Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
On the morning of September 1st, 1977, there was a soft breeze that blew about the streets of London, carrying the afterscent of dark rain.
Remus Lupin was sat in the back of a muggle taxi, his parents being unable to accompany him to the platform that morning, and was entertaining a mild headache which was only made worse when the car stopped and he was tackled by his three mates.
"Moony!" Cried Peter. "We've missed you!"
"Hi, lads," Remus said, not even bothering to force a smile.
"You seem to be alright," said James, picking up Remus's arms and inspecting him for any major injuries.
That night was to be a full moon. There had been two of the sort since Remus last departed Hogwarts, and the only thing that he remembered from them was the loneliness. This time, as Remus's body decayed, he kept the image of his friends being with him, and it held his spirits up - mostly.
"Yeah," he said, addressing James's note. "What are you three doing out here, anyways? I thought I'd meet you on the platform."
"Don't be stupid," answered Sirius, his new dangly earring sparkling against the spotty rays of sun. "We couldn't let you walk all that way unattended."
Remus rolled his eyes and lifted his trunk from the back of the car, handing the driver a wad of muggle bills and waving him off.
"So, how was the rest of your summer, Moons?" Asked Peter.
"Pretty boring once I left James's," Remus replied. "Mum took me to see Grease in a muggle theater, but otherwise uneventful."
"Was it any good?" Peter queried. "The film, I mean."
"Yeah," Remus shrugged. "You'd probably like it."
"Speaking of grease," Sirius cut in. "I've made plans to get a motorbike after this school year."
"Oh, here we go," James groaned.
"A motorbike?" Remus laughed. "What for?"
"Moony, imagine the badassery that is: Sirius Black on a motorbike," - he held his hands out as if to display something in front of them. - "It's unmatched, mate."
"Evans sent him a photograph of one and he hasn't shut up about it since," explained Peter. Remus nodded.
"Sounds like a fantastic investment, Pads," he said.
Sirius grinned.
"Walburga will love hearing of it, I'm sure," James added.
"Maybe I'll run her over with it."
"Careful or she'll go all Cruciatus on your disowned arse."
"Nah, she only does that to children below the age of ten."
