Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series, or any characters except for those I make up like Annalee Abbott (thought JKR does own the Abbotts in general). I also do not own Monster by Imagine Dragons. Some spells will be mine but none in this chapter. All spells in this chapter are from JKR or Harry Potter wikia. Some of the description for things are hers as well (the hall, McGonagall's speech).

This chapter is long but the next two will most likely not be this long (this chapter was a hundred short of nine thousand words).

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS FANFICTION:

-Jily eventually

-Marauder friendship (yes, including Pettigrew)

-Snape and James fighting

-Dark Arts Snape (I don't really like Snape, nor do I think James or Lily drove him to join Voldemort)

-The rising of Voldemort (not sure if I'll have Voldemort himself yet).

-Pranks

-Smart Sirius and James (does anyone get annoyed when people make them seem like idiots? I mean McGonagall herself said they were exceedingly bright.)

-Mischievous Remus (he will be smart, but I feel like some fanfics make him seem too book-centered, yes he cared about his grades, but he's still a Marauder)

-Silly (or not so silly) James and Lily interactions

-Sirius and Regulus

-Lily and Petunia

-The animagus process

-Fun Lily (same reason as Remus. Lily in a lot of fanfics I've read is usually too book-centered or seems like a total loner with no friends. In the OotP flashback she was with a group of girls who I assume were her friends, plus she tells Snape her friends don't know why she's even talks to him).

-How the rest of the Marauders and Lily find out about Moony (Lily will not find out before the Marauders, I hate the movie quote by Remus because it made it seem like the Marauders weren't supportive like no! I haven't decided when I'll have her find out yet but I'm debating between _ year or _).

-The falling out of Snape and Lily (I don't mean the flashback from DH and OotP, I just think that him calling her that was just the last straw).

-Neither Sirius nor Remus will be falling in love with anyone. A) because Remus refers to Sirius as a ladies' man on Pottermore B) on Pottermore it says Remus had never been in love before Tonks. I will, however, probably give him a girlfriend at one point.

-and more!

WHAT NOT TO EXPECT:

-the Marauders not liking and mistreating Peter at every second (I hate the guy, but James and Sirius wouldn't be friends with someone if they didn't like the person)

-Peter being completely talentless (he was a bleeding animagus, even if he had help he still did it, he can't have been bad at everything).

-James shagging every bleeding girl in the bloody school (I really hate this because I don't think Lily would ever fall for a guy like that.)

-James asking Lily Evans out every day (one, that is creepy and again Lily wouldn't go out with someone like that. Two, I can't see James taking rejection like that everyday and still being arrogant.)

-James being a bully for the sole reason of being an arse (except with Snape maybe, but neither are innocent).

READ AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS.

Also, this chapter is primarily about Remus, from the beginning of his life basically until his first day at Hogwarts. Enjoy!

—

"Monster," Imagine Dragons

—

This is the story of children who became soldiers in a war they didn't start. The story of children paying for their parents' mistakes. The story of how two boys loved one girl. The story of four friends. The story of two sisters and two brothers, and what drove them apart. The story of friendship and love and heartbreak and mischief managed. This is the story of Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. The Story of Snape and Lily, Lily and James and how their story unfolded before the Chosen One. This is the story of before "the-boy-who-lived," lived.

—

Lyall Lupin had everything a man his age could ever hope for—a loving wife and son. His son was everything he could have wished for and more, having just turned four, Remus had been displaying extraordinary accidental magic for the past several months.

"Dad!" Remus ran towards him. "Come see what I did to mam!" Remus took his hand dragging him to see his wife. The site of her made him burst into laughter. Remus had not only turned her hair neon green but also managed to make it spiky.

"Hello, love, lovely color don't you think?" Remus grinned, "It almost matches her eyes."

Hope attempted to glare but cracked a smile. "Be a dear and change it back, please."

Lyall Lupin flicked his wand at her, shooting a white light. "There as good as new."

"I'm so proud of our little wizard. It won't be long before he's at Hogwarts," Hope said tearfully, sitting Remus on her lap.

"A Gryffindor at heart," Lyall said smiling down at them.

"I don't know," she smiled back at him. "From what you described, I can see him being a Ravenclaw."

"What if I'm neither," Remus asked.

"It doesn't matter, son, we'll love you either way."

—

"How was work today?" Hope Lupin asked her husband one night after putting their son to bed.

"Well, I suppose. I was asked to join the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures today. I accepted." He told her. "They're overloaded with cases of Dark Creatures and thought I'd be well suited for the job considering my work with Non-Human Spiritous Apparitions."

"Is it dangerous?" She wondered.

"No more than hunting boggarts," he grinned remembering how they met. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

"I love you,"

"I love you too," he said, kissing her briefly.

—

Lyall had been working in his department for months now and he had yet to encounter a werewolf. Until now. There had been multiple attacks that seemed linked to them, but they usually brought in confused muggles (if anything). Fenrir Greyback was different, he could tell. His jaw was slightly clenched, and his body was tense—possible agitation from the upcoming full moon. He was extremely pale as if he were ill. The others hadn't noticed yet, he claimed to be a muggle tramp—that would account for his ill look.

It was hard to tell who the real werewolves were from the fake, the Werewolf Registry was badly maintained nowadays and those who had been infected with the disease tended to live in packs and avoid detection in order to remain unregistered. Greyback was here after being sighted hours after the deaths of two muggle children—the children appeared to had died from a dog attack, but the wizarding community knew better—near the scene of the crime. He denied everything and pretended to be shocked at the existence of wizards.

"Poor children," uttered Greyback, "Do you have any leads?" He looked horrified at the talk of the children, that mixed with his filthy muggle clothes and lack of wand convinced two of the interrogators of his story, yet Lyall still suggested keeping him until the full moon the following day.

"Lyall, you stick to Welsh Boggarts, that's what you're good at." He was ridiculed by his fellow co-workers while Greyback sat there quietly. Lyall was angry by their ridicule and ignorance of the beast, he described werewolves as "soulless, evil, deserving nothing but death," causing him to be ordered out the room.

—

On the sixteenth of February, young Remus Lupin's life would change forever. Unknown to him, Fenrir Greyback would exact his revenge upon Lyall that night as Remus slept peacefully after another long day of playing with his mum. Fenrir quietly forced open Remus's window and waited for his transformation to complete. When he transformed, he sprung upon the child, clawing at his back and biting his neck. Remus screamed loudly at the feeling of something clawing at him.

Remus fell off his bed and came face to face with the beast that would forever haunt him. Was it a big dog? The beast had a wild look to it, as if it was glad.

Lyall came through the door shouting spells to get the beast away from his son.

"Expulso!" He shouted, his wand pointed at the mutt. The spells became stronger until the animal jumped out the window. Lyall closed the window and uttered protection spells to keep them safe. He looked back to his son and saw his wife (when did she get here?) hugging a barely conscious child.

Lyall rushed to Remus's side and began chanting healing spells, it wasn't enough. Lyall rushed to his study to grab potions and potion ingredients he kept for emergencies. After mixing powdered silver with dittany, he applied it to Remus neck to seal his bite; he attempted to use it to heal the scars, but they wouldn't heal. Remus Lupin would forever wear those scars on his back because of him.

Lyall focused on the fact that his son was alive. He could not let his guilt over Greyback (for what other werewolf would have have any reason to sneak into his house and touch his son?) just yet—he'd have time for guilt later—but right now, Remus needed him.

Lyall focused on getting Remus's blood loss under control by giving him a bit of a Blood-Replenishing Potion every hour for the next several hours. Remus slept in his parents' bed that night. Lyall and Hope Lupin didn't sleep that night. They knew what was to occur; Remus John Lupin would be a werewolf. Lyall Lupin was filled with grief at the fate he had convicted his son to, he regretted the day that he voiced his—and the wizarding community's—opinion on werewolves in Greyback's presence, but he would do anything in his power to help his son overcome this. This was Lyall's fault, after all.

—

Remus's first transformation occurred a week after his fifth birthday. His parents locked him in the basement, protected with enchantments and silencing spells to prevent Remus from escaping or neighbors from stopping by. His parents waited outside the door.

The werewolf was confused. Where was he, it wondered. He could smell human flesh just outside the door, yet he could not escape. The pup was hungry; he began to whimper after an hour of trying to escape. It needed flesh, there was no flesh in the room, no flesh but himself. With that thought he began to bite himself, it didn't taste as good as human flesh surely would, but it would suffice.

Hours went by until he transformed back. Remus lied on the basement floor, half-asleep when he heard the voice of his mother, "Remy, dear?"

"Mam?" His voice was just above a whisper. His mother and father came in a minute or so, they had tears running down their faces. "I'm sorry," He whispered to his parents.

"It's not your fault, son," His father said as he carefully picked his son off the cold floor and carried him up to his bedroom to patch him up.

—

Months and moons passed by quickly, the Lupins had moved houses multiple times as a result of Remus's transformations. In muggle towns and villages, the families grew suspicious that the poor Lupin boy was being abused by his parents. Remus Lupin frequently sported bruises and scratches on his body from banging on objects while attempting to escape his prison. He avoided people and was always on alert as if expecting something bad to occur, the idea of him being abused wasn't as absurd as one would think but it was by his werewolf self. Wizarding folks were more dangerous to the Lupin's secret, they were the ones who suspected the truth as Remus disappeared once a month and his ill appearance as the full moon approached.

Remus was used to the moving (he felt bad for his mother and father, it wasn't their faults he was a werewolf). He was used to people's stares. He, however, could never get used to not being allowed to play with other children. He knew not to complain to his parents after the first time he asked.

"Mam? Dad?"

"Yes, Rem?" His father asked as he sat writing in his journal. He often wrote about his adventures with whatever creature he had encountered that day.

"May I go play outside with the other lads?" His voice was almost pleading. After spending all week inside recovering from his transformation (or the flu as the muggle neighbors assumed), he was desperate for some time outside with others his age—something he'd never been allowed.

His father's face showed a mixture of agony and guilt. "I'm sorry, Remus, but you can't play with the other children."

"Why not?" He asked sadly.

"It's dangerous, Rem, if someone were to find out about your, er, condition." He hesitated, "They wouldn't understand, son. You're our clever little boy, and our job is to keep you safe."

"Okay," He said sadly before retreating to his room to sulk for the day.

He hasn't dared make another request to his parents after that day.

—

Lyall Lupin tried everything he could to find a cure for his son. Years and galleons spent searching for a cure that most likely didn't exist—not to mention the secret potions and charms. Lyall worked morning to early evenings (to suddenly quit working at the ministry and disappear would certainly raise suspicion) and spent most of his nights teaching Remus simple spells and telling him how to identify certain creatures.

"Fumos," He uttered as a cloud of dark grey smoke appeared. "It can be used if you ever need to make a quick escape, but it doesn't last long. But it lasts long to cast another spell to help you escape or to distract your enemy while you hex them."

Remus grinned at his father as he eyed Lyall's wand. "When do I get my own wand?"

Lyall smiled gently, "Rem, you're only seven. I've told you, you can get your own wand once you're eleven."

"When I go to Hogwarts?" He asked with his childlike innocence. Lyall had been wrong about werewolves. He had been scared once Remus had been inflicted with his condition that he wouldn't be the same boy, but Remus remained as lovable and clever as before. It was never the condition that caused certain werewolves to become cruel but people's attitude toward them and their own bitterness. Remus wasn't like that and would never be like that, he told himself.

"I'm not sure that's wise. Professor Dippet, the Headmaster, may not be able to make the accommodations necessary for you." He lied. Dippet valued his students' safety and a werewolf would surely endanger them.

"Oh…" He was quiet for a moment. "But I still get a wand, right?"

His father smiled sadly, "Of course, son. I promise."

The older Remus became, the more Lyall and Hope worried and feared for their family. Remus's werewolf form was strong enough now to pound down doors and smash windows; they had to move him to a shed miles from home in order to hide him. He never complained; their son was everything they could have hoped for but because of his condition he would be an outcast, a monster to the ignorant. Remus wouldn't be able to go to Hogwarts—surely Dumbledore wouldn't want Remus anymore than Dippet would—as his parents had once dreamed he would, so Lyall Lupin continued to teach his son things he should be learning in Hogwarts.

"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces, Rem, wardrobes, the cupboards under sinks, but they can also be seen in the woods or dark corners. They take on the form of what they think frightens us the most." He paused to think over his next words, "They're born out of human emotions, like poltergeists and dementors—although unlike the other two, no one really knows what a boggart's true form looks like. Do you know how to get rid of a boggart?"

"You ask them nicely?" He said innocently. Lyall laughed.

"Not quiet, son. It's best to have company when dealing with one, that's your first lesson. The charm that I'm about to teach you is quite easy, but it requires some imagination. You see, the thing that really finishes it off is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find comical. The charm is Riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus?" Remus found the spell quite amusing. "I see."

"Now, your mother's been hearing a noise coming from the grandfather clock, so we're going to check it out."

Remus stood up to follow his father into the lounge.

He heard a rattling sound coming from the mahogany clock in the corner of the room. "So, Remus, when I open the door on the clock, the boggart will appear. You mustn't be scared when facing it, you must remember that whatever you see is not real." Lyall handed Remus his wand, "It won't work as well as your own, but It'll do."

Remus nodded, eager to face his first boggart. Once the boggart was in his presence it looked big, like a dog. Remus knew what it really was though, he wasn't four anymore. The dog in front of him was a werewolf—was it him? It looked vicious and hungry. Did he look like this?

"Riddikulus!" Remus screamed. It didn't work. Remus tried the spell a few more times, the wolf stayed back—maybe it knew what he was. Suddenly, the werewolf found its legs tied up as it tried to hop around. To top it off, he wasn't too pleased about the party hat on his head. The werewolf looked kind of cute when it wasn't trying to be mean. Remus giggled, his father gave a faint chuckle.

"Hand over the wand, Rem." He walked over and gave it to his father while the boggart was still distracted. What he saw next wasn't quite what Remus expected his father, the same father who fought off boggarts weekly if not daily to be afraid of. His boggart was Remus—it wasn't even werewolf Remus.

"This is your fault!" The other Remus screamed. "You're the reason I'll never have a normal life!" He turned to look at his father, he was looked ill. His normally vivid blue eyes looked dim.

"Dad?" Remus questioned lightly.

"Riddikulus!" His father yelled as loud as he could. Imposter Remus grew bunny ears from his head and rode a unicycle. Remus began laughing loudly with his dad chiming in, he thought his father was brilliant.

When Remus finally fell silent something occurred to him, "Dad what did the boggart mean? What is your fault? And what does it have to do with me living a normal life?"

Lyall Lupin felt as if he was still facing his boggart. Remus will hate him once the truth is out. Lyall couldn't keep this from him forever, and Remus trusted his father to be honest with him. The time for the truth has finally come.

"This is more of a tea and biscuits discussion, Rem." He paused for another moment, "Come on, I think your mom made the chocolate chip ones you like."

Remus listened to his father as he told him the story of how he had offended Fenrir Greyback, it hurt Remus to hear how his father feels (or had felt) about what he was, but he continued to listen, occasionally nibbling on a biscuit. "I know it's not true anymore, what I originally thought. I was a berk to think that, but you must understand that all I've ever heard about werewolves is that they killed people or changed them. But that's no excuse. I'm sorry, Remy, it's all my fault. My fault you don't have friends. My fault you can't go to Hogwarts. My fault if you're isolated from our community. It's alright if you blame me."

Remus thought out his next words carefully, "I don't blame you, dad, I love you. You weren't the one who killed the muggle children, you weren't the one who turned me into a werewolf, you weren't the one who likes doing this to children. You probably shouldn't have insulted Greyback, but my, er, condition isn't your fault. You shouldn't feel guilty, I'd never hold it against you. You and mum do so much for me, sure I'd like to have friends my age and go to Hogwarts, but at least I'm loved and cared for." Remus didn't want to tell his father that he used to feel bad for the werewolf that bit him because he thought it had no choice.

—

Months passed by slowly for the youngest Lupin, but before he knew it, he'd be turning eleven in a month. Another big change occurred for Remus that month. On the fifth day of February, Albus Dumbledore—the current Headmaster at Hogwarts—arrived on the Lupins' doorstep uninvited. Hope and Lyall Lupin feared their secret was finally out. They became flustered as they attempted to get Professor Dumbledore to leave.

"It's not a good time, Professor. We were just heading out." Lyall blurted out as he positioned himself in front of the door, blocking Dumbledore.

Yet five minutes later he sat with Remus by the fireside enjoying one of the crumpets the young lad had offered him as Remus set up the Gobstones set his father had bought him and chatting amiably with the weird professor in front of him.

"Professor, what are you doing here?" Lyall finally asked after moments of watching his son and the Headmaster play.

"I became aware of young Remus' condition quite some time ago, Lyall." Dumbledore looked at Remus with a sad smile on his face. "You see, Fenrir Greyback seemed to have enjoyed gloating over his activities with children and seemed to think turning your son was quite the conquest. Fortunately, I have my own sources amongst the werewolves."

"That's all very well, Professor, but what does this have to do with why you're here?" Lyall paled for a moment, "You aren't reporting us for not registering him, are you?"

"You misunderstand my intentions, Lyall." He chuckled. "I am here to offer Remus a place at Hogwarts."

The room grew quiet. Remus himself was quite shocked. Was the Headmaster serious? His father, however, was the one to voice his question. "Are you being serious," His father asked before quickly adding, "Headmaster?" to make up for his outburst.

"I am quite serious, I see no reason why Remus should not be allowed to attend Hogwarts. I have arranged for there to be a secure place for Remus to transform by the time September arrives." He then began to explain to the Lupins about the Willow tree and the tunnel to an enchanted house in Hogsmeade. "Madam Pomfrey will escort him out every full moon before his transformation and bring him back the morning after." There was a faint smile on his face as he saw Remus' intense gaze. "I guarantee you, Remus will be as safe at Hogwarts as he is here during his transformations, maybe even more so. There will be no more moving away as I've heard you've done plenty these past few years."

"His secret needs to be kept safe, people wouldn't understand." Lyall pleaded with Dumbledore.

"And it will be, for Remus' sake. I was not suggesting that he broadcast it. But he needs to be able to interact with other children his age, otherwise, Greyback has succeeded in what he meant to do. He wants his victims to be outcast, but it matters not what someone is, but what they grow to be."

"So I can have mates?" Remus uttered in excitement.

"Of course, as many as you desire." There was a twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes as he watched the young child. "But pick wisely. People aren't always what they seem." He got up from his place and stood up to leave. "I must get going, I have business to attend to, an owl will be arriving sometime in July. Good day, Lupins."

"I'm going to Hogwarts." He said in awe, not noticing when Dumbledore left.

—

Remus very much enjoyed exploring Diagon Alley. Madam Malkin was a very friendly lady who chatted away with Remus's mother as she took his measurements and adjusted his robes. Remus stood as still as any child possibly could—which really meant he was becoming impatient—until she declared herself finished with him. Once he collected the dragon hide gloves, a winter cloak, and a pointed hat, he walked up to the register to pay for his clothes. He handed Madam Malkin a handful of Galleons and waited very patiently for his change before taking his bag and saying a brief—but polite— "thank you."

Hope rambled on about how dashing Remus looked in his school robes, fussing over how pale he looks. He laughed, "Of course I am, mam,"

"I'm going to miss you, but I am so happy for you," She pulled him into a tight hug, "I love you so much, Remy."

"I love you too, mam, but you still have me for another month." He hugged her back before pulling away and leading her to the ice cream parlour.

His father was sitting already sitting at a table waiting for them with bowls of ice cream. "Hello, honey, Rem. How did it go?"

"It was splendid, love." She began explaining to him all about the latest wizarding styles Madam Malkin was telling her about as Remus took bites of his dessert. His father laughed at her rambling, "Darling, you don't even wear robes."

"But if I did, I would look lovely." He agreed as they ate their ice cream. It was good to see his parents happy.

After another hour of shopping, Remus was dead on his feet. Although he enjoyed seeing the interesting ingredients Mr. Mulpepper had to offer, he could do without the smell of bad eggs and rotten cabbages. Remus was glad all that was left to buy was his wand, his father promised him a few surprises and a lunch in The Leaky Cauldron after.

Remus found himself entering an old and narrow shop with the words, "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C." in faded gold.

Remus' dad was almost glowing as they entered the place—it was like he was getting his first wand. Remus probably looked the same.

The shop was tiny, with not much in the shop besides the wands (as one would expect) and a spindly chair in the corner.

Mr. Ollivander looked up as they entered the shop. He was an old man with wide, pale eyes. He looked like he could tell you the secrets of the universe.

"Lyall Lupin, nine and a half inches, dragon heartstring, Hawthorn." Ollivander said looking at his father reminiscently. "It feels like you were in here just yesterday."

"Hello, Mr. Ollivander. This is my wife—Hope." Father said briefly. "Remus here is starting his first year at Hogwarts this September."

"Let us find a wand for him then. Or the opposite, I suppose—the wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Lupin."

Remus tried a variety of wands from a swishy ten and a quarter inches, willow with a dragon heartstring core to a pliable mahogany, eleven inches with a unicorn core. Finally, the one that worked for Remus was a ten and a quarter inches, pliable, wand made of cypress with a unicorn core.

Remus kept flicking it and accidentally making boxes fall, Mr. Ollivander didn't seem to mind—he looked delighted in fact.

One of his father's surprises ended up being a baby, golden Persian cat from the Magical Menagerie. The cat was an eight part kneazle, and his tail looked like a lion's. He decide to name him Leo.

—

September first came as fast as ever, Remus was extremely excited as he approached his parents who were ready to apparate to King's Cross. It was ten past ten, but Remus wanted to get there early to find a compartment even if he was a bit pale from the approaching full moon.

After walking between the barrier of platforms nine and ten, Remus stood chatting with his parents as he watched other children—potential mates—with their parents and examined the area. Where the ticket box had once been was a wrought-iron archway with the words platform nine and three-quarters. After twenty minutes of his parents saying how proud they were of Remus and helping him lift his trunk onto the train, Remus said a goodbye to his parents before parting ways with a final hug. He noticed a few older kids pass him wearing badges with P's but they varied with gold and red, blue and bronze, yellow and black, and green and silver. Remus sat in an empty compartment by himself for a while hoping for company, the thought of having friends made Remus feel giddy. Eventually, another boy came and sat with him, but he took one look at Remus and gave him a look as if he were dirt. Remus turned his attention back to his cat and played with him. He began to wonder if maybe it wouldn't be so easy to make friends.

Thirty minutes passed before a girl and boy came into his compartment steaming. The girl was pretty with dark red hair and green eyes. The boy looked like he'd very much wanted to leave. His sallow complexion and dark oily hair gave the impression of someone badly taken care of, his black eyes reminded Remus of a picture he had seen in his father's books—the picture of a dementor.

The girl spoke first, "Hello," her voice was quiet but confident. "I'm Lily, and this is my friend Severus." She gestured towards the bloke standing next to her, giving him a look that said Remus shouldn't be allowed in their presence. "May we sit with you?"

"Of course, I'm Remus Lupin," he said politely. His cat poked its head out from his hiding spot under Remus's seat. It came out and sprung itself at the boy called Severus. He tried kicking Leo as the girl tried stopping him, "Severus, don't kick it!"

"Leo, stop that!" Remus said as he pried the cat off of him. The boy glared at him, "Let's go, Lily."

Lily, however, was busy babying the cat. "Leo did you say?" She petted Leo adoringly. "What kind of cat is he? I've never seen one with that kind of tail."

"He's a Persian Cat, and he's an eight part kneazle."

"Kneazle?" She questioned.

"You're a muggle-born?" He asked quite politely, she nodded. "They are very quite intelligent creatures, appearance-wise, they are a bit like cats. They have big ears, lion-like tails, and have spotted fur. They mate with cats, but even part-kneazles can detect suspicious people." He glanced briefly at Severus.

"Severus isn't suspicious," She stated in a defiant tone.

"I did not mean to offend you, Lily. I mean maybe the babies are not as intuitive."

She still seemed out off. "I'll see you around, Remus," she uttered before walking out of the compartment with Severus who sneered at him.

—

Remus hurried over to the boats and stopped in front of one with two black haired boys who were attempting to throw each other off the boats. Remus wondered if he was making the right discussion but shrugged, they couldn't possibly be worse than the kids who he had already met. "May I join you, lads?" He asked as politely as he could.

"Of course, hop in," The boy who spoke had untidy black hair that stuck up at the back and hazel eyes that shined with a mischievous glint. "I'm James Potter," He said and resumed his attempt at shoving the boy off. "This goofball is Sirius, but he won't tell me his last name. Says it's a surprise, you know." Remus eyed the other boy who laughed. Sirius's hair although similar to James's in color was far more elegant, although the length should have made him look a bit odd, it suited him. His eyes were grey and seemed to hold determination, bitterness, and—like James's —a bit of mischief.

"My name is Remus Lupin." He managed to say. The hazel-eyed boy intimidated him a bit. It wasn't in a bad way, but rather in a way one would feel in the presence of someone they knew to be good at everything, someone you could never live up to.

James finally managed to push Sirius in only to be pulled down along with them. They roared with laughter as Remus tried to pull them back up. He saw Lily turn to glare at them. Maybe she holds grudges a bit too close to her heart?

He finally managed to pull James and Sirius up from holding on to the boat (he had suspected they were trying to drag him down too, but he didn't mind—they were the first ones not to glare or sneer at him today) when they arrived. James and Sirius were soaking wet but grinning nonetheless. Remus muttered a quick spell after grabbing his wand from inside his robe, doing the wand movement his dad had instilled in him all those months ago. The wand emitted hot air, which steamed their robes as they began to dry.

James looked impressed, "Thanks, mate," Sirius simply nodded his approval, focusing more on Hagrid the gamekeeper.

The door had just opened to reveal a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes. She didn't look like the type of woman you could cross and live to tell the tale. Remus turned to look at James and Sirius—who he noticed, eyed the black-haired witch like a challenge.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

They entered the Entrance Hall, his father hadn't been lying when he had been describing the beauty of Hogwarts. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out (and he hadn't thought he'd see anything taller than Hagrid), and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. He couldn't wait to explore every inch of this school.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Sirius and James were ahead of him, attempting to see which one could annoy Lily and Severus the most. He heard what seemed like hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right–the older students must be waiting for their arrival. Remus had assumed they too would be led through the doorway, but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start of term feast will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. While you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking," she eyed James and Sirius were grinning, "will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Her eyes lingered for a moment on Remus's pale face—he noticed a hint of pity—before turning to eye Severus's oily hair and James's disheveled locks. James instead of trying to fix it just ruffled it up even more.

"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly." She eyed Sirius and James who were pretending to sword fight with their wands—most likely attempting to rile up the professor. She left the chamber, and Remus began watching Sirius and James with a strange affection for several minutes.

"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" Lily asked out loud.

"Some sort of test, I think. My older brother said it we have to go through trials of deeds, but I think he was lying." A blond haired boy said nervously.

Remus suddenly became nervous. What if he failed, and they sent him back to England? His parents would be so disappointed in him, this is his one chance. Why hadn't he asked his father on the actual process of being sorted? He had yet to finish Hogwarts: A History due to all his preparations in actually coming here. He looked around anxiously and saw that mostly everyone else looked terrified too. James and Sirius looked as if everyone else has lost their heads.

"That's not how you get sorted," Sirius said sounding exasperated. "You get sorted by the Sorting Hat."

"The Sorting Hat?" A girl asked skeptically.

"It's a talking hat that the founders left behind so students would be able to be sorted after they were gone." James explained to her. "Dad said the hat was originally Godric Gryffindor's."

"You expect us to believe that we're sorted by a talking hat? We're not that easy to fool." James was about to respond to Lily when McGonagall returned.

"The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin." She looked at James and Lily before continuing,"Now, form a line, and follow me."

Remus got into line behind Sirius, with a mousy haired boy behind him, and they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.

It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that floated in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the Hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

Professor McGonagall led them up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. Remus looked around in amazement, he looked up and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. It looked so realistic that it was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open onto the heavens.

Remus looked back down as Professor Mcgonagall placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. He heard James say a quick "I told you so," and he noticed for the first time that Lily was standing a few spots in front of James, he saw Lily blush slightly as she turned around to glare at James. Remus turned his attention back to the hat, it was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. The first years looked around not knowing what to do, suddenly the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth—and the hat began to sing its song.

The whole Hall burst into applause as the hat finished singing. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again. Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Annalee," was called first to sit on the stool. She was blonde with her hair in pigtails and was sorted into Hufflepuff.

"Black, Sirius," wasn't called long after Annalee. He saw James stiffen besides him once Sirius had begun to walk—avoiding looking at James as he did—slowly towards the hat as if he dreaded it.

"He didn't say he was a Black," James said.

"Does it matter?" Remus whispered back.

"No," he said as if convincing himself, "Sirius won't be like them. I won't let him." Remus wasn't sure if he was talking more to him or himself.

Sirius finally allowed the hat to be put on him after a glare from Professor McGonagall. It didn't take long for the hat to decide, "Gryffindor!"

Sirius seemed shocked as he walked over to the Gryffindor table hesitantly. The Slytherin table fell silent, there was an anger there mixed with shock. He noticed a blonde girl blush as the people surrounding her stared pointedly. The blond boy next to her gave her an annoyed look as if she were at fault.

The Gryffindor table looked skeptical before clapping softly, some even looked smug as they glanced at the Slytherin table. Sirius sat down gracefully but still had a look of worry as the Slytherins glared at him, yet Remus could see the hint of a grin.

"What was that about?" He asked James quietly.

"The Black family are always sorted into Slytherin." James still looked a bit shocked but was grinning. "Not only did he become the first Black to be sorted outside Slytherin, but he became the first Gryffindor to be sorted today. Slytherins and Gryffindors tend to hate each other."

He watched as the sorting process continued. He noticed Lily walk forward on trembling legs and sit down upon the rickety stool. Professor McGonagall dropped the Sorting Hat onto her head, and barely a second after it had touched the dark red hair, the hat cried, "Gryffindor!"

Remus heard a tiny groan from Severus, Remus supposed that Lily's friend wasn't planning to be in Gryffindor; his attitude made it seem like he found it far beneath him. Perhaps he was hoping for Ravenclaw or Slytherin? Lily took off the hat, handed it back to the professor, then hurried toward the cheers of the Gryffindors, but as she went she glanced back at the oily haired boy, and there was a sad little smile on her face. Remus saw Sirius move up the bench to make room for her. She took one look at him, folded her arms, and firmly turned her back on him (quite strange).

"Hmm… Lily Evans." James said faintly. "She's going to love being in the same house with Sirius and me." Remus glanced at James and saw a mischievous glint in his eyes. So he wasn't the only one who had met Lily today, he thought amusingly. He saw a glare coming from Severus.

The roll call continued, and Remus watched—with comments from James—the line get thinner until he was called. "Good luck," James said.

He nodded and sat upon the still, allowing McGonagall to set the hat on his head.

"Hmm...so you're the werewolf," it whispered in his ear. "Plenty of knowledge, I see. You'd do well in Ravenclaw."

Remus was saddened for a minute, but it wouldn't be the worst thing if he was in Ravenclaw.

"You want to make your parents and Professor Dumbledore proud, prove to yourself that you're better than your infliction." The hat seemed pensive for a moment, "But you just want to be accepted, to have friends, and you're a bit mischievous. Better be GRYFFINDOR!" Remus smiled and handed the hat back to Professor McGonagall who he thought almost smiled.

He wasn't sure where to sit once he got to the table and the cheers stopped. Was he allowed to sit was Sirius without James or did Sirius simply put up with him because they shared a boat? Luckily for him Sirius made his choice for him, "Oi, Remus, join me, mate!" Remus sat across from Sirius, he noticed Lily had shifted a few seats down.

He tried to stifle his laughs as Sirius made offhand comments about what animal be thought everyone would be—he said Anna Lestrange would be a good troll, although she wasn't bad looking. He watched the mousy haired boy from before (Peter Pettigrew) join their table followed soon after by James, his eyes flickered to Lily as she emitted a groan. At last, when only a dozen students remained to be sorted, Professor McGonagall called forward Severus Snape.

The hat didn't hesitate in crying out, "Slytherin!" the moment it touched his head.

Snape moved to where the Slytherins were cheering him, to where the blond Slytherin boy from earlier patted him on the back as he sat down beside him. . . .

After the last student was sorted into their house—Perhaps it was Hufflepuff, but who can tell with Sirius and James around?—the Headmaster stood up.

"Welcome" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our feast I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Corpulent! Sap! Jobbernowl! Scuzzy! Thank you!"

Remus looked to James and Sirius in order to understand, but they looked lost as well.

"What took you so long to get sorted, Remus?" James asked curiously.

"Oh, the hat couldn't decide between placing me in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor." He responded as he dug into his roast beef, "I am delighted to be in Gryffindor though, my dad will be thrilled—he was a Gryffindor."

"Ravenclaw's not bad, my mum was one. Although, I've would never want to be sorted into that house, they tend to be a bit of know-it-alls." He said in between bites before setting setting it down, "Bloody hell, I almost forgot," he said before turning to Sirius, "You never said you were a Black, what did you think I'd feed you to the giant squid?"

"In his defense, you did try," Remus said in his attempt to lighten the tension in Sirius. To his relief, they both roared with laughter.

"I apologize for attempting to assassinate you, my good sir," James said as he handed Sirius his napkin as a favor.

"All is forgiven, my dear gentleman," Sirius said with the same twinkle in his eyes that Remus saw in James. It dimmed down a little as Sirius became his namesake, "I don't want to be like my family, beheading house-elves because they get old, treated like royalty because of my name. I'm blood amazing, I don't need that name to tell me so." He took a bite of his potatoes.

"I believe you, Sirius Black. You're a bloody Gryffindor."

He saw James take a quick look at Lily Evans before grinning. "What did you lads do to Lily?" He asked uncertain if this was the kind of thing that one asked to almost strangers. "I mean, never mind, it's your business not mine."

"Don't be ridiculous, Remus, you're our mate." Sirius said grinning.

Remus blushed slightly.

"We were sharing a compartment—Lily, Sirius, and I. Anyways, she was sitting in the corner when that greasy git came in. They were talking, and he said that she better be in Slytherin. That was obviously an insult!" James looked slightly hesitant but continued, "And I may have insinuated that I'd rather leave than ever be sorted there. Sirius here asked where I wanted to go, I, of course, said Gryffindor." He looked a bit agitated as he ruffled his hair.

"Snivellus insulted Gryffindor saying by insinuating that our house only cares about strength not intelligence, but we'll show the git." Sirius added with a grin. "Evans knows him somehow, she told us off and stormed off with him."

"We also may have tripped and nicknamed him." James added thoughtfully. "Anyways, why'd you ask?"

"Oh, I met them after you I suppose. I thought she was glaring at me at first."

"Why would she?" Sirius asked looking at him like he grew a second head.

"I have a pet cat named Leo you see, my dad bought him for me for getting into Hogwarts. Leo is an eight kneazle, and you know how kneazle can tell when someone is an untrustworthy person." he rambled on. "Anyways, Leo attacked her friend—he tried kicking Leo off—and I was explaining to her what kind of cat Leo was and accidentally implied that he was a suspicious person."

The two boys looked at him seriously for a moment before laughing again. Sirius's laugh reminded him of a dog while James's laugh was filled with innocent joy. He couldn't suppress his grin.

They chatted away as they ate. While Remus was still a bit quieter in his humor, his new friends still managed to find him delightful. Yes, he thought to himself, Gryffindor was the right choice for him.

—

"Ahem—just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start of term notices to give you." He didn't wait for them to quiet down before continuing.

"First years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." His eyes went towards the Slytherin table."I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Detention and points will be taken from anyone involved."

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. First years are, unfortunately, not allowed." Remus saw James pout from besides him, he almost laughed at his friend.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!"

Everyone finished the song at different times, but it was highly amusing—Sirius sounded like a banshee, "like mum," he said.

—

Two Prefects led them out of the Great Hall and up the marble staircase, Remus noticed a mousy haired boy up ahead, he was rather small. He looked lonely was what attracted Remus's attention, that could have been him. He made a quick decision, "He should be our friend," Remus declared to James and Sirius, motioning to where the boy stood.

"Why? No offense, mate, but he looks like a bit of a chump." Sirius remarked.

"I have to agree with Sirius on this, Remus." James responded awkwardly before messing up his hair.

"You said that you are my friends, right?" They nodded confused. "Well, I'm not the type of person lads like you typically hang out with, am I?" Before they could protest he added, "He's the same, lads. Plus, you guys told me you wanted to have fun at Hogwarts, to explore and be rebellious. If we have him with us, would a teacher like Professor McGonagall really think you were up to no good?"

"Up to no good? Us?" James said in faux surprise. "Never," he grinned.

"You two have mischief written all over your face." Remus countered, "Peter—I think that's his name—doesn't. We'll be the perfect mates." He stopped for a moment to plead with his eyes. "What do you say?"

"Sirius, Remy here has a point."

"Remy?" Sirius questioned. "Do I get a nickname too?" He said in fake anguish.

"Yes, it's git." James grinned at them. "Now let's go make a friend. "Oi! Peter, over here!" James whispered loudly. He noticed a few of the girls turn to giggle. Peter, on the other hand, looked confused.

"Me?" He squeaked out.

James nodded, "We—Git," (Sirius hit him on the shoulder for that), "Remus, and I would like to extend our offer of comradery to you if you wish to accept."

"Umm…what?" He looked lost.

"What the idiot here—that's your new nickname by the way, James—" James pouted in what would be a good imitation if not for his eyes. "means is, would you like to be our friend?"

"Are you serious?" Peter asked in shock.

The side of Sirius's mouth twitched. "Why yes I am," he laughed, "Sirius Black at your service." Sirius said extending his hand. Peter took it and though Sirius wouldn't admit it, Remus knew Sirius saw what he did—a lonely boy wanting friends, they all did.

Although he didn't get to study the way they got to Gryffindor Tower, Remus wouldn't change it for a thing. He wasn't sure what floor they were on but knew they were close when they came to a stop at the end of the corridor. In front of them stood a portrait of an overweight woman who wore a pink silk dress.

"This here is The Fat Lady. The password will change once a month, and you will be informed, but try to remember it please. Write it on your hand if you must. I don't want to come outside past curfew because one of you forgot the password which is Whizzing Worms," the dark haired girl said addressing them. The portrait swung open, and they went up the rabbit hole.

Remus took in the common room; it gave off a cozy feeling (odd considering all the red), and he couldn't wait to spend time here with his friends. It was a round room full of squashy chairs and a sofa. The Gryffindor girls were directed through one door to their dormitory and the boys another. Upon reaching the top of the staircase, Remus became aware that his room was in a tower (he thought it was rather wicked).

"Since there's nine of you," The Prefect began, "there will be two rooms connected to one bathroom—you're free to decide who you want to room with. Each room has five beds, so suit yourself. Curfew for first to fourth year is half-eight, so be in before then or you'll serve a detention or lose points depending on who finds you." With that he departed.

"Are you coming with us or what, Potter?" A brown-eyed boy asked James, indicating himself and two dark haired boys.

"No," James said defiantly, "Why would you assume I would?"

The brown-eyed boy (Adam Mumps, he believed), looked at him as if it were obvious. "So you'd rather befriend a loser, a Black, and someone who looks to be a vampire?"

Remus looked down self-consciously, he noticed Peter do the same. Sirius, on the other hand, looked about to punch the boy.

"Oh how silly of me," James said in faux understanding, "yes, why would I want to be friends with Remy who is a heck of a bloody lad and probably knows more spells than you do, Mumps." James's lips twitched slightly, trying to repress a smile. "Or Peter who is probably far nicer and more loyal than you, loyalty is everything to a true Gryffindor. As for Sirius being a Black, I quite enjoy hanging with rebels. You'd be too much of a softie for me to hang out with." He rolled his eyes, "Coming, lads?" James asked looking back at us. Sirius grinned as he opened one of the doors. Peter looked like he couldn't believe his luck.

Remus smiled as he saw the wooden sign that said "First Years." He was home and for the first time ever, he had real friends.

A/N: Okay, if anyone can come up with a Sorting Hat song I can use (the hat comes up with a new one each year, and I don't fancy reusing one), I will be delighted and obviously give credit just PM me.

Anyways, the next three chapters are not in Remus's point of view but in this order: James, Sirius, and one for both Lily and Snape.

The reason for this order is (in case that you're curious) because I tried doing it by connections. Remus is first because I felt like he's the most important Marauder in a way, and the tragedy he bears should be showed first for that reason. James is after him because he, like Remus, is an only child and probably understands Remus's loneliness and need of friendship. James and Sirius are both Pureblood and it makes a good contrast between how they were both educated. And lastly, Lily because of her conflict with Petunia is mainly because of magic, and Sirius's conflict with Regulus is who should have magic, and they both are the result of the sibling going to Hogwarts (although with Sirius's it's a bit more than that). I decided to make Snape's with Lily since they do grow up together (technically) at one point.

The three next chapters will be like this one (from some point in their childhood until their first day at Hogwarts, so some parts of this will be redundant—I did this mostly because I wanted to write Jily's reaction to one another but didn't want gloss over their childhoods).

I will most likely be writing only important moments (or moments to establish their friendships, characters) from first until the beginning or middle of fourth or the beginning of fifth year. I may change my mind but that's the plan as of now.

Do you want me to write a section with Peter's sorting? (I could probably stick it with Lily or Sirius?)

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this, and if anyone who is reading this is a Beta and would like to edit for me, please let me know.

Feedback is appreciated. Next chapter should take me a week or two to write (but hopefully sooner) so until then!

P.S: Sorry if it looks weird with the "—" but fanfiction is being weird.