Into the Darkness

Into The Darkness

Chapter One: In the Beginning

1971

'Rémy, hurry up!'

'Coming, Père!' Rémy yelled back as he picked up a last minute item to put into his rucksack.

The item was a gift from his cousin, someone that was no longer a part of his life. A night of foolishness had cost the Lupine family five years ago, a night that young Rémy Joseph Lupine was never going to forget. His parents may not have blamed him for what happened, but Rémy never stopped blaming himself.

They had only wanted to go stargazing, how they used to love looking at the moon and stars. Rémy and his cousin René craved the nights; it was their favourite time of the whole day. They would often sneak out to the roof of their house back in France and watch the night sky, picking out their favourite constellations and planets. That fateful night when they were six years old, however, changed young Rémy's life. That night the cousins had decided to venture off the roof into the forest behind the house, and had paid dearly for it.

The forest wasn't supposed to be a dangerous place; it had never been before that night anyway. That particular night, however, they came across a werewolf that was being hunted, and René paid for the encounter with his life. Rémy suffered as well, nearly losing his right arm to the beast before managing to escape. A silver necklace that had been given to Rémy by his grandmother had saved his life, but he wished it hadn't.

Losing his cousin was worse than any living hell. Even now, five years later, he still heard his cousin's voice in his mind, and saw René each time he looked in the mirror, which he tried not to do whenever possible. He hated mirrors, to the point of smashing every one they had in his house. Since the moment he lost René and became the beast he now was, mirrors were his enemy.

His parents tried everything to help him, but Rémy had already lost hope for himself. Even though his parents still loved him and tried their best, it wasn't enough sometimes. He knew they feared him during the full moons, and to be honest, he feared himself. He and his cousin had always been quiet, happy children, but now, on his own and bereft of his cousin's love and companionship, as well as infused with the darkness of what he was, Rémy became a different person, and didn't know how to handle it alone.

His parents hid his condition the best they could. They moved from France to England and tried to start a new life for Rémy, but he just couldn't accept any of it. He had finally resigned to his fate that he would never be more than the beast he was when the school he and his cousin had dreamt of going to -- Beauxbatons -- sent a letter saying that he was no longer eligible to go because he was a werewolf. Rémy was ten when the letter came, and with that letter, all his dreams shattered in a moment's time.

That was the final straw for Rémy; he could take things no more. He became withdrawn and suicidal. He turned away from everything and everyone, until his parents didn't know what to do with him any longer. They feared they would lose their son, and in the end, they had no choice but to try to beseech the British Ministry of Magic for help.

He was locked away in St Mungo's psychiatric ward. For eight months, he sat there staring into nothing, taking medication after medication as doctors attempted to draw him out of the silence he had entombed himself in. He even refused to eat until they finally had to resort to Muggle means and used tubes down his nose to force-feed him. He lost too much weight nor was he speaking or attempting to become interactive with anyone, and his parents were beginning to fear the worst.

Then one day when no one was about an old man came to visit Rémy. The twinkling blue-eyed wizard with the sparkling purple robes and half-moon glasses didn't speak, didn't try to touch Rémy, all he did was sit there and wait. Hour upon hour the man sat there, until Rémy finally became curious enough to turn and look at him, and when he did his life changed once more.

Albus Dumbledore, the new Headmaster of Hogwart's somehow had found out about Rémy's plight, and was ready to do something about it. He extended his hand in friendship and offered the one thing that Rémy thought would never happen -- the chance to go to Wizarding School. With the right precautions, and under the name of Remus J Lupin, Rémy's dreams came true. He was going to school, and though it would be a fight to keep his secrets, he was going to fulfil the dreams of both he and René best he could.

Today was the day in which those dreams would start for Rémy. It was now September 1st, the first day of school and the beginning of his new life. He would show them all, especially the doctors at St Mungo's that said he would never be able to amount to anything because of being a werewolf. He would prove them all wrong; he was going to do something with his life, no matter what it took.

'Rémy, come now or you will miss the train!' Valeray Lupine called again.

'I'm ready!' Rémy called back and tossed Moony into his rucksack.

Moony went with him everywhere, and even though he knew he would have to hide it at school, he did not intend to leave it behind. Though a bit tattered and worn now, it was all he had left of René, so to Hogwarts it was going.

'Well make it, Moony, you'll see. We'll be strong wolves, you and I,' Rémy whispered to the rucksack, and then draping it across his shoulder dashed out of his bedroom and downstairs to where his father was waiting.

'About time,' Valeray grumbled and eyed his son critically.

'Where is Mère?' Rémy asked looking round.

'She is waiting in the car,' Valeray said and held open the door.

Rémy quickly went outside to the small family car and got in the back seat, making sure to hold tight to his rucksack.

'Remus, I was worried. Are you all right, mon petite ange?' Elizabeth Lupine asked. 'You were so late.'

'Sorry, Mère, I had to pack Moony,' Rémy said patting his bag.

Eliza smiled and nodded in understanding. 'I was not sure you would want to take him. I know he would miss you if you did not though,' she said softly.

'I would miss him too,' Rémy smiled back then the smiled faded slightly. 'Mère? Are you certain it is right for me to go to Hogwarts? I will be gone an awfully long time from you and Père,' he said worriedly.

'Your Père and I are very grateful that Headmaster Dumbledore is allowing this. It is right that you should go there,' Eliza said firmly. 'You will make many friends, you will see.'

'But ... what if they find out about me?' Rémy said in a small voice. 'What if --'

'There will be no "what ifs," Rémy,' Valeray said getting into the car now. 'You will do what you must do to keep what you are from the others, no exceptions. Is that clear?'

'Yes, Père,' Rémy said humbly.

'Valeray, do not be so hard on the boy,' Eliza chided her husband. 'It is difficult enough on him, do not make it worse,' she said then turned to look at Rémy. 'You will do fine, I know you will. No matter what choices you make, we are proud of you, never forget that, Remus.'

'Why cannot you use the name you were given? Why use this "Remus" name? Is Rémy not good enough for you anymore? It was your great-grandfather's name, you realise. It was good enough for him, should be good enough for you,' Valeray mumbled as they headed towards King's Cross Station from their house in Gravesend, Kent.

'We talked about this already, Valeray. We do not want to bring any more attention to Rémy than need be. He likes the name Remus, and frankly so do I,' Eliza said.

'Humph, very well, I will not argue that, but do not expect me to give in to this nonsense,' Valeray grumbled, though he didn't say more on the topic, and for a while no one else in the car spoke either.

Rémy knew his father was stubborn and hotheaded like most Frenchmen, but he had his heart in the right place. Rémy's family were purebloods that could be traced back over a thousand years on his father's side and a good eight hundred years in his mum's side. Still, because of Rémy they had had to pretend to be Muggles for the past five years whilst living in England, which had been very hard on all of them since until this happened they had never had to be round Muggles much in France.

Valeray worked for the British Ministry now, though as to what he did Rémy never asked. It required his father to be gone in the dead of night sometimes and often come home very tired and irritable. They didn't have a lot of money either, all the money they had had back in France had been spent trying to find cures for Rémy, and then there was all the months he spent locked away in St Mungo's, so now they were almost broke.

Rémy felt bad about that fact, and vowed that he would do his best to make things easier on his parents whenever possible. He knew going to Hogwarts was expensive, and though buying everything, including his clothes, second hand had helped, he knew it really wasn't enough. He had a bad feeling their last few Galleons had been spent on his school supplies, so he felt even guiltier about that.

As they neared King's Cross Station, Rémy grew apprehensive. He wondered what sort of people would be going to Hogwarts. What would happen if they found out he was a werewolf? Would he be expelled? Headmaster Dumbledore had made many trips to the small house in Gravesend the past month to inform the Lupine's of the precautions he was taking, but Rémy was still worried.

He would have a place to go to transform each month, but would it be enough to keep the wolf at bay? His transformations were horrible, most times leaving him drained of energy and willpower. He would be vulnerable on the days before, during, and right after the full moons. When Dumbledore had spoken of all the wonderful things he would be learning he had been so excited to go to Hogwarts, but now as they arrived at the station a slight chill went through him as he surveyed the area.

'There are so many Muggles, Mère!' Rémy said shrinking back into the seat of the car as his father pulled into the carport.

'Do not be afraid, Remus,' Eliza smiled as she got out of the car and took him by the hand. 'We will make sure you get to the platform all right. Now, come along, we have to get a trolley to put your things on.'

'All right, just don't let go,' Rémy said holding onto his mother's hand tightly as they went into the station.

The myriads of Muggles scared him; he wasn't used to seeing so many at once, his parents rarely went to places that had many people. The only other time he had seen so many people was at Diagon Alley when he had gone to get his school supplies, but that had been nothing compared to the people coming and going at King's Cross Station. His mother managed to get a trolley and soon as Valeray loaded it up they made their way to Platform 9 ¾. When Rémy crossed the barrier, he was stunned into silence. He had never seen anything as beautiful as the Hogwart's Express. The shiny red and black engine and cars, the students milling round chatting to each other excitedly, the sounds of owls hooting in impatience -- to him it was amazing.

'Rémy, stop daydreaming and get your things on the train before it leaves!' Valeray called out in French.

'Sorry, Père,' Rémy replied in French.

Whenever Valeray was nervous or excited he tended to lapse into French, a habit that Rémy was fond of doing as well. The nervousness in the car had tapered off to excitement now that he was here on the platform, so he quickly got his things together and started to dash off towards where he last saw his parents. Unfortunately, he wasn't watching where he was going, and the next minute he was sprawled on the ground on his back.

'Hey, watch where you're going!' a voice said irritably causing Rémy to look up in surprise.

'Sorry, I didn't mean to --'

'Yeah, yeah, whatever, just watch it, kid,' the boy muttered then looked over at something else. 'Hey, James, wait up!' he called out and dashed off, completely forgetting about Rémy.

Rémy sighed and started to get up off the ground when suddenly a hand was in front of him causing him to look up once more. 'Are you going to knock me down too if I get up?' he said suspiciously.

'Actually, I believe I was trying to help you, but if you do not want my help I can easily walk away,' the person said.

Rémy looked at the other boy whose hand was still out. Making a quick decision, he grabbed the offered hand and got to his feet. 'Thanks,' he said shyly.

'You should be careful of people like that,' the boy replied.

'Yeah, I reckon so,' Rémy nodded and brushed his trousers off. 'So umm ... are you a --'

'Rémy, stop dawdling, the train is about to leave! Come say good-bye to your Mère!' Valeray called out, once again in French.

Rémy turned to see his dad scowling at him then turned back to the other boy. 'Sorry, I have to go say good-bye to my parents. See you on the train?' he asked.

'Maybe,' the other boy shrugged, and then glanced at Rémy's rucksack. 'It's highly likely we will meet again, you are going to Hogwarts after all.'

'Err ... yeah,' Rémy nodded. 'Well, good-bye then ahh ...'

'Snape, Severus Snape,' the smaller boy said.

'Ré--err ... Remus Lupin,' Rémy said. 'See you then, Severus.'

'Lupin,' Severus said with a slight nod of his head then without a look back walked onto the train.

Rémy stared after the boy for a moment then dashed back to his parents. 'Good-bye, Mère,' he said hugging his mother. 'Good-bye, Père, I'll write soon as I can.'

'You best, that is why we got you an owl. Damned expensive thing it was at that,' Valeray grumbled.

'And worth every Knut, Valeray, so hush your mouth,' Eliza said hugging Rémy back. 'Now, do your best, Remus, and we will see you at Yule. Dress warm, don't eat too much, and --'

'You're coddling the child, Eliza!' Valeray groaned then put his hand on Rémy's shoulder. 'Just be careful, I know you will do us proud, boy.'

'I will, Père, I promise,' Rémy smiled and with a last hug for his mum, and a nod at his father, he got on the train. He made his way his way through the compartments, but everywhere seemed full up. At the end were a few more left that seemed not as full, so he opened one of the doors and peeked in.

'Umm ... do you have room for one more?' he asked the three people inside then recognised one of the boys. 'Oh, you're the boy from before!' he said involuntarily.

One of the two black-haired boys in the cabin looked up, confused until he saw who was speaking, then a smirk came across his face. 'You're the bloke I knocked down on the platform. You made it after all then,' he said.

'You could have at least helped me up,' Rémy chided.

'Eh well, was in a hurry to meet someone, sorry about that,' the boy said.

'What happened, Sirius?' the other black-haired boy with glasses said curiously.

'Nothing much, James, just bumped into this kid earlier.'

'And you didn't help him up, typical of you, Sirius,' the third boy with brown hair snorted then turned to Rémy. 'Don't mind Sirius, he gets that way sometimes. My name's Peter, what's yours?'

'It's --' Rémy began to say but was cut off.

'Aw man, Dumbledore again! I'm tired of getting Dumbledore!' Sirius groaned. 'How come you always get the good cards, James?'

'Because I'm not a berk like you,' James grinned then opened his chocolate frog. 'Ah yes, Circe, only have about twenty of her,' he laughed and poked Sirius in the ribs.

'Show off,' Sirius grumbled and smacked James on the forehead. 'Give over,' he said then snatched the card out of James' hand. 'Snooze you lose, Jamsie!'

Peter shook his head and rolled his eyes. 'James, Sirius, aren't you even going to say anything to ahh ...' he turned to Rémy, 'sorry, never got your name.'

'Ahh ... it's ... err ... Remus Lupin,' Rémy said nervously. It was clear from the dear looking clothes and the playful banter between the boys he was the odd man out in his shabby hand-me-downs.

'Lupin? Bit of an odd name isn't that?' James said looking up interested now.

'It's French,' Rémy said defensively, suddenly not so sure he wanted to keep talking to these people.

'French, well that explains the wonky accent you've got then,' Sirius said and leaned back in his seat studying Rémy carefully. 'What are you doing here then if you're French?'

'He's obviously going to school, what do you think he's doing, Sirius?' Peter interjected. 'Don't mind him, Remus; he can be a git sometimes.'

'Look who's talking -- Petey,' Sirius grinned sweetly.

'Shut up, Sirius,' Peter muttered and flashed him a rather nasty gaze. 'You know I hate that nickname.'

'Oh sorry -- Wormy,' Sirius snickered.

'You're asking for it, Sirius,' Peter glared then again turned back to Rémy. 'Like I said, don't mind him, he's a prat. So, Remus, you're a first year too?'

'Ahh ... yes ... I am,' Rémy nodded, moving closer to the door. 'Umm, I have to go use the loo, I'll be back,' he said then before anyone could say another word he dashed out and closed the door behind him.

He shook his head and clutched his rucksack. 'I don't think I like those kids much, Moony,' he whispered to his wolf. 'They're awful strange ... and the black-haired kids seem rather mean,' he sighed.

He moved on to the last compartment that didn't look full up and opened the door. The compartment was empty except for a single boy -- one with a curtain of long black hair that looked a bit greasy, pale skin, and a slightly hooked nose that was buried in a large book. He recognised the boy immediately, however, and decided to take a chance at getting a place to sit.

'May I sit here?' he asked.

The boy looked up suspiciously then he shrugged and nodded towards the seat opposite him. 'Suit yourself,' he said.

Rémy nodded in relief and relaxed as the soft, velvety voice of the other boy winded its way through his senses. He had never met anyone like Severus Snape, cold and aloof, but when Rémy by sheer chance glanced into the other boy's coal black eyes he draw in a sharp breath. In that few seconds, he saw things, as if he was looking into the boy's very soul. Not images really, but more like hidden emotions that Rémy didn't understand. Whatever the case was, he felt a connection towards the short, thin, longhaired boy dressed all in black, and it drew Rémy like the moth to the flame. Severus, however, didn't seem outwardly phased at all by the glance, he merely kept his inky eyes focused on Rémy until finally he broke eye contact and looked back at his book.

'No where else to sit?' he asked mildly.

'There was another cabin, but I didn't like the people there. I think they're names were James, Peter, and Sirius,' Rémy said sitting down.

Severus snorted. 'Potter, Pettigrew, and Black, no wonder you ran,' he said with a clear distaste in his voice.

'Ah,' Rémy said, not really understanding what Severus meant. 'What's wrong with them?'

Severus turned his gaze back fully on Rémy, looking at him intensely for a moment then turned away. 'You will find out soon enough, especially if they take a disliking to you,' he said.

'What are you reading?' Rémy said looking at the book now, his mind not even wanting to think further about the other three boys.

'Nothing that I think would interest you,' Severus said offhandedly and turned back to his book. 'But if you must know, it is a book about potions.'

'Really? I have always wondered about that,' Rémy said eagerly. 'My Mère -- my mother I mean -- she likes to dabble in potions. I help her out sometimes.'

'I do not just dabble in potions, Lupin. I am going to be a Potion Master someday,' Severus said defiantly.

'I'm sure you'll be very good at it,' Rémy said and looked out the window. 'Oh, how beautiful it is out there, don't you think, Severus?' he exclaimed as he looked at the passing countryside.

Severus turned to look out the window then snuck a glance at his cabin companion. 'Yes, on that I agree,' he said quietly. 'Though some would say beauty is in the eye of the beholder I believe true beauty can only come from within.'

'Yes, I think you're right on that,' Rémy said softly and thought about himself.

Rémy was not much to look at; he knew that even without using a mirror. He was too thin and tired looking right now since the full moon had only just passed a few days back. He had light brown hair that he had grown down to the middle of his back, which was tied back right now, and brown almost gold eyes that were still more yellowish because of the moon.

He suddenly realised that he was a bit like the boy sitting opposite him, they both had shabby clothes and weren't much to look at, except that Rémy was shier and Severus seemed darker and more mysterious. It was a good quality though far as Rémy saw it, and at least the other boy wasn't trying to run him down, or acting like a cad as the other boys had. He wasn't commenting on Rémy's surname being odd, or trying to even make up conversation at all. Rémy didn't say anything for a while longer; he just gazed out the window until a knock came at the door.

'Anything off the trolley, dearies?' a jovial voice asked.

Rémy's eyes lit up at all the sweets and turned to Severus. 'Do you want anything, Severus?' he asked.

'No, I do not indulge myself with those sorts of sweets,' Severus said.

'Not even Bertie Bott's Beans?' Rémy asked in astonishment. 'Or chocolate frogs?'

'No, Lupin, not even them,' Severus said haughtily. 'When I do eat sweets, I prefer something far better than what is being offered on that cart.'

'Oh, well all right then,' Rémy said then turned back to the trolley. 'I'll have a pumpkin pasty and a box of Bertie Bott's Beans please,' he said as he dug out some Knuts.

He wasn't allowed to have Sickles being they were silver, and Galleon's were a rare commodity in his house. His father had given him a few Knuts for the trip though, but suddenly he realised just how much the sweets were going to cost and he didn't want to spend his precious Knuts anymore.

'Umm ... on second thought ... I've changed my mind. I'm sorry,' he said apologetically.

'Are you sure, dear? Nothing at all?' the witch asked kindly.

'Yes, Ma'am, I am sure,' he said and the door closed as the witch moved on.

'Why didn't you get them?' Severus asked curiously.

'Oh ... err ... just wasn't hungry after all,' Rémy said blushing slightly as he stuffed his Knuts back into his pocket.

'You did not have the money for them, did you,' Severus said matter-of-factly as he gave Rémy another intense look.

Rémy fidgeted a moment then sat back against the seat, his gaze downcast. 'My Père -- err ... my father I mean, could only give me ten Knuts right now. I just want to make them last a bit longer,' he said quietly.

'I see,' Severus said then closed his book and watched Rémy for a few minutes. 'What house do you want to be in?' he asked.

Rémy looked up in surprise. 'House? Oh ... err ... I don't really know. What house will you be in do you think?'

Severus looked uncomfortable a moment. 'Well, I want to go into Ravenclaw, but I do not think I can. My family has always been Slytherins you see, so it is more than likely I will also go there.'

'Why do you have to do what everyone else does?' Rémy asked.

'Because that is the way it is, Lupin,' Severus said. 'Personally, I do not care where I end up, as long as it is not Gryffindor.'

'What's wrong with Gryffindor?'

'Potter, Pettigrew, and Black, need I say more? They are Gryffindor material, though Black I am not sure will end up there, considering what sort of family he comes from,' Severus said with a sniff.

'What's wrong with his family?' Rémy asked curiously.

'His family is heavily into Dark Arts,' Severus said.

'Oh,' Rémy said, not fully understanding what Severus was saying. 'I ... I don't know much about that sort of thing.'

'Were you raised under a rock, Lupin?' Severus asked. 'Don't you know the rumours that are in the air?'

'What rumours?' Rémy asked.

'You have been under a rock, haven't you,' Severus said rolling his eyes.

'Well you should be more straight forwards when asking things,' Rémy shot back. 'Not all of us were raised in the Wizarding World you know,' he huffed.

Severus looked at Rémy in surprise. 'Are you a Muggle-born?' he asked.

'No, I'm a pure-blood, but I grew up with Muggles the past five years.'

'Why would a pure-blood be living amongst Muggles?' Severus asked.

'It's a rather long story,' Rémy said hesitantly, 'but suffice to say when we moved to England from Sauzon, we ended up living round Muggles.'

'You are French then, I thought I recognised the language your father was speaking at the station,' Severus said. 'Why are you going to Hogwarts, and not Beauxbatons?'

'Because I live in England now, that's why,' Rémy said irritably. 'Does it really matter? I'm just glad to be going to school at all,' he said.

'That makes one of us then, because I wish I was not going to school at all. I have always been alone and would have preferred it to stay that way,' Severus said.

'I'm alone too,' Rémy replied. 'Well I have been since I was six anyway.'

'What happened when you were six?' Severus asked.

'Err ... nothing, I don't want to talk about if you don't mind,' Rémy said quickly. 'Since we are going to school together, I think we should make some attempt at getting on with each other. Will you be my friend, Severus?' he said and held out his hand.

Severus looked at the outstretched hand in debate then grasped Rémy's hand. 'Friends then,' he said, 'provided you do not go to Gryffindor that is.'

Rémy shook his head as he pulled his hand away. 'You are funny, Severus. Does it really matter if I do or don't go to Gryffindor?'

'It does actually,' Severus nodded. 'The Gryffindor and Slytherin Houses are enemies. They have been for a thousand years that is how the houses work.'

'Sounds rather stupid to me,' Rémy said wrinkling his nose, 'but if it comes down to it, I'm not sure I would want to go there anyway. If those other three are in Gryffindor, I doubt I would like it. Though Peter seems nice, at least he was trying to be.'

'Pettigrew is a lap dog to the others, rather untalented but a harmless sort really. However, I would not trust him further than I could throw him when he is round the other two, and with his heavyset frame that would not be too far I wager,' Severus snickered. 'Pity he has to be beholden to that lot, I think he could do much better if he had other influences.'

'How do you know so much about these blokes? Did you go to school with them before now?' Rémy asked.

'They are all from pure-blooded families, which means that on occasion I have had dealings with them. I have always been "the odd boy out" as it were, therefore Black and Potter tease and taunt me whenever possible,' Severus grumbled. 'Although Pettigrew, as I said, is merely window dressing, he follows them because he has no one else to follow.'

'Well, I feel sorry for him then,' Rémy said. 'Still, I reckon from what I saw already of the other two, that's incentive enough not to want to go to Gryffindor.'

'So which house will you choose then?' Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.

Rémy looked at his new friend and smiled. 'If you're going to Slytherin, then it can't be that bad, but it will really be up to the sorting hat won't it?'

'Yes, that is true. It has the final say,' Severus nodded a bit sadly. 'Which means no doubt I will go to Slytherin as all my family has done.'

'Well, I hope then I go to Slytherin too, I would hate to lose my only friend,' Rémy said.

Severus looked startled then suddenly he smiled slightly. 'That's right, we are friends. I never had a friend before.'

'I'm glad to be your first friend,' Rémy smiled and looked out the window. 'It's so dark out; I wonder if we're close to the school yet?'

Attention Hogwart's students! We will be arriving in Hogsmeade in ten minutes, please put on your school gowns and gather your belongings. I repeat we will arrive at Hogsmeade in ten minutes, please have yourselves ready.

'Reckon that answers that,' Rémy chuckled and opened his rucksack. Unfortunately, Moony fell out to the floor, leaving Rémy blushing in embarrassment. 'Err ... I ...' he began and quickly reached for the wolf.

Severus was faster, however, and before Rémy could do anything, he had grabbed Moony up from the floor and was looking at it curiously. 'You like wolves?' Severus asked.

'Err ... well, just that wolf,' Rémy said, his blush deepening. 'Moony was a gift from someone special to me.'

'Moony?' Severus said with a raised eyebrow then held the wolf out. 'Interesting name.'

'Err ... my cousin's nickname for me when we were kids. He loved the full moons,' Rémy said heavily. He took Moony quickly and stuffed it back into his bag. 'Umm ... you ahh ... you won't ... that is ...' he trailed off nervously and looked at Severus.

'I will not tell anyone about Moony, if that is what you mean,' he said then reached into his own rucksack took something out and held it up. 'His name is Z'ev. It means wolf in Hebrew,' he said as he patted the head of the small grey toy wolf in his arm, which suddenly nipped at his fingers before yawning and curling up into a fuzzy ball. 'He was given to me by my mother when I was younger,' he said.

'Oh, yours is magical!' Rémy said in awe. 'You like wolves a lot?'

'I have studied them a little, but have not had much time for more. One day perhaps I will, but not now. Right now I have other things to work on,' Severus said and put Z'ev back into his rucksack.

'What things are those?' Rémy asked as he got his school gown on.

'Just things,' Severus said buttoning his robe up. 'You will have to prove to me I can trust you first then maybe I shall tell you.'

'I can understand that,' Rémy nodded and put his rucksack over his shoulder as the train finally came to a halt. 'We're here.'

'Seems so,' Severus said glancing out the window. 'Well, time to face the music,' he said and opened the door to the cabin.

'I reckon so,' Rémy nodded nervously and stepped out into the corridor, a lot on his mind.

As the two boys headed outside to the platform, Rémy wondered just what was in store for them next. The day wasn't too bad over all so far; he had made a friend, at least he hoped the sorting hat would let him keep his new friend anyway. Clutching his rucksack close to his chest, Rémy Lupine -- now just plain Remus J Lupin -- stepped off the train and hoped for the best.

February 14, 2004 11:33 PM