for Roxie

Down a narrow, cobblestoned street off of Daigon Alley, the wind blew cruel and cold. Remus tightened his cloak more snugly about his shoulders. Between his raised hood and the fading daylight, he looked much older than he actually was. At least that's what he assumed led to the odd reception he was given by Madame Prosily.

"Mr. Lupin!" she crooned, ushering him into the sitting room.

"You've come at last, you dear man." With that she held out her hand for the sixteen year-old to kiss. Confused, he bent his head down towards her hand, and the firelight fell onto his young features. But before he could reach her hand, Madame Prosily lifted it to cup Remus's chin and forced his face upwards, examining him.

"You must be young Remus! Well, I only assume, you look just like your father. And he is...?"

"Still at the Ministry. He sends his regrets, Madame Prosily. Something rather urgent came up - he was not at liberty to tell me what," he hastily added as the womans eyebrows shot up. They lowered again, and she looked like she had been denied a treat.

Madame Prosily matched her sitting room. Both were draped in scarlet and black lace, and displayed a tremendous amount of beaded fringe. The ceiling was low, which suited the squat witch, but Remus felt the urge to duck his head. Though he had never been inside of an orphanage before, this was certainly not what he expected one to look like. Vases of roses stood on several tables, and a large fire which dominated one wall made Madame Prosily's curly grey hair glow orange.

"Though I am sad to miss your father, I am very glad to make your acquaintance. Please, sit down. Tea?" Before Remus could answer, she had bellowed out "Phoebe! Tea!" in a voice quite unlike the low refined tones she had used a moment before.

Remus withdrew a check and nervously laid it on the low table between their chairs. Something about this woman made him wish that he was already on his way home. "The Ministry is so proud of the work you do. They are honored to help you and your girls work towards a brighter future. Several prominent families have made donations as well." Madame Prosily eagerly drew the check closer to her, noting that it was for more than double what she expected.

"Well Remus," she purred, "This is... excellent. Your fathers capabilities are most impressive." Then she gazed at him without speaking for a full minute, as if she was dissecting him with her eyes. Remus cursed whatever emergency had come up, and wished his father was able to keep his own appointments. He was rising to leave when a tall girl came in with a large silver tea service. Though she kept her eyes down, Remus saw her looking at him, amused by his odd posture. He hastily slid back into his seat, and accepted a cup of tea while trying not to grimace. The girl glanced again at Remus and smiled slightly, before backing out of the room.

Remus shifted in his seat, hoping that Madame Prosily would not pour him a third cup of tea. Her questions about his family, his schooling, and his childhood were making him more and more uncomfortable. She seemed to sense what he wanted to talk about least, and then would choose a question that was pointedly along those lines.

"Now why did your parents choose to home-school you for so many years, Remus?" She leaned forward as she asked, giving a conspiratorial smile, as if he'd whisper his reply. Remus didn't know how to answer her, he couldn't even think of a good lie.

"Well... my Mum... she..."

"Go on..."

But before Remus could go on, he was saved by a green flash in the fireplace. A man's head came into view, sooty and sweaty, but obviously very excited. His head was plump and bald, his cheeks flushed pink, and had a silly little curled goatee.

"Beatrice, wonderful news! I've found you one with a golden fleece this time! Get over here soon, you can escort the girl to the funeral... that will be truly touchin-"

"Phillip! Can you not see I am with a guest? Remus, this is my colleague, Phillip Trezza. Phillip, this is Remus Lupin, young John's son." She pursed her lips and gave Phillip a significant look. "This is neither the time nor the place. I will be with you shortly." Phillip nodded, his head spun a few times in the fire and then was gone.

Madame Prosily stood, and clasping Remus's hands in her own she said "Unfortunately, this is a twenty-four hour a day job. Someone is in need of my help, and I hope you'll forgive me for having you show yourself out. It's awfully late, feel free to use the floo if you're going far. There's powder on the mantle." Sweeping up her cloak and handbag, she turned back to say, "Remus, it was very nice to meet you. Perhaps we can finish our chat another time. Number 16, Deans Road!"

She was gone. Remus let out a deep breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He took a pinch of floo powder from the mantle, glad that he'd soon have his apparition licence. Stooping to the fire, he was about to leave when he heard a giggle.

A little blonde girl was peeking through the doorway. She looked at him with curiosity, and then asked to someone in the next room, "Are all the boys at Hogwarts so old?"