Surprises
Remus Lupin didn't think he could be surprised by anything. One of his best friends had been a traitor, but not the one he had believed. Then a friend had returned from prison and dementors to defend a child they both loved. A werewolf had been allowed to teach at Hogwarts school, and he had found friends when he had no hope of doing so. Nothing could truly surprise him now.
Remus Lupin didn't think he could be surprised by anyone. He had met the greatest of souls in the most ragged of people. His friends never left him a dull moment, and he had found teachers to be incredibly creative in detentions and punishments. He had been betrayed by friends and saved by enemies. He had found people of standing to be contemptible and people with nothing to be generous. No one could truly surprise him now.
Remus Lupin didn't think he could be surprised by himself. He had felt the strongest of anguish, rage, and paralyzing fear. He had been deliriously happy and carefree. He knew loss better than nearly anything else. He knew his capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. He could never truly surprise himself.
But everything she did surprised him. She laughed when others were too afraid. She smiled when words weren't enough. She skipped and tripped with such a grace that he couldn't tear his eyes away. Everything she did truly surprised him.
And everything she was surprised him. She was color in a gray world, light in the gray house, and love in his gray life. Her choices shocked, her words astounded, and her perspective left him speechless. Everything about her truly surprised him.
And everything he did for her surprised him. Everything he was because of her surprised him. She made him feel like he never had. His panic was magnified, his anger intensified, and his love electrified. He was suddenly capable of everything and nothing. He could do everything for her and nothing without her, drawing breath to live for her. And everyday with her he surprised himself.