Back to Hogwarts
January 5th, 1972
The platform at King’s Cross Station was a swirl of activity as students returned from their holiday breaks. Steam from the scarlet Hogwarts Express billowed into the frosty January air, mixing with the excited chatter of children and parents saying their goodbyes.
Remus stood near the entrance with his parents, his trunk at his side. His mother was fussing over his scarf, pulling it snugly around his neck.
“Don’t forget to write,” she said for the third time.
“I won’t, Mum,” Remus replied patiently. He appreciated her concern but couldn’t hide his excitement to return to Hogwarts. He missed his friends more than anything.
His father clapped him on the shoulder. “Have a good term, son. And stay out of trouble.”
Remus gave a wry smile. Easier said than done.
The train compartments filled quickly, and Remus had just begun searching for his friends when a familiar voice rang out.
“There he is! Remus!”
James was leaning out of a compartment door, his glasses slightly askew and his hair messier than usual. Sirius was sprawled out on one of the seats behind him, a smirk on his face.
“Thought you got lost,” Sirius teased as Remus stepped in, dragging his trunk behind him.
“Or decided not to come back,” James added dramatically.
Remus rolled his eyes. “You wish.”
Peter was already seated in the corner, munching on a chocolate frog. “Hi, Remus!” he said through a mouthful of chocolate.
“Hey, Peter.”
The train jerked into motion just as Mary, Lily, and Marlene appeared at the door.
“Room for three more?” Lily asked with a smile.
“Always,” James said quickly, sliding over to make space, earning a laugh from Sirius.
The group fell into easy conversation, the boys and girls swapping stories about their holidays.
“I didn’t think it was possible,” Sirius said, leaning back with a dramatic sigh, “but I think my mother hates me even more than she did before Christmas.”
“That’s because you snuck out to James’s for New Year’s,” Remus pointed out, a hint of envy in his tone.
“Oh, that was glorious,” James said, grinning. “You missed the best party, Remus. Sirius taught us all how to charm fireworks to spell out rude messages.”
“And now my bedroom door at home has an extra lock on it,” Sirius added with a smirk.
“What about you, Remus?” Lily asked. “How was your break?”
Remus hesitated, not wanting to dampen the mood with tales of his dull and painful holiday. “It was fine,” he said lightly. “Mostly reading and listening to records.”
“Sounds nice,” Marlene said. “My family dragged me to a hundred different boring dinners.”
Mary nodded in agreement. “I swear, my parents think the holidays are just an excuse to show me off to relatives I barely know.”
As the train neared Hogwarts, the familiar sight of the castle came into view, its towers silhouetted against the dusky sky. The compartment grew quieter as everyone stared out the window.
“It’s good to be back,” Remus said softly, more to himself than anyone else.
Sirius glanced over, a rare flicker of seriousness in his eyes. “Yeah, it is.”
The train pulled into the station, and the students poured out onto the platform. Hagrid’s booming voice echoed through the crowd as he called for the first-years, while the older students began making their way to the carriages.
By the time they reached Gryffindor Tower, the common room was already buzzing with life. The fire roared in the hearth, and groups of students chatted and laughed, reconnecting after their time apart.
James flung himself onto the nearest couch, stretching out dramatically. “Feels good to be home.”
“This isn’t home,” Sirius said, smirking as he took the armchair beside him. “But it’s better than Grimmauld Place, so I’ll take it.”
Remus dropped his bag near the stairs and glanced around the room, his heart swelling with a sense of belonging.
Mary and Marlene disappeared to their dorm, but Lily lingered. “Well, boys, try not to get into too much trouble this term,” she said with a teasing smile.
“No promises,” James replied, grinning.
Later that evening, after unpacking and grabbing a quick dinner in the Great Hall, the boys returned to their dormitory. The room was just as they’d left it—messy, loud, and full of life.
James and Sirius were already discussing Quidditch strategies for the upcoming match against Slytherin, while Peter attempted to organize his textbooks.
Remus sat on his bed, listening to the lively chatter around him. The ache in his joints from the full moon hadn’t entirely faded, but being here, surrounded by his friends, made it bearable.
“Oi, Rem,” Sirius called, tossing a pillow at him. “You’re awfully quiet. Got any grand plans for this term?”
Remus smirked, catching the pillow. “Surviving classes without any of you dragging me into detention would be a start.”
James laughed. “What’s life without a little adventure?”
“Peaceful,” Remus replied dryly, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement.
As the night wore on, the boys’ laughter echoed through the dormitory, filling the space with warmth and camaraderie. Remus couldn’t help but feel grateful for these moments, for the family he’d found in his friends.
Whatever the term had in store, he knew they’d face it together.