened a little. "Then we can always be together."
"Slytherin?"
James, who had shown no interest at all in their conversation until that point, looked around at the word grinning in kind of a mean way.
"Who on earth wants to be in Slytherin? I think I’d leave, wouldn’t you?" James asked Sirius lounging on the seats opposite him. Sirius did not smile, he just kind of shrugged.
"Well, my whole family have been in Slytherin," he shrugged, "I am a Black after all.
"Blimey," said James, "I almost forgot. And I thought you seemed all right!"
Sirius grinned.
"Maybe I’ll break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?’
James lifted an invisible sword and swooshed it around in the air making Peter laugh.
" 'Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!' Like my dad."
Sev made a small, disparaging noise, and looked away. James turned on him, and he wasn't grinning anymore.
"Got a problem with that?"
"No," said Sev, though his slight sneer said otherwise. ‘If you’d rather be brawny than brainy –’
‘Where’re you hoping to go, seeing as you’re neither?’ interjected Sirius.
James roared with laughter. Lily sat up, rather flushed, and looked from James to Sirius in dislike.
"Come on, Severus, let’s find another compartment."
"Oooooohh …"
James and Sirius imitated her lofty voice; James tried to trip Snape as he passed.
The compartment door slid shut once more and Sirius made a gagging sound.
"What a git!" James said.
"Even more reason not to be in Slytherin," Sirius muttered.
"You can say that again."
Remus slid back in his seat uncomfortably.