until the end || wolfstar || marauders

chapter four

It was the morning of the first of September. Sirius had woken up early and put all his last-minute possessions in his trunk. James on the other hand had not done any packing prior, and all of his possessions were scattered around his room. Sirius and Euphemia were running around James' room trying to make sure he didn't forget anything, but they had to leave the house in ten minutes or they'd miss the train.

"For goodness sake James Potter, I tell you every year to pack your things the night before, and do you ever listen, NO!" Mrs Potter shrieked frantically folding James' pyjamas. 

James rolled his eyes. "I did do some packing last night mum, but I got bored!" He said, grinning.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Although no-one knew how, the Potters and Sirius all got to the platform in plenty of time before the train left. Once through the magical barrier at King's Cross station, they were on platform 9 3/4, staring at the bright scarlet train. Sirius couldn't wait to be back.

Euphemia pulled James into a tight hug and kissed his forehead before he could run away to meet his friends. Sirius looked around awkwardly, not wanting to intrude, when he received a hug also. 

"Right boys, behave yourselves this year, you have your NEWT's coming up soon, so study hard, look after Remus, and take care of yourselves. If you've forgotten anything we'll send it on." Mrs Potter announced to both of them. 

Sirius grinned at her and said "Now, now Mrs Potter don't get your hopes up with this one, but I, I am utterly Sirius about my exams and will be sure to study to the best of my ability."

Everyone laughed. James was glad that Sirius was back to laughing and giggling, but still heard his hushed sobs at night, and was worried. 

"Bye mum," James said as he spotted Peter, and ran off in that direction, leaving Sirius to have a word with Mrs Potter.

"Mrs Potter, I am so sorry to intrude on your family these past few weeks, and I apologise for any issues I have caused, and thank you so much for letting me stay."

Euphemia didn't say anything, she just pulled Sirius into a tight hug, which said anything she wanted to say to Sirius. Sirius was holding back tears. He had never been hugged by someone like a mother. He had never been hugged by anyone from his family actually. 

"Now, go find James and have a great year," Mrs Potter said tearfully as she waved and Sirius ran off and boarded the train. 

James was waiting for him by the door. The whistle blew and the doors closed, the train started to move. James and Sirius found a window and waved at Euphemia until they turned a corner, and the platform was gone.

James turned to Sirius. "Come on, I found our compartment, I left Pete in it and god knows where Remus is." As he grabbed Sirius hand and dragged him to their usual compartment.

When they reached their compartment, Peter was stowing his bag away into the top rack, and Remus, looking very battered and tired was reading a book titled 'The Lord Of the Rings'. Sirius opened the door and slumped down next to Remus, who didn't look up from his book. James followed and sat down next to Peter. 

Sirius looked at Remus. He had grown several inches over the summer, and his hair had grown so that it covered his eyes. Fuck Remus was attractive, Sirius thought. No, he's got a girlfriend, and I should too, being gay is wrong, he heard his parents voice say. Sirius distracted himself with a loose thread on the muggle jeans he was wearing.

Remus was quiet for the whole journey. He put his book down while the others were talking but didn't really talk much. He spoke briefly to them about the holidays and school, and when the food trolley came to buy some chocolate, but not the info-dump they were used to on the train back. He didn't even tease James when he made a complete idiot of himself when Lily Evans walked past. 

Sirius noticed all these things about Remus, and was worried. He tried to assure himself it was all fine, after all, the moon was only 4 days ago, he was probably still recovering from that, but something told him there was something else going on. He was able to push these thoughts from his mind when James started discussing Quidditch tactics for this new year, as he was captain. 

"What if I don't let you into the team, Padfoot, what would you do then?" James teased.

"Hmmm, probably take a leaf out of my dear mother's book and hex you." Sirius teased back. Everyone paused. Peter had had an owl telling him to be careful with what he said about Sirius' home life, and obviously James and Remus had first hand experienced Sirius' pain. Sirius was smiling but noticing everyone had paused, his face fell. 

"Why are you all looking awkward, it's me that got kicked out, why does the subject make you uncomfortable, I mean, I'm only making jokes, you know I'd never crucio you." Sirius looked quizzical.

"Siri, we just thought you wouldn't want to talk about it after.... what happened this summer, but if you want to talk about it, we're here, ok." Remus explained.

"Okay, obviously it's not my favourite subject of conversation, but I'm over it." Sirius was lying to himself more than anyone else. He looked at Remus. Remus knew he wasn't over it. Remus knew Sirius would probably never fully recover from this. Neither boy said anything as James and Peter started roaring with laughter, unaware of anything between their two friends.

The rest of the journey passed by without anything interesting happen, until they could see Hogwarts. All four boys pressed their faces against the cool glass window to catch a first glimpse of the castle, and hastily pulled down bags with their school robes to get changed into.

All boys started pulling off their shirts and fumbling with the black robes. Sirius was trying to find the head hole of his shirt when he caught sight of Remus' reflection in the window. A shirtless reflection of Remus. He could see his scars all over his body, the scars the wolf gave him, but god did they make him look hot. Sirius snapped out of it and buttoned his shirt up.

A few minutes later, the train pulled into hogsmeade station and the students poured onto the platform. Remus, who didn't like crowds, hung back like usual until most students were in the carriages, before getting off the train. James, Sirius and Peter waited with him. 

Once all the boys got off the train and into the last carriage up to the castle, they started talking about their summers again.

Remus seemed to have perked up a bit, and told them that, minus being a werewolf, his summer consisted of many trips to muggle bookshops, picnics, and family gatherings with people he didn't know. 

Peter spent most of his summer alone, obviously the others had sent him owls, but not met up with him; they simply hadn't gotten round to it. Other than that, he had been on holiday to the seaside, where he had spent many days swimming in the ocean and building sandcastles.

James had a quiet summer, spending many days flying his broom and devising ways to get Lily Evans to go out with him, until Sirius came, and then they had flown together. He didn't mention that Remus had been there, as Peter would've felt left out.

Sirius was telling them about being at James' when they arrived at the stone steps to the castle.

The boys got out of the carriage and stood at the foot of the stairs.

Peter was glad to be back with the castle, his dorm, and his friends.

James was glad to be back with the food, and the adventures he would have with the others this year.

Remus was glad to be back with people who loved him and cared about him.

Sirius was glad to be home, the first place he had ever felt loved, the first place he had felt happy, and the first time he had something to care about.

(1435 words)

Author's note:

Thank you for the attention this book is getting, I'm excited to keep writing chapters, of course please let me know what you're thinking of the chapters, I struggle to know if people are going to be able to understand whats going on in my writing, so any feedback would be appreciated, have a great week. (Also I wanted to post this today so there will be no chapter Monday, I don't really have a schedule at this point anymore)