Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling. I'm just having fun with her characters. :)
Response to Sharlmalfoy's Random Book Challenge on HPFC
Blissfully Ignorant
Watching the landscape go by from his train window was a man that looked older than he actually was. He looked tired, and even though his eyes would usually have a mischievous or amused glint, they told another story. A story of love, secrets, suffering, betrayal, and even death.
His clothing was worn, and already had several places patched up. All in all, he was a miserable sight to see. Lying in his lap was a book that had definitely seen better days. It was opened to a page but it was doubtful that it had been read at all. The man in question had a pensive look on his face that told no one to approach him, and they did exactly that. They left him alone. He continued to look out the window for the rest of the journey, not saying a word.
-x-
The man boarded off the train, carrying a battered trunk that had the name, 'Remus J. Lupin' in faded gold lettering. The cold was bitter and even though the platform itself was protected, heavy snow was falling outside.
Remus Lupin sighed as he stared at the falling snow. He was now far away from England. Dumbledore had some connections here that would help him out with his…condition. He knew that he was forever in Dumbledore's debt.
Now that he thought about it, Dumbledore has done so many things for him. From planting the Whomping Willow to protect Hogwarts students once a month to securing him a job at a book shop in this unknown town. Remus now decided that if Dumbledore ever asks him to do a favor in the future, he wouldn't hesitate to do it.
He sighed and walked out of the station, dragging his battered trunk with him.
-x-
Remus stared up at the ceiling above his bed. He wished that he could go back and change everything. Back to his Hogwarts days, when Lily would refuse James' lame ways of asking her out. Back to when Sirius would start singing some random muggle song that he heard when Lily was listening to a muggle radio station. It felt like he had held the key to a perfect life, and then suddenly the walls were closing in on him. James and Lily were murdered, leaving behind baby Harry. Then Sirius betrayed them all and ended up in Azkaban. He wished he could go back to being blissfully ignorant.
He looked around his new room. The room was bare, only containing a bed, nightstand, and a dresser. He subconsciously made a note to himself to purchase a bookshelf to store all of his various books. He knew he wouldn't go to sleep that night, but that still didn't stop him from trying.
He was tempted to take the sleeping potion that was currently in his half unpacked trunk. Except as soon as the thought came to him, he quickly dismissed it. He didn't want to become dependant on those.
He closed his eyes and hoped his dreams would be about his best friends.
-x-
Stepping through barrier of Platform 9 ¾ for the first time in almost fifteen years, Remus Lupin dragged his much more older and tattered trunk behind him. He observed the almost controlled chaos as parents hugged their children goodbye. He managed to make his way through the crowds and managed to find an empty compartment.
He sat down and pulled out the letter Dumbledore had sent him. Dumbledore was asking him to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, and remembering the promise he made to himself all those years ago, he accepted.
He placed the letter back in his coat pocket, and got comfortable. Before he knew it, he had fallen into a light slumber.
A/N:Thus explains why Remus doesn't show up until Book 3. :)
Quote I used is in italics, which is from Murder On the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.
Reviews are appreciated.