Breathe Me ( A Bullied By The Marauders Era Fanfiction / Remus Lupin Love Story)

1 - Train Journeys and rat-like boys

The petite, young lady clasped her hands tightly around the cold metal railing of her cart.

With her hands clasped tightly around the cold metal railing of her cart, the young lady set off down the cramped platform, her eyes wondering from person to person. Muggles always made her feel stuffy, somewhat uncomfortable. Maybe it was just people in general.

The cart contained a small, cramped, tattered suitcase stuffed with; shabby clothing, schoolbooks, mini quills and one tightly closed pot of black ink. Beside the case was a brown battered old rucksack, with bits of torn brown leather peeling off - that too was filled to the brim with spell books.

Enclosed in a small wooden cage, an owl hooted towards the muggles, keeping its eyes on them. Many eyes followed her, confused and curious as to why she even owned an owl in the first place. Its beady eyes focused on the mission ahead, it too like its owner felt uncomfortable under their gazes. Almost as if it knew something, or someone was nearby.

The lady bolted between platform nine and ten, hurdling her small body through the wall as she had done times before, her eyes tightly shut together. A cacophony of noise pierced her round ears, making her open her eyes widely and grimace at the sight before her.

A scarlet train with many families surrounding it made her heartbreak. Of course, she had been her many times before. This time was different, much different. Without her father's warm hand on her shoulder, telling her how much he would miss her, without her mother's stern but kind words strictly ordering her to owl every week, without her only stings of happiness - she couldn't help but feel numb and gloomy.

The train let out a sharp bellowing toot, bringing her back to full consciousness, she made her way through the crowd, sidestepping in and out of the joyful families as they chortled with each other, sending a deep spark of jealousy down into her stomach, brewing up a fire as her eyes fell on more and more groups of relatives.

Hood up, she pushed her way through the crowd, muttering many apologies, also mentally praying none of them would recognise her. Her head cast downwards and bowed slightly, her caramel hair, which cascaded down her back, covered part of her face.

Her brain was ticking anxiously, her palms began to sweat, and her chest felt as though it was about to implode. She begrudgingly allowed herself to glance around, scanning the crowd for a familiar face she knew it was hopeless. Her heart pounded loudly in her eardrums almost and she let herself smile, this was a sign, her parents wanted her to know they were there, in her heart. But her hope died down and her smile fell as she hauled her cart to the side.

She shoved the clunky leather backpack on her shoulder, clasped the suitcase in her right hand and her owl's cage in the left one, then made her way aboard the famous Hogwarts express. A Train that only travelled between two stations, the first being Kings cross station and the second being Hogsmeade Station.

She awkwardly began speeding between chatting Slytherin's and Happy Hufflepuff's, finally, she made her way towards the end of the narrow corridor. Passing many carriages filled with both male and female groups of friends. Many were deep in conversation, probably talking about their trips in summer or excitement to be back. Some noticed her looking in and sent her dirty looks, almost demanding her to carry on walking with their eyes, whilst others just ignored her existence altogether.

At the very end of the train, final train compartment appeared to be empty and Claire couldn't help but to let out a relieved sigh. She was more than pleased by the fact that no one was there, before pushing the door aside and walking in.

The scent of the carriage immediately wafted up her nostrils. The stench of old parchment and chocolate frogs made her feel more at home. More than she had felt for the whole of the year. The compartment was small, so it probably could only fit at least six people in. Its seats were clothed with a blue and grey checked material, it looked rather hard and rough but surprisingly, when Claire laid her small hand on top of the material and brushed it across, it was fluffy and smooth.