It had been days now, after the last battle. Harry had faced Voldemort in a final stand off and won. It had been close and so many had paid so dearly. So many had been lost, so many brothers, sisters, mothers, cousins, fathers and friends. Most of the bodies that could be found had been found. All except one. Remus Lupin was still to be found. He had been proclaimed missing in action but the search had not ceased. He had done so much that so many felt that he simply couldn't be left. Days wore on however and the searches ceased. As far as the wizarding world was concerned Remus John Lupin had given his life in the final battle. How were they to know this wasn't true?
Remus slowly cracked his eyes open. It was an effort, and painful and draining process to do even that. Through his fogged brain he tried to remember what had happened. Then like a lightening bolt the memory struck through the fog that clouded his senses. He had been hit by…something, in his back. He remembered the pain, indescribable, then the falling to the muddy, cold ground. Now here he was. Where was he? Very carefully he moved a hand to feel the ground around him. It sent pain flying up his nerves but he found what he wanted to know. The ground he was lying on was muddy and cold. No one had come for him. Somewhere in the back of his mind betrayal and sorrow sparked but he banished it.
'They're probably still searching' Remus thought to himself sternly. He wasn't up to talking. He didn't expect an answer.
'They aren't you know' A voice replied from nowhere.
"Wh…"Remus said aloud. His voice was rough and impossible to understand, for a second he thought someone else had spoken. Then there was hushing noise as if someone was trying to shush him.
'Don't speak. Think.' The voice in his head replied.
'Who are you? I can't see you what are you?' Remus asked slowly.
'Moony stop being logical, it doesn't work all the time you know.' The voice replied with a slightly humorous edge in it.
'How do you know…' Lupin trailed off.
'Remus John Lupin, I've been calling you Moony God knows how long.'
'James?' Remus asked slowly.
'Yeah Rem, you finally guessed. Anyway I am here for a reason. I need you to come with me.' James's voice sounded upset but at the same time happy.
'Why, where?' Remus asked, suddenly he felt afraid. Suddenly he felt a ghostly feeling on his cheek, it could have been a breeze but Remus wasn't sure.
'Trust me.' The voice of James replied.
'Yeah you should do Moony I did.' Suddenly another voice was there.
'Padfoot?' Lupin asked again, this was so confusing, why where these people in his head? They had died long ago.
'Yes Moony it's me.' Padfoot actually sounded serious for once. 'Follow us, you have to trust us.'
'But…but I don't want to go.' Remus said holding in tears.
'Moony.' James replied soothingly. 'We've grown up together, we've looked after each other, we've almost died together and I was so convinced we'd grow old together.' He paused and let Sirius take over.
'Remmie you're the last. Remember those four young mischief-makers? Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs? You're all that's left of that and it's time for you to come home Remus. We've been waiting for you and we've missed you'
Remus took a deep breath in, or as deep as he could.
'I trust you James, and I trust you Sirius. I want to go home.' He paused and closed his eyes. 'I want to be Moony again.'