The Marauder Years

First Year - Platform Nine and Three Quarters

Remus emerged from the enchanted wall with his parents behind him, pushing his trolley onto the bustling platform.

"See, it's not that bad," his father remarked, patting him absentmindedly on the back, his attention already drawn away by the platform and all of the parents seeing off their own children.

"You are going to be just fine, Remmy," his mother's soothing voice enveloped him like a security blanket as she turned to look him in the eyes.

"Of course he'll be fine!" his father turned back to him, realizing his son's need for reassurance. "Don't worry, we've talked to Dumbledore about all the necessary, erm... special accommodations." He smiled directly at Remus and then continued, "he's a Lupin, and he's made of strong stuff, right boy?" ruffling his son's light brown hair to hint to Remus that he already knew the answer. Remus answered with a smile, though slightly wavering, mirroring his belief in himself.

"Lyall, I know you're itching to go see your old schoolmates," Hope Lupin teased, automatically noticing her husband's eager glances off to the east part of the platform.

Lyall Lupin swiftly turned to his wife, a guilty expression drenching his face like paint on a canvas, and Hope chuckled.

"We've been married for fifteen years, and yet you still seem surprised when I know exactly what you're thinking."

"Ahh, well, you got me," he gave in. "I just glimpsed ol' Rudy Henderson with his two daughters, and I haven't seen him since our school days."

He glanced down at Remus, an apology painted on his features, but the amused boy cut him off.

"Go on, dad, I don't mind." Remus urged him with a warm smile.

"Alright sport, if you're sure...." Lyall Lupin bent down to pull his son into a tight hug, whispered a sincere "good luck" and then ran off, almost as if he had reverted back to his primary school self, racing off to play with his mates.
Hope and Remus watched him go, entertained by how a man of his age could still be so childish.

After only about two seconds, the worried mother turned back to her son and started checking to make sure that he had everything that he needed with him.

"-and you've got your quills and parchment, right?"

"Yes, mum," the obedient son answered diligently, chuckling to himself about how much of a worrywart his mother was.

"I want to make sure, since you'll be writing to us every week, right?"

He paused and reflected that he might not have the time, but assured his mother anyway that he would try his best.

"Oh, pumpkin, you know that I believe you'll do well, it's just that your dad and I will so miss having you around, and-"

Remus grinned and embraced his mother, calming her with an "I'll miss you too, mum, and I promise that I'll study hard, and write, and not eat too many sweets."

She cut him off: "Ohh I am worried about that last one. But don't worry, I packed you some of my scones for the train ride, and I might be able to send some through the owl mail or whatnot."

"You're the best!" Remus squealed, and his mother laughed at his excited reaction.

"Alright, I think it's time for you to get going and make some new friends." Hope Lupin said, gently placing a kiss on her son's forehead.

"Muuuuuuum!" Remus giggled.

"That's it! One kiss and maybe one more hug." She said and pulled her son in for another hug, tighter this time, as if she was trying to imprint herself on him, or vice versa, so that she would be left with a little bit of Remus when he did leave for what seemed to be forever.

"Alright, now I'm ready." Remus smiled fondly, and gazed at his mother, trying to take a mental photograph to store in his mind for those days of impending homesickness which were bound to arrive soon.

The fragile-looking, apprehensive boy steeled himself and started walking towards the gleaming scarlet train, soon getting distracted by its brilliance so much so that he nearly walked into several kids who were standing near the edge of the platform talking, and overcompensated by staggering back... right into a rather short kid with messy black hair and round glasses, who looked about the same age as him.

"Oi, watch it!"

"S-sorry, I almost fell off the platform," Remus started to apologize, realizing that it didn't really make sense because the train was stood close enough to the edge of the platform that he couldn't have fallen onto the tracks below even if he had tried to.

"That's ok, glad you didn't." The boy grinned. "Are you a first year too?" Remus nodded earnestly, eager to make up for his mishap and to make a friend.

"The name's James. Potter. James Potter."

Remus couldn't hold back a giggle that rudely escaped from his mouth.

"You sound more like James Bond about now," and the other boy rolled his eyes, but smiled, silently admitting his mistake. He stuck his hand out to Remus, and the taller boy gladly shook it.

"I'm Remus Lupin," he said, carefully stressing each syllable, pretending to show James how to properly introduce himself.

"Aw, sod off, grammar nerd!" James shot back, no malice present in his tone.

"Well," James started, "I better get my trunk to the conductor, but I'll see you inside?"

Remus nodded. "Sure thing, James Bond, see ya!"