Smoke and Mirrors

by Tippy.LaRoux

For the first time in a long time Remus Lupin is not heading to platform 9-3/4 this morning. He wants to go investigate the changes that have been going on inside him, like why did he begin feeling a pull to join his maker during the full moon? His dad has other plans, for Remus to join him at the Ministry to begin a lifetime of servitude. Can his love talk him down?

1. chapter 1

1st September

Slamming the door shut behind him, Remus Lupin storms down the front steps of the small cottage he lives at with his parents. 'What a prick!' he thinks as he wrenches a crumpled pack of Lucky Strikes from his pocket. What is so difficult for his asshole father to understand? Using his wand, he lights the end of a cigarette and leans back against a tree at the edge of the property. Sweet tobacco fills his lungs, and a bit of his tension is released as he exhales the thick smoke into the cool midnight air.

Remus pulls a small mirror out of the back pocket of his faded Levi's and he reaches out to the only person who could help him tonight. James is off somewhere with Lily, and Pete is with his parents on holiday in Rome or something. But, even if they were available, there is only one wizard he needs to talk to now. Tapping the simple silver frame, he whispers "Rumuifico" and watches as thin lines begin to weave—burning an art deco relief around the edge and singeing the same pattern into its mate.

Looking into the mirror, Remus takes another drag from his cigarette, waiting for Sirius to appear to him. A year ago he would have been second-guessing himself by now, thinking that Sirius didn't actually mean "reach out any time." Now, most nights are spent together, and if not, the couple will talk via the ingenious handheld connection Sirius concocted years ago with James.

Slowly, Sirius comes into view. "Hey, Moony. Whatcha doin, calling on me so late?" It must be past 2AM. Looking back at Remus, Sirius is laying on his pillow with one hand holding the mirror, the other running through his hair before it's tucked behind his head. Beautifully rumpled from sleep, his thick wavy hair, and eyes darkened by the night peak up at him through thick lashes.

"I'm sorry, babe. I just needed to see you." Taking another drag, the smoke wafts around him, and Remus steals a moment's pleasure just watching the man on the other side of the glass.

"So, I take it your little talk with dear old Dad did not go as well as you had planned? Or, I guess, maybe it went as you feared?" Propping the mirror up so he could roll to his side, Sirius turns and the waxing moon bathes his face in a silver glow.

Stubbing out his cigarette on the tree next to him, Remus shakes his head in exasperation. "I just don't get it! He wants me to start at the Ministry tomorrow—well, I guess now it would be today. He told me I'd had all summer to play and chase my half-cocked delusions all over England. But, now it's time to put the foolishness aside, and become a contributing member of society." He looks into the grey eyes of the man in front of him. Searching for something, needing someone on his side, knowing Sirius wouldn't let him down.

This is the first time in eight years that he didn't have a trunk full of robes and school supplies waiting at the front door. Every other September 1st in recent memory hareleded a new beginning; a time for adventure with friends and the possibility of greatness in his classes. This September 1st he would not be meeting his classmates aboard the Hogwarts Express; instead, in a few short hours he will be joining his father on a daily pilgrimage to the Ministry. He will start his fabulous new life as the underpaid assistant to an unimportant person in an unimpressive department.

"Babe, I'm sorry he didn't listen. But you know I believe you, right?" Sirius absentmindedly scratches his chest as he attempts to calm his werewolf.

"Of course. I just—well, I can't tell anyone else, can I? How can I tell them of the pull I feel to join Fenrir, without them finding out about my lycanthropy?" Upset, Remus stands and begins stalking along the edge of the yard half-hidden by the trees, but still enough in the open that he can see the landscape in front of him. The moon is getting closer to being full and the heightened sense of sight allows him to see further into the woods; he can see the eyes of the nocturnal predators stalking around the prey in front of him.

Seeing how upset Remus is, Sirius continues on in a soothing tone. "I know, I wish I could do something to help." Pulling another smoke out, Remus sits on top of a low stone wall at the north edge of the property. Smiling down into the mirror, he looks into the eyes of a man that has pulled him back from the brink more times than he could count.

"Just promise you will always be here for me at two in the morning; that would be enough." Thinking about how late it is, Remus instantly feels bad for interrupting the sleep of his love.

"I'll always be here for you, my wolf." The last word stretched out, almost into a howl, as Sirius let out a yawn. He shifts in the bed, and with eyes closed and his voice raspy from lack of sleep, he grumbles, "is it morning yet?"

"It's still dark outside, my love," Remus whispers back. Crushing the smoldering end of his last cigarette, he smiles at the peaceful picture in front of him.

"Go back to sleep, pup. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. I love you, babe." Ending the connection, Remus stays on the wall for a bit longer. In the few short months since he left Hogwarts for the last time, so many things have changed. He started feeling the pull during the first full moon, and soon realized how badly he missed his friends from school. They were a team: Padfoot, Wormtail, Moony, and Prongs. Without them, it became apparent just how fiercely an alpha can command his pack.

Walking back into the house, Remus made a decision. He would follow through with his father's request to work for the Ministry, but he would find a way into a department that would be notified of any other oddities that arise. He will lie in wait, until he has something irrefutable. Then, he will do everything in his power to put an end to Fenrir's reign of terror.

AN:

Houses Challenge

Hufflepuff- 2nd year - Standard Story - wc: 1040

Prompt: [Date] 1st September

Hogwarts Challenges Assignments - Ravenclaw

Disney Challenge - 2. write a story with a mirror of your own choice that is somehow magical

Shannons Showcase 26. (Title) Smoke and Mirrors

Showtime 44. (dialogue) "It's still dark outside."

Amber's Attic -slash 1. SiriusRemus

Lyric Alley 12. Then you look back at me and suddenly I'm Helpless!

Ami's Audio Admiration 2. someone who goes by an alias.