Disclaimer- I own only the plot, the song belongs to John Mayer. I'm
sorry it took so long for a new installment, enjoy!
Oren Terren Lupin was up on stage. He felt the rush of the crowd as they shouted for him. Granted, it was a very small crowd, but loud just the same.
"People have the right to fly
And will when it gets compromised
Their hearts say 'move along'
Their minds say 'gotcha heart'
'Let's move it along'
And airports see it all the time
Where someone's last goodbye
Blends in with someone's sigh
Cause someone's coming home
In hand a single rose
And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
And I won't be the last
No I won't be the last
To love her
You can't build a house of leaves
And live like it's an evergreen
It's just a season thing
It's just this thing the seasons do
And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
And you don't be the first
No you won't be the first
To love me
You can find me
If you ever want again
I'll be around the bend
I'll be around the bend
I'll be around
And if you never stop when you wave goodbye
You just might find if you give it time you will wave hello again
You just might wave hello again
And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
You can't love too much one part of it
You can't love too much one part of it
I believe that my life's gonna see
That love I give returned to me" he sang
Oren was a strong, muscular boy who lived in a small town in Alabama. He had light, sandy-colored hair and deep, blue eyes. He had been playing the guitar for as long as he could remember and had been singing only a small bit shorter amount. He was the pride of his parent's life, their only child. Andrew and Sarah Lupin were a witch and a wizard. That, however, was the only thing Oren knew, apart from the fact that his father was from England and they had met recently after he came over. He didn't know, however, that Andrew and Sarah knew each other before he came and that his father and fled the wizarding world because of Lord Voldemort.
The Lupins lived a relatively comfortable life. His parents worked at a small Potions Supply store and Oren went up to The Salem Institute of Magical Learning every semester. It was summer time, however, and Oren's social calendar was in full swing. He played almost every weekend in various bars and clubs in the area. They lived in Balileytown, a very small town of just under 700 people. It was a town with a somewhat strong magical population (unbeknownced to the rest of the inhabitants).
This summer, however, was going to change Oren's life forever. He would finally meet his Uncle Remus, about whom he knew nothing and, consequently, knew naught of him. While Oren was singing and strumming his guitar in Selma's local wizarding bar (the only one in the town), Andrew and Sarah were at home. The two were enjoying one of those rare lazy days. It was apparent from looking at them which one had the dominant genes. Oren looked exactly like Andrew except for his mother's nose which, ironically, also looked like his father's.
"So, how have you been?" Sarah joked.
"Just fine, you? How's that son of yours, didn't he get straight E's (Exceptional) on his report card?"
"Yes, I'm very proud of him and I heard your son did as well." They laughed tiredly and settled back into the green sofa. After a few minutes of lounging, they heard the door creak open. They didn't look up, thinking it must be Oren. "Hello honey, I didn't think you were going to be home till 5:00, the concert didn't go badly did it?" There was no answer. "Oren, did you hear me?" Sarah got her answer in a frightening way. A man, draped in all black stepped into the room.
Andrew grabbed at the side table, fumbling for his wand, Sarah did as well but the man yelled "Expelliarmus" before they had the chance. His next words were "Avada Kedavra" and that was the end of Sarah and Andrew Lupin.
At 5:15, Oren drove up the driveway in his father's small, Mini. He got out of the car and unloaded his guitar before starting into the house. He was horrified by what he found. His parent lay slumped over on the couch, his father's arm still draped over Sarah's shoulder. "Mom, Dad!" he exclaimed, shaking them with all his might. He ran to the phone and dialed 911. "Hello?"
"M-m-my mom and dad aren't moving," Oren stammered.
"What's your name and where are you?"
"Oren Lupin, I'm at my house, the address, the address is 5 Greenwood Dr. in Baileytown."
"Alright, we're sending someone right a way." the woman said calmly.
Three hours later Oren was waiting in the sterile, white waiting room of the hospital. A doctor came out with a look of mixed sympathy and surprise. "Mr. Lupin, you're parents are dead, I'm sorry."
"What happened, how did they die?"
"We don't know, that's the strange thing, other then being dead they're perfectly fine. Do you have anyone you could stay with tonight?"
"I could stay with one of my friends."
"Do you have any family that could be contacted, you can't stay with your friend forever." Oren shook his head dumbly.
"My mom was an only child and her parent's are dead."
"What about on your father's side?"
"I don't know them, he grew up England and I've never seen them."
"We'll get someone to look into it. I can drive you to your friend's house if you like. I'm off duty now."
"No, I'll drive, thank you." The doctor was disturbed by his apathy but didn't say anything as the youth walked out of the door of the hospital. Oren quickly called George, his friend who quickly said to come over. He spent the evening in a state of denial. He was only staying momentarily and didn't even unpack his bags. He spent the night in fitful slumber on the White's couch. He woke up with Julia, George's older sister, shoving a plate of eggs and toast in his face.
"Come on Oren, you gotta eat somethin'" she said in a deep southern twang.
"N-no, I'm not hungry," he mumbled sleepily.
"Oh darlin', you look beat. Did you get any sleep last night?" He nodded mutely. It took a minute for everything to sink in. His parents were dead. He watched as Julia walked back into the kitchen. "Do you want anything? Tea, coffee, cereal? I'd feel better if you at least had somethin' to drink."
"Tea would be lovely," he said, tears brimming in his eyes. He used to make fun of his father's avid tea drinking but now he'd give anything to hear "could you put the kettle on dear?" once again. Julia came back a few minutes later with a cup of tea, a string hanging from its inside. "Bags," he mumbled, reminiscing.
"Pardon?"
"Oh, nothing, Dad just always despised tea bags." An involuntary tear slipped down his cheek.
"Oh honey, come here," she said, pulling him into a hug. "It'll get betta and you can stay here as long as you want. George, Annie and I won't mind and Dad's not home enough for him to have any say. Mr. White was hardly ever home, lounging in clubs till the middle of the night and leaving for "work" in the early morning. Julia had been raising George and Annie since they were 12and a ½, and 4 espectivly. George was just now reaching 16 and Annie was 6 Mrs. White had died a couple years earlier.
Just then the phone rang and Julia got up to answer it. "Hello, this is the White residence."
"Hello, um, my name is Remus Lupin. I am, um, Oren's Uncle from England. I just got a call from Dr. Simmons informing me of my brother's and sister-in-law's deaths. Needless to say, it was a bit of nasty shock. I was told I could reach Oren there. Would you be so kind." Julia looked across the room at Oren.
"I'll ask him, he's pretty beat up about the whole thang."
"Thank you Ms. White."
"Please, call me Julia. Oren, there's a guy on the phone, says he's your uncle." Oren got off the couch hesitantly and picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"Hello Oren, I'm your father's brother, Remus. I heard about Andrew and Sarah, it's really a shame."
"Yeah, um, so I suppose I'm supposed to be coming out there then?"
"That was my plan. You see, this all points to Death Eaters. They might be after you so Dumbledore and I were thinking it best to get you to Hogwarts as soon as we can."
"Right, Hogwarts, your school right?"
"Yes, you went to Salem aye?'
"Yeah, um, so how am I supposed to get there?" Remus was surprised at the boys ennui but continued.
"We've arranged for the Knight Rider to pick you up today at 12:00, is that enough time?"
"Yeah, don't think I'll be taking much," Oren said, choking back tears. He was leaving everything he knew to live with someone he had never met. It was all quite overbearing really. He hung up the phone.
"So, what's going to happen?" George, who had just walked down the stairs in time to hear the snippets of conversation, asked.
"I'm going to England to live with Dad's brother, Remus. I'm leaving at 12:00 pm today."
"Well, you'll have to pack then won't you?" Julia stated flatly, moving into high gear, something she tended to do when situations got messy. They were packed in time for Julia to fix an early lunch.
As they finished the left-over pie, Oren heard a screech of tires in the front of the house. He walked outside with only a small bag and his guitar in hand. He hugged Julia and Annie goodbye before sharing a "manly" handshake with Andrew that turned into a warm, friendly hug. "Don't be a stranger," Julia warned, waving goodbye with tears in her eyes.
Oren watched as the house faded from view as the Knight Rider (a flying version of the Knight Bus) rose from the ground. They flew and flew and Oren gazed out the window. The ocean changed to London and London faded to country side before they landed in Hogsmede. Oren saw a man that looked vaguely like his father standing outside, waving at him. Oren made his way over after collecting his luggage. "Hello Oren, I'm your Uncle Remus."
"Hello, what should I call you?"
"Remus is fine if that suits your fancy. We're going to be heading up to Hogwarts unless you'd like a bite before." Oren shook his head. The two walked towards the entrance gates. Lupin showed the way up the castle grounds before getting to the Great Hall. He opened the doors and saw that all the teachers along with Anne, Mary and Ethan. Dumbledore rose from his seat.
"Welcome to Hogwarts Oren, I wish our meeting had been on friendly, more pleasant grounds. Oren only nodded. Remus was trying to contain his surprise seeing Snape clean shaven and, well, clean. He had clearly cut his hair, hanging neatly around his ears and it was no longer oily. Oren sat down at the table between Dumbledore and Remus not having the heart to eat. He wondered idly if his parents had wanted this all hidden and why.
Oren Terren Lupin was up on stage. He felt the rush of the crowd as they shouted for him. Granted, it was a very small crowd, but loud just the same.
"People have the right to fly
And will when it gets compromised
Their hearts say 'move along'
Their minds say 'gotcha heart'
'Let's move it along'
And airports see it all the time
Where someone's last goodbye
Blends in with someone's sigh
Cause someone's coming home
In hand a single rose
And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
And I won't be the last
No I won't be the last
To love her
You can't build a house of leaves
And live like it's an evergreen
It's just a season thing
It's just this thing the seasons do
And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
And you don't be the first
No you won't be the first
To love me
You can find me
If you ever want again
I'll be around the bend
I'll be around the bend
I'll be around
And if you never stop when you wave goodbye
You just might find if you give it time you will wave hello again
You just might wave hello again
And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
You can't love too much one part of it
You can't love too much one part of it
I believe that my life's gonna see
That love I give returned to me" he sang
Oren was a strong, muscular boy who lived in a small town in Alabama. He had light, sandy-colored hair and deep, blue eyes. He had been playing the guitar for as long as he could remember and had been singing only a small bit shorter amount. He was the pride of his parent's life, their only child. Andrew and Sarah Lupin were a witch and a wizard. That, however, was the only thing Oren knew, apart from the fact that his father was from England and they had met recently after he came over. He didn't know, however, that Andrew and Sarah knew each other before he came and that his father and fled the wizarding world because of Lord Voldemort.
The Lupins lived a relatively comfortable life. His parents worked at a small Potions Supply store and Oren went up to The Salem Institute of Magical Learning every semester. It was summer time, however, and Oren's social calendar was in full swing. He played almost every weekend in various bars and clubs in the area. They lived in Balileytown, a very small town of just under 700 people. It was a town with a somewhat strong magical population (unbeknownced to the rest of the inhabitants).
This summer, however, was going to change Oren's life forever. He would finally meet his Uncle Remus, about whom he knew nothing and, consequently, knew naught of him. While Oren was singing and strumming his guitar in Selma's local wizarding bar (the only one in the town), Andrew and Sarah were at home. The two were enjoying one of those rare lazy days. It was apparent from looking at them which one had the dominant genes. Oren looked exactly like Andrew except for his mother's nose which, ironically, also looked like his father's.
"So, how have you been?" Sarah joked.
"Just fine, you? How's that son of yours, didn't he get straight E's (Exceptional) on his report card?"
"Yes, I'm very proud of him and I heard your son did as well." They laughed tiredly and settled back into the green sofa. After a few minutes of lounging, they heard the door creak open. They didn't look up, thinking it must be Oren. "Hello honey, I didn't think you were going to be home till 5:00, the concert didn't go badly did it?" There was no answer. "Oren, did you hear me?" Sarah got her answer in a frightening way. A man, draped in all black stepped into the room.
Andrew grabbed at the side table, fumbling for his wand, Sarah did as well but the man yelled "Expelliarmus" before they had the chance. His next words were "Avada Kedavra" and that was the end of Sarah and Andrew Lupin.
At 5:15, Oren drove up the driveway in his father's small, Mini. He got out of the car and unloaded his guitar before starting into the house. He was horrified by what he found. His parent lay slumped over on the couch, his father's arm still draped over Sarah's shoulder. "Mom, Dad!" he exclaimed, shaking them with all his might. He ran to the phone and dialed 911. "Hello?"
"M-m-my mom and dad aren't moving," Oren stammered.
"What's your name and where are you?"
"Oren Lupin, I'm at my house, the address, the address is 5 Greenwood Dr. in Baileytown."
"Alright, we're sending someone right a way." the woman said calmly.
Three hours later Oren was waiting in the sterile, white waiting room of the hospital. A doctor came out with a look of mixed sympathy and surprise. "Mr. Lupin, you're parents are dead, I'm sorry."
"What happened, how did they die?"
"We don't know, that's the strange thing, other then being dead they're perfectly fine. Do you have anyone you could stay with tonight?"
"I could stay with one of my friends."
"Do you have any family that could be contacted, you can't stay with your friend forever." Oren shook his head dumbly.
"My mom was an only child and her parent's are dead."
"What about on your father's side?"
"I don't know them, he grew up England and I've never seen them."
"We'll get someone to look into it. I can drive you to your friend's house if you like. I'm off duty now."
"No, I'll drive, thank you." The doctor was disturbed by his apathy but didn't say anything as the youth walked out of the door of the hospital. Oren quickly called George, his friend who quickly said to come over. He spent the evening in a state of denial. He was only staying momentarily and didn't even unpack his bags. He spent the night in fitful slumber on the White's couch. He woke up with Julia, George's older sister, shoving a plate of eggs and toast in his face.
"Come on Oren, you gotta eat somethin'" she said in a deep southern twang.
"N-no, I'm not hungry," he mumbled sleepily.
"Oh darlin', you look beat. Did you get any sleep last night?" He nodded mutely. It took a minute for everything to sink in. His parents were dead. He watched as Julia walked back into the kitchen. "Do you want anything? Tea, coffee, cereal? I'd feel better if you at least had somethin' to drink."
"Tea would be lovely," he said, tears brimming in his eyes. He used to make fun of his father's avid tea drinking but now he'd give anything to hear "could you put the kettle on dear?" once again. Julia came back a few minutes later with a cup of tea, a string hanging from its inside. "Bags," he mumbled, reminiscing.
"Pardon?"
"Oh, nothing, Dad just always despised tea bags." An involuntary tear slipped down his cheek.
"Oh honey, come here," she said, pulling him into a hug. "It'll get betta and you can stay here as long as you want. George, Annie and I won't mind and Dad's not home enough for him to have any say. Mr. White was hardly ever home, lounging in clubs till the middle of the night and leaving for "work" in the early morning. Julia had been raising George and Annie since they were 12and a ½, and 4 espectivly. George was just now reaching 16 and Annie was 6 Mrs. White had died a couple years earlier.
Just then the phone rang and Julia got up to answer it. "Hello, this is the White residence."
"Hello, um, my name is Remus Lupin. I am, um, Oren's Uncle from England. I just got a call from Dr. Simmons informing me of my brother's and sister-in-law's deaths. Needless to say, it was a bit of nasty shock. I was told I could reach Oren there. Would you be so kind." Julia looked across the room at Oren.
"I'll ask him, he's pretty beat up about the whole thang."
"Thank you Ms. White."
"Please, call me Julia. Oren, there's a guy on the phone, says he's your uncle." Oren got off the couch hesitantly and picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"Hello Oren, I'm your father's brother, Remus. I heard about Andrew and Sarah, it's really a shame."
"Yeah, um, so I suppose I'm supposed to be coming out there then?"
"That was my plan. You see, this all points to Death Eaters. They might be after you so Dumbledore and I were thinking it best to get you to Hogwarts as soon as we can."
"Right, Hogwarts, your school right?"
"Yes, you went to Salem aye?'
"Yeah, um, so how am I supposed to get there?" Remus was surprised at the boys ennui but continued.
"We've arranged for the Knight Rider to pick you up today at 12:00, is that enough time?"
"Yeah, don't think I'll be taking much," Oren said, choking back tears. He was leaving everything he knew to live with someone he had never met. It was all quite overbearing really. He hung up the phone.
"So, what's going to happen?" George, who had just walked down the stairs in time to hear the snippets of conversation, asked.
"I'm going to England to live with Dad's brother, Remus. I'm leaving at 12:00 pm today."
"Well, you'll have to pack then won't you?" Julia stated flatly, moving into high gear, something she tended to do when situations got messy. They were packed in time for Julia to fix an early lunch.
As they finished the left-over pie, Oren heard a screech of tires in the front of the house. He walked outside with only a small bag and his guitar in hand. He hugged Julia and Annie goodbye before sharing a "manly" handshake with Andrew that turned into a warm, friendly hug. "Don't be a stranger," Julia warned, waving goodbye with tears in her eyes.
Oren watched as the house faded from view as the Knight Rider (a flying version of the Knight Bus) rose from the ground. They flew and flew and Oren gazed out the window. The ocean changed to London and London faded to country side before they landed in Hogsmede. Oren saw a man that looked vaguely like his father standing outside, waving at him. Oren made his way over after collecting his luggage. "Hello Oren, I'm your Uncle Remus."
"Hello, what should I call you?"
"Remus is fine if that suits your fancy. We're going to be heading up to Hogwarts unless you'd like a bite before." Oren shook his head. The two walked towards the entrance gates. Lupin showed the way up the castle grounds before getting to the Great Hall. He opened the doors and saw that all the teachers along with Anne, Mary and Ethan. Dumbledore rose from his seat.
"Welcome to Hogwarts Oren, I wish our meeting had been on friendly, more pleasant grounds. Oren only nodded. Remus was trying to contain his surprise seeing Snape clean shaven and, well, clean. He had clearly cut his hair, hanging neatly around his ears and it was no longer oily. Oren sat down at the table between Dumbledore and Remus not having the heart to eat. He wondered idly if his parents had wanted this all hidden and why.