A/N - Thanks for the reviews :)

Chapter 5 I think

Three years ago a nearby warehouse closed up and sold everything inside for next to nothing. A lot of their stock had been party supplies, so Hope and the other nurses had put a small collection around the hospital, with doctors, nurses and other staff each giving some spare change. A £1 here, a £5 there.

Items inside were as little as 10p for a packet of paper cups.

But in a hospital, there were children that were sad they didn't get to go home for their birthdays. There were long-term visitors - some with children who didn't understand that adults didn't celebrate their birthdays quite as enthusiastically. Single parents who couldn't bring themselves to leave their child's bedside for a moment. With the many supplies that were purchased, they were able to help out when parents brought birthday cakes and snacks in. They had packets at the ready to cover whatever the parents forgot - because they always forgot something.

"We've seen this before. Homeless teenagers refusing to give their names and addresses and no parents searching for them. Best case scenario, he's just a victim of neglect. Worst case…"

Hope pulls out a packet of paper cups and sets them aside next to the party hats. She's decided that Eri's birthday is going to be today. After the visit from his case-worker - after hearing what the woman had to say about their assumptions over his upbringing… well, he was getting a party. She didn't care if he was too old for one.

"I'm not disputing that in this case, he does have amnesia. We just have to look at everything else. No-one is searching for this boy which is already a red-flag on our books. When no-one looks, well… that says a lot."

Her hands are shaking as she continues getting everything she needs. Social Services knew what they were doing - it was their job to know these things, and if they insisted that he would have at the very least been neglected… well, he was having a nice birthday party with hats and a cake and he was going to have a nice day.

There's only a few nurses on duty, but Eri's doctor had already donated to the little party fund. Doctor Winslow had seen the look in her eye. He knows that she's developed a bond with Eri and she hadn't even needed to ask. He gave enough for the cake, which meant that the nurses just needed to get a small gift and maybe some little snacks and some drinks.

She's willing to pay for the entire thing herself if that's what it takes, but she needs for Eri to feel cared about. Even if he can't remember being alone before his trip to the hospital, the memory is still somewhere in there and she's going to fill his life with good memories.

One day he'll remember everything. She's going to make sure he's so happy that the negative past will not drag him down. He'll have happy memories instead. It's her job now. Not just because she's his nurse, but because of the way Eri and Remus look at each other.

She can see that Eri is going to remain a part of her life, and for that, she's glad. She can help look after him better if he's friends with Remus. She hopes one day it'll be more, but likes that the boys are taking the time to get to know each other. She doesn't want to interfere too much in that - she trusts Remus will think everything through before making any choices. And he's going to be seventeen soon and Eri is already seventeen. In the eyes of the magical world, seventeen is an adult.

She glances at the items next to her, certain she has what she needs. She pushes the boxes back into place and gathers everything up in her arms, and leaves the large cupboard in the staff room, locking the door behind her.

...oOo...

"Dear, what cake would you like?"

Eri barely looks at her. His gaze has been on the door since before she went for the meeting with social services, and he seemed focused on waiting for someone to come in. He's barely glanced at Hope and she wonders if he's forgotten she even came in the room.

"We're going to do a little birthday thing for you today," she pressed. "Sponge cake? Chocolate? What would you like?"

"Birthday?" The word seems to rouse him from his staring and he turns towards her. "It's my birthday? How do you know?"

She shakes her head slightly. "We don't. But… perhaps it's a good day to pick as your birthday," she offers. "So you can start celebrating each year."

"Until I remember my real one," Eri murmurs.

Hope nods. Maybe it's for the best that he doesn't remember his real birthday. His real family. His real life. He could be so much happier here. She quickly reminds herself not to be selfish. She cares about Eri, but it's not down to her to decide what's best. He may want to know the truth, even if everything turns out to be negative. If that's what he wants, she'll do what she can to help him find out his past - though she's not sure how that'll happen seeing as they have no clues apart from his accent which could be any part of South England, not necessarily London, and the stars on his hand which could have just been a doodle.

There hadn't even been a receipt in his pocket when he was found. Not a single clue to where he came from.

"So… what does Remus think of birthday parties?" Eri asks, trying to sound casual but failing completely. He's unaware of how eager he sounds as he puts his arms behind his head and leans back, his eyes darting towards the doors every few seconds as though someone is about to walk through.

"Remus?" Hope realises now that Eri isn't waiting for a family that isn't coming. His focus is on Remus. Remus had mentioned that morning that he was stopping in, but visiting times were later. She couldn't stop smiling. "He loves birthdays. On his birthday every year, we get him a chocolate cake. We make a proper fuss, even though he pretends he's getting too old for it. I know he secretly likes being the centre of attention." She watches to see if he seems interested in the idea of a party.

"Chocolate is good," Eri agrees. "I know I like chocolate. I'll try other cakes at some point, but I don't want to risk not liking the birthday cake. So… he's coming for my party?"

Hope nods. "I'll give him a call to make sure he's here," she promises. "It'll be towards the end of lunch, so when the shifts change, everyone can get a chance to stop in and see you."

Eri nods. "Yeah. I mean… he doesn't have to. It'd just be… cool to hang out with him if he wants."

Hope hides her eye-roll. Eri would clearly be heart-broken if Remus didn't turn up. No matter how much he pretended it didn't matter, it so clearly did.

"He'll be here," she promises. "When my son says something, he does it. If he ever went back on his word, it's for good reason - injury, sickness… he'll be at the party. I know he'd never let you down."

She imagines that Remus would drag himself to the hospital hours after the full moon in hopes of seeing Eri if Eri asked.

Eri's smile widens. "And that's a few hours away?"

She nods and he slumps slightly, a soft sigh falling from his lips before he turns fully from the door and reached for the notebook with the blank paper and a pencil. She glances at the packet of unopened pens. Eri hasn't touched them at all which was a little strange as he tends to write as well as draw. But seems to do everything in pencil instead.

But to each their own.

She glances at her watch. She has five more minutes to spare here before her break is over.

"Eri… I've been talking to social services," she says, causing him to glance up over the top of the notebook. "You met Mary - your case-worker - earlier… well, we all agree that aside from the amnesia, your health is good and there's no need for you to stay here too much longer."

She sees the panic on his face. She had chosen her words carefully, hoping to sound reassuring, but Eri was the sort to imagine the worst in all situations. She didn't blame him, only herself for her approach. "Of course you'll be staying here until we've found you somewhere else to go. I was going to ask around town, I think there's an empty flat above the bakery - the owner became a father and moved out to somewhere bigger. I'll ask around if that interests you."

"You don't think my family are coming, do you?" Eri asks softly. There's no judgement in his voice, only sadness and Hope sighs. She doesn't want to tell Eri the truth of the matter, because it'll hurt him but at the same time, doesn't want to lie. Evading giving a proper yes or no answer is the best bet, she decides.

"I want what's best for you," she says. "What I would like the most is for a loving and caring family to turn up. But… but whilst we wait, I imagine you want to be out there, living your life. We have your file here, so the minute someone turns up or calls searching for you, we'll make sure we don't let them slip away. But you can't be happy in this room. There's a college in town, there's a lot of nice places to go and things to do. A cinema, the rink, a milkshake shop, and ice-cream shop. Remus works in the library in town. You could go to college - until your family arrive - or get a part time job…"

Eri turns the pencil over in his hands, twisting it as he thinks over Hope's words.

"I could see Remus more often," he murmurs to himself. "Does he go to the college?" he glances up as he asks the question. He looks so torn, but Hope is going to make sure Eri has the life he deserves.

She nods. "Remus is training to be a teacher," she explains. "A history teacher. So he goes in for four days, though two of those he finishes early. He also works part time at the library. You'll see him around the college if you go there." If Remus is the key to Eri settling down and starting a life, she'll go there. Eri deserves happiness after all and Hope will convince him somehow to set up some roots in town.

"I don't know if anyone is coming for me," Eri admits softly, eyes downcast. "I can't spend my life waiting in this room, hoping. I mean… if someone does turn up, I'll deal with that when it happens. If not… well, I can enrol in college, I can… I can plan a future. I can make friends."

Hope beams. She knows she can be a little pushy at times. But all she wants is for Eri to have a happy life from here on out. "I'll contact Mary and see if she can contact the college and fit you in as a late admission with special circumstances," she offers. "You think about what course you'd like to do."

Eri nods his head, his eyes on his notebook. "Art?" he murmurs. "I could be on Remus' course but I don't really want to be a professor." He starts to tap his pencil against the book. "Though history does sound fun. I wonder what I used to be good at?"

"I'll pick you up a book from the college," Hope insists. "You might be able to get enrolled late because of your circumstances, but have a think about it. If you choose a course you don't like, you can always change and do something else next year. But I have to get back to work now. I'll send Remus straight in when he arrives later."

Eri smiles and nods, but is still very much deep in thought. Hope heads to the desk with a minute to spare and dials the phone number for the library where Remus is that day. Thankfully he's only working in the morning.

"Remus, we're having a birthday party for Eri. Can you make a couple of stops before coming here at half-past one?" she asks.

"I finish at twelve," Remus confirms. "What should I get?"

...oOo...

For once, the main thing Remus is looking forward to isn't the chocolate cake. He can't wait to see Eridanus again. Though he's shy, nervous as hell and completely smitten, he just feels at ease with Eri. He's not quite sure why though - perhaps in the hospital setting where Eri is wearing Remus' old pyjamas or some clothes Hope bought from the charity shop, he doesn't seem as intimidating as he could appear in the outside world.

Or perhaps there's more to it. Perhaps it's because Eri looks at Remus like the world revolves around him, as though he'd do anything for him, the same way Remus would do anything for Eri. He feels safe around Eri, as though if anyone tried to hurt him, Eri would be there to stop them.

Though, as a Muggle, Eri would be the one in need of defence, so it'd actually be Remus protecting Eri, which is fine. It's just nice to consider that Eri cares that much about him.

Remus bypasses his favourite cake. He knows there's a nice chocolate cake with white-chocolate stars on the top. Personally, he's not a fan of white chocolate. No self-respecting adult eats white chocolate (in his opinion) when there are other chocolates available, but the design is fun because of the star theme.

Remus had already scouted around the stationary shop, finding a nice notebook with stars on the cover and a packet of star stickers all colours of the rainbow, ones that shimmer, some that were glittery. The gifts might not be perfect - Eri might be bored of notebooks and feel he's too old for stickers, but until they learn his likes and dislikes, it's all he can think to get. Eri likes to draw, so for now that'll have to be enough.

If he had more time, he could have gone to Diagon Alley and picked something. There's a lot more things there that relate to stars and space, which would have been perfect - but he's glad he didn't. If he had, he'd probably have over-spent in his desire to do something nice for his new friend. He'd spend every penny he had if it brought that beautiful smile to Eri's lips - if it made him happy.

He'd do anything to see Eri's face light up.

He's already grabbed a packet of hair-bands from the pharmacy as he passed on his way to the supermarket, recalling Eri's frustration with his hair being in his face constantly. Though Remus loves his hair, he wants the other teen to be comfortable.

He checks the time on the receipt after he pays for the cake. He's not due at the hospital for over half an hour, but he can't help himself. Usually he'd read in the library whilst waiting for his mum, or check out the bookshop or just look around the high-street. But today he wants nothing more than to look into Eri's beautiful grey eyes.

...oOo...

"What's wrong?"

Eri hasn't even noticed Remus come in the room. He thought he'd be over his crisis and upset by the time people arrived.

"Nothing."

Remus reaches out, his hand taking Eri's. "It's never nothing," Remus insists softly. "It's always something. Even if it's something you consider tiny or insignificant, it's still something because it's caused this - and I'm here to talk… or listen if that's what you need."

"I'm just being silly," Eri mutters.

"Considering the last couple of weeks, I believe you reserve the right to get upset over whatever you need to," Remus assures him. He's not let go of Eri's hand and they both know it's there merely as comfort, but the touch helps Eri. It feels strange in a way, as though touch is something he's not used to. Even before he can remember, and maybe it confirms his fear further.

"I know my family aren't coming," Eri admits softly. "I keep hoping… if they wanted to find me, they would have. I've been listening to the staff talk in the evening shifts when they think everyone is asleep. Remus, I was found without a single item. Someone brought me here to Wales intentionally. That could have actually been my family getting rid of me. If they loved me - missed me, they'd be here."

"Eri…" Remus begins, but trails off as soon as he starts. He doesn't know what to say to comfort.

Eri turns his hand, letting their fingers entwine. "You can just listen," he offers. Remus nods, a little relieved. He wants to be there for his friend, yet doesn't know the right words to deal with this situation. They'll come to him, he's sure. He wants his words to mean something.

"It's scary though," Eri continues. "You mum said something this morning… she talked about college and a job and whatever I want to do with my life. She's asking around to find me a place to live, and I can't even remember where I lived before. My only memory of home is a hospital room. I don't know what I liked and disliked in the past, so how can I even begin to pick a course that'll determine my future? I'm all alone, Remus."

"You're not alone," Remus assures him. Now he knows the words, because he feels them with all of his heart. As long as he's around, Remus will never let Eri feel lonely. "You have me. My mum has never made this much effort for anyone before, she really cares about you… and I do too. We're friends."

"Only… only friends?" Eri checks. There's a flicker of disappointment which Eri quickly hides and Remus realises that Eri constantly tries to keep emotion off his face, though sometimes he fails. He makes a mental note of that, wondering how his upbringing relates to that. He turns back to the matter at hand.

Remus nods, though the corners of his lips twitch, fighting a smile. "Only friends. Best friends though… for now, anyway. You said yourself that it's scary. I think you need time to adjust to this world you're unsure of. You need to consider your future and everything else. Adding a relationship is just going to be something that'll make you struggle. I'm still going to be here for you no matter what."

"For now?" Eri repeats softly. "So you're not ruling it out completely?"

"Eri, you're beautiful, inside and out," Remus insists, his cheeks reddening as he speaks. He's not sure how he has the courage to admit any of this but pushes away his fear of rejection. This isn't about him or his own insecurities, it's about Eri and Eri needs to hear this. "You're a good person and… I care a lot about you. I don't think I'd ever rule that out when it comes to you. So how about we agree to take the time to get to know each other and let's see what naturally develops instead of rushing this. You're in a vulnerable state right now and I'm not going to take advantage of that. I'm going to be here as your friend to make sure no-one else does. I'm going to help you when you need someone's opinion, when you don't know where to turn and when you want to make a plan for your life. I swear I'm not going anywhere. I don't make up for the family you're missing, but maybe I can be a part of your new family?"

"Everything is scary, except you," Eri confirms gently. "I don't agree that I'm vulnerable, but I understand why you think that and why you'd want to wait. I'd… I like the sound of everything you've said. You really matter to me."

Remus beams at him. "And you matter to me," he promises. "I meant what I said before - if you ever go missing, I'll find you."

"Like I'd ever leave you," Eri chuckles softly.

Silence falls over them after that. A comfortable silence that neither rushes to fill. They sit, their hands joined, thinking over the words that had been said that day.

It's only when the doctor stops in, that they finally let go of each other's hands.

...oOo...

Hope had kept the party hats to the side at first, debating whether Eri would even want those at seventeen years old, but she just knew that hats were a must when she saw the way his face lit up as they sang Happy Birthday and brought him a cake with sparkler candles as well as normal candles to blow out.

She noticed the slight redness of his eyes too, but Remus had whispered that he had spoken with Eri, so she wasn't too worried. If Remus was concerned, he'd have told her more about it. But he didn't, so she would focus on the things that she could do to help.

The party for a start.

Eri blows out the candles, unable to stop the smile on his lips as his eyes move over the cake, taking in the little white stars on the top. "This is perfect." There's pure joy in his voice.

"It's about to get better." She reaches for the hats and begins to pass them out. Two teenagers from the ward grimace at the sight of the hats, but everyone else puts the hats on.

Remus smiles as he puts his on. He can see the joy in Eri's eyes, and the enthusiasm in which he puts the hat on, and clearly the feeling is contagious. Hope doesn't need to tell her son what they suspect over Eri's history. She knows he's made his own conclusions based on the fact that the original parents haven't turned up and wouldn't be surprised if he had figured it out exactly as Mary had explained. If he hasn't, it won't be long before he does.

"I've had to precut the cake," Hope explains, as she takes the candles out. "We're not allowed the knives on the ward and it was easier to pre-cut it, rather than taking it away and cutting it."

Eri doesn't mind at all. He merely glances up at Remus who is standing next to the hospital bed which Eri is sitting on. Remus' hand is brushing against Eri's arm and she's sure that Eri is leaning slightly into the touch.

She quickly passes the cake out and the radio is turned on and music plays at a reasonable level. She glances at Eri to see if he recognises the song, but he's listening intently, head tilted ever so slightly.

He catches her gaze. "Thank you," he mouths.

Her smile widens. "We're not done yet," she insists. "We have a little gift for you."

She reaches for the bag on the floor, handing the gift-bag to Eri.

He withdraws a little bear holding the number 17. He's beaming even harder, and then Remus is handing over his own gift and Eri is ripping into it, and suddenly his arms are around Remus in a hug and when he pulls back, he's looking at Remus like no-one else is even in the room.

"We can move this party to the break-room," she offers. Everyone except Eri and Remus follow her out. She takes one last glance back, and Remus is now sitting on the bed next to Eri and they're deep in conversation. They're sitting so close that their arms are touching.

Hope closes the door quietly behind her. It's clear that the pair are both completely smitten with each other. Other people spend years looking for that kind of connection, that kind of pure love, yet her boys found it so quickly in each other. It'll take time for them to truly understand what they've found, but they'll work it out.

Hope fully believes that soulmates exist. Just from looking at Eri and Remus, she was certain that they had found theirs.

Maybe this was karma. Her son had suffered so much - perhaps this was the world trying to rectify that by offering him some happiness? Because no-one had a kinder heart than her son. He was the type of person that'd rather turn in a found wallet, rather than open it and steal. He was honest (as much as he could be because there were some secrets he couldn't ever share) and kind and caring. He deserved the world. He deserved to find his soulmate.

And she was certain Eri deserved happiness just as much.

Hope you enjoy :)