Clair de Lune

A few more names were called, two girls and a boy: a slytherin, a ravenclaw, and the boy Frank Longbottom was sorted Gryffindor.

"Remus Lupin," Professor McGonnagal called from her list.

Remus quietly moved past the remaining first years.

When the professor lifted the hat off the chair, he sat down. He glanced up as she dropped it on his head.

The hat was quiet for awhile.

You're very studious and Ravenclaw would suit you, but Ravenclaws are far too clever, they'd figure out what you are.

Remus flinched.

Hufflepuff would suit you very well, tempting... tempting... But I am seeing something more, something deeper.

Deeper? Remus thought nervously.

A just and noble heart, chivalrous to a fault. You are Gryffindor at your core.

Before Remus could ask anything else, the hat bellows, "Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor's applaud their new member and Remus shyly runs over to the table and sits down near Sirius. He smiles, a bit startled. Really, Gryffindor was the last place he expected to be.

After progressing past the usual welcome speeches. The sorting had begins to sing it's song.

Remus is far too twitchy and nervous to fully appreciate the song (as is Peter, although Peter is a bit more distracted with his hunger and the promise of a feast).

The song concludes to scattered applause and Professor McGonagall pulls out her list of names and begins to read. So and so Abbot was sorted Hufflepuff, and then she calls off "Sirius Black".

Remus frowns. He hopes Lily doesn't want to know about what his father does for a living. Remus didn't like talking about it. His father used to have a really nice job, but he stopped working after Remus 'got hurt'. He stayed at home to take care of his son. Stupid amounts of money were wasted on cures that never worked. His parents loved him, but sometimes it was too much. Remus was happy to have a chance to take care of himself and not be a bother to his parents. Maybe his father would go back to his job at the ministry now that Remus was in school.

He looked up from his daydreaming when the other boy asked if he could help with the smell.

"Wait here," Remus says. "I'll find a prefect. I'm sure they can help you."

He hurries back to a lavatory and changes into his school robes, then drops his bag back by his seat on the train.

Then he goes to look for a prefect to help.

"Oh you're muggle born then? That's pretty incredible." Remus smiles. "What do you parents think of it. My mum's fascinated by it all. Especially when dad does magic."

He finds that Lily is really easy to talk to and he relaxes. "Oriel College, at Oxford. It's where I live."

They reach the car and Remus shifts awkwardly. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Remus nods his head quietly. "My mum's a professor at a muggle college. She teaches mythology. My name is just a by-product of her obsession."

It would also explain how Remus knows such big words for an 11 year old.

Although the name's a bit ironic now... he frowns.

"I told you," Remus follows Lily. "It was my idea." He tried his best to come across as convincing.

"It's nice to meet you, Evans. I'm sorry you had to meet me because of a dung bomb." His nose scrunches up boyishly.

Remus shyly glances back at the girl. She seems nice and she clearly looks out for her friends. He awkwardly offers a hand. "I'm Remus Lupin."

"Don't be upset with James. He's just irritable because it was my idea," Remus lies softly. "I'll apologize. Where's your friend?"

Remus stands up, carrying his bag. He needed to change into his robes. "Pardon me," he politely maneuvers his way past Sirius. He stops by Lily and Alice. He can tell James isn't going to apologize, although, he really should... But he likes James, and he doesn't want to cause him any trouble. He taps Lily's shoulder and clears his throat. Then walks down the aisle, hoping she'll follow.

Remus's jaw drops. He had been so certain James was kidding. "A real invisibility cloak. Wow..."

Peter was starring in awe as well.

Remus bites his lip. "Be careful, James. If the professor's catch you, you'll get in a lot of trouble."

Remus shrugs again. Not a good idea...

"You... have a real invisibility cloak?"

It seemed pretty hard to believe.

"Pranks are fun," Peter agrees. "Have any good ones planned?"

Remus just shrugs.

Remus opens another chocolate frog (not letting this one get away) and takes a small bite.

He subtly glances between the other three boys. He likes Peter. Peter is quiet and keeps to himself. He's sweet and a bit clumsy. Trouble was, he was observant. That could be a problem. Maybe we could be friends.

James is loud. And he thinks I'm weird... But he is nice. Remus decides he really likes James. He's... refreshing. His wild hair reminds him of the boy from The Jungle Book. Mougli liked wolves... Maybe we can be friends...

Then he looked to Sirius. Sirius was beautiful. Remus knows this is a weird thing to think, but it's true. He reminds Remus of an Egyptian prince or a god, from one of the books he's read, like Amun Ra. He was really nice too, Remus thinks, but he has a funny way of showing it. I hope we'll be friends.

Remus finishes his chocolate and looks dreamily out the window.

"Really?" Remus smiles with disbelief and catches the little package. "Thank you."

He opens the box and frog hops right onto Sirius. "Oops."

The card is Helga Hufflepuff. "Here you are Peter. You can have my card."

Remus shakes his head no. He doesn't have any money. He pulls a sandwich out of his bag that his mum made.

Remus shrugs. "I don't really mind. My dad was a Ravenclaw, but the hat will probably put me in Slytherin."

"My name is Remus Lupin," he replies, and sets his book to the side (it's all wet too).

Remus looks between James and Sirius, bites his lip, and says. "Yes, I'm sorry. You did. But I wouldn't worry, James. Your friend probably screams like a girl too. As do I, and... Peter?"

The blonde boy nods.

"Peter."

"Wow! How'd you know to do that!" Peter praised.

"Er...just read it somewhere," says the other boy. "I'd never actually done it before. I was surprised it worked. It was a little too much water. I'm sorry."

Peter looked at James and Sirius and he couldn't stop laughing.

Remus almost smiles. I'm a swot?

"I'm sorry. I don't know how to dry you. Are you alright?"

Remus does not find Sirius's behavior so amusing. In fact, it hits a little too close to home. He tries to ignore the other boys, but suddenly James's head is on fire.

Remus gasps and pulls his wand from his pocket. "Aguamenti!"

Water spills from the wand, drenching James. But at least his hair is only slightly singed and he isn't burned.