Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) - Book One (Marauder Era)

Chapter Three - A Metal Matchstick

"So," Potter said, pointing a piece of toast at Black. "You are from that Black family."

"Unfortunately," Black sighed, shaking his head. "Right nasty bit of luck, it is. And you're one of the Potters, yeah?"

"Yup," Potter replied proudly.

Remus couldn't really follow that bit of conversation. Family names, it didn't mean much to him. He may have grown up in a magical family however he was kept from so much... that sort of thing just went over his head. The Potter name he recognized, having seen it occasionally in the Daily Prophet, so he supposed that's the one this Potter was from.

"How about you two?" Potter asked Remus and Pettigrew. "Both of you are from magical families, right? The names are familiar."

"Er, I'm half'n'half," Pettigrew said between bites of sausage. "Mum's a witch and Dad's Muggle."

Now they were all looking at Remus who felt bubbles of panic rising up in him. Sitting near them was one thing, talking to them... "S--same only--reverse," he managed to say. He didn't want to talk. Actually he wanted to just flee from the room as fast he could however one thing kept him grounded in his seat and that was the knowledge of needing to act as human as possible. Of course, even that had its limits and he had met his for now. "'xcuse me." He took one last bite of potatoes then grabbed his bag and left the Great Hall as fast as he could without running.

What's wrong with me? he wondered as he came to a stop in the entrance hall. Is it really that difficult? He talked to his parents just fine. Other people shouldn't be too hard...

"Wait... first-year, wait!"

Remus turned around as the Prefect who had guided them the previous night came dashing out of the Great Hall. "I nearly forgot to hand these out." She handed him a piece of paper then hesitated as a boy walked by, giving her a grin. She smiled back. "Ooh. Ah, here, could you give these to your friends? Thanks." She shoved more pieces of paper at him then took off after the boy.

Remus looked down to see his schedule. Friends? There were three more copies of the schedule so he reluctantly went back into the Great Hall, over to Black, Potter, and Pettigrew. "W--was asked to g-g-give you these," Remus managed to say, dropping the schedules in front of Pettigrew, and then he hurried back out of the Great Hall, this time running until he found a side corridor and a bench to collapse on. Part of the problem with talking to people who weren't his parents, he realized, was the fact he could hear his parents every time a word came out. He could hear his mother's voice whispering urgently in his head, No friends, don't get close to anyone, if you make friends they'll find out the truth. You have to stay safe. Friends are nothing but danger!!!

He took a close look at the schedule. Three classes today: Transfiguration, History of Magic, and Potions. Potions was labeled with Slytherin. He checked the rest of the classes. Herbology was with Hufflepuff and Astronomy was with Ravenclaw. He supposed the rest of the classes were just fellow Gryffindors. The schedule also listed the teacher names, which seemed helpful.

Professor McGonagall, Professor Binns, and Professor Slughorn today, he thought, wondering what they'd be like. McGonagall seemed rather strict and stern however Transfiguration was one of the lessons he was really looking forward to. So was History. He had already read his entire history text book, so he was super excited to see what Binns would be teaching. Potions... he wasn't so sure about that class. He didn't like it when his father made potions around the house, all the ingredients mixing together bothered his nose.

He checked the other classes. Professor Flitwick for Charms, Professor Sprout for Herbology, Professor Spring for Astronomy, and... Professor Dedenne. He touched the name listed next to Defense Against the Dark Arts, wondering what she was going to be like. He knew Dumbledore had told some of the staff and assumed this particular teacher was one of them. Of course it would be, how could he not have told her? She'd probably be able to guess anyway. Remus folded up his schedule and tucked it away into his bag. He wasn't sure exactly who all knew the truth though assumed McGonagall knew, as Deputy Headmistress (and head of his house). Perhaps she could tell him who else knew. And who he'd have to be extra careful around.