September 1st, 1971
The Hogwarts Express was bustling with excitement as students in all corners of the train chattered eagerly about their upcoming first year at Hogwarts. Among the chaos, Remus Lupin sat quietly in one of the compartments, his nose buried in a book. He was doing his best to ignore the sounds of laughter and shuffling feet in the hallway, focusing instead on the words in front of him, as if trying to make the outside world disappear.
He wasn’t antisocial by nature, but his mum’s words rang in his ears: Be careful, Remus. Trust no one easily. So, as the train continued its steady clatter, Remus kept his head down and his thoughts to himself. He was about to start a new chapter of his life—his first year at Hogwarts—but he couldn’t quite shake the unease that settled in his stomach. He wasn’t sure how to act around new people, or how much to reveal about himself, especially with everything his mum had warned him about.
The compartment door slid open with a creak, and Remus glanced up from his book, startled by the intrusion. He wasn’t sure what to expect, but what he got was a boy with a head full of messy black hair and an expression that screamed mischief. The boy didn’t even bother knocking before slipping in.
“Oi, you mind if I sit here?” the boy asked casually, grinning like he already knew the answer.
Remus blinked, a little thrown off by the interruption. “Uh– ” he started, but before he could finish, the door opened again, and another two boys walked in, their laughter filling the space.
James Potter’s bright eyes scanned the compartment, landing on the seat next to Remus with a look of genuine curiosity. “Is it cool if we sit here? Everywhere else is full!”
Peter Pettigrew, trailing behind James, gave Remus a small, shy smile, immediately settling down with a book of his own. His eyes flickered briefly between James and the stranger, and he offered a small, polite nod.
James didn’t even wait for an answer. He plopped down next to Sirius without hesitation, looking up at the boy who had already claimed the seat. “Hey, I’m James,” he said, his grin wide and unapologetic, as if they were already the best of friends.
The boy on the other side of the compartment gave a slight raise of his eyebrows. "Sirius," he said, leaning back casually against the seat. “Black. And you’re a Potter, huh?”
James grinned, leaning forward. “Yeah, I’m definitely a Potter. But you’re a Black, aren’t you?” His voice was playful, though there was a slight undercurrent of confusion, like he wasn’t entirely sure what to make of the name.
Sirius’s smirk grew a little wider. “Yeah, that’s me. The infamous Black,” he said with a dramatic flourish. “You’re the one my mother told me to stay away from.”
James blinked, his grin faltering slightly. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah,” Sirius continued nonchalantly, as if it were the most casual thing in the world. “She made it clear. Potters are the type to avoid, and I’m supposed to remember that.”
James chuckled, his confusion quickly dissolving into amusement. “Well, that’s a new one! I thought I was just some regular guy, but I guess I’ve got a reputation already.” His eyes twinkled with mischief as he leaned back in his seat. “Guess it’s a good thing you’re not like your mum, huh?”
Sirius’s grin dropped for a second, but he quickly shrugged it off, as if it didn’t matter to him one bit. “Guess so. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you, James Potter.”
“Likewise, Sirius Black,” James shot back easily, before turning to Peter, who was now sitting quietly across from them.
Peter gave a small smile, his eyes flickering between James and Remus. Remus didn’t even look up from his book; he was still trying to figure out what was going on. He wasn’t exactly used to this sort of energy – people talking without hesitating, laughing without care. It made him a little anxious.
James, sensing the shift in Remus’s energy, turned to him with his trademark enthusiasm. “Hey, Remus, right? Sorry to interrupt your reading, but I’m James. That’s Sirius,” he gestured toward the boy sitting across from him, who was still lounging with that air of casual confidence. “And this here is Peter.”
Remus barely looked up. He wasn’t sure what to say, or whether he should say anything at all. His mum’s words still lingered in his mind. Be careful, Remus.
But James wasn’t the type to let silence hang for long. “You’re reading The History of Magic?” he asked, leaning in a little closer, his curiosity winning out. “I’ve heard that book’s a real snooze fest, but I bet you’re into it, huh?”
Remus swallowed, his fingers tightening around the edges of his book. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention. “It’s... fine,” he mumbled, hoping to end the conversation. But James wouldn’t let it go.
Peter, picking up on Remus’s quietness, smiled again. “I like that book,” he said with a friendly lilt in his voice. “It’s one of the few textbooks I don’t mind reading.”
Remus gave a tiny nod, barely audible, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Maybe they weren’t so bad after all. But that nagging voice in his head still warned him. Trust no one.
James, catching the slight shift in Remus’s demeanour, grinned. “Hey, if you ever need someone to talk to about magic or whatever, I’m your guy. I mean, you’ll see how great I am once we get to Hogwarts. The Sorting Hat’ll probably put me in charge of everything.” His eyes sparkled with mischief, his ego only slightly inflating with each word.
Sirius snorted from across the compartment. “Please, James. The Sorting Hat might put you in Gryffindor, but it’s probably going to end up running away in terror at all your enthusiasm.”
James shot Sirius a playful glare, but there was no malice in it – just a shared understanding. “We’ll see about that,” he shot back, leaning back in his seat, still grinning.
The conversation flowed on like this for the rest of the train ride. At first, Remus stayed quiet, but eventually, the warmth of James’s unrelenting cheerfulness and Peter’s calm presence eased him into the conversation. It didn’t take long before he found himself laughing at something James had said, the initial wariness beginning to melt away.
By the time the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Remus had shared more than he thought he would, even if only a little. He wasn’t sure where it was going, but for the first time that day, he wasn’t as nervous about what the future held. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to be around people who didn’t expect him to be anything other than who he was.
As the students gathered their things, James clapped Remus on the back with a loud grin. “Hey, Remus, you’re not so bad after all! Let’s make sure we stick together at Hogwarts, yeah?”
Remus offered a small, surprised smile. “Yeah... sure.”
The train screeched to a halt at Hogsmeade Station, and immediately, chaos erupted. James, Sirius, and Peter quickly jumped out of their seats, eager to be on their way, while Remus, more reserved, stood up slowly, packing away his book into his bag. He glanced out the window, watching the towering silhouette of Hogwarts in the distance, its turrets silhouetted against the darkening sky. The castle looked intimidating, and a part of him still wasn’t sure if he was ready to face it.
“Come on, Remus!” James called, already halfway out the door, his excitement as palpable as ever. “This is it! We’re finally here!”
Peter gave him a warm smile and followed James, though a little slower. Remus took a deep breath, adjusting his bag over his shoulder, before following them out of the compartment and down the train platform.
Sirius, who had been trailing behind, tossed his head back, running a hand through his messy black hair. “You know, I’ve always wondered how they get this castle to stay standing. I mean, look at it. It looks like it could fall over any second.” His voice was light, teasing, but there was an edge of awe in his tone.
Remus didn’t respond right away. He was still trying to shake the nervousness building up in his chest, but it didn’t seem to matter much with James talking nonstop beside him.
Once they exited the train, a giant group of students was herded toward the carriages that would take them up to the castle. James’s eyes widened with a grin as they approached the nearest carriage. “The carriages are so cool. You know, I heard they’re pulled by Thestrals, but only people who’ve seen death can see them.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow. “Well, that’s a bit ominous, isn’t it? Don’t suppose any of us have seen someone die, right?”
Peter looked at them both with wide eyes, as if even the thought of death was too heavy for him to handle. “I don’t know, guys. I’m okay with not seeing Thestrals, thanks.”
James laughed, his voice bright and carefree. “Come on, Peter, it’s just a fun little fact. You’re not going to see them unless you really need to.” He jumped into one of the carriages, pulling Peter along with him. “It’s going to be epic, mate. You’ll see. Hogwarts is going to be everything we’ve ever dreamed of.”
Sirius, meanwhile, lingered at the back of the group, glancing back toward Remus, who had just climbed into the same carriage. Sirius gave him a small, reassuring smile, though it wasn’t entirely clear if he was trying to comfort Remus or just enjoying the idea of him being there.
“Hey,” Sirius said quietly. “Don’t worry. We’ve all got this. First years stick together, right?”
Remus nodded, forcing a smile. It was just the two of them now, and the ride up to the castle seemed to stretch out far longer than it actually was. The enormous stone walls of Hogwarts came into view as the carriage climbed the winding path, and Remus felt his stomach tighten again.
Once they arrived, the students were led inside the castle, their footsteps echoing on the stone floors as they entered the Great Hall. It was as grand as anything Remus had imagined, the enchanted ceiling showing a sky full of stars. Candles floated in mid-air, casting a warm, golden glow over the four long tables. The place was filled with students, most of whom were already talking to their friends or nervously glancing around at the sea of unfamiliar faces.
James’s voice broke through the murmur of chatter as he leaned over to Sirius, his eyes gleaming. “I bet I’ll be the first to get sorted. Watch me.”
Sirius snorted. “Yeah, keep dreaming, mate. The Sorting Hat is gonna take one look at you and put you straight in Gryffindor. Easily.”
Peter, who was standing quietly beside them, fidgeted with his robes. “I hope I don’t mess this up,” he mumbled, mostly to himself.
Remus, though still quiet, was starting to feel the weight of the moment settle in. He’d always imagined this day in his head – walking through those big doors, getting sorted into a House – but now that it was actually happening, it didn’t feel real. He glanced around, noticing how confident some of the other students seemed, their faces lighting up with excitement or nerves.
“First years! First years!” a booming voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Professor McGonagall, standing in front of the podium, looking every bit as stern as the rumours had claimed. “Form a line and come up to be sorted. We don’t have all day!”
James nudged Remus in the side with a grin. “Here we go, mate! It’s gonna be fine. Nothing to worry about.”
Sirius, meanwhile, was already practically daring the Sorting Hat to give him Gryffindor. He was full of confidence, but there was a slight tension in his posture, as if he wasn’t sure if he really belonged. He could hear his mother’s voice in his head – No son of mine is going to disgrace this family by joining the likes of Gryffindor.
He didn’t quite believe that, of course. Still, as he stood in front of the Hat, he felt a strange mix of excitement and uncertainty. The Hat was placed on his head, and almost immediately, it seemed to pause.
“Ah, another one with fire in their heart. A Black, no doubt,” the Hat mused, its voice echoing in his mind. “But there’s more here. Much more.”
Sirius flinched. He was used to hearing his family’s name, but this time it felt different. The Hat’s tone was not at all impressed – it was… interested. The Hat continued its deliberation.
“Hmm... There’s bravery here. No doubt about that. But also a fierce independence. You don’t quite follow the rules, do you?”
Sirius couldn’t suppress a grin at that.
“But there’s something else, too,” the Hat said, its voice dropping into a more thoughtful tone. “A yearning for something different. You’re not like the others in your family, are you? You want more than just legacy. You crave freedom.”
Sirius’s eyes narrowed as he thought about the weight of his family’s expectations. He didn’t care about the Black name, didn’t care about living up to the legacy they’d carved for him. What did it even mean? He didn’t want to be another cog in that machine. He wanted something more.
The Sorting Hat’s voice seemed to grow more decisive. “Ah, I see now. You’ve got courage, yes. But more than that – determination. The will to carve your own path. You could be in Gryffindor, but there’s something pulling me toward another option… so much ambition, a desire to prove yourself. But I’ll need to think a little longer…”
Sirius’s heart started to race. He didn’t want to be in Slytherin, but the Hat seemed so close to deciding – Slytherin seemed just within reach.
The Sorting Hat paused again, its voice quieter this time. “The question is: will you choose to fight for your own identity, or will you bend to the expectations around you? What will you stand for? What will you become?”
Sirius swallowed hard. The answer was clear, but it felt like the Hat had captured every bit of his inner turmoil. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Sorting Hat shouted: “GRYFFINDOR!”
Sirius let out a relieved breath, though it was mixed with something else. He was glad he hadn’t been put in Slytherin, but part of him wondered what path he would have walked if the Hat had placed him there. The choice had been made for him, but there was still something inside him that knew the battle wasn’t over yet.
The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers, but Sirius only smiled faintly as he walked over to join them. The cheers from his new Housemates were loud and enthusiastic, but they didn’t quite reach him the way he expected them to.
James gave him an exaggerated thumbs up. “See? Told you!”
Sirius threw him a grin, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, you were right.”
Peter was next. He approached the Hat with more hesitation, his fingers nervously tugging at his robes. After a moment of silence, the Hat called out, “GRYFFINDOR!”
Peter gave a small, relieved smile as he joined the Gryffindor table, his nerves visibly calming. He waved at the others, clearly thrilled that all three of them were sorted into the same House.
Now it was Remus’s turn. The Sorting Hat was placed on his head, and for a moment, he felt as if the entire world went quiet. The Hat seemed to pause, as if considering him carefully, and Remus’s heart beat louder in his chest. He couldn’t help but wonder what the Hat would say.
“Ah,” the Hat’s voice echoed inside his mind. “I see great potential here. You have courage, but also a great deal of caution. You’ve faced challenges others can’t even imagine. Perhaps, a touch of Ravenclaw’s intelligence? Or Gryffindor’s bravery? But you are not just one of these things…”
Remus held his breath, unsure of what to expect.
“GRYFFINDOR!”
The table erupted with cheers again, and Remus blinked in surprise. He made his way over to the Gryffindor table, where James and Sirius waved him over. As he sat down next to them, he felt a strange sense of relief wash over him. This wasn’t so bad after all.
But as he sat, something tugged at the back of his mind—a flicker of unease. As his eyes scanned the tables, he noticed a group of students sitting at the Slytherin table. There were a few who stood out in particular – two girls with cold expressions, their eyes fixed firmly on the boy beside him, almost appraising him. One of them had dark, curly hair, while the other had sharp features, her face framed by a well-groomed style that reminded Remus of a hawk. The looks they gave him were pointed, almost as if they had already decided something about him.
Remus quickly looked away, trying not to let it bother him. He didn’t know who they were, but he felt the uncomfortable weight of their gaze. Maybe it’s just nerves, he thought to himself. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the Slytherins hadn’t just been staring – they’d been glaring. And it left a cold, lingering chill in his chest.
James, noticing his discomfort, leaned in closer, his voice low but cheery. “Oi, don’t mind the Slytherins,” he said with a grin, as if he knew exactly what Remus had been thinking. “They’re just jealous. Gryffindor’s got the best of the best, after all.”
Sirius smirked and nodded. “And who needs their approval anyway? We’ve got us.”
Remus gave a small smile at that, feeling a little better as the clattering of cutlery and chatter around him picked up again. He glanced at James and Sirius, who were already deep in conversation about something, and despite the Slytherins’ glares, he realized, maybe he did have a place here.
The Great Hall had quieted after the last plate was cleared, and the excitement of the Sorting had faded into a comfortable murmur. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were gathered together, walking leisurely behind the Gryffindor prefect.
James was ahead of the group, animatedly recounting something he’d overheard from a Ravenclaw first year. His voice carried through the hall, practically vibrating with energy.
“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard! Like, she thought the Whomping Willow was a person,” James said, practically doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach.
Sirius was walking next to Remus, matching his pace, but his eyes kept flicking to Remus who’d flinched a little too obviously at the mention of the tree.
“You alright, mate?” Sirius asked, glancing at him.
“Yeah, just… just a bit nervous, I guess,” Remus said quietly.
“Nervous? About what? The tree?” Sirius asked, smirking.
“No,” Remus muttered, his eyes moving toward the Slytherin table where the older Slytherin girls were still glaring across the room. “Them.”
Sirius stiffened when he noticed exactly who Remus was talking about and had been looking at before. His usual cocky grin faltered, and he squirmed a bit, clearly uncomfortable. “Oh, them? They’re just… uh, my cousins.”
“Cousins?” Remus raised an eyebrow. “They don’t look too friendly.”
“They aren’t,” Sirius muttered under his breath, keeping his voice low. “They’re… well, they don’t like me much.”
“Ah, I see,” Remus said with a small nod, though his gaze lingered on the Slytherins. He didn’t feel like asking further – he was still processing how all of this worked. “Well, that’s just great,” he added, pulling his robes tighter around him.
James, who had been talking excitedly to Peter, turned around to check on them. “Oi, you two, stop being all mysterious back there! Catch up, Remus, you’re starting to look like you’ve swallowed a troll.”
Remus cracked a small smile at that, though it was forced. “Just looking around,” he said quietly, trying to ignore the feeling of eyes on his back.
Sirius shot him a half-smile, but it was clear that the situation with his cousins was still bothering him. “Don’t let them bother you, alright? They’re nothing.”
James, oblivious to the tension, kept skipping ahead to jab Peter in the ribs as they reached yet another staircase. “We’re almost there! We’re almost there!”
As they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, they paused. She peered down at them from her frame, her eyes narrowing as if to judge their worth.
“Password?” she asked.
Sirius, still trying to shake off the uncomfortable feeling from earlier, was the one to answer. “Caput Draconis,” he said, somehow remembering what the prefect had shouted at them earlier, his tone light despite the tension.
The Fat Lady gave a contented “Hmph!” and swung open to reveal the Gryffindor common room. The boys stepped in, and James’s eyes immediately lit up. The room was just as warm and inviting as he had imagined, with a roaring fire, plush armchairs, and oak panelling on the walls. They were pointed in the direction of a staircase that spiralled upwards to the right and soon found a door with their names on it.
Peter was the first to wander over to a window, peering out at the moonlit grounds. “This place is brilliant,” he muttered, clearly impressed. James clapped Sirius on the back as they headed further into the room.
“Mate, we’re going to have so much fun in here, it’s unreal.”
Sirius gave a dramatic sigh, practically stumbling into Remus who was struggling to keep up with his dramatic antics. “I’m already in love with this place. It’s perfect.”
James followed him but then collapsed face-first onto the bed nearest the window, sprawling out across the covers, feeling completely at home. Sirius, without missing a beat, jumped onto the bed with him, knocking James into the side as they both burst out laughing.
Remus stood back, hands in his pockets, looking more reserved as he took in the space. He eased himself carefully onto the edge of his bed, not wanting to disturb anything just yet.
Peter was fiddling with the window, trying to open it to get some fresh air. “I love how quiet it is here. Feels like we could do anything, right?”
“Anything except be caught,” Remus said suddenly, his voice dripping with dry sarcasm as he glanced over at the others. It was the first time since entering that he’d spoken with anything more than quiet apprehension, and the others all paused, looking at him with genuine interest.
James grinned widely. “Whoa,” he said, sitting up straight in bed. “Did you just make a joke?”
Remus shrugged, his expression still a bit guarded but pleased with the attention. “Well, someone’s got to keep you lot in line.”
Sirius chuckled from where he was sprawled next to James. “I didn’t know you were cool, Remus. I like it.”
Peter was bouncing on his toes, clearly eager to keep the conversation moving. “Alright, alright. If we’re going to survive this place, we’ll need a plan – and I’ve already got some brilliant ideas for pranks!”
“Pranks?” Remus raised an eyebrow. “I thought you lot were supposed to be serious students.”
“Nope,” James said, shaking his head dramatically. “Serious students are overrated.”
“Yeah, the names deceiving” Sirius added, a mischievous gleam in his eye. “Why be serious when you can cause some chaos?”
Remus sighed, rolling his eyes. “Great. Let’s get caught marauding around on the first night, shall we?”
Peter started bouncing over to the other side of the room, practically vibrating with excitement. “Well, if we’re going to make a name for ourselves, we should start with something good. Like, I dunno… a prank war, or-”
“A name?” James interrupted, sitting up quickly. His face lit up. “That’s it! We need a name.”
Sirius sat up too, grinning. “Something legendary, like what did Remus say before…”
James’s eyes widened with excitement. “The Marauders!” He gasped, his face lighting up with a huge grin. “Yes, that’s it! The Marauders!”
Remus groaned, though his lips quirked in amusement. “Oh, Merlin. Really?”
Sirius clapped his hands together. “I love it!” he cheered, leaning over to knock James’s shoulder. “The Marauders – it’s perfect.”
James beamed, clearly pleased with the decision. “Alright, then. Welcome to the Marauders.”
Remus raised an eyebrow but couldn’t help but smile despite himself. “I’m already regretting this.”
Sirius grinned, flopping back onto the bed dramatically. “Yeah, well, you’re stuck with us now.”
Sirius, still lounging on the bed, smirked. “A name for what exactly? Are we starting some kind of organized chaos group now?”
James’s grin widened. “Exactly! The Marauders,” he said, his voice filled with confidence. “We’ll be known all over the castle. We’ll have our own legacy, one prank at a time.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow, but his smirk deepened. “The Marauders, huh? Sounds... dangerous.”
“It’s perfect,” James declared, nodding enthusiastically. “We’ll be feared and respected!”
Peter, still full of energy, clapped his hands. “I love it! But we need to come up with some pranks to kick things off. I’ve got a few ideas...”
Remus, who had been sitting back quietly, watching the excitement unfold, let out a soft laugh. “I can’t believe you’re already planning pranks. We’ve only just gotten here.”
Sirius looked over at him, his grin finally matching his usual mischievous expression. “Well, Remus, someone’s got to show you how to have fun.”
Remus gave a small smile, his nervousness easing a bit as the group’s energy washed over him. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t going to be so bad. With James’s boundless enthusiasm, Sirius’s natural charm, and Peter’s eagerness, he felt like he might just fit in after all.
“Alright, alright,” Remus said, pushing himself off the edge of the bed. “But if we get caught, I’m blaming you lot.”
James raised his hand like a pledge. “We’ll be fine! What’s a bit of mischief between friends?”
Sirius laughed, tossing himself back down on the bed. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”
As the evening unfolded and the first night in the Gryffindor Tower began, the four boys settled into their new home with an ease that felt almost unreal. The adventure that lay ahead was unknown, full of both excitement and uncertainty - but for the first time in a long while, Remus didn’t feel quite so alone. The Marauders had formed, and while there were still doubts in his mind, he couldn’t help but wonder if this new chapter at Hogwarts would be more than just survival. Maybe, just maybe, it would be the start of something truly unforgettable.
As the last flicker of candlelight dimmed and the boys drifted off to sleep, their laughter still hung in the air. Remus closed his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips. Whatever tomorrow brought, he felt a little more ready for it.
And as for the Marauders? Well, they were just getting started.