CHAPTER 1 – New Beginnings

Remus

He squeezed his mother's hand tighter when they walked onto platform 9. He felt his chest tighten, not aware of the fact that he was holding his breath.

„Don’t worry honey, everything will be alright” his mom said, her voice bringing back air into his lungs.

„Come on son, we don’t wanna be late” his father put his hands on his shoulders, gripping them gently. He gave him a little push and Remus started walking fast with his mother towards a wall directly in front of them. He hesitated but his mom pulled him forwards. Just as they would hit the wall, they found themselves on the platform 9 ¾. He looked around him taking in his surroundings. Huge number of kids of different ages were on the platform, saying goodbye to their parents. Some of them had animals on their carts, which made him feel more secure with the fact that his parents bought him an owl. He was happy about it, because it meant he always could send them letters, but he was afraid of standing out. The scars across his face didn’t help and he was nervous that having a pet was not that common, but his fears calmed down, seeing that quite a lot of students (even first years) had pets of their own – owls, cats, frogs, he even saw a couple of pygmy puffs. His father appeared behind them, pushing his cart. On top of his suitcases, stood a cage, with Sunshine inside, hooting at him.

„I’m sorry Sunshine, I promise you will be out of this cage soon” he said petting her head through the bars. She hooted, calmer this time. He felt like she understood what he said. Sunshine was a barn owl, and though her feathers were white on the front, her back was the colour that reminded him of a rising sun – pale orange mixed with light yellow and delicate grey. When they went shopping on Diagon Alley, he saw her through the window in one of the shops and couldn’t take his eyes of her. She looked him in the eyes, and he immediately loved her but didn’t say anything. He already felt a bit guilty because his parents spend a lot of money on him that day. But his mom saw her too and said that they should get him an owl so he could write them anytime. He picked Sunshine without second thought. She stood out among other owls, because her colouring was unusual, and he felt like that was the reason they chose each other. They both didn’t fit in.

„Let’s get her and your luggage inside” said his dad and he led the way towards the train. They walked into one of the cars and put Sunshine with the other cages in their designated spot. He told her that he will see her as soon as he can and reluctantly left her there. They found an empty compartment and his dad put his things on the above head shelving. When they were done, they walked back onto the platform. It hit him that the train will be leaving very soon and that he won’t see his parents for a long time. Fear gripped his chest, and he looked to his parents panicked. His mother crouched down to meet his eyes.

„Remember Remus you are a very brave and talented boy. I know you will do great” she said and kissed his forehead. She hugged him tightly. When she let go, he walked up to his father. His dad ruffled his hair smiling at him.

„Your mother is right. I’m sure you will meet a lot of friends.” He hugged his dad hard. He really didn’t want to let go but he also felt a bit of excitement. Friends. He could really meet some friends and that was one of his biggest dreams. Finally, he will spend time with other kids! It was scary but also sparked hope for a good time. He let go of his dad and smiled weakly.

„I love you mom. I love you dad.”

„We love you too honey and we will see you at Christmas. Don’t forget to write to us!” His mom kissed his cheek one last time. They heard the train whistle. He walked through the car door, looking over his shoulder.

„Bye!”

„Goodbye Remy!” They both said smiling to him. He walked to the compartment where they left his luggage. His legs felt shaky. This is it. He is all alone and as exciting as it was it was also very scary. He opened the door and walked inside. There was a boy that looked his age, sitting by the window. His black, wavy hair reached his shoulders. He was pale and skinny, wearing casual clothes that looked quite expensive. When Remus walked in, he looked in his direction and their eyes met. The boy had grey eyes and a pretty face. He grinned broadly.

„Hi, I’m Sirius.”

Sirius

„Hi Sirius, I’m Remus” The boy reached out his hand and Sirius shook it with enthusiasm. He sat down and looked through the window, probably looking for his parents. When he saw them, he started waving and Sirius had time to take a good look at him. He didn’t want to stare at him, he knew that Remus probably hated it, considering the fact that he had several scars on his face. But since the boy wasn’t looking at him, he took the chance. One of the scars was right above his left eye, splitting his eyebrow in two. Another one went through his nose, and he also had one on his cheek. It looked like they all came from one blow, cutting the most protruding parts of his face, thus not being connected and making three marks instead of one. Apart from that his face was nice to look at, he had green eyes and thick brown hair thar were just the right length to swoop them to the side. When he was standing Sirius noticed that Remus was quite tall for his age. Well, he didn’t ask him yet but since they were in the same car he guessed that the boy was also eleven. He was wearing a sweater and jeans. The train started to move, and Remus was still waving to his parents. Sirius felt a sting of jealousy. While he was still staring at him the door opened again.

„Cmon, there is space here” said a boy that opened the door. He was wearing round glasses and looked irritated. He brushed his hand through his messy dark brown hair. His eyes were the same colour, and he scanned the compartment. He pulled another boy behind him by his arm. He was much shorter than the boy with glasses, had mousey blond hair and blue-ish eyes. He was chubby and looked scared. The boy with round glasses pulled him inside and plopped beside Sirius. The chubby boy sat down beside Remus looking uncertain.

„I’m James and this is Peter.”

„Sirius” he said, smiling at them.

„And I’m Remus. What happened?” Said Remus, tilting his head to the side with curiosity, reminding Sirius of a puppy.

„Guys that we sat with were calling Peter names and laughing at him. Avery and Mulciber. They will for sure end up in Slytherin.” Said James angrily.

„They sound like real assholes” summed up Sirius and all the boys laughed. Peter seemed to loosen up a bit and sat more comfortably. Suddenly the door opened once again.

„Are those seats free?” In the doorway stood a small redheaded girl, her green eyes looking at them one by one.

„Yes” James responded immediately. She smiled.

„C’mon Severus we can sit here.” Behind her walked in a boy. Sirius in an instant knew he didn’t like him. He kind of reminded him of his family, with his greasy black hair and dark eyes. He was very skinny. The girl sat next to James and Severus sat next to Peter.

„I’m James Potter and this is Sirius…” he looked at Sirius with a question in his eyes expecting him to fill in the blank. Sirius reluctantly answered.

„Black” he said. He hated his last name. He hated what it signified.

„I’m Lily Evans and this is Severus Snape” the girl said smiling at them. Snape looked at him with a pleasant surprise on his face. Before the other boys could introduce themselves, he spoke.

„So, you are a Black?” He said excited. „It must be nice to not worry which house you will end up in. I’m also hoping to end up in Slytherin.”

„I will not end up in this disgusting house. I hate Slytherin and all people that end up there.” He knew he was being an asshole, but he didn’t care. All his life everybody told him that's where he will end up. After all every Black was assigned to Slytherin and it was expected of him to continue the tradition. But he hated his family, their horrible views on muggles and muggle-born wizards. And now he definitely hated this boy.

„What the hell are you talking about?” Snape asked angrily. „Many great wizards came out of Slytherin, and it should be an honour for you to end up there. It means you are resourceful and ambitious”

„Slytherin is full of horrible people. Liars, people that discriminate against muggles and so on. They just love dark magic and horrible spells. How could you ever want to go there?” James supported him and Sirius already knew they were going to be friends.

„Yeah, you have to be an idiot” he added. He knew his viewes were strongly influenced by his family and his disdain towards them, but he didn’t care. Snapes face looked furious.

„You talk about discrimination and yet you are doing the same to all Slytherins. You are fucking idiots.” Sirius’ face showed shock. This boy used a really bad swear word like it was his usual language. Sirius would get his ass kicked for saying „ass” let alone „fuck”. He stood up ready to fight and James also jumped up. Snape got up, his eyes throwing daggers. Unexpectedly Lily also got up, putting herself between the boys, shielding Snape with her body.

„You guys are butts. Let's go Sev we will sit somewhere else” she said as she pushed Snape out of the door. She shut it behind them loudly and Sirius heard her tell Snape off for using bad words. He and James plopped back on their seats.

„Glad you had my back” he said grinning at James. His new friend smiled back.

„He seems like a real idiot” he answered.

„I think you both overreacted” said Remus calmly. Sirius forgot that they were there, since they both didn’t say a word while the whole thing happened. Peter shyly nodded.

„Oh, what do you know” Sirius rebutted. Remus shrugged and pulled out a book from his bag. Sirius glanced at the title – „The standard book of spells” by Miranda Goshawk. Really? He was reading a textbook before they even got sorted to their houses?

„Why are you reading that?” He asked.

„Well, if you are going to get offended by the truth I might as well do something productive.” Remus answered matter of factly. This irritated Sirius because he knew the boy was right. He wasn’t going to admit it though, so he just ignored the comment. He looked at Peter, but he was just sitting still obviously not wanting to talk.

„So, you are a Black. This must suck considering what you said to that big-nosed jerk” James said.

„Yeah, they really want me to end up in Slytherin. And I don’t know if I will survive if that actually happens.” Sirius answered unhappily.

„Don’t worry I don’t think you will get sorted there.” James said smiling. „Both of my parents were in Gryffindor. They think I will end up there.” He added.

„Well good for you.” Sirius sighed. „I hope you do.”

„Well, I hope you will end up there with me” James said punching him in the arm playfully. „I hope I do too.” And I think we will be very good friends - Sirius thought, smiling and looking out the window.

Remus

He knew everybody was looking at him and he knew that for sure. It wasn’t just a stupid feeling; this time it was one hundred percent true. Professor McGonagall just read out his name, and he was walking towards the stool that stood in front of the teachers table. She was a tall and intimidating woman, with her dark hair pulled back in a tight bun and her piercing green eyes scanning him up and down. Before the ceremony she greeted them at the entrance and her voice was very calm and serious. She also told them that she was the head of Gryffindor. While Remus was passing her, she looked at him inquisitively. When he was walking up to the stool he glanced at the new Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. Last time Remus saw him, he convinced his parents that Remus could go to Hogwarts to study. That he will be safe here and that his condition wasn’t a problem. That he would accommodate everything in such way, that everybody would be safe and nobody will know. Their eyes met for a second and Remus saw Dumbledore smile to him. It calmed him a little bit, and he briefly smiled back, before turning around and sitting down on the stool, facing the whole school. Everybody was staring at him and his chest clenched again, making his breath shallow. He looked around the room his eyes resting at the Gryffindor table. There, next to each other sat everybody he met at the train, apart from Snape, that was still standing, waiting to be sorted. Sirius looked like he won the lottery, beaming with happiness. Actually, all of them looked happy with their new house. Only Lily looked angry, probably because she had to sit opposite of James. Professor McGonagall put the sorting hat on his head. He heard a voice in his ears.

„Hmmm... what do we have here...” the tiara mused. „Yes, I see a lot of intellect, great talent for spells and a passion for gaining knowledge... Destined to learn and teach. To excel beyond most with his brains...”

„Does this mean I’m going to Ravenclaw?” Remus thought to himself.

„Yes, Ravenclaw would suit you...” the hat answered, surprising him. Well, if he thought about it for a bit longer, it shouldn’t be surprising at all. Obviously, it read his mind, how else was it supposed to know where to put him? „Ravenclaw puts intelligence first and you have a lot of it... but I also see a lot of bravery.” Bravery? He never thought of himself as brave. „Yes, a great amount of courage lives in you. Your will is strong. You have been through a lot for a little boy, and it made you tough... Gave you calmness among anger, gave you bravery among fear. You won’t crush under pressure; it only makes you tougher...” Then it became quiet for what felt like forever. The uncertainty was killing him, and he felt a trickle of sweat go down his back, under his robe. Suddenly the hat spoke again. „Yes, you are a complicated boy, but I know where you belong...”

„GRYFFINDOR!” The hat yelled, its voice spreading across the Great Hall. Gryffindors table erupted with cheers, as it did for every new member. Remus stood up on shaky legs and walked towards his new house mates.

„I guess we chose the right compartment then” Sirius smirked to him as he sat down. James and Peter also smiled at him, but Lily loudly grunted, visibly irritated that she had to be in the same house as the two boys that insulted her friend.

„What's seems to be the problem Evans?” James teased.

„The problem Potter is that I will have to deal with your bad company for the next several years” she responded coldly, looking at him with disgust. „You are mean boys, and I don’t like you.”

„Oh no, how will I ever deal with it!” He exclaimed sarcastically, putting his hands over his heart as though he was in pain. Sirius laughed at the gesture. „This is so unnecessary” Remus thought to himself. She was just standing up for her friend, and though he also was against some the things that Slytherin represented, he also understood her viewpoint. They were mean to her good friend for no real reason and now James was teasing her. It wasn’t surprising that she was unhappy with being forced to spend the remaining years of school with them. Suddenly all of their eyes went back to the ceremony.

„Severus Snape!” Professor McGonagall exclaimed. Snape slowly walked towards the stool and sat, the look on his face showing how nervous he was. The hat was put on his head and pretty quickly it relieved him of his misery.

„SLYTHERIN!” She yelled and Severus’ new house cheered as he walked towards them. Remus noticed that he smiled weakly to Lily, and he noticed a bit of sadness mixed with Snapes happiness. She put both of her thumbs up and also smiled, but when Snape looked away, she exhaled with disappointment.

„Well, your friend got what he wanted” Sirius said, spitefulness mixed with disgust sounding in his voice.

„Oh, buzz off Black” Lily snarked, setting her eyes back on the teacher's table. The sorting was coming to an end, the last couple of students joined their houses and the hat and stool floated off through a door next to the end of the High Table. Dumbledore stood up. He put his wand to his throat and his voice resounded through the Hall.

„Welcome, welcome everybody! Especially warm greetings to our new students! I hope your summer holidays gave you a good rest and that you came back to Hogwarts ready and eager to learn! Sadly, last year we said goodbye to Professor Dippet. From this year forward and hopefully for many years after that I will be your new headmaster. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I promise I will prioritize your knowledge and safety. Speaking of, I would like to remind everyone that entering the Forbidden Forest is well... forbidden!” Dumbledore chuckled even though almost nobody else found his words particularly funny. „Also, we have a new tree planted on our grounds. It’s not a regular tree though! It’s a Whomping Willow and as the name suggest, it’s of a violent kind. It is strictly prohibited to walk near it, because as much as it’s a beautiful one it is also very dangerous. The ones that don’t listen might not make it through its beating. Other rules will be told to the first years by their house's prefects, and reminded to those who break them, by subtracting points from their respective houses.” He smiled and looked around the Hall. “Well, I think that's enough talking. Eat to your hearts content and then go to your houses – first years will be guided by their prefects. Enjoy the feast!” And with a snap of his fingers, every table suddenly had plates, cutlery and a copious amount of food on it. Remus's eyes lit up at this view and the feast started. While putting all kinds of food on his plate a thought appeared in his mind. “Why would they plant such a dangerous tree on school grounds?” But while he ate the question quickly passed.

Sirius

After they got a quick tour of the castle, they were led to the Gryffindors common room. They stopped in front of a painting of a very chubby woman.

„Oh, hello darlings it’s so nice to meet you! Would you like to hear me sing? I’m working on a new opera part!” She exclaimed and before their prefect could say anything she started singing. She was really loud and although Sirius didn’t know much about opera, he was certain this was not how it was supposed to sound.

„Oh my god, I think I’m bleeding from my ears” Sirius whispered to James, and the boy chuckled.

„I hope I will go deaf from this performance so I wouldn’t ever have to hear it again” James replied, while covering his ears. Lucile Graytwig started clapping with a quick look over her shoulder staring intensely at the rest of students. At first Sirius wasn’t sure what she wanted but when Remus started clapping, he quickly joined, and other students followed the lead. Lucile as a prefect probably had dealt with such performances many times, since it seemed to do the trick. The Fat Lady smiled widely, bowing to their applause.

„Thank you, my darlings, thank you!”

„No no, thank YOU” Lucile said smiling brightly. Sirius and James giggled. Even Remus had a slight grin on his face. „Spophorous” the prefect said, and the portrait moved, with Fat Ladys last bow.

„This is the current password to enter the common room. Memorize it, or you will be stuck with the Fat Lady until somebody saves you.” Lucile explained and led the way inside. They followed her through the hole in the wall and found themselves in a big, circular room. Dominated by the red and gold colours, it was very cozy and looked inviting. Sirius was in shock. He was used to the cold and uninviting look of his family's home and the Gryffindor common room was very different. A lot of comfortable chairs and couches, a big fireplace that gave off a warm light, above it a painting of a lion. For the first time in his life, he felt this warm feeling, like he could actually enjoy spending time here. Only a couple of older students sat on the couches or on the floor. It was dark outside the windows.

„Okay first years, here we end our trip. If you have any questions or problems, please come to me or to Tobias, whenever you need. And it’s time to go to sleep. I will guide the girls, and Tobias will lead the boys to your rooms.” As she said, Lucile started to climb the set of stairs to the left of the entrance. The boys followed after Tobias to the opposite staircase and walked up the stairs. Some of the other boys got to their rooms already, and when they got to the room number 13 Tobias read out another list of names.

„Here we have Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, James Potter and Remus Lupin.” While he was reading out their names, Sirius could swear that Tobias looked at him with curiosity. It didn’t surprise him, but it was a little bit irritating. He knew he would probably have to prove he actually belonged in Gryffindor and that the Hat wasn’t wrong about him. When the prefect read out James’ name, Sirius looked at him and they high-fived. They all walked inside their new room. All of his stuff was on one of the beds, so he walked up to it and suddenly they heard a meow. Cyon jumped up on onto his bags on the bed and then jumped on him. He caught her and hugged her tightly to his chest.

„Hi Cyon” he said kissing her little head. "This is our new room and my new bed.” She started purring and rubbed against his face. She was a quite small black cat, with a very fluffy tail and big blue eyes. He got her as a gift for his last birthday from his older cousin Andromeda. She also attended Hogwarts and was of course in Slytherin, but even though Sirius hated most of his family, he thought she was okay and that said a lot. „Cyon meet the boys, boys meet Cyon” he said showing her off and then putting her on the bed.

„Hello beautiful black lady” James said walking up to her and stroking her. She did a big stretch and curled up into a ball. Remus looked in her direction and smiled lightly and then started to unpack. Peter followed his lead and soon all of the boys unpacked their stuff and changed into their pyjamas. Sirius lied down and got under the covers, carefully so he didn’t disturb Cyon.

„Well good night boys” said James, with a big yawn following. „Goodnight” they all answered. Before he fell asleep Sirius thought about his day. He got sorted into Gryffindor; his biggest dream came true. Not only that, but he also made a great friend on the first day. The other boys in his room seemed okay, but Remus was really closed off and a bit boring and Peter seemed like he was easily frightened. To Sirius it seemed like Hufflepuff would suit him better, but he trusted that the Sorting Hat knew what it was doing. After all it knew better than to put him in Slytherin even though he was a Black. This was a very good start to the next seven years of his life.