The Moon And The Star: Year 1

Remus Lupin

POSSIBLE TRIGGERS Mild Mentions of neglect and bullying

Remus Lupin was a small boy who looked like he would break in half if you so much as poked him. Despite this, his peers always seemed scared of him. They would say stuff like "freak" and "loner", but Remus always thought that the latter was funny as they were the ones not including him.

He often had thoughts like these but decided to keep them to himself. He didn't need another reason for his father to be disappointed in him. Lyall never beat his son physically, but sometimes the cold, almost unloving voice he spoke in was worse. Lyall Lupin worked for the ministry of magic and wasn't really at home much so at least Remus didn't have to deal with that disappointment all the time. Just once a month when his father would take time off work to sort him out during the full moon.

You see, Remus Lupin was a werewolf, and that was the biggest thing he hated about himself. I mean, he hated a lot of things about himself but that was the biggest. When he was 5 years old he was bitten by a werewolf by the name of Fenrir Greyback, he constantly thought back to that day and how it ruined his whole life and relationship with his father. One day when his dad was particularly irritable the got into an argument and Lyall had told him that was the day he had stopped being his son. His mother had repeatedly told him it wasn't his fault that he turned into a monster once a month, but he couldn't help feeling like it was. Even if it wasn't his fault, Lyall sure made it seem like it was.

"How are you dear?" came a soft voice from behind the chair Remus was sitting in.

"I'm fine mum, thanks."

"Me and your father have some news for you, come" she said as she walked back into the kitchen.

Remus wasn't sure whether it was good news or bad news but he thought it best not to keep his dad waiting, just in case. As he entered the dimly lit room his father was sitting at the table with a strange looking letter in his shaky hand.

"Come Remus, sit" he spoke.As Remus sat down Lyall could see the worried look on his sons face so he almost whispered,

"Oh, no don't worry it is good news. Actually amazing news"

Remus' face flooded with relief as his shoulders relaxed.

"Remus, you've been accepted into Hogwarts!" His mother blurted out unable to keep it in any longer.

"Really!" Remus shouted with shock and joy. But then it hit him. Dumbledore must not know about his lycanthropy.

"But what about my... condition. It is illegal for me to go to school."

"Dumbledore knows and has taken the proper measures to allow you to attend Hogwarts." Lyall spoke.

"But what if I attack someone? I'm dangerous! I'm a monster! I can't be near any other kids, isn't that why we live all the way out here. In the middle of nowhere. So I can transform without attacking anyone. I could never forgive myself if I ever so much as even got close to attacking anyone!"

"I shared the same concern Remus but Dumbledore assured me that would never happen and i trust him. Now, go get your things we are going to Diagon alley in 5 minutes."

"Yes dad."

Despite what his dad said Remus wasn't convinced he wouldn't hurt anyone and decided to keep everyone at school at arms length to make sure no one found out his secret or went snooping somewhere they shouldn't. However, despite all his concerns, Remus couldn't help feeling the tiniest bit excited he could actually go to school.

It is too crowded in here, thought Remus. He was stood in the middle of Flourish and Blotts possibly the busiest place he had ever been. It was decided; Remus was not a people person. he made his way through the bustling crowd to the second had section. He pulled the scrunched up piece of parchment out of his pocket and picked out the books he needed, trying to get the ones that looked the closest to new. He was about to reach for a tattered looking "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" when a pale hand reached out and stopped him. He looked up and there was a girl, slightly taller than him, with waist length fiery ginger hair.

"Here, have this one, better quality." She said, thrusting the book towards him.

"Oh...thanks. That's really kind of you but I can't afford it, that is why I was going for the second hand ones." Remus said politely.

"Oh... no worries, I can pay for you! My mum accidentally gave me way too much money as she doesn't understand how wizarding money works. i'm muggle born, you see." She explained as she handed Remus a few sickles.

"Thank you, but why are you doing this?" Remus said baffled, no one had ever shown him this much kindness before.

"I'm just being nice, has no one ever been nice to you?"

"No" Remus said quietly.

"Well, i'm sorry about that, but at least now you know what it feels like!" the girl said smiling.

"Lily!" a voice came from the distance.

"Coming mum! Well, I have got to go now, but maybe I will see you at school?"

"Yeah, maybe." Remus replied, still a bit shy.

And with that Lily ran back through the crowd to her mum. This reminded Remus that he should probably pay and get back to his parents.

Later that night when Remus was laying in bed he thought about the nice thing Lily had done for him and wondered why nobody had been nice to him before. No, you know why! He told himself, you can't make friends because you will be lying to them, and if you don't lie to them they most certainly won't want to even be near you, let alone be your friend.