First year- Twelve
Remus Lupin
Remus never thought in his twelve years of being on this earth he would be spending his birthday in a magic school, but here he is, the day before his birthday. He’s sitting in charms class, It's mental, he’s only known of magic because of his father; it has always seemed unreal to Remus . Like maybe he just made it up in his head when he was little, that he was a wizard and that he knew how to do all these cool things.
It felt comforting as a child to know there could be good to magic, that it wasn't all just bad, especially when the only experience he got of magic from when he was four to eleven was turning into a werewolf. Now that he can perform magic on his own , it seems light, like all those years of only seeing the bad side of magic, all fade away.
“Hiya Remus,” he hears someone say, and he snaps out of his thoughts. And there stands Mary Macdonald, setting her books next to him.
“Hiya,” he says back, Remus’s confusion as to why she is sitting next to him must be coating his voice.
Remus restrains himself from looking to the left of him where Sirius James and Peter sit.
“Nice day innit?” She says smiling sitting down.
Remus clears his throat, “Yes, very nice day” he answers , straightening his posture.
After a moment Lily Evans and Marlene Mckinnon sit down next to Mary.
“Hi, Mary,” Lily says.
“Hiya Lils, Hiya Marls,” Mary says joyfully,
Remus looks to his left, and James is sitting straight up looking at Lily, a light smile on his face.
“You guys got any plans this weekend,” Marlene asks the girls.
“I don't k-” Mary starts
“Remus’s birthday is tomorrow!” Sirius interrupts abruptly.
Remus widen his eyes at him “Sirius” he chokes out
“Oh my gosh, Remus?” Lily asks.
“Yes,” Remus Remus sits uncomfortably , forming his lips into a straight line.
“ooo, are you excited?” Marlene asks.
“I guess,” he shrugs trying to make himself seem nonchalant “it's just like any other birthday,” he adds flatly.
“Oh come on Remus, you've got to be at least a little bit excited,” Mary says.
“That's what I've been saying but he won't budge” james groans.
“Well, it's on a Friday so that you can party all night,” Marlene states.
“Right!” Sirius agrees.
“No offense guys, but I don't think I'm going to be partying all night on my twelfth birthday,” he answers poking at his breakfast .
“Oh, you're no fun,” Peter says.
“Yeah” James agrees.
“C’mon Remus, you only turn twelve once,” Sirius nudges my side.
“I don't know, what are we even going to do?” Remus questions.
“Well, we could play music, eat sweets, the whole nine yards. But you got to have a party to find out” Sirius insists, raising his eyebrows, waiting for him to agree.
“Okay, fine” he gives in.
“Yes! You will not regret this Remus lupin. This is going to be the best party you've ever been to” Sirius cheers.
“Oh my Merlin, you've got to have it in the common room” Marlene adds in.
“Yes, I like your thinking “ Sirius points to Marlene.
“Yeah, I get that a lot,” Marlene shrugs, nodding her head jokingly.
After classes are over, James Sirius and Peter tell remus to go do something away from the Gryffindor common room so they can plan a “Secret birthday party”.
he doesn’t think they understand how secrets work, but he decided to not spoil their fun.
Remus on his way to the library when a familiar cramp starts in his side. His hand instantly goes to the ache and a hiss of pain comes out through his gritted teeth. Remus has always had these random spasms of pain. That never seem to fully leave his body. Most of the time he tries just to walk it off but sometimes his body gives in and he has to do something about it.
But this honestly doesn't seem that bad, it's only a bit of pain. Remus thinks in his head.
He feels more soreness go to his side, and he sucks in a breath, grabbing a hold of the wall next to his in a frozen state.
Calm down, this isn't something new Remus. Just go to the infirmary to get some pain reliever or something.
When Remus gets to the infirmary he looks around to see if Madam Pomfrey is anywhere.
“Madam Pomfrey? Are you here?” He calls out it's Remus” he adds looking around the room. Then suddenly he sees her head pop out of her office.
“Oh hello, Remus, what are you doing here? the moon isn't for another couple of weeks' ' She furrows her eyebrows, inspecting remus for any injuries, a slight smile on her face as she stands up to come closer.
“Oh yeah I know, it's just my side hurts pretty bad and I just wanted to see if you had a pain reliever, or something, sorry for the random show-up,” he rambles nervously putting his hand on the back of his neck.
“Nonsense, you're welcome at any time Remus,” Pomfrey shakes her head. Walking over to remus with her medical bag. "So what seems to be the problem?” She asks softly.
"Well, my side hurts more than usual,” he answers.
“Can I take a look at it?” She asks.
Remus nods and lifts the left side of his shirt, exposing the skin where the pain is. He sees a deep scar covering his hip. He holds his breath trying to swallow down the lump in his throat
“Oh, dear “Promfrey gasps softly. “Here I have a potion for this. She turned her medical bag, grabbing out a tiny bottle with a blue-looking liquid in it.
“Drink this” She hands it to Remus “heads up it tastes a bit gross-” She starts as he gulps down the potion. His face immediately scrunching , Remus stretches his tongue out of my mouth like a dog. Trying to get rid of the taste.
“Gross” he exclaims.
Madam Pomfrey lets out a light laugh. “I tried to warn you”.
“Ugh that's disgusting” shivers running down his spine, the taste still lingering on his tongue.
A moment of silence passes between the two, before remus speaks again. “Thank you for helping me”
“Of course Remus” Madam Promfey smiles.
“Uh.” He start s nervously “ Madam Pomfrey?” He asks sheepishly. Tapping his shoes together
“Yes, Remus?” She furrowed her eyebrows worryingly.
“Is there any way you could get rid of my scars?” Remus asks, now looking down at his shoes.
“Oh, Remus” MadamPromfrey says softly. “I can't, I'm sorry, They can't be removed because they are causing me a magical creature, I am so sorry Remus”.
Remus feels sudden weight on his chest, he wasn't expecting anything to be fixed or for his scars to go away, but this just seems so suffocating.
“Oh,” remus croaks , pulling on the end of his shirt.
“Remus I'm so very sorry, If I could do anything I would,” Madam Pomfrey says gently.
“It's okay, I've got to go, Thank -” he swallows down the lump in his throat “Thank you, “ he repeats finally leaving.
He walks down the corridor aimlessly. He doesn’t even know If he’s crying or not, he feels like he is but doesn’t bother to figure it out.
remus bumps into someone slightly shorter than him. He goes to complain until the person comes into view, a redhead.
“I'm sorry, sorry,” She says rubbing her temple.”Remus?” She squints.
“Lily?” He furrows his brows.
“Are you okay, you seem upset” she analyzes Remus’s face face.
Remus sniffs, wiping the tears from his face with his sleeve, finally noticing the tears that have fallen down his face. “Yeah- yeah I'm fine,” he mumbles, embarrassment running through his body at the sound of his voice.
“Are you sure?” Lily asks gently, her eyebrows furrowed.
“Yeah” Remus forms his lips into a straight line.
“Y’know you can talk to me Remus,” Lily says, placing a hand on his arm.
Remus sniff again and nod “Okay” he looks down at his shoes, and lily puts her hand down. “Hey, could you not tell the boys about this?” Remus asks.
“Of course, Remus,” Lily smiles softly.
“Thank you” he mumbles again.
“Any time” She assures.
“Are you okay?” He asks
She shrugs, “I'm alright” she puts her lips into a straight line.
“Are you sure?” Remus questions
“Well,” She stops for a moment “Okay, so listen, ever since I've gotten here Severus has been different, it's like he's ashamed to be my friend of something” Lily confesses.
Remus wants to ask why she's even friends with him in the first place, but decides it’s not his place to ask.
“Yeah?” He raised his brows, motioning her to go on.
“Yeah, I know that his other friends don't like my kind. ‘Muggle born ’ but he's not like that, but he seems like he doesn't want them to know we’re friends.” She sighs.
“Oh, I'm sorry Lily” Remus says, trying to be comforting.
“It's alright, but it just sucks” She shrugs again. “ I guess I knew he turn into a little posh boy
Remus snorts a laugh.
“Your muggle born, right?” She questions.
“Well sort of, I'm a ‘half-blood’ . Remus mocks the term, putting air quotes as he says half-blood “But I didn't grow with magic, my dads a wizard but he doesn't live with me” he states
“Oh,” Lily nods.
“Yep”
"I'm sorry , about him not living with you," Lily says, frowning slightly. Her green eyes softened.
"It's okay I didn't even know him that well" remus shrug, forming his lips back into a straight line. His hand nervously goes up and down his arm.
"Where is the rest of your lot? aren't they usually attached at your hip” Lily giggles , changing the subject and he wants thank her for doing so.
“Well, they wanted to party ,” Remus laughs lightly.
“Right! Your birthday,” Lily raises her brows “ you excited?” Lily asks enthusiastically.
“Well I don't know, it's just another birthday” he shrugs.
“Well, you've got to be at least a little bit excited.” Lily smiles.
“Well, I'm more worried about what James Sirius and Peter have in store” he states..
“Well, that ought to be something” Lily snorts.
“Definitely “ he nods.
Lily snorts a laugh, her cheeks turning pink.
“Well, we should head back to the common room before curfew,” Lily says.
“Yeah, right” he agrees
The two walk back to the common room, talking about what they think the boys have in store for his birthday party.
When they walk through the door all of their friend's eyes go on them.
“Remus?” Sirius asks eyebrows raised and he looks at Lily and Remus than James. And James looks at Sirius.
Lily walks off to Mary and Marlene.
Remus walks up to Sirius James and Peter. Who is sitting on the couch?
“Hey Remus, you will not believe what we have planned for” Peter States excitedly.
“Pete, you can't tell him! That ruins the surprise” Sirius Exclaims.
He raises his eyebrows and holds back a laugh.
“Anyways what have you been up to Remus” Sirius wiggles his eyebrows.
Remus shrugs “Library” he decides to not tell the truth, about the infirmary.
“Yeah, with a certain someone” Sirius grins.
“Hush , we just bumped into each other in the hall” Remus scoffs.
“Mhm,” Sirius winks.
“Stop that Sirius, why are you winking” he swats his arm.
“No reason” Sirius snorts. "Well, we've gotta get a move on, birthday boy” Sirius changes the subject. Sitting up from the sofa
“It's not even my birthday yet” Remus groans.
“Well, I know that, Midnights not for another couple of hours.” Sirius sneers.
“Ooo yay I love when we stay up late” Peter claps his hands.
“See Peters In the celebrating spirit.” Sirius points his hand to Peter, and tilts his head to the side.
About an hour or so later theyre still in the common room, it's basically empty. Only their group, Lily, Mary, Marlene, Frank and Alice, and a couple of people a couple of years older haven't yet learned the names of.
Remus sits on the common-room floor playing chess with Peter, and he’s yet to beat him.
“You're never going to beat me at chess, Remus Lupin” Peter taunts winning another round.
“I give up” remus flops his arms to the ground.
“I would say you owe me a chocolate frog, but you're the birthday boy so ill let it slide” Peter smiles laughing lightly.
“I appreciate it Pete” he snorts a laugh.
“Alright, attention everyone! “ Sirius says, standing up on the sofa.
James starts clinking a cup with a pencil, to get everyone's attention.
“Thank you, James” Sirius smiles “Okay it is now ten o’clock which means two more hours until Remus’s birthday” Sirius does jazz hands.
“I'm serious you need to stop making a big deal out of this, it's just a birthday,” he sighs annoyed, glaring at Sirius
“Well, first of all, I'm pretty sure I'm Sirius “ Sirius starts
“I swear to god” Remus mumbles, putting a hand to his temple.
“And second of all, what do you mean ‘just a birthday ’” he quotes Remus
“I mean I'm going to have plenty, calm down,” he says, widening his eyes at James
“Well if you're going to have plenty,you might as well make them count” James says.
“Yeah!” a voice behind them agrees, turn around to see an Alice Forstcue with hands pretend cheering.
“I like the attitude ” james points to her.
“Thank you” She smiles “Look I don't know you lot very much, but I agree with him, you might as well make it count, what are you turning twelve?” She looks at Remus and he nods.
“Well you're only going to turn twelve once, I turned twelve last year, and it came and went, so you should have fun” She smiles at me.
“I agree,” A Frank Longbottom nods next to her.
“Ooo We can celebrate here, In the common-room” Alice claps her hands together.
“That's what I said!” Marlene pops into the conversation.
Remus is getting overwhelmed by all the people that are interested in his birthday. And the fact that he doesn't know half of these people that much , is overwhelming him even more
“Yes we need a Party plan” Mary adds on.
“Hey, hey, hey” Sirius starts “girls, I like the enthusiasm and I understand that you are very interested in Remus’s birthday, but please let his best friends decide on what we're going to do” Sirius looks around to all the people not invested into the conversation.
“Sirius, pst,” remus whispers to him rushingly.
“Hm?” He hums, leaning a bit forward to hear him better
“Stop making such a big deal out of this” h talks through his teeth.
“Please” Sirius makes puppy dog eyes,
“No,” Remus insists
“C’mon Remus, just this one birthday party, Please just one” He points up one finger as he continues “ I won't make a big deal next year” He pleads.
“Okay fine, fine! But small, nothing big Sirius, you hear me"
Sirius nods excitedly.
“Look I know I’ve talked to you kids like a couple of times” Frank starts.
“Kids? You're literally a year older than us” Marlene says mockingly.
“Well yeah, but I'm still older” Frank shrugs, scrunching up his face.”
"Whatever helps you sleep at night frank" Marlene laughs.
“But you “ he points to Remus “ you should enjoy your birthday kid, no use in not “ remus pulls his eyes away from Frank, looking down to his shoes not responding.
”I'm knackered, I'm going to bed" lily yawns.
everyone else agrees that they're tired too. So the girls all go to their dorms and Frank goes to his dorm with his years.
Remus start heading towards his dorm when suddenly someone grabs onto my arm Remus turns to see Sirius pulling on his arm James and Peter shortly behind him.
“Yes?” He questions,
“Come on, we got to show you something,” Sirius says, pulling on Remus’s arm even more.
“What?” Remus questions
“Come on, please,” Sirius asks.
Remus look at him then to James and Peter “Fine, “ he agrees “where are we going?”
“Its a surprise, James, do you have to I.C” Sirius wiggles his eyebrows.
“Yep!” James pipes up.
“Amazing, Peter you have the -” Sirius starts, and then Peter interrupts.
“Yep,” Peter nods excitedly.
“Fantastique” Sirius says, french lacing his voice, and something about it twists up my stomach. Remus can’t put his finger on why .
“Okay come on birthday boy, we've got a surprise for you” Sirius pulls remus by the arm , his fingers intertwining with Remus’s . and he puts the invisibility cloak over our head.
They walk out into the hall, they all look left to right for anyone in unison.
“Where are we going? '' remus repeats.
“You'll see,” Sirius whispers back, squeezing his hand.
They continue walking for a while they reach the bridge.
“What are we doing here?” Remus questions
“It's your birthday present!” Peter cheers.
“What is it exactly?” Remus furrows his brows.
They the invisibility cloak off themselves.
sirius looks down to their held hands, immediately pulling his hand away. Which makes Remus’s stomach twist up again, and he still can’t figure out why.
“Well we've been studying, this new spell as a birthday suprise” Peter confesses.
“You guys studying? And I didn't force you” remus chuckle lightly.
“Hush” Peter continues “hey! We study” James defends.
He laughs again, and Peter glares at Remus “Sorry, I’m sorry , continue “ Remus wipes under his eye, calming down his laughs.
“We were studying , a cool spell you're going to love!” Peter exclaims. Grabbing his wand out of his pocket. He takes a deep breath.
Remus is sure his face is making a very confused look right now, but he’s too focused on what's about to happen.
”we had to do it out here because we didn’t want to set the dorm on fire-“ Sirius states, earning a elbow to the side from James.
”fire? What?” Remus widens his eyes. Sirius widens his eyes teasingly, Remus shoots a glare at him.
“Please work” Peter says through his teeth. His mumbles a spell at a bunch of sparks shoot from his wand.
Remus gasps in shock.
“I did it! Did you guys see that!” Peter exclaims jumping up and down.
“That was brilliant! Pete!” James claps smiling ear to ear.
“Oh! Wicked Pete, that was wicked!” Sirius jumps up clapping his hands together rapidly.
“Well? What'd you think Remus” Peter asks, raising his eyebrows.
“that- that was ” Remus breathes out unable to form words. “extraordinary!” He laughs
“Really?” Peter cheers up smiling instantly.
“Really!” I reassure.
Peter shrugs “well, I wanted to do something special for your birthday”
Remus’s heart melts from this. Never would he have thought this would happen, that someone of his sort could have such caring friends. He never thought he’d even make any friends in the first place.
“Happy birthday mate” James slings an arm around Remus.
“Happy birthday Remus!” Sirius says excitedly, bringing his hand to Remus's hair and ruffeling it up.
Remus swats his hand away . Pushing himself out of James’s arm.
“Thank you guys really, this means a lot” Remus half smiles, trying to keep the lump in his throat from staying down.
“Awe Remus” Sirius puts a hand to his chest “Are you touched?” Sirius awes.
“You're ruining the moment Sirius” remus squints .
“How many birthdays do you think Dumbledore has been to?” Sirius asks clearly, holding in a laugh.
“One hundred twelve?” Peter questions.
“Probably more than that” James adds
They all laugh.
***
The boys go back to the dorm and after a while they all head to their beds, but remus stay up with his book, keeping his bedside table light on.
Remus sees Sirius light turn on. “Pstt, Remus” He whispers.
“What?” He whispers back.
“Are you awake?” He asks, remus almost laugh.
“No, I'm just responding unconsciously,” he replies sarcastically.
“What?” He asks.
"Never mind, what is it?” He asks
Sirius hops out of bed and Remus places his book down and leans his head towards the left. To get a better look at Sirius
Sirius comes up to the side of his bed remus furrows his brows..
“I've got something for you,” Sirius says nervously looking down at his shoes and his hands behind his back.
Remus sits up more in his bed and Sirius looks up ,the two boys eyes locking. His grey eyes looking into Remus and his face is turning a crimson color.
“ alright?” Remus asks genuinely.
Sirius immediately clears his throat, “Oh yeah, fine” he looks away, pulling his arms slowly in front of him. Revealing what he had behind his back and its chocolate. A smiles instantly forms on Remus’s face
“I uh got you chocolate, you always get it when we go to honeydukes and I just wanted to grab you some” Sirius says bringing three chocolate bars toward him.
Remus grabs them from him, it's a plain dark chocolate bar, a caramel one, and milk chocolate.
“Thank you, Sirius, this means a lot to me,” he whispers holding the chocolate bars close to him.
“Really?” Sirius's face brightens up. “Yeah” remus reassures . Sirius smiles widely. “I didn't know what kind was your favorite so I grabbed them all” Sirius adds rambling.
Remus smile widens . “I like them all" Remus looks down to the chocolate then back to Sirius "Really Sirius, thank you”.
“Of course Remus, we’re friends” Sirius locks eyes with Remus again, but all of his nervousness has now washed away, and his face holds a genuine smile across his face, and his eyes are soft.
“Friends” Remus repeats..
“Well goodnight Remus,” Sirius says, turning around to walk back to his bed.
“Wait Sirius” Remus whisper shouts , Sirius stops in his place and turns around.
“Yeah?” Sirius questions.
“Do we still have to have a party tomorrow? I mean we had tonight was, well ,amazing, and that's really the only gift I need” remus smiles lightly.
Sirius hitches a breath “Yeah?” He asks again his voice shudders. “Yeah” remus reassures
. “Then we won't have a party, it's up to you, it's your day and I'm not going to drag you along to something you do want to do” Sirius rambles.
“Thank you,” Remus whispers . Sirius nods, going to walk away “We can have a party next year “ Remus suggest .
“Really?” Sirius's face lights up again, and Remus nods “yes! okay goodnight ,now” Sirius says smiling excitedly. “Goodnight,” Remus can’t help but smile back.
After Sirius walks back to his bed turning off his light, Remus does the same and falls asleep.
***
Remus wakes up in the morning and gies to breakfast and Lily Mary Marlene and Alice all say happy birthday to him and he thanks them politely.
Next thing he knows Sirius, James, and Peter are sitting up on the bench at the table.
Oh for fucks sake.
James clears his throat. “A-hem, attention everyone, today is this person's birthday” James pointed down to Remus.
“Jesus” Remus sighs into his hand.
Everyones attention at the Gryffindor table flies to Remus, making him want to swallow himself while.
“Now everyone I would like to all sing happy birthday, here we'll start “ James declares Looking to Sirius and Peter and then back to Remus
“Happy birthday to you!” The boys all collectively start singing.
And the rest of the table joins in.
"“Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday dear Remus,
Happy birthday to you!"
Cheering at the end of the song, he feel his face burning up and James, Peter and Sirius all sit back down. Still giggling from all the excitement.
And I have my hand covering my face to not show my bright red face.
"You guys are so embarrassing" Remus says through his hands,
"Awe, see, he does love us " James laughs and Sirius and Peter laugh along with him.
"Happy birthday mate" James Pat's my back.
"Happy birthday Remus!" Peter claps his hands.
"Happy happy birthday, Remus” Sirius smiles.