Train Time
September 1 1971:
Today was the day James and Peter had been looking forward too ever since they had both received their letter from Hogwarts, both of them were excited to see the castle and learn different spells (for which could be used for trouble of course). Meanwhile Remus was just thinking what the train would be like. Yes of course he was excited to go to Hogwarts, but he had seen it all before, knew all the teachers personally and had been taught basic spells you learn in first year and even some second year things.
But the Hogwarts Express was something he had never experienced before. Minerva and Poppy always floo'd to the castle or apparated, when Remus asked if they could go on the train the answer was always no. It was something his mothers wanted to keep for his time as a student and experience it with all the other first years for the first time. Remus at first would huff at the answer but now as he waited at Kingscross station he couldn't be more thankful to them. Both Minerva and Poppy hadn't be able too come with Remus to station because they were needed at the castle, which Remus didn't mind.
He understood that they were needed at Hogwarts to prepare for students, but most importantly he understood he couldn't tell people that the two were his parents. The two witches didn't want people to bully Remus for going to the same school they taught at. Any students who knew Remus was adopted by Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey had graduated by now and any students who had seen him about didn't know his name, if anyone asked Remus would just say 'John' which wasn't a lie. It was just his middle name not first. Now you may be asking, what about his scars? Surely people would recognise him by those! And you'd be right. Thankfully a well placed spell, casted by Minerva herself, made it so peoples eyes magically didn't notice the scars.
Only reason it was not being used during his student years in Hogwarts is because if someone looked for too long they started to feel nauseous and well we don't want rumours that if you looked at Remus for too long you'd get sick.
Remus had stayed overnight at the Potters' since they agreed to bring him along with them to Platform 9 3/4. This had ended up with Peter spending the night with them than rushing home in the morning to grab his stuff. Uno the ginger kitten was already at Hogwarts, Poppy had brought the feline with her so it was something Remus didn't need to worry about, which was a smart choice as James owl was fucking insane. It was like a tennis ball being thrown back and forth with the way it was flying around. Remus thanked both Monty and Effie for taking him in for the night but was told "You make it sound like you are a homeless man looking for shelter. Whether you like it or not we're your aunt and uncle." by Effie. This resulted in James grinning and saying "Long lost cousins reunited at last!"
Now Remus and James stood to the side of a wall ,that was supposedly meant to take them to Platform 9 3/4, while Peter ran straight into it and disappeared. James and Remus had convinced Peter to go first so that if it didn't work they wouldn't face plant into a brick wall. "Remus, your go kid." Monty told him while James held his thumbs up in support. Remus ran and pushed his trolley as fast as he could and suddenly he was greeted by, not a brick wall to the face, but another train station with what must be hundreds of students all getting ready to board the Hogwarts Express, which was stopped on the train tracks and was that shiny Remus could swear he could mistake it for a mirror up close. James, Monty and Effie were suddenly next to him, Peter had ran off with his own family, and shared the same look Remus had. Complete awe.
"Better get on quick. Train is meant to leave soon. Don't wanna have to deal with Minnie telling us off, eh?" Monty joked as he helped the boys grab their bags, Effie gave Remus a quick hug and made him promise to write soon and too make sure James kept out of trouble while Monty told him to have fun and cause some trouble. James obviously had a longer goodbye with them but soon both boys were walking on board the train, looking for an empty carriage, which they thankfully found near the back of the train. They both put their bags onto the racks above the seats and sat down across each other.
James was aware he wasn't allowed to tell people about Remus being adopted by Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey, and to also not expect different treatment because he was their nephew. Remus had laughed the entire time James had tried convincing Minerva otherwse, Poppy had decided to stay out of the boys way and simply shrugged whenever James brought it up.
As the train took off and Remus and James waved at Monty and Effie, the carriage door was opened to reveal Peter. "There you two are, looking for you guys for ages." Peter said as he sat next to James "The train only just left Peter." James pointed out "I'm sure the 2 minute walk up here was exhausting for you Peter." Remus said and got his foot kicked. After awhile the three boys settled into a conversation about that they thought Hogwarts would be like, neither James or Peter knowing Remus already knew what to expect, when the carriage door opened again.
This time it revealed a tall boy with long wavy black hair and pale skin. "Anyone here I'm closely related too?" the boy asked, when all he got was confused looks he quickly sighed in relief "Guess not, thank Merlin. I'm Sirius Black." Sirius introduced himself. "You apart of the Black family?" James asked, his voice slightly on edge which Remus could understand why. He had heard about the Noble and Ancient House of Black and they sounded like complete assholes in Remus's opinion.
"Sadly enough yes. Who are yous?" Sirius asked, still standing in the doorway until Remus patted on the seat next to him which prompted Sirius Black to sit down. Even if he thought The Black family was mad, he wasn't going to be rude to someone who hasn't done anything to him. It was one of Poppy's life lessons that he took to the heart.
"I'm James Potter." the Desi boy said which made Sirius grin "Fantastic. Mother said not too befriend you but that just means I absolutely gotta befriend you." what Remus noted about Sirius is how his voice was very posh, when you compared it to James English accent the boys had nearly the same accent. Where Remus has a slight Welsh accent and Peter had a English and Scouse accent combined somehow. James's eyes lit up at Sirius's words "Ah. A fellow trouble maker I see." he smirked when Sirius nodded.
"Uh, I'm Peter. Peter Pettigrew." Peter added shyly before Remus added on "Remus Lupin." Sirius nodded as he quietly mumbled both their names to himself. "So, heard you all talking about school. What class you all looking forward too most?" Sirius asked, not letting awkward silence full the carriage which Remus was thankful for. He already knew he liked Sirius, he didn't seem like someone who was shy but just rather friendly. No one answered for a moment until Remus decided to fill the silence "I'm really looking forward to Transfiguration. Seems cool to be able to change things into something else." James shot a knowing eyebrow raise, knowing damn well Remus just wanted an excuse to see his mum for a bit.
"That's cool! Gotta admit you've got me curious about it now. Personally though, I really wanna know what Defence Against the Dark Arts is really about. My cousins seem to enjoy it a lot." Sirius smiled at Remus, who nodded to show he was listening. "DADA." Peter suddenly said which made everyone give a chorus of 'What?' before allowing Peter to explain himself "Defence Against the Dark Arts. Shortened down can be DADA." this made James burst out laughing "Imagine having to be the DADA professor." he cried laughing, everyone else all started laughing at James comment.
And it was at this moment Remus knew he had found a group of friends who seemed to be as thrilled as he was to be starting Hogwarts.