Chapter 7: Remus' week

The ride home for the holidays was rather uneventful, for everyone except the five Gryffindors in the middle of the train. They had all decided to sleep over James' house for a week before Christmas. So they each spent a week with their families. On Christmas day, the Potters invited each family over, including the Blacks. The excitement was evident between the four boys. They spent the rest of their school days deciding what they were going to do for one whole week. To make it even better, Rikki lived right across the street from James, so they'd be able to see her during the days. Ever she helped Sirius, she had become a part of the group, which everyone, including James, was happy with. While on the train, they contemplated what the week before they next met would be like. Everyone had nice moments they'd share with their families. Peter was going to visit his grandparents in Scotland for three days, James and Rikki were going to prepare for their visitors and family party. Remus and Sirius were rather quiet about their holiday plans. In fact, they were always quiet about their families, understandably so.

"So, Remus, what are you doing?" Rikki smiled as she threw a Bertie Botts Every Flavour Bean to get his attention away from his book on Mythical Creatures of the Water. He looked up startled and feigned anger towards the girl. But when he threw it back, he smiled and answered, "Well, my mum and dad have decided to adopt a child because they miss me so much. So hopefully they do that so I can meet my brother or sister." He smiled with genuine happiness, he always wanted a sibling. His face then grew annoyed, "Then I'll visit my grandparents." He then lifted the book back over his head and read intently. Everyone looked at him curiously.
"Hate your grandparents Remus?" Sirius said poking Remus' cheek. Remus confirmed this by shaking his head and the topic was dropped.

The train slowed to a stop at the platform and all the students gathered their belongings and departed the train. "That was a long ride." Peter muttered. Rikki helped him lift his owl cage as they climbed off the train and onto the platform. They walked past many families reuniting and came to a stop next to a brick pillar. Sirius lifted one leg onto the pillar, in true, "I'm hip" fashion. Remus was still sulky from the train, even though they all put in an effort to cheer him up. Rikki stared at the sad boy as he looked down at his shoes. She then unzipped a pocket in her bag and pulled out a piece of chocolate, because, everyone loves chocolate right? She held it out to him and he snatched it out of her hands with a devilish grin. James turned around from his conversation with Sirius and Peter and looked horrified. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" He screeched at his cousin, who wore a frown. "Well it worked; look he's happier than a dog with a bone." Remus was beaming and ran to Rikki; he picked up the small fragile girl and spun her around in a hug repeatedly saying "Thank you Rikki, I love Rikki!" She eventually hit him on the head when he started chanting "Chocolate, chocolate, yumyumyum!" He released her and opened his arms to Sirius who shrugged and hugged the newly joyful boy. But the joyful moment didn't last long.

"So now you hug filthy half bloods too?" Orion Black said peering down at his son. The man showed a slight shadow of past beauty, but that was clouded by the frowning of his brow and his demining look. His eyes were a hard silver, and he was slender and tall. He had black hair speckled with grey; next to him stood a woman about half his age with the same expression on her face. She had the same black hair which was tied up in a perfect sleek bun. The woman was gorgeous but also horrifying; she was about the same height as her husband. She had dark brown eyes that were almost coal black, she wore blood red lipstick. She was holding the hand of a boy who was the exact copy of Sirius, except he had his mothers brown eyes, except they had gold in them.

Sirius turned to his family with his mouth open and eyes large. He didn't respond to his father, so Orion asked, "Well, we can see we have much to teach you. I hope these aren't your friends Sirius." Sirius looked to the ground. The woman let go of her younger son and stepped towards Sirius, she knelt down in front of him and asked him a question, when he didn't answer or acknowledge her, she smacked his mouth. He looked up at her with tears in his grey eyes and replied, "No I'm not." She whispered in his ear again then said, "We'll deal with you at home if you don't." She then stood with her nose stuck in the air. Sirius looked scared and shakily whispered, "I am." Orion smirked, "You are what boy?" He spat in his sons face. Sirius looked at his family then his friends. Rikki put a hand to her mouth when she saw he was crying and James looked shocked. They were all shocked. "I am… better." He struggled to say. His mother shouted "THAN WHO?" and Sirius flinched and looked to the ground. "I'm better then… them." She went to him and grabbed his ear and dragged him out, while her husband carried Sirius' suitcase.

The remaining children stared at the family as they walked through the pillar leading to the muggle world. "What the fuck just happened?" James inquired. "Well, you just swore in front of your father that's what." Mr. Potter smiled down at the kids. James smiled sheepishly at his father, "If you saw what just happened you'd understand." He explained. Rikki laughed so hard she snorted. "You're just lucky your mother didn't hear you. Now introduce your friends James, always such a rude boy." His father winked. James introduced everyone and Mr. Potter seemed confused about where Sirius was, but merrily said he was happy to be able to let such fine young men stay with his son over the holiday. Then him and James left. Five minutes later Rikki waved to a man who resembled James' father and woman in a flowing skirt and tie dyed shirt. The man had kind hazel eyes like James and his father, and messy black hair. The woman had blue eyes and knee length blonde hair. Rikki gathered her things and left Peter and Remus. Peter then said he was going to look for his parents and left Remus. Remus finished off his chocolate bar then started to search for his father. He found them also looking for him. They rushed out of the train station and went home. The living room was decorated in garlands and wreaths. The tree was up to the ceiling with an angel in white on the top. Remus went to his room to unpack. The next day he would be visiting his grandparents in Bathe, and then London. His father's parents lived in Bathe, his mothers in London, and Anya's mother was in Canada so they didn't see her often. He was not looking forward to these appearances.

Oliver Lupin's parents were pure blooded, but were fine with muggleborns, however, they had a horrible prejudice against werewolves. So, the first thing they had Remus do when he entered their house was wash his hands, in case he had any blood or dirt on them. He was not allowed to hug or shake hands with them and he was not allowed on the couch, which his father argued about saying "He doesn't shed." But he dropped the matter quickly. All the adults were sitting while Remus stood next to his father's chair. They were making small talk about the weather and Remus' class work grades, which his grandfather said, "SEE! Even though he isn't normal he still has the Lupin brains right boy?" Remus smiled and nodded. It was better to be seen not heard by ignorant people like these. Then Mrs. Lupin asked Anya if she ever intended to have a child after Remus moved out. Anya glared, and then sighed. "Trudy, I've told you, I'm infertile. However, we do intend on adopting a child soon." Anya beamed at her husband, while Trudy and Charles Lupin looked at them in disbelief. Charles looked at Remus and scratched his head, "Soon huh?" He asked. "Well, shouldn't you wait? I mean, it can't be safe for a child of any age to live with… well… with the circumstances." Remus turned about face and headed for the fireplace. He had had enough. He grabbed some floo powder and went to his house. When in his home he ran to his room locked the door and sobbed into his pillow. A short while after, Anya knocked on his door. "Open the door sweetheart." She pleadingly said. Remus wiped his tears and yelled at her to leave. (The full moon was in two days so he was incredibly moody). She unlocked the door and told him he had to go visit his other grandparents. He sat up and snorted. "That'll be ten times worse. They hate me and don't even know I'm a werewolf." She looked at her step son and her heart ached. It wasn't right for people to judge him just because of his situation, especially his blood. Oliver called from downstairs, "You ready Remus?" His voice was strained as if he had been in tears for the past hour. Remus ran down the stairs and out the door following his father to the car.

The ride to his biological mother's parent's house was silent. Mr. Lupin didn't speak or look at his son and Remus was getting upset and confused. The entered a neighborhood full of cookie cutter perfect lawns and houses. They pulled into the driveway of 56 Torrington Drive. They rang the doorbell and the old couple graciously let them in. They were sat down and given refreshments and cookies. Then Remus saw a woman walk out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. She looked about the same age as his father and she looked oddly familiar. Remus began talking to his grandparents about how lovely the home was. His grandmother then asked him about his "special" school. Remus smiled kindly, and said "Oh it's just fine. I'm at the top of my class so far." They praised him for achieving this and then asked what he wanted to be. "I want to be a dentist," was his 'safe' reply. The woman from the kitchen entered glared at Remus and Oliver and asked "how long will they be here." Oliver glared back and said, "as long as we're welcome Robin." Remus then realized she was his mother, she was beautiful. She had medium length red hair and striking brown eyes. However she looked angry. She went to Remus and touched his hair, then kissed him on his forehead. Oliver leaped out of his chair and grabbed his smiling son. They were in the car when Remus protested. "Why'd you do that!" He screamed looking at his furious father. His father glared at the road ahead of him. Remus was beyond pissed, and being ignored didn't help. He punched the dashboard and his father turned to him. "You want to know why?" He said hysterically. "Because she doesn't give a fuck about you Remus! WHER HAS SHE BEEN THE PAST FIVE YEARS?" Oliver then dismissed his son and continued driving down the dirt road toward their house. Remus was breathing heavily, and if the full moon hadn't been so close, he would have never said it, but as he closed the car door and walked toward his house, he turned with tears in his eyes and cried, "That's true, but who's the reason why she hadn't? Whose fault is it that I AM A FREAK?" Remus then ran upstairs, using his sleeve as a tissue.

The next day Remus slept in for an extra three hours. When he woke, Anya smiled sadly at him and gave him a piece of steak and tea. Remus gulped it down thanked her then excused himself. For the rest of the day he read, until he heard his father yell "I'm not to blame!" Remus frowned and place his green pillow over his ears to drown out Anya and Oliver's argument about him. He fell asleep like this and was awakened by his father, who picked him up and carried him to the barn several acres away from the house. Anya was in the barn preparing him for his transformation. They then left him.

In the house, Anya prepared dinner for her and her husband, even though he didn't deserve it in her mind. If he only heard Remus out before he yelled, then they would be fine. She was in the middle of putting mayonnaise on her sandwich when she heard Remus scream. She dropped her knife in fright; then ran to the door. Oliver stood and said, "The last time I was able to hear him scream was right after I divorced his mother." He looked down shamefully then fell to the ground sobbing. Anya fell with him and hugged him.

The next morning, Remus woke and his eyesight was blurry. The metallic taste of blood was all over his tongue and lips. His whole body ached. His whole body seared with pain, and his arm felt like it was torn apart. He knew he had had a rough night. He then fell into unconsciousness. When Oliver Lupin arrived to get his son, he couldn't believe it. Remus was usually sitting up or at least awake before he got there. He saw his son sleeping; breathing raggedly as if each breath was his last. He was covered in blood and his left arm was bent at the elbow in an angle. The only place clean of blood was where the tear tracks were left on his cheeks.