Work Text:
Peter:
Short, stubby and nerdy but not overly smart, Peter was often overlooked. In class, he did well enough. In social situations, he was often invited but not usually included. Some of the kids at his primary school had been cruel to him, calling him ‘Pudge’, pretending not to hear him when he spoke and sometimes even trying to provoke him to fight. Peter just took all of this poor treatment, never fighting back--sometimes he would run away and tell the teachers on the other boys. This landed him a reputation of ‘telltale’ on the schoolyard and Peter could not wait until his letter came and he could leave for Hogwarts. Peter was not sure he would ever meet great friends until he met James Potter.
Standing on the platform that September day, his mother tried to reassure him that things would be different at Hogwarts. They were exceptionally early as Peter had been so anxious that morning he insisted that they leave several hours before the train was set to depart. His mum sat patiently while Peter paced around, looking for the train. Peter was completely lost in thought and his mum engrossed in the paper when a wirey brown-haired boy with glasses came up to them.
Hiya! I’m James.’ The boy greeted, smiling. Peter reached out his hand and introduced himself. The boys talked ...well really James talked and Peter listened. Peter learned about the boy’s family, dream to play on the Gryffindor team and sort of zoned out as the boy babbled. Peter and James agreed to sit together on the train and continued their enjoyable conversation over chocolate frogs and pumpkin pasties with some other first-years who joined them in the compartment. Peter was so excited to meet some nice people he did not catch all of their names or hear much of what they said, he was too busy smiling and trying to calm his nerves. For the first time in his life, he thought he might have made some friends. James was really nice and the other two boys who joined them seemed nice enough--one of them sleeping and one talking enthusiastically with James about quidditch strategy. Peter was content and hoped to be part of this group.
When it came time for the ceremony, Peter saw two of the boys from the compartment along with some nice-looking girls get sorted into Gryffindor. There was no doubt James would be joining them. So Peter made up his mind. Although his mum had been a Slytherin, he knew he had to be with them. So when his turn came, he argued with the hat. In the few hours he had known him, James had shown him more kindness than any of his peers ever had. He felt that he and James could be friends for life and no stupid ceremony would separate them. After what felt like forever, the hat gave in and announced “GRYFFINDOR” to the silent crowd. There was polite applause and Pete joined the boys from the train at the table. James was sorted into Gryffindor too, almost immediately. Peter looked around and saw the boys who were quickly becoming his friends. At Hogwarts he would have the friends he always wanted. Things would be different.
Sirius:
His mum lectured him all the way there. His dad did not bother to join them. She went on and on, reminding him of the expectations for how the Black heir was to behave at Hogwarts. Unspoken was the understanding that he would be in Slytherin like all of his family. His family had a whole life planned out for him, one where he would marry one of his cousins, have pureblood children and continue the horrible ‘legacy’ laid out for him generations ago. Sirius had other plans and could not wait to step on the train and start his new life.
Running through the barricade, Sirius envisioned running away from his family and his old--stepping onto the platform and into his new life. He dreamed of being sorted into Gryffindor! But, as soon as he stepped through the barricade and onto the platform, he was greeted by his cousins. His mother nodded goodbye and directed him to go with Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda. He did as he was told. They walked towards the train together and Sirius wondered to himself how he could ditch them for literally anyone else and start his new life.
As they walked towards whichever compartment Bellatrix’s current boyfriend was in, Sirius spotted a particularly friendly-looking young boy and took his chance. He walked up to the boy and vigorously shook his hand. ‘Pretend you know me, please?’ Sirius pleaded through his teeth, a big fake smile plastered on his face. The boy enveloped him in an awkward hug and invited him into the nearest compartment. Sirius made eye contact briefly with Andi who gave him the smallest smile, inviting him to join the boy.
The boy introduced himself as James Potter and his friend as Peter Pettigrew. Another boy called Remus joined them as the train was taking off and Sirius settled into the seat by the door, talking with James. The train ride was decent and the guys seemed like nice blokes...not that Sirius had anyone nice to compare them to. He was just so relieved to be away from his parents and life at Grimmauld place that the train ride passed in a flash. For the duration of the trip Pete was pretty quiet and Remus slept. Sirius was surprised by how thrilled he was to talk about quidditch strategies and beating the Slytherins with James. The boys planned to win every match….as soon as he got sorted into Gryffindor and on the quidditch team.
When it came time for the ceremony, Sirius was one of the firsts to go. He looked out and saw his cousins, sitting proudly at the Slytherin table and his new friends in the line waiting to be sorted. He made eye contact with James who gave him a not-so-subtle thumbs up. Sirius sat and let the hat be placed on his head. Once it was on, he was prepared to fight for anything but Slytherin, but he didn’t have to. The hat announced to the whole great hall and his very angry cousins that he, Sirius Black, would be the first Black not placed in Slytherin in the whole history of Hogwarts. He could not be more thrilled. Sirius was so excited to make his place in Hogwarts and get to know his fellow Gryffindors. He knew that in Gryffindor, things would be different.
Remus: I THINK I WANT HIM TO BE A LITTLE sadder TO LEAVE
‘Mum was overwhelmed and they were running late...as usual. She had been married to his dad, the wizard Lyall Lupin for over 15 years, but it seemed like she would never get used to his world.’ Remus thought as they made another lap around Kings Cross Station. Hope struggled to find the platform and Remus practically begged her to turn around and take him home. Remus walked slowly behind her, too tired to run around frantically like she was. Thankfully Remus spotted a family of gingers running into a wall and pointed it out to his mum--dad had said something about running through a barricade, but Remus had thought he was joking. He was not.
They made it to the platform just in time for Remus to hug his mum, lingering just a moment longer than he ought. He was not sure what awaited him at Hogwarts. While the ministry full moons royally sucked, at least he knew that his parents would always keep him safe. He had never been away from them for more than a full moon night and was worried, to say the least. Hope hugged him tight and promised to write, nudging him towards the train. He found a spot in a compartment occupied by three other boys, two of whom appeared to be old friends. He politely introduced himself and the black-haired boy who introduced himself as Sirius asked if Remus would like the window side or the door side. Remus gladly accepted the window seat and leaned his head up against the glass, closed his eyes and took a little rest.
Remus was tired and sore--still recovering from the last moon almost two weeks ago. While they were always trying new ways to contain him, the way the ministry tied him up on the last full moon definitely left him exhausted and covered in rope burn. There had not been any new scars since they started using the new binding charm, but Remus felt just as bad as he always had. Although he would never admit it, he was so nervous about what sort of binds and torture might be in store for a werewolf at Hogwarts. He knew not to get too comfortable, certain there would be an uproar when the students and their parents found out about him. When they found out, he would be forced to leave, He dreaded that inevitable moment, but he understood, he was dangerous.
Once they reached the castle, he was surprised by a personal greeting from a kind-looking witch on the platform. She introduced herself as Madame Pomfrey and asked Remus to stop by the hospital wing after the feast. He didn’t know why, but Remus instantly trusted her. He enjoyed the feast as he always had a big appetite. He was excited to be sorted into Gryffindor even though he wasn’t feeling particularly brave, the boys from the train seemed nice enough and he would probably like being roommates with them... not that he was trying to get too friendly with anyone. At the end of the feast, he excused himself and told Frank, one of the Gryffindor prefects, that he needed to visit the hospital wing.
Madame Pomfrey was patiently waiting for Remus. The hospital wing was still empty, seeing as everyone had just arrived. Madame Pomfrey invited Remus to sit down in her office and offered a piece of chocolate.
‘Now Mr. Lupin’, she started “I have never treated a werewolf personally, but I have been reading up since I heard about your arrival and I am ready to figure out the best course of treatment. I know that we may be spending a bit of time together over the next few years. I promise to keep your secret and treat you just as well as all of the other students….” She went on to explain the safety plan, how he could communicate what he needed to her and started explaining the details of how they would handle the issue and keep everyone at Hogwarts including him safe. Remus listened intently, completely shocked to discover that he felt completely safe in her care and at Hogwarts despite his fears. With Madame Pomfrey on his side, things would be different.
JAMES:
James’ parents had big expectations for his time at Hogwarts. They expected him to be kind. They expected him to play quidditch if he set his mind to it. They expected him to get good grades. They expected him to be the best version of himself. James always tried to do what they asked. He was excited to make them proud.
Immediately stepping into the role his parents expected of him, James said goodbye to his as soon as they reached the platform and set off to make new friends.
It was easy for him to talk with the nervous boy on the platform.
To welcome the black-haired boy into the compartment like an old friend.
To invite the sad boy to sit with them.
To imagine a life in which these could be his best mates and fellow Gryffindors because these are the types of people his parents would hope for him to befriend, they needed him.
When they were sorted into Gryffindor, James was excited to hang out more with the lads from the train, the girls who were sorted into Gryffindor and perhaps even to initiate some inter-house friendships. He wanted to be the good guy his parents wanted him to be.
When they got to the Gryffindor common room and into their dorm, James noticed that Remus was not there. The boys all waited up, welcoming Remus back and asking how his evening was and comparing notes about the sorting ceremony. The boys talked for a long time about how Gryffindor was the best house of all time. Sirius mentioned that he was expecting a howler in the morning from his mother, demanding that he be put in Slytherin… He just wasn’t sure if it would be addressed to him or Dumbledore himself. ‘Maybe a lot of people will get howlers tomorrow?’ Remus said offhandedly. Sirius smiled a wide mischievous grin and made an absurd suggestion. ‘Let’s make sure lots of students get howlers in the morning...perhaps all of the first-year Slytherins? Don’t you think they should all be in Gryffindor?” He asked, clearly plotting. Peter looked confused. James went to get some parchment and quills. The boys got to work, writing a howler for every first-year Slytherin, Sirius’ cousins, and even a few professors for good measure, yelling at the students for various problems ranging from their placement in the Slytherin house to forgetting their underwear at home.
It was the most fun James could ever remember having and he was pretty sure whatever punishment they got would be worth it. He had never done anything like this before, but he was eager to pull many more pranks with his new friends. Sure, the lack of sleep would be a challenge, but it would not set him too far behind and that it would be worth it. He was starting to think that he needed funny mischievous friends like them as much as they needed an outgoing confident friend like him. At Hogwarts without the supervision of his parents, James could pull pranks, test the boundaries and live his best life. With his new mates by his side, things would be different.