The year is 1976. 

Steam erupts from the Hogwarts Express, filling the station with a whimsical enchantment that excites students the moment they step through the brick pillar. Parents are bustling around, lugging carts with owls on top trying to find their kid who has already run away. Everything is as it always was. Except this year, it isn't. 

A bright eyed and bushy-haired James Potter kisses his mum goodbye, dodging her attempt to fix his hair one last time. His long legs carry him down the Hogwarts Express in record time, the only thing in his hand being his most prized possession - a Nimbus 1001. 

When James slides open the compartment door, a wide smile spreads across his face as he sees his friends. Peter Pettigrew, short and lump, is sitting near the window with a small sack of Bertie Botts in his lap. He is in the middle of sorting out the good flavors from the bad, a talent he's developed since 2nd year. Across from him, Remus Lupin lounges, his long legs extended to their fullest length, while his arm is draped casually over his long time girlfriend, Abigail McHealy. His sandy blonde hair is neatly combed out, appearing proper, despite his usual rugged and tiresome appearance.

"Cheers mates!" James says as he walks in. He immediately stores his broomstick overhead, securing it behind Peter's luggage, before sitting beside the pudgy boy. "Can I have one, Peter?" Peter happily digs through his pile to give James a blueberry flavored one. 

"So James," Abigail begins, "I heard you got Quidditch Captain this year."

James reaches into his pocket, proudly pulling out a shiny pin labeled: Captain. 

"Congratulations, mate," Remus says, passing the pin along for Abigail to inspect. "You know, I heard Martin transferred to Durmstrang."

Abigail's eyebrows furrow, "Your roommate, Martin?" she asks. 

James nods. "Yeah I heard that, too. Apparently he moved to Sweden this summer." There's a brief silence among the four, but it's quickly broken when James catches sight of something red. "Evans!" James shouts, smoothly sliding the door open just as she passes. "Fancy seeing you here." He leans against the doorframe with a smug look on his face.

Abigail snickers, leaning her head against Remus' shoulder. "You think she'll ever go out with him?" she whispers to Remus. 

"Reckon maybe one day," he replies honestly, watching the lovesick boy flirt his way into Lily Evans' heart. 

"I hope so. And they can be as happy as us." Abigail leans up, pecking Remus' cheek gently. He hugs her closer, as she gives him the feeling of comfort and familiarity. 

Remus leans his head against the seat, gazing out at the countryside whirling by in the blink of an eye. The train ride, to him, seems to get shorter and shorter each year. Hours feel like minutes in the small compartment. James has busied himself with Peter playing a match of Exploding Snap on the seat across from him; Abigail has since fallen asleep, dozing comfortably beside him, her legs draped over his lap. Remus glances around the compartment, a faint smile appearing on his face. Despite his monthly issue, he couldn't complain about much. He has two parents who love him dearly, two best mates he can count on for anything, and a girlfriend of roughly 6 years who adores him. Everything in his life is perfect. 

Isn't it?

"Abs," Remus says, gently shaking the blonde beauty. Her eyes flutter open as she groggily sits up. "We're almost there, you should change into your uniform."

"Oh, thanks," she replies. "I'll be right back."

When she leaves the compartment, James raises an eyebrow. Remus refrains from rolling his eyes, regrettably asking, "What?"

"Did you two do it?" James asks with a childish grin. Remus' cheeks flush, averting his eyes to the ground. "Remus John Lupin," he lowers his voice when a couple of kids rush past the compartment giggling. "You're telling me that you spent all summer with your girlfriend and didn't shag once?" 

"We-we're waiting," Remus admits. 

"For what?" Remus rolls his eyes, crossing his arms to bear the awkwardness. "So she's a prude, then?"

"N-no." His voice falters when he looks at James. "She's perfectly wonderful. We're trying not to rush things."

James snorts. "Right, so the five years you've been together hasn't been enough?" Remus gets up, punching James' arm with a good swing. "Ouch, bloody hell. I'm only joking!"

When the door slides open, both boys jump. Abigail stares skeptically between the pair as she sits in her previous seat. "What were you two talking about?" she asks. 

Remus shrugs at the same time James answers, "Sex."

"Merlin you're an idiot," Remus mutters. 

*

*

*

"Home sweet home," James announces as he pushes the door to their dormitory open. He jumps onto his bed, the second from the left, and buries his head into the pillow. "I've missed this place."

"Take it in boys," Remus says, his hands placed on his hips as he surveys the room. "This is the cleanest the dorm will ever be." He watches as Peter dumps his things onto the floor, leaving his robes strewn across the floor. "Well...it was nice while it lasted."

A knock at the door caused all three boys to turn heads. Peter looks to James as James looks to Remus. The lanky boy strides across the room, opening the door to reveal Professor McGonagall. She stands as she did at dinner, in long emerald robes; her hat has since disappeared, revealing her hair which has been pulled into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. 

"Good evening Mr. Lupin," McGonagall addresses. 

"Hello Professor," Remus says, glancing back at his mates. 

James scrambles to his feet as Peter kicks his robe under the bed. They join Remus at the door, all wondering what James had already done to get in trouble. 

"I'm sure you are aware that Mr. Hamilton has transferred," McGonagall says. The boys nod, sharing a confused look between each other. "I would like to introduce your new roommate, Mr. Sirius Black."