Multiple alarms blared in the morning, dragging five of the six boys from their sleep. When Remus slithered out of his bed he saw Black was wide awake and already in his uniform.
After a few sleepy and confused blinks, Remus realized where he was. Hogwarts. Gryffindor. Dorm. He got his stuff out of his trunk and ran to the bathroom to get ready for the day. A quick shower, dressed in his uniform, brush the teeth, return to the dorm to finish getting ready. He pulled on his socks and shoes not even realizing he had one orange sock and one blue sock (and the blue one was inside out). He laced up his shoes and then tackled the difficulty of getting his tie properly tied. It had turned gold and scarlet during the night, along with the accents of his uniform, but it was still far too difficult to do.
"Hey, Lupin!"
He turned around as he (sort of) finished knotting the tie (it was very crooked and awkward). Potter was looking at him as if expecting something. "Er, um, y--yeah?" Remus forced out.
Potter smiled, teeth flashing. "You remember the way to the Great Hall?" On either side of him stood Black and Pettigrew, and all three looked hopeful now.
Oh. "Erm... th--think so."
"Groovy!" Potter exclaimed. "We'll follow you."
So Remus had three ducklings trailing after him as he made his way through the school. He only partially remembered the route from the night before however another side effect of his curse was a heightened sense of smell, and he could more or less track the most used pathway and that guided him to the ground floor and the Great Hall. He was silent the entire time, not wanting--or daring--to talk to the three boys behind him, and he assumed they'd take different seats. However when he sat down, Black, Potter, and Pettigrew sat down around him. Remus ducked his head, trying not to look too freaked out.
"I'm glad we've only got a couple days of class before the weekend," stated Black as he dumped eggs and bacon in a huge pile on his plate. "I want to explore the school."
"Same here," Potter agreed. "Ooh! Mail."
Owls began swooping in through the room, dropping letters and packages to various students. Potter and Black both got letters. Black's envelope was bright scarlet and smoking slightly at the corners. He held it up with a crinkled nose and sighed. "I suppose I better open it."
"Probably, before it explodes," Potter said, mouth full of food.
Explode?! Remus wondered then Black opened up the envelope and it almost did sound like an explosion. A woman's voice burst out, shouting in a magically enhanced volume. Remus dropped his spoon and clamped his hands over his ears, wincing in pain. Everyone in the room was watching Black, listening to the shrieks.
"SIRIUS—BLACK—HOW—DARE—YOU—BE—PLACED—IN—GRYFFINDOR! YOU HAVE BROUGHT ABSOLUTE SHAME ON THE BLACK FAMILY NAME WHICH CONSIDERING YOUR LIFE UP UNTIL NOW IS A WONDER YOU'VE MANAGED TO HUMILIATE US MORE THAN YOU ALREADY HAVE! YOUR GRANDFATHER NEARLY HAD A HEART ATTACK WHEN WE GOT THE NEWS! THIS IS YET ANOTHER STEP DOWN YOUR MISGUIDED PATH! YOU BEST CHANGE COURSE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OR YOU WILL REGRET IT! WE WILL BE WRITING TO THE HEADMASTER TO DEMAND A RESORTING AT ONCE!"
The envelope burst into flames, ash falling down onto the table. A few students laughed, especially from the Slytherin table. Black looked like he didn't care and merely swept the ashes off the table. "About what I expected," he said and then frowned. "Er, being re-sorted isn't really a thing is it?"
Potter and Pettigrew shrugged. Remus knew the answer and debated whether to say or not, but Black looked so distressed he finally got the nerve to speak up. "N--no. Th--that's... not... a thing." Black looked exceedingly relieved and returned to his food.
"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.
Sighing, he drew his feet up onto the bench and hugged his knees tightly. He hoped he was a good enough liar, a good enough actor. His parents had drilled it into his head for as long as he could remember to keep everything secret and hidden, to lie and pretend. He just never really had to actually do so, never being around anyone besides his parents. It seemed easy on the train giving excuses to that Jerroll guy, so he supposed lies did come easily to him. Course it wasn't just some of the staff it was also all the other students. Everybody he ever came across. If anyone ever knew, if anyone ever guessed...
He tried his best to put that at the back of his mind. He didn't want to think about that right now. He wanted to focus on his first two days of classes, and then it would be Saturday and the full moon and he could deal with his emotions then (part of him felt like it was a cruel joke, the moon coming just as school started; part of him knew how much the world hated him and just accepted it as another punch).
After a while he realized it was almost time for class. He had spent almost the entire breakfast period sitting in the hall, drifting in and out of his thoughts. His stomach growled a bit but he was too frightened to go back to get food, too frightened to be around the other students... mostly those boys who were insisting on chatting to him. At lunch he'd hopefully be able to find seats away from them and their questions.
I have no idea where I'm going, Remus realized as he began walking down the hall. Other students were going to and fro however he didn't think he could ask them. Finally he asked a painting where the Transfiguration class might be, and was guided back down the stairs and pointed down a corridor. He emerged outside and for a second thought it might be a joke however he saw two first-year Gryffindor girls walking along the covered section of the courtyard. Remus moved his bag higher on his shoulder and began walking at a distance.
"Oof!" He was knocked into the wall as two figures went running past; of course it was Black and Potter.
"This way!" Potter insisted, running ahead.
"I'm coming!" Black promised, chasing after his friend.
Remus started to go ahead and then was almost knocked down by Pettigrew who seemed intent on catching up with the two black-haired boys. At least Pettigrew apologized for knocking into Remus. He glared after them and started walking again, this time keeping an ear out for anyone else wanting to barrel on through but he got to the classroom safely and took a seat near the front. He wanted to sit in the back to stay out of the way of others, however he also wanted to be able to see and hear everything clearly (course he could have been out in the courtyard and probably hear everything without trouble but that was beside the point). The quench for knowledge overrode his desire to stay hidden.
Professor McGonagall stood by her desk, giving intense looks at every student coming in. "Mr. Lupin, your tie is crooked," she said as he went past her. As she had also commented on the untidiness of three other students (including Potter who hadn't even bother on tying his tie and looked as if he hadn't ever heard of a comb), he knew she wasn't just calling him out. He tried to adjust his tie and made it even more crooked.
"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will ever learn, and I expect everyone here to have a respect for that. Anyone messing about will be asked to leave." She cast a glare towards the back where Remus could hear Black and Potter whispering. They immediately stopped and McGonagall promptly turned her desk into a small pony, earning quite a few gasps and claps. She turned it back then cleared her throat to take register before starting in on a long lecture about the importance of understanding spells thoroughly, their roots, their meaning, their pronunciation, linguistic discipline... She went on for quite a long while while Remus took copious amounts of notes. Finally she gave everyone a matchstick for them attempt to turn it into a needle.
Remus stared at the matchstick and took in a deep breath. He had performed magic multiple of times before on accident, and a couple times on purpose (well, accidentally on purpose, like the time he floated the cookie jar behind his mother's back). This was going to be the first time completely and intentionally performing an actual, real spell. He cleared his throat and took in another breath. "Acus forma!" He flourished his wand in the same manner as McGonagall showed and was rather disappointed when nothing really seemed to happen.
It's fine just try again. "Acus forma!" This time he sort of jabbed the matchstick with his wand. Nothing. For a second he felt confirmation that he shouldn't be there. What was I expecting? I'm not even human, how can I do this? However when he glanced around he realized nobody else had managed to do anything else. Next to him, Evans was just staring at her matchstick with rather bulgy eyes.
Then, "Mr. Black! How on earth did you—" McGonagall swept to the back of the room and everyone turned to see a fire blazing on Black's desk.
"It is a matchstick, Professor, you can't really blame me," Black protested as McGonagall waved her wand causing the fire to disappear. She set a new matchstick down on his desk and returned to the front of the room.
Remus bit his bottom lip and tried again, focusing as hard as he could, sweat breaking out across his forehead. Soon it became grey and rather shiny and when McGonagall examined it at the end of the class she tapped it against the desk. It still was matchstick shaped but metal now. "Excellent job, Mr. Lupin," she said and the only other person she called out was Potter whose matchstick was still matchstick-colored but had gone very pointy and sharp. "Excellent job, Mr. Potter."
After McGonagall finished with her assessment, she assigned a length essay and dismissed class. "Mr. Lupin, would you stay behind for a moment, please."
"Oooooh someone's in trouble!" Black sang as he and Potter passed by.
"What did you do, Lupin?" Potter asked but McGonagall shooed them away.
Remus sat at his desk, wondering what he had done. Had someone sussed it out already and gone to McGonagall? Was he going to be expelled already? Had Dumbledore seen the error of his ways? Another cruel trick from the universe? He waited silently until the last student left and McGonagall closed the door. "Did... did I--break--break a rule, Professor?" he asked, voice trembling.
McGonagall gave him a smile as she sat down at her desk. "Of course not. At least, not that I know of. I wanted to ask how you're doing, Mr. Lupin. From what I understand this is quite a change from things at home."
"Oh. Er. Y—yes. I... I—yes." He fumbled with his words, not sure what to say. "It's hard t—to, er, it's j—just the first..."
"Understandable." She folded her hands on her desk and lowered her chin so she could look at me over her glasses. "I know you have History of Magic in a few moments so I won't keep you. I was wondering if after Potions you could meet me at the hospital wing. We need to go over a few things. I know it is short notice and I'd rather have waited until Saturday however since Saturday is a full moon..."
Remus gulped and slid down in his seat a little bit. "Y—yes, Professor."
"You'll find the hospital wing on the first floor, at the end of the northeast corridor. Good luck with the rest of your classes." Remus stood up, realizing he was being dismissed. "Oh, and Mr. Lupin?" she asked as he went to the door. He stopped and turned, waiting for whatever bad news was surely about to come. "You did very well in class today. I'm quite impressed."
Remus left the classroom beaming.
*
History of Magic turned out to be a huge disappointment. He was nearly late and only managed to get there in time thanks to a friendly ghost, only to find another ghost inside the classroom. Professor Binns. He took roll call and fudged up almost every single name ("Remington London" which Remus took several seconds to figure out was supposed to be him). Then Binns just began drolling on without letting anyone know where in the book to go to. Remus began frantically flipping through until he caught a name mentioned, then looked it up in the index and managed to get to the correct page. He began taking notes though most of what was said was straight from the book. Still. Better safe than sorry.
Forty-five minutes later the Gryffindors stumbled out, most of them hardly even awake. Remus heard Spinnet say he had actually fallen asleep, while Black and Potter were talking about bringing a deck of cards with them next time if the class was going to be like that.
"Did you enjoy the class, Lupin?" Black asked, pausing so he could look at the smaller boy. "You seemed to be taking loads of notes."
There was something teasing in his voice that made Remus go red. He hugged his satchel to his chest and began walking quickly down the corridor.
"What a weirdo," he heard Potter say softly (not intending for Remus to hear), and Remus went a little faster, cheeks burning now as he wondered if he was weird. Probably won't be the last time you hear that, he thought as he tried to figure out the way to the Great Hall. You're an outcast anyway... get used to it...