At Last
September 1 1971: Hogwarts Express
The boys all got changed into their robes as the train drew closer to the castle. James was the last one too enter in his robes, Sirius cat whistled at James as the boy with glasses walked in. "Looking good Potter!" James grinned before replying "Gotta impress you all, don't I?" James sent a wink at Remus before sitting down next to him.
The carriage door opened, causing the four boys to turn around to it. A ginger haired girl, wearing her robes that showed she was a Gryffindor and a red badge that had a 'P' written on it in gold. "We'll be at the castle soon, get changed...Oh! You lot are already dressed." the girl seemed to be shocked that they were all in their robes. Remus knew she was a Prefect and had to deal with making sure all first years were in the appropriate uniform. Remus recognised the girl but couldn't put a name on her face. "I'm Molly Prewett by the way. I'm one of Gryffindor's Prefects." she introduced herself before closing the way and continued her way further down the hallway.
The four boys all looked at each other before shrugging. "She seemed nice?" James spoke up after a moment of silence. "Yeah, she was nice." Peter agreed and they left it at that.
Soon enough the train came too a halt and they rummaged around to gather all their stuff, making sure they left nothing behind. Sirius and Peter lead the way while James and Remus walked behind them. Remus looked at the massive crowds of people but before he got a chance to think about how they were meant to get to the castle he heard a loud voice yell. "First years! First years over 'ere!" a loud booming voice yelled over the crowds of people. Remus immediately knew it was Hagrid, the half giant had such a strong accent that it was easy to identify him when you couldn't see him but only hear him.
Remus followed after Sirius and Peter who had heard Hagrid and were following after the voice. "Anymore first years?" Hagrid looked around before spotting the four boys. Hagrid obviously recognised Remus and waved for all the boys to come over to him. The other three seemed surprised to see such a large man but kept any thoughts to themselves. "You 'our on this 'oat over 'ere." Hagrid told them and helped onto the small boat before walking over to his own boat, not before sending a wink at Remus.
They all sat down and stared out towards the castle. "How on earth are we ever gonna find our way around it? That's bloody massive!" Sirius gaped while the other laughed at him. "My sister says sometimes the portraits will help you find where your going." Peter mentioned, they all then sat in silence while the boats started moving towards the castle.
"Imagine we sank." Remus spoke after a while, he knew the boats wouldn't sink but the look that James gave him was worth it. Sirius just scoffed and waved his hand "No chance, even if it does I'll save us." he said while Peter poked him "Your all skin and bones, there's no muscle there- OW!" Sirius punched Peter on the arm.
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Minerva McGonagall awaited Hagrid to bring the first years too the entrance of the Great Hall, the rest of the school were inside sitting at their house tables. This was always Minerva's favourite part of the year, welcoming new students into the school and getting to see them all slowly grow up. Soon she sees Hagrid leading the first years. She gives Hagrid a small greeting before starting her annual welcoming speech.
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Remus listened to his mums' speech carefully, he already knew what to expect but couldn't help but feel nervous. He didn't know why he was nervous but as he gave a glance to Peter, James and Sirius he could tell he wasn't alone in the feeling. As they waited to be allowed into the Great Hall, the four boys grouped together closely. "I hope we all get the same house." Peter mumbled to them all. "Probably not, I know I'm gonna be a Slytherin." Sirius whispered with a dull tone in his voice. It was common knowledge around the school that the entire Black Family were in Slytherin and all ended up bullying anyone who wasn't a Pureblood.
Remus could only hope Sirius turned out to be different, he seemed so nice and caring to be apart of the Noble and Ancient house of Black. His thoughts were soon interrupted by everyone moving into the Great Hall. "Good luck!" he heard James say as they all made their way into the hall. The four giant tables were filled with students, all sitting in their respective houses. A fifth table sat at the back of the hall, above the rest.
Remus looked at the staff table and saw his other mother sat near the end of the table to the right, she was at next to Sybill who was making her annual appearance at the table. Soon they all stopped walking and Dumbledore started talking, complete nonsense if you asked Remus, but announced the Hat cermony to begin. Professor McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat and began reading out names.
Sirius was the third person to be called up. "Black, Sirius." The deputy headmistress read out and Sirius made his way to the front. His demeanor had changed, he was no longer the rebelious and happy kid Remus had met but the heir to the Black family. As the hat was placed on him it took a minuted to decide.
"Hmm, another Black? This one though is different. Not like the rest of that family. Best put you in... GRYFFINDOR!" The hat yelled out and the hall went silent. The entirety of Slyherin house looked confused at the hats choice while Gryffindor looked disgusted at having someone from The Black Family in their house. But soon the silence was broken by a ginger haired boy named Arthur Weasley, who cheered along with his girlfriend Molly Prewett. A moment later the rest of the hall burst into cheers and clapping as Sirius made his way to sit near Arthur and Molly.
It wasn't for a while till Remus heard his name be called out. "Lupin. Remus." he heard his mum say and made his way towards the hat, his mum gave her a small smile to show that he'd be fine and too stop panicking. She knew Remus far too well and could read the boy easily. The hat wasted no time like it did with Sirius. "Hmm, smart like a Ravenclaw but no. You'd be better off in GRYFFINDOR!" The hat roared and the hall yet again was filled with cheers and clapping. Remus sat down next to Sirius and glanced to Professor McGonagall, who was very chuffed that her son was in her own house. Sirius looked at him with eyes that Remus could tell were terrified, Remus took Siriu's hand into his own "It'll be fine. No matter what happens we're in this together yeah?" Remus smiled and was greeted by Sirius's own "Yeah! This just adds onto my rebelion!" Remus laughed before the two looked back onto the cermony. Both wanting to know where James and Peter would end up.
Both Peter and James were put into Gryffindor and sat across from Srius and James. "Fate has said we are all bound together." James declared as he held up his glass of pumkin juice "A toast! To stay friends forever!" James said loud and proud. Sirius held up his and nodded, Peter and Remus followed suite and their glasses all clinked together.
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Minerva sat next to Dumbledore and Poppy. Dumbledore was chatting to Horace about Merlin knows what while Minerva chatted to Poppy. The wives both watched as their son joined in on James Potters' toast of friendship. "He'll be okay. He's got some good friends and you can keep watch on him. He's okay Minnie." Poppy reassured Minerva quietly. She knew Minerva better than anyone and could tell she was worried about Remus before Minerva even said anything. Listening to her wife's words she nodded. "Yeah. He will be." and for once Minerva believed it.
As Remus J Lupin went to bed that night, in his shared dormitory with his new found friends. He believed that everything would turn out fine.