This chapter features the song "Let it Go" from Disney's Frozen.

AN: We're drawing closer and closer to the end here. Sorry this chapter took so long to write, but I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do with it at first. I still feel like it turned out as more of filler chapter that I'd intended, but I think it works to transition to the penultimate chapter (which is the next one). I have a better idea for what I want to do with that one, though I haven't started writing it yet. After that, there's only the epilogue left. As of right now, I have no definite plans for a sequel, but I had a vague idea at some point for a slightly older Remus in Prince Caspian, so we'll see.

Chapter 9: Let It Go

It's funny how some distance

Remus woke slowly, blinking his amber eyes lethargically against the harsh, white light flooding the unfamiliar room. "You're awake," said a familiar voice, filled with relief. He turned his head to face the pale, raven haired boy sitting in a wooden chair beside his bed.

It took him a minute to recognize Edmund. "What happened?" he asked, his voice escaping at a croak.

"The Witch hit you with a dark spell," said Edmund solemnly. "We thought you weren't going to make it."

"How—how am I still here?"

"Aslan," said Edmund simply. "That's something we have in common now."

"What?" Remus felt as if his head was floating somewhere above his body; nothing made sense to him.

"Aslan saved us both," elaborated Edmund. "I-I saw you fall and I just—I had to do something, so I foolishly stepped between you and the Witch." Something inside Remus felt warm and fuzzy at that act of love. "Aslan saved the day; the Witch was about to kill me when He pounced on her."

"So she's gone?" Remus asked.

"Torn to pieces," confirmed Edmund. "We're free, Remus. We're finally free."

Makes everything seem small

The healer, an elderly badger called Snuffles, proclaimed Remus well enough to leave the sickroom the day after he woke. The boy himself was only too glad to leave the place behind; he'd seen far too many hospitals and sickrooms in his young life and he knew that there would always be more (thus his desire to spend as little time there each visit as humanly possible). He made his way down the sunny corridor of the palace that he and the Pevensies had taken up residence in (Cair Paravel, he was told, was its name) toward the room Snuffles had indicated. In there, he knew, were his mother and her siblings, waiting to tell him of the battle to defeat the Witch and free Narnia. Edmund had been suspiciously dodgy about what had happened to Remus out there and the young werewolf was determined to ferret out the truth.

Remus entered the brightly lit room, decorated in warm shades of cranberry and evergreen, with nearly silent steps. The four Pevensies were huddled together on a braided rug in front of an empty fireplace; Lucy in sunny yellow, Susan in elegant blue, Edmund in somber green, and Peter in majestic red. "You look like the Founders," remarked Remus softly.

And the fears that once controlled me

The four siblings looked up at their friend and greeted him with smiles and soft words of welcome. They then guided him to the cushioned corner of a plush cranberry couch patterned with small evergreen vines. "Who are the Founders?" asked Lucy, settling herself by his feet and looking up at him curiously.

"As much as I'd love to tell you that story, I have some questions of my own I would very much like answered," he said.

"Perhaps a trade then?" suggested Edmund diplomatically. "We will tell you what you wish to know and in turn you will tell about these 'Founders.'"

"And perhaps about yourself as well," added Peter.

Remus smiled wryly. "I forget," he said, "that as much as we've all been through together, we barely know each other."

"It's only been a few days since we met," said Edmund. "A week, maybe, if you count the time you spent unconscious."

"How long was I out?" asked Remus.

"About three days," answered Susan gravely. "Healer Snuffles was worried that you might never wake."

"We're truly glad you're alright," said Lucy, smiling up at Remus.

Can't get to me at all

"Why don't we go first," offered Edmund. "A question for a question; ask away, Remus."

Remus stared at his lap, contemplating his first question carefully. "What exactly happened when the Witch cursed me?" he finally asked.

"It was strange," said Peter. "At first you simply fell to the ground. We thought she might have outright killed you."

"You started convulsing," said Edmund solemnly. "It was horrible. When I ran over to you, you were writhing like mad on the ground."

"You were screaming," said Susan softly. "We could hear you even across the battlefield."

"Aslan took off toward you the moment we heard," said Lucy. "Even He looked concerned."

Remus digested the information for a moment. "It sounds like she was trying to force me to transform outside of the full moon," he said, voice shaking with terror.

The Pevensies all nodded. "That was our conclusion as well," said Peter. The five children contemplated this in silence for a moment.

"Our turn!" said Lucy, bouncing on her knees. "Who are the Founders?" she asked curiously.

It's time to see what I can do

Remus smiled fondly at the small, brunette ball of energy that was his aunt (though, of course, she didn't know this). "Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazar Slytherin were four friends who lived many centuries ago," he said. "They were all wizards and witches who wished for a way to safely pass on their knowledge to future generations without fear of persecution. So these four friends built Hogwarts Castle as a school where they could teach young witches and wizards their craft. However, they were divided on which students to take in. Gryffindor desired to teach those who were brave and daring. Ravenclaw wished to teach those who sought knowledge above all else. Hufflepuff wanted to teach those who were loyal and hard-working. Slytherin desired to teach the ambitious and cunning.

"Eventually these four brilliant minds came up with a solution. They used their magical talents together to enchant a wizard's hat that would look into the minds of their potential students and decide which of the four friends' ideals each individual best suited. Thus was created the Sorting Hat and the four houses of Hogwarts, named for the Founders: Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart; Ravenclaw, with those of ready mind; Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal; and Slytherin, where the cunning use any means to reach their goal.

"This was the beginning of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the most famous wizarding school on the continent."

To test the limits and break through

Susan was first to break the silence after Remus' tale. "Are you telling us that magic exists back in our world?" she asked.

Remus smiled mischievously. "I believe it is my turn to ask a question," he said.

Lucy pouted and Edmund smiled. "He's right, Lu," he said. "We had an agreement."

"What's your question, then?" asked Susan.

Remus' expression turned serious. "Did I hurt anyone when I was cursed?" he asked.

"Of course not," scoffed Peter. "Aslan kept you safe while Lucy gave you some of her cordial."

"You stopped shaking when you drank it," said little Lucy quietly, her blue eyes shining, "but it wasn't enough."

"Aslan called for the healers," said Peter, "but it took some time for them to arrive. He stood vigil over you with Edmund and Lucy while we all waited. None came to harm by your hand, nor did anyone harm you while you were unconscious."

"Thank you," said Remus, relieved to hear that he had remained in control despite the Witch's curse. "What's your next question?"

"Magic!" said Lucy brightly.

"Yes," said Susan. "Are you telling us that magic exists in our world?"

Remus smiled widely. "Yes, yes I am."

No right, no wrong, no rules for me

"Surely you jest," said Peter. "Magic can't exist in our world; we would have seen it."

"Would you have?" said Remus, tilting his head to the side curiously. "People often only see what they wish to."

"He's not wrong, Peter," said Susan. "We didn't believe Lucy until we'd stepped through the wardrobe ourselves, after all."

The golden haired teen smiled wryly. "You do have a point, Su," he admitted. "I'd just never thought our world would have magic in it too."

"How do you know about this magic anyway, Remus?" asked Susan curiously.

Remus stared right into his mother's blue eyes when he spoke, ignoring the fact that it was, in fact, his turn for a question. "I'm a wizard," he said. "That's how I know."

I'm free!

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