Of course it was impossible for me to go to Hogwarts. Everyone said so. At least, Mum and Dad seemed to think so. And since both my parents were set in the belief that I was not going to that renowned magical school, I (reluctantly) started to believe it as well.

I often wondered whom it hurt more: them or me. It wasn’t my fault, I’d often tell myself in the confines of my room as I watched the moon hovering in its dusty black mantle. Dad was the one who had offended Greyback. But they’d never told me anything besides that. I didn’t know how he had offended the werewolf, whether it was a selfish act or a noble one. All I knew was that I was the one who paid the price.

Oh yes, I was bitter. I was bitter that I would never see the towering turrets of Hogwarts School, never glimpse the giant squid’s quavering form under the water, never wield a wand and feel the magic pulsing in my fingertips.

We never expected the letter, so when it came, we were utterly flabbergasted.

Our ancient owl, Methuselah, delivered it. At first, we all thought it was a letter from my Aunt Juniper regarding her birthday celebration later that summer. However, the second after Methuselah fluttered in and lay panting on the kitchen table, a cry rose from Mum’s throat.

“It’s a letter to Remus from Hogwarts!� she cried as she flailed the envelope in the air, making me wince at the noise before the words soaked their meaning into me.

“I—I what?� I gasped, toppling my cup of pumpkin juice. I couldn’t believe it. Was this real? Excitement was bubbling in me as Mum ripped the envelope open. Sure enough, it was an authentic letter with an official signature at the bottom.

The sound of my father’s hurried footsteps broke my chaotically joyful muses. He took the letter from Mum’s hands and I could see his eyes whizzing back and forth as he read it.

I half-expected what his reaction would be. “This isn’t going to work.� His mouth was spread in its usual line. Mum tried to say something, but he cut her off. “How is Dumbledore going to house a werewolf, Miranda? He’s out of his mind. There’s no way that Remus is going to be able to go to Hogwarts. Dumbledore is clearly ignorant of the harm a single werewolf can cause.�

My heart sank. Dad was almost always right. The reality of what he said hit my chest like a violent wind. Of course I wouldn’t be able to go; we’d been through this before. My parents had already discussed an alternative route for my life, and at this point, it seemed that their plans would be put into action.

At the moment I was thinking those thoughts, our other owl, Khaos, flew into the glass of the window with a resounding thud. Mum ran to see what message the deranged owl brought and shrieked with pleasure once more.

I dared not get my hopes up, but when Mum screamed, “Dumbledore is paying us a visit, Vincent!�, I perked up.

“Calm yourself down, woman!� Dad commanded, snatching the letter from her trembling hands. I watched in amazement as his eyes widened. “Merlin’s beard, he is coming.� His eyes reached the bottom of the parchment. “He’s coming in an hour.� Turning his hawk-like gaze upon me, he ordered, “Eat your breakfast quickly and help your mother clean the house.� He then disappeared into the upstairs bedroom to shower, no doubt.

“Come now, we don’t have all day,� Mum said encouragingly as I gobbled down my toast. She waved her wand at the kitchen and the knives flew into order while the plates stacked themselves neatly. “Wipe the table down, will you, once you’re done?�

I nodded and once the last drop of my pumpkin juice was finished, I took a wet cloth and quickly cleaned the kitchen table. Mum gave me a broom to sweep the floor while she straightened up the sitting room and dusted the mantle over the fireplace. Soon our wooden cottage was transformed to a better state.

The clock ticked away, and according to its hands, Professor Dumbledore would be here in ten minutes.

Dad came down the stairs in a clean set of robes. “Go to your bedroom, Remus. Don’t come down when Professor Dumbledore arrives, but if he does request your presence, make sure you’re dressed for it.�

Submitting to Dad’s will was the way in our house, so I didn’t argue and plodded up the stairs. I had to know what was going to happen. When Professor Dumbledore came, I would make sure I’d be listening.

Heart thumping, I shut my bedroom door with a creak. Quickly I changed into my nicest clothes (a simple dress shirt and navy pants) and combed my light brown hair, which was beyond repair at this time in the morning. “Are you ready for this?� I asked my reflection. The thin-framed boy with sorrowful eyes gazed back at me. “I didn’t think so,� I sighed as I set down the comb.

I jumped when I heard the knock at the front door. I did not open my door in fear of Dad catching me in the act. Dad’s greeting to Dumbledore floated up towards me. Now another voice joined his. I instantly liked the speaker. His voice was rich and wise, respectable and polite all at once. Clutching my hands into fists, I bit my lip.

They were probably heading to the sitting room right now. Mum had joined the two wizards, I was sure, because I heard her nervous laughter hovering in the air. Pressing my ear against the door, I strained to hear what the adults were saying, but their words were muffled.

Holding my breath, I carefully eased the door open so I could hear them.

“…I have set up a place for him to transform without being spotted. It is a fair ways from the school grounds and is completely safe, I assure you,� came Professor Dumbledore’s steady voice. “The staff has been alerted as well.�

I was sure the thumping of my heart and the heaviness of my breathing could be heard by all. Was it true that the Headmaster had secured such a place for me? What kind of man was he to do such a thing for one meager student?

Footsteps were coming up the stairs. I shut my door hastily and flounced onto my bed, pulling a book towards me so as to pretend I was reading.

Mum came in. “Remus, come downstairs.� She extended her hand and smiled at me. The spring in her step could only mean one thing. “The Headmaster wishes to see you.�

This was more than I could hope for. Eagerly, I rose from my bed and tried to hide my excitement by appearing cautious. Not until I heard everyone confirm my place in Hogwarts would I be truly happy.

With shaking knees I descended the rickety wooden staircase. I held my breath as Mum and I entered the sitting room.

Professor Dumbledore was a magnificent sight, with twinkling blue eyes and an impeccably clean, sweeping beard. “Hello, Mr. Lupin,� he greeted, and motioned to the sofa beside him.

He made me feel very grown up indeed by calling me ‘Mister’. No one had called me by that name before. I said nothing but sat down, staring at my knees and holding my breath. Would Dad concede? I hoped against all hopes that he would.

Professor Dumbledore started, “As Headmaster, I have ensured your safety and the safety of your peers by planting the Whomping Willow. Under this tree is a room, where you will transform every month. But I must warn you not to tell anyone of this. It is my genuine wish that you attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Mr. Lupin.� He paused. “I think you will be pleased to know your parents have agreed that you should become a student there as well.�

My head snapped up. “Really?� I looked from Mum to the Headmaster and finally, to Dad. He nodded slowly, and for the first time in a long time, I saw a faint smile creep to the corners of his mouth.

An effusion of blissful emotion overtook me. I was going to the place I dreamed of! My hopes of becoming a wizard were not extinguished after all. Best of all, Dad had said yes.

At this, I started to cry into my hands. They were little tears at first, leaking through the cracks between my fingers, then they came faster and faster; I didn’t know how to stop them, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to. It seemed to have opened a dam inside me, and now it was gushing forth. Yes, I felt extremely foolish and childish for crying, but I felt this was the only way I could express my utter joy. I was going to Hogwarts. I was actually going to Hogwarts.

I felt Mum’s arm around my shoulders and the gentle pressure of Professor Dumbledore’s hand on my head. “There, there, now,� he said softly. “This is a new page in the chapter of your life. I know you will make the best of it.�

I awoke the next morning feeling giddy and strangely happy. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I turned around and saw the letter from Hogwarts lying on my bedside table. Grinning, I picked it up and re-read it, soaking in each word.

Excitedly I donned more casual clothes and retrieved the letter from the table to put inside my pocket. I was going to Diagon Alley today to get my school supplies.

School supplies. School supplies for Hogwarts. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was going there! I was enrolled! The same old excitement filled my being as I clunked down the hollow steps.

I ate breakfast quickly as Mum explained what type of transportation we would use to get there. “We will use side-long apparition,� Mum informed me. “All you need to do is grab onto my arm and not let go until we land.�

I glanced around our cottage. “Isn’t Dad coming?�

Mum shook her head and fiddled with something in her purse. I suspected she was purposefully making herself busy so she would save the trouble of answering me.

“Isn’t he happy for me?� I piped up, ignoring her distracting manner.

She sighed. “Of course he is, dear. But I don’t think he’s ready—“ she paused and hesitated, then took out the supply list and pretended to read it.

“Ready for what?� I asked, curious. I had finished my breakfast; suddenly I wasn’t extremely hungry.

“Never you mind,� she said quickly but firmly.

I pressed, “But—“

Giving me a silencing look that did its duty, she motioned towards the front door and we walked into the glorious sunshine. She beckoned me closer to her and I held on tight to her arm.

The sensation of claustrophobia mixed with breathlessness pushed upon me as we apparated and by the time we hit solid ground at the end of Diagon Alley, I was panting and lightheaded.

“You’ll recover quickly,� Mum assured me, giving me a piece of chocolate. Once I ate it, I felt better—I made a mental note to remember this remedy for future reference.

After I got past the nausea stage, I began looking around and the wonder of it all blew me away. I almost laughed aloud at the sight of everything. Mum and Dad had told me about Diagon Alley, but it was no more than a pretty picture in my mind. Now that I was here, I could smell the aroma of butterbeer drifting from the Leaky Cauldron behind us, hear the clank of cauldrons from the cauldron shop nearby, and see the swish of robes.

There were so many people here! I craned my neck to see through the sea of bobbing heads and grinned. My eyes absorbed the sight of the Apothecary right beside the Leaky Cauldron with its quirky smells and a Quidditch shop up the road.

“Mum, can we go in there?� I asked eagerly, pulling on her arm. Many boys and girls like me were peering into the great window of Quality Quidditch Supplies. I’d heard of Quidditch my whole life and had read books on it, but had never seen it played live. I doubted I’d be good at it, but just to catch a glimpse of a real life broom would be wonderful…

Mum laughed and followed my lead as I rushed to see the shop display, which showed a shining new Nimbus 1001. I wasn’t exceptionally tall, so I could only catch a glimpse of it from behind all the taller individuals in front of me.

A few minutes passed consisting of an open mouth before Mum hurried me off in another direction. “Remember, we’re here to buy school supplies, dear.� However, I knew that she didn’t mind my dawdling.

A shop loomed up closer on our right with a rickety sign that read ‘Flourish and Blotts’. “Here we go!� Mum exclaimed, pushing me into the shop gently.

And so it started. I came out of Flourish and Blotts with an armload of textbooks, tried on robes at Madam Malkin’s (we could only afford to buy two sets—they would do), and I begged Mum to have a cone at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor (the ice cream was the most delicious I’d ever tasted).

As we proceeded down the road, I saw a dark alley turning from the straight path. A sign told me it was Knockturn Alley. “Mum, what’s down there?� I asked, taking a few steps towards it.

She pulled me back hastily. “Don’t ever let me catch you going down there, young man,� she reprimanded. “It’s not a good place, that’s for certain. We’d best be on our way to get your wand.�

I reluctantly fell in step with her as we passed a magnificent white building that towered above all the other shops. “That’s Gringotts, the wizarding bank,� Mum explained.

“Aren’t we going in there?� I stared up in wonder at the building; it seemed to sparkle dazzlingly in the sunlight. There was an itch inside me to see how it looked like, to feel the hardness of the marble steps underneath my feet as we ascended.

Mum shook her head. “I don’t have to withdraw today, Remus. We’re on a time restraint. Maybe another time.�

We walked by the Magical Menagerie, and I had to resist the urge to ask Mum for a cat or perhaps even a toad, because I knew we were running late. However, I allowed my eyes to linger on the craze inside the shop.

“It’s not too far from here,� Mum explained, pulling me along.

Ollivander’s was nearby; Mum was right. The sign that read ‘Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC’ looked ancient and ready to fall off any minute.

The shop was quiet and I could smell different scents of wood and other interesting magical things. It tingled my nose as I stepped into the cool atmosphere. An old man, who I assumed was Ollivander, met us at the door.

“Hello there! I assume you would like a wand?� He smiled down at me with misty, bulb-like eyes.

I nodded meekly, intimidated by the large stacks of wand boxes looming over me. Mum placed a warm hand on my shoulder. “We’d like a wand for Remus Lupin, please, Mr. Ollivander.�

“Ah! I remember your wand,� Mr. Ollivander addressed Mum. “Rosewood, nine inches, dragon heartstring core.�

Blinking in astonishment at his flawless memory, I gaped at him further. This only made him chuckle. “Yes, I get that a lot from younger wizards like yourself,� he said kindly. “Anyhow, I will be back in a moment.� He bustled off to the depths of the shop as I shifted from foot to foot. What if no wand would take me and I was wandless forever? How would I do magic? Worries crept into my mind.

Mr. Ollivander returned with two boxes. “It’s best you give these both a try,� he suggested, opening the first box and holding out a long wand. “Just give it a gentle wave.�

Nervously I gave my books to Mum to hold while I tested the wand out. Stepping away from both of the others, I squeezed my eyes shut and waved the wand, but nothing happened.

“Give it a bigger wave,� Mr. Ollivander encouraged. “And don’t close your eyes, for heaven’s sake!�

Taking a deep breath, I willed my eyes to stay open and waved the wand more dramatically, and was caught by surprise: I was blown backwards a few feet! Shaken, I stared at the wand in my hand, which was trembling.

“Hmm, that doesn’t seem quite right,� Mr. Ollivander murmured to himself. He took the wand from me and handed me another one, which was slightly shorter and black. “What about this one?�

Did I have a choice? Hoping that nothing would blow up, I inhaled and exhaled, then gave it a wave. This time, I felt a pleasant pulsing in my fingertips. This was it; I could feel it. A shower of golden sparks flew from the end.

Smiling, Mr. Ollivander announced, “The wand has chosen you, Remus Lupin. It is ten inches, ebony with a unicorn hair as its core.� He took the wand lightly from me and deposited it into its original case. “That will be six galleons,� he told Mum when he reached the counter.

“May I pay, Mum?� I asked keenly, looking at the many coins in her palm. I’d never really handled money before, not to buy something, at least.

She smiled warmly at me. “Why, of course. Do you know which one the galleon is?�

My eyes raked the selection of coins. I pointed to a silver coin. She shook her head. Furrowing my brow, I jabbed at the big, fat golden one. “That’s the one,� she confirmed. “Six of those will do.�

I carefully took six from the pile, relishing the weight of the coins in my palm before I placed them on the counter.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Lupin,� Mr. Ollivander said, bowing his head and handing me the wand box with two hands. “Use your wand well.�

“I will try,� I answered meekly, opening the box to gaze fondly at my new wand. I could almost feel the magic emanating from its core.

I was finally going. I had been counting down this day since I’d gotten my letter from Hogwarts. I pushed my trolley towards the gleaming, red Hogwarts Express, accompanied by Mum and Dad. We had arrived at King’s Cross Station half an hour early (Dad had insisted, “Just in case!�) so Mum took the opportunity to take some pictures with the family camera. “I’ll only take a few,� she assured me as I rolled my eyes.

Grumbling, Dad took the camera and snapped a few quick pictures of Mum and me standing in front of the train. Then they switched places and I took one with Dad. “I’m sure we can charm the camera to take one of all of us,� Mum declared and posed on the other side of me so she and Dad were flanking me. After a few attempts at this, however, the camera still wasn’t cooperating, and Dad was getting quite impatient.

Determined to get the picture, Mum asked random witches and wizards to take a picture of us. There were so many here! Finally, one couple with a fat boy my age agreed. After the photo shoot, Mum thanked them. “This must be your son,� she said happily, looking down at the chubby youth.

“Yes, this is Peter, Peter Pettigrew,� the mother introduced. “He’s a first year.�

“Same is my son, Remus!� Mum exclaimed, patting me on the back as Dad stowed the camera away into his pouch. “Why don’t you two find a seat on the train?� she suggested.

Agreeing, I took my luggage after hugging Mum and receiving a gruff pat from Dad and hurried onto the Hogwarts Express with Peter tottering behind me.

As we entered, I had to stop myself from gaping in interest at all the students milling about in their uniforms. Everything was so wonderfully foreign to me. I wondered when I should change into my robes; I was excited about it, because then I would feel official.

Puffs of steam were already emitting from the train and I felt an alarming jolt as the train started moving, almost making me topple over. “We’d better find a compartment fast,� I fretted, more to myself than to Peter, but he nodded in agreement.

It took a while make our way down the tight corridor, because the older students were far more impatient and seemed to think they had authority over the littler ones. In the hubbub, I was bumped by a boy with greasy black hair beside a very pretty girl with auburn hair. Most of the compartments were full, and those that weren’t housed students who looked (frankly) scary, so we were forced to move on.

Finally, we arrived at a compartment with only two boys who looked our age. I slid open the door. “Mind if two more people join you?� I asked in the most confident voice I could muster.

“Come on in,� one of the boys said, who had black messy hair and spectacles. “Two of our compartment-mates ran out on us just now, so I guess you can take their place.� He grinned and shuffled over.

I was shaking with nervous excitement at being accepted so easily as I pushed my luggage into the storage compartment above our heads.

“I’m James Potter,� the boy with spectacles said. “And this is Sirius Black.� He motioned to the boy across from him, who also sported black hair, but had striking grey eyes.

“My name is Remus Lupin,� I introduced myself and sat down beside James.

Peter plopped down beside Sirius and gaped slightly at him.

“Er…� Sirius looked flustered and gave James a questioning look. “Hi.�

“That’s Peter,� I said. It was curious how comfortable I already felt with these people. I fell silent for a while as James talked about his hopes of getting into Gryffindor and the feast that awaited us. Soon I lapsed into my own train of thought.

So this was it. We were off. My jitters were uncontrollable. I’d already made friends, but what of the classes? I had been home schooled for my whole life, so I’d never experienced a classroom setting. Mum said I’d do great. I wasn’t so sure.

*

“Lupin, Remus!� the Professor in emerald green robes called out clearly.

Wobbling towards the stool, I told myself to breathe normally and sat down. The hat was placed upon my head and I was engulfed in black.

I see you have a ready mind—you wouldn’t do bad in Ravenclaw, the hat said. But I sense something else too: I see readiness to stand up for yourself and for friends, and boldness to do what is right, even if times prove dangerous. “GRYFFINDOR!�

Wasn’t that the house James was hoping to be in? Grinning, I took the hat off and walked to the table that was cheering for me. I received slaps on the back, handshakes, and whoops. I never felt so appreciated; it was like starting a whole new life here at Hogwarts. Glowing with pleasure, I spotted Sirius and sat down beside him.

“Good job, mate!� he congratulated, grinning.

“You too,� I managed.

He smirked. “Thanks. I’m the first one in my family to be in Gryffindor. The rest are in Slytherin.� He nodded at the table garbed in green. “But don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I’m here.�

The sorting passed by in a haze; Peter and James both were sorted into Gryffindor, to everyone’s delight. I took the time to study the professors at the table. Some looked kind, others haughty, and a few looked just bland. Professor Dumbledore sat in the middle with his half-moon spectacles, looking serene as ever.

As soon as his speech was finished, the food appeared. James was right; there was a lot of food! My stomach growled with the sweet smells of everything. The food was scrumptious, thankfully. I didn’t miss home at all; I was in a place where I had friends, food, and could learn magic; what else could I want?

The Headmaster dismissed the houses and we followed the Gryffindor prefects to the Gryffindor common room. On the way, I saw the moving portraits—never had I seen so many! The best of all were the moving staircases, which looked like a thrill to ride on. It was to my horror (and delight at the same time) that the prefects announced we’d be riding on those staircases.

We gingerly walked up a few stairs and the whole staircase began to swing in the opposite direction. Grasping onto the railing, I made myself take in the spectacular view from there instead of panicking.

“I dare you to drop an ink bottle on that student’s head,� Sirius whispered to James, who laughed heartily, but didn’t follow through with the action.

When we walked off the staircase, I was thoroughly shaking with excitement (I was shaking physically as well from my nerves about going on the staircase).

Our common room looked welcoming with its dilapidated armchairs by the roaring fire. The colors of gold and red ran around the walls, dusty with old age but young with its fervency. It felt like home already.

The prefects directed the way to the boys’ dormitories and I joined James, Sirius, and Peter to the first year dormitory.

“What a nice dorm!� Sirius exclaimed when we opened the door. “I claim this bed!� he walked to the middle four-poster and set his trunk at its base.

Marveling at the warmth of the room (my cottage was this warm seldom times), I walked to the four-poster nearest me and opened my trunk to get my belongings out. Everything was brand new; I longed to open the books and try some spells, but I would use them soon enough.

James was already hanging posters upon the walls surrounding his bed. “I support the Montrose Magpies,� he announced as he tacked up an exceptionally large poster at the head of his bed. “I’m trying out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team next year.�

I didn’t know there were in-house Quidditch games, but now apparently there were. Finally I’d be able to watch my first Quidditch match! This was too good to be true.

I fell asleep instantly and had very sweet dreams that night.

*

“Wake up! We don’t want to miss breakfast!� James’ loud voice jolted me awake the next morning.

Sirius groaned from beneath his blankets. “The sun hasn’t even risen yet, you git…� He rolled over and fell asleep once more.

Rolling his eyes, James pulled the covers off Sirius. “It is already seven thirty, idiot.� He smacked him playfully in the side of the head, causing another groan from Sirius, who hit him back.

My stomach was growling by the time we’d descended the moving staircases. I still couldn’t believe that they actually moved! I was sure I would get lost on them one of these days.

Breakfast was just as delicious as the opening feast was last night. We walked from the Great Hall to our classes probably a bit heavier from all the food.

“Transfiguration is first,� James announced as he read our schedule. “It’s with the Slytherins,� he added with an audible groan.

“What’s so bad about Slytherin?� I asked, not having been brought up with many Hogwarts stories.

James gawked at me as if I were a Muggle. “It’s the worst house, that’s what. There’ve been the most dark wizards coming from that house than from any other.� He turned to Sirius. “No offence, mate.�

Sirius waved it off casually and directed us to the Transfiguration classroom, where many students were already seated. I spotted the pretty redheaded girl again, who was in Gryffindor, and the slimy-looking boy, who was in Slytherin, chatting together. How odd.

Transfiguration turned out to be quite enjoyable, though it was difficult. Our professor, Professor McGonagall, was strict and had the air of expecting nothing less than perfection, but I saw in her eyes a kindness towards her students. I was in awe of her transfiguration skills and started dreaming of the day that I would learn how to do that as well! She even transformed herself into a cat, which was astonishing and made me yelp.

Professor Flitwick taught Charms. When we first caught sight of him, we started laughing at his tiny stature and squeaky voice, but he as well was a good teacher. I had trouble making my feather fly (somehow I don’t think I was saying the spell quite right) but James and Sirius helped me, as they appeared to be naturals.

“Oh no, Potions is next,� Sirius groaned.

James eyed him. “What’s so bad about Potions?� He stuffed his schedule away into his bag.

“It’s just the favorite class of the Slytherins,� Sirius explained, glaring at a blonde-haired Slytherin prefect strutting down the hall.

With dread in our hearts, we made our way to the dungeons, where Potions class was taught. A jolly man with blonde hair and the beginnings of a potbelly greeted us. “Welcome to Potions! Step right in, step right in…�

Somehow, I didn’t think Potions would be that bad, after all.

All students congregated in the Great Hall for the midday meal. Exhausted but happy, I dug into the food. The first day of school at Hogwarts had been interesting indeed, and my mind was brimming with ideas and thoughts for projects the professors had assigned.

I lifted my eyes to the large windows at the front of the Hall and almost choked when I saw—could it be—the Whomping Willow? Goggling at the immense sight of it, I saw it fling away a bird that tried to nest in its branches. Cold dread filled me, reminding me of the end of the month. But the Whomping Willow was a sign to me, a symbol of what this school had done for me so I could be a student here, and for that, I was eternally grateful.