Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Art Club - Muggle Art - 'Freed or Condemned' by Queen of Despair. (look it up). Optional: Information from the Artist: Exploring the dilemma of solitude, both freedom and loneliness depending on how one looks at it.

The Hunger Games Trilogy Challenge/Competition - Capitol - Write about a celebration

Disney Character Challenge - Kodi - A friends betrayal.

A Variety of Prompts Challenge - Seperated/Broken Up

Broken

Remus

"He's gone, I heard he was killed last night."

"By a mere child," came the excited reply.

"It was the Potter boy..."

Remus kept his head down as he walked past, trying to block out the conversations.

"I heard Lily Potter took him out." Another conversation Remus couldn't help but overhear, and how he didn't want to hear the words, he didn't want them to be true. If he didn't hear them, maybe he could pretend for a few minutes at least that he hadn't lost everything.

"How?"

"They each shot the killing curse."

Remus pushed through the crowd, heading towards the castle.

"Sirius Black was arrested a couple of hours ago, they say he was the one who told you-know-who... not to mention those muggles he killed, and a wizard."

"I know, he killed Peter Pettigrew, and gave up his best friend. Do you think his boyfriend was in on it?"

"I heard he was dating a Werewolf, it wouldn't surprise me," came the reply, and Remus moved faster, past the crowds in Hogsmeade, past the students that had been given a Hogsmeade weekend in celebration and past all the groups celebrating. Everyone was out enjoying the first day of freedom they had truly been able to in years.

Whilst he lost everything.

What did he have to celebrate? He had lost every single person in this war.

Except one.

...oOo...

He finally made it to the castle, and rushed in, straight to the headmasters office.

"Remus," Albus greeted.

"No, it can't be true," Remus whispered. "Sirius would never do it. He would never have..."

"I'm sorry," Albus said. "He was the secret keeper, Remus. James and Lily's deaths are on his head. Peter's death is on his head too, and the muggles."

"And Harry? He was supposed to come with me and Sirius if anything should happen?" Remus asked, his last shred of hope. Harry was the last person in his life.

"I don't believe Voldemort is gone for good, and neither do the Death Eaters," Albus said. "Lily envoked an old magic. The power of love. It's in her blood and that of her sisters. As long as Harry calls the Dursley's house his home, he is safe from danger."

"So, I can't take Harry?" he whispered.

Albus looked truly remorseful. "I'm sorry to take the only person you have left away, but we have to do what's best for Harry. The protection that his aunt offers him will keep him safe from Death Eaters looking to avenge their lord. He's hidden outside in the muggle world."

"Can I even see him? Maybe take him out occasionally?" Remus begged.

Dumbledore tore his gaze away. "Petunia will only take Harry in on one condition."

"What is it? Whatever it is, I'll help."

"That Harry has no contact with the magical world. That Harry knows nothing about magic, and that no-one in our world interferes."

"And you're agreeing to that? I can protect him, I can keep him safe. That's what Lily and James wanted."

"Remus, even if it was best for Harry, the Ministry wouldn't allow it with your condition. There will come a day when that agreement will be broken, when Harry is of age for Hogwarts. When that day comes, things will change. Harry will be part of this world. One day Voldemort will return, and that's when Harry will need you the most."

"So I just wait? I just spend ten years waiting?"

"I'm sorry," Dumbledore replied, and he watched Remus walk out of his office.

Remus walked back the way he came, through the gates, and down the path until he was far enough away to apparate. He refused to look around him. To look at the couples who were whispering excitedly to each other, the ones that were kissing, and the declarations of love on this celebrated day.

He would never celebrate. It may have been the death of an evil wizard, but he had lost everything that mattered in his life. There was a massive divide between him and these people, they had every reason to celebrate, whereas he had none.

He apparated home, and looked around the messy apartment. His eyes moving over Sirius' clothes that were on top of the washing basket, and though Sirius had caused all this, he took the t-shirt off the top and buried his face into it as the tears fell down his cheeks.

When everyone else celebrated, Remus Lupin mourned. Each year when others went to parties, Remus was laying flowers on two graves, before apparating and laying flowers on Peter's memorial stone.

That one day each year, he'd pull out something of Sirius', and allow himself to think about the man who still had his heart, and mourn his loss too. He would allow himself that one night to be weak, and for the tears to fall before waking up the next day and trying to live, knowing that one day at least, he'll be able to see Harry.

If you looked at the picture, I imagine the people on the left are the one's talking, the ones that are celebrating, whereas the one lone person on the other side is Remus.

Just to be clear, I know that Lily didn't shoot a killing curse, but people spread rumours and come to their own conclusions until they know the truth.

Review please

836 words