Desperate Soul
Summary: Three years to the date James and Lily perished, Remus is alone on Halloween trying to cope. A trio of trick-or-treaters come to his door and one makes a deal for more chocolate. One of the sweets looks very suspicious and leads him to another world.
Warnings: A few swear words. Nothing too graphic but will rate T for good measure.
Disclaimers: I don't own Harry Potter or Once Upon A Time. All I own is that nagging muse that keeps me up till 3:00 a.m. writing these things...
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October 31, 1984
Remus sat back in his threadbare recliner of his rented house on the outskirts of town. It was far enough in to get what he needed and commute by foot with his job as well as being far enough out to experience his Transformations in peace. The house was rather quaint-two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a small bathroom with the building out back that he had wards for such occasions. Being mostly reclusive, it was seldom he got visitors. Three close friends being gone and one in Azkaban wasting away from the madness that crept into his soul when he...don't think about that.
He rose the remote control and switched the television to another horror movie. He didn't want to hear the screaming and surfed through the channels. He stopped on a "This day in history" filler program to celebrate the day.
October 31,1926- Harry Houdini magician and escapologist dies of gangrene and peritonitis after his appendix ruptured.
Remus sighed as he thought of another great wizard that passed away. People thought of him as a simple magician but he learned in Hogwart's history class that nothing is ever what it seems. For example, he had trusted Si...no...let's not go there.
Thankfully, a knock at the door broke him out of his thoughts and the television program. He picked up the overflowing skeleton bowl and smiled softly to welcome the children. He opened the door and nodded to the vampire, werewolf, and Tinkerbell. They all shouted through their childish voices, "Trick-or-Treat!"
Remus reached his hand into the bowl and gave them each three pieces of his coveted chocolate. The vampire looked up at the taller gentleman, "Chocolate is my favorite!"
"It's mine, too. You make a very convincing vampire, lad."
"What about my costume?" the werewolf asked.
"Oh, you nearly scared me to death!"
"And me?"
"You are a very lovely young fairy, dear," Remus smiled and waved to their parents waiting at the end of the walkway.
As the children started to turn away after saying their thanks, the vampire turned back around and held out a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans towards Remus.
"Sir?"
"Yes, lad?"
"Would you be willing to trade me a Chocolate Frog for this entire bag?"
"Oh, you want to make a deal, do you?"
The young vampire nodded slowly, "Please, Sir?" He smiled in a way that reminded him of James trying to get his way. He chuckled and held out a Chocolate Frog to him, "It's a deal."
The exchange was made and the little boy scampered towards his parents nearly tripping over his cape.
"To be that age again," he whispered as he waved and went back into the house. Being twenty-four wasn't that old but those times were definitely happier.
He turned off the porch light and sat down the bowl on the hallway desk. It was nearly 10:00 now and the children should be clearing out from the streets. He threw the bag of beans on the kitchen table and headed off to bed for the night. He had tomorrow off from his library job but he wanted to get some extra sleep to explore the forest behind his house. The long walks helped clear his mind and he needed to do that. It's been three years but it seems like only yesterday he received the horrible news. He drifted off to sleep and hoped the nightmares wouldn't haunt him.
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Storybrooke, Maine
November 1, 1984
Morning
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Madam Mayor?" Mr. Gold leered at her as he began preparing his Pawn Shop for the day's business. He removed the polishing equipment from his bag and started to lay out the daggers to work on for the day from the glass case.
Regina walked in and stood in front of the dark haired man. She rested her hands on her hips before she spoke, "I want to know why everyone in this town worries of you more than me. I want to know what games you're playing at."
"I have no inclination as to what you are referring to. I simply rent out the buildings, homes, and whatever the citizens need and I hold no tolerance for my deals being broken. Therefore, I do not engage in recreation of silly games, dearie."
"I would think that since I am Mayor of this hovel of a town, that a mere Pawnbroker and landlord would not be held so high. I should know more of your so-called dealings, Mr. Gold."
"Actually, Madam Mayor. I beg to differ with your estimation. Perhaps you should worry more about the work in your office and what goes on in the town than you do with me."
Mr. Gold walked out from behind his desk and held himself up with his cane. He approached her and she stood tall in her heels while crossing her arms. He tilted his head and spoke in a low, demanding tone, "Now, Mayor. If you would be so kind, I have work to do today. I am sure you have business of your own to attend to. So, if you will allow me to get to it-"
"Mr. Gold, I am not finished with this discussion."
"Please," he said with a grin and she nodded instantaneously. She turned to leave and whispered, "Good day to you, Mr. Gold."
He turned and walked back behind his counter, "And to you, Regina."
He grabbed his cloth and started polishing the daggers with an evil sneer across his face.
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The United Kingdom
Remus' House
Afternoon
Remus twirled his wand in his hand and walked in the deep forest while staying on the path. He almost put his wand in his back pocket but heard Mad Eye's voice in his head, "Don't put your wand in your back pocket, boy! You'll lose your arse."
He chuckled to himself and put it in his hunter green traveling robes instead. He took a seat on a nearby fallen over tree and rose his hand up to look at the ring that James, Peter, and Sirius gave him. They all had one just a like with the exception of one tiny difference. Remus' was gold. He liked gold better while the others opted for silver. He had to be the different one. It wasn't because of the myth of werewolves and silver, he just found it more alluring. The stone was a chunk off one of their favorite passageways at the Hogwarts Castle. They'd broken off chunks of it and went to a jeweler to set them each rings with their aliases: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. He ran his finger over it and lowered his head. He never thought he'd be the last of the Marauders. Well, nearly the last. He was still at war with his heart over Sirius. He didn't want to believe it but the proof was there-all in black and white. He shook his head and reached into his deep pocket. Stop thinking about that.
He held the bag of the beans the little vampire gave him the previous night. He ran his long, graceful fingers over the package and was happy they'd included a diagram of what the bean was supposed to taste like now. He once ate one he thought was chocolate and it turned out to be liver and tripe. It was dreadful. He flicked the beans he didn't want onto the forest floor.
Vomit, Overcooked Cabbage, Sprout... They seemed to get worse the more he went. He held up one that looked different and tried to match it up with the diagram. It was shiny and glowed. He held it in the palm of his hand and stared at the sparkles in it. The bean looked closely to the one that was supposed to be flavored coconut. He stood up as he continued to look at it and the paper in his hand, chewing on his lip.
"I've never seen a bean like this," he said to no one in particular. "I don't much fancy coconut either."
He took a step forward slowly as he was entranced in the vibrant color. Tripping over a loose root in the ground, Remus dropped the bean a few feet from him. His eyes widened when he went to retrieve it to find a emerald tornado starting to twist. Remus took a step back and reached for his wand as he observed it gradually grew larger. He stepped forward with uncertainty to the edge of it and found himself slipping into the green chasm. Eyes shot wide in panic while he struggled to reach for something to pull himself up to solid ground. His efforts were in vain while he slipped further inside the portal. He held on to the loose root but it snapped from the pressure. The young werewolf slipped through the portal and heard his own voice blaring, "NO!"
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Storybrooke, Maine
Remus landed flat on his back. He coughed and struggled to breathe. The impact was punishing. He groaned as he looked up at the bright blue sky and winced. "That didn't feel good at all. Where the bloody hell am I?"
He looked around and saw trees towering over him. He wasn't sure if he could move just yet. It all happened so suddenly. The sun looked as though it was in position for early or late morning. He arched a brow and chewed his lower lip as he struggled to get to his feet. Holding himself up by a nearby tree, he leaned forward and took his moment to reclaim his energy.
"I can breathe. I'm not dead. So far, so good."
He pulled his traveling robes closer to his body and kept his wand at the ready as he took his first few steps. His deep blue eyes looked all around to take in his surroundings, trying as hard as he could to make sense of what had just happened. He stopped for a moment and pulled out the bag of beans. He dropped to his knees and started to dump them out. He whispered to himself, "If I can find another one, maybe I can go back?" He sorted them all out as quick as his long fingers would permit him but all he found were chocolate ones, which he popped a couple in his mouth. The other repulsive flavors he threw over his shoulder. No shiny ones. No glittery ones. He groaned to himself and scattered them, "Bollocks!"
He rested on his haunches and looked up to the sky again. By the sun, it looked to be going on noon but not quite yet. Taking a ragged breath, he stood again and saw a path to follow. He heard a stream and smiled, "The closer to water, the closer to a town one normally gets. Brilliant!"
He kept his pace along the path and smiled when he saw a bridge which someone intended its use to be a Toll Bridge. He smirked at the quip of a vandal marking in certain letter to give it the world troll instead. As he continued his stride, he noticed buildings that didn't appear like the ones he was familiar with. The design was something that wasn't normally used in England. He decided to put his wand away for now and took a step on the concrete pavement. He looked at the local shops and the one on the corner.
Looking at his reflection in a glass, he straightened his hair and clothes the best he could before he took another step. He stared at the entrance for a moment and put his hand on the knob, walking through he donned his best charismatic smile and stood to his full height.
"Good morning, Sir. How may I help you today?" Mr. Gold stood behind his register with a smirk.
Remus walked into the Pawn Shop and looked around at all the diverse trinkets adorning the small business. He found a lot of them appealing but continued walking towards the owner of the shop. He bowed his head and rubbed his hands together nervously.
"Yes, Sir. My name is Remus Lupin. I was wondering if you could help me. I seem to be a bit lost."
Mr. Gold narrowed his eyes at the tall, younger man. He put his hands on the counter and nodded, "I'd be happy to assist you, Mr. Lupin. My name is Mr. Gold and you are in Storybrooke, Maine."
Remus tilted his head to the left as he noted the Scots accent, "I'm not from around here, Mr. Gold. I am not sure how I strayed so far."
"It does tend to happen. You don't look to be from around here. May I ask where you're from?"
"Of course. I'm from England."
"I could have assumed that from your accent. Blackpool, perhaps?"
"Strike right."
Mr. Gold smiled at him and nodded. He eyed the younger man and took in every detail. He was about 6'3, impressive robes though a bit worse for wear, light brown full hair, and bright blue eyes. He arched a brow at the scars covering his features.
"How did you get here? If I may ask."
"I'm not entirely certain," Remus scratched his head.
"Well, did you arrive by car?"
Remus shook his head slowly but stopped. He couldn't exactly lie about that. He didn't have a car to prove that with. He started fidgeting his hands a bit more. I'm not good at the lying attribute at all. He chewed on his lower lip, "I thumbed a ride and they let me off here."
"Is that a fact, dearie?"
"Y-yes, Sir. Mr. Gold. Could you perhaps point me to a direction leading out of town?"
"Well, it's normally the way you would have come into town."
Remus smiled shyly, "Of course. I just would-I mean, I'm rather horrible with directions. Not a good nose for it, I reckon."
"Would you like me to take you to the border of town? I can't leave myself because I have to return to my pawn shop. However, I can drive you there."
Remus arched a brow, "Are you sure?"
"It's nearly lunch time. I'll buy you a meal and then I'll drop you off so you can continue your journey."
"If it won't impose you-"
"It would be a pleasure, dearie." Mr. Gold grinned.
"Thank you, Sir."
"Don't mention it. We'll leave in ten minutes. You can wait for me outside. I drive the black car out in front you can wait by."
Mr. Gold watched the young man leave his establishment to do as he was instructed. He grinned and grabbed his cane to go back into his office for a moment. He picked up his bag and opened it to look at the few magical items he brought with him. He would need to save them for a rainy day, of course, but sometimes the rain came a bit soon. Young Lupin didn't have the aura of a normal young man. The robes he wore, the scratches on his face, and something about him sent his curiosity into overdrive. If there was one thing Mr. Gold knew of himself, he would always be able to recognize a desperate soul and this soul seemed more desperate than any he'd ever encountered.
TBC~~
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A/N: My muse nagged me the last few days to write this and so I had to obey(at 3:00 a.m. nonetheless). She wouldn't hush at all. If you'd like her to keep talking to me, let me know in the reviews whether you like this idea or not.
Thanks so much for reading and if you see any grammatical errors, please let me know. I re-read these things quite a few times but I still miss some things.
Question: Have any of you ever eaten one of those beans? I did once when they first came out...I got a vomit one...it was extremely terrible. lol
