Thanks to reviewers. Unlike most people, I still don't have the ability to italicise, so look for /these/.
NOTE- this chapter (and probably the next one) will be moving really fast cause I'm sick of writing it Farren. So expect great rushes! And then I have a sequel planned and I'll be done with the Farren trilogy! YEAH!
Chapter 4; relearning to live
The door that led into Dumbledore's office creaked open slowly, and the aged Headmaster himself walked in. His all knowing blue eyes took in the many emotions in the room and his wizened countenance lit up.
"Remus, my boy," he said happily. "Back so soon?" Remus nodded and Dumbledore turned his soft eyes onto the woman who was stroking Fawkes absently and staring at Dumbledore as though she had never seen anything quit like him (which, Remus reminded himself, was entirely possible). She gently removed her hands from Fawkes-who flew to perch on Dumbledore's shoulder- and stuck out one of her pale, trembling hands to him. He took it in both of his and shook it elegantly.
"And you must be the esteemed Farren Alma," Dumbledore said quietly. There was a force in the air so thick that Remus felt that he could surely run a butter knife through it. Farren and Dumbledore had locked eyes and seemed not to be moving, as if they were caught in a staring battle. Remus looked back and forth between the two uncertainly.
"Uh…I'm just gonna take the trunks down to the front and let you two talk, uh…. Yeah," Remus muttered. Neither looked at him. Their insistent staring was starting to frighten him. "Uh, yeah, so I'll come back up and meet you. Uh huh…" With that, he grabbed the shrunken luggage and backed out of the room slowly, his eyes dancing back and forth between the two of him. As he closed the door behind him, he heard Farren say clearly, 'Sir, I feel as if I all ready know you. There is something of dire importance that I must tell you.' Remus wanted to stay and listen, and his Marauder side was urging him on, but he knew it would be dishonest. He walked away dejectedly.
Almost to the entrance hall, he encountered Professor McGonagall, who flashed him a wide and rare grin.
"Albus thought you had arrived back," she said happily, taking the luggage from him and walking with him. "How was your trip?"
"Well, aside from the fact that time travelling is the most horrible experience I have ever been through, that I met numerous rude people, all who seemed to be named some variation of Albert, that I thought Farren was dating someone, got more drunk than ever before, and suffered through the death of a /child/…yes it was lovely." Remus said wryly.
"Really, it was that bad?" McGonagall seemed generally worried.
"Not really, I had a nice time despite…though I will certainly miss Anya," Remus said sadly.
McGonagall frowned and looked at him with worry. "Would you like to tell me about it?" She asked him nicely. He smiled and nodded.
"I think I'd like that," he said and began to tell her all about the trip, starting with Rosmerta and her gossip. By the time he was to the funeral she was in tears, and by the time he had gotten to the scene in Dumbledore's office, she was looking quit surprised.
"Well, I'll be," she said. "Old Albus has done some pretty odd things before, but this just beats all. What could she have to tell him? She's only just met him!"
"Farren," Remus said. "Is not normal. I wouldn't be surprised if she did know him from before." McGonagall snorted inelegantly.
As the two of them continued up the hallway, Remus saw Farren's long auburn hair gleaming in the torchlight.
"Remus," she greeted him. "Sorry that took so long. I was wondering where you'd got to. And you must be Minerva McGonagall," she said, reaching out a hand to McGonagall to shake.
"Please, Minerva will suffice. Remus has told me much about you. I see he's mentioned me to you as well," McGonagall answered pleasantly.
"Actually, I don't think I have," Remus said uncertainly. There was an awkward silence and the group looked at each other uncertainly.
"Well, um…let's get home, shall we?" Remus said suddenly, and that's exactly what they did. Farren was charmed by the home, though she seemed to think it needed decorated more. Grinning larger than ever, the new family settled into their home.
A few weeks later, new neighbours moved in beside them. Farren was outside the house, trying to prompt a garden to grow, when she was startled furiously by the sudden appearance of two people and a horde of luggage. She shrieked and then blushed furiously as Remus and the people all stared at her in surprise. Remus patted her on the shoulder consolingly.
"You really need to get used to that stuff," he said as Farren placed a trembling hand over her heart. The group next door had lost interest in them and left, but Farren peered over at the house curiously anyway.
"It seemed like that house was going to be empty forever," she said. "I'm glad we've finally got some neighbours. The woman looked about my age."
As it turned out, they were only a few years older than Remus and Farren. Their names were Allyson and Gregory Grayson and they were as different as could be. It was a wonder they got along.
Allyson Grayson was pale skinned, with long black hair that fell around her in layers, making her high cheek bones more prominent looking than before. Her eyes were big and liquid-y black, with shadows surrounding them. She was not unattractive, per say, but looked paranoid and jumpy, barely talking when not spoken directly to and always on guard.
Gregory Grayson, on the other hand, was tall and broad, built like a beater. His sun-bleached hair was short and bristly, while wide dull blue eyes were set against his tan skin. He was pushy and obnoxious, very loud, and very boisterous, with a habit of bragging loudly, as Farren and Remus found out
They went to go meet the new neighbours later that week, Farren trying her hardest to seem perfectly normal, to make up for her jumpiness earlier. Gregory opened the door with a grumble, though his face split into an almost malicious grin at the sight of them.
"'Ell, if it isn't the jumpy 'amily 'Om next door," he said with a laugh, before gesturing them in. Remus frowned slightly.
"Though," the man continued, eyes sweeping over Farren. "Jumpy can be…a good thing…Gregory Grayson, 'iss." Remus frowned significantly.
Farren placed a hand on his arm warningly. Their host frowned, but a rustle from the corner averted his attention. In the shadows of the stairwell, barely seen, stood the woman who had been with him the day before hurt showing plainly on her face.
"Allyson!" Roared her husband. "Get o'er here and great our guests, 'ill ya?" The woman shuffled to the door, her bony body stiff with apprehension. She stuck one pale and trembling hand towards Farren.
"Allyson Grayson," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "You must be the neighbours. And this must be your husband." Remus shook her hand quickly.
"Boyfriend…actually," he quickly corrected her. She blushed and shrunk back from him, muttering her apologies. Remus shared a glance with Farren, whose cheeks were rather red, though she too was staring at Allyson oddly. Gregory led them to the living room, which was all ready unpacked and impeccable, though Gregory ran a finger disdainfully over a tabletop as though expecting dust to appear on his finger.
"Allyson, go 'inish dinner, our guests will want some. I'm sure this 'iss will help ya," Farren opened her mouth to decline, but Allyson shuffled meekly to the kitchen and, with a calculating glance, Farren followed her without complain.
"'Omen," Gregory said disdainfully, flopping onto the divan. "Ya got to take a 'irm hand with 'em sometimes, they're always trying to outstand their place, ya know it?" Remus frowned uncertainly.
"I have always thought that woman and men shared 'places,'" he said in a carefully light voice. Gregory snorted.
"Ah, you're one of those types, eh? You'll see, one of these days."
"Well," Remus said, voice forcefully light. "My father detested me and left our family shortly after my fifth birthday. My mother did all the cooking, working, raising, and handymen stuff, as well as playing quidditch with the best of us kids." Gregory pointedly ignored that.
"Your 'ather left, eh? Well, I always thought men should be kept 'ostly separated from 'amily life, if ya know what I 'ean. And not to be rude or nothing, but you're not exactly the 'ost robust of 'em, ya know? /I/ 'ould have left too!" Gregory had a long and solitary laugh at Remus's extent. Remus forced another smile, pushing back thoughts that generally ran along the lines of, 'wouldn't you like to see how manly I can be during full moons?'
"Dinner is ready," I voice said from the doorway, and Remus looked up to see Farren, frown on her face. Remus sincerely hoped that she hadn't heard what Gregory had said, for he thought all his strained politeness might go to waste. Sure enough, she was glaring at Gregory with so much contempt it was unthinkable that he had not yet noticed, though he had managed to.
Dinner that evening was an odd affair, Remus thought. There was a definite tension in the air between their host and hostess, as though she was trying her hardest to be perfect and he was trying his hardest to be indifferent. He said nothing about the fancy china, the crystal wine glasses, or in fact, the wine itself, as though it was a usual event. Farren seemed unusually quiet and pensive; she spoke little and only when asked a direct question. And Remus was boiling with suppressed anger though he did his best to make small talk.
The minute they were safely back in their home, Remus exploding. Yelling obscenities, he rammed a pillow into the wall fiercely, hands smarting. He felt two slender, cold hands place them self on his bare shoulders. Farren lent her head on his bareback and hummed soothingly. Remus eventually slumped against the wall, calm.
"It doesn't matter," she said softly. "He's a prick, a bigot, a scoundrel who has no idea what he was talking about. Only someone with little to no compassion could all as much mock someone's family situation." Of course, Farren would have heard him, and known exactly what Remus was referring too.
Though they spoke of it little, Farren knew of his past. How his father had walked out on them due to Remus's lycanthropy, how his mother had been left to act the part of both parents. She would have, of course, known how upset he was about the whole evening in general. He breathed deeply; she was right, he shouldn't let the man's comments bother him.
"Remus," she said softly, later that night, as they lay cuddled together on the bed, reading some classic novel. "I'm worried."
Remus sat up to look at her.
"About what?" He asked with a small frown.
"Allyson," she said honestly, with a small sigh. Remus frowned, thinking back to the woman. "She's a little shy and jumpy-though who wouldn't be, living with a person like him?"
"I suppose you're right. My imagination is running away with me again," Farren agreed, and she settled back against him as he read aloud, though her eyes continually drifted across the room. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she noticed not when Remus stopped reading to look at her, nor did she stir when he turned off the lights and tucked the blankets around her, resolving that he could sleep in her room if she was so out of it that she didn't notice she was in his.
The next morning, Remus wandered into the kitchen to find Farren sitting at the table, staring pensively out the window. He groaned and wondered what- if anything in particular- was bothering her. She looked up.
"Morning Remus," she said cheerily, sounding more normal than the night before. "I didn't mean to fall asleep in your room."
"I don't mind," Remus said quickly, his cheeks colouring when he realized what he'd just said. Farren pointedly ignored that. Remus turned and quickly gathered some pancake mix and began to fix it. Five minutes in, he had burned them…again. Farren laughed and came to turn the burner down, scrapping burnt remains off the pan and starting over.
"We've a letter," she said offhandedly. Remus started.
"We do?"
"We do," she confirmed. "It's over there, on the countertop. I figured it was for you about a job or something, so I didn't touch it." Remus bounded to the countertop eagerly…if only he wasn't turned down again!
"I-I-it's," he stuttered upon seeing the address.
"What is it?" Farren asked, coming up behind him.
"I dunno…but it's for you," Remus said dryly, excitement gone.
"Me?" Farren asked incredulously. "From who?"
"Dumbledore," Remus said, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. Farren gave a suppressed squeal and grabbed it from him, ripping it open quickly.
'"Dear Miss Alma,'" she read excitably.
'"Due to your unusual past, the staff of Hogwarts has agreed to teach you in the art of magic. Starting next Monday, we would appreciate it if you would come and live at Hogwarts formally; at least, for the time being. You will be receiving lessons from one Severus Snape, Mandragora Sprout, Filius Flitwick, Holanda Hooch, and Minerva McGonagall, as well as myself, in the subjects potions, Herbology, charms, flying, transfiguration, and defense against the dark arts. Bring whatever you like for your new chambers and please buy a wand before you come. A train will be waiting on Platform nine and three-quarters for you at eleven o'clock. '"
'"Remus-"' here she paused and looked at him, though he nodded for her to go on. '"Remus, as I am sure you are wondering, you are most welcome to come to Hogwarts as well, however, I must warn you that you may spend your days doing nothing but browsing books, as Farren shall be very busy. I eagerly await you letter back."'
'-Albus"' Farren's eyes were glowing in excitement.
"I-" Remus started. "I'm not going to be able to go with you." Farren looked at him, surprise evident on her face.
"Why?" She asked bluntly, hurt clearly showing in her eyes.
"Someone's going to need to stay at work to be able to pay for the house," he said sensibly. "But you need to go. It'll be good for you and you look excited. I promise, I'll write you often." Farren nodded, uncertain still, but agreeing none-the-less.
"Perhaps we should go to Diagon Alley and get your things," Remus suggested lightly, trying to forget about how much he would miss her. Farren's eyes lit up again.
"I'd love too! And we can go to Ollivanders and Eyelope's Owl Emporium, and- what?" She asked, seeing his strange look.
"It's uncanny how you know so many things without ever being told…I don't suppose you could give me a clue as to how?" Farren smiled mysteriously, and said nothing.
"I can tell you one thing…" She said thoughtfully. "You might want to open your mind a bit as to the matter of Sirius Black…try and see things that aren't obvious…second guessing yourself isn't always bad…" Remus stared at her.
"I will never, in all of my days, understand you," he said, and with a laugh, grabbed her arm and disapparated into Diagon alley. Without a word other than her inane giggling, she grabbed his arm and pulled him down the street, dodging school kids and laughing like one herself. Suddenly, she stopped, causing Remus to run strait into her and knock both of them to the ground.
"Ey, get a room!" A rowdy teenager yelled as he passed them, and Farren, with a well-situated foot, tripped him right into a pretty blonde haired girl.
"Take your own advice!" She said with a mad giggle, and Remus was struck with the sudden thought that they must look like seventh years, giggling and sprawled on the ground like this. The teenager had forgot about her, as he was staring, quit enraptured, at the girl's…eh, face. Remus burst into laughter, and Farren, ignoring him, scrambled to her feet and over to a family of red haired people.
"Excuse me?" She asked. "Do I know you?" The oldest woman of the lot looked at her.
"I doubt it, dear, you look quit a bit younger than me!" she said. Remus suddenly realized whom she was talking to. Molly and Arthur Weasley and their children (all nine of them.) She looked quit at home with her auburn hair.
"Of course, I'm sorry, you just look very familiar." Farren said, looking as if she knew darn well that she'd never /met/ them before. "My name's Farren Alma by the way…you wouldn't happen to be part of the esteemed Weasley family, would you?" (A/N hee hee, I had to bring the twins in!)
"You've heard of us, have you?" Arthur asked her, surprise evident on his face. "It's not everyday you meet someone who refers to you as esteemed!"
"Ah, yes, I have. Arthur and-Molly, is it not?" Farren said, pleasantries brimming. The couple laughed in delight and nodded.
"And this is Remus Lupin," Farren said, gesturing behind her carelessly. Remus blushed and shook their hands. "My, you have lovely children," she said smiling at them.
"Ah, yes, they are our life," Molly said happily. "This is Bill, he's thirteen, and Charlie, starting school this year, Percy, he's nine-quit the little book reader, and the twins, Fred and George, seven and rotten as can be. This is Ronald, he'd four, and Ginervra, we call her Ginny, three, my baby."
"Wow, how are you guys- and girl- doing today?" Farren said, bending down to talk to them 'on their level.'
"I-" the rather smart looking one with glasses- Percy-said. "Got a new book today. It's called Dragon's Watch and it's Charlie's old book." he held it out for Farren to inspect, and she did so happily.
"Do you know what kind that one is?" She said, sounding generally interested. Percy told her promptly.
"And you're Charlie aren't you? You look like the type to like animals, huh?" Charlie nodded quickly.
"We got a rat," he said. "He just came to live with us a couple years ago." A shadow crossed Farren's face. Remus remembered her words from long ago…'Do not trust the rat.' He shook away the feeling of unease quickly.
"Lookit this!" Bill said to Farren, and pushed up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo of a dragon's tooth. His mother looked scandalized.
"William Prescott Weasley, that had better be a fake, so help you Merlin!" She gasped, her wand out and ready to clean it off. Bill looked frightened.
"Uh, I gotta go get, uh my friend, who's over there waiting for me- UH, Tracy! Tracy!" He said, catching up with a girl his age that eyed him strangely, though she didn't seem to mind his presence. Farren discretely handed something to one of the twins.
"I'm so sorry you had to witness that, Farren, Remus. My sons can be a bit of a-hassle, at times." As if to prove her point, her twins suddenly exploded a cart of magically enhanced zucchini. Farren and Remus quickly hurried away before she started shouting, Farren grinning like mad.
"I gave them that fruit bomb," she whispered to Remus. "I knew they'd like it."
Remus stared at her as if she's gone mad. Her grin seemed to confirm it for him. Sighing, he shook his head and walked towards Ollivander's, which looked miraculously empty. Farren ran ahead and skidded into the shop.
"You're certainly…feisty today," he said as he came in, at a more acceptable pace. Farren ignored him and giggled as a tape measure calculated the distance between her nostrils of it's on accord.
"Try this one," a spooky voice spoke from the back, and Mr. Ollivander walked sedately towards them, eyes travelling over Remus.
"Ah, Mr. Lupin. Red cedar and oak, twelve and a forth, pheonix wing feather, was it not? Particularly good at protection spells, if I do recall." Ollivander said reminiscently. Then, snapping back to it, he handed Farren the wand he was holding without further ado.
"Ebony, ten inches, dragon heartstring- well, wave it." Farren was looking at him like he was crazy, but she waved it anyway. A blast of light nearly knocked her off her feet; Remus was quick to catch her.
"Well, that was seems a bit too powerful…let's try another," Ollivander said moving to the back.
"Well, no!" Farren said in a sarcastic whisper. "It's only EBONY after all." She then began giggling insanely. Remus backed away slowly.
"Here we go, here we go. Willow, ten inches, pheonix feather." Farren still didn't look very convinced of his choice, though she waved it. Nothing happened at all.
"Hmm, not quite powerful enough…well, well, well. How about we try…hmm…this one!" Ollivander straitened up, and wand in his hand.
"Black Walnut, not often seen in wands. Eleven inches, hair of a particularly clever unicorn…had her mate nearly gore me after I had taken a few hairs. And beautiful as well…" Farren's eyes were alight, as if she were all ready taken with it. Carefully, she took it in her hand and waved it; a shower of gold sparks fell from the end.
"Oh bravo," Ollivander said, but at that moment another customer came in, and so they were rushed through checkout.
It seemed, Remus thought the next Monday that every moment since they had left Ollivander's was rushed. All ready Farren was standing, enraptured, on the platform, eyes wide and sparkly.
"I'll see you later, Remus," she whispered softly, turning towards him, eyes suddenly glassy with tears. "I'll miss you. And I'll come home to visit as soon as I can, I promise. And lots of letters, okay?" Remus nodded uncomfortably, and suddenly Farren had thrown herself into his arms and was squeezing the air out of him. Uncaringly, he hugged her back just as hard. She pulled away and smiled at him. "I can't believe I get the whole train to myself! Oh, Remus, one last thing. Visit the neighbours, will ya?"
"The neighbour?" Remus asked her disbelievingly. "The rude, obnoxious, big-headed, prick-of-a-person, neighbour?"
"Neighbour/s/," Farren reminded him. "And I like Allyson."
"You're still worried about her, aren't you?" Remus guessed.
"Yes I am," Farren said unconcernedly. "So visit them!" She pulled him into a quick hug and kissed him on the lips, before rushing onto the train, smiling widely.
"Bye," Remus said miserably. He did not want her to go.
"Bye!" She said, all excitement, waving to him from the window. "And don't forget!" The train sped out of sight and Remus, with a heavy heart, disapparated home.
For weeks afterward, Remus went about with a heavy heart. Forced visits to the neighbours, lonely house cleaning, and finally getting a job filled his life, though not nearly satisfying enough. Eventually, he sent a good-sized letter to Farren and eagerly awaited her return.
'Dear Remus,' he read happily.
'Everything had been going fine. I had a nice long chat with the sorting hat while waiting for Dumbledore one day and discovered that I would be fitted to all four houses, interesting as it is, though he eventually decided on Ravenclaw.' She went on for a while, describing her rapid advancement in lessons, saying that 'all ready knowing many things helps immensely,' much to Remus's confusion.
'I would also like to note,' she told him. 'That Severus Snape is not nearly as disagreeable as you would like to believe, though he is still sore at certain people's inability to stop their friends from being bullies, though he says causing you to sweat at night at the thought of your girlfriend taking private lessons with him is revenge enough.' After that, she had drawn a small smiley face.
Remus had been quick to reply.
'Tell Severus,' he had eventually put. 'That if he lays a hand on you I shall personally make an un-planned visit and we'll take a walk…in the moonlight.' (A/N- I adapted this from the movie HP POA) He had then added a smiley face of his own, this one with a sticking out tongue.
'Tisk tisk, Remus,' she had wrote back. 'Possessive much? So how about those neighbours, eh? Notice anything odd?'
'Well,' he wrote back reluctantly. 'I have noticed some things, actually. As much as I hate to admit it, perhaps it isn't just your imagination. I am very rarely allowed to see Allyson, but when I do she is shy, though she seems to want to confide in anyone who'll listen, as if people rarely do. Also, I noticed odd movement and limping, along with a bruise on her arm, which she quickly concealed.'
'I told you something was up,' Farren had written back, rather irritably. 'If she's being abused-' and she had gone on to rant for half a page, definitely in a bad mood, before revealing that Severus had yelled at her rather forcefully when she had told him that she was trying her best and just didn't like potions, and that she was not a student and so he could not put her in detention, despite the fact that she had blown up a cauldron.
Remus had been quick to write back soothingly.
'Farren, it's okay. In fact, I suspect Sn- Severus will be more upset that he angered you than that you blew something up, considering that I have got the feeling from your writing the two of you have become friends. Besides, isn't it rather funny to see him stumble when he realizes that he can't punish you for mistakes?'
'Yes, of course,' she had written back. 'I was just in a bad mood that day. How's Allyson?'
As her letters became more frequent, as did Remus's visits to the Grayson's, she began to take less time explaining how she had been and more time speculating on Allyson's well being. Finally, nearly six months of tortured hours spent missing her, Farren showed up, quite unexpectedly, at the door.
A knock sounded around five thirty as Remus sat down to a solitary dinner of spaghetti, Farren's favourite. (A/N- if anyone remembers I put this in the prequel.) He walked to the door and opened it uncaringly, only to find Farren, a huge smile on her face, standing there, snowflakes falling from the December air into her hair. Farren loved snow.
"Farren!" He said, eyes wide. "I didn't know you were coming home. Did I miss a letter or some-"
"No, I didn't write!" She said cheeks flushed from the wind. "I wanted to surprise you!" She walked inside, set down her bags, and leapt into his arms, mouth against his. He held her tightly.
"I don't want you to go back," he said in a childish voice, holding her tightly around the middle.
"I've got to!" Farren giggled and hugged him. "But I've missed you like crazy. I just took my first year tests!" Remus stared at her.
"Your first year tests…in six months? You've got to be kidding me!"
"Didn't you see the newspaper article?" She said, eyes bright. "I couldn't believe it, I was in the Daily Prophet! I mean, they ran this big prologue thing about my parents and how they left and went back in time and stuff and how I came back and how you came and got me and how now I was learning magic. And then it went on to about how I was taking the first year exams after only five months and two weeks of studying! Isn't it amazing?" Farren was so excited, Remus could barely follow her words, but he swept her into another hug anyway and squeezed her fiercely.
Unfortunately, Farren went back only a few days later. She had passed her exams with flying colors and had told him that she wanted to do better on her second year ones. Her letters became less and less frequent as her workload enlarged, but she made sure to write him once a month, asking how he was, and Allyson, who seemed to become her special project.
On May twenty-ninth, Farren passed her second year exams and choose her next classes, progressing faster than any person in history so far. Farren was delighted, but she was also sick of the school atmosphere, as she told Remus in one of her letters.
'Learning magic is great and all, but seeing you only every couple of months is enough to kill a person. As soon as I can, I'm coming to see you,' she wrote.
And she did. Five months later she had progressed enough to pass third year exams. Admittedly, her results were not as good as the exams previous, but they were still above average, and Farren cared not about them. As soon as they were over, she told her teachers, as well as the newspaper (who had been tracking her progress in amazement) that she was putting her education on hold so that she could 'spend some time at home with the people I love.' Her first night home, she refused to let go of his hand and crawled into bed with him, unashamedly, and snuggled close, refusing to move. Remus couldn't honestly say that he minded.
Farren continued to study, but she did all theory, as she still wasn't allowed to do magic at home, though she was over-age. The ministry maintained that they wanted her to at least have her O.W.L.s, which didn't seem to bother her in the slightest.
Remus notices that Farren was spending a lot of time over at the Grayson's, though he tried not to be jealous. He was glad Farren was making a friend, though she often came home with worried creases on her forehead. But she said she really liked Allyson, that sometimes the way she looked reminded her briefly of an older Anya. Upon hearing this, Remus hugged her swiftly while she fought back tears.
One day, Remus came home from work to find the house empty. Farren usually made a point to be home from next door before he got home, but he didn't want to butt in. He found a note on the kitchen table.
'Remus,' it read. 'If you are reading this, then I need you at Allyson's. I've gone to speak to her about being abused; I want to know if it's the truth, and if so, I'm taking her to the hospital and turning Gregory in, I don't care what she says, how much she fights. One day she'll thank me. But if this note is here, something went wrong, because I left at ten.
Farren'
Scared enough to burst, Remus pounded across the lawn and pulled at the door without bothering to knock. It was locked. He pulled at the door in a fit of anger and heard the lock break. He then crept quickly yet stealthily through the home, until he came to a door, partially open.
Farren was in their, as well as Allyson and Gregory, who had his back to him. Farren spotted him and sent him a frantic look. Her left eye was black and swollen shot, while she seems to be having trouble breathing without hurting herself, making Remus suggest broken ribs. Allyson was in an even worse condition. (A/N- I don't want to make this too vulgar sounding, but I got to do what I got to do.) Her shirt was halfway unbuttoned, as though she had been showing Farren her bruises, which covered her body, along with fresh scratches and blood. Her arm was hanging awkwardly from a badly constructed sling, and blood trickled down her face. Apparently, something in both her and Farren's faces alerted Gregory of his arrival, for he turned with a snort to him.
"Finally!" Gregory said roughly, grabbing Remus and pulling him into the room. "Your wi- extremely /mouthy/ girlfriend over there was trying to convince Allyson that she's being mistreated. You know as well as I do that she's a failure, a clumsy thing, everything she gets she deserves, you've been over here enough. Now, tell that to your little bitch!"
Remus pushed Gregory roughly off him. He stumbled back, looking surprised. "It is not your place to tell me what to do, and if you think I am going to-punish- someone for speaking their mind and trying to help a friend, you are wrong! I strongly agree with Farren, what you are doing is not for the better, it is abuse, and by attacking Farren for trying to protect Allyson, you have broken even more laws, you sexist, big-headed, egotistical, conceited, prick!" Remus exploded, pushing the man roughly into a wall, which dented under his weight. Allyson gave a dry sob and Farren reached up to stroke her hair soothingly as they crouched in the corner.
Gregory gave a roar of rage but didn't advance towards Remus, seeing his anger-induced strength. His eyes darted around the room, to the door that Remus stood in, and back to Remus's face, bravado suddenly forgotten.
"It's not a-abuse," he muttered weakly. "It's due punishment." He looked scared, as if it had suddenly occurred to him that it was abuse. "You believe me don't you? She deserved whatever she got, it was for good…really." Remus growled at him and he fell silent. Remus sent a harmless stunner in his direction and he slumped to the floor.
"Farren," Remus muttered softly and he advanced towards them, suddenly calm. He couldn't believe he had let himself act as he had. Farren was standing up painfully, supporting Allyson as she did so.
"He broke her arm last night," she said, seeing Remus's glance at the crudely made sling. Remus nodded and gathered Allyson in his arms, Farren limping behind them. He lay Allyson on a couch and hugged Farren gently, muttering, "I was so scared," as she gripped him tight as her pain would allow. Finally, Remus left to send an owl to the Ministry of Magic and Saint Mungo's hospital. Merely minutes later, the ministry was there and taking Gregory away, while taking interviews from the girls and Remus.
Saint Mungo's arrived, with magical stretchers and apparated to the hospital. Remus followed the ministry and, nearly an hour later, after a quickly squeezed in trial, Gregory Grayson was on his way to an area of Azkaban unguarded by dementors, for he was a low-guarded prisoner. He was instead stopped by numerous charms and enchantments.
Remus knew there was something he wanted to do, something that couldn't wait. Seeing Farren harmed today had made him realize again how much he loved her. He made a quick trip into Hogsmeade, stopping by Hogwarts to speak to Dumbledore, who of course, all ready knew, before apparated quickly to the hospital.
He was shown to her room, and the healers quickly cleared out. One or two of the younger women had tears in their eyes and were blubbering about beautiful stories and tragic love tales as they walked out. Seeing Remus, they began to giggle through their tears. Ignoring them, Remus walked right in to the love of his life.
NOTE- this chapter (and probably the next one) will be moving really fast cause I'm sick of writing it Farren. So expect great rushes! And then I have a sequel planned and I'll be done with the Farren trilogy! YEAH!
Chapter 4; relearning to live
The door that led into Dumbledore's office creaked open slowly, and the aged Headmaster himself walked in. His all knowing blue eyes took in the many emotions in the room and his wizened countenance lit up.
"Remus, my boy," he said happily. "Back so soon?" Remus nodded and Dumbledore turned his soft eyes onto the woman who was stroking Fawkes absently and staring at Dumbledore as though she had never seen anything quit like him (which, Remus reminded himself, was entirely possible). She gently removed her hands from Fawkes-who flew to perch on Dumbledore's shoulder- and stuck out one of her pale, trembling hands to him. He took it in both of his and shook it elegantly.
"And you must be the esteemed Farren Alma," Dumbledore said quietly. There was a force in the air so thick that Remus felt that he could surely run a butter knife through it. Farren and Dumbledore had locked eyes and seemed not to be moving, as if they were caught in a staring battle. Remus looked back and forth between the two uncertainly.
"Uh…I'm just gonna take the trunks down to the front and let you two talk, uh…. Yeah," Remus muttered. Neither looked at him. Their insistent staring was starting to frighten him. "Uh, yeah, so I'll come back up and meet you. Uh huh…" With that, he grabbed the shrunken luggage and backed out of the room slowly, his eyes dancing back and forth between the two of him. As he closed the door behind him, he heard Farren say clearly, 'Sir, I feel as if I all ready know you. There is something of dire importance that I must tell you.' Remus wanted to stay and listen, and his Marauder side was urging him on, but he knew it would be dishonest. He walked away dejectedly.
Almost to the entrance hall, he encountered Professor McGonagall, who flashed him a wide and rare grin.
"Albus thought you had arrived back," she said happily, taking the luggage from him and walking with him. "How was your trip?"
"Well, aside from the fact that time travelling is the most horrible experience I have ever been through, that I met numerous rude people, all who seemed to be named some variation of Albert, that I thought Farren was dating someone, got more drunk than ever before, and suffered through the death of a /child/…yes it was lovely." Remus said wryly.
"Really, it was that bad?" McGonagall seemed generally worried.
"Not really, I had a nice time despite…though I will certainly miss Anya," Remus said sadly.
McGonagall frowned and looked at him with worry. "Would you like to tell me about it?" She asked him nicely. He smiled and nodded.
"I think I'd like that," he said and began to tell her all about the trip, starting with Rosmerta and her gossip. By the time he was to the funeral she was in tears, and by the time he had gotten to the scene in Dumbledore's office, she was looking quit surprised.
"Well, I'll be," she said. "Old Albus has done some pretty odd things before, but this just beats all. What could she have to tell him? She's only just met him!"
"Farren," Remus said. "Is not normal. I wouldn't be surprised if she did know him from before." McGonagall snorted inelegantly.
As the two of them continued up the hallway, Remus saw Farren's long auburn hair gleaming in the torchlight.
"Remus," she greeted him. "Sorry that took so long. I was wondering where you'd got to. And you must be Minerva McGonagall," she said, reaching out a hand to McGonagall to shake.
"Please, Minerva will suffice. Remus has told me much about you. I see he's mentioned me to you as well," McGonagall answered pleasantly.
"Actually, I don't think I have," Remus said uncertainly. There was an awkward silence and the group looked at each other uncertainly.
"Well, um…let's get home, shall we?" Remus said suddenly, and that's exactly what they did. Farren was charmed by the home, though she seemed to think it needed decorated more. Grinning larger than ever, the new family settled into their home.
A few weeks later, new neighbours moved in beside them. Farren was outside the house, trying to prompt a garden to grow, when she was startled furiously by the sudden appearance of two people and a horde of luggage. She shrieked and then blushed furiously as Remus and the people all stared at her in surprise. Remus patted her on the shoulder consolingly.
"You really need to get used to that stuff," he said as Farren placed a trembling hand over her heart. The group next door had lost interest in them and left, but Farren peered over at the house curiously anyway.
"It seemed like that house was going to be empty forever," she said. "I'm glad we've finally got some neighbours. The woman looked about my age."
As it turned out, they were only a few years older than Remus and Farren. Their names were Allyson and Gregory Grayson and they were as different as could be. It was a wonder they got along.
Allyson Grayson was pale skinned, with long black hair that fell around her in layers, making her high cheek bones more prominent looking than before. Her eyes were big and liquid-y black, with shadows surrounding them. She was not unattractive, per say, but looked paranoid and jumpy, barely talking when not spoken directly to and always on guard.
Gregory Grayson, on the other hand, was tall and broad, built like a beater. His sun-bleached hair was short and bristly, while wide dull blue eyes were set against his tan skin. He was pushy and obnoxious, very loud, and very boisterous, with a habit of bragging loudly, as Farren and Remus found out
They went to go meet the new neighbours later that week, Farren trying her hardest to seem perfectly normal, to make up for her jumpiness earlier. Gregory opened the door with a grumble, though his face split into an almost malicious grin at the sight of them.
"'Ell, if it isn't the jumpy 'amily 'Om next door," he said with a laugh, before gesturing them in. Remus frowned slightly.
"Though," the man continued, eyes sweeping over Farren. "Jumpy can be…a good thing…Gregory Grayson, 'iss." Remus frowned significantly.
Farren placed a hand on his arm warningly. Their host frowned, but a rustle from the corner averted his attention. In the shadows of the stairwell, barely seen, stood the woman who had been with him the day before hurt showing plainly on her face.
"Allyson!" Roared her husband. "Get o'er here and great our guests, 'ill ya?" The woman shuffled to the door, her bony body stiff with apprehension. She stuck one pale and trembling hand towards Farren.
"Allyson Grayson," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "You must be the neighbours. And this must be your husband." Remus shook her hand quickly.
"Boyfriend…actually," he quickly corrected her. She blushed and shrunk back from him, muttering her apologies. Remus shared a glance with Farren, whose cheeks were rather red, though she too was staring at Allyson oddly. Gregory led them to the living room, which was all ready unpacked and impeccable, though Gregory ran a finger disdainfully over a tabletop as though expecting dust to appear on his finger.
"Allyson, go 'inish dinner, our guests will want some. I'm sure this 'iss will help ya," Farren opened her mouth to decline, but Allyson shuffled meekly to the kitchen and, with a calculating glance, Farren followed her without complain.
"'Omen," Gregory said disdainfully, flopping onto the divan. "Ya got to take a 'irm hand with 'em sometimes, they're always trying to outstand their place, ya know it?" Remus frowned uncertainly.
"I have always thought that woman and men shared 'places,'" he said in a carefully light voice. Gregory snorted.
"Ah, you're one of those types, eh? You'll see, one of these days."
"Well," Remus said, voice forcefully light. "My father detested me and left our family shortly after my fifth birthday. My mother did all the cooking, working, raising, and handymen stuff, as well as playing quidditch with the best of us kids." Gregory pointedly ignored that.
"Your 'ather left, eh? Well, I always thought men should be kept 'ostly separated from 'amily life, if ya know what I 'ean. And not to be rude or nothing, but you're not exactly the 'ost robust of 'em, ya know? /I/ 'ould have left too!" Gregory had a long and solitary laugh at Remus's extent. Remus forced another smile, pushing back thoughts that generally ran along the lines of, 'wouldn't you like to see how manly I can be during full moons?'
"Dinner is ready," I voice said from the doorway, and Remus looked up to see Farren, frown on her face. Remus sincerely hoped that she hadn't heard what Gregory had said, for he thought all his strained politeness might go to waste. Sure enough, she was glaring at Gregory with so much contempt it was unthinkable that he had not yet noticed, though he had managed to.
Dinner that evening was an odd affair, Remus thought. There was a definite tension in the air between their host and hostess, as though she was trying her hardest to be perfect and he was trying his hardest to be indifferent. He said nothing about the fancy china, the crystal wine glasses, or in fact, the wine itself, as though it was a usual event. Farren seemed unusually quiet and pensive; she spoke little and only when asked a direct question. And Remus was boiling with suppressed anger though he did his best to make small talk.
The minute they were safely back in their home, Remus exploding. Yelling obscenities, he rammed a pillow into the wall fiercely, hands smarting. He felt two slender, cold hands place them self on his bare shoulders. Farren lent her head on his bareback and hummed soothingly. Remus eventually slumped against the wall, calm.
"It doesn't matter," she said softly. "He's a prick, a bigot, a scoundrel who has no idea what he was talking about. Only someone with little to no compassion could all as much mock someone's family situation." Of course, Farren would have heard him, and known exactly what Remus was referring too.
Though they spoke of it little, Farren knew of his past. How his father had walked out on them due to Remus's lycanthropy, how his mother had been left to act the part of both parents. She would have, of course, known how upset he was about the whole evening in general. He breathed deeply; she was right, he shouldn't let the man's comments bother him.
"Remus," she said softly, later that night, as they lay cuddled together on the bed, reading some classic novel. "I'm worried."
Remus sat up to look at her.
"About what?" He asked with a small frown.
"Allyson," she said honestly, with a small sigh. Remus frowned, thinking back to the woman. "She's a little shy and jumpy-though who wouldn't be, living with a person like him?"
"I suppose you're right. My imagination is running away with me again," Farren agreed, and she settled back against him as he read aloud, though her eyes continually drifted across the room. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she noticed not when Remus stopped reading to look at her, nor did she stir when he turned off the lights and tucked the blankets around her, resolving that he could sleep in her room if she was so out of it that she didn't notice she was in his.
The next morning, Remus wandered into the kitchen to find Farren sitting at the table, staring pensively out the window. He groaned and wondered what- if anything in particular- was bothering her. She looked up.
"Morning Remus," she said cheerily, sounding more normal than the night before. "I didn't mean to fall asleep in your room."
"I don't mind," Remus said quickly, his cheeks colouring when he realized what he'd just said. Farren pointedly ignored that. Remus turned and quickly gathered some pancake mix and began to fix it. Five minutes in, he had burned them…again. Farren laughed and came to turn the burner down, scrapping burnt remains off the pan and starting over.
"We've a letter," she said offhandedly. Remus started.
"We do?"
"We do," she confirmed. "It's over there, on the countertop. I figured it was for you about a job or something, so I didn't touch it." Remus bounded to the countertop eagerly…if only he wasn't turned down again!
"I-I-it's," he stuttered upon seeing the address.
"What is it?" Farren asked, coming up behind him.
"I dunno…but it's for you," Remus said dryly, excitement gone.
"Me?" Farren asked incredulously. "From who?"
"Dumbledore," Remus said, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. Farren gave a suppressed squeal and grabbed it from him, ripping it open quickly.
'"Dear Miss Alma,'" she read excitably.
'"Due to your unusual past, the staff of Hogwarts has agreed to teach you in the art of magic. Starting next Monday, we would appreciate it if you would come and live at Hogwarts formally; at least, for the time being. You will be receiving lessons from one Severus Snape, Mandragora Sprout, Filius Flitwick, Holanda Hooch, and Minerva McGonagall, as well as myself, in the subjects potions, Herbology, charms, flying, transfiguration, and defense against the dark arts. Bring whatever you like for your new chambers and please buy a wand before you come. A train will be waiting on Platform nine and three-quarters for you at eleven o'clock. '"
'"Remus-"' here she paused and looked at him, though he nodded for her to go on. '"Remus, as I am sure you are wondering, you are most welcome to come to Hogwarts as well, however, I must warn you that you may spend your days doing nothing but browsing books, as Farren shall be very busy. I eagerly await you letter back."'
'-Albus"' Farren's eyes were glowing in excitement.
"I-" Remus started. "I'm not going to be able to go with you." Farren looked at him, surprise evident on her face.
"Why?" She asked bluntly, hurt clearly showing in her eyes.
"Someone's going to need to stay at work to be able to pay for the house," he said sensibly. "But you need to go. It'll be good for you and you look excited. I promise, I'll write you often." Farren nodded, uncertain still, but agreeing none-the-less.
"Perhaps we should go to Diagon Alley and get your things," Remus suggested lightly, trying to forget about how much he would miss her. Farren's eyes lit up again.
"I'd love too! And we can go to Ollivanders and Eyelope's Owl Emporium, and- what?" She asked, seeing his strange look.
"It's uncanny how you know so many things without ever being told…I don't suppose you could give me a clue as to how?" Farren smiled mysteriously, and said nothing.
"I can tell you one thing…" She said thoughtfully. "You might want to open your mind a bit as to the matter of Sirius Black…try and see things that aren't obvious…second guessing yourself isn't always bad…" Remus stared at her.
"I will never, in all of my days, understand you," he said, and with a laugh, grabbed her arm and disapparated into Diagon alley. Without a word other than her inane giggling, she grabbed his arm and pulled him down the street, dodging school kids and laughing like one herself. Suddenly, she stopped, causing Remus to run strait into her and knock both of them to the ground.
"Ey, get a room!" A rowdy teenager yelled as he passed them, and Farren, with a well-situated foot, tripped him right into a pretty blonde haired girl.
"Take your own advice!" She said with a mad giggle, and Remus was struck with the sudden thought that they must look like seventh years, giggling and sprawled on the ground like this. The teenager had forgot about her, as he was staring, quit enraptured, at the girl's…eh, face. Remus burst into laughter, and Farren, ignoring him, scrambled to her feet and over to a family of red haired people.
"Excuse me?" She asked. "Do I know you?" The oldest woman of the lot looked at her.
"I doubt it, dear, you look quit a bit younger than me!" she said. Remus suddenly realized whom she was talking to. Molly and Arthur Weasley and their children (all nine of them.) She looked quit at home with her auburn hair.
"Of course, I'm sorry, you just look very familiar." Farren said, looking as if she knew darn well that she'd never /met/ them before. "My name's Farren Alma by the way…you wouldn't happen to be part of the esteemed Weasley family, would you?" (A/N hee hee, I had to bring the twins in!)
"You've heard of us, have you?" Arthur asked her, surprise evident on his face. "It's not everyday you meet someone who refers to you as esteemed!"
"Ah, yes, I have. Arthur and-Molly, is it not?" Farren said, pleasantries brimming. The couple laughed in delight and nodded.
"And this is Remus Lupin," Farren said, gesturing behind her carelessly. Remus blushed and shook their hands. "My, you have lovely children," she said smiling at them.
"Ah, yes, they are our life," Molly said happily. "This is Bill, he's thirteen, and Charlie, starting school this year, Percy, he's nine-quit the little book reader, and the twins, Fred and George, seven and rotten as can be. This is Ronald, he'd four, and Ginervra, we call her Ginny, three, my baby."
"Wow, how are you guys- and girl- doing today?" Farren said, bending down to talk to them 'on their level.'
"I-" the rather smart looking one with glasses- Percy-said. "Got a new book today. It's called Dragon's Watch and it's Charlie's old book." he held it out for Farren to inspect, and she did so happily.
"Do you know what kind that one is?" She said, sounding generally interested. Percy told her promptly.
"And you're Charlie aren't you? You look like the type to like animals, huh?" Charlie nodded quickly.
"We got a rat," he said. "He just came to live with us a couple years ago." A shadow crossed Farren's face. Remus remembered her words from long ago…'Do not trust the rat.' He shook away the feeling of unease quickly.
"Lookit this!" Bill said to Farren, and pushed up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo of a dragon's tooth. His mother looked scandalized.
"William Prescott Weasley, that had better be a fake, so help you Merlin!" She gasped, her wand out and ready to clean it off. Bill looked frightened.
"Uh, I gotta go get, uh my friend, who's over there waiting for me- UH, Tracy! Tracy!" He said, catching up with a girl his age that eyed him strangely, though she didn't seem to mind his presence. Farren discretely handed something to one of the twins.
"I'm so sorry you had to witness that, Farren, Remus. My sons can be a bit of a-hassle, at times." As if to prove her point, her twins suddenly exploded a cart of magically enhanced zucchini. Farren and Remus quickly hurried away before she started shouting, Farren grinning like mad.
"I gave them that fruit bomb," she whispered to Remus. "I knew they'd like it."
Remus stared at her as if she's gone mad. Her grin seemed to confirm it for him. Sighing, he shook his head and walked towards Ollivander's, which looked miraculously empty. Farren ran ahead and skidded into the shop.
"You're certainly…feisty today," he said as he came in, at a more acceptable pace. Farren ignored him and giggled as a tape measure calculated the distance between her nostrils of it's on accord.
"Try this one," a spooky voice spoke from the back, and Mr. Ollivander walked sedately towards them, eyes travelling over Remus.
"Ah, Mr. Lupin. Red cedar and oak, twelve and a forth, pheonix wing feather, was it not? Particularly good at protection spells, if I do recall." Ollivander said reminiscently. Then, snapping back to it, he handed Farren the wand he was holding without further ado.
"Ebony, ten inches, dragon heartstring- well, wave it." Farren was looking at him like he was crazy, but she waved it anyway. A blast of light nearly knocked her off her feet; Remus was quick to catch her.
"Well, that was seems a bit too powerful…let's try another," Ollivander said moving to the back.
"Well, no!" Farren said in a sarcastic whisper. "It's only EBONY after all." She then began giggling insanely. Remus backed away slowly.
"Here we go, here we go. Willow, ten inches, pheonix feather." Farren still didn't look very convinced of his choice, though she waved it. Nothing happened at all.
"Hmm, not quite powerful enough…well, well, well. How about we try…hmm…this one!" Ollivander straitened up, and wand in his hand.
"Black Walnut, not often seen in wands. Eleven inches, hair of a particularly clever unicorn…had her mate nearly gore me after I had taken a few hairs. And beautiful as well…" Farren's eyes were alight, as if she were all ready taken with it. Carefully, she took it in her hand and waved it; a shower of gold sparks fell from the end.
"Oh bravo," Ollivander said, but at that moment another customer came in, and so they were rushed through checkout.
It seemed, Remus thought the next Monday that every moment since they had left Ollivander's was rushed. All ready Farren was standing, enraptured, on the platform, eyes wide and sparkly.
"I'll see you later, Remus," she whispered softly, turning towards him, eyes suddenly glassy with tears. "I'll miss you. And I'll come home to visit as soon as I can, I promise. And lots of letters, okay?" Remus nodded uncomfortably, and suddenly Farren had thrown herself into his arms and was squeezing the air out of him. Uncaringly, he hugged her back just as hard. She pulled away and smiled at him. "I can't believe I get the whole train to myself! Oh, Remus, one last thing. Visit the neighbours, will ya?"
"The neighbour?" Remus asked her disbelievingly. "The rude, obnoxious, big-headed, prick-of-a-person, neighbour?"
"Neighbour/s/," Farren reminded him. "And I like Allyson."
"You're still worried about her, aren't you?" Remus guessed.
"Yes I am," Farren said unconcernedly. "So visit them!" She pulled him into a quick hug and kissed him on the lips, before rushing onto the train, smiling widely.
"Bye," Remus said miserably. He did not want her to go.
"Bye!" She said, all excitement, waving to him from the window. "And don't forget!" The train sped out of sight and Remus, with a heavy heart, disapparated home.
For weeks afterward, Remus went about with a heavy heart. Forced visits to the neighbours, lonely house cleaning, and finally getting a job filled his life, though not nearly satisfying enough. Eventually, he sent a good-sized letter to Farren and eagerly awaited her return.
'Dear Remus,' he read happily.
'Everything had been going fine. I had a nice long chat with the sorting hat while waiting for Dumbledore one day and discovered that I would be fitted to all four houses, interesting as it is, though he eventually decided on Ravenclaw.' She went on for a while, describing her rapid advancement in lessons, saying that 'all ready knowing many things helps immensely,' much to Remus's confusion.
'I would also like to note,' she told him. 'That Severus Snape is not nearly as disagreeable as you would like to believe, though he is still sore at certain people's inability to stop their friends from being bullies, though he says causing you to sweat at night at the thought of your girlfriend taking private lessons with him is revenge enough.' After that, she had drawn a small smiley face.
Remus had been quick to reply.
'Tell Severus,' he had eventually put. 'That if he lays a hand on you I shall personally make an un-planned visit and we'll take a walk…in the moonlight.' (A/N- I adapted this from the movie HP POA) He had then added a smiley face of his own, this one with a sticking out tongue.
'Tisk tisk, Remus,' she had wrote back. 'Possessive much? So how about those neighbours, eh? Notice anything odd?'
'Well,' he wrote back reluctantly. 'I have noticed some things, actually. As much as I hate to admit it, perhaps it isn't just your imagination. I am very rarely allowed to see Allyson, but when I do she is shy, though she seems to want to confide in anyone who'll listen, as if people rarely do. Also, I noticed odd movement and limping, along with a bruise on her arm, which she quickly concealed.'
'I told you something was up,' Farren had written back, rather irritably. 'If she's being abused-' and she had gone on to rant for half a page, definitely in a bad mood, before revealing that Severus had yelled at her rather forcefully when she had told him that she was trying her best and just didn't like potions, and that she was not a student and so he could not put her in detention, despite the fact that she had blown up a cauldron.
Remus had been quick to write back soothingly.
'Farren, it's okay. In fact, I suspect Sn- Severus will be more upset that he angered you than that you blew something up, considering that I have got the feeling from your writing the two of you have become friends. Besides, isn't it rather funny to see him stumble when he realizes that he can't punish you for mistakes?'
'Yes, of course,' she had written back. 'I was just in a bad mood that day. How's Allyson?'
As her letters became more frequent, as did Remus's visits to the Grayson's, she began to take less time explaining how she had been and more time speculating on Allyson's well being. Finally, nearly six months of tortured hours spent missing her, Farren showed up, quite unexpectedly, at the door.
A knock sounded around five thirty as Remus sat down to a solitary dinner of spaghetti, Farren's favourite. (A/N- if anyone remembers I put this in the prequel.) He walked to the door and opened it uncaringly, only to find Farren, a huge smile on her face, standing there, snowflakes falling from the December air into her hair. Farren loved snow.
"Farren!" He said, eyes wide. "I didn't know you were coming home. Did I miss a letter or some-"
"No, I didn't write!" She said cheeks flushed from the wind. "I wanted to surprise you!" She walked inside, set down her bags, and leapt into his arms, mouth against his. He held her tightly.
"I don't want you to go back," he said in a childish voice, holding her tightly around the middle.
"I've got to!" Farren giggled and hugged him. "But I've missed you like crazy. I just took my first year tests!" Remus stared at her.
"Your first year tests…in six months? You've got to be kidding me!"
"Didn't you see the newspaper article?" She said, eyes bright. "I couldn't believe it, I was in the Daily Prophet! I mean, they ran this big prologue thing about my parents and how they left and went back in time and stuff and how I came back and how you came and got me and how now I was learning magic. And then it went on to about how I was taking the first year exams after only five months and two weeks of studying! Isn't it amazing?" Farren was so excited, Remus could barely follow her words, but he swept her into another hug anyway and squeezed her fiercely.
Unfortunately, Farren went back only a few days later. She had passed her exams with flying colors and had told him that she wanted to do better on her second year ones. Her letters became less and less frequent as her workload enlarged, but she made sure to write him once a month, asking how he was, and Allyson, who seemed to become her special project.
On May twenty-ninth, Farren passed her second year exams and choose her next classes, progressing faster than any person in history so far. Farren was delighted, but she was also sick of the school atmosphere, as she told Remus in one of her letters.
'Learning magic is great and all, but seeing you only every couple of months is enough to kill a person. As soon as I can, I'm coming to see you,' she wrote.
And she did. Five months later she had progressed enough to pass third year exams. Admittedly, her results were not as good as the exams previous, but they were still above average, and Farren cared not about them. As soon as they were over, she told her teachers, as well as the newspaper (who had been tracking her progress in amazement) that she was putting her education on hold so that she could 'spend some time at home with the people I love.' Her first night home, she refused to let go of his hand and crawled into bed with him, unashamedly, and snuggled close, refusing to move. Remus couldn't honestly say that he minded.
Farren continued to study, but she did all theory, as she still wasn't allowed to do magic at home, though she was over-age. The ministry maintained that they wanted her to at least have her O.W.L.s, which didn't seem to bother her in the slightest.
Remus notices that Farren was spending a lot of time over at the Grayson's, though he tried not to be jealous. He was glad Farren was making a friend, though she often came home with worried creases on her forehead. But she said she really liked Allyson, that sometimes the way she looked reminded her briefly of an older Anya. Upon hearing this, Remus hugged her swiftly while she fought back tears.
One day, Remus came home from work to find the house empty. Farren usually made a point to be home from next door before he got home, but he didn't want to butt in. He found a note on the kitchen table.
'Remus,' it read. 'If you are reading this, then I need you at Allyson's. I've gone to speak to her about being abused; I want to know if it's the truth, and if so, I'm taking her to the hospital and turning Gregory in, I don't care what she says, how much she fights. One day she'll thank me. But if this note is here, something went wrong, because I left at ten.
Farren'
Scared enough to burst, Remus pounded across the lawn and pulled at the door without bothering to knock. It was locked. He pulled at the door in a fit of anger and heard the lock break. He then crept quickly yet stealthily through the home, until he came to a door, partially open.
Farren was in their, as well as Allyson and Gregory, who had his back to him. Farren spotted him and sent him a frantic look. Her left eye was black and swollen shot, while she seems to be having trouble breathing without hurting herself, making Remus suggest broken ribs. Allyson was in an even worse condition. (A/N- I don't want to make this too vulgar sounding, but I got to do what I got to do.) Her shirt was halfway unbuttoned, as though she had been showing Farren her bruises, which covered her body, along with fresh scratches and blood. Her arm was hanging awkwardly from a badly constructed sling, and blood trickled down her face. Apparently, something in both her and Farren's faces alerted Gregory of his arrival, for he turned with a snort to him.
"Finally!" Gregory said roughly, grabbing Remus and pulling him into the room. "Your wi- extremely /mouthy/ girlfriend over there was trying to convince Allyson that she's being mistreated. You know as well as I do that she's a failure, a clumsy thing, everything she gets she deserves, you've been over here enough. Now, tell that to your little bitch!"
Remus pushed Gregory roughly off him. He stumbled back, looking surprised. "It is not your place to tell me what to do, and if you think I am going to-punish- someone for speaking their mind and trying to help a friend, you are wrong! I strongly agree with Farren, what you are doing is not for the better, it is abuse, and by attacking Farren for trying to protect Allyson, you have broken even more laws, you sexist, big-headed, egotistical, conceited, prick!" Remus exploded, pushing the man roughly into a wall, which dented under his weight. Allyson gave a dry sob and Farren reached up to stroke her hair soothingly as they crouched in the corner.
Gregory gave a roar of rage but didn't advance towards Remus, seeing his anger-induced strength. His eyes darted around the room, to the door that Remus stood in, and back to Remus's face, bravado suddenly forgotten.
"It's not a-abuse," he muttered weakly. "It's due punishment." He looked scared, as if it had suddenly occurred to him that it was abuse. "You believe me don't you? She deserved whatever she got, it was for good…really." Remus growled at him and he fell silent. Remus sent a harmless stunner in his direction and he slumped to the floor.
"Farren," Remus muttered softly and he advanced towards them, suddenly calm. He couldn't believe he had let himself act as he had. Farren was standing up painfully, supporting Allyson as she did so.
"He broke her arm last night," she said, seeing Remus's glance at the crudely made sling. Remus nodded and gathered Allyson in his arms, Farren limping behind them. He lay Allyson on a couch and hugged Farren gently, muttering, "I was so scared," as she gripped him tight as her pain would allow. Finally, Remus left to send an owl to the Ministry of Magic and Saint Mungo's hospital. Merely minutes later, the ministry was there and taking Gregory away, while taking interviews from the girls and Remus.
Saint Mungo's arrived, with magical stretchers and apparated to the hospital. Remus followed the ministry and, nearly an hour later, after a quickly squeezed in trial, Gregory Grayson was on his way to an area of Azkaban unguarded by dementors, for he was a low-guarded prisoner. He was instead stopped by numerous charms and enchantments.
Remus knew there was something he wanted to do, something that couldn't wait. Seeing Farren harmed today had made him realize again how much he loved her. He made a quick trip into Hogsmeade, stopping by Hogwarts to speak to Dumbledore, who of course, all ready knew, before apparated quickly to the hospital.
He was shown to her room, and the healers quickly cleared out. One or two of the younger women had tears in their eyes and were blubbering about beautiful stories and tragic love tales as they walked out. Seeing Remus, they began to giggle through their tears. Ignoring them, Remus walked right in to the love of his life.