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Remus woke up, his eyes fluttering for a moment before he sat up and rubbed his eyes that were bloodshot and red all around. Although his muscles were sore, nothing could compare to the emotional hurt that followed.

He could feel everything come back at once, making him dizzy all over again as all the memories of last night came surging through his thoughts, gnawing at him from the inside out.

Remus bowed his head in grief and sat there for the longest time, unable to move, unable to do anything but replay the terrible scenes from last night over and over again in his vision.

It was only until a gentle hand prodded him on the shoulder and an achingly familiar and comforting voice spoke ever so softly and quietly in his ear.

"Remus," said the voice, one he did not think he would ever hear again. He looked up to see his mother's mother, his grandmother, looking at him with soft, gentle eyes. Her withered hand seemed to soak in his grief so he would not have to endure it alone.

"Grand-mère, Bea," Remus said, the natural French rolling off his tongue...just like his mother had taught him...

"Je suis triste, Remus," Grandmother Beatrice said, her eyes watering.

"Elle est morte," Remus whimpered and bowed his head, squeezing his eyes shut to keep the flow of tears at bay. "She's gone...just like that. I didn't g-get to say much of anything to Mum. She thought I was Dad."

"Yes, that may happen," Grandmother Beatrice said, her eyebrows drawn together as she looked ever so thoughtful at the very statement. "Confusion frequents us often. But listen, my boy, your mother made no mistake last night. No regrets either."

"That doesn't make me feel any better," Remus muttered under his breath, hands curling into fists. For the first time in a while, he felt angry at the world and at himself. "Whatever they wanted from her wasn't worth her life, Grand-mère, Bea. Nothing was worth Mum's life...she was too...important."

"Mon petit-fils," Grandmother Beatrice said with a sad shake of her head, lips pursed into a thin line. "Never underestimate a mother's love. To her, you were more important than her life."

Remus's heart trembled with sadness, no longer allowing him to feel anything but a loss of hope and purpose. For a moment, his mind was trained solely on the loss and grief he was experiencing until he directed his attention to the statement just said.

"You left," he said suddenly, lifting his eyes emptily and hollowly at his grandmother, who, in turn, looked back at him evenly. "You turned away from your own bloody daughter because of me. You refused to see Mum because of me. You can't sit here and tell me these things! Leave me alone!"

Grandmother Beatrice sighed and decided to sit beside Remus in the sandy grass, not minding the dirt and other debris that would be caught in her very expensive dress.

"I did not leave anyone because of you, Remus," she stated clearly, leaving no room for argument or interruptions; she plowed through her speech. "I left because I sought a cure. Just like your mother and father wanted. Did you know they worked tirelessly, day and night to find something to cure what ails you? Did you know that I have done the same and continue to do the same? I did not leave you because of your condition, Remus."

Remus swallowed and exhaled, knowing he was speaking irrationally and knew his grandmother would never abandon her family. His mother had so many good things to say about her, Remus just knew his grandmother would never leave them in their time of need. But it still did not deter the fact his mother was dead...because of him.

"I know what you are thinking, petit homme," Grandmother Beatrice said and reached out a hand to place upon his shoulder once more as a gesture of comfort. "But cease those thoughts and listen to me."

Remus, a bit taken aback by his grandmother's sudden sternness, blinked rapidly before he turned and gave her complete attention, waiting for some kind of inspiring message or something that would make him feel better.

"Your mother was not confused the night she chose to stay and fight," Grandmother Beatrice said and looked at the mocking, blue sky with a slight, worn-out smile. "She knew exactly what she was doing and did not hesitate."

"That's what I don't understand," Remus murmured softly, looking at the hands folded in his lap. "How can I be worth anything to anyone? I'm a monster...and I'm the reason why Mum and Dad are gone."

"One day you may just see what you meant to them," Grandmother Beatrice said with a sad and small nod. After a moment or two of silence, she rose to her feet and headed off, leaving Remus to ponder the conversation through his confusion.

While his grandmother left, Remus remained on the beach, the very one his mother would take him down to whenever he was feeling low. Despite her age at the time, she was spirited and active, never missing an opportunity to explore with her son. Remus loved the mornings he would spend with his mum, picking up different sea shells and learning about different types of rocks.

While his mother was older, he knew she could defend herself against an attack; she had before, so what had happened this time? She may not have been a witch, but she was as powerful as any witch or wizard Remus met. His mother was courageous in ways that he could only dream of being.

"Others will tell him what his mother and father died for in hopes that one day, he will understand."

"The boy is so young, Albus," Alastor Moody said with a grunt, shaking his head and letting out a soft snort. "He won't understand the difference between a mouse or a rat. He's too young."

Dumbledore shook his head, a slight smile on his face despite the evident sadness emitting from his eyes. "Do not underestimate my student, Alastor. Remus may already know the cause of Hope's death. He is not oblivious to the world nor is he very sheltered. Greyback was here tonight and there is no doubt in my mind, Remus Lupin will figure this out by himself."

"So what do you tell the boy?" Alastor grunted, rubbing his gnarled nose and turning both eyes on the Headmaster of Hogwarts, gauging for an answer. "Albus?"

"We let him come to us," Dumbledore said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, which made the other let out a noise of disbelief. "He knows his curiosity will not slake by the questions he can answer himself."

As predicted, about an hour later, Remus had approached the Headmaster with an exhausted gaze, looking too tired to function appropriately, especially after the tragedy. Remus sat down at the kitchen table across from the elder man and mumbled something under his breath.

"My hearing is not, unfortunately, what it used to be, Remus," Professor Dumbledore said and leaned forward, looking at him with those blue eyes that could cut steel.

"I said I could smell him," Remus said quietly, head still bowed and hidden. "I could tell Mr...Greyback was here last night during the attack. Was this attack meant to be personal?"

"Unfortunately, Remus, your mother was caught in the middle of a dispute—" Professor Dumbledore began before he was interrupted.

"But she wasn't even a witch! She didn't come from this world!" Remus exclaimed in anguish, finding the entire attack pointless and meaningless to Fenrir Greyback.

"Remus, I implore you not to interrupt me while I speak for what I have to say is something you cannot miss," Dumbledore said but waved off Remus's apologetic look. "Greyback was not behind the motive, my dear boy. The attack had nothing to do with you—"

"How do you mean?" Remus blurted out, unable to suppress his urge to speak and inquire.

"She was a Muggle, Lupin," Alastor growled impatiently, eyes narrowing in on him. "They bloody hate Muggles, you see. That's why they attacked. She was killed for being non-magical."

Dumbledore winced as he watched Remus's reaction to the harsh words said by the harsh man. The first year blinked a few times as if trying to clarify the context and figure out if there was something symbolic. Remus opened and closed his mouth a few times before he shook his head and put his face in his hands.

He could not cry now. Not now.

"Remus, your mother was unlike any lady I ever came across," Dumbledore said in hopes to get the boy's mind off his misery for a moment, even if it was just a moment. "I do have so many stories about your father as well...if you are willing to listen."

That seemed to perk Remus up for he lifted his head and revealed his tear-stained face. He spoke in a trembling voice.

"You knew my mum and dad well?"

Dumbledore smiled for the first time in a while and gestured for Remus to follow him to the cottage's small living room.

"Such tales..." he began.

This chapter is short but the next one and this one are supposed to connect. Get comfy, guys! Grab a mug of hot chocolate, fuzzy socks, snuggle in your blankets, and get cozy for the next chapter!