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Chapter Text

No one ever expected James Potter to be the first out of them to become a father, but seeing him hold his son made sense. Sirius and Remus treated Harry as if he was their own. Sirius, taking his role as godfather very seriously, immediately made sure Harry had every toy that would send Lily in a spiral. Remus would read to baby Harry, not even trying to hold him as he was too afraid he would scare the poor child. Both did their part, and it was perfect.

After spending a day with their friends, Sirius and Remus retired to their cottage. They had a routine, Remus would make himself some tea and sit on their sofa by the fire reading a book, and Sirius would drink his firewhisky laying next to his lover and watching with admiration at his beauty. But something was nagging at Sirius. Something he was too afraid to even tell Remus.

He wanted a family. Yes he had one with Remus and their friends, but he wanted one with just him and Remus. Just like James had with Lily and Harry. Sirius never wanted to be a father, he didn’t think he would be a good one after what he went through during his childhood, but after spending time with Harry, the idea didn’t seem so bad to him anymore.

“Moony?”

“Yes my love?” Remus replied, not bothering to look up from his book.

“There’s something I've been wanting to talk to you about.”

Hearing the seriousness in his voice, Remus put the book down and fully turned to face him, “What about?” Sirius felt nervous, really nervous. And Remus could tell. “You can tell me anything Pads,” he reassured him.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius started on what would be the most difficult conversation of his life, “I’ve been thinking–”

He couldn't even finish his sentence when they heard an apparating sound outside their front door. Almost instantly, the two stood with their wands drawn. It was well past time for anyone to be out, and they lived in a secluded area where only James, Lily, and Peter knew, not even Dumbledore knew.

Slowly, they approached the door and swung it open, their wands pointed in front of them, but no one was there. Sirius took a step forward, “Careful,” Remus warned. He looked outside at their surroundings, but it didn’t seem like anyone was there, that was until he heard a ruffling sound. Pointing his wand towards the ground, Sirius expected to see some sort of thing that would endanger him and Remus, but he definitely didn’t expect to see a sleeping baby.

“What in Merlin's name?”

He crouched down and gently picked up the child, waking her in the process. He froze thinking she would cry seeing a stranger, but all she did was stare at him. What he found weird was that she had his eyes. And she had Remus’ tan skin. She was a mixture of the two of them. How was that possible?

“Sirius? What is it?”

Not taking his eyes off the little girl, Sirius turned around and shut the door behind him. “Is that… why would someone leave a baby at our doorstep?” Sirius finally looked away and stared at Remus, “Let’s keep her.”

Remus stayed quiet, not fully processing the words that came out of Sirius’ mouth. He looked at the baby, then at Sirius, until he felt his blood pressure rise a concerning amount.

“ARE YOU–!”

“Shh! You’ll scare her!”

Taking a deep breath, Remus placed his hands up to his face and spoke calmly, “Sirius we can’t.”

“Why not?”

“We’re in the middle of a war!” Remus told him as if it wasn’t obvious enough.

“Which is why she needs to be in the care of someone who will keep her safe.”

“And you think the two of us are the best options right now? She’s just a baby! She might not even be a witch for all we know!”

Remus paced around the room, trying to calm himself down again, “Why are you being so adamant about this? You don't even want children!”

Sirius stayed quiet at that. He turned away from Remus and stared at the beautiful baby in his arms. She cooed at him, smiling as he touched her cheek. It was then that Remus realized, “You want children?”

Tears formed into Sirius’ eyes, “I think I do,” he said as he looked up at Remus. “At first I didn't, but after Harry came it changed. I know being a parent and being a godfather are two completely different things, but I would like to try.”

Remus stared at him feeling conflicted. He wanted children too, so much, but he can’t. Not with his condition. He would be too dangerous. With Harry it was different. He would only spend time with him a few hours of the day, but having his own child? It would be impossible.

“Sirius–”

“I know Remus, trust me I do. But please,” he walked over to him, showing him the baby, “Please give me this chance.”

Remus looked down at the child. She looked up at him, and for a second he was almost considering it, but the next thing he knew, she started to wail. Sirius pulled her close and tried to soothe her calm, but she just kept on crying. Sirius turned to Remus who in turn had a pained look on his face. He felt she was crying after seeing his scarred face. How could he raise a child that is scared to even look at him?

He shook his head, “I’m sorry.”

Remus slept alone in their bed that night. Partially because Sirius couldn’t face him, and partially because he didn’t want to leave the baby alone. That night, Remus had a dream. Both he and Sirius were parents, and Remus wasn’t a werewolf. There was no war, no fear, no worry. If only it was true.

What woke him from that beautiful dream were the wails of the baby. He didn’t move from his bed, expecting Sirius to calm down the crying child, but she didn’t stop. Her cries now filled the entire cottage, preventing Remus from going back to his slumber.

He left their room and headed towards the common area. “Sirius why is she still–”
Remus found the baby in a makeshift crib, but Sirius was nowhere around. A note was left next to her. It was from Sirius, he had gone out to get some diapers and some milk for the baby and would be back in a while. ‘Look after her in the meantime. Please Remus. Love Sirius.’

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. Not fully conscious at what was going on, and the baby’s cries were starting to give him a headache. “Please stop crying,” he told her as if she could understand him.

Her cries stopped as she looked at him. He smiled lightly hearing silence, but it didn’t last long until she started crying again. Remus started to panic, he had no idea what to do and he was too scared to do anything.

“I really hope I don't regret this,” he whispered to himself.

Hesitantly, Remus reached down and awkwardly picked up the baby. He swadled her, knowing this was a technique Lily used to calm Harry down, but it wasn’t working. He was starting to panic even more, and was silently cursing at Sirius for taking so long.

“Are you too warm? Is that it?”

He slowly started to move the blanket away from the baby’s chest in case that’s what was bothering her. Now that her arms are free, the baby wrapped her small little hand around Remus’ finger, and she stopped crying. She looked up at him, her big gray eyes staring into his amber ones, and she smiled, giggling as loud as she could.

Something inside Remus changed. It changed as soon as her little fist grabbed his finger tightly. He suddenly felt the need to protect her. To shield her from the dangers of the world outside. To love her with every being in his body. He couldn’t tell if that was what he was feeling himself, or if it was Moony telling him to protect this baby.

The front door opened, Sirius walked in with bags in his arms. He stopped in his tracks, not expecting to see Remus holding the baby like his life depended on it.

“Remus?”

His lover tore his eyes away from the baby and stared at him. “What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly, placing down the bags on the floor and speeding towards him, “Is it the baby?” Remus pulled away, not wanting Sirius to take away his baby.

“Remus?” Sirius asked once again.

“I want to keep her.”

Sirius’ eyes widened. Not expecting those words to come out from him after their argument the night before. “What? Last night you said–”

“I know what I said. And I still agree with the part where I am too dangerous to even consider having a child but… I just can’t bear the thought of giving her away to someone else who I wont trust to protect her," Remus said desperately.

Sirius was quiet. Too stunned by what he said, but at the same time he was filling up with so much joy. Remus looked like a wreck. Not because his hair was all ruffled and his pajamas wrinkled from sleeping, but because of the new love he just developed for this baby that showed up at the foot of their doorstep the night before.

He put a hand on Remus’ shoulder, grabbing his attention which had once again been taken by the beautiful baby in his arms. “What are we going to name her?”

***

“Prongs I swear to Merlin, keep your son away from my precious little Calliope!”

Sirius swept up his one year old daughter from the floor. Her laughter filled the living room of the Potter’s. Harry whined that his friend was pulled away from him, James picking him up from the ground, “My son has done no wrong Padfoot!”

The two bickered with their children in their arms, a normal occurrence that happened every time they were together.

When Remus and Sirius first brought Calliope to the Potter’s, it was safe to say that both James and Lily were very much surprised. They knew how reluctant Remus was to have children due to his condition, and they never expected for Sirius to want any from all the stuff he’s said, but once they saw how much love the two of them had for their daughter, they felt nothing but happiness for them. Peter seemed happy too, but he acted very odd to the news, giving them weird looks from time to time, not that Remus or Sirius cared. It did make them laugh whenever Calliope pulled at Peter’s hair and scratched at his face.

The new family spent wonderful months together. They were happy, even when struggling to adapt to their new schedule, but it was worth it. Calliope always laughed, it was the most beautiful thing the two ever heard, which is why they gave her that name. It was Greek, and it meant a beautiful voice, which they were positive she would have after hearing her laugh.

But the war started to get worse. People in the Order started turning against one another once Dumbledore revealed there was a spy. Sirius didn’t think he would ever suspect his lover of being the spy, but after all the secrecy Remus had been doing, he couldn’t help but doubt him. And that hurt them both in ways they never thought they would.

“Really Sirius?! Out of everyone you think I'm the spy?”

Calliope was crying in her crib behind them. Their day had started out so well and so happy until Dumbledore sent them a message that Remus would need to leave for months.

“No I don’t, but you won’t even tell me where Dumbledore is sending you Remus!”

“You know I can't! Dumbledore specifically told me not to tell anyone!”

“What about me then? I’m not ‘anyone’ Remus!”

Calliope’s cries got louder, almost like she could sense their argument getting heated. Sirius went to pick her up and started cradling her to calm her down. Remus looked at the loves of his life. What he was about to do would hurt him. He hasn’t been away from them ever, and he was scared he wouldn’t come back.

Trying not to think about what he has to do, Remus grabbed his bag and put on his coat. Calliope had stopped crying and was staring at him with her big grey eyes in Sirius’ arms. He walked over to her, a painful smile on his face and caressed his daughter’s cheek, making her giggle.

He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her head, “Dada!” She reached up and placed her hands on his cheek, making him chuckle at her actions. He looked up at Sirius, who was watching the two of them with silent tears falling from his face. He didn’t look angry anymore, just hurt and in pain.

Remus stands straighter, towering over the two of them. He holds Sirius’ face and kisses him, the tears that had begun to fall from his face collided with the tears from the man in front of him. They broke apart and pressed their foreheads together, staying silent. “I love you both,” Remus whispered before turning around and leaving.

“Any news from him?”

Sirius looked away from his daughter and to the redhead standing next to him.

“No. Nothing.”

“I’m very sorry, Sirius, but don’t give up. I am sure he’ll come back soon.”

Lily hugged Sirius after noticing tears well up in his eyes. It had been months since he last saw Remus, and he had not heard anything from him at all. Not even Dumbledore will tell him anything, and that was making him angry. He was starting to doubt his trust in the old man.

Calliope had noticed his absence and made a fuss the first few weeks. It was difficult for Sirius, having to deal with their separation and pretending things were fine for his daughter, but James and Lily helped him, which he was grateful for.

“Right well, all of her stuff she’ll need for tonight is in her puppy bag. You all know her bedtime, and if she gets scared her wolf plushie is in her bag as well,” Sirius explained to them as he put on his leather jacket.

James tickled his goddaughter in his arms before nodding in understanding, “Don’t worry Pads we got it covered. You just focus on your mission tonight.”

Sirius nodded before taking his daughter from his arms and swinging her in the air, her laugh echoing around them. “I’ll see you in the morning, pup.” Lily took her from him as she waved her father goodbye, “Bye bye Papa!”

Sirius smiled brightly and gave her a small wave, “Bye bye!”

Sirius left Godric’s Hollow, arriving at Lupin’s Cottage not long after. Sirius wasn’t their Secret Keeper, at least not after that night. They made sure to switch it to Peter for extra safety, Sirius even planned to erase any memory of where the Potter’s lived before he left. James would drop her off home in the morning once he returned. No one knew of their plan, they had to be careful with the information they would tell people, especially with a spy in the Order.

Not even Remus knew. But then again how could he know? Sirius hasn’t spoken to him in months.

He was packing his bag with things he would need for tonight. Dumbledore had given him a last minute mission on a new lead for a group of Death Eaters planning to attack nearby. He wasn’t comfortable leaving Calliope alone even if it was with Lily and James, he never did, but they were the safest people he could leave her with.

As he was about to leave, he saw Calliope’s wolf plushie on the floor by the coffee table. A small smile spread across his face as he picked it up, “Little rascal she is.” Calliope had purposely taken it out of her bag just so he would have to come back, and it’s not the first time she’s done something like this. She was that much of a troublemaker. Sirius couldn't be more proud.

He got on his flying motorbike and set off back to Godric’s Hollow, he had time before he really had to leave, so he planned to drop off the little wolf and leave from there. But the smile on his face was gone the minute he arrived.

The house which was full of warmth and light only moments before was now dark and cold. Sirius jumped off his motorbike, not bothering to turn it off and stormed inside the already open door. “Calliope! Calliope where are you?! James?! Lily! Harry!”

He didn't have to walk deeper inside when he felt himself trip over something. Someone. On the ground. Motionless. With his eyes open and his chest still. James Potter’s body was on the floor.

Sirius’ breath hitched, tears immediately falling from his eyes as he shakily knelt down and held James in his arms. It wasn’t until he realized how stiff James was that Sirius let out a horrifying sob. He cradled James in his arms before rocking back and forth, in denial of his brother’s dead body in his arms yet forced to accept it.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. This shouldn't even be a possibility. James Potter should not be dead. He was the embodiment of life. He was the sun. If the sun is dead, then so is the warmth.

Sirius doesn’t know how long he stayed like that until he heard the cry of a child. “Calliope,” he whispered through his sobs. He looked down at the lifeless eyes of his best friend, his brother, one last time, before closing them with his hand and placing him on the floor once more. It felt wrong. Completely wrong.

He couldn’t see with all the tears in his eyes, but the sound of his crying daughter and godson helped him find his way towards their room. A shaky breath left his lips when his eyes caught red hair on the floor and the body of Lily Potter still, eyes open and lifeless like her husband downstairs.

“Papa!”

Sirius rushes over to his daughter and picks her up from the crib, cradling her head towards his chest as her tears stained his shirt. “Shh shh. It’s okay, I’m right here. It’s okay.” He was saying this to comfort Calliope, but he was saying it to himself too. Sirius was used to comforting himself, but this time he really needed to have someone do it in his stead.

Harry stood and reached for him, his face red and stained with tears. “Oh god Harry,” he moves Calliope to one arm and picks up Harry with the other. Sirius cradles them both, trying to stop his tears falling from his eyes. He needed to be strong. For both of them.
Loud footsteps were heard behind him, and somehow Sirius managed to hold both children in one arm and point his wand at the person behind him.

“Easy now! Jus’ me.”

“Hagrid.”

Sirius slowly lowers his wand and holds the children closer to him, both calmer and no longer crying. “Did you… Did you uh see…” Sirius couldn’t even finish his sentence, so Hagrid looked down and nodded his head. Sadness evident all over his face.

Both were quiet, still trying to process what just happened. Harry had fallen asleep, and Calliope was just snuggling closer to her Dad, trying to envelop herself in his warmth. Hagrid started shuffling, feeling slightly uncomfortable seeing the woman he watched grow up, still on the ground.

“Dumbledore sent me,” Hagrid started, “He says I need to take Harry.”

He moves forward, ready to take the already sleeping boy, but Sirius steps back, his wand pointed towards the man once more. He couldn’t trust him. He couldn't trust anyone. Not after what just happened. How could this be true? They were supposed to be safe! They were hidden from everyone! Only he knew where they were. Wait… I wasn’t the only one anymore. Peter.

Rage began to take over Sirius’ thoughts. How could he do this? After everything James and Lily had done for him. After everything they went through together these last few years. He was their friend!

“Sirius? You alright there?”

He looked at Hagrid, his tears now being meant for anger. He looked down at the children. Harry, still deep asleep, snuggled closer to him, but Calliope stared right at him, she was frowning and her lips were sticking out in a pout. It looked as if she knew what he was going to do.

“Hagrid, take Harry and Calliope.”

He handed both children to Hagrid who took them, but was confused as to why he was giving him her daughter. “What ‘bout Calliope? Where’re you goin’?”

“There’s something I need to finish. Take my bike,” he tossed the keys towards the tall man. Sirius held his daughter's face in his hands, “I’ll be back my little pup. There’s something I need to take care of first.” Calliope touched his face, “Papa stay.”

His heart broke hearing her, but his rage was clouding his actions. He needed revenge. “I’ll be back,” he told her, kissing her head before walking away, “I promise.”

Sirius didn’t keep his promise to her that night. Not until 12 years later.

***

Remus barged into the cottage, frantically looking for Sirius and their daughter.

“Sirius! Calliope!”

When Remus got Dumbledore’s letter about the Potter’s, he wasted no time packing his things and making his way back to Britain. There was no need for him to be with other werewolves anymore. The war was over. They had won.
He couldn’t believe that James and Lily were dead. It wasn’t true. It just couldn’t be. But when Remus saw people celebrating the defeat of the Dark Lord, he had no choice but to accept it.

“Remus.”

He turned around, Albus Dumbledore stood in his doorway, Calliope in his arms. Remus ran towards him and took his daughter. He hugged her tightly, feeling slightly better holding her after being away for so long. He looked up at his old headmaster, “Where’s Sirius?” Dumbledore sighed, a sad look passing over his face, “I think it’s best if you sit down.”

Dumbledore told him what happened. How Sirius had been the spy, how he was the one that told Voldemort where James and Lily were, how his own daughter Calliope was there the night his best friends were murdered, how Sirius killed Peter and twelve muggles, how he’s been sentenced to Azkaban without a trial.

Remus couldn’t believe it. There’s no way Sirius would have revealed where James and Lily were, especially if Calliope was there. He just couldn’t. Unless… unless Sirius was the spy.

“Remus, I know how hard all this information must be for you. Especially since you’ve just gotten back from your mission. But there’s the matter to discuss about your daughter.”

Remus looked up at Dumbledore for the first time in a while, his face tainted with tears that had fallen silently as he heard everything his old headmaster was telling him. “What about my daughter?”

Dumbledore sighed before continuing, “Given your situation, I can only imagine how hard it will be to raise a child all on your own. Especially considering your condition where you’ll–”

“What condition?” Remus asked, feeling a tinge of anger form in his chest.

“Well you’re a werewolf. It will be difficult to find a job, much less maintain one. Then there’s the matter of when the full moon will make its appearance. I do not think it wise to leave Calliope in the same vicinity as you.”

Remus stood, completely enraged at what the old man was insinuating. “You don’t think I can take care of my own daughter?!” Dumbledore stood up, “No Remus that is not it. I fully believe you will be able to care for her. But you must admit to yourself that it will be difficult.”

“Difficult how?! Enlighten me please, Headmaster.”

“Remus it’ll be better if you give her up to someone else.”

Remus’ anger only built up even more. How could he give up his own daughter? The only thing that will brighten his day after losing his family. But something deep inside him was saying Dumbledore was right. It will be difficult to raise her on his own. How could he keep her safe when he was trapped inside a beast?

“Dada!”

Calliope reached up to him, holding her blanket close. Remus looked at her, and every single thought of doubt he had of raising her on his own left. He picked her up and looked at the man standing in front of him.

“I understand your doubts, Albus, but I can do this. I am capable of raising my daughter on my own. It will be difficult, but I can do it.”

Dumbledore stared at him before nodding, patting him on the shoulder. “Good luck then Remus. I wish you the best.” He turned and left the cottage, leaving Remus alone with his daughter.

It hit Remus, how his life had completely turned upside down in less than a few hours. He felt Calliope touch the scars on his face, gaining his attention. He stared at her eyes, the eyes that were the same as the man he loves. Loved. He needed to forget about him now.

“Don’t worry Calliope, I won't let anyone hurt you. I’ll protect you no matter what. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you're safe and happy.”

And that’s exactly what Remus did. Until it was time for Calliope to start Hogwarts.

Chapter Text

September first, the day every magical child dreams of. The first day of Hogwarts. Every child attending Hogwarts starts when they’re eleven. Everyone except Calliope, who’s starting her first ever year at thirteen years old.

It wasn’t supposed to be like that. Calliope was supposed to start her Hogwarts journey two years ago like every other child her age, but something went wrong.

It all happened the night before she left for Hogwarts back in 1991. It was bright out with the full moon shining in the night sky. Calliope was safe with the Diggory’s. Ever since she was a baby, Remus always left her with them while he stayed at their cottage during the full moon. He felt it was safe for her to stay with them. He was far enough where he wouldn’t be a danger to her, but close enough for him to apparate to the next morning.

Cedric and Calliope were lying on the grass, watching the starry night sky. Cedric’s parents, Amos and Nancy Diggory were sitting together on the porch of their house, enjoying the sound of the children laughing and the crickets chirping in the distance. Everything was going perfectly fine, but neither of them expected for the events that happened afterwards.

***

The two children were staring up at the night sky, admiring the millions of stars above them. Calliope and Cedric were naming whichever star and constellation they could remember. It was something the two enjoyed doing together on nights like this. Calliope always loved the stars, she felt connected to them somehow, she didn’t know why, but she guessed it was because they looked like diamonds.

“I can’t wait until you come to Hogwarts with me Callie! It’s truly amazing, my letters don’t give the castle justice," Cedric told her, a very happy smile across his face.

“I can’t wait either Ced!” Calliope’s smile faltered as a horrifying thought appeared in her mind, “Will you still be my friend even if we aren’t in the same house?” He turned his head, his eyes focused on her now, “Of course I will! You’re my little sister Callie, nothing will change that.”

“Cedric! Calliope! Time to come inside! You need to go to bed,” Nancy yelled for them, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

”Coming Mum!”

Cedric stood, helping Calliope rise from the blanket they had laid across the grass. “Race you back!” The older boy ran towards his house, leaving a laughing Calliope behind. “No fair you got a head start!”

Calliope was only able to run for a few seconds before she heard a growl. She stopped, freezing at the sound. There was only one thing that could make a noise as deep and terrifying as that one. Her father taught her to always avoid that sound. She slowly turned around, her suspicions confirmed as she came face to face with a very large werewolf.

The wolf growls even more, his teeth on full display. Amos studied the younger girl and yelled out her name in fear, noticing the animal in front of her. Luck wasn’t on her side, as she tried slowly walking backwards, her foot stepped on a stick, making it snap. The wolf growled louder, more fiercely as he prepared to run after her.

She was only able to turn around before she was pinned down by the werewolf. She felt his claws dig into her back. Not a second later, he bit down on her shoulder. Calliope has never screamed so loud in her life, feeling pain like she's never felt before.

Amos threw a spell at the wolf, throwing him off of Calliope. Fire came out of his wand, burning the wolf’s body. He whined as his fur was on fire and ran away, leaving them alone. “Calliope!” Cedric ran over to them despite his Mother’s protests. He was desperate to make sure his best friend was alright.

“Cedric no! Get back!”

Amos held his son tightly, dragging him away from the injured girl. Cedric kept thrashing around, trying to free himself from his Father’s hold. There was blood everywhere. One might think with the amount of blood loss she was experiencing she would be unconscious. But this situation was different.

Calliope’s screams got louder. She withered in pain, twitching every single bone and muscle in her body. Until it wasn’t her body anymore, she was changing. Transforming. She was wrong before, this was the worst pain imaginable. And her Dad went through it every single month, for years.

But she didn’t care for the physical pain she was experiencing, she cared about the emotional one she would experience soon, not from her, but from her Dad. Calliope was becoming the one thing Remus never wanted her to be. A werewolf. A monster.

Cedric wanted to help her, hold her as she was in pain, but his parents had dragged him inside the house. His Mother was placing wards around their home, making sure no one except their family could come inside. Amos charmed a rope into a thick chain, using his wand to make them wrap around Calliope’s hands, legs, and neck. She wouldn’t be able to move.

It wasn’t long until he heard a howl and the sounds of chains clashing against each other when he stepped inside his home, staying alert in case the girl he grew to love like his own were to be set free. But she wasn’t that little girl anymore, he couldn’t treat her like he used to anymore. He had to protect his own family.

The morning after that night was a blur. The only thing Calliope could remember was her Father’s crying face as he spelled away the chains from her neck. His hands were bloody. It belonged to her. He caressed her and slowly picked her up, telling her nothing but apologies that she could not hear.

***

Since then, every full moon, Calliope bore the same pain and fate as Remus. Because of this, Remus decided it was best to not send her to Hogwarts, and teach her everything she needed to know himself. Calliope would’ve been sad about this, but she knew it was for her own good. She couldn’t bear the constant fear of someone finding out her secret. Not only that, but the possibility of her hurting someone by complete accident.

After accepting the fact on how her life turned out, Calliope tried to be optimistic for both her Dad and herself. Remus knew this, and knew that his daughter tried to ignore how she really felt, so he was lenient with her at times. It was really the only thing he could do for her besides teach her magic.

Their life was quiet and simple, besides the painful transformations every month. With his condition, Remus was not able to maintain a job in both muggle and wizarding worlds for long. Since witches and wizards were misinformed about werewolves, they rejected Remus’ applications on the spot. Not even giving him a chance to prove himself a good employee. With muggle jobs, Remus did well, until the managers started noticing his constant requests for days off every month. They didn’t like an employee that always requested that, it wasn’t good for their business, so they always let him go in the end.

It was hard to manage, and there were times where they didn’t have any money for food. Remus always felt like a horrible father, feeling he wasn’t doing his part, but Calliope always reassured him that he was the best dad anyone could ask for. And that always made him feel a bit better. She reminded him of his promise he made to her years ago, and he planned to keep it.

Though everything changed when the great wizard Albus Dumbledore showed up at their cottage. He offered Remus a job as a professor at Hogwarts for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Something Dumbledore thought Remus would do very well in.

“Take the job Dad!” Calliope begged him as soon as Dumbledore had left. He looked at her and sighed feeling conflicted, “I don’t know Calliope,” he started, “It could be dangerous for you. There’s a killer on the loose, remember?”

Sirius Black. A very dangerous wizard who killed twelve people without mercy in the first Wizarding War, had escaped from Azkaban. Whenever he was mentioned, Calliope noticed her Dad would stay quieter than he usually would, not speaking for hours. He would stay in his room, looking over a book he never showed her. Whenever she would ask why he acted this way, he always switched the conversation, avoiding her questions. She found it strange. Remus never kept anything from her, only this.

“Please Dad?” Calliope continued to beg, “You went to Hogwarts when you were my age! Grandma Hope trusted you enough to go. Besides, even if something went wrong you’d be there to make sure I’m alright.” Remus stared at her. She was giving him her puppy eyes.

He was quiet, thinking of what to do. She had a point, if anything were to happen, Merlin forbid, he would be there to make sure she was safe. Besides, she was getting older, she would want to venture out into the world instead of staying cooped up in the cottage by herself like always. Not to mention the teenage hormones she was having that Remus could not handle at times, he was struggling. It wasn’t until that same night that he walked inside his daughter’s room and said, “We’re going to Hogwarts.”

The next few days Remus took his daughter to Diagon Alley, getting her a few supplies she would need for the year, and packing their bags. Of course, Calliope didn’t finish in time. The day they would leave for Hogwarts, Calliope was running around the cottage to pack any last things she wanted to take. She wouldn’t be coming back for Christmas, her and Remus thought it would be a good experience if they celebrated the holiday at the castle instead. She wanted to make sure her Dad didn’t have to come back and pick up things she forgot.

“You told me you were done packing two days ago!” Remus scolded her, watching as she was packing books into her trunk.

“And it was true!”

“Sure it was,” he scoffed.

Calliope looked over her things and realized she hadn’t packed her favorite winter jumper. “Be right back!” She ran out of her room and headed towards the closet at the back of the cottage where they kept their winter wear.

She rummaged through a few boxes until she found the one she was looking for. She pulled it out, accidentally knocking down a smaller box next to it. The contents spread all over the floor, the loud noise echoing around the cottage.

“What was that!?”

Calliope quickly crouched down and started placing everything back inside the box, “Nothing! Everything’s fine! Don’t come back here!”

She was almost done placing everything back until she picked up a lighter. It was silver and had a moon with what looked like mountains on it and with the name ‘Padfoot’ carved onto the back. Her vision changed. She wasn’t standing in her cottage anymore, but in a room in a place she’s never seen or been to before.

Her skin was pale, no scars or marks anywhere. She wore a white blouse with a green vest. She was holding the same lighter. Except this time she felt numb, yet also sad and angry at the same time.

Calliope blinked and she saw herself back at the cottage. This isn’t the first time she’s had a vision. For as long as she can remember, she's always had visions. But not just any kind. Her visions were of her as if she was inside another person’s body. A boy’s body. She never saw a reflection of said person, but she got a good glimpse of how his life was and how he viewed it. It made her feel sad for him. She hasn’t told Remus about it. The only person that knew was Cedric, but that was because he noticed her looking into the distance every time she had one.

She placed the lighter into her pocket and continued placing everything back before heading back to her room. She would’ve left it along with everything else, but one thing she's learned from her visions was that everything she saw was for a reason. So she kept it. Besides, Remus wouldn’t find out about it. Frankly she didn’t think he would realize it was missing anyways.

“Hurry up!” Remus yelled at her as he placed his coat on.

“Can’t you see I'm trying?” She yelled back, running into her room and throwing her juniper in her trunk before closing it.

Calliope had basically packed everything she owned. She was too excited to finally be going to Hogwarts. If it wasn’t for the extension charm Remus had put on her trunk, she wouldn’t have been able to close it. “Ready!”

“You got everything?”

“Yeah.”

“Your potions? Books? Gloves? What about your—?”

“Dad! I got everything, don’t worry.”

Remus looked over his daughter, staring at her lovingly. She looked so grown up. It felt like it was just yesterday that she was still in diapers. Where her whole tiny body could still fit in his arms. But now she’s thirteen years old, and headed to Hogwarts. Two years late. Because of him. Because he wasn’t there to protect her that night.

“Dad?”

His negative thoughts disappeared as he noticed the worried look in her eyes. He smiled softly, his hand moving to caress her face. She leaned into it, accepting the affection. “Come on little witch, let’s get you to Hogwarts.”

They managed to leave their cottage and arrive at Kings Cross Station just in time. Their walk across the platform made Calliope feel uneasy. One reason being that everyone around them stared at their clothes. They were shaggy and looked very worn out, but Calliope didn’t care about that. She knew they couldn’t afford much, but she was comfortable with the clothes she wore. It hid her body and face. Another reason was her anxiety when it came to places with large crowds.

Ever since her attack, Calliope has been afraid of people, no matter if they were muggle, witch or wizard. She had a fear that if they gave her one look, they would see the monster she is. The only people she’s really comfortable around are her Dad and the Diggory’s. Everyone else made her feel uncomfortable. Animals would fall under this category too if it weren’t for them running away after sniffing her and figuring out what she was. She wished for a pet of her own, but it was hard for her to find one that wouldn’t run away at the nearest contact from her.

“Don’t worry Calliope, we’ll get to the train soon,” Remus reassured her, sensing her nerves.

Not wanting to ruin the mood, she set aside her feelings and changed the subject. “So how exactly do we get to Hogwarts?” Remus chuckled at his daughter and guided her in between platforms 9 and 10. He motioned towards the pillar with his head, “Right through here.”

Calliope looked at him like he was crazy, “You’re joking right?” Remus laughed before walking straight into the pillar and disappearing. “Oh he’s serious,” she said to herself. Her mind traveled to the murderer Sirius Black and made the connection with his name, “Ha, sirius. That’s funny,” she giggled to herself. Trusting her Father, Calliope gripped her trunk tightly, shut her eyes and walked straight into the pillar.

When she opened her eyes, she was on a whole completely different platform. The red Hogwarts Express blew its horn, and dozens of people were getting ready to send their children off. “Wicked,” Calliope grinned up at her Father, who stared back at her with a fond smile. “Come on, we need to find a compartment before everyone starts getting onto the train.”

Usually adults wouldn’t ride the train to get to Hogwarts, especially not Professors, but Dumbledore made an exception for Remus. He didn’t want to leave his daughter alone for her first train ride. He knows her, she would’ve hidden somewhere to avoid people. He didn’t want her to do that, and if he had to push her to at least smile at someone he would.

They placed their trunks along with everyone else’s and headed inside the train. It was empty, with only a few students already settling in. Remus led them past many empty compartments until he finally decided on one almost at the end of the train. “This one should be fine,” he said.

The two walked inside, placing their carry-on luggage on the rack at the top of the seats. Remus hadn’t moved. He was standing close by the window, staring at its frame. Calliope walked over, watching as his eyes started to get glossy.

“You alright Dad?”

“Yes,” he blinked away his tears, “It’s just been a while.”

He sniffs and takes a seat, making himself comfortable. Calliope looked back at the window frame, and noticed initials carved into it. JP, SB, RL, and PP. She didn’t think much of it, they were just some strange letters, but it seemed like they mattered or at least meant something to Remus.

Another vision. This time the boy felt sad. He was tracing the SB initials, and Calliope felt a singular tear fall from her eye before turning and leaving the compartment.

Calliope blinked the vision away and turned her back on the window. She wondered why the boy felt sad, did he know what the letters meant? Was it a person’s initials? If so, who is SB? And why did her Dad look just like how the boy felt?

She decided it was best to think about the situation another time as she sat across from Remus. It was only then that she realized how tired she felt. The full moon had happened two nights ago, so their energy wasn’t completely on full battery. “You look tired,” Remus said as he observed her. Calliope gave him a grin, “So do you. A bit worse might I add,” she joked.

The two always felt sick after their transformations. They wake up with fevers, their skin turning a sickly pale or green, and they lose an insane amount of weight, making their already baggy clothes seem baggier. It doesn’t matter how many years someone would go through this, it never gets easier. Even with the Wolfsbane potion they take before the full moon. That only helps with the pain as they transform, and helps their fever last only a few hours.

“Maybe you should take a nap Dad,” she told him, actually taking notice of the bags under his eyes, “Rest up you know?”

Remus looked up from the book he was reading, “What about you? You need to rest more than I do,” he said worriedly. Calliope smiled, “I’ll take a nap later. Besides, it'd be embarrassing if my Dad, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, falls asleep in the middle of the welcome feast. I will never acknowledge you if that happens.”

He laughed. It made her happy to be able to make him laugh. She felt like she did her job as a daughter if she made him smile at least once a day. Remus placed his book back in his briefcase and got comfortable in his seat. It only took a few minutes until Calliope could hear his soft snores.

She looked out the window and noticed more and more people appearing on the platform. The noise got louder outside the compartment, letting her know more students were getting on the train. Calliope pulled up the hood of her jacket and moved her hair to cover her face, noticing some people looking inside their compartment.

It’s not that she was shy, well actually she was just a bit, but she’s insecure about her face. Over the years, she's gained scars all over her body, and some small ones on her face. They faded but not completely, they were still noticeable if they really paid attention to her face. It still bothered her.

Even though she's really only been around her Dad, she isn’t dumb enough to know that girls with scars on their bodies and faces aren’t pretty. She realized that after watching the girls she saw at Diagon Alley.

She looked back at her Dad, he was in a deep sleep now. She stood and leaned closer to him, grabbing his coat and pulling it up to cover his face. He liked sleeping like this, she’ll never know why exactly, but she guesses it’s to block the light.

Calliope yawned as she sat back down, pulling her hoodie closer to her face, making sure it covered her even more. She leaned her head against the window and got comfortable. She stared at the people on the platform, watching as the parents said goodbye to their kids. It made her feel a bit envious of her future classmates, having two parents. She only had her Dad, and she was so grateful to have him, but she always felt something missing in their family. Never once did she mention this to him, she never wanted him to feel like he wasn’t enough.

She felt her eyes get heavy. Before she could fully fall asleep, she made eye contact with a boy from the platform. He was staring at her for a few seconds before looking back at the boy and girl standing next to him.

He has dark unruly hair, round glasses, and green eyes. She couldn’t really study him, tiredness taking over her. But she felt something inside her chest longing for the boy. She didn’t understand why, but it did.

***

Harry said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as he followed his friends boarding the train. It was especially chaotic this year, with a bunch of first years running around and taking up the majority of the compartments available.

“Bloody first years,” Ron mumbled, tucking Scabbers into his coat pocket after a first year almost made him drop his rat.

“Ron don't be rude,” Hermione scolded, “They’re just excited to go to Hogwarts, you know that.”

Ron rolled his eyes, looking down at the bushy haired girl, “Doesn’t mean they’re allowed to take up the whole train! There’s no spot for us to sit anywhere. And there’s no way in Merlin I’m sitting at the end of the train with those slimy snakes.” Hermione rolled her eyes, walking slightly ahead of the two boys.

Harry looked inside a compartment, there were two people inside that looked to be asleep, but there seemed to be enough space for them to occupy as well, “We can sit here. Its the only one left to fit the three of us.”

He slid open the compartment door, letting Ron and Hermione go in first. Ron carefully placed his bag on the top rack as he eyed the two sleeping figures, “Who do you suppose they are?” Hermione looked at the two strangers, “I’m not sure who the girl is, but the man is Professor R. J. Lupin.”

Ron whipped his head towards her. He was staring at her stunned before turning to Harry, “She knows everything. How do you know everything?” He asked her. Hermione pointed towards the man’s briefcase on the top rack, “It says so there. And considering there’s always one teaching position open I made a guess.”

Harry looked at the strangers before doing a double look over the girl. Even though her hood covered the majority of her face, he still recognized who she was. It was the same person he had seen back on the platform. He thought there was something about her when he saw her for the first time, or at least something interesting. It was gut feeling he had. What were the odds they would be sitting in the same compartment?

“Are they both really asleep?”

Ron and Hermione studied girl and man before turning to their friend and nodding their heads. “Good,” Harry said, “There’s something I need to tell you both.” He turned and slid shut the compartment door, ready to tell their friends what Arthur Weasley warned him about hours before they left.

Chapter Text

Calliope woke up with a gasp, the temperature around her dropped a significant amount and she couldn’t stay asleep any longer. She shivered and tried to look around, but it was completely dark, she could barely even see her own hands. Panic started to fill her until her sense of smell caught a whiff of Remus, “Dad?”

“Calliope be on guard.”

Hearing the seriousness of his voice, Calliope stood, wand already raised. She felt her Dad’s presence next to her. “Pop quiz,” he whispered to her, “What creature could cause such an impact in less than a minute?”

That question was easy. It was one of the newer things he’s taught her. The air around them was freezing, a wave of sadness enveloping them so much that happiness seemed an almost impossible feeling to have ever again.

The compartment door opened, and in flew the dark creature that was the answer to Remus’ question. A dementor.

Calliope knew the exact spell to make it go away. It was the hardest spell she’s ever had to conjure. She’s had happy memories with her Dad, but sadly they were not strong enough. The best she could do was have a strong blue mist appear out of her wand, but no form has taken shape. She thought that maybe she could use the memory of her Dad saying yes to going to Hogwarts, but now didn’t seem like the perfect time to test out that theory.

She found her Father’s hand and held it, squeezing it three times. He repeated the action before raising his own wand, pointing it at the dementor that had already taken the students residing in their compartment as victims.

“Expecto Patronum!”

His patronus casted away the dementor, the door closing on its own by the force. The temperature in the compartment got warmer, and the lights to the train flickered on. His patronus must’ve cast away all the other dementors too.

Calliope quickly held onto her Dad, seeing him falter and weaken by the powerful spell he casted. She guided him back to his seat and quickly pulled out a piece of chocolate she had kept in her pocket for later. He took it gratefully, pushing her eyebrows up after noticing her worried frown. He hated when she did that, it would give her early wrinkles.

“I’m alright,” he assured her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I’m sure.”

Remus looked to his left, “Are you two alright?” Confused, Calliope looked to her right and was met with two pairs of eyes. Her eyes widened and a blush crept up to her cheeks. They were staring at her face and taking in the rest of her appearance. She looked away, suddenly feeling self conscious about the way she looked.

“Yeah we’re alright,” the boy said.

“But our friend fainted,” this time the girl spoke. “Will he be alright?”

Her Dad stood up and walked over to the boy who seemed to be slumped over the seat she was in moments ago. The two kids who seemed around her age got close to their friend, worried looks on both their faces. She wanted to know what was going on, but Calliope stayed a few steps back. A good distance away from the two strangers.

She watched as her Dad placed his hand on the boy’s forehead. Her eyes catching a lightning shaped scar. It can’t be… is he Harry Potter? He stayed quiet for a while, making the boy’s friends more anxious than they were before. “Don’t worry,” Calliope told them, “I’m sure your friend is alright. The dementor probably just frightened him.”

The girl smiled nervously at her, and the boy just tried to avoid her gaze. Calliope started to think maybe she had said something wrong. Her neck heated up in embarrassment, mentally scolding herself for saying anything in the first place.

“He’s waking up.”

The four of them turned their attention towards the boy and noticed he was starting to move. “Harry!” The girl moved closer to the boy and began shaking him awake. Remus moved to sit back in his seat, Calliope following his actions and taking the available spot next to him.

The unconscious boy sat up. He rubbed his head and opened his eyes. They were emerald green. He’s the boy I saw earlier, she realized. Calliope felt her father tense beside her. She glanced at him, to anyone he would have seemed perfectly alright, but his hands clenching each other said otherwise.

“Harry, are you alright?” The girl asked.

He looked around the compartment and saw four pairs of eyes staring at him. “What was that?” He asked, still trying to adjust his eyes to the light. “That was a dementor. They’re the guards at Azkaban prison. They were looking for Sirius Black,” Remus replied. Calliope heard the faintest of struggle in his voice.

Calliope was the only one to notice the change in tone when he said Sirius Black. He was still acting strangely whenever he was mentioned. Just why exactly does Remus act this way, did he know Sirius Black on a personal level? No, that's ridiculous. Dad is an exemplary person. He would never associate himself with someone like Black.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to speak to the conductor.”

Remus stood and Calliope did the same, planning to go with him, but he stopped her. “Stay here Calliope,” he whispered to her. “But Dad–.” He placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing once in reassurance, “You’ll be alright.”

He opened the door to the compartment and stepped out. He looked back at his daughter and then at Harry, “My daughter will give you some chocolate. Eat it and you’ll feel better.” He closed the door and they watched as he walked away.

It was silent for a few moments. Calliope felt very out of her comfort zone being alone in a small space with three strangers. Nevertheless, she listened to her Father’s words and took out chocolate from her pocket, hesitantly giving it to Harry, “Here.”

Harry grabbed the chocolate, freezing midway when he noticed a long scar across the top of her hand. He looked up and caught her eyes under her hoodie.

He couldn't look away. He’s never seen such captivating eyes. They sparkled even in the darkness of her hoodie. Her left eye was colored amber, and her right eye was colored grey. They shined just like the sun and moon. How beautiful.

Calliope noticed his staring. She let go of the chocolate and walked backwards until her legs hit the seat behind her. “Sorry. My hands tend to make people uncomfortable,” she told him, trying to laugh it off. “Or was it my eyes? That also tends to make people… uncomfortable.”

“No it wasn’t that,” Harry tried reassuring her, his face flushing in embarrassment.

The four of them were quiet again. They felt the train start to move again, which gave the girl a chance to break the awkward silence, “My name’s Hermione Granger by the way.”

Calliope looked at her and smiled, nodding to her in acknowledgement. Hermione nudged Harry, who was still staring at her, his mouth slightly open. “Oh. I’m Harry Potter.” She nodded, trying to maintain her curiosity after realizing he’s The Boy Who Lived. Hesitantly, she turned towards the other boy. He looked up at her, avoiding her gaze, “Ron Weasley,” he reluctantly said.

“It’s nice to meet you three,” she gave them her best smile, “I’m Calliope Lupin.”

The trio greeted her with kindness which warmed her heart. She’s never been around people her age (Cedric didn’t count since he was two years older), so she was worried about making friends. So far she thought she was doing relatively well.

“We haven’t seen you at Hogwarts before,” Hermione told her, “Is this your first year?”

Calliope moved around in her seat, caught off guard by her sudden question. She and Remus had discussed a few days ago on what to tell people if they ever asked her why she was starting late. They thought it would be best to have a cover story instead of saying the truth.

“It is,” she replied.

“But you don’t look like a first year,” Ron said, looking at her up and down.

Hermione swatted his arm and glared at him. The scene made Calliope grin at the bickering friends. She had a feeling they behaved like this all the time. “I’m not. I’ll be starting in third year instead.”

“Us too!”

Everyone turned to Harry who had spoken rather happily. After realizing everyone was staring at him, he cleared his throat and spoke in a much calmer tone. “Why didn’t you start two years ago like you’re supposed to?”

This time she was ready for the question. “I was going to, but I got really sick before term started for the first year. I was sick way longer than expected.” The three of them looked at her sadly. She moved uncomfortably in her seat at their looks, “It wasn’t that bad though! I was able to learn everything from first and second year while getting better. I’m caught up with all the other third years.”

Harry nodded and continued looking at her. He just couldn’t seem to look away no matter how hard he tried. “Your eyes,” he started. Calliope’s ears turned red and she pulled her hoodie closer to her head. I knew it. They think I look weird, she thought.

“Great job Harry. You made her go back in her shell,” Hermione whispered to him harshly. Harry beat himself up as he saw Calliope completely hide her face from them. “No Calliope I didn't mean it in a bad way! I just meant they’re different.” That didn’t help either. If Harry could hit himself right there and then and not look weird to her he would. Could he be any more awkward?

“We’ll be arriving in a few minutes!”

Remus arrived, standing by the compartment door. Calliope grabbed her bag and walked out of the compartment, heading towards the bathrooms to change into her school robes. Hermione followed her a few seconds after.

Remus looked back at the boys. His stare made them slightly uncomfortable, his face was blank and it intimidated them. “Did something happen?” Ron looked over at his friend, Harry’s face was red in embarrassment. That’s all Remus needed to know that something did in fact happen.

Calliope forgot she didn’t know where the bathrooms were. She just needed to get out of that compartment. It wasn’t that she was offended by what Harry had said, at least not that much, but she was feeling suffocated. The compartment felt like it was closing in on her, trapping her with strangers that she felt were going to find out her secret if she continued sitting there.

“Calliope?”

She felt a hand on her shoulder, one she didn’t recognize. She flinched away, bumping into the wall next to her. She winced, feeling the wound in her shoulder open up. Her eyes landed on the person in front of her. It was Hermione. Her eyes looked worried at her reaction, “Are you alright?” Calliope tried to control her shaggy breathing, “Yeah just… a bit claustrophobic.”

Hermione didn’t look like she believed her words, but reluctantly decided to accept it. “Do you know where the bathrooms are?” Calliope asked, trying to change the conversation. The bushy haired girl smiled lightly, “Yeah, just follow me.”

Calliope firmly shut the door to an open bathroom when they got there. She breathed silently, trying to calm herself down. She thumped her head at the wall, “Such a good first impression,” she whispered to herself. Knowing there might be other people trying to change into their uniform, Calliope tried to hurry. She made sure to be careful with it, since it was probably the most expensive thing she got at Diagon Alley, even with the discount they got since Remus was friends with the seamstress. School supplies were definitely not cheap.

She took one deep breath before walking out the loo, avoiding eye contact with the people she came across along the way. She could hear Hermione walking behind her, so she slowed down her steps until both girls walked side by side in silence.

“Thank you for showing me the way,” Calliope told her, voice quiet, “And sorry for… earlier.”

Hermione stared at her. She noticed the flush in her cheeks and her persistence in avoiding eye contact. She felt a bit of pity for her, but she understood why she was being avoidant. “It’s alright. It can be nerve wracking meeting new people,” she said, “Being it your first year at Hogwarts yet starting third year instead could be even more so.”

Calliope nodded, agreeing to her words. She was starting to feel comfortable towards Hermione, appreciating her calm nature. “It’s a bit hard for me to make friends,” she admitted, “I do have this one friend but I rarely see him. It’s really just been me and Dad for as long as I can remember.”

“How come?”

Calliope’s heart skipped a beat. Quick Calliope, think of something! Anything but the truth! “Uh, we kind of lived in a remote area,” she told Hermione, “Not many people around to protect them from my illness.”

Hermione nodded, thinking about her answer. Wanting to make her feel better about starting Hogwarts without knowing anyone, Hermione offered her something Calliope didn’t reject. “Well, if you’ll accept me, I’d very much like to be your friend Calliope.”

The girl snapped her head over to Hermione. Her eyes wide in surprise. She didn’t think she’d want to be her friend after earlier. “Really? You want to be my friend?” Hermione laughed, “Of course. It would be nice to have a female friend. I can’t possibly tell you how annoying it is just hanging out with Harry and Ron sometimes. They seem to be in that stage where boys are awkward about everything.

Both girls laughed, the tension between them from earlier going away. Calliope was happy she made a friend. Her heart filled up with joy. Maybe things will turn out well for her after all. Maybe she can make more friends in the days to come.

When they returned to the compartment, the boys were already in their uniforms. The trio sat next to each other awkwardly as Remus and Calliope sat across from them in silence. The two girls made eye contact, smiling and trying to silence their giggles.

Remus’ eyes left his book and landed on his daughter. He saw the smile laced on her lips and her body shaking with concealed laughter. It made his heart warm up seeing his daughter easing up with the children sitting in front of them. Well, at least one of the three. Though something in the back of his mind told him that the four of them would be the very bestest of friends.

It wasn’t long until the train slowed down and stopped. They arrived. The trio grabbed their trunks, “See you later Calliope! It was night to meet you both,” Hermione said, and left the compartment along with Ron. All the red headed boy did was awkwardly smile at them.

Harry looked over at them, his eyes lingering a few seconds more on the girl his age. He awkwardly waved goodbye to her, a sheepish smile on his face, “Bye. See you at the welcome feast.” He walked out, catching up with his friends and boarding off the train.

Calliope poked her head outside the compartment and saw the hundreds of kids stepping out of their own compartments and into the small corridor to leave the train. They all had bags of their own and some even had their animals in cages, making noise as they were swaddled by their owners. The scene itself made Calliope’s stomach turn.

“Hey.”

She turned to look at her father who was smiling at her. “You’ll be alright,” he told her, “Just take deep breaths.” She followed his words and nodded, feeling her heartbeat slow down and return to its normal pace.

Remus and Calliope grabbed their things and walked out of the compartment and out the train. They followed the line of older students waiting for a carriage to take them up to the castle. It was loud and crowded, everyone trying to make room and meet up with their friends they didn’t see on the train. Calliope was getting overwhelmed again. The noise was bothering her ears and was giving her a headache. The new smells of her fellow classmates and their animals as well as the forest surrounding them was making her nauseous. It was too much for her. She was not used to this.

“Remember to train your hearing to only one sound,” Remus said, low enough for her to hear and no one else. A pro and con of having werewolf hearing. Calliope concentrated like her father said, and was able to tune out everything else except the people in front of her. There wasn’t much she could do about the scents, that she just had to deal with and learn to adapt.

After settling that problem, she started looking around for the one person she really wanted to see but wasn’t anywhere in sight. Cedric Diggory. Calliope’s best friend of all time, practically her brother.

But after Calliope got bit, thing’s changed for a bit. She stopped going over to the Diggory’s on nights of the full moon, or any other day to spend time with Cedric. Mostly it was because she was dealing with her new life, but also she was embarrassed. Not to mention Remus was quite upset about Amos trapping his daughter with chains for a good few weeks. He knew it was the smart thing to do considering he had his family not far from them, but still, it was his daughter, in chains.

It took her a long time to answer Cedric’s letters. She was worried he wouldn’t want to be her friend anymore after that night, but he proved her wrong. There was no point in trying to hide from him, he was too persistent. He didn't judge her nor was he scared of her. “You are still the same Pia,” he told her when she finally let him see her. It relieved her that their relationship didn’t change, and that instead they became closer than ever before.

A carriage finally arrived for the father and daughter, and it started making its way to the castle once they were seated inside. Calliope looked at her father as he stared out the carriage window. He had a nostalgic smile on his face as they entered the castle gates. But there was something in his eyes that she couldn’t point out.

“Did you miss being here?” she asked him.

He sighed, a smile still on his face, “I did. It’s been too long since I've been back.”

He felt her staring and looked away from the window. He held her hand, “Are you ready to start Hogwarts Calliope?” She huffed, looking at her legs, “I am but, what if I don't make any friends besides Cedric? What if I'm alone for the next four years? Actually that would be better wouldn’t it? That way I wont get too close to someone and hurt them.” She was starting to doubt accepting Hermione’s friendship.

Remus pulled her closer, understanding everything she was feeling. He felt the same when he started Hogwarts. But then he met James and… He wouldn’t give up his friends for anything. “It’s okay to feel those things. It's normal. But Calliope, making friends is a gift. Friends are very important in a person’s life. Anyone would be lucky to be your friend.”

She looked up at him, eyeing him as a grin tugged on her lips, “You’re not just saying that because you’re my Dad are you?”
He laughed, ruffling her hair and hugging her a bit tighter. “You’ll be just alright here little wolf. Just like I was.” Calliope smiled at her Dad. Even though his words were simple, they meant a lot to her. She leaned in and laid her head on his shoulder, “Thanks Dad.” He always knew how to make her bad thoughts go away.

The carriage stopped and the both of them got off. Calliope looked at the castle and was left speechless. The outside of Hogwarts was just as beautiful as Remus had told her it was. No. It was even better.

“Amazing isn’t it?” He asked her.

“That’s one word for it,” she replied, a laugh escaping her lips.

They both walked inside, following the students. It was even more spectacular. The doors were huge, and Calliope couldn’t help but reach out and touch the wood. She could feel its magic and the magic of the castle. She was so busy looking around that she didn’t notice a woman standing in front of them.

“Professor Lupin.”

Calliope studied the old woman. She was wearing emerald green robes and square rimmed glasses, a very small smile on her face. But that didn’t stop her from seeing the stern look in the woman’s eyes. She must be strict, she thought.

“Minerva!”

Remus opened his arms and hugged her, the small smile turning into a wide one. She could hear the old woman shriek with a laugh, patting Remus on the back. When they broke apart, Remus placed his hand on Calliope’s shoulder. “Minnie, I’d like for you to meet Calliope, my daughter,” Remus said proudly. The old woman looked down towards Calliope, “Miss Lupin, a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Calliope broke out into a smile, finally glad to meet the woman her father had so much respect for. “Ah so you must be Minnie!” She wasted no time to hug the woman she’s just met, but after all the stories Remus has told her, Calliope felt like she’s known her all her life. “Dad has told me all about how an amazing professor you are,” she said as she let go of the older woman, looking her up and down. “You don’t look a day over twenty five!”

Smoothing out her robes, Minerva realized the kind of person her new student is, “I see you have your father’s spirit.” Remus chuckled ruffling his daughter's hair, something in his eyes that Calliope didn’t notice, except Minerva, “You have no idea Minnie.”

Minnie cleared her throat, smoothing down the last wrinkles on her robes before placing her hands back together.

“I’ll be your Transfiguration professor here at Hogwarts. And hopefully your Head of house if you get sorted into Gryffindor like your Father,” she explained, a hopeful smile on her face.

Her words caused a slight panic inside of Calliope. Gryffindor was the house her Dad was in, and he’s told her countless times that it wouldn’t matter to him which house she got in, but she knew he secretly wanted her in Gryffindor. Out of all the houses, Gryffindor was the best one. After that Hufflepuff, but only because Cedric was there. Calliope tried not to let her nerves show, so instead she smirked and placed her hand to her forehead in a saluting manner, “Looking forward to it Minnie.”

Her light smile went away, a horrified look appeared instead, “Oh Merlin, it’s started already.”

Remus let out a laugh, and Calliope stared at him as he did. She’s never heard him laugh like that before, this laugh was different. It warmed her heart to see him with a genuine smile. “Follow me Miss Lupin. You’ll be sorted with the rest of the first years in a moment,” McGonagall told her before turning around and walking up the steps behind her.

Calliope turned up to look at her father, “Does that mean I’ll have to be on stage with millions of people staring at poor ole me?” He laughed in response and pushed her forward, “You’ll survive.”

Before she could take a few steps towards Minnie, Calliope stopped. Doubt started to creep inside her. She was scared.

“Callie.”

She turned around. Remus had noticed her doubt. He could tell with the way her hand clenched, it was one of her nervous habits she inherited from him. He walked up to her, placing his hand on her cheek, “Just breathe. You’ll be okay.”

“And if I'm not?” Her eyes were filled with what Remus knew all too well. Fear.

“Have I ever lied to you before?”

“There could always be first for everything,” she shrugged.

His jaw dropped in fake hurt. “How dare you believe such a thing! A complete outrage.”

“Hey you asked!” She defended herself, not bothering to hide the smile on her face.

Remus pushed her forward from her back, “Go on now. You don’t want to keep Minnie waiting. Trust me. She can be quite scary at times.” His joking tone brought a smile to her face. She felt better. Just a tad bit.

She gave him a quick hug before following McGonagall. By the time she reached the top, Calliope turned around one more time and waved at her Dad, hoping for only one thing. To be sorted into Gryffindor just like he was. It was one thing she could do for him after all these years. She couldn’t disappoint him now.

Chapter Text

Calliope was standing next to Professor McGonagall as she spoke to the first years. She had filled in Calliope on how the sorting process worked. Remus had told her about it the night before. How the sorting hat reads your thoughts and your memories, deciding which house would best suit you. It was safe to say she was both nervous and excited.

“Follow me.”

Professor McGonagall began walking towards the Great Hall, Calliope following her and motioning for the slightly confused first years to do the same. “She doesn’t like to be kept waiting,” she told them with a smile, repeating her Dad’s words from earlier. The first years smiled, some visibly relaxed, and followed them both.

The doors opened and they walked inside, and Calliope kept her face expressionless. She already stood out like a sore thumb, being the tallest in a group of first years, and she didn’t want to make herself seem weird by smiling even if she really wanted to. But it was difficult to do.

The Great Hall was beautiful just like Remus had told her in his stories. Candles that, according to Remus, represented a student. I wonder which one is mine, she thought to herself. Her excitement grew at the mere thought of her candle, a smile daring to appear on her face as she clenched her hands in happiness. That was until she heard the whispers.

“Why does she look like that?”

“Isn’t she too old to be a first year?”

“Oh god what is she wearing? You can't call those robes.”

“They look too faded. The style is so old.”

Calliope’s demeanor didn’t change after hearing their voices. She wasn’t ashamed of her clothes. She knew how hard Remus tried providing for them. He put food on their table and kept a roof over their heads. That was enough for her, but she could tell he wanted to give her more.

She looked up at Remus, and could tell by the look on his face that he was hearing their comments. Damn the werewolf hearing, she cursed. Guilt spread over his features, and he looked down in shame. It pained Calliope that he still felt this way no matter how many times she tried reassuring him that she did not care for new things, that she was happy with what she had. But he never listened. Remus was very stubborn that way.

Minerva stood next to a stool, the sorting hat in her hand, “When I call your name please step up and sit on the stool.” Calliope was grateful the first person she called wasn’t her. She needed at least a few more minutes to calm herself. Except the first years were sorted quickly. She eyed Minnie, catching the woman’s eye and the small smirk on her lips. Calliope’s jaw dropped, She went through the names quickly on purpose! The young girl smirked, accepting the challenge Minerva McGonagall didn’t know she started. Or did she?

Dumbledore stood from his seat and spoke to everyone in the hall. “The sorting for the first year students is now complete. However, there is still one more student left. She will be starting her third year here at Hogwarts. Those who are also starting their third year, please make sure she feels right at home.”

Dumbledore sat back down, giving Calliope a smile of encouragement. Professor McGonagall held the sorting hat and faced her, “Calliope Lupin!”

She took a deep breath before walking up to the stool. Her eyes found her Dad’s, seeking encouragement. He nodded, giving her a smile and mouthing the words, ‘You got this.’

Calliope sat on the stool and felt McGonagall place the sorting hat on her head. “Hmm a Lupin,” she heard its voice in her head say. It didn't startle her. Her Dad let her know the Hat would speak to her in her mind while she was being sorted. Very cool.

“You are very loyal,” the Hat continued, “Cunning and brave as well. But very clever. I see you come from a very long line of Slytherins.”

Calliope furrowed her brows, “Slytherin?”

“Yes, a long line of them. Though your bravery and courage wins against your cunningness, loyalty, and cleverness you possess.”

The Hat went silent, as if it was in deep thought. Calliope was confused. Remus was Gryffindor, and he told her his whole family had every other house except Slytherin. So what did the hat mean? A thought came to her mind, about a certain person she hasn’t thought about in a very long time. Did this have to do with her other parent?

The whole hall was silent, their whispers getting louder and louder. Some were getting desperate for the hat to just yell out the house, others wondering why it was taking her so long. At this point Calliope Lupin might have been hat stall.

“Gryffindor!”

Calliope shut her ears as the Hat yelled, not prepared for how loud it was. McGonagall took off the hat from her head and gave her a very light smile only she could see, “I knew you would be a Gryffindor.” The Gryffindor table erupted in loud cheers.

“Let the feast begin!”

Calliope stood as she watched food appear on all the house tables. Not one person wasted any time in filling their plates, all already starving from their long journey. “Go on dear,” McGonagall said to her, “Sit with the rest of your House.”

She gave her professor a smile and walked towards the Gryffindor table. Right as she stood at the end of the table, Calliope realized something. She didn’t know anyone, and because of that she didn’t know where to sit.

Her head automatically turned to look at Remus. He was already looking at her, a proud smile on his face. Calliope gave him an unsure look as she motioned to the table. She could see his body move up and down, he was laughing. She rolled her eyes at him, how can he laugh at her right now? He motioned for her to take a deep breath and held his hand out towards the Gryffindor table.

Calliope turned back to the table, her eyes searching for a place to sit. Until her eyes landed on the three people she sat with on the train. Alright Calliope you can do this. Don’t make a fool of yourself. She forced her legs to walk their way, mentally telling herself she’ll be alright.

Calliope stood behind Hermione who sat facing Harry and Ron. Neither of them had noticed her yet. Even though her and Hermione were friends, she wasn’t sure where her relationship with the two boys stood yet. She tapped on Hermione’s shoulder and got nervous once she turned to look up at her, “Um… do you mind if I sit with you? I don’t really know anyone else.”

Hermione immediately smiled, her head turned to look at the two boys, only Harry smiled while Ron had a look on his face as if contemplating if she should sit with them or not. Calliope was about to turn and leave, feeling her face start to burn from embarrassment. Hermione looked at her again with a smile, “Of course! We don’t mind at all.”

Calliope couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face. Hermione moved to the side, making space for her to sit. “Welcome to Gryffindor by the way,” Calliope faced Ron who was busy eating a few chicken legs. She hadn’t expected him to say anything to her. Maybe he’s the type of person that needs to get used to you before he warms up. “Thanks Ron,” she smiled.

After a few moments of awkward silence, the three of them started talking, somehow telling Calliope all about their adventures from their first and second year. Calliope was one to say yes to an adventure no matter what it was, never to say no. And these three attracted dangerous adventures. Especially Harry. She couldn’t wait for another one to show up and be part of it. If they’ll let her tag along of course.

“Wait so, while Ron and Harry were in the chamber of secrets with a basilisk, you were petrified?”

Hermione laughed at her speechless expression. “How did it feel?” Calliope questioned. She’s read about petrification before, but everyone’s experience with being petrified was different. Especially in Hermione’s case. It’s not everyday a person gets petrified by a huge snake. Hermione hummed in thought, “I honestly didn’t feel anything. When I woke up it was like no time had passed. I do remember a slight tingly sensation after waking up.”

“Wow… wicked!”

The three laughed with Calliope. The plates and goblets disappeared from the table, catching Calliope off guard. She hadn’t finished eating yet. It’s been so long since she’s been graced with so much food that she wanted to at least try as much of it as she could. “Does this happen all the time?”

“Yeah. You’ll get used to it though,” Harry told her.

Calliope held eye contact with him. The two stared at each other in silence. Harry kept switching between staring at her grey eye and then her amber eye. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. But seeing how obvious he was with not being able to decide which eye to look at as getting her a bit uncomfortable.

“Heterochromia.”

The word caught Harry off guard, “What?”

“Time for bed everyone! Classes begin tomorrow!”

Harry and Calliope finally looked away from one another as Dumbledore spoke. Calliope moved her bangs to cover her eyes as she got up from her seat like everyone else. She had gotten bangs a few days ago, to keep her eyes hidden from everyone. She thought it would bring less attention to her, and Remus wanting her to be comfortable at Hogwarts accepted. Somehow her bangs actually came out nice considering it was Remus who cut them. Then again he was the one who would cut her hair ever since she was little, but nothing so different like bangs before.

“Come on Calliope. We’ll show you to the common room,” Hermione told her excitedly, pulling on her arm to follow them.

Calliope winced as she did so. She still wasn’t fully healed from the full moon a few nights ago, so her body still hurt if she made certain movements. Hermione heard her and noticed the pained look on her face, “Are you alright?” Calliope shook her head, forcing herself to smile, “No I’m fine. Just hurt myself more than I thought I did when I bumped into the wall on the train.”

“Are you sure? We can always go to the Hospital Wing.”

“I’m sure Hermione.”

She looked unsure but nodded anyway. The girls walked towards the doors, meeting up with Harry and Ron. Calliope turned around to look at Remus one last time for the night. He was going to reside in his office/bedroom in their DADA classroom. She thought it was cool he had a room to himself, she knew he liked his privacy. He was speaking happily to Professor McGonagall. Seeing him at ease, Calliope was able to walk out of the Great Hall.

Hermione told her interesting facts about the castle while Ron pointed out where things led to and where the best hiding places to hide snacks from the Professors were. She was enjoying the walk with the trio until someone bumped into her shoulder harshly. Said shoulder so happened to be the one Calliope had dislocated the night of the full moon. It still hurt her very much. What’s with me and hurting my shoulders?

“Watch where you’re going!”

A deep menacing glare appeared over Calliope’s face. She is a very kind person, but Calliope also had a very bad temper with people that disrespected her and her loved ones. She turned to face the person who yelled at her. He wasn't much taller than she was. His hair was platinum blond, his face was pale and thin, and he had dark grey eyes. He wore Slytherin robes.

The two glared at each other, but after a while, Calliope noticed his face slowly relaxing. “Go away Malfoy!” She heard Hermione yell. “Your common room isn’t anywhere near here,” Ron said, moving to stand next to Calliope.

Malfoy looked at the Gryffindors and sneered, “Well if it isn’t Potter, Weasel and Granger.” The trio glared at him, Calliope doing the same after painting him as a bully in her eyes. She already didn’t like how he was treating them.

“Shove off Malfoy,” Harry said. Malfoy ignored him and placed his attention on Calliope, “You’re the new girl aren’t you?” Calliope sneered, “What’s it to you?” His face hardened, taking a step closer to her, “You better watch your tone.”

“You better watch yours,” Calliope challenged, taking a step closer towards him.

“Don’t you know who I am?” He questioned.

Calliope raised an eyebrow, “Should I?” She looked him up and down, circling him menacingly as she did so, “You don’t seem that important of a person. Just a spoiled baby.” She didn’t know where the sudden confidence came from, but she was getting riled up. Her anger and annoyance grew the longer she stood close to him.

She instinctively sniffed him, his cologne finally hit her. She scrunched up her nose in disgust backing away from him and towards the trio, “Ugh. How grotesque of a smell. Did you bathe yourself in rotting food?” The Malfoy boy’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
He sniffed his robes, “They do not smell grotesque! If anything I smell better than you! Who do you think you are?” Malfoy’s desperate attempt to embarrass Calliope didn’t work. She simply shrugged him off before joining the trio.

She glared at him one last time before looking at the people by her side, “Where’s the common room again?” The trio stared at her, her cold tone now gone and replaced with a softer friendlier one. She smiled at them as they walked away. Malfoy was stunned.

“Hey! I’m not done talking–!”

“But I am!”

Calliope raised her middle finger in the air, not looking back once. Harry and Ron snickered as Hermione looked at her with amazement yet scandal at the same time by her actions

“Calliope, that was amazing!” Ron exclaimed, pushing Harry aside to walk next to her, “You’re my new favorite person.”

Calliope laughed, feeling more at ease with him than earlier, “I’m glad Ron.” Harry tried pushing Ron back but failed, opting to walk next to him instead. He looked at Calliope, a big smile on his lips, “I’m surprised by how you handled it. Even though we’ve known each other for a few hours, I didn't expect to see you react the way you did.”

She blushed in embarrassment at his words, even more so seeing Ron and Hermione agree with him. She cleared her throat, “It may not seem like it, but I have some anger issues. But only when either I or people I care about are being disrespected. That is one thing I can't stand.”

She felt an arm interlock with hers. Looking down, she saw Hermione smiling at her, “I knew I would love being your friend.” The two girls laughed, their arms swinging front and back, both in a rather good mood.

“Who was he anyway? He’s such a jerk,” Calliope asked them.

“That was Draco Malfoy,” Hermione sighed.

“He’s a foul git who thinks he’s above everyone else,” Ron spat with disdain.

“Why? Is he a pureblood or something?” Calliope questioned.

“Yeah,” Harry told her, “It’s best not to get involved with him. His father was a Death Eater in the first wizarding war.”

Calliope nodded and stayed quiet. But her mind was running with thoughts. She didn’t know much about the first Wizarding War, her father never really talked about it, and always avoided the topic whenever she brought it up. She pressured about it one time, and regretted it when Remus told her that he lost everyone he loved during the war, everyone except her.

“I’m surprised Calliope.”

Calliope turned to face Hermione, “Surprised?” She nodded, a smile appearing on her lips, “When we met you on the train you seemed very shy. You wouldn’t even look us in the eye for long. Even now you don’t, but not as much as before.”

Calliope felt her face heat up, keeping her head down. The previous adrenaline she had disappeared, “I’m still a bit shy if I'm being honest. I hope you guys don’t mind. This is my first time being around a lot of people. I’m not used to it yet.”

“What do you mean?” Harry asked.

By this time the four of them had stopped walking. They were in an empty corridor, the majority of the students already in their dorms. “Well, it’s always been me and my Dad for as long as I can remember. We live in a secluded area, so we didn’t have any visitors. The only person I actually do know is in his sixth year, but I haven't seen him yet. Besides, my Dad and I get easily sick, so it was difficult to go out.”

Harry, Hermione and Ron stared at her before she continued, “If… If I seem hard to get used to, or get along with, or come off as rude, please don’t take it to heart. I’ve never really had to talk to anyone my age. And I've never really had… friends.”

The trio were quiet. Calliope could see the pity they held for her in their eyes. Hermione hugged her, making Calliope tense at her actions. One because of the slight pain from her transformations, and two because she didn’t expect the gesture at all. The two of them interlocking arms was already a lot of contact for her.

“Well, you already know you have one friend,” Hermione said, pulling away and flashing her a smile.

“Two!” Harry said excitedly.

Ron joined, “Three!”

A smile crept up on Calliope’s face. A genuine one. The four of them continued their way towards the Gryffindor common room. Calliope could see them being the best of friends for the rest of their years at Hogwarts, and maybe the rest of their lives. Until her eyes caught the moon shining outside as they passed a window. She had at least a month until the next full moon.

It hit her like a brick. Calliope couldn’t get her hopes up about this. If they ever were to find out what she is, they’ll turn their back on her. Everyone will in the end. It’s the price she’ll have to pay for being a monster.

They arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady, “Password?” Calliope looked at her friends, she didn’t know the password at all. In fact, it completely slipped her mind that the only way she’ll be able to access her common room was if she said the password. Hermione stepped forward, “Fortuna Major!” The Fat Lady smiled and her portrait swung open.

“Ready to see the common room?”

Calliope smiled at Harry. Hermione grabbed her hand and pulled her into the common room. She smelled it before being inside. The Gryffindor common room smelled of cookies and chocolate, bringing a smile to her face. She smelled old books and parchment as well. It smelled like a home, comforting and welcoming.

Her jaw dropped as she took in the room. Remus’ stories about his time in the common room didn’t give it enough credit. There were no words to describe what she thought of it.

“Do you like it?”

Her eyes met Harry’s. Her smile is contagious. “It’s better than I imagined honestly,” she admitted. Her eyes roamed around the room, taking in every single detail she could.

Blankets were piled together in a trunk next to the sofas for anyone to use if they were cold. Tables along the walls for students to do their homework in. Portraits of people and animals occupied the walls, moving and minding their business, some watching over the students. The windows opposite of the fire were wide open, letting the night breeze flow into the room, showing the stars.

The trio introduced her to their other friends. She was able to get a good study of each of them as best as she could. Neville was shy but kind, easily intimidated by people. He avoided looking into her eyes for the first few minutes, but slowly eased at her presence. Dean was artistic, that was clear to her from the start. The stains of charcoal on his fingertips and clothing are evident. He was kind as well, immediately welcoming Calliope and calling her his friend already. Seamus was loud, and Scottish, his accent thick. But he was funny, and had a kind heart.

Lavender was a gossiper. Calliope knew that by hearing her voice, but she had good intentions. Parvati was a follower. Agreeing with Lavender on almost everything, a people pleaser one might say. But she seemed as if she was trying to speak up, she just needed to find that encouragement.
Calliope liked them all. Watching silently as they all socialized. She needed to read them all first and see how they interact with one another before she engaged in anything. She didn’t want to mess things up. She wanted to be the perfect friend. To do that she had to study people first to find their likes and dislikes.

“Come on Calliope, let’s go find your room!”

Hermione pulled her up from the sofa, dragging her along up the staircase leading towards the girls dormitories. “How will I know which room is mine?” Hermione hummed, “That’s a good question. Hang on, let me get something from my room first and then we can start looking.”

She opened a door and walked inside, Calliope following after her. Except she couldn’t go in any further, bumping into Hermione after taking only a few steps. The bushy haired girl was eyeing the bed next to what Calliope assumed was hers.

“What’s wrong Hermione?”

“That bed,” she started, “It was empty before.”

Calliope looked over, her eyes widening as she noticed the familiar trunk at the foot of the bed. “Hey that’s my stuff!” She walked past Hermione, kneeling down and looking over the trunk. Her fingers traced over the carved initials CHL.

“Calliope do you know what this means?”

Hermione stood next to her. She stood, a smile spreading across her face as she realized what she meant, “We’re roommates!” The girls cheered, shaking with joy. Lavender and Parvati appeared at the door, both delighted to have Calliope as their new roommate.

The four of them stayed talking for another hour, telling Calliope stories about their professors and things that have happened to them the past two years, and Calliope listened with awe. The more she heard, the more she wanted to experience something magical here at Hogwarts. The more memories she’ll make, and the happier she can be.