Welcome Home- The Marauders

1-Remus

Remus slid his trunk into its place, jumping down into the seat beneath. His sixth year at Hogwarts was only a few hours train ride away, and his last few minutes of quiet were soon to be interrupted. He closed his eyes, letting the last few months melt away as he prepared himself for the school year ahead.

The summer had been a lovely time for him, a break from the chaos that had become the world of magic for him. At times it felt that his secret was just one slip up from being revealed to the entirety of the school, which had proven itself with 'the prank' of last year.

He had also missed Hogwarts, though, he had nothing to complain about with his parents, but they were far from understanding his position as a "dangerous creature" among men.

Full moons at home were hard, harder as he grew older.

Memories from the last full moon distracted Remus from the glimmer of anxiety about his sixth year, the boy subconsciously rubbing where his most recent scar had taken place, jaggedly running from his elbow to the edge of his palm.

"LUPINNNNN." The door slammed open, James lugging in his trunk and throwing it above the seat in one swift motion.

"Potter, can't you recognize a man trying to sleep?" Remus opened his eyes, smirking at his friend.

"Bold statement calling yourself a man, Lupin." James smirked back, assuming a lounging position on the seat across from Remus. "How was the summer Moony? Looks like you got yourself a candidate for one of your nastiest ones yet ey?" He reached out for Remus's hand, looking over the new addition to the results of a werewolf being poorly restrained.

"Looks worse than it is Prongs, just glad I avoided my face this time." He gave a smile, reassuring James before leaning back. "Heard anything from Pettigrew or Black?"

"I saw Peter! He's having a long goodbye with his family. Sirius- haven't really heard from him this summer, no reason to not be here soon though I'm sure." James gave a warm smile, trying to ease any of Remus's anxiety, as well as his own.

"I figured, wake me up when they get here." Remus later all the way down, spreading his legs out.

Peter joined them moments later, joining James on his side of the compartment, the two boys chatting away about the events of the summer.

Remus drifted off, falling asleep to James's laugh and Peter's calming voice.

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"Carts here Lupin!" Remus felt himself being shaken awake, confused for a second as to where he was. The sounds of the train's methodic rythm brought him back to his senses.

James and Peter were stocking up on pastries and sweets for the rest of the train ride, James making sure to take extra of the treats he knew Remus favored.

"James-" Remus looked around, concerned, noticing the lack of the groups fourth member.

"Reeemus?" James looked up, organizing his snacks in the space between him and Peter.

"Where is Sirius?"

"Oh he's here, sorry mate, didn't think I should wake you up. He wasn't in the mood to talk, brought him to an empty compartment to decompress, he'll be ok." James looked up, giving Remus a tight smile before going back to arranging the snacks.

"Did you talk to him at all?" Remus looked to Peter.

"He wasn't really in the mood. He's always a bit wound up though, seemed a bit snappy this time, needed to be alone for a bit." Peter gave him the same smile, watching out the window as the rolling hills passed behind.

"Ok, he's alright though?" Remus felt the tension set into his shoulders, unable to relax in the unknown.

"Moony. He'll be ok. Go check on him if you want though, it's been enough time he should be alright to chat, he's always nice to you." James rolled his eyes with a smile, giving Remus a little kick.

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Remus peeked through the window of the compartment James had directed him to. He was a little nervous, always wondering about the version of Sirius that would come home from the summer.

Sirius was sleeping, facing away from the door. Remus slid quietly through the door, sitting down across from his sleeping friend. He looked thinner than he had since Remus could remember, and exhausted.

"Hey, Padfoot, it's Remus-" Remus lightly patted Sirius's arm, attempting to wake him gently.

The sleeping boy jerked at the touch, grabbing Remus's wrist and pushing it back violently. He sat up, looking stiff and confused, relaxing slightly when he saw his friend across from him.

"Jeez Moony- I'm sorry I was a bit rough." He looked down, embarrassed.

Remus just grinned, happy to see Sirius safe on the train no matter what. "Jeeez Padfoot, I think I'll need this hand amputated now, you smacked it right out of the joint." He earned a smirk at this, Sirius relaxing the rest of the way.

"Would've thought a werewolf would have magical healing powers to cover that."

"Nah mate, even if I did, would've had to wait for the next moon." Remus grinned.

"How were the summer moons?"

"A lovely surprise every time- I'm not growing as fast anymore, but it gets worse every time. Nothing I do can get that tiny cellar anywhere as close to bearable as the shack..." Remus shrugged, feeling the small swell of anxiety in his chest that came with any mention of his experience on full moons. "But, I made it back, and that's all that matters for now. How were the summer months for you?"

Sirius grimaced, looking like he had been hoping to delay this conversation. "Not in the mood, Moony. Later maybe." He gave Remus a tired smile, lying back into his spot on the seat.

In previous years , Sirius normally barged into the train, ranting about how annoying Regulus was, or how his parent's had overly faked their affection on the platform. Remus sat in silence for a while, wanting to give his friend the space he needed, but also wanting to care for his friend.

"Sirius... have you eaten?"

He just shook his head in response.

"Can I get you something? James and Peter got loads of food from the car. Also... would you let me bring you to see Pomfrey? Doesn't have to be tonight, just- James barely heard from you, we've all been worried mate."

"I can wait for later, thanks Moony," Sirius smiled up at Remus, the twinkle in his eyes would never escape. "And Pomfrey, I'm alright, I was fine all summer, I don't need the help now that I'm back."

"Is there anything that might give you trouble though? You know she can at least try and help with anythjng."

"I'll be okay Moony, really, anything that happened is mostly healed, or didn't do damage in the first place. I'm okay." Sirius sounded bothered by Remus's questions, folding his arms and closing his eyes.

"Padfoot..."

"Remus, lay off it alright? Not now, please."

Remus didn't know how to continue, allowing the conversation to end, silently watching out the window for the rest of the ride, shooting glances at his sleeping friend every few minutes.