Prologue
(Based on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Character, place, creature, event, etc. that is fictional but you recognize belongs to J.K. Rowling.)
Elizabeth looked up at the midday sky, covered in rare dark clouds. They have been that way since fear and death took control of their world. She could also feel it, the darkness in her, but day by day she tried to fight it, using her memories and friends as a shield. The things worth live for.
Remus was anxiously writing with his old caramel quill, the only sound in the room being the object dancing on the paper. He would eventually smile while putting his words on paper, but his eyes still held that bit of hollowness. His mind was full of thoughts of loss and sadness, he thought he was driving mad, the common idea of the wizard society in the late 70s.
Elizabeth's right hand covered her wand with grace, the power of it running through her veins. She knew the rain was coming, she could feel it. She sat on the old shattering bench beside her, across the street, watching the muggles. They all chatted, giggled and paced cheerfully, unaware of the dark times England was passing through.
'How can you be so sure, Liz? How do you know I won't hurt you!?'
'I just know Remus, and I don't care. Nothing you say or do is going to keep me away from you. I got it that bad' I chuckled, but his face remained thoughtful I grabbed his hands and swayed them with mine, as the wind from the top of the hill blew my hair. 'I love you , Remus'. Without pronouncing any word I grabbed his face and kissed him sweetly, as the sun fought with the fierce wind against the dark clouds ahead.
She focused on the memory, without closing her eyes, keeping them aware of everything around her. And Remus, in their apartment in the middle of Bristol was thinking over again in that memory, over and over again.
He knew he loved her. It was the first time he felt that attached to a girl, in fact, he had never felt so close as he did to her than with any other person, not even his family. He also knew she loved him back, how could he not do it, she repeated it everyday to him. But he knew he had to let her go.
He couldn't help but think that the way he would miss her cannot be translated into words. She just had that effect on him, she would make him safe, happy, but she left a minute and everything around him would turn into hell. He always believed he was no good for her. Remus had no job, no money, and no possibilities of a good future ahead. He just couldn't ruin his lover's life.
And Rookwood St. in London was the definition of a desert. It was definitely empty, not even the sound of the cars could be heard, and everything seemed to go in slow motion. Tired Elizabeth seemed to just be there, another object in the picture. she couldn't stop looking at her watch, awaiting for the time when her shift was over.
Back in Bristol, the night sky was taking over the place. Remus sat in the living room, a light green box in his lap. His deep brown eyes were glued on the picture frame over the fireplace: 'Christmas Day, 1976'. Sirius, James, Lily, Alice, Frank, Peter, Elizabeth and him, the eight of them smiling at the camera. Then Elizabeth would kiss his cheeks, and he would blush as mad, while everyone starts laughing around them.
He missed those times. He had no problems but his 'furry little problem', as James and Sirius used to call to Remus' condition of a werewolf. His friends never cared about it, they were always there for him. Even Lily, who was the last one to know about it, always treated him the same way.
Three minutes. All that was left for her shift to end. The street was still empty, but the street lights were now on. The sun was hiding behind the tallest houses and mansions, as the watch kept ticking. Soon she will be back home.
With a wand swirl all his belongings were packed inside the travelling bag. Remus adjusted his coat and took a look around the room, warm and nice, refusing to let him go. But he need to, he had to. The werewolf picked his bag and produced a spell, making it smaller so he could keep it in his pocket. His fingers brushed against the golden lock and opened it, without looking back.
As fast as her watch signalled it was seven o'clock she stood up, Elizabeth. She walked straight into a an alley, hen checked if there was any muggle watching. And so when the sun disappeared, the young woman placed her hand in her stomach, protecting the little human she was expecting. She apparated with a nervous smile. She was going to tell him. Now.
