Ticking under the moon - Marauders fanfic

Chapter one - The Hogwarts express

I entered the first train compartment I saw, telling myself, "Stay composed, Remus, just don't tic. You can handle this." The uncertainty of how I would manage gnawed at me; I couldn't even convince myself that everything was fine. I kept my head down, concealing the three long scars etched across my face and my twitching nose. With a swift glance, I observed the occupants of the compartment: a chubby boy with straight blond hair sat by the window on the red sofa bench, a small Indian boy with honey-like skin and gold-framed glasses beside him, and a strikingly attractive guy with long, black, curly hair reclined on the seat, gazing at the yellowish ceiling of the Hogwarts Express.

Adjusting his position, the guy with curly hair sat up, making space for me. The Indian boy, James, offered introductions, a smile brightening his face. "Hi, I'm James," he said, gesturing toward the boy beside him. "And this is Peter." His hand indicated the companion on the other side. "And that is Sirius."

In response, I managed to half-stutter my name, "I-I'm R-Remus."

Approximately thirty minutes later, a kindly elderly woman with a twinkle in her eye approached us, pushing a trolley laden with sweets. Sirius, hailing from a prosperous family, purchased four of every treat, turning our encounter into an impromptu feast. The assortment included chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Eagerly, I selected a jelly bean and, the moment it touched my tongue, promptly spat it out. The taste was horrendous, akin to what one might imagine the flavour of dog poop to be.

A sensation built up in my throat, and the inevitable tic had to find its way out. Just moments later, a high-pitched squeak escaped my throat, drawing peculiar glances from my recently acquired, potential friends. "What was that?" inquired Peter. "Nothing," I replied before returning to my racing thoughts and the pages of my sketchbook.