The Hogwarts Express
September 1st, 1971
Remus watched Platform 9 ¾ and his parent’s smiling (yet nervous) faces disappear. The train rounded the corner, and his view turned into various houses. Remus’ brain began to run wild with various thoughts.
What was Hogwarts truly like? His father told him about The Sorting Ceremony and the four houses. When Remus had asked what house his father thought he would be sorted in, his father had said he was a likely Ravenclaw claiming that it was the best of the four (though he admitted everyone thought their own house was the best house), but that he’d be happy with whatever house he was sorted into. It was only later, when his parents believed him to be asleep, that he heard his father’s reservations.
“I mean, of course, I’m happy he can go to Hogwarts, and I’d definitely love for him to be in Ravenclaw like me, but…” His father’s voice had faded.
“But what, love?”
“I’m worried that in Ravenclaw, he will have the hardest time hiding his condition. Those kids are smart; anyone there who’s not muggle-born will know what lycanthropy is, and I think we were the only house that pays attention in Astronomy; they’ll know when the full moons are. And, of course, I’ll support whatever house he’s sorted in, but I do not want him in Slytherin. That’s where all the old pure-bloods are, and they can be cruel even as kids. I went to school with a lot of them; some of their children ought to be there now. Merlin forbade one of those children from finding out…” His father’s voice had trailed off.
His mother’s comforting voice continued for him. “Lyall, I know you’re worried sick. Heck, so am I. But I think you’re overthinking this. These are eleven-year-olds. No matter what you say, no eleven-year-old really cares about the moon cycles except for ours. Even if they are as smart as you say. And, ignoring the pure-blood rule, does Remus have the character of someone in Slytherin? He’s the farthest from cruel, but there’s no way that’s Slytherin’s only trait.”
His father sighed. “No, no, he doesn’t. But that’s what’s worrying me. While Slytherin is the least likely, he could fit into any of the other three.”
“Which house he will belong to is out of our control. But we can have our predictions. What’s one of those other houses, the one people say is brave?”
“Gryffindor.”
“Ah, that’s the one. If you ask me, our son is the bravest person either of us will ever know.”
Remus had to admit Gryffindor intimated him. How could he handle the expectation of being brave and daring while becoming a monster each month? His mother claimed he was brave, but Remus didn’t believe that. And daring? Forget about it.
Remus didn’t feel much of a pull to any of the four houses. His father was in Ravenclaw, but that’s about as much connection as he had. Slytherin? No. That would be unimaginable. Hufflepuff didn’t seem too bad, though. Maybe he would be sorted there…
He instinctively looked outside his compartment. Transforming every moon was not the only effect of lycanthropy. Remus could sense when there was danger, or something bad was about to happen. It was almost as if he could smell it, like a wolf.
Remus could tell exactly what had drawn him to look out the door. Two older boys were behind another boy, who was very short and chubby. He was, without a doubt, a fellow first-year. One of the older boys drew his wand, and the poor first-year fell to the ground. Remus could hear their laughter as they stepped over him and into their own compartment.
Remus stood up and poked his head out of the door. “Are you okay?” He asked. The boy on the ground looked up, looking as nervous as Remus felt. Remus re-phrased the question. “Do you need some help?”
“I uh- yeah.” The boy replied. Remus held out his hand and helped the boy up. Together, the two lifted his trunk onto the overhead shelf and set it next to Remus’. They sat across from each other.
“I’m Remus, by the way, Remus Lupin.”
“Peter Pettigrew.” The boy- Peter, responded, “Thanks for helping me.”
“No problem,” Remus replied. He did not know how else to continue the conversation. He’d never had an actual conversation before with someone his age, since he was 5. He wasn’t allowed to play with other kids, and very rarely saw his cousins. Not that there were many kids besides him in Gwernogle, anyway.
Not being able to come up with anything to say, Remus decided to observe Peter. Sitting down, he looked even shorter. Remus, who couldn’t be more than 155 cm, was much taller. Peter had dirty blond hair, a round face, and a pointed nose. His eyes were a very dark blue, almost black.
“So, um. What house do you think you’ll be in?” Peter asked. Remus almost jumped.
“I’ve got no clue. My dad was in Ravenclaw, though.” Remus replied.
“What about your mum?” Peter asked. He realized it had probably not even occurred to Peter that Remus’ mum might be a muggle.
“Oh, she didn’t go to Hogwarts. She’s a muggle.” Remus said nervously. He realized this could be the end of his possible friendship with Peter.
“That’s odd,” Peter said. Remus must have let his worry show on his face as Peter quickly looked panicked. “Not in a bad way, in a good way. You know, witches and wizards don’t usually marry muggles. I mean, I’m fine with it. There’s nothing wrong with it, really. I’m not one of those wizards. I mean, I’m pure-blood but not THAT kind of pure-blood, you know?” Peter said all of this very fast. Remus got the sense he was not the only one worried about making friends.
“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Remus replied with a slight grin to lighten the mood. Peter gave a relieved smile back. “What about you, though? What house do you think you’ll be in?” Remus asked.
Peter took a breath. “Well, my family’s got a mix of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. My dad was in Ravenclaw, but my mom was in Hufflepuff. I’d be fine with any house, though, except for Slytherin. My Uncle Lee, he was in Hufflepuff, used to tell me how all Slytherins were evil. He stopped though, ’cause my Aunt Pamela got mad at him, but other people have said the same thing.”
Remus was relieved at the shared opinion towards Slytherin; his father must have been right. “Hey, maybe we’ll both be in Ravenclaw then,” Remus said with a light smile and laugh.
“Oh, if we are, you’ll have to help me with Transfiguration. I tried a few spells, and I’m rubbish at it.” Peter said with a grimace.
“Peter, I think you missed a crucial point. You have to learn the spells before you cast it. Kinda the entire point of Hogwarts, isn’t it?” Remus said with a laugh. Peter started laughing too, and Remus realized making friends wasn’t as difficult as he had worried.