t h e . s t a r t . o f . a . b e a u t i f u l . f r i e n d s h i p

The Start of a Beautiful Friendship
[by victoria p.]

Rating: G

Summary: "This is what it's like to have friends."

Notes: Thanks to Dot, Jen, Meg, Melissa'n'Pete. Look at the ickle firsties!

Date: October 3, 2004

Remus usually pays more attention, but his book is fascinating, and the weather is beautiful, a crisp, clear day the likes of which they probably won't see again until March. He wants to make the most of it, wants to sit outside under a tree, away from everybody, and soak up the bright autumn sunshine. He's already lost in the latest adventures of James Bond, and he has a chocolate frog in his pocket for later.

His skin prickles in warning, but by the time he looks up, four Slytherins have him surrounded.

"If it isn't Loopy Lupin," one of them says, and the others take it up, muttering, "Loopy Lupin," and laughing like hyenas chittering before a kill.

Not that Remus has ever heard hyenas, but he's read about them.

The biggest one plucks Remus's book from his hand and tosses it open-faced to the ground. "Oops. Let me get that for you," he says, smirking, as he steps on it, grinding it into the dirt. Remus winces as the pages rip, more upset over that than the beating he knows is coming. He's getting used to it, and he's done worse to himself, but the book is his father's, and he's failed to keep it safe.

Rosier cocks his fist and Remus closes his eyes, steeling himself for the punch.

"Hey now, what's this?" another, more familiar, voice interrupts. Remus opens his eyes to see two dark-haired boys sauntering over.

"Lupin, we've been looking for you," Potter says, pushing his way past Nott and Rosier to grab Remus's arm while Black pointedly taps his wand in the palm of his hand.

Remus has heard the talk, and heard the Howlers -- Black was supposed to be in Slytherin, but somehow ended up in Gryffindor. Remus thinks the Sorting Hat has run mad, because he knows he doesn't belong there, either, and neither does shy, fat, little Pettigrew, who at least shares his chocolate with Remus. Potter's the only true Gryffindor among them, and after two months' acquaintance, Remus thinks he's too stupid to live.

The Slytherins mutter amongst themselves, but Black and Potter already have the reputation of being quick with hexes and jinxes, and even the second-years stay out of their way.

Potter shoves him to Black, who slings an arm around his shoulders, which is shocking. The last time Black spoke to Remus, he called him a skinny, stupid git and threatened to punch him in the nose for waking him up.

Black remains on alert, wand at the ready, as Potter picks the book up from the dirt.

Andromeda Black, the Slytherin prefect, is making her way over to them, and the Slytherins scatter.

"Everything all right, boys?" she asks. She has kind, blue eyes.

"Don't need your help," Black says stubbornly, and Remus remembers they're cousins.

"I'm sure you don't, Sirius," she answers. She takes the battered book from Potter's hand. "May I?" With a quick spell, the book is fixed and Remus thinks he may be in love.

"Th-Thank you," he stammers, when she hands it to him. "It's my dad's."

"You're very welcome--" she pauses.

"Lupin. Remus Lupin," he says quickly, holding out a hand, which she shakes. Her hand is soft and cool.

"You're very welcome, Remus Lupin," she says with a smile. "You may want to be more careful in the future, yes?"

He nods, his ears burning, as she walks away. Potter and Black stare at him in disgust mingled with disbelief.

"Suck up," Black mutters, but Potter has grabbed the book again and started flipping through it.

"Hey, this bloke's name is James, too. And there's kissing."

"Do they do sex?" Black asks eagerly, bad mood forgotten.

"Yeah," Remus replies, flushing, "they do."

"Cool!" Black says.

"Don't worry, Lupin," Potter says, passing the book to Sirius. "We'll protect you."

The warmth Remus felt toward Andromeda Black intensifies, spreading through his whole body. He feels as though he's swallowed the sun, and he can't stop smiling. This, he thinks, is what it's like to have friends.

end

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Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters belong to JK Rowling and Scholastic, etc. This piece of fan-written fiction intends no infringement on any copyrights.