{1} The Marauders and the Whomping Willow ✔️

Chapter 2: Unexpected Visitor

It had been six years since his first transformation. Still the pain all over his body was too much to bear, lethargically he raised himself from the soft mattress of his bed, wondering what he had destroyed. Or, more cynically, who.

"Mum..." he croaked softly, his throat hoarse. Soon enough he felt the familiar comforting touch of his mother's fingers caressing his hair.

"It's alright Remus." She whispered. "I'm here now, everything is alright."

"Did I..."

His throat became to hoarse to speak. He wanted to know what had happened, whether he had killed anyone or anything. The transformation seemed to take more of a toll his body than usual. It was probably his worst one so far, not counting his first.

"Don't worry Remus, everything is perfectly fine."

Trusting her wholly, he relaxed.

"How are you feeling sweet-heart?" she asked. Remus looked into her clear blue eyes, so full of worry and intense love. It would be so much easier if she hated him.

Mustering all the bravado in his eleven year old body, he smiled winningly.

"Body's a bit soar." He admitted.

Hope gave a small smile of relief.

"I'll get you some crumpets." She said ruffling his hair. "How about some chocolate?"

Ravenous he nodded.

"Can I come down to the living room" He asked. He liked being near the fire after a transformation.

"Alright Remus."

Hope picked up her Son. Remus was a tall boy but extremely thin, as light as a babe. He snuggled back into his mother's arms wincing at the pain that was now isolated to his chest. He uncovered his torso revealing neatly arranged bandages. He had most likely broke the window. Again. He looked at it, the jagged bits of glass confirmed his suspicions.

Soon enough his mother sat him down in front of the fire and returned with a plate of crumpets, his favourite Honeydukes chocolate and a cup of ginger and honey tea. She placed it before him stroking his face lovingly, he leaned towards her hand savouring the warmth.

A knock on the door downstairs interrupted the intimate moment. Hope's face blanched with fear.

She whispered and indiscernible name under her breath.

"Who?" Asked Remus.

"Don't move." She stated, not answering. "Don't make a sound."

She left his room and locked the door behind him. Remus picked up his chocolate and let the sweet creaminess fill his tongue.

Not making a sound, he was good that. Making himself seem invisible that is.

He waited nervously. Would his family be evicted again? His fingers started to twitch nervously and an enormous amount of guilt started to build up within him. No matter their assurances he knew all their moving from place to place was his fault. He was a monster.

He almost fallen asleep with boredom but was jolted awake by a loud crack in his room. He turned to see an old man standing rather calmly. He had long silvery white beard that reached his waist. He was wearing, what Remus recognised to be elaborate midnight blue wizarding robes alongside the matching pointed hat. His clear, piercing blue eyes regarded his with mild interest from behind his half-moon glasses.

"Remus Lupin I presume." He stated warmly.

Remus nodded slightly.

"Did you apperate here Sir?"

"Indeed my good man." Answered the strange old wizard with a twinkle in his eye. "I see you already have received some magical education."

"Father's already teaching me some spells."

"Well you're already on your way to becoming great wizard aren't you? Tell me have you heard of Hogwarts?"

"Are you Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore seemed taken aback. This boy it seemed was unusually sharp.

"Yes I am Dumbledore. It was rather rude of me not to introduce myself. Wasn't it?"

Remus shrugged.

"Would you like a crumpet or some chocolate Mr. Dumbledore?"

"Thank you Remus." Said the old man taking a crumpet. Then his spectacled eyes fell on some coloured balls at the Remus"s side.

"It has been many years since I've played Gobstones." Said Dumbledore whimsically. "Would you do me the honor of playing a match or so?"

Remus grinned and set up a game which Dumbledore promptly lost. Dumbledore lost three times before the door burst open with an shocked Lyall and an exasperated Hope.

"How...?" Started Lyall.

Dumbledore chuckled.

"Well a boy as sharp as Remus shouldn't be lying around for the rest of his life should he? He beat me three times at Gobstones alone. He should be allowed to  come to Hogwarts?"

Remus frowned. Despite his mother and father's love he had never known friendship, he was forbidden to play with the other children. The idea of going to school with other children seemed daunting. There was also his lycanthropy. But an equally immense emotion, one of a hunger to learn fought against the negatives. Dumbledore sensed his strife.

"I know about his what you might call furry little problem." said Dumbledore with a smile before either Hope and Lyall could object. "Fenrir Greyback had boasted of his actions to spies that I had planted among the Dark creatures. I assure you Mr. And Mrs. Lupin, Remus would be able to attend Hogwarts with no issues since I have already seen to it that the boy would have a safe, secure location to spend his monthly transformations."

"Can I really go?" Asked Remus, his tone pleading with his parents. There was curious hunger that dwelled in the young boys eyes, a fierce passion for learning that Lyall had noted during his homeschooling sessions with his son. If the notion of Hogwarts made him happy, then Hogwarts it was.

"Yes Remus, you can." Confirmed Lyall.

Despite his tired form Remus almost jumped with joy. He mind swimming with the thoughts of attending class, the smell of old parchment and freshly churned ink. He thought of great feasts and maybe just maybe friends.

Dumbledore smiled and his eyes glistening with at sight of happiness from the young lad, he took out a creme envelope from his robes with neat writing printed in green ink.

"I trust that I shall see you at Hogwarts soon." He then stopped and frowned. "Oh dear I had almost forgotten..."

He took out book. It was brand new and the titled The Hobbit.

"It is a rather curious muggle book which I have taken a liking to. I have heard that you like reading. Happy Early Birthday Remus!"


"Thanks Mr. Dumbledore."

"Professor Dumbledore" the old man corrected before vanishing with a crack.