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Remus Lupin never expected Y/N's life to play out this way. If it had gone right, he wouldn't be at Kings Cross with tears gleaming in his eyes and a heavy heart. If his sister hadn't been tortured to the brink of insanity, he would've been Y/N's uncle, not her primary caretaker. Though, he wouldn't have it any other way. Especially after the custody battle with the Ministry of Magic - without the help of one Albus Dumbledore, he would've lost the only thing he had left, his niece.

The Ministry of Magic had refused to allow him custody of Y/N due to his lycanthropy. Dumbledore hadn't intervened until a month into the custody battle. Remus accepted his aid, but never fully trusted Dumbledore, knowing he must have an ulterior motive.

But, it seemed, the old wizard was more help than Remus could ever imagine. During his transformation, Dumbledore sent Y/N to St. Mungo's and covered all costs for her stay. This happened for two days every month. Nothing more, nothing less. She would stay in a ward with her parents, the Sterling's. Though they didn't recognize Y/N as their beloved daughter, they found comfort in her presence and vice versa. Remus knew he could never amount to love and care of a parent, but he tried. He tried his very best.

Now, Y/N Lupin -er...Sterling, though technically Lupin- didn't seem to notice this growing sadness in her uncles heart. Instead, she was practically bouncing with excitement. In front of her stood a scarlet train, the Hogwarts Express. Around them, there was the usual hustle and bustle of parents and their children. Y/N had been dreaming of this day since she were a little girl. It was a four step plan: turn eleven on, receive her Hogwarts Letter, go to Hogwarts and have the time of her life.

"Uncle Remuuussssss," Y/N whined. "let go already, we've been hugging for five minutes."

"Right, yes, sorry N/N," he replied. Composing himself, he put a hand on her shoulder and said, "have an amazing time. Write to me when you feel like it, no pressure."

She grinned up at him. "Expect letters all the time. I will be ranting to you about everyone and everything."

Remus said nothing, knowing if he opened his mouth, he would start crying. It took him a couple minutes to collect his thoughts. Then, he finally said, "I'll look forward to it. Stay out of trouble, N/N. "

"I always do," the young girl said with a wink, then pushed her trolley into the waiting doors of the train. It was a new adventure for her - and a very long one indeed.

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Y/N walked the length of the train, through the narrow hallways, dragging her trunk behind her. The sheer amount of people - students, she realized, was a little bit overwhelming. Definitely different from the serene-looking Lupin Cottage, located near a small muggle town.

After what seemed like forever, Y/N finally found a semi-empty compartment to sit in. She opened the sliding glass door to find three people: three boys - two of which were redheads. "Twins, it seems like it," she thought. The other boy had dirty blonde hair and was undeniably handsome. They all looked the same age. Thirteen, maybe?

"Hi, is this compartment full?" Y/N asked politely. First impressions were everything. If she was intruding, she would leave. They studied her for a moment, the blonde's gaze lingering.

"No, not at all. I could use the company. These idiots are so full of themselves." One of the redheads piped up, which made the girl laugh.

Y/N heaved her trunk into one of the overhead racks and sat down, placing the cage containing her owl, Bandit, at her feet. "Er..." She began. "Okay that was pathetic." She mentally scolded her self. "I'm Y/N. What're your names?" she asked the three boys.

"Well-" the first redhead piped up, before getting interrupted by his brother.

"-Hey! You've already had your turn. I'm Gred, this idiot is Forge-"

"-And that's our ickle Ellie-"

"-Its Elijah. Or, like, Eli. What is 'Ellie'" The blonde groaned, finally speaking up as he rolled his eyes at the twins' antics.

Y/N just stared. "What have I gotten myself into?" she wondered. But, in the span of about ten minutes, the unease faded and the four of them clicked. Elijah asked the girl which house she wanted to be sorted into. After replying that she didn't care, his face fell into shock.

"Really?" he questioned. "What about Slytherin? Everyone hates us."

She frowned at him. "Well, I don't see why. You're obviously wonderful." Y/N said, as if that settled the matter.

The four continued to chat and Y/N asked them all sorts of questions about life at Hogwarts. They answered the best they could and occasionally let their...misdeeds, for lack of a better word, slip. At one point, Y/N was clutching her stomach, laughing at the story of one of their infamous pranks.

Fred and George looked at each other, as if communicating through their minds. The glint in her eyes when it came to mischief... it was just like theirs.

Their laughs came to a wheezing stop when their compartment door slid open to a reveal a girl with bushy brown hair, who looked to be around Y/N's age. She was already dressed in her Hogwarts uniform and seemed very put-together. "Have any of you seen a toad?" She questioned. "A boy named Neville lost his."

"Er, no..." Y/N replied, rather awkwardly. "But, er, I can help you find him...?" She offered, leaving a pause for the girl to introduce herself.

The girl beamed. "I'm Hermione Granger." She said, grabbing Y/N by the arm and leading her out of the compartment.

"Uh, Hermione?"

"Yes...oh! What's your name?"

"I'm Y/N." She quickly introduced. "But, I kind of...need my trunk. It has my uniform in it, and I cant just leave Bandit-"

"-Haven't you read 'Hogwarts: A History'? All your belongings get transported to the castle. Plus, there are extra uniforms on board. You'll be fine!" Hermione told her, ducking her head into another compartment to ask about Neville's toad, whom, Y/N found out, was named Trevor.

After several failed attempts and many shaking heads, they opened a compartment door to find two boys. "Another ginger? Merlin, it's like they multiplying." Y/N observed. The redhead was in the middle of waving his wand with a focused look on his face.

Across from him sat a boy with jet-black, messy hair and crooked glasses. He was gazing amusedly at the ginger until Hermione spoke and he turned to the door. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment and Y/N felt her stomach whirl. Emerald met e/c and they got lost in each other. Then, it was over and everyone's stare turned to Hermione.

"Are you doing magic?" She asked. "Lets see it, then."

The redhead looked rather awkward, holding a grey rat that had a box of 'Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans' on it's head. "Er, alright. Sunshine, daisies, butter-mellow...turn this stupid, fat rat yellow!" he exclaimed, jabbing his wand at the rat. Hermione raised a brow, but Y/N was staring at the black-haired boy.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?" she questioned haughtily. "I've been doing some reading and I want to practice some magic." She sat down next to the ginger, across from the brunette. That left Y/N to sit in the only seat left - beside him.

"Oculus Repairo." Hermione recited confidently. In an instant, the boy's glasses were straight and gleaming. Then, her eyes widened, trailing up his brow and onto his forehead. "Holy cricket! You're Harry Potter! I'm Hermione Granger. This is my, er, friend..."

"Y/N." Y/N supplied while smiling at Harry. Her mind was reeling. Harry Potter... the Boy Who Lived. She was in the same compartment as the Boy Who Lived.

"And you are...?" Hermione asked the other boy.

"Ron, Ron Weasley." He replied through a mouthful of treacle tart.

"...Pleasure." The girl replied with a look of disdain, while Y/N brightened.

"Weasley? Do you have brothers, who happen to be twins, who happen to be named Fred and George?" She asked. When he nodded, she pumped her fist in celebration and continued, "Ha! I knew it...are there...more of you?" 

At this, Harry burst out laughing and Y/N's heart basically stopped. It was quite literally beautiful. Even Harry looked surprised about his outburst - as if he didn't laugh often. That's...kind of sad.

"Yeah, Ron, are there more of you?" Harry teased and Ron's ears went red, but even he joined in laughing with the rest of them.

"Anyway, Y/N and I best be leaving. She needs to change into her robes, as do you two. We're almost there." Hermione informed them, rising from her seat and beckoning Y/N to follow.

The h/c girl got up and exited the compartment with a "see you both 'round."

Little did she know, she would be seeing them a lot. Maybe even insufferably so.

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After being sorted into Gryffindor and getting into... lets just say, a bit of a rough spot with a three-headed dog and then a troll, Harry, Y/N, Ron and Hermione were practically inseparable. They did their homework together, lounged together and insulted Draco Malfoy together. Y/N and Harry particularly enjoyed sending remarks his way (only after he started the argument, of course.)

It was the evening after the Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch match. The quartet was lounging near the fireplace after the victory party, sharing a box of 'Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans.'

"Y'know, Harry," Y/N began and the others turned to her. "You really are an amazing Seeker." she finished, popping a jellybean into her mouth. Unbeknownst to Hermione an Y/N, Harry blushed. Ron caught on, though, and silently snickered about it.

"But..." The h/c girl continued slyly. "You're an even better..."

"Target!" She exclaimed suddenly with a laugh, launching one of the couch pillows at him and hitting him square in the face. For a moment, he looked shocked. Then, the next-

"Oh, its on, Y/N!" He shouted, picking up the pillow.

"Mate, you and me versus Y/N and Hermione?" Ron asked, grabbing two pillows.

"Obviously, Ronald!" Hermione rolled her eyes. Y/N and Harry shared a 'please, just get married already,' look.

"'Obviously, Ronald!" Y/N mocked, laughing at her friend, well...

Until she had a face full of fluff.

"'Mione! You're supposed to be on my team." She whined.

Hermione childishly shook her head. "You mocked me." She pouted. "I'm joining Ron's team. You be with Harry."

The two boys were watching the exchange in amusement. Y/N's jaw dropped. "But- he's my mortal enemy! Well, at the moment at least."

"Hmm...too bad! Ron, attack!" She shouted. As if he were anticipating it, Ron immediately smashed both pillows in his hands into either side of Harry's head. Before he fell, Harry whispered one thing only Ron could hear.

"Mate, you are absolutely whipped-"

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After escaping from the chamber under the school, resting and clearing her mind, Y/N was distraught. The only thoughts in her head were about Harry's safety. "What if Snape kills him? What if there were more challenges that require teamwork? What if he's laying on the cold stone, dead?" It was a silly thought. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, the boy who survived Voldemort...dead because he tripped? Harry Potter, the boy whom she had grown to care so much about (along with Ron and Hermione, of course)?

She was wringing her hands and pacing the common room. Ron and Hermione sat on the couch, watching her mindlessly murmur to herself. The Portrait Door opened and they all turned to look. A second year was carrying a letter tied with a red lace ribbon.

"Uh, this is for Y/N, Ron and Hermione." He said, placing the letter in Hermione's hands and then proceeding to his dormitory. Hermione unfurled the parchment.

"Please, please, please. Be news about Harry," the worry was coursing through her bones, suffocating her entire being,

She peeked over Hermione's shoulder to see the elegant, slanted writing of Albus Dumbledore.

To Y/N, Ronald and Hermione

Please proceed to the Hospital Wing at once. Harry has woken up and has requested to see you. I have already spoken to Madam Pomfrey about the duration of your visit. You have half an hour. I expect to see you soon.

- A. P. W. B. Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot).

Y/N practically sprinted out the door with Hermione and Ron in tow. The fleeting feeling in her stomach returned. "Harry is okay. Harry is okay. Everything is okay. He saved the Philosophers Stone."

They made it to the Hospital Wing in three minutes flat. All huffing and heaving, but smiling ear to ear. After Madam Pomfrey let them inside, they rushed to Harry's bedside. Hermione squealed and hugged him.

"Harry! Oh, Harry! We were so worried. Are you okay?" She asked frantically.

"'Er-my-nee! You're su'bb'o'catin me!" He let out a strangled shout. Hermione pulled away, apologizing.

Ron patted his best friend on the back. "You did it, mate! Defeated Snape, got the stone-"

"It wasn't Snape. It was Quirrel."

Y/N, Ron and Hermione's jaws collectively dropped. Harry grinned and glanced at the clock.

 "We still got twenty five minutes. It's story time, children. Gather round." He said in a mock-motherly voice.

And so, he retold the events of the chamber. How the stone was transported into his pocket from the Mirror of Erised, how he burned Quirrel from his touch alone. How Voldemort had tried to kill him once more. His three best friends listened in awe.

When he finished, Hermione looked extremely worried. Ron just looked proud, and Y/N...she was overthinking. Again. "What if something like this happens again? What if he...can't handle it alone this time?" She was snapped out of her stupor by Madam Pomfrey scolding them.

"It has been thirty five minutes! My patient needs rest. Leave, the lot of you, please!" She shooed them. Hermione and Ron stood to leave. They just stared at Y/N when she didn't get up.

"Er...you two go. I'll be up in second. I need to ask Madam Pomfrey about some healing remedy...thingies..?" She said awkwardly, feeling Harry's eyes on her, studying her. They simply nodded and left, talking about something Y/N couldn't hear. She turned to Harry.

"Harry, are you okay? I mean, not that I've been worried, or anything. I knew you could do it, and stuff. 'Cause, you're totally capable and everything. But, like, seriously, are you-" She rambled on.

He groaned, suddenly pulling her into a crushing hug. "Shut up already. I'm fine. It should be me asking you." Harry said, pulling away slightly to see her face. She turned so he wouldn't see the red hue that had taken over her skin.

Despite the Fight or Flight instincts going off in his brain, he did the unthinkable. Bringing a hand up, he cupped her cheeks and made her face him.

And Oh Merlin.

The Tingles.

Both of them felt it. None of them said anything. To her, it was a stupid crush on the Boy Who Lived. To him, it was a stupid crush on the girl he could never have.

"I'm fine, Harry." She said softly. He furrowed his brows and tilted her head to get a better view of her cheek.

"You have a cut." He pointed out, absently stroking a soft thumb over the stitched wound.

Y/N gave a dry laugh. "And you're bleeding all over. We're not the same, Harry," she whispered in his ear, pulling him into another hug.

Her arms around his neck, his arms around her torso. Maybe this would be the first and last catastrophe of their lives.

It couldn't get any worse than what happened, right?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

prologue finished! I tried to keep it short and sweet, so not much character building has happened

give me feedback/pls remember to vote if you liked it :) 

- dizzyann1e