This story alternates between the NOW ie between post GOF and OOTP and the THEN ie in various stages of the Marauder Era mainly from seventh year to their later years. It's fairly obvious when something takes place, but do review me any questions you have
Parings RL/OC, SB/OC, JP/LJ
This is my first fic and yes I know this gains no sympathy whatsoever, but there's no harm in trying
So please be nice and review. Constructive criticisms are welcome. I don't mind being told I'm awful, but I would rather like to know why and what I can do to improve as I would sincerely like to produce a story that fans can enjoy,
Disclaimer Do you really think JK Rowling would be grovel like this? PLS PLEASE REVIEW!!!
The Ripple family and Reiya and Cyria are all mine. Also I have taken the liberty of bending a couple of JK's characters to my will. LOL
Another thing, Remus Lupin has a special place in the twisted organ between my lungs.
PROLOGUE
NOW
Stepping out onto the pavement, Remus Lupin turned to gaze at the Ministry building behind him with an intense dislike that was rarely visible in his warm amber eyes. Since the first time he had set foot in that place, he had encountered nothing but sneers and taunts, well almost nothing else, there had been one person...
THENJonas Lupin stood outside the Werewolf Registry and Control Department with a quaking seven-year-old by his side.
"It's all right son, it'll be okay, you'll see Remus." For his son's sake, Jonas tried to inject into his voice a confidence he didn't feel. He hoped with all his might that the Department would sympathise with Remus's age and show some compassion.
Three hours later, the two Lupins stood outside the same door, each robbed of their belief in humanity and shadowed with and experience that should never had any place in their kind souls. In those three short hours Remus' eyes had darkened with a precocious grief that was never to leave them, as he had had to endure such cruelty as what no seven-year-old should ever even had to know existed.
The worst part was that they both knew it was but the beginning. The department had made it perfectly clear that no 'decent human' would ever lower themselves to look at werewolves, never mind help them! They had even gone so far as to hint to Mr Lupin that it would be perfectly understandable, should he want to dispose of Remus. At that Jonas had bristled and, stopping only to grab Remus' arm, marched through the building, ignoring the taunts that rang in their wake.
"Barbaric villains, aren't they?" a voice very different from the ones that sounded in Mr Lupins' ears came from behind them. He turned around to face a kindly looking man getting up from the deserted waiting area, making his way towards them.
"Matthew Ripple." He offered, extending his arm. As one in a dream, Jonas took it weakly, and stared up at the stranger, his eyes expressing the doubt he couldn't voice.
Matthew nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Felt the same myself when I had to see the gargoyles with my boy eight years ago, when he was only five." His eyes clouded over as he spoke of his son, but soon cleared up as he guided the Lupins gently towards the fireplace, even before they had realised their feet had moved.
"Since then, we have come to meet others sharing his fate, and we've been doing what we can to make the situation easier for everyone, helping each other through together. In fact, a few of us are gathering tonight for dinner, before the full moon, we'd be delighted if you and your son would join us." Here he flashed a warm smile at Remus, before handing his father the floo-pot, whilst helping himself to a handful and stepping into the flames and enunciating clearly, "Ripple Cottage!"
Drawn by the kindness the stranger had shown and the promise to be amongst friends before the frighteningly new experience, as one, Remus and Jonas stepped into the fire and soon followed suit.
They arrived in a small, yet snug, kitchen. It was filled with half a dozen teenagers, in the midst of whom Matthew stood, his arms stretched out expressively before him. As Remus and his father stumbled out of the fireplace, they were faced with six pairs of eyes inspecting them, wavering between a precarious balance of distrust and confusion.
Before any of them could voice anything, Matthew took over, "Right boys, this is Remus Lupin and his father, they'll be joining us for tonight, " he laid a particular emphasis of the word before carrying on, "So, all questions later, and for now, the first person to the table gets a second helping!" he ended with an energetic clap, as he motioned Remus to follow the other six scrambling boys.
Following at a more sedate pace, he muttered aside to Mr Lupin, "I'm sorry, but I know you'll understand the boys distrust, especially after your meeting with those trolls at the registry today. They were all abandoned by their families, and now this has become their family, my family." He finished in a quiet voice that was hardly audible.
The meal was a rowdy one, as the oldest boy, Mark, drew even shy little Remus into the conversation. At the end of it though, a sudden unnatural hush fell on them all. The atmosphere, previously buzzing with loud good nature, was now positively charged with nervous anticipation.
One by one, Mr Ripple led the boys into a large shed in the backyard. As he deposited Remus with the others, he placed both hands on the tiny shoulders and kneeling down, his grey eyes penetrated the quivering amber ones. "Remus, tonight will be one of the most horrific nights you'll face. But know that your father and myself are right here, and we'll be here in the morning. We won't let anything hurt you and if necessary we can prevent you from hurting anyone. During the night you'll have the others for company, that should make it easier for you, but I won't lie to you, it'll still be terrible. I know it'll be hard, but try to remember that as long as we're here you'll never be alone and above all This Is NOT Your Fault, don't forget that, ever." It tore at his heart to say this to the frightened seven-year-old in front of him, but knew, serious as it was, it had to be done. With a quick hug all round and with a final bracing smile he strode out oft the shed after locking it securely behind him.
Back at the house, he joined an extremely nervous Jonas. Hitching a dutiful face on his own worried face, he gave Jonas' hand a friendly squeeze. "The first time is always the worst," he whispered, "but it doesn't get any better with the months. It has been eight years now, for Mark, my son, and I can't say I've ever got used to his pain. I don't think you can ever guard yourself against pain, no matter how long you've had to endure it." With that both men tilted their heads back so that the light of the rising full moon bathed their faces. Around them, the peace of the night air was shattered by the agonised howls of the seven boys turning into beasts.
Over a hundred miles away from the Cornish homestead, Lydia Ripple gazed out at the same moon from her bedroom window, with her tiny daughter settled in her lap, fast asleep. Silent tears coursed through her face as her eyes reflected the silvery orb. One of them must have found their way onto the eyelids of the sleeping child, for soon Lydia felt the touch of childish hands on her wet hands on her wet cheeks. "Mummy? Why does the moon make you cry?" little Anorien questioned.
Even through her sorrow, Lydia had to smile at her shrewd seven-year-old, "Because, love, dearly." Here she found her heart and voice unable to carry on the orders of her strict brain, all she could do was hug the last member of her family close to her.
(10 years later in the Marauder seventh year)
"Good grief mum! Seven years and still you're hugging me as if I'm going away for the first time!" A laughing Anorien prised her golden curls off her mother's shoulders. Reluctant to part, Lydia continued to fuss, obstinately ignoring her daughter's age, even when the evidence loomed before her, a head and shoulders higher!
Only the whistle from the red steam engine could convince her to let go and with a last parting kiss, Anorien hurried towards the train and quickly stepped in before turning for a last wave.
Further along the platform another farewell scene was being enacted. Mark studied the sandy haired youth standing in front of him exasperatedly. Maybe if I say this slowly enough, the dense dolt will be able to grasp a bit of it this year! He mentally placated himself. Taking a deep breath he tried his level best, "Remus. Try to stay with me here OK? I. Do. Not. Blame. You. Get that into your thick head and try to keep it there! Yeah I wish me and the others had had the chance to go to Hogwarts, but that doesn't mean we're not delighted with your acceptance." Then in a thicker voice he gruffly added, "The only thing that bothers me about your going away is that I'm without my favourite brother for a year." With those last words and a quick hug, Mark walked away, before neither could see the glistening eyes of the other.
Remus watched him go with a shake of his head Same old Mark. He remained in the same position until the whistle of the train tugged him back to reality sharply, sending him hurrying onto the first compartment he could reach in the already moving train.
As he stood panting slightly from the Herculean task of pulling himself and his enormous trunk onto the compartment, his eyes were trained on the window, absorbed in the scenery that flew by.
Anorien had watched his comical efforts to board the train in silent amusements, as her shining sapphire eyes testified. Landing a hand on his shoulders she greeted him softly, "Hi Remus."
NOWJumping at the touch on his shoulder, Remus twisted around to find himself face to face with a slim woman with golden curls that framed her face, that and the nose and the smiling lips reminded himself so strongly of someone that for a minute he couldn't speak. But where he remembered the dazzling sapphire eyes that had shone with brilliance, there was now a pair of dark pair of sunglasses; looking further he noticed she was holding a white stick on one hand and the lead of a distinctive looking Labrador in the other.
AN So? What do you think? Good? Bad? Want to throw me off the nearest window? Let me know by a small REVIEW and almost all wishes will be complied with.
BTW I'd be grateful if someone could tell me the length was all right.