Brave Heart
A Harry Potter Fan Fiction
By XMsNoNonsenceX
Summary:
Remus John Lupin's family life has always remained secret from many people. So when his sister, who is now older, wiser and an Auror on top of everything, walks back into his life, how will he and his friends handle it? With Voldemort's power growing stronger by the day will Remus and his friends and loved ones be able to find bravery in their hearts?
Set in The Order Of The Phoenix.
Disclaimer:
The following characters belong to the wonderful J.K Rowling, who is the best author ever on the history of this earth!
-X-X-X-
Chapter 1.
'Remus! Wait up! Wait for me!' a young three year old girl cried.
Remus Lupin, a small boy of five, laughed and ran faster. His short brown hair rustled in the wind and his cheeks were flushed pink from the exercise. The young girl that chased him was a younger, spitting image of him, except with longer hair and bigger, lighter brown eyes.
Remus came to a stop allowing his young sister to catch up and plunked down under a tree laughing. The field behind the family home proved to be a great place to play with wide open spaces, in which to run around. His sister had now caught up with him, and had sat down beside him.
'Just think Mary-Anne! In one…two…six years time I'll be going away to learn magic' Remus said breathlessly.
''S not fair!' Mary-Anne cried.
'But then you'll come two years later!' Remus assured her.
'Yeah! I'll be the best!' Mary-Anne exclaimed, her eyes shining brightly.
Remus laughed and shook his hair out of his eyes. The two youngsters just sat there, basking in the warm summer sun. Then Remus leaned over and tickled her. Mary-Anne squealed and leapt to her feet, before running off.
'Catch me if you can brother!' she cried.
Remus laughed and chased after her again.
-X-X-X-
One Year Later…
A dark room, with a bed in the centre of it. There were no windows, the only light came from the dimly flickering fire. Mary-Anne, now four years old, stood in the doorway watching figures fuss around the bed, in which her brother lay.
Her mother was clinging to her father, tears running down her cheeks. Mary-Anne looked at the figures huddled around Remus, her eyes wide and fearful. She was scared, more so than she had ever been in her life. What was wrong with Remus?
'. . . Greyback?' said one of the figures.
'…Impossible to cure' said another.
'…No helping him now' said another.
What was 'Greyback'? Mary-Anne inched forwards into the room. A groan of pain came from the bed. Remus was in pain! The four year old felt fear rise again and ran towards the bed. One of the strangers saw her and grabbed her around the middle, lifting her into the air. She screamed and flailed against her captor.
'No! Brother! What's the matter with 'im?!' she screamed.
Her cries seemed to awaken her brother and he opened his eyes, lifting his head slightly to look at her. They were wide, and bloodshot. Mary-Anne's screams subsided and she stared wordlessly at what remained of the brother she loved. He was pale and clammy, sweat beading his forehead. His green tinge and he looked more dead than alive. His neck was bleeding, the crimson red blood spilling from two bite wounds to his neck.
It was not until she turned eight did she discover the truth. Remus was a werewolf.
-X-X-X-
Five Years Later . . .
Mary-Anne stood with Remus and her parents on Platform 9 3/4, staring in awe at the gleaming red steam engine. Her brother stood rigid, his face blank, in his new black Hogwarts robes. He was going off to school, and it was all thanks to Professor Albus Dumbledore.
Steam billowed everywhere and Mary-Anne watched as shadowy figures ran around through it. She heard cries of goodbyes and shouts of parents, telling their offspring to be good or checking if they had all their equipment.
Mary-Anne turned to her brother, who was now looking paler than ever and she squeezed his hand. She was no longer afraid of what her brother was and had fully accepted the fact of Remus' "other self".
'It's not fair! I wanna come with you!' she pouted, trying to get her brother to smile.
Remus gave her a weak smile. 'You'll be going too, soon' he reminded her.
'Yeah I know! Are you okay?' she asked softly.
'Fine, tired mostly' Remus sighed and ran a hand through his hair 'I just don't know how I'm going to keep my "problem" hidden'
'It'll be fine Remus! You'll be so popular! No-one will give a damn! If they do, who cares!?' Mary-Anne demanded.
He laughed weakly then froze as the train whistle sounded. Mary-Anne's mother pulled him into a tight hug, whispering in his ear, which Mary-Anne assumed was the reminder about his meeting with Dumbledore. Her dad hugged Remus who, after he was released, turned to her.
'I'll miss you' she told him.
'I'll miss you too. But I'll write to you every week!' he assured her and hugged her tightly.
Then he was gone. The train blew its whistle again and the train moved off, speeding towards Hogwarts.
-X-X-X-
Two years later . . . .
Remus Lupin sat at the Gryffindor table; his eyes darting everywhere, like the trained hunter he was. He was nervous, not as nervous as he had been at his own Sorting but still nervous. Peter Pettigrew sat on his left side, staring at the golden plates as if willing the food to appear.
'Relax Moony, will 'ya?' Sirius Black said who was sitting across from him.
'Yeah she'll get into Gryffindor, no sweat!' James Potter added.
'I hope so Prongs' Lupin said gloomily.
'Oi! Wormtail, if you stare at those plates any harder you're going to burn holes in them!' Sirius laughed.
'I didn't eat anything on the train!' Peter cried in indignation.
As Sirius and Peter argued, Lupin and James watched the doors. They slowly began to open and Professor McGonagall entered a large group of first years behind her. Lupin gulped and James gave him a reassuring smile.
As the Sorting Hat sung its song, Lupin searched frantically for Mary-Anne. With a sigh of relief he spotted her. She looked a little pale but her eyes shone with excitement. As McGonagall began to read out names, Sirius nudged James and nodded covertly over to the Slytherin table.
'Ah….Snivellus' James muttered.
Lupin looked over his shoulder in time to catch Snape's dirty look. He chuckled and Peter raised his eyebrows.
'Still hasn't discovered what shampoo is I see' he muttered.
James chuckled and Sirius and Lupin grinned.
'Lupin, Mary-Anne' McGonagall called.
Lupin snapped back to attention and watched as his sister stepped out of line and made her way to the stool. She sat down and the Hat was lowered onto her head. Silence reigned and Lupin's nerves were escalating. Then the Hat shouted:
'GRYFFINDOR!'
Lupin could have cried with relief. Sirius and James wolf-whistled, as Mary-Anne, grinning like a maniac, ran over to their table. She hugged Lupin and sat down next to him, her eyes shining.
'I did it!' she cried and Lupin grinned at her.
'You sure did!' he said 'Wait 'till Mum and Dad hear, they'll be stoked!'
'Yo mini-Lupin' Sirius said, tipping his glass towards her 'Well done'
'You know my name's Mary-Anne Sirius' she giggled.
He laughed. 'But it's more fun to call you mini-Lupin'
Peter gave her a watery smile 'Congratulations' he squeaked.
James nodded 'Wouldn't have been good if you ended up in Slytherin. Moony was stressing about it'
Mary-Anne laughed. She had known for a year now that her brother's friends knew of his "other self" but it still worried her that they could discuss it so lightly and in public! If anyone was to learn anything it would mean that Remus would have to leave Hogwarts. Mary-Anne did not want that to happen. However she relaxed when her brother shot James a glare and said:
'Thanks a bunch James'
'What? - Oh….Sorry' said teenager replied.
-X-X-X-
One Year Later . . .
The sun's harsh rays beat down on the Hogwarts grounds. The warm summer air played in Mary-Anne's hair and tickled her cheek. Being in second year was definitely better than being in first, the teachers trusted you more and lessons were a lot easier to find. Mary-Anne was resting under a tree in the grounds, relaxing on her break.
'Hey sis' a voice greeted her, causing her to jump.
She stared at her brother. He had grown taller and was definitely better looking, if the swooning girls by the lake were anything to go by. She flashed him a smile.
'You gave me a heart failure' she reprimanded.
'Sorry but being a witch you should be used to it' Lupin said.
James, Sirius and Peter had now joined them. Sirius nudged James and nodded over towards the lake.
'Hey Prongs, there she is' he muttered.
James looked over at the look and flushed pink. Peter, who had dropped down beside Lupin and Mary-Anne, chortled and nudged Lupin. Sirius was grinning like a maniac. Mary-Anne looked to them questioningly, before the light clicked.
'Lily Evans, by any chance?' she asked slyly.
James went pink. 'Yeah so what?'
'So nothing. She's nice. I like her, but seriously James. She's not interested in guys whose heads are bigger than a Quaffle' Mary-Anne said.
'Oh he knows that' Sirius said 'He fell over himself trying to impress her and she told him the exact same thing you just did'
'Also added that she didn't know how his broom lifted off the ground with him riding it' Lupin mused.
Mary-Anne giggled and looked up at the Potter who was turning steadily redder by the moment.
'Chill James' Mary-Anne reminded him.
At the moment a group of Slytherins decided to grace the group with their presence. Second years who Mary-Anne knew all to well.
'Hey Lupin! You nerd, are you happy now! Homework, you stupid ugly nerd!' they jeered.
Mary-Anne's laugh froze in place, and then slid off her face quicker and easier than mud on the ground. Lupin's body froze too, anger coating his features slowly. Sirius gave an angry glare at the Slytherins and James looked murderous. Peter looked from his group to the Slytherins with increasing fright.
'Yeah not so cock and bull sure of yourself now are you, you filthy little bitch. Hanging around the big kids because you think they'll protect you!'
Lupin was on his feet with his wand out faster than Mary-Anne had ever seen. Sirius and James, although startled leapt at Lupin and wrestled him back.
'Moony! Get a grip will 'ya?!' Sirius shouted.
Lupin showed no signs of relenting and, showing a sudden prowess of werewolf strength, wrenched himself free of his friends and drew his wand. A loud bang, a flash of light and the Slytherins were on the floor, moaning in pain.
Mary-Anne screamed and Sirius and James took stock of the situation and grabbed Lupin again, wrestling him to the floor. Mary-Anne was crying and Peter was wringing his hands.
'MR. LUPIN!'
'Oh shit, McGonagall' James hissed.
'Stand up!' hissed said professor.
Lupin stood a defiant look fixed on his face, his eyes flickering to his sister and back. Sirius shook his hair out of his eyes. McGonagall looked livid.
'Never would I have expected . . .' she trailed off and motioned for him to follow her.
-X-X-X-
'Never seen Moony so angry' James said to Sirius and Peter.
Sirius ran a hand through his hair. 'Neither have I but what they said to Mary-Anne . . .'
'It's been happening for ages' Peter squeaked, causing the other two to stare at him in shock.
'How did you know!?' they both demanded.
'She told me, last week when I found her crying in the library. She made me swear to keep it to myself and not to tell anyone' he squeaked.
Sirius and James exchanged glances. The portrait hole swung open suddenly and in came Lupin, his young face looking tired and more lined.
'Did you get detention Moony?' Sirius asked.
'No' Lupin said and dropped into a chair by the fire, looking exhausted.
'Why?' James asked.
'Because I, unlike you my dear Prongs, have never caused trouble in all my schooling before'
James muttered something under his breath and Peter, who had been tensed on the edge of his chair relaxed and stared into the fire. Darkness had fallen now and stars were starting to appear, twinkling like lights in the black night.
Mary-Anne chose that moment to come rushing down from the girl's dormitories. She locked her eyes on her brother, who was staring into the fire and she sighed. Peter nudged Sirius and James, and the three of them left leaving Mary-Anne and Lupin alone.
'You didn't have to go and do that you know' she said, sitting down beside him.
'No one insults my family and gets away with it' he growled, still staring into the fire.
'What's happening to you!? This is not the Remus I know. The real Remus would have kept his cool! You're letting yourself be swayed by Sirius and James! The least you can do is look me in the eye!' she hissed.
'So you'd rather I didn't defend you!' he snarled finally looking at her.
'No! I want you to be yourself Remus. It scares me, I don't know who you are anymore' she said quietly.
Lupin stared at her. It was the first time that she had ever mentioned being scared of him, not even when she had found out about his illness was she scared. Remorse and guilt flooded through him and his body sagged, as though drained.
'I'm sorry' he murmured.
'You're forgiven' she whispered and smiled.
-X-X-X-
Six Years Later . . .
'Remus, you've got to be insane!' Mary-Anne cried, hysteria creeping over her features.
'Mary-Anne listen . . .'
'No I don't want to hear it! Why? Why are you going into hiding?'
'You know full well why!' Lupin yelled, getting angry now.
'Why? Enlighten me oh intelligent one!'
'Because Voldemort will be looking for werewolves that's why!' Lupin snarled 'I have to go away! To keep you safe! To keep Mum and Dad safe! Sirius! Lily! James! Peter! I won't let it happen, you hear!'
'There are hundreds of werewolves in the world you idiot!'
'There's a register you stupid woman! I have to leave and nothing you say will change my mind!' Lupin shouted fury clear in his face.
'You coward!' Mary-Anne screamed, spurred on by being called a "stupid woman".
Lupin looked pale and his eyes narrowed. It was the first time the two had ever fought to this magnitude.
'I am not your protector!' he hissed 'Learn to live on your own for once!'
Then he was gone. The door of her apartment slammed, Mary-Anne stood seething. Then she sank to her knees and burst into loud hysterical tears.
-X-X-X-
Six Months Later . . .
I've only got time to write a short letter. It's all over. Lily and James are dead, Voldemort has fallen. But Greyback is still out there, searching for others like him. Don't reply to this note. Sirius and Peter are missing, I must find them.
Harry survived. He will be staying with his Muggle relations. We may see each other again. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS LETTER. It may be intercepted.
Remus
Mary-Anne stared at the letter in disbelief. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS LETTER.
The emotional part of her brain wanted to burn the letter and go find Lily and James. They could not be dead. It was not possible. Dumbledore swore he would protect them!
The logical part of her brain was screaming loud and clear that Remus had never lied to her before so why start now? Therefore it had to be true. The instant that reason hit her heart tears began to wind their way down her cheeks.
Not only were two of her best friends dead her brother did not know whether or not they would see each other again. Not that she could see why he would want to. Calling him a coward was the worst thing she'd ever said to him. Remus' pain stricken face had been haunting her dreams for the past six months.
Her vision now blurred by tears, Mary-Anne crumpled Remus' letter in her hand and threw it into the fire. She grabbed her wand and a glass that was sitting on a nearby table. She rapped the glass and whispered:
'Aguamenti'
Instantly the glass filled with crystal clear water but she didn't drink it. Her hands started to shake and water spilled down the edges. Nothing would ever be the same again.
To Be Continued…
A/N:
Please comment! I uploaded the first two chapters so you guys can get an idea of where things are going with this. :)