(A/N) Hey Y'all! Thanks sooo much to everyone that reviewed and to everyone
that WILL review. Cos you know u want to right? Okay I am sooo sorry that
this took so long it's just I am kind of in the middle of sitting my
highers at the moment. Anyhow I will try to update as fats as I can! As to
all those who read How Voldemort was defeated by an Asda lorry I AM working
on the sequel and it WILL be posted soon. I promise, but until then maybe u
can read and review this for me!
Love Wildmoonflower
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CHAPTER THREE: Something Strange but not Unwanted
Remus Lupin opened one amber eye, and then he opened the other. The sunlight was filtering through the crack in the red hangings about his bed and he could hear the noise of the other boys getting dressed. With a sigh Remus slung his legs out of bed and slid through the curtains. Suddenly Sirius and Peter fell silent.
"Ah, Sleeping Beauty has awoken." James said, trying to lighten the mood. To his surprise a crooked smile cracked across Remus's face which had been so pale and drawn lately that James had feared it would never smile again.
"Listen guys," Remus said hesitantly. "I'm sorry about yesterday. Sorry about...running out."
James gave his lopsided smile and ruffled Remus's wavy hair affectionately as if he were the older brother and Remus the younger. "It's ok Moony; we all get a bit moody sometimes."
Remus nodded jerkily and began to search for some clean clothes and his Hogwarts robes. Sirius watched him out of the corner of one dark blue eye. He wasn't going to accept that Remus had just been 'moody', no; there was more to it than that he was sure of it.
Later, when they had all dressed Sirius walked down to the Great hall beside Remus instead of James. He was determined to try and reach his friend; Remus had to understand that he wasn't alone. "You can talk to me you know Moony." He said quietly. Remus nodded without meeting Sirius's eyes.
"I know." He said.
Sirius shook his head angrily, "No you don't 'know'. You say that Remus but it's just to humour me. 'Oh poor Sirius, I'll pretend I trust him just so he'll leave me alone and I won't have to PUT UP WITH HIM ANYMORE'!"
Remus glared at him, his small mouth curling up in anger, "If that's what you think I'm doing Sirius Black then you aren't my friend at all!" Turning swiftly on his heel Remus practically ran back up to Gryffindor tower. He was running everywhere these days it seemed, running away from everything and everyone. Except Lucius, he was the only one that Remus seemed to be running to.
Back in the corridor Sirius stared after his friend in dismay. How he hated his short temper, it was just that he hated the way Remus always dismissed him all the time as if he, Sirius, wasn't important enough to warrant any explanation. He felt a tap on his arm; it was James asking him to continue to the Great hall. Sirius nodded and followed his messy haired friend. Peter stood for a second trying to decide who to follow. Deciding Remus was too messy and too scary he chose James and Sirius. James was always nice to everyone. Well, everyone except Snape.
+++++++++
Lucius sat at the back of his potions class absentmindedly playing with his quill. It was a new quill sent to him by his father, pure white in colour. White as snow, Lucius frowned. Why couldn't he stop thinking about snow? He was meeting Remus at ten o'clock that night to show him, well Lucius wasn't sure what. To show him that darkness had colours too? That the moon could be as beautiful as the sun and perhaps even more so? Lucius smiled to himself, he was going soft.
Closing his eyes Lucius forgot the class completely; instead he gave into the familiar pull of sleep. It was so easy to fall asleep in the warm, overcrowded classrooms of Hogwarts. Lucius hardly ever had dreams but this time he did.
He was standing in the middle of a ring of fire. The flames licked the edges of his hair and robes but he did not feel hot, nor did he ever catch fire. Just outside the ring of flames he saw a tall cloaked figure with jet black, slightly curling hair and piecing blue eyes. "Who are you?" Lucius cried, his eyes straining to see more clearly.
"Your Master." The voice hissed. Then the figure was gone and before Lucius had a chance to shout again the red-gold flames burned brighter and swallowed him up.
Lucius awoke with a start to find that the rest of the class had dispersed and he was alone. Well, almost alone. There was still Professor Shackleroot standing in front of his desk, staring at him. "Hi?" Lucius put forward sheepishly.
"Young Mister Malfoy," Professor Shackleroot began with a glare. "When you come to my class I expect you to listen, not fall asleep. Do you understand?"
"Yes Professor." Lucius answered in a monotone.
"Just because you are Head Boy it doesn't mean you can go around behaving like that do I make myself clear?"
Lucius nodded feeling his eyes start to close again. "For Gods sake boy, stay awake when I'm talking to you!" Professor Shackleroot snapped, her thin eyes narrowing even further until they were but glinting slits on her face.
"Yes Professor." Lucius said.
With a shake of her head and a sigh Professor Shackleroot turned away from her normally star pupil. It was never a good idea to let anyone know that they were special; they started to think they were 'better' than you.
Lucius walked slowly out of the dingy classroom and down the hall to the Slytherin dormitories. While some thoughts of his strange dream did cross his mind most of Lucius's thoughts seemed to concentrate of lead back to his meeting with Remus later that night.
++++++++++
Later that night when darkness had fallen and the crescent moon had replaced the sun James, Sirius and Peter were all gathered on James's bed. Sirius was worried; he hadn't seen or heard Remus since their argument that morning. If you could even call it an argument Sirius thought, it was more like he had spoken and Remus had bitten his head off. Sirius scowled at the memory.
"So," James said, breaking the heavy silence.
"So. What about Moony?" Sirius asked. "I've been watching him, he isn't himself lately. I mean he is usually shy and rather reclusive but disappearing? Snapping for no reason? He never did that before."
James nodded but before he could say anything Peter interrupted with: "I still think it's that time of the month." The two dark haired boys stared at him unwaveringly until he once again fell silent.
"It's more than that," James said, his brown eyes wide and serious. "I was speaking to Snape today..." Sirius raised his eyebrow and James grinned. "Oh all right I was fighting with Snape today and he happened to let it slip that Remy has been down at the Slytherin bit, visiting Lucius Malfoy, heir to the throne of hell."
"What?" Sirius shouted angrily. "What was he doing going to see that piece of shit?"
James shook his messy haired head. He was worried about Remus too but getting worked up and shouting at the boy would not help. "I don't know Sirius; I don't understand why he would ever want to see Malfoy. I mean they're total opposites. Remus is shy and kind and Malfoy is...."
"A complete Bastard." Sirius finished. "And a Death Eater!" Peter piped up. Peter wasn't really worried about Remus. He was worried that his friends would all start fighting and fall out. Then what would happen to him? He wasn't really worried about losing Remus; after all he was a 'werewolf', but to lose Sirius and James! Peter could not imagine a worse thing.
Sirius and James glanced at each other, both looking as serious as each other. How could they help Remus if he got tangled up with a Death Eater?
++++++++
Remus stood near a burning red torch in the Entrance hall waiting for Lucius. He wasn't quite sure why he was there. Each second more brought further dread for the honey haired boy. He hated the night, he hated the moon. Hell, he was even supposed to hate Lucius Malfoy so WHY was he meeting the older boy at ten o'clock at night? With a sigh Remus leant back against the grey stone wall. It felt rough against his back even against the thick fabric of his Gryffindor robes. He checked his watch trying to decide whether it would be a good idea just to run back upstairs or not. His thoughts were interrupted however by the arrival of Lucius.
"Hello." The blonde said.
Remus jumped in surprise and smiled nervously at the boy. Lucius regarded him intently for a moment with his wide silver eyes before turning and heading out the entrance. "Come on!" he called.
Remus followed quickly. So many questions were running through his head, where were they going? What could Lucius possibly show him? Why did Lucius want to show him? However Remus felt is traditional shyness settle in and he asked none of these questions. He just followed the Slytherin. They were heading deep into the Forbidden forest yet Remus felt no fear, he supposed he had no need to since he was a dark creature himself. Yes, he was a dark creature, how would Lucius react to the knowledge that he was a werewolf? His questions were suddenly interrupted by a pair of cool, pale hands which slid over his eyelids, keeping him from sight. "Malfoy?" Remus asked uncertainly.
"Sssshhh!" said the smooth English accent. "It's me, just keep walking!"
Lucius moved forward and Remus began to walk again, Lucius turning his body in the direction he wanted to go. If it had been anyone else, Remus thought; if it had been Sirius or James he would have run away by now. But with Lucius it was different, he felt not trapped but just safe.
Finally Lucius found the place he had been searching for, he turned Remus around to face away from it and then took his hands away. "Open your eyes." He commanded. Remus did so and looked around expectantly. All he could see was the thick darkness of the forest, nothing special there. "Tell me what you see." Lucius said from somewhere behind him. For a moment Remus was silent, scrutinising the view in front of him. "Nothing," he said. "I see nothing."
"Now turn around." Lucius ordered. Taking a deep breath Remus did so and he saw, he saw...everything.
They were standing on the edge of a small clearing in the forest. The grass was deep and covered in Bluebells. The wind whistled through them and Remus swore he could almost hear them chime. The sky above was sharp and dark black dotted here and there with shining silver stars. The crescent moon shone brightly bathing the clearing in an ethereal silver glow. The wind rushed through the trees around them, lifting Remus's hair and caressing his face. He turned and looked at Lucius who smiled and took his hand. They walked into the centre of the clearing and stood there silently. Remus opened his mouth, about to interrupt their calm but he was stopped by the sudden appearance of golden lights. They floated out of the forest, past the swaying trees and into the clearing, gathering and gathering until the boys were surrounded by them. Remus laughed, forgetting himself for a moment, spinning around his arms open wide trying to touch the shimmering lights. Suddenly his eyes caught a different light. The liquid silver of Lucius's eyes and Remus stopped and stared at the Slytherin. Lucius was standing still, a half smile on his face. His white-gold hair was floating around his shoulders, lifted by the soft breeze and the golden lights seemed to be gathering around him giving him and almost otherworldly look. Remus smiled at him, he felt like a child again, he felt like he wanted to run around and yell until his hearts content. He had never seen the night like this, never seen it so beautiful or so bright. Before it had been dull and dead, filled with all the pain Remus knew and now...now it seemed alive. Lucius watched the younger boy; he had shown Remus the night, now perhaps, he hoped, Remus would show him the day. Just maybe not yet he thought; enjoying the first smile he had ever seen on the Gryffindor's elfin face.
Gesturing to the golden lights Remus smiled. "What are they?" he asked.
"Fireflies." Lucius told him, something about the moonlight on Remus seemed natural, as if he belonged under it. As if it were a part of him.
Remus studied him seriously. "Thank you." He said. Slowly, nervously Remus held out his hand for the Slytherin. Lucius regarded it hesitantly. It was the way, it was the path, and it was...it seemed right. Reaching out his own slim hand he grasped the Gryffindor's and shook it. Remus's skin was hot and Lucius offered him a small, shy smile, a smile that had never before crossed the face of a Malfoy.
"I'm Lucius." He said softly.
"I'm Remus." Came the reply.
+++++++++
Sirius lay in his bed staring at the thick red draperies surrounding it. Remus was nowhere to be found. It was already two o'clock and, well if he was with Malfoy. Sirius hoped he wasn't. He didn't want to lose his friend to something like that. He had to talk to him, Sirius decided. Yes, tomorrow he would find Remus and make him listen.
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End of chapter three.
Wahoo! I finally finished it; this chapter took me ages to write and not just cos of the above reasons. I want to thank everyone who reviewed, I love you all! And to miss Mystic Sorceress, yes I would love a beta only what exactly is it? (Told you I was new!)
............................................................................................................
CHAPTER THREE: Something Strange but not Unwanted
Remus Lupin opened one amber eye, and then he opened the other. The sunlight was filtering through the crack in the red hangings about his bed and he could hear the noise of the other boys getting dressed. With a sigh Remus slung his legs out of bed and slid through the curtains. Suddenly Sirius and Peter fell silent.
"Ah, Sleeping Beauty has awoken." James said, trying to lighten the mood. To his surprise a crooked smile cracked across Remus's face which had been so pale and drawn lately that James had feared it would never smile again.
"Listen guys," Remus said hesitantly. "I'm sorry about yesterday. Sorry about...running out."
James gave his lopsided smile and ruffled Remus's wavy hair affectionately as if he were the older brother and Remus the younger. "It's ok Moony; we all get a bit moody sometimes."
Remus nodded jerkily and began to search for some clean clothes and his Hogwarts robes. Sirius watched him out of the corner of one dark blue eye. He wasn't going to accept that Remus had just been 'moody', no; there was more to it than that he was sure of it.
Later, when they had all dressed Sirius walked down to the Great hall beside Remus instead of James. He was determined to try and reach his friend; Remus had to understand that he wasn't alone. "You can talk to me you know Moony." He said quietly. Remus nodded without meeting Sirius's eyes.
"I know." He said.
Sirius shook his head angrily, "No you don't 'know'. You say that Remus but it's just to humour me. 'Oh poor Sirius, I'll pretend I trust him just so he'll leave me alone and I won't have to PUT UP WITH HIM ANYMORE'!"
Remus glared at him, his small mouth curling up in anger, "If that's what you think I'm doing Sirius Black then you aren't my friend at all!" Turning swiftly on his heel Remus practically ran back up to Gryffindor tower. He was running everywhere these days it seemed, running away from everything and everyone. Except Lucius, he was the only one that Remus seemed to be running to.
Back in the corridor Sirius stared after his friend in dismay. How he hated his short temper, it was just that he hated the way Remus always dismissed him all the time as if he, Sirius, wasn't important enough to warrant any explanation. He felt a tap on his arm; it was James asking him to continue to the Great hall. Sirius nodded and followed his messy haired friend. Peter stood for a second trying to decide who to follow. Deciding Remus was too messy and too scary he chose James and Sirius. James was always nice to everyone. Well, everyone except Snape.
+++++++++
Lucius sat at the back of his potions class absentmindedly playing with his quill. It was a new quill sent to him by his father, pure white in colour. White as snow, Lucius frowned. Why couldn't he stop thinking about snow? He was meeting Remus at ten o'clock that night to show him, well Lucius wasn't sure what. To show him that darkness had colours too? That the moon could be as beautiful as the sun and perhaps even more so? Lucius smiled to himself, he was going soft.
Closing his eyes Lucius forgot the class completely; instead he gave into the familiar pull of sleep. It was so easy to fall asleep in the warm, overcrowded classrooms of Hogwarts. Lucius hardly ever had dreams but this time he did.
He was standing in the middle of a ring of fire. The flames licked the edges of his hair and robes but he did not feel hot, nor did he ever catch fire. Just outside the ring of flames he saw a tall cloaked figure with jet black, slightly curling hair and piecing blue eyes. "Who are you?" Lucius cried, his eyes straining to see more clearly.
"Your Master." The voice hissed. Then the figure was gone and before Lucius had a chance to shout again the red-gold flames burned brighter and swallowed him up.
Lucius awoke with a start to find that the rest of the class had dispersed and he was alone. Well, almost alone. There was still Professor Shackleroot standing in front of his desk, staring at him. "Hi?" Lucius put forward sheepishly.
"Young Mister Malfoy," Professor Shackleroot began with a glare. "When you come to my class I expect you to listen, not fall asleep. Do you understand?"
"Yes Professor." Lucius answered in a monotone.
"Just because you are Head Boy it doesn't mean you can go around behaving like that do I make myself clear?"
Lucius nodded feeling his eyes start to close again. "For Gods sake boy, stay awake when I'm talking to you!" Professor Shackleroot snapped, her thin eyes narrowing even further until they were but glinting slits on her face.
"Yes Professor." Lucius said.
With a shake of her head and a sigh Professor Shackleroot turned away from her normally star pupil. It was never a good idea to let anyone know that they were special; they started to think they were 'better' than you.
Lucius walked slowly out of the dingy classroom and down the hall to the Slytherin dormitories. While some thoughts of his strange dream did cross his mind most of Lucius's thoughts seemed to concentrate of lead back to his meeting with Remus later that night.
++++++++++
Later that night when darkness had fallen and the crescent moon had replaced the sun James, Sirius and Peter were all gathered on James's bed. Sirius was worried; he hadn't seen or heard Remus since their argument that morning. If you could even call it an argument Sirius thought, it was more like he had spoken and Remus had bitten his head off. Sirius scowled at the memory.
"So," James said, breaking the heavy silence.
"So. What about Moony?" Sirius asked. "I've been watching him, he isn't himself lately. I mean he is usually shy and rather reclusive but disappearing? Snapping for no reason? He never did that before."
James nodded but before he could say anything Peter interrupted with: "I still think it's that time of the month." The two dark haired boys stared at him unwaveringly until he once again fell silent.
"It's more than that," James said, his brown eyes wide and serious. "I was speaking to Snape today..." Sirius raised his eyebrow and James grinned. "Oh all right I was fighting with Snape today and he happened to let it slip that Remy has been down at the Slytherin bit, visiting Lucius Malfoy, heir to the throne of hell."
"What?" Sirius shouted angrily. "What was he doing going to see that piece of shit?"
James shook his messy haired head. He was worried about Remus too but getting worked up and shouting at the boy would not help. "I don't know Sirius; I don't understand why he would ever want to see Malfoy. I mean they're total opposites. Remus is shy and kind and Malfoy is...."
"A complete Bastard." Sirius finished. "And a Death Eater!" Peter piped up. Peter wasn't really worried about Remus. He was worried that his friends would all start fighting and fall out. Then what would happen to him? He wasn't really worried about losing Remus; after all he was a 'werewolf', but to lose Sirius and James! Peter could not imagine a worse thing.
Sirius and James glanced at each other, both looking as serious as each other. How could they help Remus if he got tangled up with a Death Eater?
++++++++
Remus stood near a burning red torch in the Entrance hall waiting for Lucius. He wasn't quite sure why he was there. Each second more brought further dread for the honey haired boy. He hated the night, he hated the moon. Hell, he was even supposed to hate Lucius Malfoy so WHY was he meeting the older boy at ten o'clock at night? With a sigh Remus leant back against the grey stone wall. It felt rough against his back even against the thick fabric of his Gryffindor robes. He checked his watch trying to decide whether it would be a good idea just to run back upstairs or not. His thoughts were interrupted however by the arrival of Lucius.
"Hello." The blonde said.
Remus jumped in surprise and smiled nervously at the boy. Lucius regarded him intently for a moment with his wide silver eyes before turning and heading out the entrance. "Come on!" he called.
Remus followed quickly. So many questions were running through his head, where were they going? What could Lucius possibly show him? Why did Lucius want to show him? However Remus felt is traditional shyness settle in and he asked none of these questions. He just followed the Slytherin. They were heading deep into the Forbidden forest yet Remus felt no fear, he supposed he had no need to since he was a dark creature himself. Yes, he was a dark creature, how would Lucius react to the knowledge that he was a werewolf? His questions were suddenly interrupted by a pair of cool, pale hands which slid over his eyelids, keeping him from sight. "Malfoy?" Remus asked uncertainly.
"Sssshhh!" said the smooth English accent. "It's me, just keep walking!"
Lucius moved forward and Remus began to walk again, Lucius turning his body in the direction he wanted to go. If it had been anyone else, Remus thought; if it had been Sirius or James he would have run away by now. But with Lucius it was different, he felt not trapped but just safe.
Finally Lucius found the place he had been searching for, he turned Remus around to face away from it and then took his hands away. "Open your eyes." He commanded. Remus did so and looked around expectantly. All he could see was the thick darkness of the forest, nothing special there. "Tell me what you see." Lucius said from somewhere behind him. For a moment Remus was silent, scrutinising the view in front of him. "Nothing," he said. "I see nothing."
"Now turn around." Lucius ordered. Taking a deep breath Remus did so and he saw, he saw...everything.
They were standing on the edge of a small clearing in the forest. The grass was deep and covered in Bluebells. The wind whistled through them and Remus swore he could almost hear them chime. The sky above was sharp and dark black dotted here and there with shining silver stars. The crescent moon shone brightly bathing the clearing in an ethereal silver glow. The wind rushed through the trees around them, lifting Remus's hair and caressing his face. He turned and looked at Lucius who smiled and took his hand. They walked into the centre of the clearing and stood there silently. Remus opened his mouth, about to interrupt their calm but he was stopped by the sudden appearance of golden lights. They floated out of the forest, past the swaying trees and into the clearing, gathering and gathering until the boys were surrounded by them. Remus laughed, forgetting himself for a moment, spinning around his arms open wide trying to touch the shimmering lights. Suddenly his eyes caught a different light. The liquid silver of Lucius's eyes and Remus stopped and stared at the Slytherin. Lucius was standing still, a half smile on his face. His white-gold hair was floating around his shoulders, lifted by the soft breeze and the golden lights seemed to be gathering around him giving him and almost otherworldly look. Remus smiled at him, he felt like a child again, he felt like he wanted to run around and yell until his hearts content. He had never seen the night like this, never seen it so beautiful or so bright. Before it had been dull and dead, filled with all the pain Remus knew and now...now it seemed alive. Lucius watched the younger boy; he had shown Remus the night, now perhaps, he hoped, Remus would show him the day. Just maybe not yet he thought; enjoying the first smile he had ever seen on the Gryffindor's elfin face.
Gesturing to the golden lights Remus smiled. "What are they?" he asked.
"Fireflies." Lucius told him, something about the moonlight on Remus seemed natural, as if he belonged under it. As if it were a part of him.
Remus studied him seriously. "Thank you." He said. Slowly, nervously Remus held out his hand for the Slytherin. Lucius regarded it hesitantly. It was the way, it was the path, and it was...it seemed right. Reaching out his own slim hand he grasped the Gryffindor's and shook it. Remus's skin was hot and Lucius offered him a small, shy smile, a smile that had never before crossed the face of a Malfoy.
"I'm Lucius." He said softly.
"I'm Remus." Came the reply.
+++++++++
Sirius lay in his bed staring at the thick red draperies surrounding it. Remus was nowhere to be found. It was already two o'clock and, well if he was with Malfoy. Sirius hoped he wasn't. He didn't want to lose his friend to something like that. He had to talk to him, Sirius decided. Yes, tomorrow he would find Remus and make him listen.
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End of chapter three.
Wahoo! I finally finished it; this chapter took me ages to write and not just cos of the above reasons. I want to thank everyone who reviewed, I love you all! And to miss Mystic Sorceress, yes I would love a beta only what exactly is it? (Told you I was new!)