A/N: So, given up on reviewing, have we? Sorry if I sound bitter, but nobody reviewed my last chapter. There are people reading, aren't there? I'll update more often, I promise, but please, please, please review! Thanks a bunch.
Insert standard disclaimer here, except that Hope is my character. Onward with the story!
Though he felt the weight of painful memories settled in his chest, the warmth of the gentle fire and the comfort of his surroundings let him fall into a welcome slumber. But the emotions of his conscious heart worked their way into his subconscious.
He was in a small home, worn out carpet, peeling paint, and shabby furniture. He sat in the darkness, but a mirror across the room showed a much younger man then he was used to seeing. He looked around, carefully checking the shaded windows with nervous glances, his wand gripped tightly in his shaking hand. He jumped at small noises and was fearful of even the shadows on the floor. He glanced at the clock on his wall, seconds, minutes ticking by.
"Where are they?" he wondered aloud, and the sound of his voice pierced the silence. As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. He walked over and looked anxiously through the peephole.
As soon as he looked, he knew what was coming. He was swept backwards and his door was blown off. A tall, pale man in a black cloak stood in his doorway, a man with cold, red eyes.
Remus began to point his wand, but the man shouted, "Expellarmius," and the wand was thrown from his hand. "Now, now, didn't think you could actually duel with Lord Voldemort, did we? You did? How awful for you."
Remus looked up fearfully, but kept his voice strong. "If you are going to kill me, I would be most appreciative if it was quick."
"Kill you?" laughed Lord Voldemort. "Now where would you get a silly idea like that? No, I have a greater use for you, monster that you are." Remus began to shake his head, and opened his mouth to speak, but the Dark Lord simply said, "Silencio," and he fell silent. "You are a monster. You know it, but you deny it. I say this not to insult you, but to prove a point. You see, I am a monster too. I am just like you, Remus Lupin. You are a killer, and so am I. Finis," he added with a swish of his wand.
With his voice returned, Remus shouted, "I am no killer. I have never killed anyone." But in his heart he knew he was lying, and Voldemort would know this, too.
"No one? But I remember there was one person. Does the name Romulus ring a bell? Like the old Roman legend, but it was reversed here, wasn't it? In the myth, Romulus kills his twin, but here, I suppose, things went a little differently. So you see. You are a killer, as much as you pretend to be some unfortunate victim of circumstance. Killers should stick together. We should make deals, and bargains. For you see, you have something that I want, and I think I can give you something you want."
"You have nothing that I want."
"I don't? I think I do. I have your life in my hands. See?" He merely flicked his wand and pain coursed through Remus' body, pain like he had never before felt, excruciating, unbearable, unimaginable pain. But as quickly as it had come, it had ended. "I can give you more of that, or I can give you something else. I can give you the freedom you seek. I can give you a freedom you will never have in the world of wizards who will see you dead in a moment. And all you have to do is give me an address."
"Never," he said breathlessly. "They are my friends." For he knew what Voldemort wanted. He wanted Lily and James. Twice they had escaped death from him, twice they had faced Voldemort and lived. Lily and James had done what most don't live to talk about, and they had done it twice.
"Friends? Friends? You have no friends. You know that when it comes down to the line, you are the last person they are going to protect. You are a werewolf and a monster, and your so-called friends know that. They already think you are a traitor, they do not even believe you when you tell them this is a lie. They never cared about you, and they never will. This is the truth and you know it is."
And with these words he almost did. He understood he was hearing lies, sweet, poisonous, little lies, but these were the fears he faced daily. He lived and breathed the worries that he was simply a pawn in a cruel game that he had been caught up in since childhood, that everyone was in on the joke except him. He tried to block these thoughts away, and remembered all of the good times. He tried to remember all the concern of his friends when he was sick after the moon, their drive and determination to find a way to help him. He remembered the laughter in Sirius' eyes, the strength he saw in James, the care he always had from Peter. And the love he had from Lily. The sweetness and sincerity he found in her, always, was enough to give him strength.
"Since you are going to kill me anyway, I would like to have my wand back. I want to die fighting."
"Such bold words from one your situation. Fine, you can have your wand. But it will do you little good. And I'm not going to kill you, but when I'm finished, you are going to wish that I had."
He through the wand back to Remus, who instantly shouted, "Expellarmius," at his opponent.
"You think that will save you? Alright then. I give you the advantage. You have two wands and I have none." Voldemort snapped his fingers, and for a second time, immeasurable pain coursed through Remus' body. It felt like it would never stop, went on for minutes that turned into an eternity, until once again it suddenly stopped. "You think I need a wand to fight you? My power has been growing for the last forty years. It far surpasses your measly abilities. But I think I may have to take back one of the promises I made. You see, I grow bored easily, and you are a resilient fellow. I think I may just have to kill you and move on. There are more werewolves elsewhere, and the Potters have other friends."
Remus lay on the floor, his vision fogged and his senses dull. His breathing was shallow and weak, and he was now prepared to die. But as he looked up, he saw coming to the door two shadows, cast from the starry sky. Lily and James burst through the doorway, and for the first time in the night, Voldemort looked almost surprised. "So, they remain loyal for now. I can kill three tonight, it makes no difference to me." But before he could attack, Lily shouted, "Stop!" and he stopped. He stopped so abruptly to face to the Potters, standing strong with their wands poised to kill. In unison, they shot Stunning spells at their adversary, who stepped back a few feet but did not stop.
"Another night, then," he said, sweeping out the door, his wand flying back towards him. "One more for the road. Crucio." Remus screaming in pain once more, but this time it was quick, the spell's effect wearing off once he had Apparated away.
James and Lily ran to their friend, Lily shouted, "Remus, Remus!" No, it wasn't Lily's voice. It was another woman, a woman above him.
He opened his eyes to see Hope above him, softly calling his name. He was no longer in his old house, but her cozy apartment.
"Are you alright?" she asked him, concern filling her voice. "You were screaming."
"It was just a bad dream," he replied. "Just an old memory I'd rather forget."
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.
"I'd rather get back to sleep." She nodded and left, and he did sleep. He fell into a quiet, blissful, dreamless slumber once again, only to be awoken by bright morning sun in a few hours time.
Did you like? Then please tell me. Hated it? Tell me why. Thanks in advance. And sorry if I made Voldemort a little like Drusilla/Wishverse Willow from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". If you didn't notice, good, cuz he's gonna be like that for the rest story.
