Moonlit Bonds

Prologue: The Beginning Of Everything

The train to Hogwarts rattled along the tracks, its rhythmic hum filling the air as it cut through the misty countryside. In one compartment, two boys sat in awkward silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Neither of them knew it at the time, but this quiet moment marked the start of something that would shape their lives forever. 

Sirius Black leaned against the window, his dark hair falling into his eyes, and his gaze fixed on the blurred landscape rushing past. He was trying to ignore the knot of nerves twisting in his stomach, but it was hard. This wasn't just any train ride—this was his first step away from the rigid world of pure-blood expectations and family legacy. He didn't want to carry the weight of the Black name, the shadow of Slytherin, or the whispers of dark magic that haunted his family's reputation. No, he wanted something different. Freedom, friendship, maybe even... belonging. 

Across from him, Remus Lupin sat quietly, his fingers tracing the frayed edge of his sleeve. He was nervous too, but for entirely different reasons. He wasn't thinking about houses or reputations—he was thinking about the secret he carried, the one that marked him as different. A werewolf at Hogwarts. What would they say? What would they do if they found out? His mother had warned him to be careful, to keep his distance, but the loneliness of it all was already weighing on him. 

The compartment door slid open, and a messy-haired boy with glasses popped his head in, grinning as if he owned the train. "Mind if I sit here?" the boy asked, without waiting for an answer. He was followed closely by a small, slightly nervous-looking boy with sandy hair and wide eyes. 

"Go ahead," Sirius said, shrugging. He wasn't in the mood for company, but maybe it would keep his mind off everything. 

As the new boys settled in, introductions were made. James Potter— confident, brimming with excitement about everything to come. Peter Pettigrew—quiet but eager to belong, his eyes darting between his new companions as if trying to figure out how to fit in. Remus offered a small smile when it was his turn to speak, while Sirius simply leaned back, arms crossed, already trying to size them up. 

It was strange, really. Despite the initial awkwardness, something clicked between them, as if the universe had decided that these four boys were meant to meet, meant to be friends. 

But for Sirius and Remus, something even deeper stirred. 

It wasn't obvious at first. In fact, neither of them would have noticed if it hadn't been for the little moments—the way Sirius would glance over at Remus when he wasn't looking, or the way Remus's heart would beat just a little faster when Sirius smiled that mischievous, reckless grin. There was something about Sirius that intrigued Remus, something wild and untamed. And for Sirius, there was a calmness in Remus, a quiet strength that seemed to draw him in. 

During that first evening at Hogwarts, as they stood in the Great Hall waiting for the Sorting Hat to call their names, Sirius couldn't help but sneak another glance at Remus. He was so composed, so...different from the others. Sirius didn't know why, but he wanted to know more. Maybe it was the way Remus's eyes had that faraway look, like he was always thinking about something deeper. Or maybe it was the way he held himself, with a subtle confidence that was easy to miss if you weren't paying attention. 

Remus, on the other hand, was trying very hard not to notice Sirius's sharp jawline, or how his dark hair framed his face so perfectly. He had never felt anything like this before—a pull, almost magnetic. It was confusing, especially considering he had just met the boy. But there it was, undeniable and real, even if he couldn't quite explain it to himself. 

When the Sorting Hat finally called, Sirius went to Gryffindor with a roar of applause, much to his own surprise and his family's inevitable dismay. James followed soon after, grinning as he took a seat next to Sirius. Peter, nervous but relieved, joined them moments later. 

And then there was Remus. 

He walked up to the hat with his usual calm exterior, but inside, his thoughts were racing. What if they found out about him? What if he didn't belong here at all? The Hat paused for a moment, considering, and then, with a soft murmur, it declared, "Gryffindor." 

The table erupted in cheers, but for Remus, all he could focus on was the bright smile Sirius shot his way. It was a simple smile, but it felt like something more. As Remus took his seat beside him, something settled in his chest. It wasn't just about houses, or Hogwarts, or even magic. It was about the people sitting beside him, and the feeling that for the first time in a long while, he wasn't alone. 

Over the next few weeks, their bond deepened. James and Sirius quickly became the outgoing troublemakers, always planning some grand scheme or another, while Remus, though quieter, found himself drawn into their circle with surprising ease. But it was Sirius who seemed to linger in Remus's thoughts more than anyone else. And for Sirius, Remus was the one person who made him feel like maybe he didn't have to be the rebel all the time, that he could just...be. 

Late one night, when everyone else was asleep, the two found themselves sitting by the fireplace in the common room, talking about everything and nothing. Sirius, in a rare moment of vulnerability, opened up about his family—the expectations, the pressure, the suffocating darkness of it all. And Remus, in turn, shared pieces of his own burden, carefully choosing his words to keep his secret safe, but letting enough slip to show that he, too, knew what it was like to feel different. 

"I'm glad you're here," Sirius said suddenly, his voice soft but sincere. 

Remus looked at him, surprised. "Why?" Sirius shrugged, his gaze steady. "Because you make this place feel...different. Better." 

Remus felt his cheeks warm, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I could say the same about you." 

They sat in comfortable silence for a while longer, the fire casting flickering shadows on the walls. And in that quiet moment, something unspoken passed between them—a connection, deeper than friendship, though neither of them was quite ready to acknowledge it. 

It was just the beginning, after all. A beginning that would lead to years of mischief, loyalty, heartache, and love. But for now, it was enough to know that they had each other. And in a world full of uncertainty, that was everything. 

For Sirius and Remus, it was the start of something that would grow into the kind of friendship that only comes once in a lifetime. A friendship with the quiet promise of something more, just waiting to be discovered.