I don't own Harry Potter characters, worlds, or ideas so please don't sue me. '
: NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: please read and review! My first fan-fic so please tell me if you don't like something. Thanks and enjoy!
A F0rg0tten Mem0ry
Remus Lupin sat in the living room of his home. The wind blew through the open door, and as Remus crossed his arms to keep warm a memory flooded his mind…
"Come on James," Sirius called. "We've gotta get outta here."
"No," James replied with courage.
Peter looked around frantically, trying to find a way out. But he knew he would be staying. He always followed James.
"I know that somewhere, deep down, that is Remus," James continued, seeing the unbelieving looks on his friends' faces.
"B-but-"Peter stuttered. "It's h-hungry…"
Sirius, who had been staring at the bloody floor of the shack, suddenly came to attention and glared at Peter. He had just called Remus … their friend …"it". Remus was not a thing. He was a living, breathing person.
Suddenly Sirius understood James.
Remus was not a monster. He was their friend.
"We're staying," Sirius replied simply.
James' face split into a grin. Peter looked as if he were on the edge of tears.
In the next room, a howl erupted and echoed throughout the shack.
But all three stood still.
Remus shook his head, as if trying to shake out the memory. These memories clouded his mind, and thoughts that used to bring a smile to his face brought pain. He was the last marauder. Wormtail was dead, Padfoot a traitor, and Prongs...Prongs was…he couldn't even bare to think it. James…the true leader of the marauders…would never again go on a late-night mission to cause trouble. Remus refused to believe it.
Remus's gory thoughts were interrupted by a slight tapping on the window. It was Fawkes, holding a letter in its talons. Remus opened the window for the phoenix and opened the letter. His eyes widened as he read across the page.
Dear Mr. R.J Lupin,
Hello. I have recently heard from the ministry that you have been had difficulty finding a job due to your…conditions. I would like to propose an offer towards you. Feel free to accept or decline this proposal- although I strongly encourage the idea. As you may have heard, the defense against the dark arts position at Hogwarts is still open due to suspicious beliefs. I propose that you, Mr. Lupin, consider the job. I myself remember you being at the top of your classes, and tutoring many children during your seven years here. Now, I know it may be hard for you to reenter these halls, but I believe it would be cleansing for your mind after all that has happened to visit us again. On a more selfish note, it would finally be the end of my search to find a Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. Since I seem to have to do this each year, it is beginning to become a burden. Now, if you choose to accept this offer, we would be sure to arrange a setup for your monthly absences. Due to newfound research, our Potions master would be able to brew you the necessary potion for your condition.
Please consider my offer.
Hope to see you at school this year.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Remus stared at the note for quite some time and seemed to reach a decision. He could not do it. Those halls would be filled with more memories than the ones Remus were flooded with each day as he sat alone, contemplating his future by looking into his past. But the past had become too painful nowadays, and only reminded him, not of the things he had, but of the things he lost. Everything was gone. Everything was lost to him.
But as Remus strode about the room, occasionally taking another glimpse at the letter, the idea seemed to fill every inch of his mind…
Back in Hogwarts…
Remus sat back down in his chair as voices from the past hovered over him once again.
