Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter One - 15th August, 1971

Author's note: If there is anything you need warned about just let me know. If you need warnings at the start of the chapters in which it happens I'll be glad to do that too. I want my readers to be comfortable. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story!!

Other warnings for this story include emetophobia: Remus gets sick a lot but I tag chapters where that happens. In addition, this story is the Marauders growing up. There's pre-teen drama, kissing, developing relationships, etc. Also in Shifting Lines the full moon lasts multiple nights. As little as two to up to four. I do use a guide for this to determine the nights.

One more thing: this is a long haul. And I mean a long haul. Books one and two combined are about a million words. Sometimes it takes a couple of chapters to get through one day. This is a Remus Lupin chronicles, and it will be long, so if you don't like long hauls then this is not for you.

Also content warning here for implied child abuse.

-x-

"Are you sure this is it? I don't see anything."

"This is it."

Remus pressed his face against the car window, looking at the buildings. His father was pointing towards a spot that didn't seem to exist.

"That's the Leaky Cauldron."

Hope pulled over, gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles were white. "What time shall I pick you up?"

"Three," Lyall said, sliding out of the car. "Come along, Remus."

Remus hopped eagerly out of the car, grabbing for his father's hand. As they approached the shops, suddenly he saw there was another shop there, right between a Muggle record shop and a Muggle bookshop (which he glanced into, wanting to go in).

The Leaky Cauldron.

Inside there were loads of people, more people that Remus was used to seeing in one place. Lots of people outside was one thing, but in a pub was something else. He crowded close to his father, feeling rather nauseated. There were even two children who looked to be around his age.

"Was hoping coming on Sunday would mean it wasn't as crowded," Lyall muttered as he pulled Remus through the pub. "Of course the later in the month it is, the more likely families will be here buying school supplies."

Remus swallowed, knowing the reason they couldn't come sooner was because he had a moon the previous weekend. Though he didn't really understand why one week made much of a difference.

In the back, Lyall tapped a brick wall with his wand and a doorway opened up. Remus was relieved to be pulled into Diagon Alley. People were much easier to deal with and accept if they were outside like this.

"Are we going to Flourish and Blotts?" Remus asked.

"Yes," Lyall said. "Since I hadn't been able to find a used copy of your Transfiguration book."

"I'm sorry." Remus's head swiveled back and forth as they went down the street. There were so many shops! "Are we going to Gringotts?"

"No, I have the money already," Lyall said, sounding tired. "First place we're going is to get a wand, since... that didn't work out so well."

Remus ducked his head, shuffling along, feeling guilty. He could still feel the burns on his hand even though it had been nearly a month since he tried using his father's old wand.

"Then we'll need to get you a cauldron and other potion things you'll need, uniforms, and we'll go to Flourish and Blotts last. What's wrong?"

Remus had stopped in his tracks, staring up at one of the shops. "Look at all the ice cream!"